PHILIP JACOB
Born 27th January
1849 - Died 5th September 1874
A
son of William Stephen Jacob, he was
born 27th January 1849, and died 5th September 1874. He entered the Bombay
Civil Service. On 10th December 1872 he married Lucy, daughter of Robert C.
Montgomery of the Missionary House, Surat, India, but died without issue on
5th September 1874.
A
printed letter to the Corps of Christian Volunteers from J.H.Gladstone dated
27th January 1875 says: "Philip Jacob... was converted when still
a boy at school, and is said to have lived ever afterwards a very consistent
life, valiant for the truth, but humble as regards himself and his own powers,
and exerting a specially good influence over his brothers. When he was pursuing
his studies in London he became associated with us, but as he was gathering
children around himself on Sundays, we never had much of his company. He distinguished
himself greatly in his examination for the Indian Civil Service, and obtained
good appointments, one being that of Railway Magistrate at Thull Ghaut...
When his wife told him that they thought that Jesus was taking him home to
Himself, he replied: 'I have had great longings for heaven, but I did not
think He would take me just yet, there are so few stars in my crown.'... -
at once a faithful and valuable servant of Government, and an earnest servant
of Christ.
I
have little information on him, but a letter written by him to my great grandfather
Adolphus in India has survived. I find his supposition that cricket was not
played in India because it was too hot rather amusing. I have transcribed
the letter below and a sample of his hand-writing can be seen by clicking
on the letter icon.
1
St Peter's Street, Bedford April 11th 1866
My
dear Cousin Adolphus,
I
have not written to you for a long time, & thinking that perhaps you might
like to hear from me, as I have some spare time, I am now writing to you.
We are home for our Easter Holidays now, which are rather long for Easter,
being nearly three weeks. I suppose you heard of Stephen's success in the
Mathematical Exam last Christmas, when he came out first in the school. We
had our Classical Examination just before we came home this time, I was eighth
in the sixth form (and in the school) and Stephen was 12th in the same form;
I also got the prize for exercises in Latin & Greek Prose and Verse &
in the Lower Sixth. I am going to stop at Highgate (Cholmely) School till
next March when I am going for the Indian Civil Service exam.; but am not
expected to be able to pass; however, I am going top try and am reading up
Shakespeare and Conic Sections hard in preparation for it. Frank and Willie
and Georgie are getting on very well I think at school and are second in their
respectve forms. We are having a new School and Chapel built at Highgate;
our old school looks just like a National School, a small dingy place but
the new one looks much better, which will be finished (?). We are to go into
after the Midsummer holidays which will be in the middle of September. The
Chapel is being built by Mrs and the Misses Crawley in memory of Mr Crawley
who was a governor of the school; the foundation stone was laid last St Matthias'
Day. How are you getting on with Sanskrit? I shall have to learn it for my
second Exam. for the Indian Civil; it's rather a hard language to learn, is
it not? Stephen will be in the First Eleven at Cricket this year, as he was
in the Second last year and only five boys are at School now, who were in
the First or Second Eleven last year. I suppose no Cricketing goes on in India,
as it is too hot for it. The weather was almost too hot for Cricket in England
last Summer and the one before, and the perspiration ran down our faces in
great drops, and our shirts used to be as wet as if they'd been dipped in
the river. Mary is going to stop a short time at Mrs Hartley's in Bucks; and
we (S & I) are going to London with her next Monday when we return to
school. With best love to you and yours, and hoping you are all well, ever,
Believe me to remain, your affectionate Cousin Philip Jacob.
PS
Has Henry succeeded in getting into the Uncovenanted Service yet? Mother has
written to Col Worcester about him this mail at Uncle George's request.
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