CHAPTER VII
EARLY HISTORY; MADRAS AND THE COAST[1]
"Once did she hold the gorgeous East in fee."
Wordsworth, Sonnet on the extinction of the Venetian Republic.
The early settlements on the Coromandel Coast were usually spoken of collectively as "The Coast"; those in Bengal as "The Bay." These terms continued in use till towards the end of the eighteenth century. The term "The West Coast" was always applied not, as one might expect, to the Bombay Presidency, but to the English settlements in Sumatra, which lay along the south-west coast of that island.
The first voyage to the East Coast of India was made by Captain Anthony Hippon, in the Globe, in 1611. Hippon founded the Company's first factory in the Bay of Bengal on 18th Aug., 1611, at Pettapolli, now known as Nizampatam, at the mouth of the Kistna, and shortly afterwards that at Masulipatam. Pettapolli factory was dissolved in 1621, when the English joined the Dutch at Pulicat, where they remained till 11th April, 1623.
In 1625 was founded Armagon, their first settlement on the Coromandel Coast proper. This factory was located at a place called Chenna Kuppam, at the northern end of the Pulicat Salt Lakes, in what is now the Nellore district. When Masulipatam was abandoned in 1628, Armagon remained for a few years the only settlement on the coast. The Star, a vessel of 300 tons, sailed from England in Dec, 1629, for the Coromandel Coast, being the first ship sent direct there, except the Globe in 1611. In 1630 all of the Company's factories in India and the islands were placed under the President of Surat; Henry Sill was ordered from Bantam as Agent for the Coast, and sailed on 1st April, 1630, with the Falcon and the Dove, and established factories at Masulipatam. Pettapolli, Motupali, and Viravasaram all in or near the Kistna delta. The Golden Farman, for trade in Golkonda, was given at Haidarabad on 26th Feb., 1633/34.[2]
In Feb.. 1639/40, Andrew Cogan and Francis Day moved from Armagon to Madraspatam, taking with them the staff of Armagon Factory, and founded the settlement of Fort St. George or Madras.[3]
Andrew Cogan entered the Company's service about 1615. He served for fifteen years in the islands, at Bantam and Macassar, and returned to England, with a considerable fortune, about 1630. He went out again to Surat, as member of Council, in 1638, and was soon afterwards deputed to Masulipatam. With Francis Day he shares the honour of being the founder of Madras, and from the end of 1640 to July, 1642, he carried on the work of building the Fort, during Day's absence in England and on the double voyage. He left India for good in Aug., 1643, going home via Bantam, and reached England in 1644, during the Civil War. He then bought an estate near Greenwich. In 1648 he took part in the rising of the men of Kent against the Parliament; on its failure he fled to the Continent, was impeached, and his estate forfeited. He spent between £30,000 and £40,000 in the Royal cause, and was created a Baronet by Charles II. At the Restoration he returned to England, and died soon afterwards.
Francis Day was chief at Armagon in 1634, and at Masulipatam in 1639. He returned to England in 1641, leaving Madras at the end of 1640, went out again in 1642, and finally sailed for England in Sept., 1644. In 1647 he was fined £500 for private trading. An entry in the Court Minutes of 21st Jan., 1651/52, shows that he was then still living.
In 1653 Fort St. George, or Madras, was made an independent Presidency, and remained so until placed under Bengal, when Warren Hastings was appointed Governor-General of India in 1774, and Calcutta became the capital of the whole country.
The Dutch factory at Pulicat, some twenty-five miles north of Madras, was founded about 1610. The Danish East India Company was established by King Christian IV. in March, 1616, their first ship, the Ooresund, was despatched in Aug., 1618, and in 1620 they occupied Tranquebar, ceded to them by the Naik, or local ruler of the surrounding country.
The first Surgeon on the coast whose name has been recorded is John Clarke, appointed to the Fort of Armagon in Court Minutes of 12th Nov., 1630. A letter quoted by Sainsbury, dated 27th Sept., 1632, from Thomas Woodson at Masulipatam to Thomas Colley at Pettapolli, shows that there was then a Surgeon at Masulipatam also, but his name is not mentioned.[4]
Among the staff transferred from Armagon to Madras in 1640, a Surgeon was probably included, but his name is not mentioned. The first Surgeon at Madras whose name has survived was Edward Whiting or Whiteinge, who appears to have arrived there in 1649, on transfer from Bantam. He had previously served at Jambi in 1645. A letter from Fort St. George to the Company, dated 15th Jan., 1650/51, quoted in Love's Vestiges of Old Madras (Vol. I, p. 99), says:—
"It shall bee our care providently to dispose of both medicines and instruments in the Chirurgery Chest, rendering our humble thanks both for it and the Surgeon, Edward Whiteinge, at whose arriveall Nathaniel Lumley lay very sick, and the 7th October last departed this life, without making any will in this place."
Charges brought by Henry Greenhill against James Martin, Captain of the garrison of Fort St. George, dated 27th March, 1654, accuse Martin of having challenged Whiting to a duel, which apparently was prevented. A letter from Fort St. George, dated 28th Jan., 1656/57, reports that permission to return to England had been granted to Whiting. He was again at Madras in 1663, when a letter dated 26 Feb., 1662/63, states that he had been ordered from Fort St. George to Bengal as Surgeon to the factories in the Bay.
Whiting's successor as Surgeon at Madras was Robert Cooper, who is shown as Surgeon in a list of the staff at Fort St. George, dated 18th Jan., 1657/58. Cooper had previously been a Factor in Pegu, and was recalled to Madras when the Pegu factory was abandoned in Feb., 1655/56.
Maiden's List of Burials at Madras notes the burial of Robert Cooper, Surgeon, on 21st July, 1690. But it seems very doubtful whether this can be the same man, more than thirty years
Philip Bradford came out with the recruits of 1665 as Surgeon of Fort St. George. He died at Madras in 1668.
In 1662 John Westrey was serving as Surgeon at Masulipatam. Thomas Morris, Physician to the same factory, died there on 21st Dec, 1675; before his death he declared that his real name was Woodward, of Ripley, in Worcestershire.
