Thomas & Mary (Couzens) Mott

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Thomas Mott and Mary Couzens

Thomas Mott born 29 September 1757 in Witham, Essex, England and died 1832 in Portsmouth.  Thomas Mott married Mary Couzens on 26 April 1781 in Portsea, England. Mary was born to William & Mary Couzens on 14 May 1761, baptised 23 May 1761 in St Sepulchre, London and died 1836. 

Thomas and Mary Mott had 10 children:
 1. Thomas Mott born 1782 and died 1782.
 2. Mary Jane Mott born 1783 Portsmouth, Hampshire, England.
 3. Elizabeth Mott born 9 February 1785 Portsmouth, Hampshire, England.
 4. Samuel Mott born 1787 and died 1787.
 5. Thomas Mott born 1789 Portsea, Hampshire and died April 1860 Portsea, Hampshire, England.         Thomas married Maria Hibberd born 1796 in Alverstoke, Hampshire and died July 1872 in Portsea Island, Hampshire.
  6. Samuel Mott born 13 July 1792 in Portsmouth and died 5 May 1873 in Belfast, Victoria, Australia.
Samuel married Jane Mew born 1797 in Kingswood, Hampshire and died 1866 in Victoria, Australia.
  7. Sarah Mott born 1795 in Bursledon, Hampshire and died 22 November 1878 in St.George Square, Portsea, Hampshire. Sarah married Philip Finch born 1794 Dartmouth, Devon and died 30 April 1862 in 16 St Georges Square, Portsea, England.
  8. Edward Richard Mott born 12 November 1797 at St Mary's, Portsea, Hampshire and died 9 March 1878 in Southsea, Hampshire. Edward married Louisa Lye born 1801 in Portsea, Hampshire and died October 1871 in Hampshire, England.
  9. John Mott born 1800.
10. William Henry Mott born 1803 and died 1867.  William married Harriett Roberts born 1816 in Boston, Lincolnshire and died 1873 Greenich, London.

To continue the line of Motts to the Brighouses you need to follow Samuel & Jane (Mew) Mott, which is the next Post. I will however enlarge on the families of Edward Richard & Louisa Mott and William Henry & Harriett (Roberts) Mott.

Mary Couzens, daughter of William & Mary Couzens, 

born 14 May 1761 and baptised 23 May 1761 at St Sepulchre, London.

Edward Richard Mott & Louisa Lye 

Together they had 6 children:

1. Isabella Cecillia T Mott born 3 March 1825 and died 17 June 1827 in Lambeth, England.

2. Louisa Mott 1826-1826.
3. Georgianna Mott born 26 October 1826 St Johns Portsea, Hampshire and died 30 April 1910 at Southsea, Hampshire, England. Georgianna married Henry Fisher Jackson born 1822 Clerkenwell, London and died April 1881 in Hampshire.
4. Andrew Luther Mott born 9 November 1828 in Portsea and died 4 September 1904 at Rowlands-Villa, Rowlands Castle, Hampshire. Andrew married Mary Ann Morrant born January 1839 in Burlesdon, Hampshire  in 1861.  Mary died 19 December 1924 in Havant, Hampshire, England.
5. John Augustus Mott born 12 December 1831 in Hampshire.
6. Thomas Lye Mott born 3 March 1833 and died October 1838 in Hampshire.

Edward Richard & Louisa Mott 

with daughter Georgianna 1851 Census.

 Andrew Luther & Mary Ann (Morrant) Mott

1881 Census - Andrew Luther & Mary Ann Mott 

 Napoleon surrendered his 2 pistols to First Lieutenant Andrew Mott on 15 July 1815.

                                                         Later promoted to Commander. 

Through circumstances still to be discovered, Andrew Luther Mott ended up with the pistols in his possession. They were on display at the Chelsea Exhibition in 1891.  The pistols were insured for 10,000 pounds at the time.  I wonder what they would be worth today?

When 2 Australian soldiers John Wesley Mott (1891-1979) and William Thomas Mott (born 1893) visited the widow of Andrew Luther Mott at the end of WW1, Mary Ann Mott presented the brothers with some Mott momentous.  

To John W. Mott she gave the 2 pistols that Napoleon surrendered to First Lieutenant Mott on 15 July 1815. John Wesley Mott was a worthy family member as Lieutenant John Wesley Mott was awarded the Military Cross and Distinguished Conduct Medal for services in WW1. Mrs John W. Mott took the pistols to Melbourne where they were sold by auction in the early 1950s. 

 

Mrs Mott carried Napoleon's pistols in her luggage, but quickly put them into a safe deposit box before negotiating their sale by auction in Melbourne in the early 1950s. They were purchased by Julio Lobo.  After the Cuban Revolution, Lobo left Cuba and did not take his Napoleon collection.  It is the largest and best collection of Napoleonic items outside France. 

