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Appavou, Moutoussamy (c. 1819 - )
- Born
- c. 1819
Madras, India - Occupation
- Postal clerk
- Summary
Moutoussamy Appavou, originally from Madras, had been appointed (in the language of the day) to the position of Malabar clerk at the Port Louis post office in January 1839. Possibly one of the longest serving postal employees at this time, Moutoussamy was put forward for retirement in 1877: ‘now totally unfit for the duties required from age and impaired vision … Mr Appavou is 59 years of age, and has been 39 years in the service…’
Moutoussamy, the one employee from 1847 still working at the Port Louis post office when Major Evans began his investigations there in the mid 1870s, would undoubtedly have handled the ‘Post Office’ stamps in the course of his daily work, and I like to imagine him doing so.
Checking the births, deaths and marriages lists (at the LDS Family History Center), I found a Mootoosamy Appavoo who died in Port Louis on 18 October 1888 (register 5, folio 310). There were others of his name, but this person seems the most likely. Because of the current births, deaths and marriages department's draconian privacy laws in Mauritius it has not been possible for me to find out any more about Moutoussamy via a death certificate. I would like to! If some family member would oblige me, please do!
Related Subjects
Related Places
Bibliography
Books
- Morgan, Helen, Blue Mauritius: The Hunt for the World's Most Valuable Stamps, Atlantic Books, London, 2006. [ Details... ]
Reports
- Mr Brownrigg. Return to an Address of the Honourable The House of Commons, dated 24 May 1855; - for, A "Copy of all Despatches and Correspondence connected with the Removal of Mr. J. Stuart Brownrigg from the Office of Postmaster General of the Island of Mauritius, on the 9th day of June 1853." Ordered by The House of Commons, to be Printed 11 July 1855, London, 24 May 1855. [ Details... ]
Sources used to compile this entry: Moutoussamy's history was compiled from a number of sources, including: Bolton's Mauritius Almanac, the Mauritius Blue Books (1840-78), and Mauritius Archives series RA534 and RA2368.
Prepared by: Helen Morgan
Created: 16 March 2006, Last modified: 26 August 2006