Barton Historical Society

BARTONs with the Rank of ADMIRAL

Two traits that our Barton ancestors seem to show in plentitude are a willingness to migrate, often hundreds even thousands of miles, and a willingness to fight for their rights when their land, their property or their person was threatened. Many of our Barton ancestors served in the Regular Navy or Regular Army for their respective countries. A few made it to the highest pinnacle of rank in their service – a “Flag Officer” so called because as an Admiral or a General they were entitled to their own flag adorned with the number of stars relating to their rank.

Admiral Sir Andrew Barton, Royal Navy - Sir Andrew Barton as he is so often called, although there is no record of his ever being knighted, was among the most famous and daring sea-captains of his time.¹ His father, John Barton, who commanded the YELLOW CARVEL had three sons, all of whom rose to fame - Andrew, the eldest and most renowned; Robert, who once like his brother Andrew commanded the LION (at one time the second largest man-of-war in the English navy) and who fought the Portuguese repeatedly, and son John, like his two older brothers a distinguished naval officer of James IV. For nearly a hundred years the Bartons carried on a kind of family war with the Portuguese. Letters of reprisal or warrants were granted by the Scottish king to the Barton family, authorizing them to seize Portuguese vessels and cargoes. Andrew Barton was the most active of the three brothers in capturing the richly laden caravels returning from India and Africa. Andrew fought his last fight in August 1511 when he was mortally wounded in battle at sea.

Admiral Matthew Barton, Roal Navy - "Matthew Barton (c.1715?-1795)... rose to the rank of admiral during a long and distinguished career, in which he served in the War of Jenkins' Ear, the War of the Austruan Succession and the Seven Year' War. He fought at several major battles, and commanded a number of amphibious assaults off the French coast and in the West Indies."²

Admiral Robert C. Barton, Royal Navy - Captain ((1794), Rear Admiral (1812), Vice Admiral (1819). Father and father-in-law of two Royal Navy officers. Little is known about his career although it included a posting as Lieutenent-Governor of Newfoundland (1801- ) He died at Plymouth, England in 1831.³

Admiral Ralph Barton, Royal Navy - Born 1795 in Wigan, England, he entered the Royal Navy in 1812 retiring from active duty forty-five years later in 1857. Subsequently served at the Royal pleasure advancing in rank to Rear Admiral on 16 Sep. 1871 and finally to full Admiral on 1 Aug 1877.⁴

Rear Admiral John Kennedy Barton, U. S. Navy - Graduated U. S. Naval Academy 1873. Appointed cadet engineer 1 Oct 1874; promoted through grades to Captain on 8 July 1907. Served on Richmond, Spanish-American War, 1898, at U. S. Naval Academy 1902-1907, head, Dept. of Engineering. Engineer in Chief, rank of Rear Admiral, retired by reason of physical disability in line of duty, 22 Dec. 1908. Member of Navy Examining Board 1909-1910. One of only a handful of people to have two different U. S. Navy ships named after him: USS BARTON (DD-599) and USS BARTON (DD-722) Home: Philadelphia PA.⁵

Rear Admiral Ernest Gillbe Barton, Royal Navy - Born 1861, son of Rev. R. Gillbe Barton of Etchingham, Sussex, England; married, 1st 1889. Samina Maria (died 1914) daughter of Captain Samuel Burns, 24th Regiment, Royal Army; md. 2nd 1925 Eileen Marjorie, youngest daughter of Major George Rochfort Boyd of the Manchester Regiment, Royal Army; one son, one daughter. Educated privately and aboard HMS BRITANNIA. Served in the Nile Flotilla for the relief of General Gordon, 1884-1885; European War, 1914-1918; Rear Admiral, 1915; Admiral retired list, 1924. Died 29 Jan 1938.⁶

Rank	FName	LName	Service	Birth	Death
Admiral	Sir Andrew	Barton	Scottish Privateer	1466	1511
Admiral	Matthew	Barton	Royal Navy	c1715	1795
Admiral	Robert	Barton	Royal Navy		1831
Admiral	Ralph	Barton	Royal Navy	1795	1887
Rear Admiral	John K.	Barton	US Navy	1853	1921
Rear Admiral	Ernest G.	Barton	Royal Navy	1861	1938

Barton Historical Society

BARTONs with the Rank of ADMIRAL

Navigation