John Waldo reached Madras on 14th June, 1670, to serve as Surgeon there. In 1676 a second Surgeon was allowed, and Bezaliel or Bazaleel Sherman was sent out to fill the post, arriving on 7th Aug., 1676. A volume of Despatches from England, 1670-77, published at Madras in 1911, on page 25, quotes from a "Company Generall Letter to ye Ffort," dated 24th Dec, 1675, para. 56 of which runs—
"Considering how numerous the People wth you grow, [and] being desirous to use al means for the prservation [of] yor healths we have entertained here Bezaliell Sherman alsoe as Chirurgeon and at the Like Salery wth him already there he carries over wth him his wife Passage free and One [lacuna in original] an Apprentice at his Owne Charge and both are to be at his Charge there and he is Obleiged to Bring the sd Apprentice up a Chirurgeon and noe otherwise imployed and to remaine at the Fort."
It is a pity that the name of the apprentice has not survived. The Fort St. George Cons, of 19th May, 1677, record—
"Upon the address of the two Surgeons of the ffort, it is ordered that the wages of the said two Surgeons, John Waldo and Bazaliel Sherman from the time of the departure from Gravesend of the Shipps they came by until the time of their landing here be paid them by the purser."
Waldo went home on 27th Jan., 1677/78. A Mr. Waldo was afterwards Surgeon of the William and John, an interloping ship which visited Hugh in June, 1683.[5]
Sherman is mentioned as one of the subscribers, giving ten pagodas, towards the erection of the new church, St. Mary's, founded on 25th March, 1768. Cons, of 25th Aug., 1680, report his death—
"Mr Bezaleel Sherman the Chyrurgeon died this day."
As early as 1675 a Mate or Assistant had been allowed to the Surgeons at Madras. The volume of Despatches from England, 1670-77, quoted above, contains a General Letter to Fort St. George, dated 15th Dec, 1676. in which is enclosed a copy of a letter to the Court from the Rev. Patrick Warner, Chaplain of the Fort, dated 31st Jan., 1675/76, giving a very unfavourable account of the Asst. Surgeon, Henry Mallory.[6]
"One Mr Mallory formerly Chyrurgeon's Mate in the President now Chyrurgeon's Mate in this place and another Barnes who formerly went to Sea as Master of some Small Vessels, but having wasted the money Intrusted to him hves now Idlely and out of any Imployment. These two are Constant Companions wth any of the Young men in whatever debaucheries they were guilty of, and it gives ground to suspect that they may be guilty of enticeing them thereunto."
It is only fair to state that the official records speak more favourably of Mallory. In 1677 he was commended by the Council as "a very dilligent and able Surgeon." In 1679 he accompanied Streynsham Master in his tour from Madras to the Bay factories. In 1680, after Sherman's death, he was appointed Surgeon in his place. In March, 1681, he was transferred from Madras to succeed Heathfield as Surgeon at Madapollam, and in Oct., 1681, to Masulipatam, where he died on 5th Aug., 1682, as reported in a letter from that factory dated nth August.
"Cons., 9th Sept., 1680. Mr Bezaleel Sherman the Chyrurgeon of this place being deceased and Henry Malory being a Person capable of the imployment, having served here severall yeares as Chyrurgeons Mate, It is thought fit upon his aplication and request to make his salary 3011, p. ann to begin at Michaellmas next comeing."
"Cons., 28th March, 1681. Mr John Heathfeild having left his imployment as Chyrurgeon to Madapollam and Metchlepatam Factorys, & come up to this place in Ship Sampson in January last, & from that time has been imployed as Chyrurgeon here, he being an able person his salary is now settled, 36ls p. ann. and there being want of one for y^ Factoryes at Madapollam and Metchlepatam It is Resolved and ordered to send Mr. Henry Mallory to be Chyrurgeon to them Factoryes & to take his passage upon ye Eagle."
John Heathfield, who, like Mallory, had served on the President Indiaman, was appointed Surgeon at Masulipatam and Madapollam on 25th Sept., 1673. The Cons, of 6th Aug., 1679, direct that he is "to reside at Metchlepatam and to remove to Madapollam as occasion requires." In July, 1680, he was allowed to come to Madras for his health, but apparently did not actually move there till Jan., 1680/81, when he was appointed Surgeon at Fort St. George, Mallory being sent to take his place m the northern factories. In Feb., 1681/82, he got sanction for the appointment of an Assistant, whose name has not been preserved In Jan 1682/83, the post of Surgeon's Mate being vacant, Samuel Wilmot Surgeon's Mate of the Resolution, was appointed, on five pagodas (about Rs. 17, or a little over £2) per month. Wilmot died on 7th Sept., 1687. On 25th May, 1685, Heathfield was appointed a Factor, on £15 a year, less than half his salary as Surgeon, but, of course, with better future prospects. For over two years he served as "Assistant to the Customer," i.e. in the Customs Office of the Fort. The Court of Directors disapproved his appointment as Factor, and he had to resume his former post as Surgeon from 25th July, 1687. During Heathfield's employment as Factor, Wilmot and Plummer were the two Surgeons of the Fort. Heath- field's petition for the post of Factor is contained in the Cons. of 25th May, 1685.[7]
"25th May, 1685. Doctor Heathfield delivers in his Petition, (which is entered next after this Consultation) the contents whereof is, that he desires to be entertained as a Factor in the Honble Compas service, which was considered of, and by reason we have occation for sober persons, & he understanding the Portuguese language, & well experienced in business, Itt is thought convenient and agreed to entertain him as lowest Factor att fifteen pounds p. annum, provided the Rt. Honble Compas are pleased to confirm the same, and that he attend the Customers business att the Sea side, there being none of the Rt Honble Compas Covenant servants in that place att present, & for his security he proposeth Sr Edwd Winter, Mr Edward Read & Mr Nathaniell Cholmley."
(Petition) "To the Honble President & ca Council.
