De Vine Intent: How an Armenian Widow From Calcutta Was Caught In A Web Of Lies Deceit And Deception

You can fool all the people some of the time,

And some of the people all the time,

But you cannot fool all the people all the time.

Abraham Lincoln

Figure 1 The wives and children of Charles De Vine

Firstly, I want to say that this story is still being uncovered it has been a particularly slow process to unravel.

In 2011 I was at Kensal Green cemetery in London photographing some Armenian graves and tombstones. One in particular caught my attention, it was a double grave, that of Paul Apcar and Sarah Amelia De Vine.  I was intrigued by the addition of Sarah’s name to the stone and thus began a research journey that was full of uncomfortable twists and turns. On the back of that and some vague recollection of a query on a family history forum concerning Carlos De Vine marrying an Armenian lady, I slowly began to find some curious and interesting discoveries. I asked a friend and fellow family researcher Caroline Beveridge to help with some aspects of the research as she was closer to London than I was. What follows is truly an incredulous story.

The Indian Armenian connection to this story is Sarah Amelia Apcar. She was a granddaughter of the founder of the famous Calcutta based Apcar & Co shipping line Arratoon Gregory Apcar. Sarah was the daughter of Apcar Aratoon Apcar and his wife Anna. She was born on the 30^th December 1843, (scroll to footnote below)[1] and baptised at the Armenian Church of Holy Nazareth on 20^th January 1844.

[Please note that the hyper-linked footnote numbers alongside text do not work on this Blog, therefore you have to manually scroll to the bottom of the document to read them, they will not go to the footnote automatically.]

Figure 2 The whole of the very earliest baptism register [1793-1859] of the Armenian Church in Calcutta was photographed by Liz Chater in 2005 and subsequently translated into English. The transcriptions were donated by Liz to the Families in British India Society

After the untimely death of her father in 1862, it was clear that Sarah along with her other siblings, had been provided for not only immediately after he passed away, but for years to come.

Figure 3 The inventory/Accounts of the late Apcar Arratoon Apcar shows an immediate legacy to his daughter Sarah Amelia as well as her other siblings. [British Library reference: L/AG/34/27/170/89]

Sarah married into a well established Greek family in Calcutta marrying Pericles Pandazy John in October 1864 at the Greek Church in the city (scroll to footnote below)[2]. They had at least two children Peter Apcar John who died in 1866 (scroll to footnote below) [3] a year after he was born, and the other known child Sophia (scroll to footnote below) [4] was born around 1867. Greek records for Calcutta are almost non existent and so it has been difficult to pinpoint exactly when Sophia was born. Sadly for Sarah her husband Pericles drowned and died (scroll to footnote below) [5] in 1869 in Arrah at the age of only 32 leaving Sarah with Sophia who was around 2 years old. There is no doubt that the vast Apcar family would have rallied around the widowed Sarah. Records indicate that Sarah wasn’t widowed for long, and she remarried in March 1871 at St. Paul’s Cathedral (scroll to footnote below) [6] in Calcutta to a fellow Armenian John Nierses Mackertich, two of her Apcar cousins were witnesses. Ten years later tragedy struck Sarah again and her 2^nd husband John died in Calcutta, he was buried (scroll to footnote below) [7] in the compound of the Armenian Holy Nazareth Church along side other members of his family and where a large proportion of the Armenian community are laid to rest.

It would appear that the teenage Sophia was being educated in England, something not unusual for those born in India and particularly those children of the Armenian community of Calcutta. Sarah’s own Apcar uncles and brothers had gone to England for their education at places like Eton and Harrow their university education taking place at Cambridge. Sarah naturally went to England to be close to Sophia and whilst Sarah was there she met someone else and married for a 3^rd time. It would seem that he was a little flamboyant and maybe even a little debonair, but certainly he was able to woo a twice widowed young woman of 27 who had already experienced more heartache than anyone would expect. He was called Charles aka Carlos Leslie de Vine and now the story takes on a completely different complexion.

Charles aka Carlos had married Ellen Knapman in March 1855 in St. Peter’s Church Melbourne Australia only 3 months after her arrival in Australia. She was a daughter of a naval commander from Cornwall in the UK. Ellen had departed London on the 27^th August 1854 sailing on board the ship ‘Aberfoyle’ arriving in Melbourne on the 12^th December of that year.

 

Figure 4 The marriage record of Charles De Vine and Ellen Knapman

The marriage record states that Charles was born in Glasgow (scroll to footnote below) [8] to John De Vine and Mary Anne Leslie. Remarkably at the time of marriage to Ellen he had apparently already spent some years in the USA at the University of Louisville. It can be seen from the marriage record that at the age of 23 he was a surgeon (scroll to footnote below)[9]. He and Ellen had two sons one was born in New Zealand where they had settled after their marriage and where Carlos practiced as a physician.  That child was Charles Edward Leslie De Vine(scroll to footnote 57 below) who was born in June 1856 in Auckland and their second child, Henry Leslie De Vine was born in August 1858 in Fulham, London. Both boys were baptised on the same day in August 1858 in Walham Green London. It is unknown whether Charles was present.

In September 1859 (scroll to footnote below) [10] it would appear that Ellen had returned to Australia, but why then does the advert below refer to a respectable woman” instead of wife of Dr. Devine? If it was Ellen with two young children to cope with, an extra pair of hands would have been welcome. On the other hand could this be the start of Charles’s life of ambiguity?

Figure 5 The De Vine household looking for a housekeeper

Figure 6 Charles De Vine notice of auction of possessions prior to his departure from Australia

On the 2^nd March 1860 the above notice was placed in the South Australia Register (and other newspapers) announcing that Dr. DeVine would be leaving the colony and was selling off his possessions. It would be fair to assume that the whole family was leaving, but that does not seem to have been the case.

He was a popular fellow, a farewell dinner was held for him 3 days after he sold his household possessions, and it was reported in the newspapers (scroll to footnote below) [11].

Figure 7 The farewell dinner for Dr. De Vine

He bade farewell, his good health was toasted but, curiously by the end of the month, it would appear his friends and colleagues felt he hadn’t travelled but that he’d “gone missing.”

 Figure 8 Dr. Devine 'missing'

The first real clue that Carlos was not quite fully committed to family life with Ellen comes from a New South Wales Police Gazette report (scroll to footnote below) [12] .

Figure 9 Charles Devine accused of desertion by his wife Ellen

According to his wife Ellen, Charles Devine had apparently deserted her.

Originally it was thought he was leaving Australia to travel to America to be with his grieving mother. Charles’s father had apparently died in November 1859 (scroll to footnote below) [13] and it was thought he was going over there to help settle the estate.

However, if he DID do that, he didn’t stay long, and he certainly didn’t return to Australia immediately. Clearly not someone who enjoyed being stuck in one place (nor, as shall be seen as this story progresses, tied to one woman), by 1862 he can be found in Chile in South America. This corresponds with his apparent studying at two universities there.

At this point, it is important to try and offer some well hidden background information on Charles de Vine. It is rare to come across one so fluid with the truth that it can, with a little tenacity, also be tracked through both English and Spanish publications in various repositories. This is something that Charles had never considered as he went through is life spinning web upon web of mis-information.

On two very significant occasions in his life in areas that were most important, that of medicine and Freemasonry, I believe he gave some truthful details about himself.  (1) When he was attempting to become an examiner of graduates in medicine at the University of Chile in 1864, and (2) when he was brought before a Masonic Council in Peru in which he was being expelled for treason in 1874. He is quoted on both occasions as saying his birth place was Ireland. It is fortunate that today in the 21^st century we have the luxury of records being digitised and put online on a daily basis. Irish genealogy records (scroll to footnote below) [14] amount to millions, yet a search for the name De Vine brings a zero result. A search for the name Charles Devine across all Irish counties with parents called John and Mary brings a zero result. However a search of just the surname Devine (with parents of John and Mary) between the estimated years of birth 1812 -1832 garners 19 results. Only 5 of the 19 are male, they are:

James Devin born 1820 Co. Meath

John Devine born 1820 Co. Kilkenny

John Devine born 1825 Co. Dublin

William Devine born 1827 Co. Roscommon

John Devran born 1827 Co. Limerick

This begs the question: Was he even called Charles?

