WD4421

Bust length portait to left of George William Hessing (1781-1826), wearing military uniform, by an unknow artist. c.1805.

Inscribed on reverse of small framed copy WD4421/1: ‘Col: George William Hessing. son of Col. John William Hessing. Brother of Mrs Robert Sutherland - was in command of the fort of Agra when given over to Gen Lake in 1803. Born at Gohad in the Province of Agra 11th Aug 1781 - died in Ceylon about 1832 - married Anna Mary daughter of Anthony Yvon at Poona in July 1799. A Captain in the Service of the Peshwah’.

Grisaille on ivory; 8.5 by 6.8 cm, oval

Purchased May 1995.

Note: Gohad is in Gwalior State which at the time of Hessing’s birth was in the hands of Rana Bhim Singh of Mewar and in 1784 was seized by Sindhia. George William was appointed to take command of Agra fort after the death of his father, at the time of its capture by Lord Lake. Hessing died at Calcutta on the 6 January 1826, at the age of 44, and is buried in South Park Street cemetery. The birth of a son is recorded in 1824 at ‘Dinapore, Digah’, and the death of another child is also listed as taking place there, which suggests the family was living in John Hessing's house at Digah, which was also near the house of George’s grandfather, Louis Derridon.