Memorial in Dartmouth commemorating Thomas Goldsmith d. 1714, privateer
Location
Dartmouth, Devon, England
Transcript
'Thomas Goldsmith / who died 1714 / He commended the 'Snap Dragon' as privateer / Belonging to this port, in the reign of Queen Anne / In which vessel he turned pirate / And amass'd much riches. / Men that are virtuous serve the Lord, / And the Devil's by his friend's ador'd / And they that merit get a place / Amidst the bless'd or hellish race; / Pray then ye learned clergy show / Where can this brute, Tom Goldsmith go? / Whose life was one continued evil / Striving to cheat God, Man and Devil'
Details
Type: Tomb Position: Churchyard
Event Category
1701-1714 War of the Spanish Succession
People
Goldsmith, Thomas Age: Unknown Date of Death: 1714 Cause of Death: Unknown Rank / Occupation: Privateer Organisation: Unknown
Extra
Bibliography: William Andrews 'Curious epitaphs: collected and edited with notes' (London, 1899) p. 66. See 'The Weekly Entertainer', the tomb was apparently sighted by a correspondent in Dec. 18, 1784.
“In one of the angles of Dartmouth churchyard, and at a considerable distance from other graves, is a large tomb, on the stone of which is the following strange inscription.”
However, he does not say in which of Dartmouth's three churchyards the memorial was located.
Monument at St Olave’s, City of London commemorating Andrew Bayning d. 1610 and Paul Bayning d. 1616, both merchants
Location
St Olave's Church, Hart Street, London, England
Transcript
[Above] ‘PAVLL BAYNINGE ESQVIOR SOMETYMES SHERIFFE & ALDERMAN OF LONDON / LIVED TO THE AGE OF 77 YEARES AND DYED THE 30TH OF SEPTEMBER ANNO DOM / 1616’, ‘ANDREW BAYNING ESQVIOR SOMETYMES ALDERMAN / OF LONDON LIVED TO THE AGE OF 67 YEARS & / DYED THE 21ST OF DECEMBER ANNO DOM 1610’ [Below] ‘CONSECRATED TO THE MEMORY OF PAVLE & ANDREWE BAYNINGE / IF ALL GREATE CITTYES PROSPEROUSLY CONFESSE / THAT HEE BY WHOME THEIR TRAFFIQVE DOTH INCREASE / DESERVES WELL OF THEM THEN THE ADVENTVRES WORTH / OF THEIS TWO WHO WERE BROTHERS BOTH BY BIRTH / AND OFFICE, PROVE THAT THEY HAVE THANCKFVLL BYN / FOR THE HONOVRS WHICH THIS CITTY PLAC’D THE IN / AND DYING OLD, THEN BY A BLEST CONSENT / THIS LEGACY BEQVEATHD THEIR MONUMENT / THE HAPPY SVMME & END OF THEIR AFFAIRS / PROVIDED WELL BOTH FOR THEIR SOVLES AND HEIRS’
Details
Description: Painted alabaster. Two kneeling effigies in alderman's robes in niches placed at ninety degrees to ane another. That of Paul Bayning in flanked by corinthian columns with a shield of arms above. Type: Monument Position: North side of the altar Materials: Albaster
People
Bayning, Paul Age: 77 Date of Death: 30/9/1616 Cause of Death: Unknown Rank / Occupation: Merchant Organisation: Unknown Bayning, Andrew Age: 67 Date of Death: 21/12/1610 Cause of Death: Unknown Rank / Occupation: Merchant Organisation: Unknown
Extra
Notes: Involved with the Venice and Levant trades, also privateering. Paul Bayning was treasurer of the East India Company. Recorder: B. Tomlinson 2018 Photographer: B. Tomlinson
Headstone at St Nicholas’s Church, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk commemorating Master David Bartleman, d. 1781
Location
St Nicholas's Church, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England
Transcript
'TO / The Memory of / DAVID BARTLEMAN / Master of the Brig Alexander & Margaret / of North Shields / Who on the 31st of Jan.ry 1781, on the Norfolk Coast / With only three 3 pounders and ten Men and Boys / Nobly defended himself / Against a Cutter carrying eighteen 4 pounders / And upward of a Hundred Men / Commanded by that notorious English Pirate / FALL / And fairly beat him off. / Two hours after the Enemy came down upon him again / When totally disabled his Mate Daniel Mac Auley / Expiring with the loss of blood / And himself dangerously wounded / He was obliged to strike and ransome. / He brought his shattered Vessel into Yarmouth / With more / Than the Honours of a Conqueror / And died here in consequence of his wounds / On the 14th of February following / In the 25th Year of his Age, / TO commemorate the Gallantry of his Son / The Bravery of his faithfull Mate / And at the same time Mark the Infamy of a / Savage Pirate / His afflicted father ALEXANDER BARTLEMAN / Has ordered this Stone to be erected over his / Honourable Grave / "Twas Great" / His Foe tho' strong was infamous / (The foe of the human kind) / A manly indignation fired his breast / Thank GOD my son has done his Duty.'