 In 1864 Charles, it would seem, was in fact in Lima, Peru (then still in Chile) trying and failing to become an examiner at the University of Chile (scroll to footnote below) [15]. (Although later in 1875, he was to claim to be a qualified doctor with medical qualifications gained firstly at the University of Lima and then in 1865 at the University of San Marcos. Searches of these journals have yet to turn up his medical qualifications from these institutions.) It would appear that during the process of applying to be a medical examiner at the university in Chile, his lack of degree qualifications went against him. At a meeting with the Dean of the university on 21 May 1864 the following official request was put by him.

"From a request by Don Carlos Leslie de Vine, doctor of Medicine and Pharmacy, member of the Royal College of Surgeons in England, Bachelor of the Society of Apothecaries of Dublin and Doctor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, to be allowed to perform the final tests that are required of the applicants for a graduate degree. It was agreed to ask the Dean of each faculty, respectively."

A week later at the meeting with the Dean on the 28^th May 1864, the response to Carlos de Vine was:

"From a report from the Dean of Medicine about the request from Don Carlos Leslie de Vine that was presented in the previous session. The Dean says that having examined the titles exhibited by the individual, I have found them insufficient and inadequate because they are only a Diploma of the Surgeons' college in London, and the other of Pharmacy in Philadelphia. This report is approved (scroll to footnote below) [16]."

It seems that qualifications in medicine and pharmacy at only diploma level were not good enough to become an examiner. And yet curiously in 1875 records indicate that he claimed to be a Professor from the University of Lima.

However, returning to his possible Irish roots, it would appear that as Bachelor of the Society of Apothecaries of Dublin it seems likely that he was indeed from Ireland. Born around 1825 (see  Figure 11). Why did he leave? It is more than possible that it was because of the Irish potato famine which caused mass starvation forcing many people to leave Ireland between 1845 and 1852.

The insightful entries in the Anales de la Universidad De Chile, helpfully tell us the next part of the travelling adventures that were so crucial to Charles in always staying one step ahead of everyone else.  He must have travelled to England from Ireland and furthered his knowledge in pharmacy (scroll to footnote below) [17] becoming a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, probably not as a surgeon but as an apothecary. (scroll to footnote below) [18] Having gained a diploma (not a degree) something drew him to Australia.

The Australian dictionary of Biography does not have an entry for Charles De Vine. However, there is an entry for a John Maund whose biography includes travelling to Australia in January 1853 as a ship’s doctor. The full story can be read on this link http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/maund-john-4175.

It is a story that could mirror that of Charles De Vine, they perhaps even knew each other as they were both in Melbourne at the same time.

It is claimed that Charles De Vine was a ship’s surgeon; if that is the case it is therefore logical that he travelled either on an emigration or convicts ship out there and whilst on board quickly turned his apothecary skills into surgery. By the time the ship arrived in Australia he would have spent many months being referred to by the sick and needy as simply “Dr”. Coming ashore as a ‘doctor’ would have been a very simple process.

Returning now to Ellen his wife who had grown suspicious (rightfully so) and upset with her husband. As previously mentioned, today we have the benefit of Consular GRO records which reveal astonishingly that Charles Leslie De Vine married Manuela Romero in Arica Chile sometime between 1860 and 1865 (scroll to footnote below) [19].  Arica (at the time of the marriage was part of Peru) is today only 11 miles south of the border with Peru but in excess of 600 miles from Lima. Definitely far enough away from everyone who might remotely know that Charles was already married and had two young children.

Figure 10 A crucial piece of evidence, two matching references to a 'marriage' between Charles and Manuela. [GRO Consular Marriages Vol.3 P.577]

Decisive proof that Charles De Vine had committed bigamy can be seen in the marriage certificate from the Overseas Consul Records in which he states he’s a “bachelor”.

Bachelor? Hardly. He was a bigamist.

Cleverly, Charles began to carve a new life for himself whilst he was in Peru, creating a persona of diligent respectability. For a couple of years after his marriage to Manuela, life was calm in his South American haven then in 1864 the Chincha war started.

It can be seen from official publications (scroll to footnote below) [20] in Peru that Charles was now referred to as Carlos and in fact often in later editions it can be seen he used Leslie as his Christian name.

It has been established that during the Chincha war, and in particular the battle at Callao in May 1866, Charles was one of a number of English/European men who voluntarily offered their help with the wounded. In recognition for his efforts in tending to the soldiers of the conflict, in what must have been gruesome circumstances, he along with three others, were awarded diplomas (scroll to footnote below) [21] in surgery. This was done purely on the back of his experience as a volunteer medic in the Peruvian Army in this crucial fight to repel the Spanish invaders.

Carlos found himself involved in a bloody and wretched war. Although not attached to any hospital he was in fact allocated into a group of medical staff which was one of 13, working from a temporary make-shift medical area of the railway station in Callao. The groups took turns to receive the wounded on an hourly basis and one can only imagine the horrific wounds, limb amputations, major gunshot injuries that he and the other medical teams were dealing with. Certainly, he may have only qualified with a diploma as an apothecary from Dublin, but in this war he learnt very quickly how to be a surgeon (scroll to footnote below) [22]. Did he have time to think about Manuela and what she was doing during this uncertain period? Did he even think about his wife Ellen and the two young children they had together?

An interesting review of the battle at Callao can be found in “Papers Past” part of the collection of the National Library of New Zealand.

It would seem that the story about his father dying in 1859 in America was perhaps an elaborate ruse to release himself from the confines of domesticity. Maybe he had always been keen to get involved in a more rapid and hands-on fashion.  Sailing to Peru to further his medical knowledge but getting involved with the conflict, was the opportunity he had been looking for. Meeting Manuela was a bonus.

Whatever he may have lacked in formal qualifications he more than made up for in his practical involvement and because of that it was inevitable that he (along with the other doctors involved in the war), would be recognised for their loyalty and efforts.  A year later the same journal records the government notice that gives him the categorical position of surgeon.

“It is prohibited by all valid and prevailing laws and decrees to practise any branch of medicine without a legal degree; those who commit such abuse must have their claims dealt with by the authorities of the board of the medical faculty of the capital.

Therefore, so that the US has a clear understanding of the only people who are authorized to practise in all branches of Medicine, I am pleased to offer herewith the printed report of the Doctors and Surgeons, Pharmacists, Midwives and Bloodletters, possessing a degree from the aforementioned Faculty of Medicine.

The US would be best served to publish the said report in the Official Register and to clarify all its conscientiousness and control in the Department in order to fulfil the supreme provisions on this point. (Scroll to footnote 16.)

God Bless the US”

It should also be considered that in addition to his honorary degree it is more than likely that he, and the other civilian medics would have received civilian medals for their participation and loyalty.

By 1871 Carlos had settled into a normal life in Peru, journals indicate that he was recognised as a 1^st class surgeon in the Bellavista Hospital in Callao, along with other English gentlemen. (scroll to footnote below) [23]

“English Gentlemen who served as assistants in hospitals of the population in the Bellavista Hospital [Callao]

Surgeon 1^st class Dr. Leslie de Vine”

Figure 11 El Peruano 9 September 1871

He was heavily involved in the Masonic movement there too, but controversy and trouble was never far away from him and it would appear he became a pivotal part in some Masonic unrest (scroll to footnote below) [24] [25]. Masonic proceedings in 1878 stated: “……an effort has been made to compose the dissensions in Peru by establishing a Grand Lodge, with exclusive jurisdiction over the symbolic degrees and leaving the Supreme Council as the unquestioned head of all the Bodies of the other graces….”

In fact four years earlier in November 1874 far from climbing the ladder of respectability in the Masonic circle that he had become part of, he was unceremoniously expelled (along with a number of other Masons) for “taking advantage of the Supreme Council” and for “crimes of rebellion and treason against the Supreme Council” as well as “holding funds” belonging to the various Lodges. The journal continued that he “deceived and formed dissent”. On these grounds he was expelled, he was stripped of his diplomas, awards, royalties and concessions all were declared void and of no value. His titles and other distinctions were to be destroyed so that there is “no residue or memory of its owner among us and that all Lodges and Altars of Jurisdiction are to scratch his name from the Tables of Peruvian Freemasonry”.

