A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Best, Thomas
BEST. (Captain, 1830. f-p., 15; h-p., 19.)
The Honourable Thomas Best, born 12 Aug. 1799, is second son of the late Lord Wynford, formerly Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, by Mary Anne, second daughter of Jerome Knapp, Esq.; next brother of the present nobleman; and brother-in-law of Capt. Wm. Fanshawe Martin, R.N.
This officer entered the Navy, 3 Nov. 1812, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on hoard the Ramillies 74, Capts. Sir Thos. Masterman Hardy and Chas. Ogle, under the former of whom he assisted in capturing the islands in Passamaquoddy Bay, and bombarding the town of Stonington. He attained the rating of Midshipman 15 April, 1814; removed, in July, 1815, to the Tonnant 80, flag-ship at Cork of Sir Benj. Hallowell; and, in Aug. 1819, rejoined Sir J. M. Hardy in the Superb 78, on the South America station, in which ship, after a further attachment of a few months to the Creole 42, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, 6 March, 1822. In the latter capacity Mr. Best was subsequently appointed – 18 Dec. in the same year, to the Ranger 28, Capt. Peter Fisher, employed off Newfoundland and in the Channel – 25 Feb. 1825, to the Aurora 46, Capt. John Maxwell, in the Mediterranean – 30 May, 1825, to the Diamond 46, Capt. Lord Napier, in South America – and, 6 Jan. 1827, to the Alligator 28, Capt. Wm. Pitt Canning. He obtained his second commission 30 April following; assumed command, 1 March, 1828, of the Icarus 10, fitting for the Jamaica station, where he was superseded 8 Dec. 1829; and, on 14 Jan. 1830, joined, as Second-Captain, the William and Mary yacht, Capt. John Chambers White, lying at Woolwich. Since 22 July ensuing, the date of his advancement to Post-rank, Capt. Best has been on half-pay.
He married, 25 Aug. 1835, Marianne, only surviving daughter of Geo. Lord Kenyon, and first cousin of Commander Geo. Kenyon, R.N. Agents – Messrs. Ommanney.