Samuel Mead

Posted by Sylvia Wright on Saturday 3rd of January 2026 16:47

Reply to Jeremy KP, April 2023

I'm sorry for my delay to replying to your comment. Admiral James Gambier's 2nd wife was Jane/Jenny Mompesson, who was the great great granddaughter of Rev. William Mompesson of Eyam, Derbyshire. It was he who persuaded the village to go into voluntary lockdown in 1666 when a bolt of cloth arrived from London carrying the Plague.

Regards, Sylvia

Posted by Jeremy K-P on Friday 14th of April 2023 13:38

Fascinating, Sylvia! I'm working on Admiral James Gambier who was buried in Bath Abbey (1789). The Ox Dic Nat Biog says JG "doubtless gained his start in the navy from his maternal uncle, Captain Samuel Mead". JG's mother was one Mary Mead, and his sister was undoubtedly the Margaret you mention, so igt all looks as if it fits. James and Margaret had a brother, John, whose son (another James!)became an Admiral of the Fleet and the first (and only) Baron Gambier. James and Margaret's sister Susanna, who married Captain Samuel Cornish - Susanna is also buried in Bath Abbey. Interesting fmaily!!

Posted by Sylvia Wright on Sunday 8th of April 2018 18:03

Thanks Cy, I appreciate you looking.

I just found this on Geni : that he was a Commissioner of HM Customs from 1741-1746 - but can find no corroborating evidence. Can you help?
Many many thanks, Sylvia

Posted by Cy on Saturday 7th of April 2018 17:41

Rules were you had to be at least 20 with 6 years sea service. Sometimes rules were broken but he must have been no younger than 18 for certain. I probably have his passing certificate I'll look when I get back next week.

Posted by Sylvia Wright on Saturday 7th of April 2018 15:41

Do you know how old he would PROBABLY have been when he passed his Lieutenant's examination? I have a note that he was born in 1707 which would have made him 11 years old - surely too young?
His parents were Robert Mead/e and Mary Gideon. His neice was Margaret Gambier who met her husband, Admiral Sir Charles Middleton on board HMS Sandwich in about 1741 when he was serving as a Captain's servant. She was influential in abolishing the Slave Trade.
His grandfather was Rev. Matthew Mead/e who was an Independent Minister (on WiKipedia)in Stepney.
Thank you for putting this infomation on, I had despaired of finding out anything about him!