The notice of expulsion was dated 2 November 1874 and reported in Masonic minutes in March 1875, the need to start a “new life” after his fall from grace and total humiliation perhaps spurred him into moving back to Australia. Maybe Ellen finally found out about the antics of her husband and left Australia with the children and returned to England leaving the way clear for him to go back. 

Figure 12 Masonic papers state Carlos was born in Ireland around 1825.

Clearly from this NSW notice (see Figure 15) he was resident and a practising doctor in the colony by September 1875 and it is quite likely that Manuela, his 2^nd ‘wife’ was also in Australia with him. What should be noted here is that there is no longer a mention of his apothecary qualifications from the University of Dublin nor his membership to the Royal College of Surgeons in London, but a qualification i.e. a graduation date of 1850 from the University of Louisville USA.

Based on the minutes from footnote 11 above, I would suggest that this particular qualification may not be entirely true. Being in Ireland and England between 1845 and 1852 (at the Society of Apothecaries in Dublin and the Royal College of Surgeons in London) and attending the University in Louisville, with sufficiently enough time to gain a degree in medicine in 1850, is pushing the barriers of time travel, even for Dr. Who.

On the 19^th June 1875 Carlos De Vine boarded the ship ‘Cyphrenes’ in Auckland to return to Sydney without Manuela after his unceremonious fall from grace in Peru. Carlos must have already been in New Zealand because the ship route had been San Francisco, Honolulu, Fiji, Auckland & Sydney (confirmed through tracking the ship from a Honolulu newspaper cross-references with “Mrs McKell" who was a passenger.)

Figure 13 Passenger list from the Honolulu newspapers cross references Mrs. McKell

Figure 14 Thames Advertiser Auckland 21 June 1875

 

Figure 15 The Australian Medical Journal July 1875

The above headline does not refer to Carlos Leslie De Vine but to a fellow professional, contemporary and associate of his from the medical fields of Peru. Dr. Edward Myers was brought before the Medical Society of Victoria on the 16^th July 1875. He was accused of falsifying his medical degree with which he obtained permission to practice in Australia in 1872. He claimed that he qualified as a doctor of medicine at the University of Lima.

At the very same meeting on the 16^th July 1875 Carlos was before the Board applying for a place on the Medical Register (having just returned to Australia from Peru only a month before). He dutifully produced his own diplomas as a doctor of medicine and surgery of the University of Louisville, Kentucky U.S. dated 1850., as well as documents showing his qualifications gained from the University of Lima in 1864 and St. Marco in Lima in 1865 along with certified translations of the last two documents. An extract of the minutes state:

“….Dr. Leslie de Vine having made a declaration of his being a naturalized subject of Her Majesty, of his being the person named in the documents produced, and of his having obtained the several diplomas on due personal examination at the respective universities named, was registered by the Board. 

He then presented to the Board a written communication, stating that Edward Myers, of Collins Street, whose name appeared on the Medical Register of Victoria as a doctor of medicine of the University of Lima, was not, and never was, a member of the University, and protesting on behalf of that university, of which he (Dr. Leslie de Vine) was one of the professors, against the retention of Mr. Myers’ name on the register with that qualification. The translations of the papers which were submitted to the Board by Dr. Myers, and on which he obtained registration, were read to Dr. Leslie de Vine, who distinctly denied the accuracy of the statement made therein – that in times of anarchy it was customary for the diplomas of the Lima University to be signed by the officer at the head of the existing Government – and asserted that the diploma of the university was never given except under the seal of the university, and after personal examination of the candidate. Dr. Leslie de Vine also produced and presented to the Board a list of the various members of the University of Lima up to the 15^th July 1872, in which Dr. Myer’s name did not appear…..”

Firstly, it has already been established that Dr. Leslie de Vine was awarded his diploma in medicine in Lima following the battle at Callao, he did not have to sit an examination nor come before a university in person. It does seem somewhat convenient that he came so readily prepared to the board meeting to deliver such a damning statement on the authentication of Dr. Myers’ qualifications. Dr. de Vine was, after all, primarily at the meeting to gain his entry into the Medical Register but it was quickly turned into a discussion of Dr. Myers doubtful validation. I suggest this was perhaps a decoy for Carlos’s own lack of substance and true verification.

Secondly, there is no reference or record of Dr. Leslie de Vine being a Professor of Medicine at the University of Lima so it is impossible for him to protest on behalf of that university. As can been seen earlier, he applied for and failed to gain approval as an examiner at the University of Lima. It is most unlikely that he was a Professor if he could not gain examiner status.

The minutes continue against Dr. Meyers:

“……..Dr. Leslie de Vine stated that at no time was any license to practice medicine given in Peru except by the university authorities themselves, and that they only granted the degree of doctor of medicine after the applicant had studied medicine for seven years*, and undergone an examination at the university, which examination extended to five days. Dr. Leslie de Vine further stated that the Peruvian Legislature never at any time sanctioned any acts done in times of confusion or anarchy by the existing authorities as far as regarded the Lima University, the professorial board of that body alone having the power under the laws of the republic to grant medical degrees.  As regards the University of Arequipa, Dr. Leslie de Vine said that certainly since 1861, there had been no university of any kind at that place…………”

*This is another statement by Dr. de Vine that simply does not make chronological sense. If the applicant had to study medicine for seven years, on that basis it is impossible for him (Dr. Charles de Vine) to have gained his own degrees from the Universities of Lima and San Marco in 1864 and 1865 respectively; he did not leave Ellen and the children in Australia until March 1860 and as can be previously seen was in Arcia in 1862 when he married Manuela Romero and residing in Aquique some 600 miles or so away from Lima.

Dr. De Vine’s statement continued:

“….he (Dr. De Vine) recollected seeing Dr. Myers in Peru, where he (Dr. Myers) practiced as what was known as an herb doctor, not being, however, in any way licensed, and that he accounted for his having obtained the diploma or document from the President of the Republic by the fact that on such occasions it was difficult to obtain medical men for the army, and that, therefore, the services of those having any pretence to medical knowledge or skill were gladly made use of. In consequence of the serious discrepancies between the two translations of Dr. Myers’ diploma, it was resolved to postpone further consideration of the  matter until Wednesday the 21^st inst., when Dr. Myers promised that the original document should be produced…….”

The above statement regarding Dr. Myers is curiously close to that of the situation of Dr. Leslie De Vine when he was in Peru “it was difficult to obtain medical men for the army, and that, therefore, the services of those having any pretence to medical knowledge or skill were gladly made use of.” Again, as we can see from the Peruvian journals and translations previously referred to, Dr. De Vine in fact acquired his own diploma through his medical efforts during the Chincha war as an army doctor.

Charles Leslie De Vine appeared determined to spoil the name and reputation of Dr. Myers and in fact at the follow up meeting, Dr. Myers’ qualification was erased from the Medical Register and the case was then placed before the Crown law officers. (scroll to footnote below) [26] This was no doubt of some great delight to Charles De Vine.

Figure 16 Charles De Vine back in Australia and practising as a doctor

Basking in the glory of his inclusion on the Medical Register, the official legal notifications were place in the newspapers. But wait, graduated from the University of Louisville in the USA in 1850? At the age of 18 (see Figure 4 above which indicates he was born in 1832)? How?

It can already be seen that Charles was a “surgeon” at the time of his marriage in 1855, which can mean only one thing. That he supposedly qualified as a doctor at the University of Louisville. Unfortunately, there are no records at the University of Louisville (scroll to footnote below) [27] that suggest he ever attended the institution, although it is acknowledged that the university’s collection is an ongoing project, it does seem very unlikely for him to have passed any medical examinations there and be a qualified surgeon by the age of 23.

Having settled quickly back into life in Australia it is very interesting and quite astonishing to see that he is also back and accepted into the world of Freemasonry once again.  In August 1876, less than 2 years after being expelled in Peru he can be found being accepted into the District Grand Lodge of New South Wales. This surely has to be one of the most remarkable recoveries from Masonic expulsion; remember he was expelled on the 2^nd November 1874. 

