Page:Men of Kent and Kentishmen.djvu/133

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AND KENTISHMEN.
119

accepted the office of Sheriff of London, and became soon after an Alderman of Langbourne Ward, and in due course Lord Mayor. He was subsequently elected as the representative of the city in three parliaments. He had previously been returned for Hythe; but was induced to take the course he did in sympathy with Mr. Wilkes. He was an ardent opponent of the government and of the American War, and was a frequent and vigorous speaker in the House. Sometime before his death in 1795, his mental faculties failed. "In public life," says a writer in the "Gentleman's Magazine," "it would be difficult to decide whether Mr, Sawbridge was more eminently distinguished as a senator, a magistrate, or as a colonel of that best defence of our country, the national militia. In his civil capacity as a magistrate, both in the city of London and in Kent, his administration of justice was equal and impartial. In the East Kent regiment, which he long commanded, his conduct was strictly exemplary; it was that of an officer and a gentleman."

[See "Hasted's Kent," and "Gentleman's Magazine," 1795.]


Reginald Scott,

ENLIGHTENED AUTHOR,

Was born probably at Smeeth early in the sixteenth century. His family, seated at Scott's Hall in the above parish, claimed descent from William de Balliol, le Scott, Sir Thomas Scott, the head of the house, was leader of the Kentish forces at the time of the Armada, and sent four