In 1691 Shovell married Elizabeth, Lady Narborough (née Hill), the widow of his former commander, Rear Admiral Sir John Narborough. Through her, he had two stepsons (Sir John Narborough, 1st Baronet, and James Narborough) who both entered naval careers and died aged 23 and 22, at the sinking of HMS Association in October 1707.[1] Shovell and his wife also had two daughters: Elizabeth and Anne.