Thomas Greenhill

Thomas Greenhill (1611/12 – 4 January 1658^[1]) was an English colonial administrator, one of the early pioneers of the East India Company and the Agent of Madras for two terms from 1648 to 1652 and 1655 to 1658.

Early life

Greenhill arrived in India in 1632 to serve in the Company's Masulipatnam factory. During the agency of Thomas Ivie, Greenhill was sent on a mission to the Raja of Chandragiri which resulted in the issue of a new grant in October/November 1645. By this grant, the Raja confirmed an older grant and ceded the village of Narikamedu to the Company.

Tenure as Agent of Madras

Madras was in the grips of a famine (the first famine since the start of British rule in Madras) when Greenhill became Agent in 1648.^[2] In September 1648, Greenhill arranged for rice to shipped aboard the ship Blessing from Persia. These fears were, however, short-lived as Madras had completely recovered from the famine by April 1649.^[2]

Greenhill's tenure as Agent of Madras was marked by a shocking scandal. One Mr.Thomas and Ms.Elizabeth Bland levied a charge against Greenhill that the Agent had fathered an illegitimate offspring through Elizabeth whom he had compelled to undergo an abortion in the fifth month of her pregnancy. These charges caused great trouble to the Agent and his reputation. However, later, during the course of a trial, Elizabeth admitted that the accusation was forged by her in order to profit by the criminal case against Greenhill.

Death

Greenhill died in Madras of excessive drinking on 4 January 1658.^[1] His is the oldest English tombstone yet discovered in Madras city.^[1]

References