John Sawbridge

Who was John Sawbridge?

John Sawbridge was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1768 to 1780.

Sawbridge was the eldest son of John Sawbridge of Olantigh and his wife Elizabeth Wanley, daughter of George Wanley.

Sawbridge was elected as a Member of Parliament for Hythe at the 1768 general election, and held the seat until 1774. He exerted himself in the House of Commons on behalf of John Wilkes, who had been declared incapable of sitting for Middlesex. With John Horne Tooke, James Townsend, Richard Oliver, and others, he helped to form the Supporters of the Bill of Rights. In local politics Sawbridge, who was a liveryman of the Framework Knitters' Company, was elected, with Townsend, as sheriff of London in summer 1768, and in the following year he was elected alderman for the ward of Langbourn. During his shrievalty he five times returned Wilkes as duly elected for Middlesex, in defiance of the house, and was threatened with a bill of pains and penalties from the government.