Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Napoleon surrendered his 2 pistols to First Lieutenant Andrew Mott


http://brighousemottfamilyarchives.blogspot.com.au


Napoleon Bonaparte surrendered his 2 pistols

 to First Lieutenant Andrew Mott

on 15 July 1815



This Post will be a "work in progress" as there are some missing gaps in my research.  It seems that there were two sea faring Andrew Motts, a father and son.  So for the exercise I have called them Snr and Jnr. Some publications think it is the father and others think it is the son and sometimes there is a mix without them even realising. I am fairly settled with which one is Mott Snr and which one is Mott Jnr.  If you are able to help with further information I would be very pleased to hear from you.


What we do know!

It is a known fact that Andrew Luther Mott (1828-1904) had Napoleon Bonaparte's 2 pistols in his possession as he lent them for display at an Exhibition in Chelsea in 1891. They were insured for 10,000 English pounds.  Andrew Luther Mott was a grandson of Thomas Mott (b.1757) and Mary Couzens (b.1761). Refer to further Posts.



At the end of World War 1, when John Wesley Mott (1891-1979) and his brother William Mott (1893) visited Andrew Luther Mott's widow Mary, she gave the brace of Napoleon Bonaparte's pistols to John Wesley Mott (1891-1979). (refer to the pistols further down in this Post) 

To his brother William (1893), she gave the Mott family seal ring with it's swan wings insignia and M below, a snuff box, a gold toothpick and a minature of Andrew Mott Snr with a strand of his wife's hair woven and enclosed at the back.  (refer to minature further down in this Post).

William Mott was one of the soldiers who inscribed his name in the French cave Naours during WW1. Naours is an underground city, 100 feet underground, and 3 kilometre long complex of tunnels with hundreds of chambers dug out over centuries. The site's proximity to the Somme battlefields where more than 1 million men were killed or wounded is significant. More than 2000 Australian, British, Canadian and United States soldiers left graffiti message on the walls of Naours. 


  

 A sketch of the seal ring given to William Mott in 1918, 
a sketch of Commander Andrew Mott Jnr who Napoleon Bonaparte surrendered his pistols to
 and the home of Andrew Luther & Mary Mott in Rowlands Castle, Hampshire.




Tombstone for Andrew Luther Mott (1828-1904) and Mary Ann Mott (1839-1924) 
at Kingston Cemetery, Portsmouth, England.



It is well recorded that when Napoleon Bonaparte surrendered to Lieutenant Andrew Mott (Jnr) on 15 July 1815, he gave Andrew Mott his 2 pistols.  (Refer to "The Brisbane Courier" 27 August 1927 below).
  
I have now discovered that the pistols are on display in Museo Napoleonico, Havana, Cuba, but more about that further down.


The family of Andrew Mott (Snr):


Samuel Mott (born 1713) married Margaret Chalicome (about 1713-10 December 1771), a widow, on 18 July 1742 at Fleet Prison. Samuel was in the First Regiment of Foot Guards. Margaret was previously widowed.  They had 6 children - Samuel Mott 31 July 1743-25 October 1745, John Mott 22 Dec 1746-22 October 1747,  Elizabeth Mott born 30 October 1748, Mary Mott born 19 April 1750, John Mott born 13 August 1751 and

Andrew Mott (Snr) born 27 October 1752 in Westminster.  He was baptised 24 November 1752 at Saint John the Evangelist, Smith Square, Westminster, London.  Andrew Mott died 12 November 1819 at Old Clee, Grimsby, Lincolnshire.               There is a Memorial Tablet inside the Church which reads 
"Here lies an honest man the noblest work of God Andrew Mott Post Captain in His Majesty's Royal Navy who died 12 November 1819 aged 67 years".

Andrew Mott's Will dated 8 November 1819 left most of his money to his 4th wife Catherine, the house and also a silver coffee pot and stand.

Son Pierce Humphreys Mott born 25 February 1792 (child of 3rd wife Esther), inherited 100 Pounds, his swords, pistols and epaulettes and the gold watch from his step brother Andrew Mott Jnr 1786-1818 (child of 2nd wife Jane).    Were these pistols the ones that Napoleon gave to Andrew Mott Jnr in 1815? Probably not as he did not specifically mention that fact like he mentioned the gold watch that he bequeathing to Eliza.

And Daughter Eliza Mott born 25 April 1793, (child of 3rd wife Esther) inherited 50 Pounds, also a gold watch that belonged to a (previous) wife and had been in the family very many years. Possibly the watch belonged to Esther, Eliza's mother.

Andrew Mott married 4 times:
1. Eleanor Melligan (born 1754 - 26 February 1782) on 10 September 1774 in Liverpool, Lancashire.  
Andrew Mott (Snr) and Eleanor had a daughter Mary Piggot Mott born 8 January 1782 in Wigan and baptised on 19 January 1782 at All Saints, Wigan, Lancashire. Eleanor was the widow of John Twohig who died 6 September 1770 and her parents were John and Mary Melligan. Eleanor died just seven weeks after Mary was born.  Mary died young as Eliza Mott was recorded as 3rd in seniority when she was baptised in 1794.

2. Jane Radford on 30 September 1784 in St John the Baptist Cathedral, St John's, Newfoundland, Canada.  Jane died 25 November 1787.

Andrew Mott (Snr) and Jane had a son -  Andrew Mott (Jnr) born 19 March 1786 in Liverpool.  He was baptised 4 April 1786 in St Paul, Lancashire.   Andrew died at 32 years from a head injury and was buried 30 June 1818 in St Mary, Sculcoates, near Hull, Yorkshire.  On 15 July 1815 Napoleon surrendered to Andrew Mott and gave him his 2 pistols. Some way or another they ended up in the possession of Andrew Luther Mott and John Wesley Mott in Australia, until sold in the early 1950s.  More about that story later in this Blog.

3. Esther Humphreys on 5 November 1788 in Liverpool, St Nicholas, Lancashire, England.

Andrew Mott (Snr) and Esther had a son Peers Humphreys Mott born 26 July 1789 and baptised 4 September 1789 at St Nicholas, Liverpool, Lancashire. Peers had to have died before 25 February 1792 as that is when their second son was born. 

Pierce Humphreys Mott born 25 February 1792.  He was baptised 21 June 1792 in Liverpool, St Nicholas, Lancashire and died September 1843 in Haverford West, Pembrokeshire, Wales.  Pierce Mott served in His Majesty's Navy for 20 years, 13 years as a Lieutenant. In 1811 he was Sub-Lieutenant on H.M.Brig "Pioneer" and was hurt of Hernia.  For 6 years he was in the Coast Blockade with repeated attacks of Fever and Ague that caused his health to suffer as to preventing his continuing duties. 

Pierce Humphreys Mott married Charlotte Frances Smith of St Pauls Deptford, Kent on 8 February 1816 in St Mary, Lewisham.  They had a child Andrew Cook Mott who married Eliza Norton Sudlow on 14 September 1854 in St Mary, Lancashire, England.   Andrew Cook Mott died 18 April 1874 and Eliza died 30 March 1881 in Tranmere, Cheshire. 

