by John Marshall

“ Captain Beresford’s next appointment was to la Prevoyante, and from her he removed, about the month of May, 1796, into la Raison, the force of which latter vessel had been increased to 30 guns [2] , with a complement of 195 men. On the 25th August following, he fell in with the Vengeance, a large 18-pounder French frigate, from which he had the good fortune to escape, after a running fight of considerable duration, in which la Raison had 3 men killed and 6 wounded, besides being much cut up in her sails and rigging. ”

“ Our officer married, first, in 1809, Mary, daughter of Captain A. J. P. Molloy, R.N.; secondly, Aug. 17, 1815, Henrietta, youngest daughter of Henry Peirse, of Bedale, co. York, Esq., by Charlotte Grace, daughter of John, second Lord Monson. ”

“ Our officer subsequently commanded l’Unité, of 38 guns, on the Leeward Islands station, where he captured the Perseverance French privateer, of 16 guns and 87 men, Feb. 2, 1800. From l’Unité he removed into the Diana, another fine frigate, in which he was present at the reduction of the islands of St. ”