Figure 17 Charles Devine is accepted by the District Grand Lodge of New South Wales, having first shown documents and proved he was a member and representative of the Grand Orient of Peru.

It can be seen from this article, that it states the original document was written in Spanish and the Lodge were viewing the appropriate translation (as supplied by Charles Devine), that Charles Devine had been appointed a representative of the Grand Orient of Peru on the 11 April 1875, curiously the document was signed by one of the other members who had also been expelled from Peru at the same time as Charles. Voilà! His rehabilitation is complete.

Referring to Charles as Carlos Lisle de Vine, the next document is the only official publication that offers formal confirmation he was briefly the Peruvian Consul in Sydney. He was not in the position for very long, his predecessor was Mr. J.B. Were who also went on to be Carlos’s successor a year later.

Figure 18 Almanaque del Comercio de Lima  May 1876

In January 1877 a small report in the Sydney Morning Herald indicates that Charles was back in his role as an ordinary doctor, attending to the wounds of an injured child.

Figure 19 Dr. De Vine tends to a wounded child

In February 1878 he was part of the formation of the Australian Widows Fund and appointed their Medical Officer (scroll to footnote below) [28]

Figure 20 Charles Leslie De Vine was the Medical Officer of the Australian Widows Fund

By May 1878, Dr. Leslie Devine was practising in Melbourne (scroll to footnote below) [29]

Meanwhile, in 1878 Ellen was in London attempting to become an executor of her late uncle’s estate (Major William Stephens Knapman), who she claimed had died intestate and as his niece and next of kin administration should go to her. This case (scroll to footnote below) [30] was reported in the newspapers, and she is even described as “wife of C.L. Devine”.

Figure 21 Ellen is reported in the papers in 1878 in the case of her uncle's estate, proving she was very much alive at the time of Charles and Manuela's marriage

Figure 22 Another extract from the Law report on the case of Ellen's uncle's estate indicating the shares in the legacy had already been assigned by Ellen.

It would seem from the full case report that Ellen and her siblings had already mortgaged their share of the legacy left by her uncle, and they were all fighting to try and retrieve what they felt was rightfully theirs and get the executrix Ann Wreford to pay all legal costs.  They did not think that their uncle was of sound mind when he made his will and appointed Ann Wreford sole executrix, and Ellen was attempting to have the administration of the estate revoked by the Courts. However, the Court decided in favour of Ann Wreford and her legal fees were to be paid out of the legacy that Ellen had tried so hard to hold on to.  Ellen and her siblings were ordered to pay their own legal costs which were to also come from the £2,000 legacy left to them by the uncle.  This was indeed a bitter financial blow to everyone involved and it is quite likely that this was the beginning of the financial downfall that Ellen was to suffer in the ensuing months.

However, what this case does prove is that Ellen was very much alive in 1878 and therefore, Charles De Vine unequivocally committed bigamy with the ‘marriage’ between him and Manuela Romero in 1862 in Chile.

An indication that Carlos was once again a single man (or at least enjoying the company of a lady without ‘wife’ Manuela keeping him in check) comes from a curious report in a Sydney newspaper (scroll to footnote below) [31].

“It is stated that a serious disagreement has occurred between a bookmaker named White and Dr. Devine.  It arose over a well-known actress, whom Dr. Devine wanted to kiss. White resented this familiarity, and hot words eventuated in a scuffle, but the combatants were separated before any injury was done on either side.  The two then determinedly agreed to fight a duel with pistols. Dr. Devine got up early to keep his appointment, but on reaching White’s lodgings the latter, amidst great amusement, refused to keep his part of the bargain, calling out “Go away. Do you think I want to be shot at race time?” White has since found other lodgings.”

Meanwhile in August 1879 Carlos Devine was noted in the Sydney Morning Herald as having attended the annual St. Vincent’s Hospital Ball along with several hundred others.

Figure 23 Don Carlos de Vine, one of over a thousand to attend the St. Vincent Hospital Ball.

Curiously he attended the St. Vincent Hospital Ball as Don Carlos Leslie de Vine M.D. Staff Surgeon-Major, Peruvian Army (scroll to footnote below) [32].

A major incident occurred on the night of Friday 26 December 1879 when a train from the Hawkesbury races ran into the back of a stationary train at the station at Parramatta. According to newspaper (scroll to footnote below) [33] reports the engine “was forced off the line for some distance” Surgeons and nurses were sent from Sydney to Parramatta Hospital to treat the injured, Carlos Devine was one of several medics to attend at the hospital.

Sadly Ellen, Charles’s legitimate wife passed away in London on 24 June 1880 at the University College Hospital with her loving sister Fanny at her bedside to mourn the loss (scroll to footnote below) [34].  She was buried the next day at St. Pancreas Cemetery in a communal grave with 50 other souls indicating that she had been buried as a pauper.

Figure 24 The burial record for Ellen Devine

Figure 25 Proof that sadly, Ellen was buried with 50 others in a communal grave

Figure 26 Death certificate of Ellen Devine, her sister Fanny was with her when she died.

Had she lived 18 years with the knowledge that her husband was a bigamist? Manuela the woman he married in Chile seems to have died around 1877 but after exhaustive research it has been impossible to determine exactly when and where Manuela died.  Contrastingly, in the same month that Ellen died in poverty Charles was living well and attended a Masonic Ball in Sydney.

Figure 27 Evening New NSW Sydney, 5 June 1880

 

Meanwhile by September 1881 Charles was winding up his residence in Pitt Street Sydney, the notice gives a good indication of the price realised for the lots sold at auction which included he above residence. The total amount raised by the sale was £28,900.

Figure 28 Dr. Devine's property sold as part of an auction lot that totalled £28,900 - an incredible figure for the period

In March 1882 In Camden, the newly opened Campbelltown-Camden tramway was involved in a major incident.  It occurred when an over-crowded tram had been accidently directed into a siding and crashed into stationary wagons (scroll to footnote below) [35]. Dr. Leslie de Vine was one of several doctors to attend to the injured setting up a basic triage in the waiting room of the station.

In May 1882 at a monthly meeting of the Benevolent Asylum in Sydney, the committee heard that the two honorary medical officers, Dr. Durham and Dr. Leslie Devine refused to meet with each other. It was suggested that to clear the way for the board to proceed, the medical officers should resign. It is unclear as to why the two doctors were at loggerheads. On 8 September it was reported that Dr. Durham had officially been requested to resign because of his refusal to consult with Dr. Devine.

Charles aka Carlos can be placed in Australia officially for the last time on 10^th February 1883.  He is reported in local newspapers as having treated shocked and injured passengers in yet another tram accident that took place at the corner of Liverpool and Elizabeth Street in Sydney (scroll to footnote below) [36].

He returned to the UK sometime between February and November 1883. Mention of him can be found in the Medical Executive Committee minutes of the British Medical Journal dated 29 November 1883 in which he officially sought to be recognized as a surgeon in England.

Figure 29 Carlos's application to the Medical Executive Committee - November 1883

The Medical Executive Committee indicated they wished to see proof of his qualification as a surgeon.

From The Medical Executive Committee minutes in London of 17 January 1884 it indicates that Carlos’s application had been given due consideration.

He stated that he was unable to supply the required documentation because of the “many years” since he left the colony (scroll to footnote below) [37]. 

Figure 30 Unable to furnish the Committee with his Degree, he offers alternative documentation.

Carlos helpfully supplied a sworn Affidavit attesting to his position with the Benevolent Asylum.

Figure 31 The sworn affidavit was signed on 3rd January 1884 only 7 days after he was married - no immediate honeymoon for his Armenian bride.

Figure 32 Carlos pinned his hopes on a letter from the Benevolent Asylum and a sworn Affidavit.

With no legitimate Degree to offer to the Executive Council, Carlos’s application was resoundingly rejected. He could not produce one because he simply had never obtained a university degree, only an honorary degree following the Chile War.

In this middle of this application, and no doubt excited by the high expectation of being able to practice in England, Charles of course, was not the type to live without a woman in his life for long.

