Bencoolen 1

An old lithograph of Fort Marlborough in Bencoolen

 (from site The British in Bencoolen)

• For thousands of years, Sumatra was a source of jungle resins, which gave off fragrant aromas when burnt, elephant tusks, rhinoceros horns, and gold. 

BENCOOLEN - Sumatra's Westkust 

BENCOOLEN 

The British in West Sumatra 1770-1824: 

This page is part of the Richard Davies HCCnet website, published jan 28 1999, 

updated 21 dec 2002

Bencoolen, Fort Marlborough

1. Surnames Davis/Richardson at Bencoolen/Fort Marlborough

 2. British Garrisons in Bencoolen and Fort Marlborough

 3. 20th (or Marine) Regiment, Bengal Native Infantery

 4. Military Burial Records W.C. Sumatra 1800-1825

 5. Civil Establishment in West Sumatra

 6. Marriages Fort Marlborough-Bencoolen

 7. Christening F. Marlborough-Bencoolen

 8. List Company's Covenant Servants 1782

   Surname: Maidman

9. List Civil/Military Servants Fort Marlbough and Monthly writers in 1792

Surnames: a.o. Freeth, Leicester, Maidman, Inglis, Cudlipp, Burnett, Bond, Lewis, McLane, Alexander

10.List Civil Servants Fort Marlbough / Monthly writers in 1803

Surnames: a.o. Delamotte, Williams, Inglis, Grant, Bogle, Freeth, Leicester

11.British settlers stayed on at Bencoolen and Fort Marlbro

Surnames: a.o. Alexander,Bradley, Baskett, Barrett, Dare, Day, Inglis, Lewis, Maclane,Townsend, Williams

 12.British settlers stayed on at Padang (Sumatra's Westkust) new

Surnames: a.o. Barrett, Haij, Inglis, Jefferys, Leicester, MacGeorge, Marchal, Quetero, Ricketts, Wyatt

 13.British Gravestones in Bencoolen and Fort Marlborough

 14.Sumatra's History

 15.From India to Sumatra

Surnames Davies, Davis and Richardson 

on Sumatra's West Coast: 1700-1825, update 27 aug 2000

1700-1711   York Fort Garrison 1700-1711 

An eximaination of the mediacal roll shows that, among others,

the following military Surgeons served on the 'West Coast'.

John Davis served at Bencoolen for two years, deserted to Madras

source:Harfield's Bencoolen 

1711   York Fort Garrison 1700-1711 

.....contain a return that was submitted to the Court of Directors

which gave the details of the detachment that was serving at Bantal (Bantall)in 1711.

The return records the following as serving at that station: military

Valentine Davis

source:Harfield's Bencoolen 

1712   York Fort The Final Years 

The military strengh at York Fort in 1712 was 4 officers, which

included Joseph Collet who is shown as holding the rank of Captain,

and 91 soldiers plus the 'Gunroome Crew. The return also gives

the details of the detachment at Bentall: 

George Davis serjant

source:Harfield's Bencoolen 

1713   York Fort The Final Years 

Lists of Military people at Bantall " Settlements - January 1713

Lewis Davis Centinall [A centinall is a private soldier recruited

for the purpose of guard duties at a fort, factory or plantation]

source:Harfield's Bencoolen 

1714   The First Fort Marlborough 

The first 'Muster Roll' of the military garrison stationed at the

new Fort records the following officers and men as serving at

....Marlborough Fort in Februari 1714-1715

George Davis serjant

source:Harfield's Bencoolen 

1765   Record of Militairy Burials on the West Coast of Sumatra 

The following list gives details of the burials of military personnel

who died during their service on the west coast of Sumatra.

The list has been compiled from various documents originating in

Sumatra contemporary with the occurrence, and from the copies of

the burial register which, unfortunately, has a nummer of gaps

due to the loss of some of the returns that were despatched

from Bencoolen 

Fort Malbourgh, 1765, Date of burial unknown, Mr. Davis,

of ye Infantry,cause of death Flux, age 37

source:Harfield's British & Indian Armies in the East Indies 1685-1935 

1773   Annexure to Diseases, Desertions, Discipline and Deaths 

General Muster Roll of the Company's Troops under Command of

the Presidency of Fort Marlborough- May 20th, 1773

Thomas Davis, private,

Major Johnston's Company stationed at Fort Marlborough (Europeans 60, Seapoys 8)

