[1][2] He was born at Bagillt in Flintshire, Wales, the son of Paul Panton or Patton (died 1762), and his wife Margaret Griffith.
He was educated at Westminster School, admitted at Lincoln's Inn in 1744, and matriculated at Trinity Hall, Cambridge in 1746.
[1][3] Panton was closely involved in the local affairs of both Flintshire and Anglesey.
In 1875 many of the manuscripts were said to be in the possession of Paul Panton, R.N., of Garreglwyd, Holyhead, a descendant.
They had two sons and two daughters, and the marriage brought him an estate and house in Anglesey.