Henry Duncan (24 November 1735 – 7 October 1814) was a British naval officer who participated in the American Revolutionary War. Duncan was born in Dundee, Scotland to Alexander Duncan, Town Clerk of Dundee, and Isobel Crawford.
The parish records of Dundee indicate that the birth date of "24 November 1735" is incorrect
The Parish Records of Dundee, Angus, Scotland
Born 24 January 1739 Baptised 27 January 1739
Henry son of Mr Alexr Duncan, Clerk and Isabel Crawford
In commemmoration of Henry Crawford late of Monorgan, grandfather, Henry Crawford of Monorgan, uncle
Duncan began his sea life in the merchant service, possibly in that of the East India Company, but entered the Royal Navy on in 1755 joining the Nassau. Duncan later joined the Newark. On January 3, 1759, Duncan passed his examination for Lieutenant and joined the America. Duncan then joined the Prince in Gibraltar, but was soon transferred to the Namur and then the Barfleur.
He married Mary French in Dartmouth, on November 27, 1761. He participated in the capture of Havana in 1762 and was moved to the Temeraire. During this time he had two children, Isabella (born 23 August 1764) and Arthur French (born 9 February 1769). Duncan already had an older son, Henry, who later served in the Navy from 1781 until being lost off the coast of Newfoundland in 1802 with the Scout.
On May 26, 1768, Duncan was promoted to Commander and joined the Wasp. Soon after he was promoted to Captain. In January, 1776, William Howe was appointed as Commander-in-Chief of British forces in North America and chose Duncan to join him as flag captain of the Eagle. His career in North America lasted for the next six to seven years. On the commands of General Howe, Duncan commanded an invasion fleet of 26 ships carrying 2,000 men led by General William Tryon from New York to Westport, Connecticut to raid Continental Army supply depots in Danbury, Connecticut on April 22, 1777, resulting in the Battle of Ridgefield.
Duncan later returned to Europe to participate in the relief of Gibraltar in 1781. He was appointed Commissioner at Halifax. Duncan remained at Halifax till 1799, when he returned to England, to be appointed Commissioner at Sheerness, and Deputy-Comptroller of the Navy in January, 1801. He retired in 1806 and resided at Dartmouth until his death on October 7, 1814. His widow Mary survived till September 25, 1823.