source:Harfield's Bencoolen 

1773   Annexure to Diseases, Desertions, Discipline and Deaths 

General Muster Roll of the Company's Troops under Command of

the Presidency of Fort Marlborough- May 20th, 1773

John Davis, private,

Captain John Hutcheon's Company stationed at Fort Marlborough (Europeans 42, Seapoys 32)

source:Harfield's Bencoolen 

1773   Annexure to Diseases, Desertions, Discipline and Deaths 

General Muster Roll of the Company's Troops under Command of

the Presidency of Fort Marlborough- May 20th, 1773

William Richardson, matrosses [Matross: Hobson-Jobson refer toa Matross

as 'an inferior class of soldier in the artillery'. Matrosses were 

apprentices to gunners who assisted in the loading, firing and sponging of

the guns and acted as a guard to the guns]

Artillery Company stationed at Fort Marlborough (Europeans 65)

source:Harfield's Bencoolen 

1774   List of Commissions granted for the Fort Marlborough Local Troops 1769 to 1800 

Lieut Fireworker, William Richardson date 2 sep 1774

Lieutenant (Fireworker) A Third or Fourth Lieutenant of Artillery;

an officer junior to a Second Lieutenant of Artillery

source:Harfield's British & Indian Armies in the East Indies 1685-1935 

1774   Diseases, Desertions, Discipline and Deaths 

The Burial Registers for the west coast settlements did not commence

until 1779 and prior to that date lists of those who died were, from time

to time, notified to London through the periodic Settlements reports.

A list was sent to London in April 1775 which included the details of the

following military casualties: 

James Davis 1774 sept 23, soldier, disease Dysentery, age 24

William Richardson 1775 apr 9, soldier, desease Putrid flux, age 40

source:Harfield's Bencoolen 

1775   Annexure to Diseases, Desertions, Discipline and Deaths 

General Muster Roll of the Company's Troops under Command of

the Presidency of Fort Marlborough- April 15th, 1775

Thomas Davis, private,

Vacant Company stationed at Fort Marlborough (Europeans 53, Seapoys 20)

source:Harfield's Bencoolen 

1775   Composition Court Martial in Fort Marlborough in 1775 was: 

President, Captain John Hutcheon

Member, Captain/Lieutenant Thomas Oldham

Member, Lieutenant William Maitland

Member, Lieutenant Trevor Blunden

Member, Thomas Baddeley

Member, Lieut (Fireworker) James Richardson (died 1776 Harfield's Bencoolen)

Member, Lieut (Fireworker) Charles Difountain

Member, Ensign Charles Cook

source:Harfield's British & Indian Armies in the East Indies 1685-1935 

1798   A Correct List of Subscribers in Support of the English Nation,

during the present War (with France)

source:Harfield's Bencoolen 

• 1802   Record of Militairy Burials on the West Coast of Sumatra 

  • The following list gives details of the burials of military personnel

  • who died during their service on the west coast of Sumatra.

  • The list has been compiled from various documents originating in

  • Sumatra contemporary with the occurrence, and from the copies of

  • the burial register which, unfortunately, has a nummer of gaps

  • due to the loss of some of the returns that were despatched

  • from Bencoolen 

    • Fort Malbourgh, 18 juni 1802, W. Davis sergeant,

source:Harfield's British & Indian Armies in the East Indies 1685-1935 

• 1812-1814   The Raffles Governship and the Final Years 

  • During the six years form 1808 to 1814 the Fort Marlborough establishment

  • remained the same with a sepoy company being provided from the Bengal Army

  • together with artillary, engeneer and medical support. An examination of the

  • records shows that during those years the following officers served at Bencoolen

    • Infantery: Lieutenant Thomas Doman Lloyd Davies (Davis)

    • serving as "Superintendant" of Military Works, Fort Marlbro

source:Harfield's Bencoolen 

• 1800-1845   List of Military Graves an Burials in the Straits Settelements from 1786 to 1899 

  • The list includes those personnel who have been recorded in burial

  • registers, rolls of honour and from visual sighting of graves within

  • the three Settlements (Penang, Malacca and Singapore)

    • 1800, 12 september, Soldier Artillery William Davies,

    • buried Northam Road, Penang (no trace of grave)

    • 1811, 21 may, Pte John Davis, HM 22 Light Dragoons, 

    • buried Northam Road, Penang (no trace of grave)

    • 1813, 30 april, Gnr William Davis, Bengal Artillery, 

    • buried Northam Road, Penang (no trace of grave)

    • 1845, 9 february, Assistant Surgeon Charles Richardson, 

    • Madras Medical Estab, Fort Cemetery, Malacca (no trace of grave)

