Francis Marsh – aged 69/70 if alive – elder brother of Milbourne, Mary and George – unmarried
Milbourne Marsh – aged 68/69 – father of Eliza, Francis and John
Elizabeth Marsh (ne Evans) – wife of Milbourne Marsh
James Crisp Esq – Merchant for East India Company in Dhaka, Bengal (Bangladesh)
Eliza Crisp (ne Marsh) – aged 42/43 – daughter of Milbourne Marsh – Dhaka
Burrish Crisp – aged 15/16 – son of James Crisp and Eliza (Marsh) – Dhaka
Elizabeth Maria Crisp (later Shee) – aged 13/14 – daughter of James and Eliza Crisp – Chatham
Mary Duval (ne Marsh) – aged 65/66 – Sister of George and Milbourne
John Duval – husband of Mary Duval
Elizabeth Morrison (ne Duval) – 25/26 – daughter of John Duval and Mary (Marsh)
James Morrison – aged 3/4
George Marsh – aged 565/56
Ann Marsh (ne Long) – aged 57/58
George Marsh – aged 28/29 – siblings of George and Anne (Long)
William Marsh – aged 22/23
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1778
On the 22nd April 1778 Mr.Marsh went with the other members of the Navy Board to attend the King during his visitation of the Dock Yards at Chatham and Sheerness and on the 28th he proceeded to Portsmouth on the like duty. At that port Mr.Marsh again waited on the King during his early morning inspections and was honored with much conversation with his Majesty on the subjects then under his notice and on naval matters in general.
His Majesty was pleased to say that he was aware of the extent and importance of the duties which Mr.Marsh had to perform as Clerk of the Acts and he perceived that he was well acquainted with every thing relating to the Civil Departments of the Service.
About this time Lord Bristol who had on many previous occasions evinced great friendship for (crossed out – Mr.Marsh) and had conferred many obligation on Mr.Marsh offered (crossed out – if he would quite the Navy Board) to procure his appointment to a place connected with the Court of great respectability and of considerabley greater emolument than the Commissionership of the Navy.
After giving 24 hours serious consideration to this proposal Mr.Marsh waited on Lord Bristol and very respectfully and gratefully declined his offer; for Mr.Marsh considered that he had now reached that period of life when a man’s habits become (finer?) and the engaging in a new line of life and the adoption of other manners in other circles of Society, irksome and difficult, that those which he had hitherto practiced were of the greatest regularity and moderation, that he had ever lived within his Income, and the increase of emolument was therefore no temptation to him and that he should by accepting Lord Bristol’s offer risk what was of far greater value to him than money viz., his tranquility and happiness.
Mr.Marsh says in his Diary on this subject “I had great difficulty ot make my Lord Bristol enter into my feelings,as the appointment was one (compared with that I hold) of very little duty and and of (favorable?) the emolument, indeed his Lordship was often after to reproach me in a good humoured manner on the subject.”
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Nothing material happened to me or mine since August 1777, I only experienced great difficulty in my situation to keep clear of disagreeing with my brother Commissioner (contention being my mortal aversion) and where 7 or 8 gentlemen are connected together with equal power that is no easy thing to do, for as being the leader and recorder of all the transactions of the Board, and constantly there myself, nothing is more easy or common for those who come and go from the Office when and as they please to find fault and be zealous of him or them who conduct the business.
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22 April 1778
Set off with Mr Hunt [Edward Hunt] the Surveyor of the Navy to Chatham to attend the King there.
25 April 1778
His Majesty arrived at Chatham from the Augusta yacht this day, and viewed the several storehouses in the dockyard, then returned on board the yacht and sailed back to Greenwich, being viewed Sheerness in his way.
28th June 1778
I set of from London for Portsmouth.
