Robert Atherton (civil servant)

Robert Atherton CCS, JP (1801 – 1855) was a 19th-century British colonial official in British Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka) for more than 25 years. After a distinguished career in the Royal Navy, he held various administrative and judicial roles in the Northern Province from 1825 until 1835. He was appointed as Assistant to the Government Agent, Eastern Province, in 1835, 1839, and 1845; Assistant to the Government Agent, Northern Province, in 1836, and acted as District Judge, Batticaloa in 1841, and Justice of the Peace (JP), Eastern Province (1848–1855).

Early life

Robert Atherton was born in Walton on the Hill, Liverpool on 8 December 1801, the fourth son of Colonel John Joseph Atherton (1761–1809), Second Lancashire Regiment of Fencible Light Dragoons, of Walton Hall, Liverpool and of Street Court, Herefordshire.

His mother was Marianne Mitford (1777-1856), the eldest daughter of Bertram Mitford (1748-1800) of Mitford Old Manor House.

Atherton was christened in Walton on the Hill, Liverpool a year after his birth on 17 December 1802. His ancient paternal family home, Walton Hall, Liverpool was sold two years later after multiple generations of occupancy. Street Court, a manor in Kingsland, Herefordshire became his new home in a rural setting. Shortly before his eighth birthday, his military father died.

When coming of age, Atherton did not purchase his commission as an officer in his father's regiment, instead he joined the Royal Navy, in the footsteps of his elder brother, Bertram Mitford Atherton (1800-1858).

Royal Navy Career

Atherton served in the Royal Navy under Captain Frederick Marryat on board the HMS Larne(1814), a 20-gun sixth rate small warship in the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–1825).

Frederick Marryat by John Simpson

As an acting purser, Atherton was the officer responsible for all administrative duties, including HMS Larne’s supplies, such as food and drink, clothing, bedding and candles. Pursers received no payout and were entitled to profits made through their business activities.

At the beginning of 1825, under the command of Sir Archibald Campbell and Captain Henry Ducie Chads, Atherton was involved with the preparations for the advance on Ava, located in Mandalay Region, Burma, involving the joint crews of the HMS Arachne (1809), HMS Larne, and HMS Sophie (1809), which included a detachment of 237 men. On the 11th January, the troops, under Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Goodall Elrington (1776—1845), of the 47th (Lancashire) Regiment of Foot, embarked on board two divisions of gunboats, commanded by Captain G. T. Finnucane, of the 14th regiment, and Lieutenant Joseph H. Rouband, of the Bombay Marine, with the objective of driving the enemy from the old Portuguese fort and the pagoda of Syriam.

The detachment including Atherton landed under the fort of Syriam, and found the bridge across the nullah removed: to make another, with planks sent for the occasion, provided the Royal Navy an opportunity of displaying their usual activity, skill, and steady courage. On this point the enemy kept up a heavy and well-directed fire, by which nearly 30 men were killed and wounded, including among the latter Atherton, acting purser of HMS Larne, and five sailors. In a few minutes, however, the bridge was laid, by the blue jackets swimming across with the planks; two of the gun-boats were also brought up the creek. On the soldiers gaining the opposite bank, and rushing upon the works, the enemy instantly fled, although the place was as strong as considerable art and indefatigable labour could render it, and was capable of making a most formidable resistance. Four guns were found in the fort, and upwards of twenty swivels.

During the attack of the Syriam pagoda the next morning, “the sailors assisted in manning the scaling ladders, and Lieutenant Keele was the first person over” the stockade at the foot of the edifice: here ended the military operations, for the enemy made no further resistance, and parties were immediately formed to bum and destroy the works. Lieutenant Keele reported in the highest terms the steady bravery and good conduct of Lieutenants Thomas Fraser and Bazely; Messrs. Lett, Coyde, Michell, Cranley, and Scott, midshipmen; Atherton, and of every man attached to the flotilla. One occurrence we feel it but justice to name, as shewing a truly British spirit. A soldier, in crossing the bridge, fell overboard and would have been drowned, but for the gallantry and humanity of Mr. Scott, who instantly jumped after him, under the enemy’s heavy fire, and was himself exhausted when brought on shore.

