Henry Priestman | |
|---|---|
 Priestman's monument in Westminster Abbey | |
| Born | c.1647 |
| Died | 20 August 1712 (aged 64–65) |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of England |
| Service/ |  Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1672–1699 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands held | HMS Antelope HMS Richmond HMS Lark HMS Swan HMS Reserve HMS Bonaventure Commander-in-Chief of ships in the Straits HMS Hampton Court |
Captain Henry Priestman (ca. 1647 - 20 August 1712) was a Royal Navy officer and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1695 to 1698.
Priestman joined the Royal Navy in 1672 and his first command was the fourth-rate HMS Antelope. In August 1673 he was promoted to the command of the sixth-rate HMS Richmond. In a time of relative peace he saw no action and went to the Mediterranean in 1675 in command of the sixth-rate HMS Lark. In January 1678 he was appointed to the fifth-rate HMS Swan, and later in the year returned to HMS Antelope. In 1681, he commanded the fourth-rate HMS Reserve, and in May 1683 was appointed to the fourth-rate HMS Bonaventure. Soon after he was appointed Commodore and Commander-in-Chief of ships in the Straits. In 1688, he was placed in command of the third-rate HMS Hampton Court and after the Glorious Revolution, to which he was sympathetic, he became Comptroller of the Storekeeper's Accounts in 1689. [1]
Priestman was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for New Shoreham in 1695 and held the seat until 1698. [2] He joined the Board of Admiralty led by the Earl of Pembroke in June 1690 [3] and was advanced to First Naval Lord in January 1691. [4] Priestman left the Admiralty Board in May 1699, following the departure from office of his friend, the Earl of Orford, who was highly criticised for financial abuse. [5] Priestman died on 20 August 1712, aged 65; there is a monument to him in Westminster Abbey by the sculptor Francis Bird. [6] [7]
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Henry Priestman navy.
