James Samber

1735-1816. He originated from Ilsington, Devon.

Samber was commissioned lieutenant on 9 April 1760, and in 1771 was serving aboard the Crescent 32, Captain John Corner, going out to the Leeward Islands for a three year tour of duty, during which time Captain Corner died to be replaced by Captain Charles Thompson.

He was promoted commander on 1 February 1780 and saw duty with the armed ship Satisfaction in Scottish waters.

Samber was posted captain on 26 March 1782, and after briefly commanding the Bristol 50 he took up the position of flag-captain aboard the Formidable 90 to Admiral Hugh Pigot when that officer went out to the Leeward Islands in May to succeed Admiral Lord Rodney. He retained this position with Pigot into the following year.

During the Dutch Armament in 1787 he commissioned the Royal Sovereign 100 at Plymouth for the flag of the proposed commander-in-chief, Admiral Pigot, and at the commencement of the Nookta Sound dispute in 1790 he was again appointed to the Royal Sovereign for Pigot s flag. Both appointments were short-lived due to the rapid de-escalation of the respective disputes.

After retiring to Hampshire Samber did not see any further service, but he became a superannuated rear-admiral in June 1804. He died in 1816.

Samber married Maria Beata Knapton of Lymington and had one daughter, Martha Anne. His address in his will was given as Lymington, Hampshire.