Two days after Christmas in 1883 he and widowed Indian Armenian Sarah Mackertich nee Apcar were married by licence at the Register Office in Hampstead, London. The marriage certificate states that he was widowed, 46 years of age (scroll to footnote below) [38] and that his father was Henry (scroll to footnote below) [39] Leslie de Vine (deceased) a gentleman. Oddly, it appears that the registry office staff were the witnesses and not members of either his or her family. 

Figure 33 The marriage certificate of Carlus Leslie de Vine to Sarah Mackertich nee Apcar

This is most unusual, particularly for the Apcar family who were many in numbers and very close. There were numerous immediate and extended family of Sarah in London at the time. Her Uncle Seth Apcar had been the first Armenian Sheriff of Calcutta but was living in London at the time Sarah married. He was the head the Apcar family, yet he wasn’t a witness at the marriage. There were several Armenians from Calcutta and the various Armenian families who had migrated to the UK all knew each other and attended each others events and celebrations.

It is very unlikely that Sarah was aware of the unlawful wife and bigamy Charles had been involved with. Had she even had a hint, I believe that she would not have had anything to do with him, the Apcar’s were very well respected and had a high social standing both in India and the UK. No one in their circle would deliberately sully the family reputation. Charles perhaps thought in some twisted sense of propriety that with both Ellen and Manuela no longer alive, he once again had a chance at an ‘honest’ marriage and that his past and troubles were far behind him. He had of course, successfully run from Peru, and now he felt he had successfully run from Australia.  Sarah had never been to Australia and came from a very different way of life in India, Charles clearly being a master manipulator would have played on Sarah’s grief of the loss of two husbands. He would have also been aware that her family were very wealthy and there were long standing Trusts and legacies benefitting members of the Apcar family. It was indeed a great opportunity for someone like him who yearned for the status, respect and recognition of twenty years ago.

The Apcar Trusts originate from Sarah’s grandfather Arratoon Gregory Apcar who had been born in Julfa in 1779. Arriving in Bombay in 1795 he started the shipping firm Apcar & Co. In 1830 he moved his family and business to Calcutta. In 1854 Arratoon Gregory Apcar (known as A.G. Apcar) had placed with the Official Trustee of Bengal, Government Securities to the value of Rupees 225,000 (scroll to footnote below) [40]. The Official Trustee was instructed to hold the securities upon trust, to make up three main Trusts from it one of which was to the benefit of family (present and future) members including Sarah Amelia Apcar. Her grandfather Arratoon Gregory Apcar died in 1863 and in his Will (scroll to footnote below) [41] he provided Rupees 20,000 to be placed in trust for Sarah’s benefit. He was particularly keen to ensure that all his grandchildren (children of his own son Apcar Haratoon Apcar who had died a year earlier in 1862) were very well provided for.

Exactly when Charles aka Carlos became aware of the Apcar Trust for Sarah is unknown, but his motives for marrying Sarah were no doubt heightened and propelled once he became aware of the Apcar family, its position and legacy and of course the Will of A.G. Apcar dated January 1863 which states:

“………………………and after such grand daughter shall have attained the age of twenty one years or be married to pay the income arising from such investment into the proper hands of such grand daughter for and during her life so that the same may be for her sole and separate use and benefit free from the debits control and engagements of any husband with whom she may intermarry and so that she can have no power to alienate dispose of engage or receive the same or any part thereof by way of anticipation and after the decease of such grand daughter to pay the said income unto any husband of such grand daughter who may survive her for his own use during his life…………….”

Sarah’s father, Apcar Haratoon Apcar died in February 1862 (see Figure 27).  In his Will (scroll to footnote below) [42] he not only provided for Sarah, he also made a provision for any children she may have should Sarah Amelia die.

 “….the rents and profits income and dividends of my residuary estate and the premises and fund of which the same shall be composed to pay the same to my daughter Amelia for and during her life unto the proper hands of the said Amelia for her sole and separate use and independently of any future husband she may intermarry and of his debts control interference and engagements………………………….and after her death to stand possessed of one eighth part of my said residuary estate and the premises and funds of which the same shall be composed and the rents and profits income and dividends thereof for all and every the children and child of her the said Amelia Apcar…………”

By the Will of her father and grandfather, it can be seen that Sarah was financially independent but that any husband of hers could not benefit from these legacies whilst she was alive.

Remnants of Carlos’s life in Australia linger on in directories and he continued to be listed as a practising doctor in the Medical Register of New South Wales however after the entry in the 1883 directory which states

“Sydney New South Wales Australia

Carlos LESLIE DE VINE, late of Liverpool St Sydney NSW (Now absent in Europe) M.D. et Ch.D. Louisville USA 1850; M.D. et Ch. D. Lima 1865; M.D. St. Marcos Lima 1865.”

He did not return to Australia after his marriage to Sarah. Meanwhile it can be assumed that he settled down once again to married life with her and his step daughter Sophia who by now is around 16 years of age and just coming to the end of her education in the UK.

One of Sarah’s siblings, Anna, had married in India but settled in England. Her husband was George Archibald Bishop a Captain in the 104^th Bengal Fusiliers who was from an old and respected English family.  George’s father and grandfather had both been the highest Proctor’s in the land to the reigning Monarch and George’s family pedigree was deep rooted in the English establishment. George was nephew of the Earl of Lanesborough, Sir East George Clayton East, Sir John Kirkland as well as brother-in-law to Sir Thomas Cuppage Bruce. The Bishop family seat was at Sunbury House, Sunbury. Anna had spent her entire married life dipping in and out of a variety of society functions associated with the Bishop family. However, her life was not all dances and levees.

Following George’s retirement from the Army he was dogged by debts, Anna’s mother in India (also named Anna) had loaned him money and at the time of her passing it can be seen from the Will that the she stated it could be paid back at his convenience. 

Figure 34 Anna Apcar's Will of 1880 offered her son-in-law time to pay his loan

That financial reprieve may have helped him and Anna and given them a brief respite, but not for long because he ended up in debtors’ jail in England having invested heavily in a race horse stud in Surrey which failed to take off. Anna and George died a month apart, she on the 15^th July 1882 and he on the 15^th August. Both are buried at Sunbury on Thames in the Bishop family vault.

This, I am sure is how Carlos had hoped his life would be with Sarah. Alas, less than 18 months after marrying Carlos, Sarah died on the 9^th April 1885 at their home ‘Lima Villa’, Garratt Lane, Wandsworth aged only 38 (scroll to footnote below) [43] years of “bronchia pneumonia and exhaustion”. (scroll to footnote below) [44] The informant was a neighbour (and presumably a friend) Mary Bain “present at death” who lived at ‘St. George’s Villa” Garratt Lane.

 Figure 35 Sarah's death certificate

Figure 36 The double grave of Sarah de Vine and her brother Paul Apcar

Charles was once again a widower having suffered the misfortune of losing another wife in her early years. Sarah was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery in an Apcar family grave with her late brother Paul Apcar(Figure 1) who had died in 187715.

Figure 37 the double grave of Paul Arratoon Apcar and his sister Sarah Amelia De Vine grave in Kensal Green

Sarah’s parents had died in Calcutta some years earlier.

 

Figure 38 The graves of Sarah De Vine's parents in the Armenian Church compound in Kolkata, India.

 The plot for Sarah’s last resting place had previously been purchased by her uncle Seth Arratoon Apcar (her father’s brother) who was the head of the Apcar’s in London at the time of the death of Sarah’s brother Paul Apcar (scroll to footnote below) [45] .

 Figure 39 Newspaper death notice of Paul Apcar, Sarah's brother.

Seth had been the first Armenian Sheriff of Calcutta (scroll to footnote below) [46] and awarded the Order of the Lion and the Sun (Sheer-O-Khorshid) by the Shah of Persia for services rendered to Persian subjects, which was presented to him by the Governor-General of India. Seth Arratoon Apcar’s first wife, Sarah nee Sarkies died in London in June 1876 (scroll to footnote below) [47] and she too was buried at Kensal Green cemetery in a grave very close to that of Paul Apcar and Sarah de Vine. Seth Arratoon Apcar had in fact purchased both plots and it is because of his actions that Sarah was able to be buried with dignity in a recognised grave, unlike that of Charles De Vine’s first wife Ellen who was buried in a communal pauper’s grave. Charles would certainly have been in close contact with Sarah’s family but one wonders if he ever went to visit Ellen’s last resting place in St. Pancras or if in fact he made contact with her sister Fanny or any of the family? Was he really capable of setting up home with a 3^rd wife and completely blanking out the family of his first wife?

