Personalities from “Rough Enough” : David Ferinbaugh Clow (1779 – 1861)

Posted on March 9, 2013 by Richard H. McBee Jr.

David Ferinbaugh Clow was a paymaster or purser for the Royal Navy. He was the father of John Stevenet Clow, the father of Richard Headley Clow, the center of the book “Rough Enough,” a Civil and Indian War non-fiction book.

David F. Clow entered the British Navy when he was ten years old as a “ship’s boy.” He worked his way up through the ranks to the Regular Navy Officer post of Purser and spent his entire life in the Royal Navy.

David F. Clow had a long and illustrious life with the British Royal Navy in that he was at the battle of Trafalgar, fought off the S.W. coast of Spain on October 5, 1805. This was the battle in which Admiral Horatio Nelson lost his life. David Clow was also at the battle of Copenhagen, the main harbor and capitol of Denmark which was bombarded by the British Navy from September 2 – 5 of 1807. During this battle he was aboard the ship “Collossus”.

During his time in service, David F. Clow also served aboard the ships “Venus”, Swiftshure”, “Tyne”, Perseus” and finally aboard the “Impregnable” while he was stationed in the Mediterranean.

He married Ann Moore (1777 – 1855) and they lived in Haverfordwest, in Pembrokshire, Wales. Ann and David had a total of seven offspring. He died of dropsy.
After his death the family home went to his son, David Ferinbaugh Clow II, who was also a Naval Officer.