"May itt please yr Honf 'twas in the year 73 that I was taken prisoner by the Dutch, with the Ship President, att which time I underwent many hardships, besides the totall losse of what itt had pleesed God to bestow upon me, by my endeavours in five years before in the Honble Compos service, & after my confinement I was then rec^ into the Honble Compas service again as Surgeon, att Mechlepatam & Madapollam, and after seven years service there, was called up to this place, where I have served as Surgeon upwards of fower years, my experience in this time and observations I have made upon the Honble Compas affaires I humbly conceive has render'd me capable of serving them in another station, which I am desirous of, in hopes of future preferment, and knowing that itt has been the Custome of your Honr &ca and other Nations to alter the imployment of their servants, I therefore humbly beseech your Hon>- to receive me as a Factor, and to give me what imployment you shall think suitable for me, wherein I shall behave and deport myself w^h that fidellity care and delhgence that my future services shall approve themselves not unworthy of this your great favour & liindness, and as I am in duty bound to be a faithful servant to my Honble Masters, soe I lie under no less Obligation to your selves as my benefactors, then of approving myself with all gratitude and thankfulness. Honble Your most humble'& Obed^' Servant, John Heathfield —Fort St. George, 20th May, 1685."
Heathfield died on 2nd April, 1688, aged 43 years 5 months and 27 days, and was buried in the graveyard round St. Mary's Church, where his tombstone may still be seen. The Cons. of 15th April, 1679,[8] note that he had married, at Masulipatam, the widow of Mr. Robert Fleetwood, a servant of the Company, who had died there insolvent. Fleetwood had taken for three years a lease of the town of Narsapuram, a proceeding contrary to the orders of the Company. Heathfield was ordered to give up the farm, which he promised to do, the lease expiring in the following month. His wife, Margery, was godmother to Job Charnock's children born at Madras. In a table showing the quit-rents of houses in Madras, in the Cons, of 2nd Aug., 1688, the "widdow Heathfield" is shown as occupying a house in Middle Street, at a quit-rent of two pagodas a year. She must have been left weU off, as the only higher quit-rent is that of the President's house in the same street, three pagodas. Besides this house in Whitetown, she also owned a garden house in Peddanaikpetta, which she sold to the weavers of Madras in 1707. She survived her husband for thirty-five years, dying in 1723. In the lists of inhabitants of Madras for Dec, 1701, and Dec, 1702, the name of Theophila Heathfield appears in the list of young women unmarried. Another daughter, Corneha, married Charles Bugden, a civilian of 1692, and after his death became the wife, in 1713, of another civilian, Richard Horden, who joined in 1702.
Other Surgeons on the Coast during the later years of the seventeenth century, whose names have been preserved in the Fort St. George Cons. and elsewhere, are—
1. Edward Bulkley, see below.
2. Isaac Dunn, Surgeon at Masulipatam, 12th Oct., 1682; at Madapollam 17th Nov., 1687. 3. James Grudgfield, appointed Surgeon at Vizagapatam on 12th July, 1683. The Cons. of that date note-
"The Chief and Councill at Madapollam having made itt their request that Dr Grudgfield might be entertained at Vizagapatam ffactory, because they are so far off from thence, that if the Doctor now belonging to both ffactorys should be att Vizagapatam, they might be in great danger of their lives, for want of helpe before he could come to them, the ffactorys being at a considerable distance, which being taken into consideration itt is ordered that the said Doctor do attend Vizagapatam ffactory allowing him £20 p. annum Sallary and no more, and that att all leasure times he assist in the writing businesse."
Grudgfield was transferred to "Coodaloor on 9th May, 1684. In April, 1688, he was still at that factory, and petitioned for the allowance of four pagodas a month which he had drawn at Vizagapatam for assisting in the clerical work. He died some time within the next five months; for a list of inhabitants of Fort St. George at the end of Sept., 1688, includes the name of Penelope Grudgfield, widow.*
4. John Plummer, Surgeon's Mate of the Royal James, appointed to Fort St. George 28th July, 1684, went home on the Royal James 6th May, 1688.
5. William Warren, at Madras, in 1684; transferred to Bengal 4th July, 1698, again in Madras in Jan., 1710/11.
6. Francis Perce, Doctor's Mate of the ,Rochester, appointed Surgeon at Fort St. George, 9th Feb., 1685.
7. Henry Watson, arrived 16th June, 1685, served also in Bengal.
8. Mr. Atkins, Surgeon at Masulipatam and Pettipolli, died Feb., 1684/85.
9. Edmund Payntell, appointed to succeed Atkins, 10th Dec., 1685.
10. James Burley, late Chirurgeon of the Rose, appointed Surgeon at the Fort 5th Sept., 1687, to succeed Plummer.
11. Bernard Ozler, late Surgeon of the Loyal Adventure, which was wrecked at Madras on 7th Oct., 1687, appointed 16th Oct., 1687.
12. Walter Stewart, a physician who had come out as a private soldier, allowed to purchase his discharge and to practise at Madras, 2nd Jan., 1687/88.†
- Grudgfield had previously served at Bombay from 1676-80, at least. See Chap. VI, Early History; Surat, Persia, Bombay, and the West.
† For Walter Stewart, sec also Chap. XV, The Double Commissions. 13. Samuel Browne, appointed 7th May, 1688. See below.
14. Richard Blackwall, appointed 24th June, 1689. See below.
15. Samuel Hart, appointed Surgeon at Hugli 17th Aug., 1686; came to Madras with the other Bengal officials in Feb., 1688/89, and then appointed Surgeon of Fort St. George. The Cons, of 29th Dec, 1692, order his discharge, on the arrival of Bulkley from England. Hart continued to hve at Madras for many years. His name is shown in the lists of inhabitants, not Company's servants, up to Dec, 1707. He was thrice married. In May, 1693, his name is entered among the freemen inhabitants of Madras, with the note, "Married a Georgian." For several years, prior to and including 1706, he is entered as "Married a Casteez," i.e. a Portuguese woman of pure European descent. In Dec, 1707, he is shown as "married an English- woman." Two children, Elizabeth and Susanna Hart, are entered in the lists for that month. This is the last hst which contains his name.
