East India Company

[upton25]

I am hoping to find information on the Military family of Robert & Richard FRITH Both appear to have served in Bengal during the 1770s to early 1800s. Robert Frith was a British soldier who escorted Warren Hastings to Lucknow in 1784. Frith was a member of a distinguished military family according to the internet. But apart from a will in 1826 where he names his son Warren Hastings Leslie Frith (named after Warren Hastings who was a Guardian to WHL Frith) and his wife Elizabeth along with brother Richard I am struggling to find his forebears.  Which is strange as he is seemingly from a military family. My connection is with WHL Hastings who is named as a nephew to Sally Sabatier nee ?? in her will of 1837 in Bathwick Bath. Who was married to my ancestor John Sabatier son of Suzanne Pouget & Jean Sabatier from a long line of Huguenot weavers and merchants in Spittlefields and the south west of England. WHL Hastings son was baptised John Sabatier Frith Any ideas or advice gratefully received.

[ShaunJ]

Both served in HEIC's Bengal army

Robert Frith: cadet 1770, rose to Lieutenant Colonel by 1798, died 1800 in Bombay

Richard Frith (cavalry): cadet 1778, rose to full Colonel (1813), died 1819

[upton25]

Thank you very interesting. I did find a Robert Frith record for service on Ancestry. He was a 'cornet' in 1771 I'm hoping his age then might give me a date of birth

[ShaunJ]

Presumably Robert was born circa 1752, if he entered the company's service as a cadet in 1770.

[ShaunJ]

Richard Frith's beneficiaries included:

His niece Margaret Renwick and her children
His niece  Leah Gamble
Thomas Frith of Rakeelan, Co Fermanagh
Cousin John Steel of Enniskillen
Nephew Major William Elliott

There seems to be a strong link with Ireland. The will speaks of funds being held for him in Dublin.

[Keith Sherwood]

Hi again, Shaun J...
Very good to see you as ever helping people out on these Rootschat boards.  Just came across this thread as I was discovering that someone had reconnected with me after a 12 year lapse on the Norfolk boards (as opposed to Broads!).
Wanted to tell you that I've just finished reading the "magisterial" history of The East India Company, "The Anarchy",  by William Dalrymple.  And what an exhausting but remarkable read it was, with all the almost endless warfare and greed! 
Keith

[GrahamSimons]

I am hoping to find information on the Military family of Robert & Richard FRITH Both appear to have served in Bengal during the 1770s to early 1800s. Robert Frith was a British soldier who escorted Warren Hastings to Lucknow in 1784. Frith was a member of a distinguished military family according to the internet. But apart from a will in 1826 where he names his son Warren Hastings Leslie Frith (named after Warren Hastings who was a Guardian to WHL Frith) and his wife Elizabeth along with brother Richard I am struggling to find his forebears.  Which is strange as he is seemingly from a military family. My connection is with WHL Hastings who is named as a nephew to Sally Sabatier nee ?? in her will of 1837 in Bathwick Bath. Who was married to my ancestor John Sabatier son of Suzanne Pouget & Jean Sabatier from a long line of Huguenot weavers and merchants in Spittlefields and the south west of England. WHL Hastings son was baptised John Sabatier Frith Any ideas or advice gratefully received.

The records for these men will be in the British Library. I've found all sorts of things there for my great-grandfather. My (limited) experience suggests that you'd be better to pay a researcher as learning your way round the records (which are not on line!) takes time. One reseracher's time is probably cheaper than a train fare to London anyway.....
Try also the online database of FIBIS.

[upton25]

Thankyou all for taking the time to help me I really appreciate it The Ireland connection would make sense as I think WHL Frith married a Ellen Fagan from Ireland  and her family have a mention in the Peerage records They appear to have married and have a family in India. I think a relative of hers is mentioned in WHL Frith Will of 1854 i.e Christopher Sullivan Fagan & a James Langdale
Out of interest was Richard Frith's Will available online I have Ancestry which is limited and I often find wills on the National Archives website
Kaz

[KGarrad]

Out of interest was Richard Frith's Will available online I have Ancestry which is limited and I often find wills on the National Archives website
Kaz

Try Probate Search: https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/