Sir Samuel Cornish, 1st Baronet
Vice-Admiral of the Red Sir Samuel Cornish, 1st Baronet, FRS was a Royal Navy officer and politician who represented New Shoreham in the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1765 to 1770. He served in the War of Jenkins' Ear, War of the Austrian Succession and Seven Years' War.
Early career
Samuel Cornish was born and joined the Royal Navy in 1728. Having been promoted to lieutenant in 1739, he participated in the Battle of Cartagena de Indias in 1741. In 1742, Cornish was promoted to captain and was appointed as the flag captain of HMS Namur under Vice-admiral Thomas Mathews, serving under him in the Mediterranean. He was given command of HMS Guernsey later that year and commissioned HMS Stirling Castle in 1755. He was elected as a fellow of the Royal Society in 1749. In 1758 Cornish transferred to HMS Union.Seven Years' War
In 1759 Cornish took part in several battles against the French. When Spain entered the war in early 1762 Cornish was appointed commander of a squadron in India, which, together with a British army under William Draper was ordered to attack Manila. In the Battle of Manila the city was taken after a ten-day siege; the victory made Cornish a rich man. He saw no further service after this battle. He was promoted to Vice-Admiral of the Red in October 1762, represented New Shoreham in the British House of Commons between 1765 and 1770 and was created a baronet in 1766, a title which became extinct upon his death.In 1765 Cornish purchased Tofte Manor in Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire. He died on 30 October 1770 and left his large fortune to his nephew Captain Samuel Pitchford, who as the captain of HMS America had also taken part in the capture of Manila.