MUTHOLATH FAMILY

CHACKO AND ANNA MUTHOLATH

     Chacko was born in 1863 as the youngest son of his father Kuriako. As per custom of the time, he married at a very young age. His wife was Anna from Padikkamyalil family in Maridom which is only five kilometers from Cherpunkal. After the birth of his two sons, Kuriako and Mathai who was known as Uppai, his father passed away. His mother also died soon. He was about 23 years of age when his parents died. So at an young age he had to take care of full family responsibilities. He was also assuring the well being of his sisters who were given in marriage. 
 
     After the death of Chacko's parents, Chacko and Anna had three more children named Mariam, Kurian, and Aley. Though Anna gave birth to two more children, they expired soon after birth.

     He inherited two plots of land called Mutholath tharavad and Maliekal purayidam. He also inherited a paddy field called Chethimattam. It was a time of poverty in Kerala. He worked hard and controlled the expenses to bring up his family. As his children grew up, he got their support for agricultural work.

     The eldest son Kuriakko got a job in Cherpunkal in a shop run by a merchant from Athirampuzha. He saved the money he earned and took some loans to start a grocery store. Kuriako's father and brothers cooperated well in the business. Because of the hard work and moderate expenditure of Chacko and his children, they could improve in business and agriculture.

     Since the wealth and popularity increased, the children could get marriage relations from good families. The eldest son Kuriakko married Aley Kadiyampallil at Punnathura at an early age. Aley was only 12 when she got married to Kuriako. Child marriage was common at that time. The second son Uppai married Aley from Nelliveettil family at Punnathura. The third child Mariam was married to Pachi (Ouseph) Chirayil at Kurupanthara.  The fourth child Kurian married Anna from Kalappurackal family in Koodalloor.  The fifth child Aley was married to Thomman Kottoor in Kidangoor. The sixth and youngest was Ouseph (Kunjeppu). He married Brigitha Vattapparambel from Paingalam. Since she died at an early age, he married Kunjanna Chorath from Kallara. Since she also died young, he married Mariachy Thookumkoottil from Muttom.

     Because of the improvement in business and agriculture by the combined effort of the family members, within 15 years they could buy many plots of land including Kuzhimulavelippurath, Kulappurath, Asarikkunnumpuram, part of Puthiyaveettil property, Thottiyil, Pathiplakkil, paddy fields in different places, Paddy fields in Neendoor, and some shops in Cherpunkal junction.

     Under the initiative of Chacko and leadership of Kuriako, all properties in the name of both of them were consolidated and justly divided among the brothers with their full consent. Ouseph, the youngest was assigned the Mutholath house and property to live with the parents. Kuriako moved to Maliekal, Uppai to Kulappurath, and Kurian to Pathiplakkil. Separate houses were built in each property.

     Chacko died at the age of 72 in September 1935 after receiving the Sacrament of the Sick, then known as "last sacrament," consciously. He had fever and was bedridden for one week. Late Fr. Villoothara was the vicar at that time. The funeral of Chacko was solemnly conducted with "Rasa" (Solemn High Mass) officiated by his brother-in-law Rev. Fr. Thomman Padikkamyalil, Fr. Kunjeppu Kottoor, and Fr. Simon Kottoor.

     When Anna got old, Kuriako brought her to Maliekal to live with him. She also received the last sacrament consciously and died at the age of 80 in 1945. Fr. Joseph Kandathil was the vicar at that time. Funeral was conducted solemnly with "Rasa" officiated by many priests.

     Chacko and Anna were God loving people who gave much importance to morning and evening prayers at home and attending daily mass in the church. Their faith and confidence in God helped them in times of poverty and difficulties.

മുത്തോലത്തു ചാക്കോയും അന്നയും

മുത്തോലത്തു കുര്യാക്കോയുടെ 1863ൽ ജനിച്ച ഇളയ മകൻ ചാക്കോ പിതാവിനോടൊത്ത് മുത്തോലത്തു തറവാട്ടിൽ താമസം തുടർന്നു. അദ്ദേഹത്തിന് 22 വയസ്സുള്ളപ്പോൾ പിതാവ് മരിച്ചു. കുര്യാക്കോ മരണാസന്നനായപ്പോൾ തനിക്കുണ്ടായിരുന്ന 40 രൂപയുടെ കടം വീട്ടുവാനുള്ള ഉത്തരവാദിത്വം ഏറ്റെടുക്കുവാൻ തന്റെ ആൺ‌മക്കളോട് ആവശ്യപ്പെട്ടു. അക്കാലത്ത് അത് വലിയ തുകയായിരുന്നു. ഇളയവനും സാമ്പത്തികമായി പിന്നോക്കക്കാരനുമായിരുന്നെങ്കിലും ചാക്കോ ആ കടം ഉടനെ സ്വയം ഏറ്റെടുത്തു. ആ വർഷം ദൈവം അദ്ദേഹത്തിനു പ്രതീക്ഷിച്ചതിലേറെ കാർഷികഫലങ്ങൾ നല്കി. അതിനാൽ ആവർഷം തന്നെ കടം വീട്ടുവാൻ സാധിച്ചു. തുടർന്ന് അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ സന്താനപരമ്പരകൾക്കു ലഭിച്ച സമൃദ്ധിയും ഈ കടം ഏറ്റെടുത്തു വീട്ടിയതിന്റെ ഫലമായി ലഭിച്ച ദൈവകൃപയാണെന്ന് കുടുംബാംഗങ്ങൾ വിശ്വസിച്ചു പോരുന്നു.

ചാക്കോ അന്ന ദമ്പതികൾക്ക് കുര്യാക്കോ, ഉപ്പായി, മറിയം, ഏലി, ഔസേപ്പ് എന്നീ മക്കൾ ജനിച്ചു. കൂടാതെ രണ്ടു കുട്ടികൾ കൂടി ഉണ്ടായെങ്കിലും അവർ ജനിച്ച ഉടനെ മരണമടഞ്ഞു. മറിയത്തെ കുറുപ്പന്തറ ചിറയിൽ പാച്ചിയെക്കൊണ്ടും ഏലിയെ കിടങ്ങൂർ കോട്ടൂർ തൊമ്മനെക്കൊണ്ടും വിവാഹം ചെയ്യിച്ചു.

SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF CHACKO AND ANNA MUTHOLATH