Andrew and Esther Mott also had a daughter Eliza Mott born 25 April 1793 and baptised at St Nicholas, Liverpool, Lancashire on 25 April 1794.  Baptismal record shows Esther was deceased by 25 April 1794, Andrew was living at Islington Row, a Lieutenant in the Navy, and they married in this Chapel in 1788.  Eliza Mott married Edward Clark (22) born 1787 on 4 September 1809 at Sculcoates, York.  Eliza was only 16 but the record says she was 21!  Eliza and Edward Clark had 10 children, all starting with E.  Eliza Clark married George Wray (1807-1874) at Hook, York on 20 August 1849. They both died in 1874 and are buried in St Phillips Parish, Sheffield, York, England.

4. Catherine Mary Pemberton of St Oswald, City of Chester on 5 November 1801 in St Martin in the Fields, Westminster, London.  Catherine died 1848.
Andrew Mott (Snr) left most of his money and house to his 4th wife Catherine in his Will dated eighth day of November 1819. 
.


Records to support the research


This record shows Samuel Mott and Margaret Chalicome married 18 July 1733, yet the record below shows 1742. The names recorded are the same for 1733 and 1742! Their first child was born 31 July 1743, a year after their marriage in 1742.



Samuel Mott married Margaret Chalicome on 18 July 1742


 

Andrew Mott born 27 October 1752 in Westminster to Samuel & Margaret Mott




Andrew Mott's first marriage - Ellin/Elnor/Eleanor (Milligan) Twohig, 
 a widow, on 10 September 1774 in Liverpool.




Andrew and Eleanor Mott's  only child - Mary Piggot Mott born 8 January 1782
and baptised 19 January 1782 in Wigan (top of page 61).




Andrew Mott and Jane Radford married 30 September 1784
 at St John the Baptist Cathedral in St John, Newfoundland, Canada.




Andrew Mott (Jnr) born 19 March 1786, baptised 4 April 1786 
in Saint Paul's, Saint Paul's Square, Liverpool.  Parents Andrew & Jane Mott (11)




Andrew Mott's 3rd marriage -  Esther Humphreys on 5 November 1788 in Liverpool.





Peers Humphreys Mott born 26 July 1789 and baptised 4 September 1789
 at St Nicholas, Liverpool, Lancashire (746) son of Andrew & Esther Mott



Pierce Humphreys Mott born 25 February 1792, baptised 21 June 1792 in Liverpool (559)
Son of Andrew & Esther Mott.




Note the headings on page 300 as they help to explain page 301.


Eliza Mott born 25 April 1793 and baptised 25 April 1794 in St Nicholas, Lancashire. Her mother Esther was recorded as deceased. Her father Andrew Mott was living in Islington Row and a Lieutenant in the Navy. Her parents married in that Chapel.  Eliza was 3rd in line of seniority - Andrew, Pierce, Eliza. (4th entry from bottom).




Andrew Mott's 4th marriage - to Catherine Mary Pemberton, a spinster,  on 5 November 1801
 in St. Martin in the Fields, Westminster, London.  No issue.




Andrew Cook Mott married Eliza Norton Sudlow on 14 September 1854 in St Mary, Lancashire.



Eliza Mott - born 1793 at Liverpool, Lancashire

(Contributed by Glen Petfield). 

Eliza was all class with a sense of humor. All of her children’s names had to start with E. 

Eliza was born to Lieutenant Andrew Mott and Esther Humphreys at Liverpool, Lancashire on 25 April 1793 and baptised on 25 April 1794 at St Nicholas, Liverpool, the same Chapel where her parents were married in 1788.  The record shows Esther was deceased by 25 April 1794, Andrew was living at Islington Row and a Lieutenant in the Navy. Eliza was 3rd in seniority hence why 3 on the record. 

Her father Andrew was a Navy man and would make a name for himself in 1797 on the ship HMS Sandwich off Kent. It is not known how Eliza survived in her early years without a mother and her father heavily involved in the war with France. One can only surmise that it was the Navy family that cared for Eliza as the the Mariners played am important part in her later life. 

Eliza had an older half brother Andrew born in 1786 to a previous marriage of her father.

Brother Andrew was in the Royal Navy at an early age being promoted to First Lieutenant in 1805 aged 19. Her brother would also make a name for himself in 1815 on the ship HMS Bellerophon nicknamed by the crew as the “Billy Ruffian” He was the Lieutenant Andrew Mott who would take Napoleon into custody. 

Eliza had one other brother Pierce H Mott born in 1792 to Andrew and Esther. Pierce also joined the Navy at a young age. In 1801 her father at the age of 49 married for the fourth time to Catherine Pemberton in London. Andrew and Catherine would take up residence at Grimsby in Lincolnshire, he became prominent in the politics of the town. 

In 1809 Eliza Mott married Edward Clark at Sculcoates Hull in Yorkshire. Eliza claimed she was 21 at the time of her marriage. If it were not for later records we would presume this was a different couple. Eliza and Edward had 1 son and 9 daughters.

Her first child was Eliza born in 1813 at Grimsby most likely at the home of her father. Their only son Edward P H Clark (named after her husband and her brother) was born in 1815 at Kingston Upon Hull. 7 more daughters would be baptized at Hull, Emma in 1817, Emily 1819, Esther 1823, Elizabeth 1823, Elmira 1826, Edith in 1827 and Euphemia 1831. Their last daughter Eudora was baptized in 1835 at Hook in Yorkshire

Sadly Eliza’s brother Captain Andrew Mott was injured early in his career and passed away aged 32 in 1818 at Sculcoates, Hull. Her father also a Captain Andrew Mott passed away the following year at Grimsby in Lincolnshire. Eliza Clark is mentioned in her fathers Will of 1819, and to my daughter Eliza Clark fifty pounds”.... "The old family watch I give to my daughter Eliza Clark hoping she will take care of it as it has been in the family very many years".   

By 1841 Eliza had relocated to Doyle Street Snaith in Yorkshire. With her were Elizabeth 17, Elmira 15 and Euphemia aged 11. Also with her in 1841 are 2 grandchildren Edward Clark 4 and Edwin Clark aged 2. Edward and Edwin are the children of Edward P H Clark and his first wife Hannah Wilson. 

In 1849 at Hook in Yorkshire, at the age of 56 Eliza marries for the second time to a much younger George Wray. In 1851 grandson Edward Clark aged 14 was living with Eliza and George Wray. By 1861 Eliza 68 and George 54 had retired to Alfred Street Ripley in Derbyshire. Also by 1861 Edward Clark junior was also “Navy” described as “Mate” and residing in Lancashire.

By 1874 they had once again moved and were residing at West Don Street in SheffieldOn the 17th of May 1874 both George 66 and Eliza 81 were buried at St Phillips Parish in Sheffield. 

This is not the end of Eliza’s story, her son Edward Pierce Humphrey Clark will continue the families connection with the Sea as a Master Mariner. 

Edward first married Hannah Wilson in 1835 at Hook in Yorkshire. They had 2 children Edward in 1837 and Edwin in 1839. In 1856 he married for the second time to a much younger Rose Hutchings at Newcastle upon Tyne. Rose was born at Bath in Somerset in 1835. 

Rose Hutchings was baptized 10 Jan 1836 to a John and Louisa. In 1841 she was living with her parents and her siblings James 15, Henry 14, Elizabeth 11, Emily 10, William 8, George 3 and Francis 0. By 1851 Rosa aged 15 has moved out of a crowded house and is described as the head of a house at Green Street in Bath Somerset. 

