HOTHAM, Sir Charles
Charles Hotham was born at Dennington Rectory, Suffolk on 14 January 1806, son of the Hon. Revd Frederick Hotham (16 January 1774-10 October 1854), rector of Dennington and later Prebendary of Rochester, and his wife Anne Elizabeth née Hodges (1778-28 January 1862), who married on 23 November 1802, Charles was a brother to the Misses Hotham. Hotham entered the navy on 6 November 1818 having a distinguished career and was in command of the steam sloop 'Gorgon' which ran aground in Montevideo Bay in South America when he showed skill and determination in getting her re-floated. In November 1844 he was in command of a successful battle at Paraná River in Central South America for which he was created a K.C.B. in 1846 and his last active service was as a commodore on the coast of Africa. In April 1852 appointed minister plenipotentiary to the Argentine Federation on a mission to some of the South American republics and in December 1853 appointed Lieutenant-Governor and shortly afterwards, Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief of Victoria, Australia 22 June 1854 to 10 November 1855. He married at St George's, Hanover Square, London on 10 December 1853, Hon. Jane Sarah Holbech (14 January 1817-28 April 1907), widow of Hugh Holbech (1814-1849) of Farnborough, Jane was the third daughter of Samuel Hood, 2nd Lord Bridport (1788-1868) and his wife Charlotte Mary née Nelson, Duchesa di Bronté. Hotham was a pupil of artist Thomas Sidney Cooper (1803-1902) who, in 1829, 'toured The Meuse towns with Captain Hotham'. Sir Charles died at Melbourne, Australia on 31 December 1855, being survived by his wife who married thirdly at Uffculme, Devon on 30 August 1860, Capt. William Armytage, R.N. (4 January 1821-11 January 1872) and she died at 1 Upper Brook Street, London on 28 April 1907, but was known as Hon. Lady Hotham.