Just as a matter of interest: Lord Cochrane is one of five names on my house deeds when the land was first bought in 1811. The others are Thomas's brother Archibald and his wife to be Hannah Jayne Mowbray plus her father Arthur Mowbray and a John Mowbray who I cannot identify. Arthur Mowbray was a banker who got involved in purchasing land. I live in a small village near Durham City in England which had a lot of coal mines in the 19th century and I know that the 14 houses in my area were part of the purchase. The land changed hands for the next century till houses were finally built on it in the 1920's when it was bought by the cooperative movement to house their heads of department. Right up to the 20th century there was a Cochrane involved in ownership of this land and most of them were high up in the navy or army. Could this have been bought by prize money I ask myself? They may have bought other land in the area but my deeds only cover this particular acre.
Just on a personal note many thanks for your novels which I enjoy, only wish that I had this history education when I was at school many years ago!
David Young
Cochrane certainly earned a fortune in prize money, though his financial career was somewhat chequered! 1811? I suspect, but don’t know, that yes, it was prize money!