kochuveetil family – a brief history - wiva. · pdf fileafter a long search the meaning...

Kochuveetil Family – A brief History

Updated by wiva on11/16/10

The KOCHUVEETIL family is believed to be the descendents of a branch of the family of early Christians who migrated from Nilackal to Kadampanadu to escape persecution of Vakrapuli and Perumpatta. The history of Nilackal Church and the Christian community during these years (1st Century A.D.) can be found in the following extract from the Syrian [Christian Tradition published by Mr. P.E. Easo). “Nilackal Church founded by St Thomas is situated on the side of the pond opposite to the present Nilackal Ambalam as per the tradition of St Thomas Christians. This Church is also referred to as ARA- PALLY. The present day Christians believe that ARA PALLY is half-completed church. This however does not satisfy any body searching for logical meaning. After a long search the meaning for ARA in Tamil language before Malayalam came to existence is traced out to mean important or head quarter. Suffixes like ARA- MENA still exist in [C]hristian usage. This means Head Quarter or important House. One can therefore believe that ARA PALLY in fact was the head Quarters of Syrian Christians. To support this conclusion there is a place close to Nilackal known as Thalapally, which means the head Church. This place is also called Plapally, which does not convey any meaning in Malayalam or Tamil.

The readers may note that the Kerala Government allowed to construct the St. Thomas Church at the present site near Nilackal is far away from the traditional site believed to be across the Nilackal Pond. As Christians, one has been contented with what we have today than to have nothing. The present Church is on the side of Thever- mala. Thever and Devar were used in old Tamil to refer to respected people. These names fortunately have not changed from olden times.

We see on the top of these hills remnants of old houses, wells, pounding stones, tombs etc definitely to say that those were sites where people used to stay. Excavation in this and surrounding areas would definitely reveal the history of the lost tradition of the population particularly the Nilackal Christians who had migrated from this area to Kanjirapally, Thumpamon, Ayroor, Niranam and surrounding areas. To maintain the traditional unity of the Church and the Temples close to each other, as in the past, let us hope that the future generations would

establish a Church on the very same site where it existed from St Thomas time.

The new Nilackal Church



Christians in Kerala know that two Bishops by name Sabor Easow and Porth along with many families migrated to Kollam in AD 822. They ruled over Syrian Christians by keeping their Head Quarters at Kollam (Mar Sabor Easow) and Kodungalloor (Mar Porth). In the year 880AD Mar Sabor Easow and the Christians in Kollam were given two separate Copper Plate Cheppeds known as Tharisapally Chepeds.These are one of the oldest records of the Syrian Christians in Kerala now available on record.

Sabor Easow had an Ahram in Nilackal known as CHAYAL-AHRAM. This word in Hebrew means people who stay alone. The Jews even today use it to refer to soldiers who stay apart from families. Towards the end of his life Mar Sabor spent most of his time in meditation in this Ashram. He was buried in this Ahram. Being a saintly person he was respected and loved by all Christians. After his death people particularly Christians used to go on pilgrimage to his tomb to pay homage. The Nilackal Christians who had migrated from this area cannot forget the founder of this Ahram and its location, Chayal.

The past history of this place is obscured for want of records. Fortunately, we have many families who had migrated to various places in central Kerala who have lot of traditions recorded in their family histories. Some of the facts known to me through these records are reproduced below. Three powerful Kingdoms in South India known as CHERA, CHOLA, and PADIYA ruled the present Kerala and Tamil Nadu. There were also some traditional important Kingdoms like VERL, CHITTARACHAR, within the Chera Kingdoms. The area comprising Bay of Bengal on the East, Gokarnam on the North (now in Karnataka), Sri Lanka on the South was known as Thamizhakam.

A kingdom was known as Konkanam ruled by North of Chera Nadu. Their Head Quarter was Ezhamalai (7 hills). Nandan, Konkanam was a famous King described in Tamil writings. From Nagarkovil in South to Sahiyadri in East and Thiruvella in North was ruled by a Kingdom known as AYI (Recorded by Tolomy as Aioi in his writings). Tolomy as BARIS, flowing in the East West direction with Thiruvalla on the North side, records river Pampa. The Nilackal hills, Sabarimala and planes of Pampa were connected to Pandi by well-established trade routes. These places were connected to Muzris port via Sea and Kayal. Nilackal was a centre for spices and timber. The Vel kings ruled the Ayi Kingdom with their Head Quarter at Kollam (Quilon). This Kingdom in later years was called VELNADU or VENADU. When St Thomas visited Nilackal, this Kingdom ruled this area. The Copper- Plate- Chepped given to Sabor Easow was witnessed by One VEL prabhu. The places from Thiruvalla to Gokarnam were directly under the Chera King. These places were known as Kottanad, Kudanad and Puzhinad. (Up to Trichur only).

