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Order book
Title
Order book, 1760-1762, 1796.
Physical Description
1 v. (53 p.) ; 38 cm.
Language
English
Notes
Most of volume is blank.
Binding: contemporary full parchment. Royal arms stamped in gilt on covers.
In English.
Provenance
Purchased from Bernard Quaritch, Ltd. on the James Marshall and Marie-Louise Osborn Fund, 2009.
Access and use
This material is open for research.
Biographical / Historical Note
Robert Brice Kingsmill, 1st Baronet Kingsmill, was a Royal Navy officer whose career spanned almost 60 years. Born Robert Brice, he joined the Navy in 1746 and served with Admiral Rodney in the West Indies during the Seven Years' War. Brice retired from active service after marrying the heiress to the Kingsmill estates and assuming her name, but returned to duty during the American War of Independence. Retiring at the end of that war, Brice resumed active service during the French Revolutionary Wars, was promoted to Admiral in 1799, and received his baronetcy in 1800. He died in retirement in 1805.
Summary
Order and letter book kept by Royal Navy officer Robert Brice during two periods in his long naval career. The first 25 pages contain orders received during Brice's service in the West Indies in 1760-1762, when he was in command of the sloop Swallow. Correspondents include Admirals Rodney, Hawke, and Anson; in addition to routine orders concerning fleet maneuvers and postings, there is also a letter concerning "the Negroes...raised for his Majesty's service" and an order to collect intelligence about French privateers from the inhabitants of the Virgin Islands.
The remaining 28 pages document Brice's service as Commander in Chief of the Irish Station in 1796, after he had assumed the name of his wife's family, Kingsmill. Most of the entries are copies of routine orders issued by him to subordinate officers, although there are copies of communiqués from Admiralty Secretary Evan Nepean. Several letters document the Navy's strained relations with Irish merchants and shippers.
Format
Archives or Manuscripts
Added to Catalog
May 14, 2010
References
Robert Brice Kingsmill, Order Book. James Marshall and Marie-Louise Osborn Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.
Cite as
Robert Brice Kingsmill, Order Book. James Marshall and Marie-Louise Osborn Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.
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