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Quote from: Tom Fitton on Saturday 01 August 20 00:03 BST (UK)

Quote from: Mckha489 on Friday 31 July 20 23:59 BST (UK)

Scungchie. Sounds like an anglicised word

I’d really like to find out where this Scungchie word comes from or what it refers to.

Have you seen the actual text of the newspaper or just a transcription? Often words get mangled in the process.

I’ve seen it, yes, I was the one who transcribed it.

I may be wrong, but to me, the article sounds tongue in cheek.  I can't find any instance of the term, but "the well-known Fort scungchie" sounds as if it might be describing someone who is a habitual drunkard or has mental health problems, in which case it's possible the claimed link to royalty may have been only in Albert's imagination.

Ah, I suppose that does make sense. If so, it would be a shame as I was excited by the prospect of an ancestor arresting royalty. Oh well, I still have his solving of the Great Bombay Jewel Robbery of 1863

Hello everyone

I came across an interesting article involving my 3x great grandfather, James Butters.

It seems her arrested a person of royalty in 1863 in Bombay, according to The Bombay Gazette, 30th November 1863. I am unable to identify who this royal is. I would be immensely grateful if we were able to work out who the royal would have been. Article below:

     ‘ROYALTY IN TROUBLE.—The well known Fort Scungchie, Albert, was placed at the bar charged with being drunk and incapable of taking care of himself. Constable Butters stated that between 8 and 9 o’clock last night the prisoner was brought to his house in a buggy, he was drunk and incapable of taking care of himself, upon searching him previous to locking him up, he found upon him the following: Rupees 381, half rupees 96, quarters 513, two anna pieces 1232, in Copper Rs. 1-1-3, also two English sixpences and two penny pieces, the whole amounting to Rs. 712-14-17. Albert upon being asked what he had to say, admitted having taken some liquor, but it was to do him good, he had been suffering from fever the day before, and a person had advised him to take some, he only had two glasses, was quite sensible, but the liquor made him feel like being drunk, he sometimes sat down, sometimes laid down, he was lying down when the sepoy saw him. His Worship said that the prisoner ought to be very thankful to the Constable for preserving his money, perhaps his life, as, were it known he had such a sum upon him, and he in a helpless condition, there were many roving about, would only be too glad of the opportunity. Albert replies there was no danger of his being robbed, as he was a great person of high lineage, and related to the Royal family. His worship said, he was sorry to see a person so distinguished in such a situation, and advised him to place his money in the Bank, as now it was known he had such a sum his life would not be safe. Albert said he would deposit the money as his worship advised him. He was fined one rupee for being drunk and four annas for buggy hire, and then departed in company of Constable Butters for the purpose of investing his money. Shortly after the Constable returned with a Bank Book with which Albert was credited Rs. 708, he had insisted upon the Constable taking charge of the book as he himself might lose it. His worship told Mr. Butters he had better keep the book, and occasionally enquire whether Albert had any more to invest.’