The teachings of St Thomas Christians are mentioned in one of the oldest Tamil Book, Thirukural. The CHERA- CHOLA war of 100 years starting from AD 985 up to1085 was the end of Chera Rule. Mostly all the male population in the country was killed in this



war. The last Chera king, Cheraman Perumal escaped to the Persian country by sea. He died there and was buried at a place near Muscat. His tomb still exists near this place.

The Temple Authorities and Poojaries declaring them, as owners of the land and properties became Rulers after the Chera rule ended. The Chera Kingdom was without anybody to protect from external aggression. It was during this period that the Pandian Kings from Madurai attacked plundering of Temples, Churches, and Houses in the High Ranges of Kerala. Popular among those groups were Para-pattam and Vikram-puli-thevar.They were nicknamed, Perumpatta and Vakrapuli by our elders.

After the Pandy kings conquered the high ranges, two of their representatives from Pandy were sent to Rule this area. They are today known as Pandalathu Thampuran and Poonjattil Thampuran respectively. They came to Kerala when Udayamarthandavarma from AD1175 to AD 1195 were ruled in Kerala. (Vellayani Sassanam and alsoSarvaVinjyani -kosam are evidences). The Kovilanmar, who were till that time representatives of Chera kings, did not accept the authority of these representatives. They were mainly Malamkovil in Karimalakotta in Sabarimala, Thalaparakotta, and Ingiparakotta, all these areas are now forest .To suppress the Malakovilakam people, the Pandalam Thampuran sent two soldiers brought from Pandy. They were two brothers by name CHAKKI and Vikkiran. They were offered half the kingdom if they could suppress the Kovilakam people. This they achieved. Ranny was given to them as promised. The Pandalathuthampuran also gave the title Sakthivikramar. This family ruled this area till India became independent. The history of Iy-appa is linked to the Pandalathu-thampuran i.e. in the 12th century where as that of St Thomas Christians in Nilackal from St Thomas time from 53 AD.”

The Christian family that migrated to Kadampanadu came to be known as Pallivathukkal family. Somewhere around 15th century A.D one of the branches in this family came to the King of Pandalam (Thampuran) for protection. The King allowed them to stay on the south and north shores of Thumpamon. These settlers came to be known as:

1. Thekkekara Valiyaveetil 2. Vadakkekara Karayathu 3. Karimpumkala Mannil 4. Padinjaremannil

The great grandfather who settled in Thekkekara Valiyaveetil had three sons who were the founding fathers of the following families:

1. Valiyaveetil 2. Mannil 3. Thoombinal Mannil



Around AD1825 one of the sons from Thoombinal Mannil by name Geevarghese married Mariamma from Panicker family and moved to a new house which came to be known as KOCHUVEETIL. They had five children namely, Mathai, Mammen, Geevarghese, Easow, Thoma, Mariamma and Aleyamma. Their son Geevarghese married Annamma, the eldest daughter of Kondoor Kizhakkethil Perumal and stayed in the parental home of KOCHUVEETIL. He was a member of the St.Mary’s Orthodox Church and earned his livelihood through agriculture and business. Geevarghese and Annamma had three sons; however two of them died very young leaving K.G.Varghese as their only son. Geevarghese had to bring up his son by himself because Annama passed away when their son was only ten years old.

At the age of twenty-one K.G.Varghese married the daughter of Asarithundiyil Philipose. She passed away within two years and the couple did not have any children. In 1912, two years after the death of his first wife, K.G.Varghese married Saramma who was the daughter of Idicheria and Mariamma from Mannumthalackal Namakuzhiyil family in Elanthur. Varghese and Saramma had seven sons and three daughters.

In 1918 Geevarghese with his son, daughter-in-law, and three young grand children migrated to Vadasserikara and settled in the area called Mullenpara. The father and son team were very hardworking and established their family on the eastern side of Vadasserikkara. Although the grandfather was a farmer and engaged in agricultural business, he was keen on his grand children to get proper education and schooling. All members of the family were active members of the St.John’s Mar Thoma Church in Vadasserikkara. Geevarghese went to his heavenly abode in AD 1937 and was followed by his son K.G.Varghese in AD 1960. (Sources: Manuscripts from M.V.Mathew & K.V.Varghese, Syrian [Christian Tradition published by Mr. P.E. Easo, An Introduction to Indian Church History by Cyril Bruce Firth)

Another Malayalam version of the Kochuveettil Family History is available at the following site: http://www.wiva.org/Family/kochuveettil_history.pdf



Ten children of K.G.Varghese, Kochuveetil, Vadasserikkara

(Front row) Mathew, Samuel, Thomas, Varghese, Chacko, Mariamma, Aleyamma (Back row) Abraham, Annamma, Joshua.

