Description
China 1842, Jeremiah Whittington, H.M.S. Jupiter, served on board the Jupiter for 3 years where they saw much action in the First Anglo China War.
Officially impressed: “JEREMIAH WHITTINGTON H.M.S. JUPITER”
Very good preserved condition for age of this medal.
With extracts from the ship’s book entries for his service.
Jeremiah served on board HMS Jupiter from 1st May 1840 until 23rd December 1843, he was an “AB” or Able Seaman.
Rare China 1842 Medal to the Royal Navy and especially so to this ship, which earned only 93 medals.
Services of the Jupiter in brief: “Took part in the Blockading of the Canton River, and capture of Chusan, Chinghae, and other ports during 1841 and 1842, then also in the Yangtse Kiang.”
Fun fact, His son was later the Mayor of Newport, Alderman William Jeremiah Whittington J.P.
HMS Jupiter 1840 – 1843
Jeremiah arrived on board as she was preparing to leave Portsmouth for China, setting off from Spithead on 13th June 1840.
She arrived at Tongkoo Bay on 13th November 1840 for service in the War.
On 19th February 1841, alongside the Druid and other Transports departed Hong Kong to take part in operations near North Wangtong.
Circa September 1841, went to Cannonore to pick up troops and stores to bring back to China.
On the 9th October 1841, she took part in the reconnaissance of the mouth of the Ningpo River and City of Chinhae, taking part in the subsequent operations and choice of Ningpo as the Winter Headquarters.
The fighting would pick up in 1842, on 26th December 1841 she set off from Hong Kong for Chusan.
Circa March 1842, she was departing Hong Kong for Chusan with many soldiers on board, 300 men from the 18th, 49th and 55th Foot to fight in China.
On 14th April 1842, took part in a further attempt to burn the enemy shipping by means of fire rafts but was defeated by the boats of the vessels present.
On 18th May 1842, Jupiter took part in the Capture of Chapoo.
Then on 13th June 1842, was anchored off Woosung, once the defences at the river mouth were prepared, the river was bombarded on the 16th.
From 16th June 1842 until 29th June 1842, took part in the Expedition up the Yang-tse-Keang (aka the Yangtse River), until the end of the hostilities after the signing of the Treaty of Nanking.
Following the war she returned home.
Jeremiah was born circa 1818 in Kingston, Southsea, Hampshire.
The son of another Jeremiah and Harriet Whittington of Hampshire, baptised on 27th February 1819 at Portsea St Mary.
His father was a local Grocer in Southsea and Baker. However he had gone out of business in 1837 which might have led to Jeremiah joining the Navy rather than work in his shop.
He was living in Landport at the time of joining the ship, when he was 22 years old 3 months, standing about 5 foot 8 inches tall with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and dark hair.
He had been a Baker as a civilian and it was his first posting with the Royal Navy.
His conduct was noted as “Very Good” when he was paid off on 23rd December 1843.
After leaving the Navy he spent most of the rest of his life in Isle of Wight, from Calbourne (1851,1861) to Shalfleet (1881).
In 1851 he lived with his Mother a widow and 2 sisters where he worked as a Miller at Lower Mill, Calbourne, Isle of Wight.
By 1861 he had married Priscilla of Shalfleet and he worked as a Milliner in the above residence.
In 1881, he lived at Chessell Farm, Isle of Wight, where he was a Dairyman Farmer living with his wife.
He died in Isle of Wight, Hampshire during 1883, being buried in Calbourne on 16th July 1883.
His death was announced in the Portsmouth Evening News on 23rd July 1883 – “DEATH, Whittington – On the 12th Inst. at Chessell Farm, Isle of Wight, Jeremiah Whittington.”
His wife lived many more years, and his Son would become the Mayor of Calbourne:
“Isle of wight Press, 9th November 1907:
“General Sympathy will be extended to the outgoing Mayor, Alderman W.J. Whittington, Justice of the Peace, on the occasion of the death of his mother, which occurred yesterday, aged 81. The Venerable Lady, who had been lingering to some time, was the widow of the late Mr Jeremiah Whittington, of Chessel Farm, Calbourne, and she passed away at Ravenswood, Newport, the residence of her son in Law, Alderman R. Bird Cheverton J.P.”
Hampshire Advertiser, 26th October 1861, recalls the following court appearance for selling Beer “at an unlawful hour on Sunday”
“ISLE OF WIGHT PETTY SESSIONS
SELLING BEER AT AN UNLAWFUL HOUR ON SUNDAY – A complaint was preferred against Mr Jeremiah Whittington, of Lower Calbourne Mill, for selling beer on the previous Sunday at an unlawful hour.
Policeman Hughes stated that he visited the premises on Sunday at 3.35pm, and in a Bake House used as a Tap Room he found 6 men.
One of them, George Young, took a quart cup containing ale and concealed it in the flour bin. They were all living about that neighbourhood.
He saw no smoking. The defendant was not at home, and the door was open for ingress and egress. The general character of the house was good. The defendant, who did not appear, but sent his man, was fined 10s and 7s 6d costs.”
Another article from 1862 recalls the marriage of his Sister Miss Mary Jane Whittington, to “Mr John Young, Chief Engineer of the Imperial Russian Brig Oleg.”