    • 1856, 15 september, Lieut Colonel James Richardson, 

    • 2nd Madras European Regt, buried Northam Road,

    • Penang (no trace of grave)

source:Harfield's British & Indian Armies in the East Indies 1685-1935 

overzichten onder voorbehoud / listings subject to alteration

Summary of the manning of the garrison on the W.C. Sumatra 1800-1825

new 27 aug 00  source:Harfield's Bencoolen

• 1823-1825   Composition of West Coast Garrison 

  • Garrison Staff Officer

  • Detachment of the Bengal Artillery

  • Fort Marlborough Local Corps (also known as the Bencoolen Local Corps and Bencoolen Local Battalion)

• 1820-1822   Composition of West Coast Garrison 

  • Garrison Staff

  • Detachment of the Bengal Artillery

  • Company of 20th (or Marine) Regiment of Native Infantery

  • Fort Marlborough Local Corps (also known as the Bencoolen Local Corps and Bencoolen Local Battalion)

• 1818-1819   Composition of West Coast Garrison 

  • Garrison Staff

  • Detachment of the Bengal Artillery

  • Company of 20th (or Marine) Regiment of Native Infantery

  • Fort Marlborough Local Corps (also known as the Bencoolen Local Corps and Bencoolen Local Battalion)

  • Buguess Corps

  • Sumatra Hill Rangers (locally formed unit - served during 1818-1819)

• 1812-1817   Composition of West Coast Garrison 

  • Garrison Staff

  • Detachment of the Bengal Artillery

  • Company of 20th (or Marine) Regiment of Native Infantery

  • Sebundy Corps of Fort Marlborough (also known as the Fort M. Local Corps and Bencoolen Local Battalion)

  • Buguess Corps

  • Deputy Governor's Bodyguard (provided from the Company of 20th (or Marine) Regiment of Native Infantry) 

  • Infantery: Lieutenant Thomas Doman Lloyd Davies (Davis)

• serving as "Superintendant" of Military Works, Fort Marlbro 

  • Lloyd-Davies, Thomas Dolman (1790-1828)

  • Major, 25th N.I., b. Bristol 8 nov 1790, Cadet 1805, Arrived in India 11 july 1806,

  • Ensign 2 aug 1806, Lieut. 15 may 1808, Capt. 19-4-1822, Maj. 1828, d. umm. Titalia, Bengal 23 dec 1828

  • Son of Dr. David Lloyd-Davies, of 17 Part. St., Bristol. Services posted as Ensign to 20th NIM 1807,

  • Supt. of Mil Works at Fort Marlbro 1810-1813, Intr & Qmr 2/20th NI, 1 july 1814 till 1822 Fur.,

  • 1822-1824 Transfd. to 25th NI (late 1/20th) May 24. Refs: Bath Chr, 11 june 1829, Will dated 15-9-1828

  • proved 25 feb 1829. Source Hodson 1928 IOC London 15thdec00

•            Th.D.L. Davies

• 1809-1811   Composition of West Coast Garrison 

  • Garrison Staff

  • Detachment of the Bengal Artillery

  • Company of 20th (or Marine) Regiment of Native Infantery

  • Sebundy Corps of Fort Marlborough

  • Buguess Corps

  • Deputy Governor's Bodyguard (provided from the Company of 20th (or Marine) Regiment of Native Infantry)

• 1803-1808   Composition of West Coast Garrison 

  • Garrison Staff

  • Detachment of the Bengal Artillery

  • Company of 20th (or Marine) Regiment of Native Infantery

  • Buguess Corps

  • Deputy Governor's Bodyguard (provided from the Company of 20th (or Marine) Regiment of Native Infantry)

• 1797-1802   Composition of West Coast Garrison 

• Three companies of sepoys from the Marine Battalion, Bengal Army

• Detachment of the Bengal Artillery

• Deputy Governor's Bodyguard (provided from the Marine Battalion)

• Bugguesse Company employed as Country Guards (also known as the Bugis Corp) 

• W. Davis, Sergeant, Date of Burial 18 June 1802, Fort Marlborough

20th (or Marine) Regiment, Bengal Native Infantery

new 27 aug 00 

• 1812   from the year 1812 the Infantry detachtment was provided by the 20th. 

• Captain/Lieutenant Samuel Shaw

• Lieutenant James Brooks

• Lieutenant Thomas Doman Lloyd Davies (Davis)

• Lieutenant Joseph Mandall

• Lieutenant Hugh Wilson 

• Brooks serving as Commandant Sebundy Corps of Fort Marlbro

• Davies (Davis) serving as Superintendant of Military Works, Fort Marlbro

source:Harfield's Bencoolen 

• 1815   from the year 1812 the Infantry detachtment was provided by the 20th. 

