CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION FOR THE PERIOD
THROUGH 1842
Copyright Bruce Seymour
BLIO, Cadet Papers of Patrick Craigie
1799
28 April
Patrick Craigie born at Montrose, Scotland
Glanmire Parish Register, Church of Ireland HQ
2 Jan 1805 Charles Silver Oliver married at Glanmire
BLIO Cadet Papers of Thomas James
23 January 1807 Thomas James born at Carlow, Ireland (BLIO cadet records)
The Story of Kilmallock by Mainchin Seoighe
Kilmallock Historical Society, Cill Mocheallog, Co. Luimnigh, 1987
p155 In their day the word of the Olivers was law; and it would be no exaggeration to say that the
Olivers were harsh and despotic in wielding the power at their disposal. Capt. Charles Silver Oliver is
remembered as the man responsible for the hanging of the highly respected "Staker" (Patrick) Wallis
in 1798. (Quoting Fr. John Fleming's book Ardpatrick p59:) "The last quarter of the 18th century saw
the power of the Olivers reach its height. They dominated the military and parliamentary scenes in
southeast Limerick completely. By that time they were regarded as the owners of two seats in
parliament, and made vast profits from these. They also had command of the Volunteer and Yeomanry
forces, and so to a very large extent, had control of law and order in the area
Thorne, R.G.: The House of Commons, 1790-1820; London, History of Parliament Trust, 1986;
Vol. VI, page 690
CHARLES SILVER OLIVER: Born c.1763, son of Silver Oliver of Castle Oliver by Isabella Sarah,
daughter and coheiress of Richard Newman of Newbury, Co. Cork (married 1759) educated Eton 17781780, married January 1805 Maria Elisabeth, daughter of Abraham Morris of Dunkettle, Co. Cork, 3 sons 4
daughters
MP in Ireland 1798-1800, MP in Westminster for Co. Limerick 1802-1806
Cornet 4 Horse 1786; lt 7 Drag 1788-90
Sheriff Co Limerick 1791-92
Commandant Kilfinane yeomanry 1796-1807
In the last Irish parliament for the family borough of Kilmallock. His father, who died in 1799, had
represented Limerick in two parliaments, and in 1802 he got the seat by beating his brother-in-law John
Waller (reportedly due to interest of Lord Clare). Did not seek reelection in 1806. Died 10 Oct 1817.
Will of Charles Silver Oliver
Irish Land Commission, Box 3643; Sch A, No.2; Rec. No. EC 4332
Original Will of Charles Silver Oliver, dated and signed in Old Brompton
Country of Middlesex, 3 May 1815
[Manuscript note on back of will indicates it was introduced as evidence in the case of Oliver v. Oliver,
Chancery, 1819 20 Nov, 23 Nov 1819, before extraordinary commissioner in Chancery of Ireland
for the London District; witnesses to the will were all called to testify. All records of this apparent will
dispute seem to have been destoyed during the storming of the Four Courts Building in Dublin in 1920
during the Irish Civil War.]
"....I give and bequeath to my reputed son John Oliver now an apprentice to a Grocer at Cork the sum of
Five hundred pounds to my reputed son Thomas Oliver bound to a Grocer at Limerick the sum of Five
hundred pounds to my reputed Daughter Mary Oliver bound to Mrs. Hall a Milliner and Dress Maker at
Cork the sum of Five hundred pounds and to my reputed Daughter Elizabeth Oliver bound also to Mrs.
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 2
Hall all children of Mary Green deceased the sum of Five hundred pounds to be paid to my said
reputed Children at their respective Ages of twenty-one years or sooner if my said trustees shall think fit
with Interest in the mean time at the Rate of Six pounds per cent per annum. And I direct that during the
minority of each of my reputed children or until his legacy is payable the interest thereof only shall be
raised from time to time...."
Notes on Higgens, Records of the King's Own Borderers
August 1815 25th Foot Regiment in Guadaloupe
Dec 1816 change to felt top caps for infantry with white band and two peaks
2nd Battalion disbanded at Cork on the 24th of Feb 1816 and the effective men sent to Hilsea
Barracks, to await the arrival of the 1st Battalion from the West Indies
p 285
Regt arrives from Caribbean at Depford on 27 July and 1 August 1817; marches to
Northhamtonshire where it is joined by the remains of the late 2nd Battalion, dibanded 24 Feb 1816, of 20
sergeants, 11 drummers, 335 rank and file.
p 286
Regt to Chatham in Jan 1818, on to Portsmouth late May 1818
17 Dec 1818 embark on the Borodino and Wyton for Cove of Cork, arrive 24 December, disembark, march
to Fermoy, arriving on Xmas, marched on to new barracks at Cork, arriving 28 Dec
p 287
Dec 1819 help put out the Wise's Distillery fire
28 Feb 1820 Regt HQ marched to Templemore, arrives 5 March. One company left at Cashel and parties
detached to New Inn, Thurles, Barrisoleigh, Nenagh, Cappaghwhite, Dundrum, Clonoulty, Tipperary
Hospital, Little Bannaghan, Frankford, and Cameron Fort, in consequence of the disturbed state of the
country
p 288
HQ marched from Templemore on 16 March 1820 for Birr, left for Loughrea on 4 April 1820,
and occupied Ordanance Barracks sending detachments to Thomas's Mills, Kilrickle, Mt Shannon,
Kiltormer, Tubbon Regt reviewed at Loughrea on 11 May 1820
27 May 1820 on to Boyle, Co of Roscommon (2 Boyle parishes)
Three companies to Sligo; detachments to Cootehall (Ardcarn or Tumna Parish), Grange 9 mi N of Sligo
Ahamlish Parish), Farnvey, baronetcy in Monaghan, Co Roscommon; Elphin (co Roscommon 5 mi NW of
Strokestown -- Shankhill or Clooncraft Parish); Ballaghdreen, Co Mayo, 14 Miles west of Boyle
(Castlemore or Kilcommon Parish); Castlereagh, 17 mi NW of Roscommon (Kilkeevan Parish);
Tubbercarry; Ballinamore, Co Leitrim (Oughteragh, no records); Ballyfarnan, 15 mi No of Roscommon
(destroyed); Ballytogether, 6 mi SE of Sligo (Ballysadre Parish?); Ballymote 12 mi S of Sligo; and four
unnamed etachments
5 Jan 1821 detachment to Roscommon until 13 June
27 April 21 Ballymote detachment withdrawn
7 May 21 Cootehill
June 1821 Farnevy-Carney (6 mi N of Sligo) to Sligo
25 Aug 21 Regt reduced from 8 to 10 companies
20 Sept 21 Detachment back to Roscommon
15 April 22 HQ to Belfastbut company and a half goes to Carrickfergus; Sligo companies march for
Downpatrick and send detatchments to Maghera and Castledawson (Magherfelt)
p 283
p 284
Notes made at visit to 25th Regt HQ Museum, Berwick
An officer of the 25th Foot in 1815 wore a red coatee (jacket), white Sam Brown Belt, one (right)
epaulette, single left lapel folded back, red sash belt, black shako with white regimental with red base;
Belgie shako; blue facings; shako has badge, crossbelt has a plate; King's Own Borderers
PRO WO25/351 Description and Succession Book, 25th Regt, 1810-18
No record of Edward Gilbert as NCO. He was not raised from the ranks.
PRO ZJ1/263 London Gazette 19 July 1817 p1594.1
Edward Gilbert, Gent. to be Ensign, vice Pigott, deceased. Dated 3 July
PRO WO 25/65 Commissioning Book
Edward Gilbert is on page 384; commissioned as Ensign 3 July 1817; Pay(?) 3s8d
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 3
PRO WO12/4174 Musterlist of 25th Foot to 1818
and
PRO WO12/4175 Musterlist of the 25th Foot 1818-22
25th Regt returned to England late in July 1817 from the Caribbean to Deptford; Gilbert was not
among them; his signature first appears in the regimental records signing the muster account on 29
June 1818 at Hilsea Barracks, Company 4. From 31 December 1817 to 8 Jan 1818 he marched with the
regiment 102 miles in 8 days from Weedon to Chatham. From 19 May to 26 May he marched with the
regiment from Chatham to Hilsea.
Shows E Gilbert sailed on the Borodino from Portsmouth to Coves on 25 December 1818 and joined
the Battalion during that reporting period. Regt marched from Coves to Fermoy on 24-25 December 1818.
National Archives of Ireland, Dublin
Microfilm of Registers of Christ Church (Holy Trinity), Cork is reel MFCI 21
Parish Register of Holy Trinity Church (Christ Church), Cork Vol. 11, Marriages, p 119
This is to certify that Edward Gilbert, Ensign in his Majesty's 20th [sic] Regt of Foot and Eliza
Oliver were married on the 29th day of April 1820 twenty,
By License
Alexr. Kennedy
Geary's Almanac for 1820
Rev Alexander Kennedy lived in George St and was one of two curates at Christ Church; he was also
chaplain for the county jail
April 29 1820 sunrise at 4:42, set at 7:18 full moon
Easter was on April 2
Ennis Chronicle and Clare Advertiser 6 May 1820 page 3col1
Married in Cork, Edward Gilbert, Esq, 25th Regiment to Eliza, daughter of late Charles Silver Oliver,
Esq, of Castle Oliver, MP.
PRO WO12/4175 25th Foot Musterlist 1818-1822
July 21, 1820 Gilbert with 1st Company at Boyle.
Jan 21, 1821
ditto
Apr 21, 1821 Strokestown
July 21, 1821
Sligo
Oct 21, 1821
"
Jan 22, 1822
"
PRO WO 42/18/81
Baptismal certificate for Elizabeth Rosanna Gilbert, daughter of Edward Gilbert, Gentleman, and Eliza,
baptised on February 16, 1823, at St. Peter’s, Liverpool. On the back is an anonymous note stating
“Elizabeth Rosanna Gilbert born at Grange in the County of Sligo Ireland on the 17th day of February
1821.”
I have seen the microfilm of this document at the PRO. Mr. Nicholas Shreeve found it there and a
photocopy made by him can be found in this volume at Tab B.
PRO WO 12/4176 Musterlist for 25th Foot
Shows Edward Gilbert in Ballintoghea, 9 April 1822 in First Company.
PRO WO25/3503 Embarcation/Disembarkation Returns
page 82 of 1819-1822; Ensign Gilbert embarked on the Bridget from Gravesend on 14 March
1823. [This is clearly the departure of Gilbert, his wife, and daughter for India, but the Bridget was not
bound for India and there is no indication where or how they changed ships and finally arrived in India.
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 4
A very thorough search of all the existing passenger lists in the BLIO and in the Calcutta newspapers for
1823 shows no evidence of the arrival of Gilbert and his family. How and exactly when he arrived in
India remains a mystery, but it must have been around July, 1823, and he must have left Calcutta almost
immediately to join the 44th Foot in Dinapore, where he died on 22 September 1823, possibly on the
very day he arrived there.]
