Josiah Cottin

Josiah Cottin (1771–1843) was an English army officer. He is now remembered for his association with a notorious courtesan, who assumed the name Julia Johnstone. Life He was the son of Alexander Cottin (died 1794) of Hertfordshire; his sister Mary Ann married George Thackeray. Alexander Cottin was baptised in 1745 at St Antholin, Budge Row, and was from a Huguenot family, the son of Josiah and Jane Cottin; he married first Anne Chapman, who was Josiah's mother. Cottin studied at Daventry Academy from 1783. He then served in the 10th Light Dragoons. Jane, widow of Josiah Cottin the elder, died in 1792 leaving £3,000 for Josiah Cottin the younger, her grandson. It was in trust, but allowed for "his advancement in the army". Cottin became Colonel of the 10th Light Dragoons. He died in March 1843, at Hampton Court Palace. Family Cottin married Lavinia, daughter of William Chambers, in 1792. Their daughter Georgina Maria, god daughter to the Prince of Wales, married in 1810 Sir John Fleming Leicester, 5th Baronet.