Isaac Sharp facts for kids

Isaac Sharp (1681–1735) was an important person in early New Jersey. He was a settler, a politician, a judge, and a military leader.

Early Life and Journey to America

Isaac Sharp was born in Dublin, Ireland, on January 13, 1681. His parents were Anthony Sharp and Ann Crabb. The Sharps were Quakers, a religious group known for their peaceful beliefs.

When Isaac was 19, he left Ireland in November 1700. He traveled for 18 weeks across the ocean. He arrived in Colonial America on April 6, 1701. He came to help settle his father's large land areas in New Jersey.

Settling in New Jersey

Isaac settled in a place in Salem County, New Jersey. He named it Blessingtown. This name came from a town in Ireland called Blessington. Later, the town in New Jersey was renamed Sharpstown. It was named after the Sharp family who settled there.

In 1704, Isaac Sharp married Margaret Braithwaite. She was also from Salem County. They had several children together. Their children included Anthony, Isaac, Joseph, Mary, Sarah, and Rachel. Isaac's son Joseph was the grandfather of Moses Austin. He was also the great-grandfather of Stephen F. Austin.

Isaac Sharp's Career

Isaac Sharp held many important roles in New Jersey. He was a member of the Council of Proprietors. This group managed the land in the colony.

He also served as a judge for the Salem County Court. He held this position from 1709 to 1717. From 1709 to 1721, he was a member of the New Jersey General Assembly. This was like being a lawmaker for the colony.

Isaac Sharp was also a Colonel in the militia. The militia was a group of citizens who could be called upon to defend the colony. He led the militia for West New Jersey, covering Salem and Cape May.

Later Life and Legacy

When his father passed away in 1707, Isaac inherited a lot of land. He received all of his father's land in West New Jersey. He also got half of the land in East New Jersey. He inherited land in Ireland too, including the area of Killinure. This became the site of the Sharp Roundwood Estate.

Around 1726, Isaac returned to Ireland. He lived on his property there until he passed away in 1735.