Bastian Fernandopulle #7006

Sri Lanka Colombo Chetty Family Genealogy

ASERAPPA, Anthony Pieris - Family #7007

The advent of the Colombo Chetty community from Nagapatnam, India is well documented from 1663 during the reign of King Rajasingha 11 of Kandy, and the governorship of the Dutch Ryckloff Van Goens. With the arrival of the westerners in search of the riches of the east, the Chetties of India used the opportunity to further their trade. Tandava, M.P. Aserappa, a wealthy ship owner, arrived in his own vessel from Nagapatnam with his brother Arthurunarayan. He was a Hindu. On his conversion to Christianity, he took the name of Anthony Pieris Aserappa, Arthurunarayan died on arrival. Anthony Pieris Aserappa married an Indian lady. Their son Louis Pieris, (Hindu name Thandaramurthi) married his cousin in India. They had ten children - six boys and four girls.

Historical slaves were shipped from Zanzibar East Africa to Ceylon and auctioned at Slave Island. Colombo. The last will of Peter Pedro Aserappa No. 936 dated 23 Nov. 1844 2. reads" It is the will and desire that after the death of either of us, in consideration of the long and faithful service of our slave Bey Manuel, he be allowed to go at large if he desires it; but should he be inclined to remain in the service of the survivor, it is our will and desire, he be protected and his wants provided for by the survivor and our children as long as he choose to remain in service".

Walter Nicholas Aserappa 1864-1928

Born:4-Dec-1864. Educated at St. Thomas' College. Proctor SC, Notary, 1892. Acting Crown Counsel for the Island. Acted frequently as Deputy Fiscal. Municipal Magistrate and Public Prosecutor, DC, Colombo Supreme Court. Acting Tamil Member LC. Commissioner of Requests, Negombo. Died:8-Aug-1928

1 Anthony Pieris Aserappa of Nagapatnam + name Not Known (India)

...2 Lousi Pieris (Thandaramurthi), d:1804 + Anna daughter of Thomas Soosay Chettiar (1764, India).

......3 Anthony Pieris Aserappa (1769-1813)+ Johanna Rodrigo Thambichetty (d/o Senapathi Chettiar)

.........4 Louis Pieris Aserappa (merchant), d:1804 + Anna (d/o Thomas Soosay Chettiar) m:1764)

.............5 Anthony Pieris Aserappa 1769-1813 (ship owner who sailed between Nagapatnam, Colombo and Mumbai) + Johanna Rodrigo Thambichetty

................6 Louis Pieris Aserappa, Shroff of the salt stores in Negombo, + Magdalene Jurgen Ondaatchi (d/o Solomon Jurgen Ondaatchi Interpreter Mudaliar of the Galle, Courts) (7000)

...................7 [1] Anthony Louis Aserappa Pulle, Head master of the Mission school in Slave Island + [2] Maria Ondaatchi (d/o Philip Jurgen Ondaatchi) (no issue) (7000)

...................7 Magdalene Pieris Aserappa + Johan Christoffel Fernando Pulle Chettiar (s/o Fernando Pulle Chettiar of Jampettah)

......................8 Anna Fernandopulle + Harry Casie Chetty, Interpreter Mudaliyar of the District Court Colombo, later Headmaster of the Lower school of St Thomas College (7017)

9 Godwin Casie Chetty + Jane de Rosiro. They had two sons Mervyn Casie Chetty (1913-1999) the late lawyer and poet, and Rajah Casie Chetty who died in 1974

10 Mervyn Casie Chetty, b: 1913, d:Sat Nov 6 1999, Lawyer, Social Activist, Poet, Represented Sri Lanka at Law Asia Conferences, been a Member of the Bar Council and a member of the disciplinary panel of the Bar Association. Murdered by robbers who stole cash and whiskey from his residence at Mount Lavinia on Nov 6 1999.

