Each snippet of information is like a piece from an enormous jigsaw puzzle and each of those pieces has a place, though that might not seem significant at the time. Answers can take a while to find and sometimes it means we are digging around an answer for clues but I do understand the frustration in the interim.

This is truely fascinating, Shizara. Although I can see where deciphering these writings may at times present some confusion.
' It certainly appears that cholera claimed quite a few of them including the husband of Noorjah Begum, Mr McBean.

E. McBean says in her letter to Noorjah that she was also a widow and with 5 children to raise. She gives a name, presumably the youngest. Kitty Lee, who at the time was 6 years of age and the letter appeared to be written in 1823'

I'm wondering if Mr McBean is not Noorjar's husband but that of her sister E.McBean and the relationship is infered by a title of 'sister-in-law' as we would now describe some one. It would be helpful to see if anywhere there are actual names for the children other than Noorjar and this young son ' Durwood' etc
Does it say what James died from and the actual date, What he asks to done with his mortal remains etc? This is just amazing.

Amazing, fascinating and intriguing. I am seeing a story unravel before my eyes. Am just having a break from trying to decipher. There are a lot of Indian names in the will and I am looking things up as I go to try and figure out what they might be. Amongst the Indian names in the will seem to be same Indian names for the children.

At first I read through the document and picked up bits of detail but finding it more productive to read / transcribe / research in the order that the information appears. It takes longer but you get a much more indepth picture of what is going on.

A question I can answer from the letters is that Noorjah Begam is the sister of E. McBean. Finding out her proper name is a challenge, but am reckoning on it being out there somewhere. Also, until I find any evidence to the contrary am considering the likelihood that E. McBean is her sister rather than sister-in-law, but am happy to change that if I find evidence that supports it.

As for the cause of death for Lieut-Col James Dalrymple, the will doesn't say and neither does it say what his will was for his remains though I daresay, by the time I finish transcribing there may well be a few clues that will enable us to search further.

- Exciting stuff this is.

Oh gosh- you must have eye ache by now. I have been trawling through the BACS for India- I thinks that's what it's called. It is a list of all decipherable inscriptions for Army graves and monuments in INdia. The only Dalrymples I have found are:-
St John's Church on the Black Hole Memorial- ' Dalrymple ???AIR, Died June 1756 at Fort William, Calcutta'
At St Paul's Cathedral on the Dalrymple Monument 3 entries:-
Jessie
Richard Died 1/05/1894 Born 1820
Charlotte Helen Died 8/03/1883 Born 1826
I did find the Lieut.Col.James Kirkpatrick mentioned in William Dalrymple's writings.
It all makes me think that James may have written this when in reasonabley good health by way of getting his house in order in preparation for his death when ever that may be. I think I read he wrote it when in Hyder ALi when held captive or was that a letter to his Mother? Yes, I think it was the latter but still there is this sense of him realising the need to make provision for with out it, I can't help wondering what may have become of his family
It makes me also wonder how the Will made its way to England or rather scotland? How and when the children eventually ended up there as the Will indicates they were educated in Madras? The Will is giving so much info and then so many more questions following on. Oh my , it is exciting, I am so intrigued.
I quickly looked at Muslim boys names- all of the variants you have proposed are possibilities.
Da'wud- name of a prophet, Daud, or Dawud- means beloved- the name of the prophet David, Dawid means Prince and Dawoud is also a prophet's name.
Following on from the fact the Will isn't dated other than I assume it says 1800? Being suspicious again-What if James didn't actually die then but this was 'an incase and in readiness' document?I found an entry for a death in The India Office at BL for lieut.Col James Dalrymple H.M.'s 30th Regiment 09/01/1829 in Madras. no ref just source edition 2. Food for thought.

This makes interesting, but sad reading. It gives us a bit more understanding on how things were in those times.

A tale of doomed love| Showbiz | This is London

I see mention of Kitty Kirkpatrick.

Yes, this must be the Lieut.Col. James Kirkpatrick's MI I found. Except, Its not 'our kitty' but another one because if she was only 6yrs at the time of the letter, its got to be a different one. I'm being dim of course - its a different Kitty.
Just letting you know that 'The swine Flu in' - I'm at home with some of the symptoms, one of which is fuddleness which if you're already of the same pursuasion doesn't help. The symptoms are really very mild so I should (God willing) make a full recovery without Tamiflu/Relenza !

The "Kitty" in that url is Katherine Aurora .. whereas the "Kitty" that we are looking for is Kitty Lee.

There is likely a lot more out there with swine flu. Many will continue to go to work because they will be clobbered with attendance procedures when they return. A nasty procedure that companies abuse. It is meant to pick up patterns in absenteeism not clobber the genuinely ill and make them feel guilty for having an unacceptable attendance record and causing inconvenience to the company, customers, work associates etc etc.

Make the most of your time off to rest and take care of yourself... and watch this space of course.

Thank you Shizara, I am watching with baited breath, As for the swine Flu, The Regional Big Boss based at our place saw me looking 'green around the gills' as I'd just vomited. She drove me home and we go from there. I was only vomiting at that point, I managed not to do so in her car! My car is stillthere 30 miles away.The other symptoms set in later that day- yesterday.(Freezing chills, temperature, diarrhoea, cough with upper back pain, tiredness,fuddledness loss of appetite) Strangely enough, I feel better this evening and am supposed to be at work tomorrow but I'll stay off to get rid of the whole lot.Fuddlesness seems to reign supreme, no headache maybe just a dull ache now and again- did have a daggers in the head 15 minutes this morning but I have to say this is really mild for flu. I've had seasonal flu when I was 17, I saw 'things' felt I was dying and actually thought (momentarily) if i was to, 'Hurry up'!!!

