Emporium
Penang Chronicles Volume III
Now available in the UK, Australia and Asia, plus Amazon Kindle
Released in US November 1st 2023
About Emporium
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Penang’s meteoric rise from deserted island to thriving port continues at astonishing pace. Fortunes are made in shipping, commerce and plantations; settlers flock in from the region and beyond. But paradise comes at a price: the Dutch and French have set their sights on the island; the Sultan of Queddah rages at the treachery of the British. Penang must fortify and prepare for war. Ultimately, however, it is disease and disasters both natural and manmade that prove the greatest challenge. As Light battles on, his wife Martinha must learn for herself how to negotiate the murky waters of colonial prejudice and corruption for the sake of her family.
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Books
Clifford. H (1897) In Court and Kampong, Grant Richards Ltd.
Clodd, H.P. (1948) Malaya’s First British Pioneer, Luzac
Crawfurd, John (1830) Journal of an Embassy from the Governor-General of India to the courts of Siam and Cochin China. 2nd edition. Colburn and Bentley, London
De Almeida Hermione and Gilpin George H., (2016) Indian Renaissance: British Romantic Art and the Prospect of India, Routledge
Doughty H.M (1910) Chronicles of Theberton a Suffolk Village, Macmillan and Co.
Flower, R. (2009) The Penang Adventure, Marshall Cavendish editions
Hayes Hoyt, S (2005) Old Penang. Oxford University Press
Hussin, Nordin (2007) Trade and Society in the Straits of Melaka: Dutch Melaka and English Penang 1780-1830, Nias Press
Jones, R. (1959). Chinese Names: Notes on the use of surnames & personal names by the Chinese in Malaya. Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 32(3 (187)), 3–84.
Khoo Su Nin, (2001) Streets of George Town Penang. Janus Print
Lim Chong Keat, (1986) Penang Views 1770-1860, Summer Times Publ., Singapore
Macalister Norman, (1803) Historical Memoir Relative to Prince of Wales Island J.H.Hart, Warwick Square, Newgate Street, London
Langdon, Marcus, (2013) Penang the Fourth Presidency of India 1805-30: Volume I Ships, Men and Mansions, Areca Books, Penang
Langdon, Marcus, (2015) Penang the Fourth Presidency of India 1805-30: Volume II Fire, Spice and Edifice, Areca Books, Penang
Langdon, Marcus, (2021) Penang the Fourth Presidency of India 1805-30: Volume III Water, Wigs and Wisdom, Areca Books, Penang
Eds. Loh Wei Ling, Langdon et al, (2013) Biographical Dictionary of Mercantile Personalities of Penang, Think City and MBRAS
Morson, I (1993) The Connection Phuket, Penang, Adelaide: A Short Account of Francis Light. Siam Society Amarin Printing
Robb, Peter (2011) Sex and Sensibility: Richard Blechynden’s Calcutta Diaries, 1791–1822. Oxford
Steuart, A.F. (1901) A Short Sketch of the Lives of Francis and William Light, the Founders of Penang and Adelaide, S.Low, Marston Co. Ltd
Stocqueler, Joachim Hayward, (1854) The Handbook of British India: A Guide to the Stranger, the Traveller, the Resident, and All who may have business with or appertaining to India, W.H Allen, London.
Tregonning, K.G. (1965) The British in Malaya: 1786-1826, Univ. of Arizona Press.
Wright, Arnold (1908) 20th century impressions of British Malaya: its History, People, Commerce, Industries and Resources. Lloyd's Greater Britain Publishing Co. Ltd
Articles
Blench, Roger (2014). Tracking the origins of African slaves in the Indian Ocean through personal names: the evidence of Sumatra records, Kay Williamson Educational Foundation, Cambridge
Chye, T. S. (1950). A Note on Early Legislation in Penang. Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 23(1 (151)), 100–107.
Bassett, D. K. (1965). Anglo-Malay Relations, 1786-1795. Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 38 (2 (208)), 183–212
Chowdhury, R. R. (2015). The Imperial diet of the British Raj: Food as Cultural symbolism. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 76, 581–587
Dalton, H. G. (1926). Some Malay Boats and their Uses. Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 4(2 (97)), 192–199.
Finn, Margot, The Female World of Love and Empire: Woman, Family and EIC Politics at the end of the 18th century. Gender and History V. 31 (No.1) March 2019 p. 7/24
Garnier, Rev. K, (April 1923) ‘Early Days of Penang’ JMBRAS Vol 1 (87)
Harfield, A. G. (1982). Fort Cornwallis, Pulo Pinang. (With notes on two 19th Century Military artists). Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, 60(242), 78–90
Gibson-Hill, C. A. (1949). Cargo Boats of the East Coast of Malaya. Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 22(3 (149)), 106–125.
Herivel, Jan-Maree, ‘A Perfect Malay’: James Scott, East Indies Country Trader (2020) PhD Thesis Charles Darwin University
Jones, R. (1959). Chinese Names: Notes on the use of surnames & personal names by the Chinese in Malaya. Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 32(3 (187)), 3–84
Keong, N. K. J. (2006). Economic change and the Emergence of the Straits Chinese in nineteenth-century Penang. Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 79(2 (291)), 59–83.