Edward P H Clark and Rosa started their married life together at Durham on the north east coast of England. Edward, “being another seafarer” was seldom at home. By 1861 Rosa was living in Lumley Street Hartlepool Durham described as a Mariners Wife. With her were Emily E Clark 4 born at Monkwearmouth, Durham and George Alfred Clark aged 1 born at Sunderland, Durham. Also with them was Rosa’s sister Elizabeth Hutchings aged 30 who was born at Bath in Somerset. Two more children were born to Edward and Rosa at Durham Alexander 1802 and Rosa 1804.

By 1871 Edward had relocated his family to Charlton in Kent close to the London Docks. Edward and Rosa had one more son, another Edward born in 1874 at Charlton in Kent. In 1881 Edward was described as a Master Mariner aged 64, living at Glenmohr Row Charlton Lane Woolwich in London. Only Rosa aged 44, Alexander aged 19 and Edward aged 7 and 2 Lodgers were with them. By 1891 Edward and Rosa Clark are alone and Edward aged 75 gives his occupation as a Strapman. 

Note: In the 19th century Monkwearmouth in Durham was absorbed by the Port of Sunderland owing to the importance of the Shipbuilding docks. 

Note: Edward named a second son Edward in 1874. Did his first son of 1837 have a mishap at sea? 

Note: Compiled by Glen Petfield  2020    fflintstone787@gmail.com


By today the descendants of Eliza Mott will be many as indicated by these census records of only 2 of her descendants. 

Census 1891 at Woolwich, Greenwich

George Clark 32 Head born Co Durham, occupation Stoker, Mary Ann Clark 27 Wife  born Kent, Rosa Clark 5 Daughter born Kent, Emily Clark 4 Daughter born Kent, George Clark 3 Son born Kent, Elcia Clark 1 Daughter born Kent. 

Census 1911 Greenwich, London

George Alfred Clark 52 Head born Sunderland, Durham occupation Stoker and Engine Driver, Mary Ann Clark 47 Wife born Bermondsey London, Rosa Maria Clark 25 Daughter born Charlton, Kent occupation Machine Hand, Alice Victoria Clark 19 Daughter born Charlton, Kent occupation Machine Hand, Violet Clark 16 Daughter born Plumstead, Kent, William Hadrold 14 Son born Charlton, Kent, Dorothy Isabell Hadrold 11 Daughter born Charlton, Kent, Gladys Gertrude Hadrold 8 Daughter born Charlton, Kent, Frank Herbert Hadrold 6 Son born Charlton, Kent, Lilian Christiania Clark 2 Daughter born Charlton, Kent, Rosa Clark 75 Mother Bath, Somersetshire. 

Census 1891 Plumstead, Greenwich

Alexander Clark 29 Head born Old Hartlepool Yorkshire Railway Engine Stoker, Bertie Clark 6 Son born Kent, Rebecca Clark 28 Wife born Kent, Rosa Clark 0 Daughter born Kent.

Census 1901 Charlton Woolwich

Alexander Clark 39 Head born Hull, Yorkshire occupation Engine Fitters Labourer, Rebecca Clark 39 Wife born Kent, Bernard Clark 16 Son born London, Rose Clark 10 Daughter born Plumstead, London, Alexander Clark 8 Son born Plumstead, London. 

Census 1911 Stafford, Staffordshire

Alexander Clark 50 Head born Hartley Pool, Durham Labourer, Rebbeca Clark 49 Wife born Kent, Alick Clark 19 Son born Kent, Mable Johnson 10 Niece born Brixton London, Thomas Walch 50 Boarder. 

Note: Spellings and places of birth are as they appear in the records.

Note: Compiled by Glen Petfield  2020    fflintstone787@gmail.com


It seems that the parents of Andrew Mott (Snr) were Samuel (b.1713) and Margaret Chalicome (1713-1771) and we have been able to establish a good family tree for them.  My question is how does he fit into the family tree as established in further Posts from Thomas Mott born 1757 and Mary Couzens born 1761?  Andrew Luther Mott was the grandson of Thomas Mott 1757. 

Pierce Humphrey Mott was 27 when his father Andrew died in 1819.  Pierce Mott died in Pembrokeshire, Wales in 1843 and had a son Andrew Cook Mott who died in 1874. 

How did the pistols get into Andrew Luther Mott's hands?  One suggestion has been that when Andrew Mott (Jnr) returned to Portsea after Napoleon surrendering in 1815, Andrew gave the pistols to the Portsea Mott family for safe keeping.  He never returned to Portsea as he died unexpectedly in 1818 and his father died in 1819.

If you can enlighten me further I would be most grateful.

Glen Petfield has contributed his thoughts in 2022.

Arthur Petfield's mother Florence Jane Mott descends from a Thomas Mott 1757-1832. This Thomas may have been a brother to that Andrew Mott's father however there is no positive record and my DNA research with a descendant of that Andrew Mott senior 1752-1819 indicates no blood relationship.

My research shows that Andrew Luther Mott (a great great uncle to Arthur Petfield) was wealthy and I believe that he may have purchased the pistols from a cash strapped cousin. Andrew Luther Mott died in 1904 and it was his wife Mary who gave the pistols to the Australian WW1 hero John Wesley Mott (cousin to Florence Petfield) about 1918. Andrew L and Mary had no children. Mary believed John W and his brother William T were worthy of the family heirlooms.


"Memorial" of Pierce Humphreys Mott 1792-1843

I have a copy of a "memorial" of Pierce Humphreys Mott (born 1792), which is among family documents held by Tam Large, a descendant of Pierce Mott.  Its date is unknown, as is the purpose of the memorial. Pierce was given an appointment under Trinity House after his retirement, so this may be his petition for that, but he does not appear in the list of Trinity House appointments published by the Society of Genealogists.

Copy of Memorial to His Royal Highness The Lord High Admiral, etc, etc, etc.

The Memorial of Pierce Humphrey Mott, A Lieutenant in the Royal Navy.

Most humbly showeth

That the father and brother of your Royal Highnesses memorialist were both Captains in the Royal Navy, and are now dead. 

That your memorialist's father served his Sovereign faithfully during a period of more than fifty years. That in the course of that service, and while Lieut. of His Majesty's ship "Sandwich", in the year 1797, he rendered to his Country most important service by seizing and securing the person of the mutineer Parker, this leading to his conviction and punishment, and to the suppression of a spirit of insubordination which threatened to alienate the loyalty of the whole Body of seamen of His Majesty's Navy, to the great terror of His Majestie's peaceable subjects and to the imminent danger of the Nation, and thereby lending principally to the restoration of order in the British Fleet and of confidence and tranquillity in the Country. That so greatly importante did the Government consider that seizure that it had previously issued a Proclamation of a promised pecuniary reward to any Person that would perform it, but that Your memorialist's Father did not receive the pecuniary reward in consequence of his holding a commission in His Majesty's Navy at the time of the achievement. That Your memorialist's Father was Senior Lieutenant on board the "Ardent" under the orders of the late Lord Nelson at the Action of Copenhagen, in which action Your memorialist's Father received a severe injury of Hernia which accelerated his death. 