Details
Type: Headstone Position: Graveyard Vessel: Alexander & Margaret
Event Category
1775-1783 American Revolutionary War
People
Bartleman, David Age: 25 Date of Death: 14/2/1781 Cause of Death: War casualty Rank / Occupation: Master Organisation: Unknown
Extra
Notes: John Fall operating as a privateer under American letters of marque against East Coast shipping (see Arthur E. Bensley's web page 'Fall the Pirate’).
Tablet in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire dedicated to Captain Henry Skillicorne d. 1678.
Location
St Mary's Church, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
Transcript
In memory of Captain Henry Skillicorne, deceased, born at Kirk Lonnon / in the Isle of Man in 1678. Taught by Dr. Wilson, Bishop, and justly called / the good Bishop of that Island. When young he went to sea and was for many years / in the employ of, and concerned with Jacob Elton, Esq. Merchant in Bristol, / whose relation Sarah Goldsmith of that city he married. She dying in childbed / with two children, he in 1731 married Elizabeth Mason, then of Bristol, / daughter of Will'm Mason of Cheltenham, Gentleman, by Margaret Surman, / daughter of John Surman, of Treddington in this county, Esq. / He quitting the sea after 40 years service, they resided together some years / at Bristol, and in 1738 came to live upon their estate in this town, / where he gave his mind to increase the knowledge, & extend the use / of Cheltenham Spa, which became his property. He found the old spring open / and exposed to the weather. He made the well there, as it now is, made the / walks, and planted the trees in the Upper & Lower Parades; / and by conduct ingenious and manners attentive / he, with the aid of many worthy persons in the town and neighbourhood, / brought this most salutary water to just estimation & extensive use;/ and ever presiding with esteem in the walks, saw it visited with benefit / by the greatest persons of the age, and so established its reputation, / that his present Most Gracious Majesty King George the Third, / with his most amiable Queen, Charlotte and the Princesses Royal / Augusta and Elizabeth their daughters, visited it, drinking the water, / & residing from the 12th day of July to the 16th day of August / both inclusive 1788 in the Lodge built by Will'm Skillicorne, / the proprietor thereof, and of the spa, son of Captain Skillicorne, / on his Bay's Hill near thereunto, for & then & now in lease to the Right / Honourable Earl Fauconberg, who receiving benefit from this water / for many years spread its good name. Wm. Miller, Esq., the tenant of the / Spa, & others of the town, erected new buildings, paved, cleansed / & lighted the street, encouraged by the gentlemen of the neighbourhood / making new roads. The king discovered the new spring like the Old, / which his Majesty steaned and secured, and built 17 rooms at the Lodge / House at his own expence, and graciously gave it to Mr. Skillicorne, / in whose ground near the House it was, at the instance of Earl Fauconberg. / Captain Skillicorne was buried the 18th of October 1763 with his son / Henry by his last wife, at the west door on the inside of this church, / aged 84 years. He was an excellent seaman, of tried courage./ He visited most of