Biography of General William Loftus 1752-1831

In or before 1752 [his father] Captain Henry Loftus (age 25) and [his mother] Diana Bullock were married.

In 1752 General William Loftus was born to Captain Henry Loftus (age 25) and Diana Bullock at Raynham Hall, Norfolk. He was baptised at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, Dublin [Map].

Around 1770 [his father] Captain Henry Loftus (age 43) puchased a commission for his son General William Loftus (age 18) in Ireland in the 17th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons, which was deployed to North America in 1775, where he saw action in the American War of Independence.

On 10 Apr 1775 General William Loftus (age 23) embarked at Cork [Map] for Boston, Massachusetts. He arrived on 24 May 1775.

Battle of Bunker Hill

On 17 Jun 1775 the Battle of Bunker Hill was fought as part of the siege of Boston, Massachusetts.

General William Loftus (age 23) took part.

On 18 Feb 1778 General William Loftus (age 26) and Margaret King were married.

Around 1783 [his son] Lt General William Francis Bentinck Loftus was born to General William Loftus (age 31) and [his wife] Margaret King.

On 04 May 1786 [his wife] Margaret King died.

On 07 May 1790 General William Loftus (age 38) and Elizabeth Townshend were married. She the daughter of George Townshend 1st Marquess Townshend (age 66) and Charlotte Compton 16th Baroness Ferrers Chartley 7th Baroness Compton.

In 1792 [his father] Captain Henry Loftus (age 65) died.

In 1794 [his brother-in-law] William Townshend (age 16) died.

In 1796 General William Loftus (age 44) was promoted to major-general, and lieutenant-general in 1803 and full general in 1813.

On 27 May 1796 [his brother-in-law] Charles Townshend (age 28) died.

In 1807 General William Loftus (age 55) was appointed Governor of Dumbarton Castle which position he held until 1810.

In 1810 General William Loftus (age 58) was appointed Lieutenant of the Tower of London.

On 21 Mar 1811 [his wife] Elizabeth Townshend died.

In 1821 General William Loftus (age 69) was appointed Colonel of the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays) which position he held for life.

In 1826 [his former sister-in-law] Honoria Townshend (age 49) died.

On 29 Nov 1826 [his former sister-in-law] Anne Townshend died.

On 15 Jul 1831 General William Loftus (age 79) died at his home at Wimpole Street, Marylebone. He was buried in the Townshend family vault Raynham Hall, Norfolk on 23 Jul 1831.

Before 1898. Memorial to General William Loftus and [his former wife] Elizabeth Townshend at the Church of St Mary, East Raynham [Map] sculpted by George Gammon Adams (age 76).

Elizabeth Townshend: Around 1767 she was born to George Townshend 1st Marquess Townshend and Charlotte Compton 16th Baroness Ferrers Chartley 7th Baroness Compton. On 07 May 1790 General William Loftus and she were married. She the daughter of George Townshend 1st Marquess Townshend and Charlotte Compton 16th Baroness Ferrers Chartley 7th Baroness Compton. On 21 Mar 1811 Elizabeth Townshend died.

[his daughter] Charlotte Elizabeth Loftus was born to General William Loftus and Elizabeth Townshend.

Ancestors of General William Loftus 1752-1831

Father: Captain Henry Loftus

General William Loftus

GrandFather: William Bullock of Sturston Hall in Norfolk

Mother: Diana Bullock