Author of "CHURCH HISTORY OF TRAVANCORE" [1903, Madras,pages 1183 +] Mr.Christian Masillamani Agur[Mr.C.M.Agur, B.A, ]

Introduction : Among the Church Historians in India C.M. Agur singularly shines as one of the tallest Church historians of great importance  with very few equals and unfortunately so far no biography has been written about Mr. C.M. Agur, B.A In the same way Agur's forefather Mr Mylaudy Maharasan Vethamonickam's family played a very significant role for the spread of Protestant Christianity in South India .Mr Agur's  great grandfather Mr Vethamononickam's family's cordial friendship and link and  connection with , Rev. Horst of Tanjore, Mr , J.C Kohlhoff of Tanjore, Mr Ringletaube, Rev Charles Mead , Rev Charles Mault and British Residents like Col Macaulay, Col Munro, Mr. J.C. Hannington  and others, definitely paint this family as  one of the most colorful and remarkable families among Indian Christians.

                                                                   Mr. C. Agur, B.A 

C. M. Agur's  Birth and Parents: CM Agur was the eldest  son of Rev C. Masillamoni Masillamoni and Mrs Esther Fanny Paramanandam of Nagercoil. [ Esther Fanny was the second daughter of Daniel Paramanandam and Mr Daniel Paramanandam  was the first Deacon of the Home Church , Nagercoil. CM Agur was born in 1858 at Nagercoil. In this connection it is better to have some basic idea about Mr Agur's paternal and maternal grandfathers  and his cousins.

Mr CM Agur's father Mr C. Massillamoni of Mylaudy: All  Church Historians had written that CM Agur's father Mr C. Masilalmoni was a grandson of Mylaudy Maharasan Vethamonickam but  unfortunately it seems that no writer has given any genealogical link between Maharasan Vethamonickam and C.M. Agur. Anyhow we can infer that Mr C. Masillamony was a son of Vethamonickam's  a son or a daughter. We understand that Maharasan  Vethamonickam had two sons and two daughters . Vethamonickam's eldest son's name was Chidambaram and he was baptized  by Rev Ringeltaube with a Christian Name as Devasahayam.  Vethamonickam's younger sons's name was Mr Moses , and he died in his twenties. Here if we consider the Initial C. of Mr.Masillamoni, we can logically infer that Mr. Masillamani might  be a son of Vethamonikam's son Mr Chidambaram .  Another inference or possibility  is , C.Masillamoni might be a son of Vethamonicakam's second daughter Mrs Anna Ammal;. Moreover we can also infer that Mr Christian David could have married Mrs Annammal, the second daughter of Vethamonickam, because  Christian Masillamoni Agur was the full name of Mr C,M. Agur However we can not establish facts with the help of inferences so  it is better to unlock this secret and concealed cover of fact in this regard  in the interest of Church history and history.

C.M.Agur's education :  Nothing is known definitely about CM Agur's school and collegiate education . It is not clear;  where did Mr Agur do his  B.A. , is it in India ?, or in UK like his younger brother Mr. Ezra Masillamoni ; we do not know.  We need  definitely a study and search in this regard . Mr .C.M Agur,  was a very brilliant student and he was one of the earliest BA degree holders in South India .

