John Jervis, born January 9, 1735 in Meaford, received his schooling at Burton-on-Trent and Greenwich. In 1748 he entered naval service as an able seaman and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1755 on completion of his six years service. By September 1787 he had been promoted to Rear Admiral, and he became full Admiral in July 1795. Following a defeat of the Spanish fleet in early 1797, Jervis was appointed as Earl of St. Vincent. In 1801 St. Vincent accepted the position of First Lord of the Admirality which he occupied until 1806 when he returned briefly to sea duty before retiring in 1807. He was promoted to Admiral of the Fleet in 1821. Jervis was awarded the K. B. in 1782 and in 1783 entered Parliament as member for Launceston. St. Vincent died March 14, 1823.
The collection consists of eight letters written to Sir George Parker, Esquire, from John Jervis, Admiral Lord St. Vincent. All letters refer to personal business and financial affairs.
This material is open for research.
Permission to publish from the John Jervis, Admiral Lord St. Vincent letters to Sir George Parker, MS 308, must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.
John Jervis, Admiral Lord St. Vincent letters to Sir George Parker, 1800-1807, MS 308, Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.
The letters were purchased with Friends of Fondren Whittington gift fund from Myers & Co., 1953-1955.