The English Engineer and Architect who built the Famous Pechipparai Dam in Kanyakumari District Free-mason Mr. Humphrey Alexander Minchin, C.E.[ 1868---1913]. PART... A.

Introduction:  English Engineer Humphrey Alexander Minchin was the engineer who built the iconic and magnificent and food feeding Pechipparai Dam in kanyakumari district during the period 1897-1906.  Pechipparai Dam and the Pechipparai Reservoir together play a motherly role for the cause of the people of Kanyakumari District; it irrigates thousands of acres of paddy fields in the district and quench the thirst of the people who live in Kanyakumari district and its surrounding areas and thereby plays a commanding role for the economic development and progress of Kanyakuamari District. Er. Humprey Alexander Minchin is rarely remembered by the contemporary citizens of Kanyakumari District. Definitely we are bound to recollect the life history of Er Humphrey Alexander Minchin with great gratitude and celebrate his birthday [ 3rd October] with joy, every year as a mark of our respect and gratitude to him. We cannot think of Kanyakuamri District without the Pechipparai Dam and Pechipparai Reservoir. 

                                                                                                                                             Mr. Humphrey Alexander Minchin, C.E.

                        

                                           ALVERSTOKE  VILLAGE, ENGLAND                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Er. H.A. Minchin's Grandparents:    Er. Humphrey Alexander Minchin was a scion of an illustrious and educated English family from England Er. Humphrey Alexander Minchin's paternal grandfather Mr James Minchin, B.A, M.A. was born on the 1st of October 1791 at Alverstoke village, Gosport, Hampshire, England. Mr. James Minchin began his collegiate education at Winchester College, Hampshire, England, and pursued his U.G. Degree course at the famous Trinity College, Cambridge University, England  and graduated in 1813 with a Bachelor of Arts degree[ B.A] He pursued his Postgraduate studies at the same Trinity College Cambridge University and passed Master of Arts degree [M.A}  He studied Law and served as a  Barister at Law As there were promising  opportunities for the England educated Barristers in India Mr. James Minchin, M.A moved to Madras in India and held the office of Master of the Supreme Cort in Madras, Mr. James Minchin's career as a Master of the Supreme court in Madras, India, reflects his significant contributions to the legal filed in India. Mr. James Minchin married Ms Jessie Innes in 1816. and she died in 1819 in Essex, England.  So, Mr James Minchin married Ms Susan Mary Cherry, daughter of Mr Peter Cherry on 18th of October 1821 and this couple gave birth to 11 children; [1]Susan Jessie Minchin [1823-1888], [2] James Innes Minchin [1825--1903], [3] Frederick Morris Minchin[ 1826- 1852], [4 ] Caroline Bracken Minchin[ 1828- 1829], [5] Lt. Gen. Charles Cherry Minchin [1829-1899], [6] Rosa Minchin[ 1831-1884], [7]  Rev. Harry Holdsworth Minchin[ 1832--1904], [8] Marion Smithson Minchin[[1834-], [9] John William Minchin [ 9th October 1836-- 1904], and he is the hero of this Blogspot, [10] Sara Eliza Minchin [ 1838-- 1856] and [11] Francis Cotton Minchin [ 1842-- 1912]. 

                   ST. MARY'S CHURCH AT ILLMINSTER, SOMERSET, ENGLAND

                                      St Paul's Street, Tiverton, Devon, and St Pul's Church 

Er. H.A. Minchin's Parents and His Birth:  Mr. James Minchin and Mrs Susan Mary Cherry couple gave birth to Mr John William Minchin on the 9th of October 1830.  Mr John William Minchin grew up in Madras, but he had the privilege to pursue his education in England as a pupil in Llminster town Somerset, England. After having successfully completed his education in England, he returned to India and started his own Coffee Plantation at Clovelly in Ootacamund. Mr John William Minchin thrived as a flourishing Coffee Planter and Businessman. Coffee became a hot property and Mr John William Minchin enjoyed the benefits of being an Indian Coffee business tycoon.   Mr. John William Minchin and Ms Julie Katherine Hill obtained a Marriage License on 7th of October,1867 at Tiverton Devon England.  Subsequently Mr John William Minchin married Ms Julie Katherine Hill at St. Pauls Church, Tiverton and this marriage was solemnised by the Revd. Aleander Dallas, Rector of Wanstow, and grandfather of the bride Ms Julie Katherine Hill. Mr. John William Minchin and Mrs Julie Katherine Hill couple gave birth to Mr Humphrey Alexander Minchin on 3rd of October 1868 at  Ootacamund, India. Mr A.H. Minchin was Christened on the 24th of October 1868 at Ootacamund. 

NEXT PART WILL FOLLOW SOON.

By. P. Babu Manoharan, M.A[ All rights are reserved. This Blogpost will be enlarged, modified or corrected later if needed].