C.M. Agur was the Office Manager at British Resident's office, Trivandrum : CM Agur hailed from one of   the most illustrious Christian families of South Travancore and South India. . Even during the second half of the 19th century Mr Agur became a B.A .degree holder and  probably he was one of the  earliest B.A, Degree holders in South India .  .Moreover his family  was so closely connected with Rev Charles Mead and Rev Charles Mault and  some other European missionaries . Mr. C.M. Agur , B.A, was  a well educated man, a great historian and was having a sound political and historical knowledge, and also  was having a good command over English language so he got the prestigious  privilege  to work as the Office Manager at the British Resident's office at Trivandrum for twenty years till his death in 1904. Since 1884 till 1904 Mr C.M. Agur had been  working as  Office Manger at the British Resident's Office  at Trivandrum during  the officiating period of the following Residents:[1]Mr.J.C Hannington [ 15th August 1884 to July 1887][2]General  Sir. H.N.D.Prendergast[ Acting since7-7-1887] ,[3] J.C. Hannyngton [ 7-10-1887 to July 1890], [3] H. B. Grigg, C.I.E [ assumed, 16-7-1890  to], [4] J.C. Hannyngton-[ resumed 16-10- 1890 to], [5] Mr H.B. Grigg,C.I.E- [assumed 6-7- 1891  to], [6] Mr. J.C. Hannyngton-[resumed 5-11- 1891  to], [7] Mr.H.B. Grigg,C.I.E[assumed  8-11-1892  to], [8] Mr J.D. Rees, C.I.E-[ acting  15-1895  to], [9] Mr. J. Thomson, MA, [ acting 12-7-1895  to], [10] Mr. J.D Rees, C.I.E, {8-8-1896  to], [11]F.A. Nicholson- [acting 15-12- 1896  to ], [12] J D Rees,-[resumed 17-7-1897  to], [13] Mr The Honorable Mr. F.A. Nicholson [-acting 22-8-1898  to], Mr G.T. Mackenze   [11-7-1899  to ]. Mr. James Andrew  [19-11- 1904 to ].

C.M Agur and British Resident Mr J.C. Hannyngton : Out of his total  20 years of service at the British Resident's Office , Travancore, Trivandrum Mr Christian Masillamoni Agur, B.A,  as  Office Manager at the British Resident's Office , Mr Agur worked  for 8 years under the famous and historical Mullai Periyar Dam famous British Resident Mr J. C Hannyngton . Mr J.C .Hannyngton [Son of Major General John Caulfield Hannyngton] was a British Resident of Travancore and Cochin for 6 times.Sir Grant Duff the then Governor of Madras Presidency had a liking, confidence and respect  for Mr J.C Hannyngton and so Sir. Grant Duff, the then Governor of Madras state , appointed  Mr.JC Hannyngton as the Secretary of Madras State during Visakam Thirunal Maharaja of Travancore. In this connection it is better to trace precisely the history of Mullai Periyar Dam .On 29th October 1886 a lease indenture for 999 years was made between the Maharaja of Travancore Visakam Thirunal Rama Varma and the then British Secretary of State  for India for Irrigation works. The lease was signed by the Dewan of Travancore Mr V Ram Iyengar and Secretary of Madras State Mr J.C. Hannyngton [Hannyngton became the British Resident of Travancore. later].

                                                                   
                                                                 Mr. J. C. Hannyngton.
                                                             
Mr C. M Agur was a great historian well versed in the political and social history of  India , Great Britain and other countries and he  was well liked by the British Residents  including Mr J.C. Hannyngton. During those days. The British Residents wielded great influence and power and the Resident's Office was the real power center  of the States like Travancore and Cochin , etc, CM Agur's suggestion and advice to the British Residents were well respected by the British Residents  .That was the reason Mr Agur was given full freedom and encouragement to write the monumental book, Church History Of Travancore[Pages.1183 +, Madras,1903. ] We  can say that along with Mullai Periyar Dam Signatory Mr J.C. Hannyngton,  his Office Manager Mr CM Agur will also be remembered in history .C.M Agur acknowledges the encouragement and help rendered  by his Patron and Master J.C. Hannyngton  in the following words, "My kind patron and master late J.C. Hannyngton Esq, M.C.S, British Resident encouraged me and promised any assistance in his power towards this work"

