He was the younger son and his mother's favourite. However, both                   
he and his brother remained very close to their father. After studying                 
in Leiden, in 1753 he was sent to Plymouth as he was destined for the                  
English navy. After five years he attained the rank of captain. He                     
made several journeys, including one to Newfoundland. Successfully he                  
used the technological knowledge he had gained in Leiden.                              
On 17 July 1763 in The Hague he married Reiniera van Tuyll van                     
Serooskerken and they became the parents of eight children. He dearly                  
loved his wife and wrote lovingly about her to Jean Jacques Rousseau                   
whom he asked to be godfather of their second child.                                   
He remained in the navy, his last command being the 'Centaur'. He                  
died only thirty-seven years old.     

Source: Leo van de Pas