INDIAN MUTINY. The flight of Mary Goldney with three of her children from Sultanpoor in 1857 (Copy)

Mary Louisa Goldney: Escape from Sultanpoor in 1857. Privately published Jersey, June 9th, 1858. Reprinted in facsimile by Bates & Hindmarch [Cheltenham] 2020, with notes by Jeffery Bates and an index, a limited edition of 50 copies of which 40 are for sale. [iv], 32pp. iv] Printed red card cover. stapled as was the original edition.

A rare, fascinating, at times harrowing, and very personal account of her escape with her three young children after the murder by Mutineers of her husband, Lt Col Philip Goldney, a Commissioner of Oudh, at Fyzabad. The printed copy which we have and here reprinted emerged from a trunk of papers descended through her family and the work is only recorded in its manuscript form belonging to an Edinburgh branch of the family in Janice M Ladendorf: The Revolt in India 1857 – 58. An annotated bibliography of English language materials. [inter Documentation Company AG, Zug, Switzerland, 1966] 877, page 140.

In that closely connected way of military families in 19th century India Mary Holbrow had married Philip Goldney in 1833 when he was young lieutenant in the 4th Bengal N.I., commanded by her father, Lt Col John Holbrow.  Mary’s older daughter married Joseph Ford Sherer who was serving in the Sylhet Light Infantry in north east of India during the Mutiny.          mar21/1