Winthrop Sargent (May 1, 1753 – June 3, 1820) was a United States patriot, politician, and writer; and a member of the Federalist party.
Biography
Sargent was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts and graduated from Harvard College before the Revolution. He spent some time at sea, as captain of a merchantman owned by his father. He enlisted in Gridley's Regiment of Massachusetts Artillery on July 7, 1775 as a lieutenant, and later that year was promoted to captain lieutenant of Knox's Regiment, Continental Artillery, on December 10. He was with his guns at the siege of Boston, as well as the battles of Long Island, White Plains, Trenton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. He was promoted to captain in the 3rd Continental Artillery on January 1, 1777, and brevetted major on August 25, 1783.
In 1786, he helped to survey the Seven Ranges, the first lands laid out under the Land Ordinance of 1785. With inside knowledge of the area, he went on to form the Ohio Company of Associates, was an important shareholder in the Scioto Company, and as of 1787, secretary of the Ohio Company.
Winthrop Sargent (June 6, 1794 – October 3, 1866) was a merchant and political figure in Nova Scotia. He represented Shelburne County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1836 to 1840.
He was born in Barrington, Nova Scotia, the son of John Sargent, who also served in the provincial assembly, and Margaret Whitney. In 1819, he married Mary Jane Allison. In 1849, he was named a justice of the peace for Shelburne. Sargent served as customs collector from 1859 to 1866. He was named custos rotulorum in 1857 but refused the position. He served as a consul for the United States. He died in Barrington at the age of 72.
His brothers John and William Browne also served in the provincial assembly.