11 N Yohesan Casie Chetty, headmaster of S. Thomas' Preparatory School, Kollupitiya

11 D Ganesan Casie Chetty, Ambassador to Germany

10 Rajah Casie Chetty, died in 1974

......................8 Maria Fernandopulle

...................7 Peter Louis Aserappa Pulle + Mary Ondaatchi (d/o Peter Jurgen Ondaatchi) (7000)

......................8 Walter Nicholas Aserappa** 1864-1928, Police Magistrate in Negombo,+ Lily Allagakoon

.........................9 Mary Rani Aserappa + Segarajasingham

...................7 Solomon Louis Aserappa Pulle 1837-1902, Proctor of the Supreme Court, Colombo, + Mary Anne Casie Chetty 1841-1917 (7017)

......................8 Alice Aserappa (spinster)

......................8 Evelyn Aserappa (spinster)

......................8 Frances Aserappa (spinster)

......................8 Ella Aserappa (spinster)

......................8 Florrie Aserappa (spinster)

......................8 Maud Aserappa + S.C. Kanagasundaram Chief clerk of the Colombo Kachcheri

.........................9 Selvarani Kanagasundaram

.........................9 Muthurani Kanagasundaram

.........................9 Maharani Kanagasundaram

.........................9 Thangarani Kanagasundaram

......................8 Arthur Louis Reginald Aserappa (bachelor)

......................8 Charles Pieris Aserappa (bachelor)

......................8 Anthony Aserappa + Saloma Marugappa

......................8 Ernest Aserappa, Proctor of the Supreme Court, + Birdie Allagakoon

.........................9 Ernest Kingsley Aserappa BA (Cantab) Advocate, later Legal Draftsman

.........................9 Hector Aserappa, Airline pilot

.........................9 Earle Aserappa

.........................9 Irene. Aserappa

................6 John Pieiris Aserappa, 1813-1861, clerk in the Colombo Kachcheri + Wilhelmina Amelia Jurgen Ondaatchi 1831-1891, (d/o William Jurgen Ondaatchi Interpreter Colombo Courts, and niece of Rev. Jurgen Ondaatchi. Translator and Colonial Chaplain 1835-1897) (7000)

...................7 Anne Aserappa d:1876 of childbirth + Robert Smith sub editor of the Times of Ceylon

...................7 Ellen Aserappa 1848 + John Cowell (Irishman), store keeper

...................7 Angela Aserappa (spinster)

...................7 Magdalene (Maria) Aserappa, 1848 + Arthur Kurt Von Possner 1833-1900, German engineer

......................8 Laura Von Possner (spinster)

......................8 Wilhelmina (Mini) Von Possner (spinster)

......................8 Anna Von Possner + Wagner (Freudenberg Company)

......................8 Therese Von Possner, nurse at St Thomas Hospital London, + Percy Napton (patient) of San Fancisco emigrated to California.

...................7 Johanna Aserappa (spinster)

...................7 Charlotte Aserappa (spinster)

...................7 William Aserappa (Bachelor)

...................7 Johan Edwin Aserappa, 1860-1931, Police magistrate at Avissawella, + Catherine Rosa De la Harpe (Dutch Burgher)

................6 Kathalia Pieris Aserappa, 1797-1822, + Philip Jurgen Ondaatchi, (s/o Rev Mathew Jurgen Ondaatchi) (7000)

...................7 [2] Maria Ondaatchi + [1] Anthony Louis Aserappa Pulle, Head master of the Mission school in Slave Island

................6 Anna Pieris. Aserappa + Johan Rodrigo Pullenayagam Muttiah, CCS, Police Magristrate Kayts in 1927

...................7 daughter + Rev Gabriel Rodrigo Muttukrishna

......................8 Anna Muttukrishna

......................8 John Muttukrishna

.........................9 George Muttukrishna (settled in South Africa)

.............5 Peter (Pedro) Pieris Aserappa Pulle 1787-1844 + Muttukrishna (d/o Raja Sri Abraham Devanasan Muttukrishna, who was a converted Christian)

................6 Christina Pieris Aserappa + Abraham Jurgen Ondaarchi (s/o Thomas Jurgen Ondaatchi) m:1834

