A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Willison, John
WILLISON. (Lieut., 1811. f-p., 14; h-p., 33.)
John Willison was born in 1789, and died in 1847.
This officer entered the Navy, 1 April, 1800, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Mercury 28, Capt. Thos. Rogers, under whom he was for about two years employed in the Mediterranean. In June, 1803, he became Midshipman of the Squirrel 20, Capts. Ernest Bracon and John Shortland, attached to the force in the Channel; where, on his return from a voyage to the coast of Africa, he removed, in Aug. 1805, to the Bellona 74, Capts. Chas. Dudley Pater and John Erskine Douglas. He sailed subsequently for the coast of North America; where we find him, in company with the Belleisle 74 and Melampus 36, assisting, 14 Sept. 1806, at the destruction, off Cape Henry, of the French 74-gun ship Impétueux. In March, 1809, he removed, as Master’s Mate, to the Kent 74, commanded by his former Captain, Rogers, on the Mediterranean station; and in the following June he there joined the Ville de Paris 110; of which ship, bearing the flags in succession of Lord Collingwood and the late Sir Thos. Fras. Fremantle, he was nominated Acting-Lieutenant 14 Nov. 1810. He was officially promoted 17 Jan. 1811, and continued employed with the officer last-mentioned in the Rodney and Milford 74’s until Aug. 1814. In the Milford he was present at the reduction of Fiumé in July, 1813. His last appointment was, 16 June, 1815, to the Wye 24, Capts. Andw. Pellet Green and John Harper; in which vessel he served off Jersey under the flag again of Sir T. F. Fremantle until 30 Jan. 1816, and at Sheerness from 20 Feb. until 16 June in the latter year.
Lieut. Willison has left a widow and three children.