Monday 1st January 1849
We all dined (with the exception of Grace) at Mr Forbes in Lyon’s Terrace. Aunt Sophy felt very unwell after dinner. Frank, George and I walked home. Landed all our cabin furniture, boxes and piano, from the ship. The Miss Boweman’s called.
Tuesday 2nd January 1849
Called on M Manning, saw Mrs Forbes with him. Lunched with Dr Bland. Met Colonel Gibbs, also our fellow passenger Mr Forbes.
Wednesday 3rd January 1849
Went on board the ship Walmer Castle, took Arkell on shore with me, and a few boxes.
Thursday 4th January 1849
Went on board the “Walmer Castle” and after a good deal of trouble got out all boxes from the hold, and landed them at Campbell Wharf. Sent the carriage to Martyns to be mounted. Aunt Charlotte and Charlotte came on board. George called on Manning. I called on Callender.
Called on Dr Bland to request him to see the Baby which is far from well, came – late. The “Perry and Park” arrived, she sailed in July from England. Saw Captain Thorne on board today, he is to give me £6 as satisfaction of the expenses for — in London in getting Legal advice about the cabin erected after we had paid our passage money.
Friday 5th January 1849
George wrote to Aunt Mary Anne, by the Woodlark. Employed a man to open our tin cases.
Saturday 6th January 1849
Captain Scott called on me –. Unpacked the sofa and found everything safe. None of the furniture broken. Called on M Manning. Also at the carriage makers about mine. Also at Morts and several Registry Offices about Wet Nurse’s, the one we have not being well or able to continue nursing our baby. George dined with Mrs Forbes.
Met Sir Thomas Mitchell and his son Campbell.
Sunday 7th January 1849
A fine day but very warm. Charlotte, George and Frank went to St. James’ Church in the morning. I called on Dr Bland after dinner, and then on Mrs Hardy, at Macquarie House, a boarding house. Saw to of the passengers by the “Penyard Park” just arrived after being out 156 days. Badly provisioned, no Doctor on board, sailors mutinying and getting drunk and chased by a pirate.
Phillip arrived early this morning from Moreton Bay.
Monday 8th January 1849
Mr and Miss Lamb called to invite Charlotte to go with them to the Bank tomorrow. She, however, has engaged herself to go with Mrs Walker.
Tuesday 9th January 1849
Wrote to Aunt Mary Anne. Called on Sir C. FitzRoy and left my letters of Introduction for him to – son.
George paid the Doctor £5 for me, and £5 for himself. George, Charlotte and Frank went to an Evening party at Commissioner Ramsay’s.
Grace and I wrote 2 letters to Aunt Mary Anne by the “Keln” and “Agniola.”
Wednesday 10th January 1849
Did not go out today. Mrs and the Miss Gores called today from Parramatta.
Thursday 11th January 1849
Wise and Fanny arrived to day from Parramatta, the former slept at the Club, and the latter in Frank’s room. Commissary Ramsay called on us.
Friday 12th January 1849
Saturday 13 January 1849
Called on, left card on the Wynyards. 48 Johnfield(?), and saw the Bishop and Mr Stringfellow.
Sunday 14th January 1849
Grace and I went to St James’ Church, sat in – Browne’s pew.
Monday 15th January 1849
Mrs and Miss Wynyard called on us, Grace and Charlotte saw them, I did not, being employed the whole day in looking for wet nurses. Fanny accompanied me in a carriage visiting all the Registry Offices in vain.
Tuesday 16th January 1849
Passed the day with M. Manning (W. Manning?) at “Ormington” on the Parramatta River, this place originally belonged to Major Lockyer, Lieutenant Merewether’s brother in law.
Wrote to Aunt Mary Anne by the Cheapside. (Arrived at Falmouth 5th May)
Wednesday 17th January 1849
The Thomas Arbuthnot arrived yesterday, and I was astonished to see Seymour who had just landed from the ship. Called on Sir Thomas Mitchell.
Thursday 18th January 1849
Grace, George and I went out to return visits called on the Sheriff, the Colonial Secretary, the Wynyards, the Lambs, Mrs Bowenman(?).
Friday 19th January 1849
Left Aunt Sophy’s and took lodgings at No.4 the next door but one
(sentence crossed out – Grace obliged to have leeches on her breast. The wet nurse we have had for the last fortnight.)