That Your memorialist's Brother was upwards of twenty years in constant active service in His Majesty's Navy, and that he was distinguished alike for his abilities as an officer, as by his cool and determined courage on detached and other hazardous enterprise. That Your memorialist's Brother while mate of His Majesty's ship "Alemere" in 1804 volunteered and with six other volunteers in the cutter of that ship. Assisted only by one other boat, succeeded in saving the crew of His Majesty's ship "Severn" when wrecked on the Island of Guernsey. [sic. it was actually Jersey]. For which service Your memorialist's Brother received the most flattering acknowledgement of the Commander in Chief (Sir James Saumarez) and was promoted to the Rank of Lieutenant in consequence. That Your memorialist's Brother while Senior Lieutenant of His Majesty's ship "Bellerophon" was the officer appointed to receive and conduct on board that ship Napoleon Buonaparte, on which occasion he was promoted to the Rank of Commander, but that Your memorialist's Brother did not long enjoy the honor thus conferred upon him, having been brought to premature grave by the effect of a severe hurt on the head received in the early part of his servitude in His Majesty's Navy. 

Your memorialist most humbly solicits permission to state to Your Royal Highness that he has served His Majesty's Navy nearly twenty three years, upwards of thirteen of which he has had the honor to hold a commission as Lieutenant, and that previous to his promotion Your memorialist served as acting Lieutenant three years. That Your memorialist has been engaged in the most active service. In 1811 whilst serving as Sub-Lieutenant in His Majesty's Brig "Pioneer", in an action with the enemy in Basque Roads, Your memorialist received a severe hurt of Hernia. Your memorialist further respectfully states to Your Royal Highness, that he has served in the Coast Blockade nearly six years, that from the arduous duties he has had to perform with repeated attacks of Fever and Ague his health has so materially suffered as to prevent his continuing those duties. 

And your memorialist with every sentiment of profound respect, most humbly but fervently hopes that Your Royal Highness will graciously condescend to give the claims of his family and himself your Royal Highnesses favourable consideration, and that as Your memorialist is now the only remaining  branch of a family who have with pride (and Your memorialist begs permission to say) faithfully served their Sovereign. Your memorialist venture to cherish a hope that Your Royal Highness will be pleased to fulfill the prayer of this humble petition by granting him that promotion the attainment of which is the proudest object Your memorialist has in this world.

And your memorialist as in Duty bound shall ever pray."

This document confirms Pierce Humphreys Mott was the son of Andrew Mott (Snr) and Esther Humphreys (the 3rd wife). 
This document confirms Andrew Mott (Snr) served on the "Sandwich" in 1797. 
This document confirms Andrew Mott (Jnr) was the (step) brother of Pierce Humphreys Mott and was Senior Lieutenant of His Majesty's ship "Bellerophon" and the officer appointed to receive Napoleon Bonaparte.
This document confirms Andrew Mott (Jnr) was promoted to Commander but died prematurely as the result of an injury to his head. He was buried 30 June 1818 in St Mary, Sculcoates, Yorkshire. 



St Mary's Church in Sculcoates, Yorkshire
 where Senior Lieutenant Andrew Mott was buried on 30 June 1818.




I have read an interesting account of Napoleon's capture on: 
adventuresinhistoryland.com/2015/02/11/catching-napoleon/

.................Maitland ordered Lieutenant Mott to take the barge and go and fetch him.  Andrew Mott was a long serving sea officer too, his date of birth is not know, but he was probably around Maitland's age or a little younger.  He was strict but a well respected officer, just the type Maitland liked to have as his executive, a man who was tireless in his duty which he performed admireably and was a harsh counterbalance to his own general affability.   Mott immediately had the barge launched and was soon on his way to intercept the brig, he would recount that most of the crew of l'Epervier had tears in their eyes as Napoleon boarded the barge, and cheered him at the top of their heartbroken lungs until pout of earshot as they watched him board the British ship...........................

I understand the author has a literary licence, but the point here is that he is referring to Mott being a little younger that Maitland.  Maitland was born 1777 so was 39 in 1815.  That means it was Andrew Mott (Jnr) that Napoleon surrendered to as he would have been 32 in 1815.  They both seem very young for such responsible tasks. 

 Last Will and Testament of Andrew Mott (Snr)

I also have a copy of the Last Will and Testament of Andrew Mott (Snr), proved in London on 20 January 1820 where he wills his house, coffee-pot and stand and most of his money to his (4th) wife Catherine.  One hundred pounds to his son Pierce Humphreys Mott and 50 pounds to his daughter Eliza Clarke (both from 3rd wife Esther).  Pierce Humphreys Mott received the gold watch that belonged to his step brother Andrew Mott (Jnr) and Eliza received the old gold family watch (probably belonged to her Mother Esther). The swords, pistol, epaulettes and books were given to Pierce Humphreys Mott.  
Signed this 8th day of  November 1819. Andrew Mott.



Andrew Mott (Snr) Will dated 8 November 1819 and Proved 20 January 1820.




Two Memorials to Captain Andrew Mott 
can be found in Old Clee Church in Grimsby, Lincolnshire.




Memorial Tablet to Captain Andrew Mott 1752-1819. 
It reads "Here lies an honest man the noblest work of God Andrew Mott
 Post Captain in His Majesty's Royal Navy who died 12 November 1819 aged 67 years".
Post Captain means he could be called up for service even though he had retired.



First Lieutenant Andrew Mott was rewarded for his part in the Nore Mutiny 1797.
He quelled the mutiny on the "Sandwich" in the Thames River, London.


Here lies an honest man

Inside Old Clee Church, on the North side of the tower, is a memorial tablet fixed to the wall. 

  Carved into the stonework are the following words:

Here lies an honest man,

the noblest gift of God,

Andrew Mott,

Post Captain of His Majesty’s Navy,

Died 12th November 1819,

aged 67 years.

Behind this modest announcement lies an interesting story of British naval history, or what is known in the records as the Nore Mutiny.

The year 1797 was a difficult one for the British Government, due to a severe shortage of cash, and as a result paper money had to be introduced.  During this time of financial difficulties our seamen were miserably paid and abominably treated in many ways.  They could only be compelled into service by the odious operation of the press gangs.

Prize money was also unfairly distributed by the chief officers.  Their treatment on board ship was often barbarous, unfeeling and degrading.  Thieving contractors of food and other supplies and equally rascalled Navy Commissioners robbed the ordinary seamen of many of their rights.

On the 16th April 1797 matters came to a head and the fleet mutineed and raised the red flag at every ships mast.

At first members of the Admiralty took  little notice of the men's demands, but they soon realised the seamen were not to be fooled any longer so after several days the Government eventually passed a Bill through Parliament granting all the men a pardon and at the same time accepting all their demands.

While the fleet at Portsmouth agreed to accept the settlement, the men of the Nore Fleet, off the mouth of the Thames, refused to do so and led by an agitator, Richard Parker, they not only demanded more money and better conditions but also changes in the Articles of War.

Meanwhile the men had placed their war ship across the mouth of the Thames, thus stopping river traffic completely.

The Admiralty flatly refused the demands of the men of the Nore Fleet and immediately pulled up all the buoys at the mouth of the river and at the same time started to erect batteries of cannon to fire red hot balls at the ships.  They declared the Nore fleet was in a state of rebellion.

This prompt action on the part of the Admiralty broke down the men’s resistance. Fourth Lieutenant Andrew Mott was released from the cabin where he had been detained, and carried a message to the Admiralty, indicating that the seamen of the Nore Fleet would return to normal duties if a free pardon was granted.  Andrew Mott returned with a satisfactory reply and the men in return pulled down the red flag and fired a royal salute in honour of the King’s birthday as a sign of loyalty.

