Saturday, February 7, 2009

Gulangyu Foreign Cemetery Epitaphs (1857)

Bill Brown ... Xiamen University
The only foreign tombstone still remaining on Gǔlàngyǔ is of an Indian from Bombay. The rest were destroyed in the 1950s when Xiamen residents buried the Amoy foreign cemetery in protest of Britain's invasion of the Suez. Fortunately, Giles’ “A Short History of Koolangsu” (1878) records a few of the inscriptions for us:

“The following inscriptions will be found quite close to the residence of Dr. Manson:--”

"Here lieth the body of Captain Stephen Baker, who was late Commander of ye SUCCESS who Departed this life October Yeare 18, Anno Domini 1700. Aged 49 Years."

"Here lieth the body of John Duffield, Son of Henry Duffield, Commander of ye TRUMBULL Ob. Sep. 6 Anno Et. XIIL annos Dom. 1698.

"Sepultura De Domingo FANGII INAN Y otros dos Indios de Philipinas que falleeie-Ron en Oct. ano de 1759."

"Sacred to the memory of Augustus Percival Greene, F.R.A.S. Lieut. of H.M.S. "Plover" who died on board that vessel on Dec. 2, 1844. Aged 26 years 9 months 3 days."

"This Monument was erected in memory of those who perished In the British schooner "Pearl" Lost in the Typhoon off Chapel Island On the night of the 12th June 1866."

"In memory of Richard A. Breck Late a master in the U.S. navy who on Sep. 22, 1874, was drowned while bathing. Aged 26. Erected by his brother Officers of the U.S.S. "Yantic""

I will add more epitaphs when I have time. For now, here is a description of the Amoy Foreign Cemetery written by Smith, in "Consular Cities" (1857):

Indelible monuments of the recent foreign occupation remained in the crowded British cemetery, in which lay the unfortunate sufferers who fell victims to the insalubrity of the spot. This cemetery was situated at the eastern side of the island, near the landing-place, and had many elegant grave-stones, erected by the sympathy of surviving comrades. Near the northern village, screened from view by a little assemblage of trees, was situated the burial-ground of the missionaries. The unhealthiness of the climate had been severely felt by this class of the Lord’s laborers, who followed in the train of earthly conquerors, to extend the bloodless conquests of their divine Savior. During the last thirteen months, out of twenty-five members of the missionary families, eighteen had been removed by various providential events. Three missionaries had permanently left, either from the failure of their own health, or of that of their families. Two wives of missionaries had set out for their native land, on account of ill health, one of whom died on the voyage; while two others had been suddenly summoned from the scenes of their missionary work to higher employment in a better world. Two children had died, and nine others had been sent to Europe or America.

Six missionaries now remained, one of whom was married; so that there were in all seven laborers on the field. In this little retired spot of ground were interred the bodies of three female missionaries, Mrs. Boone, Mrs. Doty, and Mrs. Pohlman, with the two children of the last. They left America in the vigor of youth, to consecrate their lives to the missionary work; but were cut down, one after another, by premature death...

Note: Pohlman left Amoy for Hong Kong on December 19th, 1838, embarked the Omega schooner to return on Jan. 2nd., 1849, and pn January 5th the ship struck Breaker's Point (aptly named), and Pohlman and several others drowned when the boat they were taking to shore capsized.

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