Sir John Molesworth, 5th Baronet
Sir John Molesworth, 5th Baronet | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date |
| Died | October 20, 1775 (aged 46) |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, politician |
| Known for | Member of Parliament for Cornwall (1765–1775), founder of Truro Bank |
Sir John Molesworth, 5th Baronet (1729–1775) was a notable British banker and politician who represented his constituency in the House of Commons from 1765 until his death in 1775.
Born on 12 March 1729, Molesworth was the son of Sir John Molesworth, 4th Baronet. He enrolled at Balliol College, Oxford in 1749 and received his Master of Arts degree in 1751. In 1755, he wed Frances Smyth; following her passing in 1758, he remarried in 1762 to Barbara St Aubyn, daughter of Sir John St Aubyn, 3rd Baronet.
In a by-election held in 1765, Molesworth was elected without opposition as the Member of Parliament for Cornwall. He inherited the baronetcy from his father in 1766 and subsequently finalized the reconstruction of the family residence at Pencarrow. Molesworth successfully retained his parliamentary seat during the general elections of 1768 and 1774. His prominent role in British finance was further established in 1771 when he partnered with Edward Eliot and Humphrey Mackworth Praed to establish the Truro Bank.
Sir John Molesworth passed away at Pencarrow on 20 October 1775. His title and responsibilities were then assumed by his son, Sir William Molesworth, 6th Baronet.