Edward Chetham is a son of the late Thomas Chetham, of Mellor Hall, Co. Derby, Esq. Surveyor-General of the Customs, London, by Anne, sister to the late Colonel Strode, of South Hill House, in the parish of West Cranmer, Somersetshire.
Mr. Edward Chetham was born in July, 1775; and he entered the naval service in 1786; but does not appear to have joined any sea-going ship until May, 1789, at which period he was received as a Midshipman on board the Centurion 50, bearing the flag of his patron, the late Admiral Philip Affleck who had recently been appointed commander-in-chief on the Jamaica station.
Early in 1790, Mr. Chetham was sent in pursuit of two marines, who had committed theft and afterwards deserted from their post, whilst on duty at Port-Royal dock-yard. On coming up with those culprits, he found himself under the necessity of firing at one of them, and thereby wounded him in the side, after which they both submitted to be taken back as prisoners. Mr. Chetham’s conduct on this occasion gave great satisfaction to the Admiral, who would have promoted him immediately had he been qualified to receive a commission; but unfortunately his probationary term did not expire until their return to England.
Previous to her departure from the West Indies, the Centurion was actively employed at the different French ports in St. Domingo, in consequence of a formidable insurrection among the negroes, which threatened destruction to that colony. She was paid off in Aug. 1792.