Bengal Hukaru (Calcutta) 28 February 1823 page 458col2
7 Feb 23 Lt Patrick Craigie, of the 19th Regiment Native Infantry, to the Command of the Guard with
the Political Agent at Jyepoor.
Notes on Cadet's Guide to India by a Lieutenant of the Bengal Establishment;
London, Black, Kingsbury, Parbury and Allen, 1820
Passage to India 110 pounds sterling with small cabin; no washing at sea, wash at ports of call; East
India Company's ships commonly have excellent band for dancing; Ships arrive at Diamond Harbour 90
miles from Calcutta; must hire ship to go to Ft William, 12 to 18 hours; bring letters of introduction3-4
weeks before reporting get uniform etc; journey up river 2 to 6 months; singing of rowers, shooting,
author saved 120 pounds sterling in India in one year as ensign; East India Co pays fare home for sick
leave but the party must pay return fare
rupee = 2/6
Pay of servants: Table attendant 8 rupees/mo; clothes man 6 Rs; cook 6 rs; punkha puller 4 rs; link boy
3; sweeper 3; in field tent pitchers; horse 16 rs per mo for groom and grass cutter
Ensign can live on 100 rs/mo; pay and allowances are 200 Rs/mo
Interest in England is 5%, in India it is 12%
Bengal Hukaru (Calcutta) 25 April 1823 page 413col1
Order of 15 April 1823: Gentleman Cadet George J. Smart, from the Royal Military College, to be
ensign without purchase, 5th September 1822.
Government Gazette (Calcutta) 1 May 1823
Order of 22 April 1823: Gilbert granted leave from 10 Oct 1822 to 24 February 1823.
Government Gazette (Calcutta) 22 May 1823 page 7col1
General Order 2933 of 20 May 1823; 44th Foot: Ensign Edward Gilbert from the 25th Foot to be
Ensign vice Smart who exchanges 10 October 1822
PRO WO 12/5653 Musterbook of 44th Foot Regiment
In muster for March-April Ensign Smart, JG is listed for the only time as staff officer.
Ensign Edward Gilbert's name first appears, as staff officer, on accounting of period 25 April
to 24 May showing him as being "without leave" but "effective and belonging to corps" [!].
In musters from 24 May through 24 August he is not present.
In the muster from 25 August to 24 September he appears assigned to the 4th company and a note
indicates he died on 22 September.
Regiment is just under 1000 men.
BLIO Eur.Ms. B242
Journal of travel on Ganges from Aug 1853
no travel at night; insects are numerous near the banks; from Borkampur to Calcutta the Kurukpur
mountains are on one side of the boat; boys with umbrella hats of bamboo strips and dried leaves; tiffin,
dinner; pilots along the river
BLIO Eur.Ms. B208
Journal of Capt. Christopher D. Aplin of the 33rd NI
Sandy shoals, ducks, misquitos; left on 1 Dec 1829; cobra killed; no European station after Kishanaghur
(5 Dec) for 15-16 days.
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 5
Jungle grass, waste lands, no hamlets, sand shoals; indigo factory, walk along as the boats travel; flowering
mustard; natives fear and distrust whites;
10 Dec: small villages, farms; average speed 1 1/4 mph; silk farm with 10000 worms in a house and 20
houses
13 Dec: entered main branch of the Ganges, about three miles across; slow progress against the current
but grand sights
14 Dec: navigation is difficult with sand shoals; boatmen wade waistdeep for more than an hour tugging
the boat; anchored three miles below Bauleah
15 Dec: no meat since a kid on the 6th; bread is eight days old
16 Dec: Bogwaugola market, bought radishes; made 14 1/2 miles
17 Dec: poling boats; rupee equals two shillings; bought goats to milk
20 Dec: used a sail; squall
24 Dec: hills along the boundary of Bengal; muslim tombs
27 Dec: Puttuguttah; rocks in river; land is a garden, finest trees; apes in trees are slate colored with
black faces, three or four feet tall with screeching howl
28 Dec: mid-day sun too hot to leave boats
29 Dec: Palmira trees near Boglipore; first military post; very fertile luxuriant forest; 374 miles from
Calcutta
30 Dec: made 8 miles
31 Dec: cultivated fields of pulse, wheat, barley; we boil most of the water from wells
3 Jan: Mongher, an invalid station
6 Jan: took three days to go 17 miles; autumnal storms
8 Jan: rich vegetation, mango trees
9 Jan: enter a super swift channel
11 Jan: 24 miles from Patna; beggars from 3 years old to old age, very persistant
13 Jan: made 3/4 mile; sand bar formed by Patna; big market, many wealthy individuals; grain, cotton,
wax candles and potatoes from here are famous; bought 80 pounds of candles for 60 rupees, 100 pounds
of potatoes for a rupee
14 Jan: noise of washerwomen, watercarriers, bathers, all kinds of people is scarcely bearable; sand too
deep and loose for easy walking; screaming and moaning as bodies are dumped in the river
17 Jan: Dinapore - Bungalows around a square; military music, turfed parade ground, cheerful and
imposing; 526 miles from Calcutta.
Note of visit to Bareilly in 1831 remarks on availability of Rice, fish, beef, ham, milk, rolls, jelly,
Devonshire cream, tea, coffee; visits received and returned
PRO WO25/1789 Casualty list of 44th Foot
Indicates Edward Gilbert died at Dinapore, 22 September 1823. Married. 60 pounds,4 shillings,1 1/2
pence paid to widow at the regiment.
Letter bound in declares widow was present and given pay and property.
AUCTION OF EFFECTS OF ENSIGN EDWARD GILBERT, Dinapore, 27 Oct 1823
1 Regimental Coat
5
ditto
8/13
1 Epaulette
20
ditto
22
1 Regt. Sword
37
1 Breast Plate
8/8
1 Shoulaer(?)
1/1
1 Regt Sword Nat.(?) 10
ditto
20
1 Regt. Cap
15/8
1 Undress Jacket
1/4
6 Pairs trousers
etc.
8 White cotton jackets
26 " " shirts
8 Waistcoats
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 6
18 pairs socks
1 Camlet jacket, waistcoat & trousers
3 pairs boots
1 pair black cloth garters
1 case of colours, pencils, drawing cards
1 concert flute w/ silver keys and case 40
1 pack patented playing cards
1 set shoe buckles
1 rifle piece w/ bayonet
1 powder horn & shot pouch
8 bags shot
one gorget
1 Regt. feather
10 volumes "New British Theatre"
3 volumes of Pope's works
1 volume Army regs 1822
1 volume French grammar
1 volume Essays on Physigonomy
1 book Rhyme and Reason
21 false collars
7 pairs gloves
1 forage cap
1 dog
1 punker
1 Three Cafe Green Screen
4 checks
2 perks
1 large box Total receipts 460/2
PRO WO 23/105 Pension listing
p35 indicates widow's pension granted to Eliza Gilbert with note that she remarried, name Craigie
Notes on visit to Dinapore, India
St.Luke's church, commenced 1827, completed 1850. Sunbaked beige of the north Indian plain. Racous,
disputatious ravens.
Mud and thatch villages. Farmers casually squatting to relieve themselves. Dust devils. Dung piled to
dry.
Government of Bihar: List of Pre-Mutiny Inscriptions in Christian
Burial Grounds in the Patna District; no place, no date [1938].
Page 48, Inscription 158, in Cemetery No.2, Dinapore
Sacred
To the Memory of
Ensign EDWARD GILBERT H.M. 44th Regt., who departed this life
The 22nd of September, 1823, Aged 26 Years
This Monument is erected by a Friend
Dinapore
BLIO N/1/vol 12/p617 Dinapore burial records
Edward Gilbert buried on 23 September 1823.
Records show that infant son of a private in the 44th buried on Aug. 20.
Gilbert was the 12th soldier or dependant of the 44th to die in Dinapore.
Drummajor lost both his wife, 20 years old, on 27th and his daughter on the 30th. Thirty-five more died
before the end of 1824
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 7
BLIO Cadet papers:
Patrick Craigie nominated by David Scott (same as name of ship) at the recommendation of James
Farquahar; educated at Montrose Academy in Classical and Commercial; born 28 Apr 1799
Montrose Parish registers on microfilm in Montrose Library
Mary Hill and Patrick Craigie married 9 Mar 1794
1)George baptised 28 Jan 1795
2)Catherine baptised 29 Jan 1797 [step-aunt who as Mrs. Rae later took care of Lola]
3)Patrick baptised 28 Apr 1799 [Lola's stepfather]
4)Mary baptised 4 July 1801 died 2 Sept 1820
5)Thomas baptised 13 Jan 1804 Doctor in Perth(?) and Leith
6)John baptised Mar 1808
7)David baptised 21 Apr 1810
8)Margaret baptised 14 May 1812
9)William baptised 28 Nov 1814 buried 26 July 38 Doctor in Montrose?
BLIO N/1/vol 13/p189 Parish register of Dacca
August 16, 1824 Patrick Craigie, a Lieutenant in the 38th Regiment, N.I., a Bachelor and Eliza Gilbert,
a widow, were married by license this 16th day of August by me, William Parish, Chaplain of Dacca and
Chittagong
Bengal Hurkaru (Calcutta), 24 August 1824, page 2col3
At Dacca on the 16th August, by the Revd. W. Parrish, Lieut. P. Craigie, of the 38th Regiment to
Mrs. Gilbert, second daughter of the late Silva [sic] Oliver, Esq. of Castle Oliver, County Limerick.
Service records in BLIO:
Patrick Craigie L/mil/10/24/ff33
Lt. Col. Innes was Craigie's brigadier; Craigie was quartermaster of the 19th NI 23 Jan 22; Guard of
the Political Agent at Jyepore 22 Feb 23; Ordered back to the 19th NI on 23 Oct of 1823; to the 38th NI
17 June 24; in letter of 4 June 24 Innes asks to retain him at the Sylhet Frontier; acting adjutant to the
39th NI on 23 July 24; baggage master to Schulham's Division 24 Jan 25; joined the corps at Agra on 19
Nov 25; Duty at the seige of Bhutapore; 8 Feb 26 to the 1st European Regt.; 18 March 26 assigned to
the Presidency at Calcutta; member of the Arsenal committee on 27 July 26; Dept. Asst. Adj.Gen. on 16
Oct 26, posted to Meerut; reports states that he rides well, has good appearance, punctual, cheerful,
prompt, moderates Sir Jasper's severeness; 18 Dec 38 became Dept. Adj. Gen.; shared in the Ghanzee
prize money; allowed to accept an honorary order from the King of Afghanistan; failed to make LtCol in
41; from 3 March 41, acting Adj.Gen; ordered to Allahabad for HQ on 9 Sept 43, to be established in early
October
Bengal Hukaru(Calcutta) 25 December 1826 page 2col1
Departures per Ship Malcolm: For Madras, Ensign John Ogily, HM Royals; For London: LtCol Wm.
Innes, Mrs. Eliza Innes, Lt Col George Sargeant, Miss Sophia Innes, Miss Eliza Renton, Miss Eliza
Gilbert, Matthew Can, servant to Col Innes, and Suckeena, servant to Mrs Innes.