On the 26 March, Atherton’s ship, HMS Larne weighed and dropped down to Naputtah, which had accepted British protection. On the 27 March, Captain Marryat received information, that the guns belonging to the deserted stockades were at the town of Thingang, situated up a branch of the river leading to Rangoon; that 150 Naputtah men were detained there, to be forwarded to Danubyu; and that the enemy’s force consisted of 800 men.

On the morning of the 28 March, Captain Marryat proceeded against Thingang, at the head of fifty seamen and marines, twelve sepoys, and fifty villagers whom he had prevailed upon to fight against the Burmese, and armed with swords and spears. At 3 p.m., while forming for the attack, a canoe came off, with intelligence that the enemy did not wish to fight, and would submit to his terms: these were, that all arms should be surrendered, the Naputtah men to be provided with canoes to return to their homes, and the Wongee of the town placed at his disposal. This personage being one of General Maha Bandula’s principal chiefs, who had commanded 1000 men at the attack of Rangoon, and been invested with the gold chattah chief was brought away as a prisoner. On the night of the 30 March, the same force was sent, under Lieutenant Fraser, to surprise the village of Pumkayi, where the enemy were stated to be 300 strong, and commanded by another gold chattah chief. The attack was successful; the Burmese submitted to the same terms as at Thingang; and the Wongee, who had fled into the jungle, was followed and taken by the Naputtah men, who, in consequence of their former good conduct, were now entrusted with muskets. A party of 100 men, the only force that remained between Cape Negrais and Bassein, subsequently sent in their submission. Previous to their separation, Captain Marryat received Major Robert Sale’s “sincere thanks for his valuable and cordial cooperation.” The conduct of Lieutenant Fraser, Mr. Atherton, and Messrs. Dewes and Norcock, midshipmen, was reported to Captain Thomas Alexander in terms of high commendation.

Atherton was honourably mentioned for bravery in Captain Marryat's despatches. He was also honourably mentioned in both the despatches of Captain Thomas Alexander and Captain Henry Ducie Chads, who both served as commanders of HMS Alligator (1821).

British forces launch an amphibious assault on Rangoon in May 1824

Having been wounded multiple times, Atherton was discharged from the Royal Navy during 1825 in British Ceylon.

Ceylon Civil Service (C.C.S) Career

1825-1835

During his early years on the island Atherton served in the Ceylon Rifles. As a commissioned officer in the Ceylon Civil Service, he initially performed the duties of District officer. He is recorded to have held the appointment of Superintendent of Stud, Sitting Magistrate, and Fiscal of Delft from 5 December 1825. While holding the appointment of Superintendent of Delft Island, he married at Kayts, on 24 April 1826. During 1828 he was commissioner of Jaffnapatam. Atherton went on to serve as the Assistant Collector of Customs, Jaffna from 1 January 1831. These roles ceased in 1833.

A map of Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

In 1833 the Colebrooke-Cameron Commission created the Legislative Council of Ceylon, the first step towards a representative government on the island. Initially it consisted of 16 members: the British Governor, the five appointed members of the Executive Council of Ceylon (the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney General, the Auditor-General, the Treasurer and the General Officer Commanding), four other government officials (including the Government Agents of the Western and Central provinces) and six appointed unofficial members (three Europeans, one Sinhalese, one Tamil and one Burgher). Atherton was one of the first Acting Government Agents m(A.G.A.) to be appointed by the Governor.

In 1835 in a judicial capacity, Atherton is notable, in a historical setting, for outlining elements of the legal system of British Ceylon. His legal publication of 1835 was titled “Thasawalamy”, which acknowledged the laws and customs of the Malabars of Jaffna. Further research in the 1890’s stated that these ancient laws researched by Atherton in the 1830’s were previously promulgated by the Dutch Colonial government of Ceylon and referred to as Tésawalamai.

1835-1845

Although Atherton was initially based in the Northern Province, from 1835 he performed the role of Acting Government Agent in the Eastern Province, relocating with his family to Batticaloa.

He returned to the Northern Province the following year, before making Batticaloa his primary residence. He became the Assistant to the Government Agent, Eastern Province from 1 November 1835; Assistant to the Government Agent in the Northern Province from 1 March 1836.