Mr. Christian Masillamoni Agur and his famous cousins: C.M Agur's maternal Grandfather Mr Paramanandam Deacon  was also a very important person in Nageracoil Home Chuch and he was the first deacon of the Nagercoil Home Church. Mr. Paramanandam deacon's family was a highly educated, civilized, cross- cultural  and cosmopolitan family. C.M Agur's maternal cousins:  Mr J T .Ambrose,[ Ambrose was the maternal Grandfather of the great Pianist  Padmashree Handel Manuel ] , Mr Jonathab , Mr.Schaffter [Son of Mr A. Joseph Munshi and Mrs.Marthal Fanny  ],  Mr.Chinnathambi Peter, Mr Lamuel Peter , Mr Nallathmabi Peter and others and all of them were remarkable persons  in heir own fields. Mr.A.Joseph.Schaffter's daughter  Miss.Mercy Sonabai Schaffter, B.A,[Mother of Dr. Anand Chellappa ] was married to the famous Christian Medical Doctor Dr. Chellappa of Madurai [he was a formerly Chief Medical Officer at the CSI Hospital , Madurai; and it will be useful to refer  here that Dr. Chellappa was the brother of the first Indian CSI Bishop of Madras CSI Diocese Rt Rev David Chellappa.]. Mr. Jonathab  a maternal cousin of CM Agur was a great Violinist of global standard. Mrs Annabel Theoder Duraisamy was the daughter of Mr Jonathab's daughter Mrs. Mathiabaranam Christy[ Mrs Annabel 's husband  Rev Theoder Duraisamy was a famous Bishop in Singapore], like this Mr. C. M. Agur's cousins were remarkable persons in their respective fields.
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Mr. C. M. Agur and his  famous siblings: Mr. C.M.Agur was blessed with brothers and sisters and all of them were notable persons in their respective fields. But to high light some of them I would like to speak about  two persons namely ; Mr Ezra Masillamoni and Rao Sahib Dr.  Samuel  George Masillamoni.. Mr Ezra Masillamani  went to England for his higher Studies and did his B.A[ Geology ] at the famous Royal College of Science , South Kensington , London and  on his return to Travancore he was appointed as the State Geologist , Travancore Southern Division  by the Government of Travancore. Mr Ezra Masillamani was the printer of Mr CM Agur's book The Church History of Travancore, at the SPS Press, Vepery,  Madras in 1903.  Agur's another Brother Dr. Samuel George Masillamani was a Government Medical Doctor and he was working with the Government of Madras state and he was honored with the prestigious title RAO SAHIB  by the Government of Madras.

CM Agur's historical marriage  : After having worked for nearly 12 years Mr. C. M. Agur completed his epoch making book, "Church History of Travancore}[Pages 1183 +] in 1901 and it was printed at Madras and published in 1903. by Agur's brother Mr Ezra Masillamani, B.Sc[Royal College of  Science,London ] The writing and publication of his book was his primary concern and so  Mr C. M. Agur  did not think about his marriage earlier. but we can infer that there was a liking and attraction and mutual respect  between CM Agur and Miss Joanna Carlotta Mead even before their marriage .. So only in 1900 Mr CM Agur married Joanna Carollota Mead at Trivandrum [She was a daughter of Rev Charles Mead [Englishman ]and Mrs Lois Biddulph Mead [Tamil ] .Mrs. Joanna Carlotta Mead Agur worked as Music Mistress at the Government College for Girls, Trivandrum and she took keen interest in the Christ Church Choir[Trivandrum and she was the Organist at Christ Church,Palayam, Trivandrum . Moreover Mrs Joanna Carlotta Mead Agur provided many valuable records regarding Rev Charles Mead;s missionary work to CM Agur from the collection of  Rev Charles Mead.

Conclusion:  The great Church historian Mr C. M Agur, B.A, unfortunately died in 1904 following the publication of his monumental Book, Church History of Travancore in 1903. . Church History of Travancore has 3 parts namely[1]THE SYRIAN CHURCH [pages  1 to196], Part  II,  THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH [pages 197 to 422], Part III  THE PROTESTANT  CHURCH HISTORY OF TRAVANCORE [pages 423 to 1047] and Part IV   The CHRISTIAN LITERATURE & MONUMENTS [pages 1048 to1183 +  ]..At the death of Mr .Christian Masillamani Agur, an illustrious epoch of learning ,knowledge , legacy,  history and Christian Missionary zeal of  the pioneer Mylaudy Christians came to an end . The glorious history started in 1806  at Mylaudy  by Maharasan Vethamonickam came to an end in 1904 at Trivandrum . Mr. Christian Masillamani Agur's  mortal remains were buried at the Christ Church Cemetery , Trivandrum  along with his forefathers , Mr. John Palmer, Mr. Devavaram Biddulph , Mr Christian David and others.  But our CM Agur will live in the pages of his monumental Book , "Church History of Travancore" and also in the pages of the social , religious and political  History of India and world for ever. Really CM Agur was an outstanding personality.
By. P. BABU MANOHARAN, M.A, [ All Rights are reserved . This Article will be altered or modified later if needed ].

