Daybook kept by Thomas Mellersh while farming at 'Woodlands', York, and a journal kept on his voyage from Swan River to Mauritius and England (1 vol.), 1836-1838
- Component identifier:
- File
- Content Summary:
-
The daybook dates from 12 March 1836–27 December 1837. It contains brief entries for each day, written continuously with no paragraphs. They refer to the erection of Mellersh's house and barn, work on his garden, planting of vegetables, visits to York and Guildford, Western Australia, purchases of provisions and other goods, land clearing (grubbing), ploughing, sowing of wheat, reaping, binding and wheat grounding, lambing, sheep shearing, work with horses, wood splitting, carting timber, work undertaken by his employees and local Aboriginal Australians, kangaroo hunting, problems with wild dogs and cats, the management of Lady Stirling's sheep, news of ship arrivals, his surrender of 4000 acres to the Government, Mellersh's decision to leave the colony (November 1837), his departure from 'Woodlands', and financial transactions. There are frequent references to visits from or to neighbouring settlers, including R. Brockman, G.S. Burgess, G. Elliott, A. Trimmer, Macleod, Mortimer and Knights.
The journal describes Mellersh's voyage from Fremantle to Mauritius on the brigatine Abercrombie (which he spelt 'Abercromby'), 12 February–7 April 1838, and the voyage from Mauritius to England on the barque Majestic, 10 April–11 June 1838.
Although it continues straight on from the daybook, the diary is quite different in form and substance. The daily entries are quite lengthy and Mellersh sets down his thoughts and reflections, refers to the books and magazines that he read (mostly religious, historical and literary works), and summarises occasional conversations and arguments with his fellow-passengers. Among the passengers on the Abercrombie were the Quaker missionaries James Backhouse and George Washington Walker, who had spent six years in the Australian colonies. In addition, Mellersh refers to the management of his property in Western Australia, the future of the colony, his friendship with the Stirlings, his eyesight problems, the weather and the seas, his impressions of Port Louis at Mauritius, the sighting of Table Mountain at the Cape of Good Hope, the landing at St Helena, a visit to Napoleon's tomb, sighting of ships, games and other pastimes. The diary ends when the Majestic was entering the English Channel.
- Processing information:
- M466
Online content
Access and use
- Parent Restrictions:
- Available for access.
- Parent Terms of Access:
- Many of the records digitised as part of the AJCP are still in copyright. Readers wishing to publish or reproduce documents should seek permission, in the first instance, from the owner of the original material.
- Location of this collection:
-
Parkes PlaceCanberra ACT 2600, Australia
- Contact: