Eugenio Kincaid
Encyclopedia
Eugenio Kincaid was an American
Baptist
missionary who labored for two periods in Burma (now known as Myanmar
). In the first period, he served twelve years. In the second period, he served for another fifteen years. His mission work in Burma covered the whole range of the country, from the farthest north to the farthest south and from the farthest west to almost the farthest east. Between the two periods of his ministry, he had eight years of leave of absence during which he raised funds for the foreign missions, and in addition, helped in the foundation of the University of Lewisburg (later renamed Bucknell University
). At the age of 33, Eugenio Kincaid was sent by Baptist Board of Foreign Missions to preach the gospel in Burma.
to Noah Kincaid, a physician, and Lydia Hough Kincaid. In 1822 he graduated from the Literary and Theological Institution (later renamed Madison and then Colgate University
) at Hamilton. New York
. He was strongly inclined to preach for the salvation of the people in Burma after hearing a sermon from Luther Rice, a fellow misionary of Adoniram Judson
. and applied to the Baptist Board of Missions for an appointment to serve in Burma, but was rejected. He then assumed the pastorate of the Baptist Church in Galway, New York
. He was well liked by the congregation but he did not feel contented to remain there. After four years, he then went to Susquehanna
valley, a more destitute place, and founded the First Baptist Church in Milton, Pennsylvania
starting with nine members. He married Miss Almy and had two sons: Eugenio Wade Kincaid and Judson Kincaid who died in 1830.
In 1828, Eugenio was appointed as a travelling preacher by the Board of the Baptist General Association of Pennsylvania for Missionary Purposes.
After serving in that position for two years, he was appointed by the Executive Committee of the Baptist Mission Union to be posted to Burma together with Francis Mason
. Eugenio and Francis assignment was to continue the pioneering mission work of Adoniram Judson that was started in 1813. Adoniram was pouring most of his labor towards completing the Burmese Bible.
The Kincaids and the Masons sailed from Boston in 1830 and after four months they reached Moulmain (now kmown as Mawlamyaing) which was under British rule following the First Anglo-Burmese War
) which was still under Burmese control. He took charge of the missioon schools and with the help of native missionary assistants he maintain many of the public services of the misson. During the year of his stay in Rangoon, he married Barbara McBain, daughter of an officer of the East India Company and was born in Madras, India.
, seven hundred miles up the Irrawaddy. Accompanying the Kincaids were Barbara's sister and two native missionary assistants. They encountered many robbers along the river but escaped without any harm. They distributed a large quantity of religious tracts and portions of the New Testament. The trip took fifty four days and they visited three hundred villages and towns preaching the gospel in most of them.
The reception at the capital was chilly mainly because the king had not forgiven Adoniram Judson for going over to the enemy after the war. Nevertheless, a church was planted by the end of a year and Rev. Kincaid was permitted to preach to hundreds of thousands of people during the three years he was there. Rev. Kincaid met many Shan merchants in Ava and he made a plan to visit and learn the habits and characters of these people and other ethnic nationalities. But the government was opposed to him to travel to the frontiers of Assam
and China border. By his persistence, he obtained at length the permission from the government.
In January 1837, Rev. Kincaid and four of his native assistants went up the Irrawaddy with a boat provided by the British Resident. They stopped at many villages and distributed tracts and preached the gospel and they were warmly received. After 23 days and 350 miles from Ava, they arrived at Mogaung
in Kachin
state known for its jade mines. It was the northern most town of the country beneath the shadows of the Himalaya mountains. Since it was impossible to procure men and provisions needed for further excursion, Eugenio Kincaid decided to return to Ava. On the return trip, he was exposed to extreme perils and suffering because a civil war had broken out. Bands of robbers were overrunning the land, pillaging and burning the villages. Eugenio Kincaid and his disciples were robbed repeatedly but miraculously he was able to escape on foot through the mountains of the Shan State
. The disciples also managed to escape earlier.
On his arrival in Ava, he found out King Bagyidaw
was dethroned by his brother Prince Tharawaddy and many had lost their lives. Rev. Kincaid requested for an audience with the new king and was received cordially. However, the king told him that as the defender of the faith, he had to forbid him from distributing any Christian literature in his realm. Under the threatening circumstances and fear of the approaching war, Rev. Kincaid decided to go to more promising fields of Tenasserim (now known as Tanintharyi
.
