HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. [301 



fleet was ill-equipped, and very indifferently manned, and in no re- 

 spect fit for action ; their flag-ship had not more than sixty or 

 eighty seamen on board : the rest consisted of impressed landsmen, 

 or soldiers, of their new levies. As the port of Cadiz had been their 

 original destination, and as many of their ships were disabled, the 

 Spaniards manifested no inclination to renew the action, but took 

 shelter in Cadiz." 



For this victory Sir John Jervis was rewarded with an Earldom, 

 being created Baron Jervis of Meaford, in the county of Stafford, 

 and Earl of St. Vincent, to him and the heirs male of his body, by 

 patent dated June 23d, 1797. He afterwards obtained a patent for 

 a Viscountcy, with a collateral limitation, being created by patent 

 dated April 27, 1801, Viscount St. Vincent of Meaford, in the 

 county of Stafford, to him and the heirs male of his body lawfully 

 begotten, and in default to William Henry Ricketts, Esq. Captain 

 in his Majesty's Navy, son of Mary Ricketts, by William Henry 

 Ricketts, Esq. late of the Island of Jamaica, (which said Mary 

 Ricketts is the sister of the said John Earl of St. Vincent,) and the 

 heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, and in default of such issue, 

 to Edward Jervis Ricketts, Esq. Barrister-at-Law, another son of 

 the said Mary Ricketts, by the said late William Henry Ricketts, 

 and brother of the said William Henry Ricketts, and the heirs male 

 of his body lawfully begotten ; and in default of such issue, to Mary 

 Countess of Northesk, daughter of the said Mary Ricketts ; and 

 after the decease of the said Mary Countess of Northesk, and in 

 default of such issue, as well of the said John Earl of St. Vincent, 

 as of the said William Henry Ricketts, and Edward Jervis Ricketts, 

 as aforesaid, to the heirs male of the body of the said Mary 

 Countess of Northesk, lawfully begotten. In March 1801, when 

 the reins of Administration were committed to Mr. Addington, the 

 Earl of St. Vincent was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty. 

 His Lordship had afterwards for some time the command of the 

 Channel fleet. 



Creations. Earl of St. Vincent and Baron Jervis of Meaford, by patent, 

 June 23, 1797 j and Viscouut St. Vincent of Meaford, April 27, 1801. 



Arms. Sable, a chevron Ermine, between three martlets, Or. 



Crest. A demi-Pegasus issuing from a wreath. 



Supporters. On the dexter side, an eagle grasping in its left talon a thun- 

 derbolt; on the sinister side, a Pegasus charged on the wing, with a fleur-de- 

 leuce. 



Motto. Thus. 



Seat. Rochelts, Essex. 



Heir-Presumptive. Edward Jervis Ricketts, Esq. to the Viscountcy only. 



ft Q, 