• Captain Charles Porteous (Major from 1 october 1815)

• Lieutenant Charles R. Skardon

• Lieutenant William L. Truman

• Lieutenant Charles L. Walker

• Lieutenant Thomas Haslam 

• born Thomas Henry 1815 mei 8

• son of Thomas Haslam, luitenant 20 regiment

• source (SIFA archives): doopregister van de Parochie Padang (gedeeltelijk)

source:Harfield's British & Indian Armies in the East Indies 1685-1935 

• 1821   from the year 1812 the Infantry detachtment was provided by the 20th. 

• Captain William Vincent Commandant

• Captain William Gordon Mackenzie 

• 2nd Assistant to the Lieutenant Governor

source:Harfield's Bencoolen 

• 1825   from the year 1812 the Infantry detachtment was provided by the 20th. 

• CaptainWilliam Gordon Mackenzie (transferred to Malacca)

• Captain Thomas Colclough Watson 

• Appointed Officer Commanding Troops at Bencoolen for the handover period)

source:Harfield's Bencoolen 

overzichten onder voorbehoud / listings subject to alteration

• Records of Fort Marlbro Local Corps

• upd 19 dec99 

• namesdate of burialremarks

• Charles Boyland

• 1821 dec 6

• fifer age 19

• John Manning

• 1821 dec 7

• sergeant major ca 30 years

• McInnes

• ---- --- --

• commandant major' wife 1823 mar 27

• - Watson

• 1824 feb 2

• lieutenant

• Records of Artillery

• upd 19 dec99 

• namesdate of burialremarks

• John Newland

• 1807 feb 7

• sgt

• Serjt Johnstone

• 1808 feb 24

• -

• Edward Ogden

• 1808 nov 12

• gunner

• John Murray

• 1812 jun 19

• matross

• Dennis M'Guire

• 1812 jul 18

• matross

• John O'Brien

• 1812 jul 20

• matross

• John Kelly

• 1812 oct 17

• matross

• John Burroughs

• 1812 dec 14

• matross of Arty

• Peter Onzidav

• 1815 apr 14

• matross age 32

• Thomas Fox

• 1815 may 8

• matross age 22

• Joseph Logran

• 1815 may 8

• matross age 32

• John Brickford

• 1816 nov 20

• matross age 36 years 5 months

• John Colling

• 1817 feb 23

• matross of Arty 25 years 8 months

• Walter Clijde

• 1817 dec 20

• matross age about 24

• Thomas Matthew

• 1821 aug 8

• corporal age 29

• James Walsch

• 1821 sep 8

• gunner age 22

• Records of 20th Regt. N.I. Bengal Est.

• upd 19 dec99 

• namesdate of burialremarks

• Thomas Pearce

• 1808 aug 10

• lieutenant

• Charles Porteous

• 1816 apr 9

• major

• Thos Skinner

• 1817 sep 10

• sergt. major 1st. Batt.

• Records of Bengal Artillery

• upd 19 dec99 

• namesdate of burialremarks

• Henry Douglas

• 1803 oct 22

• captain

• James Robertson

• 1811 oct 4

• Acting sgt., magazine est., matross of the B.A.

• John Wood

• 1815 jan 11

• matross

• Hugh Stewart

• 1815 jul 1

• matross Bengal Arty

• John Dunn

• 1815 sep 14

• sergeant

• John McLaughin

• 1815 nov 5

• matross age 24

• John Brewin

• 1815 nov 12

• serjeant age 32

• Records of 3d Compy 2nd Batt. Artillery Detachement

• upd 19 dec99 

• namesdate of burialremarks

• Edward McMahon

• 1822 jan 17

• gunner age 22

• Albert Blist Mailien

• 1822 feb 7

• matross age 28

• Records of 7th Compy 3d Batt. Artillery Detachement

• upd 19 dec99 

• namesdate of burialremarks

• Alexander Allan

• 1822 jan 17

• matross age 26

• John Seldon

• 1822 mar 5

• matross age 28

• Records of European Artillery Detachment

• upd 19 dec99 

• namesdate of burialremarks

• William Rush

• 1822 jun 23

• gunner age 27

• Thos Hurst

• ---- --- --

• gunner, died Ann Hurst wife of, 1823 feb ? age 34

• Thomas Hurst

• 1824 feb 4

• corporal age 33

• Records of N.I. Madras Est.

