THIS gentleman was the son of John and Margaret Truscott, and was born November 25, 1734, on the estate of Rasugar, in the parish of St. Stephen, in Cornwall. He was one of twelve children; all of whom are now dead, except a sister, who is still living in Cornwall.

Having received a private education, and shown a strong inclination for the navy, he had the honour of being patronized by Lord Edgcumbe, and was placed under Admiral Boscawen, in the year 1750, with whom he sailed to the East Indies, and was present at the siege of Pondicherry. Under that great commander he continued to serve till 1757; when the Admiral appointed him lieutenant of the Newcastle, of 50 guns, ordered to India under Admiral (afterwards Sir George) Pocock. The actions of this Admiral with the French squadron in the Eastern Seas, commanded by Le Comte d'Aché, will be found detailed in our VIIIth Volume, p. 444, &c. The hero of our present memoir as, of course, engaged in all of them; but is chiefly to be mentioned for his concern in the third, which was fought off Pondicherry, on the 10th September, 1759; when, his Captain (Michie) being killed by a musket-ball in the very first fire from the enemy, the command devolved on Lieutenant Truscott.