Superintendent of the LMS Paddy Fields,South Travancore and The Remarkable Son -in- law of Maharasan Vethamonickam, Mr Pakkianathan of Mylaudy

Introduction :No doubt Mr Pakkianathan of Mylaudy [ son-in- law of Maharasan Vethamonickam  of Mylaudy] was one of the outstanding personalities of Mylaudy and Kanyakumari District. and he was one of the first 30 thirty people baptized by Rev Ringel Taube in1807 at Myladudy. .His original name was Sivan and he was  baptized with a new christian name Pakkianathen. However as the original or the early records about the early Christians of Mylady  baptized by Mr Ringeltaube  are beyond our reach and trace ; it seems to be very  difficult to know the date birth and parental details of Mr Pakkianaathan and others.  .  He was really an extraordinary man of courage, conviction, negotiating skill, administration and piety. He remains as an unsung hero ; so this Article will try to unearth some salient qualities and accomplishments  of Mr.Packianathan of Mylaudy.

Mr. Pakkianathan received the Royal Grant 2nd from the Dewan of Travancore on behalf of  Mr Mead:  Rev Charles Mead made an appeal to  Her Highness  Ranee Parvathy Bai ,through the Resident Col Munro in 1818 stating that the feeding of the destitute and the poor connected with the LMS Mission, were affected owing to insufficient produce in the grants-fields and requested the Maharani to  reduce or relinquish the existing taxes. After consulting with the Resident , Maharani wanted to have some more clarification in this regard ;son the 21st of Vycausy 993,M.E[June 1818] relinquishing or making over to him [Misssion] for the anoobogam or en Mr Pakkianathan was invited to Quilon Cutchery as a Representative of Rev. Charles Mead ; to  give some explanation in this respect .Accordingly Mr Pakkianathan went to Quilon and gave explanation to the satisfaction of the authorities; as a result Her Highness Ranee Parvathy Bhye issued a neet or ROYAL GRANT to Mr Mead on the 21st of vycausy ,993 M.E[ june 1818]relinquishing  or making over to him for [the Mission ]anoobogam or enjoyment 99 1/10 cottahs and house tax and finally fixing the michavaram or Government due to a nominal tax of  1 cottah  the same one cottah to be paid to the Sircar in two instalments of half cottah for each crop.  This was really a  great accomplishment on the part of Mr. Pakkianathan of Mylaudy..[ Agur, C.H.T, p.696].
C.M.Agur writes [CHT p 698]  that the Native Assistant who was chiefly instrumental in making this successful representation to Government was Mr.Pakkianathan who rendered to Mr. Mead the same kind of assistance in this connection  as Vethamonickam did to Mr. Ringeltaube in the matter of the First Grant[1813]. When Pakkianathan mooted the subject Mr. Mead was unwilling to write to the Ranee through the British Resident , for the reason that the Sircar[Govt] had already made great sacrifices for the LMS Mission and that it would  not be reasonable to take undue advantage . Mr Mead said to Mr. Pakkainathan that  he would consider the subject if  Mr. Packainathan would bring a written statement showing  the valid reasons for the reduction of tax on the Grants- fields.. Accordingly  Mr. Packanathan proved the insufficiency of the produce for the maintenance of the poor Christian of the Mylaudy LMS Mission and Mr Mead was led to write on the Subject . The Grant was delivered by the Dewan into the hands of Mr Mead's Agent Mr Pakkianathan at Quilon. Definitely that was a historical incident, moment privilege and honor for Mr. Pakkianathan.

