Born: 1651
Died: >1861
Source: Chaplains in the Jurisdiction of the Presidency of Fort St George from 1647 to 1805 (Rev Frank Perry, The Church In Madras 1904)
Biography: RICHARD PORTMAN was born in 1651, being the son of John Portman of Twinning in the county of Gloucester. He matri culated at St. Mary's Hall Oxford in 1667, graduating B.A. in 1671, and M.A. in 1674. He was appointed Chaplain of Fort St. George in 1675, and arrived there in July 1676. During his term of office the resident merchants, inspired by Streynsham Master, exerted themselves to build St. Mary's Church. On its completion Richard Portman was commissioned by the Archbishop of Canterbury to consecrate it; and was at the same time licensed to officiate in it. He thus became the first Chaplain of St. Mary s. He returned home in 1681.