One by one the ships pulled out of the mouth of the Thames, and finally the war ship “Sandwich” on which Lieutenant Mott served, which also had on board the agitator Richard Parker, followed the same example.  The Captain of the “Sandwich” was somewhat worried at Parker, the ringleader, still being free to roam the ship, arranged with Lieutenant Mott that he should be arrested, placed in irons and locked up in a cabin.

Richard Parker was tried and eventually hung at the yard-arm of his old ship. Some of the other delegates of the mutineers were also executed and others were imprisoned in ships hulks.

Andrew Mott later became a Post Captain, meaning that he had charge of a warship possessing 20 or more guns.

Later is is said Captain Andrew Mott’s son was in charge of the warship which took Napoleon Bonaparte to exile in St Helena.

 

There is an oval watercolour miniature in 

National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London.

Andrew Mott - Snr or Jnr?!! 

(Updated July 2014) Oval miniature in watercolour, in a slightly worn gilt metal oval suspension locket with a loose metal ring fitted in the fixed loop at the top. The back is glazed and holds a finely plaited layer of brown, almost auburn, hair. The sitter is shown bust-length turned partly to his left but looking out at the viewer. He wears a dark blue coat, open over a  blue-spotted white waistcoat with a double row of white or silver buttons, a white neckcloth, and has dark natural hair, curled above his ears and with short sideburns. His eyes are a mid-brown. He is shown against a shoreline background, with a lightly clouded blue sky above, low vegetation to the left, and beach and sea to the right, with the stern of an anchored ship bearing what appears to be a post-1801 red ensign from a staff. The ship is a small one (single deck) and is unrealistic in that a mizzen mast and spars ought to be visible from what is shown of the hull but are not present. The miniature was purchased and presented to the Museum in 1935 as of 'Captain Andrew de la Motte' by 'Paul Jean'. Subsequent correspondence in 1956 with W.H. Hoult, a descendant of the sitter, suggests that he is probably more correctly Andrew Mott, born in 1752, who became a Royal Naval lieutenant in January 1783. He was first lieutenant of the 'Ardent' at the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, after which he was promoted commander (27 April 1801). As such he commanded the hired armed ship 'Prince William' (14 guns) between at least 1807 and 1810, in which on 23 August 1807 he captured the 'St. Jurgen' and on 19 June 1810, the Danish privateer 'Swalen'. He became a post-captain in August 1812, died aged 67 on 19 November 1819 at Grimsby, and was buried there at Clee Church, New Grimsby. While the stern of the ship shown in the miniature is non-specific it could be a vessel of the 'Prince William's' size. Daphne Foskett's 'Dictionary of British Miniature Painters' (1972) only lists the well-known Philip - or Phillipe - Jean (1755-1802) and his pupil and son, Roger (c.1783-1828), who also practised in London and, from 1813, in Norwich. This item certainly has similarity to Philip Jean's work, though not of his best quality, while the two examples of Roger's reproduced by Foskett (vol 2, pl.187) are of such different subjects as to exclude meaningful comparison. It may be that - as apparently with 'de la Motte' - 'Paul' is simply an old mistake for one or the other. If by Philip, however, this item would have to be very late since he died in 1802. A follower or pupil may then be more likely. The curious element is that naval officers are usually depicted in uniform, so the sitter identification also has to remain provisional.

Date made          circa 1801-1810?

Artist/Maker      Jean, Paul

Credit    National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection

Materials             glass; gilt metal; human hair

Measurements Overall: 71 x 61 mm

Parts     

Captain Andrew Mott [or de la Motte] 


The above article in the National Maritime Museum suggests it was originally thought to be Andrew Mott (Jnr), but W.H.Hoult suggests it was Andrew Mott (Snr). It does confirm Andrew Mott's (Snr) death date as 19 (12?) November 1819 at Old Clee, at 67 years, therefore born 1752. It was made 1801-1810 which was before Mott Jnr became famous in 1815, so has to be Mott Snr. On the back of the minature is a finely plaited layer of his wife's hair; Andrew Mott (Jnr) never married. I reckon we have solved that beyond doubt!

Further detective work found Walter Hartmann Hoult  was indeed a descendant of Andrew Mott (born 26 March 1908 in Yorkshire and died April 1971 in Cheshire).

Walter Hartmann Hoult was born 1908 and died 1971.  
He was a descendant down Eliza Clark's family and her daughter Elizabeth who married James Smith.

National Maritime Museum states: 
Andrew Mott (Snr)
1797 First Lieutenant Mott quelled the mutiny on the "Sandwich" in the Thames estuary. 
27 April 1801 Promoted to Lieutenant Commander.
1807-1811  HMS "Prince William" under the command of Captain Andrew Mott.
23 August 1807 "Prince William" was under the command of Captain Andrew Mott when she captured the St Jurgen, a Danish ship carrying wine and brandy.
19 June 1810 "Prince William" was still under Mott's command and captured the Danish privateer Swalen".  
Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815 & The British Imperial Calender mentions Andrew Mott. 
12 August 1812 Andrew Mott promoted to Captain (CA).
While Senior Lieutenant on "Ardent" and under orders of  Lord Nelson at the Action of Copenhagen, he received a severe injury of Hernia which accelerated his death.
Before 1817 Post Captain Andrew Mott (Snr) retired from the Navy and was active in Politics at Grimsby, Lincolnshire. Post Captain means that in an emergency he could be called up for service.


Andrew Mott (Jnr):
1804 Mate (Petty Officer) on His Majesty's "Alemere" when he succeeded in saving the crew of HMS "Severn" when wrecked on the Island of Jersey.  Promoted to Lieutenant in consequence. 
15 May 1805 Promoted from Senior Captain to First Lieutenant at the age of 19.
1807 "Duke of York" under the command of Lieutenant Mott.  
1815 First Lieutenant of HMS Bellerophon and personally took the surrender of Napoleon.  Promoted to Commander.


Pierce Humphreys Mott:
Served in Her Majesty's Navy 20 years, 13 years as Lieutenant. 
1811 Sub Lieutenant on His Majesty's Brig "Pioneer" with a hurt to his Hernia.
6 years in the Coast Blockade with repeated attacks of fever and ague that caused his health to deteriorate preventing him to perform continuing duties. 



The minature of Andrew Mott Snr is on display in National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. The back shows a finely plaited layer of brown, almost auburn, hair, just like the description of William Mott's minature.



We do know that Napoleon's 2 pistols were surrendered to First Lieutenant Andrew Mott by Napoleon  on 15 July 1815 and some how came into the hands of Andrew Luther Mott (1828-1904).  In 1918 the widow of Andrew Luther Mott gave the pistols to John Wesley Mott (1891-1979) as a worthy member of the Mott family. Lieutenant John Wesley Mott won a Military Cross and Distinguished Conduct Medal in WW1.  It appears that the wife of J.W.Mott took the pistols to Melbourne where they were sold by auction early 1950s, so they are no longer in the Mott family. 


This article was in "The Brisbane Courier" on Saturday 27 August 1927

Napoleon's Pistols in BrisbaneBy Spencer Browne.

