More James Churchward, Tea Planter

Where was James Churchward really when he wrote that he was on famine relief duty in India?

Here is some of what is documented:

Jan. 1872 – Mr. and Mrs. Churchward arrive from England on the P and O Dehli to Ceylon (as reported in the Overland Ceylon Observer and Fortnightly Summary of Intelligence, January 24, 1872.)

Oct. 1872 – Births: “At Parragalla Estate, Gampola, Oct. 9. Mary Julia, wife of J. Churchward. Esq., of a Son.” (as reported in the Overland Ceylon Observer and Fortnightly Summary of Intelligence, October 15, 1872.)

Jan. 1873 – “Sale of Coffee Land – James Churchward sells block of land in Maskeliya that he purchased six months earlier” (as reported in the Overland Ceylon Observer and Fortnightly Summary of Intelligence, January 16, 1873.)

Jan. 1873 – Mr. Churchward, Mrs Churchward and child depart Ceylon for London on the Vibila on January 23rd (as reported in the Overland Ceylon Observer and Fortnightly Summary of Intelligence, January 23, 1873.)

Feb. 1875 – Mr. J. Churchward departs Colombo on February 8th for Calcutta and intermediate ports on the B.I S.S. Africa (as reported in the Overland Ceylon Observer, February 9, 1875.)

Mar. 1877 – Mr. and Ms. J. Churchward and European servant arrive in Ceylon from London on the SS El Dorado. (as reported in the Overland Ceylon Observer and Weekly Summary of Intelligence, March 1, 1877.)

Apr. 1877 – Mr. Churchward buys the estate Lillywatte from Mr. John Maitland. (as reported in the Overland Ceylon Observer, April 18, 1877.)

May 1877 – Mr. Churchward of Lillywatte purchased 188 acres of forest land (as reported in the Overland Ceylon Observer, May 8, 1877.)

Sept 1877 – Mr. Churchward attended Rakawana Planter’s Association meeting (as reported in the Overland Ceylon Observer, September 12, 1877.)

1878 Tea Planter’s Guide listing James Churchward

Jan. 1878 – Mr. Churchward attended Rakawana Planter’s Association meeting (as reported in the Overland Ceylon Observer, January 8, 1878.)

June 1878 – Mr. Churchward not present at Rakwana Planter’s Association meeting, but a letter from him requesting his estates to be withdrawn from the Association (and denied.)(as reported in the Overland Ceylon Observer, June 28, 1878.)

Dec. 1879 – Mr. and Mrs Churchward attend the Calico Fancy Ball dressed as Kowasjie Jehangirjee and a Spanish Lady, respectively. (as reported in the Overland Ceylon Observer, December 20, 1879.)

Apr. 1880 – Mr. Churchward departs on the Djemnah for Marseilles. (as reported in the Overland Ceylon Observer, April 20, 1880.)

Jul. 1881 – James Churchward has one unclaimed letter in the General Post Office.(as reported in the Overland Ceylon Observer, July 21, 1880.)

Aug. 1881 – Mr. Churchward of Rakwana and Kukulu Korale is said to have returned to the island via mail steamer. (as reported in the Overland Ceylon Observer, August 5, 1880.)

1881 – James Churchward is listed as an East India Tea Planter in Census documents.