16. Rowland Jones, Doctor's Mate, died 15th April, 1690.
17. Robert Cooper, Surgeon, died 21st July, 1690.
18. Thomas Faucet, appointed 23rd Nov., 1692. See below.
19. Joseph Royall, or Royer, appointed as Assistant to Dr. Faucet at Fort St. David, nth May, 1696, succeeded Faucet as Surgeon there in 1699, died there in Aug., 1703.
20. John Cotter, Surgeon at Vizagapatam, in list of Jan., 1696/97. Ten years before, in Jan., 1686/87, John Cotter, Surgeon of the Dragon, probably the same man, had been removed from his ship for mutiny. According to the evidence, his crime, though perhaps technically mutiny, seems rather to have been attempted desertion.
21. Edward Rawdon, appointed Mate to Dr. Bulkley, 13th Jan., 1697/98; Assay Master, 29th Sept., 1699.
22. Charles Verrall, apprentice to Dr. Bulkley, 12th Aug., 1700.
23. Michael Gray, Surgeon at Masulipatam, transferred to Fort St. David by order of Court dated 31st July, 1702, and subsequently to Calcutta, 20th Aug., 1705.
A few of these Surgeons deserve somewhat fuller notice—Bulkley, Browne, Blackwall, and Faucet. Further particulars about Warren, Watson, and Gray are given in Chap. VIII; Early History; Bengal and the Bay. The Cons, of 18th Sept., 1678, mention a French Chyrururgeon Fransi5sco Cutineth, living in Black Town. He was called before the Council, who associated Bezahel Sherman with them to hear the case, to give evidence about the death of a private soldier, named John Ballance, whom he had attended, who died from the effect of blows given by Corporal Henry Law.
At the beginning of the year 1687 the Council of Fort St. George were anticipating an attack by the troops of the Great Mogul, i.e. Aurangzeb, who was then invading Golkonda. The Cons, of 2ist Feb., 1686/87, contain orders regarding the duties of various members of the community in case of an attack, including the medical officers. f
"Doctr Willmot & Hummer's charge is vizt. To provide and make Salves for wounds, and to bee as sparing of the Small Chirurgery Box on the Rebecca as they can, that we may not want upon great occasion.
"There being a sett of large Chirurgeons Instruments att Metchlepatam which may bee useful here, upon any expedition, Itt is ordered that Mr Freeman &ca bee wrot to, to send them hither."
The Cons, of 2nd Sept., 1689, record a payment to a Dutch Surgeon.
Francis Bett having by distemper and distraction lately wounded himselfe at Porto Novo factory, whereby for want of a Surgeon they were necessitated to call the Dutch Surgeon to his rehefe, & cure, which being charged to him, he requests that as being the Compas Servt it may be allowed by the Rt Honble Compa wch being consider'd and that twas his owne rash Act, tis order'd that he bear the halfe charge thereof, & that the cheife do allow the other halfe thereof."
The following medical certificate, entered in the Cons, of 16th Aug., 1693, is probably the earliest such certificate given in India which has survived. J
"We the subscribers having according to your Orders visited Mr John Nicks, find him very much indisposed by a Chilly numbness in his feet and hands, and an oppression in his Brest and Stomach which is a hindrance both to his speech and breathing, these symptoms in all probability are occasioned by melancholy, want of exercise, and his being oblidge
- Colin Mackenzie MSS., Vol. LII. The Cons, of this year are missing in the Fort St. George Factory Records.
t Factory Records. Fort St. George, Vol. IV. The passage is quoted in Wheeler's Madras in the Olden Time, Vol. I, p. 169.
X Colin Mackenzie MSS., Vol. LVI. The Cons, from January, 1690/91, to January, 1692/93, are missing from the Fort St. George Factory Records. This certificate, and the note about Francis Bett, are both given by Love, Vol. I, pp. 529 and 564.
procS his^S^^ ^^'"^ '^^"P^ ^P^^d^^y ^«°^<^did (since it ap- proches his Stomach) may prove of Dangerous Consequence.
" Edward Bulkley, Samuell Browne."
Edward Bulkley was serving at Pettipoli in Dec, 1682 He seems to have gone home from there. On his return to India he was appointed First Surgeon to Fort St. George, in Cons. of 29th Dec., 1692.
" Ordered that D-^ Bulkeley Chyrurgion (lately come from England) doe enter upon his charge of the Hospitall and take care of the Patients therein, and look after all the medicines and other things carefully that none be spoyled or wasted neghgently, or used for any other end or purpose but those they were intended for. And that he keep an account of all material actions, m a Book that may remayne in the Hospitall to be examined when needful or required. And Doctor Brown is to be continued a Chyrurgion here as before. And in regard of the supply of Chyrurgions from England there is not roome for the continuance of D^ Hart he is to be discharged from that Imployment and the Secretary is to acquaint him therewith."
The above extract is also given in Love's Vestiges of Old Madras, Vol. I, p. 563, where is also quoted a Despatch from England, dated i6th April, 1697, which refers to the appointment of Bulkley, also incidentally mentioning Hart and Browne, and sanctioning the appointment of a coroner at Madras in 1697. The same despatch is quoted by Love at greater length in Vol. II, p. 68, as below.
" Wlaen wee understood M"^ Heathfield was dead, and that you had entertained M'" Hart as a temporary Surgeon in his Stead, we resolved to Supply you as soon and as well as we could, and accordingly sent you, five or six years since, M^" Buckley, one who was every way very fitly qualified to serve us by his large experience of India as well as here, and as fit for prescribing Phisick as manuall operations ; and we suffered him to carry out an apprentice that so he might not Complaine of want of help. And therefore him and him only wee resolve shall receive any Sallery and allowances. . . . And in respect to him wee are willing to allow the Office of Coroner, and such perquisites therewith for sitting on the bodys of any persons that shall come to any untimely end by casuaHty or otherwise, as you shall think fitting, to be paid by the relations of the deceased, considering the poverty of the Generality of your Inhabitants. The usuall ffee here is 6s. 8d., but wee think two Rupees is sufficient where the persons are of Ability. And as for M'^ Browne, if it please God our Surgeon at the ffort, or in the Bay, or elsewhere should die, or be moved. Wee are wilhng M"^ Browne should have the first preference to such a vacancy."
