117 
of the Rev. Mr. Wilson, the incumbent of Allonby, who had 
acquired at Glasgow College a knowledge of both medicine and 
astronomy, he made some progress in the latter science, for which 
he had naturally a decided predilection. As a boy, however, he 
_ was more especially remarkable for his constructive skill. It is 
said of him, that having read Mungo Murray’s “Treatise on Ship- 
building and Navigation,” published in 1754, he commenced, and 
with great perseverance successfully completed, according to the 
rules laid down in the work, an exact model of a 74-gun ship. 
As young Huddart grew up he assisted his father in the 
fishery. This he did until the latter’s death, in 1762, when he 
_ succeeded to his father’s share in the business. The same year 
q he married a Miss Johnston, whose father was a yeoman, living at 
Coupar, in the Abbey Holme. She died at Allonby, r2th 
February, 1786. There was issue of the marriage, five sons ; two 
of these died in infancy. Of the remaining three the eldest and 
the youngest, called respectively William and Johnston, predeceased 
their father. William, who was a captain in the sea service of the 
Honourable East India Company, died 30th March, 1787, and 
was buried at Macao, in China. Johnston, 3rd officer of the 
_ Princess Amelia, in the same Service, died on the 29th January, 
1795, and was buried at Leghorn. Of the only surviving son more 
_ particular mention will be made hereafter. 
. In 1768 Mr. Huddart built a brig, at Maryport, having some 
_ time previously given up the fishery. This vessel appears to have 
_ been built by Mr. John Wood, who, along with his son William, 
‘Was at that time a shipbuilder of repute. To this day the same 
_ shipyard is in existence, the business being conducted by Mr. 
_ Wilton W. Wood, the great-grandson of Mr. John Wood. With 
_ this vessel Mr. Huddart traded to and from North America on his 
_ own account, and also to and from Maryport and the Irish Coast. 
a It was in 1773 that through the urgent solicitations and advice 
of Sir Richard Hotham, Mr. Huddart was induced to enter the sea 
service of the Honourable East India Company. More than two 
years before he had been introduced to Sir Richard by an uncle, 
then living in London, and whose eldest daughter had married Sir 
