Vancouver's colleagues


The following men sailed with George Vancouver on the voyage to the Northwest coast of America between 1791 and 1795 on the Chatham and Discovery.

Return to A Short biography of George Vancouver.

(This page was begun in January 2005 and was last amended on 02 January 2006).

 

Edmund Atkinson Joseph Baker Volant Vashon Ballard
Robert Barrie Edward Bell William Robert Broughton
Adam Brown John Aisley Browne Thomas Clarke
Thomas James Dobson John Miller Garnier Augustus Boyd Grant
James Hanson Edwin Charlton Harris Thomas Heddington
Henry Humphrys James Johnstone William Le Mesurier
George Charles McKenzie Thomas Manby Archibald Menzies
Zachary Mudge Thomas New John Nicholas
Henry Masterman Orchard Robert Pigot Thomas Pitt
Peter Puget Edward Roberts James Woodward Scott
John Sherriff John Stewart Charles Stuart
Spelman Swaine John Sykes Joseph Whidbey

 

Family trees of some of the crew

I have been able to put together family trees for George Vancouver and some of his colleagues. They are by no means final and there are gaps in most of them. Several of the men were related to each other by blood and others later by marriage. The relationship between Charles Stuart and John Stewart is somewhat remote howevr.

Joseph Baker Joseph Baker and Volant Ballard Robert Barrie and Henry Humphrys
George Vancouver Peter Puget John Stewart and Charles Stuart

 

Short biographies

Edmund Atkinson

Edmund Atkinson was master's mate on the Chatham. He joined on 01 April 1791 and remained with the ship until 14 July 1791 when he was discharged at the Cape. He was listed as being 22 years old and from Carlisle when he joined. Little is known about him. An Edmund Atkinson was baptised on 05 July 1766 at St. Mary, Carlisle, the son of James Atkinson.

 

Joseph Baker

There are two small family trees for Joseph Baker; the first for Joseph Baker and his immediate family; the second Joseph Baker and Volant Ballard shows the relationship between the two men.

Joseph Baker, the second son of the James and Nancy (née Ludlow and from Ludlow in Shropshire) Baker, was born in Bristol early in 1768. He was baptised at St. Peter's Church. On 19 December 1781, Baker joined the navy and was posted aboard the HMS Alert, as servant for Commander James Vashon, with whom a close relationship developed. (Vashon came from Ludlow so it is probable that the families were friends). Vashon was promoted captain for his role in the Battle of the Saintes in April 1782. Baker went with him to the Prince William as a midshipman. Vashon was appointed flag captain of HMS Formidable as a flag captain before being given command of HMS Sibyl. Baker served with Vashon on both ships.

In December 1786, Vashon took Baker with him to his newest ship, the Europa, in Commodore Alan Gardner's squadron. Here Baker met lieutenant George Vancouver, and fellow midshipman Peter Puget.

In 1791,Vancouver chose Baker as 3rd lieutenant on his new ship, the Discovery, which set out on 01 April 1791 for the Northwest Coast of America. Joseph Baker began as 3rd lieutenant on the Discovery. On 26 September 1792 he was promoted to 2nd lieutenant. On 25 November 1794, he was made 1st lieutenant. He served the whole voyage on Discovery. Baker kept logs (Adm 55/32 22 Dec. 1790-27 Nov. 1792. Adm 55/33 28 Nov. 1792-01 Jul. 1795). He drew seven views and was responsible for the charts that accompanied Vancouver's text in the official narrative.

Mount Baker in Washington state, overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca, is named for him as is Point Baker near Port Protection on Sumner Strait.

After the expedition, Baker was made lieutenant on 06 November 1795. He was promoted commander on 01 March 1799 and captain on 26 April 1802.

In 1808, Captain Joseph Baker was in command of HMS Tartar, based at Leith in Scotland. His friend, James Vashon commanded the ships at Leith at this time. While escorting a convoy off Norway on 03 November the Tartar captured the Danish privateer sloop Naargske Gutten. On 15 May 1809, Baker captured a Danish privateer sloop near Felixberg on the coast of Courland. At the beginning of March 1811, vice admiral Sir James Saumarez received information of an intended attack by the Danes on the island of Anholt in the Kattegat between Sweden and Denmark, then garrisoned by British forces. The Tartar sailed from Yarmouth on 20 March and anchored off the north end of the island on the 26th, sighting the enemy off the south side of the island the next day. The enemy, with eighteen heavy gunboats covering them offshore, landed in darkness and fog on the south side and attempted to outflank the British positions but were driven back. Gunfire from Tartar and the island's batteries forced the gunboats to get under weigh and move off to the westward leaving the enemy troops ashore to surrender. Tartar chased the escaping gunboats towards Laeso but found herself in shoal water as night approached so had to give up.

On 18 August 1811, Tartar struck on a sandbank in the Baltic and was wrecked. All the crew were saved and distributed among the ships on the station. This ended Baker's active naval career. He took charge of a prisoners of war camp (Stapleton?) near Bristol for some time.

Baker was married to Elizabeth (who possibly died in Ludlow in July 1841) and they had several children, among them being Admiral James Vashon Baker (the name reflecting the friendship with Admiral James Vashon) and General Sir William Baker (the 4th son born in Leith in 1808 and who died in 1881). Joseph Baker died in June 1817 at Presteigne, Radnor leaving a will (FRC will; 20 September 1817 11/1596).

Baker kept a log during the voyage. Adm 55/32 covers 22 December 1790 to 27 November 1792. Adm 55/33 covers 28 November 1792 to 01 July 1795. They includes charts and views. Baker was responsible for most of the charts reproduced in Vancouver's official narrative,

Text of will
In the name of God, amen

I, Joseph Baker, lieutenant in the navy, being in bodily health and of sound and disposing mind and memory and considering the perils and dangers of the seas and other uncertainties of this transitory life, so for avoiding controversies after my decease make, publish and declare this my last will and testament in manner following:

That is to say first I recommend my soul to God that gave it and my body I commit to the earth or sea as it shall please God so order and as for and concerning all my worldly estate, I give, bequeath and dispose thereof as followeth:

That is to say all my wages, sum and sums of money, lands, tenements, goods, chattels, estate whatsoever as shall be any ways due, owing or belonging unto me at the time of my decease, I do give, devise and bequeath the same unto my wife, Elizabeth Baker.

And I do hereby nominate and appoint Captain James Vashon of the Royal Navy, and James Sykes of Arundel Street, London, executors of this my last will and testament.

Hereby revoking all former and other wills, testaments and deeds of gift by me at any time heretofore made and I do ordain and ratify those presents to stand and be for and as my only last will and testament.

In witness whereof to this my said will, I have set my hand and seal, the twenty first day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven and in the thirty seventh year of the reign of King George the Third over Great Britain per Joseph Baker. SS. Signed, sealed, published and declared in the presence of Will Penrose.

19th September 1817. Appeared personally the Reverend James Volant Vashon of Salworpe Rectory in the County of Worcester, xxxx and made oath that he knew and was well acquainted with Joseph Baker, late of Presteigne in the County of Radnor, esquire, a captain in His Majesty's Royal Navy, deceased, for several years before and to the time of his decease, which happened in the month of June last.

And having often seen him write and write and subscribe his name he thereby became well acquainted with his manner and character of handwriting and subscription. And having now viewed and carefully perused and inspected the names "Joseph Baker" set and subsribed to the paper annexed, partly printed and partly written, the said paper purporting to be the last will and testament of the said deceased and beginning thus "In the name of God, amen, I Joseph Baker, lieutenant in the navy" ending thus "in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven and in the thirty seventh year of the reign of King George the Third over Great Britain per Joseph Baker" and subscribed aforesaid "Joseph Baker" he lastly made oath that he doth verily and in his xxxx xxxx the said names "Joseph Baker" to be the proper handwriting and subscription of the said Joseph Baker, deceased. J.V. Vashon. Same day sworn before me, John Danbury, xxxx, present I.R. Burkett N.P.

Proved at London 20 Sept. 1817 before the worshipful John Danbury, Doctor of Laws and surrogate, by the oath of James Vashon, the surviving executor to whom admon was granted, he having been first sworn duly to administer.

Notes for the will.
Baker's will was written in 1797 shortly after his marriage. It makes reference therefore to his wife but no children.
James Sykes, one of the executors, died in 1816.

 

Volant Vashon Ballard

There is a family tree for Volant Ballard and Joseph Baker that shows the relationship between them.

Volant Vashon Ballard was baptised on 04 January 1774 at Ludlow, Shropshire, the son of Humphrey Ballard and his wife Sarah (née Vashon). Humphrey Ballard had married Sarah Vashon on 28 November 1770 at Ludlow. Both parents came from Ludlow in Shropshire. Volant Ballard was also the nephew of Captain (later Admiral) James Vashon.

Ballard joined the expedition on 28 February 1791 from the Monarch. He spent the whole voyage on Discovery beginning as an A.B. On 01 June 1791, he became a midshipman and remained so until 01 December 1792. He then transferred to be clerk before becoming a midshipman again from 01 December 1794. During the voyage Ballard kept a log (Adm 55/29 Discovery, 01 Mar. 1791-02 Jul. 1795).

After the voyage with Vancouver, Ballard was made a lieutenant on 06 November 1795. On 25 December 1798, while commanding the sloop Hobart, on the East India station, Ballard was promoted to captain and transferred to the frigate Carysfort. He subsequently commanded the Jason, the De Ruyter, and the Beschermer.

Captain Volant Vashon Ballard took command of HMS Blonde (previously the French Hebe, captured in 1782 and renamed in 1805) in 1807. They departed in a convoy to the West Indies on 07 January, and, in August, captured the French privateers La Dame Villaret and the Hortense. The Hirondelle and the Duquesne were captured in September and the Alert in October. At the end of 1809, the Blonde was part of a small squadron off Basseterre in the blockade of Guadaloupe. On 18 December 1809, Captain Samuel Ballard in HMS Sceptre assumed charge of the squadron. Two French ships were discovered moored in a strong position in Anse-la-Barque. Blonde was deputed to lead the attack and bore the brunt of the action, which left the enemy frigates in flames. The action led to the capture of Guadeloupe and Ballard was honourably mentioned.

Ballard was made a Companion of the Bath in 1815. His older brother, Humphrey Ballard, married Ann Baker on 17 December 1814 in Presteigne, Radnorshire. Ann Baker may have been the sister of Joseph Baker, thus providing a link between Joseph Baker and Volant Ballard. Ballard, himself, married Arabella Sarah (née Crabb, from Shidfield Lodge, Hampshire) on 18 September 1811. They had the following children: Sarah Arabella (1812); Harriett Vashon (1814); Volant Vashon (1816); James Boucher (1817) (later a navy Captain); and Edward Humphrey (1819). Ballard became a rear admiral in 1825 but died at Bath on 12 October 1832, and was buried at the church of St Saviour, Walcot in Wiltshire. He left a will (FRC will; 15 November 1832 11/1807).

Ballard kept a log during the voyage. Adm 55/29 Discovery covers 01 March 1792 to 02 July 1795.

 

Sir Robert Barrie

There is a family tree for Robert Barrie and Henry Humphrys that shows the relationship between them. NB a new updated version of this file will be loaded soon.

The section about Robert Barrie has been compiled with assistance from Ann Alt in Ohio, U.S.A.

Robert Barrie was born on 05 May 1774 in St. Augustine, Florida, the son of Robert and Dorothea (Dolly) Barrie. His father, originally from Sanquhar, Dumfries in Scotland, was a surgeon's mate in the 31st Regiment of Foot. Barrie senior was suffering from pleuratic fever and returned to Britain. However, he died at sea in 1775 en route with his family. Barrie's mother, who was the sister of Alan Gardner, an officer in the Royal Navy, eventually married again in 1784, this time to George Clayton, a wealthy Lancashire textile manufacturer. Barrie, after basic schooling, joined the navy in 1788, under the patronage of his uncle, Captain Alan Gardner.

In December 1790, Barrie joined Vancouver's proposed expedition to the Northwest Coast of America on 27 December 1790. He spent the whole voyage on Discovery. He began as a midshipman. On 01 February 1792, he became an A.B. and then, on 01 April 1793, he became a midshipman again. From 26 November 1794 to the end of the voyage, he was a master's mate (from 26 November 1794). He took an active part in many of the survey parties on the northern coast of what is now British Columbia. Barrie kept a log but it is now missing. Letters he wrote to his mother are among the Barrie papers held by Duke University. Vancouver named Barrie Point on Sumner Strait after him. A part of Gardner Canal in British Columbia was named Barrie Reach at a later date.