Napoleon's Abdication and Flight.  
After Waterloo, after the furious days "when Wellington smashed Bonaparte," Napoleon returned to Paris, hoping to reorganise his shattered forces, to form a new army and fight on. He found, however, a war weary Paris, and a hostile Chamber of Deputies, and sent a delegation, in response to an imperious call, to represent the causes of the loss of the battle of Waterloo, and his proposals for public safety, and for treating with the combined Powers for peace. The Ministers, with Prince Lucien at their head, suggested a committee of five members from each Chamber to discuss the proposals of the Emperor, but they found the Deputies arrogantly hostile, and obviously bent upon an abdication. M. Henry Lacoste said: "The veil is torn aside - our misfortunes are known. You talk to us of peace; but what new basis will you give to your negotiations.

You know as well as we that Europe has declared war against Napoleon alone. Will you hence forth separate the nation from Napoleon? For my part, I declare I see but one man between us and peace. Let him speak and the country will be saved." The Deputies granted the Emperor an hour's grace to declare himself. The Emperor's friends, including Prince Lucien and Prince Joseph, urged that the time for other action had passed, and urged submission, and Napoleon, with an ironical smile, said to the Duke of Orleans: "Write to those gentlemen to make themselves easy; they shall soon be satisfied." and one of the historians tells us: "He then wrote his abdication." But Napoleon insisted that he had only abdicated in favour of his son. The return of Grouchy to France with his army intact, and the rally of the wrecks from the forces of Waterloo, saw the formation of a force of some 50,000 or 60,000 men, and they showed that they still could sting, the Prussians being badly cut up on one occasion; but the French vainly sought an armistice. Blucher would have no armistice, and the so-called treachery of Fouche, of the Prince of Echmuhl, and others, and the practical investment of Paris by the Allies, broke the French spirit or bent it to the Allied will. From the headquarters of the Allies at Hagenau was issued a peremptory note, aimed at the surrender of Napoleon and the ex-Emperor saw that it was time to "up sticks and off."

How Napoleon left France.
It may be said that had it not been for treacheries the French soldiers would have put up a desperate fight for their country as they regarded the situation and for their beloved Napoleon. Much blood shedding on both sides was saved by the firmness of the Allies. The note from their headquarters referred to above ran thus: "The three Powers consider it as an essential condition of peace and real tranquillity that Napoleon Bonaparte shall be incapable of disturbing the peace of Europe in future; and in consequence of the events which occurred in March last (1813), the Powers must insist on Napoleon Bonaparte being placed in their custody. Napoleon, who had left the Imperial Palace as a matter of discretion, and was practically under the guardianship of General Beker, at Malmaison, had moved on to Rochefort, and on the day after the Prussians surrounded the palace where the Government held its sittings (July 8), Louis XVIII returned in triumph and took possession of his capital and throne." 

Napoleon went on board the frigate La Saale, with his suite on the Medusa, and anchored at the Isle of Aix. On July 10, an English fleet of eleven vessels was seen cruising within sight of the port, and on July 11 Napoleon sent to inquire of the British Admiral whether he was authorised to allow him liberty to go to England or the United States, and the answer from the Admiral was that he was ready to receive Napoleon and convey him to England. Dissatisfied with such a reply, history tells us, Napoleon had some idea of going on board an American vessel at the mouth of the Gironde, "whose captain would be most happy and proud to have received him." and also, "He also refused the proffered assistance of some young midshipmen full of courage and devotion, who, with two barks, swore they would forfeit their lives if they did not convey him to New York." Napoleon evidently was reluctant to be taken to the bosom of the American Republic, and decided for England. He sent a message to the British Admiral that on the following day he would go on board his vessel, and on July 15 he went off in the brig L'Epervier, and was received on board the H.M.S. Bellerophon with the honours due to his military rank."

Surrender to Captain Maitland.
It is clear from the account of Captain Maitland, of the Bellerophon that the honours were not paid to Napoleon when he first boarded that ship. Maitland, in his despatch on the surrender, said: "At break of day on July 15, 1815, L'Epervier French brig-of-war, was discovered under sail standing out towards the ship with a flag of truce up; and at the same time the Superb, bearing Sir Henry Hotham's flag, was seen in the offing. By half-past five the ebb tide failed, the wind was blowing right in, and the brig, which was within a mile of us, made no further progress, while the Superb was advancing with the wind and tide in her favour. Thus situated, and being most anxious to terminate the affair I had brought so near to a conclusion previous to the Admiral's arrival, I sent off Mr. Mott, the first lieutenant, in a barge, who returned soon after 6 o'clock, bringing Napoleon with him."   That brief historical sketch probably will revive the memories of folk who have not recently studied the Napoleonic career, and it is a prelude to a very interesting circumstance which has a close Queensland association.

Napoleon's Pair of Pistols.  
A few days ago I went with Mr. W. T. Mott, of Laura-street, South Brisbane, to the safe deposit vaults of the Queensland Trustees. Ltd., and there he showed me, and allowed me the great pleasure of handling and making a close inspection of a pair of pistols, most carefully preserved. They are old  flintlocks of a heavy calibre, and on the base of the stock each is the letter "N", with a crown and laurel wreath. These were presented by Napoleon at the time of his surrender in 1815 to the late Commander Andrew Mott, of H.M.S. Bellerophon, and they were "shown at the Naval Exhibition at Chelsea in 1891." by A. L. Mott, Esquire, R.X.E.  A certificate which endorses their bona fides, if that were necessary, seeing that they have not been out of the possession of the Mott family since they were presented to Commander Mott of the Bellerophon in 1815 is signed by Albert Edward J?, (the late King Edward, then Prince of Wales), and by Admiral W. M'Dowell. 

In the early days of the recent Great War. a young authorised surveyor, J. W. Mott, who was then on the Daly River, Northern Territory, came to Brisbane and enlisted in the 7th Field Engineers. Prior to gaining a commission overseas, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and then as a lieutenant he won the Military Cross. On going over to England on leave from France, the young soldier's relatives considered that he was well entitled to be the family holder of the pistols given by the great Napoleon to their relative, Commander Andrew Mott, who took the ex-Emperor from L'Epervier, and conveyed him to his formal surrender on the Bellerophon.

It was the father of Lieutenant J. W. Mott. M.C.. D.C.M., who showed me the pistols in Brisbane.  Mr. W. T. Mott is well known in Brisbane, having been for many years in the Public Service, and is the son of the late J. W. Mott, formerly a contractor in a big way, who came to Brisbane in 1893. It is doubtful if there is a more interesting, souvenir of war in the Commonwealth than this brace of pistols, which we may assume were carried in the holsters of the great military genius. Napoleon and the bent "grips" of which were so often in his hands. Their owner, Mr. J. W. Mott, is an authorised surveyor, practising at Bundaberg. It was an agreement with his father, Mr. W. T. Mott, that I should not "bring the young follow into the limelight."

I have had to mention him in connection with the Napoleon souvenir, as a historical necessity, and he must patiently bear the publicity.


John Wesley Mott 1891-1979

Military Records for John Wesley Mott 1891-1979 who inherited Napoleon's pistols and brought them to Brisbane at the end of WW1.

Name:  Mott, John Wesley. 

Rank:  Sapper 

Service Number:  6623/Q24623/QX64321 

Place of Birth:  Brisbane (Qld.) 

Next of Kin:  Mrs Caroline Madeline Mott - Mother ; Laura Street, South Brisbane, Queensland.