One of the many twists in this story is that after the untimely death of Sarah, astonishingly and shrewdly, Charles went on to marry her daughter (his step-daughter) Sophia on the 2 July 1889 at the registry office at St. Giles London, thus continuing his association with the Apcar family and all the legacies and inheritances that Sophia was entitled to as daughter of the late Sarah Amelia nee Apcar.  

However that marriage was not before she had already had a child with him. Sophia’s great uncle Seth Arathoon Apcar was deceased at this time having died in March 1885, there was no real Apcar family patriarch and it is because of that Charles perhaps saw an opportunity to exploit Sophia and return to the way of life that he preferred. Hedonistic. The pleasure was ALL his.

Figure 40 the marriage certificate of Carlos Leslie De Vine and his step daughter Sophia John

Carlos’s eccentricities were certainly beginning to show through. Carlos had long had a sense of grandeur about him and the child that Sophia (scroll to footnote below) [48] bore him out of wedlock was named Viscount (scroll to footnote below) [49] Apcar Leslie De Vine, ( see Figure 1 to remind yourself of the family tree) he was born on the 22 April 1886 in St. Helier, Jersey which means that Sophia’s mother Sarah (Carlos’s late wife) had only been dead less than 3 months before Viscount Apcar was conceived in July 1885. One can only speculate on how a relationship formed so swiftly with his step daughter after the death of Sarah and what web of lies and deceit he concocted for the young Sophia’s ears. She was young, impressionable, naïve and of course potentially very wealthy. Today we would call it grooming and coercion.

Sophia and Carlos’s next child was also born out of wedlock. Once again Carlos’s flamboyant nature shows in the naming of this child, for he was called (and baptised with) Lord Dashwood Leslie De Vine, he went on to be known as ‘Laurie’. Born 23 January 1889 in Jersey in the Channel Islands, six months before Carlos finally got round to marrying Sophia in London.

The next child of Sophia and Carlos (scroll to footnote below) [50] was Willington St. John Leslie Devine born in 1890 in Penge a fourth child came along in August 1891 and was named Granville Cranbrook Leslie De Vine he was also born in Penge. Lastly, Sophia gave birth to Ernest Beresford Leslie Roman (scroll to footnote below) [51] at the family home, Leslie House, Queen Adelaide Road, Penge, on the 4^th November 1893, but sadly within a year he had died. On the birth certificate the father’s name is Carlos Leslie Roman occupation is given as Count Roman M.D. Staff Surgeon Major (scroll to footnote below) [52]. It is interesting to note that in the 1891 census return Carlos lists his age as 50 years which would of course make him born in 1841 and therefore impossible to believe this is correct if the 1875 Medical Notice in the Australian Gazette (see above Figure 15) is to be believed that he graduated as a doctor in 1850, this would make him 9 years old at graduation! Clearly he did not tell the truth in the 1891 census, he was likely to be nearer 70 years of age and definitely nowhere near the 50 years he claimed.  The other interesting entry is his place of birth. Again, the 1891 census states he was born in South America (British Subject) but returning to his first marriage certificate (to Ellen Knapman) we can clearly see that he originally said he was from Glasgow in Scotland, nowhere near the fanciful South Americas and as previously mentioned. Masonic documents of 1875 stated that in fact he was from Ireland. Sophia’s place of birth on the 1891 census is incorrectly listed as the Channel Islands, (she was of course born in Calcutta) was this a genuine mistake by the enumerator or Carlos’s mind not being able to remember fact from fiction?

The question that springs to mind is why change his name from De Vine to Roman now? Perhaps he was once again telling tall stories to the ladies about he previous adventures and his “late” wife? Of course what was Sophia feeling by having to endure a name change whilst the first four children remained De Vine?

Figure 41 birth certificate of Ernest Beresford Leslie Roman. Note occupation of father is listed as Count Roman M.D. Staff Surgeon Major.

Figure 42 death certificate of 8 month old Ernest Beresford Leslie Roman

By the 1901 census Carlos lived alone with his ‘housekeeper’ Kate Stonell but clearly still being very fluid with his information, his name is now Carlos Leslie Roman. He at least gets slightly nearer to his real age and states it to be 75 years, he does continue to list Peru South America (British Subject) as his place of birth.

In October 1903 Carlos had married for the 5^th time to his housekeeper Kate Stonell. However he used the name Charles Leslie Roman (not De Vine) and he listed his father as John William Leslie LLD (Doctor) and a gentleman. His father (as has already been seen) was previously recorded as John De Vine a storekeeper. Once again, the marriage certificate shows that he used Registry Office staff as witnesses on the marriage.

Figure 43 the marriage certificate of Charles Leslie Roman to Kate Stonell

Things take an even more obscure turn because there is no record of a divorce (scroll to footnote below) [53] from Sophia (who was wife No. 4 and his step-daughter) and death records show that Sophia (scroll to footnote below) [54] died on the 6 November 1929 aged 62 at 3 Walnut Tree Walk, Kennington Surrey whilst still married to Carlos.

Figure 44 Probate of Sophia's estate confirmed her date of death.

Kate could not possibly have known that Carlos was committing bigamy (again) and it has to be assumed that Sophia did not know that he had ‘married’ Kate.

More uncomfortable is that yet again Carlos fathered a child by Kate Stonell out of wedlock, Maria Hilda Leslie Roman (scroll to footnote below) [55] was born in December 29 December 1898 at 3 Mall Chambers in Kensington (4 years before they ‘married’). Kate brought baby Maria back to the family home that had previously been Sophia’s family home. Kate and Carlos had another child, Clarence Beresford Leslie Roman who was born in January 1904 in Sussex. 

Figure 45 Birth certificate of Maria Hilda Leslie Roman, Kate is calling herself "Roman" and Carlos lists his occupation as Army Surgeon.

It was probably the birth of Maria Hilda that led Sophia to ‘see red’ and separate from Carlos. Sophia can be seen in the 1901 census with her two youngest sons Willington St. John aka John and Granville at 25 Dault Road Wandsworth (scroll to footnote below) [56]. One can only imagine what Sophia’s state of mind must have been, having to deal with her own young family whilst still maintaining her sanity and suffering the humiliation of another family fathered by her husband with yet another woman in what had been her home.

Figure 46 Sophia Leslie listed on the 1899 Electoral Role at 25 Dault Road

Carlos died 22 August 1905 at 17 Madeira Avenue Worthing Sussex, probate was granted to Kate Leslie Roman widow with effects of £65.00. His final name change/variation was given in his Probate notice “ROMAN Count Carlos Leslie of Rosslyn of 17 Madeira Ave Worthing died 22 August 1905. Probate London 7 September to Kate Leslie Roman widow”.

In 1919 Carlos’s first born child of Ellen died in the USA. (scroll to footnote below) [57]

Figure 47 Obituary of Charles Edward Leslie De Vine son of Charles aka Carlos De Vine. 1919.

Charles Leslie De Vine was very unlikely to be a real a Count and his surname was never legally Roman and he certainly was never a commissioned Surgeon-Major and most definitely not a General in the British army. But I expect he was very good at telling stories to the children at bed time.

He had five wives (two of them Armenian ladies from Calcutta who were also a mother and daughter), nine (known) children by three of the wives and some of his grandchildren were older than some of his own children.

And finally, quoting Charles’s from his letter in the Sydney Morning Herald of 4^th May 1881 in reply to one written by a Mr. Eldred on “the destruction of two Chilean transports by Peruvian torpedoes” Charles said:  "Facts are stubborn things. I am content to let them speak for themselves". By his own words the facts are speaking for themselves.

Always seeking public recognition, trying to gain more and more status and respectability in society, superficially seen to be doing the ‘right thing’, but in reality a dual personality hidden behind a double life of lying, cheating, deceiving and generally misleading. Charles Leslie De Vine, master of respectable double standards.

