Richard Brathwaite

Posted by Bob Brooks on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 16:39

Admiral Richard Brathwaite personally spelled his name with only one “i” with Admiralty spelling his name initially under both spellings but in his later life following his spelling. His obituary as published in The Naval Chronicle, Volume 14, July–December 1805, p. 86, is in error concerning his age; however, whether the originator of the error or just another perpetrator thereof, I cannot say, but The Christian Observer, Volume 4, July 1805, p. 450, and The Scots Magazine and Edinburgh Literary Miscellany, Volume 67, July 1805, p. 567, (and presumably others) present his age at death as 80 whereas actually he was about age 76½ at death having been baptized 12 Dec 1728 at St Lawrence Church, Appleby, Westmoreland, presumably baptized as an infant given that his parents had been married just 13 months prior on 08 Apr 1727. He was a first cousin to Cuthbert & Wilfred Collingwood as their mothers were sisters although Brathwaite was about 20 years older.