the great trading posts of the Mediterranean, up the / Archipelago, Morea & Turkey, Spain, Portugal & Venice, and several of the / North American Ports, Philadelphia, and Boston, and Holland, / and could do business in seven tongues. He was of great regularity / and probity, & so temperate as never to have been once intoxicated. / Religious without hypocrisy, grave without austerity, of a cheerful / conversation without levity, a kind husband & tender father, / tall erect robust & active. From an ill-treated wound while a prisoner / after an engagement at sea, he became a strict valetudinarian. / He lived and dyed an honest man. / Mrs Elizabeth Skillicorne, a Quaker, was buried in the Quaker / Graveyard upon the 14th of April 1779, / a virtuous woman, a good wife, & a tender mother. / William Skillicorne, Esq., / died April 12th 1803, / aged 66 years'
Details
Type: Tablet Position: Nave
People
Skillicorne, Henry Age: 84 Date of Death: 10/1763 Cause of Death: Unknown/None Rank / Occupation: Master of privateer Organisation:
Statue on Plymouth Hoe, Plymouth depicting Sir Francis Drake d. 1596
Location
Plymouth Hoe, Plymouth, England
Transcript
'FRANCIS DRAKE SAILED FROM PLYMOUTH ON DECEMBER 13, 1577 TO / BEGIN THE 'FAMOUS VOYAGE' DURING WHICH HE TRAVERSED THE STRAIT / OF MAGELLAN AND DISCOVERED DRAKE PASSAGE SOUTH OF CAPE HORN. / DRAKE THEN SAILED THE GOLDEN HINDE NORTH AND IN JUNE 1579 / LANDED IN CALIFORNIA. hE TOOK POSSESSION OF THAT REGION FOR / QUEEN ELIZABETH NAMING IT NOVA ALBION. HE RETURNED TO PLYMOUTH / SEPTEMBER 26, 1580 HAVING CIRCUMNAVIGATED THE GLOBE. DRAKE / WAS KNIGHTED ABOARD THE GOLDEN HINDE AT DEPTFORD IN THE / PRESENCE OF QUEEN ELIZABETH ON APRIL 4 1581. / THIS PLAQUE WAS PRESENTED AUGUST 5, 1977 BY THE STATE OF / CALIFORNIA SIR FRANCIS DRAKE COMMISSION IN COMMEMORATION OF / THE QUADRICENTENNIAL OF DRAKE'S VOYAGE AROUND THE WORLD.'
Details
Description: A full-length bronze figure standing beside a globe on a rectangular, granite plinth. Type: Statue Position: Plymouth Hoe Materials: Bronze, granite plinth Date Erected: 14/2/1884 Artists: Joseph Boehm
People
Drake, Francis Age: Date of Death: 1596 Cause of Death: Unknown/None Rank / Occupation: Organisation:
Extra
Notes: Copy of the statue at Tavistock, Drake's birthplace (cast from the same mould). It is without the bas-reliefs on the base. The plaster studio model from which the two statues were cast, was discovered outdoors at Haldon Hill, south of Exeter where it had stood outside a tearooms. It was acquired by the National Trust in 2002 and is now at Buckland Abbey. Recorder: B. Tomlinson Photographer: B. Tomlinson
Wall tablet in Deptford, London commemorating Sir Francis Drake d. 1596
Location
Deptford, London, England
Transcript
"SIR FRANCIS DRAKE
IN 1581, QUEEN ELIZABETH 1 COMMANDED THAT FRANCIS DRAKE'S SHIP, THE GOLDEN HIND, BE DRAWN INTO A CREEK NEAR HERE AT DEPTFORD AS A PERPETUAL MEMORIAL FOR HAVING "CIRCUITED ROUND THE WHOLE EARTH".
ON 4 APRIL 1581, SHE BANQUETED ON BOARD THE GOLDEN HIND AND "CONSECRATED IT WITH GREAT CEREMONIE, POMPE, AND MAGNIFICENCE ETERNALLY TO BE REMEMBERED" AND FORTHWITH KNIGHTED DRAKE ON HIS SHIP IN RECOGNITION OF THE HONOUR THAT HE HAD BROUGHT TO ENGLAND BY HIS DISCOVERIES AND CIRCUMNAVIGATION IN THE YEARS 1577-1580.
