Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society/Volume 78/English Tombs and Monuments in Bencoolen

by Cecil Joslin Brooks

English Tombs and Monuments in Bencoolen.

By C. J. BROOKS.

(Wits three plates).

Bencoolen, as an early English settlement in the East, may lay claim to more than passing interest from the historian of English pioneer colonisation, and to the naturalist, as a centre where early researches were made, in a country of which the fauna and flora are but still incompletely known, and whose vast forests are yet unexplored.

It was in connection with the latter that the writer's atten- tion was drawn to the old English tombs in Bencoolen while seeking the burial place of Joseph Arnold, the discoverer of the Rafflesia, and that of William Jack, the author of Malayan Miscellanies, both were presumably buried there^[1]. Neither can be located, possibly they are among the majority whose tombs bear no inscription, together with Sir T. S. Raffles' son and Capt. Auber, both men- tioned in Jack's letters to Wallich as dying during this period in Bencoolen^[2], while that of Ju. Lancaster, Surgeon^[3], is in evidence.

They may however rest in some forgotten spot, perhaps ad- joining the old Residency, where ever it was, for interments were not confined to the burial ground, although in existence at the time, and the earliest inscribed grave bears the date 1775, but are somewhat scattered at least those of the governing class. For instance Capt. Hamilton's tomb is even now on the outskirts of the town while others are in Fort Marlboro, and the site of Governor Watts' is unknown.

In this record it has been assumed that old tombs bearing no inscription belong to the period under consideration, at the same. time it must be admitted there is little justification for doing so; in either case it is difficult to understand why so many tombs bear no inscription, 46 in a total of 73. In nearly every instance a recess exists for the insertion of a tablet, possibly some have been stolen, but in many cases the sides are so smooth that it is unlikely one was ever inserted.

Magnificent casuarinas and crotons give a picturesque effect, and lend a solemn shade during the hot hours of the day. The tombs are well tended as far as the removal of vegetation and whitewash- ing is concerned, many show large cracks in the masonry probably due to earthquake. It is still the burial place of Benkoelen, but in the accompanying plan only the locations of the English tombs are indicated, with a few exceptions which are not mentioned in the text.

The author's thanks are due to Mr. Westenek, the Resident of Benkoelen, Mr. van den Horst, and Mr. P. Jansen, T. Pzn., for assistance in compiling these notes.

Tombs in Fort Marlborough.

To the right on entering the barbican and below the barbette, are three altar tombs, side by side, each surmounted by a massive slate slab. The inscriptions are now illegible with the exception of the names and a few words in No. 1 and 2, and entirely in the case of No. 3.

No. 1 (Near the barbette)

Charles Murray Esq.

Assist. Residt. Ft. Marlboro., 1807.

2 Thomas Parr Esq.

The inscriptions are long and both terminate with the name of Lord Minto. In one case it seems that it was erected to his order, this would then follow for the other.

The Monument to Resident Parr.

This handsome monument, a well proportioned domed pavilion. stands by itself in a small grass square in the busiest part of the town, at the top of the main Pasar adjoining the recreation ground.

There is no inscription indicating the purpose for which it was erected, and at the present time the inhabitants both European and Native are almost entirely ignorant of its origin.

Resident Parr was murdered by the natives in 1805.

The condition of affairs preceding the tragedy, and later the revenge taken by the Government on the natives is described in Nahuy's Letters, and Lady Raffles's Memoir, (vide, Onze Indische Financien, by E. de Waal, p. 8 & 9.) of which the following is a brief summary:—

The business of the East India Company was essentially in pepper, and to insure the largest profits against the lowest prices only elementary agreements were made with the head. natives.

The Governor and other functionaries were allowed to trade on their own account, especially in the importation of opium and piece goods to Java.

The total trade of the port at this time was worth about £100,000 per annum, while the Company's trade in pepper was declining, they—the Company—decided to economise.

Plate IV, 1918.

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Old British Tombs in Bencoolen.

In 1801 under the Governor-General Lord Wellesley a commissioner was sent from the High Court of Bengal to Bencoolen with authority to suspend the Governor and his two councillors and reduce the number of functionaries, prohibit private trading, and reduce the Settlement to a dependency of Bengal.

It appears that the commission was executed in a tactless. The garrison of Fort Marlboro was assembled in arms and the commission read in public.