Napoleon's pistols are now in Museo Napoleonico in Havana, Cuba.

To William Mott she gave a snuff box, gold tooth pick, the Mott family seal ring and a minature of Captain Andrew Mott Snr. On the back is a strand of hair from Andrew Mott's wife.  William sold it in 1935 and the minature is now in the National Maritime Museum (see below).  

William was one of the solders that inscribed his name in the French cave at Naours during WW1.

The Mott seal ring presented to William Mott, 

Commander Andrew Mott,

 and Andrew Luther and Mary Mott's home in Rowlands Castle, Hampshire.

The above 3 photos of the Mott seal ring is in the hands of a descendant of Andrew Mott Snr, the likely original owner, as he was a man of importance (none on the male Motts in line have come near to his importance it would seem).  The Mott seal ring is engraved in bloodstone and set in gold.  The crest has a wing with a garter across it at an angle.  The crest is encircled by a garter with the family motto "Fortior Leone Amicitia" which means "Friendship is Stronger than the Lion".

The wing crest is the same as the seal that William Mott received from Andrew Luther Mott in 1918, except his had a M and no garter surrounding the crest.

Andrew Luther and Mary Ann Mott at Kingston Cemetery, Portsmouth, England

There is a memorial in the Porch at St John's Church, Rowland Castle 
for Andrew Luther and Mary Ann Mott.

Aerial view of St John's Church in Rowlands Castle, showing the Porch.

Porch at St John's Church Rowlands Castle with the Mott Memorial.

To the Glory of God and in Memory of Andrew Luther Mott, 1904.
This Porch was erected by his Widow Mary Ann Mott.
This Stone also commemorates the above M.A.Mott
 who passed to her rest December 1924.

This article was in "The Brisbane Courier" on Saturday 27 August 1927

Napoleon's Pistols in Brisbane.  By Spencer BROWNE.

Napoleon's Abdication and Flight.  

After Waterloo, after the furious days "when Wellington smashed Bonaparte," Napoleon returned to Paris, hoping to reorganise his shattered forces, to form a new army and fight on. He found, however, a war weary Paris, and a hostile Chamber of Deputies, and sent a delegation, in response to an imperious call, to represent the causes of the loss of the battle of Waterloo, and his proposals for public safety, and for treating with the combined Powers for peace. The Ministers, with Prince Lucien at their head, suggested a committee of five members from each Chamber to discuss the proposals of the Emperor, but they found the Deputies arrogantly hostile, and obviously bent upon an abdication. M. Henry Lacoste said: "The veil is torn aside - our misfortunes are known. You talk to us of peace; but what new basis will you give to your negotiations.

You know as well as we that Europe has declared war against Napoleon alone. Will you hence forth separate the nation from Napoleon? For my part, I declare I see but one man between us and peace. Let him speak and the country will be saved." The Deputies granted the Emperor an hour's grace to declare himself. The Emperor's friends, including Prince Lucien and Prince Joseph, urged that the time for other action had passed, and urged submission, and Napoleon, with an ironical smile, said to the Duke of Orleans: "Write to those gentlemen to make themselves easy; they shall soon be satisfied." and one of the historians tells us: "He then wrote his abdication." But Napoleon insisted that he had only abdicated in favour of his son. The return of Grouchy to France with his army intact, and the rally of the wrecks from the forces of Waterloo, saw the formation of a force of some 50,000 or 60,000 men, and they showed that they still could sting, the Prussians being badly cut up on one occasion; but the French vainly sought an armistice. Blucher would have no armistice, and the so-called treachery of Fouche, of the Prince of Echmuhl, and others, and the practical investment of Paris by the Allies, broke the French spirit or bent it to the Allied will. From the headquarters of the Allies at Hagenau was issued a peremptory note, aimed at the surrender of Napoleon and the ex-Emperor saw that it was time to "up sticks and off."

How Napoleon left France.

It may be said that had it not been for treacheries the French soldiers would have put up a desperate fight for their country as they regarded the situation and for their beloved Napoleon. Much blood shedding on both sides was saved by the firmness of the Allies. The note from their headquarters referred to above ran thus: "The three Powers consider it as an essential condition of peace and real tranquillity that Napoleon Bonaparte shall be incapable of disturbing the peace of Europe in future; and in consequence of the events which occurred in March last (1813), the Powers must insist on Napoleon Bonaparte being placed in their custody. Napoleon, who had left the Imperial Palace as a matter of discretion, and was practically under the guardianship of General Beker, at Malmaison, had moved on to Rochefort, and on the day after the Prussians surrounded the palace where the Government held its sittings (July 8), Louis XVIII returned in triumph and took possession of his capital and throne." 

