John Moberly

Who was John Moberly?

Captain John Moberly was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, of English parentage, in 1789. He entered the navy in 1801 when he was only 12 and by 1815 had become a post Captain, serving on a number of ships.

In 1834, Capt. John Moberly, was appointed to the rank of Admiral, in control of all operations appertaining to the navy, at the Penetanguishene Naval Yard on Georgian Bay. Although the naval section of the post was closed in that year, in 1835 Penetanguishene had 40 naval personnel known as a batteaux establishment for the conveyance of provisions, military stores, etc. and a general sale of craft and naval and marine appliances was ordered in 1832 and continued for some time.

While stationed in Penetanguishene, Captain Moberley was a major fundraiser for the building of an Anglican church of St. James on-the-Lines in 1837. He was later buried in the graveyard of the church.