Rev. Alfred Glennie Journals 1855-60 by Central Coast Council

HISTORICAL RECORDS OF THE

CENTRAL COAST OF

NEW

SOUTH W A L E S

RevAlfred GLENNIE Journals 1883^0

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Published

in Australia by

GOSFORD DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY STUDY GROUP A Adam Street, Narara, N.S.W. 2250 Telephone (043) 25 1055

ÂŠ

Philippe Ed. Tabuteau J.P. 1987

A l l rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or u t i l i z e d in any form or by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or r e t r i e v a l system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

ISBN Series No. 0 7316 0651 5 ISBN This volume No. 0 7316 0636 1 This Book i s part of the series t i t l e d H i s t o r i c a l Records of the Central Coast of New South Wales. Printed in Australia

Gosford City Printing Plant.

Australia 1788-1986

T h i s p u b l i c a t i o n has been endorsed by The A u s t r a l i a n B i c e n t e n n i a l A u t h o r i t y to c e l e b r a t e A u s t r a l i a ' s B i c e n t e n a r y i n 1988.

R e v A l f r e d GLENNIE Journals

The Rev. Alfred GLENNIE - 1811-1870 ''February, 1866, 24, â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Sixteenth anniversary of my Ordination , . . I spent the rest of the day reading the Bishop of Oxford's 'ADDRESS TO CANDIDATES FOR ORDINATlON\ think if the book had been put into my hands previous to my ordination, it would have had the effect of frightening me out of embarking in a Profession of such awful responsibility''.

PORTRAIT OF REV. A . GLENNIE FROM PHOTOGRAPH O W N E D B Y MISS R. E . R E N W I C K , G O S F O R D

I kumbly tiuiit that

wiXh God'i

I ihall

bleAiA,ng . . .

btcome. beXtzA

Ion. my iacitd 0^

& play

i. nz^pon^jibld

a tuachzA. i guide, ol

quatillzd 0^f,lct

otkeA6.-

J-40 Odtobzn. 1855

[iii]

PARISH OF CHRIST C H U R C H GOSFORD 1988

The Rev. Canon Wilfred R E D D E N , Present Incumbent of Christ Church at Gosford.

L. A N D R E W S

STUDIO

Christ Church buih 1858 by A . G L E N N I E from B L A C K E T as it stands today in G O S F O R D .

a design by

Edmund

PHOTO F R O M G. D U N D O N COLLECTION

Plate II

FOREWORD Alfred Glennie was the Rector of Gosford i n the years 1850-1865 and this book, being his diaries of that timej gives us a great insight into this man, his dedication and commitment as a P r i e s t , and at the same time he allows us to share with him in the l i v e s and in the community of this place i n the mid nineteenth century. As we read i t , we w i l l need to take into consideration what l i f e was l i k e 125 years ago; the l i f e - s t y l e , the hardships, the struggles; and the place that the clergyman had within that community. His diaries allow us to share so much, and he does so with honesty and i n t e g r i t y . His words are clothed with a deep sense of his r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s as a P r i e s t , pastoring the people for whom he has this r e s p o n s i b i l i t y . The Ordination Service has changed since Alfred Glennie was made a P r i e s t , but at that time, the. Bishop would have reminded him:

"....we e.x.hoKt you, In tke. Nme. o{, oui Laid Jz^uA Ckn-iit, that you kaut In n.mmb>iana.<L, AMIO how kX,gk a pjignlty, and to how woJighty an O^^JLCZ and Chaigt yt ait calltd: that l6 to 6ay, to be. Mz66zngeA-6, Watchme.n, and SteuiaKdi o^^ the. laid; to tzach, and to pKmonLth, to {zed and piovLdz {on. thz Lond'6 lamJUiy; to -tzzk {on Chnl6t'6 â&#x20AC;˘ihzzp that ant dLipznizd abnoad, and {on hJu chlldnzn who ant AM thz mldit o{ thiA naughty mnld, that thzy may bz 6avzd thnough Chnl6t {on zvzn. Havz always thzAZ{onz pKlntzd Ln youn nzmzmbnancz, how gnzat a tnzaiunz Jj, commlttzd to youn zhangz

It i s of interest to r e a l i s e that "the Bishop" would have been William T y r r e l l , the f i r s t Bishop of Newcastle; and with whom Alfred Glennie w i l l have much contact, and therefore shares with us as he writes to the Bishop, meets with him, e t c . Perhaps of particular interest w i l l be the building of Christ Church at East Gosford, and of i t s Consecration by Bishop T y r r e l l . This building was subsequently moved to i t s present s i t e i n Mann Street in 1905 and was used for worship u n t i l 1960. In a l l of this you w i l l see Glennie as a person who i s concerned about people, for their good, for their welfare, and especially in terms of his Ordination r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s , as a man of God. I was fascinated, humbled, and encouraged as I read through his d i a r i e s . I f e l t privileged to be able to do so, and for those who cared enough in e a r l i e r years to keep them for posterity; and now I f e e l even more privileged to be asked to write this by way of commendation. Alfred Glennie w i l l always have a special place i n the history of the Parish of Gosford, and the publication of this book w i l l do much to ensure that place for generations to come.

W i l f r e d J Redden Rector of Gosford 25 J u l y 1986 [v]

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS TITLE

PLATE NO.

The Rev. Alfred GLENNIE —

1811-1870

FOUND IN BOOK

FACING PAGE/PART

One

[iii]

One

[v]

PARISH OF CHRIST CHURCH GOSFORD 1988; The Rev. Canon Wilfred REDDEN MAP SHOWING REV. GLENNIE'S PARISHES ST. PAUL'S CHURCH OF ENGLAND, KINCUMBER THE PARSONAGE AT GOSFORD GOSFORD'S MANN STREET - early i n the Century & a very old view of the Parsonage, Gosford GOSFORD WATERFRONT - 1885; Point Frederick & Gosford Wharf PARISH OF CHRIST CHURCH - GOSFORD; Canon John SHAW - Rector 1865-1870 CHRIST CHURCH - CHURCH OF ENGLAND, Peek's Point, East Gosford, 1858 THE TWIN CHURCHES ~ Christ Church, Gosford; St. James', P i t t Town PARSONAGE HILL AND THE BROADWATER POINT FREDERICK - GOSFORD: the Cemetery & view of Mr. Battley's House GOSFORD - THE OLD WHARF "WYOMING" HELY's Grant & closeup of the "Stables" HELY'S HOUSE AT "WYOMING" "WYOMING" GARDEN HOUSE ALFRED GLENNIE Grave i n Cemetery i n Wilderness Road & sketch of grave MARTHA SCOTT Book presented by Rev. GLENNIE 18 September 1855

One

[xxviii]

III

One

14/1

One

78/1

Two

80/III

Two

132/III

VII

Two

(166)

One

20/II

VIII

One

Two

(150)

One

30/1

XII

One

76/11

One

102/11

XIV

One

54/1

One

104/1

XVI

Two

(172)

One

40/1

XIII

XVII

146/1

[vi;

As History was made by so many - whose story i t i s - no person alone can knowledgeably write history to do justice to so many; i t i s therefore f i t t i n g that History should be the contribution of many pooling their various knowledge from their particular f i e l d of expertise. Anon.

A C K N O W L E D G M E N T S A l a s t duty yet remains, that i s to thank most sincerely those whose help has been so generously given resulting i n the two books of the "Rev. Alfred Glennie Journals". I especially wish to thank, i n chronological order: *

The Greater Cessnock H i s t o r i c a l Society, i t s President Stan Parkes at the time - and a l l the members who agreed that the project was worthy to go ahead, resulting i n a facsimile edition of the Journals from which we produced the typescript.

The Community Employment Programme, through which we could procure the services of able t y p i s t s .

A succession of Gosford City Mayors who kindly make available the use of an o f f i c e on the Mayoral floor of the Administrative Building with a l l the f a c i l i t i e s for the pursuit of our work.

The Town Clerk, B i l l Grant, and a l l the administrative and technical s t a f f who showed interest and offered help i n many ways and at a l l times, beyond what one may have hoped to receive. The Council also provided both f i n a n c i a l and support i n kind.

The Management of Gosford Poole and s t a f f , who made meeting and the resources intermittent use of their

Alaster Glennie of Somersby who offered so much family background.

Gwen Dundon who graciously supplied a l l the photographic prints with the kind permission of the owners of the o r i g i n a l s , and who compiled the families Appendix. We have had the benefit of her experience and knowledge.

City Coimnunity Centre, Dorothy available a convenient place of of the Centre, p a r t i c u l a r l y the photocopier.

Fabian Maloney who contributed the Timz and LJL^Z O{ the. a work which required comprehensive and extensive research.

GtenYii.e.6,

The Rev. Canon W i l f , Redden who supported us wholeheartedly, and the many other helpers who co-operated and contributed with such enthusiasm to make this project a true community achievement.

[vii]

The book cover was designed by John Grosse, a distinguished l o c a l c a l l i g r a p h e r . The maps were researched and drawn by Alan Dash, and ably traced by Judi Peckover. Readers w i l l be grateful for their graphic contribution. The thanks of a l l of us who w i l l use the information herein contained go to the group of indexers whose names have already been mentioned. Part of the typescript has been produced by May N e i l l and completed and checked thoroughly by Eirwen Richards. The competent printing of the text was performed by Harvey Feeney who offered to do the job with Colin Jager, i n their own time and with Council's blessing. Rob Pickett of Gosford Printing Pty. L t d . produced the coloured cover and printed the photographs and captions which i l l u s t r a t e the books. F i n a l l y , and most importantly, the necessary finance was made available by the Bicentennial Authority from Federal, State and Local Government funds. Heartfelt thanks to Professor Gregory Roberts, who by a d e l i c a t e , long and painful operation succeeded i n restoring enough v i s i o n in my right eye to enable me to carry on the project of transcribing our D i s t r i c t ' s primary records for publication. This has become the purpose of my r e t i r i n g years. To my co-editor Joan Fenton who, should I become unable to continue working on the volumes, would carry out the job with d i s t i n c t i o n . A very special mention i s due to my wife Colette who, for a number of years now, has put up with my e r r a t i c comings and goings i n connection with my researches, w i l l i n g l y driving me here and there, wherever I was bound, answering a forever-ringing telephone, taking innumerable notes and relaying messages. I wish to thank i n anticipation the people who w i l l buy this f i r s t book and, I hope, the following volumes thereby providing our Group with the necessary funds to maintain the publication of the series HiAtoiLtal Rtcoid^ o{ tht Ctntnal Coait o{ New Soutk WaleA.

[viii]

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR ABOUT THIS BOOK Because of their s i z e , the Journals of Rev. Glennie have to be published in two books which cover the years 1855-61 and 1861-63 plus index, appendices and l i f e of the Rev. Glennie's family. The present book i s the f i r s t of two which form the whole:REV. ALFRED GLENNIE JOURNALS, 1855-1863 They are part of a series we intend to offer under the t i t l e of HISTORICAL RECORDS OF THE CENTRAL COAST OF NEW SOUTH WALES which w i l l comprise some 15 volumes. Due to f i n a n c i a l r e s t r i c t i o n s , we can only print a very limited number of copies. As we have the use of the printing plant for one day at a time, we therefore w i l l print only the number of books that can be completed i n that single day. A limited number of people w i l l be able to purchase the volumes of this f i r s t e d i t i o n , which w i l l shortly be followed by i t s complementary volumes to complete the JOURNALS. We have therefore deemed i t appropriate that purchasers of the f i r s t book w i l l be offered p r i o r i t y i n acquiring the second o f f e r i n g . You w i l l find on the next page a form to be used i f you wish to buy the second book to complete the set of the JOURNALS. The bottom s l i p may be forwarded now with a stamped, addressed envelope i f you wish to be advised as soon as the second book becomes available. The s l i p provided on top of the next page i s necessary to buy the second book when i t becomes available and w i l l be v a l i d for six months. In subsequent issues of the volumes of the s e r i e s , we intend to adopt the same process whereby the buyer of any one volume of the series w i l l have p r i o r i t y to buy the next one to be published. When out of p r i n t , i t may take years before we can make another run of any volume. This w i l l ensure that, as far as possible, a complete series may be secured by the same individual or i n s t i t u t i o n . Each subsequent run w i l l be updated, corrected and enlarged when necessary. We welcome written positive c r i t i c i s m , corrections and suggestions to enable us to further improve the value of the series as a source of h i s t o r i c a l information. We w i l l make new runs as often and as soon as possible or necessary. For research purposes, a set of the s e r i e s , regularly corrected and updated, i s available for study at the society's o f f i c e by arrangement with the secretary.

[ix]

This s l i p taken from "Rev. Alfred Glennie Journals 1855-1861" gives the holder preference to buy the next volume of the series when a v a i l a b l e . This offer i s v a l i d for 6 months only from date of publication of the book.

Date: The E d i t o r , HISTORICAL RECORDS OF THE CENTRAL COAST OF NEW SOUTH WALES, Gosford City Council Building, 49 Mann Street, GOSFORD. 2250 I wish to be n o t i f i e d when the next volumes of the series become a v a i l a b l e . Please find enclosed a self-addressed, stamped envelope to send me notice of date of release. I understand that there i s no obligation to buy. Name: Address: Telephone;

[xi]

HISTORICAL

RECORDS

REV.

THE

CENTRAL

COAST

A L F R E D

NEW

SOUTH

WALES

G L E N N I E

J O U R N A L S

(Book 1)

Book 1 February 1855 July 1860

Book One of "Rev. Alfred Glennie Journals" i s a typescript of Part One of the facsimile edition plus Part Two up to the end of July 1860, and contains 127 pages of the Journals. It includes an Introduction, Preface, i l l u s t r a t i o n s , maps, and footnotes.

Book Two of the typescript w i l l contain the rest of the Journals, plus a comprehensive index of subject matter. Also included w i l l be a number of notes on l o c a l families mentioned i n the Journals. A history of the Glennie family written by Fabian Maloney w i l l complete Book Two.

The two books are part of the series " H i s t o r i c a l Records of the Central Coast of New South Wales" which i s being published by the Gosford D i s t r i c t Local History Study Group as a Bicentennial Project.

Published by:Gosford D i s t r i c t Local History Study Group. Office:

Gosford City Council Building, A9 Mann Street, Gosford, NSW.

Secretary:

4 Adam Street, Narara, NSW.

Telephone:

(043) 25 8331 [office] (043) 25 1055 [Secretary: home] [xiii]

INTRODUCING THE REV. ALFRED GLENNIE JOURNALS TO OUR READERS The l i f e of a minister of the Church of England at Brisbane Water 1855 to 1863.

In 1979 the president of our group, Frank Brennan, became aware of the existence of some diaries written by Alfred Glennie who had been minister of the Church of England i n our d i s t r i c t from 1850 to 1863. The diaries had been in the possession of the City of Greater Cessnock H i s t o r i c a l Society, ,and i n f a c t , Frank had had the diaries in his hands but was unaware of their subsequent fate. An immediate check was made at the Mitchell Library i n Sydney, and this revealed that microfilmed copies had been made of the diaries and that these were deposited i n their archives. A c a l l for the spools confirmed the existence of the diaries and their undoubted value i n i l l u s t r a t i n g the history of our d i s t r i c t . It was our intention to purchase duplicate microfilm for study purposes, but because of the d i f f i c u l t y of typing a copy from microfilm we resolved to establish the whereabouts of the o r i g i n a l d i a r i e s . Our secretary Philippe Tabuteau contacted Stan Parkes, who was then president of the City of Greater Cessnock H i s t o r i c a l Society. He gladly provided us with a l l the information he had regarding the d i a r i e s , and also informed us that they had been put i n the care of the Public Library of Cessnock. We decided to ascertain i f we would be permitted to copy from these o r i g i n a l s . We were advised that some very undesirable handling of the books and l i t i g a t i o n to secure their return had occurred and therefore i t would be with extreme reluctance that they would be made a v a i l a b l e , i f at a l l . A protracted correspondence ensued, leading to a personal v i s i t in 1980 by our secretary to a meeting of the H i s t o r i c a l Society at Cessnock to explain our interest i n those parts of the diaries dealing with the history of our d i s t r i c t and our desire to make them available to students of our h i s t o r y . A general concensus was reached that such a project was suitable and should be supported. The asistance of the Cessnock H i s t o r i c a l Society became a fact when they took the decision to have facsimile photocopies made of the d i a r i e s . They were produced in 1982 under hard cover, i n five volumes, t i t l e d the "Rev. Alfred Glennie Journals", copies of which were deposited i n the Wyong and Gosford L i b r a r i e s . The Gosford D i s t r i c t Local History Study Group acquired a set at cost of $80.

[xiv]

We reproduce here the o r i g i n a l introduction to the facsimile series. FOREWORD TO THE LIMITED FACSIMILE EDITION

1982.

For this limited facsimile edition of the journals of the Rev. Alfred Glennie, we thank the Mayor and Aldermen of the Council of the City of Greater Cessnock, who show once again their willingness to support the publication of regional history; the council's l i b r a r i a n , Mr. Reg. Horner, who conceived the idea of photocopying the journals; and the Superintendent of Cessnock Corrective Centre and his o f f i c e r s and bookbinders for acceding to Mr. Horner's request for the binding of photocopies. We f e e l very indebted to Mr. Horner, since he himself and other members of Greater Cessnock H i s t o r i c a l Society have been trying since 1966 to find a way round the d i f f i c u l t y of publishing a work as large as the complete set of journals i n our possession. This limited facsimile e d i t i o n , though lacking certain features we have i n mind, w i l l provide regional historians with a unique mass of data concerning the people of Brisbane Water and Greater Cessnock. We appreciate, however, the need for the publication, when possible, of a second facsimile e d i t i o n , complete with an introduction concerning the content of the journals and their h i s t o r i c a l background, a Glennie-Wyndham-Holmes genealogy, reference notes, maps, photographs, tables, index, and so on. The journals were bequeathed to Greater Cessnock H i s t o r i c a l Society by the late Frederick Charles Wyndham, son of Charles Wyndham and his wife, Lucy Emily (second daughter of Alfred Glennie), and grandson of the Rev. Alfred Glennie of Lochinvar and of George Wyndham of Dalwood. The journals, which Alfred Glennie kept i n 1855-1870, span a l l but the i n i t i a l five-year period of his twenty-year ministry i n the Newcastle Church of England Diocese. In view of Glennie's habit of recording a l l matters of moment, we f e e l that at least one journal i s missing. We should be very grateful for information leading to the discovery of other Glennie journals.

K. C. Marheine, Hon. Secretary and W, S. Parkes, Research Officer Greater Cessnock H i s t o r i c a l Society

[xv]

This was an encouraging development. However, the five volumes being handwritten, albeit very c l e a r l y , did not have the appeal or ease of reading of a neat typescript. Of the 5 volumes, only 3 were pertaining to our d i s t r i c t ' s h i s t o r y . They were not available for home loan; they had to be studied at the l i b r a r y i n the hours of opening at times not always convenient. Consequently, very few people took advantage of their a v a i l a b i l i t y , and few ever read them through completely. We proceeded to type from our set, a l l that was relevant to our district. Alfred Glennie was minister of the Church of England i n the d i s t r i c t of Brisbane Water from 1850 to 1863. The o r i g i n a l manuscripts consist of 9 books covering 1855 to 1870. On average, three books cover 5 years. Since the f i r s t volume begins i n February, 1855, without preamble or introduction, i t would be l o g i c a l to conclude that three books covering the f i r s t 5 years at Gosford are missing. The years 1855 to July 1863, - the date of Glennie's departure from Gosford, - have been f u l l y typed, plus a l l the relevant passages in the last two volumes containing information or allusions relevant to Gosford such as meeting people from, or events at Gosford. The 5 facsimile volumes have thus been reduced to 3 containing 508 pages. We then had available at a l l times, a l l that was of interest to us and we could study and reproduce i t for the benefit of our members. We made a photocopy of the o r i g i n a l typescript for the benefit of our members. The interest evinced was such that we began thinking about publishing the journals. We contacted the Greater Cessnock H i s t o r i c a l Society to t e l l them of our project and to ask i f they had an objection to us publishing part of the journals relevant to our district. We received a l e t t e r i n June, 1986, from the secretary of Greater Cessnock H i s t o r i c a l Society confirming his society's formal approval and welcoming our projected publication of the Rev. Alfred Glennie's Journals. That Project was made possible, to a large extent, by a grant from the Gosford City Bicentennial Committee of $25,000 to finance the publication costs of the f i r s t volumes of the proposed series t i t l e d "HISTORICAL RECORDS OF THE CENTRAL COAST OF NEW SOUTH WALES". Publishing i s due to begin late i n 1987, and w i l l continue into the Bicentenary year and probably well beyond. We are reproducing Rev. Glennie's Journals as part of the H i s t o r i c a l Records of the Central Coast of New South Wales. When the project was adopted we decided to write an introduction of which this i s a part. We include also a study of the Glennie Family written by our esteemed member Fabian Maloney, and an appreciation of the Rev. Glennie

[xvi]

as a Minister of the Church of England, by Reverend Canon W. J , Redden who accepted our request to write this as one successor of Glennie's incumbency of the Parish of Brisbane Water. This i s now much reduced in s i z e , but greatly increased i n membership. An index was produced to complete our task, we made this as complete and comprehensive as possible. We indexed every name, event, occurrence or subject l i k e l y to be of use for future reference or research. We worked six months putting i t together, indexing being undertaken once a week for two hours by teams of about 6 people. We completed about 10 pages per session, on Tuesday, one session 2 - A and another 7 - 9 i n the evening. I would l i k e to mention the names of the members of our society who participated gladly i n the indexing, some of them driving to Gosford from as far away as Bateau Bay and Ettalong:They were Mesdames Robyn A r k i n s t a l l , Dot Chamberlain, Gloria Cox, Elma Dolman, Annie Eyers, Marion French, Wendy Graham, Laurel Livingston, Cecily Ryan, Jean Westbrook and Pam Williams. We found our index so u s e f u l , in spite of shortcomings, and i t proved so popular, that we decided to include i t as i t was i n our publication of "Rev. Alfred Glennie's Journal". May we suggest to our student-readers that the comprehensiveness of the Glennie Journals' Index should not preclude them from attentively reading the Journals prior to embarking on a school project. The aim of the index i s to help retrieve material known to be i n the Journals from a previous reading; i t s aim i s not to sort out subject matters to be h a s t i l y stitched together and presented as an essay on a given subject.

COMMENTS ABOUT THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES WE HAVE FOLLOWED IN EDITING "REV. ALFRED GLENNIE JOURNALS" FOR PUBLICATION We have t r i e d consistently i n the typescript to retain the style and p e c u l i a r i t y of the o r i g i n a l i n i t s layout and character by keeping a l l the i n d i v i d u a l i t i e s of the text as i t appears on the o r i g i n a l . The Reverend Glennie s t i l l uses the long and short "s's" in his s c r i p t by which the f i r s t of the two double "s" i s written l i k e an " f " but l e f t unbarred. We rejected a rendition of the instances where the reader might be confused by something l i k e t h i s : The Mifses Slefsor afsembled their pofsefsions. In most cases, when deemed to be s i g n i f i c a n t , a l l misspellings or mistakes have been c a r e f u l l y kept as they are i n the manuscript and as Alfred Glennie spelt them as he thought they should be (Wye Wye, Kincurabar, T o r i g a l , Lucey/Lucy, Gowdy etc.) We have corrected only when i t was suspected that the difference was because of bad writing or d i f f i c u l t reading. The use of c a p i t a l l e t t e r s i s not generally e r r a t i c as i s usually [xvii]

the case in contemporary s c r i p t s , neither i s the grammar. Likewise, a correction made by the author in the choice of a word has been rendered since i t may be found of significance in showing Glennie s t r i v i n g for the right term in his d e s c r i p t i o n . For the same reason, instances of words l e f t out, stuck together, doubled, e t c . , have been l e f t untouched since they may, in the mind of the readers, attest to the hurry in which the Reverend wrote his journal, in the l i t t l e spare time he could f i n d . It must also be remembered that the journal was not kept for the purpose of enlightening future generations, but for his own use and his own reasons. Therefore, he does not attempt to explain f u l l y , or present in d e t a i l , some events or actions about which we would dearly l i k e to be more enlightened. For example, he refers to the "relevant minutes," and says no more, lie does not f e e l l i k e elaborating on the identity of the two infants he baptised, since their names were entered in the Church Baptism Registers. The reader should always refer to the o r i g i n a l facsimile to ascertain that the o r i g i n a l has been f a i t h f u l l y rendered and check what may appear to be a possible discrepancy between the o r i g i n a l and the script.

[xviii]

PREFACE TO THIS EDITION THE

NATURE OF THE

"REVEREND GLENNIE's JOURNALS"

Introduction People write journals, diaries or logs i n which they record events, thoughts or facts which, for reasons of their own, they deem to be worth recording. Women have a reputation for being more inclined to write down daily impressions and observations. The names of Sarah Matthew and Agnes Fagan come to mind. The urge is prompted at special times such as embarking on a long t r i p , v i s i t i n g foreign countries or witnessing rare events when someone wishes to preserve special impressions for future reference. Many people begin recording their l i v e s , but few persevere for any length of time. Some diaries are written with a view to their ultimate publication. P o l i t i c i a n s may wish to vindicate their actions, m i l i t a r y personnel may need to j u s t i f y their decisions. One may wish to preclude contestations as to their motives or keep track of events i n their chronological sequences. Some journals are of a more personal kind and can be quite intimate, not being written for publication and indeed not intended to be seen by anybody. The Reverend Alfred Glennie's Journals are of the l a t t e r category: those of a man writing for himself; moved by a sense of duty, and not even p a r t i c u l a r l y enjoying i t . He thought he had to write a journal as a testimony of his actions. His journals were not written for anybody else to read after him and certainly not to be published. When reading them, we should not be affected by a sense of uneasiness as i f we were, so to speak, reading over his shoulder without his knowledge. We must try to understand his f e e l i n g s , learn of his problems and share his intimacy with d i s c r e t i o n . We are very thankful to him for having recorded the daily l i f e of our early residents with such candour. He certainly did not attempt to pretty up the picture or add drama to the events; he i s f a i t h f u l and t r u t h f u l . We f e e l that we have a genuine description of people and events as he saw them, which i s not necessarily as we would have seen them ourselves. Through his journals we see an i n t e r e s t i n g , i f patchy, picture of his time and contemporaries. He wrote for himself and did not try to draw a complete p i c t u r e . His stories sometimes cut o f f short and he did not take up the thread later to f i n i s h the story. Often he alludes to events which makes sense to him but not to us who have not the benefit of i n s i g h t . Why did he impose on himself the task of recording year after year what was, after a l l , of minute interest? He does not report any momentous or very s i g n i f i c a n t events, just the day-to-day humdrum l i f e of a minister i n a somewhat backward r u r a l parish.

[xix]

We may, perhaps, hazard a guess! He was a very d u t i f u l pastor doing his very best and i n his opinion not making much headway. He had no great success with his f l o c k , he t r i e d hard to keep them on the straight path - and the path on which he led them was quite straight and narrow - with much e f f o r t and l i t t l e reward. At the end of the day, he had nobody i n whom to confide, to t e l l of his hopes or disappointments; he seems to have been quite frustrated at times; he hurried on regardless with no intimate friend to whom he could open his heart and unburden his f e e l i n g s . "His wife Anne was often away from Gosford, back with her people. Alfred had nobody to discuss things with, nobody to l i s t e n to him and share his small successes or setbacks: his copybook was his sole confidant. We think that he used spare moments to put down what he had i n mind in his books, much as he would have confided to a f r i e n d . We have noted from his diary that he was not a gregarious man and we suppose he had few intimates. Much as many people enjoy discussing the day's topics over a friendly drink i n a hotel or club, or swapping news with neighbours over the fence, Glennie confided i n his d i a r i e s . The nature of the writings shows t h i s , and that i s what makes them so interesting and so intimate to us and at the same time unsatisfactory to l o c a l historians because we expect them to be what they are not; to t e l l us many things, which they do not. If the Reverend gentleman had thought that one day we would read his d i a r i e s , he would surely have avoided showing such candid biases (his d i s l i k e for the "Romish" for instance). We cannot offer other reasons for the existence of the journals. Alfred Glennie obviously did not forsee that his journals could be published, he did not write for us or anybody e l s e . He does not offer explanations for the causes of occurrences. His language i s always grammatical, his pages are well written and l e g i b l e , he expresses himself c l e a r l y , yet s t i l l we have the d i s t i n c t feeling that no other person has been invited to share his feelings or emotions, not even his family. These are very private diaries he wrote for himself to record his experiences. Did he ever take the time to read over again what he had confided to paper? Probably not! He was very busy and often i l l . Keeping his journal was, perhaps, of some therapeutic value to him; i t was the place where he unburdened his heart. He kept his journal purposely very concise and matter of f a c t , and we must not conclude that his feelings were also terse i f he does not offer some s t i r r i n g comments after a statement to the effect that someone v i s i t e d was i n a shocking condition and suffering much. He had offered the patient and family the expression of his concern and sympathy; his journal was not intended to be the repository of those f e e l i n g s .

[xx]

THE REVEREND ALFRED GLENNIE AS HE APPEARS THROUGH HIS JOURNALS The Minister Alfred Glennie comes out of h i s journals as a very busy, d u t i f u l and dedicated minister. He spent much time v i s i t i n g his parishioners, t r a v e l l i n g continually to h i s distant parishes, schools and f l o c k . For instance, he regularly v i s i t e d the Sawmill some days before the appointed day of service, to remind people of the date when he expected to see them. He was very conscientious i n tackling the tasks of administering and guiding his parishioners. The Reverend Glennie was quite r i g i d i n h i s christian outlook i n that he set h i s expectations rather high. He made no allowance for the low mental a b i l i t i e s of some of h i s flock or their reduced knowledge of what their r e l i g i o n stood for and, perhaps, the small relevance religious practices had to their harsh daily l i v e s . His Weather Reports He recorded regularly and methodically what seems to us, more than 125 years l a t e r , the most useless pieces of information. However, i t is possible that someone w i l l find those d e t a i l s relevant i n a special sort of way. For us i t shows h i s interest i n recording information for future, but improbable, reference; i t shows a s c i e n t i f i c turn of mind too. He gives the elements of r a i n , c o l d , thunderstorm, winds and oppressive heat a great deal of attention. The reason may be understood with a l i t t l e imagination, and i f we remember that h i s travels were extensive and performed i n a l l conditions i n a very primitive sort of way, on horseback. The atmospheric conditions prevailing at the moment could make a simple t r i p very d i f f i c u l t , even dangerous, i n times of flood or exhausting under a burning sun. Conversely, a clear warm day could make the same t r i p pleasant or a picnic outing most enjoyable. He was, therefore, very much aware of the weather changes. The Man In reading the Glennie journals, some t r a i t s i n the man come to our knowledge. The reverend gentleman was quite proficient at handymanship; he gardened, pruned, mended, carpentered, cared for a small boat and horses and occasionally did domestic duties. He enjoyed and was knowledgeable about vines and wine making. He did not disdain a glass or two of "Dalwood Red" i n moderation. The l i s t of h i s hobbies, or rather various occupations, i s quite large and a number are related to gardening or growing plants.

[xxi]

Alfred Glennie had been a s e t t l e r and farmer before entering the ministry and these occupations were b e n e f i c i a l in that they helped him to relax and forget his pastoral problems or disappointments. He suffered from a variety of ailments of which many were genuine, and died too young to have been a healthy man. Some of his complaints we suspect to have been more of a psychosomatic nature, but his suffering was not the less keen for that. It seems that his migraines recurred shortly before he had to perform an unpleasant duty, such as when he was due to ride to Mangrove Creek. He travelled extensively through his enormous parish on horseback. We may note here that for him horse t r a v e l l i n g was p a r t i c u l a r l y d i f f i c u l t and unpleasant. He d i s l i k e d to r i d e , which we can understand, and we sympathise with him when we read the descriptions he l e f t us of the state of the roads - when they were roads. We can v i s u a l i s e him on his lazy old nag Mettle, t r a v e l l i n g along the horrible track, often in rain and made slow through the poor condition of his various horses, the said Mettle being perhaps the worst example of equine clumsiness. He d u t i f u l l y prepared his sermons, wrote letters to family and f r i e n d s , made accounts, taught r e l i g i o n , music or singing lessons and prepared confirmation classes. When he could he read newspapers and good books and would i f necessary, f i x the harmonium. When could he possibly have found time to read his own journals again? He was not a gregarious man. S o c i a l l y , he liked to mix with a refined class of person, slenderly represented in his d i s t r i c t . In f a c t , he had d i f f i c u l t y mixing with most people unless they were of his own social c l a s s . He did not f i t in with ordinary people and did not share their i n t e r e s t s , even cricket or horseracing. He was rather d i f f i d e n t and withdrawn and often s o l i t a r y at home. Family L i f e Anne did not appear to have liked l i f e at Brisbane Water. She frequently went away with the g i r l s for an extended time, back to her people at Singleton. She was a F e r r i s , - Uncle Ferris was her brother and the Ferrises were twice related to the Glennies by marriage. When in Gosford, there i s no record that she accompanied her husband on his rounds, called on his flock or helped him in any way in his exacting ministry. Marianne i s the only one ever mentioned riding occasionally with ho.r father and playing the harmonium in church. Emily obviously was s t i l l quite young. He was often l e f t without servants and Anne was often away for long periods. Alfred Glennie's Relationship with the Local Population His Parishioners The Glennies lived in the Hunter d i s t r i c t before Alfred was appointed to Brisbane Water, his f i r s t posting, a large rural and backward d i s t r i c t extending from Brooklyn to Wiseman's Ferry on the Hawkesbury; from Swansea to Yarramalong in the north. The d i s t r i c t

[xxii]

was s t i l l underdeveloped and i n the early stages of formation. 1850, when they arrived, Gosford was not yet a decade o l d .

