Frederick Lewis Maitland (Captain)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Frederick Lewis Maitland
17301786

Allegiance Kingdom of Great Britain
Service/branch Royal Navy
Years of service – 1786
Rank Captain
Commands held HMS Lively
HMS Elizabeth
Relations Frederick Lewis Maitland (son)

Frederick Lewis Maitland was a distinguished officer of the Royal Navy.

Maitland was born the sixth son of Charles Maitland, the sixth earl of Lauderdale, and his Godfather was Frederick, Prince of Wales. He entered the Navy, rising to the rank of captain and commanding HMS Lively with distinction in 1760. He moved to take command of HMS Elizabeth in 1778, and in 1782 found himself serving under Admiral George Rodney. His capable command of several Navy ships led to a period commanding the Royal yacht between 1763 and 1775. He was promoted to Rear admiral in 1786, but died before the news reached him.

He had married Margaret Dick, the heir in tail general to James Crichton, Viscount Frendraught, of Clan Crichton, who in turn was heir to Clan Makgill of Rankeilour. Through her the family came into the possession of the estates of Nether-Rankeillor. They had a number of children. The eldest son, Charles went on to inherit the estates on his father's death and assumed the surname Makgill. He married a woman named Mary Johnston and the union produced a son, David Maitland-Makgill-Crichton (1801–1851). This son had assumed the name Crichton in 1837, in recognition of his ancestor, James Crichton. He became a lawyer, and was called to the Scottish bar in 1822. He eventually played an important part in the formation of the Free Church of Scotland.

His third son, also named Frederick Lewis Maitland, went on to follow his father in having a distinguished career in the Royal Navy, becoming a rear admiral, the post his father was never able to take up.

[edit] References