BORN 1759, DIED 1801.
By Hoppner.
HE was the fifth son of Francis, Earl, afterwards Marquis, of Hertford, by a daughter of the Duke of Grafton. He entered the Royal Navy while yet a boy, and justified his parents’ choice of a profession for him, never losing an opportunity of distinguishing himself in the service he loved. His first cruise was on board the Pallas, Captain the Honourable Leveson Gower.
In 1785 he married Lady Horatia Waldegrave, daughter of James, second Earl Waldegrave, with whose beautiful features we are well acquainted in Sir Joshua Reynolds’ world-famed picture of ‘The Three Sisters,’ so long the glory of Strawberry Hill. The union was very happy, only marred by the separations which Lord Hugh’s profession entailed; they had a family of five sons and three daughters. Seymour gained post-rank early, and in 1794 did good service in command of the Leviathan, on the glorious 1st of June (Lord Howe’s victory), when he was promoted to a colonelcy of marines. Next year he attained flag-rank, and commanded the Spaniel, under Lord Bridport, in that Admiral’s encounter with the French fleet off the island of St. Croix. From 1795 to 1798 Lord Hugh had a seat at the Board of Admiralty, after which he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Leeward Islands, during which time the colony of Surinam surrendered to the English combined naval and military forces under Admiral Lord Hugh Seymour and General Trigge. The Admiral’s eldest son, afterwards Admiral Sir George Seymour, whose son succeeded to the Marquisate of Hertford, was on board his father’s ship, but was invalided home in 1801, and on his arrival in England sad news awaited him. His beloved mother was no more; while a fast sailing ship brought the fatal tidings that a few days after his own departure, Lord Hugh had died of yellow fever. Yet another blow was in store for the poor young sailor, enfeebled by illness, and nearly overwhelmed by this accumulation of sorrow, in the loss of his favourite little brother, William, the pet of the family. The tenderest care and most consummate skill were needed to snatch George Seymour from the jaws of death. But he lived to be an honour to his profession, and a blessing to his family and friends. He inherited his mother’s beauty, as those who remember him can testify. His countenance was noble, his eyes large and brilliant, while even the wide gash of a sabre cut, received in action, across the lips, was powerless to mar the rare sweetness of his smile.
No. 21. HENRY, FIRST LORD BRADFORD.
Peer’s Parliamentary robes. White hair.
DIED 1800.
By Romney (?).