Napoleon went on board the frigate La Saale, with his suite on the Medusa, and anchored at the Isle of Aix. On July 10, an English fleet of eleven vessels was seen cruising within sight of the port, and on July 11 Napoleon sent to inquire of the British Admiral whether he was authorised to allow him liberty to go to England or the United States, and the answer from the Admiral was that he was ready to receive Napoleon and convey him to England. Dissatisfied with such a reply, history tells us, Napoleon had some idea of going on board an American vessel at the mouth of the Gironde, "whose captain would be most happy and proud to have received him." and also, "He also refused the proffered assistance of some young midshipmen full of courage and devotion, who, with two barks, swore they would forfeit their lives if they did not convey him to New York." Napoleon evidently was reluctant to be taken to the bosom of the American Republic, and decided for England. He sent a message to the British Admiral that on the following day he would go on board his vessel, and on July 15 he went off in the brig L'Epervier, and was received on board the H.M.S. Bellerophon with the honours due to his military rank."

Surrender to Captain Maitland.

IT is clear from the account of Captain Maitland, of the Bellerophon that the honours were not paid to Napoleon when he first boarded that ship. Maitland, in his despatch on the surrender, said: "At break of day on July 15, 1815, L'Epervier French brig-of-war, was discovered under sail standing out towards the ship with a flag of truce up; and at the same time the Superb, bearing Sir Henry Hotham's flag, was seen in the offing. By half-past five the ebb tide failed, the wind was blowing right in, and the brig, which was within a mile of us, made no further progress, while the Superb was advancing with the wind and tide in her favour. Thus situated, and being most anxious to terminate the affair I had brought so near to a conclusion previous to the Admiral's arrival, I sent off Mr. Mott, the first lieutenant, in a barge, who returned soon after 6 o'clock, bringing Napoleon with him."   That brief historical sketch probably will revive the memories of folk who have not recently studied the Napoleonic career, and it is a prelude to a very interesting circumstance which has a close Queensland association.

Napoleon's Pair of Pistols.  

A few days ago I went with Mr. W. T. Mott, of Laura-street, South Brisbane, to the safe deposit vaults of the Queensland Trustees. Ltd., and there he showed me, and allowed me the great pleasure of handling and making a close inspection of a pair of pistols, most carefully preserved. They are old  flintlocks of a heavy calibre, and on the base of the stock each is the letter "N", with a crown and laurel wreath. These were presented by Napoleon at the time of his surrender in 1815 to the late Commander Andrew Mott, of H.M.S. Bellerophon, and they were "shown at the Naval Exhibition at Chelsea in 1891." by A. L. Mott, Esquire, R.X.E.  A certificate which endorses their bona fides, if that were necessary, seeing that they have not been out of the possession of the Mott family since they were presented to Commander Mott of the Bellerophon in 1815 is signed by Albert Edward J?, (the late King Edward, then Prince of Wales), and by Admiral W. M'Dowell. 

In the early days of the recent Great War. a young authorised surveyor, J. W. Mott, who was then on the Daly River, Northern Territory, came to Brisbane and enlisted in the 7th Field Engineers. Prior to gaining a commission overseas, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and then as a lieutenant he won the Military Cross. On going over to England on leave from France, the young soldier's relatives considered that he was well entitled to be the family holder of the pistols given by the great Napoleon to their relative, Commander Andrew Mott, who took the ex-Emperor from L'Epervier, and conveyed him to his formal surrender on the Bellerophon.

It was the father of Lieutenant J. W. Mott. M.C.. D.C.M., who showed me the pistols in Brisbane.  Mr. W. T. Mott is well known in Brisbane, having been for many years in the Public Service, and is the son of the late J. W. Mott, formerly a contractor in a big way, who came to Brisbane in 1893. It is doubtful if there is a more interesting, souvenir of war in the Commonwealth than this brace of pistols, which we may assume were carried in the holsters of the great military genius. Napoleon and the bent "grips" of which were so often in his hands. Their owner, Mr. J. W. Mott, is an authorised surveyor, practising at Bundaberg. It was an agreement with his father, Mr. W. T. Mott, that I should not "bring the young follow into the limelight."

I have had to mention him in connection with the Napoleon souvenir, as a historical necessity, and he must patiently bear the publicity.

