Navy List c. 1851

[yelkcub]

If anyone is in a position to do a look-up I would be very grateful. I posted a message in the Wexford forum seeking information on CHARLES DOUGLAS. He was mentioned in a will of 1851 as a captain in the Royal Navy, and was said to be from Wexford, Ireland. I've done a little Googling and wonder if this might be the right man:
Charles Henry Douglas - promoted to Lieutenant 9 May 1837, and to Commander 10 July 1844, being subsequently appointed Inspecting Commander of the Coast Guard in 1847.
The person I am looking for was dead by 1861 when his wife appears in the census as the widow of a naval officer. By then she had two sons, both born in Ireland according to the census. One of them, Edward AS Douglas, went on to become a successful painter.
Ian in Cornwall

[bumblebee]

Cannot help with a look up in the Navy List but there is a Charles Henry Douglas on the National Archives Site, Rank, Commander. ADM 196, Admiralty Officers Service Records series III, - Officers time of service. You can request a quote for the records online if you think it is worth pursuing.

Bumblebee

[armek1]

Hi Ian,

I've had a quick look at the 1850 Navy List and there's nothing much to add to the information that you've already got. It just confirms Charles Henry Douglas as a Commander in the coastguard with seniority 10 July 1844, posted to Wexford in 1847.

Just a thought; senior Naval officers often spent long periods in London so, presumably, there was a chance that he died there. FreeBMD throws up two candidates who died in the period that you're interested in:

Charles Henry DOUGLAS,
1Q 1854 St George Southwark 1d 111
3Q 1854 Kensington 1a 88.

Regards,
Lee.

[yelkcub]

Hello Lee -
Many thanks for the information you have supplied - that 'posted to Wexford' is the detail that convinces me that this is, in fact, the right person. His father-in-law's will of 1851 states that Charles Douglas is 'of Wexford', and the 1861 census gives his sons' birthplace as Ireland. I'm starting to wonder whether he was from Wexford originally, or whether his father-in-law was merely indicating that he was in Wexford at the time he was writing his will.
You have definitely given me valuable help along the way!
Best wishes on a rainy Cornish morning IAN

[armek1]

Hi Ian,

Glad I could help in a small way - so stop sending your damned West Country weather up to Hampshire!!!

Regards,
Lee.