On 30th Aug., 1693, Bulkley performed the post-mortem examination on Mr. Wheeler, accidentally poisoned by Surgeon Samuel Browne. His report is given in the -count of ti^^^^^^^^^^^ below, in Browne's life. Probably it is the ^^"^ "^^^^^^^ report given in India which has been preserved, as the medica e^^fica'Je by Bulkley and Browi.e, q-ted above, is probably the oldest document of its kind. The Fort W4Uam Con. oi 6th Aug. 1713, contain a post-mortem report, signed byWilham Hantll and Richard Harvey, which is given in Wilson's £..^3^ Annals of the English in Bengal, Vol. II, Part I, pp. i34. i35.
Bulkley held the appointment of Surgeon up to 29th Jan. 1708/09, when he resigned on account of ill-health, as recorded in Cons, of that date.
Doct^- Buckley this day deUver'd in a petition for leave to lay down the Company's Service, alledging the reason thereof that he :s -ry -uch indisposed by the Stone, which he fears -^^^^e very suddenly fatal to him, and recommends Robinson Doct^ of to succeed him in that Employ his petition is entered after this Consultation."
In spite of his ill health, Bulkley was appointed, from 28th Jan., 1708/09, a member of the Council at Madras, as " Land Customer " and sixth of Council. At the end of 1710 he was Store Keeper and seventh of Council, in Dec, 1711, Paymaster and fifth of Council. On 16th July, 1711, he was appointed, along with Messrs. Warre and Hunt, Justice of the Choultry. The Cons. of 20th Jan., 1712/13, record his resignation of all his appointments on account of iU-health. A Fort St. George General Letter, dated 29th Sept., 1714, in para. 119, reports his death.
" M"^ Edward Bulkley dy'd lo^"^ August much lamented."
He was buried at the bottom of his own garden. His tomb may still be seen, the site is now part of the Western Esplanade of Fort St. George, opposite the entrance to the Medical College grounds.
Two Bulkleys, perhaps his sons, figure as Covenanted Servants at Madras during the next two decades. In the Ust of Company's servants and inhabitants for Dec, 1711, the name of Thomas Bulkley appears among Freeman inhabitants. In a salary list of Sept., 1716, he is shown as Factor on £15 a year, and on the 27th of that month he paid in 444 pagodas to the estate of the late Edward Bulkley. From 24th July, 1717, he became Junior Merchant on £30, and Senior Merchant on £40 from 25th July, 1720. On 22nd Sept., 1720, he resigned to go to Europe. John Bulkley was engaged as Factor for five years from 21st Aug., 1723, and became Junior Merchant on 9th Aug., 1728. He died on 29th April, 1732. On 30th May, 1747, Phihp Bulkley, perhaps of a third generation of the same family, was entertained as writer, in 1749 he received a commission as Ueutenant. and was killed at the siege of Conjeveram, as reported in a Letter to Court, dated 15th Feb., 1752.
Samuel Browne, Surgeon of the Dragon, was appointed Surgeon at Madras in the Cons, of 7th May, 1688.
" Doctor Heathfield being deceased and Doctor J^o Plummer gone home upon the Royall James, & the Hospitall being in great want of an able Chirurgeon, Doct^ Sam' Brown late Chirurgeon of the Dragon being reputed so, & desirous of the employ. It is order'd that he be entertain'd at the same sallary & allowance as his Predecessor Doct^ Heathfield had."
Four years later he was superseded by the appointment of Bulkley, on his return from Europe, as first Surgeon. In 1693 he apphed to rent six villages near Madras ; his request was refused on 7th Aug. On 28th Aug., 1693, he accidentally poisoned Mr. James Wheeler, Sea Customer and member of Council, and Chief Justice of the Choultry. The following account of this unfortu- nate occurrence is taken from the Cons, of 30th Aug., 1693. Bulkley's report of the post-mortem immediately follows the other entries.*
" Word being brought us while at Consultation on the 28* instant, that M"^ Wheeler was very sick, and soon after about 11 o'clock that he was dead, we went forthwith to his house, and appointed M"^ Mildmay and M Vander Anker to take account of the Right Honourable Companies books and papers which were in M"^ Wheeler's hands ; but on the way thither the following note was deUvered up into the hand of the President, viz.
" ' Hon'^ie Sir. I have murthered Wheeler by giving him Arsnick. Please to execute Justice on me the malefactor as I deserve.
" 'Your Honour's unfortunate obed* Servant, Sam" Browne.'
" Whereupon D"^ Browne after examination and his particular relation of the circumstances of his fatall mistake, was by warrant of the Judge Advocate committed, as allso his servant, who negUgently powdered Peajrl in a stone mortar wherein arsnick had been before beaten, the mixture whereof with the pearl is supposed to be the occasion of his Death ; and
- Colin Mackenzie MSS., Vol. LVI. The Cons, from 15th October, 1690,
to 31st January, 1693/94, except for the period ist to 26th June, 1693, are missing from the Fort St. George Factory Records. The papers are also quoted in J. Talboys Wheeler's Madras in the Olden Time, Vol. I, pp. 276-278. there being symptoms of poyson, Doctor Buckley, the Chirurgeon of the Hospitall, was ordered to open the Corps and make his report.
"The Attorney Generall is ordered to prosecute Samuell Browne, and his Servants concerned for the Death of Mr James Wheeler, so soon as it can be done.-Nath Higginson.
"Yesterday at 8 a clock in the forenoon Mr James Wheeler was buryed, with the solemnity accustomed for one of his Station.
