John Delbridge

Who is John Delbridge?

John Delbridge was an English merchant from Devon who was elected six times as Member of Parliament for his home town, the borough of Barnstaple, in the years 1614, 1621, 1624, 1625, 1626 and 1628. He served three times as mayor of Barnstaple, in 1600-1, 1615–16 and 1633-34. By 1596 he had been elected a Freeman of Barnstaple, and Capital Burgess by 1596; He was Captain of the militia of foot-infantry by 1629 and Clerk of the Market 1633-34. In trading activities he was a member of the East India Company, the French Company, the Virginia Company, the North West Passage Company and the Somers Island Company. He was a member of the Council for Virginia in 1621. His skills and influence were noted by the great Sir Robert Cecil by whom he was employed from about 1602 to after 1606. He acquired the manor and advowson of West Buckland, Devon.