Born 1764, the eldest son of Mr. Gladstones. John went on to succesfully trade with a large number of countries, including Russia, the United States, and India after the monopoly of the East India Company was broken.

John Gladstone was the largest slaveholder before the slavery abolition act, receiving £106,769 in 1830 pounds as payment.

John Gladstone dropped the -s from his last name, as was formally changed by royal licence in 1835. He was also created the Baronetcy of Gladstone. He died December 1851.