Reminiscences of John Watts, 1901

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Written in 1901 when he was aged 80 and living in retirement in England, mainly dealing with his life in Queensland in 1847-1868.

The reminiscences refer briefly to his childhood in Gloucestershire, before describing his voyage to South Australia in 1840, his work on a farm at Mount Barker, later employment with the contractor of the government wood supply in Adelaide, and the return voyage via Cape Horn in 1843. The main part of the manuscript begins with Watts's voyage to Sydney in 1847, his impressions of Brisbane, and his work managing stations on the Darling Downs. Initially working for Charles Mallard on 'Budgelaing', he refers in some detail to sheep farming, moving sheep and cattle between stations, the erection of huts, floods, relations with Aboriginals, the Native Mounted Police and murders of Aboriginals, boundary disputes, recount stories of locals, and his work and partnership with Arthur Hodgson at 'Eton Vale'. The last part begins with the formation of Queensland as a separate colony in 1859, and continues with the election of Watts to the first Parliament, his illness and return to England in 1863, his travels in Europe with Hodgson and Sir Daniel Cooper, the death of his wife, his appointment to the Legislative Council and election to the Legislative Assembly in 1864, problems faced as Minister for Works in relation to the management of the railways, the opening of the first railway to the Darling Downs, his resignation from Parliament and return to England. At the end are some general reflections about his life in Queensland and the development of the colony since 1847.

On page 83 Watts referred to George Dalrymple as being premier when Watts was briefly minister for Lands and Public Works in 1866. In fact, Robert Herbert was the caretaker premier.

Scattered through the text are a number of photographs, the subjects including bush scenes, farms, 'Eton Vale', Brisbane, Drayton, Toowoomba, Watts and his first wife, Sir Arthur and Lady Hodgson, Sir George and Lady Bowen, and the garden at 'Norton Court'. The reproductions are extremely poor.

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