A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Kelsall, John Theophilus
KELSALL. (Lieut., 1819. f-p., 10; h-p., 28.)
John Theophilus Kelsall entered the Navy 3 Oct. 1809, as Midshipman, on board the Valiant 74, Capt. John Bligh. Removing in the following May to the Menelaus 38, Capts. Sir Peter Parker and Edw. Dix, he assisted at the proximate reduction of the Isle of France, and afterwards visited the Mediterranean and Chesapeake. He was present on the former station when the Menelaus gallantly pursued the French 40-gun frigate ;; and 16-gun brig Ecureuil under the batteries in the neighbourhood of Toulon, and then affpcted a masterly retreat from the French fleet, which had come out to their protection, 28 May, 1812; and on proceeding to the Chesapeake he was on board when Sir Peter Parker was killed in a land operation at Bellair, near Baltimore, 30 Aug. 1814. Quitting the Menelaus in May, 1815, Mr. Kelsall was next (until promoted to the rank he now holds 2 April, 1819) employed on the East India station, part of the time as Acting-Lieutenant, in the Cornwallis 74, Capt. Andrew King, and Challenger and Trincomalee, both commanded by Capt. Philip Bridges. He has since, we believe, been on half-pay.
He married, 3 March, 1827, Elizabeth Anne, daughter of the late Vice-Admiral Stephens.