James Croft was the natural son of James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, by his mistress Eleanor Needham, a daughter of Sir Robert Needham. His paternal grandfather was King Charles II, albeit through two generations of illegitimacy.
He entered the Army in the early part of the reign of Queen Anne, rose to the rank of colonel by 1706, and in 1718 succeeded Sir Robert Rich in the command of a regiment of dragoons, which was disbanded later the same year. On July 6, 1719 he obtained the colonelcy of the regiment of dragoons later known as the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers, and in 1727 he was promoted to the rank of major-general.
His coffin plate describes him as being "aged 54" at the time of his death, but this would appear to be a bit older than he actually was at the time of death. His birth is usually estimated to have occurred circa 1683.
He entered the Army in the early part of the reign of Queen Anne, rose to the rank of colonel by 1706, and in 1718 succeeded Sir Robert Rich in the command of a regiment of dragoons, which was disbanded later the same year. On July 6, 1719 he obtained the colonelcy of the regiment of dragoons later known as the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers, and in 1727 he was promoted to the rank of major-general.
His coffin plate describes him as being "aged 54" at the time of his death, but this would appear to be a bit older than he actually was at the time of death. His birth is usually estimated to have occurred circa 1683.
James Croft was the natural son of James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, by his mistress Eleanor Needham, a daughter of Sir Robert Needham. His paternal grandfather was King Charles II, albeit through two generations of illegitimacy.
He entered the Army in the early part of the reign of Queen Anne, rose to the rank of colonel by 1706, and in 1718 succeeded Sir Robert Rich in the command of a regiment of dragoons, which was disbanded later the same year. On July 6, 1719 he obtained the colonelcy of the regiment of dragoons later known as the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers, and in 1727 he was promoted to the rank of major-general.
His coffin plate describes him as being "aged 54" at the time of his death, but this would appear to be a bit older than he actually was at the time of death. His birth is usually estimated to have occurred circa 1683.
He entered the Army in the early part of the reign of Queen Anne, rose to the rank of colonel by 1706, and in 1718 succeeded Sir Robert Rich in the command of a regiment of dragoons, which was disbanded later the same year. On July 6, 1719 he obtained the colonelcy of the regiment of dragoons later known as the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers, and in 1727 he was promoted to the rank of major-general.
His coffin plate describes him as being "aged 54" at the time of his death, but this would appear to be a bit older than he actually was at the time of death. His birth is usually estimated to have occurred circa 1683.
Family Members
Advertisement
Advertisement
