Captain Michael Alcock

Michael Alcock was a military officer, who was seriously wounded during the French siege of Minorca in 1756. He was born about 1710 in the United Kingdom, probably in Ireland. He had one daughter, Mary, and a son, Hugh Robert, with Martha Sloper between 1733 and 1746. At the time of his daughter's marriage to Henry Brownrigg in 1753, Michael was said to be of Norwich, England. On Oct, 13, 1755, Michael was commissioned a Captain with the 34th Regiment of Foot under Colonel Earl of Effingham, according to the Army List. The 34th was one of the four regiments which, under General Blakeney, won undying fame in the defense of Fort St. Philip on the island of Minorca in 1756. The enemy mustered over 20,000, while the British defending the crumbling ruins of the old fort did not number many more than 3,000. Disease broke out among the defenders, and before a month was gone more than half the garrison were unable to do duty. Yet the courage of the garrison never diminished, even the sick crawling to the walls to help repulse the enemy attacks. It was not until the gallant garrison had been reduced by death, wounds, and disease to less than a quarter of its original strength, and nearly all the ammunition had been expended, that General Blakeney surrendered. The French General was so impressed by the gallantry of the defenders that he allowed them to march out with all the honors of war, with fixed bayonets and colours flying. The Regiment went to Gibraltar and then to England, where it received a great public welcome in honor of its gallant defense of Fort St. Philip. At Gibraltar, Michael made his last will and testament on 20 October 1756, apparently fearing he would not survive the journey home. The will designates his oldest child, Mary, and her husband, Capt. Henry Brownrigg, as executors of Michael’s estate until his only son, Hugh Robert, reaches the age of 18. In the will, Michael Alcock infers that Martha was with him at Gibraltar. He alludes to the dangers at sea and the possibility that they may never return home to see their children in England. "If any accident should happen to us, we are fully assured that our beloved son and daughter, Henry and Mary Brownrigg, will take all possible care of our dear son Hugh Robert," the will states. The Captain did return home. Apparently on his deathbed, a codicil dated 16 June 1758 at Westminster changed the executor of the will to "my trusty friend" Elizabeth Hanrock (?), a widow. The will was proved four days later on 20 June 1758 in London, which means he died before this date. A copy of the will was obtained from the Public Records Office in London. His death was noted in several periodicals, including the London Magazine and the Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure. An entry on page 332 of The Scots Magazine, Vol 20, published in 1758 listed his death in a brief notice with an inaccurate date. "21 June 1758 - At London, of a wound he received at the Siege of Fort St. Philip's in Minorca, Capt. Michael Alcock, oldest captain in Effingham's foot."