Indian Antiquary Vol 50

SR No.: 032542
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1985
Total Pages: 468
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 457

SEPTEMBER, 1921)
THE SCATTERGOODS AND THE EAST INDIA COMPANY
First I commend my soul to the ailmighty my maker and Jesus Christ my redeemer Secondly my body to the earth to receave such Christian buriall as this place affordes And for my worldly estate I bequeath as followeth
Oweing by Leonard Flint to mee fortie three mass [macel the which I freely give him, as also five shirtes and soe many Chela purtugall Briches21 as is in my Chest
I give unto Phillip Wilde all my printed bookes as also a Parrat my Rapier and Creace ?
The former being satisfied I bequeath unto my wife Elizabeth Scattergood all my Wages due to me from my honorable Imployers the East India Company as also whatsoever shalbe found of myne after my decease which will appeare by Inventory
In witnes of the premisses I have hereunto set my hand and seale the twenty eighth day of Aprill Anno Domini 1647
FRANCIS SCATTERGOOD Signed and sealed in the presence of us
William Harrison
the mark of Tho. Bissell” The will was proved on the 20th July 1648 by " Elizabeth Scattergood relict."
Francis Scattergood must have availed himself of all opportunities of increasing the pittance allowed him by the Company, for among his effects sent from Achin to Surat by Thomas Reynardson in November 164725 were "one Chest of Turtlee-Shell" (tortoise-shell) and "1 Parcell of pearle, with a Jemaull ring."96
In January 1647-8 the Council at Surat pprised the Company of Scattergood's death
"Dead men. At A[o]heene Francis Scattergood, John Boze [? Rose) and Leonard Flint, the two latter seamen left there by the Queens Commander to keepe your howse when Mr. Turner Esgr. Came away from thence, are all deceased."28
Leonard Flint, then, did not live to enjoy his legacy for more than a few months and the "purtugall briches" probably descended to another messmate.
On receipt of the news of her husband's death, Elizabeth Seattergood appears to have petitioned the Company for his arrears of salary. On the 22nd December 1648 we find that'
"It was at this Court ordred that Elizabeth Scattergood should receive 10 li. of the wages of her husband Francis Scattergood deceased in India, Mr. Stileman giving bond to repay the same, in case when the Accompts come home there shall not so much appeare to bee due unto the said Scattergood."
Apparently the testator means cotton britches like those worn by the converta (chela, disciple) of the Portuguese.
* Malay, kris, a dagger. . 36 O. C. 2048.
26 Jemaul (for Arabic jamdl) ring is an interesting instance of folk etymology. The gimmal (gemal. gimbal) ring was a linked ring, so constructed as to admit of being divided into two (and sometimes three) rings, taking its name from the Latin gemellus, a twin. In India the term seems to have been turned by Europeans into gimmdl and connected with the Oriental term jamdl, beauty, and with them to have meant "beauty ring".
27 Achin at this date was governed by Paduka Sri, daughter of Iskandar Muda (Mahkota 'Alam) and widow of Iskandar Thani (Alâu'ddin Mahaya Shah). See Travels of Peter Vundy, ed. Temple, vol. III, Pt. I, pp. 117, 119 (footnotes).
28 0. 0. 2062. 23 Court Minutes, XX. 314 (India Office Records).