His parishioners were few and disseminated over a large area, and they were poor and rough. Glennie, who was an educated man and whose family had a t r a d i t i o n of scholarship, was dismayed by their very low educational l e v e l . They were also poor. He had trouble c o l l e c t i n g funds for the clergy stipend, church buildings, b u r i a l grounds, p a t r i o t i c causes, benevolent asylum, a Maitland flood, repairs to the school roof, i n t e r i o r f i t t i n g s for the church and re-shingling the parsonage. He had much d i f f i c u l t y i n finding help to c o l l e c t funds, and even that unwilling help f a i l e d him; he had to go c o l l e c t i n g himself, a task which he f u l f i l l e d r e l u c t a n t l y . Alfred Glennie was very s t r i c t towards himself as well as his parishioners. He had a very high idea of his ministry and the o f f i c e he f i l l e d i n the church he represented. His Flock The bulk of his flock was made up of gross and uneducated f o l k . That i s how they appear to be and that was probably the case. He could not mix with or even relate to them. He was their guide and judge. The journal opens on the report of young Kelly who was k i l l e d i n an accident while r i d i n g a horse on Sunday, after he had been cautioned by the Reverend only a short time before that he was breaking the sanctity of the Sabbath. We are l e f t with the impression, not expressed but c l e a r l y implied, that God punished him for not heeding His voice through His servant, l i k e an echo of the Bible stating that the chosen people were decimated for ignoring Jehovah's orders expressed through His prophets. Glennie seems to have been unable to sympathise. That term i s probably too strong, "to be emotionally involved" i s a better description perhaps. He was unceasingly denouncing, remonstrating. His reprobation of a young g i r l , having had a baby, i s directed at her without any express thought of extenuating circumstances. Her youth i s not an excuse, but an aggravating circumstance. He does not consider her lack of experience i n l i f e , and possibly of parental supervision, the coercion under which she may have given way, the prevalence of those occurrences at the time and i n that environment for her s o c i a l c l a s s . She i s condemned for having disgraced her church, and maybe also the pastor whose rules she has flouted. There i s not a word of compassion for her fate and that of the baby. Was he insensitive? When some of his parishioners were dying from long and lingering i l l n e s s e s , he went to v i s i t them d a i l y , seemingly less from genuine concern for their suffering (which he exhorted them to support as atonement - a concept u t t e r l y foreign to their comprehension) than to make sure their end would be that of a true Christian for the e d i f i c a t i o n of the congregation. He urged them to accept their cross and resign themselves to accept God's w i l l .

[xxiii]

He d i s l i k e d the "Popish" and made no bones about i t . He could not countenance the foibles of the common people. He r i g h t l y despised drunkenness but he saw no extenuating circumstances in i t . He ignored the harshness of the times, the weakness of human nature and the general habits of the times. He did not gently reprove, convince and help; he admonished and t e l l s us that i t was i n very harsh terms. Glennie and the Catholics Hearing that Mr. Woolfrey was about to leave the d i s t r i c t "I thought I would go down & bid him farewell this morning." In this terse and restrained sentence. Reverend Glennie referred to his counterpart on the Catholic side of the parish of Brisbane Water. We would guess that he was quite happy to see the departure of Henry Norbert Woolfrey M.A., who had been in charge of the Catholic parish since 1856. H. N. Woolfrey was an English monk of the Cisterian Order born in 1801. He studied and was ordained i n France and he and his brother William Odilo came as missionaries to Australia - Tasmania at f i r s t , then South Australia and Brisbane Water. William was appointed to Brisbane Water i n February 1852, Henry succeeded him i n May 1856. They seem to have been very popular; William was transferred, but Henry stayed on u n t i l the end of 1862. He was reputed as a scholar and a preacher. The brothers' a b i l i t y in converting souls to Catholicism sorely t r i e d Alfred Glennie. William Woodbury became a Catholic with his family * and so did John Woodward * as he wished to marry into a Catholic family. The Byrnes of Mangrove went back to that f a i t h , as Cox had resolved to do, although the Reverend thinks that he i s not "... i r r e t r i e v a b l y gone; I l e f t with him Archbp Seeker's Sermons against Popery, which he promised to read." * We are l e f t from these and many other similar instances, with the impression that the two pastors were engaged i n a r i v a l r y to win souls and Glennie rode with Archbishop Seeker's books against Popery in his saddle bags for d i s t r i b u t i o n i n the hope of gaining fresh converts. Certainly from the study of the Catholic Baptismal Registers, we can detect a f a i r number of Catholic baptisms "sub conditione" which means that those concerned were already baptised in the Church of England. This indicates individuals or whole families changing their religious allegiance and joining Father Woolfrey's f l o c k . Such [1] ill [3] [4] [5]

Glanyu-Q.'6 Journal Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. i.bld.

III II J i n

p. p. p. p.

7 7 9, IS Novmbtn. 1862. 129, 9 AuguM 1S60. 153, 19 UovmbzA 1857. 4, 8 AptU 1861.

[xxiv]

"defections" must have been extremely painful for a parson so dedicated and working so hard at h i s ministry. Social L i f e The Reverend and the "Better Class" On the other end of the s o c i a l ladder, Glennie mixed with the "better class" consisting of better educated or more affluent s e t t l e r s . This was not because he was a snob, but because i t was expected of him. He socialised with the Misses Donnison, the Harrisons, Helys and their r e l a t i v e s , Mann and Drew, the Nunns, Battleys and the Scotts of Point Clare. He also had problems with d i f f i c u l t characters. He f e l l foul of Horsbrugh and Hargraves. He bore the i l l w i l l of s e t t l e r s l i k e Capper, with whom he renewed friendly relations l a t e r , Creighton and Spears, with whom he did not. In h i s journal, he appeaj^s to us as typical of the parsons of the time as we imagine them to be, having high regard for the s o c i a l and religious positions they f i l l e d , being guardians of public morality and having a mission to moralise and redeem people from the abyss of religious indifference i n which they were happy to stay. He did not quite appreciate the particular conditions i n which the country was founded and abhorred the s o c i a l background of most of h i s parishioners. While some English migrants were s t i l l adhering to the p r a c t i c e s , customs and ways of their home country, many others who had come under different conditions were exhibiting a behaviour and character quite opposite and antagonistic, and which became characteristics of Australian behaviour, s t i l l i n evidence today of non-conformism, independence and general h o s t i l i t y to authority. These aspects of the Australian character originated i n those days when the greater part of the population, made up of s o c i a l delinquents, was s t r i c t l y ordered about, even i n i t s most private habits, and regulated by a righteous and moralising minority. The Reverend Glennie was dedicated and genuine. His s i n c e r i t y cannot be denied by those who read h i s journals. Some of h i s contemporaries regarded him as o f f i c i o u s and patronising i n h i s apostolic endeavours; this i s evident even from his own testimony. However, h i s parishioners sensed h i s s i n c e r i t y and dedication. Alfred Glennie was genuinely surprised that, when i t came time to take up another appointment, he found i t painful to take leave of his flock and by the "... demonstration of sorrow evinced almost universally by a l l we l e f t behind, our departure was sincerely lamented by them: & I may truly say the feeling was f u l l y reciprocated by us a l l . - "

[xxv]

S t i l l , by leaving Brisbane Water to take up the new appointment at Lochinvar, i t seems to us that they must have f e l t that a term of years of probation had been successfuly accomplished. They were released to return to the countryside where they r e a l l y belonged, amongst their family and f r i e n d s . They must have rejoiced at the prospect of l i v i n g nearer the Glennie, F e r r i s , Townshend, Wyndham and Holmes f a m i l i e s . H i s t o r i c a l Value of the Journals Everybody w i l l agree that Glennie's diaries or "Journals", are a very valuable source of information i n many ways. They give us information about people and the behaviour of some i n d i v i d u a l s , they describe events and give d e t a i l s which we would not otherwise have had. Glennie states for instance that he commenced his ministry at Mangrove Creek on the 3rd Marcb 1850, and his duty at East Gosford and at Kincumber on the 10th of the same month. * We are also given a good insight into the reverend's thoughts and f e e l i n g s .

[1]

The "Journals" however, are not a systematic record of the l i f e of a small rural community i n the 1850-65 era, but the j o t t i n g down, at the end of the day, of what had stuck in the mind of the w r i t e r , unrelated to what had happened yesterday or conjecturing on what might happen next. His Journals are not composed of high thoughts or deep f e e l i n g s , just daily recordings of ordinary happenings. It i s for us to gather an understanding of their author's personality and form a mental picture of his time. It seems that i f we read attentively through the Journals, noting his reactions, his comments and actions, we can gather a pretty good understanding of the man and the parson, as well as the society and l i f e at Brisbane Water i n the 1850's. Glennie certainly appears, through his own pen, with warts and a l l . We see the shortcomings, of which he was aware, and the prejudices and harshnesses of which he was unaware. We must not read into his Journals what was not meant to be there. We w i l l not find i n the pages a h i s t o r i c a l study of the period and the people, or a report of social or economical conditions covering the time and the area. Many aspects are l e f t out - the Catholic presence for instance, and most aspects are not treated in any systematic way. His Journals are very disjointed; he does not try to demonstrate, j u s t i f y or describe, teach, e d i f y , convey, moralise or consign to posterity. We must admit that he wrote of much that was t r i v i a l i n his diaries - plain gossip, i d l e talk which could not be of further interest to him and was not worth being taken down, and so why did he commit i t to paper? We must also admit that the gossip provokes a l i v e l y interest in the reading of his Journals and his readers generally r e l i s h every such item. [1]

Gltnwit'i

Jomnal

II pp.

163,

165.

[xxvi]

He kept his diary very i r r e g u l a r l y , sometimes neglecting for as much as a fortnight to enter his d a i l y monologues. Then he made an e f f o r t to take i t up again and f i l l the gaps as he remembered the events. When he could find free time or summoned up the resolve, he resumed his self-imposed task and endeavoured to f i l l up the lag.. For his persistence we must be very thankful. In spite of such a wealth of information, we are tantalised by what has not been conveyed to us. Some events are reported i n part only, names of parties alluded to are not mentioned. References are made to events not previously reported and of which we are not aware. Sometimes he leaves us suspended and neglects to report the end issue of an a f f a i r : he does not f i n i s h his t a l e . C l e a r l y , Alfred Glennie was not writing for us. It i s because of the very fact that his Journals are so patchy and d i s j o i n t e d , so obviously spontaneous, that we feel we can believe a l l that i s recorded as a true picture of the thoughts of Alfred Glennie. Manifestly, he did not try to brighten or gloss over, or j u s t i f y his actions. He did not write a l i t e r a r y essay, although his English i s good and grammatical. If he did not try to balance his sentences or sometimes even did not f i n i s h them, he always expressed exactly what he had i n mind and we sense that we can believe what he recorded i n his Journals without reservation. As proposed above, the explanation i s that he wrote to unburden himself by consigning to paper the small occurrences he had experienced, pleasant or otherwise, and to exorcise from h i s recollections the unpleasant or tedious incidents that were lingering i n his mind.

Conclusion We are l e f t , having closed the l a s t pages of his "Journals", with the picture of a very honest and dedicated man, working very hard and getting results from a very d i f f i c u l t task. We w i l l forever be grateful to him for leaving us such a wealth of information and insight about the people at Brisbane Water in the late 1850's and early 1860's. We f e e l as i f we r e a l l y know the individuals we have met through the Reverend Glennie. He has given us hundreds of details and particulars about families and i n d i v i d u a l s , happy events or sad occurrences, circumstances of deaths, accidents and other happenings which would otherwise have been l o s t , precise information of many kinds and interesting f a c t s . A l l these things w i l l make his recollections very popular and useful to local historians and to researchers whose families had some connection with our d i s t r i c t i n a certain period of the 19th century.

Ph. Ed. 8 Dec.

T. 1987 [xxvii]

LGresford

J^iCj^leTinies tXy Stn

SINGLETON, Elderslic 3ranxton .Grcra

Extent of

GLENNIE'S

Lochinvar

PARISHES

Morpeth

ITUNt

Brisbane •Water 1850 ~ 18fo5 Lochinvar 18fc5 - 18T0

Raymond Terrace

• K t "Vincent

("Wollombi Freemans ^ter Hole

IFWCASTLE

tleids Mistake V

Higher Macdonald

Cedar I finish Creek

Upper

/ (

kJYarramalong

jUpper jM;angrave

St. Albans «5J

^ong Ck.

(NoraHville

Central ^ ^Mangrove

m b b 3

Creek

r Lower (

Chinamana Beach. IJarara i GOSFOE

/ „

Hawkesbi)

fourittibah/^

spencer

Matchati

f i:

-Cincumbet^fferrigal ^.voca SCALE 10

OraMon by J. P Pecovcr

[xxviii]

RevAIfred GLENNIE Journals 1833^0

February 1855

13.

t h e o t h e r aide o f t h e c r e e k , & t h i n k i n g I might r i n g i n v a i n a s o u t h e r l y winds t o blow t h e sound away, I determined upon making sure o f doing some work, so went t o v i s i t t h e people out a t the back o f D o w a l l ' s . - I found t h e misses Donnison here on my r e t u r n j u s t p r e p a r i n g t o r i d e home a g a i n . - I r e c e i v e d a most s a t i s f a c t o r y l e t t e r t h i s evening from Mr. G.K. H o l d e n , t e l l i n g me t h a t the l o n g l o s t Deeds o f t h e Church l a n d a t E a s t G o s f o r d , had come t o l i g h t a t l a s t h a v i n g been m i s l a i d a l l t h i s time i n h i s office.

14.

Spent t h i s day a t Kincumber. - F i r s t of a l l c a l l e d a t Mr. B a t t l e y ' s , to see E m i l y , who has j u s t r e t u r n e d from P o r t P h i l i p , & took them by s u p r i s e y e s t e r d a y a f t e r n o o n morning . - I them went t o Mr. R o b e r t s ' & from t h e r e t o t h e s e v e r a l f a m i l i e s o f D a v i s , & a f t e r a good d e a l o f c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h them, on t h e s u b j e c t of C o n f i r m a t i o n , S t i p e n d Fund, & a r r a n g i n g w i t h G-Davis about making the church s e a t s , I came on t o t h e Church v i a Woodwards & P i p e r s , & f i n i s h e d out the day w i t h my c a t e c h i s m c l a s s .

13.

L e t t e r w r i t i n g a l l t h e morning, as i s my u s u a l p r a c t i c e on Thursday, Spent t h e a f t e r n o o n v i s i t i n g i n East G o s f o r d .

16.

Spent t h i s day a t E r l n a , v i s i t i n g a l l t h e morning, & c a t e c h i z i n g i n a f t e r n o o n - Agreed w i t h Dan B e r r y f o r the purchase of a l o g of cedar, c o n t a i n i n g from 750 t o 800 f e e t , (ยง ยฃ. Per 100 f t . to make t h e s e a t s f o r the Kincumbar Church.

17.

Went t o Blue Gum F l a t & t h e S a w m i l l today, but c o u l d not c a l l on a l l t h e people. Mr. Davidson came i n from Sydney w h i l e I was t h e r e .

S18.

Got through my t h r e e s e r v i c e s a t Kincumbar, E. G o s f o r d , & Sawmill very w e l l , & had f a i r c o n g r e g a t i o n s a t each p l a c e . - Reached home a g a i n a t a b t 20 m.p. 11 P.M:- b e a u t i f u l s t a r l i g h t n i g h t .

[1]

Tht HU'St'i POMMISOM, Eliza and htfi i U t t ^ , B.C., ujt^t tm t a l l tht daughtt^i Hznfiij and HaKgaioX VOMMJSOM. ThtOi tldtit ilitti had mannltd tht l l n . i t Intumbtnt BKlA>bant Wattn., tht Rtvt^tnd ROGERS, a Wldouitu, Thty It^t Go^oKd Ion Camdtn. Tht Mli4>ti al6o had a hoait at Rtd^tnn [itt J.SO]. Thtln. tAtatt at En.lna, tht original Gn.ant to dl. BEAM, wa4 managtd by SOJAVLING. Thty 6old thtOi piopQJity and fioXufcntd to England.

12]

Pllvatt Stttetaiy to tht GovtinoK Maglitnatt, 1S26-1S43.

and bnothtn

o^ Al^n.td HOLVEN,

womtn, Hannah, Edwaid VOUmSON 2000 atiti, tvtntually

Vlitlltt

[1] [2]

February 1855

19.

Took h o l i d a y t o d a y , & had a l i t t l e p i c n i c p a r t y w i t h a l l the j u v e n i l e B a t l e y s . They came i n t h e i r boat from E.Gosford, & we a l l went a c r o s s t h e water t o Mr. Holden's o l d r e s i d e n c e , & took our d i n n e r under t h e shade o f a t h i c k clump o f t r e e s . I t was a b e a u t i f u l sunny day, w i t h a c o o l r e f r e s h i n g N.E. wind,& a l l seemed w e l l p l e a s e d w i t h the day's amusement.

20.

A t home t h e g r e a t e r p a r t o f t h e day w r i t i n g e t c . - Towards evening I went t o c a l l on Mr. H a r r i s o n . The post t h i s evening brought us f u r t h e r i n t e l l i g e n c e from England about t h e progress of t h e war. S e b a s t o p o l n o t y e t t a k e n , but another v i c t o r y o b t a i n e d over the R u s s i a n s a t Inkerman.

21.

22.

Being Ash Wednesday, had D i v i n e S e r v i c e i n the morning a t E.Gosford. There were o n l y about 24 persons i n attendance. I d i d not preach a sermon. I n the a f t e r n o o n I went t o Kincumbar, where I had my Catechism C l a s s , a f t e r which I c a l l e d a t Ward's. Rudkln & f a m i l y a r r i v e d t h i s morning per S y l p h . I a l s o found Mrs.Osborne a t E. G o s f o r d t h i s a f t e r n o o n w i t h h e r two boys.

f'J

[2]

My l e t t e r w r i t i n g day, so t h a t I had o c c u p a t i o n i n the house a l l the morning. B e i n g out o f s o r t s w i t h a headache I d i d not go out i n the a f t e r n o o n , but sent James w i t h my l e t t e r s t o the [3] post,

Mrs. Osborne c a l l e d t h i s morning w i t h h e r l i t t l e boys.

23.

Spent the day a t E r i n a , v i s i t i n g i n the morning, & c a t e c h i z i n g In the a f t e r n o o n .

24.

A t home a l l the morning, rode out t o F l e t c h e r s i n the a f t e r n o o n , h a v i n g heard t h a t Mrs. F. was i l l * C a l l e d a l s o t o see Mrs.Warburton, who has been p o o r l y a g a i n .

25.

A d m i n i s t e r e d the sacrament i n t h e morning a t E. G o s f o r d , t o 12 Commts. The d u l l ^ t h r e a t e r n i n g morning 1 t h i n k must have kept some away, who o t h e r w i s e would have been p r e s e n t . Had a good c o n g r e g a t i o n a t Kincumbar, & famous one a t E r i n a - n e a r l y 50.

[1]

CfLAjneM.n Wan..

[2]

RUVKJN, a

[3]

Jamt6, hJU -iOAwant.

Imcktx.

February

26.

Spent t h i s day v i s i t i n g a t B l u e Gum F l a t & S a w m i l l , warning the people f o r the s e r v i c e next Sunday morning.

27.

Woke up between 3 & 4 t h i s morning w i t h a bad headache which remained w i t h me a l l day. - I went over t o E a s t Gosford i n the morning t o hand over t o Mr. B a t t l e y some money which 1 r e c e i v e d from D i c k s o n l a s t n i g h t , as c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o our B u r i a l Ground Fence Fund. - Too u n w e l l t o do much of a n y t h i n g today.

28.

At Kincumber a l l today. Went f i r s t t o Woodwards, where I a d m i n i s t e r e d the Sacrament t o o l d M r s . S c h o o l e r , b e i n g j o i n e d by Mrs. Woodward & Mrs.George D a v i s . - I then worked my way up t o the s c h o o l c a l l i n g a t a l l the houses by the way. Found poor K i l p a c v e r y i l l , & read & prayed w i t h him. He seemed to be drawing near h i s end, - I had my f u l l c l a s s of young f o l k s at the s c h o o l , or Church r a t h e r ,

March

1855

1855.

At home a l l the morning, w r i t i n g l e t t e r s , e t c : Had an unexpected, but agreeable i n t e r r u p t i o n by the a r r i v a l of a box of books from the Morpeth Depot. Some v e r y n i c e books, c h i e f l y f o r s a l e . We a l s o had a v i s i t from Mrs Master & l i t t l e J u l i a . In the a f t e r n o o n T had my Catechism c l a s s a t E.Gosford, & took my l e t t e r s t o the post which f i n i s h e d out the day.

Spent t h i s day a t E r i n a & the neighbourhood. - I n the morning 1 went through Mosquito Town, m u s t e r i n g up c h i l d r e n f o r the s c h o o l , & got the promise of 20 from t h a t l o c a l i t y a l o n e . I had my c l a s s i n the a f t e r n o o n , as u s u a l . - Being l i t t l e Emily's B i r t h d a y , we gave her a l i t t l e h o l i d a y excursion>by a l l of us g o i n g t o E r i n a .

Made a c a l l or two c l o s e a t home i n the morning, b e s i d e s a l i t t l e Indoor work i n the w r i t i n g way.In the a f t e r n o o n I rode over t o Kincumbar t o see K i l p a c whom I found a l i t t l e b e t t e r .

S i t e undz^jlntd. VKobably In SmyeA6 Vallojj, Ewia HeAghti wkejio. a numbzfi Smyo.n.'t ^amltiZ'i Hutd. Tkt mily 'ickool wa-i built thufin on land donated by tht MUit-i VOmiSOM.

March 1855.

S4.

Had two v e r y good Congregations today. I n the morning about 50 a t the Saw m i l l , where I b a p t i z e d 3 i n f a n t s , & i n the a f t e r n o o n about 80 a t E.Gosford.

6. HJ

S t a r t e d about 9 o'c t h i s morning t o pay a v i s i t t o Freeman's f a m i l y a t Cabbage Tree. I reached Mrs.Osborne about 1 o'c & a f t e r 2 hours r e s t & refreshment f o r myself & h o r s e , proceeded l e i s u r e l y t o Cabbage T r e e , where,I a r r i v e d a l i t t l e b e f o r e Sunset, r a t h e r t i r e d a f t e r my h o t r i d e , f o r the day was a l i t t l e warmer than u s u a l . I found the f a m i l y j u s t recovered from a severe c o l d which had a f f e c t e d them a l l , but the o l d man seemed t o have been the g r e a t e s t s u f f e r e r , I was pleased to f i n d t h a t the o l d e s t g i r l , E l i z a , was g e t t i n g on w e l l w i t h her s e l f i n s t r u c t i o n , and she read very n i c e l y a chapter i n the "Abridgement o f the B i b l e , " which I took w i t h me among some o t h e r l i t t l e books t o l e a v e w i t h h e r . She seemed d e s i r o u s of b e i n g c o n f i r m e d when the Bishop comes, & I had some c o n v e r s a t i o n , & i n s t r u c t e d h e r as the t h n a t u r e & b e n e f i t o f Confirmation,& hope upon my next o p p o r t u n i t y o f examining h e r , t o f i n d that she i s d u l y q u a l i f i e d f o r i t . - A f t e r p o i n t i n g out t o her the duty o f p r o f i t i n g by the knowledge she had a c q u i r e d by endeavouring t o i n s t r u c t h e r younger s i s t e r s , I l e f t them about 12 o ' c l o c k on Tuesday the S i x t h , & r e t u r n e d t o Mrs Osborne's. Had a very warm r i d e again t h i s day, but a s h o r t one, o n l y 14 m i l e s . Reached Mrs. Osbornes between 3 & 4, & remained t h e r e t h e n i g h t .

S t a r t e d t h i s morning i n company w i t h Mr. John Osborne, who l e f t me a t Wyong where I s t a i d f o r a l i t t l e t o v i s i t Turner's f a m i l y & W o o l l y ' s a f t e r which I proceeded up the creek t o Yarramolong t o c a l l upon Mr. L e t t e , whom I had not p r e v i o u s l y seen. I found him & Mrs. L e t t e l i v i n g i n a t e n t , t h e i r l i t t l e [2] c o t t a g e b e i n g not y e t completed. They gave me a k i n d welcome, & a f t e r p a r t a k i n g o f t h e i r d i n n e r , I mounted my horse

[1]

Ge.on.ge. 짜n.zdz>iick CRAWFORD, ion o^ Le.ille. Sawmill i Jemima, Bonn 17 Fzbnaany 1855.

-, Englnten. ol the. Steam

Eliza CHILD, daaghtzn Chanle.i -, Wke.elwnlgkt oi the. Stzam i Emma. Bonn 31 Dz-cesnbeA 1854. Suiannah CATER, daughteA Bonn 17 Fe-bnaany 1855. [2]

Sawmill

o^ Chanle.6 -, Sawytn o^ Blue. Gum Flat

LETTE, canly izttleA at Vannamalong. having iold theln land to STIMSON,

They latex

I t ^ t the

^ Lacy,

dUtnlct

March

1855

about 3i & s e t o f f on my homeward j o u r n e y , a d i s t a n c e of 22 m i l e s , 7. which owing t o M e t t l e ' s s l u g g i s h n e s s , I was j u s t 6 hours i n a c c o m p l i s h i n g & came i n v e r y t i r e d about 9 i .

I t was my w i s h t o go up to E r i n a t h i s morning, t o be present a t the opening of the s c h o o l t h e r e , but h e a r i n g t h a t a boy was dangerously i l l i n the f a m i l y of Anson, a Sawyer out under the Kincumber Range. I thought i t more important t o go & v i s i t him, as I c o u l d not manage both. To my s u p r i s e however, I met the boy & h i s younger b r o t h e r w i t h i n h a l f a m i l e of t h e i r h u t , coming i n to the township to buy a f i s h i n g l i n e . He had been v e r y i l l I b e l i e v e , but r a p i d l y recovered. I went on however & v i s i t e d h i s parents & urged them to send both the l a d s t o s c h o o l , though I f e a r my a d v i s e & e n t r e a t i e s w i l l be l i t t l e heeded - I v i s i t e d the Scroggins f a m i l y a l s o , i n the same neighbourhood. - I n the a f t e r n o o n I had a very s a m l l c l a s s a t the Church,only Mr. B a t t l e y ' s two g i r l s . Tom h a v i n g a severe s p r a i n i n the a n k l e i s q u i t e d i s a b l e d from w a l k i n g at p r e s e n t . - On my way home from Anson's t h i s morning I f e l l i n w i t h a l i t t l e boy, whose mother (Murphy a t Mosquito Town) promised me l a s t week to send her three boys t o the School a t E r i n a t h i s morning. I n s t e a d of which he was on what they seem t o c o n s i d e r a more important e r r a n d , - f e t c h i n g Rum from the P u b l i c House. On coming i n t h i s evening from E. G o s f o r d , I found Mr. Henry Bode here, having a r r i v e d from Mangrove w i t h a p o r t i o n of the S t i p e n d c o l l e c t i o n wh. h i s b r o t h e r had procured.

Kept w i t h i n doors today by the r a i n , which has been pouring down i n t o r r e n t s the g r e a t e r p a r t of the day. - Spent the day In reading c h i e f l y .

March 1855

10.

Sll.

[T]

Mr.Bode l e f t us t h i s morning soon a f t e r b r e a k f a s t on h i s r e t u r n t o Mangrove. A f t e r d i n n e r I rode o u t t o Kincumbar t o see how K i l p a c was g e t t i n g on, & found him a l i t t l e b e t t e r than when I l a s t saw him. I c a l l e d i n a t t h e s c h o o l house on my way t o e n q u i r e f o r Mrs Rudkin's l i t t l e g i r l who appeared much t h e same as u s u a l . - Not very w e l l I t h i n k t h i s e v e n i n g . There seems always t o be a k i n d o f sympathy e x i s t i n g between myself & t h e weather. When i t becomes cloudy, my s p i r i t s seem a l s o t o be under a c l o u d . The gloominess of the sky today seems a l s o t o have Imparte.d a gloom t o m y s e l f , but I hope t o see a b r i g h t s k y a g a i n tomorrow morning.

Three v e r y f a i r c o n g r e g a t i o n s today. The E r l n a congregation r a t h e r s u r p r i s e s me, c o n s i d e r i n g t h e darkness o f some o f the n i g h t s . There were about 40 t h e r e a g a i n t h i s evening.

12.

V i s i t e d t h e s c h o o l t h i s morning, & was much p l e a s e d a t Mr. Rudkins manner o f c o n d u c t i n g i t . I have every reason t o hope t h a t we have an e x c e l l e n t t e a c h e r i n him. T h i s a f t e r n o o n I rode out as f a r as F l e t c h e r s , t o v i s i t a few s i c k f o l k s i n t h a t neighbourhood, Mrs Barber has been v e r y p o o r l y but i s now b e t t e r a g a i n ,

13,

I s e t out t h i s morning w i t h the i n t e n t i o n o f going t o Mr. S c o t t ' s but on r e a c h i n g Fagan's was d i v e r t e d from my purpose, so 1 turned my horse head i n t h e o p p o s i t e d i r e c t i o n & p a i d a few v i s i t s i n the neighbourhood o f Wyoming, - c a l l i n g on Gavenlock, C o c k c r o f t , Ralph Woods, & a t Mr. Nunn's where I had the p l e a s u r e o f making Mrs. Nunn's a c q u a i n t a n c e , who a r r i v e d l a s t week.-

14.

Went t o Kincumbar t h i s morning, & a f t e r spending an hour or so w i t h K i l p a c , r e t u r n e d t o the School where I was occupied w i t h my young f o l k s t i l l n e a r l y sunset. - On r e a c h i n g home (pas Bo'c) I found Mrs. Osborne & John h e r e . -

Tkomai Allion and OichaKd.

SCOTT

Taicott

6uga.K cant ^amt, had a Banana

Plantation

March 1855

15.

16.

Spent t h i s day a t E r i n a , v i s i t i n g the s c h o o l e t c . and some of the f o l k s i n t h e neighbourhood.

17.

T h i s b e i n g a k i n d o f f e s t i v i t y among the p e o p l e , 1 have, as i s a p r a c t i c e on a l l such o c c a s i o n s kept m y s e l f w i t h i n doors, & have been occupied p r i n c i p a l l y i n Sermon w r i t i n g . A boat Regatta has been the amusement o f the day, & I suppose t h a t the i n c o n s i s t e n c y of c e l e b r a t i n g a Romish F e s t i v a l , & t h a t d u r i n g the season o f L e n t , d i d not e n t e r i n t o the minds o f many o f them.

S18.

19.

[1]

9. A t home a l l the morning l e t t e r w r i t i n g e t c . Had my B a t t l e y C o n f i r m a t i o n c l a s s a t t h e s c h o o l i n the a f t e r n o o n , & then posted my l e t t e r s by which time i t was dark.

A hard day's work today, o f 15 hours d u r a t i o n . I a d m i n i s t e r e d the Sacrament I n the morning a t Kincumbar (took my d i n n e r on horseback as I rode from one church t o the o t h e r ) had a b a p t i s m a t Gosford i n the a f t e r n o o n , & another baptism a t the S a w m i l l i n the evening making 3 f u l l s e r v i c e s , w i t h the a d d i t i o n of a Sacrament at each, I j u s t reached home a t n i g h t i n time t o hear the c l o c k s t r i k e 12.

S u f f e r i n g headaches today, the e f f e c t I suppose of yesterdays work.I f e a r I s h a l l be compelled t o g i v e up these l a t e evening s e r v i c e s a t the S a w m i l l , f o r I t i s e v i d e n t l y too much f o r me. T h i s a f t e r n o o n we went t o Mona Vale t o c a l l upon the H a r r i s o n s .

20.

Remained a t home Sermon w r i t i n g e t c .

21.

Spent the day a t Kincumbar, a t the Church.

22.