...................7 Julianna Ondaatchi b:1834 + William Jurgen Ondaatchi b:1819, m:1848 They adopted Walter Nicholas Aserappa** (1864-1928)

.............5 2nd spouse of Peter (Pedro) Pieris Aserappa Pulle 1787-1844: + Anna Julianna de Melho Wannigakoon 1801-1871 (d/o Simon De Melho Wannigakoon 1741, Mudaliyar of Jampettah Street) {7008)

................6 John De Melho Aserappa (1831-1891), businessman and proctor of the Supreme Court in Avissawella. By 1867 he had settled down in Colombo. John De Melho built his home, Zion House, at Maradana Road Borella in Colombo 8. He wished to live in close proximity to the Church, the Hospital, and the Cemetery. St. Lukes Church where he worshipped was opposite his home. The General Hospital was round the corner and the Kanatte Cemetery a short carriage drive away. Selina his wife was a devout Christian. Her example and teaching of the scriptures led to the conversion of a Malayalee employee. Mrs. Aserappa urged the CMS Secretary of the time to start the Church of Ceylon Malayalam Mission to minister to Malayalee converts in Ceylon. Mrs. Aserappas convert — Paul, became an Evangalist in the Malayalam Mission and later, under the influence of the Pentecostal Missionaries from Australia became a member of the Penetecostal Church, going on to found the Ceylon Pentecostal Mission where he is still remembered as Pastor Paul. + Selina Perera

..................7 Amelia de Melho Aserappa, born at Avissawella 1845 + Cecil James de Silva Foreman platelayer in the railway. m:1893. His father was a Station Master

.....................8 Cecil Ernest de Silva (1894) a Inspector of Police, + Gladys Dhanapala of Kurunegala

.....................8 Amelia Octavia de Silva (1895) + Dr. Arthur Perera LMS

.....................8 Florence Beatrice de Silva 1897 + S. E. N. Nicholas

.....................8 John Albert de Silva (1898-1966) Conservator of Forests was educated at Trinity College Kandy and Kebel College Oxford, + Irene Aserappa d/o Ernest Aserappa, a famous cricketer in his day

.....................8 Mabel de Silva + Dr. D. B. J de Silva, later Medical Superintendent of the General Hospital Colombo

.....................8 Aileen (Lena) de Silva 1905 + C. E. Simithraaratchi first Ceylonese Principal of Trinity College Kandy

.....................8 Edward Reginald de Silva (1906) Shell Company + Mary Jayaweera

..................7 John Jeramy de Melho Aserappa (1867-1918) + Anna Maria Timm, a German lady from Hamburg who died during World War 1

..................7 2nd spouse of John Jeramy de Melho Aserappa: + Prudence De Vlesschawwer (1881-1951)

.....................8 Mary Clementine (Tinica) de Melho Aserappa

.....................8 Dr. John Jeramy Aserappa MD, d:1946. During World War 2, Dr. John was held by the Germans as a prisoner of war. He worked as a doctor among the prisoners, and contracted tuberculosis whilst a POW

..................7 Edward Peter de Melho Aserappa (1869) qualified as a doctor LRCP LRCS, Provincial surgeon in Ceylon

..................7 Mary Julia de Melho Aserappa (1871-1965) + Lazarus Jayawardene, Registrar of Births and Marriages

.....................8 May Adelaide (Ada) Jayawardene (1910) + Dr Leslie De Lanerolle

.....................8 Dulcie Jayawardene (1911) + G. W. Stork

.....................8 son

..................7 Richard Humbert de Melho Aserappa FCH, b:1874. Qualified in England as an engineer. He joined the Indian Railways, + Hetty Baron. Hetty m:1910 (d/o Edwin James and Martha Baron of London

.....................8 Richard Edwin de Melho Aserappa (1910-46), Major General of the Corps of Engineers Indian Army + Mary Bird.

