Cornwallis Remembered Celebrations: Rear Admiral John Peyton Memorial

As part Cornwallis Remembered Celebrations to take place in July, the Milford on Sea Historical Record Society have provided this article on one of 'The three Admirals'.

John Peyton Portrait
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John Peyton (1752-1809) came from a naval family: his grandfather, father, and two brothers (one of them quite undeservedly) all achieved flag rank. He was the most distinguished of them all, although a nephew in some ways surpassed him. His fame nonetheless is immortal: he was one of the ‘Band of Brothers’, the fifteen Captains at the Battle of The Nile in 1798, the first of Nelson’s three great naval victories.

In October 1807 it was announced that Captain J Peyton had been passed over for promotion and retained on the list of superannuated captains, but allowed the nominal rank of rear admiral. Twelve days later, the Morning Chronicle expressed concern that a hero of The Nile should be treated this way. In fact, John Peyton was already a Rear Admiral at this date, and the officer who had been passed over was his undeserving brother Joseph.

John Peyton Memorial
click image to enlarge

Ill health affected Peyton at The Nile, but his ship, Defence, was still able to engage with the slightly larger French 80 gun Franklin, taking the surrender after a four hour duel. In the aftermath of the battle he wrote to his wife – a wealthy widow in her own right – to say that he expected to receive prize money of two thousand pounds, about a quarter of a million pounds today.

click image to enlarge

Unwell, he was forced to return home, and retired to Priestlands House, Pennington. On his death, his widow erected a memorial in All Saints Church, Milford, which has recently been restored by Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society and the 1805 Club. 

To find our more about all of the Cornwallis Story and the Cornwallis Remembered celebrations, please click here.

Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society: www.milfordhistory.org.uk

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Cornwallis Remembered Weekend: 

Friday 5th July 2019: includes a family friendly celebration on Milford on Sea village green and much more. Keep the date free!

Click here for event details.