Background
Born about 1637, he was the only son of Sir Edward Hartopp, 2nd Baronet, of Freeby, Leicestershire, by Mary, daughter of Sir John Coke, of Melbourne, Derbyshire.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
John John Hartopp
Edit Profile
Education
When in London, of which he became an alderman, he attended the Independent meeting-house in Leadenhall Street, over which John Owen presided, and continued a member under successive ministers until his death.
Career
He succeeded as third baronet in 1658. Hartopp represented Leicestershire in the parliaments of 1678-1679, 1679, and 1680-1681. He strongly supported the Exclusion Bill in 1681.
Under James II he was heavily fined for nonconformity.
Isaac Watts, who resided with the Hartopps for five years at Stoke Newington, preached their funeral sermons. In early life Hartopp used to take down in shorthand sermons, so that he might read them to his family.
Thirteen sermons of John Owen, preserved in this way, were published by Hartopp"s granddaughter, Mistress Cooke, in 1756. By his will, Hartopp left £10,000 for the instruction of youth as preparation towards the dissenting ministry.
His heirs, however, took advantage of a legal flaw in the conveyance, and appropriated the bequest to themselves.
Nearly one half of the legacy was eventually restored, and applied to the use for which it was originally intended.