In February 1839 he was appointed once again as the Assistant Government Agent Eastern Province.

On 12 March 1839, the Wesleyan missionary and educator, Peter Percival gave positive account of various speeches at the Wesleyan Methodist Mission, North Ceylon in Jaffna, including one delivered by Atherton, following the successful visit of James Alexander Stewart-Mackenzie, the seventh Governor of Ceylon to Jaffna, which included a tour of the Wesleyan school on 4 March 1839.

Wesleyan Mission, Jaffna, Ceylon

View of St. Paul's School, Jaffna, Ceylon

He was appointed as Acting District Judge, Batticaloa in 1841, also becoming Assistant to the Government Agent at Batticaloa from 16 September 1845.

Plan of Batticaloa, June 1762 / publ. by Alexander Dalrymple (1737-1808)

During 1841, the Colombo Observer published a letter to the editor where an unnamed individual vented their frustration towards the Mackenzie administration, criticising Atherton's legal credentials, by stating:

"We are credibly informed that a gentleman was raised to Judgeship of the District Court of Ceylon with a salary of £1,000 per annum, who was brought up to the profession of a seaman, and who was destitute of the commonest requisites for his legal office".

Nevertheless, for 29 years, he dutifully served in the British Colonial administration on the island in a variety of roles.

Atherton has been attributed by his contemporaries for his efforts, with great goodwill, for distributing funding from the colonial treasury over numerous years to assist the Vedda with a means of cultivating the soil. He was of the belief that Christianity would serve as a means of civilisation, so he took missionaries with him into the jungle, where many of the Vedda lived in poor conditions.

Atherton’s presence in the District of Batticaloa, earned him considerable respect. Vol XXIII of the Journal of the Dutch Burgher Union of Ceylon (July 1933) describes Batticaloa during the early years of the British administration (pages 15–17):

"We have now arrived at that stage in the early history of Batticalloa which is marked by the arrival of the Atherton's, who were destined to play an important part of the social and official life of the district"

During 1844, the Morning Star or “Uthayatharakai”, the first Tamil newspaper on the island and second Tamil newspaper in the world, published a letter to the editor from Aliquis on the state of Christianity in Batticaloa and the progress made by the church, with Robert Atherton Esq. of the Ceylon Civil Service occupying the chair, and addressing the numerous auditory convened.

1845-1855

Atherton was the first to recognise that the abolishment of the practice of Rājākariya by the British administration had an adverse effect on paddy fields. Although the colonial government had good intentions, cultivation and production dramatically decreased due to improper maintenance of the ancient irrigation system. It would take until the 1860s (a few years after Atherton's untimely death) to rectify and restore the region to its previous position as "granary of the east".

Atherton was Acting Government Agent for the Eastern Province during the cyclone of 1845, which hit Batticaloa and its environs. Coconut plantations and many acres were destroyed, however his home "Burleigh House" would survive for another 120 years, until it was severely damaged a century later by the cyclone of 1978.

Atherton was widely respected in his work for the colonial administration. The 5th Colonial Secretary, Sir James Emerson Tennent stated in his work published in 1859 that Atherton, as Acting Government Agent, in conjunction with Wesleyan Methodist Missionaries, had attempted to enhance the living conditions of the Veddas. During 1838 "cottages were built for them in their own district, rice land assigned to them, wells dug, coconuts planted, two communities were speedily settled in Vippmmadvo." A school was founded and two other settlements formed in Oomany and Villengelavelly. However the enterprise was soon abandoned owing to the misconduct of some of the teachers. “But” continues Tennent, "the good effects of even this temporary experiment were apparent; not one of the Veddas returned to his cave and savage habits".

James Emerson Tennent

When he visited Atherton in Batticaloa during 1848, Tennent saw on the esplanade, in front of Government House, the remains of what had formerly been a Dutch garden, with a reservoir in the centre, abounding with tortoises.

Atherton is also mentioned in the Memorials of James Chapman, the first bishop of Colombo.

