James Claxton was from Yorkshire. He went to the English College at Douai, which had relocated temporarily to Rheims, and was ordained at Soissons 9 June 1582. He set out for England with fellow-priest Richard Evens on 24 July. At some point he was captured and exiled in 1585. He returned to England, was again arrested and sent to the Marshalsea prison. On 28 August 1588, he was taken with Thomas Felton to a place near Brentford, (likely "Bush Corner") and hanged.McClement, F. Kerr., "Venerable Thomas Felton and James Claxton", Lives of the English Martyrs, vol.1, (Edwin Burton and J.H. Pollen, eds.), Longmans, Green and Co., 1914, p. 399 All told eight were executed on this day in and around London.