Mr Packianathan was made Manager of the secular affairs of the Mylaudy LMS Misssion:
Mr Pakkianathan was of  immense help to his father-in-law Mr Maharasan  Vethamonickam of Mylaudy and rendered very valuable service to the LMS Mission. So ,as Mr Palkianathan was a clever  Accountant and efficient Manager, he was appointed as the Manager of the Secular affairs of the Mylaudy LMS Mission. By giving eminent and efficient support  to his father-in-law Mr. Vethamonickam , he supported the LMS Mission . In fact Mr. Pakkianathan was the right hand to Mr Vethamonickam,  though in  religious matters sometimes there were some differences between them . But Mr Pakkianathan reformed his conduct and repented for his mistakes later. Mr Pakkianathan was not an Arm -Chair Manager or  Superintendent of the Mission paddy fields [located near Thamarakulam, Vellamadam, Puthukiramam , inAgastheeswaram Taluk, K.K Dist and other places] , rather he  directly supervised the cultivation of the  paddy fields and increased the produce and profit of the Mission Paddy fields.

Mr.Pakkianathan was appointed as the chief ministerial officer of the Nagercoil Court: The then Resident Col Munro appointed Mr Charles Mead as  Judge in the Nageroil Court in 1818. On assuming charge as the Judge of the Nagercoil Court in 1818  Mr Charles Mead, took steps to appoint some Christians in his own Court, accordingly Mr Charles Mead appointed Maharasan Vethamonickam's.son-in-law Mr Pakkianathan , as the Head Gomestha or the chief ministerial Officer of the Nagearcoil Court in the official rank of a Thahsildar.



                                                                                                                           
                                                                             
Mr Packianathan rode daily  on  Horseback and followed Mr Mead  to the Court :Mr. Charles Mead daily went to the Court in his Palanquin and his chief ministerial Officer Mr. Packainathan followed him to the Court daily riding on a majestic horse back. Mr Mead  was a champion of social justice and so he made this arrangement with the purpose of enhancing the image of the local converted Christians in the eyes of  the non Christians.

                                                                                                                            
The splendor of  Mr. Packianthan's march to the Court : In accordance  with Mr Charles Mead's express order  Mr Packianathan was asked to march and follow Mr Mead  to the Court with all the paraphernalia of a Thahsildar ; a boy  proceeded  Mr Packianathan, ringing a small bell announcing his approach and arrival  and two servants followed him holding a Chemboo [copper vessel] in tune with the customs of the day. The respectable and generous treatment Mr Mead accorded to the native Christian Community even at the very outset of his official career not only enhanced the social image of that particular individual but also the  total social image of the entire local Christians.  Mr CM.Agur writes, "This incident also shows how the good Missionary availed himself of every opportunity to raise the social position of his Christian converts.Mr. Pakkianthan's every day march to the court on a horse back with all the splendor invited the jealousy and envy of many people , and those enemies  planned and tried to kill Mr. Pakkianathan but as they were afraid of Mr Charles Mead, they did not execute their plan to kill Mr.Pakkianathan.

Pakkianaathan resigned his Court Job : As Rev Charles Mead wanted to give more time to missionary work he resigned his Judge Post . But Mr Mead asked  Mr. Pakkianathan to continue in his post but  Mr Pakkianathan  , on his own accord  resigned his post of chief ministerial Officer of the Nagercoil Court.After his resignation Mr Pakkianathan re-assumed his previous post ,Superintendent of  LMS Mission fields, South Travancore..

Mr. Pakkianathan's last days :.Mr. Pakkianathan spent his retired and old age life at Nagercoil . In his old age he became totally blind and it said whenever he groped in the streets of Nagercoil  leading to the Court Complex, his enemies who were jealous of him used to collect around him and mocked him by asking ," where is you horse?" But he used to reply them in a very sharp manner and shut their mocking mouths. He reminded them that even kings had  their reverses and told them that  there was  nothing to be surprised at the reversal of a poor man like him . In his old age he met his death like his forefathers with hope on eternity, [ His date of death and burial place are  not known . Mr. Maharasan  Vethamonickam had two daughters namely Pakkiayi and Anna ammal , and as  Mr Maharasan Vethamonickam's the eldest son-in -law Mr. Pakkianahan should have married Miss Pakkiayi out of Maharasan Vethamonickam's two daughters.]

