By John D Ellis
John Addoo was born in Africa c.1795 (possibly in West Africa). Between 1806 and 1812 he served firstly as a ‘Boy’, then a Landsman and finally an Able Seaman on HMS Ceres. In December 1812 he became a Royal Navy out-pensioner of Greenwich Hospital, when it was noted that he was “a Black”.(1)
Despite being an out-pensioner, he served as an Able Seaman on HMS Quebec between December 1812 and March 1814, and then the Ceres (again) between March and June 1814.
Thereafter, John Addoo returned to civilian life: In December 1821, at Cramburn [probably Cranborne] in Dorset, he married Ann Shepherd of Fordingbridge (c.1805-1882). They were to have at least three children: Elizabeth Addoo (1826-1847), Ann Addoo (1827-1870) and John Addoo (1830-1878).
In 1828, he was employed as a servant to Captain James Prevost RN, of Brockhust, Gosport, Hampshire. With the Hampshire Chronicle referring to him as “a man of colour” with a “wife and family”.(2)
In 1833 he returned to sea. Between October 1833 and November 1838, he served as an Able Seaman, then the Captain’s Cook on HMS Aetna. The latter role reflecting his advancing years and the marginalisation of Black ratings into ‘below decks’ roles as cooks, stewards and stokers. Also serving on the Aetna, and known to John Addoo, if not by sight, then surely by reputation, was another Black rating, William Vulson, who served as a Gunroom Steward between November 1835 and October 1836.(3) Vulson had been awarded a Silver Medal for bravery by the Royal Humane Society, whilst serving on HMS Nimrod in 1832.
Between March 1839 and March 1842 John Addoo served as Cook on HMS Snipe. From July 1842 to April 1844, he was an Ordinary Seaman on HMS Pique, when it served on the North America and West Indies Stations.
September 1844 to August 1845 saw him serving as Gunroom Cook on HMS Pantaloon. Between February and December 1846, he was a Cook aboard HMS Cyclops – a steam paddle wheel frigate. Thus, John Addoo’s service encompassed both sail and steam power. His final time afloat was as a Cook on HMS Geyser, between May 1847 and July 1850, including service off the coast of Africa, (In February 1850, Geyser rescued the survivors of the barque Childe Harold, a passenger ship homeward bound from Australia. Childe Harold had struck the southeast point of Dassen Island).
In July 1850 he re-applied for his pension at Greenwich Hospital.(4)
In 1851 Ann Addoo, her daughter Sarah and grandson Thomas Addoo (1841-), were living in Brockhurst, Hampshire.(5) Ann was described as a “Seaman’s Wife”. Visiting them was her sister and two nephews. John Addoo, (a British Subject born in Africa) was living and working as a House Servant to Mr Henry J Burney JP at Holywell House, Droxford.(6)
John Addoo, a resident of Brockhurst, aged 62 years, died on the 24th of January 1855 and was buried at the Church of St Thomas the Apostle, Elson, Hampshire.(7)
Postscript
The children of John and Ann Addoo were of mixed heritage, with their daughter Elizabeth being referred to as being “of very swarthy complexion”.(8) By the late nineteenth century, the Addoos appear to have assimilated into the White population, however, they continued the tradition of military service started by John Addoo:
John Addoo (1830-1878), served in the Royal Navy between 1845 and 1856, then the Coast Guard from 1856 to 1875.(9) He was twice married and fathered several children. One son, also named John (1873-1951), served in the Royal Navy between 1893 and 1905.(10) A second son, Harry Fripp Addoo (1877-1943) served in the Royal Engineers in the First World War.(11) A third son, William Charles Addoo (1876-1948), served in the Hampshire Regiment during both the Boer War and the First World War (the latter in the rank of sergeant).(12) His son, Sergeant Leonard Addoo (1917-1944), also in the Hampshire Regiment, was killed in Italy in 1944.(13)
References
For the service of John Addoo see: ADM 22/413 and 437. ADM 27/37, 45 and 62. ADM 27/37, 45 and 62. ADM 29/037.
1)The National Archives (TNA) ADM 22/367. findmypast.co.uk
2)Hampshire Chronicle, 10th March 1828. findmypast.co.uk
3)www.historycalroots.com/william-vulson-a-black-sailor-in-the-royal-navy/
4)British Royal Navy & Royal Marines Service And Pension Records, 1704-1919. TNA ADM 29/037.
5)1851 England Census. HO107; Piece: 1660; Folio: 177; Page: 18; GSU roll: 193567. ancestry.co.uk
6)1851 England Census. HO107; Piece: 1676; Folio: 241; Page: 27; Schedule: 110. findmypast.co.uk
7)TNA WO 22/90. Also see Hampshire, Portsmouth Burials 1846-1883. Portsmouth History Centre. CHU 58/1C/1.findmypast.co.uk
8)Hampshire Advertiser, 16th March 1844. findmypast.co.uk The newspaper reveals Elizabeth was known as ‘Darky’.
9)TNA ADM 29/83.
10)TNA ADM 188/287. ancestry.co.uk
11)TNA WO 329, 2958–3255; Reference:329.
12)TNA WO 372/1/23537.