Henry Duncan (Captain)

Henry Duncan (24 November 1735 – 7 October 1814), a British naval officer who participated in the American Revolutionary War. Duncan was born in Dundee, Scotland on 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

Career

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, August 23, 1764, and Arthur French, February 9, 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 lead 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.

References

*Laughton, J.K. "Journals of Henry Duncan, Captain, Royal Navy 1776-1782." "The Naval Miscellany, Vol. I."
*"Captain Henry Duncan RN 1735 - 1814." Clan Duncan Society. 13 May, 2008. 20 May, 2008. .