John Westbrooke facts for kids
John Westbrooke (born 1616 – died 7 June 1666) was an important English landowner and politician. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is a big part of the English Parliament, in 1659 and 1660. He helped make decisions for the country during a time of change in England.
Early Life and Public Service
John Westbrooke was born in 1616 and was the oldest son of Caleb Westbrooke. His family lived in a place called Witley. When his father passed away in 1635, John took over the family estate in Witley. This meant he became a significant landowner.
As he grew older, John took on many important roles in his community. From 1649 to 1652, he was a commissioner for assessment in Surrey. This meant he helped decide how much people should pay in taxes. He also served as a J.P. (Justice of the Peace), which is like a local judge who helps keep order and fairness.
John was also involved in the local military. In 1650, he was a captain in the militia horse, which was a group of citizen soldiers who rode horses. By 1651, he became a commissioner for militia, helping to organize these local forces. He continued to serve as a Justice of the Peace from 1654 until 1660 and helped with tax assessments again in 1657.
A Member of Parliament
In 1659, John Westbrooke was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Haslemere. This meant he represented the people of Haslemere in the Third Protectorate Parliament. Being an MP was a very important job, as he helped make laws and decisions for the country.
He continued his work with the militia, becoming a commissioner for militia again in March 1660 and a captain of the militia infantry (foot soldiers) in April 1660.
In April 1660, John was re-elected as an MP for Haslemere. This time, he served in the Convention Parliament. He also continued to help with tax assessments from August 1660 to 1661.
Family Life and Passing
John Westbrooke married Barbara Watersfield on 17 July 1637. They had a family with four sons and two daughters. Barbara passed away in 1657. John Westbrooke himself died at the age of 49, on 7 June 1666, and was buried in Ferring.
