James Pattison (British Army officer)

Pattison “served with distinction in Flanders (Battle of Fontenoy); later, at the end of the Seven Years' War, he was chosen to command the companies selected for service in Portugal."^[5] His detachment in 1762 consisted of eight artillery companies.^[6] When so employed, he won the respect of all by his dignified firmness and courtesy, and laid the foundation of an affection towards himself from the officers serving under him which never even waned.”^[5] Lieutenant Stephen Payne Adye (1743-1794) was on Pattison's staff in Portugal^[7] and later, as Captain-Lieutenant, was aide-de-camp to General Pattison in New York (see below). He had three sons, the third of whom was born in 1783 and named James Pattison Adye, presumably as a token of respect for the General.

In 1769 Colonel Pattison was sent to Venice to superintend the organisation of the Venetian Artillery, where his task was made difficult not so much by the Artillerymen but by the authorities.^[5] He remained until 1772.

In 1777 James Pattison became colonel commandant of the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Artillery. He arrived in New York to take command of the Royal Artillery in America with the rank of brigadier-general. He was involved in the capture of Verplanck's Point^[8] and of Forts Clinton and Montgomery on the Hudson River in October 1777.^[9] Pattison remained in command of the artillery in the field until Sir Henry Clinton, the British Commander-in-Chief, withdrew the army to New York the following year.

Amongst Pattison's duties in New York was his appointment as military commandant of the city, making him responsible for its fortifications and the militia. He lived at No. 1 Broadway, on Bowling Green. The house had been occupied first by Sir Henry Clinton and then - immediately before Pattison - by General Robertson, also Commandant of New York.^[5]

In September 1780, James Pattison returned to England because of ill health and did not return to active service.^[9][10] He twice served as Commandant of the Woolwich Garrison.

During his time in Venice Pattison became interested in pictures. Letters to his brother show that he knew Consul Smith and Sir James Wright and that, with them, he was one of the few admitted to the circle of the self-exiled Lord Bute.^[11]

The sale of the contents of Pattison's house on Hill Street was handled by Christie's on 24 May 1805. Included were a number of Venetian paintings, with works by Bellini, Titian, Bassano, and five by Gaudi.

General Pattison sat "for one of the more remarkable of Lawrence's early portraits, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1790."^[11][12]