Guide to the Diaries of Reverend Henry Welchman (as filmed by the AJCP), 1892-1895

 

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Collection context

Summary

Collection number:
M728
Creator:
Welchman, Henry Palmer, Reverend
Extent:
2 items and (2 volumes)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Acknowledgement of use of this material should refer to the location of the original material and to the Australian Joint Copying Project.

Items from this collection should include references to the location of the original material and to the AJCP nla.obj number, which serves as the online identifier for the digital copy.

Example: M Series: Journal of Capt. James Cook, 18 February-23 September 1770, British Library Add. MS 27885 (AJCP ref: http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1234)

Availability:
Available
Access conditions:
Available for reference.

Background

Content Summary:

Journals, July 1892 to Nov. 1893 and Dec. 1893 to May 1895, giving an account of life in the Melanesian Islands, recording treatment of diseases and incidents in his life as missionary and teacher.

The entries in both diaries are generally quite detailed and provide a full record of Welchman's daily activities, his relations with his missionary colleagues and the islanders, and his observations of Melanesian life. There are numerous references to church services and attendances, sermons, baptisms, confirmations, marriages and burials, Sunday schools, schools and the training of teachers, Welchman's medical duties and treatment of the sick and injured, his work on translating and printing catechisms, hymns and other works into Bugotu, gardens and agricultural work on Norfolk Island, the management of stores, Welchman's work as a mediator in family disputes and in feuds and conflict between various groups of islanders, cruises among the islands and journeys into the interior of Santa Isabel, ship arrivals, court cases, relations with traders, ethical and religious discussions, festivities, dances, music and feasts, and the weather.

Among the many missionaries mentioned in the diaries are Robert Codrington, John Palmer, Robert P. Wilson, Charles Browning, A.E.C. Forrest, Richard Comins and Walter Ivens.

Biographical / Historical:

{"persname":"Henry Palmer Welchman (1850-1908)","content":"\u003cspan class='persname'\u003eHenry Palmer Welchman (1850-1908)\u003c/span\u003e was born in Lichfield, Staffordshire, and was educated at Queen's College, Birmingham. He qualified as a surgeon in 1876 and worked in his father's practice in Lichfield. He was a licensed lay reader and preacher and had contacts with former staff of the Melanesian Mission, including Bishop J.R. Selwyn. In 1888 he joined the Melanesian Mission as a doctor-missionary. He was at first stationed at Santa Cruz in the Solomon Islands and in 1890 moved to Santa Isabel Island. He was ordained as a deacon in 1892 and as a priest in 1893 and for some years divided his time between Santa Isabel and Norfolk Islands. He devoted much of his time to translating the Bible, Book of Common Prayer and hymns into Bugotu, one of the main languages on Santa Isabel."}

In 1896 Welchman married Helen Rossiter, whose family lived on Norfolk Island, but she died six months later. He continued to live on Santa Isabel and also spent several months each year at Siota on Nggela Island, where he developed medical facilities and taught at St Luke's School. He opened a new mission station on the nearby island of Lilihigua. Due to failing health, Welchman left Melanesia in 1901 and spent his last years in England and New Zealand.

Access and use

Conditions Governing Access:
Available for Access.
Conditions Governing Use:
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.
Preferred citation:

Acknowledgement of use of this material should refer to the location of the original material and to the Australian Joint Copying Project.

Items from this collection should include references to the location of the original material and to the AJCP nla.obj number, which serves as the online identifier for the digital copy.

Example: M Series: Journal of Capt. James Cook, 18 February-23 September 1770, British Library Add. MS 27885 (AJCP ref: http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1234)

Location of this collection:
Parkes Place
Canberra ACT 2600, Australia
Contact: