JOSEPH NEEDHAM TAYLER, Esq.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
[Post-Captain of 1813.]
Only surviving son of Samuel Tayler, Esq. senior member of the corporation of Devizes, in Wiltshire, and six times mayor of that borough, by Sally, daughter of the late Joseph Needham, M.D. and niece to Henry Needham, Esq. who was a co-partner with his uncle, Robert Rogers, Esq. in the bank of Childs and Co.[1]
The subject of this memoir was born at Devizes, in 1785; and he appears to have commenced his professional career under the auspices of Viscount Sidmouth (then Mr. Addington), through whose introduction he was received as midshipman on board the Royal George, a first rate, bearing the flag of Lord Bridport, in 1796. While serving under that distinguished veteran, he witnessed the commencement, renewal, and termination of a most alarming mutiny among the seamen of the Channel fleet[2].
In 1799, when Lord Bridport resigned his important command, Mr. Tayler was removed to the Anson frigate, Captain (now Sir Philip C.) Durham, under whom he soon saw some active service, on the coast of la Vendee.
The Anson was also occasionally employed in attendance upon the royal family, at Weymouth; and Mr. Tayler had the honor of being most graciously noticed by our late beloved monarch, upon whom he constantly attended in a boat, whenever his majesty went afloat. We shall here relate a characteristic anecdote of that august personage.
On the 9th Sept. 1799, Captain Durham and his lady gave a grand naval fête on board the Anson, which was attended by their majesties, and all the royal and noble personages then sojourning at Weymouth. In the midst of the entertain-
- ↑ The Taylers are descended from a highly respectable family, long seated in Somersetshire. Captain Tayler’s father was commandant of the “Devizes Loyal Volunteers,” a corps formed by him during his mayoralty.
- ↑ See Vol. I. Part II. pp. 548–557.