........................9 Jennifer Mary de Melho Aserappa MA (1948)

........................9 Lynn Grace de Melho Aserappa (1949)

.....................8 Hetty Susan de Melho Aserappa (1912)

.....................8 John Philip de Melho Aserappa (1917), later retired from the Ceylon Civil Service to join the Colonial Civil Service in Hong Kong.+ Wilhelmina (Dutch)

..................7 Fredrick Rudolph de Melho Aserappa 1874-1922 was unfortunately a chronic invalid

..................7 Laura Selina de Melho Aserappa, born at Zion House, Borella in 1880 + Edward Charles Bakmiwewa, President of the Village Tribunal Kurunegala in 1907. There was no issue from this marriage. They adopted Alec Barrington.

..................7 Christian Victor de Melho Aserappa, the youngest son was born at Zion House. He qualified in England as a doctor. On his return to Ceylon, he was appointed Chief Medical Officer of Health Colombo. + Leilawathie Srinivasam (d/o Balasundum Sirinivasam Bar at Law Inner Temple) at Davids Church Gaya Bihar India in 1919

.....................8 Harindra de Melho Aserappa (1919)

.....................8 Ajit Kumar de Melho Aserappa (1921)

.....................8 Padmini Vannaruha de Melho Aserappa + Capt Malcolm De Costa who served in the Navy in World War 2

.....................8 Dilkusha de Melho Aserappa(1923) + Senanayake

..................7 Simon De Melho Aserappa (1837-1906). Went to England for his education as a teenager where he qualified as a doctor. Was the first Ceylonese to obtain the degree of MD Edin, where he was a contemporary of Lord Lister. He was the first Ceylonese Chief Medical Officer of the Colombo Municipality. + Emily Julia Wake (1838-1905) in London in 1858 (second daughter of Bishop William Basil Wake). Since Emily Julia was barren, Simon with the consent of Julia, contracted a surrogate marriage

....................8 Surrogate daughter Dora Elenor Aserappa (1877-1940) + Dr. S. C. Paul (1872-1942), m:4th of May 1899

........................9 They had six sons and three daughters.

....................8 Dora's brother Colin Florian Aserappa (1873-1891) died aged 18 at the eve of his departure to England for his education

..................7 Louvis De Melho Aserappa (1836-37) died aged one.

..................7 Dr Melhi Aserappa (1837-1868). MA, Glasgow, and a Barrister at Law, practiced at the Batticoloa Courts.

................6 Simon De Melho Aserappa (1832)

................6 Loovis De Melho Aserappa (1836)

................6 Anthony De Melho Aserappa (1837)

................6 Philip De Melho Aserappa (1840)

[All of the above children adopted the pre fix De Melho to their names after their grandfather Simon De Melho Wannigakoon]

.........4 Saveril Pieris Aserappa (merchant) (bachelor)

......3 Philip Pieris Aserappa (bachelor)

......3 Christopher Pieris Aserappa (bachelor)

......3 Saveril Pieris Aserappa (bachelor)

......3 Bastian Pieris Aserappa (bachelor)

......3 son (bachelor)

......3 daughter (spinster)

The Aserappas

The eldest son of Louis Pieris, Anthony Pieris Aserappa married the daughter of Senapathi Chettiar. Due to the difficulty of finding suitable partners of the same caste and religion, the other sons, Philip Pieris, Christopher Pieris, Saveril Pieris, and Bastian Pieris Aserappa did not marry, nor did Louis Pieris's four daughters.

Anthony Pieris Aserappa had two sons, Louis Pieris and Saveral Pieris. Both were merchants.

Louis Pieris Aserappa married Anna daughter of Thomas Soosay Chettiar (1764). They had two sons, Anthony Pieris Aserappa, and Peter (Pedro) Pieris Aserappa. Louis Pieris died in 1804, Saverely Pieris remained a bachelor.

Anthony Pieris Aserappa (1769-1813) was a ship owner whose ships sailed between Nagapatnam, Colombo, and Mumbai. He married Johanna Rodrigo Thambichetty. They had four children Louis Pieris, John Pieiris, Kathalia Pieris, and Anna Pieris.

