http://brighousemottfamilyarchives.blogspot.com.au
John Wesley Mott and Diana Sarah Jeves
John Wesley Mott born 1832 in Portsmouth, England and died 21 March 1904 in Brisbane.
John married Diana Sarah Jeves born 25 October 1829 in Lewisham, Middlesex and died 30 May 1912 in Brisbane, Queensland 8 February 1852 in St Giles Parish Church, Camberwell, County of Surrey, England.
John & Diana sailed from London to Brisbane on "Wansfell" in 1862.
Together they had 9 children:
1. Samuel Henry Mott born October 1854 in Surrey, England and died 1927 in Brisbane, Queensland.
Samuel married Lydia Thompson born 14 September 1849 in Manning River, New South Wales, Australia. Lydia died 7 July 1895 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
2. John Wesley Mott born 2 December 1856 St Pauls Deptford, Kent & Surrey, England.
3. George William Mott born September 1859 Deptford, Kent, England.
4. William Thomas Mott born
10 December 1862 in Chatham, Kent, England. and died 28 February 1943 in
Brisbane. William Thomas Mott married Caroline Madeline Banks born 5 April 1867
at "Goomburra", Allora, Darling Downs, Queensland and died 3 February 1955 in Brisbane on 16 June 1890.
5. Jane Elizabeth Mott born 8 July 1865 in Brisbane and died 23 June 1942 in Queensland.
6. Andrew Mott born 15 January 1867 in Brisbane and died 24 June 1944 in Brisbane, Queensland.
7. Isabella Phoebe Mott born 6 October 1870 and died 22 July 1930 in Brisbane, Queensland.
8. Alice Mott born 9 August 1871 in Queensland and died 27 May 1872 in Queensland.
9. Sarah Annie Mott born 13 July 1873 in Brisbane and died 26 October 1966 in Brisbane.
If you have anything to add, a correction or comment please contact the author of this Blog, Joy Olney via email - joyolney@gmail.com
William Thomas & Caroline Madeline (Banks) Mott
William Thomas Mott born 10 December 1862 in Chatham, Kent and died 28 February 1943 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. William Mott married Caroline Madeline Banks born 5 April 1867 at "Goomburra", Allora, Darling Downs, Queensland and died 3 February 1955 in Brisbane on 16 June 1890.
They had 4 children:
1. John Wesley Mott born 14 June 1891 in Brisbane and died 22 February 1979 in Brisbane.
John Wesley Mott received the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Military Cross Medal for services in WW1. John Mott inherited the 2 pistols that Napoleon surrended to his ancestor Lieutenant Andrew Mott. John Wesley Mott married Dorothy Beatrice Harvey born 10 December 1894 in Queensland on 25 July 1923 in Queensland. John & Dorothy Mott had 3 children including John Wesley Mott born 8 April 1926 in Bundaberg, Queensland and died 21 March 2006 in Caboolture, Queensland.
John Wesley Mott received the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Military Cross Medal for services in WW1. John Mott inherited the 2 pistols that Napoleon surrended to his ancestor Lieutenant Andrew Mott. John Wesley Mott married Dorothy Beatrice Harvey born 10 December 1894 in Queensland on 25 July 1923 in Queensland. John & Dorothy Mott had 3 children including John Wesley Mott born 8 April 1926 in Bundaberg, Queensland and died 21 March 2006 in Caboolture, Queensland.
2. William Thomas Mott born 11 February 1893. William Mott enlisted in WW1 on 3 July 1915. Regimental
No.1669B, Rank - Staff Sergeant. Unit - 49th Battalion. Fate - returned
to Australia 23 January 1919.
3. Charles Banks Mott born 1896.
4. Caroline Marjorie Mott born 1901.
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| Caroline Madeline (Banks) Mott born 1867 - 1955 |
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"Goomburra", 27 Laura Street, South Brisbane. The home of William & Caroline Mott from 1903 until their deaths in 1943 & 1955..jpg) |
This article was in "The Brisbane Courier" on Saturday 27 August 1927
Napoleon's Pistols in Brisbane. By 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."
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 born 14 June 1891 in Brisbane and died 22 February 1979 in Brisbane. John married Dorothy Beatrice Harvey born 10 December 1894 in Queensland on 25 July 1923 in Queensland. John & Dorothy Mott had 3 children including John Wesley Mott born 8 April 1926 in Bundaberg, Queensland and died 21 March 2006 in Caboolture, Queensland.
Personal timeline for John Wesley Mott:
14 June 1891 John Wesley Mott born.
1908 Matriculated at Brisbane Boys Grammar School winning a scholarship.
1909 Commenced career in Surveying.
23 April 1913 appointed as a Staff Surveyor in the Northern Territory by the Department of Lands.
November 1915 John went to WW1. He carried out extensive surveys between Roper River & north coast, including Mataranka Station. Created the 1st accurate longatude fix at Katherine.
1919 with war over he continued as a surveyor in Bundaberg, Queensland.
25 July 1923 John married Dorothy Beatrice Harvey and had 3 children.
1943 son John Wesley Mott Jnr worked with his father in Toomomba, Queensdland.
1974 gave up surveying & retired to Strathpine, Brisbane.
22 February 1979 John Wesley Mott died.
Military records for John Wesley Mott:
Enlisted: 18 December 1915 at age 24, Surveyor.
