Thomas Griffin

Admiral Thomas Griffin (c. 1692 – 23 December 1771) was a Royal Navy officer who served in the War of Jenkins' Ear. He later became Commander-in-Chief of the East Indies Station.

Early life Griffin was said to have belonged to a younger branch of the family of Lord Griffin of Braybrooke, which merged in that of Lord Howard of Walden. He is described as being of the parish of Dixton Hadnock in Monmouthshire.

Naval career He joined the Royal Navy in 1718 as third lieutenant of HMS Orford. He was given command of HMS Shoreham in 1731, HMS Blenheim in 1735, HMS Oxford in 1738 and HMS Princess Caroline in 1739. he was promoted to rear-admiral of the red in July 1747, promoted to vice-admiral of the blue in May 1748 and then sailed back to England in January 1749. and also bought land at Dixton where he built Newton Court.

He served as Member of Parliament for Arundel from 1754 to 1761.

He died in 1771 and was buried at St Peter's Church in Dixton.