• upd 19 dec99 

• namesdate of burialremarks

• Henry Martin

• 1808 may ?

• cornet

• Records of HM 14th Regt

• upd 19 dec99 

• namesdate of burialremarks

• J. Cox

• 1810 apr 5

• private

• Records of HMS Revolutionaire

• upd 19 dec99 

• namesdate of burialremarks

• Owen Doyle

• 1815 oct 26

• corporal of marines age 36

• Cornelius Crovans

• 1815 oct 31

• sergeant of marines

source:A. Harfield's British & Indian Armies in the East Indies 

overzichten onder voorbehoud / listings subject to alteration

Civil Establishment in West Sumatra

new 27 aug 00 

• 1786   Regulation as follows: 

Fort Marlborough: 

• • • Chief in Counsil, Treasurer

    • Second in Counsil, General Paymaster

    • Third in Counsil, Superintendant of Works

    • Secretary

    • Sub-Secretary

    • Accountant

    • Sub-Accountant

    • Store-keeper

    • Military Store-keeper

    • Assistant to Store-keeper

    • Two Assistants to the Superintendant

    • Four Assistants to the Secretary and Accountant

    • Assistent to Pepper Godown House

    • Two Surgeons

    • One Clergyman

Natal and Tapanuli: 

• • Chief

  • Two Assistants

Moko Moko: 

• Chief

• Assistant

Ipuh: 

• One official

Ketahun and Seblat: 

• Chief

• Assistant

• Lais and Palik 

• Chief

• Assistant

Seluma: 

• Chief

• Assistant

Manna and Padang Gutji: 

• Chief

• Assistant

Kaur: 

• One official

Krui and Pulau Pisang: 

• Chief

• Two Assistants

• Outer-Residencies 

• Three Surgeons

source: John Bastin:The British in West Sumatra 

overzichten onder voorbehoud / listings subject to alteration

Marriages at Fort Marlborough-Bencoolen, Sumatra, Indonesia

• mariages posted 11 july 2001

source: LDS Genealogical Index 

overzichten onder voorbehoud / listings subject to alteration

Christening at Fort Marlborough-Bencoolen, Sumatra

source: LDS Genealogical Index 

overzichten onder voorbehoud / listings subject to alteration

History Western Sumatra

info: Padang, Bengkulu

Chaos and Resistance

• 1818 

  • Raffles is sent to govern British fort at Bengkulu. Raffles makes several attempts to extend British influence on Sumatra. 

  • Dutch attack Palembang. 

• 1819 

  • Raffles founds Singapore. Dutch return to Padang. Najamuddin Pangeran Ratu becomes Sultan of Palembang. 

info : 1800 to 1830

The British Empire

• This is a guide to Britain's territories, colonies, and possessions from the fifteenth century to the end of the eighteenth century 

info :c.1497-1800

Raffles

• On 20 March 1818, Raffles became the Lieutenant Governor of the EIC's territories in Sumatra, which was administered from Bencoolen on the West coast. 

British India & East India Company

• The East India Company's influence spread with Fort Marlborough (Bencoolen) being established in Sumatra. For a time this was a Presidency in its own right controlling other factories along the west coast. Other factories were at the Prince of Wales Island (Penang), Singapore, Malacca, Java, Borneo, Celebes, Siam (Thailand), Persia (Iran) and the Persian Gulf, Macao and Whampoa (China). St Helena was settled by the East India Company in 1659 and was held and administered by them until the island was handed over to the Crown in 1836. 

Have you Lost Ancestors en Route to Australia? Perhaps they came via. India!!

info :Australian Institute of Genealogical Studies Inc.

 overzichten onder voorbehoud / listings subject to alteration

FROM INDIA TO SUMATRA (Padang)

info :Inhabitants of Padang

• Botellho, Petro 

  • b. Bandel, West Bengal, India ca. 1795, d. Padang 1868 jan 9,

  • s. Jose Botellho and Magretha Jones

  • m. Padang 1841 nov 27,

  • Nias vrouw Si Rana, bap. Christina Rosa b. Padang ca 1806 d. 1865 jul 21.

  • daughter Si Jago and Si Rambona.

• Goldie, James 

  • cemetery Padang epitaph: In sacred ever cherished memory James Goldie and his relict Anne Lamb from British India buried here 

  • and sorrowing remembrance by their sons and daughters (source IGV). 

 overzichten onder voorbehoud / listings subject to alteration

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