Nancy Perriam | |
---|---|
Birth name | Ann Letton |
Other name(s) | Ann Perriam |
Born | April 1769 Exmouth, Devon |
Died | January 24, 1865 Exmouth, Devon | (aged 95)
Buried | Littleham, Devon |
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service | Royal Navy |
Years of service | 1795– |
Unit | HMS Crescent HMS Orion |
Battles / wars | |
Spouse(s) | Edward Hopping (m. 1788–1802)John Perriam (m. 1805) |
Other work | Fish seller |
Nancy Perriam (April 1769 – January 24, 1865) was an English woman who served in Royal Navy warships during the Napoleonic Wars. Born Ann Letton and also known as Ann Perriam, she originated from Exmouth, Devon. She fought in several notable naval battles, including the Battle of the Nile in 1798, serving as a powder monkey and medical assistant. When not in battle she assisted with the domestic needs of officers. In retirement Perriam worked as a street seller of fish; she was one of three women denied the Naval General Service Medal in 1847 because of their sex.