Samuel Graves

Posted by Brian on Tuesday 13th of May 2014 20:20

Obit: At his seat in Hembury Fort, co. Devon, Samuel Graves Esq. Admiral of his Majesty's white squadron, to which high station he rose gradually, without the aid of any parliamentary interest, by near sixty years intrepid services and the most unblemished integrity. He served as Lieutenant of the Norfolk at the siege of Carthagena under that brave and much injured officer, his uncle. At the attack of St. Philips and St. Jago's batteries, which, being out of reach of the cannon of the ship, impeded the progress of the land forces and he bore an honourable share in the taking of the sixteen gun battery. Sir Chaloner Ogle, who commanded his Majesty's fleet in the West Indies, appointed him to the command of his tender, from whence, on account of his gallant services, he was promoted to the Ribbon's Prize, in which he was eminently distinguished by the capture of several ships of a very superior force - in the succeeding war he was employed in the channel, and was in the memorable action of 1759, under Sir Edward Hawke, whose friendship he ever after enjoyed. In the beginning of the late unhappy war , he had the naval command at Boston; and his conduct there, as was natural, became the subject of severe animadversion amongst those who could not know the decisive spirit which he recommended in all the General Councils etc...Upon his return from America he was appointed to the command at Plymouth which he nobly relinquished etc... He died in the 74th year of his age of a hemorrhage in the bladder, after a short illness, which he bore with utmost fortitude. He was twice married; 1. to Elizabeth, sole daughter of ....Sedgwick, esq., of Staindrop, co. Durham; and 2. Margaret, daughter of Elmes Spinckes, esq., of Aldwinckle, co. Northampt.