At the commencement of the French revolutionary war, Mr. Hewit was master’s-mate of the Circe 28, Captain Joseph Sydney Yorke. His promotion to the rank of lieutenant took place Oct. 8, 1793, on which occasion he was appointed to the Irresistible 74, Captain John Henry, who gave him the command of a detachment of seamen employed on shore during the siege of Martinique. He was also present at the reduction of St. Lucia and Martinique, in 1794.
Lieutenant Hewit’s next appointment was to be second of the Santa Margaritta 36, Captain Eliab Harvey, which ship formed part of the squadron under Sir John B. Warren, at the destruction of a French 40-gun frigate, and two large corvettes, between Brest and l’Orient, Aug. 23, 1794.
In Feb. following, Mr. Hewit again joined Captain Yorke, then commanding the Stag 32, of which ship he became first lieutenant after the capture of the Dutch frigate Alliance, Aug. 22, 1795. He continued to serve as such, under the same active, gallant, and zealous officer, till Feb. 1800. During the remainder of that war, we find him employed as an agent for transports; and at its close he was presented with the superior medal of the Turkish Order of the Crescent, for his highly approved services in Egypt.
A short time previous to the renewal of hostilities, in 1803, Lieutenant Hewit obtained the very confidential and active situation of resident agent at the Cove of Cork. In May, 1808, he was removed to Plymouth, where he remained in the same capacity until promoted to the command of the Raisonable 64, armée en flûte, stationed as a guard and receiving ship in the river Medway. His commission as commander bears date Feb. 1, 1812.
On the 16th July following, Captain Hewit was appointed to the Gladiator 44, at Portsmouth, which ship he paid off Oct. 5, 1815. During that period, she successively bore the flags of Rear-Admirals Hargood, Foote, and Halkett. His promotion to post rank took place June 7, 1814.
This officer married. Mar. 18, 1800, Sarah, only daughter of the late Charles Braxton, of Bonavista, near Lymington, co. Hants, Esq.
Agent.– Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.