Crikey, I hope by today you are showing signs of improvement. Flu, by any name, is nasty to have.

A bit of reading for you. I suggest you make yourself a drink and settle back. It has a lot of detail in it and whilst it doesn't contain information on Lieut-Col James Dalrymple it has a considerable amount of background on his ancestry including the fact that he had more brothers and sisters than we seem to know about.

Dalrymple

Have done a little more on the transcribing this morning. One of the things that surprised me is the leaving of his house to his friend rather than Mooti, but perhaps as I continue on it will make more sense.

Clearly not short of money he also left his servants provided for. Leaving 3 months wages to all of them and 500 Star Pagodas to his principle servant as a reward for his long service. - I have added a note regarding Star Pagodas on the transcription.

Once I have finished and you have both the documents and the transcription it should make reading easier.

Crumbs Shizara, I read about Star Pagodas yesterday. (Mal varagama in Sinhala)
In 1796 the xchange rate for them was 1 star pagoda against 45 fanams and in 1819 1 star pagoda was worth 8 shillings. In 1999 2 coins were sold on EBAY? How much.
I've been thinking about why James didn't give his house to Moti and maybe which might become apparent later, if she was from a royal family herself, she would have her own income etc. If he described her as his 'domestic' perhaps being ' kept' was not deemed respectable and that was his way of preserving her status, dignity etc. Perhaps if he had undergone a muslim marriage that was not recognised and so he had to refer to her as such for his British relatives. It is exciting though.
I'm alot better Thanks but getting cabin fever now

Hello Shizara, I've talked to my Mum about all of this - she's equally gobsmacked. Her Granny never said anything. Anyway, having had no response from the India Archives email I constructed a letter which Mum endorsed hoping they might reply. Thier website is rubbish and the email address is doubtful. Who knows!!!! Anyway, I do think the way forward is through India. I think this is where William Dalrymple (author) has found his sources even though we have found them to be slightly wrong. I still think as it is reported that 1 in 3 men married an Indian woman who was usually Muslim, that man usually converted to Islam. I know from readings that only significant people's Muslim marriages would have been recorded. James as the son of The Earl of Stair is certainly significant but Moti- if she was a daughter of a Nawab would be as well. Fingers crossed-God Willing.

Have finished transcribing the Will and am just trying to find a full name for some initials then I will put it with the other things for you.

You're getting good at the detective work and your Mum's mind must be absolutely buzzing each time you leave her with gems of information.

It is seldom an easy ride to finding answers but each positive answer makes the hunt more furtive.

Hello Shizara, the somewhere thingy is not happening. Its decided to not work. Any ideas?
I've done it- Its quite an amazing jigsaw puzzle- so many names etc.What now? I'm shocked. Need to know the Watson mystery. Perhaps Mrs Murray's school records hold the answer except I don't think they'll be available any more. I can't find the School as I've been trawling through. It was the practice of the time to open a school and this was without regulation. Many people did it. I saw at The NAS that Leveson Murray wrote 2 letters from Madras I think about schools but to a Mrs Mckenzie I think it was. Will have to check that again. So Noorjar and Durood are the eldest and youngest. The Watsons are in beween them? twins? Why are they referred to as Watson? It is so strange.So does this mean the Watson girl child grew up to be McBean? Why does James refer to his sister ' Hon mrs Murray' when he himself is not seen as Sir? There's so much to this. If she is Hon. then he would be Sir. The Hon. doesn't come from her husband as he would then be a Sir and she would be Lady.
Nas ref RH2/8/23 1765-1811 may be a good read!!! Thank you again Shizara.
Rootschatter KirstyG has said Shaha Zadah may mean son of a king. ' Shah is persian for King/Ruler
Zadah is Son ' she's going to confirm it later. Infact from the little I read on Wikepaedia about shah etc. it is a term used for the males of a rulers bloodline- thier descendants. If this is the case it seems to confirm Moti's royal descent.
I've also been thinking more about James' bequest to Moti. It is infact a rather subtle way of making his family acknowledge her throughout her life and thiers because they will have to ensure the payments to her of the star pagodas. It is a nominal payment in the light she was his wife. I also do think I may be right as to why he didn't leave the house to her but I stand to be corrected.
I had another influx of logic. If James has made bequests in SPs and Stirling, the reasons are staring us in the face. SPs were paid to those who were living in India or going between Scotland and India at least and Stirling paid to those who remain in Scotland. Perhaps a closer search of passenger lists or immigration may help follow movements? The trouble is I don't know how far back they do go.

Just got a reply from the lovely Librarian at Palmerston North in response to my Thanks for todays's package. I asked her if there were any records as to where GSWD is buried. She replied in Masterton but unsure where but will help to look. She gave me a link which should have photos of him but I do not seem to be able to get them to work- hey ho- carry on. Its fabulous with all of these people so interested and helping. See Wairarapa Archive Wairarapa Archive