Men of Kent and Kentishmen/John Sawbridge
John Sawbridge,
LORD MAYOR OF LONDON, 1775,
Was born at Olantigh, his father's seat, near Wye in 1732. Though a country gentleman born to an ample fortune, he accepted the office of Sheriff of London, and became soon after an Alderman of Langbourne Ward, and in due course Lord Mayor. He was subsequently elected as the representative of the city in three parliaments. He had previously been returned for Hythe; but was induced to take the course he did in sympathy with Mr. Wilkes. He was an ardent opponent of the government and of the American War, and was a frequent and vigorous speaker in the House. Sometime before his death in 1795, his mental faculties failed. "In public life," says a writer in the "Gentleman's Magazine," "it would be difficult to decide whether Mr, Sawbridge was more eminently distinguished as a senator, a magistrate, or as a colonel of that best defence of our country, the national militia. In his civil capacity as a magistrate, both in the city of London and in Kent, his administration of justice was equal and impartial. In the East Kent regiment, which he long commanded, his conduct was strictly exemplary; it was that of an officer and a gentleman."
[See "Hasted's Kent," and "Gentleman's Magazine," 1795.]