Conclusion: We can write volumes about the glory of Malady  Vethamonickam's family  members including his smart son-in-law  Mr Pakkianathan   Mr. Pakkianaathan was a remarkable person and definitely  he was one among those early pioneers who laid the foundation for the establishment of Christianity  and educational and social awakening in South Travancore . Definitely his biography fills some significant chapters in the social , educational , cultural and Church history of Travancore  and India. Now Mr Pakkianathan lives in and above the fertile Mission  paddy fields of the  Kanyakumari C.S.I Diocese and in the pages of history.
By.P. BABU MANOHARAN. [ Rights reserved.   This Article will be modified, corrected  or altered later if needed]. 

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Unforgettable and Outstanding Visionary and Educationist Mr Christian David of Mylaudy. Part Final

There rose a need for an exclusive Church for Anglican Worship Service:   On 5th august , 1838 the first Protestant Church was built , and opened for worship under the initiative of Rev . Charles Mead, Col. Frazer and Rev John Cox at Cantonment , Trivandrum. It was mainly meant for the Europeans residing at Trivandrum subsequently Tamil Worship Service  for the natives began in this Church. The native Tamil worship service was started at Pattah and later shifted to Cantonment Church, where Rev Cox was conducting the English service. This Cantonment Church was known variously as the Trivandrum Protestant church, the Trivandrum Church and the Cantonment Chapel . Tamil and Malayalam services were held following the British Service . Since this Church Could not be appropriated for Anglican Divine Service, steps were taken to construct a new English Church [  Church of England ] at Trivandrum.

The Trivandrum Native Church and Mr Charles Mead and Mr Christian David: Mr Mead shifted to Trivandrum from Kanyakumari District in 1855, and he invited a number of  Christian families  from South Travancore [Kanyakumari district] to Trivandrum, and gave them employment in the various Government establishments under him .. Mr. Christian David  had been attending  the religious needs of the Tamil Christians in Trivandrum, for many years.. Really Christian David was a great Christian. Mr Charles Mead talked to the Chaplain and instituted regular Tamil service in the Chaplaincy and authorized Mr.Devavaram Biddulph [of Mylaudy ] and after him Mr.John Palmer [ of Mylaudy ] to conduct Tamil Services on every Sunday after the English service was over as successors of Mr Christian David. . Moreover Mr Mead took necessary initiative and steps to attach the Tamil Christians under his control to the Government Chaplaincy.

Mr. Christian David and  Rev. Charles Mead :   Mr. Charles Mead was made the first Superintendent of the Government District Schools and Vernacular Schools and also was made Superintendent of the Government Press at Trivandrum. From 1856 Mr Mead was a Member of the Government Museum Society. General Cullen transferred the Church of England Chaplaincy School to the control of Mr Charles Mead . Thus Mr Christian David  who was ably conducting the Church of England Chaplaincy School was placed under the administrative control of Mr Charles Mead. In his capacity as the Manager and Head  of the Chaplaincy School, Mr Charles Mead appointed the famous Tamil Christian Poet Mr. John Palmer [a cousin of Mr Christian David,] as an Assistant Teacher  in the Chaplaincy School.

Mr.Christian David and Christ  Church, Trivandrum :The foundation stone for the erection of a Church for the exclusive use of the members of the Church of England, was laid on the 13th December 1858, by General Cullen, the then British Resident , in the midst of a large gathering  of people , Christians and non- Christians; His Highness the First Prince Rama Varma[later he became Maharaja] too accidentally happened to be present on the occasion.A bottle with parchment containing the date of erection, the names of the leading officials in the State and full list of subscribers, European Christians headed by General Cullen , and native Christians  headed by Mr. Christian David was also deposited in the Foundation. The Church was consecrated on the 15th November 1859 by Bishop Dealtry under the name of Christ Church. Then on wards the members of the Church of England started to conduct their divine service at the Church , Trivandrum    Even today the Christ Church is considered as a historical monument in Trivandrum City. Christ Church in Trivandrum is not simply a Building but it is one of the most colorful and conspicuous social , political, religious and cultural monuments of  Trivnadrum and also it is a store house and source of many information and the history of Christ Church , Trivandrum fills some important chapters of the social, religious, educational and political history of Travancore.. It is really a great honor for the people of Mylaudy and South Travancore to learn that Mr Christian David's name had been deposited in the Foundation of  the historical Christ Church, Trivandrum. [Now this magnificent Christ Church , Trivandrum is an integral constituent of Madhya Kerala CSI Diocese.]




