John Sharpe

Year of birth approximate. Son of William Sharpe of Elstree, Hertfordshire and Margaret, daughter of Charles Beake of Golden Square, London. Married Olive Cartwright of Holborn in December 1724.

He was Solicitor to the Treasury from July 1742 until his death and agent for Jamaica from 1733, Barbados from 1738, for Antigua, Nevis, and St. Kitts from 1751. He remained agent for all these until his death.

"As solicitor to the Treasury Sharpe was at the centre of Government business". He also "carried on 'a vigorous private practice, much of it among West Indian merchants and planters'". As well as acting as a WI agent he was solicitor for some North American colonies including Massachusetts and was considered for the agency of South Carolina in 1747, but 'was objected to because "he was very generally employed by the merchants in soliciting their bills through Parliament", and at that time these had a contrary interest'. He was offered but turned down the the agency of Massachusetts in 1755. A guardian of Frederick, 6th Baron Baltimore, and 'presumably through his influence' his brother Horatio became governor of Maryland in 1753.

At his death his widow was left a house in Lincoln’s Inn Fields and one at East Barnet for life and a yearly income of £700. His son, Fane William Sharpe [q.v.], was residuary legatee and succeeded him as MP for Callington.

History of Parliament online.