When Vancouver's expedition returned to Britain, Barrie was promoted lieutenant on 05 November 1795. He joined a former Discovery shipmate, Thomas Manby, in the Bourdelais in 1801. In early December of that year, the Bourdelais, with Thomas Manby as captain, sailed from Portsmouth with a convoy to the West Indies. However, the convoy was dispersed in a gale off Cape Finisterre and on 08 January 1801, off Palma, the Bourdelais sighted a strange sail. Two boats were despatched under Lieutenant Robert Barrie to investigate. After a 14 hour row, Barrie recaptured the Adventure (a London vessel, recently taken by the Mouche, a French privateer).

Barrie was rewarded for his actions with promotion to commander on 23 October 1801. Several months later, on 29 April 1802, he was advanced to captain, while in command of the sloop Calypso. In late 1803, the Bourdelais was recommissioned with Robert Barrie as her new captain. About this time, Barrie spent time in London with Thomas Pitt, sharing his somewhat hedonistic lifestyle.

From June 1806, Barrie took command of HMS Pomone, operating in the English Channel. He captured or destroyed 21 French vessels off the French coast over two months. On 5 June, Pomone sighted a convoy running close in shore south of the Ile d'Yeu. As the rest of the British squadron was too distant, Barrie decided to stop the convoy getting into Sable d'Olonne by himself. Fourteen of the enemy were taken and one driven on shore. Seven brigs, five sloops, a dogger and a chasse maree laden with wheat, flour and provisions were sent to Plymouth. Sir Richard Strachan, watching the prizes, signalled to the squadron "Pomone has great merit."

On 13 June 1809, in the Mediterranean off Cap Bon, the Neapolitan privateer Lucien Charles (commanded by General de Boissi, the adjutant general of France) was captured after a short chase. Pomone was then employed watching the port of Toulon and, when the enemy's ships put to sea on 21 October, Barrie sailed to inform Lord Collingwood. The French privateer brig Dubourdieu was captured by Pomone on 18 January 1811. On 13 March, Pomone was west of the Maddalena Islands between Corsica and Sardinia, when a brig, l'Etourdie, was sighted to the eastward. Barrie gave chase and saw the brig enter a small cove on the north side of Montecristo Island, about 45 km south of Elba. As the Pomone approached, the brig was set on fire by her crew and blew up an hour later. In April, Barrie in the Pomone, together with the Unite and the Scout, approached three vessels in the Bay of Sagone in Corsica. The enemy commanded the heights around the bay and the vessels were covered by a battery of guns. The British ships attacked until the guns on shore were silenced and the three French ships were ablaze. Later, the Pomone captured a ship carrying Lucien Buonaparte, the brother of Napoleon, who was attempting to escape to America from Italy with his plunder.

On 14 October 1811, Pomone, returning from the Mediterranean with Sir Hartford Jones, the British ambassador to Persia, on board, struck on the Needles off the Isle of Wight. The crew, passengers and cargo were all taken off before the ship sank. Captain Barrie and his officers were cleared of blame for the loss at a court martial.

Robert Barrie was appointed to HMS Dragon in October 1812 and took the ship on the Halifax station. During the winter of 1813, Captain Barrie was commodore of the squadron blockading the Chesapeake until Rear Admiral Cockburn arrived in May 1814. Under Barrie, 85 vessels were captured. On 01 June 1814, Barrie was sent with the boats of Dragon and Albion and the schooner St. Lawrence to attack a flotilla being fitted out at Baltimore. They met the flotilla standing down the Chesapeake and retreated before it towards the Dragon which was anchored off Smith's Point. When Dragon got under weigh the Americans retreated into the Paxutent River where the ship could not follow them. On the 15th, Barrie proceeded up river with 12 boats containing marines and troops. They occupied Benedict and Marlborough and loaded tobacco on the boats and a schooner. Dragon returned to at Halifax for a refit and where she became the flagship of Rear Admoral Griffith.

Barrie, in the Dragon, led a flotilla from Halifax on 26 August 1814, which anchored off Metinicus Island before sailing up Penobscot Bay to reach reached Castine. The town were abandoned and then occupied by a landing party. Captain Barrie with 80 marines and 600 troops continued up the river to attack the Adams frigate at Hamden. Before the boats could reach them, the Americans set the Adams on fire, and retreated to Bangor where they surrendered. HMS Dragon subsequently returned to the Chesapeake where Barrie resumed as commodore of the squadron. In late 1814, Barrie landed twice at Tappahanock and brought off tobacco and flour together with the arms and baggage.

On 11 January 1815, the Dragon proceeded to the coast of Georgia in a small convoy and took possession of Cumberland Island. Barrie landed on the mainland where he captured a fort at Point Petre and destroyed the barracks and store houses at St. Mary's before bringing out a ship laden with timber and a captured English East Indiaman. Dragon returned to Plymouth at the end of 1815 and was put out of commission. Her officers presented Captain Barrie with a piece of plate valued at 100 guineas and, on 21 December 1815, a public dinner was held at Preston to honour his services.

Following the peace in 1815, Barrie was placed on half pay. He was also made a Companion of the Bath. Barrie married Julia Wharton Ingilby on 24 October 1816 and, together, they had one son and four daughters. Barrie was made commissioner of the dockyard at Kingston, Upper Canada, in January 1819, at the time the senior naval position in the Canadas. The Barries moved to live at Point Frederick, the present site of the Royal Military College of Canada. Barrie was involved with various matters connected with maritime matters, including the hydrographic surveying of the Great Lakes and St Lawrence River system, the building of the Rideau and Welland canals and relations with the United States over topics such as the international boundary.

At the end of 1825, Barrie went to Britain for consultation with the Admiralty about the naval establishments and the defence of Canada. He returned to Kingston in 1827 but when the inland naval establishment was abolished in June 1834, Barrie returned to Britain for good. King William IV immediately appointed him KCH and knighted him. He was promoted rear-admiral in 1837, and in 1840 was created KCB.

Barrie died on 07 June 1841 at his seat in Swarthdale, northern England. Julia Barrie died in February 1837. One of their daughters, Georgina, became a catholic nun and went with Florence Nightingale to the Crimea.

 

Edward Bell

Edward Bell was listed as being 20 years old and from Dublin when he joined the expedition. He joined on 17 January 1791 and spent the whole voyage on Chatham. He was the clerk until 01 February 1794. Bell then spent the middle part of the voyage from 01 February 1794 to 29 September 1795 as a midshipman. He resumed as clerk to the end of the voyage. An anonymous journal exists from the voyage, which it is believed was written by Bell. It is often critical of Vancouver. The journal is in the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, New Zealand. It covers 01 Jan. 1791-26 Feb. 1794.

An island in Behm Canal, Southeastern Alaska is named after Bell. He appears not to have pursued a naval career. Nothing else is known about him (11 February 2005).

 

William Robert Broughton

William Robert Broughton was born in 1762 in Cheshire, the son of Charles and Anne Broughton. Broughton joined the navy and served as a midshipman under Captain Knight in the War of American Independence. He was promoted lieutenant on 12 January 1782 and served in that rank on the Burford as the British encountered the French in the Far East under Suffren. He served again with Knight on HMS Victory in 1790, before later that year William Broughton joined the expedition being planned to sail to the Northwest Coast of America.

He was appointed to command the brig Chatham, which would accompany George Vancouver. William Robert Broughton joined the Chatham on 01 January 1791 as commander. He left the voyage at Monterey on 25 November xxxx to carry dispatches back to Britain. Among his achievements on the voyage was suveying the Broughton Archipelago north of Vancouver Island and the Columbia River. No journal or log for Broughton on the Chatham now exists.

On his arrival in Britain, Broughton was made commander on 03 October 1793. He was given command of HMS Providence with instructions to rejoin Vancouver on the Northwest Coast of America. However, various events combined to delay their departure and it was in early 1795 that Broughton left Plymouth. Zachary Mudge, who had returned separately to Britain rejoined Broughton as first lieutenant on the Providence. At Monterey in xxxxx 1796, he learned that Vancouver had departed and, having reasoned that Vancouver would have completed their task, crossed the Pacific where he undertook a survey of the Yellow Sea and parts of Korea and Japan.

Broughton became the first Briton to visit Korea. At Macao, he purchased a schooner, Prince William Henry, as a companion vessel and this proved a most wise and fortuitous action. On 16 May 1797, the Providence struck a coral reef near the coast of Taiwan and was lost. The crew was all saved and the schooner returned them all to Macao. Most of the crew were discharged to other vessels while Broughton resumed the survey in the schooner. In May 1798, Broughton arrived in the Prince William Henry at Trincomalee in Ceylon where the voyage ended. Broughton sought a passage to Britain where he arrived in early 1799. He published the narrative of the voyage in 1804 as "Voyage of discovery to the north Pacific ocean...performed in HM sloop Providence and her tender in the years 1795-6-7-8". In his absence, Broughton had been promoted captain on 28 January 1797.

In 1803, Broughton had command of HMS Penelope cruising in the North Sea off Yarmouth in case of French attacks. The next year, Broughton faced a court martial at Sheerness on charges preferred by his first lieutenant Gedges but they were found to be frivolous and he was acquitted. In May 1804, the Penelope took part in an action off Ostend.

Broughton took command of HMS Illustrious and, in 1809, was part of the expedition under Lord Gambier against the French Brest fleet in Aix Roads. In 1810, still in Illustrious, Broughton went out to the East Indies, and was present at the capture of Mauritius in December. In early 1811, as commodore on the station, he had charge of the expedition against Java, which assembled at Malacca. Sailing in the June, Broughton was accused of being too cautious and it was already August when troops were landed for the attack on Batavia (Jakarta). On 09 August, Rear Admiral Robert Stopford arrived and assumed command, much to Broughton's anger. Broughton returned to Britain and later applied for a court martial against the rear-admiral for assuming command and the manner in which he did so. The Admiralty dismissed Broughton's request and the incident marked the end of his active service.

Broughton was made a Companion of the Bath on 04 June 1815. He had married a cousin, Jemima, daughter of Sir Thomas Delves Broughton, baronet. Together, they had three daughters and one son, William, who became a captain in the navy. On 12 August 1819, Broughton became a Colonel of Marines. The Broughtons moved to Florence in Italy where William died suddenly from an attack of angina pectoris on 12 March 1821. He was buried in the English burial-ground at Livorno. He left a will (FRC will; 23 May 11/1643).

 

Adam Brown

Adam Brown sailed as an able seaman on the Chatham. Brown was born on 03 February and baptised on 25 February 1776 at Swallow Street Scotch Church in Westminster. His father, also Adam Brown had married Cesilia Wilson on 04 July 1762 at St. Cuthberts, Edinburgh. After having two children, they moved south to London about 1766. Adam Brown was 15 when he joined the Chatham. A close friendship developed with James Johnstone and Alexander Menzies, possibly because of their shared Scottish roots. Brown and Menzies were beneficiaries and executors of Johnstone's will over twenty tears later, while Menzies married Brown's sister, Janet, in 1802.

Brown became a lieutenant in April 1811 and a commander in April 1814. When he died on 12 April 1828 he was living at Brompton Square in Kensington. He left a will, proven on 02 May 1828 FRC 11/1740.

Text of will
I, Adam Brown, a commander in the Royal Navy, now residing in Brompton Square, County of Middlesex, being weak in body but of sound mind, memory and understanding do make and write with my own hand this my last will and testament on the eighth day of March 1828.

1st I give and bequeath to my sister, Janet Menzies, the sum of five hundred pounds stock in the new four per cent, the smallness of which sum I beg she will attribute to her being otherwise already provided for and not to any want of affection on my part.

2nd I give and bequeath to Katherine Johnson of Chelsea two hundred pounds stock in the new four per cent.

3rd Having lent my nephew Patrick Johnson three hundred pounds stock in the new 4 per cents and five hundred pounds stock in the 3½ per cents, I give and bequeath the above mentioned sums of three hundred pounds of 4 per cents and five hundred pounds 3½ p. cents to the said Patrick Johnson.

4th I give and bequeath to my above mentioned nephew, Patrick Johnson, one thousand francs routes in the French 3 per cent Government stock now standing in my name in the Book of that Government.

5 I give and bequeath to my nephew, Andrew Johnson, one thousand francs routes of the before mentioned French stock.

6 I give and bequeath to my niece, Cecilia Johnson, one thousand francs routes of the above mentioned stock.

7 I give and bequeath to my niece, Janet Johnson, one thousand francs routes in the before mentioned French Government stock.

8th I give and bequeath to my nephew, Patrick Johnson, my gold watch by Elliott and Taylor, together with all my shares in the Waterloo Bridge.

