48-744: Philemon Pownoll (c. 1734 – 15 June 1780) of Sharpham in the parish of Ashprington in Devon, England, was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the War of the Austrian Succession , the Seven Years' War and the American War of Independence , rising to the rank of post-captain . Pownoll was born the son of a leading shipwright, and entered the navy in the last year of
96-481: A Spanish Galleon, and in about 1770 commenced the building of the present house, completed after his death by his daughter and heiress Jane Pownall (died 1822). Richard Durant purchased Sharpham in 1841, and it remained in the ownership of his descendants until 1940, when the estate was split up and sold, with Avenue Cottage sold separately. In 1962 Sharpham House was purchased by Maurice Ash (1917–2003), whose property developer grandfather, Gilbert Ash, had left him
144-405: A convoy of twenty transports carrying troops under General John Burgoyne . During the voyage Burgoyne was alarmed to see a midshipman on a yardarm balancing on his head. Pownoll reassured him that it was just one of Pellew's antics, and that 'should [he] fall, he would only go under the ship's hull and come up on the other side.' Later in the voyage Pellew jumped overboard to save a man's life, and
192-562: A daughter and heiress Anne Winard, who married Robert French. Robert French ( fl. 1377–1386) of Totnes , a Member of Parliament for Totnes in January 1377, November 1384, 1385 and 1386, married Anne Winard, daughter and heiress of Robert Winard of Sharpham. In the 15th century it was owned by Robert French of Horneford in Devon, whose daughter and heiress Amey (or Maude) French married (as his second wife) Sir John Prideaux (fl. 1433). Sir John Prideaux (fl. 1433) of Adeston in
240-470: A father and a friend united; and that friend my only one on earth. Never, my lord, was grief more poignant than that we all feel for an adored commander. Mine is inexpressible.' Admiral John Jervis wrote of him that he was 'the best officer, & most excellent, kind hearted man in the Profession', and claimed that he had 'lost the best Partizan, if not the best officer under every line of description in
288-611: A large fortune. He was an environmentalist, writer, and planner . He was chairman of the Town and Country Planning Association and of the Dartington Trust . After World War II his friend Michael Young , later Lord Young of Dartington, introduced him to the Dartington Hall Trust , a design school with craft workshops, established by Leonard Elmhirst and his wealthy American heiress wife Dorothy Whitney , who in
336-518: A leading frigate captain, while Jervis remembered Pownoll's contribution to the navy in 1804, when he promoted Pownoll's grandson, John Bastard . Pellew named his eldest son Pownoll Bastard Pellew in honour of his former captain and his family. a. Variants of the surname include Pownall and Pownell. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography uses 'Pownoll'. b. Apollo had been launched in 1763 as HMS Glory , but had been renamed in 1774. c. The captured Oiseau
384-597: A lease on the estate. Mr Cockey sold it in about 1763 to Captain Philemon Pownoll (c. 1734 – 1780) of the Royal Navy , born in Plymouth and the son of master shipwright Israel Pownoll (died 1779), master shipwright of Plymouth Dockyard (1762–65) and of Chatham (1775–79), who had built a large number of warships for the Royal Navy. In 1762 Philemon Pownoll had acquired a fortune of £64,963 having captured
432-417: A musket ball to the chest, which remained with him for the rest of his life. He again engaged a heavily armed privateer the following year, and this time was killed by a cannonball in the heat of the action, which was brought to a successful conclusion by his first lieutenant. His death was marked with tributes from the leading naval figures of his age, including Admiral John Jervis and Edward Pellew. Pownoll
480-524: A portrait from Sir Joshua Reynolds . Despite his immense wealth Pownoll returned to naval service in late 1774, shortly after the outbreak of the American War of Independence . For this he was praised by John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich in the House of Lords . Pownoll was given command of the 32-gun HMS Blonde in December, and prepared her for a voyage to North America. While mustering his crew,
528-533: A time as Lord Howe's flagship from August 1778, and had returned to be refitted and coppered at Plymouth in December that year. Returning to active service in January, on 31 January 1779 she engaged the 26-gun French frigate Oiseau off the Brittany coast in a hard-fought action that left both Pownoll and the French commander wounded. Pownoll was hit in the chest by a musket ball, which remained lodged there for
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#1732793916809576-418: A young midshipman was recommended to him by Hugh Boscawen, 2nd Viscount Falmouth , the brother of Pownoll's old patron, Admiral Edward Boscawen. Possibly out of consideration to his debt to the admiral, Pownoll agreed to take him on. The young midshipman was Edward Pellew , who had been turned out of his previous ship, HMS Alarm , after a quarrel with her captain, John Stott, but went on to become one of
