The Hospital was given a charter in 1694 by William III after the 

Matthew Paget had joined the Royal Navy in 1805, serving on HMS Agincourt. The ship's muster book states that he 'volunteered at Sheerness', but he may have been the victim of a pressgang. After three years on the Agincourt, he jumped ship at Plymouth.

But five years later he was back in the navy, sailing to America in HMS Norge to take part in the Battle of New Orleans. He claimed to have been wounded during the battle. He ended his navy service in 1827, then spent a further 19 years in the merchant navy

The Greenwich Hospital was set up for the 'relief and support of seamen' who by reason of age, wounds or other disabilities 'could neither serve at sea nor look after themselves'. Matthew applied to enter the hospital and was accepted in 1852. He would have worn the distinctive blue uniform and cocked hat, as in the portrait above of a typical pensioner. He was cared for in the Hospital until he died in 1858.