Sir henry trollope is the descendant of an ancient and distinguished family. Amongst his supposed ancestors were, Andrew Trollope, Esq. who signalised himself in the French wars, in the time of Henry VI. and was killed at the battle of Towton; and Thomas Trollope, of Thorleby, Esq. who married Margaret Lumley, a daughter of Elizabeth Plantagenet, the daughter of Edward IV.–In the year 1641, Thomas Trollope, Esq. of Lincolnshire, was created a baronet; and, consequently, the subject of this memoir is collaterally, though distantly, related to the present Sir John Trollope, Baronet.

Sir Henry is a native of Norwich; and was born about the year 1750. Originally intended for the sea, he entered the service at a very early period of life; but, under whose auspices, we have not been able to ascertain.

As far back as the year 1779, we find him, as lieutenant, commanding the Kite schooner, of 14 guns. The period to which we particularly allude, was, when the combined French and Spanish fleets, consisting of sixty-six sail of the line, escaped the vigilance of the British, entered the Channel, and appeared before Plymouth, to the great alarm of the inhabitants. Sir Charles Hardy, with the Channel fleet, was then cruising in the Soundings.