Archive of the Gill / Hutchison Family
Including the naval adventures of Commander Thomas Gill, b.1774
£1,063
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs
Auction: 30 September 2020 at 11:00 BST
Description
Typescript of the memoirs of the late Commander Gill, R.N., b.1774, dictated to his daughter, Emma, comprising 72 bound typed pages, signed in typescript by T. Hutchison (Emma's husband and nephew of William Wordsworth); Manuscript written by Commander Gill comprising pp.1-8 and 13-47 only of the complete document; Emma Gill Manuscript journal, dated 1840, describing a tour of the Isle of Wight and Sussex, accompanied by her father, 52pp., bound in wrappers; [Idem] Manuscript notebook and diary dated 1847, 22pp.; [Idem] Commonplace album in 19th century embossed plum calf; Nautical Sketches by the Ancient Mariner. Stockton: W. Robson, 1833. 12mo, original card wrappers, with the ownership inscription of Elizabeth Hutchison to the title-page; Pencil drawing of the Hutchison home, Grantsfield, in Leominster, along with three photocopied sheets listing the Grantsfield library
Footnote
Note: Commander Gill's daughter, Emma, married T, Hutchison. Hutchison was the poet William Wordsworth's nephew. One of the books listed as having being in the Grantsfield library is accompanied by a note: "This Ed. of Shakespeare together with those of Chaucer, Spencer & Milton, was purchased by Charles Lamb for Dorothy Wordsworth, who, upon receiving her portion of the debt due from Lord Lonsdale's estate, wished to record the event by a gift to her friend Sarah Hutchison M.W. July 8th 52..."
Commander Gill's typescript describes his life from his birth in 1774 at the Vicarage House of Newchurch, Isle of Wight and leads on to his naval career, beginning at the age of 15 when he boarded the Resolution, heading for Nevis. He was imprisoned by the French in Guadeloupe and subsequently taken on by an American ship. Following a brief stay in America, Gill boarded the Merchant, to return to Liverpool but was shipwrecked. Finally returning to London, Gill was press ganged and returned to sea eventually as Midshipman.
Gill describes taking part in the Battle of St Vincent, under Captain George Murray on the Colossus, and then in the Siege of Cadiz and then in convoy service under Nelson. His naval career continued after this, until 1818, including being once again shipwrecked on board the Anson when it was wrecked in Mount's Bay in 1807. He died in 1841.