Biographical notes:  John Wesley Mott was the eldest born in Brisbane (Qld.) on 14 June 1891 to William Thomas and Caroline Madeline (nee Banks) Mott who had married in Queensland on 16 June 1890. His brother William Thomas was born on 11 February 1893; Charles Banks in 1896 and Caroline Marjorie in 1901. John attended Brisbane Boys Grammar School with a scholarship successfully matriculating in 1908 to undertake a surveying qualification. John commenced his surveying career in 1909 with Claude Newcombe at Maryvale Estate in New Soth Wales. Two years later he transferred as a cadet to F.J.Charlton, a prominent Queensland surveyor. Elected to the Queensland Institute of Surveyors whilst still a student in 1911, he made Fellow by 1967. John was appointed as a Staff Surveyor in the Northern Territory by the Department of Lands on the 23 April 1913. He worked in the Territory for 21/2 years before leaving for the war in November 1915. The NT Archives hold an oral history transcript at NTRS 226/TS289 and the record of his appointment in the Northern Territory at NTRS2660/P0001/2. This document is fragile but can be read under special conditions. Mott carried out extensive surveys between Roper River and north coast; his first camp was at Bitter Springs and his jobs included the surveying of Mataranka Station. He established an accurate longitude fix at Katherine, this being the first in the locality. Mott Court in Darwin, originally named MOTT STREET in 1955, is named in his honour. John moved back to Bundaberg after the war where he continued to practise as a surveyor from 1919. John married Dorothy Beatrice Harvey in Queensland on 25 July 1923 and they had three children including John Wesley Mott Jnr. who went on to work with his father in Toowoomba from 1943. Details of John’s surveying work in New Britain are given in his Service History. John retired to the outer Brisbane suburb of Strathpine where he was still doing the occasional survey as late as 1974. The Australian Surveyor for December 1979 has an obituary for John.

Occupation:  Surveyor 

Date of Enlistment:  18 December 1915.

Age at Enlistment:  24 

Place of Enlistment:  Brisbane (Qld.) 

Unit:  6th Field Company Engineers, 4th Reinforcement 

Service:  Australian Imperial Force 

Date of Death:  22 February 1979.

Honours and Awards:  Distinguished Conduct Medal 

Honours and Awards:  Military Cross 

Service History:  Sapper on enlistment roll and Lieutenant on Nominal Roll. Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A67 Orsova on 11 March 1916. Had been promoted to 2nd Corporal by the time he was awarded DCM. Promoted to sergeant in October and finally promoted to Lieutenant November 1917 and transferred to 7th Field Company Engineers. Wounded August 1918.

Recommended for Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry in investigating the condition of captured trenches under heavy bombardment and counter attack in the Hindenburg Line.'

Recommendation date: "8 May 1917

Received Distinguished Conduct Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On at least three occasions he has carried out surveys under heavy fire, with the object of ascertaining the situation after attacks. He has in each case brought back reliable information of the greatest value.'

Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 189

Date: 8 November 1917

Recommended for Military Cross

'Work at Hangard Wood 10-17 April 1918, at Morlancourt on 10 June 1918, at Villers-Bretonneux on 7 August 1918, at Framerville on 10-11 August 1918 and near Peronne on 29 August 1918.'

Recommendation date: 11 September 1918"

Received the Military Cross on 23 May 1919 as a Lieutenant.

RTA wounded Per HMT Leicestershire 09 December 1918 arriving back in Brisbane on 10 January 1919. Awarded the Military Cross New Year’s Day 1919. Discharged 11 March 1919.

Called up and rejoined the CMF 47 Battalion at Maryborough on 13 October 1941. By October 1941 he was a Commanding Officer Engineer Training Depot at Redbank Queensland. Transferred to AIF Intelligence Corps in September 9142. Engaged on topography for 4 Mile Sheets in North and central Queensland. On 7/4/1945 reallocated Service No. QX64321. Undertook officer training at Duntroon. On 13 September 1945 sent to Lae in New Guinea as a Captain aged 53 years. Army records state that he enlisted at at Jacquinot Bay New Britain .At his stage he was married with three children and went on to operate in Merauke and New Britian.

Mentioned in Dispatches for Distinguished Services in the South-West pacific area. From 1 October 1944 until 31 March 1945.Discharged 27 November 1945.

Related link:  

Birth registration:  John Wesley Mott

Birth date:  14/06/1891

Mother's name:   Caroline Madeline Banks

Father/parent's name:   William Thomas Mott

Registration details:   1891/B/48445 

Marriage registration: John Wesley Mott

Marriage date:   25/07/1923

Spouse's name:  Dorothy Beatrice Harvey

Registration details:   1923/C/1928 

Death registration:  John Wesley Mott

Death date:   22/02/1979

Mother's name:   Caroline Madeline Banks

Father/parent's name:   William Thomas Mott

Registration details:   1979/C/251




Were the pistol's that Napoleon surrendered to Lieutenant Andrew Mott like these?  
You have to read to the end of the story!

These pistols below belonged to Napoleon and were presented to United States Military Academy January 1927 by Mr.Lawrence V. Benet in memory of his father the late Brigadier General Stephen Vincent Benet, U.S.M.A.Graduate, Professor of Ordnance & Gunnery and later Chief of Ordnance.  The Professor had charge of the Museum for many years which may be the reason the pistols came to United States. There is no information on Museum files as to how Mr.Benet acquired the pistols but the implication of the language on the catalogue entries is that while Mr.Benet gave them in his father's honour, there is no indication that General Benet owned them at any time.  It must be concluded that Lawrence Benet acquired them on his own, somehow. Lawrence Benet was engaged in manufacturing the Hotchkiss Machine gun in France and presumably was in France for the purpose about the time of WW1.  Otherwise, other than the name Benet, clearly French, I can find no specific connection to Napoleon and Lieutenant Andrew Mott.

Napoleon's monogram "N" was engraved on a shield on the grip.

Nicholas Noel Boutet (1761 - 1833) was French and Napoleon's personal gunsmith. His name can be seen on these pistols. Some of Boutet's pistols are on display in Paris at the Army Museum.


Napoleon's pistols as displayed in West Point Museum, New York

Two of Napoleon's pistols donated January 1927 by Mr. Lawrence Benet in memory of his father the late Brigadier General Stephen Vincent Benet are currently on display at West Point Museum, New York, along with Napoleon's sword which was given to General Dwight Eisenhower by General Charles de Gaulle in 1945.


Perseverance has paid off!

Recently I had an email from Luke Dalla Bona at Museo Napoleonic in Havana, Cuba as a result of finding this Blog. He thought they had Napoleon's pistols in their Museum. Further research has been able to confirm that Napoleon's 2 pistols that were given to Lieutenant Andrew Mott on 15 July 1815 are in fact now in Cuba.

Due to much of the world in lockdown as a result of Covid 19, the Museo Napoleonic was having a "virtual walking tour" during July & August 2020. 
On 15 July 2020 Luke wrote a Post on Facebook that I want to share with you too. 

Museo Napoleónico, La Habana, Cuba

July 15 at 3:01 PM ·

THE SYMBOLS OF THE END OF THE FIRST EMPIRE

(Stay with me folks --- this is a long post but it will pay off in the end.)

July 15 is the anniversary of the final end of the First French Empire. It is on that date in 1815 that Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte stepped off Île d'Aix and was conveyed onto the HMS Bellerophon as a prisoner of the British. A month later, he was on his way to St. Helena where he remained their prisoner until his death in 1821.

