28 SERVICE RECORD THOMAS CURTIS.pdf
Hi,
I can give some details about “Commander Thomas Curtis” from the Royal Navy who features in this grave. First of all; Thomas Dillon Curtis who has been mentioned was the Grandson of “Commander Thomas Curtis” in the grave and the son of “Captain James Dillon Curtis” (Commander Thomas Curtis’s own son), also of the Royal Navy (Captain James Dillon Curtis actually severed aboard HMS Albert during both the Seige of Sevastopol and the Bombardment of Kinburn in 1855, both part of the Crimean War).
I am related to Commander Thomas Curtis’s wife; Jane Taylor Raven (2nd April 1790 to 1843) through her brother; John Stoddart Raven (11th May 1799 to 16th Feb 1886), who was my Great x4 Grandfather. A further brother; Henry Baldwin Raven (14th Oct 1782 to 11th Dec 1872) worked at the HM Treasury Office in London and was the Grandfather of Sir Vincent Litchfield Raven K.B.E.. There are many more notable members of the Raven family particularly in the military and the clergy. Two further sisters; Ann Sarah Raven (26th July 1794 to 1879) and Mary Ann Raven (31st March 1791 to the 17th Dec 1884) also married members of the Royal Navy (details of each marriage are below). I have more details on Jane Taylor Raven’s ancestors and other siblings if anyone is interested, but the Raven’s originally came from Norwich and not King’s Lynn.
James Dillon (a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy) married Anne Sarah Raven on the 8th May 1802, at; Saint Giles Church, Norwich, Norfolk.
Thomas Curtis married Jane Taylor Raven on the 30th June 1819, at; All Saints Church, South Lynn, Norfolk.
William Garland (a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy but later a Commander) married Mary Ann Raven on the 6th Jan 1819, at; All Saints Church, South Lynn, Norfolk.
I also have Commander Thomas Curtis’ Naval Record (available from the National Archives). He served aboard the following ships during his first 21 years he was in the Royal Navy:
HMS Hope, 26th Sept 1796 to 29th Nov 1796 (2 months, 1 week & 2 days).
HMS Vindictive, 30th Nov 1796 to 26th Jan 1797 (2 months & 2 days).
HMS Imperieuse, 24th? Jan 1797 to 26th Mar 1801 (4 years 2 months & 2 days).
HMS Wi????, 27th Mar 1801 to 17th June 1804 (3 years, 2 months, 3 weeks & 6 days).
HMS Lancaster, 18th Jun 1804 to 31st Aug 1806 (2 years, 2 months, 2 weeks & 6 days).
HMS Seahorse, 2nd Dec 1806 to 24th Jun 1811 (4 years, 7 months, 1 week & 2 days).
HMS Dannemark, 11th Apr 1812 to 29th Apr 1815 (3 years, 2 weeks & 5 days).
HMS Protector, 15th Feb 1817 to 12th Mar 1818 (1 year, 3 weeks and 5 days).
While serving aboard HMS Seahorse the ship was involved in two notable actions:
On the 6th July 1808, HMS Seahorse captured the Turkish Frigate; Badere Zaffere. In 1847 this action was recognised when the 38 remaining crew members of HMS Seahorse were awarded the Naval General Service Medal (NGSM) with clasp and Thomas Curtis was one of the 38 to receive this medal in 1847 and a medal role survives showing his name.
On the 22nd August 1810, HMS Seahorse also saw action against the French Brig Renard.
According to his service record, Thomas spent a total of 18 years, 8 months and 2 days at sea up until 1818. Thomas remained with the Royal Navy until 1845 probably on half pay while not at sea. He continued to live in Kings Lynn until he passed away on the 3rd September 1855.
After his wife Jane passed on in 1843, Thomas is known to have married again. His second wife was called Sofia and by 1851, Thomas and Sophia lived at; number 8, London Road, Kings Lynn, Norfolk.
Thomas left a will written on the 4th November 1850 and proved in London on the 22nd December 1855 by his executors; The Reverend Vincent Raven (nephew of Thomas’s first wife Jane) and Thomas Wells a chemist from Kings Lynn. The following of Thomas and Jane’s children all have a mention in the will; Thomas Michael Curtis (the will states that for some years Thomas Michael had been living in Australia), Francis Raven Curtis, James Dillon Curtis and Mary Jane Sherringham (nee Curtis).
It should be noted that this Thomas Curtis was serving aboard HMS Lancaster in 1805. An “Able Seaman Thomas Curtis” was serving aboard HMS Mars at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, but I believe he shouldn’t be confused with our “Commander Thomas Curtis” who was known to be of a different rank and vessel at the time. In addition HMS Lancaster was not present at Trafalgar.
Marethw, it looks like we may be distantly related

and I’d be happy to share any further information I have with you

.
Dave

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