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Bryan’s Journey: A Heritage in Ceylon
Bryan's family history spans over two centuries, tracing back to 1797 when his ancestor, John Staples, arrived in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) from England. A Quartermaster in the British Army, John played a significant role in early colonial Ceylon, including witnessing a historic duel and being involved in Ceylon’s first jury trial.
His legacy continued through his son, John James Staples, a prominent figure in Ceylon's legal and administrative systems during British rule. For seven generations, the Staples family remained in Ceylon, with Bryan's father, Douglas, being the last born in Colombo in 1930. Bryan, born in Australia in 1958, is now reconnecting with his ancestral roots in Galle, marking a return to the island where his family's story began 227 years ago.
Bryan’s journey has truly been centuries in the making. His family roots in Ceylon trace back over 2 centuries when the first Staples, John Staples, arrived from England in 1797 with his young wife Eleanor, just one year after the British captured the coastal area of Galle “Zeylon” from the Dutch East India Company (VOC) during the Napoleonic wars in 1796. The British immediately renamed the Island Ceylon.
John, a Quartermaster in the British Army’s Second Ceylon Regiment, led a life as adventurous as it was historic. He was born in 1770 in Hampshire, England, and joined the British armed services at 20 years of age, then at 27 was deployed to a new British outpost of the beautiful, mystical island of Ceylon, where he was appointed the Quartermaster of the 2nd Ceylon Regiment, stationed in Galle.
On November 17, 1810—near where Xplorers is based today—a duel occurred between two officers of his regiment, Captain John Parker and Captain James Brown. With Quartermaster John Staples acting as his second, Captain Parker fatally shot Captain Brown. Though the duel’s cause remains unknown, one might imagine that in those early days, scarce British ladies could be worth duelling over.
The subsequent trial on December 9–10, 1811, was historic, marking Ceylon’s first jury trial under the new Charter of Justice. Presided over by Chief Justice Sir Alexander Johnston, the court sentenced Captain Parker to one week's imprisonment in Colombo's common jail, while John Staples was acquitted. This trial not only reflected the influence of the British military but also showcased the evolving judicial system of colonial Ceylon—a system Bryan acknowledges with mixed feelings.
John Staples passed away in Colombo on August 26, 1839, at 68—a notable age in that era. He left behind his wife Eleanor and six children, including three sons who carried on the Staples legacy in Ceylon. His eldest son, John James Staples, John James Staples (1798–1852) was a prominent figure in 19th-century Ceylon, contributing significantly to the island's legal and administrative landscape during British colonial rule.
John Staples pursued a career in law and administration, becoming a leading advocate in Ceylon. His expertise and dedication led to his appointment as the District Judge in Kandy which had been captured by the British a few years earlier from the Kanian King in 1815. John played a crucial role in the judiciary in in the new district. His tenure was marked by efforts to balance colonial legal frameworks with local customs, reflecting the complexities of administering justice in a diverse society.
In 1836, Staples served as the President of a committee comprising Burgher Judges, clerks and proctors (lawyers), indicating his involvement in the legal community and his influence in shaping legal practices throughout the country.
John Staples' contributions to Ceylon's legal system were significant during a transformative period in the island's history. His efforts to integrate colonial and local legal practices left a lasting impact on the judiciary. Staples Street in Colombo is named in his honour, serving as a testament to his enduring legacy in Sri Lanka's legal history.
John James Staples passed away in 1852, leaving behind a legacy of legal reform and public service that continued through his descendants.
For seven generations, every male in Bryan’s lineage was born in Ceylon. His father Douglas Staples was the last of these born in Rajagiriya, Colombo in 1930. In 1955 he travelled to Australia where he met Bryan’s mother and Bryan in 1958, when he became the first foreign-born member of his family. Today, Bryan reconnects with his roots, returning to where it all began in Galle Sri Lanka, 227 years ago.