                           CHRIST CHURCH, PALAYAM, TRIVANDRUM [Built in 1859] 

Death of Christian David : Without rest Mr Christian David was working for the cause of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and  also for the cause of education and social justice . Physically he became very tired On the 14th April 1860 while attending a funeral, Mr Christian David was attacked by apoplexy and unexpectedly expired on the following day. On account of Mr Christian David's sudden death the Members of his Christian Congregation, friends and the  School boys of Chaplaincy English School, Trivandrum  were shocked with great grief and sorrow.

Conclusion :  Following the sudden death of Mr Christian David Mr. B. Comely was appointed as Church Clerk in his place, and also as Charge of the Chaplaincy English School; But soon the Chaplaincy  English School ceased to exist and by this time Government English District schools had been established . Tamil Service was taken up by Christian David's cousin Mr John Palmer. Mr.Christian David was a remarkable person. His life and services were linked and twined with the history of Protestant Church of Travancore. He was privileged to rub shoulders with Generals, British Residents, Great Missionaries,Government Officials, Intellectuals and so on..Mr. Christian David's glorious  travel from Mylaudy to Trivandtrum was a historical path flanked by many  proud and meaningful  milestones.
P. BABU MANOHARAN. [Rights reserved.- This article will be modified and altered later if needed.}

Unforgettable and Outstanding Visionary and Educationist Mr. Christian David of Mylaudy- Part I .

Introduction:  Mr Christian David of Mylaudy was one of the  remarkable personalities of  Kanyakumri district  has ever produced and definitely he was also one of the unsung heroes of our District. Like the Christian Poets Mr John Palmer and Devavaram Biddulph , Mr Christian David  was also a brilliant student of Rev Charles Mead at the famous Central L.M.S Seminary, Nagercoil. In July 1854 Mr Charles Mead did quit  Neyyoor  on account of his historical and sensitive third marriage with Lois Biddulph of Mylaudy, and lived at Mandakadu for sometime and then he was invited by his friend General Cullen the British Resident, Travancore State and the Travancore Government to Trivanddrum . So Charles Mead moved to Trivandrum with this family in 1855, and there he was made as the Superintendent of the Government  Press.. General Cullen transferred the Church of England Chaplaincy School to the management of Mr Charles Mead. and it is pertinent to remember here that  the  Chaplaincy School was a Brain Child of  Mr Christian David  of Mylaudy.

Christian David's Birth and Family Background: Mr. Christian David was born at Mylaudy  during the early decades of 19th century ,in the family of the great Mylaudy Maharasan Vethamnickm and  Mr. Christain David was one of the cousins of the great Christian Poet Mr John Palmer of Mylaudy.

Christian David  Was a First Batch Student in Nagercoil Central LMS Seminary:
Rev Charles Mead started his Central Seminary at Nagercoil in 1818 , and  he selected 10 smart and intelligent youths from Mylaudy and its neighboring villages and brought them with him to the Nagercoil Central  LMS Seminary established by him. The first batch of students selected from among the youths of Mylaudy were: Devavaram  , Moses , Christian David and three others.and also Mr.Munro [from Kurichi], Perinbanaygam [Kovilvilai], Satthianathan and Sivasoobramanian [Kottar] and a few others. Among this first batch of students more than half were from Mylaudy. After successfully having completed his studies at the Nagearcoil LMS Seminary, Mr Christian David worked as a Teacher in the LMS Central Seminary, Nagercoil, for a few years and afterwards he was sent to Trivandrum as Tamil  Munshi to Col. Campbell of the British Nayar Regiment.

