Nine manuscript documents relating to the death and estate of Major Anthony Coane, 73rd (Perthshire) Regiment of Foot, who died in Kandy, Ceylon [Sri Lanka], in 1819, including an inventory and account, and a covering letter from Lieut. Minter.

The nine items in this collection provide valuable information regarding the management of the estate of a Georgian colonial British army office. Coane's battalion had served in New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land between 1812 and 1814, and had been in Ceylon (under Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Giels) since 1814 by the time Coane died on 5 January 1819, his demise much regretted by his superiors. The nine items are on aged and worn paper with chipping to extremities. ONE: Autograph Letter Signed from 'G[eorge]. Minter' to unnamed recipient. Kandy; 29 December 1818. 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. The letter begins in dramatic style: 'Dear Sir | Ere this reaches you, I much fear Major Coane will be no more[.] Mr Marshall as well as Dr. Armstrong who have been in constant attendance on him for the last three days, having just told me that they have little or no hopes of his surviving till to morrow.' He writes that Coane 'still remains sensible' and wishes the recipient to turn over 'His Will and other papers' to 'the Committee of Paymastership'. Like the recipient, Minter has been appointed by Coane one of his executors. TWO: Account by Minter of 'The property of the late Major Coane in my possession'. Signed by Minter and dated Kandy, 8 January 1819. 1p., landscape 8vo. Marked 'No 1'. THREE: 'List of the Effects of the late Major Coane 73d Regt Sold by public Auction, With the purchasers Names, and Amounts - Kandy 7th. January 1819.' Dated 16 January 1819. 2pp., 8vo. Giving the purchasers' names and amounts paid for items ranging from 'One Brass Jumboo [sic]' to 'one Regtl forage Cap'. Marked 'No 2'. FOUR: 'The late Major coane in account with Lieutenant Minter'. Signed by Minter and dated Kandy, 8 January 1819. 1p., 8vo. Marked 'No 3'. FIVE: Manuscript list of clothes. 1p., 8vo. Docketed: 'Hay's Mem[orandu]m. to Maj. A. Coane | Sun 13th Jany. 1819'. SIX: 'An Account of monies paid by Lieut & Adjutant Hay on Account of the Grenadier Company'. 1p., 12mo. SEVEN: 'Account of monies with the Adjutant and Captain A Coane 73rd Regiment of Foot to 24th Octr. 1817'. 1p., landscape 12mo. EIGHT: 'Account of monies with the Adjutant and the Grenadier Company 73rd Regiment'. 1p., 4to. First entry: 'Paid Companys books from 2nd. Novr. to 24th November 1817 Inclusive'. NINE: 'Account of monies with the Adjutant and the Grenadier Co. 73rd. Regiment of Foot.' 1p., 4to. First entry: 'Balance to 24th Novr. [1817] as Per Ledger'.