A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Abbott, Jonas Archer
ABBOTT. (Commander, 1841. f-p., 21 ; h-p., 7.)
Jonas Archer Abbott is son of the late Alderman Abbott, of Dublin; and nephew, maternally, of Vice-Admiral of the Red Sir Edw. Griffith Colpoys, K.C.B., who died Commander-in-Chief on the North America and West India station, 11 Nov. 1832.
This officer entered the Navy, 2 March, 1819, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Newcastle 60, Capt. Arthur Fanshawe, bearing the flag of his uncle, the late Sir E. G. Colpoys, on the North America station, where he successively removed, as Midshipman, to the Niemen 28, Capt. Edw. Reynolds Sibly, and Bellette 18, Capt. Geo. Rich. Pechell. After an attachment of two years, in that capacity, to the Victory 104, flag-ship at Portsmouth of Sir Geo. Martin, and Blonde 46, Capt. Lord Byron, under whom he escorted from this country the remains of the late King and Queen of the Sandwich Islands, Mr. Abbott passed his examination in April, 1826; between which period and the date of his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant, 1 Oct. 1830, he further served, as Mate, on board the Melville 74, Capt. Henry Hill, guard-ship at Portsmouth, and Maidstone 42, bearing the broad pendant at the Cape of Good Hope of Commodore Wm. Skipsey, and afterwards commanded by Capt. Chas. Marsh Schomberg. His subsequent appointments were, on the North America and West India, Mediterranean, Lisbon, and Home stations – on the date of his promotion, as above, to the Ranger 28, Capt. Wm. Walpole – 28 Sept. 1831, to the Sparrowhawk 18, Capt. Thos. Maitland – for a short time in 1833, to the Winchester 52, Capt. Hon. Wm. Wellesley – 15 Oct. in the same year, to the Thunderer 84, Capt. Wm. Furlong Wise – 8 May, 1838, to the Trinculo 16, Capt. Henry Edw. Coffin – and, 7 Sept. 1841, to the Dido 18, Capt. Hon. Wm. Keppel. Since his advancement to his present rank, which took place on 23 Nov. in the latter year, Commander Abbott has been on half-pay.
He married, 20 Feb. 1844, Mary Ellis, eldest daughter of Commander Jas. Agnew Stevens, R.N. Agents – Messrs. Chard.