Thomas Scudder, settled in America from England about 1635 : a pioneer Missionary of the Reformed Church in India. Having chosen the medical profession, Dr. Scudder settled in New York City : while there engaged in his profession, the claims of the heathen were brought vividly before his mind in a peculiar manner : in professional attendance on a lady, while in the ante-room, he took up a tract with the title, "The Conversion of the World; or, the Claims of Six Hundred Millions; and the Ability and Duty of the Churchesrespecting them." The words of the tract pierced his heart, and he had no rest until he had offered his services to the Foreign Mission Board. At 26 he abandoned home and friends, and with his young family sailed for India : arrived in Ceylon, Feb., 1820 : entered upon his work with the earnestness and devotion which characterized his whole life. After labouring with great success as a medical Missionary in Ceylon for 16 years, he removed in 1836 to Madras, where a new Mission was opened : there his eldest son, Henry Martyn, joined him as a Missionary in 1844. In 1853 the father and son decided to open a Mission in the Arcot District, 80 miles W. of Madras. The Arcot Mission has ever been associated with the name of Scudder, no fewer than 9 children of Dr. John Scudder and 9 grandchildren having been connected with it.
SCUDDER, REV. LEWIS R. (1861–).
Grandson of Dr. John Scudder (q.v.) : he graduated from Princeton University, U.S.A., in 1882, and M.D. from New York Medical College in 1888, and has worked 17 years in India : has considerably enlarged the medical institution at Arcot, having opened Branch Dispensaries and special accommodation for high caste people : he has maintained his family's name by his earnest and successful work at the Arcot Mission.
SCUDDER, REV. SILAS D. (1833–1877).
Seventh son of Dr. John Scudder (q.v.) : was a medical Missionary in the Arcot Mission : he established the Hospital and Dispensary there, and was one of the first to introduce western medical science among the natives of the district : the Madras Governemnt gave over to him a fine building and ample ground for the hospital and contributed its expenses. Lord Napier of Ettrick (q.v.). Governor of Madras, conducted Mr. W. H. Seward, U.S. Sec. of State, when visiting India, to this hospital and dispensary as one of the chief objects of interest in his Presidency. Many thousands of Hindus sought the benefits of the treatment granted gratuitously. Dr. Scudder worked with untiring industry, with great spirit and vigour : attending also to a large out-door practice. High-caste ladies placed themselves under his treatment. A class of medical students, was also taught : some of them are now successful practitioners. He was in India nearly 13 years. When his health was broken he went home to die : he never recovered from the injuries received from overwork, from a tropical sun and malarious climate : died 1877.
SEAL, MATI LAL (1791–1854)
Son of a petty tradesman : educated at a primary village school : at 17 went on pilgrimage, and travelled in Upper India : became a clerk, and storekeeper at Fort William, Calcutta : and established a business, first as a dealer in empty bottles and corks, then as a ship's banian : became, by 1823, Durector of 3 mercantile-firms, and was connected with many firms and houses in Calcutta : greatly respected for his integrity, and the good use he made of his wealth : he became a large owner of land and houses : founded, in 1842, a higher-class English school in Calcutta and liberally endowed it : gaveland for the erection of the Calcutta Medical College : "Seal's Free School" is still one of the best of its kind in Calcutta : the poor-house which he established in 1848 at Belgharia still exists : died May 20, 1854.
SEATON, SIR THOMAS (1806–1876)
Born 1806 : son of John Fox Seaton : joined the E. I. Co.'s 1oth N.I. in 1823 : at the siege of Bhartpur, 1826 : with the 35th regt. in Kabul in 1839 : returned to India with Sale's Brigade,