Caroline and I are leaving this story open because we both feel there is more to uncover.

Author’s Note: I particularly want to mention Caroline Beveridge for her part in researching this constantly evolving story.  Caroline has spent an extraordinary amount of her own personal time and effort in acquiring documentation and visiting repositories and institutions. Coupled with the enormous amount of time we have both spent on trying our utmost to put together as full a story as was possible.

Charles Leslie De Vine and his incredible Walter Mitty life completely took over our lives for a while. Neither of us are professional genealogists but the draw was the Armenian interest of Sarah, her daughter Sophia and the Calcutta family connection, suddenly we found ourselves sucked into a life neither of us could quite believe. 

Caroline gave up many hours to visit places like the Probate Office, the library and museum at the Masonic Grand Lodge London, The British Library, The Bodleian Library, Cambridge University Library, The Metropolitan Archives, The Wellcome Library, The British Museum, Greenwich Maritime Museum, Royal College of Surgeons, St. Pancras Cemetery, Kensal Green Cemetery, Hampstead Cemetery to name but a few. We drew the line at flying to Jersey to investigate their records (but we did give it some serious consideration!) and I should include my own numerous trips to India on various occasions to research and investigate the Armenian side, all of which has been invaluable for this biographical story.

The chronology of his confirmed life events can be summarised as follows:

1855 - Marriage 1^st  Ellen Knapman in Melbourne

1860 - Deserted Ellen

1862 - Marriage 2^nd Manuela Romero in Chile (BIGAMIST)

1864 - Applied to become an Examiner of University of Lima - refused

1866 - Doctor treating wounded in the Chincha war Chile

1867 - Obtained a honorary degree for medical services in Peru

1874 - Expelled from Freemasonry in Peru

1875 - Accepted to practice as a doctor in Australia

1876 – Returned to Freemasonry in Australia after his expulsion from Peru

1880 - Ellen died a pauper in London

1883 - Marriage 3^rd  Sarah Amelia Mackertich in London

1885 - Sarah Amelia died in London

1886 - Birth of Viscount Apcar Leslie De Vine (mother Sophia)

1889 - Birth of Lord Dashwood Leslie De Vine (mother Sophia)

1889 – Marriage 4^th Sophia John (Sarah Amelia’s daughter) in London

1890 - Birth of Willington Leslie De Vine (mother Sophia)

1891 - Birth of Granville Leslie De Vine (mother Sophia)

1891 - Listed on the census as 50 years of age and born in South America

1893 - Birth of Ernest Beresford Roman (mother Sophia)

1894 - Death of Ernest Beresford Roman (mother Sophia)

1898 - Birth of Maria Hilda Roman (mother Kate)

1901 - Listed on the census as 75 years of age and born in Lima, Peru

1903 - Marriage 5^th  Kate Stonell in Sussex (BIGAMIST)

1904 - Birth of Clarence Roman (mother Kate)

1905 - Died aged 80 in Worthing Sussex

1929 - Sophia died in Kennington, London

---

[1] From the baptism, marriage and burial registers held at the Armenian Church of Holy Nazareth, Calcutta

[2] The Times of India, 1864

[3] Allen’s India Mail 1866

[4] The marriage certificate of Sophia John to Carlos De Vine, confirmed her father as Pericles Pandazy John, 1^st  husband of Sarah Amelia Apcar.

[5] British Library Ref: N1-129-108

[6] British Library ref: N1-135-76

[7] All the Armenian graves and tombstones in Calcutta have been photographed by Liz Chater over a number of years and they can now be found on her website www.chater-genealogy.com

[8] This is a contradiction to a published South American Masonic Journal of 1875 in which Charles aka Carlos De Vine is notified of his expulsion from the Masonic Lodge for a rebellion against the Supreme Council.  It states that Brother Carlos Leslie De Vine, was an 18 degree Mason, a doctor and a native natural born man from Ireland aged 50 years of age. (This would indicate he was born around 1825). See Biblioteca Nacional Brasil, Boletim do Grande Oriente do Brasil Jornal Official da Maçonaria Brazileira. 1871 a 1899. Fundaçᾶo Biblioteca Nacional.

[9] The marriage record states he was aged 23 years, makes him born around 1832. However, the 1901 UK census has year of birth as 1826, which is far more likely.

[10] The South Australian Advertiser, Adelaide 8 September 1859

[11] South Australian Advertiser, Adelaide 6 March 1860

[12] NSW Police Gazette 19 April 1860

[13] South Australian Weekly Chronicle 25 February 1860

[14] http://www.rootsireland.ie/

[15] Anales de la Universidad De Chile. O Repertorio de instruccion pública, humanidades, literature, filosofía, i ciencias matemáticas, físicas, médicas, legales, políticas i sagradas. Correpondiente al primer semestre de 1864.

[16] Spanish text kindly translated by Sharman Minus of Canada.

[17] Becoming an apothecary was the “normal” route into medicine as this was pre regulations unless one was from a very wealthy family. See article “Early life, and an 1850's Medical Career” by Bernard Bolch which explains it in detail.

[18] In 1858, (which is 3 years after Charles arrived in Australia but parts of the requirements are probably relevant to him whilst he was there) the regulations for attending the Royal College were:

1. Of being twenty-one years of age.
2. Of having been engaged during four years in the acquirement of professional knowledge.
3. Of having studied practical pharmacy during six months.
4. Of having studied anatomy and physiology, by attendance on lectures and demonstrations and by dissections, during three winter sessions.
5. Of having attended, during two winter sessions, lectures on the principles and practice of surgery.
6. Of having attended, during one summer session, lectures on materia medica and lectures on midwifery; practical midwifery to be attended at any time after the conclusion of the session.
7. Of having attended one course of lectures on the practice of physic and one course on chemistry.
8. Of having attended at a recognised hospital or hospitals in the United Kingdom the practice of physic during one winter and one summer session.
9. Of having attended, during three winter and two summer sessions, the practice of surgery at a recognised hospital or hospitals in the United Kingdom.
10. And of having attended clinical lectures on medicine and surgery in conformity with the following regulations of the council.
full details can be read at http://www.thornber.net/medicine/html/mediceducation.html

[19] Subsequent research has revealed that Carlos and Manuela married on 5^th November 1862 in Arica, he claimed he was a bachelor while Manuela was a spinster both living in Aquique.

[20] Publication: El Peruano – various issues dated between 1866-1871

[21] Publications: El Peruano 29 June 1867

[22] Mid 19^th century M.D.s did not necessarily mean a doctor with a university degree. See Rex E Wright-St Clair's document, Historial Nunc Vivat, history of NZ doctors.

[23] Publications: El Peruano 9 September 1871

[24] Biblioteca Nacional Brasil, Boletim do Grande Oriente do Brasil Jornal Official da Maçonaria Brazileira. 1871 a 1899. Fundaçᾶo Biblioteca Nacional

[25] Abstract of proceedings of the Supreme Council 1878

[26] The full report and account of the exchanges between Dr. Leslie de Vine, the Medical Board and Dr. Edward Myers can be found in The Australian Medical Journal Wednesday 7^th July 1875

[27] The Medical School Alumni Database for the University of Louisville as well as other associated medical institutions 1838-1908

[28] Sydney Morning Herald 20 February 1878

[29] The Argus, 9 May 1878

[30] Full case review can be found in Law Report: Knapman. Knapman v Wreford. 1881.

[31] Sydney Herald 5 September 1878

[32] I am perplexed at his meteoric rise to Surgeon-Major in the Peruvian army. There is no indication in the Peru journals that Carlos Leslie de Vine had been elevated to such a position (either during or after the Chincha war) and furthermore, nothing to suggest he had formally joined the Peruvian Army in any military capacity. Around 1874-1875 Charles aka Carlos was in Lima at loggerheads with the Masonic lodge, and as can be seen earlier in this article, was unceremoniously expelled for disrespect and insubordination of Masonic rules. In January 1877 he was an ordinary doctor noted as attending to the wounds of a child hit by a vehicle in the street in Sydney, yet just 2 years later it can be seen from his attendance at the ball that he was a high ranking member of the Peruvian military personnel, but I do not believe this to be true.