Kyshe, J. W. N. (1969). A Judicial History of the Straits Settlements 1786-1890. Malaya Law Review, 11(1), 38–180.
Lennon, Capt. W. C. (1796) Journal of a Voyage to the Straits of Malacca on an expedition to the Molucca Islands under the command of Admiral Rainier. Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society Vol 7-8 (1881) pages 51-7
Loh Wei Leng with Jeffery Seoh (2018) ‘Through Turbulent Terrain’: Trade of the Straits Port of Penang (MBRAS)
Man, E. H. (1885). On the Andaman Islands, and Their Inhabitants. The Journal of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, 14, 253–272.
Marshall, P. J. (2000). The White Town of Calcutta under the Rule of the East India Company. Modern Asian Studies, 34(2), 307–331.
Miller, W. G. (2011). English Country Traders and Their Relations with Malay Rulers in the Late Eighteenth Century. JMBRAS, 84(1 (300)), 23–45
O’Regan, J. P. (2007). Foreign Death in China: Symbolism, Ritual and Belief In The Old Protestant Cemetery In Macau. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch, 47, 127–164.
Quah Eugene, Penang Monthly, (July 2022) Mount Erskine: Penang’s Forgotten Flagstaff Hill Part 1
Robb, Peter, (SOAS) Children, Emotion, Identity and Empire: Views from the Blechyndens ’Calcutta Diaries (1790-1822) Modern Asian Studies 40, 1 (2006) Cambridge University Press
Rose, J. Holland. Great Britain and the Dutch Question in 1787-1788. The American Historical Review, Vol. 14, No. 2 (Jan. 1909), pp. 262- 283
Sen, S. (2011) On the Beach in the Andaman Islands: Post-mortem of a Failed Colony. Economic and Political Weekly, 46(26/27), 177–186.
Simmonds, Peter Lund etc., (1846) Simmonds Colonial Magazine and Foreign Miscellany V. 8: “Suggestions towards improving the Value and importance of Colonies’’ by Colin T. Campbell. P 55 (Stevens, Fenchurch Street
Songprasert, Phuwadol, The Implication of Penang Connection in Southern Thailand (2002) The Penang Story International Conference, Bayview Hotel Penang
Stevens, F.G. (1929) ‘A Contribution to the Early History of Prince of Wales Island’ JMBRAS Vol. 7 No. 3 (108) (October 1929), pp. 377-414
Simmonds, E.S.H (1963) The Thalang Letters (1173094 BSOAS XXVI (3) p592-619
Warren, J. F. (2001). Savageism and Civilization: The Iranun, Globalization and the Literature of Joseph Conrad. Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 74(1 (280)), 43–69.
Yusuf, Yusri, Yang Amri, Affendi Tajuddin, Alfian, Kee 2007/01/01 Coral Reef Fishes of Pulau Perak, Westernmost Island of Peninsular Malaysia p. 277-284. Proceedings of the Conference on Marine Ecosystem of Malaysia. Department of Marine Park, Putrajaya.
Websites
For all things maritime: threedecks.org
For Calcutta in the 18th century: Chatterjee, Baijayanti (6th Nov 2019) Fun and Games in Old Calcutta
Encounters: https://blogheritagewalk.wordpress.com/2017/06/13/blog-post-title-3/
Geri Walton: https://www.geriwalton.com/18th-century-calcutta-life-for-the-british/
Reviews
Sue Paul, Jeopardy of Every Wind : The biography of Captain Thomas Bowrey
“After exploring the intra-Asian country trade in Dragon and the rich cultural complexity of the East Indies in Pearl, Emporium tackles the sensitive subjects of prejudice, the British illusory superiority and even the rarely acknowledged east African slave trade. Whilst it cannot be denied that the British, in the guise of the misnamed Honourable Company, played an important part in the development of such far off corners of the world, their stubborn ignorance of the age-old politics of the region speaks volumes. The attitudes and behaviours of their British-born womenfolk provide a stark contrast to the resourcefulness of those with local roots. Emporium provides a readable lesson in the politics of the Peninsula that remains important for us to understand today.”
Andrew Barber, author of Colonial Penang 1786-1957 and Master of Penang
“Rose Gan has written an engaging and lively tale about the earliest years of the East India Company settlement of Penang. In Emporium, she weaves her narrative skilfully into the historic backdrop – bringing alive key figures and events and offering an enjoyable way to access the momentous moments and big personalities of those early years.”
Jan Herivel PhD, author of ‘A perfect Malay’, James Scott East Indies Country Trader.
“Rose Gan’s engaging Penang Chronicles explores the activities and achievements of Francis Light, a country trader pivotal in the establishment of a trading settlement on Penang. At the time of Light’s death, the island’s future was in doubt. His enduring belief in Penang’s role as a vital regional entrepot was validated a decade later when Penang was elevated to Presidency status.