For a number of decades the Eastern Province of Ceylon was considered far too remote, with limited access and communication. However, Reverend Chapman travelled from the capital; Colombo to Batticaloa, via Badulla on horseback in February 1850. Upon arriving on the outskirts of Batticaloa, Atherton as Government Agent, rowed him and two catechists along the lagoon in his canoe the last three miles to his Government Agents residence.

Wesleyan Mission-Chapel and School-Rooms, Batticaloa, Ceylon (1850)

Outside of his Ceylon Civil Service commitment, Atherton also undertook private enterprise, and established the Atherton family as successful planters, proprietors of a number of coconut estates.

A Ceylon Pearl Merchant (p.108, 1849)

The Ceylon Almanac of 1851 records Atherton as the acting government agent of the Eastern Province based in Batticaloa, whilst the Ceylon Almanac of 1855 records Atherton under the Customs Department as acting collector of the Eastern Province based in Trincomalee. The Ceylon Savings Bank records him on page 136 as a member of this institutions branch committee, along with the capacity to receive and remit deposits.

Atherton died at the age of 54 in Trincomalee in 1855, while in service, acting as the Government Agent of the Eastern Province.

Personal

Born into an influential Lancashire family, associated with both the Atlantic slave trade and the triangular trade. His grandfather John Atherton had served as the High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1780. His early years were spent at Walton Hall, Liverpool, followed by Street Court, Herefordshire.

His Cambridge educated father was a serving officer in the court of King George III, and for many years was the Personal aide-de-camp (A.D.C) to the monarch. His father had a distinguished military career and had been taken as a prisoner of war during the French Directory, and subsequently released on parole in Valenciennes during 1796. His father elevated his own social standing, by marrying into the Mitford family, of ancient noble ancestry. His parents married in St John the Baptist Church, Newcastle upon Tyne in 1796, although some sources suggest they took their nuptials in France.

His maternal aunt, Lewis Tabitha Mitford (1782–1859), was married to Prideaux John Selby, an ornithologist, botanist and natural history artist. His maternal uncle was Rear Admiral Robert Mitford (1781-1870), an ornithological engraver. His cousin was Robert Mitford (1782-1836), a colonial official in Bengal for the East India Company. His nephew, Robert Atherton Edwin (1839-1911), was a renowned meteorologist and weather forecaster.

His youngest brother George Nugent Atherton died in an ice skating accident in Kensington Gardens, London on 15 February 1827.

Whereas Atherton followed his brother Lt Bertram Mitford Atherton into the Navy, his two other brothers had joined the Army. His eldest brother Lt John Atherton of the 13th Light Dragoons died on passage from Madras to England onboard the Rockingham in July 1827. His younger brother Captain Edward Atherton of the 22nd Regiment of Foot died in India and was buried in St. Mary's Church, Chennai on 1 August 1837.

Atherton married in Ceylon. His young wife, Eleanor Toler Burleigh (1810–1893), was the fourth daughter of the late Dr. George Burleigh M.D. and at the time was fifteen years old. George Burleigh, a former surgeon of the 2nd Ceylon Regiment, who had previously served under Lord Howe. His brides’ late father was a Methodist minister who had died in Jaffna, 16 days prior to their wedding day. The wedding ceremony took place in Kayts on 24 April 1826 in the presence his new mother in law, Rebecca Burleigh of Jaffna and Eleanor's siblings.

John, his eldest son, died three days in after his birth during 1828 and is buried in the compound of the Kayts Resthouse, where a monument still stands in his memory. Kayts is a village on Velanai Island, off the coast of the Jaffna Peninsula in northern Ceylon. Four healthy children followed.

His second son, Robert (1829–1894) was at one time a Lieutenant in the Ceylon Rifles Regiment. In his later days he was the Batticaloa correspondent of the Ceylon Examiner and contributed exhaustively to that paper not only prose articles, but also topical verses, as well as exhaustive descriptions of the habits and use of vegetables within regional cuisine.

The third son, Edward Newnham (1831–1907), began his career in the Ceylon Civil Service in 1851, obtaining a Writership in 1853, and retired in 1883 after 32 years’ residence without a break on the island. He relocated to England and died in Weymouth in 1907. At the time of his father's death he was a writer to the Government Agent in Jaffna.