2 May 1778
The King and Queen came to Portsmouth and visiting the Fleet at Spithead which was a beautiful sight the sea being covered with vessels and yachts full of various colours. After visiting the Fleet and sailing round all the ships at Spithead viewing the dock yard, Victualling Office, Ordnance, the Garrison and lines their Majesties returned to London from the Commissioner’s house the 9th instant.
During these different attendances Their Majesties did me the honour to ask me many questions and talked a great deal to me. The King said he was sensible how much duty I had to do, and the great confinement and constant attendance of my branch and was pleased to add many civil expressions to me on the occasion.
His Majesty put an old Lady under my care soon after his arrival at Portsmouth to show her the yard and Garrison etc and as it proved a fine day&ldots;the King and Queen went to Spithead and I took her under my charge from His Majesty and ordered a barge to carry us to the Garrison but just before we got there, Spithead opening to us and all the Fleet and vessels of every kind so ornamented as struck the Lady with the utmost but agreeable surprise who was called Madame Heron, she had another Lady with her as attendant. Perceiving how much they were both pleased with the sight, I asked Madam Heron if she would go to Spithead and see the Fleet, she replied if I thought there was no danger she should be glad to go there.
Whereupon I ordered one of the sailing vessels to be sent to me from the dock yard, and ham cold chicken bakes wine coffee and tea etc to be sent to me from my lodging and proceeded there accordingly, but as the wind began to blow fresh I was afraid my charge might get cold I therefore put a rough great coat over her and as we sailed by the yacht the King and Queen were in, the Queen saw her and pulled the King to show her to him when they both shook their hands and appeared as well as the old lady very much pleased.
After sailing through the Fleet I carried her to Portsmouth Garrison and from thence to the Commissioner’s house in the dock yard, for which she was remarkably thankful. When the Queen came on shore up to the Commissioner house. The Lord in waiting, nor none of the Navy Board but myself were there to received her from the coach, I was at a loss what to do, but immediately hold up my elbow which she put her hand upon and turned round as soon as she was out of it, made a curtsey and thanked me for my care and kindness to her good old lady.
Madame Heron invited me strongly to visit her and dine with her at Court on my return to London, but I never did. Perhaps it would have been right and that I should have made the most of this event and powerful interest, for promotion or honour, but I was not of the turn of mind to make the most of it being also quite contented with my situation, and upon reflection and very doubtful whether, if I could attain either, or both, it would increase my happiness, and whether a greater income might not lead me into connections that might be destructive to my health and my composed comfortable manner of living, for although I was and am sensible it is the duty of every man to obtain all possible wealth and honour in the situation providence had placed him, consistent with honesty and prudence, a duty to his family and friends, yet I did not chose to run the risque of losing my present happiness, by the gain thereof, and time and experience has justified that idea, and I am well pleased that I have declined both honour and higher employment, which I was offered and could have attained through the interest of my hearty friend the Earl of Bristol who had power at a certain time of promoting me into a very exalted station and pressed me much to accept it, which he was sure from his recommendation and the King’s knowledge of me I should succeed to, and even gave me two days to consider of when for the reasons before mentioned I had fortitude enough to resist the same.
For I was always afraid of great connections which most probably would lead me into the fashionable expensive destructive habits and manner of living, destroy my health and peace of mind. I was well acquainted with the business I was at the head of, which I have ever endeavoured to leave when death should happen to me, properly kept up and executed as a pattern for my successor, and for the public service, in which every man should conduct himself in his different employment, as if he was to hold it and live for ever, whereas too many care not what may happen after their time, but with respect to our own existence we should so conduct ourselves as if we were to die in a few hours, and therefore be always prepared for it.
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Letter
28 July 1778
Account of Admiral Keppel’s action with the French Fleet, copied by me from a friend’s letter. Party running high in the Fleet’s and the original destroyed. – William Marsh
The letter was to my dear Father. “Keppel & Paliser.”
(Pencil – Rick Howard. 2nd of Dec.)