William Henry & Harriett (Roberts) Mott

William and Harriett Mott had 6 children:
1. William John Mott born 1835 in Lambeth, St John the Evengelist and died 18 November 1912 in Hampshire.
2. Mary Mott born 1838 in Greenwich, Kent and died September 1913 in Wandsworth, London.
3. Margaret Louisa Mott born 7 March 1845 in Deptford, St.Paul, England.
4. Rosina Maria Claron Mott born 9 July 1847 in Greenwich St.Alphege, England and died 5 June 1942 in Buckingham Street, Sydney, Australia.
5. Andrew Charles Mott born July 1850 in Greenwich St.Alphege and died March 1916 in Whitechapel, London.  Andrew married Catherine Perry and had 8 children. He was a Metropolitan Police Constable.
6. Edward Samuel Mott born 11 September 1853 in 6 Claremont Place, Greenwich West, Kent and died 8 December 1922 in Barking, Essex, England.

Andrew Charles & Catherine Mott 1891 Census with 6 children.

If you have anything to add, correction or comment please contact the author of this Blog, Joy Olney by email - joyolney@gmail.com

Samuel & Jane (Mew) Mott

http://brighousemottfamilyarchives.blogspot.com.au

Samuel Mott and Sarah Jane Mew

Samuel Mott born 13 July 1792 in Deptford St.Paul, Portsmouth, England and died 5 May 1873 in Belfast, Port Fairy, Victoria, Australia.  Samuel married (Sarah) Jane Mew born 1797 in Kingswood, Hampshire and died 1866 in Victoria, Australia on 5 February 1816. Samuel Mott was buried at Port Fairy Cemetery, Victoria, Australia.

Samuel and Jane Mott had 7 children:
1. Samuel Mott born 1817 in Portsmouth, Hamptonshire, England and died 2 October 1817 (3 months)
2. Jane Mott born 30 October 1818 in Portsmouth, Hamptonshire, England.
3. William Mott born 25 May 1821 in Portsmouth, Hamptonshire, England.
4. Samuel Mott born 1823 in Portsmouth, Hamptonshire and died 7 July 1906 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Samuel married Alice McGuiness born 1830 and died 12 March 1888, on 17 June 1850.
5. Mary Couzens Mott born 16 September 1825 in Portsmouth, Hamptonshire, England.
6. Phoebe Mew Mott born 2 February 1828 in Portsmouth, Hamptonshire, England.
7. John Wesley Mott born 7 November 1831 Portsmouth and died 21 March 1904 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. John married Diana Sarah Jeves born 29 September 1829 in Lewisham, Middlesex, England and died 30 May 1912 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on 8 February 1852.

Samuel Mott 1792-1873

Sarah Jane Mott 1797-1866

Winifred Mott, a Descendant of Samuel Mott wrote a book many years ago with her recollections of the Mott family living in Port Fairy. An extract from the book is below.

Samuel Mott of Port Fairy - His background and descendants.

This is the story of Samuel Mott, christened 1792 at St.Mary’s Church Portsea, Portsmouth, England.  The background of his lifestyle in Port Fairy, Victoria, of his descendants who were born and lived there and of as many of his descendants as we could find.

There are several unmarked graves in one part of the old cemetery at Port Fairy, three of those graves could be the last resting places of (according to record):

1. An old whaler who died in the year 1873, Samuel Mott.

2. His wife, Jane Mew Mott, who died earlier in 1866.

3. His daughter-in-law, Alice McGuiness Mott who died in 1888.

Alice came to the colony as a young girl, married the son of that old whaler in 1850 and lived her whole life in the town.

We decided that, before all records of them and their children were lost we would find out all we could about them and put the result together, so that our children and theirs would know of their heritage. We believed that this would be a comparatively easy task, after all I’d lived with one of them for over 40 years, listened to their background stories; but, learning by word is one thing and proving it by record is quite another.  The months have turned to years.  What we knew by word was:

1. That the family had left France at the time of the Huguenot uprising.

2. The original family had been named De la Motte.

3. On arrival in England they had first settled in Norfolk, some in Sussex and later in Portsmouth.

4. That four names were constantly mentioned, William, Thomas, Andrew and Samuel.  John Wesley came later.

5. They were a family conscious group and still are.

6. That they were industrious and seamanship was a way of life for many of them.

7. We also were told that there was a castle and a certain amount of wealth.

8. We knew they were quiet folk who cared very much for others.

9. That the branch of the family in which we were interested came from Portsmouth.

10. Samuel Mott, having offended a lady, ran off to sea at an early age.

11. That he returned to England in the year 1816 and married the girl of his choice.

12. We had always been told that a cottage had been built in Port Fairy, for a bride, and Jane had come to a sandstone cottage, also that it was in the early 1800s that Samuel had first come to the area and that four generations of Mott folk, we were told, had lived at Port Fairy by 1880 and a fifth by the turn of the century; that there was a Samuel in each of four generations by the year 1880.

