ta, second daughter and co-heiress of the late Henry Johnson of Berkhamstead, Esq., and was born in London, June 6th, 1768.
Mr. Yorke entered the naval service Feb. 15th, 1780 3 and after serving some time as Midshipman in the Duke of 98 guns, commanded by the late Sir Charles Douglas, Bart., removed with that distinguished officer into the Formidable, another second rate, bearing the flag of the late Lord Rodney, to whom he acted as Aid-de-Camp at the great battles fought off Guadaloupe, April 9th and 12th, 1782, in which the French fleet was totally defeated, and Admiral the Count de Grasse, taken prisoner[1].
A general peace followed the above glorious event; and the Formidable having returned to England, our young officer, after a short interval, joined the Assistance of 50 guns, Commodore Sir Charles Douglas, stationed on the coast of America; and subsequently the Salisbury of 50 guns, Captain Sir Erasmus Gower, bearing the broad pendant of the late Admiral J. Elliot, in which ship he continued on the Newfoundland station nearly three years, in the capacity of Master’s Mate.
Mr. Yorke was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, June 16th, 1789, and served as such on board the Adamant of 50 guns, Rear-Admiral Sir R. Hughes, Bart. Thisbe frigate, and Victory of 100 guns. In the following year he was elected M.P. for Reygate[2], in Surry, in which borough his family has considerable property. Lieutenant Yorke continued in the Victory during the Spanish and Russian arma-
- ↑ An account of this decisive conflict will be found under the head of Admiral William Peere Williams Freeman, the senior surviving officer of those who were present on that memorable occasion. It is here necessary to remark, that many of the British ships were near the Ville de Paris at the moment of her submission, and among others the Formidable.
- ↑ He represented Reygate in Parliament until the year 1806, and was then returned for the borough of St. Germains, Cornwall.
in 1770, and was created a Peer by the title of Baron Morden; but dying before the patent had passed the Great Seal, it did not take effect, and was never afterwards completed, though it had passed through the Privy Seal Office, and every other form. His eldest son however, on the demise of his uncle, the late Earl of Hardwicke, succeeded that nobleman both in title and estates.