A considerable outcry resulted from this insult, some of the dismissed received compensation, while others were dis- missed without pay and being bound to the place became im- poverished. These conditions caused great discontent which was increased among the natives by the action of Resident Parr, who was sent from Bengal to succeed the late Governor.

He proceeded to reform the native administration of justice without consulting the native chiefs, assuming a despotic power over them. To the cultivation of pepper he added coffee and made both compulsory.

Moreover being used in his former position in Bengal to absolute obedience he personally insulted many of the most important natives.

Before long a conspiracy against his life was deliberated, this was known but Parr although warned would pay no attention.

On a determined night his house at Mt. Felix—some three miles south of the Fort—was attacked by a band of natives. who overpowered the guard, then entered the room where Parr lay ill and decapitated him, in an attempt to defend him his wife and secretary Murray were wounded, but no attempt was made on their lives nor on the lives of other inhabitants of Bencoolen.

The attack was a personal matter.

The action of the Government relative to this is described in Lady Raffles's Memoir:—

The measures that followed were of a doubtful cast.

As soon as it was discovered that the designs of the people were confined to the assasination, and not directed against the settlement generally, search was made for the perpetrators of the act. Rewards were offered for the apprehension, alive or dead, of the assassins.

It was thought unsafe to touch the chiefs. Several of the people were blown from the mouths of guns. As the danger diminished, the spirit of indignation and revenge seem- ed to have increased. An order was given to burn and destroy every village within a certain distance, and the work of devastation was carried on as if it where intended to place the future security of the settlement in surrounding it with a desert. The fruit-trees, venerable by their age, that surround a Malay village, are the protecting deities of the place, and are regarded with reverence and respect; Their destruction is looked upon as little less than sacrilege; Yet the axe was laid to their roots, and what ever could shelter or protection was levelled with the ground, and the whole population of the suspected villages turned loose upon the country.

To retain this in the memory of the people a handsome monument was erected by the natives to the order of the Government, in honor of Parr.

It serves now as an ornament to the town, and a very suitable shelter to President Watts tombstone, the original site of this stone is now unknown. It leans against the inner wall, a massive granite slab, artistically inscribed as follows:

Richard Watts Esq.

Sometime of Council for the Rt. Honble Compas Affairs in Fort St. George.

And in the year 1699 came over Deputy Governor of this Place.

And in about three years after made by Commission from the Company the first President of this Coast.

In which station he departed this life December 17, 1705.

And in the 44 year of his age.

The Obelisk to Capt. Hamilton.

This stands in the junction of three roads, some little distance south of the town, and at the end of the Pasar Baroe Road.

A slate tablet bears the following inscription:—

Underneath this obelisk are intered the Remains of Capt. Robert Hamilton.

Who died on the 15th Dec., 1793. At the age of 38 years.

In command of the troops and second member of the Government.

The Cemetery, Bencoolen.

The numbers are those recorded in the Government register and plan, only those of English or early origin are mentioned int this record: All have monuments.

Division I.

No.
12	Majr. Chas. Porteous 2nd Br. 20th Regt. B. N. I. 8 April 1816, Age 39 (A fine monument)

17	No inscription.
19	No inscription.„
20	No inscription.„
21	No inscription.„
22	No inscription.„
23	Robt. Bogle Esq. 26th Sept. 1848
24	J. V. L. E. Bogle 9th Dec. 1814
25	Harriet. A. Hay 27th Dec. 1836, Age 26 Years Eldest daughter of Bogle Esq. Called not away when time had loosed each hold On the fond heart, and each desire grown cold, But when to all that knits us to our kind She felt fast bound as love alone can bind.
27	No inscription
28	Ch. R. Ramus 14 March 1808, Age 1 year 11 months
31	Alex Monteath Surgeon in the Hon. Comp. Civil Service 9 July 1798. (A large square tomb)
36	No inscription.
45
46
47
50	Stokeham Douston Esq. Who departed this life at Marlboro' 2 April 1775, Age 41 (A granite head stone in excellent condition)
51	M. B. Sprentels
55	Henry. J. Watson Lieut. of the Fort Marlboro' local Corpus and formerly Lieut. of H. M. 87 Regt. 1st Feb. 1824, Age 35
56	Wm. Holloway Who having served in the Civil Service of the Honbl. United English East India Company on the Island of Sumatra with Honor, Zeal, and Integrity after 22 years of service departed this life at the age of forty.
	The moral qualities which graced his mind, Proved him an ornament to human kind, Society his manners so adorned He lived respected, died sincerely mourned. Oh pass mot by, stop youthful pilgrim here, Read this and on his ashes drop a tear. (A fine monument)
57	Mr. Thos. Whittenberry 28th Aug. 1802, Age 18 years
58	Ed. Atkins Esq. 28th March 1812, Age 46

Division 2.

