Virgil Cornish, Esq., of Connecticut, in a letter dated March 2nd, 1852, observes,

No doubt you are acquainted with the relative position of the state in India called Chittagong, and the river called Brahma Pootra. Chittagong is a small state upon the eastern borders, and bounding west upon the Bay of Bengal. The river Brahma Pootra discharges its waters into that bay, forty or fifty miles from the western boundary of Chittagong.

If the large light coloured fowls came from that region-the Brahma Pootra-of which I think there no doubt, for we have seen nothing which in the least resembles them from any other country, still I am unable to say by which name they should be called, with certainty.

Chittagong, if I understand it, is mountainous, and little inhabited; while the country through which the Brahma Pootra river runs, is a flat country, exceedingly rich, though perhaps a damp soil. It is much chequered with rivers. The richer the country the larger the production, is our rule to go by.’

In these views I have no doubt Mr. Cornish is perfectly correct. Between the large light coloured fowls from the Brahma Pootra and the large gray fowls from Chittagong there is a marked difference; and the person who cannot see it, can see no difference between a zephyr and a tornado."

Mr. Cornish, in the same letter alluded to above, in speaking of the importation of the Brahma Pootra fowls, remarks: "In regard to the history of these fowls very little is known. A mechanic, by the name of Chamberlain, in this city, first brought them here.
Mr. Chamberlain was acquainted with a sailor, who informed him that there were three pairs of large imported fowls in New York; and he dwelt so much upon the enormous size of these fowls that Mr. Chamberlain furnished him with money, and directed him to go to New York, and purchase a pair of them for him; which he did at a great expense. The sailor reported, that he found one pair of light gray ones, which he purchased; the second pair was dark coloured; and the third pair was red.

The man in New York, whose name I have not got, gave no account of their origin, except that they had been brought there by some sailors in the India ships. The parties through whose hands the fowls came, as far back as I have been able to trace them, are all obscure men. I obtained my stock from the original pair brought here by Mr. Chamberlain, and have never crossed them in the least. These fowls were named Chittagong by Mr. Chamberlain, on account of their resemblance, in some degree, to the fowls then in the country called by that name; but it is certain they never bred until they reached this town."

The description of these fowls exactly corresponds with that given by travellers and sea captains, with whom I have conversed, of the large light coloured fowls found in the valley of the Brahma Pootra, and materially differing from the large gray fowls found in the state of Chittagong.

The Rev. R. W. Fuller, of Massachusetts says in a letter to W. N. Andrews, Esq., of New Hampshire " I have a pair of Brahma Pootra fowls, of the same breed as those sold by Dr. J. C. Bennett, and I consider them decidedly the most splendid and beautiful fowls ever imported. Their colour is white, inclining on the back to a rich cream-colour; the hackles on the neck slightly streaked with black. The legs are yellow, heavily feathered with white, and shorter than the Chittagong or Shanghai, giving the fowls a more beautiful proportion. They are very gentle and peaceable in their disposition, and have a stately and graceful gait. Take them altogether, they are just the fowls for an amateur to fall in love with, and such as an owner, with one spark of vanity, would desire to keep in his front yard, that all passers by might behold and admire them."

 The Cochin China (as it was then known) Another Brief Account

The Brahma

This Chronicle & Various others were essential in the writtings concerning the Brahma. I have not altered the text or spelling in an effort to print and share this material. Rich in history concerning actual accounts of the magnificent Brahma. Miss Watts actual travels and accounts not only promoted the Brahmas but many other breeds that she witnessed, one in particular was the intriguing game fowl. I have read so many of her accounts and enjoyed the richness of her words. She not only gave great detail to the fowl she spoke of but confirmed through her research the regions to which they inhabited. One might call her the "Keeper of the fowl" fore she made it her mission to promote "Poultry keeping". Many of her writtings have given credit to understanding the history of many breeds. It is my pleasure to share the various materials I have collected to further educate those that fancy poultry. I do so hope that you enjoy these and others that will follow.

Chicken Chronicles

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