Sir John William Phillips Marshall papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 0141

Staff Only

Finding aid note: Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Scope and Contents

The Sir John William Phillips Marshall Papers consist of a bound volume (8" x12 ¾”) of c. 454 pages containing transcriptions of correspondence to and from British Rear Admiral Sir John William Phillips Marshall, CB (1785-1850), the bulk dated 1813-14. Of special interest are letters and records of Marshall’s participation in a court martial in London concerning the capture and destruction of H.M.S. Java by the American ship U.S.S Constitution in 1813. Material also includes correspondence with various military officers of northern Europe, and with Captain Arthur Farquhar of H.M.S. Desiree, with mention of the siege of Gluckstadt. The volume's appendix contains memoranda of Marshall's naval service and other material relating to him, including extracts from various documents, and newspaper accounts of his death in a carriage accident.

Dates

Creation: 1802 - 1850

Creator

Marshall, John William Phillips, Sir (Person)

Access Restrictions

This material is open for research.

Conditions Governing Access

Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from the Marshall letters must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

Biographical Note

British Rear Admiral Sir John William Phillips Marshall, CB (1785-1850) entered service in the British Navy in 1800 as a mid-shipman, rising to the ranks of lieutenant, commander, and captain during the period of the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815) and the related War of 1812. In October 1812, following his promotion to the rank of commander, he was sailing to India aboard the H.M.S. Java to take command of his ship when the Java was attacked by the American ship U.S.S. Constitution. After release through an exchange of prisoners, Marshall was appointed to the Shamrock, a British sloop participating in action along the Elbe River, and was later awarded high honors by the kings of Sweden and Russia for meritorious conduct. Upon return to civilian life in 1826, Marshall was appointed as an administrator of government quarantine facilities; in 1832 he was knighted for his services during action along the Elbe. He returned to naval duty in 1841 as senior officer of H.M.S. Isis, surveying ports of the Brazil and Cape Stations, among other duties.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet ( (1 bound volume))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract:

Bound volume of transcribed correspondence to and from British Rear Admiral Sir John William Phillips Marshall, CB (1785-1850), during the period of the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815) and concurrent War of 1812, including correspondence concerning a court martial related to the capture and destruction of the ship H.M.S. Java by the USS Constitution in 1813.