THOMPSON, Charles (c.1740-99), of Virhees, Sussex.

Thompson’s naval career involved him in service under Rodney in the American war and under Sir John Jervis in the West Indies. On his return thence in 1795 he was promoted and placed in command of a detached Channel squadron. In 1796 he entered Parliament for the Duke of Beaufort’s boroughs of Monmouth: the duke’s mother was his putative father’s sister. He had little opportunity to attend, being now second in command to Jervis in the Mediterranean. For his services at Cape St. Vincent he received a baronetcy, though illegitimate. His criticism of the execution of four mutineers displeased his commander and he was recalled to the Brest command. Indisposition obliged him to strike his flag and he died at Fareham, 17 Mar. 1799, without making any mark in Parliament. By his will dated 15 Mar. 1797 he provided that his estate should go, on failure of his issue, to Lady Elizabeth Talbot, a daughter of the Duke of Beaufort.1DNB; Fortescue mss, Somers to Grenville, 11 Aug. 1806; Gent. Mag. (1799), i. 348; PCC 317 Howe.