Mr. Christian David and Government Press at Trivandrum  The LMS Press at Nagercoil  was started by Rev Charles Mead in 1820 at Nagercoil and that was the first Printing Press in the whole of Travancore State and one of the oldest Press in South India. The then ruler of Travancore state, Maharaja Swathi Thirunal  during his visit to Nagercoil ,was highly impressed by the LMS Printing Press at Nagercoil, an so he took necessary steps to establish a Printing Press at Trivandrum. In 1838 the Government of Travancore established a Printing Press at Trivandrum under Mr. Samathanam Maistry  of Mylaudy ,who was one of the first batch of workers trained in the Nagercoil LMS Printing Press. Now the Government Printng Press at Trivandum is called Government Central Press. The Government Press at Trivandrum was started with the help of material and workers from London Mission Society's [LMS] Printing Press,Nagercoil . Mr. Christian David worked as a  English Clerk in the Government Printing Press , Trivandrum..

Tamil Christian Population At Trivandrum :  The Tamil Christians who moved to Trivandrum on account of their jobs at the Government Press  and other Government offices and  the people who worked in the houses of  British officers, British Missionaries  and some others formed the Tamil Christian population at Trivandrum . And these  Tamil Christians were in need of a Church  to worship and conduct Christian divine services . Mr Mead  after having shifted to Trivandrum called a number of Christian families from the South [Kanyakumari District] and gave them work in the various government establishments under him.

The Formationof the Trivandrum native[Tamil} Congregation of the Church of England:
According to the great Church Historian  Mr. C. M . Agur ,it was in 1837  that the Tamil or the Native Congregation of the members of the Church of England was formed at Trivandrum.. When the Printing Press was started at Trivandrum at the initiative of the then Maharja of Travancore , the workers of the LMS Printing Press from Nagercoil were brought from Kanyakumaari district to Trivandrum and most of those Printing Press workers were Christians. Moreover almost all the domestic servants of the European officials who were residing at Trivandrum were  Tamil Christians. But these native Tamil Christian were not organized and there was no particular place to worship God. In this situation A well educated and respectable Native Member of the Church of England by name Mr Christian David who was working as English Clerk at the Government Printing Press, collected and organized all the scattered native Tamil Christians together and began to conduct regular Christian meetings for divine service in his own home at Trivandrum. Then Mr Christian David was working as Tamil Mushi to Capt.R. N. Campbell; and at that time Captain Campbell was working as Commandant Nayar Brigade. It was Col R.N. Campbell who brought  the name Mr. Christian David to the kind attention and knowledge of the Chaplain Mr. Shortland and the then British Resident Col Frazer. Col Frazer and his brother-in-law Lieut. Stephenson were deeply and greatly interested in the affairs of the Native Christian Congregation. Mr Christian David was authorized by the British resident  Col. Frazer to conduct Divine service [Worship service] on Sundays in the old Church[Cantonment Church] .Since then Worship Services were regularly conducted in the Tamil Language on every Sunday and the Chaplains when they paid monthly visits to the out-stations of Trivandrum, administered the Holy Sacraments of the Lord's Supper to the native Church congregation together with the English Congregation.

Establishment of a Preliminary English School at Trivandrum[Chaplaincy school] for Tamil Christians by the suggestion of  Christian David: Mr Christian David was a great educationist and man of vision.  At the suggestion of Mr Christian David the then Chaplain Revd. Rowlandson  opened a Preliminary English School attached to the Chaplaincy and appointed Mr Christian David as School Master to conduct the  Chaplaincy School in addition to his other duties as Church Clerk.. The Chaplaincy School at Cantonment, Trivandrum started by the idea of Mr Christian David  thrived and progressed  with the aid and help  of the British Resident General Cullen and other Gentlemen. And quickly  this Chaplaincy School progressed as an important educational institution and was  the feeding School  to H.H. Maharaja's free School [ Mr. Roberts the Headmaster of Nagercoil LMS Seminary  started the free School at Trivandrum at the invitation of the Maharaja of Trvancore and later it was taken by the Government and this Free School developed into Maharaja's College and today it called as University College, Trivandrum].  At first the Chaplaincy School was under the management of the successive  British Chaplains and for sometime under the inspection of the Revd Charles Mead, as the School progressed Mr Charles Mead appointed Mr . John Palmer as an Assistant Master in 1856.
BY P. BABU MANOHARAN, M.A, [Rights reserved, This Article will be altered or modified if needed later . Part  Final will follow soon].