Anthony Farrington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
General Sir
Anthony Farrington
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | 6 February 1742 |
| Died | 3 November 1823 (aged 81) Blackheath, London, England |
| Allegiance |  Great Britain United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1755–1823 |
| Rank | General |
| Unit | Royal Artillery |
| Commands held | Royal Arsenal |
| Battles/wars | |
| Spouse(s) |
Elizabeth Colden
(after 1766) |
General Sir Anthony Farrington (born February 6, 1742 – died November 3, 1823) was an important officer in the British Army. He was part of the Royal Artillery, which is the army's cannon and big gun division. He served in many places, including Gibraltar and during the American War of Independence.
Contents
Becoming a Soldier
Anthony Farrington was born on February 6, 1742. His father, Charles Farrington, was also an officer in the Royal Artillery.
Anthony started his military training very young. In 1754, when he was just 12, he joined the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich. This was a special school for future army officers. By 1755, he was already a junior officer, and he became a second lieutenant the next year.
His Military Journey
Anthony Farrington's career in the army lasted for many years. He rose through the ranks steadily. He became a lieutenant-colonel in 1782 and eventually reached the rank of General in 1812.
He served in Gibraltar from 1759 to 1763. After that, he was sent to America, serving in places like New York from 1764 to 1768. He returned to America in 1773 and stayed there until 1783.
Fighting in America
During his time in America, Farrington was involved in the American War of Independence. He was in Boston from 1774 to 1776, and he even took part in the famous Battle of Bunker's Hill. He also fought in other important battles like Brooklyn, Long Island, White Plains, and the Battle of Brandywine. He was in charge of the artillery (the big guns) during these fights.
Later Commands
After his time in America, Farrington commanded the artillery in Plymouth from 1788 to 1789. He returned to Gibraltar in 1790. There's even a fort there called Farrington's Battery that was named after him!
From 1794 to 1797, he was in charge at Woolwich. In 1799, he led the artillery for a military mission to The Helder in the Netherlands. On his way back, his ship was caught in a storm near Yarmouth.
In 1802, he became the head of the field-train department, which managed the army's equipment. He also became the inspector-general of artillery in 1805.
Special Recognition
For his long and dedicated service, Anthony Farrington received special honors. In 1818, he was given the title of a baronet. This is a special honor from the King or Queen. In 1820, the University of Oxford gave him an honorary degree. This was to celebrate his 68 years of service in the military!
His Family Life
In 1766, Anthony Farrington married Elizabeth Colden in New York. Elizabeth's grandfather, Cadwallader Colden, was a governor of New York.
Anthony and Elizabeth had five children: two sons and three daughters. Some of their children included:
- Elizabeth Anne Farrington
- Harriet Farrington
- Mary Sophia Farrington
- Charles Colden Farrington
- Henry Maturin Farrington
General Farrington passed away on November 3, 1823, at his home in Blackheath.
His Grandchildren
His son Charles also became a captain in the army. Charles's son, Charles Henry Farrington, became the 2nd Baronet after his grandfather died. This Charles Henry Farrington fought in famous battles like the Battle of Talavera and the Battle of Waterloo.