A t home a l l the morning w r i t i n g l e t t e r s e t c . C o n f i r m a t i o n c l a s s i n t h e a f t e r n o o n a t E.Gosfd. I should have mentioned that on r e t u r n i n g from Kincumbar l a s t evening I found Mr. B a t t l e y here, a v e r y u n u s u a l occurrence nowadays. H i s e r r a n d was t o hand over t o me the ÂŁ50 w h i c h my P a r i s h i o n e r s have s u b s c r i b e d t o e n t i t l e me t o c l a i m another L50 from Governt.

Wame the, HARRISON ptopvitij C o l l t g t oi St. Edwan.d'6.

v i s i t i n g u n t i l 4o'c: then c a t e c h i z i n g

cU Point

Fn.(idzilck,

now 6ltt

o^ tht

[7J

March 1855 10. 23.

Spent t h e day a t E r i n a , as u s u a l v i s i t i n g i n t h e morning, & c a t e c h i z i n g i n the a f t e r n o o n .

24.

We had a p u b l i c meeting here t h i s a f t e r n o o n , t o organize a Committee f o r c o l l e c t i n g c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o t h e P a t r i o t i c Fund. I t was m i s e r a b l y a t t e n d e d , t h e r e not being 20 persons p r e s e n t . Mr.Moore was chairman on the o c c a s i o n . He c a l l e d here before t h e meeting opened, & took a hasty dinner w i t h us.

S25.

A very r a i n y day, consequently a s m a l l c o n g r e g a t i o n a t Gosford, & h a r d l y any a t Kincumbar. Being such bad weather I d i d not go t o E r i n a .

26.

The weather b e i n g showery & u n s e t t l e d I remained a t home today, & have been o c c u p i e d among o t h e r t h i n g s , making out my C o n f i r m a t i o n T i c k e t s .

27.

I made a few c a l l s i n t h e immediate neighbourhood t h i s morning, & then proceeded by boat t o Mr. S c o t t ' s , t o pay my l a s t c a t e c h i z i n g v i s i t t o my young f r i e n d s , t o whom I d e l i v e r e d the necessary t i c k e t s of a p p r o v a l . My examination o f those g i r l s has always been a source of pleasure & g r a t i f i c a t i o n t o me, from t h e r e a d i n e s s o f t h e i r answers g e n e r a l l y , & the r e a l i n t e r e s t which they have e v i n c e d a l l along i n the matter.I n the e v e n i n g , a f t e r my r e t u r n from Mr. S c o t t s , I rode out t o F l e t c h e r s on a s i m i l a r e r r a n d t o have a l i t t l e c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h h i s sons, p r e v i o u s t o t h e i r c o n f i r m a t i o n . I d i d not get home a g a i n t i l l near eleven o ' c l o c k .

28.

A t home a l l the morning, r e a d i n g the l a t e accounts from the Crimea, which l a s t n i g h t s newspapers brought us. - T h i s afternoon I went t o Kincumbar, t o my C o n f i r m a t i o n c l a s s t h e r e .

29.

L e t t e r w r i t i n g a l l t h e morning - C o n f i r m a t i o n c l a s s a t E.Gosfd a f t e r n o o n .

March & A p r i l Mar 30.

31.

1855

The weather was so u n f a v o u r a b l e t h i s morning t h a t I h e s i t a t e d about s t a r t i n g on my Mangrove j o u r n e y , but as i t c l e a r e d up a l i t t l e towards noon I got my horse saddled & s e t o f f . - I l o s t 40 minutes a t s t a r t i n g by Fagan d i s a p p o i n t i n g me a t the punt, f o r I had t o r e t u r n & go by Wyoming. -However, I made out my journey very w e l l , & found Mr. Bode j u s t f i n i s h i n g h i s d i n n e r when I a r r i v e d a t the Mangrove Hermitage i n the evening.

The weather b e i n g showery, o n l y t h r e e of my C o n f i r m a t i o n Candidates came to meet me at the S c h o o l house. - I n the a f t e r n o o n Mr. Bode rowed me i n the boat up the c r e e k , to make a few c a l l s , n a m e l y on Watklns, Senr. & Junr. & on A t k i n s .

April SI.

Being a wet morning about 20 persons o n l y came t o Church.- I preached my c h a r i t y sermon on b e h a l f of the " P a t r i o t i c Fund" but I almost f e a r i t w i l l not be v e r y l i b e r a l l y supported i n Mangrove Creek.- As there was no communicants present I was unable t o a d m i n i s t e r the Holy Communion.- T h i s has o c c u r r e d t w i c e r u n n i n g now. We s t a r t e d f o r the Upper Church i n the A f t e r n o o n , but had not proceeded f a r before the [1] r a i n came p o u r i n g down so h e a v i l y , t h a t , a f t e r w a i t i n g f o r h a l f an hour i n A t k i n s ' Barn, and s e e i n g no p r o s p e c t of i t s h o l d i n g up,we returned home.

Rained so hard a l l day t h a t I c o u l d not s t i r out any where.- Employed reading,& w r i t i n g a l e t t e r t o England. I never knew h e a v i e r r a i n than d u r i n g t h i s day.

The r a i n h a v i n g c o n t i n u e d w i t h i n c r e a s e d v i o l e n c e , i f p o s s i b l e during the n i g h t , we were not a t a l l s u r p r i s e d to f i n d a great f l o o d i n the creek when we got up t h i s morning. Though I d i d not expect to accomplish my journey homeward, I saddled my horse

Thtnt wzAd tm

Chatdhzi

at Mangnovd -

Thd Uppdl at Vubbo Gully - St. Tkomai - wUlh a 6mall bufuial Tkd LoMdK at GidrngfiOwd - St. VdtZK'i, - with a langd buiJual

ground. ground.

A p r i l 1855 3.

I made a s t a r t a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , but had n o t proceeding above h a l f a m i l e , 12. I was o b l i g e d t o r e t u r n . The creek had overflowen i t s banks, & there were s e v e r a l l i t t l e branch c r e e k s which I c o u l d n o t have crossed without r i s k , I t h e r e f o r e r e t u r n e d t o t h e "Hermitage" & r e a d , e t c . u n t i l a bad headache o b l i g e d me t o g i v e up.- I have not s u f f e r e d so severe a headache, I t h i n k f o r many y e a r s .

The water b e i n g s u b s i d e d t h i s morning I made an e a r l y s t a r t & had a f i n e day f o r my r i d e home, which I reached about A P.M. Thus has my v i s i t t o Mangrove t h i s time been r a t h e r an u n p r o f i t a b l e one f o r n e a r l y a l l my time was spent cooped up i n the s c h o o l house.

I t was w e l l t h a t I reached home y e s t e r d a y , f o r the r a i n set i n again l a s t n i g h t & has c o n t i n u e d v e r y h e a v i l y a l l today, w i t h a few i n t e r m i s s i o n s . I have been c h i e f l y o c c u p i e d l e t t e r w r i t i n g today, w i t h a few l i t t l e i n t e r r u p t i o n s when r e q u i r e d t o h e l p i n t h e removal o f sundry t h i n g s from the d r e s s i n g room, i n which a q u a n t i t y o f p l a s t e r f e l l from the c e i l i n g d u r i n g t h e n i g h t . - T h i s heavy r a i n has t r i e d our r o o f severely,& found i t w a n t i n g i n v e r y many p l a c e s .

Good F r i d a y . Morning s e r v i c e a t Kincumbar, where only 8 attended, Some perhaps were n o t aware o f t h e i r b e i n g s e r v i c e , a t when I gave n o t i c e of i t l a s t Sunday week o n l y 6 persons were i n the church besides Mr. Lane.[U A f t e r s e r v i c e I spent t h e remainder o f t h e day v i s i t i n g i n the neighbourhood.

Spent t h i s day a t Kincumbar a g a i n , v i s i t i n g from B u l l o c k ' s down t o D a v i s ' s & home round by Mr. R o b e r t s ' . - came home about 7oc; a good d e a l fagged, h a v i n g d i n e d on a g l a s s o f c o l d water.

MK. LAME wa4 thz tzaahzn.

at KincwmboA,

April S8.

1855

E a s t e r Day, & u n f o r t u n a t e l y a v e r y r a i n y one, a t l e a s t i n the a f t e r n o o n , 1 3 . so much so t h a t I d i d not go t o Kincumbar.

I have been out a g a i n the whole of today, c h i e f l y i n the neighbourhood of E r i n a g i v i n g C o n f i r m a t i o n T i c k e t s t o the Candidates up t h e r e .

10.

V e s t r y meeting t h i s morning t o e l e c t Church wardens. - Attended as u s u a l . - Three p a r t i e s o n l y p r e s e n t ; Mr. B a t t l e y , Venteman & s e l f . 1 made a few c a l l s i n East G o s f o r d i n the morning & walked out as f a r as Robt Whites & C r e i g h t o n s i n a f t e r n o o n .

11.

S t a r t e d today w i t h the i n t e n t i o n of r e a c h i n g Mrs.Osborne's, & thence proceeding tomorrow t o Mount V i n c e n t t o meet the Bishop of Newcastle, but l e a r n i n g on the road t h a t the creeks were s t i l l h i g h , I thought i t prudent to a l l o w them another day t o go down & r i d e the whole way tomorrow. I t h e r e f o r e r e t u r n e d home, a f t e r making a few c a l l s i n the neighbourhood of Blue Gum F l a t .

19.

Having r e t u r n e d from Mangrove Creek, where I b i d a d i e u to my good Diocesan y e s t e r d a y morning, I w i l l now b r i e f l y r e c o r d the events & occurrences connected w i t h h i s l o r d s h i p s v i s i t t o my p a r i s h . - I s e t o f f on thursday the 12th a t aboutS A.M; & reached Reedy F l a t soon a f t e r 10, h a v i n g met w i t h some d e l a y i n c r o s s i n g Wyong Creek, which was too deep to r i d e o v e r , so I had t o c r o s s myself upon a t r e e & my horse was a s s i s t e d through the water w i t h a t e t h e r r o p e & a man p u l l i n g a t the o p p o s i t e shore. - On a r r i v i n g a t Mount V i n c e n t soon a f t e r 5 P.M. I found h i s l o r d s h i p t h e r e b e f o r e me. - On F r i d a y we l e f t Mt. Vincent at 7. - reached Reedy F l a t before 12, & took a l i t t l e refreshment there a f t e r which we came on to the S a w m i l l , & had a v e r y good congregation there

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April 19.

1855

h i s l o r d s h i p g i v i n g us an admirable sermon from Mark XIV,8 . "She hath 14. done what she c o u l d . " - We reached the parsonage about dark, & found a n i c e cup o f t e a a v e r y good f i n a l e t o the days work.- On Saturday a f t e r n o o n we went t o E r i n a , where another n i c e c o n g r e g a t i o n assembled to meet h i s l o r d s h i p , a t which he seemed much p l e a s e d . - Sunday the 13th was t o me a day of days, & w i l l not e a s i l y be f o r g o t t e n . We s t a r t e d about 9 o'c f o r morning s e r v i c e a t Kincumbar. I t was a b e a u t i f u l day, & the l i t t l e church t h e r e was q u i t e f i l l e d . The i n t e r e s t i n g r i t e of C o n f i r m a t i o n was a d m i n i s t e r e d f o r the f i r s t time i n t h a t church, [IJ & I was d e l i g h t e d t o f i n d on the o c c a s i o n that Davis had brought up some of the new s e a t s he had been making, & which proved a very great improvement t o the l i t t l e church. He has made them very w e l l , & they are r e a l l y n e a t , c o m f o r t a b l e s e a t s . S i x t e e n Candidates were confirmed t h e r e , & the Bishop gave them a b e a u t i f u l & a p p r o p r i a t e Sermon. On r e t u r n i n g t o East Gosford f o r the a f t e r n o o n s e r v i c e , we found the church crowded,& I was much g r a t i f i e d a t f i n d i n g every one of my candidates f 2 j f o r C o n f i r m a t i o n i n attendance, 25 i n number. I t h i n k I was never more i n t e r e s t e d on any o c c a s i o n than d u r i n g the s e r v i c e of t h a t a f t e r n o o n . I t was a b e a u t i f u l & t o u c h i n g s i g h t t o see Mr. S c o t t s ' f i v e daughters ranged beside each o t h e r a t the Communion r a i l s , & no doubt many who were present were as s e n s i b l y a f f e c t e d by i t as myself & hope the i m p r e s s i o n made upon the h e a r t s o f a l l p r e s e n t , by the t r u l y i n t e r e s t i n g ceremony, f o l l o w e d by the Bishop a f f e c t i n g sermon, w i l l not e a s i l y die away.- On Monday we had a grand meeting i n the morning a t the Church, or School house, which was a g a i n c o m p l e t e l y f i l l e d . His l o r d s h i p entered upon a v e r y f u l l , & c l e a r e x p l a n a t i o n of the present p o s i t i o n

TkLi itatojnznt 4eem4 to imply that the ChaKch ua6 not con^ldzKzd completzd until then. Thexz wa4 no peAmanent i>toting accommodation until tht laf,t pmi, Mfit litttd and on pntvioui occaiiom uihtn tht cdxtmony o^ Con^iAmation ivai heJLd at KincumbtK, that ChuKch had not bttn uitd. [2] Tki6 vjai tht ChuKch-cum-ichool, itattd in tht It Jj!> â&#x20AC;˘ihouon in tanly iunvtyi and ooai itplactd 1857, â&#x20AC;˘

"Blut Book" to hold 50 peAioM. by BLACKET'6 itont Chunch in

ST. PAUL'S C H U R C H OF ENGLAND, KINCUMBER

P H O T O T A K E N IN T H E FIRST D E C A D E O F THIS C E N T U R Y BY W. E . P H E G A N , W O Y W O Y

"April,

1855, 19. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Sunday the 13th was to me a day of days and will not easily be forgotten. We started about 9 o'c for morning service at Kincumbar . . . The interesting rite of Confirmation was administered for the first time in that church, & I was delighted to find on the occasion that DAVIS had brought up some of the new seats he has been making".

Plate III

April

1855

of our c h u r c h , showing what i s r e q u i r e d on the p a r t o f the l a i t y f o r 15. the support & maintenance o f the C l e r g y . The most p e r f e c t u n a n i m i t y p r e v a i l e d & a l l seemed q u i t e d i s p o s e d t o accede t o t h e B i s h o p ' s p r o p o s i t i o n namely, t h a t the members o f our Church here shd c o n t r i b u t e , towards the C l e r g y S t i p e n d Fund o f the D i o c e s e £200 a n n u a l l y , t o be p a i d by h a l f y e a r l y i n s t a l m e n t s , i . e ; £100 on t h e 1 s t J a n u a r y , t o go t o the g e n e r a l Fund, & £100 on the 1 s t J u l y , t o I n c r e a s e the S t i p e n d o f t h e i r own clergjnnan. The d i s t r i c t ( i t was proposed) shd be d i v i d e d i n t o 5 p o r t i o n s , & a c e r t a i n sum a l l o t t e d t o each as i t s a n n u a l share o f c o n t r i b u t i o n , namely the two Gosfords. w i t h t h e i r s u b u r b s , £80. Kincumbar £40 E r l n a £30, Mangrove £30 & B l u e Gum F l a t £20. - a committee was formed c o n s l s t l n i i o f m y s e l f as v i c e p r e s i d e n t & S e c r e t a r y , Mr, B a t t l e y , T r e a s u r e r , & one c o l l e c t o r f o r each o f t h e above d i v i s i o n s , v l z t . Mr.Venteman - Mr. Moore, F l e t c h e r Senr., H, W o r l e y , & John S t o c k d a l e . A f t e r the meeting we a l l assembled t o determine the s i t e o f our new Church, and agreed t o s e t about t h e b u i l d i n g o f i t a t once, & as the f i r s t s t e p , 1 was r e q u e s t e d t o w r i t e t o M r . B l a c k e t f o r a p l a n & s p e c i f i c a t i o n o f a neat l i t t l e Church c a p a b l e o f accomodating about 150 p e r s o n s . - That b e i n g s e t t l e d we a d j o u r n e d t o the Parsonage f o r a l i t t l e l u n c h e o n , & t h e n r e t u r n e d t o the P o i n t House a t E . G o s f o r d , where a f e a s t was p r o v i d e d f o r the S c h o o l c h i l d r e n , & t h a t germinated the days p r o c e e d i n g s . About 7o'c: on Tuesday morning the B & m y s e l f s t a r t e d f o r Mangrove Creek & a r r i v e d a t the Upper S c h o o l b e f o r e 12, From thence we went down t o Mrs W a t k l n s ' where we found a cup of t e a v e r y r e f r e s h i n g a f t e r our l o n g r i d e . - A t 3o'c: we had s e r v i c e a t the l o w e r s c h o o l where 11 more were c o n f i r m e d , making 52 i n a l l , - Y e s t e r d a y morning I accompa

April

1855

19.

n i e d the Bishop as f a r as the t e n m i l e h o l l o w , & t h e r e l e a v i n g him to proceed t o the Hawkesbury, I r e t u r n e d t o Mangrove Creek, where I spent the day i n v i s i t i n g some o f the f o l k s about the Upper p a r t , & today had r a t h e r a weary & l a b o r o u s r i d e home by I r o n bark h i l l & Mooney Creek, r e s o l v i n g f r e q u e n t l y d u r i n g the day, as I have o f t e n done on former o c c a s i o n s , never t o t r a v e l t h a t road a g a i n .

26.

L a s t F r i d a y & Saturday I d i d not extend my t r a v e l s f a r t h e r than E a s t G o s f o r d f e e l i n g t h a t both m y s e l f & my h o r s e were e n t i t l e d t o a l i t t l e r e s t a f t e r the e x t r a work o f the p r e v i o u s week. On Monday & Tuesday I went over t o Kincumbar t o v i s i t K i l p a c , who i s v e r y p o o r l y & seems r a p i d l y s i n k i n g . On Tuesday I extended my r i d e as f a r as Mc M a s t e r s ; & on my way back a g a i n adminstered the Sacrament to K i l p a c - Y e s t e r d a y & today I have been almost e n t i r e l y employed l e t t e r w r i t i n g and sent away a g r e a t budget of l e t t e r s t o the post t h i s evening.

27.

S t a r t e d f o r Kincumbar a g a i n t h i s morning, & went t o c a l l on Wards' f a m i l y . - I was s o r r y t o f i n d t h a t the matter d i s c u s s e d a t our meeting here on Monday week had been s a d l y m i s r e p r e s e n t e d t o them by A l l a n Mc M a s t e r , & they were i n r a t h e r a d i s a f f e c t e d mood i n consequence, A l i t t l e e x p l a n a t i o n however on my p a r t , put them a l l to r i g h t s a g a i n , - I a f t e r w a r d s c a l l e d t o see K i l p a c whom I found much e a s i e r than the day b e f o r e .

28.

A f t e r d i n n e r I rode down t o D a v i s ' s f o r the purpose of s e t t i n g them r i g h t t h e r e i n the matter o f the S t i p e n d Fund, h a v i n g l e a r n t t h a t they had r e c e i v e d A l l a n Mc M a s t e r s v e r s i o n of the m a t t e r , & a f t e r a l i t t l e c o n v e r s a t i o n they v e r y soon understood the matter & seemed q u i t e s a t i s f i e d about i t .

16.

May April 30.

1855.

Two r a t h e r s m a l l c o n g r e g a t i o n s y e s t e r d a y , perhaps caused by the u n s e t t l e d , t h r e a t e n i n g s t a t e o f the weather. T h i s has been a most d e l i g h t f u l day. I went out t h i s morning w i t h James t o s e t him a l i t t l e job o f road making. One o r two p l a c e s a l o n g the punt road had become v e r y bad, & I thought the sooner they were r e p a i r e d the b e t t e r . I made a few c a l l s i n E a s t G o s f o r d , & remained a t home i n the a f t e r n o o n . The M i s s e s Donnison came & drank t e a w i t h us.

May 1.

A t home a l l the morning. I n the a f t e r n o o n I took Anne t o c a l l f ? i f o r the f i r s t time on Mrs Niinn a t Wyoming, where we met Mr. T r a v e r s & two o t h e r g u e s t s , whose names I d i d not h e a r . Mr.Moore c a l l e d & d i n e d w i t h us today.

Went t o Kincumbar t h i s morning, where I found George Davis w a i t i n g f o r me a c c o r d i n g t o appointment. He brought up the l a s t of the Church s e a t s , so t h a t they a r e complete now 16 a l t o g e t h e r , f ? J & a v e r y good s a t i s f a c t o r y job he has made of i t . I p a i d him f o r them t o d a y , & have agreed w i t h him t o make some r e p a i r s a t the S c h o o l house, which a r e much r e q u i r e d . I v i s i t e d K i l p a c today, St found him much weaker.- e v i d e n t l y s i n k i n g . From h i s way of e x p r e s s i n g h i m s e l f , I have r e a s o n t o hope t h a t he i s prepared f o r h i s d e p a r t u r e , & thought s u f f e r i n g g r e a t & almost c o n s t a n t p a i n he e x h i b i t s no s i g n s of Impatience but expresses h i m s e l f r e s i g n e d e n t i r e l y t o God's w i l l t o remove him whence he t h i n k s p r o p e r . I spent a hour or more a t the s c h o o l , c a t e c h i s i n g e t c ; - & then came away home.

Wet

Very wet morning. I n the a f t e r n o o n I rode over t o Kincumbar to see K i l p a c , whom I found much i n the same s t a t e as u s u a l . A p p a r e n t l y s u f f e r i n g much & c o n s t a n t l y , but r e s i g n e d w i t h a l .

[1]

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day.

A t home a l l day l e t t e r w r i t i n g .

l>iom Ihz now.

FERRIS {^mlltj.

May 1855 5.

P o u r i n g o f r a i n t h e whole day, & t h i s prevented me from g o i n g t o t h e S a w m i l l , as I had i n t e n d e d , i n order t o prepare my c o n g r e g a t i o n i n t h a t q u a r t e r f o r tomorrows s e r v i c e . J u d g i n g however from p r e s e n t p r o s p e c t s , I doubt whether t h e r e w i l l be any c o n g r e g a t i o n tomorrow f o r t h e r a i n s t i l l c o n t i n u e s p o u r i n g down h e a v i l y .

S6.

Tho' i t was a v e r y r a i n y morning, I s t a r t e d towards 9o'c f o r t h e S a w m i l l , b u t on a r r i v i n g a t Blue Gum F l a t I found t h e creek thfere f l o o d e d & q u i t e Impassable, so had t o r e t u r n home. The v e r y u n f a v o u r a b l e weather caused me t o have a v e r y s m a l l c o n g r e g a t i o n a t E.Gosford i n t h e a f t e r n o o n . The r a i n came on a g a i n i n t o r r e n t s d u r i n g t h e service.

18.

Rode over t o Kincumbar t h i s a f t e r n o o n t o see K i l p a c , whom I found much i n t h e same s t a t e . W i t h r e g a r d t o h i s S p i r i t u a l s t a t e , I do-not t h i n k have r e a s o n t o hope t h a t he i s r e a l l y p e n i t a n t , f o r i t i s s c a r c e l y p o s s i b l e f o r even a w e l l i n s t r u c t e d X t i a n t o express h i m s e l f b e t t e r than he does when i n h i s own s i m p l e way he d i s c r i b e s t h e s t a t e of h i s mind t o me. There I s no attempt a t a n y t h i n g b o r d e r i n g upon s e l f r i g h t e o u s n e s s , but on t h e c o n t r a r y when I c a u t i o n e d him a g a i n s t t h i s e r r o r , he t o l d p i me t h a t "he c o u l d n o t p o s s i b l y p l e a d h i s own r i g h t e o u s n e s s f o r he had none t o p l e a d t h a t he had done almost e v e r y t h i n g t h a t was bad, but v e r y l i t t l e t h a t was good". He c o n f e s s e d h i m s e l f deeply s o r r o w f u l f o r a l l h i s past s i n s , and p l a c e s h i s s o l e dependence on h i s B l e s s e d S a v i o u r , t r u s t i n g i n Gods mercy t o pardon him f o r Xt's sake.-

A t home a l l t h e morning. Went t o t h e s c h o o l i n t h e a f t e r n o o n & then c a l l e d a t M r . B a t t l e y ' s .

Spent t h i s day a t Kincumbar - making one o r two c a l l s i n E a s t G o s f o r d by t h e way. R e c e i v e d by l a s t n i g h t ' s p o s t a v e r y n i c e s k e t c h o f a Church from M r . B l a c k e t t .

May 10.

At home a l l day, l e t t e r w r i t i n g c h i e f l y - S l i g h t i n c l i n a t i o n of headache.

11.

Got up w i t h a headache t h i s morning, but n e v e r t h e l e s s I s t a r t e d a f t e r b r e a k f a s t w i t h the i n t e n t i o n o f spending the day a t E r l n a . I c a l l e d i n a t M r . B a t t l e y ' s t o show him, & c o n s u l t w i t h him on M r . B l a c k e t s s k e t c h o f our Church, & a f t e r s t a y i n g a l i t t l e time t h e r e my headache I n c r e a s e d upon me so much t h a t I abandoned my i n t e n t i o n o f g o i n g t o E r i n a , & r e t u r n e d home a g a i n , a f t e r f i r s t c a l l i n g t o e n q u i r e a f t e r O r p i n , who has been u n w e l l , but i s b e t t e r . I have had a t e r i b l e headache a l l the a f t e r n o o n but i t has now p r e t t y w e l l l e f t me.

12.

Headache c o n t i n u e s t i l l noon. A f t e r n o o n I wuQfc f i r s t to E r i n a , & then t o Kincumbar t o see K i l p a c .

14.

U s u a l r o u t i n e of Sunday d u t i e s y e s t e r d a y . T h i s morning I went t o the s c h o o l & had a l i t t l e C a t e c h i s i n g . T h i s a f t e r n o o n I went a g a i n t o see K i l p a c a t Kincumbar, whom I found much as b e f o r e .

15.

By appointment C u l l e n brought the boat t h i s morning to convey me a c r o s s t o M r . S c o t t ' s . Being a b e a u t i f u l day, Anne & the C h i l d r e n accompanied me, & we enjoyed the e x c u r s i o n v e r y much.

17.

Y e s t e r d a y morning I went over t o Kincumbar t o marry Tho . Davis t o Susan P i c k e t t . I was o b l i g e d t o d e c l i n e t h e i r i n v i t a t i o n t o the d i n n e r , h a v i n g t o o f f i c i a t e here a t a f u n e r a l i n the a f t e r n o o n . A l i t t l e c h i l d named M i t c h e l l d i e d i n E.Gosford on Tuesday morning. I c a l l e d to see K i l p a c on my r e t u r n , & found him a p p a r e n t l y much weaker. I do not t h i n k he can p o s s i b l y s u r v i v e much l o n g e r . - T h i s morning I was o c c u p i e d l e t t e r w r i t i n g , & i n the a f t e r n o o n I v i s i t e d the s c h o o l a t E r i n a , & some o f the people i n the neighbourhood.

18.

[1]

19.

f?J

[2]

Spent t h i s day a t the Blue Gum F l a t p o r t i o n of the d i s t r i c t , c a l l i n g a t every house i n t h a t neighbourhood. At the S a w m i l l I found g r e a t changes. S e v e r a l p a r t i e s gone away, & many new f a c e s I n t h e i r p l a c e .

Tkomai VMIS, Wltntiiti:

[2]

1855

Mchzlon,

and Savannah PICKETT, SpinitOJi,

Hunny PICKETT I Eliza

VMIS

oi Cockle

16 May

Cicek.

Jame-i MITCHELL, oi Kent Street, Sydney, aged 18 months, ion oi John -, Shlpuonlght. Vied 15 May 1855.

the

1855.

May 1855 19.

S20.

Marianne's B i r t h d a y - 10 y r s o l d today. - Her f r i e n d s the l i t t l e H a r r i s o n s & B a t t l e y s came t o spend t h e day w i t h h e r . - A f t e r d i n n e r I rode over t o see how K i l p a c was, & found him s t i l l a l i v e , & s e n s i b l e b u t I h a r d l y t h i n k he can s u r v i v e another 24 h o u r s .

20.

A d m i n i s t e r e d t h e Sacrament t h i s morning a t Kincumbar, & was p l e a s e d t o see t h e number o f communicants I n c r e a s e d by t h e a d d i t i o n o f s e v e r a l o f those who were c o n f i r m e d l a s t month. - A t t h e S a w m i l l t h i s evening I had a c a p i t a l c o n g r e g a t i o n , somewhere about 50 - & had a b e a u t i f u l s t a r l i g h t n i g h t t o r i d e home.

21.

The M i s s e s Donnison came & spent t h e day w i t h us I went t o c a l l on t h e H a r r i s o n s a f t e r d i n n e r , t o r e q u e s t them t o put o f f a boat e x c u r s i o n which we were t o have j o i n e d tomorrow, i n consequence o f t h e c h i l d r e n h a v i n g bad c o l d s .

22.

Went t o see K i l p a c a f t e r d i n n e r , & was s u r p r i s e d almost to f i n d him y e t a l i v e . News o f the death o f the Emperor o f R u s s i a came by t o n i g h t s m a i l .

23.

Went t o t h e s c h o o l t h i s morning. I n t h e a f t e r n o o n I went up D o n a l l ' s way & out t o t h e Maiden Scrub. Mr.Moore & J.Osborne c a l l e d today.

24.

Spent t h i s day i n t h e E r l n a neighbourhood.

25.

A t home a l l t h e morning. We a l l went o u t i n t h e a f t e r n o o n w i t h t h e i n t e n t i o n o f c a l l i n g f i r s t a t Mona V a l e , & then on the B a t t l e y s . We found however t h a t t h e H a r r i s o n s had gone down t h e r i v e r i n t h e i r b o a t , so we went on t o E a s t G o s f o r d , & p a i d t h e B a t t l e y s a v i s i t .

26.

Went t o Kincumbar t o see K i l p a c , & from t h e r e t o Ward's & T a y l o r ' s , t o take him ( T a y l o r ) a l e t t e r which I r e c e i v e d from England f o r h i m ,

28.

Good Congregations a t G o s f o r d , Kincumbar y e s t e r d a y . G o s f o r d I a d m i n i s t e r e d t h e Sacrament

May 1855 28.

t o 22 Communicants, b u t was s o r r y t o see some l e a v e 21. the Church who ought n o t t o have done s o . I have been a l i t t l e i n t e r r u p t e d t h today w i t h one o f my headaches, b u t managed t o walk out as f a r as Seamours t h i s a f t e r n o o n , as u s u a l , t o r e p r o v e f o r so s a d l y n e g l e c t i n g t h e i r church d u t i e s

30.

Y e s t e r d a y morning I a t l e a s t a c c o m p l i s h e d t h e t a s k of making man & w i f e o f B r l t t o n & h i s p a r t n e r I w i s h I dare t o hope t h a t t h i s were the f i r s t s t e p i n a thorough r e f o r m a t i o n , but 1 f e a r t h e r e i s l i t t l e e x p e c t a t i o n o f such b e i n g t h e c a s e . - I n t h e a f t e r n o o n I went t o see poor K i l p a c , who seemed worse than t h e l a s t time I saw him, but a p p a r e n t l y p a t i e n t under a l l h i s s u f f e r i n g s , t h o ' e x p r e s s i n g an e a r n e s t w i s h to "depart & be w i t h X c t . " T h i s a f t e r n o o n I rode up t o Wyoming & c a l l e d on Mrs.Nunn & a few o t h e r f o l k s i n t h a t neighbourhood.

31.

[1]

Went t o see K i l p a c a g a i n t h i s a f t e r n o o n & found him much the same as u s u a l .

June 1855 7.

1 s t a r t e d f o r Mangrove l a s t F r i d a y , & went through my accustomed d u t i e s t h e r e , b a p t i z i n g 7 c h i l d r e n on [2] Sunday. I t was r a t h e r a f a t i g u i n g day, h a v i n g b o t h the Sacrament a t t h e morning s e r v i c e , & t h e n t h e B a p t i s m a l S e r v i c e a g a i n i n t h e a f t e r n o o n . - I came home a day sooner than u s u a l t h i s time on K i l p a c ' s a c c o u n t , & a f t e r v i s i t i n g t h e Upper S c h o o l on Monday morning 1 s e t o f f homeward - 1 d i d n o t f e e l any u n u s u a l degree of f a t i g u e a f t e r t h e j o u r n e y , but from some cause or o t h e r , j u s t as we were p r e p a r i n g t o go t o bed, I was s e i z e d w i t h a k i n d o f f a i n t i n g f i t , which remained on me about h a l f an hour. - On Tuesday I walked over to Kincumbar t o see K i l p a c , but not f e e l i n g v e r y w e l l , 1 d i d n o t go e l s e w h e r e . Y e s t e r d a y morning I remained at home, l e t t e r w r i t i n g e t c ;

Samuel BRITTON, Bachelon, and AgneA STUART, Splniten, 29 May T855, WiXmiiZA: PetzK McGREGOR i Maty McGREGOR MoiquJXo Town. Thzy weAt baptlztd

on the. 3 June. 1855 -

Jame.6 ELM, 6on o^ John -, FaimeA ol Uppex Mangiove. & Maty. Bonn 28 Januany 1855. Many Jane. SINGLETON, daughtzn o^ John -, Fanmex o^ Uppzn Mangnovz & Many Ann. Bonn 8 Apnlt 1855. EmiZy GOULV, daughtex Bonn 25 Apnlt 1852.

o^ PhiLip

-, Fanmex o^ Uppe.n Mangnove.

