John Craig Dumas (abt. 1778 - 1852)

Born about 9 Apr 1778 in Killarney, Kerry, Ireland

Ancestors

Husband of Dorothea (Paton) Dumas — married 25 Jan 1809 in Bleachfield, Thurso, Caithness, Scotland

Descendants

Died 6 Nov 1852 at about age 74 in Tasmania, Australia

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Biograpy

John Dumas came free to Van Diemen's Land (1826-1856)

There is conflicting evidence regarding whether he was born in 1771 or 1778. He arrived in Tasmania on board the "York" on 29 Aug 1829 with his wife and family, escorting convicts to Australia.^[1] He married Dorothea (Dolly) Paton in 1809.^[2]

1771 - 1778 - It is known from John Craig Dumas’s military record that he was born in Killarney, Kerry, Ireland. This record shows his year of birth as 1778 although his death notice and death record conflict with this and suggest his birth year was 1771.

1798 - The following information was available from his military record. In 1798 he joined the 25th Regiment of Foot. He was commissioned in the 84th Regiment in 1798 and

1807 - subsequently transferred to the 75th Regiment, serving in India until 1807. Dumas was wounded several times while serving in India.

1812 - Posted to Sicily in 1812, Dumas served as Assistant Adjutant-General to Sir Hugh Dalrymple. Dumas was sent to the Ionian Islands with the 75th regiment and acted as Governor of Ithaca. Later transferred to Gibraltar,

1828 - Dumas retired on half pay in 1828. Joining the 63rd Regiment in 1829,

1829 - Dumas, his wife and seven children arrived in Hobart town on 29th August 1829 aboard the “York”

1830 - Dumas sold his commission in 1830. . He had embarked as commander of the guard on the convict transport. Although granted 2,560 acres in the north of the colony,

1831 -Dumas resided in the Richmond district from 1831 until the 1850s. Dumas purchased William Jemott’s “Lyne Grove”, Coal River in mid 1831.

1840 - He continued to live at “Lyne Grove” during the 1840s although William Kearney had purchased the property from Dumas.

1840 -In April 1850, Dumas was living at “The Views” (formerly “Nugent”), Richmond.