At Sea – 28 July 1778
Dear Sir,
Sorry am I from having the most flattering prospect of taking or destroying every Ship of the Brest Fleet,to inform you that the Efforts of our grand Fleet has been crowned with so little success but as it would be presumption in a Butter and Churchman, to offer his sentiments in an affair so important, I shall leave that to those whose profession it is to judge of these matters and will just only mention what occurred to me of the two Fleets.
Upon the 23rd instant in the morning we fell in with the French Fleet about 15 leagues to the Westward of Ushant in a very regular line of Battle ahead to windward and finding we had got between them and their own coast, and impossible to get past us, they kept working to windward so that we could not bring them to action before the 27th and seeing we had at last so far worked up to them as to be able to oblige them to come action, they bore down in the same regular line ahead which they had all along preserved upon our van, keeping to the windward, and proceeded to the rear of such of our ships as were in the line, making a running fight of it, of which our ship had her full share, being the second headmost ship of our line, and the most to windward, and of course bore the fire of about twenty of the French ships in passing along, sometimes of two at a time, and at one time, of the Admiral a three deck ship and two of equal force with our ship.
When they had in this manner passed the whole of such of our ships as were in the line, they wore round in the same regular order, and ranged themselves in a line of battle to the Leeward of our Fleet, standing in the same direction prepared to receive us, and continued in that position the remaining part of the day.
But such was the Havock they so successfully made of our masts,yards, and rigging of almost every ship they engaged, that though greatly superior as we were in force and no doubt in bravery, we could not renew the attack, but the remainder of the day employed in repairing the damaged rigging of the Fleet, while that of the French had to appearance suffered but very little, and now that most of the ships had refitted their rigging &c.,by 6 or 7 in the evening our Admiral no doubt for good reasons did not think proper to renew the battle though to windward, perhaps in belief that the French fleet would wait for him ’tillnext day, being then from their Manouvres determined to gain us Battle but of this also I am doubtful, as in the night they bore away for Brest.
And though not out of sight next morning, our Admiral had no doubt good reasons likewise for not following them, but what these reasons are I am at a loss to know.
I shall only say of Captain R— and of every man and officer in our ship that I am well satisfied it cannot be exceeded by any of the Fleet.
Our losses only two killed and four wounded, the vast number of shot fired at us being aimed at our rigging which suffered greatly with the loss of our Fore-Top-Sail-Yard, but we were in two hours time, ready to renew the combat.
I have had no opportunity of hearing the loss of the other ships. Two of the Enemy’s line of Battle ship and a Frigate receive so much damage, that they were sent home immediately when the Brush was over.
The French Fleet consisted of 25 or 26 Line of Battle ships, many of them of the lowest case,and only two of which number of three deck ships, no match for us but we have had from dear experience aprized of the great advantage of firing at the rigging, more than at the hull. ‘
Figure to yourself this almost contemptible Fleet, drawn up in fine order of Battle, to the Leeward of our Fleet so superior in force, yet rendered from this method of directing their shot incapable of engaging them, and then judge.
This engagement if I may call it one happened 24 leagues Westward of Ushant. Please to let me know if this reaches you, as it goes with the Admiral’s Dispatches.
I am &c &c
(Diagram of fleet battle lines)
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Diary of George Marsh
His (George Marsh b. 1683) eldest son Milbourne (1709-1779) left two sons and a daughter, Francis Milbourne Marsh (1738-1785), his eldest died Major of the 90th Regiment of Foot was a sensible man and a good scholar. His second son John (1747-1823) was many years his Majesty’s consul at Malaga, he was afterwards at the breaking out of the war with Spain in the year 1779, appointed Agent for the Navy Board at Cork for the examining of all the provisions shipped from thence for our armies abroad, and in every situation in which he served he conducted himself and transacted his business in such an exemplary manner as gained him many friends, and great honour to himself and family, as will appear by an extract from a letter written in Cypher dated Gibraltar, 9th July 1778 from Lord Heathfield [Gen George Augustus Eliott 1st Baron Heathfield 1717-1790] to Lord Viscount Weymouth [Thomas Thynne, 1st Marquess of Bath, 3rd Viscount Weymouth, 1734-1796 ], then Secretary of State, taken from the original and bound up with his official correspondence (See letter, pages 44-58).