Jane..

Henny Thomai GOULV, ion o^ PhJJJjp -, Fanmex o^ Uppzn Mangnove. i Bonn 19 Veeembex 1854. Henny Edwand SINGLETON, ion o^ Henny -, Fanmen ol Lowex Mangnove & Elizabeth. Bonn 25 Maneh 1855. n ^ Continued page 22.

Jam.

June 7.

1855

A f t e r d i n n e r we a l l went t o E a s t G o s f o r d t o v i s i t 22. the S c h o o l , a f t e r w h i c h we c a l l e d on Mrs.Benson, & then r e t u r n e d . Today I have spent a t E r i n a , I s e t o f f i n the forenoon on f o o t , i n t e n d i n g t o go as f a r as F l e t c h e r s , but M i s s Donnison h a v i n g t o l d me t h a t Sarah Swadling was v e r y u n w e l l , 1 a l t e r e d my c o u r s e , & went t o see h e r . - I am much a f r a i d t h a t she i s s u f f e r i n g from consumption, & indeed she seems h e r s e l f to be o f t h a t o p i n i o n . A f t e r v i s i t i n g those i n her neighbourhood, I r e t u r n e d home through Mosquito Town, where I had not been f o r some t i m e . - E m i l y B a t t l e y i s s t a y i n g w i t h us a t p r e s e n t . They v e r y k i n d l y a l l o w e d her t o come & keep Anne compahy d u r i n g my absence at Mangrove & she w i l l remain t i l l Sunday w i t h us.

Remained a t home y e s t e r d a y sermon w r i t i n g - I n the a f t e r n o o n took a ramble up the mountain w i t h the c h i l d r e n & E m i l y B a t t l e y . T h i s day I have spent a t Kincumbar c a l l i n g a t D r . A u l d ' s , R o b e r t s , & then a t K l l p a c ' s , Scayesbrooks & M e l v i n s .

11.

Tolerable congregations yesterday at a l l three places,I was g l a d t o see B r l t t o n & h i s w i f e i n church i n the morning, & hope they w i l l c o n t i n u e t o come. T h i s morning I went t o E a s t G o s f o r d & p a i d a few v i s i t s , & i n the a f t e r n o o n I borrowed Mr.Ventemans "Nancy" & rode out as f a r as F l e t c h e r s , c a l l i n g on Sarah Swadling by the way, whom I was g l a d t o f i n d much b e t t e r .

13.

Y e s t e r d a y I took a w a l k up t o the S a w m i l l , t o remind the people i n t h a t neighbourhood of my next Sunday S e r v i c e . - B e i n g a f i n e , c o l d , b r a c i n g s o r t of a day I p r e f e r r e d w a l k i n g , e s p e c i a l l y as I have t u r n e d M e t t l e i n t o C o t t r e l ' s paddock t o eat down some o f the l o n g g r a s s there,& t o get a few days r e s t . - I made the a c q u a i n t a n c e o f Mrs.Davison, who has j u s t come up from Sydney w i t h her l i t t l e boy. - The o n l y disadvantage o f w a l k i n g t o these d i s t a n t p l a c e s i s t h a t i t t a k e s more t i m e , & t h e r e f o r e prevented my c a l l i n g

Conti-nucuClon

[2] {^lom page. 21.

William Hmny PARRV, 6on i Sanah. Bonn 17 Manch

G^mith 1S55.

William

FamOM.

LoweA Mangnove.

Many, daughtzn. o^ Hznny MEAV, Fanmen. o^ Lowen Mangnove, i. Many CRAFT. Bonn S Maneh 1855.

June

1855

13.

a t some houses which I s h o u l d o t h e r w i s e have been a b l e 23. to do. - Today I made one o r two c a l l s i n the immediate neighbourhood, i n the morning, & then remained a t home the r e s t o f the day.

15.

Y e s t e r d a y I remained a t home l e t t e r w r i t i n g e t c . 1 was g o i n g o v e r t o see K i l p a c i n the a f t e r n o o n & had my h o r s e s a d d l e d a l l r e a d y , but young M r . S c o t t came i n w i t h a l e t t e r from h i s f a t h e r which r e q u i r e d answering & by the time I had done t h a t the a f t e r n o o n had s l i p t away. The M i s s e s Donnison came over t o see us a g a i n y e s t e r d a y . - Today 1 have had another l i t t l e w a l k i n g e x c u r s i o n - I f i r s t went t o E r i n a t o see Swadling about a h o r s e f o r our j o u r n e y , & from thence over the h i l l t o Kincumbar S c h o o l - Then t o Godwins, & t h e n round by K l l p a c ' s , B u l l o c k s , & so home by Green p o i n t .

18th

On Saturday morning I borrowed Mr.Veneman's l i t t l e mare "Nancy " & rode up t o Newman's a t Blue Gum F l a t to see whether he c o u l d l e t me have the mare he o f f e r e d me some time ago t o h e l p us a c r o s s t o M a i t l a n d - I a r r a n g e d w i t h Mrs.Gowdie t o send up t o Wyong t o f e t c h her - but 1 l e a r n t l a s t n i g h t on my way t o the S a w m i l l t h a t Woolley c o u l d not f i n d the mare, so today I got W i l l i a m Muddle t o go up t o S t o c k d a l e ' s f o r a pony which John S t o c k d a l e k i n d l y o f f e r e d t o l e n d me, & he brought i t down w i t h him - Godwin, a t Kincumbar a l s o sent me h i s horse t h i s morning, & the M i s s e s Donnison came t h i s a f t e r n o o n to pay us t h e i r f a r e w e l l v i s i t , & l e f t one i f t h e i r nags f o r u s , so t h a t we are q u i t e s e t up f o r h o r s e s f o r our j o u r n e y , but now the weather has changed - b l o w i n g hard from the South, & showery, so t h a t i t i s d o u b t f u l whether we s h a l l be a b l e t o s t a r t tomorrow morning as we I n t e n d e d .

19.

I t seems we a r e not a t p r e s e n t t o a c c o m p l i s h our j o u r n e y to S i n g l e t o n . On g e t t i n g up t h i s

June

1855

19.

morning the weather was about as f o u l & f o r b i d d i n g as i t was p o s s i b l e t o be t h e r a i n o n l y b e i n g h o l d i n check by the f u r y o f the g a l e t h a t was b l o w i n g , & now t h a t the wind has l u l l e d the r a i n i s coming down s t e a d i l y & I f e a r the f l o o d s w i l l now p r e v e n t our s t a r t i n g f o r a n o t h e r week o r perhaps l o n g e r . I spent a l l the morning r e a d i n g & w r i t i n g , & went over t o E.Gosford I n the a f t e r n o o n .

20.

No m a i l a r r i v e d l a s t n i g h t , nor d i d i t come i n t t h i s a f t e r n o o n the postboy h a v i n g l o s t h i s horse b e l i e v e . - I went o v e r t o v i s i t poor K i l p a c t h i s & found him much i n the same c o n d i t i o n , a s u s u a l , mentally & bodily.

21.

22.

ill I afternoon, both

A t home a l l day l e t t e r w r i t i n g . - Went over t o E.Gosford i n the e v e n i n g t o see Lucy about s h i p p i n g the t r u n k s t o Sydney. Rode up t o the S a w m i l l today t o a r r a n g e about h a v i n g s e r v i c e t h e r e on Sunday a f t e r n o o n . - Under the e x p e c t a t i o n of s t a r t i n g f o r the Hunter t h i s week, I gave n o t i c e at Kincumbar l a s t Sunday t h a t t h e r e would be no s e r v i c e t h e r e n e x t Sunday. I t h e r e f o r e purpose h a v i n g s e r v i c e at the S a w m i l l i n the a f t e r n o o n , w h i c h w i l l do i n l i e u of t h e i r morng S e r v i c e o f the f o l l o w i n g Sunday, on w h i c h day I hope t o be i n S i n g l e t o n . July

24.

1855

1 r e t u r n e d from S i n g l e t o n l a s t n i g h t , h a v i n g been absent n e a r l y a week l o n g e r t h a n I i n t e n d e d . - On Monday the 25th June we got e v e r y t h i n g ready f o r our j o u r n e y , & made an e a r l y s t a r t on Tuesday morning, - Anne r i d i n g S t o c k d a l e ' s pony, Marianne on Abrm.Swadling's mare. F a i r y , - E m i l y mounted b e h i n d me on M e t t l e , & Wm. Muddle r i d i n g Godwins h o r s e & l e a d i n g Marianne's, as w e l l as c a r r y i n g sundry appendages, such as Saddle bags,

July 13

1855

c a r p e t bag e t c : - Thus equipped we jogged s l o w l y a l o n g 25. a t the r a t e o f about 3 m i l e s o n l y per hour, which made i t a v e r y t e d i o u s day's r i d e . - We c a l l e d on Mrs.Davison as we passed the S a w m i l l s . Found the two c r e e k s r a t h e r h i g h , but e a s i l y c r o s s e d , and d i d not r e a c h George S t o c k d a l e ' s a t Coorunbong (28 m i l e s ) t i l l a f t e r dark. L i t t l e E m i l y was v e r y t i r e d & no wonder. Anne was a l s o a good d e a l f a t i q u e d as might have been e x p e c t e d , not h a v i n g r i d d e n such a j o u r n e y f o r some y e a r s , & b e i n g i l l a b l e t o undertake i t . We were h o s p i t a b l y r e c e i v e d & e n t e r t a i n e d , & a c l e a n c o m f o r t a b l e bed was p r o v i d e d , i n w h i c h Anne & the c h i l d r e n o b t a i n e d a good n i g h t ' s r e s t but 1 was o b l i g e d t o make s h i f t w i t h o u t a bed. On Wednesday we s t a r t e d a g a i n a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , and had an easy days r i d e o f 16 m i l e s t o M r . C h i l d ' s . I t was a most l o v e l y day, as w e l l as the p r e c e d i n g , and such f a v o u r a b l e weather rendered our t r a v e l l i n g much more a g r e e a b l e , we r e l u c t a n t l y d e c l i n e d the p r e s s i n g i n v i t a t i o n of Mr. & Mrs. C h i l d t o s t a y & r e s t a day a t M t . V i n c e n t , & on Thursday pushed on t o M a i t l a n d , where we a r r i v e d about 3 o'c: & found H . F e r r i s w a i t i n g f o r us a t the I n n . - I n the [1] evening we engaged Smith t o take us i n h i s c a r r i a g e t o S i n g l e t o n the f o l l o w i n g day, & I a l s o rode down t o Morpeth a f t e r t e a t o see the B i s h o p . - On F r i d a y [2] we a l l proceeded per c a r r i a g e t o S i n g l e t o n , where we a r r i v e d r a t h e r l a t e i n the evening a f t e r a heavy drag through the muddy r o a d s . - W i l l i a m r e t u r n e d w i t h the borrowed h o r s e s , h a v i n g f i r s t d e p o s i t e d M e t t l e s a f e i n the Bishops paddock a t Morpeth. We found them a l l v e r y w e l l a t S i n g l e t o n , & I never saw the c o u n t r y l o o k i n g b e t t e r a t t h i s season o f the y e a r . I t was my f i x e d d e t e r m i n a t i o n not t o remain a t S i n g l e t o n over Tuesday, the 3 r d but t o r e t u r n so as t o resume my d u t i e s h e r e l a s t Sunday. 0(5 Anne GLENNIE, o^tm

[7J

Tkz biothzi

fL^aAiiLd

to ai "Uncle. FcmU,".

[2]

Moipetk, a veJiy impottant town the.n, at tht htad ol navigation ol tht fiivfi, wai Ion. many yejini, tht Stt ol tht KUhop, untH i t wai movtd to Newcaitlt.

July 13.

1855

I was,however, so b e s e t by them a l l t o remain over 26. a n o t h e r Sunday, t h a t I y i e l d e d t o t h e i r i m p o r t u n i t y & d i d so.- We were d e l i g h t e d t o f i n d Mrs.Brown of C o l s t o u n , a t the P l a i n s . She had come over t o be p r e s e n t a t h e r son's wedding, & h e a r i n g t h a t we were e x p e c t e d , she remained w i t h Mrs.White a t Greenwood u n t i l a f t e r our a r r i v a l . Townshend came over a l s o on Monday t o meet us, so we formed a g o o d l y p a r t y a l t o g e t h e r m u s t e r i n g 18 a t the d i n n e r t a b l e . My c h i e f inducement t o remain l o n g e r was t h a t I might have an o p p o r t u n i t y of v i s i t i n g the P a t e r s o n , so h a v i n g borrowed a horse from my o l d f r i e n d "Johnny Browne" I s e t o f f on Wednesday morning i n company w i t h Townshend & F e r r i s . - C a l l e d on Mrs.White & M r s . S c o t t by the way,& reached T r e v a l l y n soon a f t e r s u n s e t . On Thursday we rode up the P a t e r s o n as f a r as C o l s t o u n , c a l l i n g on a l l the o l d f r i e n d s by the way - the f i r s t of them b e i n g Mary Ann, (Mrs,Bush) whom I was g l a d t o see a g a i n , w i t h h e r baby boy. We h a l t e d t h a t n i g h t a t Wm.Boydell's.- Next day - F r i d a y we went t o G l e n t h o m e , where I a r r a n g e d w i t h Champain f o r an i n c r e a s e of 50 per c e n t i n the r e n t , making i t £60 i n s t e a d of £40.- We saw C h a r l e y B o y d e l l as we passed Canigh A l l y n . - Mr.& Mrs.B: were away i n Sydney, h a v i n g gone up f o r m e d i c a l a d v i s e f o r poor B o y d e l l , who has had p a r a l y s i s c r e e p i n g upon him f o r some months. - A f t e r d i n i n g a t T r e v a l l y n , we had a b r i s k r i d e back t o S i n g l e t o n accompanied by Townshend & Dr. Lindeman.- On Saturday we j o i n e d the r e s t of the f o l k s i n a p i c n i c p a r t y g i v e n by Mr.Rodd, on the o c c a s i o n of h i s e l d e s t boy c o m p l e t i n g h i s 12th y e a r . - The poor l i t t l e f e l l o w a t t e n d e d h i m s e l f on c r u t c h e s , being i n a s t a t e of r e c o v e r y from a broken l e g , but b e f o r e the day was out he c o n t r i v e d t o break i t a g a i n i n the same p l a c e , w h i c h made a melan

TOWNSHENV, anotket "Gltntkonm"

GLEmiE

tjoai Allntd

Vi. LINDEMAN, ol the ol the GLENNJE'6.

f'J

[2]

[3]

mlatlve..

GLENMJE'i pKopeAty,

lamoui Hunten. Valley

CHAMPAIN uiai kli

vjJune, wa4

Inlend

tenant.

July

1855

c h o l y f i n a l e t o the day's e n t e r t a i n m e n t . - I a s s i s t e d 27. Mr.Blackwood on both the Sundays t h a t I spent a t S i n g l e t o n , p r e a c h i n g 4 sermons f o r him.- On Tuesday l a s t F e r r i s & m y s e l f bade a d i e u t o them a l l , & came down per m a i l t o M a i t l a n d . On Wednesday morning I accompanied F e r r i s per coach t o Steamer, & a f t e r spending the morning a t Morpeth, rode out i n the a f t e r n o o n t o Mount V i n c e n t , from whence I r o d e home y e s t e r d a y . [1] Today I went over t o Kincumbar t o see whether K i l p a c was y e t a l i v e , but found t h a t the poor man had d i e d on Thursday t h e 5 t h i n s t a n t , & was b u r i e d l a s t Saturday by Mr.Lane. O l d M r s . S c h o o l e r a l s o d i e d d u r i n g my [2] absence. 16.

Y e s t e r d a y , Sunday, I had r a t h e r a s m a l l c o n g r e g a t i o n i n the morning a t Kincumbar, but a l a r g e one i n the a f t e r n o o n a t Gosfd. - I don't know whether i t was o n l y f a n c y , but i t appeared t o me t h a t most of the people seemed g l a d t o see me back a g a i n a f t e r b e i n g two Sundays absent. & 1 had a good d e a l o f s a t i s f a c t i o n i n s e e i n g them a l l a g a i n - I had a v e r y f a i r c o n g r e g a t i o n a t the S a w m i l l l a s t n i g h t but a c o l d r i d e home. I t was 1 2 i when I got i n . Among the despatches which a r r i v e d d u r i n g my absence were the p l a n s o f our new Church from M r . B l a c k e t , w h i c h I have been showing t o some o f the f o l k s t h i s a f t e r n o o n , & i t i s g e n e r a l l y approved o f .

17.

As might have been supposed, a f t e r a f o r t n i g h t ' s absence, I have found p l e n t y t o occupy my time s i n c e I r e t u r n e d home, en-foesday I went over t o M r . S c o t t ' s today w i t h the two f o l d o b j e c t of showing him the p l a n s o f the Church, & h a v i n g some c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h the young people on the s u b j e c t o f the Sacrament which I purposed a d m i n i s t e r i n g on Sunday n e x t , & I have r e a s o n t o hope t h a t my e r r a n d was not a f r u i t l e s s one, as t h e y , as w e l l as t h e i r f a t h e r , expressed t h e i r i n t e n t i o n o f coming t o the Sacrament on Sunday morning.

[1]

Hz zmz

back alonz,

having

Iz^t

family

Singleton.

12]

GLEMIE dlicontlnuzd thz pnactlcz o^ having bun.la.li, pznionmzd by Chunch Clznki (Tzachzni) bzlng zntznzd In thz Panlih Rzglitzn. ThzKzionz, many local bunlali and moit o^ thoiz conducted In thz Mangnove anea, In ipltz o^ i z n v l c z by thz local Teachzn, ujznt unneconded and anz comequently alio mining ^nom the Reglitnan Genznal'i Hit compiled begone 1857 ^nom the iald Vanlih Regliten.

J u l y 1855 17.

19.

[1]

On my r e t u r n from M r . S c o t t ' s I rode round by Wyoming & c a l l e d on Mrs.Nunn, but i t was a f t e r s u n s e t , so t h a t I had o n l y time t o show m y s e l f . - T o n i g h t s p o s t brought me a l e t t e r from Anne, g i v i n g a v e r y good account of h e r s e l f . I remained a t home y e s t e r d a y morning, c h i e f l y l e t t e r w r i t i n g . Mr.Moore came, & took d i n n e r w i t h me , & i n t h e a f t e r n o o n I made a few c a l l s i n E.Gosford. Today I rode t o E r i n a , t o see how t h e f o l k s i n t h a t q u a r t e r were g e t t i n g on.- I found Mrs.Swadling r e c o v e r i n g from a v e r y s e r i o u s i l l n e s s , & poor S a r a h , who had been n u r s i n g h e r , had been o b l i g e d t o go home t h a t morning q u i t e knocked up.- I took t h e p l a n s o f t h e Church w i t h me & showed t o them a l l as I went a l o n g . James' w i f e , L y d i a was c o n f i n e d t h i s e v e n i n g , & has g i v e n him a n o t h e r l i t t l e son. T h i s event w i l l cause a l i t t l e i n c o n v e n i e n c e i n my household f o r I must be p a r t l y my own housemaid f o r a t i m e .

20.

Spent t h i s day a t Kincumbar g o i n g by Dr.Auld's t o D a v i s ' & from thence w o r k i n g my way up t o t h e s c h o o l h o u s e .

21.

Remained a t home today c h i e f l y sermon w r i t i n g - Pruned a few v i n e s i n t h e garden by way o f a l i t t l e r e c r e a t i o n . M r . S c o t t c a l l e d i n t h e a f t e r n o o n & had a l o n g chat w i t h me. I hope t o have t h e g r a t i f i c a t i o n o f s e e i n g him & h i s f a m i l y a t t h e Communion tomorrow.

23.

1 was p l e a s e d t o have M r . S c o t t & 2 o f h i s daughters among t h e communicants y e s t e r d a y , though a l i t t l e d i s a p p o i n t e d when I observed h i s son & two youngest g i r l s l e a v e t h e c h u r c h w i t h t h e r e s t o f t h e nonComts. I have a v e r y n i c e c o n g r e g a t i o n a t E r i n a l a s t e v e n i n g , & Mrs.Swadling e x h i b i t e d h e r accustomed k i n d n e s s & c i v i l i t y i n p r e p a r i n g me a n i c e cup o f t e a i n h e r snug l i t t l e p a r l o u r b e f o r e t h e s e r v i c e began - J u s t as I was p r e p a r i n g t o go & v i s i t t h e s c h o o l

We Itafin heAZ the name, mentLone.d:-

Key. GjLEWMIE'4 ieAvanti

whom he. nzveA

John WiJiUiam CRANE, ion Jame.i-, LabouKeA. o^ Goiloid Bonn 19 July 1855. Baptized 2 SeptembzA 1855.

Lydla,

J u l y 1855 t h i s a f t e r n o o n , Mr.Crawser brought me a man who had j u s t a r r i v e d a t h i s house i n s e a r c h o f work, & who he thought would undertake t h e f e n c i n g i n o f the b u r y i n g ground. I took t h e man down t o see t h e ground, & then went to M r . B a t t l e y ' s but he b e i n g out 1 a p p o i n t e d t h e man to come t o me a g a i n i n t h e morning, when 1 hope we s h a l l be a b l e t o come t o an arrangement f o r t h e speedy accomplishment o f t h i s l o n g r e q u i r e d work.- I v i s i t e d the Benson's a l s o t h i s a f t e r n o o n , & t h e i r immediate neighbours. 26.

[T]

29.

On Tuesday morning 1 went a g a i n w i t h t h e man (Armltage) to M r . B a t t l e y ' s t o see i f we c o u l d come t o an arrangement the man seemed d i s i r o u s o f a l i t t l e time f o r c o n s i d e r a t i o n , t h e r e f o r e we a p p o i n t e d t o meet a g a i n a t t h e Court House a t 3 o'c: i n t h e a f t e r n o o n . I then rode out to E r i n a t o see how Sarah was, & was g l a d t o f i n d her much b e t t e r . They g o t me t o w r i t e Abraham's Name i n a v e r y n i c e B i b l e w h i c h M i s s Donnison had k i n d l y p r e s e n t e d him w i t h , & my p e r f o r m i n g t h a t l i t t l e s i m p l e act seemed t o g i v e them much g r a t i f i c a t i o n . I came home by way o f E r i n a , & adjourned t o t h e Court House at 3 o'c where I found M r . B a t t l e y & t h e man A r m l t a g e , & had t h e s a t i s f a c t i o n o f f i n a l l y a g r e e i n g about t h e f e n c e , w h i c h he agrees t o put up a t t h e h i g h p r i c e of 12 p p e r r o d , b u t I expect t o see a good fence f o r t h e money. Y e s t e r d a y I remained a t home a l l t h e morning l e t t e r w r i t i n g . I n t h e a f t e r n o o n I went t o v i s i t t h e Wards o f Kincumbar, & l o o k e d i n f o r a s h o r t time a t t h e S c h o o l . T h i s morning I was o c c u p i e d a g a i n l e t t e r w r i t i n g & towards evening had t o o f f i c i a t e at a f u n e r a l . Woolley's w i f e , who was found dead [1] i n h e r house a few days ago, but t h e p a r t i c u l a r s o f her death I have n o t y e t l e a r n t .

Many WOOLLEY, about 35, ol Wyong Cnttk, Vltd 21 July 1855.

wXjJe ol Robdit

-, LabounoA.

July

1855

27.

Spent t h i s day a t Kincumbar. I went t o pay Mr.Moore a v i s i t , not h a v i n g been t o see him b e f o r e t h i s y e a r , I c a l l e d a t a l l the i n t e r m e d i a t e p l a c e s , & among o t h e r s I v i s i t e d a man named R o b i n s o n , who i s l i v i n g i n a s t a t e o f a d u l t e r y , w i t h a v i e w o f r e p r o v i n g him f o r h i s m i s c o n d u c t , & I was shocked a t f i n d i n g him so r e c k l e s s & hardened as he i s , He p l a i n l y t o l d me he had no i n t e n t i o n o f a l t e r i n g h i s c o u r s e , & e x p r e s s e d h i s p e r f e c t s a t i s f a c t i o n a t the s t a t e i n which he i s l i v i n g . A l l I c o u l d do was t o p o i n t out h i s e r r o r t o him, & remind him o f the a w f u l consequence o f c o n t i n u i n g h i s g u i l t y course of l i f e . -

28.

A t home a l l today Mr.Davison c a l l e d to C r e i g h t o n ' s t o were p r o g r e s s i n g ,

p r e p a r i n g f o r tomorrows d u t i e s i n the a f t e r n o o n & I went i n the evening see how Margaret & her l i t t l e baby b o t h o f whom I found w e l l .

S29.

A f a i r number o f Communicants today a t Kincumbar but r a t h e r a s m a l l c o n g r e g a t i o n a t G o s f o r d . - I was p l e a s e d however t o observe Mrs.Benson i n c h u r c h f o r the f i r s t t i m e .

30.

Went t o the s c h o o l t h i s morning & spent e.n hour t h e r e . A f t e r w h i c h I c a l l e d t o c o n s u l t M r . B a t t l e y about o r d e r i n g n a i l s f o r the B u r y i n g ground f e n c e , & t h e n went & o r d e r e d them from P a r t r i d g e . - 3 5 0 0 b a t t e n n a i l s - (2 i n c h ) & 350 - 4 i n c h n a i l s - On my r e t u r n I found a box of books from Morpeth t o unpack. I n the a f t e r n o o n I rode up t o Wyoming & went out as f a r as G a v e n l o c k s , I d i n e d & spent the e v e n i n g a t Wyoming, & have j u s t come home.

31.

Went today t o pay a v i s i t t o C o u l t e r ' s f a m i l y i n Wye Wye Bay.- Tom B a t t l e y t a k i n g me i n h i s b o a t . - We were r a t h e r d e t a i n e d by b a f f l i n g w i n d s , w h i c h came from about e v e r y p o i n t o f t h e compass, & a t l a s t ended, towards e v e n i n g w i t h a smart s q u a l l from S.W. t o S & S.E. We t r i e d on our way back t o e f f e c t a l a n d i n g a t McCullum's, but the t i d e was too l o w . -

30.

POINT FREDERICK - GOSFORD

Mrs. Cath B R I D G E as a child on her pony. She hved near the Cemetery at the end of Point Frederick. The fence is that of the burial ground. October,

1858, 5. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; It was drawing towards 3 o'clock, proceeded to the Burial ground which consecrated''.

& we immediately the Bishop also

August

1855

!â&#x20AC;˘

Today I rode out t o v i s i t the McMaster f a m i l y , c a l l i n g f i r s t a t Kincumbar S c h o o l , & then a t the i n t e r m e d i a t e c o t t a g e s . Found K i r k r a t h e r p o o r l y , & no wonder, c o n s i d e r i n g the q u a n t i t y o f Holloway's p i l l s be i s continually taking.

Very c l o s e l y a t work a l l day l e t t e r w r i t i n g , & now t h a t my despatches a r e gone t o the p o s t , I must b e g i n t o t u r n my a t t e n t i o n towards Mangrove, f o r w h i c h p l a c e I must s e t out tomorrow.

I d i d a c c o r d i n g l y s e t out f o r Mangrove on F r i d a y morning c a l l i n g a t Wyoming by the way, and reached Mr.Bode when v e r y d a r k , & a shower j u s t coming on which 1 was i n time t o escape.- 1 remained my u s u a l time a t Mangrove, & went t h r o my accustomed r o u t i n e o f work. M r . T u r t o n , one o f t h e S c h o o l Commissioners, a r r i v e d a t Mangrove on F r i d a y e v e n i n g , & examined the l o w e r s c h o o l on S a t u r d a y morning.- I was much g r a t i f i e d by h a v i n g 12 communicants ( b e s i d e s m y s e l f ) a t Lower Mangrove on Sunday morning. A l l those who were l a t e l y c o n f i r m e d , a t t e n d e d w i t h the e x c e p t i o n o f A t k i n s ' c h i l d r e n , & M r s . S h a k e s h a f t . Among the number I was p l e a s e d t o see M r s . B r i d g e s , whom I t h i n k I can s a f e l y l o o k upon as a t r u e p e n i t e n t - I walked down t o Wm. Woodbury's on S a t u r d a y a f t e r n o o n t o condole w i t h Mrs.W: on the d e a t h o f h e r poor f a t h e r who was drawned i n the Hawkesbury about a f o r t n i g h t ago.- I s t a y e d a t C o l e ' s house on Sunday n i g h t , & spent Monday among the people a t t h e upper p a r t o f the Creek.- I came home on Tuesday, s t a y i n g t o d i n e a t Mr.Nunn's by the way.- Y e s t e r d a y & today I have spent f o r the most part l e t t e r w r i t i n g .

10.

I went out i n t h e neighbourhood o f E r i n a t o d a y , c a l l e d a t the s c h o o l & then went on as f a r as Chennels c a l l i n g a t the i n t e r v e n i n g p l a c e s . I d i s p o s e d o f a few books by the way.

11.

Spent t h i s day a t home v i n e p r u n i n g .

31.

August 1855 S12.

Such a l o v e l y day as t h i s has been, one wd, have thought an a d d i t i o n a l Inducement f o r X t i a n w o r s h i p p e r s t o assembe t o g e t h e r i n God's House, but i t c e r t a i n l y had n o t t h a t e f f e c t a t l e a s t t h i s morning a t East G o s f o r d , where t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n was but s c a n t y , 1 was p l e a s e d however t o see Dr.Benson i n Church f o r the f i r s t t i m e , & I t r u s t i t w i l l n o t be t h e l a s t . fojfAt Kincumbar I had a good attendance & v e r y f a i r at E r i n a , though s e v e r a l were absent t h e r e , who might have been i n Church.

13.

T h i s morning I went up t o t h e s c h o o l , but c a l l i n g i n a t Hegins by t h e way, t o see whether I c o u l d n o t p r e v a i l on him t o come t o c h u r c h a g a i n as he used f o r m e r l y , I d i d not r e a c h t h e S c h o o l u n t i l t h e c h i l d r e n were on the p o i n t o f b e i n g d i s m i s s e d . - T h i s a f t e r n o o n I spent a t E r i n a v i s i t i n g i n F l e t c h e r ' s neighbourhood.

15.

Y e s t e r d a y I spent v i s i t i n t h e neighbourhood o f B l u e Gum F l a t , & t h e S a w m i l l . Found M r s . G a r r e t t had been v e r y i l l , & was j u s t b e g i n i n g t o r e c o v e r a l i t t l e . Today 1 have been over t o Kincumbar, c a l l i n g f i r s t at Dr.Auld's t o see how t h e l i t t l e baby was, whom I had t o b a p t i z e p r i v a t e l y on Sunday e v e n i n g on my way from Kincumbar Church. I t seemed much b e t t e r today. I found D r . A u l d had j u s t r e t u r n e d from Sydney per S y l p h , about an hour b e f o r e I g o t t h e r e , h a v i n g been up on t h e t r i a l o f t h e man Coyne f o r t h e murder o f Mrs.Woolley. He was n o t however brought t o t r i a l but d i s c h a r g e d .

16.

A t home a l l day l e t t e r w r i t i n g .

17.

A t home a l l t h e morning, walked up t o E r i n a i n t h e a f t e r n o o n , & spent an hour i n t h e s c h o o l & then p a i d a few v i s i t s i n t h a t q u a r t e r . On coming home I found t h a t two d i f f e r e n t p a r t i e s had c a l l e d t o see me r e s p e c t i n g t h e b u i l d i n g o f our Church.- They came down from Sydney & a r r i v e d t h i s a f t e r n o o n . They came i n a g a i n t h i s e v e n i n g , & I have arranged t o go w i t h them tomorrow morning t o t h e s i t e o f t h e Church i n E a s t G o s f o r d .

Amy AlXsLd AULV, daugktZA. ol Robwt i Many WEBB Bonn 30 July 1855.

Thoma.6 - ,

Sungzon ol BKlibanz

Wat2A

August 1855 18.

S19.

23.

