Manuscripts concerning the history of Java

Three volumes concerned with British involvement in Java

• Java Antiquities, a bound volume composed of four sections including lists, correspondence, a memorandum and private journals.
• Java Antiquities Craufurd, a bound volume containing two sections, both on the ruins of Javanese temples.

• British in Java 1811-1812 Contemporary Documents, a bound volume containing multiple manuscripts including letters, contracts, instructions, memoirs, minutes, treaties, notes and reports.

These volumes provide information and a valuable insight into British involvement in Java during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Additionally, they offer accounts of the architecture (particularly of temples), culture, history, traditions and practices of Java and its people, prior to and during British Rule.

• Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles (1781-1826) was a British colonial official, who became Lieutenant Governor of Java after its capture from the Dutch in 1811. He is accredited with founding the port of Singapore, and wrote The History of Java.

• John Crawfurd (1783-1868) was a trained doctor, orientalist and scholar, who was employed in the East India Company. He wrote a number of works on his explorations in Asia.

• Godfrey Phipps Baker (1789-1850) was a member of the 11th Native Infantry and later Captain of the 19th Native Industry. In 1812 he was asked by John Crawfurd to create maps and surveys of Java, which can be found in the second edition of Thomas S. Raffles' The History of Java.

• Elton Hammond (d.1819) was the cousin of Thomas S. Raffles, and committed suicide in 1819.

• Alexander Adams (c.1772-d.1834) was a British Army Officer, and was involved in the expedition to take Java from the Dutch in 1811.

• Edward St Maur (also Seymour) (1775-1855) was the 11th Duke of Somerset. He was a mathematician and a president of the Linnean Society and the Royal Society. In 1837, Queen Victoria made him a Knight of the Garter.

• Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound (1751-1814), 1st Earl of Minto (Lord Minto) was a British politician and diplomat. He became Lord Minto in 1797, and Governor General of India from 1807 until 1813.

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2nd February 1850, as noted in the RAS Register of Donations Nov.1843 To Dec.1857, page 141 (RASCOLL3/3/1).

This catalogue was create by Timothy Duffell, RAS volunteer, under the supervision of Nancy Charley, RAS Archivist, in 2023.

Digital photography (without flash) for research purposes may be permitted upon completion of a copyright declaration form, and with respect to current UK copyright law.

The papers were created by T. S. Raffles, J. Crawfurd, G. P. Baker, E. Hammond, E. A. St Maur, A. Adams, G. E. M. Kynynmound, T. [Clarke], and H. Hope. They were presented to the RAS by Captain Richard Hart of the 66th Regiment 2nd February 1850.

Related materials include:

• Catalogue of Paintings Drawing, Engravings & Busts by Raymond Head.

• R.A.S Asiatic Researches Vol.13 Chapter IX The Ruins of Prambanan, in Java by J. Crawfurd, Esq.

• R.A.S History of Java 2nd Ed. by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles.

• Antiquarian, Architectural, and Landscape Illustrations of the History of Java by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles.

• Journal of an Embassy to the Courts of Siam and Cochin China by John Crawfurd