Grandparents' marriage

Our grandparents, Charles Stanley Braine and Paththinikuttige Engracia Nonis, were married on 14 May 1924. They were married at Bandirippuwa church, in the village adjoining Boralessa, where grandma lived.

They had had their first child, Rosie, in 1909, and went on to have 9 children. My dad Ted, born in 1926, being the last. 

Grandmother was from a devout Catholic family. I understand that Catholic priests and nuns brought much pressure on granddad to formalize their relationship. In fact, the two witnesses to the marriage were nuns. 

In those days, marriages between Europeans and local women were frowned upon by Europeans, but many European men (especially planters) cohabited with local women and had offspring. Grandad must have faced strong opposition from his brother and two sisters, and even from his mother, who died in 1909, the year Rosie was born. 

Because our grandparent's weren't married, the childrens' baptismal certificates (and birth certificates, too, if any existed) would have borne the damning line "Father unknown". Even my dad's baptismal certificate bears the same "Father unknown" although he was born after his parents were married. Someone has been careless. 

Grandma's father was Ambrose Nonis and her mother Warnakulasuriya ​Rosa Maria Fernando. When she met grandpa, grandma already had two daughters, Mary and Julia. Father unknown. 

I, the undersigned Missionary Apostolic, do hereby declare and certify that Charles Stanley Braine, son of Charles Frederic Braine and of Adeline Mary Becher of the village of Mawatte Estate, Haldanduwana and Paththinikuttige Engracia Nonis  daughter of Paththinikuttige Ambrose Nonis and of Warnakulasuriya Rosa Maria Fernando of the village of Boralessa were duly joined in the bonds of holy matrimony on the 14 day of May 1924 according to the rites of the Holy Catholic Church , in the presence of Rev. Fr. Paul Alles OMI the local missionary , and the two known witnesses Sr. Mary of St. Solange Superior of the Convent of Negombo and Sr. Mary of St. Antony. 

As shown by the Register of Marriages of the Archbishops House. Given at Bandirippuwa on the 10th day of June 1924.

In a number of ways, our grandparents' marriage was unusual. They came from very different backgrounds, he from a line of English planters (the English were the colonial rulers of Ceylon, and had immense power and influence), and she from a poor family. In fact, at the time they met, grandmother worked as a labourer at Mawatte Estate, where grandpa was the manager. She did not speak English, and he did not speak Sinhala, grandma's native tongue. But grandpa could speak Tamil, because his labourers were Tamils. Grandma was fluent in Tamil, too. So they spoke to each other in Tamil.

Shipping records show that grandpa made a number of trips to the UK after he began to live with grandma, but he did not take her along. Most probably, he did not take her along when he socialized with fellow English planters, either.

By all accounts, grandad was a loving father. He was affectionate and generous to his large brood. He bought a 50-acre property, which he named "Greenwood", for his children. He also bought or built "Stanlodge", at Lewis Place, Negombo (which is an expensive tourist area now), so that his children could attend nearby schools. Grandma had relatives who lived in the neighborhood. Grandma also bought about 6 acres of land at Boralessa, no doubt with grandpa's support. She distributed these properties among her children, and they all sold them off. I am the last holdout, owning "Pondside", which grandma had given Uncle George. Charles, only child of Marie (Rosie's daughter), also lives on the property which his grandmother Rosie got from grandma.

Grandpa died 6 years before I was born, at the height of World War II. But I remember grandma very well. She lived on for 32 years after he passed away, at "The Meet" in Boralessa, and later with Aunty Rosie and Marie. Despite the numerous tribulations she suffered at the hands of some of her children, she wasn't bitter. She was sweet and affectionate, and often talked about her husband. Her relatives, the Nonises, can still be found in the village. I see them everyday.

A visit to Yakwila Estate

According to information provided by Mrs. Maggie Pulle, our grandfather C.S. Braine, who worked for Ceylon Tea Plantations Co, served at the following estates. She found this in the Fergusons Directory, which listed info about planters and estates in Ceylon.