He made a long exploration trip through the mountains near Mergui (now known as Myeik). He saw countless number of tracks of rhinoceros, elephant, tiger, monkey, wild hog, and deer. He
stopped in tribal villages and preach and baptized the converts.
He then turned towards the British controlled province of Arakan (now known as Rakhine State
). Laboring in the city of Akyab (now known as Sittwe
, he made many excursions to all the accessible points to preach the gospel. One day, a chief from the Khami-Chin tribe, named Chetza or "The Great Mountain Chief" paid him a visit. On his return, the Chief together with thirteen petty chiefs wrote a letter urging him to visit the mountains of Chin Hills
and preach the gospel to them. Rev. Kincaid accompanied by Rev. L Stilson set off to Chetza's domain, seventy six miles away and Rev. Stilson established the Khami Mission station, learned their language and reduced it to writing. He converted and Baptized hundreds of them.
) in Pennsylvania.
In 1846, King Tharrawaddy Min died and his son Pagan Min
ascended the throne. Eugenio Kincaid returned to Moulmein in the early part of 1851 and proceeded to Rangoon. The old disciples received him warmly and a few more Burmese and Karens were baptized.
The encouraging mission work was interrupted by the arrival of a British frigate and four armed steamers. They demanded redress of grievances on behalf of the East India Company. Barbara Kincaid took refuge on a British merchant ship as she was a British subject and Eugenio Kincaid was asked, because of his knowledge of Burmese, to accompany the British delegation to the provincial governor. Against Rev Kincaid strong objection, the leader of the British delegation insisted on riding their horses into the governor's compound, which was considered an insult according to Burmese custom. The governor refused to meet the delegation. British ships blockaded the port and the Second Anglo-Burmese War
had begun. By the end of 1852, the whole of Lower Burma was in British hands.
In 1853, Pagan Min was deposed and his half-brother Mindon was invited by the Council of Ministers at Amarapura
. Midon ascended the throne as Mindon Min
.
Rev. Kincaid went to Prome (now known as Pyay) and made many excursions to the surrounding area and many Burmese and Karens were baptized.
In 1857, Eugenio Kincaid carried the royal letter, enclosed in an ivory box lined with crimson velvet, and proceeded to Washington, DC to present it to President James Buchanan
. In response, the president prepared a respectful and appropriate reply and entrusted to Eugenio Kincaid with a large number of valuable national publications as gifts. In 1857, Rev. Kincaid left his family in America and returned to Burma by way of England, the Mediterranean and overland route from Alexandria to Suez and oversea through Gulf of Suez to Ceylon, Calcutta and Burma. After finishing mission business in Prome, Rev. Kincaid proceeded to the royal city. The king extended to the missionaries freedom to preach. The king also ordered his ministers to build a house for Rev Kincaid within the palace ground in the new capital Mandalay
but Rev. Kincaid declined and went back to Prome.
In 1857, Rev. Kincaid retired and settled in Girard, Kansas. Eugenio Kincaid died on April 3, 1883, and Barbara Kincaid died soon after.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
missionary who labored for two periods in Burma (now known as Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
). In the first period, he served twelve years. In the second period, he served for another fifteen years. His mission work in Burma covered the whole range of the country, from the farthest north to the farthest south and from the farthest west to almost the farthest east. Between the two periods of his ministry, he had eight years of leave of absence during which he raised funds for the foreign missions, and in addition, helped in the foundation of the University of Lewisburg (later renamed Bucknell University
Bucknell University
Bucknell University is a private liberal arts university located alongside the West Branch Susquehanna River in the rolling countryside of Central Pennsylvania in the town of Lewisburg, 30 miles southeast of Williamsport and 60 miles north of Harrisburg. The university consists of the College of...
). At the age of 33, Eugenio Kincaid was sent by Baptist Board of Foreign Missions to preach the gospel in Burma.
Early life
Eugenio Kincaid was born on 10 January 1797 in Wethersfield, ConnecticutWethersfield, Connecticut
Wethersfield is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. Many records from colonial times spell the name Weathersfield, while Native Americans called it Pyquag...
to Noah Kincaid, a physician, and Lydia Hough Kincaid. In 1822 he graduated from the Literary and Theological Institution (later renamed Madison and then Colgate University
Colgate University
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York, USA. The school was founded in 1819 as a Baptist seminary and later became non-denominational. It is named for the Colgate family who greatly contributed to the university's endowment in the 19th century.Colgate has 52...