We had also learnt – with regard to the names of Mott men known to the family :

John Robert Mott born approx. 1710 died 1788 Yeoman Farmer of Plovers Barrow Farm, Clare, Suffolk, England.

He had 4 sons: Samuel, William, Andrew, Thomas (father of Samuel Mott of Port Fairy).

The name of De La Motte: Fouque’ Baron De La Motte – Romanticist, who spent many years in or near Paris devoted to literary persuits.  He was of Huguenot ancestry.

The village of La Motte is near Cambrai in France.

Samuel Mott (1790-1873) was a Shipwright in 1851 Census. In 1857 Samuel, a Whaler, returned to England to get his wife Jane. At that date they had 7 children born between 1817 - 1831.

On 9 October 1859 Samuel & Jane Mott arrived in Australia on "Zambesi".

The National Trust now owns "Mott's Cottage" in 5 Sackville Street, Port Fairy, Victoria, Australia.

Mott's Cottage is a top tourist attraction in Port Fairy.

The Historical Society in Port Fairy advises me that the Mott family were not the original owners of the  cottage, but had a very long association with the cottage.

Mid 1800s John Hooper had a large family and leased the property at 5 Sackville Street along with the property that backed onto it. In 1885 John Hooper bought the house for 198 Pounds. 1916 it was a Boarding House run by the Hooper family.

vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/vhd/heritagevic#detail_places;2837

"Mott's Cottage, named after the owner and occupant, Sarah Jane Mott from 1918 until 1944, is located within the main street grid of Port Fairy.  The Mott family worked as fishermen, boatmen and labourers in Port Fairy.  The oldest part, the single storey, two-room timber sertion may date from about the time the town was surveyed and laid out in 1845, or even before since it is skew to the street.  The two storey stone section was built before 1856 when Mrs Jane Chastel leased the property.  Another tenant, John Hooper, a successful stone mason purchased the property from Atkinson's Special Survey sale in 1885 and subsequently he, or his daughter Caroline, ran it as a boarding house, perhaps the reason for a skillion addition at the rear, used as the kitchen.  Another room and simple cast iron trimmed verandah were added at the front possibly at the same time, but were since removed when the cottage, purchased by the National Trust in 1973, was converted to its current use as a house museum in 1977.  The garden gazebo was built in the early 1990s to house a sundial.  The house is relatively intact to the 1860s period and is in good condition".

Authors notes:

This Sarah Jane Mott born 5 April 1856 in Longford, Tasmania and died 23 June 1950 in Essendon, Victoria at the age of 94. Her second marriage was to William Mott, born 1876 in Port Fairy and died 19 January 1944 in Port Fairy, in 1904.  William was the great grandson of Samuel & Jane Mott.

Sarah was born Sarah Jane Turner (1856-1950). Her first marriage was to William Stevens (1860-1901), on 11 June 1874 in Longford, Tasmania, Tasmania.  They had one son Clarence Ernest Stevens born 4 July 1881 in Longford.  William Stevens died 28 December 1901 in Port Fairy at 41 years.

Three years later Sarah married William Mott in Port Fairy, and it seems Sarah had a long association with Mott's Cottage (1918-1944).

Mott's Cottage in Port Fairy, Victoria, Australia - built in 1850s.

Darren and Fiona visited Mott's Cottage.

William Mott died 19 January 1944 and his wife Sarah Jane Mott, died 23 June 1950 at the age of 94. 

They are buried in Port Fairy Cemetery, Victoria.

1851 Census - Samuel & Jane Mott with daughter Phoebe. 

If you have anything to add, a correction or comment please contact the author of this blog, 

Joy Olney via email - joyolney@gmail.com

John W.& Diana S.(Jeves) Mott

http://brighousemottfamilyarchives.blogspot.com.au

John Wesley Mott and Diana  Sarah Jeves

John Wesley Mott born 1832 in Portsmouth, England and died 21 March 1904 in Brisbane.

John married Diana Sarah Jeves born 25 October 1829 in Lewisham, Middlesex and died 30 May 1912 in Brisbane, Queensland 8 February 1852 in St Giles Parish Church, Camberwell, County of Surrey, England.

John & Diana sailed from London to Brisbane on "Wansfell" in 1862.

 
Together they had 9 children:

1. Samuel Henry Mott born October 1854 in Surrey, England and died 1927 in Brisbane, Queensland.

Samuel married Lydia Thompson born 14 September 1849 in Manning River, New South Wales, Australia. Lydia died 7 July 1895 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

2. John Wesley Mott born 2 December 1856 St Pauls Deptford, Kent & Surrey, England.

3. George William Mott born September 1859 Deptford, Kent, England.

4. William Thomas Mott born 10 December 1862 in Chatham, Kent, England. and died 28 February 1943 in Brisbane. William Thomas Mott married Caroline Madeline Banks born 5 April 1867 at "Goomburra", Allora, Darling Downs, Queensland and died 3 February 1955 in Brisbane on 16 June 1890.

