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A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Tottenham, John Francis

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1976105A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Tottenham, John FrancisWilliam Richard O'Byrne

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.


  1. Vide Gaz. 1844, pp. 5315-6.