BLIO L/Mar/B/70B Log of the Malcolm
Page 73
18 Dec 1826
Daylight: weighed anchor and dropped down to Coolie Bazar, downriver
26 Dec
passengers come on at Diamond Harbor, including Eliza Gilbert, Daughter of Mrs Craigie
28 Dec
Captain and Purser come on board
2 Jan
Pilot dropped
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 8
3 Jan
Thunderstorm
5 Jan
Ingeram - cargo loaded in bales
12 Jan
leave Ingeram
16 Jan
arrive Madras
27 Jan
leave Madras
five pints of water per day, six pints on pea soup days
2 Feb
squalls and rain
3 Feb
fresh monsoon
20 Feb
private in the 89th going home dies at 1:30 a.m.; buried 8 a.m.
26 Feb
storm, lightning
4 Mar
too stormy for divine service
9 Mar
another private dies, buried at noon
10 Mar
Cape Angullas sighted
12 Mar
saw English Bark and exchanged salutes
21 Mar
sighted St Helena at daylight; landed later in day
25 Mar
invalided private taken off for court-martial; depart; too busy for divine
service
29 Mar
Ascension Island sighted
30 Mar
wet bales discovered in hold
31 Mar
Captain decides to alter trim by hoisting water butts and moving them to top deck
5 Apr
six pints water and pea soup
6 Apr
US ship sighted; seaman dies and is buried
7 Apr
sailor gets no grog and tea for a week for absenting himself from work for 24 hours without being sick
8 Apr
heavy rain; no divine service
14 Apr
English brig sighted
18 Apr
3rd Officer Bretts dies at 1130 pm
14 May
Lands End sighted
17 May
Dover pilot comes on board
19 May
Blackwell
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 9
22 May
Baggage off; heavy rain
Madras Almanac for 1828; Madras, Asylum Press
Page 330
Malcolm departed Madras Jan.27, 1827, under Capt James Eyles for London.
Passengers from Madras: Mrs. Goldingham, Misses Jane Anne Goldingham, Maria Bird, Jane Bird,
Lucretia Gordon, Catherine Mary Gordon; Aitchins, Esq, J.Goldingham, Esq; J.Cotton, Esq.;Captain
Fletcher (in charge of invalids), Lt Campbell; Masters Herbert John Oldingham, Alexander Tweadie, and
Ann Tweedie; Ann Glassford, servant to Mrs. Goldingham, and Jane Squibb, servant in the care of the
Misses Gordon.
From Calcutta: Miss Eliza Renter, dau of Dr. Renter, Miss Eliza Gilbert, Lt.Col.W. Innes, CB,
Lt.Col.Sargeant, Lt Ogilvey to Madras, Mr.Carew and 4 Servants
Arrived London 18 May 1827, 600 Tons
Unidentified newspaper clipping in collection of Harry Ransom Center, U of Texas, Austin,
claims LM was "adopted" by William Willis, MP of Redleaf, near Tunbridge Wells [this appears to be
nonsense.]
Montrose Parish Register
Katherine Craigie married Wm Rae in Montrose on 7 Sept 1828
Craigie family tombstone in Montrose churchyard as recorded
[Stone very weathered and nearly illegible]
Patk Craigie (Provost) here d 18(11?) (died 1844 age 67?) Mary Hill d here 5.18(45?61?) chn
major Patk....near Dinapore Oct 18(43)....brother officers; Dr. Thomas Craigie, physician in ..... d Feb
18??Dr Wm Craigie, physician (26 July 38?) here d.. May (1818?), John d.....(b 1808), Mary (born
1801, d1820) James (?)
Montrose town records
Patrick Craigie [Senior] was Provost of Montrose in 1808, 1809, 1812, 1813;
last term on town council was in 1816 [town clerk told me this was unusual because former provosts
generally remained on the town council essentially for life]
Notes on visit to Montrose, Scotland:
174 High Street is Holly Close (Carnegie Close) almost directly across the High street from the red
sandstone church; most of the town is red sandstone. The tidal basin came right up to the rear of the
house.
By the time of the census of 1841, no member of Patrick Craigie's immediate family was still living in
Montrose.
In 1821 the population was 9,208, 4000 men and 5000 women.
Sunderland Herald 31 August 1849, page 5, columns 1-2
Sir - In reply to yours upon the subject of Lola Montez, I beg to state my perfect recollection of that
celebrated lady during the years 1831-32, as the neice (by marriage) of Mr and Mrs Rae, a gentleman and
lady of great aimability and intelligence, to whom I had the pleasure of personal introduction on their
arrival from Scotland for the purpose of establishing a boarding school in Monkwearmouth. To their
guardianship the future heroine of Bavaria had been committed by her step-father (Mrs Rae's brother),
Major Craigie, then in India; and from the East (I forget which part) to North Britain, and thence
southward to our good town, formed, I believe, the extent of her travels up to that period. She became
my pupil in drawing, and I had thus constant opportunities of remarking her temper and disposition when
under the restraints of employment and a teacher, besides the more genial and social ones afforded me
by the frequent hospitality of her excellent relatives. Eliza Gilbert (of the intermediate name
"Rosanna" I knew, or at least remember, nothing) was at that time a very elegant and beautiful child of
about ten or (perhaps) eleven; of stature rather promising to be tall than actually such for her age, but
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 10
symmetricaly formed, with a flowing graceful carriage, the charm of which was only lessened by an air
of confident self-complacency - I might almost say of haughty ease - in full accordance with the habitual
expression of her else beautiful countenance, namely, that of indomitable self-will - a quality which I
believe had manifested itself from early infancy. Her features were regular, but capable of great and
rapid changes of expression. Her complexion was orientally dark, but transparently clear; her eyes were
of deep blue, and, as I distinctly remember, of excessive beauty, although bright with less indication of the
gentle and tender affections of her sex than of more stormy and passionate excitements. The mouth,
too, had a singularly set character, far more allied to the determined than the voluptuous, and,
altogether it was impossible to look at her for many minutes without feeling convinced that she was made
up of very wayward and troublesome elements. The violence and obstinacy, indeed, of her temper
gave too frequent cause of painful anxiety to her good kind aunt; and I remember, upon one occasion it
was necessary, before Eliza could receive her lesson, to release her from solitary durance, in which she
had been kept all the previous part of the day for some rebellious outbreak of passion. The door was
opened, and out came the incipient Lola Montes, looking like a little tigress just escaped from one den to
another! I think, however, that, although one of the class of horrid teachers - (those ogres in the romance
of youthful life!) - I was rather a favourite with our little friend, for, to me, individually, she never
bore herself in ungracious or unamiable manner. Naturally fond of children, - especially, to speak the
truth, of beautiful ones, - accustomed to joke and laugh and romp with her at other times, in nonprofessional hours, and my professional duties themselves not being of a rigid or distasteful kind, even
to the very young, I had, perhaps, a fairer position with the little lady than some other friends and
instructors of more grave and stenuous waywardness and violence, - I do not say that it was not
affectionate, - but I have no assurance from memory that it was such. Her animal spirits were naturally
very great; she romped as assiduously as any girl of her age; danced gracefully, talked with great
animation in her merry moods, and seemed altogether what is called a "clever child;" although I confess
that my remembrance of her general intellect is not sufficiently distinct to enable me to speak beyond
that....J.G.Grant
Bath and Bristol with the Counties of Somerset and Glouscester displayed in a series of Views
from the original drawings of Thom. H. Shepherd; London, Jones & Co, 1829.
Lansdown Crescent [sic; it should be labeled Camden Place], Bath - Opposite page 30
Page 31: At the top of Lansdown-street on the elevated acclivity of Beacon-hill, is place this most
superb elliptical range of buildings, overlooking all the eastern part of the city, on the one hand; on the
other commanding an extended prospect of the beautiful valley, with the winding stream of the Avon, its
green meadows, and the handsome villages scattered along its borders. The London Road approaching
Bath, passes through a pleasant avenue formed by mountainous elevations on either side, and
immediately below is the village of Welcot, consisting formerly of a few scattered rural inhabitations,
but now making part of Bath;.....
At a distance, to the south-east, the prospect is diversified by the appearance of Prior Park, with
numerous interesting objects, and nearer, in the same direction, are Sydney Gardens, and the
splendid architectural embellishments of Bathwick.
BLIO: MSS.EUR. F175 J.Nicoll's Journals [JNJ]
Periods covered by Item Nos.
36/ Sept 1827 to Dec 1829
Vizagapatar, Calcutta, Meerut
37/ Dec 1829 to Aug 1831
Meerut, Calcutta, London (arrived London on 11 July 31)
38/ Sept 1831 to May 1833
London (LM arrives Sept 32)
39/ Sept 1833 to Dec 35
London
40/ Dec 35 to Apr 38
England, Indexed (LM elopes July 37)
41/ April 38 to May 41
CinC Madras, CinC India
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 11
42/ May 41-June 43
Afghan War, army affairs
43/ June 43 to June 44
Resignation as CinC; Europe
44/ June 44 to May 46
Retirement to England; indexed
45/ May 46 to Dec 48
Retirement in England
46/ Dec 48 to April 49
Retirement in England
56/ Family correspondence
Nicoll's wife's name is Anne; Son Frank born 7 Dec 1820, Daughter Fanny,
Octavia the youngest born 21 Oct 23
JNJ Item 37
JN returns to England on 11 July 1831
JNJ Item 38
Pages 82-83 14 Sept 1832
Today arrived from Durham Capt Craigie's sister, with Mrs. C's daughter whom they request us to
put to school for them. I shall have a fine number of children to look after if they increase in this manner.
Bath Directory, Bath, H. Silverstone, 1837
p 192 under Academics: Aldrige, Misses, 20 Camden Place
Chairmen's fares: 1s/6d from town to Camden Place
Bath Population around 50,000
Bristol by the Upper Road about 11 1/2 miles
Coaches every day at 8,9,11,&2 from the Angel in Westgate St
Every hour from the Castle, Greyhound, White Hart, & White Horse Inns
Bristol and Clifton Mail 5, 6, 3, 4:30 from White Lion
Coach to Reading from White Lion via Devizes, Marlborough, Newbury
Pigot and Co's National Commercial Directory, London, J.Pigot & Co, 1830
p 682 Eliza and Catherine Aldridge's Ladies Boarding Academy
(also in 1829 Kane's Bath Directory)
School seems to have existed about 1829 to 1846
P.Egan: Walks Through Bath; Bath, Meyler and Son, 1819
p 77-78 Pryor Park at a distance on the right, a pleasing view of Sydney Gardens, and the New
Church at Bathwide, the houses beneath, with Walcott Church and Chapel....The winding of the Avon
and the venerable Abbey in perspective, tend to increase the beauty of the scene.
