Bengal Native Infantry

[jennean]

I recently received copy of my GGGGrandfather's brother's will, dated 1833.

It states that he MY GGGGuncle was a Captain in the 31st Regiment of the Bengal Native Infantry.  In his will he actually requests that his body be sent to India for burial.  Can anyone help with with some info on The Bengal Native Infantry. their movements etc.  Would appreciate any info.

Regards,
Jennean

[manmack]

jennean,they were part of the east india compant till the british government took over india after the mutiny in the mid 1850s,there are a lot of records on CD listing those who worked for the east india company,i will check to see if they were one of those that mutinied,mack

[liverpool annie]

Hi Jeannene

This has got nothing to do with your relative but I thought it might give you a little background filling!!!!

http://www.sikhs.org/memories/photo_22.html

Annie

[jennean]

hi mack and annie,

thanks for that info, very much appreciated.

Regards,
Jennean

[manmack]

jenean,theres no mention of the regt in the mutiny,i think they were one of the loyal ones,i know they were great fighters in the two world wars,mack
ps what was your ancestors name

[jennean]

Hi Mack,
Thanks so much for looking, I appreciate that.  His name was Captain Francis Smith Wiggins, he died in 1833.  In his will it mentioned a previous will that he had written stating he wished to be buried in India but his family state that they were unable to find a copy of this will and so I believe therefore he must have been buried in Middlesex. 

Regards,
Jennean

[OldBraggs]

Capt. Francis Smith Wiggins, 17th Bengal Native Infantry
Born at Taplow, 5 Oct. 1781.
Cadet 1796
Arrived India 17 July 1797
Ensign 9 Oct. 1797
Lieut. 10 Sept. 1798
Capt. 1807
died at Cuttack 7 Jan. 1808
Son of Thomas Wiggins, MP for Okehampton and Margaret, 3rd daughter of Charles, 6th Baron Kinnaird.
Francis married Caroline Lewis at Calcutta 20 Oct. 1800.

His brother became Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis Wiggins, 62nd Bengal Native Infantry. I have his details if you want them.

Steve

[jennean]

Hi Steve,
Thanks for that info, unfortunately I dont think that this is my 'Francis Smith Wiggins".  My Francis was born in Danbury, Essex around 1781, son of John Wiggins and Elizabeth(nee Guy).  He died in 1833, I have a copy of his Will., he was in the 31st Bengal Native Infantry.  What a strange coincidence with the name, I wouldn't have thought there would be more than one with the name Francis Smith Wiggins - very strange.  I thank you for your time, and wish that it was the same person as I don't have an awful lot about him.

Kind Regards,
Jennean

[OldBraggs]

Jennean,

I rechecked and I have to make an apology. I turned 2 pages and got onto the wrong entry!

Captain Francis Smith Wiggins
Baptized at Danbury, Essex 10 March 1788.
Cadet 1808
Arrived India 4 Nov. 1809
Ensign 8 Dec 1810
Lieut. 15 Sept. 1814
Captain 25 Jan. 1825
Died at Queen's Row, Pentonville, London 30 July 1832, aged 44

Son of John and Elizabeth.
Served with 10th Bengal Native Infantry 1810
Joined 1/15th BNI 1811
Pindari War 1817-18 (wounded near Lucknow Nov. 1817)
Served with 1st Ceylon Volunteer battalion 1818-20
Joined 31st BNI May 1824
Adjutant of the European Invalids battalion at Chunar May 1824-July 1825
Served at siege of Bhurtpore 1825
Suspended by General Court Martial 18 June 1827
Reinstated Jan 1828
1830 on furlough to England


The Times 2 August 1832

"On Tuesday an inquest was held at the Crown, in the Pentonville road, on the body of Captain Francis Smith Wiggins, aged 44, in the Hon. East India Company's Service. The deceased had lodged at the house of Mr Ealin, florist, of Queen's Row, Pentonville, for the last few days. On Monday afternoon he was found lying in the bed room with his throat cut. It appeared as if the deceased had first commenced the fatal act in bed, but finding that he had not completed his object, had got out and proceeded to the looking glass, where he effected his purpose. The room was covered with clotted blood. Medical assistance was procured, but it was quite useless. Dr Evan Rider, of 17 Tavistock Square, said he had known the deceased for some time, who had received many wounds in the Company's service. The deceased complained of having been injured by some individuals in the service, and of having been unable to obtain any redress. Dr Rider stated his opinion that the deceased had, from continual harping upon the subject of his wrongs, collapsed into a state of monomaniasm, which brough on an aberration of intellect. Verdict - Temporary insanity."

Regards
Steve