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Extract of a letter written in Cypher and dated Gibraltar 9th July 1778 from the deceased Lord Heathfield to Lord Viscount Weymouth, taken from the original, and bound up with his official correspondence to the Secretary of State.
“I have all this from Consul Marsh. I must entreat your Lordships forgiveness once more, reminding you of his unremitted zeal, and very material exertions for His Majesty’s Service, which I hope will appear to you in such a light as may obtain for him some mark of the Royal favour.”
Copy of a letter from General Elliot to Mr Marsh dated Gibraltar 6th Sept 1779
“Dear Sir, I wish you safe in England with all health and happiness and shall always esteem
myself fortunate to be again connected in business with a gentleman who has the Public Service so much at heart. You know my opinion of Ministerial favours, they are never obtained unless the candidate has it in his power to command them by his capacity and diligence. I will therefore not despair, but hope to find my earnest wishes may be attended with success. I suppose the enemy means to make a trial of our strength, they do go on, but in truth Poco a Poco.
I have the honor to be
Dear Sir
Etc
G.A.Elliot.
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Document
4 April 1778
Know all Man by these presents that I, John Marsh of the town and port of Dover in the County of Kent, Carpenter am held and firmly bound to Sampson Farbrare of the same town and port, Gentleman in the penalty or penal Sum of Four hundred pounds of good and lawfull money of Great Britain to be paid to the said Sampson Farbrare or his certain Attorney, Executors, Administrators, or Assigns for which payment to be well and faithfully made I (binsard?) oblige myselt my Heirs, Executors and Administrators and very of them firmly by these presents (Scales?) with my Seal dated the fourth day of April in the eighteenth year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord George Third by the grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight (1778)
The Condition of this Obligation is such that if the above bounden John Marsh, his heirs, Executors, Administrators or Assigns do and shall will and truly pay or cause to be paid unto the above named Sampson Farbrace, his Executors, Administrators or Assigns the sum of Two hunded pounds with Interest for the same and at the rate of Four pounds for an hundred pounds by the year of good and lawful money of Great Britain at or upon the Fifth day of October next ensuing the date of the Obligation above written –
according to and in full performance and discharge of the proviso or condition mentioned in our Indenture of (Tripartite?), Assignment and Confirmation of Mortgage bearing date with these presents made, or mentioned to be made
Between (crossed out – the above – – John Marsh of) John Pierce therein named of the first part the above bounden John Marsh of the second part and the above named Sampson Farbrace of the third part.
And do also well and truly observe perform fulfill and keep all and singluar the Covenants, Grants, Article, Conditions and Agreements whatsoever which on his and their parts and behalfs are or ought to be Obsered, performed fulfilled and kept Comprizes and mentioned in the said writ to Indenture
And that in all things according to the true intent and meaning thereof and of the parties to the same Then this Obligation to be void or else to remain in full force.
Sealed and Deliversed, being first duly stamped in the presence of us
William. Ashdowne
John Reader
John Marsh
Red was seal, man in profile
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Letter
21 December 1778
Doctor Andrews on of the Jupiter’s Account of her engagement.
To – George Marsh Esq., Commissioner of the Navy, Navy Office, London
From – Dr Anderson, H.M.S. Jupiter
Dear Sir,
Please to give my leave by the opportunity of the Guadelupe’s passing the Lisbon convoy home (which we, with the Romney, Pelican, Hussar and Medea wait for the opposite Fleet’s coming out) to tell you something relative to the Jupiter as we dare say you may have heard of her.
