At the time Bombay was under the control of the English East India Company however Keigwin was an independent settler.
Shortly after arriving he was put in charge of a military force and gained a seat on the governing council of Bombay.
In 1682 John Child became governor of East India Company Operations based in Surat.
Keigwin then sent a letter to England asking Charles II to take direct control of Bombay again stating that the East India Company had failed.
At the attack on St Kitts on 21 June, he was landed in command of the marine regiment, and fell at the head of his men as he was leading them on to the assault of Basseterre.