Nicholas Haddock, who, as a naval officer, was greatly distinguished in his day, was the descendant of a family which had been, more than a century, settled at Leigh, in Essex. That the Haddocks were of some note, in their circumscribed society, is evident from the dresses in which certain individuals of the family are represented, on various ancient monumental brass plates in Leigh church; and it is a conjecture, almost supported by proof, that they were at the head of the mariners, in the little town of Leigh.

Richard Haddock, the great grandfather of Nicholas, the subject of this memoir, resided at Leigh. He was a seaman; and, in the year 1652, he received a reward of 40l. from Parliament, for some public services, which he is supposed to have performed, in a merchant ship, hired by government.

William, the son of Richard, is first known as master of a vessel, trading to Spain; but, on the 14th of March, 1650, he was appointed to the command of the America, a ship of war fitted out by Parliament; and, as an honorary tribute to his gallantry, during the war with the Dutch, Cromwell and his Parliament presented him with a gold medal.