T h i s morning I was o c c u p i e d t i l l about noon w i t h t h e two p a r t i e s who came from Sydney t o make e n q u i r y about our Church b u i l d i n g . I took them f i r s t o f a l l t o the l a n d , where M r . B a t t l e y j o i n e d u s , & then brought them back by t h e Quarry h i l l a t t h e back o f White's. They d i d n o t appear t o f a n c y t h e j o b o f opening a new q u a r r y upon the chance o f f i n d i n g good s t o n e . I t h i n k they have gone back t o Sydney t h i s a f t e r n o o n i n t h e Midshipman. - I went & p a i d a v i s i t t o t h e H a r r i s o n s t h i s a f t e r n o o n , & then l o o k e d i n a t C o t t r i l l ' s . U n f o r t u n a t e l y one o f my bad headaches came upon me today, & a l t h o u g h I g o t through t h e morning & a f t e r n o o n s e r v i c e s p r e t t y w e l l , I was o b l i g e d t o d i s m i s s my S a w m i l l c o n g r e g a t i o n w i t h o u t a Sermon. Not b e i n g v e r y w e l l on Monday, a f t e r my headache o f the p r e v i o u s day, 1 d i d not go out any where but spent the day c h i e f l y among my v i n e s i n t h e garden. - Tuesday I spent over a t Kincumbar, f i r s t a t t h e S c h o o l , t h e n v i s i t i n g among t h e p e o p l e . - I found my way out t o P a r r y ' s where I had n o t been b e f o r e , & M r s . P a r r y gave me a r e f r e s h i n g cup o f t e a which I was v e r y g l a d o f j u s t a t t h e t i m e . Y e s t e r d a y I was employed l e t t e r w r i t i n g c h i e f l y , h a v i n g f i r s t taken a walk as f a r as M r . B a t t l e y ' s & t h e s c h o o l . Mr.Moore c a l l e d d u r i n g the day, & took d i n n e r w i t h me. He had a g r e a t d e a l to s a y on t h e s u b j e c t o f t h e r o a d s . I t appears t h e Government have g r a n t e d t h e sum o f ÂŁ800 t o be expended p a r t l y i n opening t h e road over t h e Broken Back mountain to M a i t l a n d , & p a r t l y i n r e p a i r i n g t h e roads o f t h e d i s t r i c t . - I n t h e a f t e r n o o n o f y e s t e r d a y I walked down t o t h e B u r y i n g Ground t o see how t h e man was g e t t i n g on w i t h the f e n c e . - T h i s morning I was o c c u p i e d l e t t e r w r i t i n g a g a i n , & t h i s a f t e r n o o n I went up beyond Blue Gum F l a t t o see M r s . G a r r e t t , whom I found much better again.

33.

August 1855 24.

My f i r s t p i e c e o f work t h i s morning was t o go & t r y t o 34. f i n d some v o l u n t e e r t o draw i n f e n c i n g s t u f f f o r t h e B u r y i n g Ground. M r . H a r r i s o n h a v i n g gone away from home. 1 went t o J o s : S p e a r s , but found t h a t he was too busy w i t h h i s own work. - I t h e n went t o M r s . O r p i n , who r e a d i l y consented t o do what she c o u l d , & I hope I s a a c w i l l be a b l e tomorrow t o draw down what l i t t l e remains o f i t t o be done. I then p a i d a v i s i t t o T a l l & f a m i l y , & from thence proceeded t o t h e S c h o o l at E r l n a , D r . A u l d passed me on t h e road g o i n g out to see A v e r y , who he t o l d me had got some r i b s broken. I went on from t h e S c h o o l t o see him, & was g r i e v e d to f i n d t h a t i t a r o s e from a drunken q u a r r e l a t a p u b l i c House. - I came home v i a B r l t t o n * s & G a r n e r ' s , c a l l i n g a t each o f those p l a c e s . I had a l o n g c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h Mrs.Garner, t r y i n g t o p r e v a i l upon h e r t o abandon a l l bad h a b i t s e t c : & t o become s e r i o u s l y i n e a r n e s t upon r e l i g i o u s m a t t e r s . - When i n h e r sober senses t h e r e a r e few who can t a l k more r a t i o n a l l y then h e r s e l f upon r e l i g i o n , f o r t h e poor woman has e v i d e n t l y been a v e r y d i f f e r e n t k i n d o f p e r s o n i n former y e a r s t h a t what she has shown h e r s e l f l a t e l y , & one may hope t h a t the embers which a r e n o t y e t e x t i n g u i s h e d may yet be fanned i n t o a flame a g a i n . - She makes promises of amendment, but a l a s ! how o f t e n has s i m i l a r promises been made a l r e a d y , & f o r g o t t e n , o r d i s r e g a r d e d .

25.

T h i s has been a v e r y b o i s t e r o u s day - The wind b l o w i n g q u i t e a g a l e from t h e N:W; & r a t h e r c o l d . I d i d i n t e n d g o i n g as f a r as Wyoming t h i s a f t e r n o o n but owing t o the v e r y h i g h w i n d thought i t more prudent n o t t o v e n t u r e o u t among t h e t r e e s - M r . B a t t l e y c a l l e d i n about noon t o d a y , t o c o n s u l t me about t h e f e n c e , e t c The man b e i n g a t a s t a n d f o r want o f m a t e r i a l , I s e n t James t o c a r t him i n a l o a d o f p a l i n g s i n t h e a f t e r n o o n . Brown o f Mosquito Town came i n t h i s morning w i t h a s i c k i n f a n t t o be b a p t i z e d - The poor l i t t l e t h i n g [1] seemed v e r y d e l i c a t e & s i c k l y .

John Thomai BROWN, ion William i Sophia. Bom 27 Jam 1855.

-, Smyzi

o^ Moiqalto

Tom,

August 1855 S26.

29.

31.

A famous c o n g r e g a t i o n t h i s evening a t E r i n a , b e i n g a b e a u t i f u l moonlight n i g h t i t enabled the people t o assemble w i t h more c o m f o r t . - 1 was s o r r y t o l e a r n t h i s evening t h a t Brown's c h i l d whom I b a p t i z e d y e s t e r d a y , d i e d t h i s morning. The death o f Browns c h i l d o b l i g e d me t o remain a t home t h i s week i n s t e a d o f going t o S i n g l e t o n as 1 had i n t e n d e d - On Monday I d i d not go out any where, not f e e l i n g v e r y w e l l . I n the a f t e r n o o n I had a l i t t l e a t t a c k o f t o o t h a c h e , w h i c h I have not been t r o u b l e d w i t h f o r a v e r y l o n g t i m e . - James was out drawing i n f e n c i n g s t u f f f o r t h e b u r y i n g ground the g r e a t e r p a r t o f Monday, and y e s t e r d a y a f t e r n o o n a g a i n . - A t 12 o ' c l o c k y e s t e r d a y I o f f i c i a t e d a t the f u n e r a l o f Brown's c h i l d , a t w h i c h a g r e a t number o f persons a t t e n d e d . - I n the a f t e r n o o n I walked up as f a r as D o u a l l ' s . - T h i s a f t e r n o o n I rode out t o F l e t c h e r s , w i s h i n g t o see Wm.F:Junr.about h a v i n g h i s l i t t l e c h i l d b a p t i z e d f o r I have r e a s o n t o f e a r t h a t h i s w i f e & h i s f r i e n d s may I n f l u e n c e him t o a l l o w the Rom: P r i e s t to b a p t i z e i t . - I w a i t e d t i l l i t was q u i t e dark f o r F l e t c h e r t o come i n from h i s work but he d i d not appear, so I came away w i t h o u t s e e i n g him. - I c a l l e d i n a t Avery's on my way back, & found him g e t t i n g b e t t e r . Y e s t e r d a y morning I remained a t home, l e t t e r w r i t i n g . In the a f t e r n o o n I went over t o Kincumbar f o r the purpose o f v i s i t i n g the s c h o o l , but Mr.Lane's c l o c k b e i n g about h a l f an hour t o o f a s t , the c h i l d r e n were d i s m i s s e d by t h e time I a r r i v e d t h e r e . - I came round by Mr.Dunlops, where I c a l l e d , & was s o r r y t o f i n d t h a t a death had o c c u r r e d i n the f a m i l y a few hours b e f o r e I g o t t h e r e . M r . M o r r i s , h i s son i n l a w , l o s t h i s youngest c h i l d , a g i r l o f about 12 mos. o l d . Today I have spent a t E r l n a & Mosquito Town v i s i t i n g a l l the f o l k s i n t h a t neighbourhood.

[1]

John Tkoma-i BROWW, Moiqulto Tom, aged 2 months, tht ion ol (ilJJ.llm SmytK i Sophia. Vltd 26 Auguit 1855.

[2]

Wo tntfiy

lound In ChuKch RtglittK

Ion.

banlali.

35.

[T]

[2]

September 1.

14.

[1]

1855

Remained a t home t o d a y , Sermon w r i t i n g c h i e f l y . - I n the a f t e r n o o n I s t r o l l e d down t o the B u r y i n g ground t o see how Armltage g e t s on w i t h the f e n c e , & found t h a t he has not much more t o do. T h i s pause has been o c c a s i o n e d by a week's absence from home. - On Monday the 3 r d I made an e a r l y s t a r t f o r S i n g l e t o n - I went a l i t t l e o f f the road t o c a l l on John Osborne, whom I had never v i s i t e d a t h i s own house. He was not a t home - but I met him a f t e r w a r d s a t Mrs.Osborne's. - By t h a t l i t t l e d i g r e s s i o n I j u s t missed s e e i n g Mr.Douglass, who had s t a r t e d about h a l f an hour b e f o r e I reached h i s s i s t e r ' s . I made M r . C h i l d ' s v e r y w e l l t h a t e v e n i n g , where I found Mrs.Coles c h i l d on a v i s i t . On Tuesday I had about the most f a t i g u i n g r i d e I ever had i n my l i f e , i n consequence o f poor o l d M e t t l e b e i n g almost knocked up. I'd not put him beyond a slow j o g , which shook me a l l t o p i e c e s . I c o n t r i v e d however t o r e a c h S i n g l e t o n b e f o r e s u n s e t . Where I found them a l l w e l l - Anne much s t r o n g e r & g r e a t l y improved by the change. I r e s t e d t h e r e on Wednesday, & on Thursday I s e t out a g a i n on my homeward j o u r n e y v i a Morpeth. I had the company of W i l l y t o M a i t l a n d . - He has got the o f f e r o f a s i t u a t i o n i n an o f f i c e i n Sydney, & had gone upon t r i a l t o see how he l i k e s i t . - I stopped a t the Bishops t h a t n i g h t , & on F r i d a y a f t e r n o o n rode out t o M t . V i n c e n t - c a l l i n g & d i n i n g a t Mr.Rusden's by the way. I t came on t o r a i n that evening & continued h e a v i l y a l l n i g h t . I t was a d r e a r y p r o s p e c t f o r me when I got up e a r l y on Saturday morning & found i t p o u r i n g of r a i n . I h e s i t a t e d a t f i r s t about s t a r t i n g , but f e a r i n g the c r e e k s might r i s e & become impassable I determined to push on f o r home, & was v e r y g l a d t h a t I d i d so f o r I reached home about 8| P.M: a good d e a l f a t i g u e d , c e r t a i n l y , but n o t h i n g more, & the r a i n h a v i n g ceased when I had been about an hour on the r o a d , I had a b e t t e r j o u r n e y t h e n I expected. - I b a p t i z e d George S t o c k d a l e ' s c h i l d by the way, & he l e n t me a h o r s e , which was a h e l p t o poor o l d M e t t l e . On Sunday l a s t I had meagre c o n g r e g a t i o n s a t a l l the p l a c e s . - On Monday morning I c a l l e d

John STOCKVALE, ion o^ Gdongd Roblnion i Rtbdcca. Eofin IS July 1855,

-, GH.azl.vi oi

CoKimbong,

[1]

September

1855

14.

on M r s . H a r r i s o n , & I n the a f t e r n o o n went t o the B u r y i n g ground w i t h M r . B a t t l e y t o measure the f e n c e . - On Tuesday I went t o the S c h o o l i n the a f t e r n o o n , & then made a c a l l o r two. Wednesday b e i n g a r a i n y day, I d i d not go out u n t i l the evening when I j u s t s t r o l l e d over t o C o t t r l l l s & p a i d him f o r the v i n e s t a k e he has s p l i t me. - Y e s t e r d a y a f t e r n o o n I went over t o Kincumbar & today I have spent a t Blue Gum F l a t & Sawmill.

17.

We have been b l e s s e d w i t h a most seasonable f a l l of r a i n d u r i n g the l a s t few days. On Saturday (15th) i t r a i n e d v e r y h a r d the g r e a t e r p a r t of the day, a calm s t e a d y s o a k i n g r a i n . - I t c o n t i n u e d a l l n i g h t , & on g e t t i n g up y e s t e r d a y morning, I found one o f the most f o r b i d d i n g Sundays we have e x p e r i e n c e d h e r e . I t was s t i l l r a i n i n g h a r d , & b l o w i n g a g r e a t g a l e of wind from the S.W:Going t o church seemed almost out of the q u e s t i o n , & I had made up my mind not t o go over t o Kincumbar f o r the morning s e r v i c e , when about 10 o'c i t suddenly b r i g h t e n e d & showed symptoms o f c l e a r i n g up, so I o r d e r e d M e t t l e t o be Saddled f o r t h w i t h , & o f f I s t a r t e d . The r a i n came on a g a i n however b e f o r e I reached the Church & as t h e r e was not a s o u l t h e r e (but Mr.Lane & h i s b o y ) . I d i d not dismount, but j u s t rode q u i e t l y home a g a i n . - I n the a f t e r n o o n the r a i n i n c r e a s e d a g a i n , w h i c h caused me to have a v e r y s m a l l c o n g r e g a t i o n a t G o s f o r d . - Of course g o i n g t o the S a w m i l l was q u i t e out o f the q u e s t i o n on such a n i g h t . The weather seems q u i t e t a k e n up a g a i n today, & I took a walk over t o E.Gosford towards evening & made a few c a l l s i n t h a t neighbourhood. I was o c c u p i e d a l l the morning a t a l i t t l e c a r p e n t e r i n g work. As I am e x p e c t i n g an a d d i t i o n t o my l i b r a r y i n the course o f a few days, I have been p r e p a r i n g some more s h e l v e s on w h i c h t o p l a c e my books when they a r r i v e .

18.

T h i s morning I had t o o f f i c i a t e a t a L i c e n s e d Wedding. M r . N o r r l s & Mary S t o c k d a l e . - A f t e r the ceremony I made a few c a l l s i n the neighbourhood o f the Church, & a t 3 o'c: r e p a i r e d t o Mr.Venteman's t o j o i n the wed-

37.

September

1855

18.

d i n g p a r t y a t d i n n e r . - T h e r e was no one but themselves & the S t o c k d a l e s , & A l i c e Grant and the p a r t y went o f f v e r y w e l l Indeed. I l e f t them about s u n s e t , a t which time I heard the a r r i v a l o f the " F i d d l e r " announced, so I suppose the b a l l was about t o commence.

19.

I have spent the whole of t h i s day a t Kincumbar, commencing a t the s c h o o l , & t h e n g o i n g the whole round by D a v i s , Mr.Roberts' e t c : c a l l i n g a t every house.

20.

Remained a t home a l l day l e t t e r w r i t i n g , except about an hour i n the afternoon,when I resumed by job o f c a r p e n t e r i n g which I commenced on Monday (making b o o k s h e l v e s ) but the darkness o v e r t o o k me b e f o r e 1 had q u i t e f i n i s h e d .

21.

Spent t h i s day v i s i t i n g a t Mosquito Town & i t s e n v i r o n s .

22.

At home a l l day, w i t h the e x c e p t i o n o f a v i s i t I p a i d t o o l d M r s . C r e i g h t o n i n the morning.

S23.

A b e a u t i f u l day, & r e n d e r e d more a g r e e a b l e t o m y s e l f by t h r e e good c o n g r e g a t i o n s . - I a d m i n i s t e r e d the Sacrament a t E.Gosford i n the morning t o 18 communicants. Mr.& M r s . N o r r i s among the number, & gave n o t i c e a t Kincumbar o f my i n t e n t i o n o f a d m l n i s t g t h e r e next Sunday. I n the e v e n i n g a t E r i n a , I was g r a t i f i e d w i t h the l a r g e s t c o n g r e g a t i o n I have ever had t h e r e , 60 a t the l e a s t . My s e r v i c e s up t h e r e o f f o r d me g r e a t s a t i s f a c t i o n , & I hope & pray t h a t my p r e a c h i n g t h e r e w i l l not be a l t o g e t h e r i n v a i n nor t h e i r h e a r i n g i n vain.

24.

V i s i t e d the s c h o o l i n the morning.- I n the a f t e r n o o n I p a i d a round o f v i s i t s i n the neighbourhood o f Wyoming, & f i n i s h e d by d i n i n g a t Mr.Nunn's.

25.

Took a r i d e out t o the sea c o a s t today t o T o r i g a l coming home by Wamberal L a k e s . The p u r p o r t o f my r i d e was t o examine the l i t t l e harbour a t T o r i g a l w i t h a view o f a s c e r t a i n i n g the f e a s i b i l i t y of l a n d i n g t h e r e from the Hunter R i v e r Steamer, & 1 f e e l a s s u r e d i t can be done t h o ' I h a r d l y expect t h e y w i l l consent t o my r e q u e s t t o put us ashore t h e r e when I go t o f e t c h Anne home. I see however by

38.

September

1855

25.

the papers t h a t have come t h i s e v e n i n g , we are t o have a Steamer I n here from Sydney next Saturday. I f she becomes a r e g u a l r weekly v i s i t o r . I t w i l l be a grand accomodation t o us a l l , & w i l l remove a l l the d i f f i c u l t i e s out o f the way of my g e t t i n g Anne & the c h i l d r e n home.

26.

I was g o i n g t o Kincumbar today, but the weather b e i n g s q u a l l y & r a i n y , I made t h i s my post day i n s t e a d , and hope t o go t h e r e tomorrow.-

27.

Went t o Kincumbar t h i s mornings One r e a c h i n g the S c h o o l Mr.Lane t o l d me t h a t Mrs.Ward was v e r y i l l . so I went on t o see h e r . - I found she had been v e r y p o o r l y but was much b e t t e r today. I b a p t i z e d h e r l i t t l e i n f a n t , which seems t o be v e r y weak & d e l i c a t e . I thought i t would be a comfort & s a t i s f a c t i o n t o her t o have i t done, as next Sunday w i l l be morning s e r v i c e & the f o l l o w i n g Sunday I s h a l l be a t Mangrove.

[1]

28.

A t home t h i s morning, S e r m o n - w r i t i n g . I n the a f t e r n o o n I went t o E r i n a , & a f t e r v i s i t i n g the s c h o o l went on t o Avery's i n t e n d i n g t o go as f a r as F l e t c h e r ' s as I was a n x i o u s t o see whether Wm.Fletcher Intended to b r i n g h i s c h i l d t o me f o r baptism. I met him on the r o a d , & on p u t t i n g the q u e s t i o n t o him was s o r r y to f i n d t h a t i n h i s , as i n the g e n e r a l i t y o f s i m i l a r c a s e s , the Roman C a t h o l i c w i f e i s a l l o w e d t o have her way, & f o r the sake of peace & q u i e t n e s s , the r e l i g i o n o f the f a t h e r i s t o be s e t a s i d e .

29.

An e v e n t f u l day w i t h us h e r e , inasmuch as Steam communication w i t h Sydney was I n t r o d u c e d soon a f t e r 4 P.M. I observed the f i r s t p u f f o f smoke i n the d i s t a n c e , & i n a few seconds the " B l a c k Swan" Steamer, 70 t o n s , & 40 horse power merged out from the r i v e r c h a n n e l i n t o the open bay, & sped away g a i l y t o E a s t G o s f o r d d e c o r a t e d w i t h Sunday f l a g s . - Among the passengers was Dr.Douglass, M.C: who c a l l e d & had an hours chat w i t h me i n the evening.- The-iittie-vessei-re

[1]

Emma Jane WARP, daugkten. William Catherine. Bom 6 August 1855,

[2]

Tkli Mai meAZly neiumptlon o{ Kegalai Steam Vievlouily, the Steamefi, William the Founth, to the ujhatl aJi Eait Goi^oKd In the 1840'i.

Mailnm

KlncumbeA

communication, called negutaily

39.

[2]

October 1855 1.

On r e t u r n i n g home from Church t t i - l f i e . e v e n i n g I . found a 40 bundle o f l e t t e r s & p a p e r s , t h e B l a c k Swan h a v i n g brought a m a i l w i t h h e r on S a t u r d a y , a n o t h e r g r e a t advantage we s h a l l d e r i v e from t h e opening o f Steam n a v i g a t i o n t o Sydney. The p l a c e was a l l a l i v e t h i s morning a t t h e d e p a r t u r e o f t h e l i t t l e v e s s e l . Soon a f t e r 7 she came round P o i n t F r e d e r i c k & headed up t o t h i s township,where s e v e r a l passengers were w a i t i n g t o embark, & a l i t t l e b e f o r e 8 o f f she s t a r t e d w i t h a goodly cargo o f p a s s e n g e r s , & b e a r i n g away, I am s u r e , t h e h e a r t y good w i s h e s oÂŁ a l l who w i t n e s s e d her d e p a r t u r e , t h a t she may c o n t i n u e a r e g u l a r t r a d e r between t h i s & Sydney.- The o t h e r v e s s e l h a v i n g a r r i v e d from Sydney y e s t e r d a y , I sent James over a f t e r b r e a k f a s t t o b r i n g what goods had come, & among them was a g r e a t t r e a s u r e , i n t h e form o f a box o f books c o n t a i n i n g those w h i c h 1 ordered from England, t h r o u g h o u r Church S o c i e t y , l a s t y e a r . - Mai:Henry's Commentary, - Hammond's e t c . e t c . e t c . i n a l l 29 v o l s , w h i c h makes a v e r y r e s p e c t a b l e & v a l u a b l e a d d i t i o n t o my l i b r a r y , & b e i n g a l l o f them "such s t u d i e s as h e l p t o t h e knowlege o f t h e s c r i p t u r e s " I humbly t r u s t & pray t h a t w i t h God's b l e s s i n g on my p e r u s a l o f them, I s h a l l become b e t t e r q u a l i f i e d f o r my s a c r e d & r e s p o n s i b l e o f f i c e o f a t e a c h e r & guide o f o t h e r s . -

Not h a v i n g been t o v i s i t t h e f a m i l y o f Joseph F r o s t , a t T u g g e r a l Beach f o r ( I am q u i t e ashamed t o say) n e a r l y e l e v e n months, I mounted my horse a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , & rode out t o see them. 1 found another l i t t l e baby i n t h e f a m i l y t h r e e weeks o l d , t o w h i c h I a d m i n i s t e r e d p r i v a t e baptism I was p l e a s e d t o f i n d t h a t F r o s t had been i n s t r u c t i n g h i s c h i l d r e n i n t h e i r c a t e c h i s m s i n c e I l a s t saw them, & they got t h r o a l l but t h e l a t t e r p a r t , about t h e Sacraments, t o l e r a b l y w e l l . I must n o t be so l o n g w i t h o u t going a g a i n t o see them. T h i s Indeed i s a f a u l t t h a t I have t o o much f a l l e n i n t o , n e g l e c t i n g those f a m i l i e s who a r e a t remote s i t u a t i o n s . - May my past

Hmiy FROST, ion o^ Joizph Bonn 10 SepttmbeM. 1855.

-, VcuAyman o^ TuggeAah BdcLch &

Eliza.

M A R T H A SCOTT Rev. G L E N N I E presented Martha S C O T T with a book. Born 9th January, 1839, she was a daughter of T . A . S C O T T , Clerk of Police Bench.

PHOTO; GWEN DUNDON COLLECTION

This book still belongs to Mrs. L . S C O T T of Tascott. "October,

1855, 1. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The other vessels having arrived from Sydney yesterday, I sent James over after breakfast to bring what goods had come, & among them was a great treasure, in the form of a box of books containing those which I ordered from England, through our Church Society, last year".

Rev. A . G L E N N I E often gave books to his parishioners, as mentioned throughout his Journal. This inscription, taken from the above book, is recognised as his own handwriting. Martha Scott's Baptism is the first entry in the Church Register of Baptisms â&#x20AC;&#x201D; dated 9th January, 1839.

October

1855

n e g l i g e n c e be pardoned, & grace g i v e n t o me t o f u l f i l by d u t i e s b e t t e r f o r the time t o come.

Today I went f i r s t t o see o l d M r s . J a r r e t t , a t E r i n a . She has been v e r y p o o r l y f o r some l i t t l e time & y e s t e r d a y was v e r y i l l . The d o c t o r had b l e d h e r , & o t h e r w i s e p r e s c r i b e d , - I found her much b e t t e r today, & t r u s t t h a t w i t h God's b l e s s i n g on the means employed, she w i l l r e c o v e r her h e a l t h a g a i n . - From t h a t I went t o the s c h o o l a t Kincumbar, where my l i t t l e c a t e c h i s m c l a s s a c q u i t t e d themselves v e r y w e l l - I then went to see Mrs.Ward, whom I found up, & p r e t t y w e l l a g a i n , tho' her baby seemed v e r y d e l i c a t e . - I was g l a d t o f i n d today t h a t p r i n t e d h a n d b i l l s had been sent by y e s t e r d a y ' s post t o Mr.Venteman, announcing t h a t the " B l a c k Swan" steamer i s t o be l a i d on as a r e g u l a r weekly t r a d e r between G o s f o r d & Sydney & i s t o commence w i t h her f i r s t t r i p next Saturday week.

10.

12.

I r e t u r n e d from Mangrove t h i s a f t e r n o o n , h a v i n g been away s i n c e F r i d a y l a s t . - On the whole my v i s i t t h e r e has been a s a t i s f a c t o r y one, - 1 spent the whole of Saturday v i s i t i n g among the people a t the lower p a r t of the c r e e k . Had two good c o n g r e g a t i o n s on Syd Sunday. On Monday I got one o f Wm.Woodbury's boys t o row me i n a boat down t o the mouth of the creek t o v i s i t Crumpton's & some o t h e r f a m i l i e s . Tuesday I spent v i s i t i n g from the lower S c h o o l upwards, & came home t o d a y , c a l l i n g a t Wyoming on the way. I remained a t home y e s t e r d a y l e t t e r w r i t i n g . Today I have had a good tramp round about the neighbourhood of E r l n a . - I went f i r s t t o the S c h o o l , & from thence to see M r s . J a r r e t t , whom 1 found up, & p r e t t y w e l l a g a i n . Owing t o her extreme d e a f n e s s , I am unable to c a r r y on a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h h e r , so I adopted the p l a n of p u t t i n g my q u e s t i o n s i n w r i t i n g , w h i c h she c o u l d make out p r e t t y w e l l , & gave her answers. I n t h i s way I spent n e a r l y an hour w i t h h e r , I hope not u n p r o f i t a b l y . I t h e n

41.

October

1855

12.

went on t o Wm.Swadling's Channels, & Whltem n's. & from thence over the h i l l t o Mosquito town, where I f i n i s h e d out the day, and reached home a g a i n soon a f t e r 7.- h a v i n g been more t h a n 9 hours a t work.

16.

T h i s day I spent v i s i t i n g a t the S a w m i l l , & about Blue Gum F l a t . On S a t u r d a y I d i d not go out anywhereb e i n g o c c u p i e d c h i e f l y sermon w r i t i n g & p r e p a r i n g f o r Sunday.- On Sunday morng I have a l a r g e c o n g r e g a t i o n at G o s f o r d - Among them were s e v e r a l Sydney f o l k s who had come by the B l a c k Swan on Saturday e v e n i n g . Yesterday afternoon 1 paid Mr.Battley a v i s i t , c a l l i n g by the way on Holmes, w i t h whom I had a l o n g c o n v e r s a t i o n , t e r m i n a t i n g i n a promise t o come t o c h u r c h Next Sunday.

20.

B e i n g Saturday n i g h t , 1 must sum up the weeks work.On Wednesday I went t o Kincumbar, p a s s i n g on from the s c h o o l t o McMasters & c a l l e d by the way a t Godwin's, K i r k ' s e t c . 1 found Tom B a t t l e y a t McMasters, & he r e t u r n e d home w i t h me.- On Thursday I went down the r i v e r i n a boat w i t h Tom B a t t l e y , t o v i s i t Mrs.Booker and a few o t h e r s by t h e way. - Y e s t e r d a y i t was my i n t e n t i o n t o have r i d d e n out by E r i n a t o T o r i g a l , But the weather proved u n f a v o u r a b l e i n the morning which Induced me t o a l t e r my p l a n s . 1 remained a t home a l l the morning, & i n the a f t e r n o o n rode up t o Wyoming, & c a l l e d on one or two p a r t i e s i n t h a t neighbourhood T h i s morning 1 rode up t o E r i n a t o see o l d M r s . J a r r e t t , & t a k e h e r some books, c a l l i n g a t 2 or 3 houses a l s o i n E a s t G o s f o r d on my r e t u r n . - We a r e r a t h e r d i s a p p o i n t e d t h i s e v e n i n g a t the n o n - a r r i v a l o f our l i t t l e Steamer the " B l a c k Swan"- I t was my i n t e n t i o n t o go up t o Sydney by h e r on Monday n e x t , & from thence proceed to the Hunter t o b r i n g Anne e t c . home a g a i n .

November 1855 9.

Having been n e a r l y a week a t home, I t I s h i g h time f o r me t o note what I have been about s i n c e t h e l a s t d a t e . To commence t h e n w i t h Sunday t h e 2 1 s t . On my r e t u r n from Kincumbar c h u r c h I met a p a r t y on t h e punt road who had j u s t a r r i v e d p e r " B l a c k Swan" Steamer & t h e y t o l d me t h a t a poor woman had j u s t been removed from the Steamer t o Lucy's c o t t a g e , a p p a r e n t l y v e r y 111. I rode up t o t h e c o t t a g e a f t e r X i n g t h e punt, & on e n t e r i n g t h e door found t h a t Mrs.Lucy's s i s t e r (who was the woman i n q u e s t i o n ) had j u s t b r e a t h e d h e r l a s t . C o n c l u d i n g t h a t I s h o u l d be r e q u i r e d t o o f f i c i a t e a t t h e f u n e r a l , I abandoned a l l i n t e n t i o n o f p r o c e e d i n g t o Sydney t h e next day, u n t i l on my r e t u r n from t h e S a w m i l l a t n i g h t , James t o l d me i t was t h e i n t e n t i o n o f t h e f r i e n d s t o t a k e t h e body t o Sydney f o r i n t e r n m e n t . A c c o r d i n g l y I packed my v a l l i s e , & o f f I s t a r t e d p e r " B l a c k Swan" on Monday morning, l e a v i n g t h i s a t i p 8, & r e a c h i n g Sydney a t 20 m.p. 12.- I took t h e C o l l a r o y Steamer t h a t n i g h t , & found myself a t Morpeth soon a f t e r 8 next morning. I saw t h e B i s h o p f o r a few m i n u t e s , who v e r y k i n d l y i n v i t e d me t o spend Sunday among my o l d f r i e n d s a t t h e P a t e r s o n , I then proceeded i n t h e m a i l t o P a t e r s o n , where 1 remained t h a t n i g h t w i t h Mr.Addams.- The next day, Wednesday I reached C a e r g u r l e , where I found Anne & t h e c h i l d r e n q u i t e w e l l , & a p a r t y o f t h e Brown's assembled.- I spent a v e r y p l e a s a n t week among them a l l , t a k i n g Mr.Addams' duty a t St.Mary's & G r e s f o r d , on t h e Sunday, w h i l e he went up t o L o s t o c k & E c c l e s t o n e . - I found my o l d f r i e n d C h a s . B o y d e l l l o o k i n g much b e t t e r t h a n I expected t o see him, & have some hope t h a t the remedies which are now b e i n g a p p l i e d may prove e f f e c t u a l i n removing h i s p a r a l y t i c a f f e c t i o n . Poor Cap: Champain a l s o , who has f o r some time been m e n t a l l y d i s o r d e r e d , seemed

43.

November 9.

1855

t o be Improving a good d e a l . - On Wednesday the 31st Wm.Boydell drove us down I n h i s c a r r i a g e t o Morpeth, where we s t a i d a t the Bishop's and had a rough, but q u i c k passage t o Sydney on Thursday.- Having o n l y one day i n Sydney we were r a t h e r h u r r i e d i n our shopping b u s i n e s s , & came home on Saturday a f t e r n o o n per B l a c k Swan.- We found Mr.Read here i n p o s s e s s i o n of the Parsonage, & he i s s t i l l w i t h us. - On Monday & Tuesday I d i d not go out much, h a v i n g a good d e a l t o do I n d o o r s . Wednesday 1 spent over a t Kincumbar - Y e s t e r d a y Mr.Read & 1 c r o s s e d the water and p a i d M r . S c o t t a v i s i t , e x t e n d i n g our walk as f a r as McCullum's.- We i n t e n d e d g o i n g to Tuggerah Beach today, but I c o u l d not get a horse f o r Mr.Read; & as i t t u r n e d out so e x c e s s i v e l y h o t , I was not s o r r y f o r i t . - Towards evening I p a i d a few v i s i t s i n the immediate neighbourhood.

12.

