Robert Atherton (civil servant)

[13] Atherton served for two years under Captain Frederick Marryat on board the HMS Larne (1814), a 20-gun sixth rate small warship in the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–1825).

As the acting purser onboard, he was the officer responsible for all administrative duties, including ship’s supplies, such as food and drink, clothing, bedding and candles.

[15] On the 2 April 1824, the British expedition under the command of Sir Archibald Campbell, proceeded against Rangoon, home of the Konbaung dynasty, with HMS Larne, the fleet of transports (for land forces), and East India Company cruisers assembling at Port Cornwallis, in the Andaman Islands.

On the 11 July 1824, Captain Frederick Marryat reported to Commodore Charles Grant as follows:"I must now call your attention to the condition of HMS Larne, whose crew I am sorry to say have been rendered quite inefficient by disease.

We have had thirteen deaths – we have now thirty patients at the hospital on shore, and twenty in the sick list on board; our convalescents are as ineffective as if they were in their hammocks; they relapse daily, and the surgeon reports, that, unless the vessel can be sent to cruise for a month, there is little chance of their ultimate recovery.

The behaviour of Mr. John Duffill, master’s-mate of this ship, and of Messrs. Winsor and Maw, midshipmen, lent from the Sophie and Liffey, has been very satisfactory, and I trust, that when future opportunities may occur, they will so distinguish themselves as to have a fair claim for promotion.

"[14] Commodore Charles Grant fell mortally ill and departed for the Straits Settlements (then controlled by the East India Company), and died on 25 July 1824.

[16] The detachment including Atherton landed under the fort of Syriam, and found the bridge across the nullah removed: to make another, with planks sent for the occasion, provided the Royal Navy an opportunity of displaying their usual activity, skill, and steady courage.

On the soldiers gaining the opposite bank, and rushing upon the works, the enemy instantly fled, although the place was as strong as considerable art and indefatigable labour could render it, and was capable of making a most formidable resistance.

[16] During the attack of the Syriam pagoda the next morning, “the sailors assisted in manning the scaling ladders, and Lieutenant Keele was the first person over” the stockade at the foot of the edifice: here ended the military operations, for the enemy made no further resistance, and parties were immediately formed to bum and destroy the works.

A soldier, in crossing the bridge, fell overboard and would have been drowned, but for the gallantry and humanity of Mr. Scott, who instantly jumped after him, under the enemy’s heavy fire, and was himself exhausted when brought on shore.

On the night of the 30 March, the same force was sent, under Lieutenant Fraser, to surprise the village of Pumkayi, where the enemy were stated to be 300 strong, and commanded by another gold chattah chief.

The attack was successful; the Burmese submitted to the same terms as at Thingang; and the Wongee, who had fled into the jungle, was followed and taken by the Naputtah men, who, in consequence of their former good conduct, were now entrusted with muskets.

Atherton was recognised for his valiant efforts in the 11-12 January naval expedition in cooperation with land forces under the command of Sir Archibald Campbell.

[4] Atherton has been attributed by his contemporaries for his efforts, with great goodwill, for distributing funding from the colonial treasury over numerous years to assist the Vedda with a means of cultivating the soil.

Although the colonial government had good intentions, cultivation and production dramatically decreased due to improper maintenance of the ancient irrigation system.

The 5th Colonial Secretary, Sir James Emerson Tennent stated in his work published in 1859 that Atherton, as the A.G.A., in conjunction with Wesleyan Methodist Missionaries, had attempted to enhance the living conditions of the Veddas.

[49] During 1838 "cottages were built for them in their own district, rice land assigned to them, wells dug, coconuts planted, two communities were speedily settled in Vippam-madoo."

[49][50] When he visited Atherton in Batticaloa during 1848, Tennent saw on the esplanade, in front of Government House, the remains of what had formerly been a Dutch garden, with a reservoir in the centre, abounding with tortoises.

[60] Atherton is notable, in a historical setting, for outlining or codifying a Customary law of British Ceylon, relatable to the Sri Lankan Mukkuvar.

[62][63][64] Further research in the 1890’s stated that these ancient laws outlined by Atherton in the 1830’s were previously promulgated by the Dutch Colonial government of Ceylon and referred to as Tésawalamai.

Vol XXIII of the Journal of the Dutch Burgher Union of Ceylon (July 1933) describes Batticaloa during the early years of the British administration (pages 15–17): "We have now arrived at that stage in the early history of Batticalloa which is marked by the arrival of the Atherton's, who were destined to play an important part of the social and official life of the district"Outside of his official capacity, Atherton also undertook private enterprise, having established himself as a pioneer planter in Batticaloa, and was the proprietor of several estates in Ceylon.

was a well known planter, medical physician and philanthropist, and was much respected by the people of Batticaloa, since he was intimately connected with the first systematic cultivation of the coconuts in the early 1840s.

[75] His maternal aunt, Lewis Tabitha Mitford (1782–1859), was married to Prideaux John Selby, an ornithologist, botanist and natural history artist.

His eldest brother Lt John Atherton of the 13th Light Dragoons died on passage from Madras to England onboard the Rockingham in July 1827.

[83][84] His younger brother Captain Edward Atherton of the 22nd Regiment of Foot died in India and was buried in St. Mary's Church, Chennai on 1 August 1837.

[93] His third son, Edward Newnham (1831–1907), began his career in the C.C.S in 1851, obtaining a Writership in 1853, and retired in 1883 after 32 years’ residence without a break on the island and had served as A.G.A in Kurunegala.

A cousin Betram Mitford RN, age 32, paymaster on HMS Cossack drowned in Trincomalee harbour on 10 July 1869 while trying to swim back to his vessel after dining on shore.

On the 27 June 1855, the Sunday Examiner of Ceylon reported: "We much regret to announce the death of Robert Atherton, Esq., Government Agent in Trincomalee, which event occurred on the 23rd instant.

This gentleman was in early life in the Royal Navy, and his bravery and distinguished service were rewarded with a medal and the mention of his name on several occasions in the Admiral’s despatches.