Thomas Greenhill

For the 17th/18th century surgeon, see Thomas Greenhill (surgeon).
Thomas Greenhill
Agent of Fort St George (Madras)
In office
1644, 1652  1648, 1655
Preceded by Thomas Ivie, Aaron Baker
Succeeded by Aaron Baker, Thomas Chambers
Personal details
Born c. 1611 or 1612
Died 4 January 1658
Children None

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

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Agent on the steps, The Hindu: Metro Plus, March 3, 2008
  2. 2.0 2.1 Madras Tercenternary Celebration Committee Commemoration VolumeBy Tercentenary Madras Staff, Madras Tercentenary Celebration Committee, Madras Tercentenary Celebration Committee, Published 1994, Asian Educational Services
Preceded by
Thomas Ivie
Agent of Madras
1648–1652
Succeeded by
Aaron Baker
President
Preceded by
Aaron Baker
President
Agent of Madras
1655–1658
Succeeded by
Thomas Chambers