By early July 1815, Napoleon had run out of options, and indeed had run as far west in France as he could, to the port of Rochefort on the Atlantic coast. He had arranged for a French frigate to carry him to self-imposed exile in America but unfortunately, the winds did not favour leaving port and Napoleon was required to wait for the proper conditions.

Just as the winds turned favourable and preparations could be made to leave, the British Navy, including the HMS Bellerophon, appeared and proceeded to blockade the harbour. Realizing that he could not outrun the British Navy, Napoleon decided to surrender himself to the good graces of the English, hoping that they would permit him sail to America. Or perhaps they would convey him to England and set him up in exile in a nice country estate a few miles from Reading where he could live out his life in a manner befitting his station. After all, weren't there rules about these kinds of things amongst civilized men from civilized nations?

(I know that Napoleon was under tremendous stress and perhaps was not thinking as clearly or as strategically as he had done at other times in his career ... but honestly ... Napoleon, mon ami, what were you thinking? The English had nearly bankrupted their economy fighting France for the past two decades AND they had just convinced all of Europe to declare war, not on France BUT ON YOU PERSONALLY!  Did you honestly think they were going to let you sail into the sunset or invite you to live in the English countryside as if the past twenty years hadn't happened? NOT BLOODY LIKELY! The Foundation Napoleon has an excellent article discussing various possibilities surrounding Napoleon's reasoning at that time. 

https://www.napoleon.org/histoire-des-2-empires/articles/lembarquement-de-napoleon-pour-sainte-helene)

On the morning of July 15, 1815, HMS Bellerophon was at anchor in the harbour at Rochefort.  Its Captain, Frederick Lewis Maitland describes the scene as it unfolded:

-------------------------------------

“At break of day, on the 15th of July, 1815, "l’Épervier" French brig of war was discovered under sail, standing out towards the ship, with a flag of truce up; and at the same time the Superb, bearing Sir Henry Hotham’s flag, was seen in the offing. By half-past five the ebb-tide failed, the wind was blowing right in, and the brig, which was within a mile of us, made no further progress; while the "Superb" was advancing with the wind and tide in her favour. Thus situated, and being most anxious to terminate the affair I had brought so near a conclusion, previous to the Admiral’s arrival, I sent off Mr. Mott, the First Lieutenant, in the barge, who returned soon after six o’clock, bringing Napoleon with him.

On coming on board the "Bellerophon", he was received without any of the honours generally paid to persons of high rank; the guard was drawn out on the break of the poop, but did not present arms. His Majesty’s Government had merely given directions, in the event of his being captured, for his being removed into any one of his Majesty’s ships that might fall in with him; but no instructions had been given as to the light in which he was to be viewed. As it is not customary, however, on board a British ship of war, to pay any such honours before the colours are hoisted at eight o’clock in the morning, or after sunset, I made the early hour an excuse for withholding them upon this occasion.

Buonaparte’s dress was an olive-coloured great coat over a green uniform, with scarlet cape and cuffs, green lapels turned back and edged with scarlet, skirts hooked back with bugle horns embroidered in gold, plain sugar-loaf buttons and gold epaulettes; being the uniform of the Chasseur à Cheval of the Imperial Guard. He wore the star, or grand cross of the Legion of Honour, and the small cross of that order; the Iron Crown; and the Union, appended to the button-hole of his left lapel. He had on a small cocked hat, with a tri-coloured cockade; plain gold-hilted sword, military boots, and white waistcoat and breeches. The following day he appeared in shoes, with gold buckles, and silk stockings—the dress he always wore afterwards, while with me.

On leaving the "Épervier", he was cheered by her ship’s company as long as the boat was within hearing; and Mr Mott informed me that most of the officers and men had tears in their eyes."

-------------------------------------

Amidst the historical drama of that moment, there are two salient facts that are important to this particular discussion: First Lieutenant Andrew Mott was ordered to meet Napoleon, accept Napoleon's formal surrender and bring him back to the Bellerophon, and; Maitland's description that the only weapon Napoleon was carrying when he boarded the Bellerophon was a sword.

When Andrew Mott reached "l’Épervier", he was invited aboard the French ship to formally accept, on behalf of the British Government, Napoleon's surrender. Normally, a surrender ceremony will involve the handing over of weapons; for example, the commanding officer of a surrendering force symbolically offers his sword to the victorious commander. In this case, we know that Napoleon still carried his sword when he boarded the British ship.

There is no record of what words were exchanged when Lt. Mott accepted Napoleon's surrender, but we do know that Napoleon gave Mott his pistols. We know this because Andrew Luther Mott (1828-1904) loaned the two pistols to a British Government Naval Exhibition in Chelsea, England in 1891 and these pistols were described in the official Exhibition catalogue.

The widow of Andrew Luther Mott gave the pistols to John Wesley Mott (1891-1979), a family member with a distinguished military record, who lived in Brisbane, Australia. John Wesley Mott was visiting England after serving in WWI and took the pistols with him back to Australia. An article appeared in "The Brisbane Courier" on Saturday 27 August 1927 entitled "Napoleon's Pistols in Brisbane" by Spencer Browne describing the unique history of these guns and how they came to be in Brisbane.

A fragment of an advertisement for an auction in the 1950s (based upon the clothing styles in an accompanying photo) shows Mrs. J.W. Mott ("a middle-aged Brisbane woman", it says) handling these pistols before offering them for sale in the auction.

It is likely that Cuban sugar baron Julio Lobo purchased these pistols at this auction and by 1958, they were in his collection in Havana and they are now on permanent exhibition in the Museo Napoleónico.

I submit to you, ladies and gentlemen of the Napoleonic community, that in a nondescript corner on the first floor of our museum are two of the most important artifacts of 19th century European history.

These pistols, given to First Lieutenant Andrew Mott by Napoleon himself as instruments of Napoleon's surrender, represent Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte's last act of free will, as a free man, at his last moment on French soil, as he voluntarily surrendered himself and all that he symbolized to the British.

Vive l Empereur!

(Text by Luke Dalla Bona. Thanks to some clever investigative work by Joy Olney - a descendent of First Lieutenant Andrew Mott)


Some of that detective work involved sending a photo of Mrs J.W.Mott with the pistols before they were put up for auction. I believe this photo is from a magazine in preparation for selling the pistols at auction.  Note the title at the top "11. Below: the sale of pistols". We know the pistols were in a vault in Brisbane before Mrs Dorothy Mott travelled to Melbourne with the two guns in her luggage. She is seen here showing her daughter Mrs Davies the pistols before she hurried to the vaults of a city safe deposit box for their safe keeping. We believe this photo was taken early 1950s and the pistols were purchased by Julio Lobo, the wealthiest man in Cuba.  Julio left Cuba in 1961 and his Napoleonic collection remained in Cuba.  I wonder what the pistols were worth in 1950?



Napoleon's 2 pistols found in Museo Napoleonic, Havana, Cuba.





Mission completed!!!!

Thank you Glen and Tam for a combined effort to try and solve this mystery of 200 years ago.



You may wish to take a look at http://solomonmossfamilyarchives.blogspot.com.au and go to Post "A tribute to Napoleon - 200 years on". It is interesting that the Mott family had a connection with Napoleon's surrender at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and the Moss family lived on the island of St Helena while Napoleon was exiled there in 1815.

If you have anything to add, a correction or comment, please contact the author of this blog, 
Joy Olney via email - joyolney@gmail.com