The novels of the sea captain at once won public favour.
The father, Abijah, a sea-captain, went away from home when William was a child, and it is not known whether he died at sea or on land.
James, the 3rd earl, an active sea captain who was all but lost in company with Sir Cloudesley Shovel, became knight of the Garter and lord high admiral and commander-in-chief in the Channel, he and his house being loyal supporters of the Hanoverian dynasty.
Trevone House, Gweek A Edwardian house, built by a local sea captain 100 years ago.
His father, Walter Whitman, was a farmer and carpenter; his mother, Louisa Van Velsor, was the granddaughter of a sea captain.