A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Pitman, William
PITMAN. (Lieut., 1806. f-p., 21; h-p., 31.)
William Pitman entered the Navy, 19 April, 1795, as a Volunteer, on board the Mars 74, Capt. Sir Chas. Cotton; and on 16 and 17 June following was present in Cornwallis’ celebrated retreat. From July, 1796, until Dec. 1800, he served on the Home and Cape of Good Hope stations, as Midshipman and Master’s Mate, in the Star sloop, Capts. Hon. John Colville, David Atkins, and John Gardner. He was then made Prize-Master of the Guadeloupe in the West Indies, whence, in Oct. 1801, he returned to England in the Morgiana sloop. In the course of 1802-3 we find him joining in succession the Cambridge 74, Falcon sloop, Capt. Henry Manaton Ommanney, Puissant 74, Capt. John Irwin, and Excellent of similar force, Capt. Frank Sotheron. In the Falcon he visited Newfoundland; and in the Excellent he was employed in the Mediterranean from Aug. 1803 to Aug. 1806. His appointments in the capacity of Lieutenant, a rank he had attained 31 Jan. in the latter year, were – 3 Nov. 1806, to the Curlew sloop, Capt. Thos. Young, lying at Sheerness – 28 April, 1807, to the Hercule 74, Capt. Hon. J. Colville, part of the force employed in the expedition against Copenhagen – and, 7 Feb. 1808, to the Impress service at Folkestone, where, and at Bristol, he remained until 31 May, 1816. He has since been on half-pay. He was admitted to the out-pension of Greenwich Hospital 1 Jan. 1845.
He married, in 1833, Anne, daughter of Mr. Wm. Abraham, Landing-Waiter at the port of Liverpool, by whom he has issue. Agent – J. Hinxman.