John Tarleton

John Tarleton (1718–1773) was an English ship-owner and slave-trader, and Mayor of Liverpool in 1764.

Tarleton was born in 1718 to Thomas Tarleton of Bolesworth Castle a slave trader and owner in Grenada, who with his brother John had been involved with trading in West Indies and Africa.

Tarleton was the part-owner and manager of several ships engaged in the slave trade, the Tarleton and the Swan in the 1750s, and the John in the 1760s, mainly delivering slaves to Jamaica.

Tarleton married Jane Parker (1726–1797), daughter and coheir of Banastre Parker of Cuerden, Lancashire. Tarleton died in 1773, and was survived by five sons, three of whom continued in the family business. Son John Tarleton was an MP and slave trader, Banastre Tarleton was a soldier and MP, Clayton and Thomas were slave traders.