Davison, Alexander (1750-1829)

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0064 DAV
Held at	: National Maritime Museum   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://collections.rmg.co.uk/ ›
Full title	: Davison, Alexander (1750-1829)
Date(s)	: [1798-1814]
Level of description	: Collection
Extent	: 1 box
Name of creator(s)	: Davison | Alexander | 1750-1829 | Naval agent

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

Davison started his career as a merchant and shipowner in the Canadian trade. He first met Nelson (q.v.) in 1782 and remained a life-long friend as well as his prize agent. Davison flourished as a government contractor, and, eventually, after obtaining the prize agency for the Nile Fleet, as a banker. His fortunes dwindled after dabbling with politics and after Nelson's death. DAV/2 and DAV/2 we're separate lots purchased at a Sothebys sale.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Papers of Alexander Davison including a collection of forty-five letters concerning prize money, 1804-14, including those from Admirals Collingwood (q.v.), Robert Digby (1732-1815), Sir Thomas Graves (c 1747-1814), Thomas Hardy (1769-1839), Samuel, Viscount Hood (q.v.) and Sir James Saumarez (1757-1836). They deal largely with Davison's expectations of the fleet agency which were disappointed after Nelsons death.

Letters from the Navy office to Davison, recommending agents he could work with, and discussing the issue of Head Money and the purchase of prizes after the Battle of the Nile. 12th October 1798 - 10th May 1799. Copy letters from Davison, including his application to be appointed sole agent for the Battle of the Nile prizes, letters to the Navy Board, and to Tucker, secretary to Lord St Vincent. 27th November 1798 - 11th June 1799.

Letters from the Captain James Saumerez to Davison, regarding his escorting vessels back from the Nile, and passing on news of Lady Nelson. 28th November 1798 - 13th July 1799.

Miscellaneous letters to Davison. Includes various applications for employment following his appointment as prize agent for the Battle of the Nile prizes, a letter from Captain Thomas Thompson regarding the issuing of prize money following the Nile, Louisa (wife of Sir Edward) Berry asking advice on how two Norfolk seamen should apply for their prize money, and a copy letter on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland offering money towards a commemorative obelisk to mark the victory. 5th October 1798 - 4th December 1799.

Extracts from the log of HMS VANGUARD at the Battle of the Nile.

Davison's appointment as prize agent for HMS ALEXANDER, signed by the crew, and his prize list for HMS ALEXANDER, detailing those eligible to receive prizes. 10th August 1798. Davison's list of officers of the fleet, who served under Rear Admiral Nelson's command at the Battle of the Nile. Detailed series of eight Navy Office bills, relating to ships captured at the Battle of the Nile. 15th March 1799 - 29th May 1799.Miscellaneous papers - includes a certificate appointing Mr Campbell of HMS CANOPUS to act on Davison's behalf, and various accounts regarding Head Money and the valuation and sale of captured French vessels following the Battle of the Nile.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

Conditions governing access:

Please contact the Archive for further information.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Please contact the Archive for further information.

Finding aids:

Detailed catalogue online at the: National Maritime Museum website .

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

The first set of papers (DAV/1) were purchased in 1952 through the Caird Fund. DAV/2 and DAV/3 were purchased at Sothebys sale 19 November 2002.

Allied Materials

Related material:

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:
Edited by Sarah Drewery, Jun 2011.

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
2010-08-26