Henry Duncan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1735-11-24)24 November 1735 Dundee, Scotland |
| Died | 7 October 1814(1814-10-07) (aged 78) Dartmouth, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1755–1811 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands | HMSTerror HMSWasp HMSEagle HMSMedea HMSAmbuscade HMSVictory Resident Commissioner, Halifax Resident Commissioner, Sheerness Deputy Comptroller of the Navy |
| Battles / wars | |
| Spouse | Mary French |
| Children | 3 |
CaptainHenry Duncan (24 November 1735 – 7 October 1814)[a] was an officer of theRoyal Navy, who saw service in theAmerican War of Independence. Duncan was born inDundee, Scotland to Alexander Duncan,Town Clerk of Dundee, and Isobel Crawford.
Duncan began his sea life in the merchant service, possibly in that of theEast India Company, but entered theRoyal Navy on in 1755 joiningHMS Nassau. Duncan later joinedHMS Newark. On 3 January 1759, Duncan passed his examination for lieutenant and joinedHMS America. Duncan then joinedHMSPrince inGibraltar, but was soon transferred toHMS Namur and thenHMS Barfleur.
He married Mary French inDartmouth, on 27 November 1761. He participated in the capture ofHavana in 1762 and was moved toHMS 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 ofNewfoundland in 1802 withHMSScout.
On 26 May 1768, Duncan was promoted tocommander and joinedHMS Wasp. Soon after he was promoted tocaptain. In January, 1776,William Howe was appointed asCommander-in-Chief of British forces in North America and chose Duncan to join him asflag captain ofHMS 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 GeneralWilliam Tryon from New York toWestport, Connecticut, to raid Continental Army supply depots inDanbury, Connecticut, on 22 April 1777, resulting in theBattle of Ridgefield.
Duncan later returned to Europe to participate in therelief of Gibraltar in 1781.
He was appointed Commissioner at Halifax. He participated in theNorth British Society. He was appointed to theNova Scotia Council in 1788, resigning in 1801.[1] Duncan remained at Halifax until 1799, when he returned to England, to be appointed Commissioner atSheerness, andDeputy-Comptroller of the Navy in January, 1801. He retired from the post in 1806 and resided at Dartmouth until his death on 7 October 1814. His widow Mary survived until 25 September 1823.
a.^ 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 commemoration of Henry Crawford late of Monorgan, grandfather, Henry Crawford of Monorgan, uncle
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Resident Commissioner, Halifax 1783–1799 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Resident Commissioner, Halifax 1800–1803 | Succeeded by |