George Henry Eckford

Timeline Career Wife and children Probates See also: Court Martial of George Henry Eckford Certificates connected with George Henry Eckford Censuses mentioning George or Catherine Eckford Will of Catherine Eckford (originally Haldane) "Little Di" - booklet about death of Mary Diana Eckford James Alexander Haldane and Mary Joass Letters of Andrew Geddess (George's son-in-law) Timeline Year Event Relationship 1818 George Henry Eckford born in Bombay 1836 Married Catherine Haldane in Calcutta Cathedral wife 1838 Mary Diana Margaret Eckford born in Malacca, Bengal, India daughter 1839 Emily Jane Eckford born in Stet of Malacca daughter 1840 George Henry Eckford, Lieutenant, court-martialled 1841 Mary Diana Margaret Eckford dies and buried in Allahabad, Bengal, India daughter 1841 Henry James Eckford born in Serampore, Bengal, India son 1842 Henry James Eckford dies aged 11 months old son 1857 Letter to his wife shows that they were Gwalior during the Indian Mutiny wife 1864 Emily Jane Eckford married in Patma, Bengal daughter 1871 George Henry Eckford living in Paddington, London 1877 George Henry Eckford died in London

Career

George Henry Eckford's father was an officer serving with the East Indian Company, who had a distinguished military career. George Henry Eckford was born in India, and also started serving with the East Indian Company army. He became a Lieutenant. However, in 1840, he was court-martialled (see this webpage for details) and struck off the strength of the army.

This sounds disasterous. However, Major-General Commanding the Army in Chief added comments to the account of his Court Martial to the effect that while George Henry Eckford was technically guilty, the other officer concerned had a lot to answer for. I presume that either the Major-General or George's father found him another job. The book "The Plantagenet roll of the blood royal" gives George Henry Eckford's job as "Indian C.S.", presumably Indian Civil Service.

In 1864, George's daughter, Emily Jane Eckford, married Andrew David Geddes in Patma, Bengal. Andrew Geddes wrote letters to his sister in 1867, from Dum Dun and Fort William, just before sailing back to Britain with his wife and two small daughters. He describes visiting George and Catherine Eckford, showing they were still in India at this point. Andrew mentions that George has lumbago.

By 1871, George (and presumably his wife) has moved to London. In the census, he describes himself as "Returned Indian Officer".

Andrew Geddes wrote letter to George Eckfort, his father-in-law in 1871, and his mother-in-law later. Letters written by his children show that Andrew Geddes and his family kept up a close relationship with Catherine Eckford after George Eckford died. They were, after all, the grandparents of the children.

Wife and Children Married: to Catherine Haldane (1806-1897). They were married in 1836, in Calcutta. The odd thing about this was that Catherine Haldane was the sister of Mary Haldane, James Eckford's second wife! They were both daughters of James Alexander Haldane and Mary Joass. So George Eckford married his step-aunt. Children: Emily Jane Eckford (1839-1932) - married Andrew David Geddes to become Emily Jane Geddes. Mary Diana Margaret Eckford (1838-1841) Henry James Eckford (1841-1842) Two of these children died as infants. Catherine, their mother, wrote the booklet "Little Di" in memory of them. Click here for photos of James Alexander Haldane and Mary Joass, and more information about them.

Catherine Haldane

Probates

The comparison beween the two figures, above and below, may suggest that Catherine had her own money. Or it may suggest that there was a certain amount of money transferal before death going on.

This letter of administration shows that George Henry Eckford died intestate (without a will). Click on it for a larger version.

And yet this was among the family papers. It claims to be George Eckford's will, but it isn't signed by any witnesses! That would make it invalid as a will, but it might be taken as representing George's wishes, I suppose.

Will

I do hereby bequeath unto my wife Catharine Eckford every thing there is belonging to me.

G H Eckford

Patma ? Customs

? May 27 69

The date is rather guesswork. Their daughter married in Patma in 1864.

See Will of Catherine Eckford (originally Haldane)

I wonder if this is a photo of George Eckford when young? It is on glass, so an early photo. I think that the features look similar to the photo at the top of this page.

© Jo Edkins 2023 - Return to Eckford index