Page 190 - KBHA Bulletin 10

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Brenton

Jahleel Brenton was the first, and last, Naval Commissioner appointed to the Naval
Base in Simon’s Town. He remained there until the death of Napoleon in 1822.

Jahleel is a biblical name meaning “Hoping in God” and reflects his strong religious and
Puritan ancestry. He was in fact, a fourth generation “American”. His ancestor, William

Brenton emigrated from Hammersmith, near London, during the reign of Charles II and
established a large estate named Hammersmith, near Boston. However, his grandson,

also Jahleel, remained loyal to the Crown and returned to England in 1778 during the
American War of Independence. Young Jahleel, then aged 10, joined his father’s ship

HMS Queen as midshipman!

Jahleel Brenton had a long and distinguished Naval career before his appointment as

Naval Commissioner at the Cape. (Fig. 5.1).

Brenton and Napoleon

In 1803 his ship HMS Minerve went aground off Cherbourg in thick mist, and after a

fierce battle, he and his crew were captured. They were marched some 300 miles to
Verdun. An excellent sketch by Brenton illustrated this march. Brenton refused to ride

when his men had to walk and even purchased a carriage to carry the wounded. He

remained the “guest of Napoleon” for almost four years. However, his wife, Isabella,
joined him and their daughter was born in France! He was eventually exchanged for a

French captive.

Returning to the Navy, he fought a very successful sea-battle against the French off
Naples. He was seriously wounded, was knighted, and later received the KCB.

During his appointment at the Cape, he was responsible for provisioning Napoleon on
St. Helena Island. Incidentally, during this time he travelled to Knysna, where he