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SEPTEMBER, 1921)
THE SCATTERGOODS AND THE EAST INDIA COMPANY
observing those that are wanting, elected and setled the persons hereafter following, vizt. .... for Stewards, elected... Thomas Coke for the London .. and for their Mates.... Frauncis Scattergood for the London." 7
It seems probable that Francis Scattergood's introduction to the Company was brought about through the influence of some distant relatives. His great-grandfather's cousin, an Anthony Scattergood (not identical with No. I) had come up from Derbyshire to London in the 16th century and had become a citizen and freeman of the Grocers Company. He died in 1592 (will, P. C. C. Harrington, 64) and was buried at the Church of St. Lawrence Jury. His executor was his brother, Richard Scattergood of Little Chester, near Derby (and later of Sudbury), father of the Anthony Scattergood already noticed, who, it will be remembered, became a free brother of the East India Company. 8
The London, to which Francis Scattergood was appointed, was commanded by John Proud, master, and was at first destined for Surat, but on leaving the dock in January 1641, she gott a brush in (grazed) her keele," and was ordered to be brought back. It was found that the damage sustained was too great for her to be "fitted" for Surat, and her destination was altered to Bantam in Java. On the 24th March she was reported to be at Gravesend, ready to sail, but though there is no record of a further change of plan, the original orders must have been repeated, for eventually the ship sailed to Surat, where she arrived at the end of September 1641. While at Surat, Francis Scattergood seems to have been transferred to the Company's ship Supply which made voyages to and from Persia in 1641 and 1642. At any rate, he sailed in that ship for Sumatra in April 1643 and reached Achin Road on the 25th May. 10
On the 17th December 1643, Walter Clarke, agent on board the Supply, wrote to the Company11 -
“Our howse and godowne (warehouse at Achin] being apted [suitably prepared] for our goods reception, thither conveighed them, but not Sonner unbailed, but Sould & great part of them, which are not in these bookes brought to accompt, and I doubt not, but by this time little is left, which this yeare will find markets. With Mr. Bowman, for his assistance, I left Thomas Fitch, Francis Scattergood, with another civell man belonging to our shipp, likewise a yong man who came from Bengala one a Juncke. His name is William Dawes... the man is very temperate, not addicted for ought I could perceave to any knowne Vice. He writteth very well, and hath some insight in accompts. Him I have entertained untill the engueinge yeare...for that if it should please God to afflict Mr. Bowman with Sickness, from which noe man that comes thether is fre, he may have some one to assist him in writtinge what he may direct, neither of the other beinge usefull for more then Guardians to watch by night, which must not be neglected there."
From a letter of the Council at Surat to the Company, dated 27th January 1643-4,12 we learn that the goods left in charge of Maximilian Bowman, Thomas Fitch and Francis Scatter. good at Achin amounted to 50,000 mahmudis or about £2,500 sterling, reckoning the mahmûdi at a shilling, the value given to it by Terry in 1655.
7 Court Minules, XVII. 365, 368, 367, (India Office Recorda). 8 Information supplied by Mr. Scattergood.
E. B. Sainsbury, Court Minutes of the E. I. Co., 1640-1843, pp. 133, 134, 135. 10 Soe W. Foster, English Factories, 1642-1645, #. v. London and Supply. 11 Orijinal Correspondence (in future designated 0. C.), No. 1852 (India Office Records), 12 0.0., 1888.
