David GILMOUR is recorded as being the son of Nathaniel Gilmour in a copy of his baptism record in the Parish of Portsea 25th January 1773. No mother is recorded. We know from Nathaniel's wil of 1808 that David was an adopted son. The assistant curate's signature in 1793 ( the year David was applying to be a lieutenant in the Royal Navy when he would have been 20, the earliest age at which to try for this examination)shows one Evan EVANS.The parish is not mentioned. A search on the clergy database across all the parish churches and chapels in Portsea does not find this name. There are a number of potential candidates by the name of Evan Evans but they are not listed as being in this parish in 1793. It was not unknown for a tame curate to attest to a person's baptism date on approach by parents. Naturally a fee would be exchanged. In any event, if David GILMOUR was adopted and later baptised by Nathaniel, the details would not reflect his parentage. Copy of the baptismal entry for David Gilmour, 25th January 1773, Portsea, Hampshire David Was sponsored into the Royal Navy by Charles GILMORE, probably his uncle. His record shows his first appointment as captain's servant on the Atalanta in 1779 which, if his baptism record is correct, makes him aged 6 on his first voyage. He had many naval adventures http://www.angelfire.com/trek/guardian/ and sailed with Nathaniel PORTLOCK on two major voyages. He became lifelong friends with John GORE who was to marry Sarah GILMOUR, daughter of Nathaniel. He was made Lieutenant in 1794 and Commander in 1799. According to Marge Rubidge's notes, he married a Miss Denoon whereas he actually married a Miss Eliza DEAN in 1816 in Alverstoke, Hampshire. She is referred to his will of 1829. He had two daughters, Rosa Jessie Eliza b 1817 who married William Arundell 1849, and Jessie Augusta b 1824 who never married. |