5. Jane Elizabeth Mott born 8 July 1865 in Brisbane and died 23 June 1942 in Queensland.

6. Andrew Mott born 15 January 1867 in Brisbane and died 24 June 1944 in Brisbane, Queensland.

7. Isabella Phoebe Mott born 6 October 1870 and died 22 July 1930 in Brisbane, Queensland.

8. Alice Mott born 9 August 1871 in Queensland and died 27 May 1872 in Queensland.

9. Sarah Annie Mott born 13 July 1873 in Brisbane and died 26 October 1966 in Brisbane.

William Thomas & Caroline Madeline (Banks) Mott

William Thomas Mott born 10 December 1862 in Chatham, Kent and died 28 February 1943 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. William Mott married Caroline Madeline Banks born 5 April 1867 at "Goomburra", Allora, Darling Downs, Queensland and died 3 February 1955 in Brisbane on 16 June 1890.

They had 4 children:

1. John Wesley Mott born 14 June 1891 in Brisbane and died 22 February 1979 in Brisbane.
John Wesley Mott received the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Military Cross Medal for services in WW1. John Mott inherited the 2 pistols that Napoleon surrended to his ancestor Lieutenant Andrew Mott.  John Wesley Mott married Dorothy Beatrice Harvey born 10 December 1894 in Queensland on 25 July 1923 in Queensland. John & Dorothy Mott had 3 children including John Wesley Mott born 8 April 1926 in Bundaberg, Queensland and died 21 March 2006 in Caboolture, Queensland.

2. William Thomas Mott born 11 February 1893. William Mott enlisted in WW1 on 3 July 1915. Regimental No.1669B, Rank - Staff Sergeant.  Unit - 49th Battalion. Fate - returned to Australia 23 January 1919.

3. Charles Banks Mott born 1896.

4. Caroline Marjorie Mott born 1901.

Caroline Madeline (Banks) Mott born 1867 - 1955

"Goomburra", 27 Laura Street, South Brisbane. The home of William & Caroline Mott from 1903 until their deaths in 1943 & 1955.

This article was in "The Brisbane Courier" on Saturday 27 August 1927

Napoleon's Pistols in Brisbane.  By Spencer BROWNE.

Napoleon's Abdication and Flight.  

After Waterloo, after the furious days "when Wellington smashed Bonaparte," Napoleon returned to Paris, hoping to reorganise his shattered forces, to form a new army and fight on. He found, however, a war weary Paris, and a hostile Chamber of Deputies, and sent a delegation, in response to an imperious call, to represent the causes of the loss of the battle of Waterloo, and his proposals for public safety, and for treating with the combined Powers for peace. The Ministers, with Prince Lucien at their head, suggested a committee of five members from each Chamber to discuss the proposals of the Emperor, but they found the Deputies arrogantly hostile, and obviously bent upon an abdication. M. Henry Lacoste said: "The veil is torn aside - our misfortunes are known. You talk to us of peace; but what new basis will you give to your negotiations.

You know as well as we that Europe has declared war against Napoleon alone. Will you hence forth separate the nation from Napoleon? For my part, I declare I see but one man between us and peace. Let him speak and the country will be saved." The Deputies granted the Emperor an hour's grace to declare himself. The Emperor's friends, including Prince Lucien and Prince Joseph, urged that the time for other action had passed, and urged submission, and Napoleon, with an ironical smile, said to the Duke of Orleans: "Write to those gentlemen to make themselves easy; they shall soon be satisfied." and one of the historians tells us: "He then wrote his abdication." But Napoleon insisted that he had only abdicated in favour of his son. The return of Grouchy to France with his army intact, and the rally of the wrecks from the forces of Waterloo, saw the formation of a force of some 50,000 or 60,000 men, and they showed that they still could sting, the Prussians being badly cut up on one occasion; but the French vainly sought an armistice. Blucher would have no armistice, and the so-called treachery of Fouche, of the Prince of Echmuhl, and others, and the practical investment of Paris by the Allies, broke the French spirit or bent it to the Allied will. From the headquarters of the Allies at Hagenau was issued a peremptory note, aimed at the surrender of Napoleon and the ex-Emperor saw that it was time to "up sticks and off."

How Napoleon left France.