We sailed from Plymouth Sound in company with the Medea on the 10th October. The Medea left us on the evening of the 12th. We fell in next morning off Brest a French 74 and frigate who gave us chase.
The morning following we saw 12 sail of the French Fleet, two of them gave us chase.
On the 19th we saw two large ships, one frigate and 2 small vessels, one of the larger of whom bore down upon us, we edged away to draw him off from the others and gave him battle.
We played around them in the night. In the morning the Medea by chance found us off Cape Ferat. We got sight of our opponent soon after, the weather clearing up, and made sail towards her.
It was evening before we got up with her, very near the land. She stretched off and gave us a broad side, which we returned. The Medea did the same and sheered off. We saw nothing more of her for some time. We engaged the enemy within musket shot for an hour and quarter at (best, dusk?) after the Medea left us, broadside to broadside, till the Enemy found us so serious that he thought it proper to back his mizen topsail and take his ship out of our fire.
We endeavoured to back also, but lo! our sails and cordage were so cut and destroyed, we had not the power; not a brace standing. This engagement was carried out in the dark.
Mr.Roberts the Master, Mr.Law midshipman died of their wounds.
Soon after Mr.Roberts received eleven wounds. Two private were killed in the action, and (two?) more died a few days after, and about six more wounded.
I had but four capital operations to perform. We were three days in getting up new sails and new cordage, and topmasts and some yards. Our lower masts are all wounded. We have some shot lodged in the hull, through the copper.
About a week after we had repaired, the Medea again joined us and informed us she had been in at Lisbon to take in ballast, finding her crank upon firing her broadside against the enemy, in so much that the guns getting loose, one of them ran over one of the men and killed him.
We kept the seas till the term of our Cruize (to wit the 20th November) was expired. We saw
– – of Cape (ostr?) – – – gal in the mean time
no prize, only retook the Concord a (snew?) from London and Lisbon, taken by a (Rebel?) privateer, the Bennington.
Upon our arrival in Lisbon we were informed by an Irish gentleman in the Spanish Service that he was a Corunna when the Tristan of 64 guns our opponent arrived in a shattered condition five days after our engagment, who told us that he had been on board the Tristan and spoke with the Captain who informed him that he had 14 killed and 29 wounded.
He himself received a would in the forearm by a musket ball, by which he was obliged to have the arm amputated.
That the Captain took the Jupiter for a 60 and said of the frigate had only lain by, he would not have thought it any dishonour to have struck to his Ships.
By English prisoners on board of her (for the two small vessels we saw the evening before were prizes to the Tristan and St.Michal of 60 guns) we learnt that the Tristan’s backing a Stern was to get out of our firing. That the Captain of her being wounded early in the engagement, she was fought by the second Captain that all the officers left the Quarter Deck, and a man was called to stand by the Colours.
That if we could have backed and given one broadside more she would have struck.
Captain Reynolds is adored at Lisbon. An inquiry has been made on board the Medea respecting Captain Montague’s conduct. The Captainswho were there give out that it appeared to them the Medea’s crew would not fight.
We have been beating off opposite for ten days, waiting for 20 sail ready to come out from thence, but prevented by the Freshes over the bar. Captain Reynholds has intelligence of the Tristan, St.Michael, a frigate and an American Privateer of 26 guns being out after us, he has therefore thought proper to despatch the Guadalupe with the Lisbon Convoy to England and retain – – – and to wait the coming out of hte opposite fleet. The masters of the Lisbon Ships having represented that their cargoes are spoiling.
We expect (a – rip in paper) brush, our men are anxious for it. Captain (rip in paper) is exceedingly beloved by all of them.
Be kind enough to excuse my troubling you with this tedious epistle, but it has been a concern to us, and an affair much canvassed
I beg my best wishes towards your and Mrs Marsh’s and family’s happiness, and am dear sir,
Your affectionate friend and obliged humber servant.
(Pat?) Anderson.
My kind respects to Messrs Marsh and Creed.