Mr.P.D.Devasahayam was born in 1822.  He went toCeylon and there he worked as a conductor and Manager in an Estate and returned to NAGERCOIL a wealthy man.  He constructed a tin-roofed house opposite to the present Women’s Christian College.  This house was then known as the “Mavadi Veedu” as it stood close to a very large mango tree.  He owned large areas of land around his house and also on the western part of NAGERCOIL.  He had great interest in plantation and so in 1858 he purchased 60 acres of land from the Travancore government and developed it into the Victoria Coffee Estate.  He was very generous by nature and offered tithe of his income from the estate to the NAGERCOIL Church.  He was one among the three deacons elected to the Church in 1866.   As Mr.P.D.Devasahayam  - Elizabeth Gnanai couple was not blessed with a child they adopted John Sahayam who was the son of Mr. Yovan, the brother of Mrs.Elizabeth Gnanai.  Mr.John Sahayam had five brothers namely David, Sebagnanam, Sahayam, Dennison and Lazar and three sisters Annie, Sophia and Annammal Arulai.  Of these Dennison and Sophia died before getting married.

Mr.John Sahayam had naturally imbibed, from his foster father Mr.P.D.Devasahayam, a special aptitude for business.  As chief agent of Messrs. Chisholm Ewart and Co., (Subsequently Messrs. Aspinwall and Co., ) of the Colachel Fibre Industry, he did much of the pioneering work in connection with that industry in South Travancore and in the neighboring villages of Tirunelveli District.  As a result of his indefatigable efforts, the industry greatly extended its operations and became very prosperous and his steady and faithful services were appreciated and rewarded by the said company.

Mr. John Sahayam married Arulai daughter of Mr.P.D.Packianathan, brother of Mr.P.D.Devasahayam.  On the death of Mrs.Arulai, he married Salome, the second daughter of Rev.J.Joshua the then pastor of NAGERCOIL Home Church.

Mrs. Salome John Sahayam became a real asset to the family and an ornament to the house and by her genial disposition, charitable conduct and religious temperament she was able to maintain the noble tradition of the home.  She also wisely and efficiently discharged various responsible family duties that devolved on her.

Mrs. Salome John  Sahayam, when she was 12 years old won a large Bible as a prize for reciting Psalm:119.  She had a deep knowledge of the Bible and she could recite any verse at will.  She loved her children and grand children very much.  She took special care in bringing them up in christian way of life.  As she was born on 1st January it was customary for the children and grand children to gather at ‘Mavadi Veedu’ soon after watch night service and celebrate her birthday.

Mr. John Sahayam died at the early age of 49 years, on 5th August,1908, but Salome survived him for more than 34 years and departed this life peacefully on 18th October, 1942, at the age of 76 leaving behind her three sons and three daughters.  Their eldest son Devasahayam died at the age of 10 years in 1902.

(written by Mr.T.Selvin Devasahayam, Mr.John Manuel and Mrs.Jebamathy Manuel )