624-613: The Battle of Cape St. Vincent on 16/17 January, and the eventual relief of Gibraltar on 19 January. In the Battle of Cape St. Vincent Pownoll distinguished himself by engaging the Spanish ship of the line Monarca in an unequal engagement for over an hour, compelling the Monarca to strike her colours just as Rodney's flagship arrived on the scene. On 2 March 1780 the privateer Victoire
672-485: The Mediterranean Fleet . In January 1757 he was advanced to Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet remaining in post until May 1757. In October 1758 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, English Channel a post he held till May 1759. He took command of the fleet tasked with carrying James Wolfe to Quebec in January 1759 and, having been promoted to vice admiral on 14 February 1759, he consolidated
720-569: The Stanislaus on shore. Apart from her captain, Apollo lost five men killed and had twenty wounded. The Stanislaus was later recovered and brought into the navy as HMS Proselyte . Pownoll's death was widely mourned, Pellew writing in his report to the Admiralty that: 'The loss of Captain Pownoll will be severely felt. The ship's company have lost a father. I have lost much more,
768-432: The War of the Austrian Succession . After several years service he rose through the ranks to his own command in time for the outbreak of the Seven Years' War . Commanding a sloop he took part in the capture of one of the most valuable prizes taken in the entire conflict, and became immensely wealthy overnight from his success. He married and settled on his estate, but despite his riches, chose to return to active service on
816-499: The flagship of Admiral Edward Boscawen , who became Pownoll's patron and rapidly promoted him from fourth to first lieutenant, and then on 6 August 1759 to commander of the sloop HMS Favourite . Pownoll commanded Favourite for the next two years, and in mid-1761 was sailing as part of a squadron off Cadiz under Captain Charles Proby, consisting of the 74-gun ships HMS Thunderer and HMS Modeste and
864-643: The fleet tasked with carrying James Wolfe to Quebec in January 1759 and consolidated the dead general's victory after the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in September 1759 by devoting great energy to keeping the British Army, now under the command of Colonel George Townshend , well supplied during the Seven Years' War . He later became Senior Naval Lord and then First Lord of the Admiralty . Born
912-407: The weather gauge , and eventually opening fire. Apollo ' s opponent was the 26-gun French privateer Stanislaus , and after a period of tacking, the two engaged in broadsides while running for Ostend . After nearly an hour of intense cannonading Pownoll was hit by a cannon ball and killed. Command of Apollo devolved to Pellew as the first lieutenant, who continued the fight, eventually driving
960-457: The 1920s had purchased the historic estate of Dartington Hall near Totnes and had restored at great expense the manor house and its mediaeval Great Hall. In 1947 Maurice Ash married Ruth Elmhirst, Leonard and Dorothy's daughter. Maurice and Ruth laid out formal gardens at Sharpham to the design of Percy Cane . In 1982 the Sharpham estate was transferred by Mr Ash to a charitable trust known as
1008-486: The 44-gun HMS Thetis . Two French ships, the 64-gun Achille and the frigate Bouffonne escaped the port on 16 July, but were chased down and brought to action the following day by the British squadron. After a fierce fight, both ships were captured. Pownoll was still in command by May 1762, when Favourite was one of the ships sent by Admiral Sir Charles Saunders to guard Cape St Vincent . On 15 May Favourite
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#17327939168091056-806: The French and Spanish fleets from sailing. He was installed as Knight of the Bath in May 1761 and, in the action of 31 May 1762 , his fleet chased down and captured the Spanish treasure ship Hermione off Cape St Mary. He acquired estates at Gunton in Suffolk and at Fishley in Norfolk in 1762. Saunders joined the Board of Admiralty as Senior Naval Lord in the First Rockingham ministry in July 1765 and
1104-534: The Independent seamen and merchants who were numerous in the Shadwell and Wapping area at the time, and had connections with New England . The naval antiquary Edward Hawke Locker later described Philemon as 'a Gentleman of American extraction'. Philemon Pownoll entered the navy in about 1748, joining the 64-gun HMS Mars . He passed his lieutenant's examination on 7 April 1755, at which point his age
1152-473: The Service'. Edward Osler wrote in 1835 that 'St Vincent and Pownoll who were brought up under Boscawen, and received their Lieutenant's commission from him, contributed materially to form a Nelson or an Exmouth; each the founder of a school of officers, whose model is the character of their chief, and their example his successes.' As well as Pellew, John Borlase Warren served under Pownoll and went on to become
