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[[Category:Occupations]]
"A writer was the lowest occupation in the East India Company. They were the clerks who maintained the ledgers and records of the Company, but who if they lived long enough become very rich and powerful progressing through the ranks of Company service. Even after the demise of the Company around 1860, clerks in the Indian Civil Service were termed, unofficially at least, writers. The term was/is also used in the Royal Navy for clerks."<sup>1</sup>
A writer was the lowest occupation in the East India Company. They were the  
clerks who maintained the ledgers and records of the Company, but who if  
they lived long enough become very rich and powerful progressing through the  
ranks of the Company service. Even after the demise of the Company around  
1860, clerks in the Indian Civil Service were termed, unofficially at least,  
writers. The term was/is also used in the Royal Navy for clerks.


Contributed to the India list by Anthony West, March 7, 2007


In 1810  “After five years Writers become Factors, after three years Junior Merchants, and after three years further Senior Merchants, the first of which period includes time spent at our College at Haileybury [http://books.google.com/books?id=6iQoAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA240 Google Books]
== Career progression ==


This [http://www.findmypast.com/helpadvice/knowledge-base/overseas-military/#overseas link] from FindMyPast, in respect of 1869, says<br>  
In 1810, the following arrangements were reported<sup>2</sup> in place.
Promotion is by length of service. Civil Service grades are as follows:
“After five years Writers become Factors,
*First Class – from 34th year of service in India
after three years Junior Merchants, and
*Second Class – from 21st to 34th year in India
after three years further Senior Merchants,
*Third Class – from 13th to 20th year in India 
the first of which period includes time spent at our College at Haileybury."
*Fourth Class – from 9th to 12th year in India
*Fifth Class – from 5th to 8th year in India
*Sixth Class – first 4 years in India


In 1905, this Google Books [http://books.google.com/books?id=3VQTAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA173 link] indicates First Class was with 30 years service; Second Class was with 23 years of service;
By 1869, promotion through the various Civil Service grades was by length of service as this list<sup>3</sup> shows.
Third Class with 18 years; Fourth Class with 12 years of service


First Class – from 34th year of service in India
Second Class – from 21st to 34th year in India
Third Class – from 13th to 20th year in India 
Fourth Class – from 9th to 12th year in India
Fifth Class – from 5th to 8th year in India
Sixth Class – first 4 years in India


By 1905, First Class was achieved with 30 years service, Second Class with 23 years of service, Third Class with 18 years and Fourth Class with 12 years of service.<sup>4</sup>


Names of many applicants who petitioned for the position of writer between 1806 to 1856 are shown on the National Archives website  [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=059-iorj_2&cid=1-1-1#1-1-1  Writer’s petitions]. These relate to British Library series IOR/J/1 – however, it is thought this series may be incomplete. Where a name is found and papers are held then these often show details of parentage, educational background and date of appointment.  If you find your ancestor here and are a Fibis member then you may wish to enlist the help of our research team to access this  further information.


Refer also [[Indian Civil Service]]
Names of many applicants who petitioned for the position of writer between 1806 to 1856 are shown online at [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=059-iorj_2&cid=1-1-1#1-1-1  Writer’s petitions]. These relate to British Library series IOR/J/1 – however, it is thought this series may be incomplete. Where a name is found and papers are held, then these often show details of parentage, educational background and date of appointment.  If you find your ancestor here and are a Fibis member, then you may wish to enlist the help of our research team to access this further information.
 
 
See also further information about the Indian Civil Service [[Indian Civil Service|here]].
 
 
----
==== Notes ====
<sup>1</sup> Anthony West, "Occupations," message to ''India List'' <india@rootsweb.com>, 07 March 2007.
 
<sup>2</sup> ''The Bengal and Agra annual guide and gazetteer, for 1841'', 3rd edition, 1:240 (Calcutta: William Rushton & Co, nd). [http://books.google.com/books?id=6iQoAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA240 Google Books]
 
<sup>3</sup> "British India Records," ''FindMyPast'' (accessed online 20 October 2009). [http://www.findmypast.com/helpadvice/knowledge-base/overseas-military/#overseas FindMyPast]
 
<sup>4</sup> ''The India List and the India Office List for 1905'' (London: Harrison & Sons, 1905), 173-174. [http://books.google.com/books?id=3VQTAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA173 Google Books]
 
[[Category:Occupations]]

Revision as of 14:01, 21 October 2009

"A writer was the lowest occupation in the East India Company. They were the clerks who maintained the ledgers and records of the Company, but who if they lived long enough become very rich and powerful progressing through the ranks of Company service. Even after the demise of the Company around 1860, clerks in the Indian Civil Service were termed, unofficially at least, writers. The term was/is also used in the Royal Navy for clerks."1


Career progression

In 1810, the following arrangements were reported2 in place. 

“After five years Writers become Factors,
after three years Junior Merchants, and
after three years further Senior Merchants,
the first of which period includes time spent at our College at Haileybury."

By 1869, promotion through the various Civil Service grades was by length of service as this list3 shows. 

First Class – from 34th year of service in India
Second Class – from 21st to 34th year in India
Third Class – from 13th to 20th year in India   
Fourth Class – from 9th to 12th year in India 
Fifth Class – from 5th to 8th year in India 
Sixth Class – first 4 years in India

By 1905, First Class was achieved with 30 years service, Second Class with 23 years of service, Third Class with 18 years and Fourth Class with 12 years of service.4


Names of many applicants who petitioned for the position of writer between 1806 to 1856 are shown online at Writer’s petitions. These relate to British Library series IOR/J/1 – however, it is thought this series may be incomplete. Where a name is found and papers are held, then these often show details of parentage, educational background and date of appointment. If you find your ancestor here and are a Fibis member, then you may wish to enlist the help of our research team to access this further information.


See also further information about the Indian Civil Service here.


Notes

1 Anthony West, "Occupations," message to India List <india@rootsweb.com>, 07 March 2007.

2 The Bengal and Agra annual guide and gazetteer, for 1841, 3rd edition, 1:240 (Calcutta: William Rushton & Co, nd). Google Books

3 "British India Records," FindMyPast (accessed online 20 October 2009). FindMyPast

4 The India List and the India Office List for 1905 (London: Harrison & Sons, 1905), 173-174. Google Books

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