Sir John Beresford, 1st Baronet

Sir John Poo Beresford
Born 1766
Died 2 October 1844
Allegiance United Kingdom United Kingdom
Service/branch Royal Navy
Years of service 1782–1835
Rank Admiral
Commands held HMS Hussar
HMS Prevoyante
HMS Poictiers
Nore Command
Battles/wars War of 1812
Awards Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Guelphic Order

Sir John Poo Beresford, 1st Baronet, GCH (1766 – 2 October 1844) was an officer of the Royal Navy who rose to the rank of admiral, held the post of Second Sea Lord, and also served as Conservative Member of Parliament.

Beresford was an illegitimate son of George Beresford, 1st Marquess of Waterford, and the brother of William Beresford, 1st Viscount Beresford. He joined the Royal Navy in 1782.[1]

During the War of 1812, he served as captain of HMS Poictiers, during which time he ineffectually bombarded the town of Lewes in Delaware. More importantly, Poictiers participated in an action where, four hours after USS Wasp, commanded by Jacob Jones, captured HMS Frolic, Capt Beresford captured Wasp and recaptured Frolic, and brought both to Bermuda. He was appointed Commander-in-Chief, The Nore in 1830.[2]

He was Member of Parliament (MP) for Coleraine (1809–1812 and 1814–1823), Berwick-upon-Tweed 1823–1826, Northallerton (1826–1832), and Chatham 1835–1837.

Beresford was knighted in 1812,[1] and made a baronet in 1814, of Bagnall in the County of Waterford (see Beresford baronets).[3]

Family

In 1809 Beresford married Mary Molloy, the daughter of Captain Anthony James Pye Molloy; they had a son, George, before Mary's death in 1813. In 1815 Beresford was remarried to Harriet Elizabeth Peirse, daughter of Henry Peirce, and with her had three sons and two daughters. Harriet died in 1825, and Beresford was again married to Amelia Peach, widow of Samuel Peach and daughter of James Bailie. They had no children, and Amelia outlived him. He was succeeded in the baronetcy by his son from the first marriage, George, who, as he had no surviving sons, was later succeeded by his half-nephew.[4]

Notes

References

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Walter Jones
Member of Parliament for Coleraine
1809–1812
Succeeded by
Lord George Beresford
Preceded by
Viscount Ossulston
Sir Francis Blake, Bt.
Member of Parliament for Berwick-upon-Tweed
1823–1826
With: Sir Francis Blake, Bt.
Succeeded by
Marcus Beresford
John Gladstone
Preceded by
William Lascelles
Marcus Beresford
Member of Parliament for Northallerton
1826–1832
With: Henry Lascelles to 1831
William Lascelles from 1831
Succeeded by
John George Boss
Preceded by
William Taylor Copeland
Member of Parliament for Coleraine
1832–1833
Succeeded by
William Taylor Copeland
Preceded by
George Stevens Byng
Member of Parliament for Chatham
1835–1837
Succeeded by
George Stevens Byng
Military offices
Preceded by
Sir Henry Blackwood
Commander-in-Chief, The Nore
1830–1833
Succeeded by
Sir Richard King
Preceded by
Sir William Parker
Second Naval Lord
1834–1835
Succeeded by
Sir William Parker
Baronetage of the United Kingdom
New title Baronet
of Bagnall
1814–1844
Succeeded by
George Beresford


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