Emporium chronicles the final years of Light’s unwavering contribution to the fledgling settlement of Penang. Complex relationships between Light, the East India Company, Malay rulers – and his long friendship with maverick James Scott, a fellow country trader– are skilfully explored by the imaginative reconstruction of key historical events and relationships.”
A few characters:
Earl Cornwallis 1738-1805
Charles Cornwallis Governor-General of India
Already an earl in his twenties, Charles Cornwallis became a colonel in the army and later led the British forces in the Americas during the War of Independence. Cornwallis presided over the humiliation of surrender at Yorktown in 1781 but retained the support of the King and government back at home. In 1786 he was appointed Governor-General of India. Earl Cornwallis was a reformer who laid the ground work for the British empire in India by curbing the nepotism and corruption of the East India Company.
Although Cornwallis showed compassion for the poor and abolished child slavery, he was at heart an aristocrat for whom British superiority was a God-given right. Arrogant and dismissive in manner, he was very hierarchical in his attitudes, disapproving of mixed heritage marriages and the children born of such unions whom he did not regard as British.
His younger brother, William Cornwallis, was a famous admiral and friend of Nelson, much admired by his men, who nicknamed him ‘Billy Blue’. Commodore William Cornwallis visited Penang several times on his flagship HMS Crown during Light’s administration and knew him well.
The Surrender at Yorktown 1781
William Cornwallis 1744-1819
The colourful life of Khoh (Koh) Lay Huan began in Fujian Province from where he was forced to flee because of involvement in the banned ‘Heaven and Earth Society’ (Tien Di Hui) that attempted to overthrow the Manchu Qing Dynasty. Khoh first settled in Siam as a trader and then later moved to Kedah where he married the daughter of the local Kapitan Cina, and eventually took over the role when he died.
When Light settled Penang, Khoh was one of the first community leaders to join him. The two men developed a respect for each other, although Light called Khoh ‘a wily fox’! They eventually went into partnership in pepper plantations on the island.
In 1787 Light appointed Khoh Kapitan Cina of Penang, a role he held until his death in 1826. During his long life, Khoh began a man of great wealth and influence on the island. He was influential in supporting many Chinese settlers through his kongsi, a mutual benefit system common amongst overseas Chinese. Many of the later celebrated Chinese merchant houses of Penang received their initial start from Khoh himself.
Khoh was an enlightened man who recognised the advantages of his position as intermediary between the British administration and his own community, as well as ensuring the Chinese traditional values and lifestyle were upheld. He stablished one of the earliest Chinese temples.
In Penang, Khoh married a Nyonya wife, learned to speak Malay, and had another family. He sent one son for education to China and had another to follow English education, aware that to be successful a man must look both to the east and the west. Known by many affectionate nicknames like Chewan, Khoh is said to have lived at 25 China Street and was buried in the Hokkien cemetery at Batu Lanchang.
Khoh Lay Huan c. 1750-1826 ‘Kapitan Cina’
‘There is no compassion for people’ Khoh on China.
Crawfurd described Khoh as ‘clever, precise and lively’
25 China Street today. Now a boutique hotel, this building is of later date
No images of Khoh Lay Huan survive. This picture shows his great-grandson, the famous polymath Koh Hong Beng 1857-1928 (Gu Hong Ming).Born in Penang, educated in Scotland, Paris and Leipzig, he studied Literature, Engineering and Law before spending most of his adult life in China. Gu Hong Ming was uniquely placed to understand both West and East and educated western thought about Chinese civilisation, quoted by both Gandhi and Tolstoy.
Jemdanee c. 1765-1796. ‘The Rani’
Portrait of an Indian Bibi, thought to be Jemdanee , by Thomas Hicky 1787
Jemdanee was a concubine, mistress to one of the friends of diarist William Hickey, an English lawyer in Calcutta. He became besotted with her and soon set her up in a grand house of her own, showering her ij luxury and calling her ‘My Queen’.
Jemdanee was more than the usual ‘Bibi’ kept in seclusion. Hickey loved to entertain and Jemdanee because the beautiful and lively hostess of his salons, where all the important men of the day would visit, including William Cornwallis (above). One of the guests, Thomas Hicky(no relation), an Irish artist, painted the portrait on the right that it believed to be of her.
In 1791, William Hickey purchased an even grander mansion for Jemdanee in the newly fashionable Garden Reach district but, such was his devotion, that he sold the property soon after because ‘swamp fever’ (malaria) was prevalent near the river and he feared her falling sick.
Despite all his attentions, however, the vivacious and much-loved Jemdanee died in childbirth in 1796. Hickey was heartbroken.
William Hickey (1749-1830) is better known for his memoirs. These books are enormously informative on Calcutta at this period. Hickey writes of meeting Francis Light whilst they were both prisoners of the French in 1782, another interesting insight into Light’s adventures.
Map of George Town c. 1790
by Maganjeet Kaur
Based on the 1790 map by Home Popham with additions from the Leith map of 1803