Notes on visit to Camden Crescent, Bath:
Corinthian pilasters on the building, honey-colored limestone--Bath stone; a better view from here than
from either of the big crescents; Camden Crescent was originally called Camden Place; designed to be
a real Crescent by John Eveleigh, late 18th century, but land slippage prevented completion of the
plan, so the central portion, with the arms of Lord Camden is not in the center. LM's school was the next
to the north end. Each door has an elephant above it, part of Lord Camden's hearaldry? Very small back
yards, steep slope in back and in front; in the 1841 census of Bath, everyone on Camden Place was of
Independent means
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 12
Good print of Camden Place in Lees-Milne, James & Ford, David
Images of Bath, Richmond upon Thames, St.Helena Press, 1982
Gallery #569
Print of Camden Crescent, wrongly identified as Lansdown Crescent
Jones & Co, Temple of the Muses, Finsbury Square, London, 3 June 1829, Steel Engraving, 93x145 ; in
Britton, Bath and Bristol, 1829, Bath Reference Library, Queen St.
In 1841 school was still Misses Aldrigde's School was Miss Aldridge's in 1846, not listed in 1848
Census of 1841 shows Jane Aldridge >75
Eliza
>35
Caroline
30 cf name with catherine above
16 pupils from age ten to >15<20, six female servants
BLIO: JNJ Item 39
Page 30 14 Feb 1834
At last we have heard from Mrs. Craigie - who was I supposed constrained to answer our numerous
letters tho' she heard from us 6 times before this effect was produced - I felt greatly surprised - not a
little vexed - and in some degree repented of having so easily undertaken an unpleasant and
apparently thankless task. I likened her to a tortoise who buries her eggs lightly in the sand, and leaves
them to the sun, and to chance.
Bengal Hukaru(Calcutta) 2 November 1836 page 2col4
Departures: Orient for London and Cape, including passengers Mrs. Craigie and Lieut. James of the
21st NI
BLIO EUR MSS F175, JNJ Item 40
Page ? 18 Apr 37
A load has been lifted from us by the arrival of Mrs. Craigie - she had a very tedious voyage of 5
months and 11 days, as bad as our own. The NE winds have kept all shipping from entering the
Channel & the Orient anchored at Penzance.
26 Apr 37
Early in the morning I called on Mrs. Craigie, whom I found looking very well.
29 Apr 37
Returned home, accompanied by Mrs. Craigie.
BLIO JNJ Item 40 Page 129 31 July 37 (in margin "Wretch Gilbert")
I am not a bad prophet as to the figure which young people will make in life - I always predicted the
"vanity and lies" of EG would bring her to shame -- She has started very badly, if not worse, for, leaving
school in June, she married a Company Officer without a penny, in 2 or 3 weeks -- Her mother I fear
cannot be blameless - at all events the 1800 or 2000 £ expended on her education & her mother's
voyages, is lost.
BLIO JNJ Item 40 Page 132 12 August 37
We have now heard of EGilbert from 3 quarters - all very, very, unsatisfactory both regarding
herself and her husband - however Mrs. Craigie introduced the Gentl, and must bear the results as well as
she can - She asked Lady N's advice thro' Mrs. Rae, and we have told her to let her daughter write, but not
to return her to confidence imm' - nor to see her - They are full of contrition already - but I fear that they
want to draw on Craigie's funds by that means, which we have warned her against.
BLIO JNJ Item 40 Page 151 15 Nov 37
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 13
Mrs Craigie having lost all her spirits comfort by the frauds of her silly child, & encouraged by Craigie,
means to return to Calcutta in a few days. Hers has been a lot such to be pitied - a kind step-father has
lavished L1000 on her child's education & and the dirty ungracious whelp has thrown it all away on the
first man she met - The day of punishment surely awaits from some source - her husband's fraud &
falsehood, and her own-Bengal Almanac
James Rutherford Lumley was the sixth highest ranking officer in Bengal in 1837
Hodson: List of the Officers of the Bengal Army
James Rutherford Lumley was Adjutant General from 28 Nov 1833 until the day before his death in
1846. His eldest son, also named James Rutherford Lumley, was born at Calcutta 27 Oct 1810, was Lt in
9th NI in 1836. He was assistant in the Thugi Dept from 16 Dec 1835 to 5 June 38. On 24 Apr 38 (39?)
he married his cousin at the Tower of London.
Second son was William Brownrigg Lumley, born Calcutta 3 Sept 1812, was ensign with the 57th NI in
1837. He married after his retirement in 1847.
Records in Dublin indicate Thomas James of Ballycristal [Lola's father-in-law]
married Miss Wallace, North Cumberland Street, in March, 1792
BLIO Cadet papers
Thomas James: affidavit from his father that he was 20 years old on 23 January 1827; privately baptised,
no parish entry, born at Carlow; nominated by John Thornhill, Esq. signed by Charlotte James
BLIO Service records
Thomas James arrived in India on 18 Mar 26; 3 months sick leave to Calcutta in 29 extended to 6
months; July 33 on way home; Oct 33-Mar 34 leave on personal business to Dacca; May to Nov 34
leave on personal business to Dacca; sick leave granted from July of 36 to 20 Jan 37; goes on furlough
on 19 July 36; departs for England 4 Nov 36; reports arrival in England on 3 May 37; permitted to return
on 22 Aug 38; arrives at Ft William 26 Jan 39; on leave to visit the Presidency in Calcutta 5 Aug to 5 Nov
40; on sick leave 2 Aug 41 to 10 Nov 41 to north of Depah; assigned to the Kotah contingent on 27
Oct 41; made commander of the contingent on 19 Oct 42; resumed charge of the Kotah Detachment
on 31 Jan 54; left Kotah on 16 Jan 56
British Statutes:
Marriage Act, 1823, 4 George 4, c76 and Marriage Act,
1836, 6&7 William 4 c85, require that persons under 21 have consent of father if living or, if dead,
guardian, or if no guardian, the mother if she has not remarried.
Notes on visit to ruins of Rathbeggan Church
Church about 17 paces long. Square West tower about 40 feet high
The National Gazeeter: A Topographical Dictionary of the British Isles
London, Virtue & Co, 1868
Vol 3, p 286 Rathbeggan, a parish in the baronacy of Ratoach, co. Meath, prov of Leinster, Ireland, 3
mi SE of Dunsgaughlin Clonee, its post town. It is traversed by the road from Dublin to Enniskillen. The
living is vicarage in the diocese of Meath, value L122. The Church was erected by the late Board of First
Fruits. The parish is united to Ratoach in the Roman Catholic arrangement. Rathbeggan House is
the neighboring seat. Building stone is quarried.
Records of the Church of Ireland HQ, Dublin
John James [Lola's brother-in-law, who performed wedding]
son of Thomas James of Ballycristal, Co. Wexford, gent,
born in Dublin, educated by Mr. Fallon, entered Trinity College, Dublin as FC, June 7, 1813, age 18,
BA 1817, MA 1832, ordained Deacon 1818, C. Killanne(Ferns) 1818, C.Ardcolm (dw) 1826, V.
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 14
Rathbeggan 1832-62, married at Rathaspeck Ch, Co Wexford, Dec 11, 1824, Annette, eldest daughter of
Lt.Gen Hatton (D.E.M.) died Oct 8, 1862. His widow died at Monkstown, Sept 5, 1868
(BNL)
Notes on visit to ruins of Ballycrystal House
The house appears on Wexford Sheet 14 of Ordnance Survey Maps of 1833-34;by the survey of
1898 it was already listed as being in ruins; the site today is a farmhouse and yard, nd the foundations of
the house are visible but partially covered by a barn; the site lies beneath the dark form of Mt.
Leinster, the rolling countryside, patchwork of fields stitched together by the ancient, impenetrable hedges.
Madras Almanac for 1839; Madras, Asylum Press
page 413
Passengers on the David Scott, R. Spence, Capt, London 25 Nov, Cape 22 Feb; For Madras: Dr. & Mrs.
Murray & Miss Murray, Lt. Ogilvie, engigns Pratt and Madigan, Messers Tulloch, Hare, & Austin, 2
soldiers and 2 servants; For Calcutta: Mrs. Craigie, Capt. Compton, Mr & Mrs Taylor, Ensign Shaw
and Postlethwaite, Mr. Hopkinson, Mr. Oakes, Mr. Jays, Mr. Wale, Mr. Palmer, 1 soldier, 3 servants, &
Mrs. Whitmore.
Mrs. Craigie left London on the David Scott commanded by R.Spence on 25 Nov 1837, arrived at the
Cape 22 Feb, Madras, 14 April, Calcutta 30 April.
Bengal Hukaru(Calcutta) 26 February 1839 page 3col1
Arrived on 25th, English Ship Bland, T. Callan, from Liverpool 18th September and St. Jago, 12th
October.
Per Bland from Liverpool Mrs. Eaton; Mrs James, and Mrs Robinson; Misses Kibly and Rynald;
Major Stale BNI; Lieut. James; M. Syers, D. Dearie, M. Black, and J.Briddon, Esqrs., Merchants; Mrs.
Gattible, Mrs Woods, Mr J. Crosbie, and Mr. J. Snow, Steerage Passengers.
The Bland on 18th Oct in Lat 9.16 N 8.00 W spoke the Mary Ann Peters from Liverpool to Calcutta,
on the 28th December in Lat 8.6 S, 83(5?).5 E spoke the Shaw, American from Boston with cargo of ice,
half of which on the above date was supposed lost. On 1st of January in 4.52S 86.00E spoke the Adams
from Cadalon for Mauritius with coolies on board, a number sickly. On the 4th of January in 2.28S
87.40E spoke the Ino from Calcutta for Mauritius, all well. On the 22nd January exchanged colors with
a French ship, supposed to be the Irma, about 60 miles SE of light ship. Experienced on same day a
violent Northwester which continued for three hours. 72 degrees, Sunrise 6:45, set 5:43; high water 2
pm, Moon 12 days old; Haydn's Creation being performed at the Town Hall
BLIO Service records
W.H.Lomer: absent from troop since June 45
Biographical card file in BLIO
John Bensley Thornhill Sr in 1840 was Collector of Stamps at Calcutta and head assistant to the board of
customs, salt and opium.
John Bensley Thornhill, Civil Service, born 27 May 1808, son of John & Henrietta Sarah Thornhill;
died 15 Apr 44; married Charlotte; son John born at Macao in 1832, son Edmund born at Macao 1834
(died of wounds at Lucknow, 12 Oct 57) [Thornhill's wife Charlotte was a sister of Thomas James, Lola's
husband.]
James Rutherford Lumley was Adjutant General of the army from 28 November 1833, and he had been a
widower since 28 Nov 1820
Thomas Palmer, later to be captured and tortured at Ghanzee and subsequently
court-martialed, was Lt.Col. of the 21 NI in 1836.
Owen Lomer is the only Lomer with the 21st in 1836.
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 15
Lt. William Lomer joined 21st on 19 Mar 1833.
Capt Lomer from 18 June 1834.
Owen Lomer had five children with his wife Eliza, born between 1829 and 1838;
in 1840 three were alive, ages 10, 8, and 2.