If you are interested in seeing the family tree with details and pictures visit the following link: http://wiva.org/Family/KVTree.pdf (To obtain the password to access the site, send an email to [email protected])

Descendants of Gee Varghese Page 1

Produced by WIVA on 14 Dec 2012

1-Gee Varghese

+Annamma Perumal

2-K.G Varghese

+Saramma Varghese

3-M.V Mathew

+Mariamma Joseph

4-Leela Mathew

+Jacob Mathai

5-Lisa Ruby Jacob

+Vinu Jacob Thomas

6-Julian Thomas

6-Aryan Thomas

6-Serene Thomas

5-Laura Jacob



+Vinu Thomas Alexander (see Laura Jacob on page 1)

6-Nevin Alexander

5-Loyd Jacob

+Biby John

4-Alice Mathew

+K.C. Cherian

5-Jim Cherian

+Sonia Sarin George

5-Gem Cherian

+Basil

4-Varghese Mathew

+Nimmy Varghese

5-Ajith Mathew

+Manju Solomon



4-Joseph Mathew

+Peggy Abraham

5-Anju Merin Joe

5-Pooja Melanie Joe

+Annamma Geevarghese (see M.V Mathew on page 1)

4-Sam Mathew

+Molly Sam

5-Roger Mathew Sam

5-Ben Abraham Sam

3-M.V. Samuel

+Saramma Chacko

4-Annamma Samuel

+Mathew Zachariah

4-Varghese Samuel



+Jolly Cherian (see Varghese Samuel on page 3)

5-Viji Varghese

+Shaji John

6-Soffy

6-Soni

5-Eji Susan Varghese

4-Mary Samuel

+Chacko Thomas

5-Anish Thomas

5-Nisha Thomas

4-Raju Samuel

+Aniamma George

5-Riju Sam

5-Rinu Sam



4-Saramma Samuel

+P.M. Varghese

4-Lisi Samuel

+M Chacko

5-Sibi Chacko

5-Sijin Chacko

4-Mathew Samuel

+Anie Varghese

3-Mariamma Joseph

+K.C. Joseph

3-K.V. Thomas

+Aleyamma Varghese

4-Kunjukunjamma Thomas

+C.K. Chacko



5-Rev. Anil Chacko

+Elizabeth

6-Nathan Chacko

4-K.T. Varghese

+Leelamma Geevarghese

5-Liby Varghese

+Varghese George

6-Aaron George

5-Lini Varghese

+C.K. Paul

5-Liju Varghese

4-Ammini Thomas

+Varghese Thommas

5-Jincy Varghese



+Sibu (see Jincy Varghese on page 6)

5-Thomas Varghese

4-Thomas Mathew

+Annamma Thomas

5-Lincy Mathew

5-Libin Mathew

4-Thomas Thomas

+Mary John

5-Tom Thomas

5-Tony Thomas

4-Susamma Thomas

+John George

5-Jijo John

5-Jitin John



3-K.V Varghese

+Mary Abraham

4-Wilson Varghese

+Sudha George

5-Jorge Wilson

+Susan Jacob

5-Amy Varghese

4-Viju Varghese

+Sheena Varghese

5-Ashwin Varghese

5-Anjaly Varghese

3-K.V. Chacko

+Chinnamma Varghese

4-Alice Chacko



+Varghese Samuel (see Alice Chacko on page 8)

5-Biju Samuel

5-Bincy Samuel

4-K.C. Varghese

+Marykutty Antony

5-Robin Varghese

5-Rincy Varghese

4-K.C. Chacko

+Mony Mathew

5-Rinu Chacko

5-Rintu Chacko

4-Lisi Chacko

+G.P. Rajan

5-Rijo Rajan



5-Rinto Rajan

4-Rosamma Chacko

+Reji Mathew

3-Aleyamma Baby

+K.C. Baby

4-Oommen Chandy

+Lillykutty Thomas

5-Benson Oommen

5-Blessy Oommen

+Jino

6-Jeremiah

6-Stephanie

4-Varghese Oommen

+Jessu Thomas



5-Melvin Varghese

5-Bevin Varghese

4-Omana Oommen

+George Rajan

5-Feba Rajan

5-Febi Rajan

3-K.V. Joshua

+Annamma John

3-Annamma Unnoonni Pillai

+Unnoonni Pillai

4-Suma Unnoonni

+John Samuel

5-Daniel John

5-Dayhtee John



3-K.V. Abraham

+Thankamma Geevarghese

4-Sunny Abraham

+Bini John

5-Shruthi Abraham

5-Shilpa Abraham

4-Benson Abraham

+Mini Abraham

5-Ashish Abraham

5-Ashita Abraham

Name Index Page 13


(No Surname)Basil, 2Elizabeth (1981- ), 6Jeremiah, 10Jino, 10Shaji John, 4Sibu, 7Soffy, 4Soni, 4Stephanie, 10