9th To Lieutenant Thomas Thorpe Fowke of the Royal Navy, I give and bequeath my sea chronometer, sextant, telescope, charts, arms and epaulettes.

10th After all my just debts and funeral expenses shall be paid and the above mentioned xxxx ratified, I give and bequeath the whole residue of my personal property of whatever kind either in England or France to my dear sister, Ann Brown.

11th I give and bequeath also to my dear sister, Ann Brown, my freehold house in Windmill Street for the term of her natural life and afterwards to my nephew, Patrick Johnson, and his heirs for ever.

Lastly, I nominate and appoint my dear sister, Ann Brown, and my nephew, Patrick Johnson to be executrix and executor of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal in London this tenth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight. A. Brown. SS. Signed, sealed and declared by the said Adam Brown to be his last will and testament in the presence of us and in the presence of each other who did see him sign and seal. Thos. Gardner, 20 Princes Street, Cavendish Square. xxx Webb Pardner(?), 20 Princes St., Cavendish Square. Chas. Mitchell M.D., 20 Princes St., Cavendish Square.

Proved at London, 2nd May 1828, before the worshipful John Danbury, Doctor of Laws & surrogate, by the oaths of Ann Brown spinster, the sister, and Patrick Johnson, the nephew, the executors to whom administration was granted having been first sworn duly to administer.

Notes for the will.
Janet Menzies, Brown's sister, was the wife of Archibald Menzies, with whom Brown sailed on the Chatham.
Katherine Johnson was most probably another sister of Brown's and the mother of the two nieces and two nephews also mentioned.
Andrew Johnson would be one of Archibald Menzies' executors, fourteen years later.

 

John Aisley Browne (John Aislie Brown)

Browne was listed as being 17 years old and coming from London when he joined the Discovery. Browne joined the Discovery on 07 January 1791 as an A.B. He was a midshipman from 01 June 1791 to 08 October 1793. He then resumed as an A.B. He spent the whole voyage on Discovery. Browne kept a log during the voyage (Adm 51/4533 pt. 53 Discovery covers 01 Jan. 1791 to 26 Mar. 1795).

Afterwards, he was promoted lieutenant in 1797. He was not listed as an naval officer in 1805. Nothing else is known about him (11 February 2005).

 

Thomas Clarke

Clarke was listed as being 18 years old and coming from London when he joined the Discovery. Thomas Clarke joined the Discovery on 29 December 1790 as an A.B. until 01 February 1791. He became a midshipman until 01 June 1791 before resuming as an A.B. until 03 January 1793. Clarke became a midshipman again until 01 April 1793. He was then made an A.B. until he was discharged at Hawai'i on 07 February 1794.

A FRC will, written and signed on 05 December 1791 in the presence of John and Eliza Clarke, exists for Thomas Clarke. It lists him as "Thomas Clarke, a midshipman of the Discovery, Capt. Vancoavre". The date must be wrong as the Discovery was already in the Pacific by then. The will was proved by Biddy Clarke of Chancery Lane, London, Clarke's mother, on 27 June 1798, number 11/1308. He had been promoted lieutenant on 15 November 1796. Clarke was a lieutenant on the Tribune when it was lost on 16 November 1797 on the Thrum Shoal, off Nova Scotia.

Text of will
I, Thomas Clarke, midshipman of His Majesty's Ship Discovery, Capt. Vancoavre (sic), do hereby make this my will in case of my decease in manner following:

That is to say I give and bequeath all or any of my pay which may be due to me on account of service in His Majesty's said ship or any other to the sole use of my mother, Mrs Biddy Clarke, now of Chancery Lane. And in case of my being detained in any other country I do empower her, the aforesaid Biddy Clarke, to receive on my account any such monies as shall be issued for the payment of the said ship or ships for which her receipt shall be a discharge.

Witness my hand and seal this 5th day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety one, Thomas Clarke. SS. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us, John Clarke, Eliza Clarke.

On the twenty seventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety eight, administration with the will annexed of all and singular the goods, chattels and credits of Thomas Clarke, formerly midshipman of His Majesty's Ships Discovery and Artois, afterwards master's mate of the Melpomene, but late lieutenant of His Majesty's Ship Tribune, deceased, was granted to Biddy Clarke, the natural and lawful mother of the said deceased and next of kin, having been first sworn duly to administer, no executor or residuary legatee being named in the said will.

Notes for the will.
It is fairly certain that this will is for the Thomas Clarke that sailed with Vancouver. However, it is dated December 1791 when the Discovery was already in the Pacific. The scribe writing the will must have made a mistake.
The Artois was a 5th rate of 38 guns, 984 tons, built at Rotherhithe in 1794. It was wrecked near Rochelle, France in July 1797.
The Melpomene was a 5th rate of 39 guns, 1,014 tons, captured from the French near Calvi in 1794.
The Tribune was a 5th rate of 36 guns, 916 tons, captured from the French off the Irish coast in June 1796. The Tribune, with Clarke aboard, sailed from Torbay on 22 September 1797 as part of a convoy to Quebec and Newfoundland. On 16 November, the captain, Scory Barker, allowed the ship's master to take the ship into Halifax without using a pilot from the port. The ship hit the Thrum Shoal and was wrecked with only eight men surviving. Clarke was not one of the survivors.

 

Thomas James Dobson

Dobson was listed as being 21 years old and coming from Clapham when he joined the Discovery. Thomas James Dobson joined the Discovery on 10 September 1792 at Nootka Sound from the Daedalus. Dobson was the only person who could read and write Spanish so he proved invaluable in the negotiations between Vancouver and Bodega y Quadra. He served as a midshipman on the voyage.

Dobson kept a log during the voyage Adm 51/4534 pt. 7 Discovery covers 15 Mar. 1794 to 02 Dec. 1794 and Adm 51/4534 pt. 8 Discovery covers 02 Dec. 1794 to 01 Jul. 1795. These are also entitled no. 2 and no.3. Nos. 1 and 4 are missing. After the voyage, he was promoted lieutenant on 09 November 1798. He was still present as such in a listing in 1805. Nothing else is known about him (22 January 2005).

There is a will for a Thomas Dobson of St. Paul's, Deptford proven 27 February 1813, FRC 11/1541.

 

John Miller Garnier

John Garnier was born at Rookesbury Park near Wickham in Hampshire in October 1774. He was the fourth son of George Charles Garnier and his wife Margaret (née Miller). Charles Garnier often entertained literary celebrities such as Garrick, Churchill and Sotheby at Rookesbury. John's older brother, Thomas, was Dean of Winchester from 1840 until 1872.

John Miller Garnier joined the Chatham on 06 March 1791 as a midshipman until 01 February 1794. He then became clerk. On 29 September 1795, Garnier resumed as a midshipman. He spent the whole voyage on Chatham. He does not feature in the record of the voyage, nor does he appear to have kept a log.

After the voyage with Vancouver, Garnier was made lieutenant on 09 November 1795. He was promoted to commander on 27 August 1800. Shortly after, in early 1801, Captain John Miller Garnier was in command of HMS Hawke in the Leeward Islands in the West Indies. They took part in the landings, which led to the surrender of the Danish and Dutch possessions in the West Indies in the spring of that year. Afterwards Captain Garnier was given an acting order and rear admiral Duckworth's first lieutenant, George William Blamey, was appointed to succeed him. Garnier was made a captain on 03 August 1801.

Garnier died of yellow fever in the West Indies on 28 October 1802. He left no will.

 

Augustus Boyd Grant

Augustus Boyd Grant joined the Chatham on 14 March 1791 as a midshipman. He is listed as being 18 years old and from Dublin when he joined. Puget had great problems with Grant and he was discharged into the Daedalus at Hawai'i on 08 February 1794.Nothing else is known about him (11 February 2005).

 

James Hanson

James Hanson was born in London. His older brother, John Hanson, was a lawyer and is known for being the solictor and business agent of George, Lord Byron, the poet. The acquaintance with the Byrons began in 1788 prior to the poet's birth, as the midwife and the nurse were recommended by Hanson's wife. While the poet was still a boy, he spent a most of his holidays at the Hanson home in Earls Court, London, and became close to Hanson's children. One of the sons, Hargreaves, would be Byron's contemporary at Harrow while Byron would give away the daughter, Mary Anne, at her marriage to the Earl of Portsmouth. James Hanson and Byron would have been well-known to each other.

Apparently, Byron was born with a caul (the inner membrane enclosing the foetus, which envelops the head of the newly born child). It was superstitiously regarded as a good omen and supposed to prevent drowning. Byron's caul was sold by Mrs. Mills, the nurse who attended Mrs. Byron to James Hanson but, unfortunately for Hanson, it did not work as he would die by drowning in a shipwreck.

Hanson was selected for the expedition to the Northwest Coast of America. On 17 November 1790 he became a lieutenant and joined the Chatham on 28 December in that rank as second-in-command to William Broughton, the ship's commander. After the storeship Daedalus arrived at Nootka and Vancouver learned of the death of its commander, Richard Hergest, Hanson was appointed as the replacement agent (or commander) in his place on 29 August 1792. Hanson took the Daedalus across to New South Wales on two occasions before returning to Britain.

Hanson was promoted to commander on 24 July 1795 and in 1800 he was placed in command of HMS Brazen. This event was noted by Byron in a letter to John Hanson:

Byron's letter
SIR,
I am not a little disappointed at your Stay, for this last week I expected you every hour; but, however, I beg it as a favour that you will come up soon from Newstead as the Holidays commence in three weeks Time. I congratulate you on Capt. Hanson's being appointed commander of The 'Brazen' Sloop of War, and I congratulate myself on Lord Portsmouth's Marriage, hoping his Lady, when he and I meet next, will keep him in a little better order. The manner I knew that Capt. Hanson was appointed Commander of the Ship before mentioned was this. I saw it in the public Paper, and now, since you are going to Newstead, I beg if you meet Gray send her a packing as fast as possible, and give my Compliments to Mrs. Hanson and to all my comrades of the Battalions in and out upon different Stations,

And remain, your little friend, BYRON.

The Brazen had been the French privateer, l'Invincible General Bounaparte, that had been captured in April 1799. Operating in the English Channel, Hanson took a prize off the Isle of Wight and sent it into Portsmouth. The following morning, 26 January 1800, Brazen was driven by a gale on to the Ave Rocks near Newhaven and was destroyed. Only one man survived and Hanson was among the dead. He left no will.

James Hanson had married Mary Ball on 16 February 1798 at Calverton, Nottinghamshire, close to Newstead Abbey, the home of the Byrons. His widow, who was in an advanced state of pregnancy, vainly offered a reward for the recovery of the captain's body. Hanson's arm was marked with an anchor picked out in gunpowder. There is now an obelix to Hanson's memory in the churchyard of St. Michael, Newhaven.

Whidbey called the southern point of Gray's Harbor on the Washington coast, Point Hanson, but the name was not retained and it is now known as Point Chehalis. However, an island deep in Queen Charlotte Sound, north of Vancouver Island, is still known as Hanson Island. No log or journal for Hanson from his time with Vancouver has been located.

 

Edwin Charlton Harris

Harris was listed as being 19 years old and coming from London when he joined the Discovery. There is a birth record for an Edwin Harris who was born on 02 February 1771 and baptised on 10 April 1771 at Old Church, St. Pancras, London, the son of Thomas and Jane Harris. Harris served as a midshipman on the voyage. His log from the voyage is missing.

Afterwards, he was promoted lieutenant on 06 November 1795. He was still on the Navy List as a lieutenant in 1805.

There is some confusion with regards Edwin Harris. The list of sea officers records him as being Edwin Charlton Harris. It also records him as dying in 1816. A marriage record also exists for an Edwin Charlton Harris marrying Charlotte Fox on 02 May 1814 at St. James, Westminster and together they had a daughter, Elizabeth Maria, baptised 12 April 1815 at St. Mary, Lambeth.

However, there is a will (see below) for a lieutenant Edwin Charles Harris. It was written in 1804 and has him attached to HMS Scout. In it, Harris leaves his estate to his wife, Elizabeth Harris. The will is dated fourteen years later on 04 May 1818, FRC 11/1604. It is probable that Edwin Charlton and Edwin Harris were one and the same. His first wife, Elizabeth, may have died and he had not written a new will mentioning his second wife, Charlotte, and their child before he died.

Text of will
In the name of God, amen

I, Lieut. Edwin C. Harris of H.M.S. Scout, being of sound and disposing mind and memory do hereby make this my last will and testament.

