Born: 10 October 1709, christened St Thomas Church, Portsmouth 14 October 1709 and died 17 May 1779.
Son of: George Marsh (1683-17??) and Elizabeth Marsh (nee Milbourne, 1687-17??).
Brother of:
1. Francis Marsh (1708-17??), Army Officer, died unmarried.
2. Mary Duval (nee Marsh, 1712-17??) who married John Duval.
3. George Marsh (1714-171?) who died an infant.
4. Daniel Marsh (1716-17??) Naval Officer or a Shipwright who possibly died in 1740 in an accident at work.
5. John Marsh (1718-17??).
6. Isaac Marsh (1720-17??), Naval Officer.
7. George Marsh (1722-1800) who married Ann Long (1720-1784).
8. Eliza Marsh (1724-17??) who died unmarried.
Milbourne appears to have married twice:
1. Elizabeth Evans (widow of Mr Evans) (????-1776) in Kingston, Jamaica, 13 December 1734.
2. Katharine (Catherine) Marsh (nee Soan) 18 December 1776 at Chatham.
Milbourne had issue:
1. Maj Francis Millbourne Marsh (?-1782).
2. Eliza Crisp (nee Marsh) who married James Crisp Esq (????-1779).
3. John Marsh (1746-1823) who married Lucy Gosling (1759?-1845).

Milbourne Marsh: An Overview

We know of Milbourne from the following sources:
1. Various notes in the Greenwich Museum library (I have not seen these yet).
2. Various note in the British Library, Shee Papers (I have not seen these yet).
3. A letter in the Public Record Office at Kew.
4. His will which is held in the Public Record Office in Kew (Prob 11/1053).
5. 'History of the Ancient Family of Marsh' by Joseph J. Green, Archivist and Genealogist, 1903, revised to date by Wm. Ernest Marsh, of Marston, Bromley, Kent, 1912.
6. An excellent book about his daughter 'The Ordeal of Elizabeth Marsh' by Prof Linda Colley, 2007.

There are some family records that indicate that Milborne's mother was Elizabeth Milbourne.  Her father was John Milbourne (the younger) and his father was John Milbourne (the elder).  John Milbourne (the younger) worked in the Navy for Commissioner Townsend.  John Milbourne (the elder) helped the Earl of Montrose hide during the Civil War.

Linda Colley's book covers his life from his early days as a Ship's Carpender in Jamacia where he met his first wife.  He seems to have generally been a very able person who then worked his way up the system and finished his career working in the Victualling Office in Chatham. 

A letter in the Public Record Office, Kew (ADM106/1131/25) reads as follows:

Victualling Office 24th June 1763
Gentlemen
Understanding that Mr Milbourne Marsh is appointed Naval Officer at Minorca, We desire you will please to permit him to take charge of His Majesty's Victualling Office, Bakehouse, Windmills Store Houses and Magazines at the said Island, in the same manner as the Naval Officers did during the last Peace.  We are
Gentlemen
Your most humble Servants
Rob Pett, J Stephens, Jonas Hanway

In his will Milbourne Marsh is noted as living at his dwelling house at the Victualling Office at Chatham.  As his executors he appoints his brother George Marsh, John Matthew and George Kirby.  His will is written 4 November 1778 and is proved 26 May 1779.

If you have any information to add to what is listed please contact me on jj@jjhc.info
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