) at Hamilton. New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He was strongly inclined to preach for the salvation of the people in Burma after hearing a sermon from Luther Rice, a fellow misionary of Adoniram Judson
Adoniram Judson
Adoniram Judson, Jr. was an American Baptist missionary, who served in Burma for almost forty years. At the age of 25, Adoniram Judson became the first Protestant missionary sent from North America to preach in Burma...
. and applied to the Baptist Board of Missions for an appointment to serve in Burma, but was rejected. He then assumed the pastorate of the Baptist Church in Galway, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He was well liked by the congregation but he did not feel contented to remain there. After four years, he then went to Susquehanna
Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River is a river located in the northeastern United States. At long, it is the longest river on the American east coast that drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and with its watershed it is the 16th largest river in the United States, and the longest river in the continental United...
valley, a more destitute place, and founded the First Baptist Church in Milton, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
starting with nine members. He married Miss Almy and had two sons: Eugenio Wade Kincaid and Judson Kincaid who died in 1830.
In 1828, Eugenio was appointed as a travelling preacher by the Board of the Baptist General Association of Pennsylvania for Missionary Purposes.
After serving in that position for two years, he was appointed by the Executive Committee of the Baptist Mission Union to be posted to Burma together with Francis Mason
Francis Mason
Francis Mason , American missionary and a naturalist, was born in York, England. His grandfather, also Francis Mason, was the founder of the Baptist Society in York, and his father, a shoemaker by trade, was a Baptist lay preacher there.-Early life:After working with his father as a shoemaker for...
. Eugenio and Francis assignment was to continue the pioneering mission work of Adoniram Judson that was started in 1813. Adoniram was pouring most of his labor towards completing the Burmese Bible.
The Kincaids and the Masons sailed from Boston in 1830 and after four months they reached Moulmain (now kmown as Mawlamyaing) which was under British rule following the First Anglo-Burmese War
Mission to Burma
While learning to acquire the Burmese language, Rev. Kincaid engaged himself preaching the English congregation in Moulmain consisting entirely of British soldiers. Within a year one hundred soldiers were converted and baptized. In December 1831, his wife died of a tropical disease. In 1832, Eugenio Kincaid moved to Rangoon (now known as YangonYangon
Yangon is a former capital of Burma and the capital of Yangon Region . Although the military government has officially relocated the capital to Naypyidaw since March 2006, Yangon, with a population of over four million, continues to be the country's largest city and the most important commercial...
) which was still under Burmese control. He took charge of the missioon schools and with the help of native missionary assistants he maintain many of the public services of the misson. During the year of his stay in Rangoon, he married Barbara McBain, daughter of an officer of the East India Company and was born in Madras, India.
Mission to Ava
The following year, Rev. Kincaid took a river boat to the capital AvaAva
Innwa is a city in the Mandalay Division of Burma , situated just to the south of Amarapura on the Ayeyarwady River. Its formal title is Ratanapura , which means City of Gems in Pali. The name Innwa means mouth of the lake, which comes from in , meaning lake, and wa , which means mouth...
, seven hundred miles up the Irrawaddy. Accompanying the Kincaids were Barbara's sister and two native missionary assistants. They encountered many robbers along the river but escaped without any harm. They distributed a large quantity of religious tracts and portions of the New Testament. The trip took fifty four days and they visited three hundred villages and towns preaching the gospel in most of them.
The reception at the capital was chilly mainly because the king had not forgiven Adoniram Judson for going over to the enemy after the war. Nevertheless, a church was planted by the end of a year and Rev. Kincaid was permitted to preach to hundreds of thousands of people during the three years he was there. Rev. Kincaid met many Shan merchants in Ava and he made a plan to visit and learn the habits and characters of these people and other ethnic nationalities. But the government was opposed to him to travel to the frontiers of Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
and China border. By his persistence, he obtained at length the permission from the government.
