David McDowall Grant (20 July 1761 – 27 June 1841),
[Gravestone at Boharm Churchyard, recorded by Moray Burial Ground Research Group (see no. 89).](_blank)
/ref> of Arndilly, Banff and Barr House, Lochwinnoch
Lochwinnoch (; sco, Lochineuch, gd, Loch Uinneach) is a village in the council area and historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland. Lying on the banks of Castle Semple Loch and the River Calder, Lochwinnoch is ...
, was a Scottish naval officer, collector of customs and, briefly, Member of Parliament.[The History of Parliament: The House of Commons 1790–1820.](_blank)
/ref>
He was the 5th surviving son of William McDowall, Member of Parliament for Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire () ( sco, Renfrewshire; gd, Siorrachd Rinn Friù) is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland.
Located in the west central Lowlands, it is one of three council areas contained within the boundaries of the historic county of Renfr ...
from 1768 to 1774, and Elizabeth Graham. His eldest brother, William McDowall
William McDowall (c. 1749 – 3 April 1810) of Garthland and Castle Semple was a Scottish Member of Parliament.
Life
He was the eldest son of William McDowall, Member of Parliament for Renfrewshire from 1768 to 1774, and Elizabeth Graham. His ...
, was also a Member of Parliament for Renfrewshire, Ayrshire
Ayrshire ( gd, Siorrachd Inbhir Àir, ) is a historic county and registration county in south-west Scotland, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine and it borders the counties of Re ...
and the Glasgow Burghs, and another elder brother, Hay MacDowall
Lt.-Gen. Hay MacDowall (died March 1809) was a Scottish officer in the British Army who was the sixth General Officer Commanding, Ceylon. He was appointed on 19 July 1799. He was succeeded by David Douglas Wemyss. Fort MacDowall in Matale was ...
was a Lieutenant General
Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...
and General Officer Commanding, Ceylon
General Officer Commanding, Ceylon (also known as ''Commander of Troops'' or ''Officer Commanding His/Her Majesties Troops, Ceylon'') was the designation of the General Officer appointed to command all British Army units stationed in the island of ...
. In 1790 he married Eleanor Mary, daughter and heir of Col. Alexander Grant of Arndilly, taking the additional name of Grant.
He was returned as Member of Parliament for Banffshire
Banffshire ; sco, Coontie o Banffshire; gd, Siorrachd Bhanbh) is a historic county, registration county and lieutenancy area of Scotland. The county town is Banff, although the largest settlement is Buckie to the west. It borders the Moray ...
in 1795 following the resignation of Sir James Grant, but is not recorded as having spoken or voted, and did not seek election at the 1796 general election.
He entered the navy
A navy, naval force, or maritime force is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval warfare, naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral zone, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and ...
around 1778, and was promoted to lieutenant
A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations.
The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often sub ...
in 1781, retiring as a commander
Commander (commonly abbreviated as Cmdr.) is a common naval officer rank. Commander is also used as a rank or title in other formal organizations, including several police forces. In several countries this naval rank is termed frigate captain.
...
in 1816. In 1782 he took part under Admiral Rodney
Admiral George Brydges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney, KB ( bap. 13 February 1718 – 24 May 1792), was a British naval officer. He is best known for his commands in the American War of Independence, particularly his victory over the French at t ...
in the defeat of the French fleet at the Battle of the Saintes
The Battle of the Saintes (known to the French as the Bataille de la Dominique), also known as the Battle of Dominica, was an important naval battle in the Caribbean between the British and the French that took place 9–12 April 1782. The Brit ...
near St Lucia in the West Indies.
He served as Collector of customs, Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley Inter ...
from 1810 until around 1836.
He is recorded on a plaque in the former church at Boharm
Boharm is a rural parish in the Speyside area of north Scotland, midway between Aberlour and Fochabers, and north of Dufftown. It lies on minor roads to either side of the A95. The main settlements in the parish are Maggieknockater and Mulben.
...
.
References
1841 deaths
Politics of the county of Banff
18th-century Scottish people
British MPs 1790–1796
Members of the Parliament of Great Britain for Scottish constituencies
1761 births
{{UK-navy-bio-stub