First and principally I recommend my soul unto the hands of Almighty God hoping for remission of all my sins through the merits of Jesus Christ, my beloved saviour and redeemer, and my body to the earth or sea as it shall please God and as for such worldly estate and effects which I shall be possessed of or entitled unto at the time of my decease I give and bequeath the same as followeth:

That is to say I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife, Elizabeth Harris, of 12 First(?) Place, Hampstead Road, Middlesex, all such wages, sum and sums of money as now is or hereafter shall be due to me for my service or otherwise on board the said ship or any other ship or vessel.

And I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my friends John & Mary Bunt, jointly and severally executors of this my last will and testament and I do give and bequeath unto my said executors all the rest and residue of my estate whatsoever, both xxxx and personal, hereby revoking and making void all other and former wills by me heretofore made and do declare this to be my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eighteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and four and in the forty fourth year of the reign of our sovereign lord, George the 3rd by the grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Graet Britain & Ireland, King, defender of the faith and so forth. Edwin C. Harris. SS. Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said E.C. Harris as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the said testator. Rob. Sholl. R.M. Adams.

Proved at London 4th May 1818 before the worshipful Jesse Addams, Dr. of Laws and xxxx by the oath of John Bunt, Esq., one of the executors to whom admon was granted having been first sworn duly to administer. Power reserved to Mary Bunt, wife of John Bunt, the other executor.

Notes for the will.
The will was written in 1804, fourteen years before it was proven in 1818.

 

Thomas Heddington

Heddington was born in Chatham on 01 June 1774. He was probably the son of Thomas and Mary Heddington. The elder Thomas Heddington had married Mary Moulden on 13 August 1765 at St. Nicholas, Rochester. Mary Moulden was baptised on 03 June 1744 at St. Clements, Sandwich, the daughter of William Moulden, a naval officer who had been a close friend of Robert Palliser Cooper.

Heddington joined the navy in 1786 and, prior to joining the Chatham, he served on the Invincible, Pegase and Castor. Thomas Heddington joined the Chatham on 01 February 1791 as a midshipman. He spent the whole voyage on Chatham in that position. He was skilled as an artist and he drew several of the landscape drawings that survive from the voyage. Heddington kept a log during the voyage (Adm 55/15 Chatham covers 01 Feb. 1791 to 13 Jan. 1793 and Adm 55/16 Chatham covers 14 Jan. 1793 to 02 Jul. 1795).

After the voyage, he was promoted lieutenant on 06 November 1795 and appointed to various ships in British waters until 1802. He was not destined for life at and began a series of land-based positions. He was placed in charge of Hawkesley Signal Station, outside Birmingham, until becoming a commander on 25 September 1806. His career remained on shore and he was given positions during the Napoeonic Wars as agent for prisoners of war at Great Yarmouth, Valleyfield and Edinburgh. Near the end of the war, Heddington was a Regulating Captain in the impress service at King's Lynn. At the end of the war, he was on half-pay.

Heddington asked unsuccessfully for work in the Coastguard service in 1832. He was promoted to captain on the retired list in 1851 and died in Exeter on 02 April 1852 aged 77. He had married as his widow Fanny unsuccessfully applied for a widow's pension in 1860. The Admiralty had been unaware of his death until then and still listed him.

 

Henry Humphrys

There is a family tree for Henry Humphrys and Robert Barrie that shows the relationship between them. NB a new updated version of this file will be loaded soon.

The section about Henry Humphrys has been compiled with assistance from Ann Alt in Ohio, U.S.A.

Henry Humphrys was born on 29 April 1774 in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Henry Humphrys and his wife, Sarah. Sarah Humphrys was a sister of the naval officer, Alan Gardner. Gardner would go on to become Admiral Baron Gardner and used his influence to help young Henry progress in the navy. Another sister of Gardner and of Humphrys' mother was Dolly Clayton (née Gardner and first married to Robert Barrie), who was the mother of Robert Barrie, one of the other midshipmen who sailed with Vancouver. The two men were, therefore, cousins.

Humphrys attended the Naval Academy at Portsmouth from 1786 to 1789. During this period, Humphrys' mother, Sarah Humphrys, died on 27 May 1788 in London. Henry joined HMS Orontes as a volunteer before joining his uncle, Alan Gardner, on HMS Courageux in 1790 (Vancouver was a lieutenant on the ship at the time). Henry Humphrys joined the Discovery on 20 December 1790 as a midshipman until 01 June 1791. He then became master's mate. Humphrys was an A.B. from 01 February 1792 to 01 June 1793. He resumed as master's mate before, on 25 November, Humphrys transferred to become master of the Chatham. Humphrys kept a log during the voyage (Adm 55/26 Discovery, 16 Dec. 1790 to 27 Nov. 1794 and Adm 55/26 Chatham, 27 Nov. 1794 to 17 Oct. 1795). He also made many of the drawings that survive from the voyage.

After the voyage, Humphrys was made lieutenant on 06 November 1795. He was appointed to the Repulse. He joined the Centaur in January 1797 but, in June 1798, he was found guilty in a court martial of neglect of duty compounded with disrespect to his captain. He was dismissed from his ship and placed at the bottom of the lieutenant's list. He died, however, on 21 October 1799 of smallpox at his lodgings in Sackville Street in London. Humphrys was buried at Kensington attended by several of his colleagues who had sailed to the Northwest Coast, including Manby, Barrie and Pitt. He left no will.

His father rewrote his will after Henry's death as it is dated 16 November 1799 and makes no reference to Henry. Henry Humphrys senior died in early 1801, his will being proven on 31 January 1801. Humphrys had run a business based in Constantinople with his brother called John and Henry Humphrys & co. After John's death, the company's name changed to Humphrys and Sons. It would seem that the company traded all sorts and acted as an agent for the East India Company and the Danish Government. Peter Puget's brother-in -law, William Latouche routed a letter written in Bombay via Henry Humphry, Constantinople.

The will mentions another son, John Montagu Humphrys. It also mentions a brother, John (already dead) and an unnamed niece residing in Constantinople. Henry leaves bequests to his sisters-in-law, Dolly Clayton (Robert Barrie's mother) and Ann Dixon. A Sarah Collins of Tunbridge (perhaps Humphrys' own sister) and James and Clara Jolly (listed as nephew and niece) also receive bequests.

The most intriguing bequests are to a William Mardon, "an infant at present under the care of Mr. John Staple of Exmouth". Who this child was is a total mystery.

 

James Johnstone

James Johnstone was born in the Scottish Border region in 1759. He joined the navy in 1779 as a clerk and steward on HMS Keppel. He saw further service on HMS La Fortunée, HMS Formidable and HMS Queen before joining HMS Assistance in 1783. Also on board the Assistance was Archibald Menzies, the surgeon's second mate, with whom Johnstone would form a lifelong friendship. Johnstone was appointed master in 1785 and received his master's certificate after the voyage in 1786. He and Menzies were discharged on 22 August 1786 at Chatham.

Johnstone signed on as mate of the Prince of Wales under James Colnett for a private, commercial sea otter fur trading voyage to the Northwest Coast of America, which left Britain in October 1786. In January 1789, Johnstone assumed command of the Prince of Wales in Macao when Colnett opted to take another ship, the Argonaut, back to the American coast. Johnstone took the ship back to Britain, arriving in July 1789. Rejoining the navy, Johnstone was appointed to superintend a division of ships in ordinary at Plymouth.

On 03 January 1791, James Johnstone joined Vancouver for his forthcoming expedition to the Northwest Coast of America as master of Vancouver's companion vessel, the Chatham. His old friend, Archibald Menzies, would join him on the voyage. Another friendship would develop with Adam Brown from Chatham's crew. Johnstone's experience of the coast and of surveying in small boats made him indispensable member of the expedition and he carried out many of the arduous surveys. He kept a log of which only a part survives (Adm 53/335 Chatham, 02 Jan. 1791-20 May 1792). He also made some drawings and charts. Johnstone Strait, north of Vancouver Island, is named for him as are Johnstone Bay and Johnstone Point in or near Prince William Sound.

After the voyage, Johnstone, who had been acting lieutenant on the Chatham since 11 June 1793, was confirmed in that rank. In 1798, he sailed to the West Indies on the Sans Pareil. In September 1801, the 18-gun ship-sloop Lark, under acting-commander lieutenant James Johnstone, was near Cuba, when it fell in with and captured the Spanish privateer-schooner Esperanza. Johnstone was made commander on 22 June 1802 and captain on 22 January 1806 before being appointed to HMS Leopard in 1808. On 06 May, Leopard was part of a convoy to the Cape of Good Hope and continued to the East Indies where it acted as flagship of vice admiral Bertie. In April 1810, Johnstone and the Leopard were part of a force that attacked the Ile de France (Mauritius).

In 1810, Johnstone transferred to HMS Scipion under Rear Admiral Stopford who took over the East Indies station. Stopford, with a fleet of Royal Navy ships and East India Company vessels captured the island of Java on 18 September 1811. Johnstone became Commissioner of the Navy in Bombay in 1811 but, in 1817, when he was to succeed Peter Puget (a colleague from the Vancouver expedition) in a similar role in Madras, his health failed. He returned to Britain with Puget.

Johnstone went to live in Paris and he died there on 01 April 1823. In his will (FRC will; 21 November 1823 11/1677), Johnstone named his old friends, Menzies and Brown, as his executors. As well as leaving items to them he also left items to his half-brother Thomas Johnstone, a minister in Berwick-upon-Tweed, and to his sister, Mary Clark (married to John Clark) of Annan.

Text of will
This is the last will and testament of me, James Johnstone, a captain in His Majesty's Royal Navy, now residing in the city of Paris.

First, I will and direct that all my just debts and funeral and testamentary expenses be paid by my executors hereinafter xxxx as soon as can be after my decease.

I give and bequeath to Captain John Simpson the sum of two thousand francs routes(?) five per cent consols that is one hundred louis of twenty francs being part of the sum of twelve thousand six hundred and thirty francs routes(?) inscribed in my name in the Great Book of the National Debt of France avoiding(?) the purport and xxxxxxx of certain paper writing under my hand dated the twenty seventh day of March, one thousand eight hundred and twenty one given him by me.

I also give and bequeath the further sum of ten thousand six hundred and thirty francs routes(?) five per cent consols other and remaining part of the said twelve thousand six hundred and thirty francs routes(?) together with all such other sum and sums of money as may be inscribed in my name in the said Great Book at the time of my decease and the interest, dividends and proceeds which shall or may be due and owing on the whole of my said routes(?) unto Archibald Menzies, Chapel Place, Cavendish Square in the County of Middlesex, esquire, and Adam Brown, a commander in His Majesty's Royal Navy, their executors, admons and assigns in equal shares and proportions for their own proper use and benefit.

I also give and bequeath all and every share or shares of which I may be possessed or interested in at the time of my death of and in the Waterloo Bridge Company and the profit and proceeds to arise thereout unto the said Adam Brown, his executors, administrators and assigns for his and their own use and benefit.

I also give and bequeath all my property in the East Indies producing an annual interest of three hundred and eighty seven pounds, ten shillings and sixpence and which is remitted to the house of Coutts and Company, banker, London by the Accountant General at Bombay and also the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds three per cent reduced annuities now standing in my name in the books of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England unto my half-brother, Thomas Johnstone, now or late of Berwick-upon-Tweed, Minister of the gospel, and to my sister, Mary Clark, the wife of John Clark of [space] near Annan in North Britain, miller, to be equally divided between them share and share alike, the share of the said Mary Clark to be paid and payable to her for her own and sole and separate use and upon her separate receipt and receipts and not to be subject to the debts, control, contracts or engagements of her present or any future husband, to have, hold, receive and take the said several shares of the said several sums of money to them, the said Thomas Johnstone and Mary Clark, to and for his and her own proper use, benefit and disposal for ever.

And in the case of the death of either of them during my life time leaving any child or children then I will and direct that the share of him or her so dying shall go to and be paid to such child or children in equal proportions.

And in case the said Thomas Johnstone shall happen to die in my life time without leaving any such child or children then my will is that the whole of the said property in the East Indies and the said sum of two hundred and fifty pounds in the three per cent reduced annuities shall go to and be paid to the said Mary Clark in the same manner as is heretobefore mentioned in respect of her share in case Thomas Johnstone and Mary Clark shall both happen to survive me.

But in case the said Mary Clark shall not happen to survive me and shall not leave any child or children then I will and direct that such share of the said property and money as aforesaid shall be and become part of my residuary estate and effects hereonafter given and bequested.

I do further give and bequeath unto the said Captain John Simpson all such of my charts as are now in the possession of Dr. Walker at Portsmouth to and for his own use and benefit.

I do further give and bequeath unto the said Adam Brown all my nautical instruments and such of my charts, arms, etc as are now in the possession of the said Archibald Menzies and all the nautical instruments and arms in the possession of the said Dr. Walker to and for his own use and benefit.