1898 East Holyrood, Talawakele (tea) -Age 24 years

1904  Mawatta (coconut) - 30 years

1909 Yakvilla, also spelt Yakwila (coconut) - 35 years

1912 Yakvilla - 38 years

1914 Mawatta - 40 years

So C.S. Braine, our grandpa, began as a tea planter and then was moved to coconut plantations by his employer, Ceylon Tea Plantations Company. From 1914, he appears to have been at Mawatte till falling ill in the early 1940s. He passed away in 1944.

His employer appears to have moved him between Mawatte and Yakvilla, a distance of 15 miles. He must have met grandmother Engracia Nonis when he was at Mawatte between 1904 and 1908, because their first child Rosie was born in 1909. Quite unlikely that he would have taken her and the children to Yakwila (not done those days, and they only married in 1924, anyway).

My sister and I visited Yakwila on April 6 and were happy to see that the estate, under the Livestock Development Board, still has the same acreage as 100 years ago, and is maintained in good condition. "A green and pleasant land", and I understand why Mr. Herbert Brett, father of Aunt Edith, named his house in the UK after this estate (Brett appears to have been the manager during 1906/07.) Sri Lanka nationalized large land holdings in the 1970s, and an individual was allowed to keep only 50 acres. But, because Yakwila (and Siringapatha) were taken over from Ceylon Tea Plantations Co., the estates were only nationalized, not split up.

The bungalow at Yakwila is on a low hill. Only the roof has been changed, from tin sheets to tiles. But, it has not been well maintained; this has happened at most nationalized plantations. The interior is dark (even the wooden ceiling needs repairs and a coat of paint), is in bad shape, and not well lit. The garden is neglected.

The European planters, whether on tea, rubber or coconut estates, kept their bungalows impeccably. The surrounding gardens were colorful with flowers. Every bungalow had a kitchen garden.  The Ceylonese (local) lads who came into planting were trained by the Europeans for years (they were said to be "creeping") and did a good job of keeping up with tradition. But, at estates like Yakwila, run by a state organization, there is little concern for tradition. The current manager, who is friendly and enthusiastic, has no experience in planting or in coconut. He grew up near Kandy, got a BSc in agriculture, and was suddenly put in charge of 300+ acres of land. He received no training. The job must be a challenge, because he also has problems in finding labourers, as the Livestock Board doesn't pay well, and workers are leaving for better paying jobs. Yakwila has only 10 labourers, wheres about 30+ are needed. Coconut plantations cannot be mechanized.

Siringaptha, a larger estate, may have been the center of a string of surrounding plantations. For instance, on the signboard, Yakwila is named a "division" of Siringaptha   plantation. The bungalows at Siringapatha are better maintained, perhaps because a regional manager of the Livestock Board usually resides in the old, grand bungalow, and the resident manager also has a family. He is interested in tradition and has compiled a list of past managers going back to the 1930s, and it's displayed in his office. I told him about the Fergusons Directory, so he should be able to complete his list soon.

NLDB stands for National Livestock Development Board

Yakwila bungalow

The young manager on the verandah

Views of Siringapatha bungalow

The verandah, where numerous drinking parties may have been held. The planters were lonely, and, in the absence of a club, would have gathered at large, comfortable bungalow where friendly fellow planters resided.

This large tree, at the edge of the garden, would have been there during my grandfather's and Mr. Brett's time. The records also show a R.S. Braine at Yakwila from about 1914 to 1917. This would have been my grandfather's cousin.

The tin roofs would have created a mighty racket when it rained, and quite a bit of added heat on hot days. Life would not have been easy. Humidity, poor imitations of English food prepared by "appus" (local cooks), disputes among servants, snakes, poisonous plants, ... No wonder many of the planters drank heavily, especially because their wives ran back to Britain when the children reached school age. Some of the tea estate bungalows I've been to are miles and miles away from civilization.