In January 1837, Rev. Kincaid and four of his native assistants went up the Irrawaddy with a boat provided by the British Resident. They stopped at many villages and distributed tracts and preached the gospel and they were warmly received. After 23 days and 350 miles from Ava, they arrived at Mogaung
Mogaung
Mogaung is a town in Kachin State, Myanmar. It is situated on the Mandalay-Myitkyina railway line.-External links:* Falling Rain Genomics, Inc.* Maplandia.com...
in Kachin
Kachin State
Kachin State , is the northernmost state of Burma. It is bordered by China to the north and east; Shan State to the south; and Sagaing Division and India to the west. It lies between north latitude 23° 27' and 28° 25' longitude 96° 0' and 98° 44'. The area of Kachin State is . The capital of the...
state known for its jade mines. It was the northern most town of the country beneath the shadows of the Himalaya mountains. Since it was impossible to procure men and provisions needed for further excursion, Eugenio Kincaid decided to return to Ava. On the return trip, he was exposed to extreme perils and suffering because a civil war had broken out. Bands of robbers were overrunning the land, pillaging and burning the villages. Eugenio Kincaid and his disciples were robbed repeatedly but miraculously he was able to escape on foot through the mountains of the Shan State
Shan State
Shan State is a state of Burma . Shan State borders China to the north, Laos to the east, and Thailand to the south, and five administrative divisions of Burma in the west. Largest of the 14 administrative divisions by land area, Shan State covers 155,800 km², almost a quarter of the total...
. The disciples also managed to escape earlier.
On his arrival in Ava, he found out King Bagyidaw
Bagyidaw
Bagyidaw Bagyidaw's reign saw the First Anglo-Burmese War , which marked the beginning of the end of the highly militaristic Konbaung dynasty. Bagyidaw inherited the largest Burmese empire, second only to King Bayinnaung's, but also one that shared a long ill-defined borders with British India...
was dethroned by his brother Prince Tharawaddy and many had lost their lives. Rev. Kincaid requested for an audience with the new king and was received cordially. However, the king told him that as the defender of the faith, he had to forbid him from distributing any Christian literature in his realm. Under the threatening circumstances and fear of the approaching war, Rev. Kincaid decided to go to more promising fields of Tenasserim (now known as Tanintharyi
Tanintharyi
Tanintharyi or Taninthayi is a small town in Taninthayi Township, Myeik District, in the Tanintharyi Region of southwestern Burma . It is the administrative seat for the township. The town is located on the Great Tenasserim River which eventually enters the sea at Myeik...
.
He made a long exploration trip through the mountains near Mergui (now known as Myeik). He saw countless number of tracks of rhinoceros, elephant, tiger, monkey, wild hog, and deer. He
stopped in tribal villages and preach and baptized the converts.
He then turned towards the British controlled province of Arakan (now known as Rakhine State
Rakhine State
Rakhine State is a Burmese state. Situated on the western coast, it is bordered by Chin State in the north, Magway Region, Bago Region and Ayeyarwady Region in the east, the Bay of Bengal to the west, and the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh to the northwest. It is located approximately between...
). Laboring in the city of Akyab (now known as Sittwe
Sittwe
-Economy:In February 2007, India announced a plan to develop the port, which would enable ocean access from Indian Northeastern states, so called "Seven sisters", like Mizoram, via the Kaladan River....
, he made many excursions to all the accessible points to preach the gospel. One day, a chief from the Khami-Chin tribe, named Chetza or "The Great Mountain Chief" paid him a visit. On his return, the Chief together with thirteen petty chiefs wrote a letter urging him to visit the mountains of Chin Hills
Chin Hills
The Chin Hills are a range of mountains in Chin State, northwestern Burma , that extends northward into India's Manipur state. They are part of the Arakan Mountain Range . The highest peak in the Chin Hills is Nat Ma Taung, or Khonumthung , in southern Chin State, which reaches 3,053 meters...
and preach the gospel to them. Rev. Kincaid accompanied by Rev. L Stilson set off to Chetza's domain, seventy six miles away and Rev. Stilson established the Khami Mission station, learned their language and reduced it to writing. He converted and Baptized hundreds of them.
Prolonged Sojourn in America
In 1843, the Kincaids made a long visit to America. They had been in Burma for twelve years and the health of Barbara Kincaid required a change of climate. They had two daughters. Their son Eugenio Wade Kincaid died before they could return to America. The main reason for returning home was the unsettled state of situation in the Burmese Empire. During that long leave of absence, Eugenio Kincaid travelled to nearly every state of the union raising funds to support the missions and preaching very effective sermons. In addition, he was instrumental in the founding of the University of Lewisburg (later renamed Bucknell UniversityBucknell University
Bucknell University is a private liberal arts university located alongside the West Branch Susquehanna River in the rolling countryside of Central Pennsylvania in the town of Lewisburg, 30 miles southeast of Williamsport and 60 miles north of Harrisburg. The university consists of the College of...