"May it please your Hon' with the Worshippfull Councill. According to your orders I did on Munday the 28th instant in the afternoon open the dead body of Mr James Wheeler about five hours after his death, and upon viewing the Viscera or Bowells found them not much altered from their naturall temper and Colour. The parts that seemed to suffer most were the stomach and gutts, which were a little inflamed, and almost wholly bared and stript of the mucous or slimy covering with which those parts are commonly invested. The Lungs allsoe were a little inflamed, the blood that I gathered out of severall Vessells all appeared blacker than usuall. But the suddenness of his death, and the severe symptoms he laboured under before he dyed, were greater arguments of Poyson received then anything I could trace out by dissection. This from, Sir, Your Honrs &ca most humble & obedient Servant. Edward Bulkley."
Browne and his servant were committed to custody. Browne was tried, and acquitted by the Grand Jury, "who brought in the bill Ignoramus." There was some dissatisfaction at this result. Many thought that a case of criminal negligence had been made out.
In 1694 Browne was deputed to attend the Nawab Qasim Khan for wounds, which he did with success. In 1695 he was again in trouble for challenging Dr. Blackwall to a duel, when drunk; and in April, 1696, for assault on a native, as recorded in Cons. of 27th April, 1696.
"Cons., 27th April, 1696. Complaint having been made by Madremtala in a letter received by the Governor last night, that Dr Brown had gone to the house of Ananta Terterra his Junkameer of Vepery, and carried him away by force, and robbed him to the value of six thousand Pagodas as by a list sent. Dr Brown being sent for gives this account. That on Saturday having rid out to Egmore in Company, in their return by the Vepery Choultry the Moor Peons called him names; and he riding up to them to demand the reason, there followed more aggravating words and they beat him. When he came home, being informed where the Chief man of the Choultry lived, he took his sword and pistol, and being followed by his boy with another pistol, and his horsekeeper went to the house and by force took out Ananta Terterra, and brought him to the Bridge Gate, where understanding that that was not the man which had abused him, he let him go.
"Ananta Terterra doth also further complain that Dr Brown broke his face with a pistol, pulled his beard, &c., and that he was robbed to the value of six thousand pagodas; which though there is no reason to believe, yet the Dewan's officers will take occasion to make a demand as customary, and give us trouble by complaining to the Nabob. And Dr Brown being apparently guilty of a breach of the peace, it is resolved that he be committed to the custody of the Marshall, that others may be deterred from the like, and that the inhabitants may understand that such practises are not allowed." *
Dr. Browne was detained in custody for a week, after which he was discharged, in consideration of the fact that his patients required his services, he giving security to the satisfaction of the court.
The Cons. of 3rd Jan., 1697/98, note his discharge, from 30th Nov., 1697, the Court of Directors having disallowed the appointment of Second Surgeon at Fort St. George, which he had held for ten years. On 13th Jan., he was offered the post of surgeon at Chutanuti (Calcutta), but declined it; William Warren got the appointment from 30th June, 1698. On 11th Aug., the Assay Master at Madras, Nathaniel Stone, applied for leave to go home, and promised to instruct Samuel Browne in his duties before he left, so as to leave him qualified for that employment." On 22nd Sept., 1698, Browne died at Madras.
The Dictionary of National Biography includes Browne's name, but only states that from time to time he sent to England collections of dried plants, which now form part of the herbarium of the British Museum, and that particulars of his life are wanting. In 1688 Browne married Ann Baker. Two years after his death, in 1700, she married John Foquet, Scavenger of Madras. In spite of his unpleasant title, the scavenger was a civilian, in charge of house taxation and conservancy, and Foquet stepped from that post, in 1700, to that of Chief of Masulipatam. Browne's daughter, Elizabeth, in 1711, brought an action for breach of promise against Henry Cornwall, Captain of the frigate Sherborne, the ship on which William Hamilton was then serving as surgeon. Seven years later, in 1718, she married the Rev. Charles Long, Chaplain of Madras.
The career of Richard Benoni Ebenezer Blackwall is one of some interest. His name first appears in the Madras Press Lists on 8th March, 1688/89, in a letter from Fort St. George to John
- From J. Talboys Wheeler's Madras in the Olden Time, Vol. I, pp. 300, 301. The Cons. from 1st Jan. to 30th Sept., 1696, are missing from the Fort St. George Factory Records in the India Office, nor can the deficiency here be supplied from the Mackenzie MSS. Apparently they are, or were, preserved at Madras. 93
EARLY HISTORY; MADRAS Nicks, chief at Conimeer,* informing him that Surgeon Blackwall is required by the commander of the Resolution. He was appointed Surgeon at Conimeer in Cons. of 24th June, 1689.
"Richard Blackwall formerly Surgions Mate of Ship Resolution but marrying here to an Inglish-woman desires to serve the Rt Honble Compa at their garrison of Conimeer where we have occasion for him, and Capt. Wm Sharpe being now supplyed wth an able Surgion from Capt. Brangwin he is order'd to discharge him from his Ship and deliver him his concernes aboard also to pay to his order in England what wages is due to him."
In 1693 he was surgeon at Fort St. David. The Nawab of the Karnatik attempted to get possession of the English settle- ments by treachery, as described in The Annals of the Honourable East Company, Vol. III, p. 154, where the author, John Bruce, M.P., the Company's Historiographer, writes-
"Fort St. David, being the weakest, was first thought of, and the Surgeon of the place, a Dr Blackwell, who had, from his profession, got access to the Mogul's camp, became, for a large bribe, the instrument of the enemy;-in return, he was to be made Governor of Porto Novo, and to hold it under the Mogul's protection. Blackwell's treason was fortu- nately discovered, and he was seized and carried to Madras, where he made a full confession."
Bruce gives the name as Blackwell, but in the original papers it is always spelt Blackwall. To say that he made a full con- fession is hardly correct. He admitted having been promised by the Nawab-whom he seems to have treated professionally, and thus made his acquaintance-the Government of Porto Novo, a small town on the sea coast, a little south of Fort St. David, in what is now the South Arcot district. But he denied that he had agreed to betray Fort St. David or Kadalur. The Madras Council do not seem to have considered the matter very serious, but were of opinion that his sanity, rather than his loyalty, was at fault in his negotiations with the Nawab. He was kept under guard, as a prisoner in the fort, for a little over a year. The Council decided to send him to England, but changed their minds, and soon after his release he was enrolled, on 1st April, 1695, as On 21st Nov. of the same an Attorney in the Mayor's Court. year Dr. Browne challenged him to fight a duel. In the Cons. of 25th Feb., 1696/97, he is appointed surgeon to the West Coast,
- John Nicks, the Madras civilian who received from Bulkley and Browne, four years later, the medical certificate quoted above. and it is stated that he had behaved well since his trial three
years before. The Cons. of 3rd March, 1700/01, mention that he is dead, and order the payment to his wife of 97 ryals standing to his credit at Fort York (Bencoolen). The original papers in this curious case are given below.
