Sir Samuel Cornish, 1st Baronet

Not to be confused with Samuel Cornish, African-American abolitionist.
Sir Samuel Cornish
Born ca. 1715
Died 30 October 1770
Allegiance  Kingdom of Great Britain
Service/branch  Royal Navy
Commands held HMS Namur
HMS Guernsey
HMS Stirling Castle
HMS Union
East Indies Station
Battles/wars War of Jenkins' Ear
Seven Years' War

Sir Samuel Cornish, 1st Baronet (c. 1715 – 30 October 1770) was a British naval commander who fought in the Seven Years' War and conquered Manila on 6 October 1762.

Early career

Cornish joined the Navy in 1728, and having been promoted to lieutenant in 1739, he served at Cartagena in 1741.[1] In 1742 he became flag captain of HMS Namur under Vice-Admiral Thomas Mathews and served with him in the Mediterranean.[1] He was given command of HMS Guernsey later that year and commissioned HMS Stirling Castle in 1755.[1] In 1758 he transferred to HMS Union.[1]

He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1749.[2]

Seven Years' War

In 1759 Samuel Cornish took part in some battles against the French. When Spain entered the war early in 1762 Cornish was appointed Commander of an East Indies Squadron, who, together with soldiers of the 79th Regiment under William Draper were ordered to attack the Spaniards in the Philippines.[1]

In the following Battle of Manila the city was taken after a siege of 10 days. This victory made Cornish a very rich man.[1]

He saw no further service after this battle. He became vice-admiral in October 1762,[1] was MP for New Shoreham between 1765 and 1770 and was created a baronet in 1766, a title which became extinct upon his death.[1]

In 1765 Cornish purchased Tofte Manor, Sharnbrook, in Bedfordshire.[3]

He left his large fortune to his nephew Captain Samuel Pitchford,[1] who at the head of HMS America, had also taken part in the capture of Manila.

The town Cornish in New Hampshire was named after him.

References

Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by
The Lord Pollington
The Viscount Midleton
Member of Parliament for New Shoreham
with The Lord Pollington 1765–1768
Peregrine Cust 1768–1770

1765–1770
Succeeded by
Peregrine Cust
John Purling
Baronetage of Great Britain
New creation Baronet
(of Sharnbrook)
1766–1770
Extinct


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