HIS ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDED DISCOVERY OF OPEN SEA FROM ATLANTIC TO PACIFIC BELOW SOUTH AMERICA; OPENING OF ENGLISH TRADE IN THE FAR EAST; AND THE CLAIM TO THE WESTERN REGION OF NORTH AMERICA FOR ENGLAND, NAMING IT NOVA ALBION (NEW ENGLAND), AND THEREBY LINKING IT WITH CLAIMS TO THE EAST COAST AND ENCOURAGING SUBSEQUENT COLONIZATION OF THE EASTERN SEABOARD.
DRAKE'S VOYAGE FOSTERED THE PRINCIPLE EXPRESSED BY THE QUEEN THAT THE VSE OF THE SEA AS OF THE AYRE IS COMON TO ALL, AND THAT THE PUBLIQUE NECESSITIE PERMITS NOT IT SHOULD BE POSSESSED."
"PRESENTED BY THE DRAKE NAVIGATORS GUILD, CALIFORNIA, QUADRICENTENNIAL, 4TH APIRL 1981"
Details
Type: Plaque Position: Near foreshore Date Erected: 1981 Vessel: Golden Hind,
People
Drake, Francis Age: Date of Death: 1596 Cause of Death: Unknown/None Rank / Occupation: Organisation:
Extra
Notes: Erected by the Drake Navigators Guild of California to commemorate the knighting of Drake
Memorial at St George’s Church, Deal, Kent commemorating Thomas Cundy, Master of ‘Gertrude’ d. 1810
Location
St George's Church, Deal, Kent, England
Transcript
‘In memory of Thos Cundy of Truro late master of the Gertrude Brigantine, who fell when gallantly defending his vessel from being boarded by a French Privateer off Dungeness on the 19th Oct 1810'
Details
Type: Gravestone Vessel: ‘Gertrude'
People
Cundy, Thomas Age: Unknown Date of Death: 9/10/1810 Cause of Death: War casualty Rank / Occupation: Master Organisation:
Extra
Notes: Naval History of the Present Year, 1810 (Volume 24, July - December 1810, p. 438):
OBITUARY. ... Mr. Thomas Cundy, of Truro, late master of Daniell’s brigantine, the Gertrude. He was killed whilst gallantly defending her against the repeated attacks of a French privateer, off Deal. By his heroic conduct, and that of the mate, Mr.J. Cundy, jun. who was slightly wounded, the Gertrude beat off the enemy, who attempted twice to board, and arrived safe at Sheerness.
Bibliography: John Laker 'History of Deal' (Deal 1917).
Monument in Town Church, St Peter Port, Guernsey to Nicholas Dobrée d. 1751
Location
Town Church, St Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands
Transcript
'A LA MEMOIRE / de Monsieur Nicolas Dobrée / Qui, rempli des grands Objets de la Religion / et d'une Pieté sincere / fût bon Mari, bon Pére, bon Maitre, Ami fidelle et généreux. Ce zelé Citoyen donna ses soins / à la seureté de la Navigation, à la Perfection du Port, / et à l'Erection et Etablissement de l'Hôpital / de cette Ville / dont il fût jusqu'a sa mort le principal Soutien. / Abondant en Charité et contribuant de tout son pouvoir / au Bonheur de sa Patrie / il regarda le Ciel comme Celle a laquelle il devoit aspireré; / en attendant avec une humble confiance de la Bonté Devine / & une heureuse Immortalité. / Il mourut le 18éme de Novembre 1751 / Age de 73Ans'
Details
Description: Inscription tablet below a relief of a mourning cherub leaning on an urn with a cartouche of the Dobrée family arms above. Type: Monument Position: Above north inner porch Materials: Marble
People
Dobree, Nicolas Age: 73 Date of Death: 18/11/1751 Cause of Death: Unknown/None Rank / Occupation: Organisation:
Extra
Notes: Born, 1678. Wine merchant and privateer owner. He was an agent for the Admiralty for whom he undertook survey work. Recorder: J. Le Pelley, 1982 Photographer: B. Tomlinson
Wall tablet dedicated to Captain Jacob Elton d. 1745, in Bristol Cathedral.