And I do further give and bequeath unto the said Archibald Menzies for his own use and benefit all my linen, plate, china, glass and other articles of furniture now in his own custody or in that of Dr. Walker.

And as to all the lost residue and remainder of my goods, chattels, monies, securities, for xxxx personal estate and efforts whatsoever either in the said United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland or France or elsewhere after payment of my just debts, funeral and testamentary expenses and the legacies heretobefore mentioned, I give and bequeath the same unto the said Archibald Menzies and Adam Brown, their executors, administrators and assigns equally to be divided between them share and share alike to and for their and each of their own proper use and benefit for ever.

And I nominate and appoint the said Archibald Menzie and Adam Brown executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former and other wills by me at any time heretofore made and declaring this only to be my last will and testament. In witness thereof, I, the said James Johnstone, the testator, have to this my last will and testament contained in three sheets of paper to the first two sheets thereof set my hand and to this last my hand and seal this twentieth day of April one thousand eight hundred twenty one. James Johnstone. SS. Signed, sealed, published and declared by the testator, James Johnstone, as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. Thos. Phillips, Banker in Paris. John Eyde Manning, Solicitor to the British Embassy in Paris.

Proved at London, 21st November 1823 before the Worshipful John Danbury, Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the oaths of Archibald Menzies (in the will written Menzie) and Adam Brown, esquires, the executors to whom admon was granted being first sworn duly to administer. A definite xxxx in writing having been first read, signed, xxxxx and given for the xxxx and validity of the said will as by Acts of Court appeal.

 

William Le Mesurier

William Le Mesurier joined the Chatham from the Victory. He was listed as being 23 years old and coming from Guernsey in the Channel Islands. William Le Mesurier joined on 06 March 1791 as master's mate. He became an A.B. on 31 March before resuming as master's mate. He spent the whole voyage on Chatham.

Le Mesurier was an active participant in the small boat surveys and is mentioned several times in the journals. Lemesurier Points in Clarence Strait and on Kayak Island were named after him on the voyage. Lemesrurier Island in Cross Sound was named after at a later date.

He was promoted lieutenant on 16 November 1795. On 07 November 1802, Le Mesurier married Priscilla Seaman in Great Yarmouth. Priscilla had been born in Great Yarmouth in 1784.Le Mesurier wrote his will in 1812 and there is no mention of children. He became a retired commander on 26 November 1830 and died on 29 January 1833. His will (still with no mention of children) was proven by Priscilla, his widow, on 27 June 1833 11/1817.

Text of will
The twenty fifth day of the month of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three before the Reverend Thomas Brock M.A.., Commissary of the island of Guernsey and Surrogate of the Right Reverend father in God, Charles Richard, Lord Bishop of Winchester xxxx xxxx the testament and codicil here under written, have been proved after that John Le Mesurier esquire has declared on oath that the said testament and codicil are xxx with the proper handwriting of William Le Mesurier, esquire, the testator and also after that Julia Le Mesurier has declared on oath that the signature "Ns Le Mesurier" signed as witness to the said testament is the proper handwriting of the late Nicholas Le Mesurier, her father, deceased, and also after that Mr. John Naftel has likewise declared on oath that the signature "St. Jno Naftel" also signed as witness to the said testament is the proper handwriting of Mr. St. John Naftel, his father, now absent from this island and has Mrs Priscilla Le Mesurier, widow of the said testator been sworn executrix of the said testament and codicil of which the tenor followeth:

In the name of God, be it known to all it may concern that I, William Le Mesurier, of this island of Guernsey, Lieutenant in His Majesty's Navy, being in health both of body and mind do make this my last will and testament, willing and requiring as follow, viz:

1stly that my wife Priscilla Le Mesurier be my sole executrix and that she may hold and possess every individual thing I now have or may here after have owing to me, whether arising from prize money or otherwise during the term of her natural life on condition that she will make an allowance of seven pounds sterling per annum to my mother until her decease.

2ndly that at the death of my wife one third of whatever property may remain shall return to her heirs to be disposed of in the manner she may judge proper to direct.

3rdly, the other two thirds to be divided in the following manner, viz:
To Priscilla Le Mesurier, daughter of Daniel Junior, five pounds sterling.
To my nieces, Charlotte & Mary, two guineas each.
To Marguerite & Susanne, two guineas each.
To my godchild, Emilie Charlotte Le Mesurier, daughter of Daniel Junior one sixth part of all that remain.
The other five sixths to be divided in equal proportion between my sisters, Marguerite, Mary, Judith and Elizabeth and all the children of my sisters Marguerite and Judith, the survivors of them or their heirs.

In the event of Emilie Charlotte dying before she receives her proportion, the said proportion shall be equally divided between her surviving sisters or their children.

If it should please the Almighty to call my wife, Priscilla, from this world before my mother's decease, in that case my mother shall enjoy the xxxx of the whole property that may remain until her death.

Given under my hand in the island of Guernsey this 12th day of December 1812. William Le Mesurier. Witness Ns. Le Mesurier, St. Jno. Naftel.

N.B. In the event of Emilie Charlotte having children of her own I wish it to be understood that her proportion is to go to them in preference of goung to her sisters or their children.
I wish also five founds sterling to be given to my nephews, Daniel & William, between them or all five going to the survivor.
And five pounds to the Bible Society established in this island.
I beg Mr. le Mesurier des(?) Carlos(?) to accept my sword, bolt and knot as a token of friendship & esteem. This last legacy to be delivered when this will is opened & read
And that to the Bible Society to be paid at the same time.
All the rest to take place at my wife's decease.

William Le Mesurier.

We, Thomas Brock, Commissary and Surrogate aforesaid do approve, saving to other their right, the testament and codicil above written to be the testament and last will of the late William Le Mesurier esquire, the testator. In faith whereof we have signed these presents and have caused our seal to be hereunto affixed the twenty eighth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three. Thomas Brock, Commissary. John Coke, Deputy Registrar. Proved at London with a codicil 27th June 1833 before the judge by the oath of Priscilla Le Mesurier, widow the relict, the sole executrice to whom admon was granted being first sworn by common duty to administer.

Notes for the will.
Priscilla Le Mesurier
Naftel family

 

George Charles McKenzie

George Charles McKenzie was listed as being 16 years old and coming from Edinburgh when he joined the Discovery. He was baptised on 21 March 1776 at North Leith, Midlothian, Scotland, the son of George and Mary (née Campbell) McKenzie. George Charles McKenzie joined on 20 December 1790 as a midshipman. He was an A.B. from 01 June 1791 to 01 February 1792 and then resumed as a midshipman. He spent the whole voyage on Discovery. He kept a journal (Adm 51/4534 pt. 5, Discovery, 26 Nov. 1791-11 Dec. 1792. Adm 51/4534 pt. 6, 12 Dec. 1792-25 Feb. 1794).

McKenzie was promoted to lieutenant on 06 June 1796 and was made commander on 01 January 1802.

On 02 January 1805, the 18 gun sloop Wolf, under Captain George Charles Mackenzie, was accompanying the Malabar, cruising off the south coast of Cuba, when two schooners, the Régulateur and the Napoléon, were seen sailing into Azeraderos. The Wolf, carefully made its way through rocks into the harbour and anchored close to the two privateers, which were awaiting an attack. The Wolf attacked for over an hour and took possession after the schooners were abandoned. McKenzie was still in command of Wolf when it was wrecked on Inagua in the Bahamas on 05 September 1806.

McKenzie was in command of the 18 gun sloop Cruiser in 1808. On 11 June, in company with the Euryalus, under Captain George Dundas, they discovered several vessels at anchor in Nakskov harbour on Lolland Island at the entrance to the Baltic. A gun-boat was captured and several Danish vessels set alight.

McKenzie was promoted to captain on 26 November 1808. In 1813, he went to Lisbon in command of the Creole. On 23 January 1814, the Creole and the Astrea, which had been cruising of North Africa, discovered two frigates and other vessels at anchor off Maio in the Cape Verde Islands.

The frigates proved to be the French Etoile and Sultane and all four ships began an engagement. After several hours heavy fighting, the Creole, which had been on fire and had suffered considerable damage, withdrew from the action. McKenzie nursed the Creole into Porto Prayo on Sao Iago. The Astrea was in a similar condition and joined the Creole. The Sultane and the Etoile, were in no better state and unable to pursue the action. The two pairs of combatants had been equally matched and had fought to a draw. In 1815, McKenzie and the Creole were based at Sheerness.

George Charles McKenzie returned to live in Scotland and had lodgings in the Royal Circus, Edinburgh. However, McKenzie died on 22 January 1828, while staying with Robert Walter Stuart, 11th Lord Blantyre at his home, Lennoxlove, near Haddington in East Lothian.

McKenzie made his will on the day he died. It makes no mention of a wife but refers to his "three natural children", George Ross McKenzie, Charles McKenzie and Georgina Hogarth(?) McKenzie, who shared his estate equally. In his will, McKenzie also left a gun to Lord Blantyre as mark of his friendship. His witnesses were younger brothers of Blantyre, the Honourables William and Charles Francis Stuart. McKenzie was buried nearby in Bolton churchyard; his grave records: "In memory of George Charles McKenzie, Captain in the Royal Navy, who died at Lennoxlove, 22 Jany 1828 aged 52 years." His will was proven on 23 October 1828 11/1747.

Text of will
At Edinburgh, the twenty sixth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight in presence of the Lords of Council and Session xxxxx Sir John Hay, Advocate, as xxxx for John Thorburn, Solicitor, before the Supreme Courts of Scotland xxxx of the settlement and last will and testament under written desiring that the same might be registered in the Books of Council and Session conform to Act of Parliament made xxx the Registration of xxx with which desire the said Lords found reasonable and ordained the same to be done accordingly whereof the xxxx follows:

Lennoxlove, Haddington 22 Jany. 1828.
I, George Charles McKenzie, Captain in the Royal Navy do hereby declare this to be my last will and testament, to wit I will that all the property of every description of which I die possessed or to which I may be entitled, may be equally divided between my three natural children whose names and addresses are mentioned by me in memoranda which will be found in my lodgings in the Royal Circus, Edinburgh. But which I now repeat namely George Ross MacKenzie, Charles MacKenzie, Georgina Hogarth MacKenzie.

I leave my gun to Lord Blantyre as a memorial of our friendship
and I appoint my friend and relation, William Crawford esquire, Bellevue Crescent, Edinburgh, executor of this my last will and testament
subscribed place and date in the presence of the Honble. Major Gen. Wm. Stuart and the Honble. Chas. Francis Stuart, xxxx hereof both of Lennoxlove and Thos. Howden, surgeon in Haddington (signed) George Charles McKenzie. - W. Stuart, witness. C.F. Stuart, witness. Thomas Howden, witness.

Extracted forth of the Records of the Court of Session in Scotland upon this the two preceding pages of stamped paper by me, Thomas Peat, writer to the xxxx Principal xxx of the xxx of xxx & xxx xxx xxx conform to Act of Parliament. Tho. Peat.

Proved at London 23 October 1828 before the judge by the [word missing] of William Crawford, the sole executor to whom admon was granted having been first sworn by common duty to administer.

Notes for the will. Lennoxlove was the home of Robert Walter Stuart, 11th Lord Blantyre. It is situated just outside Haddington, a few kilometres ESE of Edinburgh.
Lord Blantyre
William and Charles Francis Stuart were younger brothers of Lord Blantyre.

 

Thomas Manby

Thomas Manby was born in Hilgay, Norfolk on 01 January 1769. His father, Matthew Pepper Manby had been a marine officer and a captain in the Welch fusiliers. Importantly, he had been aide-de-camp to George, Marquis of Townshend when the marquis was lord lieutenant of Ireland from 1767 to 1772. The Townshend home was Raynham Hall in Norfolk, only a few kilometres to the northeast of Hilgay. A friendship had developed between the families that proved very useful as Townshend helped Thomas Manby's career and Thomas repaid him by having features named after the marquis on the Northwest Coast of America.