[Lola claimed in her autobiographical lectures that Lt. James ran off with the wife of a fellow officer,
Capt. Lomer. There were two brothers named Lomer serving as officers in the 21 Native Infantry, but
only Owen was a captain at that time. The fact that Capt. Lomer's wife had three small children at the
time makes it seem unlikely she would abandon them to run off with Lt. James.
In addition, Lola in her lecture claimed they rode off together to the Neilghery Hills, which were
more than a thousand miles distant in Madras. The records in the divorce action indicate that at the time
Lola's marriage to Lt. James collapsed, he was serving as adjutant to the recruiting depot in Bareilly,
and the other officers of the regiment were serving at Moradabad. James's service records in the BLIO
indicate he took personal leave of three months on 5 August 1839, and the testimony in the divorce
action from the captain of the Larkins indicates he accompanied Lola on board the Larkins at Calcutta
and was very concerned for her comfort on the journey. The whole Lomer story appears to be a typical
Lola Montez fabrication.]
South Park Burial Ground, Calcutta -- Inscription
In Memory of Maria E.K.Howard
Daughter of Robert and Maria Howard, who died
17th May 1840, aged 24 years.
And of her nephew James Perkins Sturgis,
son of Henry P. and Mary G. Sturgis,
who died 8th Sept 1840, aged 11 months.
In years they differed, in purity and innocence
they were alike.
"Of such is the kingdom of heaven."
[This Henry and Mary Sturgis may be the American couple on the Larkins who were
friends of Thornhill and were asked by him to look out for Mrs. James on the
trip back to England.]
Notes from a trip to India:
The Agra convent was founded in November 1842. Lola claimed in her memoirs of 1851 to have visited
this convent in Agra and spoken to a French Mother Superior there in 1840, but the convent most
definitely did not exist in any form at that time.
The foothills of the Himalayas can be seen from Karnal. Lots of the trees on the way to Simla are
rhotedendrons. There are monkeys all over Simla, climbing in pine trees. The jungle used to come down
to Karnal. Lord Auckland's place was on the the ridge north of the Mall and perpendicular to it with
Himalayan views.
The Hindu temples all have long poles with little pennants.
Terraced hillsides on the way to Simla with candelabra-like cactus.
Precipitous, wooded hillsides around Simla. From Simla you can see a sea a ridges of the foothills
fading away and finally disappearing into the haze of heat over the plains.
Karnal is greener than most of the surrounding area and had malarial swamps.
Dung is stored in conical piles. Beautiful bright green birds. Some roofs are flat as opposed to thatch.
Groups of vultures squatting together. En route to Simla there are curious pine trees with a long, erect
trunk and a round, full crown.
BLIO Cadet papers
George Lennox: son of Lord George Lennox; nominated by J.G.Ravenshaw; born 5 Jan 1821; May of
1836 Lord George Lennox writes from 41 Wilton Crescent, Belgrave Sq.; 3 Nov 36 Lord George
writes from Boulogne sur Mer; 5 Jan 37 exchanges into the cavalry from the infantry with Sir John
Hobhouse. George Lennox was ensign of rank 6 July 37 in 4th Madras Cavalry, Lt from 14 May 39,
Aide de Camp to Governor General Lord Elphinstone, who arrived 4 Mar 37.
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 16
Madras Almanac for 1841; Madras, Asylum Press, 1841
Page 644
Oct 24 (1840) Larkins departs Madras for London
Passengers from Calcutta: Mesdames Sturges and 2 children, Bayne and child, James, Stevens, &
Ingram; Messers Sturges & Steer, CS (civil service), Rev messers Ruspini and Bayne, Mr. Tucker,
civil service, Captain Dorhill, Lieutenant Robertson, Mr. Murray, 6 steerage passengers, 2 servants
Passengers from Madras: Mrs. Col Drever and child, G. Lennox, 4th light cavalry, F.Trower, 45 NI,
and Frend, and Captain Arckoll of the Belle Alliance
Bengal Hurkaru (Calcutta), 1 October 1840, page 2col3
Larkins departed for London via Madras on 29 September.
Gentlemen's Magazine
weather for London on 21 February 1841, the day Lola arrived in London with Lt. Lennox:
6 a.m. 45 degrees, noon 50 degrees, 11 p.m. 38 degrees; rain, cloudy.
Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle 1 March 1841 page 4col4
Lt George Lennox, 4th Madras Cavalry, son of Lord George Lennox, landed here on the 20th
instant, after an absence in India of nearly five years, and proceeded to Bognor.
1841 CENSUS
PRO [Chancery Lane, not Kew] HO107/734/4/f9
8 Half Moon Street
Eva James older than 20, younger than 25 Independent Foreign born
Mary Plowright >20<25 Female Servant Born outside county
Sarah Wigham >25<30 Independent Born outside of county
Bridget Holmes >25<30 Independent Born outside of county
Margaret Holmes 7
Born in county
Thomas Holmes 5
Born in county
Mary Mansfield >20<25 Female Servant Born outside of county
Thomas Kirney 15 Male Servant Born in Ireland
William Harley 15 Male Servant Born in county
6 June 1841
[In the 1841 census, the first English census, persons were not asked their exact age but were merely
asked to place themselves within five-year ranges.
Lola, who according to the testimony of her maid in the divorce action was at this time living at 8 Half
Moon Street, appears here in the census as "Eva James." Whether Eva was a name she had adopted or the
censustaker simply got it wrong cannot be known. Eva would certainly seem more romantic a name than
Eliza. The note at Harvard which appears to date from this period is signed simply with an E. In any
case, Lola gave her age as over 20 but less than 25, which would be true if she had indeed been born
early in 1820, as I surmise. She listed herself as "Foreign born," although that was not true. She should
have given herself as "Born outside of county" or "Born in Ireland," but she may have not realized that
being born in Ireland was not considered foreign-born, or she may have been claiming India as the land
of her birth at this point. And, of course, there is always the chance the censustaker got all this information
from a third person and Lola had nothing to do with it.]
Times of London 5 April 42 page 5 col3
Representation of the Montrose Burghs: Mr David Wemyss Jobson, a dentist, has also announced
himself as a candidate. His principles, as announced, soar to the very highest flight of liberalism.
Times of London 19 April 42 page 5 col.4
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 17
Jobson gets no votes
PRO [Chancery Lane, not Kew] IND1-9710, Trinity term, page 42
Record of filing of case of James v. Lennox in Queen's Bench, Middlesex by A. Watson on 7 June 1842.
Apparently no other records of the case have survived.
Morning Herald (London) 7 December 1842 page 7 cols 3&4 of 6th Dec
Before Lord Denham
James v. Lennox
The Solicitor General and Mr J.W. Smith appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Thesiger and Mr Ball for
the defendant.
Mr J.W.Smith opened the pleadings. This was an action in the plaintiff complained that the
defendant had criminal conversation with the plaintiff's wife. The first plea denied the charge; the other
denied the marriage.
The Solicitor-General said that he had the honour to appear before the court as counsel for the
plaintiff, who was an officer in the East India Company's service. He had been compelled to bring
this action to recover damages for the loss of the affection and society of his wife. The marriage between
the plaintiff and his wife took place in 1837. She was the daughter of a general officer, and was a lady of
great personal attractions. The marriage took place in Ireland, and after some time she went with her
husband to India, whither he proceeded to join his regiment, which was stationed there. She remained
about two years in India, but about the close of 1840, in consequence of ill-health, and partly too in
consequence of an injury she had received from a fall from a horse, it was found necessary that she
should come to Europe. Her step-father and mother, who were at the time in India, arranged the
passage. She was to come over in a ship commanded by Captain Ingram, whose wife was also coming
in the same vessel. There was likewise as passengers, Mr & Mrs Curtis, acquaintances of the lady, and to
their care she was specially confided. Unfortunately, the vessel touched at Madras, and ther the defendant,
who was an officer in the East India Company's service, came on board, and an intimacy commenced
which unhappily ended in this action for adultery. He did not open this case as of aggravated
circumstances; for undoubtedly there had been no violated friendship and hospitality to add to the injury
inflicted on the plaintiff. Neither friendship nor hospitality had existed between the plaintiff and the
defendant, for they were strangers to each other; but they were brother officers. The defendant had been
introduced to the plaintiff's wife as to the wife of a brother officer; and, as he had been guilty of this act
of adultery with her, he must take the responsibility of his criminal conduct. Mr. Thesinger here
interposed, and after a brief conversation with the Solicitor-General, said that he had had some
communication with his learned friend, and he was induced to interpose at this stage of the inquiry, for the
sake of saving the time of the court. He appeared for the defendant. Inquiries of this description
were generally of a disagreeable and sometimes very painful kind, and he was desirous, so far as he was
able, to do justice, and yet to prevent an investigation, which, though it must be painful to all, must
otherwise take place. He felt that he could offer no valid defense to this action. The plaintiff was
clearly entitled to recover, and he felt that it was not inconsistent with his duty to consent to the plaintiff
taking a verdict for a certain amount. He had proposed an amount to his learned friend which he believe
was satisfactory to him, and if that was so, this painful case might terminate without further delay. He had
proposed the sum of L100, which his learned friend thought to be fair and just between these parties.
The Solicitor-General did not object to his learned friend's proposition. A verdict for the plaintiff,
damages 100L, was accordingly taken.
The Times (London) 16 Dec 1842 page 6col3
James V. James
This was a suit for divorce, by reason of adultery, by Captain T. James against Rosanna, his wife.
No appearance was given by the wife, against whom the proceedings were in parman. The libel pleaded
that Captain James and his wife shortly after their marriage proceeded to India; that Mrs James, on
account of her health, returned to England in the early part of this year; that on her passage in the
Larkins she became acquainted with a Mr. Lennox, with whom she cohabited at the Imperial Hotel, Covent
Garden, and in lodgings at St. James.
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 18
After hearing Dr. Addams for the husband, Dr Lushington said he was quite satisfied with the proof,
and pronounced the divorce.
FILE OF JAMES V. JAMES, an action in the Consistory Court
[Following the penciled item numbering on documents] in the Greater London Record Office,
Accession 73.77 [this accession number includes a great many documents, and one must ask for this
specific file. Eventually the archivist hopes to individually catalog all items under this accession number.]
Item 1
Cover sheet, 4º, folded lenghtwise, stating
Consistory (then in red) 14-13
James against James
Divorce Adultery
Citation returned 25 April 1842
Sentence signed 15th December 1842
Box 13 No.3
Item 2
Sentence
One fold sheet in clerk's hand and lawyer's language refers to Mrs James as "Eliza Rose Anne (otherwise
Eliza Rosanna otherwise Eliza)"
indicates Mrs James failed to appear
grants divorce or separation from Bed Board and mutual Cohabitation
indicates bond given on James' behalf that he will not remarry in lifetime of Mrs James
"that neither of them in the life time of the other shall in any way attempt or presume to contract another
marriage"
signed "S. (Stephen) Lushington
J. Addams (?)
J. Haggard
note indicating given Thursday, 15 Dec 42, Byeday after Michaelmas Term in Common Hall of the
Doctors Commons, situate in the Parish of St. Benedict near Paul's Wharf, London, signed Jnd Shepard
Item 3
Libel
1st Sess Trin. Term 31 May 1842
contains as Exhibit 1 the followingCopy from Registry of the Parishof Rathbeggan Diocese of Meath
Marriages
On the 23rd of July 1837 seven Thos. James Lieut. in the 21st Regt. of the Honl. East India Company's
service to Eliza Rosana Gilbert Spinster by
John James Vicar
Witnesses present
T.James Lt
James J. Young
21st Regt. BNI
A. James
E.R.Gilbert
I certify that the above is a true copy from the Registry Book of the Parish of Rathbeggan.