Saturday 20th January 1849
Went on board the “Walmer Castle” saw the Captain, he wishes to give me Beer instead of a cheque for £6 which I was to receive for the legal expenses I was about to introduce as owing to their erecting a cabin inside the Cuddy.
Grace obliged to have leeches on her breast. The Wet Nurse we have had for the last fortnight, we sent away as O’-land fancied she was attacked with Scarlet Fever which is prevalent here.
Fanny and Wise came in, the former slept at Aunt Sophy’s.
Sunday 20th January 1849
Grace not very well subject from leeches no her breast. Aunt Sophy is not well either. Fanny returned early this morning to Parramatta by the steamer.
Monday 22nd January 1849
Tuesday 23rd January 1849
Sent the piano up the Country on our Bullock Dray. Called on Sir C. Fitzroy and son.. Spoke to him about having my name down in his list for an appointment under Government.
Wednesday 24th January 1849
H.M.S. “Rattlesnake” came in.
Thursday 25th January 1849
Friday 26th January 1849
The anniversary of my wedding, a year married today! And the anniversary of foundation of the Colony 61 years old. A general holyday over the Land and a Regatta.
Grace not well enough to enjoy herself or to leave her bed room even. Aunt C, Fanny, Wise, Charlotte and George went over to pass the day at the Browne’s in the State House, they also went on board the “Rattlesnake.” Philip and I joined the party afterwards (afloating?) we met Captain Stanley and several of the Officers of the “Rattlesnake.” Danced the Polka in the evening with Jary Bamey that was, now “Jenny Lind.”
Saturday 27th January 1849
Another Regatta today but not so good a one. Had an invitation to dinner from General Wynyard. Rode up on Philip’s horse to the Barrack and called on Colonel Bloomfield of the XIth. Rode with him into town afterwards.
Sunday 28th January 1849
Took a ride with Philip in the Domain, but the dust was flying about in such volumes that we were compelled to ride back to the stables again.
Monday 29th January 1849
Went this evening to a small dance at the “Lambs” Spencer Lodge. The officers of H.M.S. Rattlesnake were there but no Military Officers strange to say. The fact is Miss Lamb has changed her opinion and patronizes only the Navy now. She is to be married to the 2nd Lieutenant Simpson very shortly.
Tuesday 30th January 1849
Wrote to Aunt Mary Anne. Intended to have sent it by “Walmer Castle” via India, but I understand it will go tomorrow by the “Isabella Hercus,” (letter arrived 17th May)
Wednesday 31st January 1849
Thursday 1st February 1849
Took a ride in the morning, called on Sir J.Mitchell. In the evening Grace and I dined at General Wynyard’s. Of the many people there was Mr Seely and daughter, Captain Turner of the XI, another Officer of the XI and a civilian by the name of Houghton(?) a fellow passenger of Seymour in the “Thomas Arbuthnot.”
The “Walmer Castle” sailed today for Hobart Town, as she was tacking she passed in sight of our windows.
Friday 2nd February 1849
Grace went paying visits, called at the Walker, Commissary General -ey, Campbells, Mrs Aspinall, Mrs Colhoun, Mrs Roland.
6 miserable Afe! Virtue is soon regarded in handycraft men. King Henry VII am amazed me thinks, and lose my way. Among the Thorns and dangers of the World. King John
15th February – Wrote to Aunt by the Waterloo
5th September Wrote to Aunt Mary Anne.
Robert Robinson, next “Oddfellows Jun” Brickfield Hill. £23.0.0
(Verses from Twelfth Night.)
Robert McCauley
Objections to an Immigrant Ship.
1.Emigrants crowding round Cuddy door: obliged to force one’s way through them to get on Poop.
2.Sitting on and under Companion Ladders.
3.Children washed every morning in front of Cuddy, and on the Poop.
4.Women combing animals out of their heads on the 2nd Deck, and then sitting near Cuddy door.
5.Men and women lying in each others arms under Companion Ladder as soon as it becomes dark.
6.Having their meals on deck, suckling their babies at front of ladder
7.Stewards having no place to sleep in except Cuddy; washing their feet in the Bucket they wash the glasses etc in, combing their hair over the sideboard, flinging dirty shirts, and clothes of all descriptions under the Cuddy table, wiping themselves with the clothes they use for plates etc. One Steward (a dirty lad) getting tipsy, the other always dancing with the Emigrants at night.