Manby joined the Royal Navy in 1783 and went to sea on the Hyaena on the Irish station. In 1785, he went to the West Indies on the Cygnet before transferring to the Amphion and then the Illustrious. Manby was then selected for Vancouver's voyage to the Northeast Pacific. Thomas Manby joined the Discovery on 29 December 1790 as a master's mate until 01 June 1791. He was an A.B. from 01 June 1791 to 26 September 1792. Manby transferred to become master of the Chatham on 27 September. On 25 November 1794, Manby moved back to be 3rd lieutenant on the Discovery. He kept a log (Adm 53/403 ff 187 to 245. Discovery. 16 Dec. 1790 to 05 Jun.1792; ff 252 to 257. Discovery. 06 Jun. 1792 to 26 Sep. 1792; Adm 51/2251. Chatham. 27 Sep. 1792 to 08 Oct. 1794; Adm 53/403 ff 246 to 251. Chatham. 09 Oct. 1794 to 25 Nov. 1794; ff 257 to 300. Discovery. 02 Dec. 1794 to 02 Jul. 1795). His journal, which was written in the form of letters to John Lees in Ireland, is held at Yale University Library. Manby Point at Yakutat Bay was named after him.

After the Vancouver expedition, Manby, who had been acting lieutenant on the Discovery, was confirmed in that rank on 27 October 1795. He was posted to the Juste in 1796 and then, early in 1797, Manby was given command of the Charon having been promoted commander on 15 February 1797. An expedition to the Pacific was planned but did not eventuate. Instead the Charon transported troops, led convoys and cruised against privateers.

Manby was promoted captain on 22 January 1799 and, at the end of the year, was appointed to the Bourdelais, which was being refitted at Plymouth. A former French privateer, it had been captured in 1799. The Bourdelais was commissioned on 04 February 1800 by Captain Manby and sailed in a gale on 13 April for Cork. The weather off the south of Ireland was very bad and Bourdelais needed repairs, which necessitated a return to Plymouth. She came out of dock on 15 May and sailed on a cruise off the coasts of Spain and Portugal on 02 May. On 12 June, the Phoenix, a Danish schooner, was captured near Corunna.

Manby and the Bourdelais returned to Plymouth on 27 July. However, on 09 November, the ship was damaged in a gale in the Channel and had to go into Portsmouth harbour for more repairs. In early December 1801, the Bourdelais sailed from Portsmouth with a convoy to the West Indies but it was dispersed in a gale off Cape Finisterre, On 08 January 1801, off Palma, a strange sail was sighted to the south-east. Two boats were despatched under Lieutenant Robert Barrie (a colleague from the Vancover expedition) to investigate. After a 14 hour row Barrie recaptured the Adventure (a London vessel, recently taken by the Mouche, a French privateer). With knowledge gained, Manby searched for another vessel recently captured by the Mouche and retook the Aurora off Santa Cruz in Teneriffe.

In late January 1801, the Bourdelais was ordered to cruise off Barbados to provide protection for the scattered convoy and, on the 29th, Manby saw three enemy sail to windward, two brigs and a schooner. He shortened sail to allow them to come up and, at sunset, wore round to give them battle. One of the brigs was attacked while the others kept out of range. The Curieuse surrendered and first lieutenant Barrie took possession though it later sank. The other two French ships sailed away. Manby learned that the ships had been sent out from Cayenne by Victor Hugues 28 days before to intercept the outward bound West Indies fleet. The Bourdelais made for Carlisle Bay in Barbados, arriving on 01 February 1801.

During 1801 and early 1802, Manby was employed in cruising in the Bourdelais. When peace came he took over from Captain Dundas in the Juno and sailed it back to Britain, arriving on 08 July. In November 1802, Thomas Manby was given the appointment as captain of the Africaine by Earl St. Vincent. The ship was commissioned at Deptford and Manby was ordered to blockade two French frigates in Helvoetsluys. They remained on this service for two years until the frigates were dismantled. The Africaine joined other vessels watching the Dutch fleet in the Texel. During a gale off the Texel a piece of Africaine's rudder broke off and damaged the stern post causing a refit at Sheerness.

Manby then went back to the West Indies as the Africaine escorted a large convoy there on 19 June 1805, calling at Surinam, Demerara, and various islands. She arrived in Barbados with a crew of 340 men all in perfect health. Sir Alexander Cochrane ordered him to return to Britain with the homebound trade, taking as passengers invalids from the hospitals in Barbados. 48 hours after sailing, yellow fever broke out which killed one third of the crew in the six weeks it took her to reach Falmouth. The surgeon and the assistant surgeon died on the second day and Manby, himself, carried out their duties dispensing large doses of calomel on the advice of a doctor at St Kitts. Manby had an attack of the fever and it affected his subsequent health. After spending 40 days in quarantine off the Scilly Islands, the Africaine was put out of commission at Sheerness.

About the time of Manby's appointment to the Africaine, he was presented by Lady Townshend to the Princess of Wales, who was friendly towards him. It was suggested by some that the Princess had been too familiar with Manby and that Manby was even the father of one of her children! Manby swore an affidavit on 22 September 1806 that the rumours were 'a vile and wicked invention, wholly and absolutely false'.

In 1807, Manby sailed to Jersey in the Thalia (originally the Unicorn) to be in command of a small squadron. He captured a French privateer, the Requin, off Cherbourg on the morning of 29 October. The next year, 1808, Manby, in the Thalia and accompanied by the Medusa and Locust, was sent to the Davis Strait in a fruitless search for two French frigates supposed to be threatening the Greenland fishery. After 12 weeks of sailing in fog among icebergs, Manby found an anchorage on the coast of Labrador, which he named Port Manvers, before returning to Britain via Cadiz and Gibraltar.

Manby's health was no longer good and he gave up his command. He purchased an estate at Northwold in Norfolk, where he settled for the rest of his life. Thomas married Judith Hammond on 01 March 1810 at Northwold, Norfolk. Together, they had two daughters. One daughter was called Georgina Manvers Manby. Manby was promoted to the rank of rear-admiral of the blue in 1825 and of the white in 1830.

Manby wrote his will (see below) on 18 February 1833 when he was living at Somerford near Christchurch in Hampshire. The tone of the writing suggests he was very ill and had lost his sight. It may also be that he was living in Hampshire, estranged from his wife, though she is the principal beneficiary of the will. He died from an overdose of opium at the George Hotel, Southampton, on 13 June 1834 and, given the circumstances just mentioned, the action may have been suicide. The will was proven on 25 June 1834 11/1833).

Text of will
In the name of God, amen
I, Thomas Manby, Rear Admiral of the White, do make this my last will and testament on this 18th day of February 1833 at Summerford near Christchurch, Hants.

That when it shall please almighty to move me from this world that I give all and every thing I possess to my wife, Judith Manby, my house and lands with all the property I hold at Northwold in the County of Norfolk
and money in the 3 per cent xxxxx, this day amounts to six thousand and twenty four pounds, out of which I have settled one hundred a year on my daughter, now a widow, from the time of her marriage
and the remainder of my funded property I hope my wife will give to my youngest daughter, Georgina Manvers Manby, when she marries.

My wife will possess one hundred a year from her uncle and aunt, Thomas Savery, esq., and two hundred a year for her life from Alderman Wood and all the money at my lawyers and agents

and I do regret I have nothing more to leave her, all my other effects such as plate, books, etc I have long disposed of and I pray God to bless her and my xxx children. I write with difficulty and from having nearly lost the use of my sight.

My bankers, Messrs. Barclay & xxxxx, 54 Lombard St., will xxxxx with her for all my funded property as will my agents, Thomas Stillwell, 22 Arundel St., Strand.

I, Thomas Manby, Rear Admiral, who this day xxxx his seal SS and witness by his servants at Summerford near Christchurch, Hants this 18th of February 1833. James xxxx, Sarah xxxx, Sarah Coale.

I wish to be buried in the parish of Christchurch, a small marble slab placed in the wall near my grave.

Thomas Manby, Rear Admiral of the White.

On the 25th June 1834 xxxx with the will xxx of the goods, chattels and credits of Thomas Manby, formerly of Summerford near Christchurch in the County of Southampton and late of Montague Square in the parish of Saint Marylebone in the County of Middlesex, a rear admiral in His Majesty's Navy, deceased, was granted to Judith Manby, wife of the xxxx xxx and the reiduary legal named in the said will, having first sworn duly to xxx xxxx.

Notes for the will. Somerford has now been consumed by Christchurch and is a suburb to the east of the town centre. It has been tranferred from Hampshire into Dorsetshire.
I do not know the name of the widowed daughter (dec. 2005).
The use of the name Manvers is intriguing. In 1808, Manby had named an inlet, Port Manvers, on the coast of Labrador. Charles Herbert Pierrepont succeeded as 2nd Earl Manvers in 1816. He was a captain in the Royal Navy at the same time as Manby so it is possible they became close friends.
Thomas Savery - a connection between Manby and Savery (albeit thirty years after Vancouver's voyage) may explain the name for an island in the Georgia Strait. Saverys (or Savarys) lived in Norfolk.
Stillwell had been a partner with the Sykes family of naval agents until they died off. John Sykes had been a companion of Manby on the Vancouver voyage.

 

Archibald Menzies (1754-1842)

Archibald Menzies was born at the House of Stix, near Aberfeldy, Perthshire, on 15 March 1754, the second son of James and Ann Menzies. His father was gardener on the estate of Sir Robert Menzies of Menzies, the clan chief, who was keenly interested in new plants. Archibald and four brothers worked with their father at Castle Menzies as well as being educated at the parish school at Weem. His older brother, William, moved to Edinburgh to work in the botanical garden established by Professor John Hope in 1763 and Archibald followed him there.

Hope, then Professor of botany, encouraged Archibald to study at the University of Edinburgh, where between 1771 and 1780 he attended classes in medicine, surgery, chemistry, and botany. In 1778, Menzies toured the western Highlands to collect rare plants for two London physicians. After studying at Edinburgh, he became assistant to a surgeon in Caernarvon, Wales.

In 1782, Menzies entered the navy as assistant surgeon on board the Nonsuch, under Captain William Truscott, which took part in Rodney's victory over the Comte de Grasse on 12 April 1782 at the battle of the Saintes in the West Indies. The Nonesuch carried Hessian troops home from New York and Menzies was paid off in August 1783. In 1784, he was appointed surgeon's second mate on HMS Assistance, which was posted to the Halifax station. The Assistance was the flagship of Sir Charles Douglas and was commanded by Captain William Bentinck. Also on board was James Johnstone, who was ship's master, and he and Menzies began a long friendship. From Halifax, Menzies began a correspondence with Sir Joseph Banks and sent him seeds and specimens. Menzies and Johnstone were discharged at Chatham in August 1786.

Banks was most probably instrumental in securing Menzies the position of surgeon on board the Prince of Wales, under James Colnett, which undertook a fur-trading voyage to the Northwest Coast of America. Before the Prince of Wales voyage, which departed at the end of 1786, Banks allowed Menzies to use his library and herbarium where Menzies was able to examine specimens brought home by Cook's expedition to the Northwest Coast of America in 1778. During the Prince of Wales voyage, Menzies collected specimens from several locations, including Nootka Sound. When Colnett left the expedition at Macao, Menzies accompanied Johnstone, who assumed command and sailed the Prince of Wales back to Britain in 1789.

In 1790, Menzies was elected fellow of the Linnean Society, in whose Transactions for 1791 and 1798 he published accounts of his natural historical findings. Banks used his influence once more to obtain a berth for Menzies on Vancouver's expedition to survey the Northwest Coast of America. Vancouver and Banks had a disagreement and it is believed that Vancouver resented Banks' interference. As a result, Vancouver would not have Menzies as his surgeon. Instead, Menzies was allowed to sail on Discovery but only as a botanist and a supernumerary. His friend, James Johnstone, was on the companion vessel, the Chatham, as master. Alexander Cranston had sailed as the expedition's surgeon on the Discovery, but he proved unsuitable and was sent home. Vancouver asked Menzies to assume the role of surgeon and would later praise Menzies' performance in the preface to his account of the voyage. Only one man died from ill health on the expedition. However, relations between Menzies and Vancouver were strained in later parts of the voyage. When many specimens were lost during a rainstorm coming up the Atlantic, a quarrel led Vancouver to recommend a court-martial for Menzies, but Menzies later apologised and Vancouver withdrew his charges. Menzies had also refused to hand over his journals.

Menzies collected specimens throughout the voyage beginning in southwestern Australia and continuing in New Zealand, Hawai'i, the Northwest Coast of America and in Chile. He was the first person to describe most of these specimens. Many still reflect Menzies' involvement in that they carry his name in their botanical name. Among the great variety of plants brought home were Thuya plicata (Red Cedar), Cornus nuttalii (Pacific Dogwood), Araucaria auricana (Monkey Puzzle) and Arbutus menziesii (Pacific Madrone), as well as other natural history objects. He was the first to gather Sequoia sempervirens, the giant Redwood.