It may be said that had it not been for treacheries the French soldiers would have put up a desperate fight for their country as they regarded the situation and for their beloved Napoleon. Much blood shedding on both sides was saved by the firmness of the Allies. The note from their headquarters referred to above ran thus: "The three Powers consider it as an essential condition of peace and real tranquillity that Napoleon Bonaparte shall be incapable of disturbing the peace of Europe in future; and in consequence of the events which occurred in March last (1813), the Powers must insist on Napoleon Bonaparte being placed in their custody. Napoleon, who had left the Imperial Palace as a matter of discretion, and was practically under the guardianship of General Beker, at Malmaison, had moved on to Rochefort, and on the day after the Prussians surrounded the palace where the Government held its sittings (July 8), Louis XVIII returned in triumph and took possession of his capital and throne." 
Napoleon went on board the frigate La Saale, with his suite on the Medusa, and anchored at the Isle of Aix. On July 10, an English fleet of eleven vessels was seen cruising within sight of the port, and on July 11 Napoleon sent to inquire of the British Admiral whether he was authorised to allow him liberty to go to England or the United States, and the answer from the Admiral was that he was ready to receive Napoleon and convey him to England. Dissatisfied with such a reply, history tells us, Napoleon had some idea of going on board an American vessel at the mouth of the Gironde, "whose captain would be most happy and proud to have received him." and also, "He also refused the proffered assistance of some young midshipmen full of courage and devotion, who, with two barks, swore they would forfeit their lives if they did not convey him to New York." Napoleon evidently was reluctant to be taken to the bosom of the American Republic, and decided for England. He sent a message to the British Admiral that on the following day he would go on board his vessel, and on July 15 he went off in the brig L'Epervier, and was received on board the H.M.S. Bellerophon with the honours due to his military rank."

Surrender to Captain Maitland.

IT is clear from the account of Captain Maitland, of the Bellerophon that the honours were not paid to Napoleon when he first boarded that ship. Maitland, in his despatch on the surrender, said: "At break of day on July 15, 1815, L'Epervier French brig-of-war, was discovered under sail standing out towards the ship with a flag of truce up; and at the same time the Superb, bearing Sir Henry Hotham's flag, was seen in the offing. By half-past five the ebb tide failed, the wind was blowing right in, and the brig, which was within a mile of us, made no further progress, while the Superb was advancing with the wind and tide in her favour. Thus situated, and being most anxious to terminate the affair I had brought so near to a conclusion previous to the Admiral's arrival, I sent off Mr. Mott, the first lieutenant, in a barge, who returned soon after 6 o'clock, bringing Napoleon with him."   That brief historical sketch probably will revive the memories of folk who have not recently studied the Napoleonic career, and it is a prelude to a very interesting circumstance which has a close Queensland association.

Napoleon's Pair of Pistols.  

A few days ago I went with Mr. W. T. Mott, of Laura-street, South Brisbane, to the safe deposit vaults of the Queensland Trustees. Ltd., and there he showed me, and allowed me the great pleasure of handling and making a close inspection of a pair of pistols, most carefully preserved. They are old  flintlocks of a heavy calibre, and on the base of the stock each is the letter "N", with a crown and laurel wreath. These were presented by Napoleon at the time of his surrender in 1815 to the late Commander Andrew Mott, of H.M.S. Bellerophon, and they were "shown at the Naval Exhibition at Chelsea in 1891." by A. L. Mott, Esquire, R.X.E.  A certificate which endorses their bona fides, if that were necessary, seeing that they have not been out of the possession of the Mott family since they were presented to Commander Mott of the Bellerophon in 1815 is signed by Albert Edward J?, (the late King Edward, then Prince of Wales), and by Admiral W. M'Dowell. 

In the early days of the recent Great War. a young authorised surveyor, J. W. Mott, who was then on the Daly River, Northern Territory, came to Brisbane and enlisted in the 7th Field Engineers. Prior to gaining a commission overseas, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and then as a lieutenant he won the Military Cross. On going over to England on leave from France, the young soldier's relatives considered that he was well entitled to be the family holder of the pistols given by the great Napoleon to their relative, Commander Andrew Mott, who took the ex-Emperor from L'Epervier, and conveyed him to his formal surrender on the Bellerophon.

It was the father of Lieutenant J. W. Mott. M.C.. D.C.M., who showed me the pistols in Brisbane.  Mr. W. T. Mott is well known in Brisbane, having been for many years in the Public Service, and is the son of the late J. W. Mott, formerly a contractor in a big way, who came to Brisbane in 1893. It is doubtful if there is a more interesting, souvenir of war in the Commonwealth than this brace of pistols, which we may assume were carried in the holsters of the great military genius. Napoleon and the bent "grips" of which were so often in his hands. Their owner, Mr. J. W. Mott, is an authorised surveyor, practising at Bundaberg. It was an agreement with his father, Mr. W. T. Mott, that I should not "bring the young follow into the limelight."