ABRAHAMAshish, 12Ashita, 12Benson (1966- ), 12K.V. (1933- ), 12Mary (1928- ), 8Mini (1968- ), 12Peggy, 3Shilpa, 12Shruthi (1992- ), 12Sunny (1960- ), 12

ALEXANDERNevin, 2Vinu Thomas, 2

ANTONYMarykutty (1961- ), 9

BABYAleyamma (1926- ), 10K.C. (1924- ), 10

CHACKOAlice (1955- ), 8Anil (Rev.) (1975- ), 6C.K., 5K.C. (1960- ), 9K.V. (1923- ), 8Lisi (1965- ), 9M, 5Nathan (2007- ), 6Rintu (1989- ), 9Rinu (1985- ), 9Rosamma (1971- ), 10Saramma (1920- ), 3

CHACKOSibi (1985- ), 5Sijin (1988- ), 5

CHANDYOommen (1952- ), 10

CHERIANGem (1988- ), 2Jim (1980- ), 2Jolly (1955- ), 4K.C., 2

GEEVARGHESEAnnamma, 3Leelamma, 6Thankamma (1942- ), 12

GEORGEAaron (2007- ), 6Aniamma (1957- ), 4John (1960- ), 7Sonia Sarin, 2Sudha (1958- ), 8Varghese, 6

JACOBLaura (1981- ), 1Lisa Ruby (1975- ), 1Loyd (1985- ), 2Susan, 8

JOEAnju Merin, 3Pooja Melanie, 3

JOHNAnnamma (1933- ), 11Biby, 2Bini (1969- ), 12Daniel (1984- ), 11Dayhtee (1988- ), 11Jijo (1992- ), 7Jitin (2000- ), 7Mary, 7

JOSEPHK.C. (1916-2012), 5Mariamma ( -1959), 1Mariamma (1918- ), 5

JOSHUAK.V. (1927- ), 11

MATHAIJacob, 1

MATHEWAjith (1982- ), 2Alice (1951- ), 2Joseph (1956- ), 3Leela (1944- ), 1Libin (1977- ), 7Lincy (1994- ), 7M.V (1914- ), 1Mony (1960- ), 9Reji (1968- ), 10Sam, 3Thomas (1960- ), 7Varghese (1953- ), 2

OOMMENBenson (1975- ), 10Blessy (1978- ), 10Omana, 11Varghese (1955- ), 10

PAULC.K., 6

PERUMALAnnamma, 1

PILLAIUnnoonni (1926- ), 11

RAJANFeba (1988- ), 11Febi (1990- ), 11G.P. (1961- ), 9George, 11Rijo (1988- ), 9Rinto (1993- ), 10

SAMBen Abraham (1995- ), 3Molly (1965- ), 3Riju (1983- ), 4Rinu (1986- ), 4Roger Mathew (1987- ), 3

Name Index Page 14


SAMUELAnnamma (1946- ), 3Biju (1976- ), 9Bincy (1980- ), 9John (1956- ), 11Lisi (1958- ), 5M.V. (1916- ), 3Mary (1951- ), 4Mathew (1965- ), 5Raju (1953- ), 4Saramma (1956- ), 5Varghese, 9Varghese (1949- ), 3

SOLOMONManju, 2

THOMASAmmini (1956- ), 6Anish (1980- ), 4Annamma (1962- ), 7Aryan, 1Chacko (1948- ), 4Jessu, 10Julian, 1K.V. (1919- ), 5Kunjukunjamma (1945- ), 5Lillykutty (1957- ), 10Nisha (1984- ), 4Serene, 1Susamma (1966- ), 7Thomas (1962- ), 7Tom (1997- ), 7Tony (2000- ), 7Vinu Jacob, 1

THOMMASVarghese (1952- ), 6

UNNOONNISuma (1961- ), 11

UNNOONNI PILLAIAnnamma (1929- ), 11

VARGHESEAleyamma, 5Amy (1988- ), 8

VARGHESEAnie, 5Anjaly (2002- ), 8Ashwin (2004- ), 8Bevin (1993- ), 11Chinnamma (1930- ), 8Eji Susan (1987- ), 4Gee, 1Jincy (1983- ), 6K.C. (1957- ), 9K.G (1886-1960), 1K.T. (1949- ), 6K.V (1922-2012), 8Liby (1979- ), 6Liju (1982- ), 6Lini (1982- ), 6Melvin (1988- ), 11Nimmy (1957- ), 2P.M., 5Rincy (1989- ), 9Robin (1986- ), 9Saramma (1895-1979), 1Sheena (1973- ), 8Thomas (1988- ), 7Viji (1980- ), 4Viju (1968- ), 8Wilson (1954- ), 8

WILSONJorge (1981- ), 8

ZACHARIAHMathew, 3

kochuveetil family – a brief history - wiva. · pdf fileafter a long search the meaning...

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