1200-776: The Sharpham Trust, and he continued to reside at Sharpham until his death in 2003. Since 1982 Sharpham House has been owned by the Sharpham Trust, a registered educational charity whose aims and objectives are "to maintain, conserve and enhance the land, buildings, resources and bio-diversity of its estate for public benefit. To provide opportunities for physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual learning; through activity, reflection, creativity and enquiry." 50°24′32″N 3°39′08″W / 50.4090°N 3.6521°W / 50.4090; -3.6521 Charles Saunders (Royal Navy officer) Admiral Sir Charles Saunders KB ( c. 1715 – 7 December 1775 )
1248-459: The Yarde family of Bradley in the parish of Kingsteignton . In 1748 Sharpham was sold by Gilbert Yard to Philip Cockey, who was seemingly more interested in the resale value of the timber in the park than in the house. The sale particulars described the estate as having extensive woodlands, a mansion house and several walled gardens. These are visible on a survey of 1749. A marriage contract for
1296-422: The daughters of a Lisbon merchant, but had been rejected for their lack of funds. Now suddenly extremely wealthy, the two captains married the sisters. Pownoll used his money to buy an estate at Sharpham in the parish of Ashprington in Devon, where he built a large mansion house, surviving today, designed by Robert Taylor , with gardens designed by Capability Brown . It was about this time that he commissioned
1344-423: The dead general's victory after the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in September 1759 by devoting great energy to keeping the British Army, now under the command of Colonel George Towshend , well supplied. Saunders and Towshend were joint signatories for Great Britain after the French garrison capitulated. In April 1760 he resumed his role as Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet and blockaded Cádiz preventing
1392-641: The fifth-rate HMS Penzance in February 1752. He went on to be treasurer of Greenwich Hospital in February 1754 and Comptroller of the Navy in December 1755. Saunders was Member of Parliament for Plymouth from 1750 to 1754 and then represented the Yorkshire borough of Hedon from 1754 until his death. Promoted to rear-admiral on 7 January 1756, Saunders was sent to Gibraltar as Second in Command of
1440-519: The fourth-rate HMS Gloucester in 1747 and led her in action at the Second Battle of Cape Finisterre in October 1747 during the War of the Austrian Succession . After that he became captain of the third-rate HMS Yarmouth later that year and of the fourth-rate HMS Tiger in 1749. Saunders was appointed Commodore in charge of the squadron at Newfoundland with his broad pennant in
1488-566: The fourth-rate HMS Sunderland in August 1739 and to the fourth-rate HMS Centurion in November 1742. Promoted to post-captain in June 1743 (with an effective date of 26 September 1741), Saunders was given command of the fourth-rate HMS Plymouth in December 1743, the fifth-rate HMS Sapphire in December 1744 and the fourth-rate HMS Dunkirk in 1745. He went on to take command of
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1536-476: The great naval commanders of his age. Pownoll and his officers oversaw the fitting out of their ship, which almost ended in disaster when a storm in February 1775 swept Blonde from her moorings at Chatham and nearly wrecked her, the ship being saved by Pownoll's prompt action. Blonde sailed for North America in April that year, in company with the frigate HMS Juno , and via St Helen's, where they collected
1584-582: The opinion of Nikolaus Pevsner it contains "one of the most spectacular and daring later 18th century staircase designs anywhere in England". The park and gardens are Grade II* listed in the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens . Part of the descent of Sharpham is shown on the Palmes family heraldic pedigree roll. Robert Winard (or Wynard) of Sharpham died without male progeny leaving
1632-492: The outbreak of the American War of Independence . During his time as a frigate captain he acted as a mentor to future star captains Edward Pellew and John Borlase Warren . His service in North America was marked with successes in supporting and conveying troops, and engaging in larger fleet actions such as the relief of Gibraltar . He took part in a hard-fought action against a French privateer in 1779, and received
1680-568: The parish of Holbeton and of Orcheton in the parish of Modbury, Devon married Amey (or Maude) French, heiress of Sharpham. Her daughter and heiress was Joane Prideaux, who married firstly to William Drewe, secondly to Baldwin Acland of Acland, Landkey , Devon, ancestor of the Acland Baronets . Sharpham descended thenceforth in the Drewe family as follows: The Giles family sold Sharpham to
1728-481: The remainder of his life. Apollo was repaired at Plymouth, and returned to sea later in 1779, joining the fleet under Admiral Sir Charles Hardy . Pownoll captured the 14-gun Mutine on 2 October 1779, and joined Reynolds's squadron later that month. He sailed the following year in support of George Brydges Rodney's mission to relieve Gibraltar, and was present at the attack on the Caracas convoy on 8 January 1780,
1776-481: The son of James Saunders of Bridgwater, Somerset, Saunders joined the Royal Navy in October 1727. He initially served as a midshipman on the sixth-rate HMS Seahorse and then transferred to the fourth-rate HMS Hector in March 1731. Promoted to lieutenant on 8 November 1734, he was posted to the fourth-rate HMS Exeter in July 1738 and then transferred to the third-rate HMS Norfolk in June 1739, to
