English Tombs and Monuments 

 * in Beneoolen* 



By C. J. Brooks. 



(Wits three plates). 



Beneoolen, as an early English settlement in the East, may 

 lay claim to more than passing interest from the historian of 

 English pioneer colonisation, and to the naturalist, as a centre 

 where early researches were made, in a country of which the fauna 

 and flora are but still incompletely known, and whose vast forests 

 are yet unexplored. 



It was in connection with the latter that the writer's atten- 

 tion was drawn to the old English tombs in Beneoolen while seeking 

 the burial place of Joseph Arnold, the discoverer of the Rafflesia, 

 and that of William Jack, the author of Malayan Miscellanies, both 

 were presumably buried there 1 . Xeither can be located, possibly 

 they are among the majority whose tombs bear no inscription, 

 together with Sir T. S. Raffles' son and Capt. Auber, both men- 

 tioned in Jack's letters to Wallich as dying during this period in 

 Beneoolen-, while that of Jn. Lancaster, Surgeon 3 , is in evidence. 



They may however rest in some forgotten spot, perhaps ad- 

 joining the old Residency, where ever it was, for interments were 

 not confined to the burial ground, although in existence at the 

 time, and the earliest inscribed grave bears the date 1775, but are 

 somewhat scattered at least those of the governing class. For 

 instance Capt. Hamilton's tomb is even now on the outskirts of 

 the town while others are in Fort Marlboro, and the site of Governor 

 Watts' is unknown. 



In this record it has been assumed that old tombs bearing no 

 inscription belong to the period under consideration, at the same 

 time it must be admitted there is little justification for doing so; 

 in either case it is difficult to understand why so many tombs bear 

 no inscription, 46 in a total of 73. In nearly every instance a 

 recess exists for, the insertion of a tablet, possibly some have been 

 stolen, but in many cases the sides are so smooth that it is unlikely 

 one was ever inserted. 



Magnificent casuarinas and crotons give a picturesque effect, 

 and lend a solemn shade during the hot hours of the day. The tombs 

 are well tended as far as the removal of vegetation and whitewash- 

 ing is concerned, many show large cracks in the masonry probably 



\ Jack's letters to Wallich, vide introduction This Journal No. 73 



page 147 and 239 



2 „ ,, ,, ... ... ... „ 234 



3 „ ,, „ ... ... 237 



Jour. Straits Branch R. A. Soc, No. 78. 