"At a Consultation Extraordinary, Wednesday, 31st.* Present: The Hon ble Nath Higginson, Esqre, President & Govern', John Dolben, Esqre, Judge Advocate, Mr William Fraser. Mr Cuthbert haveing the last night discoursed to the President some transactions which had passed between Doctor Blackwall and Arsemonague at the Camp, concerning Doctor Blackwall's being made Governor of Porto Novo, and that he had heard at the Camp, when there, that there were some designs on foot for the Plundering of Cuddaloor, when the army passed by that way to Tanjore. The President imediatly wrote a Letter to Mr Hatsell adviseing him thereof that he might not come hither as before ordered till this matter was over and upon perusall of the papers delivered by Mr Cuthbert among which is a letter to him from Blackwall, darkly intimating hee had some great designes on foot; a generall letter was thereupon written to Mr Hatsell, and another to him and Councill, with the necessary advices and directions, as entred in the Coppy Booke of Letters." †
"Cons., Friday, 9th Feb. 1693/94. The generall Lettrs from Mr Hartsell and from him and Councill dated ye 7th Inst. p. shipp Northampton being perused with the inclosed Paper of ye examination of Doct Blackwall's servants, and also one lett' from Doct' Blackwall to his wife, wch gives an accout of his haveing Receiv'd a Phirmaund for Porto Novo whereof he and his Heires are to be Governors where he is to maintaine one or two hundred Horse and as many Europeans as he can gett. Doct Blackwall be sent for and examin'd, hee Confess'd it and delivered in a narrative of his Transactions wth the Nabob and Arsamanague, but does utterley disowne anny designe relateing to Fort St. David, or Cuddaloor, and alledges in his owne Justification that after he was acquainted that Mr Hartsell &ca had seized his papers, he notwithstanding came to them as he intended to disclose the whole Matter, and have theire approbation, before he did ingage in it, but it being a matter of dangerous consequence requires further enquiry and consideration, in the meantime Doct' Blackwall is comitted to ye charge of ye Levtt of ye Gard, to be kept in a chamber in the Fort under a Centinell and none to speake to him till further order."
Cons., Tuesday, 13th Feb. 1693/94. Doct Blackwall haveing sent ye Presidt a paper on ye 11 and 12 instant, by ye former declareing his entering into and concludeing a treaty wth ye Nabob & Arsemonague for ye Governt of Porto Novo to him and his Heirs under Arsemonague and by yeowneingyt he has entered into an obligaton for ye Payment off one hundred thousand Pagodoes to the Mogull att certain times and conditions and
- Wednesday, 31st Jan., 1693/94.
† The first Consultation of 31st Jan. is included in the Colin Mackenzie MSS., Vol. LVI, last page; the others in Factory Records, Fort St. George, Vols. VII and VIII. desires to be sett at liberty, that he may goe to ye Camp and discharge himself from those Engagements, and Wee should verry readily Consent to his Proposall, where there any reason to believe that he could doe it, or had anny security, yt he would not when att liberty proceed in his Government, the Notion of which seem's to have possessed his brain, that he appears to us to be distemper'd. Its resolved therefore that he bee for ye present detained in close Confinement in ye Fort, till there shall appeare reason for his releasment or for sending him for England, for which the Samuell is not a fitting Shipp."
Cons., Monday, 23rd Apprill, 1694. Doct Blackwall having sent severall Papers, and complaining of the severity of a long confinement was sent for and an offer made him of releasement vpon condition he gave good security, that he would not depart from the limits of this place, and in case of his departure to make good what Damages may accrew thereby unto the Rt Hon ble Company and time was given him to consider of said offer." (1
"Cons. Thursday, 14th June, 1694. Its resolved as the best expedient to secure the Rt Hon ble Company from damage by Doctor Blackwall's late rash undertakeing and engagements to the Moors that he be sent for England by the first shipp, unless he shall rather choose to goe and live att Bombay, and the Generall approve thereof, and ye Secretary is ordered to acquaint him therewith, and that his answer is expected on Monday next."
"Cons. Thursday, 5th July, 1694. Doct' Blackwall haveing requested a generall leave for his friends to visit him, order is given to the Lewtt of the guard that they permitt his friends to visit him, but not to stay after six a clock att night and this liberty continue soe long as the Gover¹ finds he uses it with discretion."
"Cons., Friday, 24th Aug., 1694. Doct Blackwall being comitted to the custody of ye Lewtt of ye Guard by order of Consult the 9th of Feb. 1693/94, upon his application to ye Court of Admiralty obtained a writ of habeas corpus wch ye Levtt of ye Guard produc'd to ye Presidt, Its therevpon ordered yt Doct" Blackwall be taken from ye Custody of the Levtt of ye Guard and delivered into ye Custody of ye Martiall."
"Cons., Monday, 29th Oct., 1694. Doct¹ Blackwall desireing liberty for the Doors to be open from morning till night the Martiall declareing he do's not thinke it safe, and haveing appeared formorley that he had tam- pered wth some of ye Centinells in order to his exscape, It is thought fitt to be left to ye discretion of ye Martiall he being answerable for his forth- comeing."
