A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Festing, Thomas Colson
FESTING. (Lieut., 1810. f-p., 11; h-p., 33.)
Thomas Colson Festing is third son of the late Commander Henry Festing, R.N.; and brother of Rear-Admiral R. W. G. Festing, R.N., C.B.
This officer entered the Navy, 17 March, 1803, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Tonnant 80, Capt. Sir Edw. Pellew, off Ferrol. He removed as Midshipman, in June, 1804, to the Prince 98, commanded by his uncle, Capt. Rich. Grindall, on the Channel station; and, with the exception of an attachment of a few months, in 1807, to the Inflexible 64, Capt. Joshua Rowley Watson, served, from April, 1805, until June, 1810, latterly as Master’s Mate, in the San Josef 110, Hibernia 110, and San Josef again, flag-ships in the Channel and Mediterranean of Sir Chas. Cotton. He then successively joined, as Acting-Lieutenant, the Canopus 80, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Geo. Martin, and Bustard sloop, Capt. John Duff Markland; and, on 23 Nov. 1810, was confirmed into the Magnificent 74, Capt. Geo. Eyre. He was afterwards appointed, on the Mediterranean station – 1 Oct. 1812, to the Hyacinth 24, Capts. Thos. Ussher and Alex. Renton Sharpe – and, 6 March, 1814, to the Scout 16, Capt. Jas. Arthur Murray. Since 11 Dec. 1814, Lieut. Festing has not been afloat.
He married Elizabeth, sister of the Rev. Dr. Gaisford, Dean of Oxford. Agents – Messrs. Stilwell.