Indian Antiquary Vol 59

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 327

OCTOBER, 19301
THE SCATTERGOODS AND THE EAST INDIA COMPANY
55
Piscaroy. Mr. Oldham thinks that this may perhaps stand for pesh-karí, payment for
writing accounts, to the pesh-kar, subordinate official, writer, or, more probably, for peshkvindya, 'advance hire,' i.e., charge for hire paid in advance.
Besides the three accounts relating to Henry Bradshaw's affairs, given above, there are three others not printed. The first contains a list of goods, similar to those enumerated in No. 3 (a)" sold to the Worshipfull John Lock, Agent, the 1st September 1707," the second, dated December 1707, shows “the exchange to Spahaun " that summer to have been 8 per cent; and the last, dated 14 May 1708, after Scattergood's return from Isfahan, notes the cost of "a Tomb built at Gombroon, (over Henry Bradshaw's remains), 1260.8" (shihi), or about £15.
In addition to the Bradshaw accounts, there is a receipt, dated Gombroon, 16 May 1707, signed by John Eaton Dodsworth and his assistants, for Bengal goods consigned to Persia by Captain John Wright, whose directions were to be awaited, or should they not arrive, “the ballance” to be delivered "to Mr. John Seattergood on his return from Spahaun."
The journey to Isfahân was made in May 1707 in company with Peter Curgenven, his fellow supercargo, with whom Scattergood shared his personal expenses, the cost of transmitting the goods with which he was entrusted being charged to the freighters of the cargo.
Peter Curgenven, mentioned above, was, like Scattergood, a free merchant and the two were intimately connected in business relations for some years. Peter had two brothers in India at this time, John and Thomas, both in Bengal, the former a free merchant and the latter a factor in the Company's service. An account of the family with details of the capture of Peter Curgenven by Angria, his ultimate release after serving as a galley-slave and his death on his arrival in England is told by Mr. A. J. Curgenven in Thomas Curgenven and Three Nephews, recently published.
[ 4 (a) ACCOUNT EXPENCES BETWEEN MR. CURG ANVEN AND MYSELY FOR OUR JOURNEY
TO SPAHAUNE MAY THE 20TH 1707.)
363.
-
280.
938. 280.
140.
Paid Edwards for sundry things bought for us .. 2 Gunny bags for the rice ... .. .. for cocks Paid Roy 4 months wages at 70 shas. pr. month Paid for sundry things to the Company .. 2 shotters for 2 months wages at 70 shas I cook 2 mo. 1 Horsekeeper 2 mo. 1 man to lead the Kedgway 2 Yockdans 1 pr. Kedgway .. 5 Wappenges to cover it .. 2 ropes for mending the Yockdans .. paid & Talor for sowing the Kedgway oloth Saddles for the Yockdans .. A water pott for the Horses
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140. 140.