John James Vicar
of Rathbeggan
(all in hand of John James)
[This transcription of the parish register entry of Lola's first marriage is particularly valuable because
the original register appears to have been destroyed in the storming of the Four Courts Building in
Dublin in 1920.]
PLEADING [I have summarized most of the pleading of the complaint.]
On the first Session of Trinity Term to wit Tuesday the thirty-first day of May
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 19
One thousand eight hundred and forty two.
In the name of God Amen
First (alleges marriage in Rathbeggan)
Second (alleges true copy of the register)
Third (alleges consumation and living together until Oct 1840; alleges cohabitation in Rathbeggan,
in Wexford (omitting father's first name and name of place) and at the houses of father and brother of
Craigie at Edinburgh and other places in Scotland and England until autumn of 1838 when they went to
India, alleging holding out as man and wife and regarded as such)
Fourth (arrived at Calcutta towards the end of 1838 and early in 1839 removed to Bareilly, about 150
miles from Calcutta where TJ was adjutant of the recruit depot there. They lived primarily there until Oct
1840 when partly from "the state of health at the time requiring a change of climate and partly from
unhappy differences having then arisen between her and her said husband that the aforesaid arrangement
(that Mrs James should return to England) was sanctioned and approved by Major Craigie and
his wife (name blank) Craigie...who were then in Calcutta. TJ made suitable provisions for the
separate maintenance of Mrs James before she left and it was arranged that immediately on arrival in
England Mrs James would place herself under the protection of Craigie's family in Scotland and that
friends of the family in England were written to receive her and undertake arrangements to get her to
Scotland there to take up residence.
Fifth (Mrs James left Calcutta in ship Larkins on 3 Oct 40. TJ went along half way down the Ganges
and then finally left and returned to Bareilly where he remains. Mrs James committed to protections of
Mrs Larkins (Ingram), Capt Larkins (Ingram), and of Mr & Mrs Sturgis of the United States, friends of TJ's
sister, Mrs. Thornhill of Calcutta.
Sixth (at Madras, on came George Lennox of the 4th Regt of Madras Lt Cavalry; they soon became
improperly intimate and after no long time formed a criminal and adulterous connexion with each other...
"from very shortly after the departure of the said Ship from Madras...GL was known to be shut up alone
with Mrs James in her Cabin in which was the Couch that she slept upon at Night tho' used as a Sofa in
the Day where (as also elsewhere in the said Ship) great and indecent familiarities passed and in many
instances were seen to pass between them. Mrs James went not infrequently to GL's cabin after
breakfast and remained there alone with him, sometimes until nearly dinner time. They were seen
kissing. GL was seen lacing Mrs James's stays. Mrs James was seen putting on her stockings with
GL present in her cabin. Ingrams and Sturgises remonstrated; she replied "cooly" that she was her own
mistress and not accountable to them; Mrs. I and Mrs. S stopped associating with her; alleges adultery on
the ship "had the use and knowledge of each others Bodies on board said Ship Larkins...."
Seventh (landed 20 Feb 1841. Mrs James and GL took rooms at the Star and Garter in Portsmouth
with common sitting room; bill was made out to and paid by GL.
Eighth (Sunday, 21 Feb 41. They went to London, arrived in evening and took a sitting room with a
single bedroom and single bed at Imperial Hotel, Covent Garden. They spent the evening in the sitting
room and then "retired on the night of said twenty-first of February to the said Bedroom in the same and
there lay naked and alone in one and the same bed there being but one bed in the said Bed Room and
there had the Carnal use and knowledge of each others Bodies and committed Adultery together."
Ninth (GL left hotel the next day for Chicester. Mrs James told the mistress of the hotel he would be
back on the following Thursday, but the Master and Mistress of the Hotel, for several reasons, among
them the different names on the luggage, told her she must leave and moved to a lodging in Great Rider
Street, St James, in the evening of Tuesday, 23 Feb. At that lodging she told the Master and Mistress her
name was James and her husband was in India.
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 20
Tenth (Mrs James stayed in Great Rider Street several weeks. After the first day or two she was visited
almost daily by GL who paid the rent and expenses. Mrs. Col Watson, TJ's sister, and several friends all
urged her to go to Mrs. Rae in Scotland.
Eleventh (Mrs James was the one who slept with Lennox)Twelfth (It wasn't TJ who slept with Mrs James)
Thirteenth (ditto for hotels)Fourteenth (pleads jurisdiction of court)Fifteenth (pleads proper service)
Sixteenth (pleads public and notorious and for relief)signed J. Addams
J. Haggard
Item 4
Proxy
Philip Champion Toker Notary Public one of the Procurators of the Arches Court of Canterbury ("insert
date" written in pencil at end) dated 13 Sept 41 but no place indicated
Witnesses
T.James Lut
J.Rosehoup
21st Regt NI (Seal)
Hugh Boyd, Captain
Item 5
Bond
John James and Sarah Watson of No. 4 Saint Germain Place, Blackheath, Kent, widow, pledge to
pay L100 to Lushington 14 Dec 42
That Thomas James "shall not at any time thereafter (after
decree) intermarry with any other Person during the life of said wife.
Item 6
Proof of Service (returned 25 April 42)
dated writ (with episcopal seal) 14 March 42
(went to Almond Cottage, Hornsey Road, St. Mary Islington; talked to Thomas Shaw, who said he was
taking care of house; said Mrs James had left some time before, for London, he thought, and he'd
helped taking out the servants' boxes. Left copy with Shaw and told him to get it to her. Later told him
to post it to her c/o Mrs. Rae at 15 Nelson Street, Edinburgh, North Britain, and he said he would. 16
March 42
/s/ Richard Gardner, 10 Crown Court, Bow Street, Covent Garden
Thomas Innes certifies that he displayed the original with seal and left copy with Mrs James at house of
Mrs. William Rae, 15 Nelson Street on 18 March 42.
Item 17
Letter from Willet Poynter & Dagneler(?)
to Jno. Shephard, Esq, Deputy Registrar of the Consistory Court
Doctors Commons
31 July 1849
Dear Sir:
We are instructed by Mess. (John) Coverdale & Co (Lee & Purvis) of Bedford Row (Bloomsbury) to
apply to you for an immediate inspection and copy of certain proceedings related to the Divorce
pronounced in 1842 between Thomas James, Esq. and Eliza Rose Anna James, his Wife, formerly Gilbert
Spinster. The object required by ourselves is to proceed against Mrs. James for Bigamy for which
purpose the instructions must be had to day, as the party to be proceeded against will leave England
tomorrow Wednesday, and consequently there is no time to be lost in perrusing(?) the evidence and
papers in the cause, which is the only means our clients have in order to put themselves in possession of
the circumstances of the case.
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 21
We shall feel obliged therefore by your furnishing us with a copy of the libel and depositions, and in
order to save time, direct that we and our Clients may have an immediate inspection of the originals.
Should there be any difficulty in the matters, the Case is so urgent and of such a public character,
that our clients inform us, that they will be compelled however unwillingly to make an immediate
application to the parties who have power to grant what they require.-We beg to inform you that the Cause as against Mrs. James was in (?) and Mr. Toker the Proctor
acting on behalf of Mr. James is now absent, consequently his consent to the request of our clients cannot
be obtained.
Our clients assure us that time is exceedingly pressing, and that the least delay will prevent the due
course of justice.
We remain Dear Sir
Your obediant servants
(On back) The copies within applied for were supplied to Messers Willett and Co
the Proctors on 31 July 1849 by direction of the Dty Registrar on his perusing of this letter. WLH (William
L. Harvey, Record Keeper)
Item 8
Deposition of John James
John James says his brother left England about September 1838 and is still there and a few days ago
he got a note from him from Nusserbad dated 22 Oct.
14 Decemeber (no year)
Item 9
Affidavit of Charlotte Hadden
(She is currently a cook, spinster, working at 71 Great Litchfield St, St. Marylebone for Dr. Devonald,
Surgeon. On 16 June 1841 she became Lady's Maid to Mrs James at #8 Half Moon Street, Piccadily; 5
weeks later Mrs James went to #13 Duke Street, Manchester Square; a week later to Chapel Place, Vere
Street; about a week later to #13 Great Castle Street, Oxford Market; a month or five weeks after (about
23 Aug 41) to Almond Cottage, Hornsey Road. There until the end of Oct when she went first to
Leeds, then to Edinburgh; CH stayed at Cottage until the end of Nov 41 when Mrs James's notice to quit
expired; CH got two letters from Mrs James while she was at the cottage and another in Feb 42 from
Edinburgh signed "ERA James;" CH says Mrs James told her often she was the wife of "Capt" James and in
the East India Company's service. 10 May 42
Item 10
(Note) 9 July 42
Richard Walters & Eliz Walters
Man and wife as witnesses
Item 11
(Note)
Michaelmas Term 4th Session
Mrs James three times called, not appearing
Judge assigned cause for information and sentence
Item 12/1
(Note) 29 Nov 42
cause to be concluded next Court
Item 12/2
Eliza Rose Anna James
(wife of Thomas James, Esq.)
(done in ornamental hand as for a label or placecard)
Toker
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 22
Item 12/3
(Note)
12 oclock Dr. (John) Nicholls in Court
Mr. Nicholson for Js
Robert McMullin Esq
produced as witness
Item 13
(Note)
Judge assigned all facts to be propounded next court
2 Sept
17 Nov 42
Item 14
(Note)
Michaelmas term 1st Session
Nov 10, 1842
three times not appearing judge directs publication
Item 15
(Note)
Witnesses produced
Charles Ingram, Esq.
Ann Eastmond Ingram, wife of said Ingram
and
Caroline Marden, Spinster
Item 16
April 22, 1842
Toker exhibited Proxy and the Hand and Seal of his Party and returned citation
Item 17
(slip)
Consistory of London
James agt James
Toker ERAJ lush D
Bye Day 15 Dec 1842
Item 18 Depostions [all of these depositions are not actual signed depostions, but appear to be detailed
but unsigned summaries of the testimony given by the witnesses in open court.]
