Captain joseph ellison, the worthy officer whose services to his country we have now the satisfaction of commencing our NINETEENTH volume with, was born at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in the year 1753. He was the only son of Joseph Ellison, Esq. a descendant of a very respectable family in that part of the country. Unfortunately, he lost his father when he was only six months old; in consequence of which he was adopted by an aunt, who had no children of her own, and was removed by her into the neighbourhood of Portsmouth.

We must trace, with a rapid hand, his early professional progress. In his ninth year, he went to sea with Admiral Sir Edward Hawke, in the Royal George, which was at that time commanded by Captain Kennett. In the year 1763, he was removed into the Rippon, of 60 guns, Captain (now Admiral) Thompson; from which he went on board the Arrogant, commanded by the late Admiral M'Kenzie. In 1767, he joined the Glory, Captain Chad; in which he remained till 1769, when he was removed into the Aldborough, Captain Hawke; in 1770, he served in the Boyne, Captain Bennet; in 1773, he went into the Ocean, Captain Oury; and, in 1776, into the Somerset, Captain Le Cras.