​PITMAN. (Commander, 1842.)

John Charles Pitman, born 22 March, 1814, is fourth son of Jas. Pitman, Esq., of Dunchideock House, co. Devon, Major of the 1st or East Devon Militia, and a Magistrate and Deputy-Lieutenant for that shire, by Catherine, eldest daughter of John Harris, Esq., of Radford, co. Devon. His eldest sister, drowned by the upsetting of a boat, was wife of the present Capt. Wm. Keats, R.N.; and a younger one, also deceased, of the late Sir Edw. Wm. Corry Astley, Kt., Capt. R.N. (1829).

This officer entered the Navy 8 Jan. 1827; served on board the Rose 18, Capt. Lewis Davies, at the battle of Navarin, 20 Oct. 1827, and in the Talbot 28, Capt. Hon. Fred. Spencer, in co-operation with the French, at the reduction of Morea Castle in Oct. 1828; passed his examination in 1833; obtained his first commission 3 July, 1840; and was employed during the operations in China in the Melville 72, flag-ship of Hon. Geo. Elliot, Blenheim 72, Capt. Sir Humphrey Le Fleming Senhouse, and Druid 44, Capt. Henry Smith. In 1841 he officiated as Aide-de-Camp to Sir Hugh Gough and Sir H. Le F. Senhouse on the heights of Canton.^[1] He was rewarded for his services with a Commander’s commission bearing date 7 Dec. 1842; and, since 28 Feb. 1846, has been in command of the Childers 12, in the East Indies.

Commander Pitman married, 5 Oct. 1843, Elizabeth, daughter of the gallant Sir Humphrey Le Fleming Senhouse, Kt., C.B., K.C.H., Capt. R.N. (1814), who died in command of the Blenheim, in China, in 1841.