The questions that spring to mind are: Where did he find the time to be in the Army? How did he rise so rapidly in the military ranking and where are his military records? If he was indeed an individual with the rank of Surgeon-Major there is a strong possibility that it was an honorary post as recognition for his dedication in the Chincha conflict.  An example of such an appointment in a British environment can be found in The British Medical Journal of June 1886. It states: “We are glad to be able to announce that it has been decided that service as an acting-surgeon of volunteers is allowed to count as qualifying service towards the honorary rank of surgeon-major.” Although the journal is dated 1886 and is British rather than Peruvian, it was not uncommon to reward individuals with an honorary rank in earlier years and conflicts. Carlos may well have acquired his title in such circumstances.

[33] Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate 29 December 1879

[34] After the hearing “De Vine and Others v. Wreford. The Times 7 February 1879 Pg.3” in which both Ellen and Fanny had gambled they would be successful in winning the large legacy due to them from their late uncle’s estate but in fact failed and lost it, the sisters were compelled to scrape a living where they could. Ellen’s previous experience as a draper allowed her to scratch an income as a needlewoman at the time of her death. Meanwhile her husband Charles was in Australia with Manuela. Ellen is likely to have fallen into poverty after the failed court case, forcing Fanny to have Ellen buried in a communal grave.

[35] See Evening News 14 March 1882

[36] Sydney Evening News 12 February 1883.

[37] Not true. Documented evidence of his presence in Sydney can be found in the Sydney Evening News 12 February 1883, the most he had been away from the colony was 8 months not “many years”.

[38] This would make him born in 1837

[39] On previous marriage records Charles stated his father’s name as John

[40] Official Trustee Memorandum Review document of 1^st October 1929, “Memorandum Relative to the Trusts Created by the late Mr. A.G. Apcar, known as the Endowment Trust Fund”.

[41] British Library L/AG/34/29/107

[42] British Library L/AG/34/29/105

[43] Sarah was actually 42 years old when she died.

[44] According to Carlos’s Medical application to practise as a surgeon in England he only wanted to stay for two years, is it a coincidence that Sarah happened to die within that timescale?

[45] The Standard, 11 June 1877

[46] Armenians in India by Mesrovb Seth P.529

[47] Burial Register, Kensal Green Cemetery

[48] If Carlos was a Count, why was Sophia never referred to as Countess on the birth certificates of her children?

[49] There has been some debate on various internet discussion boards that after the death of Manuela, Charles/Carlos inherited a title to the old family name of Romero.  This of course is possible, but highly unlikely. In most societies, families and clans around the world, it is not the female who passes a title on but the male, usually a male to male heir. Referring to the LDS Family Search Research Outline references on Peru it states “Nobility: Most family traditions of noble ancestry turn out, on investigation, to have little foundation in fact. Most members of the noble class did not emigrate to Peru”.  It goes on to say “There was a large division between the Spaniards born in Spain and the Spaniards born in Peru.  Peru did not recognise Spanish titles after independence. [in 1821]” Therefore I believe that the names given to the two children of Viscount and Lord were not part of inherited titles but more the whim of an over imaginative mind of a man who spent the majority of his life with a weakness for women.

[50] Carlos Leslie Devine is noted as attending a meeting of the Prince of Wales Masonic Lodge in Jersey on the 26^th March 1890, the main purpose was a banquet where all respective “wives, sisters and lady friends” were invited to participate.  Masonic minutes note: “After the banquet, the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were drunk, “The Ladies” toast being responded to by Bro. Carlos Leslie Devine, “The Worshipful Master” being proposed by Bro. P. Bois”. It is therefore quite likely that Sophia attended this event with Carlos, although there are no lists available of attendees. See The Freemason 12 April 1890.

However a year later, for the Masonic meeting of the Royal Sussex Lodge in Jersey on 23^rd March 1891, Carlos sent his apologies with a special message: “from Bro. Dr. C. Leslie De Vine, P.G.M. of Peru, Representative of the Grand Lodge of Peru at Lima, an honorary member of the lodge [of the Royal Sussex Lodge, Jersey] and now residing in London, expressing his regret for his inability of attending that night, and wishing the lodge “hearty good wishes” and the W.M. a successful year of office.” Note he was P.G.M. of Peru. There are two possibilities for this title Past Grand Master or Past Grand Matron. However, there are no other records or documents available that suggest he actually held either of these positions.

[51] According to a posting on a family history website of June 2010, Manuela Romero left a will.

The post stated:

“I am in UK and during continued research on behalf of a friend into the life of Carlos Leslie de Vine who was born in Peru, a member of his family in UK has found the last will and testament, dated 15th May 1877 of someone called Maria Manuela Roman from the “illustrious noble house of Roman”. She resided in Ayacucho, Peru. She was a widow and left everything to her “legitimate heir, Don Carlos Leslie de Vine”. Items such as heraldic arms displayed on seal, rings, plate, paintings, sculpture were mentioned which makes us think she was someone of wealth. As far as we know she was not a relation of Carlos, but he was a doctor/surgeon and there is a family story that he saved someone’s life; it could have been Maria. Abt.1893 Carlos changed his name from “de Vine” and called himself Count Carlos Leslie Roman” Scroll to footnote 31 above and also the LDS Research Outline for Heraldry in Peru in the same document.

Suddenly in 1893 he gets a fanciful notion that he should change his name (and that of his last child with Sophia), no doubt spurred on by remembering Manuela and her will with whom Carlos was actually very well acquainted.

[52] Extensive research has been undertaken to find the military medical records that might show an individual named Count Roman Staff Surgeon Major, but after an exhaustive amount of time at the National Archives in Kew, as well as reviewing the UK Medical Registers for 1859-1959, as well as other newly listed and comprehensive online resources, using every variation of his name, all have drawn a blank.

In the 1901 census Carlos L. Roman was living at 54 Thickett Road “retired doctor of medicine”. Using internet search engines for “doctor Carlos L. Roman” there are no results that are remotely associated with his name and being a qualified doctor. However, conversely, as an experiment I put in his neighbour at 56 Thickett Road who was Captain Hugh G. Colville retired Army Captain.  Using exactly the same internet search engines immediate results show for ‘Captain Hugh G. Colville’. My point being that had Carlos L. Roman been a recognised and qualified doctor of medicine a search would have revealed even the most basic of information on him and any relevant medical qualifications.

[53] All England & Wales, Civil Divorce Records, 1858-1911

[54] Sophia can be found mentioned in a legal notice in The Times of 13 March 1931 where the executors of her late Armenian uncle’s estate (Johannes Apcar) are trying to establish contact. Sadly, this indicates that Sophia had not been in touch with her Armenian family in Calcutta for several years, otherwise they would have known that she had died in 1929. The question here is: Did the Calcutta Trustees of the Apcar funds realise that Sophia had died in 1929, if not who was benefitting from her family inheritance? Her probate indicates that her estate had a gross value of £1602-6-11 in the UK, there is no record of an estate in India.

[55] On the 1901 census she is aged 2 years old and at an address with one James Baylie listed as Sheriff Officer and she is described as “nurse-child”*. Why was she staying at a property that does not appear to be family related?

*("nurse-child" normally means along the lines of an illegitimate or unwanted child being brought up by foster parents often for a small fee. When a mother could not afford to keep/look after the child herself, as she wasn't able to work whilst the child was in her care.)

[56] On the 1899 Electoral Role she is listed as Sophia Leslie at that address, changing her name to distance herself from her wayward husband.  The requirement for inclusion in such a list meant that she had to have occupied a rateable property in the borough for one year, paid rates, and lived within seven miles of the borough. This gives a clear timescale as to Sophie leaving the family home which appears to have coincided with the birth of Kate’s baby daughter Maria.

[57] It is interesting to note from the Obituary of Charles Edward Leslie De Vine (son of Charles/Carlos De Vine and Ellen nee Knapman) from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle of 11 February 1919 that he was described as “a son of Gen. Charles L. De Vine of the British Army”. Charles De Vine (Senior) was never in the British Army and certainly never a General of any kind.