More James Churchward, Tea Planter

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

From Oakland Tribune Aug. 16, 1925 by Col. James Churchward

From Oakland Tribune Aug. 16, 1925
by Col. James Churchward

Here is some of what is documented:

James 'Jimbo' Churchward circa 1880s

James ‘Jimbo’ Churchward
circa 1870s


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 Churchward not present at Rakwana Planter’s Association meeting, but a letter from him requesting his estates to be withdrawn from the Association (and denied.)(as reported in the Overland Ceylon Observer, June 28, 1878.)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

Capt. Churchward of the 16th Lancers (British Army)

James Churchward proclaimed he was a Lt. Colonel in the Bengal Lancers, however evidence indicates otherwise.

Was there a Churchward that served in the Lancers?

According to a newspaper article from March 16, 1870,

The Pioneer (newspaper) March 16, 1870

The Pioneer (newspaper) March 16, 1870

Her Majesty’s Indian relief screw troopship, sailed from Portsmouth February 15th for Alexandria, with the following officers and troops on board for India… ;16th Lancers, Captain Churchward; …

The Captain in question is Charles Carrington Churchward (1842-1908) eldest son of Joseph George Churchward (1819-1900).

Charles Carrington Churchward (1842-1908)

Charles Carrington Churchward (1842-1908)

According to London Gazette and New Annual Army List:

Educated privately. Commissioned 1860, Cornet in the service of the 16th Regiment of Lancers.
Promoted to Captain in 1866 on active service. Resigned his Commission in 1876, and Commissioned into the Yeomanry Cavalry, The Royal East Kent as Lieutenant.
Also went under the name of CHARLES CARRIN CARRINGTON-CHURCHWARD.
Mary Charlotte Churchward née Gregory (1853-1893)
He married in Australia in 1882 Mary Charlotte Cuthbert (nee Gregory) and had issue.

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