Menzies was very slow in writing an account of the voyage from his journal and describing his specimens. A short account of the voyage was carried in John Loudon's Magazine of Natural History. Copies of his journals are held at the British Library (Add MS 32641 Dec. 1790-16 Feb. 1794) and in the National Library of Australia (MS 155 21 Feb. 1794-18 Mar. 1795). Menzies Point in Burke Channel was named after him on the voyage. Menzies Bay and Mount Menzies on Vancouver Island were named later.

Menzies was made an honorary MD of Aberdeen University in 1799 and, in the same year, he returned to sea joining the Sans Pareil in the West Indies, under Captain Penrose. In 1802, asthma forced Menzies to resign from the navy and he moved to London. He lived in Chapel Place between Oxford Street and Cavendish Square, from where he ran a medical practice at his home. Archibald Menzies married Janet Brown, the sister of Adam Brown, who had sailed with him on the Chatham in 1802 but they had no children. He retired from his practice in 1826 and the Menzies moved to 2 Ladbroke Terrace, Notting Hill. Janet died first in 1836 and Archibald followed on 15 February 1842; both were buried at Kensal Green cemetery in north London. Menzies left a will, proven on 04 March 1842, FRC 11/1959. (see below).

Between 1783 and 1795, Menzies gathered at least 400 species new to science. However, his slowness or inability to write up his findings was frustrating. His small number of written publications has resulted in him never achieving the deserved universal acclaim his work warranted. He was also a skilled botanical artist and Hooker published several of his accurate and sensitive drawings of plants.

Menzies is commemorated in the names of several of the plants he collected, though some have subsequently been renamed. His portrait by Eden Upton Eddis hangs at Burlington House, London, in the rooms of the Linnean Society. A number of place names in present-day British Columbia, notably Menzies Bay and Mount Menzies, honour him. His private herbarium is in the Royal Botanical Garden, Edinburgh, and there are numerous specimens collected by him in the herbaria of the Natural History Museum in London and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.

A commemorative plaque was unveiled in 2004 at Castle Menzies in Scotland, close to two monkey puzzle trees, examples of probably the most-famous species that Menzies introduced to Britain.

Text of will
In the name of God, amen

This is the last will and testament of me, Archibald Menzies, of Ladbroke Terrace, Kensington, in the County of Middlesex, esquire [ ] give and bequeath as follows:

That is to say, of the sum of six thousand two hundred and twenty francs routes, being five per cent French Government stock, inscribed no. 65511 or some other number in my name in the Books of the Bank of France, I give and bequeath the sum of one thousand francs routes, part of such stock, to Mrs Betty Crearer, my only surviving sister, the said sum of one thousand francs to be paid or transferred to her by my executors, hereinafter named, within six calendar months after my decease.

I also give and bequeath the sum of one hundred pounds sterling to each of my nephews and nieces, the children of my four sisters, Mrs Jean Stewart, Mrs Susan McIntyre, Mrs Maysie Walker, deceased, and of the above mentioned Mrs Betty Crearer,

other than and except my nephew, Archibald Walker, to whom I have already advanced the like sum and other than and except my nephew, William Stewart, to whom I give and bequeath the sum of fifty pounds only, which in addition to what he has already received from me will make up the like sum of one hundred pounds.

And to my niece, Mrs Drummond, I give and bequeath one hundred pounds sterling and to Jean Ann, the only daughter of my niece, Mrs Susan McIntyre, a like sum of one hundred pounds sterling.

I also give and bequeath to Mrs Stewart, the widoe of my late nephew, John Stewart, the sum of one hundred pounds sterling.

I give and bequeath to my nephew, Charles Menzies, of Greenhhall near Crieff, Perthshire, all my term estate and interest of and in the house and premises situate no.6 Chapel Place in the parish of St. Marylebone in the County of Middlesex, now in the occupation of Charles Craddock, esquire, for his own benefit and I give and bequeath unto the said Charles Menzies all my silver plate and plated articles, my gold watch and chain, my writing desk with all my papers, books and manuscripts of every kind, together with all my household furniture, linen, china, and glass that may be found belonging to me in my residence at Ladbroke Terrace at the time of my decease.

I give and bequeath unto the Treasurer and trustees for the time being of the Royal Botanic Garden of the City of Edinburgh, my herbarium of Cryptogramia plants, Cyperacea, Graninaeae and other dried specimens and articles conatined in three mahogany cabinets for the use of the said Botanic Gardens, and I desire that the same may be conveyed and presented to the said Treasurer and trustees or deposited wherever they may appoint free of all charges and expense.

I give and bequeath unto the Treasurer and council of the Linnaean Society of London the sum of one hundred pounds sterling out of my xxxx personally for the use and benefit of the said society.

I give and bequeath unto Hannah Lauder, my cook, and Theodosia(?) Smith, my housemaid, the sum of forty pounds each to be paid to them respectively within six calendar months after my decease.

All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate and effects, both real and personal, and of what nature or kind soever not herinbefore disposed of, I give and bequeath unto my said nephew, Charles Menzies, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns absolutely and hereby appoint Charles Mitchell of xxx Connaught Square, Hyde Park, Doctor of Medicine, Andrew Johnson of no.5 Fenchurch Street, Middlesex, esquire, and my said nephew, Charles Menzies, executors of this my will and I hereby revoke and make void all other wills by me heretofore made.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourteenth day of February one thousand eight hundred and forty two. The mark or X signature of Archibald Menzies, the testator. SS. Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said testator, Archibald Menzies, as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us, in his presence and in the presence of each other. Wm. Friswell, 93 Wimpole Street. Charles Craddock, surgeon, 6 Chapel Place, Cavendish Sqaure.

In the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, in the goods of Archibald Menzies, esquire, deceased, appeared personally Charles Craddock of no.6 Chapel Place, Cavendish Square in the County of Middlesex, surgeon, and made oath that he is one of the subscribed witnesses to the last will and testament hereto annexed, bearing date the fourteenth day of February one thousand eight hundred and forty two, of the said Archibald Menzies, late of Ladbroke Terrace, Kensington in the County of Middlesex, esquire, deceased

And he further made oath that on the occasion of his being present on fourteenth day of February aforesaid with William Friswell, the other subscribed witness to the said will to attest the said testator's execution thereof, the said testator, who was at such time afflicted with paralysis, made an attempt to sign his name thereto by writing the initial letter to his christian name but being too weak to complete his signature, he then only executed the said will by making his mark or cross at the foot or end thereofin the presence of this appearee and of the said William Friswell, they both being present at the same time and this appearee and the said William Friswell then attested and subscribed the said will in the presence of the said testator and of each other. Charles Craddock. On the second day of March 1842, the said Charles Craddock was duly sworn to the truth of this affidavit before me W.C. Curteis, Sur. Pet. H.V. Tebbs, Not. Pub.

Proved at London, 4th March 1842, before the wordhipful William Converley(?) Curteis, Doctor of Laws and surrogate, by the oaths of Charles Mitchell, Doctor of Medicine, Andrew Johnson and Charles Menzies, the nephew, executors to whom administration was granted having been first sworn duly to administer.

Notes for the will.
Greenhall is a farm at Madderty, 10 kilometres east of Crieff, Perthshire.
Andrew Johnson was a nephew of Menzies' wife Janet.
Charles Mitchell was a witness of Adam Brown's will.

 

Zachary Mudge

Zachary Mudge was born in Plymouth on 22 January 1770, one of 20 children of Dr John Mudge. Zachary was a son of Mudge's third wife, Elizabeth, née Garrett. An uncle was Thomas Mudge, the horologist while an older half-brother was William Mudge, who, as superintendant, developed the Ordnance Survey and was responsible for much of the early detailed mapping of Britain (Wordsworth wrote "Black Combe" about his work.).

Mudge joined the navy as a ten-year old in November 1780 on board the Foudroyant, under Captain John Jervis. He is said to have been present when the Foudroyant captured the Pégase in the Bay of Biscay on 21 April 1782. Mudge continued to serve on the Foudroyant but also served as midshipman on the Pégase. On 24 May 1789, he was promoted lieutenant. In December 1790, Mudge was appointed to the Discovery to sail on the projected voyage of exploration on the Northwest Coast of America.

Mudge kept a journal (Adm 51/4533 pt. 52, 04 Jan. 1791-01 Oct. 1792), which included two views. He then left the expedition on xxxxx to carry communications back to Britain from Vancouver on the state of negotiations with the Spanish. Cape Mudge, the southern point of Quadra Island, at the head of the Strait of Georgia was named after him.

In early 1795, Mudge returned to the Pacific on the Providence, with Commander William Robert Broughton.

On 24 November 1797, Mudge was promoted commander and, in November 1798, he was given his first command on the sloop Fly. In February 1799, the Fly captured the French privateer Gleneur off Portland after a long chase. Mudge and the Fly then moved to North American waters, based at Halifax, before returning to Portsmouth in May 1800. The Fly next cruised in the Channel and captured a French privateer cutter, the Trompeur.

On 15 November 1800, Mudge was promoted captain and, in April 1801, was appointed to the Constance, which sailed from Portsmouth and safely escorted a fleet of merchantmen from Falmouth to Lisbon and Oporto. In June 1801, the Constance captured the Spanish cutter Duides. In the July, 6 km off Cape Ortegal, the Constance captured several vessels including the privateer Cantara. On 04 September, the Constance returned to Portsmouth having sprung her main-mast, fore-mast and main-yard in a gale.

In September 1802, Mudge transferred to the frigate Blanche. The Blanche operated in the English Channel for most of 1803 before sailing to the West Indies where she took part in the blockade of San Domingo under Captain Loring. The Blanche was placed at the entrance of Manchineel Bay, near the Caracol Passage, the eastern entrance of the harbour of Cape Francoise on Hispaniola (Haiti). In less than a month her boats took and destroyed twenty-four small vessels. In February 1804, 800 marines and sailors landed on Curaçao, off the South Anerican mainland, and took possession of the island except for Fort Rebublicain. Since they had no artillery to reduce the fort, and it was impossible to take it by storm, the men were withdrawn and returned to Jamaica. The island was kept in a state of blockade by the Blanche and two Government schooners. During the following 18 months, Blanche took many other prizes including the Dutch schooner Nimrod. The French schooner privateer Hazard was captured on 05 April 1805 while the Spanish sloop Diligente and the French schooner Amitie were also taken.

Mudge's luck ran out on 19 July 1805 when the Blanche was some 150 miles north of Puerto Rico. It encountered a French squadron consisting of the frigate Topaze, two heavy corvettes, and a brig. Mudge prepared for action as escape was out of the question. After 45 minutes fierce fighting Blanche was a complete wreck, unable to answer her helm, with 8 men killed and 15 wounded, so Captain Mudge struck his colours to save further loss of life. A few hours later, after Mudge and the rest of the officers and crew had been taken off, the Blanche sank.

Captain Mudge had to face a court martial in Plymouth on 14 October 1805. While it had been questioned whether Mudge had done all he could to defend the ship, he was honourably acquitted of blame for the loss of his ship and even complimented on his able and gallant conduct. The Admiralty, on 18 November, appointed Mudge, his officers and part of his crew to the Phoenix. They operated for the next five years in the Bay of Biscay and on the coast of Portugal. Mudge's last active command was HMS Valiant, which he took via Cork to the West Indies in 1815.

Zachary Mudge married Jane Granger on 06 December 1802 at St. Martin in the Fields, London and, together, they had several children. He became rear-admiral on 22 July 1830, vice-admiral on 23 November 1841, and admiral on 15 September 1849. He died at his residence, Sydney, near Plympton Maurice in Devon, on 26 October 1852, and was buried at Newton Ferrers church. He left a will (FRC will; 26 November 1852 11/2162). A memorial window was placed in St Andrew's Church, Plymouth. Mudge's eldest son, Zachary, a barrister, corresponded with Charles Darwin on scientific matters.

Text of will
This is the last will and testament of me, Zachary Mudge, Admiral of the Blue, of Sidney in the parish of Plympton Maurice in the County of Devon.

I bequeath the following legacies:

To my niece, Jane Baynes, the wife of Major Baynes, Royal Artillery, and to my housemaid, Elizabeth Worth, if living in my service at the time of my decease, the sum of fifteen pounds.

To my servant, Charles Woodley, if living in my service at my decease, the sum of ten pounds.

And to my good and faithful servant, Ann Pxxx, the sum of one hundred pounds clear of legacy duty. And I further recommend her to the protection of my dear son.

All the rest of my property of every description, which I may die possessed of, I give and bequeath to my dear son, Zachary Mudge, to hold to him, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns according to the nature and quality of such property respectively for his absolute use and benefit.

And I appoint the Reverend John Yonge of Puslinch, Devon, sole executor of this my will bequeathing to him a legacy of thirty pounds free of legacy duty, hereby xxxx all former wills and codicils by me at any time heretofore made.