Saturday was an e x t r e m e l y hot day a g a i n . - 1 v i s i t e d the S c h o o l a t E r l n a i n the morning remained a t home i n the a f t e r n o o n . The wind was so v e r y h i g h t h a t we h a r d l y expected t o see the B l a c k Swan come i n . About 7 o ' c l o c k however, she made her appearance. My c o n g r e g a t i o n s were t h i n y e s t e r d a y , owing I presume p a r t l y t o the h e a t , & b o i s t e r o u s w i n d , & p a r t l y because the bush was i n f i r e i n v a r i o u s l o c a l i t i e s , & t h e r e f o r e some had t o remain a t home t o watch the p r o g r e s s o f the f i r e , & p r o t e c t t h e i r homes. - T h i s morning I v i s i t e d the S c h o o l , & i n the a f t e r n o o n Mr.Read & m y s e l f walked up t o c a l l on the Nunn's o f Wyoming.

19.

On Tuesday morning l a s t I took Mr.Read t o c a l l a t Mona V a l e , & l o o k e d i n a t M r s . C o t t r i l l ' s by the way. I n the a f t e r n o o n we walked out as f a r as Seamans, & found Mr.Seaman r a t h e r p o o r l y . On Wednesday Mrs.Osborne p a i d us a v i s i t & s t a i d t o d i n e w i t h us. I walked w i t h her a f t e r d i n -

44.

November 1855 19.

n e r t o M r . H a r r i s o n ' s where I made t h e a c q u a i n t a n c e o f h e r s i s t e r . M i s s Douglass. That evening Mr.Bode a r r i v e d from Mangrove v e r y u n w e l l . He had been o b l i g e d t o g i v e up h i s s c h o o l d u t i e s , & came down t o r e c r u i t h i s health.He l e f t us a g a i n t h i s morning much b e t t e r f o r t h e few days r e s t . - On Thursday a f t e r n o o n . Mr.Read & 1 rode up t o t h e S a w m i l l , when I i n t r o d u c e d him to the D a v i s o n s . On F r i d a y 1 borrowed a horse from W a t k l n s , & we a l l , (Mr.Bode, Read & m y s e l f ) took a r i d e round by Mineamtear Green P o i n t t o Kincumbar from thence t o Mr.Moore's (whom we d i d n o t f i n d a t home) & then on t o T o r i g a l , and round by Womberall l a k e home. On Saturday a f t e r n o o n I walked over t o see MrS.Benson, who c o n t i n u e s r a t h e r p o o r l y a t times made a c a l l a l s o on h e r n e i g h b o u r s . - y e s t e r d a y (Sunday) i t came on t o r a i n i n t h e morning, so t h a t I had a v e r y s m a l l c o n g r e g a t i o n a t Kincumbar.- I s e t o f f w i t h toothache g e t t i n g my f e e t wet d i d n o t cure i t . - D u r i n g the a f t e r n o o n s e r v i c e a t G o s f o r d I f e l t v e r y u n w e l l , & was almost on the p o i n t o f f a i n t i n g , but i t wore o f f a g a i n , & I was e n a b l e d t o proceed a f t e r w a r d s t o the S a w m i l l , where I had a t o l e r a b l e c o n g r e g a t i o n . Mr.Read took h i s d e p a r t u r e t h i s morning i n the " B l a c k Swan" & 1 hope t h e y reached Sydney b e f o r e t h e s o u t h e r l y wind had i n c r e a s e d t o a n y t h i n g l i k e the g a l e t h a t i s now b l o w i n g . I t was n o t f a r from m i d n i g h t when I r e t u r n e d home l a s t n i g h t , & I f e l t a good d e a l fagged t o d a y , t h e r e f o r e have n o t been out anywhere.- My toothache has been r a t h e r troublesome a l s o t h i s a f t e r n o o n & evening.

21.

Y e s t e r d a y I was t o o u n w e l l e i t h e r t o go out anywhere, or t o do a n y t h i n g a t home, I t h i n k i t must have been i n f l u e n z a t h a t a t t a c k e d me. I had v i o l e n t p a i n s i n the head & one s i d e o f my f a c e . I have been a good d e a l b e t t e r t o d a y , though n o t a l t o g e t h e r f r e e from p a i n . - T h i s a f t e r n o o n we a l l walked

45.

November

1855

21.

over t o E a s t G o s f o r d , & c a l l e d on Mrs.Benson, & the 46. B a t t l e y s , Mrs.Benson 1 was g l a d t o f i n d a g r e a t d e a l b e t t e r . Indeed I t r u s t she i s now q u i t e r e c o v e r e d from her I l l n e s s , & 1 hope t o see h e r among the communicants next Sunday.

26.

T h i s b e i n g Monday morning. 1 am, as u s u a l , a l i t t l e fagged from the e f f e c t of a hard day's work y e s t e r d a y . There was a good d e a l of s a t i s f a c t i o n however, which cheered me on through the work, but when the excitement c e a s e s , t h e n the f r a i l body b e g i n s t o grumble. - 1 had, i n the f i r s t p l a c e , a g r e a t e r number of Communicants at E.Gosfd i n the morning, than ever 1 had b e f o r e - 27 i n c l u d i n g m y s e l f . T h i s o f course i n c r e a s e d my l a b o u r & lengthened the s e r v i c e , & b e i n g e x c e e d i n g l y c l o s e & s u l t r y , I was a l i t t l e exhausted by the c o n c l u s i o n of the s e r v i c e & i t was then time t o s t a r t f o r Kincumbar. On going i n t o M r . B a t t l e y ' s I then l e a r n t t h a t the punt was sunk & t h a t I shd. t h e r e f o r e be compelled t o r i d e a l l round by E r i n a . So t h a t 1 had o n l y time t o snap up h a l f a d i n n e r . T h i s a d d i t i o n a l r i d e caused me to be a f u l l h a l f hour l a t e a t Kincumbar & t h e r e I had a double b a p t i s m a l S e r v i c e , 1 e one t o r e c e i v e i n t o the c h u r c h , p r e v i o u s l y p r i v a t e l y b a p t i z e d , as w e l l as the b a p t i s m o f a n o t h e r . At E r i n a a g a i n I had another b a p t i s m but a v e r y good c o n g r e g a t i o n , w h i c h encouraged me. F o r t u n a t e l y the moon had r i s e n by the time I s t a r t e d , o t h e r w i s e 1 shd. have found some d i f f i c u l t y i n g r o p i n g my way a l o n g the v e r y bad road I had t o come.- As i t was, my poor hat got v e r y r o u g h l y t r e a t e d by the overhanging branches, & was knocked c o m p l e t e l y o f f my head on one o c c a s i o n . I t was more than half p 10 when I came i n not a l i t t l e t i r e d a f t e r the d u t i e s o f the day. - I hope, & t r u s t , & p r a y , t h a t my"labour was not ( a l t o g e t h e r ) i n v a i n i n the Lord". On Thursday l a s t I went over t o Kincumbar, & h e a r i n g i n the c o u r s e of my v l s l t i n g s t h a t Jackson's daughter, M a r i a , was v e r y d a n g e r o u s l y i l l , & b e i n g t o l d moreover, t h a t a l t h o u g h n o m i n a l l y a R.Cathc. she had expressed a w i s h t o see me, I r e p a i r e d t o the house, where I found the poor g i r l e v i d e n t l y

[1]

Mania Jane. KEARMES, daughteA ol John -, fanmeA i SawyeA ol KlncumbzA i Mania, Bonn 3 OcXobeA 1855,

[1]

Monday 26th November i n a very precurious s t a t e , & although apparently i n a d y i n g c o n d i t i o n , her u n n a t u r a l p a r e n t s were both i n a s t a t e of i n t o x i c a t i o n . - The f a t h e r v e r y much so, & the mother q u i t e under the i n f l u e n c e of l i q u o r , I spoke a l i t t l e t o the g i r l , & asked i f the P r i e s t had not been t o see h e r , & on b e i n g answered i n the a f f i r m a t i v e , the poor g i r l , who c o u l d o n l y speak i n her a w h i s p e r , s a i d , a d d r e s s i n g her mother, " I would r a t h e r have Mr.Glennie t o v i s i t me, f o r the P r i e s t t a l k s t o me i n L a t i n , & 1 cannot understand him." P e r c e i v i n g t h a t the mother d i d not d e s i r e my s e r v i c e s , I o f course t o l d her t h a t I had not come w i t h any d e s i r e to i n t e r f e r e , I took the o p p o r t u n i t y however of s a y i n g a few words t o the g i r l by way of a d v i s e & d i r e c t i o n , w h i c h might be s e r v i c e a b l e to h e r , w i t h o u t g i v i n g o f f e n c e to her mother.- The f a t h e r i s a nominal member of the Ch: o f Engd. but t h a t I f e a r i s a l l . My c h i e f hope i n going t h e r e was t h a t I might perhaps do some good i n r e p r o v i n g him f o r h i s drunken h a b i t s , but he was too f a r gone t o l i s t e n t o my a d m o n i t i o n , a l t h o u g h I gave them both a g r e a t s c o l d i n g , and s a i d I would v i s i t them a g a i n i n a few days, w h i c h I must c o n t r i v e t o do t h i s week. F r i d a y I spent i n the neighbourhood of E r i n a , f i r s t at the s c h o o l , & then v i s i t i n g among the n e i g h b o u r s . Saturday I spent a t home. 1 was g o i n g out i n the a f t e r n o o n , but a g r e a t t h u n d e r c l o u d appeared i n the westward, t h r e a t e n i n g g r e a t t h i n g s , but passed o f f w i t h o u t much r a i n . - The Steamer was l a t e i n making her appearance on S a t u r d a y , but she had a v e r y s t r o n g N:E. wind t o contend a g a i n s t . - She brought a good many passengers down, and took away a g r e a t many a g a i n t h i s morning. I am d e l i g h t e d t o observe an a d v e r t i s m e n t i n the paper s t a t i n g t h a t h e n c e f o r t h her t r i p s are t o be t w i c e a week - coming from & r e t u r n i n g t o Sydney, every Tuesday & Friday. On Monday a f t e r n o o n we a l l went t o Wyoming t o c a l l on the Nunn's m y s e l f w a l k i n g , & M e t t l e c a r r y i n g the o t h e r s by t u r n s . Y e s t e r d a y 1 was out n e a r l y a l l day i n p a r t o f the Kincumbar

28th November 1855 d i s t r i c t . I made a b e g i n i n g t o c o l l e c t f o r t h e C l e r g y S t i p e n d Fund. The c o l l e c t o r s g e n e r a l l y seem so r e l u c t a n t to a p p l y themselves t o the work, & t h e end o f t h e year i s so f a s t a p p r o a c h i n g , t h a t 1 am compelled t o t a k e the matter i n t o my own hands. I t was my i n t e n t i o n to v i s i t Kincumbar a g a i n today, b u t heavy r a i n , w i t h thunder o b l i g e d me t o s t a y a t home.

48.

I went o u t t h i s morning t o v i s i t Anson's f a m i l y , whom I had n o t been t o see f o r a v e r y l o n g t i m e . I found Mrs.Anson o n l y a t home, & s a t some time w i t h h e r i n h e r wig-wam b u t , f o r t h e y had t h e i r h u t b u r n t down some time ago,-I c a l l e d on Mrs.Tompkins a f t e r w a r d s , who l i v e s c l o s e by, & t h e n came home t o d i n n e r . - We had another n i c e thunder shower t h i s a f t e r n o o n . I am now p r e p a r i n g f o r my Mangrove journey tomorrow.

December 1855 Returned t h i s a f t e r n o o n from Mangrove, t o which p l a c e I went on F r i d a y l a s t ( 3 0 t h ) & had a v e r y t e d i o u s & hot r i d e , which f a t i g u e d me much,& an almost s l e e p l e s s n i g h t d i d n o t enable me t o r i s e much r e f e r s h e d on Saturday morning.- I examined t h e c h i l d r e n a t t h e lower s c h o o l on S a t u r d a y , & i n t h e a f t e r n o o n v i s i t e d a few o f the n e i g h b o u r s . On Sunday morning I had a v e r y good c o n g r e g a t i o n at the l o w e r Church & a d m i n i s t e r e d both Sacraments. I t came on t o r a i n i n t h e a f t e r n o o n which caused a t h i n attendance a t t h e Upper Church.- I b a p t i z e d two more i n f a n t s t h e r e & had a v e r y wet r i d e back a g a i n w i t h Mr.Bode a f t e r t h e s e r v i c e . - The r a i n poured down i n t o r r e n t s , p a r t o f t h e way, & proved t o me t h a t my l e a t h e r g a i t e r s , o r "euknemidas" as they a r e termed have done t h e i r d u t y & want r e p l a c i n g w i t h new ones.Y e s t e r d a y i t poured o f r a i n the whole day which q u i t e con-

December 1855

[1]

50.

10.

a c q u a i n t a n c e of one Hardwlck, a shoemaker, l a t e l y e s t a b l i s h e d t h e r e . I n the a f t e r n o o n I went t o see Sarah, (Abraham Swadling's w i f e ) who was v e r y i l l l a s t week, but now quite getting round a g a i n . - From thence I went t o see Warburton, Senr. who i s a i l i n g , & g e t t i n g v e r y f e e b l e I a l s o went on t o see F l e t c h e r s e n r . & got him t o go round a g a i n and t r y , between t h i s & Xmas what a d d i t i o n a l c o l l e c t i o n s he can make f o r the C l e r g y S t i p e n d fund.

14.

I have been 3 days absent from home t h i s week. On Tuesday 11th I s t a r t e d f o r Yarramalong t o pay. M r . L e t t e a v i s i t , c a l l i n g as I went a l o n g , upon s e v e r a l o f the Blue Gum p e o p l e . I reached M r . L e t t e ' s a f t e r a hot day's r i d e , about s u n s e t , & found him & M r s . L e t t e v e r y w e l l . - I remained the n i g h t a t t h e i r house, & b a p t i z e d t h e i r [1] l i t t l e boy .before I l e f t them on Wednesday morning. I had a v e r y h o t day a g a i n on Wednesday, & a f t e r c a l l i n g a t T u r n e r s , a t Wyong, & h a v i n g some c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h Mrs.Turner, proceeded t o Reedy F l a t . ( D o u a l l c a l l e d i n a t T u r n e r s w h i l e I was t h e r e ) - I f e l t t h e heat v e r y much & was g l a d t o f i n d m y s e l f under the s h e l t e r o f Mrs.Lee's r o o f . Mr.Lee was down h e r e a t the Court w i t h John Osborne & d i d not r e t u r n home as expected t h a t n i g h t . I came home y e s t e r d a y , t r a v e l l i n g a g a i n t h r o u g h the burden & h e a t o f the day. I c a l l e d a t the S a w m i l l , & spent the a f t e r n o o n v i s i t i n g the people t h e r e , & about B l u e Gum F l a t a g a i n . A t Mrs.Davison's I was s u r p r i s e d t o f i n d Mr.Horsburgh i n company w i t h John Osborne A d e l i g h t f u l change i n the weather came on i n the a f t e r n o o n , when a t h u n d e r c l o u d came up from the westwd. & a s o u t h e r l y wind soon sprang up & a g e n t l e shower o f r a i n a l s o h e l p e d t o c o o l the a i r . - I reached home about dusk, & t h i n k I never was more d e l i g h t e d a t f i n d i n g m y s e l f under my own r o o f f o r I was g r e a t l y fagged a f t e r my t h r e e hot days r i d e & 2 almost s l e e p l e s s n i g h t s . - We a r e d i s a p p o i n t e d today by the n o n - a r r i v a l o f the " B l a c k Swan".

Ffiank limboLid LETTE, ion ol John Maxlmui -, SattlzK i Saiah. Bonn 3 May 1854.

VcLKimoLlong

December 1855 17.

Today we have h e l d an e x a m i n a t i o n o f the c h i l d r e n a t E.Gosford, w h i c h r e s u l t e d v e r y s a t i s f a c t o r i l y . Mr.Moore & M r . B a t t l e y , as members o f t h e Board were I n a t t e n d a n c e . On Saturday I was o c c u p i e d a l l the morning Sermon w r i t i n g e t c . I n the a f t e r n o o n I c a l l e d a t C o t t r l l l s & Whites - Y e s t e r d a y t h e weather was u n f a v o u r a b l e , which caused s m a l l c o n g r e g a t i o n s .

19.

Y e s t e r d a y I went over t o Kincumbar t o examine t h e S c h o o l c h i l d r e n t h e r e , i n company w i t h Mr.Moore. On t h e way back I c a l l e d a t Anson's & Tompkins' a l s o a t Lucy's & P a t t e r s o n s , i n E.Gosford. Today I have not been out anywhere, nor have I done much a t home, f o r I t has been a gooddeal broken i n t o . - M r . S o i l i n g c a l l e d e a r l y i n t h e morning, & Mr.Moore a f t e r w a r d s , & then John Osborne l o o k e d i n i n the a f t e r n o o n . - I was o c c u p i e d a good p a r t o f t h e morning p u t t i n g down a board i n t h e f l o o r o f the spare room i n l i e u o f one w h i c h t h e White a n t s had demolished. Last nights m a i l brought us t h e welcome i n t e l l i g e n c e o f the "FALL OF SEBASTOPOL."

31.

Here i s t h e o l d year j u s t c l o s i n g i n upon us & I must, b e f o r e i t i s q u i t e gone, make my l a s t e n t r y f o r 1855. On F r i d a y t h e 2 1 s t the Misses.Donnison a r r i v e d from Sydney per B l a c k Swan t o spend Xmas w i t h u s . - N e i t h e r o f them seems t o be v e r y s t r o n g i n h e a l t h b u t I hope a l i t t l e q u i e t r e s t w i l l b e n e f i t them.- T h i s b e i n g a h o l i d a y time I have n o t been v e r y much out among my p a r i s h i o n e r s , u n t i l today, which I spent a t Kincumbar, v i s i t i n g a l l from Dunlops t o D a v i s , i n c l u s i v e . - I t has I am a f r a i d , f a l l e n t o my l o t t o become c o l l e c t o r G e n e r a l f o r t h e C l e r g y S t i p e n d , those who were a p p o i n t e d t o t h e o f f i c e h a v i n g shown a g r e a t a v e r s i o n t o a p p l y themselves t o the work - w i t h the e x c e p t i o n o f F l e t c h e r a t E r i n a , who has b e s t i r r e d h i m s e l f i n t h e m a t t e r . I am v e r y much a f r a i d t h a t t h e t h i n g w i l l prove a f a i l u r e i n the d i s t r i c t .

51.

January 1856 1.

Wrote a l e t t e r o r two t h i s morning f o r t h e p o s t p e r " B l a c k Swan" & i n t h e a f t e r n o o n I rode up t o Blue Gum F l a t t o v i s i t Wm.Davis, who g o t h i s l e g broken a few days ago. - I s a t some time w i t h him, r e a d i n g p o r t i o n s of the B i b l e & endeavouring t o p r e v a i l upon him t o p r o f i t by t h e o p p o r t u n i t y now a f f o r d e d him by t h i s v i s i t a t i o n , but h a r d l y dare hope f o r s u c c e s s . - I found h i s b r o t h e r John t h e r e , whom I had n o t seem f o r some y e a r s .

Spent t h i s day v i s i t i n g S c o t t , & McCullum.

I accompanied t h e M i s s e s Donnison t h i s morning t o E r i n a , & t h e n went on t o F l e t c h e r s t o see what success he had had i n c o l l e c t i n g f o r t h e C l e r g y S t i p e n d Fund. I found he had o n l y o b t a i n e d 50% more, which does n o t make up h a l f t h e amount s e t down as t h e E r i n a p o r t i o n . I f i n i s h e d out t h e day v i s i t i n g i n t h a t neighbourhood, & t h e n c a l l e d f o r t h e M i s s e s Donnison on my way back.

Walked over t o E a s t G o s f o r d t h i s morning t o c a l l on Mr.Hargraves, & post a l e t t e r f o r Mr.Bode. - prepared f o r Mangrove e t c . - Mr.Davison c a l l e d i n the a f t e r n o o n , & Mr.& Mrs.Nunn a l s o , towards e v e n i n g .

( S a t u r d a y n i g h t ) I got e v e r y t h i n g ready t h i s morning, & my horse s a d d l e d f o r Mangrove but i t came on t o r a i n , and had such an appearance o f determined c o n t i n u a n c e , t h a t when two o ' c l o c k came & no change f o r the b e t t e r , I had M e t t l e unsaddled w i t h t h e i n t e n t i o n o f making an e a r l y s t a r t tomorrow morning, s h o u l d t h e weather p e r m i t . I employed m y s e l f t h i s a f t e r n o o n making a new t a b l e f o r my s t u d y , & am now t r y i n g i t & f i n d i t answer v e r y well.

52.

January 7.

1856

I rose before 4 o'c yesterday morning to start for Mangrove, but before 5 o'c: the r a i n commenced again so heavily, that I gave up a l l thought of proceeding, & thus for the f i r s t time, I have been kept from going to Mangrove by bad weather. - I made a few v i s i t s this afternoon at E.Gosford, & among others to Piper whom I found very poorly.

14.

I have spent nearly the whole of this day i n trying to c o l l e c t contributions to the Clergy Stipend Fund, and a l l that I could muster were a few promises. From Mr.Joseph Spears I received a f l a t denial. Declining to assign any reason for not giving, he simply said that he was opposed to i t & desired no haranguing on the subject. - I fear our c o l l e c t i o n w i l l come very short of the sum required. - Last Tuesday I spent at Mosquito Town, v i s i t i n g a l l about that quarter, the consequence was a good congregation l a s t night at Erina. On Wednesday 1 set off i n the forenoon for Mangrove Creek, & had a very hot ride up. A thundershower cooled the a i r a l i t t l e towards evening. I slept at (or rather I should say l a y down) at H:Parry's that night. - On Thursday I made my way down the creek c a l l i n g at a l l the houses as I went along, & by dusk reached James Watkins', of the (toss Keys, where I got a very comfortable bed & a good night's r e s t . I t rained very hard for about 2 hours during the day. I rode home again on Friday, c a l l i n g by the way at the house of a Sawyer named Mclsaac, whose c h i l d I baptized. [1

17.

Had a hot ride today out to McMaster's, acccompanied by the Misses Donnison & Marianne. We were rather l a t e r i n starting than we should have been, i . e . past 10 o'c: so that we had some of the hottest part of the day to ride i n . - We went round by Green Point, to avoid the

Wlltiam kltxandoJi M c I S A A C , 4on i Mafiga^zt, Eon.n 16 NovejnbeA

Oj{ Vu.ga.ld 1855.

SojMLjtn oi

(Wyoming

January

1856

17.

h i l l , & looked i n at the Church as we passed. Marianne 54. seem a good deal fatigued tonight as she well may be, upwards of 20 miles on a hot day, being a good ride for one not used to i t . - Tuesday l a s t I spent also at Kincumbar - v i s i t i n g f i r s t the Âťh school, & then some of the neighbours, with a view of getting subscriptions to the Clergy Stipend Fund, but got only one pound, a f t e r a l l my day's work. - Yesterday we a l l went & spent the day, that i s , the l a t t e r part of i t , at Wyoming.

19.

Yesterday I spent v i s i t i n g at the Sawmill & that neighbourhood, to remind them of the service tomorrow evening. - Mr.&Mrs. Harrison came & spent the day, but 1 did not return home t i l l towards 5 o'clock. - This morning I had a very unsatisfactory kind of a wedding at the church William Robinson, & E l i z a McKay - the l a t t e r being but a c h i l d of 17 or there abouts, & the former not bearing the very best of characters. - The rest of the day I have been occupied preparing f o r tomorrows services. This afternoon I was surprised by a v i s i t from The Revd. Mr.Toms, who i t seems has come down here with a view of opening a school, & has rented Peek's cottage i n East Gosford.

28.

Flagging again i n my journal, which ought not to be, especially as I find my memory becoming less & less serviceable to me almost every day. - I should have noted before, that on Sunday, the 20th I w i l l hindered by the r a i n from going to the Sawmill i n the evening. I went half way, but the r a i n came on so heavily that I thought i t needless to proceed, as there would have been no congregation. On Monday afternoon (this day week) I went & called on Mr.Toms, & paid one or two more v i s i t s i n that neighbourhood. That afternoon a melancholy accident occurred, which caused the death of a l i t t l e boy, son of Smith, Mr.Nunns butcher. He . was s i t t i n g on the bullock

Tkomai Lm-U SMITH, John - , ButchzK. Vlzd

WyomAjig, agtd 12 yzai^, 21 January 1S56.

thz

6on

[1]

HELY'S HOUSE at "WYOMING

PHOTO: G W E N D U N D O N C O L L E C T I O N

" W Y O M I N G " was the name F. A . H E L Y gave to his land grant at the head of navigation of Narara Creek. This cottage was built cl842 from plans by John V E R G E for the widowed Mrs Georgiana H E L Y . Rev. GLENNIE visited Mrs. H E L Y when she lived there. ''January, 1856, 17. — Yesterday we all went & spent the day, that is, the latter part of it, at Wyoming". "February, 1860, 2. — In the afternoon Townshend & 1 rode up to Wyoming, calling on Mr. & Mrs. Hely by the way. While at Wyoming their new piano arrived from Sydney, & we awaited the unpacking of it, & I had the honor of being the first to sound it". "May, 1863, 1. — Anne rode with me to Wyoming this morning to call on Mrs. Hely".

Plate XIV

January 1856 28.

dray, when i t was overturned, & k i l l e d him on the spot. On Tuesday morning I went up to see the poor parents, with a view of trying to lead them to the true source of consolation under their heavy a f f l i c t i o n , & found them both deeply a f f l i c t e d , & fear there i s i n them but a small portion of that t r u l y r e l i g i o u s s p i r i t , so requisite to make them resigned to the chastening Law of God. I read, & prayed with them, & then, a f t e r v i s i t i n g Mrs.Nunn, returned, & went down to the b u r i a l ground to give directions about the grave. The funeral took place on Wednesday about noon. On Thursday I was writing a l l the morning. Towards evening I went up to v i s i t the Smiths again.- On Friday I went to Kincumbar, but finding very few children at the school, spent the afternoon i n v i s i t i n g . On Saturday morning 1 went to the school at Erina, & catechized the children there, spent the afternoon at home.- Had good congregations yesterday at a l l 3 places. Administered the Sacrament to 22 i n the morng at E.Gosford. This morning I spent an hour at the school, & then went to see Mr.Toms, but he was not at home. Towards evening I rode with Miss L.Donnison to c a l l at Mona Vale.- Very hot day this has been.

29.

1 set out this morning intending to go as f a r as Fletchers, but not f e e l i n g very well, & observing heavy clouds gathering i n the west, 1 returned & have spent the day p r i n c i p a l l y l e t t e r writing, & reading a l i t t l e of Bp.Burnet on the Pastoral care.

30.

I intended going out to Fletchers this afternoon, but Mettle could not be found, so I remained at home l e t t e r writing & arranging papers etc. Mr.Davison called this afternoon accompanied by a Mr.Butterfield, who had a l e t t e r of introduction from F e r r i s . He has come to see the d i s t r i c t with a view o f s e t t l i n g here i f he can find a suitable farm, but that i s not l i k e l y . He i s to come tomorrow morning & ride out with me to see some of the country.

55.

January 31.

1856

Rode up to Erina this morning with Mr.Butterfield, intending to go on from thence to see Thos.Fletcher, who has been i l l , but while there, the lad came walking thro' the yard , quite convalesent, so 1 changed my plan, & went over to Kincumbar School, & after showing Mr.B: our l i t t l e church there, returned home via Green Point f e e l i n g rather t i r e d from my lumbago, or whatever my back ailment may be.

February. 7.

On Saturday l a s t I rode up to Mangrove Creek, a r r i v i n g there about 5 P.M: I c a l l e d f i r s t at Mrs.Ferguson's, & then went on to see poor old Maria Atkinson, whom I had l e f t very unwell at my l a s t v i s i t . - I was i n hopes I might have got both her & her husband i n to the Benevolent Assylum, but I found she was f a r too i l l to undertake the voyage, I saw her again on Sunday morning before services & again on Tuesday before leaving the creek I paid her another v i s i t which 1 am s a t i s f i e d w i l l prove to be the l a s t , for she was evidently sinking f a s t , & was suffering much bodily pain. - Dropsy I believe to be her complaint, the natural r e s u l t , I fancy of her intemperate l i f e I was grieved to f i n d that amid a l l her bodily suffering, there appeared to be no concern at a l l for the poor soul, nor could I then, or on any former occasion make any impression upon her. - I stayed at Chaselings on Saturday night, when I had very comfortable quarters.My congregations on Sunday were both scanty, owing partly to a misunderstanding which appeared to exist about the order of the services. - On Sunday night (& Monday) I found comfortable quarters again at the Cross Keys. - On Monday I walked down to Wm.Woodbury's & round by

56.

February 1856 7.

Iron Bark Creek, v i s i t i n g a l l the folks i n that quarter. I found that old Mrs.Goddard had died, & was buried only a few days before, I went up - She was about 85 years of age. - I t was past one o'clock when 1 l e f t the creek on Tuesday afternoon, & I had a fine afternoon for my homeward r i d e . - Yesterday being Ash-Wednesday. we had morning service at E.Gosfd. and a f a i r congregation of 35. - This afternoon 1 rode over to the school at Kincumbar, & finished out the day v i s i t i n g there.

The Mises Donnison l e f t us today & returned to Sydney per "Black Swan". I walked over to East Gosford & saw them safe o f f , & then walked l e i s u r e l y home, c a l l i n g f i r s t for the l e t t e r s at the Post O f f i c e , & then looking i n upon Capper, who being unwell, has been to consult Dr.Gwynn at Parramatta, & returned per Steamer today.-* I then went to see how Mr.Battley i s getting on with his housebuilding.

Having lent old Mettle, & James today to Mr.Battley, to draw i n some timber f o r his new house. I footed i t up to Erina t h i s morning to v i s i t the school there, & after spending an hour or so with the children, went on to see some of the folks i n that neighbourhood. 1 found i t very warm & s u l t r y , though a smart shower about noon cooled the a i r a l i t t l e . On my way home. Page told me I was wanted up at Joseph Spear's to baptize a young infant. I went up therefore, but finding the c h i l d was not seriously i l l , 1 prevailed upon the parties (Wilson, who l i v e down at the heads) to wait a week, & bring the c h i l d to church tomorrow week.

11.

[1]

A wet day yesterday caused me to have three very thin congregations. - I had arranged to go round to Mr.Scott's today, & get Cullen to p i l o t me down the r i v e r , but r a i n again today obliged me to a l t e r

Gfiact Sanah iilTlSOU, HeM.d'i i Elizabeth.

daugktZfL VmloX Bom 31 Januaiy

- , Fame.H. 1856.

BfiLibane.

57.

Watzn.

February

1856

11.

my plans, so I remained at home a l l the morning, & rode up to the neighbourhood of Wyoming i n the afternoon, & made some c a l l s there upon Buckland, Broadbent, etc. etc.

13.

Yesterday morning being rainy I remained at home, & just as I was preparing to go out i n the afternoon, young Scott c a l l e d , & sat sometime, and he had scarcely l e f t the house, when i n came Mr.Codrington, accompanied by one of Wyndham's sons, so that my afternoon was spent i n being v i s i t e d , instead of v i s i t i n g - 1 have spent the whole of this day at the Sawmill & Blue Gum F l a t . - Made the acquaintnace of Mrs.Wm.Nunn at Wyoming, & Mr .Austin at the M i l l s .

14.

Spent this day at Kincumbar - At tjie school & v i s i t i n g .

15.

Met with a l i t t l e disappointment today. "Uncle F e r r i s " having written to say he was coming by today's steamer to pay us a v i s i t I went over to receive him on the a r r i v a l of the vessel, but no Uncle F e r r i s was there, nor was there any mail to bring us or l e t t e r from him, We must therefore wait patiently the a r r i v a l of next Tuesdays mail, to learn the cause of our disappointment. - I paid a few v i s i t s i n E.Gosford this morning, & this evening we a l l took a l i t t l e s t r o l l out as f a r as the new road which they are making into the town, & called on Mrs.Kean as we came back.

16.

At home a l l this morning. Towards evening I went over to pay Mr.Toms a v i s i t , c a l l i n g by the way on Holmes & Hegin. - A most lovely evening i t was.

18.

We have had a very hot day today. Thermo: 94i i n the shade - I may say however, that i t i s almost the only hot day we have had since the 11th November. Yesterday I had rather a hard day's work o f i t , beginlng with Kincumbar where I had the Sacrament, & then

58.

February 1856

[1]

18.

Having a Baptism both at Gosford & at the Sawmill. [1] 59. At the two l a t t e r places I had very good congregation. At the Sawmill there were close upon 70 - the largest number I ever had there. I had a beautiful moon to l i g h t me home at night, & reached home about i p eleven. I went up to the school this morning & had a l i t t l e catechising with the young people. - Called on Hegin by the way. - This evening I paid Mrs.Creighton a visit.

20.

Yesterday, by appointment, Scott Junr. brought h i s boat over i n the morning to take me across to t h e i r house.- Mr.Toms accompanied me & we had rather a hard p u l l across, a very strong southerly wind having suddenly come on. Mr.Toms seemed pleased with the Banana plantation etc. etc: - I spent the whole of this day at Kincumbar visiting.