The eldest daughter was Eleanor Burleigh Atherton (1833–1893), who married Dr James Cornish Sortain M.D. on 24 July 1854 in Batticaloa. Sortain was a well known planter, medical man and philanthropist, and was much respected by the people of Batticaloa, since he was intimately connected with the first systematic cultivation of the coconuts in the early 1840s.

The youngest daughter, Marinanne Mitford Atherton Massie (unknown-1879) married Robert Massie C.C.S. Marianne died at the age of 43 in 1879 and was placed to rest alongside him. Massie married a sister of his deceased wife.

Atherton joined the Wesleyan Congregation in Batticaloa during 1841. His position in local government was advantageous to the Wesleyan’s. He became a very enthusiastic lay worker and was described as having active zeal and enthusiastic in this role. His faith became intertwined with his role as the leading colonial government official in the region where he promoted social advancement of the Coast Veddas and an isolated group known as the Bintenne Veddas. Atherton introduced both groups to new farming methods, in tandem with his missionary work. A few years later the Wesleyan community of Batticaloa became hugely divided by 1850, resulting in the loss of Atherton to the Anglican Communion. This was a particularly grievous blow to the Wesleyans, for much of their success in the Eastern Province was due to Atherton’s exertions on their behalf. With all the fervour of the recently converted, Atherton now worked for the Anglicans, and against the Wesleyans.

The Ceylon Almanac of 1855 records Atherton and his son Robert within the list of European residents of Trincomalee.

Atherton died on 23 June of that same year and was put to rest in the burial ground on the Esplanade in Trincomalee, now referred to as St. Stephen's Church Cemetery. His marble headstone has been restored and is in close proximity to that of Rear Admiral Charles John Austin (1779–1852), the brother of the novelist, Jane Austin who died at sea of cholera prior to Atherton. The circumstances of Atherton’s death in service of the crown are unknown. His tombstone reads:

"Sacred to the memory of Robert Atherton Esq. Acting Government Agent of the Eastern Province, and late of Her Majesty’s Royal Navy". Along with his age and date of death it states "The memory of the just is blessed"

On the 27 June 1855, the Sunday Examiner of Ceylon reported

"We much regret to announce the death of Robert Atherton, Esq., Government Agent in Trincomalee, which event occurred on the 23rd instant. This gentleman was in early life in the Royal Navy, and his bravery and distinguished service were rewarded with a medal and the mention of his name on several occasions in the Admiral’s despatches. As a civil servant of this colony his duties have been confined him to the Northern and Eastern Provinces. In both he was remarkable for the singular confidence reposed by him by the native inhabitants a trust which he returned in the Batticaloa by effecting the most marked improvements the manners and morals of the inhabitants. A good man has gone to his rest. Requiescant in pace - Examiner, June 27"

His two sons were also widely respected by the people of Batticaloa that they were spoken of generally by the local community as "Bob Pillai" and "Ned Pillai". Pillai meaning "Child of King" (Prince) in Tamil.

His wife, Eleanor, survived him until 24 July 1893, when, at the age of 83 and after a continuous residence of 52 years at Batticaloa, she met with her death as a result of a carriage accident and is buried in the old cemetery, Batticaloa. Eleanor was referred to as the widow of Rodney Atherton, Ceylon Civil Service. Several other historical documents have erroneously referred to him as Rodney, instead of Robert.

Further reading

• J. Penry Lewis, C.M.G.: List of Inscriptions on Tombstones and Monuments in Ceylon of Historical or Local Interest with an Obituary of Persons Uncommemorated, Colombo: H. C. Cottle, Government Printer, 1913, p. 245. 257.258.272

• Lewis, J. P. “NOTES ON DELFT.”The Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland, vol. 21, no. 62, 1909, pp. 341–60. JSTOR,

External links

• The land of the Veda (1854)

See also

• Walton Hall, Liverpool
• First Anglo-Burmese War
• Ceylon Civil Service
• Government Agent (Sri Lanka)
• Wesleyan Methodist Mission, North Ceylon
• Methodist Church in Sri Lanka
• American Ceylon Mission
• Kachcheri
• Old Park