Capt. Hyde John Clarke

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Clarke family of Hyde, Cheshire See more at this link

"Hyde John Clarke (Captain Hyde John Clarke RN JP) was engaged in the administration of the Ashton and Peak Forest Canals and a Sub-Committee was created to which he was appointed. The purpose of this was to counsel and support James Meadows Junior following his formal appointment on the 18 August 1831 as the General Agent for both the Ashton and Peak Forest Canals. Hyde John Clarke was also notable figure in the affairs of the township of Hyde. He sat on the Magisterial Bench for the counties of Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and Yorkshire and he always gave his support to movements tending to the public good. His prominence and popularity was given recognition in 1839 when the citizens of Hyde presented him with a handsome testimonial in recognition of his services, and, '

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his unwearied disinterestedness, impartiality and affability'. This testimonial took the form of a silver plate valued at 270 guineas.
As a Magistrate, he was actively involved in controlling the civil and industrial disturbances of the 1830s and 40s and his services in this capacity were officially recognised by his appointment as the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire and the thanks of the War Office.
Hyde John Clarke's maritime career began on the 29 June 1791 when, at the age of fourteen, he joined the Royal Navy where he was placed aboard the 74-gun ship, HMS Bedford. One of his first duties was to provide ropes with which to hang three sailors who had been found guilty of mutiny. On the 13 June 1806 he fought in a two-hour long running battle that resulted in the capture of the French privateer, La Henrietta. Less than a month later, on the 9 July, he fought in a second battle, which resulted in the capture of another privateer, La Bellone. In 1810 he was promoted to the rank of Commander and for a while he was on guard service at the port of Liverpool.
After resigning his Commission with the Royal Navy he returned to Hyde where he managed the family estate on behalf of his half brother, George Hyde Clarke Junior. From here onwards he became the principal luminary in the township of Hyde."