In the absence of wives for long periods, some planters also invited local women into the bungalows, which was sometimes considered a privilege for the women's families. I myself am a descendant of such a union, although my grandpa was not already married, and eventually did the right thing by marrying the woman. However, he waited till 7 of his 8 children were born before he agreed to marry. There must have been intense pressure from his family and friends not to formalize the union. Sri Lanka has a scattering of dark skinned people bearing very British names.

The Yakwila bungalow could easily accommodate two people without them getting on each others' nerves. But I am told that the old bungalow at Mawatte had only two large bedrooms.

In order of importance, tea estates ranked at #1, for the beauty of the hills, the cool climate, lifestyle, and other comforts. Rubber may have been #2. Coconut estates, unfortunately, were at the bottom. One advantage, though, may have been their relative proximity to Colombo (civilization!). 

The Fergusons Directory also lists a W.B.B. (William Belgrave Becher) Braine. He was grandpa's younger brother, who appears to have stuck with tea plantations. The directory further lists a Percy Braine, who may have been superintendent of the famous Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya, in Kandy. In the family tree, he appears to be my grandpa's uncle.

Origin and Meaning of "Braine"

Coat of Arms

The name is most probably derived from the village named Braine in Belgium. In ancient times, "before a system of hereditary family names had evolved, it was common practice to identify a person according to his place of origin" (The Historical Research Center).

How did Braine reach England? Most probably in 1066, with the Norman French conquest of England. Duke William II of Normandy gathered soldiers from all over France (Belgium was part of France at that time), and one or more Braines may have volunteered or been recruited. So, our ancestors were originally French speakers.

William rewarded his troops with land he had confiscated from the English, and our ancestor may have been granted some land (with labourers, servants) that way. Actually, only about 800 of the invading army are said to have settled in England. During Norman rule of England, which lasted till 1154, the language of the Court and of the aristocracy was French. The Norman period left a lasting effect on the religion, language, and cuisine of England.

The earliest record of the name is that of Matthew de Brain, in Yorkshire, in 1199.  

Other variants of the name "Braine" are Brain, Brayne,  and Brand (in Scotland). Notable bearers of the name are (besides myself!) Sir Russel Brain (1895-1966), noted neurologist; John Braine (1922-1986), author; Brian Brain, English cricketer; and David Braine (BBC reporter). 

The following is copied directly from the Family Name History issued by The Historical Research Center.

BLAZON OF ARMS: Argent on a pale gules, three leopard heads of the field.

Translation: The heraldic color argent (white or silver) denotes peace and sincerity. The pale is a vertical division on a shield denoting military strength and fortitude. Gules (red) signifies constancy. The leopard is the symbol of the valiant warrior who undertakes hazardous enterprises by force and courage.

CREST: A leopard's head argent.

MOTTO: Nulla rosa sine spinis

Translation: No rose without thorns

ORIGIN: England

A party at the Aged Care Facility

In Brisbane, Aunty Alice lives at the Sunnybank Hills Carramar Aged Care Facility, where she was given a birthday party on March 3. She looks very happy here.

A centenarian in the family!

Aunty Alice Nicol, the fourth child of my grandparents, turned 100 on March 2. On that day, a rather low-key "birthday party" was held at the Anglican Church Hall in Springwood, Brisbane, not far from where aunty lived for many years.

With daughters Maureen, Virginia and Heather

We have 31 cousins. Ten, including the three daughters, turned up. Seven are resident in Australia, five in Brisbane or within driving distance. 

Standing: Lloyd, me, Gordon, Roy, Virginia, and Stan. Seated: Beaula, Heather, Delphine, & Maureen

Cousins with aunty

With Beaula

Greeting from the Queen. Aunty also received greetings from the Governor General of Australia, The Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Governor of Queensland, the PM of Queensland, and other political figures.

