Thomas John Cochrane Sir Thomas John Cochrane GCB ( 5 February 1789 – 19 October 1872 ) was an English naval officer , achieving the rank of Admiral of the Fleet , and served as colonial governor of Newfoundland , British North America ( 1825 - 1834 ) . He also was a politician , serving as MP from Ipswich , 1839 - 1841 . Early life and education . Thomas John Cochrane was born to Alexander Forrester Inglis Cochrane , who had an illustrious naval career , and his wife . He was always destined to go to sea , and was entered into the navy at the age of seven . Naval career . Cochrane began his naval career in 1796 when enlisted at the age of seven and was promoted to lieutenant at the age of 16 . His rise quickly in the ranks was considered by many to be blatant patronage because of his father ' s influence . Cochrane first commanded HMS " Forte " . Colonial governor . When Newfoundland became an official Crown colony in 1825 , Cochrane at the age of 36 was appointed as its first governor . He took his family with him to Newfoundland : his wife Matilda Lockhart - Ross and their young children Maria and Alexander . At the time , military officers were appointed to direct colonies that did not yet have representative government . He directed the construction of Government House , which is located between Fort William and Fort Townshend . It has been designated as a National Historic Site of Canada . Although Cochrane had opposed the introduction of representative government to the colony , a new constitution was granted in 1832 and he was appointed as the first civil governor . Cochrane had many conflicts while governor , especially with the Roman Catholic bishop , Michael Fleming . Much of the Catholic population were descendants from the years when France had been predominant in eastern Canada and included ethnic French and Irish . The colonial office recalled Cochrane in 1834 , who had become unpopular . When he left , he and his daughter were pelted with filth on their way down Cochrane Street to the wharf . Politician . He was Member of Parliament ( MP ) for Ipswich from 1839 to 1841 . East Indies . In 1842 Cochrane was appointed as Second in Command of the East Indies and China Station before being appointed Commander - in - chief of that Station in his Flagship , " " in 1844 . He took part in anti - piracy operations around North West Borneo , including destroying the forts at Brunei in 1845 and 1846 . In 1852 he was appointed as Commander - in - Chief , Portsmouth . He was promoted to Admiral of the Fleet in 1865 . Marriages and family . In 1812 he married Matilda Lockhart - Ross . They had one daughter and one son : Sir Thomas married secondly , in 1853 , Rosetta Wheler - Cuffe ( 1816 - 1901 ) , daughter of Sir Jonah Denny Wheler - Cuffe , 1st Baronet and his wife . They had one son and one daughter : He lived at Hanover Lodge , Regent ' s Park which had previously been owned by General Sir Robert Arbuthnot , KCB . It was later owned by Admiral David Beatty , 1st Earl Beatty . Later Cochrane and his wife lived at Quarr Abbey House where guests included Queen Victoria . Death . Thomas John Cochrane died on the Isle of Wight at Quarr Abbey House , Binstead , 19 October 1872 , aged 83 . He is buried in the family mausoleum , plot 21777 Kensal Green Cemetery , London . Lady Cochrane died at Quarr Abbey House , 27 May 1901 . She was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery , interred in the mausoleum alongside her husband . Survivors present at her funeral included her brother Major Cuffe ; her son , Lieutenant Thomas Belhaven Henry , then deputy governor of the Isle of Wight and his two daughters ; and her daughter Minna Cochrane . Also attending were the servants from Quarr Abbey House .