1842 - he died on 6th April, 1852 in Richmond

THE LATE CAPTAIN DUMAS.^[3] The Sydney Morning Herald of 3rd inst., gives the following memoir of this gentleman : Captain John Craig Dumas, late of H.M. 63rd Regiment, died on the 6th November ultimo, at his residence. Nugent,Van Diemen's Land.As one of Wellington's veteran officers (his service dating from the Great Captain's early glories in India), and as an old and respected colonist of Australasia, a brief outline of his long and honorable career will be read with interest. The deceased officer entered the service in the early part of 1798, and being immediately ordered to India, at that date the seat of most important military operations, he upon his arrival there exchanged into the 75th regiment, and his earliest services were in connection with the determined measures taken by the Governor-General in respect to Hydrabad. The invasion of the kingdom of Mysore being decided upon by the Marquis of Wellesley, the 75th formed part of the force placed under the orders of General Harris to effect this great project, and Mr. Dumas took part in the various affairs that occurred before the fall of Seringapatam, particularly in the rattle of Malairlly, the attack on which occasion was led by Colonel Wellesley (now the Duke of Wellington). The whole army of the Sultan was'engaged in this contest, and so inferior was the British force both in cavalry and light troops, that when the Indian line gave way, and a general retreat ensued, General Harr is was not in a position to molest it.But this battle afforded another proof how unable even the flower of the eastern armies was to contend in pitched battle with the British. The famous movement across the Cavery at the falls of Sosilla, and so along the southern bank of that river to Seringapatam. It was then that Tippo Saib, baffled by the unexpected movement of the British General, called his principal officerstogether, and said " We have arrived at our last stage, what is your determination?"" To die along with you !" was their reply, the principal chief throwing himself prostrate and clasping the feet of t he Sultan, the Indian sign of the most solemn farewell.From the 5th of April to the 1st of May, various determined attacks were made upon different positions of the enemy's advanced line, in several of which Mr. Dumas particularly distinguished himself, and was prominently mentioned in general orders. "On the morning of the memorable 4th of May, he was appointed to lead a forlorn hope from the left column of Sir David Baird's storming-party. The brave defence of the left walls of Seringa- patam by the Sultan's troops, led by Tippoin person, is a striking instance of Indian chivalry. The English storming parties, on mounting the ladders, discovered to their surprise a deep ditch separating it from an inner rampart, where the enemy in great force kept up a destructive fire; whilst they gallantly defended successive traverses formed across the path of the assailants. Mr. Dumas was one of the first who mounted the ladders, but in the desperate contest which ensued, he -received three several sabre wounds, on receiving the last of which (across the head) he was precipitated from the walls. All the commissioned officers who successively led the attack at this point, were killed or wounded. Tippo himself fell, receiving two musket balls in his side. The wounds of Mr. Dumas were of the most serious nature; tetanus followed, and scarcely a hope was entertained of his life. He never the less recovered, and was present in 1804 at the storming of Bhurtpore, where he was again severely wounded. In 1807, the pacific policy of Lord Minto enabled the East India company to modify their hostile demonstrations, and Mr. Dumas returned to England with his regiment, then reduced in numbers, a mere skeleton. In 1812, the 75th was again ordered for foreign service, and proceeded to Sicily, where it was engaged with the army under Sir Hugh Dalrymple in the various affairs between the raising of Joachim Murat to the throne of Naples and the restoration of Ferdinand. Having obtained his company (by a death vacancy) soon after his arrival in Sicily, Captain Dumas was appointed assistant Adjutant-General to Sir Hugh Dalrymple. When Sicily was evacuated by the British, at the conclusion of the war, the 75th was ordered to the Ionian Islands, and Captain Dumas was appointed Governor of Ithaca, when the treaty between Russia and England as to the protection of these islands by the British was signed. He subsequently governed the island of Papo. In 1822, the 75th were removed to Gibraltar, and Captain Dumas went home on leave, rejoining his corps at Gibraltar in 1824. In 1828, the state of his health induced him to retire on half pay^[4][5]; but a life of ease to one who had so long been actively engaged was not found endurable, and in 1821 he joined the 63rd regiment, then under orders for the Australian colonies, and he soon afterwards arrived in Van Diemen's Land. The state of his health, the excruciating pain which at frequent intervals resulted from his wounds, compelled him at length to sell out, a matter to him of the most poignant regret, for never was a man more enthusiastically devoted to his country. He however retained his spirit to the last, and died, universally esteemed in his 75th year.

Evidence regarding James Dumas father of John Craig Dumas

Cork Examiner, 16 February, 1859^[6] "SCHEDULE REFERRED TO IN THE FOREGOING NOTICE.

• Annuity of twenty pounds a year from Anne Dumas, under the will of James Dumas, being date the 18th day of April, 1780.
• Charge of four hundred pounds created by said will for Frances Dumas, daughter of said James Dumas.
• Charge of four hundred pounds created by said will for James Dumas son of said James Dumas.
• Charge of four hundred pounds created by said will for John Craig Dumas, son of said James Dumas. "

This notice and the State Library tree suggest that an Ann was the mother of John Craig Dumas. The state library tree suggests she died in 1806 aged 74 (born 1732?) It seems from the information on the State Library tree that although his mother may well be named Ann, her information has been confused with Anne Hillgrove who is not his mother but also married another James Dumas.

It seems quite possible that a brother was also Lieutenant General Peter Dumas. Although this brother was not mentioned in the article transcribed above regarding his father's will of 1780 this may well be because he was not born until the year after his will was written.

The relationship to the Craig family is still not clear. It may well be that his grandmother the wife of Henry Dumas was a Craig. This seems quite feasible. The only clear relationship to the Craig family is that his grandfather Henry's brother Peter's daughter married Hew Craig.

Sources

1. ↑ The Hobart Town Courier, 29 Sep, 1829
2. ↑ Scotland, Select Marriages, 1561-1910, FHL Film Number: 0990555, 0990556
3. ↑ Colonial Times, 21 Dec, 1852 pg 3
4. ↑ The Hobart Town Courier, 18 Jul, 1829 pg 4
5. ↑ Edinburgh Advertiser (Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland) 19 Dec 1828
6. ↑ Cork Examiner 16 Feb 1859

• "Family Tree," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : modified 14 June 2017, 02:55), entry for Captain John Craig Dumas(PID https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/4:1:LVZH-Q7P); contributed by various users.