Letters Fredrick Curtis hayward to mother and brother from India 1828 to death in 1831
To Mother from Plassy Nov 1828: Sorry didn’t write from Calcutta, have been unwell and busy with joining regiment. Going upriver on Budgerow with cadets.Plassy is about 2 days journey from Berhamapore where Mr Nisbet is currently. Mr Nisbet has been very kind and I like him a lot. Life in India: up at dawn and ride out, back for breakfast at 9, then duties to 2 rest till 5 then to the course at Calcutta home at 7 for dinner bed at 9. Was introduced with Harry and Anne to Lady Bentinck and dined there during which was introduced to the Governor-General. Have applied to be posted to 37th as they are based at Kurnaul the 2nd highest station in India and the present interpreter Hampton informs me that he has not stamona and there is no one to take his place. The budgerow is a pleasant boat with two cabins. It is towed up by men from the shore. I am travelling with Philpott who is also going to Benares, although he isn’t much of a companion. Because of this am more inclined to study the language. I am fond of Hindostani and may apply to do the interpreter exams. I always go in the evening to talk with the villagers. Happy to say no big money worries, but £100 was not much for such a journey. The expenses of the regiment are very great. Pay is 204 rups a month about £20. N says can get good horse for £40. When get to Benares will need: I bearer to dress me and keep clothes an abilyman to wait at table, a dhobie or washerwoman, a tailor an man to sweep the room one to do dishes, 2 grooms and a grap cutter. Each is paid about 5 rps a month. I will not be able to get one to catch insects as this is against caste. I hope Elisabeth got my letter which I posted from Madras.
Writing to his brother John in October 1929 he says has been ill and stuck in Futtenghur 250 miles from Furnal. The doctors have been giving him quinine. He still doesn't like India and wished John could give up Harley St and the bar and visit for a time. Complains that the General wants to change the uniform at great expense.
To Curtis JCH from Futtenhghur Oct 1829. Have received letters sent in April form Elizabeth and Curtis. Getting stonger after a short but severe illness…….General adams commanding the division is popular as is Colonel Gale the commander of the 37th. There are bungalows available for 1900 rps which is considered cheap. I may buy a share if I had the money as the regiment will be at Kurnaul for another 2 years. Being ordered to get new uniforms for when Lord Dalhouse arrives. Talks of catching insects (a shared interest with Curtis)
India does not improve with closer acquaintance and am afraid that the climate is not suited to my constitution. I would love you to come and visit your solitary brother. My crying will render this letter illegible (it did in part). Will write to Elizabeth and Fanny.
Kurnaul June 1830 to JCH. Descibes officers discusses cost of postage. Does not like officers except Salter. Hopes Winstone has settled at Exeter College. Had letter from Mr Marriott via Miss Nisbet. Finds military life dull and tedious. Salter has lost most of his wife’s fortune as his agent Palmer has failed in Calcutta. Has learnt to swim ans collected many insects but not much else to show for 5 years out here.
To Curtis Furnaul March 22nd 1831. Sorry not to write, not because not thinking of England. India is vile but would dearly love you to fly over and visit. Going to make a trip to Nahul in the mountains N of Furnaul. After we take in the fine scenery there we may go on to Simla. I will go through the foothills of the mountains through Kadeh Dhoon Deyrah to Mulpoorie, may go to the Hundwer fair, but realised it wasn’t this year. Travelling with Salter & Cookson Captain in 2nd cavalry. Really like Salter, of all the hundreds of characters have been thrown together with since left the mfs of Ely there are few would like to see again. If salter were less senior to me or my pay were doubled it would be very satisfying. The other officers are too Jovial. There is no formal ettiquette in the Corps but as there are only 3 above me in the army now I may be moved to another corps as 4th Ensign. I don’t care much for promotion as it will never come to much. Hope salter will teach me to sketch and will try to include them in this journal. We go through the best shooting country in India Kardeh Dhoon has elephants tigers, black partridge and other game. Kurnaul is barren and rugged but with a good climate, no periodic rains just showers. Can be very cold in the NE corner of Kunawar the ink froze at 10am in November. Lord Dalhousie says good to let officers into the hills when there is not much going on.
Mustaphabad April 6th 3 marches from Kurnaul and the same from Nahul, Place could have been named after Babi Mustapha the cobbler in Ali Baba and the 40 thieves. Writing with ink substitute as supplies haven’t yet arrived.
Can see summit of Chor a huge mountain in front of us whose height is more than 12 000 ft. After much annoyance and work packing up the bird and insect establishments left Kurnaul at 5am on 4th April, Arrived at 10am after getting lost and travelling 22 miles rather than 14.S & C joined me at Indree about 2pm went to explore town, coolish from the rain. In the land of the Sikhs who consume opium rather than tobacco. Need to cut opium poppies before the sun rises.
April 8th Morgeerund Very beautiful country hills about size of Malverns
April 13th Nahur Had bilious attack while fishing . Following day saw double and was advised to take camomile. Better the next day..
April 28th Kardeh Doon right bank of Jumna, very hot 110 under table. On my own again as Salter has gone on towards Simla and I to Mussoorie. Large palace built at Nahur by Rajah after Gurka invasion had destroyed previous palace in 1815 Rajah placed on throne by David Ocherlochy. Rajah came out on an elephant to greet Salter. Invited to Durbar, thought caps of corps very comical.
Fished in lake but got very bad headache and toothache,
Saw large snake in hills on way to Meypoorie. Camel fell on his gun. On arriving at Anne’s bungalow found litte Anne ill, but she recovered in a couple of days. Have collected many insects. 37th may stay in Kurnaul as may have to saccompany an embassy to Rajah Bunget Singh in Punjab. Bunget Sigh probably wont fight the British as his corps are staffed by mostly French pfficers so would be a formidable foe.
At Kurnani on 20th Novenber 1831 after a short but severe illness, which he endured with fortitude and resignation, Ensign FT Curtis Hayward of 29th Regiment Native Infantry aged 22 years; deeply and deservedly regretted by his friends and all who knew him.
At first appeared to be a slight fever. He had been playing on the racquet courts when he complained of a headache, he improved from the 15th but took a turn for the worse on the 20th, and his extremities became cold.
1809 - 1831 (22 years)