Item 18/1
John James
21 Oct 42
age 48; ten years at Rathbeggan; Eliza Rosanna ; 23 July 37 married them; had known Mrs James only a
few days previously
there was a report they had been clandestinely married before, but he has no knowledge
by license from the Consistory Court of Meath
his wife and nephew Mr. Young were witnesses
Book of Common Prayer Service
as well as he can recollect, immediately after the marriage, the couple went ten Irish miles to Dublin. In
the following year he frequently visited them in lodgings in Westmoreland Street and dined with them
there, as well as previously at my father's house at Ballycrystal in Wexford, as well as at the house of
mutual friends in Wexford and in Dublin; they left for India in the fall of 1838; they were residing just
prior to their departure in Westmoreland Street. He has received a letter from his brother dated about
three months ago. 24 Oct 42
Item 18/2
Browne Roberts of 23 Dorset Square, St. Marylebone, 59 years old
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 23
BR was in service of the East India Co, stayed on after retirement. Maybe 13 or 14 years ago Col Watson
introduced him to Thomas James. BR returned from India in 1835. Two or three years later he
accidentlys met James in Dublin with a lady he introduced as his wife. He said he was recently married,
was most happy to have met BR as he stood in need of a means to enable him to proceed with his wife
to India and enlisted BR's assistance. This occured in August 1838. I took them into a shop where I
purchased some fruit for them. In a few days after I called on them in Westmoreland Street and lent him
money on my opinion of him and of members of his family. Thomas James told me Mrs James was
Craigie's step-daughter and he hoped Craigie could help him get a good
appointment so he could repay the loan. During the following three or four months I corresponded with
James [but TJ departed Liverpool 18 Sept] and letter came from Scotland and England, a tour, and then
they left for India.
In February 1841 on the evening of the 22nd, Major McMullin called on me at my home in Dorsett
Square. McMullin was an old friend of Craigie's. He was expecting Mrs James and he and his wife were
going to offer her hospitality, but Mrs James had written a note saying she would take lodgings for
herself.
Various reports about Mrs James had reached McMullin, and he had found she was at the Imperial Hotel
in Covent Garden. He had called but was unable to see her.
He asked me to call on her. I went to the Imperial Hotel and talked to the landlady, Mrs. Elizabeth
Walters. She said Mrs James would not see me. I told her to take my card up to her and to say I insisted.
After some little delay I was shown upstairs and found Mrs James at breakfast alone. I told Mrs James of
reports I had heard and entreated her to put herself under protection of friends of her step-father or
husband. She refused. She said that her mind was made up. I never saw her again. That was on 28 Feb
41 [23?]. I saw no man at the hotel
22 Oct 42
Item 18/3
Deposition of Elizabeth Walters, wife of Richard Walters of the Imperial Hotel, (1 Tavistock Row) Covent
Garden, age 36
I and my husband have had the hotel upwards of five years. I have referred to the hotel books for my
testimony. Sunday, February 21, 1841, a Gentleman and a Lady arrived in the evening in a hackney
coach with a good deal of luggage. Some portmanteaux said "Mr. G. Lennox" and others said
"Mrs.James." I asked the lady if one or two bedrooms were required and the man replied "We want only
one bedroom." I gave them a sitting room with a single adjoining bedroom. They dined in the sitting
room. I believe they spent the night in the only bed in the room. I did not see them undressed or in bed.
They breakfasted in the sitting room and were charged for one bed only.
On Monday, February 22, the gentleman left after breakfast and told the porter to bring his luggage
to the Golden Cross. Mrs James went out for a walk, and Major McMullin called and left an invitation
for Mrs James to dine with them at their house. I gave Mrs James the message and she said she
wouldn't go. Mrs James said, "Mr.Lennox is gone to see his parents at Bogner," and said that they had
just come from India on the Larkins. Wh;en I gave Mrs James the message from Mr. McMullin, she said,
"He's a friend of my husband." Before I gave her Mr.McMullin's message, I asked her if her name was
James; she hesitated, then said yes. When I pointed out that the other luggage said Lennox, she said
she was going to marry him.
On Tuesday, February 23, Mr. Browne Roberts called. Mrs James told me I ought to have "denied
her to him" and refused to see him. But when I said I had told him she was in, she let him come up, and
he stayed a considerable time. On the same afternoon Mrs James left the hotel and told the driver to take
her to Great Rider Street.
A few days later Mrs. Col. Watson called trying to find Mrs James. I had heard her say #7 Great
Rider Street to the porter. I told Mrs. Col. Watson that. She asked me to go to make sure of the address
but not to tell Mrs James that she would call. I went, was shown up to a drawing room on the first floor
where Mrs James sat alone. The door to the adjoining bedroom was open, and she said she expected
Lennox any minute.
Item 18/4
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 24
Deposition of Richard Walters, Vintner, age 32
Both the man and woman said they needed only one bedroom. They had tea and cutlets in the sitting
room and breakfasted together there the following morning. The gentleman paid the full bill up to his
departure. On Monday I noticed the remaining baggage said "Mrs.James." Mrs James said she was going
out to look for lodgings and took a cab. As Mr. McMullin was asking after her, she came up in a cab,
and I pointed her out to him. Mr. McMullin went up to the cab and called her Mrs. James. She afterwards
told me and my wife that she was Mrs. James but would soon marry Lennox. Mr. McMullin called again
once or twice without seeing Mrs James and made many inquiries. Mrs James said she had come with
Lennox on the Larkins and was about to divorce her husband in India. Two or three days later I took a
note from Mr. McMullin or from Mr Browne Roberts to Great Rider Street and was shown into a drawing
room where Mrs James was with Lennox. She was dressed to go out and said they were going to the
theater. It was evening.
Item 18/5
Deposition of Anne Martin, wife of Joseph Vincent Martin
19 Bentinck St, Manchester Square age 29
Six years prior to last January, my husband and I let furnished rooms at 7 Great Rider Street. Mrs
James hired a first floor drawing room with connecting bedroom together with a bedroom for a page or
footboy. That was round the first of March 1841, and she stayed about a month. The day after she moved
in, she told the maid not to admit anyone but Captain Lennox. Next day Lennox
caled and then came daily for about a week. He frequently came as early as nine and stayed to dine but
did not remain after midnight. Lennox was gone for a few days, out of town, and then he renewed his
visits until Mrs James moved out. Lennox paid the rent at the end of the first week; at the end of the
second week Mrs James paid with a check signed by Lennox. It was signed George William Lennox, I
think, and drawn on the East India Agency Office. Mrs James paid the remaining rent in cash.
Mr. Walter came around the day after Mrs James moved in. He was told she had gone to the theater
and asked if anyone had gone with her. Walter returned the next morning, as early as nine, and
personally gave Mrs James a note.
About an hour later Mrs. Walter came around, then around noon Mrs. Col. Watson arrived. Mrs James
had gone out alone, but Mrs. Col. Watson assured us she was the sister of Mrs James's husband and that
she must see her. We allowed her to wait in Mrs James's drawing room. Mrs James returned about 1 p.m.
Mrs. Col. Watson later returned with Mrs. Rae and saw Mrs James. Mrs Rae remained about two days in
Mrs James's lodging and on one occasion Lennox called during Mrs. Rae's visit.
Item 18/6
Deposition of Sarah Watson, No 4 St. Germain Terrace, Blackheath, Kent
Widow, age 44
I am the widow of Col. Watson of the 53rd Native Infantry. I came back from India in 1834. I saw
my brother at Ballycrystal before I heard of his marriage, and in the autumn of 1837 I met Mrs James
at Ballycrystal. They stayed there several weeks, and I was there most of the time. Our brother John was
there, too. It was a large family party. Thomas called her Eliza. About two or three months prior to
February 1841 I received a letter from my brother in Calcutta saying Mrs James had fallen from a horse,
and her health generally necessitated her return to Europe. He said he had written to Mrs. Rae to come to
London to take charge of Mrs James on her arrival, and he asked me to show her every attention. Mrs.
Rae came and stayed with me awaiting Mrs James's arrival
I had commissioned the East India Agency House to inform me of the arrival of the Larkins. I
received notice in late February of its arrival and also a note from Mr. Browne Roberts, an old brother
officer of my late husband, saying that Mrs James was at the Imperial Hotel and had fallen into bad hands.
I came to town, talked to Browne Roberts about his interview with Mrs James and also talked to Capt.
Ingram and his wife. I wanted to dissuade Mrs James from the connection she had found. I went to the
Imperial Hotel and asked Mrs. Walter to make sure that Lennox was not at Great Rider Street because I
didn't want to meet him. When Mrs. Walter told me Mrs James was alone, I went to the boarding house.
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 25
I was allowed to wait in the drawing room. Mrs James was surprised to see me. I told her what I
knew of the night at the Imperial Hotel with George Lennox and of what I knew of what had passed on the
ship. I pointed out to her the inevitable ruin that awaited her persisting in such a course, and I told her
to put herself under Mrs. Rae's protection. My entreaties were ineffectual, for she most positively
declared, affirming with an oath, she never would go to any friend of Major Craigie. I went back a few
days later with Mrs. Rae. I said I would receive Mrs James until she was ready to proceed to Scotland
with Mrs. Rae. Mrs. Rae remained with Mrs James to attempt to work on her feelings.
Item 18/7
25 Oct 42
Deposition of Anne Eastmond Ingram
Blackheath, Kent age 36
Craigie and James both brought Mrs James to the ship. James had been aboard several times to
make arrangements for his wife's passage. James remained until the ship was down the Ganges a ways,
then went to shore.
At first it was proposed Mrs James should be under the joint protection of Mr Ingram and me, but
later when it was discovered the Sturgises, who were connected by marriage to James's family (Mrs.
Thornhill of Calcutta), they were put in charge. Thomas James expressed to me and to my husband a hope
we would show Mrs James such attention as might be in our power. He appeared to be particularly
concerned his wife should receive every protection and attention. Within a few days of Lennox' arrival I
observed Mrs James's conduct towards him ws unguarded and flighty. Her general behavior was that
which is commonly called flirting. The intimacy between them soon allowed him to visit her in her
cabin. I saw her go into his cabin, and vice versa. It was improper, but
she wasn't under our care. The cabin of George Lennox had a window facing the deck from which I
have repeatedly seen him and Mrs James sitting on the sofa, his arm being around her waist. I knew my
husband more than once remonstrated with Mrs James on the subject of her having visitors at late hours
in her cabin with many lights there; and I have heard her reply that she was her own mistress; my
husband's remonstrances had more immediate reference to the danger to be apprehended from carelessness
of the lights in the Cabin. I found it necessary in consequence of what I considered misconduct in Mrs
James to discontinue associating with her and to exclude her from invitations in my cabin.
27 Oct 42
Item 18/8
Deposition of Charles Ingram, No. 4 Blackheath Terrace, Kent
Master Mariner age 42
Mr. Thornhill, Thomas James' brother-in-law living in Calcutta, knew the Sturgises well, so they took
over the assignment of looking after Mrs James.
James came together with Mr. Thornhill to the boat to see Mrs James's cabin. On the day of the
sailing Mrs James was there with Craigie and Thomas James arranging her cabin. Mr. James went down
with the ship as far as Ft. Gloucester(?), where he left, having, as I understood, to attend the Governor
General. Mr. James was indefatigable in his endeavors to provide for the comfort of his wife during the
voyage and so expressed himself.
