Lot Essay
Vice-Admiral Sir Jahleel Brenton (1770-1844) was born on Rhode Island and, after serving briefly with the Swedish navy, joined the Royal Navy and was made Lieutenant in 1790. Promoted Captain in 1800, he was captured by the French when his ship grounded outside Cherbourg in 1803 and remained a prisoner-of-war until the end of 1806, after which he served in the Mediterranean until 1810. Made a baronet in 1812, he was appointed Commissioner of Port Mahon dockyard in January 1814 but transferred to Capetown in the autumn of the same year where he remained until late 1821. Created K.C.B. in 1815, he was promoted Rear-Admiral in 1830 (Vice-Admiral 1840) and his last appointment was as Lieut.-Governor of Greenwich Hospital from 1831.