James Watson, 1837-1932

Component identifier:

Series 11

Content Summary:

The series contains political, business and family correspondence, legal documents, invitations, photographs and cutting books of James Watson (1869-74), the father of Frederick Watson. An unusual array of objects that originally belonged to James Watson can be found in Series 15.

The papers in piece 1 include Watson's baptism and marriage certificates, miner's licences, passport and electoral rights, papers concerning his emigration to Australia in 1856, correspondence with James Frazer in London, letters of Lord Augustus Loftus on financial matters and appoinments (1880-84), letters of the Bishop of Goulburn on the Cathedral Fund (1882-92),

papers on the sale of James Frazer Co. in 1889-90, invitations, photographs of James and Margaret Watson, and letters concerning the family burial ground (1908-9). The correspondence with Sir Henry Parkes deals with Parkes' financial troubles, New South Wales politics, Treasury administration, visits to Britain, the affairs of the Australian Investment Company, and Watson's resignation as Treasurer in November 1882. The other three letterbooks contain letters from Watson to John Frazer, George Ewan, William Ewan and other relatives and business associates concerning business and family matters, including the death of Margaret Watson in 1887.

The cutting books were compiled by both James Watson and Frederick Watson and contain general articles on politics as well as references to James Watson and other members of his family.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The original consignment of Papers of Frederick Watson were purchased from his daughter Pauline Watson in 1989. Further papers were donated by his granddaughter, Patricia Ritter, in 2018.

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