21.

At home a l l today l e t t e r & sermon writing. S t r o l l e d as f a r as Mona Vale i n the evening & c a l l e d on the Harrisons, & on Mrs.Plggott also. - I t has been very hot again today, (therm 90) & as frequently follows, a strong S:E. wind i s now blowing. -

25.

(Monday) On Saturday morning I rode up to Erina to v i s i t the school, but found very few children there therefore did not remain, but came home again, a f t e r v i s i t i n g some of the immediate neighbours, & spent the rest of the day preparing a sermon for Sunday on the subject of the Sacrament, which I did not bring to a close t i l l about 12 P.M: - a bad preparation for my Sunday duties. I had a large congregation at E.Gosfd. yesterday morning, & administered the Sacrament to 16. My usual congregation attended at Kincumbar & at Erina. - This day I have spent e n t i r e l y at E.Gosford, beginlng with the school, & then v i s i t i n g .

BaptL&m

cut Goi^ofid

BaplLim at thz Smye.1 ojj Blut

wa4 oi

G^act

Samh

WJLSOM - 4ee page. 57.

Sawmill wa4 Safcak Ann EARL, daaghte.1 Gum Flat I SaKak, Bom 12 l^ovembeA. 1S55.

blUtLm

February 28.

1856

I have been over to Kincumbar today, & a f t e r an hour's catechising at the School, went on to Ward's, Taylor's etc. - On Monday morning I v i s i t e d the E:Gosford School, & spent the afternoon v i s i t i n g at E.Gosfd.- On Tuesday I rode out to Tuggerah Beach to see Frost & h i s family, and^. having borrowed a horse from Mrs.Venteman, took Mr.Toms with me to show him the beauties of that part of the D i s t r i c t . - On returning i n the evening, I found that two men had c a l l e d , having come from Sydney to make enquiry about the building of the church.- I was occupied with them yesterday morning, showing them the ground, quarries, etc. etc. and i n the afternoon they put i n a tender for the whole of the stone work, at eleven hundred pounds which I was obliged to t e l l them i s far beyond our means.

60.

March 1856 3.

(Monday evening) Returned from Mangrove this afternoon, c a l l i n g i n at Wyoming as I rode by, where I found Mrs.Wm.Nunn & her licttle cbaby^jvery vrell. ~ J went to Mangrove on Saturday by Mooney Creek & Popram, having made an arrangement when I was l a s t there, for Henry Singleton to meet me at the School House at 5 P.M. on Saturday, that I might consult with him about performing the necessary repairs ofthe building. On a r r i v i n g there however, I learnt that Singleton was away down the r i v e r f i s h i n g & was not expected home f o r some days.So much f o r my arrangement.- Yesterday was about the most miserable Sunday to me, that ever I spent in Mangrove, I was attacked with one of my very worst headaches, & was scarcely able to get through the morning service, which was lengthened by the addition of both Sacraments,

March 1856 3.

[1]

I hesitated about going to the upper church, but expecting there would be another baptism there, I mustered up a l l the determination I could, & pushed on, & I was afterwards glad I d i d so, for my headache began to abate before 1 reached the church, & I found Mrs.George Elm there with a l i t t l e infant for baptism.- 1 repaired after the service to Cole's, where 1 was hospitably entertained, & I came straight away from his house after breakfast this morning, c a l l i n g only at Chasling's, & on old Will:Atklnson, hurried home a day sooner than usual this time, i n order to allow myself as much time as I can command this week, f o r f i n i s h i n g ofthe c o l l e c t i o n to the Clergy Stipend fund. & 1 am well pleased that I d i d so, for the r a i n set i n this afternoon, & by the way i t i s now coming down I think i t intends continuing.

Yesterday morning 1 went to v i s i t Mrs.Benson, who had been very poorly during my absence at Mangrove,I found her much better than she had been, but very weak.- I made a few other c a l l s i n the neighbourhood, & i n the afternoon went to E.Gosford again, to gather in some promised contributions to the Stipend Fund.This having been a very wet day I have not been out any where, but have been l e t t e r writing etc: etc.

Thursday being wet I did not go out.- Yesterday we had one of the heaviest thundershowers I ever knew. I continued pouring i n torrents for at least H to near 2 hours. In the afternoon I walked over to see Mrs.Benson, whom 1 found very poorly.- I went to see her again t h i s morning & was glad to find her a great deal better. From thence I went to Erina & finished out the day i n that neighbourhood, v i s i t i n g the school etc. etc.

10.

I was a l i t t l e Inconvenienced yesterday by a bad cold, which rendered my reading rather

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61.

[1]

Saia.

March 1856 10.

more d i f f i c u l t . I had good congregations at a l l three churches.- More than usual at Kincumbar, & upwards of 40 at Erina.- This morning I went to the school, and had a good hours catechizing with the children, I then called on Mrs.Benson whom I was glad to find much better again. In the afternoon I had a small class at home Jane & Margt. Crause came i n , & our own servant g i r l s Jane & Fanny made up a small class of 4. Two of Mrs.Overall'8 l i t t l e children also came. After dismissing my class we a l l took a s t r o l l up the mountain at the back by way of a l i t t l e recreation.

24.

This pause i n my journal hais been caused c h i e f l y by a v i s i t from H:Ferris, whose presence occupied the greater part of my spare time. He arrived per Steamer of l a s t Friday week, & l e f t us again l a s t (Good) Friday. On Tuesday we went across to Mr.Scott's, & took the g i r l s with us. - On Wednesday I took him up to the Sawmill, c a l l i n g by the way at Wyoming & on Thursday we rode out as f a r as Tuggerah Beach.- By the time the service was over on Friday, the "Black Swan" had arrived, and we went over to Mr.Battley's to see the l a s t of "Uncle F e r r i s " - a f t e r which we c a l l e d on Mrs.Benson, & then came home. I did not go out at a l l on Saturday having to prepare for Sunday duties.Yesterday was a very nice fine day, & I had 3 good congregations, - 25 communicants at Gosford, & had a baptism at each of the other places.- Mr.Fred Hely c a l l e d on Saturday, & today Mr.George Bowman looked i n , having come down to meet the Electors. - Anne was unable to go to church yesterday owing to a bad cold & swelled face, e t c . etc.

26.

Yesterday (Easter Tuesday), we had our annual vestry meeting to elect Church Wardens, four pewholders only were i n attendance, I re-elected Mr.Battley, & they chose Mr.Harrison.- In the afternoon

62.

March 1856 53

26.

It was my Intention to have gone out, but old Mettle thought proper to keep himself out of the way, & as 1 did not f e e l altogether well I remained at home. This day I have spent at Kincumbar, v i s i t i n g some of the folks i n that quarter besides catechizing at the school.

29.

On Thursday (27th) I was at home l e t t e r writing a l l the morning. - In the afternoon we a l l rede went up to Wyoming to c a l l on the Nunn's, Ann r i d i n g , the rest of us walking. - Yesterday morning I took the g i r l s over to Mrs.Cottril's to say good bye to Isabella, having been told she was going away by yesterday's Steamer, but we found she had decided upon staying another week. We just reached home again i n time to escape a very heavy shower. In the afternoon I went over to see F.Piper i n East Gosford, who has been a i l i n g for some time past, & found him but very middling. - Contrary to my rule (of staying at home on Saturdays) I have been out the whole of today. F i r s t to the school at Erina, & then to Kincumbar, round by Dr.Auld's, & Mr.Roberts - Woodwards, Piper, etc.

31.

Had a very s a t i s f a c t o r y day yesterday - A congregation i n the morning of about 40 at Kincumbar, where I administered the Sacrament to 15. - I n the afternoon there could not have been less than 100 at E.Gosfd. There I baptized 2 infants one of which was Mrs.Wm.Nunn's. [1] This morning I went, as usual to the school, & i n the afternoon had my class at home.

April 1.

Went as f a r as McMasters today, c a l l i n g i n at the school as I passed & making a few other c a l l s along my l i n e of road

I was preparing f o r a ride to Blue Gum Flat yesterday morning, when Mr.Moore c a l l e d i n to say that old

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April

1856

Patrick Sloane, of Kincumbar was i l l , & wished to see me, so I altered my course, & set o f f at once to see the old man. On the road I met Geo.Jarrett, who t o l d me that a serious accident had just befallen Saml. Best, a limb of a tree having f a l l e n upon him, & impaired him very much. I found poor old Sloane better than I expected, & a f t e r s i t t i n g more than an hour with him, I returned by Erina, & called to see Best whom I was grieved to find i n a very bad state. - Several of h i s ribs are broken, but the most serious fracture i s about the hip, which by the doctors account i s dreadfully mutilated. I have been twice to see him again today, but as talking seemed to fatigue him i n his very exhausted state, I thought i t prudent not to remain long with him, hoping that he may recover, & that I may have a favourable opportunity of endeavouring to turn this v i s i t a t i o n to a profitable account.

Went this morning a f t e r breakfast to see Best, & was delighted to f i n d him better. Dr.Auid was with him, just f i n i s h i n g dressing h i s wounds, & he seemed to entertain a very favourable opinion of him. - His hip bone I find i s not broken as badly as I at f i r s t understood, but i s just a simple fracture, which i n a l l probability w i l l unite again perfectly well. From Erina I went over to Kincumbar to see how old Pat:Sloane was getting on, & found him better also.Thls wonderful old man assures me that i f he l i v e s t i l l June next, he w i l l then have completed his 102nd year & he i s s t i l l at work, s p l i t t i n g i n the bush, I returned by Erina again this evening to say Best once more before I s t a r t for Mangrove, which I purpose doing tomorrow.

A p r i l 1856 7.

I returned from Mangrove this evening, having gone up on Saturday (5th) - I had rather a miserable ride up, as i t turned out a gloomy afternoon with a l i t t l e r a i n , so that my feet got very wet from the bushes. I had very small congregations yesterday, I think i n short, that the i l l effects of their being l e f t without a Catechist, i s showing i t s e l f i n the f a l l i n g off from the Church, & I hope the vacancy may soon be f i l l e d again. - On looking i n this afternoon at Wyoming, I was very sorry to find poor Mr.Nunn confined to h i s bed, with an attack of Rheumatism. He told me he had a very severe attack a few years ago i n England when he remained i n a perfectly helpless condition f o r 14 weeks, & he naturally dreads a r e p e t i t i o n of the same.

Went up to Erina this afternoon to see Best, & was very sorry to f i n d that he i s not so well. - He seems to have taken cold, & inflamation of the lungs i s dreaded. He has every attention that kind friends can bestow,& Dr.Auid i s doubtless applying the only remedies that human s k i l l can supply, & a l l we can do i s to pray f o r God's blessing upon the means used for h i s recovery,in humble submission & perfect resignation to His w i l l . - I was grieved to learn this afternoon that poor Boston, who some few years ago l o s t the sight of one of h i s eyes by a chip ofwood s t r i k i n g it,when chopping was wood met with a similar accident on Saturday evening l a s t , exactly i n the same way, & which much fear w i l l deprive him of the use of the other eye. - I went to see him where he i s lying at Pennington's, & t r i e d to give him what l i t t l e advice & consolation I was able. - I find that Capper came back yesterday from h i s v i s i t to Dr.Bowker, who pronounces his complaint dropsy. - I hope I may be of some assistance i n prevailing upon him at once to "set h i s house i n order" f o r he i s evidently approaching the end of h i s pilgrimage.

April 9.

1856

L i t t l e did I think, when penning the remarks I made 66 on the other side l a s t night respecting poor Capper, that my prediction as to the approach of h i s end, was to be so soon v e r i f i e d & that the very next page of my journal would bear the record of h i s death but such i s the f a c t : for he died quite suddenly about 3 o'clock t h i s afternoon. I had been with him l i t t l e more than an hour before h i s death. - I was on my way back from v i s i t i n g Best & Boston, and as I was rather l a t e , did not intend c a l l i n g upon him then, but purposed going to see him a f t e r dinner before r i d i n g up to Wyoming. But I altered my plan, and thought I would go i n & see him while I was so near. He was just getting up from dinner, & I went with him into the next room - his parlour - & sat some l i t t l e time with him. I was pleased to f i n d him looking better, & to hear him say that he f e l t better, & after conversing upon the state of his body, touched upon the more important consideration of his poor soul, expressing an earnest hope that he would seriously turn his attention to h i s s p i r i t u a l a f f a i r s , reminding him how much of his day of grace he had allowed to pass away unimproved, & that the night was coming on apace when no work could be done. I urged upon him the necessity of putting forth a l l his e f f o r t s , & being doubly d i l i g e n t f o r the b r i e f space of time he might yet be spared & t r y & make a l l the amends in h i s power on-acefor his past negligence. - He acknowledged the truth of my observations, owned himself f u l l y sensible of h i s past f a i l i n g s & expressed a determination by the help of God to be more mindful of his duty for the future. I then l e f t him & came home, & sent James over with the cart to bring some corn which had just arrived from Sydney per "Peacock", & when James returned about an hour or more a f t e r much to my astonishment he announced to me that Capper was dead- that he had died

April 9.

[1]

1856

quite suddenly while i n conversation with McCullum, who had called i n to see him. 1 immediately rode over to see poor Mrs.Capper after which I went up to Wyoming, where I found Mr.Nunn s t i l l confined to his bed, though they thought he was a l i t t l e better. I was very glad to f i n d Best much better this morning, but poor Boston, I fear has i n t i r e l y l o s t his eye.

12.

On Thursday I was at work a l l the morning l e t t e r writing. I sent away my account of our d i s t r i c t collections for the Clergy Stipend fund (amounting to ÂŁ96.-) besides a l e t t e r to the Bishop & sundry other despatches. Towards evening the funeral of Capper took place, which prevented my going out that afternoon as I had intended doing to Kincumbar. - Yesterday I was unwellheadache so did not go out anywhere, except to see poor Mrs.Capper i n the evening. This morning I went to v i s i t Best again, & Boston. The former seemed getting on tolerably well. - The l a t t e r I fear has entirely l o s t h i s sight. - This evening I paid Mr.Nunn a v i s i t , whom I found s t i l l confined to his bed. -

14.

A sudden change i n the weather took place yesterday afternoon. From being very hot & sultry i n the morning, a southerly wind come on very cold, and at night i t began raining just a f t e r I reached Erina, & so prevented much of a congregation from assembling & gives me rather a disagreeable ride home. - It rained very hard a l l night but hold up again today. I ,went up to the school this morning, but finding very few children there, went & paid a few v i s i t s i n the neighbourhood, & had my class this afternoon at home.

21.

(Monday) A week's pause i n my journal, occasioned c h i e f l y by having v i s i t o r s etc. Last week our l i t t l e community was somewhat enlivened by the election of Members of Council. Thursday was the p o l l i n g day, & Mr.Child Junr. the Depty Returning o f f i c e r , came down on Tuesday.

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April

1856

21.

& took up his quarters with us. He was accompanied by a M r . E l l i s , who proceeded to Mangrove on Wednesday, to take the p o l l i n that quarter. Thursday was the day appointed f o r taking the p o l l , & I was pleased to find that every thing went o f f peaceably & orderly. Mr.Hely seems to be the favourable Candidate among the people here, & was at the head of the p o l l . On Tuesday l a s t I went up to the Sawmill, to v i s i t as many as I could i n that neighbourhood. On Wednesday & the 3 following days I went to Kincumbar to see Jones, who was very i l l with dysentery, & I did not think he would recover, but I was glad to hear yesterday that he was much better.- This morning I had to go to Blue Gum F l a t , to bury Geo: Stockdale's l i t t l e c h i l d who died yesterday.

25.

On Tuesday I went to v i s i t Jones again, at Kincumbar & found him a l i t t l e better, but h i s wife was i l l , also his mate, Andrew Rourke, with the same complaint.Wednesday morning I remained at home, l e t t e r writing etc. After dinner, just as we were preparing to go up to Wyoming, Mrs.Wm.Nunn & Miss Nunn came i n . We walked part of the way home with them & on our way back called on Mrs.Overall. - Yesterday morning I remained at home again & a f t e r dinner went to see Jones, whom I found better. - Today i t was my intention to have spent the whole day at Erina, but Mettle could not be found this morning, nor did he make his appearance t i l l past noon. -.1 therefore altered my plans, & went to Wyoming this afternoon to see poor Mr.Nunn, whom I found apparently better, f o r he was s i t t i n g up. He seemed very weak however, which might be expected a f t e r three weeks confined to his bed.

26.

Went to Erina t h i s morning & after v i s i t i n g the school, went to see Best & Boston. The former I found out walking about among h i s neighbours. Poor Boston I fear w i l l not recover h i s eyesight.

April 29

(Tuesday) On Sunday I was g r a t i f i e d by seeing two new 69 members added to my number of communicants - namely Mr.Scott Junr., & Robt.White. Poor Mrs.Capper attended church also, for the f i r s t time since she became a Widow, & I earnestly hope I may often see her there i n future. The sermon I preached was well calculated to administer comfort to her i n her loneliness, from the text "And yet I am not alone, because the Father i s with me." Yesterday morning Anne & myself set off i n the morning, intending to reach E.Gosford, but by the time we had v i s i t e d Mrs.Cottr11,White & Capper, the morning was gone, & we were obliged to return. Last evening Mr.Forster arrived,& i s waiting to accompany me to Mangrove. Today I have been up to the Sawmill to see how Mrs.Davison i s , for the l a s t time I was there she was rather poorly. I was glad to find her quite well again. - Mr.Wm.Nunn accompanied me. - I called to see Mr.Nunn & found him much the same. 1 also v i s i t e d Mrs.Cater, at Blue Gum F l a t , who has been very i l l but seems getting better.

May 12.

1856

(Monday) Last Friday week I started for Mangrove, taking Mr.Forster with me. We had some r a i n on the road, & unfortunately Sunday was a very wet day, so that I had only one congregation, for though we rode to the Upper Church there was no one there. My time was c h i e f l y spent, - Saturday & Monday - i n arranging about getting the master â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘s house repaired, & I returned on Tuesday, a f t e r i n i t i a t i n g Mr.Forster to his work at the Upper School,! was glad to find that he seems to l i k e the place, & I hope w i l l be f i n a l l y settled there. - I c a l l e d i n at Wyoming on my way back, & found Mr.Nunn

May 12.

very poorly. On Wednesday morning I went over to E.Gosford & made one or two c a l l s but being attacked with my old friend lumbago, could not go out i n the afternoon. Thursday I remained at home l e t t e r writing.Friday morning went to Erina school & afternoon we a l l went to Wyoming - found Mr.Nunn better - Saturday at home sermon writing, v i s i t e d Mrs.Capper i n the evening, & c a l l e d at C o t t r i l l s also. - Congregations yesterday middling. - This morning - School E.Gosfordaftern: class at home.

16.

On Tuesday l a s t , the 13th we a l l went to spend the day at Wyoming, In the afternoon I went to Blue Gum Flat to see how Mrs.Cater was, & found her pretty well recovered from her late i l l n e s s . On Wednesday I remained at home, Anne being very unwell, form the e f f e c t s , we concluded of the very cold wind which was blowing Tuesday. - She was better again however yesterday & I therefore went over to Kincumbar & spent the day i n that neighbourhood. Today I have been to the Sawmill, c a l l i n g to see Mr.Nunn as I passed, whom I found much as usual.

17.

This morning I was c a l l e d to go & v i s i t Mrs.Ashley.On reaching her abode I found she had l o s t a l i t t l e infant, which was born yesterday, & only l i v e d about 4 hours. The c h i l d dying unbaptized, I was compelled to decline giving i t Xtain b u r i a l , but the mother expressing a strong desire to have i t deposited i n the b u r i a l ground, I said there would be no objection to that.- This afternoon I walked out to see Abdy, who purposes bringing a c h i l d f o r baptism tomorrow, I found several other families i n his neighbourhood whom I had never seen before & must henceforth look after them.

22.

[1]

1856

EtLza Eliza..

(Thursday) Last Sunday was one of my hard days work.I had the Sacrament i n the morning at Kincumbar, & the Baptismal service both at Gosford i n the afternoon, & at the Sawmill ABVV, daughter. OjJ Thoma6 - , Bom 13 Vzcmbtn. 1S55.

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i n the evening, I was more fatigued than usual, & 71, I suppose from this over-fatigue, was not at a l l well on Monday, so that I did not go out any where. Tuesday was a very wet day which kept me at home again. Yesterday afternoon I walked over to East Gosford, & made a few c a l l s there. This morning I did the same, & among others, paid Mrs. Johnston a farewell v i s i t , f o r I found she i s about starting way for the Tweed River, with the hope of getting her son away from that. - I then went up towards Erina to see Mrs.Ashby whom 1 found s t i l l confined to her bed, & very weak.This afternoon I went to see how Mr.Nunn was getting on, & was very glad to f i n d him better, & s i t t i n g up.

26.

(Monday) This morning, at Kincumbar, I celebrated the f i r s t Marriage under the new Marriage act, between Overton & Mrs.Kilpac - an elderly couple of 65 & 55 widower & widow. - I came straight home after the ceremony, this being the afternoon for my catechism class, but my pupils, as on l a s t Monday - did not make their appearance. - Last Friday I spent at K-ncumbarf i r s t v i s i t i n g Jones, whom I found s t i l l poorly, & then making a round of c a l l s from that to the school.On Saturday morning I walked up to the school at Erina, to see how the young people were getting on with their catechism, & came back again to dinner. - Congregations pretty well yesterday. -

29.

On Tuesday 1 went over Kincumbar-ward, v i s i t i n g - Auld, Roberts, & a l l the Davis families. Yesterday we a l l went across to Point C l a i r , t o v i s i t the Scotts, This morning I rode up to see Mr.Nunn, whom I was delighted to find very much better, s i t t i n g up, & regaining the use of h i s limbs. - This afternoon 1 went over to East Gosfd. to see Piper & wife, Mr.Wm.Nunn called this afternoon, with Miss Kate. - Now preparing for Mangrove tomorrow.

June 1856 5.

[1]

Thursday. On Friday l a s t I set o f f for my usual Mangrove duties, 72. & after enquiring for Mr.Nunn as I passed Wyoming, jogged l e i s u r e l y along the road, with a very gloomy looking sky over head. When about half way the r a i n began to f a l l gently & continued a l l the way, increasing rather as I approached my journey's end. On reaching the f i r s t house. Burger's, I was told that Bowen's c h i l d was very i l l , & not expected to l i v e , & being unbaptized they wished to bring i t to me the next day. - 1 arranged to go the next day to their house, & accordingly set out on Saturday morning immediately a f t e r breakfast, but on reaching Bergers was informed that the c h i l d was dead. I went to Bowden's to see the parents, & spent the day v i s i t i n g as many as I could up the creek. I had two very f a i r congregations on Sunday. Monday I spent among the people at the lower part of the creek & among others v i s i t e d the old man Goddard, who was so i l l :. the l a s t time I was at Mangrove. I found him apparently drawing very near h i s end, & could only t r y to impress upon him the necessity of acquiring that "broken & contrite heart" so essential for procuring the pardon of h i s sins. He died early on Tuesday morning - Having learnt from [1] Wm.Woodbury on Monday that Crumpton was very seriously i l l , I arranged to go down & see him on Tuesday, & accordingly did so - one of Woodbury's boy's taking me i n the boat.It turned out a very unfavourable day, for heavy r a i n came on when about half way there, & continued some 2 hours or more.- I found poor Crumpton very i l l , & doubt whether he w i l l recover. He & a l l h i s family were very glad to see me, & I found Crumpton i n a very good frame of mind, & my v i s i t to him was f a r more satisfactory than are the generality of my v i s i t s to sick beds.- The sun shone out brightly again just as I l e f t Crumptons, but I was very cold s i t t i n g s t i l l i n the boat f o r nearly 2 i hours. - I t was getting dark when I reached Woodbury's & then I had between 2 & 3 miles

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to walk through wet grass & bushes, & swampy f l a t s . Indeed I f e l t very thankful when I found myself safe within the walls of the School house. Mrs.Foster having arrived at Mangrove, I found the house very much more comfortable than ever I saw i t before I hardly know what to make of poor Mr.Foster, & begin to fear that he w i l l breakdown under the t r i a l s of h i s new s i t u a t i o n . His i n t e l l e c t i s evidently affected, & h i s memory seems quite f a i l i n g him. - Being unable to get any person i n the creek to build new chimneys at anything l i k e a moderate renuneration (Edwd. Craft asks only ÂŁ7 each for 2 wooden chimneys) I have commissioned Wm.Woodbury to t r y & pick up a stonemason in Sydney to come down & build stone chimneys.- I returned home l a s t eveng. looking i n upon Mr.Nunn by the way.Today I have been occupied a l l day l e t t e r writing.

Saturday night. I remained at home a l l yesterday, t i l l about dusk, when I escorted the Misses Battley home & got a registered l e t t e r from Mrs.Champain, with some rent,I was glad to learn by her l e t t e r that the cottage at Glenthorne has been re-shlngled at l a s t . - This afternoon I rode up to the Sawmill to see Mr.Davison about some Registration business, & f i n d that he has determined upon quitting the D i s t r i c t at once.

Yesterday (Sunday) I was v i s i t e d with one of my disagreeable headaches, which proved a great hinderance to me i n the performance of my duties.- I was a l i t t l e annoyed also by Cadby bringing h i s c h i l d f o r baptism i n the morning. Their pretext was, the c h i l d being i l l - but I could not help thinking this was a mere pretence, to suit their own convenience. - I t came on to r a i n soon after the service, which caused a thin congregation at Kincumbar.- On my way back from Kincumbar, I was deliberating with myself whether to go to Erina or not

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June 1856 9.

19.

my headache being bad, & the weather unfavourable, which made me think there would not be many persons there. I went, however, & was very glad that I did so, for I found a c h i l d there f o r Baptism, & a good congregation of about 45. I was rather surprised to see several R. Catholics i n attendance. This day we have spent e n t i r e l y in v i s i t i n g over at East Gosford.- We a l l went over about eleven o'clock, & a f t e r making around of c a l l s , did not get home again t i l l 5.(Thursday) This pause must be accounted for without further delay. So to begin with Tuesday the 10th I spent the whole of that day v i s i t i n g i n the Blue Gum Flat neighbourhood, beginlng with Ralph Woods, & extending as f a r as Earl's when evening approaching 1 returned v i a Wyoming where I remained to dinner.- Wednesday I went to Kincumbar v i s i t e d the school, & on the Ward's.- Thursday at home l e t t e r writing t i l l evening, when I accompanied Sarah Scott to Mona Vale, to spend the evening. On Friday I was kept at home by a bad headache which lasted t i l l past midnight. Thos.Scott &2 of h i s s i s t e r s came over.- Saturday I did not f e e l disposed from the effects of my previous headache, to. go out, so remained quietly at home. Towards evening I took the children & Sarah Scott to the top of Mount Recreation.- Sunday, good congregations, except at Sawmill which was very poor. Monday I paid a few v i s i t s from this to E.Gosford i n the morning. Tuesday to Kincumbar, where Mr.Moore & myself examined the school children, & were well s a t i s f i e d with their progress. Yesterday, at home a l l the morning i n the afternoon we a l l walked to Wyoming & back.- The Davison's came down from the Sawmills yesterday on route f o r Sydney. The two g i r l s slept here.They went o f f this morning i n the Uncle Tom.- Today we have had the examination of the children at E.Gosford & they acquitted themselves very s a t i s f a c t o r i l y .

Saiah Maiy BRVAhlT, daaghttn. i Etlza. BoKn 4 Movmbut

Chailz6 1855,

SmysA

of,

Mo^quJUto Town

June 1856

[1]

21.

Yesterday I spent out i n the neighbourhood of Erina, v i s i t i n g a l l between that & Fletcher's,& returning i n the evening by Ashby's & Garner's.- Today I have not been out any where, but remained at home preparing for tomorrows services.

28.

Last Monday I had to go to Kincumbar to bury a l i t t l e c h i l d who had died there on Saturday night, the c h i l d of Wm.Taylor, at Davis'. On Tuesday morning I went to v i s i t Piper at E.Gosford. He returned on Saturday night per Sylph,from a v i s i t to Dr.Bowker, who pronounced h i s case uncurable, & intimated to him that his end i s very near at hand.- Notwithstanding this plain warning of his approaching end, i t i s p a i n f u l to see i n him so l i t t l e apparent concern f o r h i s poor soul. I can only hope that he may f e e l Inwardly more anxiety than h i s words & outward conduct would lead one to suppose.- On Tuesday afternoon we a l l walked down to pay a v i s i t to the Coulter family. We found Mr.Coulson there, & he t o l d me that John Osborne had been seriously i l l . I was meditating a v i s i t to Cabbage Tree on Wednesday, & to go from thence across to Mr.Lee's & then to Mr.Iette's: but from the account I heard of John Osborne, I altered my plans, & started of on Wednesday morning to see him. I met Mr.Lee on the road, who t o l d me that John was at his house, so I went s t r a i t t h i t h e r . I was glad to find him pretty well recovered again. I t seems that Dr.Bowker had put a seton i n his neck,and that after his return home, the wound had burst out bleeding, & they could not stop i t but i t stopped i t s e l f after bleeding some hours, & after he had l o s t a great quantity of blood. On Thursday I went to v i s i t Mr.Lette, at Yarramolong, & remained the night there. I found one family more come to settle near him, named Walter, from Hexham, & I hear there are several more families expected, so I s h a l l soon have another congregation

짜zditOYiny TkVLOR, oi Cockle, Ciztk, (jJU-tLam - , SawyeA. Vied 21 June

aged 1856,

8 months,

the

6on

June 28.

up i n that quarter. I returned home yesterday, c a l l i n g at Newman's at Blue Gum F l a t , to v i s i t a sick man there, named Lang.- This morning I was busy making preparations for my next week's v i s i t to Mangrove.- I did not go out anywhere today,but spent about an hour this afternoon i n my l i t t l e vineyard, pruning vines.

July 7.

1856

Monday, Yesterday week, as I was returning from the Morning service at Kincumbar, I was suddenly seized with an attack of lumbago. It did not much Incommode me during the afternoon service at Gosford, but i t was bad enough to make me very thankful that I had no evening service elsewhere. I t was very bad a l l night, & I had the greatest d i f f u c u l t y i n r i s i n g from my bed on Monday morning, so that going to Mangrove on that day (as I had engaged to do) was quite out of the question, nor was I well enough to go on Tuesday, which I was very sorry f o r as that was the day fixed f o r the marriage of Byrne's, & E l i z a Parry.- I was thus compelled to disappoint them. On Wednesday Byrnes came down to see what was the cause of my absence, & on Thursday I accompanied him back to Mangrove, & performed the marriage ceremony on Friday morning, a f t e r which I made the best of my way home again, & here I found Townshend, who had come down from Sydney by the Black Swan. On Saturday morning I walked with him over to East Gosford, & i n the afternoon down as far as Coulter's. Yesterday he accompanied me to the Sawmill for morning service, where I had but a poor congregation, nor had we a very good one here i n the afternoon.- Townshend l e f t us again today per Black Swan, taking a fine bundle of Raspberry plants with him. We a l l accompanied him over to see him o f f , & then a f t e r looking i n at the school, I l e f t the party

76.

July 1856 7.

to find their way home, while I went to see Piper, & make a few c a l l s i n that neighbourhood.- I found young Mr.Scott & two of h i s s i s t e r s here on my return, & after staying & dining with us they took Sarah home with them.

We had a great f r i g h t l a s t Monday night or Tuesday morning rather. I was awakened soon after one o'clock by the noise of the crackling of f i r e upstairs i n the l o f t , or garret where Fanny slept. On jumping out of bed & opening the door, I found the place quite i n a blaze, which at f i r s t sight impressed me very f o r c i b l y with the notion that our house was doomed to destruction. I t seems that Fanny had placed her lantern on a deal box beside her bed, & though she blew out the candle that was i n i t , a spark must have remained a l i v e , & caught something i n the accumulated grease which must have been i n the lantern,& this_ must have continued burning slowly for about 4 hours before the box on which the lantern stood caught f i r e , & communicated to the rug nailed against the wall, which i n i t s turned conducted the flame up to the shingles, which i t had just reached, when providentially the noise awoke me, & I was just i n time to get the flames under by beating & tearing down the rug, before the shingles ignited.- The box was s t i l l blazing however, but having deadened the flames by s t u f f i n g i n rugs & bed clothes, whatever came to hand, I burled i t down the s t a i r s & out at the back door, & thus was enabled, by God's blessing & assistance, to preserve the house from destruction. On Tuesday I did not go out anywhere, except i n the afternoon I took the children up the mountain (with James) to look for the goats.- On Thursday afternoon I went & made a few c a l l s i n that quarter.- Thursday-pouring with r a i n a l l day. Friday (Yesterday) I went up to Mr.Lee's at Reedy Flat to baptize two l i t t l e German children. I had appointed Thursday

Chaile.6 GaidmeA

Htnfiy KLUMPP, ion o^ iilaJLlaioo Paik

o^ CkiLitlan Joitph & Johanna fiddtuia.

