Family and Education

b. 24 Mar. 1788, 6th s. of Algernon Percy^†, 1st Earl of Beverley, and bro. of George Percy, Lord Lovaine* and Hon. Josceline Percy*. unm.

Offices Held

Entered RN 1801, midshipman 1802, lt. 1807, cdr. 1810, capt. 1812, r.-adm. (ret.) 1846.

Commr. of excise 1828-49.

Biography

Percy followed his elder brother Josceline into the navy, sailed to China and India in the early years of his career and in 1811 commanded a ship transporting troops to the Peninsula. In 1814, as captain of the Hermes, he made an attack on Fort Bowyer, Mobile, but was forced, after his crew had sustained heavy losses, to burn his ship to prevent her falling into enemy hands. He was acquitted at the consequent court martial, but had no further naval employment after the war.

Returned for Stamford in 1818 by the 2nd Marquess of Exeter, stepson of his maternal aunt the dowager Duchess of Hamilton, Percy followed the family line and supported government, voting with them on the complaint against Wyndham Quin*, 29 Mar., and Tierney’s censure motion, 18 May 1819. He is not known to have spoken in the House before 1820. He died 5 Oct. 1855.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: P. A. Symonds

Notes