No.
1	A large square tomb with side tablets, Ann. H. Johnstone Christened 17th April, 1790 Died June. Wm. Cox 1802-1804 Ph. Cox May 1804 July 1804
3	No inscription.
4	T. W. Gibson 1862, Age 56
5	No inscription.
6	No inscription„
7	No inscription„
12 to 27	No inscription„
31	No inscription„
38	Ed. Crisp Writer in the service of the E. I. Company. 24 Dec. 1796
53	Capt. Thos. C. Tapson 15 July 1816, Age 52 This humble monument was erected to his memory by his much afflicted friend Nonah Jessmina.
54	Miss Frances Maclane 18 Oct. 1858, Age 58
59	No inscription. Old tombs of various types.
60	No inscription„
61	No inscription„

62	No inscription. Old tombs of various types.
64	No inscription.„
65	No inscription.„
69	No inscription.„
76	No inscription.„
77	No inscription.„
78	No inscription.„
79	No inscription.„ One of the finest monuments in the cemetery.
80	Capt. Robt. Hall Of the Bengal Service 1820, Age 80
82	No inscription.
83	A large monument with side tablets. Jn. Lancaster Assist. Surgeon of the Bengal Establishment 16th Sept. 1821, Age 33 Jane Lewis Feb. 19 1815. Age 22 Wm. Baillie Aug. 1810, Age 10 days Mrs. M. Baillie 3rd May 1815. Age 25 Erected by her brothers H. R. and W. T. Lewis
86	No inscription.
91	Mary Anne. Wife of W. R. Jennings Esq. 22nd April 1818
99	No inscription. (A very large monument)
109	Jane, Wife of P. Devine Sub-conductor of ordinance at Fort Marlboro 9th March 1825. Age 33 She was possessed of the virtues which adorn the sex. And whose loss will ever be lamented by an affectionate husband.
125/9	No inscription.

Division 3.

No.
3	Mary Percival, Wife of Capt. R. K. Smith Of the Ship Cynthia' of New York 11th April 1848.

INDEX.

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		Division	Number
Atkins, Ed.	Cemetery	1	58
Baillie, Wm.	Cemetery„	2	83
Baillie, Mrs. M.	Cemetery„	2	83
Bogle, J. V. L. E.	Cemetery„	1	24
Bogle, Robt.	Cemetery„	1	23
Cox, Wm.	Cemetery„	2	1
Cox, Ph.	Cemetery„	2	1
Crisp, Ed.	Cemetery„	2	38
Devine, Jane	Cemetery„	2	109
Douston, Stokeham	Cemetery„	1	50
Gibson, T. W	Cemetery„	2	4
Hall, Capt. Robt.	Cemetery„	2	80
Hamilton, Capt. Robt.	The obelisk
Hay, Harriet A.	Cemetery	1	25
Holloway, Wm.	Cemetery„	1	56
Inglis, Fransis	Cemetery„	2	1
Jennings, Mary Anne	Cemetery„	2	91
Johnstone, II. Ann	Cemetery„	2	1
Lancaster, Ju. Surgeon	Cemetery„	2	83
Lewis, Jane	Cemetery„	2	83
Maclane, Miss Frances	Cemetery„	2	54
Monteath, Alex. Surgeon	Cemetery„	1	34
Murray, Charles	Fort Marlboro'
Parr, Thomas	Fort Marlboro„
Porteous, Majr. Chas.	Cemetery	1	12
Ramus, Ch. R.	Cemetery„	1	28
Smith, Mary Percival	Cemetery„	3	3
Sprentels, M. B.	Cemetery„	1	51
Tapson, Capt. Thos. C.	Cemetery„	2	53
Watson, Henry J. Lieut.	Cemetery„	1	55
Watts, Richard	Parr Monument
Whittenberry, Thos.	Cemetery	1	57

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Old British Tombs in Bencoolen.

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1. Jack's letters to Wallich, vide introduction This Journal No. 73 page 147 and 239
2. Jack's letters to Wallich, vide introduction This Journal No. 73 page 234
3. Jack's letters to Wallich, vide introduction This Journal No. 73 page 237