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A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Markham, John

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1825011A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Markham, JohnWilliam Richard O'Byrne

MARKHAM. (Lieut., 1824. f-p., 11; h-p., 26.)

John Markham, born 6 June, 1797, is second son of the late Wm. Markham, Esq., of Becca Hall, near Aberford, co. York, private Secretary to Warren Hastings, by Elizabeth, daughter of the late Oldfield Bowles, Esq., of North Aston, co. Oxford. He is brother (with the Rev. David Fred. Markham, Canon of Windsor, and Rector of Great Horkesley, co. Essex) of the present Wm. Markham, Esq., of Becca Hall, Colonel of the West York Militia, and a Magistrate and Deputy-Lieutenant for the West Riding; also of Capt. Warren Markham of the 72nd Highlanders, who died at the Cape of Good Hope 15 Nov. 1831; and of Lieut.-Colonel Chas. Markham, of the 60th Rifles, who died at Jamaica 2 April, 1842. His eldest sister, Laura, is married to Wm. Mure, Esq., of Caldwell, Colonel of the Renfrewshire Militia.

This officer entered the Navy, in 1810, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Galatea frigate, Capt. Woodley Losack; and on his arrival in the following year at the Cape of Good Hope in the Curaçoa 36, Capt. John Tower, joined the Scipion 74,[1] bearing the flag of Hon. Robt. Stopford; with whom he removed to the Lion 64, and in 1812 returned to England in the President 50. He afterwards, until 1819, served on the Home, Mediterranean, St. Helena, and Jamaica stations, chiefly in the capacity of Midshipman, in the Albion 74, flag-ship of Sir Roger Curtis, Bellona and Devonshire 74’s, Capts. Geo. M‘Kinley and Ross Donnelly, Eurotas 38 and Elizabeth 74, bearing each the flag of Hon. Chas. Elphinstone Fleeming, Volontaire 38, Capt. Hon. Geo. Granville Waldegrave, and Newcastle and Sybille flag-ships of Sir Pulteney Malcolm and Sir Home Popham. Returning home then as Acting-Lieutenant, in the Esk 20, Capt. Geo. Gustavus Lennock, he next, after an interval of three years, joined, in Dec. 1822, and June, 1823, the Tartar 42, Capt. Thos. Brown, and Créole, of similar force, bearing the broad pendant of Sir Thos. Masterman Hardy, both on the Brazilian station, where he was confirmed a Lieutenant, 30 Jan. 1824, in the Doris 42, Capts. Thos. Bourchier and Wm. Jas. Hope Johnstone. He invalided home in the following Aug. on board the Brazen sloop; and has not been since afloat.

He married Miss Marianne Wood, and by that lady has issue five sons. Agents – Messrs. Halford and Co.


  1. We believe he was present, in the Scipion, at the reduction of the island of Java.