In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal this fifth day of December one thousand eight hundred and forty nine. Zachary Mudge. SS. Signed, sealed and acknowledged by me, Zachary Mudge, the testator, as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who being present at the same time in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereto subscribed our names as witnesses. Deeble Boger of Plympton, Devon, solicitor. Thomas Cherville of Plympton, clerk to Mr. Boger.

Proved at London, the 26th day of November 1852, before the judge sworn by the oath of the Reverend John Yonge xxxx the sole executor to whom administration was granted having been first sworn by commission duly to administer.

Notes for the will.
The Reverend John Yonge (born 05 December 1788) was Mudge's nephew. Mudge had married Jane Granger, whose older sister, Ann, had married the Reverend James Yonge. The name appears written as Youge in the will. Puslinch is at Newton Ferrers in Devon where Mudge was buried.
Mudge's wife, Jane, had died in 1834.
The Jane Mudge refered to in the will married O'Hara Baynes on 23 February 1813 at St. Mary Magdalene, Woolwich. They had four daughters, two of whom were already dead in 1849.

 

Thomas New

Thomas New joined the Chatham in Kealakekua Bay, Hawai'i on 16 January 1794 as an A.B. He had arrived in Hawai'i on board the Daedalus, of which his father, Thomas New senior, was master. Thomas junior was listed as being 18 years old and from Ramsgate. He was probably one of four children of Thomas (baptised 08 April 1740 ) and Mary. The younger Thomas New was baptised on 27 April 1777 at St. Lawrence, Thanet in Kent. On 10 February 1794, he became a midshipman. He transferred to the Sphynx at Sao Salvador in Brazil on 09 August 1795.

In May 2005, I was offered the following letter by Maggie New, married to a descendant of Thomas New, and given permission to reproduce it here, for which many thanks. It was written in May 1794 by Thomas New senior from Sydney to his wife in London. I have reproduced it as I received it with original spelling, punctuation, etc.

 

Sydney new South Wales May 2nd 1794

My Dear

On my arrival here, I found your fourth letter dated the sixteenth of December ’92, which was nearly sixteen months old, but have received none from Mr Davidson, which I cant account, for I wrote you when I sailed from here last July for the NW Coast, and should also have wrote you from Santa Diego, the 1st port we left on that coast, had not Captain Vancouver have been afraid of making his packet too large, so could only be permitted to send one small letter to Mr Davidson.

Our last route(?) from this was to the Sandwich Islands, where we called to refresh ourselves with the good things those Islands afforded. We then proceeded to the North and arrived the day after the Discovery and Chatham left Friendly Cove. As soon as we had repaired our rigging, which was very much damaged in a very heavy gale just before we made the land, and wooded and watered, we followed them to Francisco, where we joined, as we were going in and they were coming out.

We all proceeded to the southward, Captain Vancouver having orders to survey the coast as far as 30 degrees of North Latitude, and continued to sail along the coast, with gales and weather, among numberless isles, some without of us and others between the shore and the ships, the most of them inhabited, as well as the main, and the natives frequently coming off in the canoes to trade, with fish baskets, bows and arrows etc. We cast anchor at the following Spanish settlements, where we were well supplied with beef, mutton and every other refreshment those places afforded, first Monterey, Santa Barbara, Santa Bonaventura, and Santa Diego. On the 14th December 1793 we hove away and left the coast of California, and the next day made the island of Guardeloupe. This we just took a look at, and shaped our course for the Sandwich Isles, where Captain Vancouver intended to discharge Daedalus.

On 13th January 1794 we came to anchor in Karakakoon Bay, all well, and were received in the most friendly way by the natives, Captain Vancouver having wintered here last year, and lived with them on the most friendly terms, which was now very evident in the meeting of Vancouver and Tomichomechaw, for no two brothers apparently could be more rejoiced to see each other. We anchored very late in the evening, but such was the vigilance of the King and the natives that early the next day they poured in the Hog, bread, fruits, plantins, yams, tarrow rods, potatoes etc etc etc till our decks were full, without ever once asking how they were to be paid, till I was obliged to cry avast, telling His Majesty that I would let him know when he should send me more. He replied, for he had learned a little English ‘Berry well, berry well, that'll do, dat'll do’ for he appeared to be a very good natured and facetious man. In the evening I counted my hogs and pigs and found to the amount of fifty, and for the fruit and vegetables I made a large scaffold over the stern and piled up twenty of thirty canoes’ load.

Here we discharged the Daedalus without being in the least incommoded, notwithstanding we had every day more than a hundred canoes round the ships, the natives striving who should render us the most service in towing our boats and getting us ballast etc.

Here I had the opportunity offered of making your son Thomas an Officer, which I embraced in the hopes it may be of service to him in course of time if he behaves himself, which I am not in the least doubt of. Captain Puget having discharged a Mr Grant, one of his midshipmen, I made interest with him to take Tom in his room, he had been in the Chatham the whole time of our stay at Karrakakoon and Captain Puget seemed to like him very well, and if he is not idle he may make himself very useful, as he can work the timepieces and lunar observations, and understands a little of surveying, and, the voyage he is on, he may improve himself greatly, if he pays proper attention.

I was obliged to strip myself almost naked to fit him out, and his brother Dobson, who is likewise a midshipman on board the Discovery. Tis more than possible you may see them before you do me, as they will leave the Coast this fall for England.

As for the Daedalus, there is no knowing when she will be ordered home; we know nothing where we shall be ordered next, but tis thought it is either to India or the Cape of Good Hope, and then back to this place, so that our dance is not near at an end notwithstanding we have tripped it by our log already sixty thousand miles, almost the distance of thrice round the globe, nearly, if not, further than any ship has travelled in the same space of time.

This country appears to be in a more flourishing state than when we left, it having a great deal more land cleared, and houses built, but very much in want of the arrival of some ship to bring them several articles this country does not produce. Flour is much wanted, though they have plenty of Indian corn, sugar three shillings, yam and other fruits a guinea the sack, tea a guinea, and several other articles equally as scarce and dear.

I conclude with my love to you all, and remain your

affectionate husband Thos New

addressed on the folded sheet:

Capt Thos New Bridge Place No.1 Bermondsey LONDON

Alexander Davidson

Daedalus

Kealakekua Bay

Kamehameha

Thomas Dobson

 

John Nicholas

John Nicholas was listed as being 19 years old and from London when he joined the Chatham. John Nicholas joined on 20 December 1790 as a midshipman. He was an A.B. from 10 September 1792 until 07 October 1793. He then transferred to Chatham as a midshipman.

After sailing with Vancouver, John Nicholas made lieutenant on 06 May 1796. He was promoted commander on 11 September 1797 and captain on 14 February 1801.

Nicholas died in 1805 when in command of HMS Eurydice. He had escorted a convoy of ships from Canada in 1804 carrying furs. In 1805, the Eurydice went into quarantine on returning from the Mediterranean so Nicholas may have died from a disease caught at that time. His name does not appear on the list of captains published later in 1805. Nicholas left a will, written 23 March 1804 in which he leaves everything to his sister, Mary Nicholas, of Chelsea. He would only have been about 34 years of age and had presumably not married. The will was proven on 08 June 1805 11/1427.

Text of will
This is the last will and testament of me, John Nicholas, esquire, captain of His Majesty's Ship Eurydice, now at Spithead in the County of Southampton, made while in good health and of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding. Whereby I recommend my soul to God and dispose of my worldly estate and effects in manner following:

That is to say I give and bequeath all and singular my personal estate and effects whatsoever that I shall or may be possessed of, interested in or entitled unto at the time of my decease unto my dear sister, Mary Nicholas, of Chelsea in the County of Middlesex, spinster to hold to her, my said sister, her executors, admons and assigns to and for her and her own xxxx and benefit absolutely and forever subject nevertheless.

And I do hereby xxxx and make chargeable the same with the payment of all my just debts and funeral and other expenses.

And I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my said sister sole executrix of this my last will and testament and hereby revoking and making void all former and other will and wills made by me at any time heretofore made to declare these presents above to be and remain my last will and testament.

In witness whereof, I have hereto set my hand and seal the twenty third day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and four. John Nicholas. SS. Signed, sealed, published and declared, the testator the said John Nicholas as and for his last will and testament on the day of the date in the presence of us who have hereto subscribed our names as a witness in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other. Mr. Gresham xxxx xxxx at Law, Portsmouth, A. xxx xxx.

This will was proved at London the eighth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand and five before the Worshipful Samuel xxxx Parson, Doctor of Laws, and Surrogate of the Right Honourable Sir William Wynne Knight, Doctor of Laws, xxxx keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, lawfully constituted by the oath of Mary Nicholas, spinster, the sister and sole executrix named in the said will to whom admon was granted of all and singular, the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased having been first sworn duly to testify.

Notes for the will. His Majesty's Ship Eurydice

 

Henry Masterman Orchard

Henry Masterman Orchard was baptised on 13 August 1756 at Mylor, Cornwall, the son of Francis and Henrietta Orchard. Orchard joined the Discovery on 16 January 1791 as clerk and remained in that position until 01 December 1792. Orchard then became a midshipman until 01 December 1794. He then resumed as Clerk. He spent the whole voyage on Discovery. Orchard kept a log (Adm 55/31 Discovery, 01 Dec. 1792-30 Nov. 1794).

He may have had earlier astronomical training as he was regularly used to make observations. Port Orchard, off Puget Sound in Washington, was named after him.

Orchard died in 1825 after an illness that severely reduced his financial situation. He left a will. He is listed as being a purser in the Royal Navy and living at Stoke Damerel, outside Plymouth. The only family member mentioned in the will is a nephew, Francis Orchard (probably the son of Henry's brother, Francis, born 1753), living in Exeter. The executor of the will was George Pedlar, a commander in the navy. There will was proven on 16 March 1825 11/1697.

 

Robert Pigot

Robert Pigot was born in Dulwich, South London, the son of Robert and Frances Pigot. He was baptised on 21 October 1776 at Dulwich College. Robert Pigot joined the Discovery on 07 January 1791 as a midshipman until 03 January 1793. He was an A.B. from 03 January 1793 to 24 November 1794 when he resumed as a midshipman. He spent the whole voyage on Discovery. He kept a log (Adm 55/30 Discovery, 07 Jan. 1791-07 Jan. 1795, Adm 51/4534 pt. 9 Discovery 08 Jan. 1795-02 Jul. 1795). It includes 4 views. Point Pigot in Prince William Sound is named after him.

Robert Pigot was made a lieutenant on 27 September 1796. On 13 June 1805, Pigot was serving as a liuetenant in the Cambrian, under Captain John Beresford, in the North Atlantic, north of the West Indies. Pigot was dispatched to attack the Maria, a Spanish schooner and he successfully captured the vessel.

A few weeks later, on 03 July 1805, the Cambrian chased and captured the French schooner Matilda. The schooner surrendered in shallow water and it was through the exertions of Lieutenant Pigot that the crew of the schooner was saved. Pigot and a party of officers and men went on board the prize with orders to take it to St. Mary's River (the boundary between Georgia and Florida) and search for a Spanish schooner and two captured merchant ships. Pigot arrived at St. Mary's, and on 07 July and proceeded 20 kilometres up the river, through enemy fire. Reaching the three vessels, which were lashed across the river, the Matilda attacked. The enemy quit the brig and schooner and Pigot, after taking possession of them, turned the fire of all three vessels upon the militia drawn up on the river bank and eventually they were routed. Adverse winds prevented their escape until the 21st when the returned to sea and rejoined the Cambrian. Robert Pigot was among those wounded. He was hit by musket-balls in three places, two in the head and one in the leg. He refused to leave the deck, except to have his wounds dressed, during the whole action. Pigot is believed to have been promoted to the rank of commander for his bravery and leadership. However, there is no official record of him having been made commander. Nothing further is known about Pigot's later career and life, including when he died though he may have died from the wounds suffered at the St. Mary's River. It certainly appears to have put an end to his active naval career. There is no FRC will.

 

Thomas Pitt

Thomas Pitt sailed on the Discovery with George Vancouver and was a major problem for the captain throughout the time he remained on the ship. Vancouver was unable to deal with Pitt and resorted to physical punishment before finally dismissing Pitt by sending him home from Hawai'i on the Daedalus. In taking these actions, not usually meted out to a midshipman and certainly not to the son of a lord, Vancouver made an enemy of a young man related directly and indirectly to most of the major players in British politics in the 1790s. On his return, therefore, Vancouver's achievements were eclipsed by stories of the supposed despotic means of his running the ship.

In 1792, Pitt's sister, A