John Clarke

Who is John Clarke?

John Clarke was an English landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1670 to 1675.

Clarke was the son of Roger Clarke of Great Torrington, Devon and his wife Honor Hockin, daughter of Christopher Hockin, clothier, of Frithelstock, Devon. He became an agent of Josceline Percy, 11th Earl of Northumberland. He was J.P. for Northumberland from July 1660 until his death. He was commissioner for assessment for Northumberland from 1661 to 1663. In 1662 he became a freeman of Newcastle. He was commissioner for assessment for Northumberland and Newcastle upon Tyne from 1664 to 1674.

In 1670 Clarke was elected Member of Parliament for Cockermouth in the Cavalier Parliament. He was Deputy Lieutenant from 1670 until his death. He purchased land in Chirton, Northumberland from Ralph Reed in 1672. He built Chirton Hall there with materials from the demolished Warkworth Castle. In 1675 he was commissioner for recusants for Cumberland.

Clarke died in 1675 after ten days sickness, "mostly of a lethargy".

Clarke married Jane, but had no issue. His widow married Philip Bickerstaffe, M.P. for Berwick-upon-Tweed in 1685; and later for Northumberland.