Along with the Queen's greetings, aunty would have been happiest with the collage of Braine parents and siblings presented by second cousin Jenny (Delphine's daughter). Aunty seems to most enjoy recalling her childhood with her parents and siblings, so this was a thoughtful gift.

"He knows everything"!

Beaula and I with Aunty Alice

A few days before she reached 100, my sister Beaula, cousin Stanley, and I visited Aunty Alice at the retirement home in Brisbane where she lived. We went around 10 in the morning and stayed past her lunch hour. Aunty was in god spirits and her memory was clear.

I had done my homework. I recalled what Aunty Bee and my dad had told me about their childhood at Boralessa and at nearby Mawatte Estate, where grandpa lived. I also reread what Sinniah had told me about the family. In the previous blog post, I described Sinniah's first visit to me (he as visited twice more since then) and his recollections of grandpa, grandma, and the children.

So aunty and I talked, she recalling and I matching her recollections, for two hours. We talked about Boralessa, Mawatte Estate, and "Stanlodge", the house in Negombo that grandpa had bought for his children. Near the end of our conversation, aunty turned to cousin Stan, and referring to me, said "He knows everything"!

For all the time and effort I have spent on this blog - finding information, documents, photos, and uploading them - aunty's comment was reward enough.

Aunty married in 1943 and left to join her husband at Aspokuna farm, near Digana in the Kandy area. She would have been 27 years by that time. She worked as a nurse, and would have therefore left her parents' homes even before marriage. But her fondest memories seem to be of her childhood, spent at Boralessa and Mawatte. She barely referred to her long life after 1943, at Aspokuna, Melsiripura, and Brisbane. Perhaps the most enjoyable period of her life was spent with her parents and siblings, and that is what she remembers best.

Sinnaiah, who remembers our grandparents

Sinnaiah came to see me recently. He is 98, and still lives, with his youngest son, at Mawatte Estate, where he has spent his entire life.

Sinnaiah remembers our grandparents. About how they met, his father, who also worked on the estate, told him that grandpa had seen grandma (who was called “Engo”) at the coir factory and arranged for her to move into the bungalow, with her own room and a servant to take care of her! 

Sinnaiah says grandpa took a liking to him, allowed him to hang around the estate bungalow, and also took him to other properties. He remembers the Lewis Place house in Negombo, the 50-acre Greenwood property at Hettirippuwa, and “The Meet” at Boralessa. 

In order to collect cash to pay salaries, grandpa came by car or cart to Boralessa and took the rail car to Colombo, where the nearest bank was. Salaries were paid with coins, with sovereigns (equivalent to Rs. 12/ those days) and silver coins. Sinnaiah remembers coins piled on the office table on pay day. He says the large bungalow, with spacious verandah running around and hanging lamps in every room, was demolished and the smaller bungalow built more recently. The estate, which was 540 acres during grandpa’s time, is reduced to 300+ acres now.

Sinnaiah remembers the pond being dug on the property where I live now ("Pondside"), for grandpa’s children to swim and have fun. On the estate, grandpa provided lunch for the children of the laborers. He knew enough Tamil to communicate with the Tamil laborers, their children, and grandma.

Mawatte Estate owned two padda boats (small barges) that plied the Hamilton Canal, to transport copra to Colombo. On the return journey, they brought provisions (groceries) for the estate laborers. The “captain” of the padda boats was called Thandaley. [Basil Fonseka, son of the Thandaley, was my dad’s close friend. That’s how Basil became my godfather.]

Sinnaiah remembers the accident grandpa had while riding around the estate, on a Tantuwa, a fast, open cart. The cart was pulled by a tall, white bull, and the carter was named Antony. Grandpa, who already had a limp and used a walking stick, was badly injured by the accident. The laborers gathered around, wailing for “Rajah”, which means boss/king in Tamil.

Grandpa died in 1944, seventy years ago. Not many people who remember him are still alive. Aunty Alice, of course, is a witness to what I heard this morning.

Later, my dad had hired Sinnaiah tor contract work on one of the estates where dad worked.