James Caulfeild 1806 - 1861
James Caulfeild , Treasurer of Ceylon Civil Service. He served in the Ceylon Civil Service from 1823 to 1861 and played an influential part in the downfall of Governor Torrington for his handling of the 1848 Rebellion. He was specifically mentioned in a letter from Torrington to Lord Grey 14/4/1850. " Mr. Caulfield, the Acting Treasurer an old and able public servant stated that he considered the step I had proposed to the Council was a most dangerous one - Mr. Caufield felt with much regret, anxious as he would be to show mercy, that the proper time had not arrived -" Mr. Caulfield has stated that under the circumstances he would be disposed to grant an amnesty to all with the exception of one or two men tried before the Supreme Court" Reference -Page 211-212 - 'The Rebellion of 1848' by K M de Silva. During the riots of 1848 he was Government Agent of the North Western Province a post which he held till 1854 with a brief spell as Acting Treasurer from 1/1/1850 to 1/7/1851. Reference - Pages 20-1 'Tombstones & Monuments in Ceylon' (Colombo 1913) by J.P. Lewis. In John Ferguson's Directory - 'Ceylon in 1883' he is shown as Treasurer in 1854. There are further interesting references to John Caulfield in 'The Administration of Sir Henry Ward Governor of Ceylon 1855 -1860' by S.V. Balasingham :- Page 115 - "Ward appointed a Commission in 1858 to revise the existing scale of military allowances of officers of the Army. This consisted of J. Caulfield, Lt. Col. R Waddy, G. Lee and Major Woods." Page 106-107 - "Patronage in appointments to official posts was criticised. In 1859 Governor Ward sought the sanction of the Secretary of State for the appointment of the son of Caulfield, the Treasurer of the Colony. Ward admitted that he had made this promise earlier and had requested the son to come to Ceylon at his own expense. Ward admitted that he was influenced by " the long service of the father, the largeness of their family and their natural desire to see their son provided for in a service which they had played an honourable part. - The Secretary of State could not accept Ward's reasons, though he sanctioned the appointment". (Reference - Ward to S. of S. No 102 of 23rd May 1860, Colonial Office Despatches 54/352 James Caulfield's tombstone is in the Garrison Cemetery at Kandy.He dies on 4 th May 1861 of a long standing heart disease. In St.Peter's Church, Fort, Colombo, "This tablet was erected by the Civil Service to the memory of James Caulfield, late Treasurer of this Colony. He was born in Ireland, 19 July 1806. He died at Kandy 4 May 1861. Few men have lived more loved and respected, few have died more sincerely regretted." The Arms on the tablet: -Barry of nine and -on a canton -a lion passant guardant. Crest: A rose with three leaves.
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| Born: Ireland, , , 1 19th Jul 1806 | Baptised:
| | Died: Kandy, Sri Lanka formerly Ceylon1 4th May 1861 | Buried: Kandy, Sri Lanka formerly Ceylon 1861
| | Family: Caulfeild |
Sources
- Family Archivists: see
Caulfeild - [1] Dollygray@btinternet.com
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