English Captain: John Ashby

John Ashby served in the Restoration navy. In 1665, he was a lieutenant on the 4th Rate Adventure. In 1667, he was lieutenant on the Princess. On 4 October 1668, he was appointed captain of the Deptford ketch. In 1670, he was appointed to command the 4th Rate Advice. In 1671, he commanded the 2nd Rate Rainbow. In 1672, he commanded the 5th Rate Pearl. In 1673, Prince Rupert appointed him to command the Lion. On 12 September 1674, appointed him to command the Rose. On 26 March 1678, the King appointed him to command the Dunkirk.The commissioners appointed him to command the Constant Warwick on 8 April 1681. On 16 July, they moved him to the Mary Rose. In 1685, the King appointed him to command the Montagu. He was appointed to command the Henrietta guardship on 27 September 1685. He took command of the Mordaunt on 6 March 1687 (they called it 1686 in the old style). On 15 September 1688, he was appointed to command the Defiance. I will need to consult William Laird Clowes, as John Ashby doesn't appear in the sources I have along with me. Sources:

1. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.