I soon noticed the intimacy between between Mrs James and Lennox. She was in the habit of
remaining on the poop after the hour of the ladies' retiring below to their cabins; she used to address
Lennox as "dear Lennox." She received him alone in her cabin. There was a sofa there, and she used
to receive him at unreasonable hours. They were there alone together while the rest of the passengers
were on deck attending divine service. She often went to his cabin, excusing herself by saying it was
cooler than her own. I have seen him with his arm around her waist while they were sitting far aft on the
poop late at night. I have more than once spoken to her about visitors (meaning George Lennox) and
lights after lights ought to be out. She answered in a very cool manner that she should do as she liked
and would not be under the control of anybody.
She wasn't under my care, but if I had seen any flagrant act which required my interference I
should have prevented its recurrence. I saw no more than violent flirting with Lennox, which in a
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 26
married woman I consider very improper conduct. Mrs James was excluded very nearly if not quite the
last three months from our cabin. I saw Mrs James speaking violently to Mrs. Sturgis as if impatient
with remonstrances.
In my many years of service with the East India Company I have never seen more improper conduct
in a married woman. At landing, I saw Mrs James and George Lennox walking arm in arm to the baggage
warehouse in Portsmouth.
27 Oct 42
Item 18/9
Depostion of Caroline Marden, Servant to Ingram, spinster, age 21
Intimacy developed fast. Lennox went to Mrs James mostly when she was alone. I could see into
Mrs James's cabin when the door was open. It had no window, the only outside light came from a scuttle
on the side of the ship. But rolling of the ship sometimes opened the door, and I have seen them
together with Mrs James only in her stays and petticoats. More than once I have seen Lennox lacing
up Mrs James's stays. I have also seen Mrs James putting on her stockings before Lennox alone in her
cabin. They often sat close together on the sofa and I have seen him kiss her. I told Mrs. Ingram that
George Lennox was in the habit of going to Mrs James's cabin shortly after breakfast and staying until
tiffin time. When the venetian blind in Lennox's cabin was open, you could see what went on there. There
was a general feeling on the ship that they were too familiar.
Item 18/10
Deposition of Robert McMullin 12 Dorset Square, St. Marylebone
Major in the East India Co., age 51
Craigie is now a Lt.Col. in India [sic].
In December 1840 I received a letter from Patrick Craigie of 12 October telling me Mrs James was
on the Larkins. He had written me by the Larkins to make arrangements to retain Mrs James until her
baggage came and she could be booked on a Leith steamer to his brother, Dr. Thomas Craigie, at Leith.
On Sunday, 21 February 1841 the porter of the Oriental Club, Hanover Square, handed me a letter by
private hand, singed by Henry Sturgis, dated on the ship Larkins off Plymouth, February 19, 1841,
enclosing a letter from Craigie.
On Monday, February 22, I ascertained from a shipping agent in the City that Mrs James had
landed at Portsmouth and come to London to the Imperial Hotel. I called on Mrs James the same day to
offer my house and every service prior to her proceeding to Scotland. She was out. I left a note saying
I would be happy to have her at my house until her departure for Scotland. I meant to go back, but I
had an engagement and my wife went instead, but Mrs James was not there. My wife left a note. The
same evening a note addressed to her from Mrs James arrived by post signed E.James. Mrs James
excused herself from accepting my invitation, saying she had taken lodgings.
On the 23rd of February I called again and waited until she came up in a carriage. I tried to talk her
into coming to stay, but she wouldn't. I went with Mrs. Rae to see Mrs James some time in March in
Great Rider Street, but Mrs James refused to come. I went again with Mrs. Rae, but Mrs James again
refused Mrs. Rae's appeal to go to Scotland.
Exhibit A to 18/10
Postal stamps: Calcutta, Steam Letter, 40 Oct 13, paid 14 & Ex 13 Dec 13 40
Address: By Steam via ??????, Major Robert McMullin, Col of the Bengal Army, at
the Oriental Club House, Hanover Square, London in corner PatCraigie
on back
Upon Havisides & Co. and the ship agents in whose hands the
Larkins is usually placed
Calcutta 12 October 1840
My dear McMullin
I write to you a few lines by the ship Larkins on which Mrs. Craigie's daughter Mrs. James is a
passenger entreating you if in town to make arrangements for taking her out of the ship, for
entertaining her with you for a few days till her baggage is landed & for clearing her safely on board a
Leith steamer: She is consequence (?) to my Brother Dr. Thomas Craigie of Leith - by kindly taking this
trouble for us you will lay both Mrs. Craigie & myself under the deepest obligation to you -- I will
ascertain the name of the Agents of the "Larkins" in London & will insert it in this letter in order that you
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 27
may have the earliest notification of the ship's arrival on the Coast. Mrs. James has been for some time
poorly & she has never recovered the effects of an injury in the back which she met with by a fall from her
horse at Meerut -- a short residence in Scotland with the sea voyage will not, I doubt not, fail to perk (?)
her up -- I have been making inquiries after your boy Robert from his Commaning Officer & the following
is an extract of the last letter I have seen about him. It is dated the 27 Sept -- "Of McMullin I am happy
to be able to give you a very favorable report, he is a smart & attentive officer and will get on well in
his profession I have no doubt: he is at present down at Chau...(?) where he likes to remain on duty as
they have quarters free there, he does not go out in society being if anything too fond of staying at home."
This is all very favorable & it will afford me very great pleasure to have it in my power to give him a lift
for I cannot express to you how thankful I feel to Mrs. McMulli;n and yourself for your great kindness to
my poor wife when she was in England -- Robert is now Senior Ensign in his Regiment & I have no doubt
he will soon find himself a full Lieutenant -- The newspapers will have informed you that nothing is
now talked of in India but War: however I see little probability of our being able to get up a fight in any
direction - you will have observed that Deunie(?) of the 13 L.I. with 250 of the 35 Reg & as many of the
Shady Goorkhas thrashed Dort Mohammed with 5,000 bosbigs(?) at his back. This is very well for Black
Troops unaided by a single European soldier.-Pray present our kindest regards to Mrs. McMullin & believe me
Most sinyyours,
PatCraigie
Old Lindor(?) tells me that he expects soon to hear of your son Alexander having obtained an
appointment. My wife bids me say pray consign him to our care & she will see him comfortably
established.
Exhibit B to 18/10
Addressed: Major Robert McMullin, of the Bengal Army, Oriental Club, Hanover Square, London
PatCraigie sealed with red wax and seal with arabic characters
28 Sep 1840
My dear McMullin
I have requested the Captian of the Larkins to send this letter to you by the first communication which
the ship may have with the shore after making England in order that you may have it in your power
to comply with the solicitaion about to be conveyed to you by the next overland packet to receive Mrs.
Craigie's daughter, Mrs James, on her arrival in London to take passage for her to Leith on one of the first
steamers, to see her yourself on board and to write thru beams(?) to my brother, Dr. Thomas Craigie of
Leith intimating the period of her probable arrival at that place in order that he may make arrangements
for her reception. -- Of course, I have only solicited you to take the trouble under the impression that
you are residing with your family in Town. Should this not be the case, I trust to the chaplain of the ship
to do the needful.
We are very anxious that Mrs James should not be delivered for any time in London but that she should
proceed at once to Scotland.
My agents "Messrs Scott Bell & Co" Aldersmans Walk, Broad Street Building will get her heavy
Baggage passed thro the Custom house & forward it to my Brothers care at Leith.
I will not add more to this letter as it is my intention to address you by the first overland which you
will receive long ere the Larkins reaches her destination but I will pray you to believe me with our ....(?)
kindest regards to both Mrs McMullin & yourself
Most sincerely(?) yours,
PatCraigie
[The reference to Craigie's London agents as Messrs. Scott Bell & Co is critical in authenticating the
letter from Eliza Craigie, Lola's mother, to Dr. Cooper, Lola's doctor in her last illness, which is
transcribed in the very strange pamphlet "A Hundred Years of Rip and Roarin' Rough and Ready" by
Andy Rogers, see Volume 37, Tab-G. This pamphlet, which appears to be written by someone who is
barely literate and certainly without any common sense in questions of history, contains on page 78 the
transcription of a letter Rogers says he obtained from the son of Dr. Cooper. An entry in the visitors'
book for the Lola Montez House in Grass Valley, now in the Bancroft collections, indicates that a son of
Dr. Cooper did visit Grass Valley in the late 1940's, and it was probably then Rogers met him and
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 1842 ** PAGE 28
subsequently got a photocopy of this letter from Mrs. Craigie to Dr. Cooper. Given the dubious nature
of most of what is included in Rogers's pamphlet, the letter might also be open to question. As Rogers
transcribed it, Mrs. Criagie wrote, "My direction is Mrs. Craigie, care of Mrs. Scott Bell, London,
England," which, if correct, would seem to indicate the letter is a fraud, since in 1860 a letter could
hardly be addressed simply care of an individual in London, a city of a million. But Rogers transcribed
the letter wrong. What Mrs. Craigie must have written was "care of Messrs. Scott Bell & Co, London,
England." She was still using her dead husband's forwarding company to receive her mail, and the post
office, although it would not be likely to recognize the name of a single individual in the metropolis,
could certainly deliver mail to a well-known forwarding company without the street address. Rogers and
his wife were both killed in a car accident in the early 1960's, and there is no trace of his copy of the letter.]
Note from other sources:
Consistory Court sits at 10 precisely; has no fixed days; five days each term, except for four at the Easter
term and additional between term days
Edinburgh Evening Courant Page 3 col.5
20 August 1849: ...There is no doubt, that, although not a Scot by birth, she was educated at Montrose;
but we must leave it to others to determine both how far the rose in the fourth quarter (of her arms) is
intended to commemerate her early connection with that thriving seaport of Angus (which has for its
armorial ensign three roses, with the legend "Mare ditat, rosa decorat").........(is the lion for
Scotland??) She was born in India of Irish parents, Captain Gilbert in the Company's service....Miss
Gilbert was sent to Scotland to be educated under the eye of some of her step-father's relatives in Montrose.
Here she showed an uncontrollable love of fun and mischief; and one of her girlish exploits in sticking
flowers into the wig of an old gentleman who sat before her in church, is still freshly remembered. From
Montrose she was sent to a boarding school in England. Meanwhile her mother returned from India,
having for her fellow passengeer a young countryman, Lt James, with whom she proposed to visit Ireland.
Miss Gilbert was summoned to Liverpool to meet her mother, whom it was intended she should
accompany on the Irish tour; but when the party was on the eve of departure, one morning Lt James and
Miss Gilbert were missing, and soon afterwards they presented themselves to Mrs. Craigie as having
been clandestinely married. The nuptuals were subsequently formally celebrated in Ireland, and the pair
proceeded to India.......It is less genereally known that after the affair with Captain Lennox, Mrs James
came down to Edinburgh, where she resided for some time with a relative of her step-father in Nelson
Street. During her sojourn here, she was an unsuccessful petitioner to Mr. Murray for leave to try her
fortune as a performer on the boards of the Edinburgh theatre.....