Louis Pieris Aserappa the eldest son, was Shroff of the salt stores in Negombo. He married Magdalene Jurgen Ondaatchi daughter of Solomon Jurgen Ondaatchi Interpreter Mudaliar of the Galle, Courts.

The marriage of Louis Pieris Aserappa and Magdalene Ondaatchi was fruitful. They had four children whose marriages strengthened the bonds between the Aserappa's the Ondaatchi's, and the Casie Chettiya.

The eldest son Anthony Louis Aserappa Pulle was Head master of the Mission school in Slave Island. He married Maria Ondaatchi daughter of Philip Jurgen Ondaatchi. They had no children.

The eldest daughter Magdalene Pieris Aserappa, married Johan Christoffel Fernando Pulle Chettiar son of Fernando Pulle Chettiar of Jampettah. They had two daughters Anna and Maria. Anna married Harry Casie Chetty, Interpreter Mudaliar of the District Court Colombo, later Headmaster of the Lower school of St Thomas College. Their son Godwin Casie Chetty married Jane de Rosiro. They had two sons Mervyn Casie Chetty (1913-1999) the late lawyer and poet, and Rajah Casie Chetty who died in 1974.

Peter Louis Aserappa Pulle the second son of Louis Pieris and Magdalene married Mary Ondaatchi the daughter of Peter Jurgen Ondaatchi, Their son Walter Nicholas (1864-1928) was a Police magistrate in Negombo. He married Lily Allagakoon. Their daughter Mary Rani Aserappa married Segarajasingham.

The third son of Louis and Magdalene-Solomon Louis Aserappa Pulle (1837-1902) was a Proctor of the Supreme Court, Colombo, married Mary Anne Casie Chetty (1841-1917). They had a large family of eleven. Six were girls, Alice, Evelyn, Frances, Ella, and Florrie were splinters. Maud married S.C. Kanagasundaram Chief clerk of the Colombo Kachcheri. They had four daughters Selvarani, Muthurani, Maharani and Thangarani.

Two of the five boys, Arthur Louis Reginald, and Charles Pieris were bachelors, while Anthony married Saloma Marugappa, and Ernest Proctor of the Supreme Court, married Birdie Allagakoon. They had three sons, Ernest Kingsley Aserappa BA (Cantab) Advocate, later Legal Draftsman, Hector an airline pilot, Earle, and one daughter Irene. Aserappa.

John Pieris Aserappa (1813-1861), the second song of Anthony Pieris Aserappa and Johanna Rodrigo Tambichetty was a clerk in the Colombo Kachcheri. He married Wilhelmina Amelia Jurgen Ondaatchi (1831-1891), daughter of William Jurgen Ondaatchi Interpreter Colombo Courts, and niece of Rev. Jurgen Ondaatchi. Translator and Colonial Chaplain (1835-1897) John and Wilhelmina raised a large family of eight-six girls, and two boys. Marriage with foreigners were recorded for the first time.

Anne married Robert Smith sub editor of the Times of Ceylon. She died in 1876 of childbirth. Ellen (1848) married an Irishman, John Cowell who was a store keeper. William was a bachelor, and Angela was a spinster. Magdalene (Maria) 1848 married a German engineer Arthur Kurt Von Possoner (1833-1900). Johanna and Charlotte remained spinsters. Johan Edwin (1860-1931) who was Police, magistrate at Avissawella, married Catherine Rosa De la Harpe a Dutch Burgher. They had no children.

Kathalia Pieris Aserappa (1797-1822), daughter of Anthony Pieris Aserappa and Johanna Rodrigo Tambichetty married Philip Jurgen Ondaatchi, son-of Rev Mathew Jurgen Ondaatchi. They had no children.

The Muttiah and Muttukrishna Connections

Kathalia's sister Anna Pieris Aserappa, married, Johan Rodrigo Pullenayagam Muttiah CCS Police Magristrate Kayts in 1927. Their daughter married Rev Gabriel Rodrigo Muttukrishna They had two children. Anna and John. John's son George settled in South Africa.

