Sir charles saxton was the descendant of a Berkshire family. Edward Saxton, his father, was a London merchant; and his mother was the daughter of Thomas Bush, Esq. of Burcott, in Oxfordshire. He was the youngest of seven children, and was born in the year 1732.

He is believed to have been originally intended for the navy; he entered the service in 1745. Previously to the year 1760, he received an appointment, as lieutenant, from Admiral Watson, on the East India station; and after his return to England, he held the same rank on board the Modeste in the early part of the year just mentioned, and was first lieutenant in the action with Conflans, 1759. On the 11th of October, 1760, he was promoted to the rank of commander; and in 1761, according to Charnock, “he commanded the Fubbs yacht, ordered to the continent, for the conveyance to England of her present majesty and her suite.” In the list of the squadron which was employed upon that occasion, we, however, find only one yacht (the Royal Charlotte) mentioned, and she was commanded by Captain, afterwards Admiral Sir Peter, Denis. His other services, as commander, are wholly unrecorded.

On the 28th of January, 1762, Captain Saxton was made post, and appointed to the Magnanime, under Commodore Lord Viscount Howe.