) in Pennsylvania.
In 1846, King Tharrawaddy Min died and his son Pagan Min
Pagan Min
Pagan Min , was the ninth king of the Konbaung dynasty of Burma. Born Maung Biddhu Khyit, he was granted the title of Prince of Pagan by his father Tharrawaddy in August 1842. Pagan Min became king when Tharrawaddy died on 17 November 1846, with the formal title of His Majesty "Pyinsama...
ascended the throne. Eugenio Kincaid returned to Moulmein in the early part of 1851 and proceeded to Rangoon. The old disciples received him warmly and a few more Burmese and Karens were baptized.
The encouraging mission work was interrupted by the arrival of a British frigate and four armed steamers. They demanded redress of grievances on behalf of the East India Company. Barbara Kincaid took refuge on a British merchant ship as she was a British subject and Eugenio Kincaid was asked, because of his knowledge of Burmese, to accompany the British delegation to the provincial governor. Against Rev Kincaid strong objection, the leader of the British delegation insisted on riding their horses into the governor's compound, which was considered an insult according to Burmese custom. The governor refused to meet the delegation. British ships blockaded the port and the Second Anglo-Burmese War
Second Anglo-Burmese War
The Second Anglo-Burmese War was the second of the three wars fought between the Burmese and the British Empire during the 19th century, with the outcome of the gradual extinction of Burmese sovereignty and independence....
had begun. By the end of 1852, the whole of Lower Burma was in British hands.
In 1853, Pagan Min was deposed and his half-brother Mindon was invited by the Council of Ministers at Amarapura
Amarapura
Amarapura is a former capital of Myanmar, and now a township of Mandalay. Amarapura is bounded by the Ayeyarwady river in the west, Chanmyathazi township in the north, and the city of Innwa in the south...
. Midon ascended the throne as Mindon Min
Mindon Min
Mindon Min was the penultimate king of Burma from 1853 to 1878. He was one of the most popular and revered kings of Burma. Under his half brother King Pagan, the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852 ended with the annexation of Lower Burma by the British Empire. Mindon and his younger brother Kanaung...
.
Rev. Kincaid went to Prome (now known as Pyay) and made many excursions to the surrounding area and many Burmese and Karens were baptized.
Mission to Amarapura
The king Mindon Min invited Rev. Kincaid to the royal residence in Amarapura. Afteer two visits to the court, where he was cordially received, the king persuaded him to visit the United States as an envoy from Burma. The king wanted to establish a friendly relation between the two governments. Rev. Kincaid accepted the proposal because Barbara Kincaid needed a change of climate for her feeble health and also there were some misunderstandings between the Baptist Board of Missions and a number of the missionaries in the field, with regard to policies and field of labor, etc., to be resolved.In 1857, Eugenio Kincaid carried the royal letter, enclosed in an ivory box lined with crimson velvet, and proceeded to Washington, DC to present it to President James Buchanan
James Buchanan
James Buchanan, Jr. was the 15th President of the United States . He is the only president from Pennsylvania, the only president who remained a lifelong bachelor and the last to be born in the 18th century....
. In response, the president prepared a respectful and appropriate reply and entrusted to Eugenio Kincaid with a large number of valuable national publications as gifts. In 1857, Rev. Kincaid left his family in America and returned to Burma by way of England, the Mediterranean and overland route from Alexandria to Suez and oversea through Gulf of Suez to Ceylon, Calcutta and Burma. After finishing mission business in Prome, Rev. Kincaid proceeded to the royal city. The king extended to the missionaries freedom to preach. The king also ordered his ministers to build a house for Rev Kincaid within the palace ground in the new capital Mandalay
Mandalay
Mandalay is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Burma. Located north of Yangon on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, the city has a population of one million, and is the capital of Mandalay Region ....
but Rev. Kincaid declined and went back to Prome.
In 1857, Rev. Kincaid retired and settled in Girard, Kansas. Eugenio Kincaid died on April 3, 1883, and Barbara Kincaid died soon after.