John Clarke (died 1675) explained

John Clarke, DL, JP (died 6 May 1675) 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.^[1] He became an agent of Josceline Percy, 11th Earl of Northumberland.^[2] He was J.P. for Northumberland from July 1660 until his death, and commissioner for assessment for Northumberland from 1661 to 1663. He was commissioner for assessment for Northumberland and Newcastle upon Tyne from 1664 to 1674.^[1] In 1662 he became a freeman of Newcastle.

In 1670 Clarke was elected Member of Parliament for Cockermouth in the Cavalier Parliament. He was Deputy Lieutenant from 1670 until his death.^[1] In 1675 he was commissioner for recusants for Cumberland.

He purchased land in Chirton, Northumberland, in what is now North Shields, Tyne and Wear, from Ralph Reed in 1672. There he built Chirton Hall with materials initially from the demolished Warkworth Castle.^{[3] [4]} Clarke died in 1675 after ten days sickness, "mostly of a lethargy".^[1]

Clarke married Jane, but had no issue. In 1685, his widow married Philip Bickerstaffe, MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed and later for Northumberland.^{[5] [6]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Clarke, John II (d.1675), of Chirton, Northumb.. 1983. The History of Parliament Trust. 25 November 2011.
2. Book: Northumberland County History Committee. A history of Northumberland. 21 November 2011. 1907. A. Reid, Sons & Co.. 2, 241, 322.
3. Book: Tomlinson, William Weaver. William Weaver Tomlinson

   . William Weaver Tomlinson. Tomlinson's comprehensive guide to Northumberland. 21 November 2011. November 1968. David & Charles. 410.

4. Book: Reprints of rare tracts & imprints of ancient manuscripts, &c: chiefly illustrative of the history of the northern counties. 21 November 2011. 1849. Printed at the press of M.A. Richardson. 24.
5. Book: Bean, William Wardell. The parliamentary representation of the six northern counties of England: Cumberland, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland, Westmoreland, and Yorkshire, and their cities and boroughs. From 1603, to the general election of 1886. With lists of members and biographical notices. Printed for the author by C. H. Barnwell. 1890. Public domain. 487–. 27 November 2011.
6. Book: Hayton. D. W.. Cruickshanks. Eveline. Handley. Stuart. The House of Commons: 1690-1715. 27 November 2011. October 2002. Cambridge University Press. 978-0-521-77221-1. 209–.