A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Tottenham, John Francis
TOTTENHAM. (Lieutenant, 1844.)
John Francis Tottenham is ninth son of Lord Robt. Ponsonby Tottenham, D.D., Bishop of Clogher, by Alicia, third daughter of Cornwallis Maude, 1st Viscount Hawarden; and grandson of Charles, 1st Marquess of Ely. His eldest brother, Charles John, is a Lieutenant in the 2nd Life Guards; another, Cornwallis, is in the Hon.E.I.Co.’s service; and a third, William, died a Lieutenant R.N.
This officer entered the Navy in 1834; passed his examination 6 Sept. 1841; and in 1842-3 was nominated Mate of the Inconstant 36 and Hyacinth 18, Capts. Fred. Thos. Michell and Fras. Scott, on the Mediterranean and African stations. As a reward for the gallant and dashing manner in which, in a 4-oared gig he went, 13 Aug. 1844, in pursuit of, maintained a running action with, and ultimately drove on shore (where she was abandoned by her crew, 18 in number, several of whom were killed and wounded) a Brazilian brig of 200 tons (afterwards got off by the Hyacinth) carrying 2 4-pounders, a barrel of powder, a quantity of langridge shot, and a number of muskets, swords, and bayonets, Mr. Tottenham, on the urgent recommendation of his Captain, was promoted, 27 Dec. following, to the rank of Lieutenant.[1] His appointments have since been – 4 June, 1845, to the Resistance troop-ship, Capt. Chas. Geo. Edw. Patey – 6 Nov. 1846, as First, to the Medea steam-sloop, of 350 horse-power, Capts. Graham Eden Wm. Hamond and Thos. Henry Mason, equipping for the East Indies – 25 Nov. 1847, as Additional, to the Vernon 50, bearing the flag on that station of Rear-Admiral Sam. Hood Inglefield – and, 15 June, 1848, to the Meander 44, Capt. Hon. Henry Keppel, also in the East Indies, where he is now serving.
- ↑ Vide Gaz. 1844, pp. 5315-6.