Descendents of the early Aserappas

Peter (Pedro) Aserappa and Anna Julianna Wannigakoon had five children. The eldest son, John De Melho Aserappa (1831-1891) was a businessman and proctor of the Supreme Court in Avissawella. By 1867 he had settled down in Colombo. John De Melho built his home Zion House at Maradana Road Borella. He wished to live in close proximity to the Church, the Hospital, and the Cemetery.

St. Lukes Church where he worshipped was opposite his home. The General Hospital was round the corner and the Kanatte Cemetery a short carriage drive away. Selina his wife was a devout Christian. Her example and teaching of the scriptures led to the conversion of a Malayalee employee. Mrs. Aserappa urged the CMS Secretary of the time to start the Church of Ceylon Malayalam Mission to minister to Malayalee converts in Ceylon. Mrs. Aserappas convert — Paul, became an Evangalist in the Malayalam Mission and later, under the influence of the Pentecostal Missionaries from Australia became a member of the Penetecostal Chruch, going on to found the Ceylon Pentecostal Mission where he is still remembered as Pastor Paul.

John De Melho Aserappa

John De Melho and Selina Perera had three girls and five boys. Their eldest daughter Amelia was born at Avissawella 1845. She married Cecil James de Silva Foreman platelayer in the railway. In 1893. His father was a Station Master, They had a family of seven. The eldest Cecil Ernest (1894) a Inspector of Police, married Gladys Dhanapala of Kurunegala. Amelia Octavia (1895) married Dr. Arthur Perera LMS, while Florence Beatrice 1897 married S. E. N. Nicholas. The second son John Albert (1898-1966) Conservator of Forests who was educated at Trinity College Kandy and Kebel College Oxford, married Irene Aserappa daughter of Ernest Aserappa. A famous cricketer in his day. Mabel married Dr. D. B. J de Silva, later Medical Superintendent of the General Hospital Colombo. Aileen (Lena) 1905 married C. E. Simithraaratchi first Ceylonese Principal of Trinity College Kandy. Edward Reginald (1906) Shell Company married Mary Jayaweera.

The eldest son of John De Melho Aserappa and Selina Perera was John Jeramy (1867-1918) He married Anna Maria Timm a German lady from Hamburg who died during World War 1. John Jeramy thereupon married Prudence De Vlesschawwer (1881-1951) by which marriage she had a daughter Mary Clementine (Tinica) and Dr. John Jeramy Aserappa MD. During World War 2, Dr. John was held by the Germans as a prisoner of war. He worked as a doctor among the prisoners, and contracted tuberculosis whilst a POW. He died in May 1946.

John De Melho a second son, Edward Peter Aserappa (1869) qualified as a doctor LRCP LRCS. He was a Provincial surgeon in Ceylon. He remained single.

Mary Julia (1871-1965) married Lazarus Jayawardene, Registrar of Births and Marriages. Mary Julia and Lazarus had two daughters, May Adelaide (1910), Dulcie (1911), and a son. May Adelelaide (Ada) married Dr Leslie De Lanerolle, Dulcie married G. W. Stork.

Richard Humbert FCH born in 1874. He qualified in England as an engineer. He joined the Indian Railways. In 1910 he married Hetty Baron. Hetty was the daughter of Edwin James and Martha Baron of London. Richard and Hetty’s children was Richard Edwin (1910-46) a Major General of the Corps of Engineers Indian Army, Hetty Susan (1912), and John Philip (1917). Richard Edwin married Mary Bird. They had a daughter Jennifer Mary MA (1948) and Lynn Grace (1949). John Philip of the Ceylon Civil Service married Wilhelmina (Dutch). He later retired from the Ceylon Civil Service to join the Colonial Civil Service in Hong Kong.

Fredrick Rudolph 1874-1922 was unfortunately a chronic invalid.

Laura Selina was born at Zion House, Borella in 1880. She married Edward Charles Bakmiwewa, President of the Village Tribunal Kurunegala in 1907. There was no issue from this marriage. They adopted Alec Barrington.