INDIA - Info Required Schofield or Coffield Plantation

[Spookyvjh]

Hi. Can you help?  I am looking for information on India - Coffee Plantation in the Nilgiri Hills owned by Coffield or Schofield family mid 19th century?  Elizabeth Schofield or Coffield is the daughter of the owner. 

Thank you.

[ShaunJ]

Is this the Elizabeth Coffield who married John Patrick Doyle at Coonoor in 1871, aged 18? (Father "not known").

[Spookyvjh]

Hello.  Yes it is. I believe correct name may have been Schofield.  I know there were many spelling errors in the records overseas due to language (researcher told me) and a relative wrote a story of childhood and mentioned Schofield not Coffield.   We have Elizabeth Sarah Coffield/Schofield birth as date, Death 1877 and marriage as you say.  Father we have as William and mother Sarah?  I would be interested to know what the correct surname was and where Plantation was, name of it.  When.  Any info really also of John Patrick Doyle if known (we know he married again after Elizabeth died).  I believe he worked at the Plantation.  Thanks.

[ShaunJ]

I know there were many spelling errors in the records overseas due to language (researcher told me)

I haven't encountered that problem in the India Office records. The (British) ministers and clerks were very meticulous.

The marriage record shows that J P Doyle was Superintendent of a coffee plantation but doesn't say which one. His father was a Patrick Doyle. It also shows that Elizabeth Coffield did not know her father's name, so she was presumably an orphan or adopted child.

The is an 1852 baptism record at Mean Meer, Lahore, for an Elizabeth Sarah Coffield , daughter of Lance Corporal William Coffield of the 96th Regiment and his wife Sarah.

[Spookyvjh]

Yes. We have Baptism record as that although says unknown on Marriage cert.  From a family account, says Elizabeth died at birth of Owen.  Children put in Convent (Secunderabad).  Grandparents owned a coffee plantation in Nilgiri Hills.  That is all I know.  I am presuming William maybe incorrect but I thought I saw death record in 50's for him and two other Coffield (son's) so maybe not.  If Coffield, not a common name in India at the time I think.  We have experienced some wrong writing of name so far in India but mostly correct.  I would like to find out more of the Plantation and owners/family.

[Ashtone]

I would like to find out more of the Plantation and owners/family.

In 1865 there were 25 coffee estates within 10 miles of Coonoor Bridge. There is a list of owner names associated with these plantations. However, the list does not indicate plantation names.
I don't see any owners named Doyle, Coffield, or Schofield on this 1865 list. Perhaps JP Doyle was just a superintendent, and not a plantation owner during the 1870s?

Is it possible his 2nd marriage record might offer the name of the coffee estate he worked at?
Did he remarry in 1893 in Yercaud, Madras?

[Spookyvjh]

Hello.  Thank you.  I think you may be right.  Where did you find plantation owner names please?  I did wonder if Sarah's parents owned but I do not know her surname.  I think more likely Elizabeth's parents were William and 'Sarah' - William being in the Army. It looks like Sarah died in childbirth 1857 to Robert when her husband, William, died a few months earlier.  As for John Patrick.  Yes I do believe he married again in Yacaud.  The last time a relative heard from him was around then (not sure she was aware he remarried as thought he had returned to Ireland after travelling the world) though we found he remarried in Madras.  After that don't know.  The marriage certifcate (2nd) one describes John Patrick as being a Planter's writer?  Green Hills, Yercaud.  Thank you.  I understand family rumours can be based on truth but also stories can get distorted being passed down and with uncertainties in life.  Thank you.

[Spookyvjh]

Lak Plantiere Writer??   Any ideas?   

My relative was a Superintendendant but not sure what Plantation then became a planters writer.  Last entry I found for him was a Lak or Yak Plantiere writer.  Does anyone know?  Also, would there be any kind of records available to check for staffing lists for plantations please?

Thanks.

[Yasmina4]

Lak Plantiere Writer??   Any ideas?   

My relative was a Superintendendant but not sure what Plantation then became a planters writer.  Last entry I found for him was a Lak or Yak Plantiere writer.  Does anyone know?  Also, would there be any kind of records available to check for staffing lists for plantations please?

Thanks.

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