"Cons., Friday, 25th Jan., 1694/95. The Judge reports that vpon ye heareing of the Information exhibited by ye Attorney Generall in behalf of the Rt Honble Compa against Richard Benoni Ebeneazer Blacwall in the Court of Admiralty, the Court have decreed that he be sent for England by ye first shipp, said degree is confirmed, and it is resolved that an order be given ye Capt of ye Princess to recieve him aboard." "Cons., Monday, 11th Feb., 1694/95. Doctor Blackwall haveing frequently petitioned Us for his liberty and now offereing Mr Daniell Gifford and Mr Edward Bawgus for his Security. It is agreed that the said Security be accepted, and a bond of 2000 Pagod taken for his good behaviour and appearance, and yt the execution of ye Judgement of ye Court of Admiralty for his being sent home be suspended."
'Cons., Monday, 1st Apprill, 1695. Doctor Blackwall havcing petitioned to bee admitted an Attorney in ye Major's Court, considering his incapacity to maintaine his family. It is resolved that he be permitted to practice as an Attorney in said Court so long as he shall behave himselfe well. Whereof ye Mayor is desired to take particular notice. [I have in ye foul consultation excepted against Mr Blackwall's being admitted an Attorney in any Court in this place. W.F.]* ""
Cons., 21st Nov., 1695. Lewt Seaton acquainting us he heard of a Quarrell between Dr Brown and Doct Blackwall, vpon weh Dr Browne was gone to a garden wth a sword, he is ordered to take a guard and bring them both to us, and he returning presently with them reports that he found Dr Blackwall at his House, and Doct Browne returning from the Garden, vpon examing them they agreed yt there were words of quarrell between them at Dr Blackwall's House, but that Doctr Blackwall did not goe from his House. Dr Browne appearing to have drunke so much, and not capable of an examination. It is ordered that he be comited to ye Custody of ye Guard in ye Fort, and that tomorrow morning the Mayor doe examine the parties and witnesses, and that if it shall appear that one or both did give or recieve a challenge, that ye Person so offending be comitted to ye Custody of ye Marshall till next Consultation day."
Thomas Faucet's name is shown as Surgeon at Fort St. George, on 29th May, 1693, along with Bulkley and Browne, so there seem to have been, for a short time, three Surgeons there. On 12th March, 1693/94, he was sent to Fort St. David, in place of Blackwall, under trial for treason. On 11th May, 1696, Joseph Royall, or Royer, was appointed his assistant. On 8th June, 1699, he was granted six months' leave to sea for his health; and in the list of Company's servants of Dec., 1699, his name is omitted. In another list, dated Nov., 1701, he is shown as "accomptant and second in Council Vizagapatam, on £40 a month, and the date of his arrival in India is given as 23rd Nov., 1692. In the list of Dec., 1703, he is shown as Factor at Fort St. George on £5, rather a come down from 1701, and is stated to be married to an Englishwoman. He appears to have resigned some time during the next four years, for the Cons. of 8th Aug., 1707, record his
- W.F. is William Fraser, one of the Members of Council. foul, i.e. rough copy. Major, of course, should be Mayor. appointment as Factor, and those of 6th Nov. state that he has
been readmitted from 1st Sept. and appointed Junior Merchant on £30. On 16th Nov., 1710, he was ordered from Metchlepatam In Dec., 1711, to Vizagapatam to take his place in Council there. he is shown as third in council at Vizagapatam, one place lower than he had been ten years before. In a salary list dated 25th March, 1718, he is shown as Senior Merchant on £40. Finally the list of Dec., 1723, notes his death on 11th July, 1723, as Resident at Ingeram. In 1700 he married Johanna, widow of William Martin.
A despatch to England, dated 12th Feb., 1714/15, quoted in Love's Vestiges of Old Madras, Vol. II, p. 156, makes some curious comments on Faucet, saying that he-
"has never been thought capable of any considerable trust by reason of a Moon Frenzy that seldom fails him full or new; besides he is intollerably addicted to drinking, old, perverse, and ignorant in business, a Phisician if anything, but not enuff of that to keep him from starveing even in this Country where Doctors are so scarce."
The following list gives the names of the Surgeons serving at Fort St. George, from 1649 to 1710, as far as they can be ascertained. It is, of course, imperfect, especially as regards dates. In some cases, only one reference to the name has been found, that of appointment, or that of leaving office by resignation or by death; or even a mere mention of the name as serving at a certain date, the dates neither of appointment nor of quitting office being recorded. Names of men appointed as Surgeons Mates, who did not attain to the rank of full Surgeon, are not included. The list is carried on further, for another half century, in Chap. X, The First Half of the Eighteenth Century.
LIST OF SURGEONS, FORT ST. GEORGE, 1649-1710 Name. Whiting, Edward Cooper, Robert Bradford, Philip Jardin, Dr. H.I.M.S. VOL. I. Date of Appointment. 1649 1657 1665 1668 Remarks. Previously at Jambi (1645), and Bantam. Resigned and went home, Jan., 1656/57. Again at Madras, and transferred to Bay Factories, Feb., 1662/63 Previously a Factor in Pegu. Pos- sibly the same Robert Cooper who died 21st July, 1690 Died at Madras in 1668 H Page:A History of the Indian Medical Service, 1600-1913 Vol 1.djvu/124
- ↑ Much of the information in this chapter is taken from Vestiges of Old Madras, 1640-1800, by Colonel H. D. Love; four volumes, John Murray, 1913.
- ↑ Foster, The English Factories in India, 1634-36, p. 14, where three translations of this farman are given.
- ↑ There was another Fort St. George, which was destroyed by the English in 1762, at the French settlement of Mahe, also a Fort George on the island of Bombay.
- ↑ Sainsbury, Calendar, Vol. V. No. 92, p. 78 ; and No. 308, p. 289.
- ↑ Yule, Hedges' Diary, Notes, Vol. I, p. 94.
- ↑ P. 62. This letter is also quoted in Talboys Wheeler's Early Records of British India, p. 71.
- ↑ The Cons, for 1685 are missing from the Factory Records, Fort St. George, in the India Office, but may be seen in the Colin Mackenzie MSS., Vol. LIII. They have also been published in the late Mr. A. T. Pringle's The Diary and Consultation Book of the Agent Governor and Council of Fort St. George, 1682-85; four volumes, Madras, 1894.
- ↑ Colin Mackenzie MSS., Vol. LII.