A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Pitman, John Charles
PITMAN. (Commander, 1842.)
John Charles Pitman, born 22 March, 1814, is fourth son of Jas. Pitman, Esq., of Dunchideock House, co. Devon, Major of the 1st or East Devon Militia, and a Magistrate and Deputy-Lieutenant for that shire, by Catherine, eldest daughter of John Harris, Esq., of Radford, co. Devon. His eldest sister, drowned by the upsetting of a boat, was wife of the present Capt. Wm. Keats, R.N.; and a younger one, also deceased, of the late Sir Edw. Wm. Corry Astley, Kt., Capt. R.N. (1829).
This officer entered the Navy 8 Jan. 1827; served on board the Rose 18, Capt. Lewis Davies, at the battle of Navarin, 20 Oct. 1827, and in the Talbot 28, Capt. Hon. Fred. Spencer, in co-operation with the French, at the reduction of Morea Castle in Oct. 1828; passed his examination in 1833; obtained his first commission 3 July, 1840; and was employed during the operations in China in the Melville 72, flag-ship of Hon. Geo. Elliot, Blenheim 72, Capt. Sir Humphrey Le Fleming Senhouse, and Druid 44, Capt. Henry Smith. In 1841 he officiated as Aide-de-Camp to Sir Hugh Gough and Sir H. Le F. Senhouse on the heights of Canton.[1] He was rewarded for his services with a Commander’s commission bearing date 7 Dec. 1842; and, since 28 Feb. 1846, has been in command of the Childers 12, in the East Indies.
Commander Pitman married, 5 Oct. 1843, Elizabeth, daughter of the gallant Sir Humphrey Le Fleming Senhouse, Kt., C.B., K.C.H., Capt. R.N. (1814), who died in command of the Blenheim, in China, in 1841.
- ↑ Vide Gaz. 1841, p. 2508.