I have had to mention him in connection with the Napoleon souvenir, as a historical necessity, and he must patiently bear the publicity.

 John Wesley & Dorothy Beatrice (Harvey) Mott

(son of William Thomas & Caroline Mott) 

Lieutenant John Wesley Mott was awarded the Military Cross and Distinguished Conduct Medal in WW1

John Wesley Mott born 14 June 1891 in Brisbane and died 22 February 1979 in Brisbane. John married Dorothy Beatrice Harvey born 10 December 1894 in Queensland on 25 July 1923 in Queensland. John & Dorothy Mott had 3 children including John Wesley Mott born 8 April 1926 in Bundaberg, Queensland and died 21 March 2006 in Caboolture, Queensland.

Personal timeline for John Wesley Mott:
14 June 1891 John Wesley Mott born.
1908 Matriculated at Brisbane Boys Grammar School winning a scholarship.
1909 Commenced career in Surveying.
23 April 1913 appointed as a Staff Surveyor in the Northern Territory by the Department of Lands.
November 1915 John went to WW1. He carried out extensive surveys between Roper River & north coast, including Mataranka Station. Created the 1st accurate longatude fix at Katherine.
1919 with war over he continued as a surveyor in Bundaberg, Queensland.
25 July 1923 John married Dorothy Beatrice Harvey and had 3 children.
1943 son John Wesley Mott Jnr worked with his father in Toomomba, Queensdland.
1974 gave up surveying & retired to Strathpine, Brisbane.
22 February 1979 John Wesley Mott died.

Military records for John Wesley Mott:
Enlisted: 18 December 1915 at age 24, Surveyor.
Unit: 6th Field Company Engineers, 4th Reinforcement.
Service: Australian Imperial Force.
Embarked on H.M.A.T. A67 "Orsova" on 11 March 1916.
8 November 1917 Distinguished Conduct Medal: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  On at least three occasions he had carried out surveys under heavy fire, with the object of ascertaining the situation after attacks.  He has in each case brought back reliable information of the greatest value".
August 1918 wounded.
9 December 1918 returned to Australia. 
11 March 1919 was discharged.
23 May 1919 Military Cross: "Work at Hangard Wood 10-17 April 1918, at Morlancourt on 10 June 1918, at Villers-Bretonneux on 7 August 1918, at Framerville on 10-11 August 1918, near Peronne on 29 August 1918".
13 October 1941 CMF 47 Battalion at Maryborough, Queensland. Engaged on topography in North & Central Queensland.
13 September 1945 sent to Lae in New Guinea as a Captain aged 53 years.
Mentioned in Dispatches for Distinguished Services in the South-West pacific area from October 1944-March 1945.
27 November 1945 discharged.


It appears that Andrew Luther Mott (1828-1904) inherited Napoleon's 2 pistols from First Lieutenant Andrew Mott. The pistols were ultimately given to John Wesley Mott (1891-1979) as a worthy member of the Mott family. Lieutenant John Mott won a Military Cross and Distinguished Conduct Medal in WW1. It appears that the widow of J.W.Mott took the pistols to Canberra where they were sold, so they are no longer in the Mott family.  Where are they today?

Were Napoleon's pistols like the ones on display in West Point Museum in New York? 

These pistols belonged to Mr.LawrenNapoleon and presented to United States Military Academy January 1927 by Mr Vincent V. Benet in memory of his father the late Brigadier General Stephen Vincent Benet, U.S.M.A.Graduate, Professor of Ordnance & Gunnery and later Chief of Ordnance.  The Professor had charge of the Museum for many years which may be the reason the pistols came to U.S. There is no information as to how Mr.Benet acquired the pistols but the implication of the language on the catalogue entries is that while Mr.Benet gave them in his father's honour, there is no indication that General Benet owned them at any time.  It must be concluded that Lawrence Benet acquired them on his own, somehow. Lawrence Benet was engaged in manufacturing the Hotchkiss Machine gun in France and presumably was in France for the purpose about the time of W.W.1.  Otherwise, other than the name Benet, clearly French, there is no connection to Napoleon or Lieutenant Andrew Mott.

Napoleon's monogram "N" was engraved on a shield on the grip.

Nicholas Noel Boutet (1761 - 1833) born in France was Napoleon's personal gunsmith. Some of Boutet's pistols are on display in the Army Museum, Paris.

Two of Napoleon's pistols were donated January 1927 by Mr. Lawrence V. Benet. The pistols are currently on display in West Point Museum, New York.  Napoleon's sword was given to General Dwight Eisenhower by General Charles de Gaulle in 1945.

If you have anything to add, a correction or comment please contact the author of this Blog, Joy Olney via email - joyolney@gmail.com