# A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Delafons, Thomas

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​DELAFONS. (Commander, 1814. f-p., 27; h-p., 33.)
Thomas Delafons, born in Feb. 1772, is elder brother of Lieut. W. P. Delafons, R.N.
This officer entered the Navy, in 1787, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Irresistible 74, bearing the broad pendant in the river Medway of Commodore Sir Andrew Snape Hamond. From 1789, until promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, 25 Aug. 1794, he afterwards served, on the Home and West India stations, as Midshipman of the Barfleur 98, flag-ship of Admiral Barrington, Saturn 74, Capt. Robt. Linzee, Niger 32, Capt. Rich. Goodwin Keats, and Hector 74, Capt. Geo. Montagu. While in the latter ship he was present at the unsuccessful attack on Martinique in June, 1793; and on one occasion, falling from the mizen-top on the deck, he had the misfortune to break his thigh and both arms. For some months after his promotion, Mr. Delafons served with the Channel fleet in the Orestes 18, Capt. Orrok, from which vessel he next joined, 3 April, 1795, the Standard 64, Capts. Joseph Ellison, John Parr, and Thos. Revell Shivers, under the first of whom we find him witnessing Lord Bridport’s action with the French fleet off Ile de Groix, 23 June following – and next attending Sir John Borlase Warren on his ill-fated expedition to the relief of the Royalists at Quiberon. He continued in the Standard for the period of three years; and, prior to the peace of Amiens, was further appointed, on the African, West India, and Home stations – 9 May, 1798, to the Amphion 32, Capt. Rich. Henry Alex. Bennett – 6 Nov. 1800, to the Nimrod 18, Capt. Edwards – and, 6 May, 1801, to his old ship the Irresistible 74, Capt. Wm. Bligh. Mr. Delafons was next invested with the successive command, between 30 May, 1803, and 22 Feb. 1808, of the Venus cutter, Alert lugger, Nimble brig, and Capelin schooner. While in the Nimble, in 1805-6, he appears to have been intrusted by Sir Alex. Cochrane with the command on the Virgin Islands station, where, for a period of four months, he had under his orders a small squadron, consisting of the Netley 14, the Flying Fish 10, and the Mosquito 8. Being next employed under the Transport Board, from 24 April, 1808, until the early part of 1814, he officiated, during that period, as Resident Agent at Flushing at the time of the Walcheren expedition; acted also in the same capacity at Jersey; and was latterly Principal Agent with the army under the Marquess of Wellington in Spain and France. On the recommendation of the latter nobleman, Mr. Delafons, for his Indefatigable services, was promoted to the rank he now holds 28 April, 1814, and appointed to command the transport department of the expedition against New Orleans, for his conduct throughout the operations connected with which he received the acknowledgments of the Board. After a further employment of a few months as Principal Agent at Antwerp, he was discharged, towards the close of 1815, and has since been on half-pay.
Commander Delafons was appointed, in Jan. 1835, Stipendiary Magistrate at Demerara, where he continued until April, 1839, when his health obliged him to resign. On 26 June, 1844, he was admitted to the out-pension of Greenwich Hospital. He married, first, Matilda Louisa, only daughter of Lieut.-General Lewis, R.M., by whom, who died in April, 1816, he had issue three sons and two daughters; and, secondly, Jane Harson, daughter of M. Grigg, Esq., of Tamerton Foliott. By the latter lady he has, with three sons, six daughters, one of whom ​Julia Matilda, married, 20 May, 1841, Alex. John Greenlaw, Esq., 40th Regt. N.I.