Unit: 6th Field Company Engineers, 4th Reinforcement.
Service: Australian Imperial Force.
Embarked on H.M.A.T. A67 "Orsova" on 11 March 1916.
8 November 1917 Distinguished Conduct Medal: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On at least three occasions he had 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".
August 1918 wounded.
9 December 1918 returned to Australia.
11 March 1919 was discharged.
23 May 1919 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, near Peronne on 29 August 1918".
13 October 1941 CMF 47 Battalion at Maryborough, Queensland. Engaged on topography in North & Central Queensland.
13 September 1945 sent to Lae in New Guinea as a Captain aged 53 years.
Mentioned in Dispatches for Distinguished Services in the South-West pacific area from October 1944-March 1945.
27 November 1945 discharged.
It appears that Andrew Luther Mott (1828-1904) inherited Napoleon's 2 pistols from First Lieutenant Andrew Mott. The pistols were ultimately given to John Wesley Mott (1891-1979) as a worthy member of the Mott family. Lieutenant John Mott won a Military Cross and Distinguished Conduct Medal in WW1. It appears that the widow of J.W.Mott took the pistols to Canberra where they were sold, so they are no longer in the Mott family. Where are they today?
These pistols belonged to Mr.LawrenNapoleon and presented to United States Military Academy January 1927 by Mr Vincent 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 U.S. There is no information 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 W.W.1. Otherwise, other than the name Benet, clearly French, there is no connection to Napoleon or Lieutenant Andrew Mott.
Napoleon's monogram "N" was engraved on a shield on the grip.
Nicholas Noel Boutet (1761 - 1833) born in France was Napoleon's personal gunsmith. Some of Boutet's pistols are on display in the Army Museum, Paris.
John Wesley & Dorothy Beatrice (Harvey) Mott
(son of William Thomas & Caroline Mott)
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| Lieutenant John Wesley Mott was awarded the Military Cross and Distinguished Conduct Medal in WW1 |
John Wesley Mott born 14 June 1891 in Brisbane and died 22 February 1979 in Brisbane. John married Dorothy Beatrice Harvey born 10 December 1894 in Queensland on 25 July 1923 in Queensland. John & Dorothy Mott had 3 children including John Wesley Mott born 8 April 1926 in Bundaberg, Queensland and died 21 March 2006 in Caboolture, Queensland.
Personal timeline for John Wesley Mott:
14 June 1891 John Wesley Mott born.
1908 Matriculated at Brisbane Boys Grammar School winning a scholarship.
1909 Commenced career in Surveying.
23 April 1913 appointed as a Staff Surveyor in the Northern Territory by the Department of Lands.
November 1915 John went to WW1. He carried out extensive surveys between Roper River & north coast, including Mataranka Station. Created the 1st accurate longatude fix at Katherine.
1919 with war over he continued as a surveyor in Bundaberg, Queensland.
25 July 1923 John married Dorothy Beatrice Harvey and had 3 children.
1943 son John Wesley Mott Jnr worked with his father in Toomomba, Queensdland.
1974 gave up surveying & retired to Strathpine, Brisbane.
22 February 1979 John Wesley Mott died.
Military records for John Wesley Mott:
Enlisted: 18 December 1915 at age 24, Surveyor.
Unit: 6th Field Company Engineers, 4th Reinforcement.
Service: Australian Imperial Force.
Embarked on H.M.A.T. A67 "Orsova" on 11 March 1916.
8 November 1917 Distinguished Conduct Medal: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On at least three occasions he had 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".
August 1918 wounded.
9 December 1918 returned to Australia.
11 March 1919 was discharged.
23 May 1919 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, near Peronne on 29 August 1918".
13 October 1941 CMF 47 Battalion at Maryborough, Queensland. Engaged on topography in North & Central Queensland.
13 September 1945 sent to Lae in New Guinea as a Captain aged 53 years.
Mentioned in Dispatches for Distinguished Services in the South-West pacific area from October 1944-March 1945.
27 November 1945 discharged.
It appears that Andrew Luther Mott (1828-1904) inherited Napoleon's 2 pistols from First Lieutenant Andrew Mott. The pistols were ultimately given to John Wesley Mott (1891-1979) as a worthy member of the Mott family. Lieutenant John Mott won a Military Cross and Distinguished Conduct Medal in WW1. It appears that the widow of J.W.Mott took the pistols to Canberra where they were sold, so they are no longer in the Mott family. Where are they today?
Were Napoleon's pistols like the ones on display in West Point Museum in New York?
These pistols belonged to Mr.LawrenNapoleon and presented to United States Military Academy January 1927 by Mr Vincent 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 U.S. There is no information 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 W.W.1. Otherwise, other than the name Benet, clearly French, there is no connection to Napoleon or Lieutenant Andrew Mott.
Napoleon's monogram "N" was engraved on a shield on the grip.
Nicholas Noel Boutet (1761 - 1833) born in France was Napoleon's personal gunsmith. Some of Boutet's pistols are on display in the Army Museum, Paris.
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| Two of Napoleon's pistols were donated January 1927 by Mr. Lawrence V. Benet. The pistols are currently on display in West Point Museum, New York. Napoleon's sword was given to General Dwight Eisenhower by General Charles de Gaulle in 1945. |
If you have anything to add, a correction or comment please contact the author of this Blog, Joy Olney via email - joyolney@gmail.com
