William Bligh was born 9 September 1754 at Tinten Manor,  St Tudy near Plymouth and died 7 December 1817 in Bond Street, London. The family had lived in the parish from 1680. His father, Francis Bligh,  was a customs officer. He had married a widow Jane Pearce nee Balsam. William was baptised in 1757.

 William started his naval service aged 8 or 9 as a personal servant to an officer on a man-of-war.

He sailed under Cook on his second voyage round the world (1772-74).

He made a favourable marriage to Elizabeth Betham on 14 February 1781 at Onchan,  Isle of Man. Her father was the Collector of Customs and she had connections to Sir Duncan and Captain Sir John Campbell. She was the niece of Duncan Campbell, (d.1803) the overseer of the Thames Prison Hulks, and a West Indian merchant. In 1783 Bligh was in Duncan Campbell's service in the West Indian Trade.  It was in 1787 that he erecived his first command (under Duncan Campbell) of "The Lynx".

From 1785-89, the Bligh's  lived at 4 Broad St., Wapping, London. The houses on the west side of Broad St.  were demolished for the dock wall of the London Dock (London Dock Act Of 1800). This street is known today as Readon St.
William and Elizabeth had 8 children.

There is a plaque to him which was placed there by the local Wapping History Society.

The events which took place aboard the 'Bounty' (1787-89) and after are too well known to be repeated. Far from being a monster Bligh was much more lenient than most commanders of his day. He was a brave man and an accomplished seaman. His navigational skills were outstanding.

A true view of his character shows that he was incomparably better than the mutineers. He fought at Camperdown and Copenhagen. He was sent out to govern New South Wales in 1805. In 1808 he was arrested and kept in prison for two years. He was involved in several mutinies, often led by officers, which must show some flaws in his character. He was promoted Admiral in 1811.

Captain William Bligh has descendants living today.

Regarding Duncan Campbell see http://www.danbyrnes.com.au/blackheath/letters.htm