Mr. Grant belonged to the Grants of Elchies near Elgin[1], and was related to the Charles Grant who had been an early leader of missionary effort, and among the founders of the Church Missionary Society, — also to the Charles Grant who became Lord Glenelg. He had both musical and pictorial talent. The marriage took place at Maldah, in the lower Gangetic valley, on February 19th, 1829. Thomas Thomason the father, though in bad health, officiated as clergyman at the ceremony, as appears from the expressions in a letter: 'After going so far to unite my son and daughter in marriage, I feared to be removed from them before the ceremony was performed.' The sick pastor hastened back to Calcutta for medical advice, and learned that he was affected by a dangerous disease, namely, water on the chest. He immediately sailed for England, but accomplished his voyage as far as the Mauritius only, where he died during June, 1839; having on his death-bed sent the following message to Simeon: 'Say I feel unworthy of the great love he has at all times honoured me with. Oh! may his bow abide in strength.'
James Thomason receives at Calcutta the tidings of his bereavement. He addresses to his orphan sister Frances, still at school at Balham in Surrey, a beautiful letter regarding the traditions bequeathed to them by their father and mother. He writes: —
'That we ever had such a father is a mercy for which we
- ↑ To this stock belonged Sir Robert Grant, the author of several hymns well known for their beauty.