Location
Cathedral, Bristol, England
Transcript
'JACOB ELTON / Filius natu secundus Abraham Elton Bart / Rebus nauticus / A tenera aetate assuetus / Et in classe Britannica / etiamnum Adolescens / NAVARCHA / Anno tricessimo secundo nondum peracto / Dum contra Gallos / Praelio navasi dimicassat / Properata quidem / Sed pulcherima Morte / OCCUBUIT / Die Martii 29 AD 1745 / Qualis erat morum suavitas Amici / Quae Humanitas et Benevolentia Nacite / Quam intrepide et fortiter Se gessit / ILLE DIES / Satis superque testatur / Leve hoc amoris sui et Desiderii Monumentum / Vidua maesussima / CAROLINA filia et cohaeres CAROLI YATE / DE COULTHORPE in agro GLOUCESTRIAE / Poni curavit'
[Jacob Elton second son of Abraham Elton, familiar with nautical matters from a tender age, who served in the British fleet from his youth. Before the end of his thirty-second year, during a naval action against the French, he fell on 29 March, 1745, a sudden but most fitting death. The pleasance his manners, the humanity and benevolence he displayed to his friends, the bravery and the fortitude he bore on that day, is more than sufficiently testified. His bereft widow Caroline, daughter and coheir of Charles Yate of Coulthorpe in the county of Gloucester erected this memorial of her love and loss]
Details
Description: Sea shells carved below inscription.
Type: Wall tablet Position: North Transept Materials: Stone Vessel: HMS Anglesey
People
Elton, Jacob Age: 32 Date of Death: 29/3/1745 Cause of Death: War casualty Rank / Occupation: Captain RN Organisation: Royal Navy
Extra
Notes: Elton was Commander of the 'Anglesey' 44. She encountered the 'Apollon' 50, belonging to the French Navy but then acting as a privateer. Elton initially mistook her for a British ship and realising his mistake too late, was engaged to leeward, and did not have time to clear his decks or prepare for action. Elton and the master fell immediately the French ship opened fire. The Second Lieutenant Baker Phillips, had no alternative but to surrender his vessel. The subsequent court-martial sentenced him to death with a recommendation for mercy. The sentence was carried out, allegedly because Philips was suspected of jacobite sympathies.
Bibliography: William Laird Clowes 'The Royal Navy, a history...' (1898) pp. 278-279. Photographer: B. Tomlinson
Memorial in the Old English Cemetery, Livorno, Italy commemorating John Bayley d. 1710
Location
Old English Cemetery, Via Giuseppe Verdi, Livorno, Italy, Rest of the World
Transcript
'Hic jacet / Iohannes Bayley anglus / navis Hannover ductor / qui / aetatem agens annorum XXV / in conflictu cum duabus triremibus Gallicis / strenue pugnans / die xii Augusti MDCCX / insigni vulnere percussus / occubuit' [Here lies John Bayley Englishman, Commander of the ship 'Hannover' who died at the age of 25 mortally wounded while fighting valiantly in an action with two French warships on 12 August 1710.]
Details
Vessel: Hanover
Event
1701-1714 War of the Spanish Succession
People
Bayley, John Age: 25 Date of Death: 12/8/1710 Cause of Death: War casualty Rank / Occupation: Commander Organisation:
Extra
Notes: Commander of the 'Hanover Galley' privateer, killed in action with two French Galleys. Letters of marque 14 June 1706, 24 August 1709, 27 May 1710. National Archive HCA 26/14/178. Translation Silvia Bozzato. Bibliography: G.G. Milner-Gibson-Cullum; Francis Campbell Macauley 'The inscriptions in the old British cemetery of Leghorn' (Leghorn, 1906) p.28.
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Commemorating seafarers and victims of maritime disasters