1824-995: The sum of £200 dated 1749 survives in Plymouth and West Devon Record Office listing as parties: 1: William Cockey of Totnes, brazier; 2: Elizabeth Hannaford of Totnes, spinster; 3: Philip Cockey of Sharpham, gentleman and Benjamin Blackaller of Totnes, mercer . Another document dated 1763 survives in Cornwall Record Office summarised as follows: Parties: (1) William Shepherd and John Bayly both of Plymouth, merchants, to (2) Philip Cockey of Sharpham, Devon, esquire, Richard Dunning of Plymouth, gentleman, Peter Baron of Stoke Damerel, gentleman and Robert Baron of Plymouth, brazier. Bond in £500 To indemnify (2) against cost of lawsuits concerning Presbyterian church in Plymouth. In 1765 Philip Cockey sold Sharpham to Captain Philemon Pownoll, having previously in 1755 offered
1872-480: Was a British Royal Navy officer. He commanded the fourth-rate HMS Gloucester and led her in action at the Second Battle of Cape Finisterre in October 1747 during the War of the Austrian Succession . After serving as Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet , he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, English Channel in charge of the Western Squadron between October 1758 and May 1759). He took command of
1920-693: Was advanced to First Lord of the Admiralty in the Chatham ministry in September 1766; after a disagreement with Lord Chatham , he stood down from the Admiralty Board in December 1766. Promoted to full admiral on 18 October 1770, he died at his home at Spring Gardens in London on 7 December 1775 and was buried in Westminster Abbey . Saunders married a Miss Buck, the daughter of a London banker, in September 1751. Cape Saunders , on
1968-434: Was appointed to command the 32-gun HMS Apollo , and brought Pellew with him to his new command. By now a popular figure with his men, Pownoll was able to write to Lord Sandwich that he was '...happily situated in a fine ship & exceedingly well manned with all volunteers except 15 landsmen I received from Admiral Amherst to complete my compliment [ sic ] not having time to do it myself.' Apollo served for
Philemon Pownoll - Misplaced Pages Continue
2016-530: Was born in Plymouth circa 1734, the son of master shipwright Israel Pownoll (d.1779), who had built a large number of warships for the Royal Navy over his career. Israel Pownoll served as master shipwright of the dockyard at Plymouth between 1762 and 1765, and of Chatham from 1775 until his death. He owned property in the Shadwell and Clerkenwell areas of London , suggesting that the family descended from
2064-495: Was brought into the navy as HMS Oiseau . Sharpham, Ashprington Sharpham is an historic estate in the parish of Ashprington , Devon. The Georgian mansion house, known as Sharpham House, overlooks the River Dart and is a Grade I listed building. The house was commenced in about 1770 by the Royal Navy captain Philemon Pownoll (died 1780) to the designs of the architect Sir Robert Taylor (1714–1788). In
2112-518: Was captured by Apollo , and in mid June Apollo was cruising in company with the 32-gun HMS Cleopatra , under Captain the Hon. George Murray . On 15 June a cutter was sighted while cruising in the North Sea and Murray was sent to investigate it. After closing to within gunshot of the cutter by 10.30am, a large sail was observed standing off the land. The two ships closed, tacking about to gain
2160-400: Was recorded as 'upwards of twenty', and was promoted to lieutenant on 7 October 1755. He was at first appointed to be second lieutenant of the 60-gun HMS Weymouth , and was later moved to the 100-gun HMS Royal George . Pownoll continued to serve in the Navy with the outbreak of the Seven Years' War , and in 1758 was moved to the 90-gun HMS Namur . Namur was at this time
2208-431: Was reprimanded for his actions by Pownoll, though he later shed tears when talking about it with his fellow officers and called Pellew 'a noble fellow.' Pellew and Pownoll served at the relief of Quebec . Pownoll returned to North America in April 1776, and was active against American shipping, capturing the privateer Freedom on 16 September 1777, and the privateer True Blue on 27 January 1778. In January 1777 Pownoll
2256-462: Was sailing in company with Captain Herbert Sawyer's frigate HMS Active off Cape St Mary, when a Spanish ship was sighted and chased down. Once captured she was found to be the Spanish register ship Hermione , which had sailed from Lima on 6 January bound for Cadiz with a valuable cargo of bags of dollars, gold coin, ingots of gold and silver, cocoa, and blocks of tin. The Hermione
2304-527: Was taken into Gibraltar and eventually condemned as a prize, with her contents, hull, and fittings valued at £519,705 10s. 0d., approximately £98 million at today's prices. Pownoll and Sawyer each received captain's shares of the prize money of £64,872, approximately £12.2 million at today's prices, amounting to one of the largest individual sums obtained in the period. The ordinary seamen received £480 each, equivalent to thirty years' wages. Coincidentally Sawyer and Pownoll had been courting two sisters,
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