Anna REJGLER, daughtZA AndKOxa, Laboufizn. i Anna WALBOURim. BoKn 16 May 1856.

Vlne.diU'&M. i Bom 15 May 1856.

oi iiiallaioo

Paik

July

1856

12.

& hoped to have assembled a l i t t l e congregation for a 78. service, but the great r a i n of Thursday quite prevented that & although yesterday was a bright sunny day, the very high wind that blew a l l day made i t rather a hazardous ride for branches were f a l l i n g from the trees i n a l l directions. I found the roads also exceedingly bad.-Today I have not been out.

21.

This day week,(Monday) I was suffering from headache.I went over to see Piper i n the morning, & a f t e r s i t t i n g some time with him, went to see the Steamer a r r i v e . The rest of the day I could do nothing. On Tuesday morning young Scott came, by appointment to take me across the water. I walked down to McCullum's & from thence on to a neighbour named Thurston, where there i s an infant f o r baptisim.- I came home v i a E.Gosford being post night, & wishing also to see Piper.-The mail brought me a packet of the Forms f o r the Thanksgiving f o r Peace.-Sunday the 13th was the day intended, but not receiving them i n time, I made yesterday the day instead.- On Wednesday l a s t I went on to Kincumbar, c a l l i n g on Mrs.Auld, & after looking i n at the school, went on to Scaysbrook, Jones' & Mullards'.Thursday & Friday I was busy Sermon writing, & part of Saturday.In the afternoon I went over to see Piper. He continues much the same, both as regards the body & soul. His case, i s a very unsatisfactory one. I can make no impression upon him. He does not show the least fear of death, while I cannot help being persuaded that he has everything to fear, & nothing to hope f o r . - He seems quite void of a l l anxiety about his soul I can only continue praying f o r him, that God w i l l at length open his eyes that he may see h i s danger, & give him, even at the late hour, the grace of repentance.- Yesterday morning I had a very good congregation at Kincumbar, where I also administered the Sacrament. Among

T H E PARSONAGE A T GOSFORD

*. : PHOTO: MISS R. E. R E N W I C K

The old Church of England Parsonage at the southern end of Mann Street, Gosford, where the GLENNIE family lived during their stay at Brisbane Water — 1850-1863.

The Parsonage from the back looking towards the Broadwater.

A U S T R A L I A N HISTORICAL POST C A R D S — HISTORIC BUILDINGS

Plate IV

July 1856 the congregation was a party of six strangers, ( 3 gents & 3 ladies) whom I set down f o r some v i s i t o r s from Sydney, but I learnt from Mr.Lane that they are residents, though he could not t e l l me their names. - They have purchased the place where Captn. Lee used to l i v e , near Webbs reef.- I must go & pay my respects as soon as possible.- I had a very hard day o f i t yesterday, having no time f o r any dinner.- The road to the Sawmill was i n a dreadful state, & i t became quite dark before I reached there.& I had to come away after the service, without even a cup of tea.- Mr.Austin was away i n Sydney & the young man, the clerk, l e f t i n charge, "regretted he had nothing to offer me" but supposed 1 had had my supper before I came" I had a tedious 2 hours ride home, & very c o l d . - I t was just eleven o'clock when I got i n , & found Ann had prepared a nice dish of sago which I enjoyed. But I woke this morning with a very bad head ache, which troubled me t i l l dinner time. Fancying i t was occasioned by fasting yesterday, I ate some roast beef & dry bread, which seemed to do me good, f o r the head got quite well soon after dinner, & I was able to go & work i n the garden. (Saturday) Last Tuesday I spent at Mosquito Town, v i s i t i n g a l l the families i n that neighbourhood, about 20 i n number.- I walked out, i n order to give Mettle a r e s t . - Wednesday I went to Kincumbar, & after v i s i t i n g the school went on to McMasters.- Thursday I remained at home l e t t e r writing.- Yesterday I rode out to Torigal to v i s i t a family who have recently come from the Hunter to Settle there, Wilson by name.They seem to be an industrious family, & are making a new garden etc, about them.- The land he i s clearing appears to be excellent. Today I have remained at home, & have spent the whole day i n the garden, vinepruning. As usual I am a l i t t l e l a t e , but I hope to find time to f i n i s h them before I go to Mangrove next week.

Friday, August 1.

1856

Here I am, a s o l i t a r y being again for a short time, Ann & the children having gone up to Sydney this afternoon i n the Black Swan "to spend a few days with the Misses Donnison, before they quit Redfern," which they think of doing before the end of this month.- We received l e t t e r s by l a s t Tuesdays mail, both from Miss Donnison & H:Ferris, urging Anne to go at once, & having weighed the matter, & turned i t over i n our minds, we determined, should the weather prove favourable to accept the i n v i t a t i o n at once. So the carpet bags etc. were speedily f i l l e d this morning, and o f f they started, about one o'clock, with as beautiful an afternoon as could possibly be enjoyed.- The day seemed to have been made for them, & 1 trust they are now having a cosy chat with the Misses D. at Redfern, I should have started for Mangrove this morning but for this sudden movement, but 1 hope to get away i n good time tomorrow.- Last Sunday i had a good many Communicants at E.Gosford. Mr.& Mrs.Nunn being among them. Good congregations as usual at Erina.- On Monday morng. I went over to E.Gosford to post some l e t t e r , i see Mr.Battley upon Registration matters.- made one or two c a l l s there besides. - In the Afternoon went on with my vinepruning.- On Tuesday I went to Kincumbar, & called upon the newly arrived family, before mentioned. I found the 6 young people who came to church, & their parents, & was much pleased with them a l l . Gittins i s the name.I hope to f i n d them an acquisition to the D i s t r i c t . On Wednesday I remained at home. It was a kind of day of interruptions. Miss Kate Nunn came & spent a few hours, her Papa having some business at the court. Mr.Moore also c a l l e d . Yesterday I was l e t t e r writing the greater part of the day. & took my despatches to the Post i n

August

1856

18.

good congregation at Gosford as well as at the Sawmill i n the evening. Neither Ann nor the children ventured to church, as they were a l l suffering from coughs & colds.- Having some l e t t e r s to write this morning, I did not go out anywhere, & spent the afternoon laying out the children's gardens for them.

25,

Last Tuesday morning 1 v i s i t e d the school. -On Wednesday I went to Kincumbar & made a round of v i s i t s there.Thursday l e t t e r writing i n the morning - Mrs.Nunn c a l l e d i n the afternoon with Mrs.Wm.Nunn & Miss Kate.Towards evening 1 paid a v i s i t to Mrs.Creighton. Friday I spent i n the neighbourhood of Erina. Saturday at home. The day was broken i t into by the a r r i v a l of a large box of books for the schools which I had to unpack & take a catalogue of i t s contents.- Ann's cough being very bad & otherwise a i l i n g , she could not venture to church yesterday. But she i s better today, & I trust w i l l continue to improve. I had rather thin congregations yesterday at both churches.Erina pretty f a i r as usual.- This morning, the f i r s t thing after breakfast I went to v i s i t Overall's family. An alarming accident happened to them l a s t evening, but the discharging of a p i s t o l , which i t seems Overall was showing to James, who with Lydia & a l l their children were c a l l i n g at his house. I t was loaded with shot, & a portion of the charge lodged i n the face of his l i t t l e g i r l Rachel. I t has scarred her face of course very much, but I have reason to hope that no dangerous wound has been made & that the c h i l d w i l l soon recover. We have today come to the determination of sending Fanny home, being obliged to give her up as a "hopeless" case" a f t e r s i x months t r i a l . - Mr.Nunn called i n this morning on h i s way to Sydney where he i s going for the express purpose of trying to engage female servants, having

81.

August

1856

25.

heard of the a r r i v a l of an Immigrant ship, & I commissioned him to engage a servant for us i f he could.- I made one or two c a l l s at the cottages i n rear of Mr.Battley's today, I then had an hour's looking over the Register Books, Regulations etc. with Mr.B:

28.

Tuesday was a sort of broken day - I went the f i r s t thing after breakfast to see how l i t t l e Rachel Overall was getting on, & found her progressing favourably.On may way back I c a l l e d & made a new acquaintance, at the new shop, opened a few months ago opposite:;the R:Catholic School.- Baron I believe i s the name of the person. He i s himself i n Sydney, but h i s wife told me they are both church people.- When I had been i n a few minutes Mr.Battley called & had some more Registration chat - & i n the afternoon Mr.Scott Junr. & two s i s t e r s came i n & spent the evening.- Yesterday morning I went to the school, & i n the evening we a l l went & paid Rachel a v i s i t . Today has been my Kincumbar day. I took over to Mr.Lane a few of the new books which came l a s t week, & paid a few v i s i t s about there.

September 1856 6.

(Saturday) On Monday morning I was busy l e t t e r writing etc. Tuesday was very rainy the greater part of the day. Towards evening I went over to see Piper, & paid a v i s i t or two i n that neighbourhood. Wednesday I spent v i s i t i n g from Wyoming to Blue Gum F l a t . Thursday i l l a l l day with a bad headache. Yesterday morning I was called to go & baptize a sick c h i l d at Torigal but on reaching the house found i t dead. The father however had himself baptized i t before coming for me.- They are newcomers, name Bowman St seem to be [1]

Lotviia JameA

BOWMAN, - , SawyeJi.

TM-fUgal, age.d 8 dayi, the. VJied 5 SeptembeA 1856.

daughter

September

1856

a large party. Several families altogether. I came direct home, & In the afternoon went up to the Sawmill, c a l l i n g at Stockdale's etc.- This afternoon I had to bury the l i t t l e c h i l d that died yesterday.

Yesterday (Sunday) 1 had my morning service at the Sawmill, but owing to the very unfavourable weather.Showery & very squally - I had not so good a congregation as 1 expected - About 30 only assembled, & at Gosford in the afternoon I had l i t t l e more than 40. The weather was most tempestuous a l l Saturday & Saturday night, & continued blowing pretty strong yesterday but this has been a lovely day again.- I went & paid Piper a v i s i t t h i s morning & then called on Mrs.Lloyd, & on Partridge. This afternoon 1 rode out to v i s i t the Seamans & as usual, the purport of my v i s i t was to scold, having seem Seaman by the roadside on Saturday afternoon,- drunk.-

10.

I took a round yesterday by Mr.Moore & T o r i g a l , & so home by Frisby's. - I f i l l e d my saddle bags & v a l i s e with books for the Kincumbar School, & a f t e r depositing them wh went on to see Mr.Moore, whom I found suffering from a bad cough. After s i t t i n g some time with him I proceeded to Torigal, c a l l i n g on Gascoyne & Wilson. The l a t t e r I did not see, only his wife being at home.- I then came home by Frisby's c a l l i n g at the huts of the newcomers there, Bowman etc.- This morning I v i s i t e d the school & Mr.Toms.- I intended going out to W.Creighton t h i s afternoon, but i t began raining a l i t t l e after dinner & seemed so threatening that I had Mettle turned out & remained at home.

September 1856 18.

Thursday. At home a l l today l e t t e r writing. On Monday morning I went over to see Piper & made a c a l l or two there abouts. We had a v i s i t that morning from Mr.Keene, the Govt examiner of coal f i e l d s from Newcastle, who was staying at Mr.Scotts.- Mr.S: & son accompanied him. In the afternoon I rode out to see Mrs.Warburton who I heard on Sunday was unwell but she seemed only affected with the sort of influenza cold which has been so prevalent of l a t e . On Tuesday I went over to Kincumbar, & extended my ride as f a r as Mr.Glttens' where I found them a l l well. Mr.G: & one of his sons had gone to Sydney that morning.- I also c a l l e d upon another new family whom I had not seem before.- by name Moffat recently come from Hexham - he i s settled upon a piece of land he has bought up Cockle Creek, quite under the h i l l s , & seemingly has some good land there. On returning at night I found Mr.Foster had come down from Mangrove to consult me on some money matters, which I managed to arrange for him. Yesterday afternoon I went with James & the cart out to William Creighton's f o r some f e l l i e s which I bought from him for Townshend, to go by tomorrows steamer.

20,

Yesterday morning I remained at home preparing my sermon f o r tomorrow. In the afternoon I went to see Piper, & on my return c a l l e d on Mr.Norris, who has l a t e l y come to reside i n the hollow where Capper used to l i v e . From thence I went to Mr.Harrisons & c a l l e d also at Piggotts. This afternoon I went again to E.Gosford, taking the row of cottages by the church, & then v i s i t e d Piper again. My v i s i t s to him are as unsatisfactory as ever, & i t i s most painful to be unable to discover anything l i k e true penitence i n him.

84.

September 1856 22.

Congregations yesterday, middling, I had a beautiful s t a r l i g h t night to come home from the Sawmill, & was at home before 11 o'clock.- This day has been a broken day. I was juat preparing to go to the school this morning, when a ring at the b e l l announced Mr.Scott & h i s two eldest daughters accompanied by Mr.Keene, who came to bid adieu. The Scotts remained t i l l about 5 P.M. & a f t e r t h e i r departure we a l l walked as f a r as C o t t r i l l ' s , Mrs.Colt having begged the children to come & choose a l i t t l e k i d which she wished to present to Emily.

26.

On Tuesday morning I v i s i t e d Piper, & i n the afternoon walked up to Wyoming, taking Marianne & Emily with me. - We called i n to see Rachel, as we passed Overall's. She has so far recovered from the accident as to be running about again, but I fear the sight i s quite destroyed from her right eye.- An approaching thunderstorm compelled us to hasten back from Wyoming, & after our return home we had a fine shower of r a i n . On Wednesday morning 1 v i s i t e d the school & i n the afternoon went to see Mrs.Dixon & looked i n on o l d MrSiCreighton on my return. Yesterday was a thorough squally, rainy day, so that I d i d not go out. The wind has continued strong & very cold a l l today, but moderated towards evening, & the sky became clear again.- I went to see Piper again a f t e r dinner. His body powers are evidently becoming weaker, & I wish I could discover him to be waxing stronger i n s p i r i t , but of this I can see no symptoms. I also v i s i t e d Mrs.Lucy & Mrs.John Spears & Partridge.

27.

Walked up to Erina to no punt at present to again to dinner. Met come a l l the way from

v i s i t the school, (there being put a horse across) & returned Mrs.Cole i n E.Gosfd, who had Mangrove i n search of

85.

September 1856 dissipated husband, whom I met on my way to Erina. The repairs of the punt not being completed yet, I walked to Kincumbar church yesterday, & was not more than i of an hour behind the time. My congregations at both churches were tolerable. I had no service at Erina, as I was walking - & there was no moon to l i g h t me. I went to the school this morning,& from thence to Piper's - called also on Partridge who was rather complaining when I saw him on Friday - found him better. This afternoon I v i s i t e d the Nunn's, & thence proceeded to Gavenlock's where I had not been f o r a long time. On my way back I c a l l e d upon a new family at Wyoming, Mr.Nunn's gardener.- I do not yet know their names.The wife & children only arrived yesterday per Black Swan, which paid us her farewell v i s i t yesterday, so that we are now without a Steamer again.

October

1856

(Wednesday) A very stormy, rainy, boisterous day, with a strong S.E: gale.- Did not go out any where, but spent the day w r i t i n g , - making up my Returns of Parish Registers for 1855. etc. etc.

Busy l e t t e r writing the greater part of the day Took my l e t t e r s to the post i n the evening c a l l i n g on Mr.Harrison by the way to get him to witness my signature to Returns.

This morning I spent partly reading, & preparing for Mangrove, for which place I purpose starting tomorrow. After dinner I rode over to Kincumbar to v i s i t the School, but Mr.Lane had just dismissed the children when I reached there Owing to the threatening appearance of the weather he l e t them go e a r l i e r than usual. On my way back 1 looked i n upon poor Piper, who so shocked me by the b i t t e r , malignant, almost fiendish manner i n which he spoke of h i s poor wife (who was s i t t i n g at the table with him) accusing her i n short of "driving him to h e l l " & saying that she was "the d e v i l s ' imp, sent on purpose to ruin him," & many other expressions of a l i k e nature, that I was obliged to leave him. I fear he has sullenly resigned himself into the hands of the wicked one, allowing him l i t e r a l l y to "lead him captive at his w i l l " - among other things he said he "should not read or pray any more as long as he l i v e d . " - I saw i t was quite useless my attempting to reason with him while i n such a wicked frame of mind, & that my presence seemed only to exasperate him, therefore I withdrew.

Started for Mangrove about 11 o'clock i n the r a i n , & had a very disagreeable ride

87.

October

1856

for though the rain ceased when I was a l i t t l e more than half way there, the bushes were very wet & so kept my feet continually wet.

Owing to the r a i n of Saturday, the people at Mangrove did not expect me up, so that 1 had scarcely any congregation at the Upper church - only Chaselings family, & two other i n d i v i d u a l s . - At the lower church I had 35. the people there being aware of my a r r i v a l on Saturday. There would have been more, but for heavy thunderstorms which came on about Church time, & so drove them back again. Spent the day v i s i t i n g among the people - went down to Wm.Woodbury's & then walked a l l up that side of the creek to Turnbull's, crossed over to Wm.Crafts, & on to Worley's, & then back again to the school house, which I reached about dusk.

Started with Mr.Foster to the upper school, c a l l i n g at several houses by the way. I spent about an hour i n the school, & then a f t e r c a l l i n g on Mrs.George Ellem & Mrs.Ferguson, set out homeward between 1 & 2 o'c: Reached Wyoming as they were preparing f o r dinner, & accepted an i n v i t a t i o n to stay.- Met John Osborne there. Miss Kate Nunn kindly came on Saturday evening to keep Ann company during my absence at Mangrove.

Not very well this morning, as i s often the case after 3 or 4 days bacon & eggs at Mangrove.- This afternoon I went to v i s i t poor Frank Piper whom I found i n a very sullen mood, & disposed to f i n d f a u l t with me. He wanted to d i s t o r t his expression to me on Friday l a s t that "he would not read or pray any more as long as he l i v e d " into my t e l l i n g him that i t â&#x20AC;˘"'.3 no use his reading or praying

88.

October

1856

any more. He seemed d i s s a t i s f i e d with me for not giving him any hopes,& while he thanked me f o r a l l that I had done f o r him, he added, that he did not wish to see me again, unless he sent for me. I left the poor man at that, & can only continue to pray for him, that God may yet have mercy upon him, & give him grace to become a true penitent, "before he go hence, & be no more seen." ~ I called also on Mrs. Venteman, Mrs.Lucy, & Mrs.Hardwicke.

Busy a l l today l e t t e r writing u n t i l towards evening when we a l l took a s t r o l l up to the top of recreation hill. It was a lovely evening, & Miss Kate Nunn, as well as ourselves, enjoyed the beautiful view exceedingly.

10.

V i s i t i n g at Kincumbar today, beginlng at Dr.Auld's, & from thence to Robert's & Davis etc. I also c a l l e d to make the acquaintance of a new family, who have been l i v i n g some l i t t l e time at Henderson's, where Coglan used to l i v e . - I f i n d they are church people, the man's name i s Luke Warbridge.- He was away from home, but I had a l i t t l e chat with his wife, whom I found gardening with her children.

11.

I walked up to Erina this morning, to v i s i t the school there, & found a good assemblage of l i t t l e people.Finding i t rather hot, I did not extend my walk, as I had some thought of doing, l e s t any over exertion today might t e l l upon me tomorrow & so hinder my Sunday duties. I just looked i n at Swadlings & then came home again.

13.

My congregation at Gosford yesterday morning was rather below the average but at both Kincumbar & Erina they were very s a t i s f a c t o r y . I had a baptism at each of these places.

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October 1856 13.

The rain prevented me from going to the School this morning, but 1 went up after dinner to see how matters were getting on there.- Poor Mr.Rudkin was suffering very much from toothache,- I finished the afternoon v i s i t i n g the following persons - Battley - Irvine, Hay, Jos.Spears, Partridge, Foster, Capper, & Holmes.Foster i s a nice respectable looking elderly person, father of the two brothers who run the vessels Peacock & Angus & Henry. He has (or they have among them) opened a store l a t e l y i n the house formerly occupied by Mr.Hargraves.- Poor Partridge, who has been absent from Church the l a s t two Sundays, acknowledged his delinquincies,- former bad habits had returned & tempted him to transgress.- He seemed however, r e a l l y sorry for h i s f a u l t s , & I l e f t him i n tears, which I hope were tears of penitence.- 1 made acquaintance also with a man, whom I ought to have spoken to long ago, but at f i r s t refrained from doing so under the impression that he was a Roman.- Dawkins i s his name the man who befriended me one morning & brought me two buckets of water.- I found he i s a churchman, & he promises to come to church next Sunday.- Miss Kate Nunn l e f t us this afternoon & returned home.

16.

(Thursday) On Tuesday l a s t I v i s i t e d the Sawmill, & Blue Gum Flat neighbourhood, c a l l i n g at almost a l l the cottages by the way.- I made the acquaintance of some new comers, v i z t , the family of Walmsley - l a t e l y come to reside i n the cottage which was formerly Mr. Mannings. They appear to be nice, c i v i l , well disposed people, possessing that usual c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of Natives, h o s p i t a l i t y . Yesterday I did not go out any where, but made i t my l e t t e r writing day instead of today, & was otherwise engaged indoors.- I t was my intention

90.

October

[1]

1856

16.

to have accomplished a l i t t l e town v i s i t i n g i n the afternoon, but about 3 o'clock there came on one of the most violent southerly gales we have had for a long time, with some heavy r a i n too. Today has been fine again & I have spent i t at Kincumbar. F i r s t at the school, & then v i s i t e d Ward, Conroy, Godwin, Futcher, & Scaysbrook, by which time the day was f a r spent, & i t was nearly 8 o'clock before I reached horn.

17,

I have had rather a long day's v i s i t i n g i n the neighbourhood of Erina today. I began with the school, & then, after c a l l i n g at Swadllng's & Boniface's took a round past Bert's etc. to W & A Swadllng's, Channels, & over the h i l l to Anson's & Mcintosh. & then home through Mosquito Town, where I made the acquaintance of some new comers, among them a family from Mitcham, in Surry, named Tagge.

27.

A very unsettled week l a s t week, must account for t h i s pause i n my journal. On Saturday, the 18th 1 did not go out any where (as f a r as my r e c o l l e c t i o n serves me) being rather i n c l i n e d for headaches.- Sunday, being Sawmill day, was as usual, a hard day. Sacrament at Kincumbar i n the morning, 3 children to baptize at E.Gosford a f t e r , & at the Sawmill also. On Monday morning the plasterer, Mr,Gladding, came to commence sundry repairs i n the plastering l i n e , which the house has been wanting a long time, & a good deal of my time was taken up that day, as well as subsequent interruptions during the week, i n removing things from room to room, - This, and the preparation of a Charity sermon on behalf of the Benevolent Asylum, prevented my doing much i n the way of v i s i t i n g during the week.- 1 spent Friday, however, at Kincumbar, going as f a r as McMaster's, & c a l l i n g i n upon the Kirks, whom I missed from church the previous Sunday.

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October

1856

I found they had both been unwell, but were then better. On Saturday afternoon I c a l l e d upon some new neighbours, who have l a t e l y come to occupy the house next to us, Mr.Crause's. Mr.Inches brotherinlaw to Mr.Pringle of Peel's River has just come down with h i s wife and one l i t t l e c h i l d , having made some contract I believe with the Sawmill Company to cart their timber for them.- I also paid old Mrs.Creighton a v i s i t . - Yesterday I preached my Charity Sermon at E.Gosfd & at Kincumbar, c o l l e c t i n g at the two churches, ÂŁ5.16 which i s more than I expected.- I intend preaching i t next;Sunday at the Sawmill, & the following Sunday at Erina, & again at Mangrove Creek, so I may hope to c o l l e c t about ÂŁ10 altogether. I commenced this morning with a wedding at E.Gosfd - Thos.Sharp & E l i z a Ingram.- after which I c a l l e d on Mr.Battley, & delivered to him the C e r t i f i c a t e of t h e i r Marriage.- I then c a l l e d to see Mrs.Mcintosh, who returned l a s t week from Sydney.This afternoon I went to see Betzy Muddle, & had a long conversation with her she has not been near the church f o r a long time, although William comes pretty regularly & I endeavoured to remind her of the necessity of attending to that part of her Xtain duty.- Among other occurences of the l a s t week James gave me a months warning, to provide a successor.The reason he gave f o r wishing to leave was, that he could not do a l l the work, & was ashamed for anyone to see the garden i n the state i n which i t now i s . (Friday) I remained at home on Tuesday morning, & in the afternoon rode up to Wyoming to c a l l on the Nunn's, & then v i s i t e d some of their neighbours.Among the number I c a l l e d to see the o l d man Holland (whom I mentioned before) I found him very unwell &

October

1856

evidently i n great pain. He seemed desirous of going 93. up to the Hospital i n Sydney i f there were any means of getting there, Finding there was one vessel i n at East Gosford & l i k e l y to go on Wednesday, I sent my cart up on Wednesday morning to bring him down i f he chose to venture, but being then a l i t t l e better than when I saw him the previous evening he preferred waiting for the "Uncle Tom" which goes up to Wyoming.Tuesdays mail brought me a l e t t e r from Mr.Manning stating he intention of following out my suggestion as to the running of the "Black Swan" Steamer, & deciding to resume her t r i p s on Monday the 17th November, coming i n future the 3rd Monday & following Friday in each month. This was j o y f u l news for us a l l . But the same post brought me a l e t t e r containing distressing t i d i n g s . It was from John David, announcing the somewhat sudden death of our dear brother William who was attacked with paralysis i n June l a s t , & died on the 20th of that month.- This i s the f i r s t death, from natural causes, which has occured among us, (except that of an infant, I believe before I was born) & the long period of 40 years has elapsed since we had to mourn the death of our brother George, who f e l l at Algiers i n the year 1816 as a midshipman, i n one of the ships forming Lord Exmouth's squadron on that occasion. We have indeed much cause for gratitude that so large a family - eleven i n number- should have been a l l spared so long together, although much divided as to place of residence, & scattered abroad upon the world.- On Wednesday Mrs.Nunn & Miss Kate called i n the afternoon & we had a l i t t l e music which they seemed to enjoy much - after they had gone we went & called on- our new neighbours the Inches.- I was busy a l l

Of.tober

1856

yesterday morning writing l e t t e r s . In the afternoon I went to see Holland, & found him much better.- Today Intended to have spent v i s i t i n g at Blue Gum F l a t , but i t has been pouring of rain nearly the whole day, by which I have been confined to the house, & to my books.

November 1856 I don't think I ever had to record such weather as we have been v i s i t e d with during the l a s t few days. I was prevented by the torrents of r a i n that f e l l on Sunday morning, from going to the Sawmill for morning service.- The r a i n held up towards the afternoon, & I went to East Gosford, where I had a congregation of about 24. Monday & Tuesday were tolerably f i n e , but i n the afternoon of the l a t t e r thunderclouds appeared i n the westward, & distant thunder warned us of the appearance of more r a i n . I t commenced again on Tuesday night, with a gale of wind from S:E: & from that time to this (Thursday evening) i t has rained without ceasing & mostly very heavy r a i n indeed. A l l l a s t night & today i t has been blowing quite a gale of wind, & every place about i s deluged with water.- I walked through i t to the post o f f i c e this evening, & found the road through the swamp below the house, quite under water for the most part. In short the s a l t & the fresh water met & joined forces a l l along the road. I t i s making sad havoc with our roof, coming i n , i n a l l directions, & so quite s p o i l i n g a l l that Mr.Gladding has been going by way of making the house tidy

November 1856 & respectable. I done't think I ever witnessed such heavy r a i n to continue so long, & with such a gale of wind.- We s h a l l certainly hearofgreat floods i n various parts of the country.- On Tuesday afternoon I c a l l e d on some of the people i n the row of cottages by the church, & then on Partridge & Hegin. The l a t t e r i s a i l i n g a good deal & has l a t e l y been to consult Dr.Bowker.- I called to see him again this evening. He i s s t i l l poorly, but I have reason to hope that his ailment i s not very serious. Yesterday the weather seemed inclined to take up again, I remained at home a l l the morning, sermon writing, & i n the afternoon went up to Wyoming to v i s i t Holland, who sent me word i n the morning that he was very poorly.He i s desirous of going to Sydney to the Hospital, & I have given him the necessary order f o r admission.I called also at Mr.Nunn's.- Today I have spent v i s i t i n g at Mosquito Town, which occupied me the whole day.I was anxious to secure a good congregation, i f possible, for my Charity Sermon tomorrow evening on behalf of the Benevolent Asylum. I have a sad, melancholy entry to make now i n my journal.As I returned from Erina late on Sunday evening, when crossing the creek by the punt, Page informed me that young Mr.Nunn had that day met his death, being drowned i n attempting to cross Wyong Creek. I went up to Wyoming on Monday morning f o r the purpose of offering what consolation lay i n my power to the distressed family, a l l of whom were of course greatly overwhelmed by

November 1856 12.

the t e r r i b l e shock they had received. Poor Mr.Nunn was almost inconsolable; but heavy as i s the sudden bereavement they are suffering, I trust they have a l l the p r i n c i p l e of our holy r e l i g i o n so strongly implanted within them, as to enable them to bear up with patient resignation to the w i l l of the Almighty.I remained some time with them i n the morning, for poor & i n e f f e c t u a l as I f e l t my powers of soothing & comforting them to be, they seemed glad to have me among them. Mr.Wm.Nunn & Mr.Codrington having gone up to Wyong creek to search f o r the body, I went up again i n the evening to ascertain what success they had met with; but they returned without having effected their object.- I went again yesterday to see them, & after spending the day v i s i t i n g about Blue Gum Flat & the Sawmill, spent the evening again at Wyoming. Smith returned i n the afternoon from the creek, but no body had as yet been found, nor i s i t l i k e l y they w i l l discover i t u n t i l the water subsides.- A sad t r i a l awaited poor Smith on his return. The tragic accurrence of poor Gordon Nunn's death had affected her to such a degree as to deprive her of her reason. But I trust with God's blessing on the means used for her recovery, a few days w i l l bring her back to her right mind. This morning I went to E.Gosford, to make one or two c a l l s , but c h i e f l y to v i s i t Hegin, who i s far from well, & I cannot help entertaining fears that the .time has come for him to ''set his house i n order." & prepare f o r leaving this world. This afternoon I rode over to Kincumbar, & a f t e r c a l l i n g at the school went to v i s i t the Kearnes family I found Mrs.Kearnes only at home.

13.

I rode up to Wyoming this morning to see how the poor mourners there were getting on

96.

November 1856 sorry for having offended me, but I endeavoured to turn h i s thoughts more to the manner i n which he had offended his God, & to urge him to seek r e c o n c i l i a t i o n there by hearty repentance & true f a i t h . I called i n upon him on my return from Erina, & having v i s i t e d him three times today. He i s quite subdued from what he used to be, & I am not without hope that a l l may yet be well with him. Yesterday morning I went to v i s i t poor Piper again after breakfast, I found him him s t i l l weaker, & i t was with great d i f f i c u l t y he could a r t i c u l a t e a word. He could however ask me to pray which I was glad of. I read the 11th of St.John's Gospel to him & he seemed very attentive, & I think heard me thoughout. On asking him whether he wished to die, he said "yes, I hope tonight." - I v i s i t e d the school also, yesterday morning, & looked i n upon Hegin, who i s much better, & at work again.- In the afternoon Ann & myself went & called at Wyoming where we found them a l l pretty w e l l . - We could not take the children with us, as Emily was very poorly a l l yesterday, & i s s t i l l rather out of sorts.- I v i s i t e d Piper again l a s t night, when I found the power of speech had quite l e f t him, though he was s t i l l conscious. I offered up prayers, concluding with the l a s t , commendatory prayer, f e e l i n g almost assured that i t wd. be my l a s t prayer with him. & so i t was, f o r on going over early this morning I found he had just l i v e d through the night & expired soon a f t e r 6 o'clock. I spent this morning l e t t e r writing, & i n the afternoon went to see poor Mrs.Piper again, & c a l l e d on Mrs.Venteman.- Mr.Moore & Mr.Osborne dined with us today.

December

1856

Piper's funeral took place on Thursday afternoon l a s t (this i s Monday) - I was occupied a l l the morning l e t t e r writing.- On Friday I went to Kincumbar, & besides v i s i t i n g the school, made c a l l s on the followingMrs.Dunlop, Piper, Darbyshire, Overton, & Bullock also on Wm.Taylor, & Dr.Auid. On Saturday afternoon I went to Erina, & v i s i t e d several families there, namely Swadling, Boniface, Berry, Bert, J a r r e t t , Britton, Ashby, & Garner.- Poor congregations yesterday rather, but the squally weather might probably have deterred some from coming to church. I rode round by Pagans this afternoon to v i s i t the Scotts -found them complaining of colds Yesterday I went to Kincumbar, & down as f a r as Mr.Gittinsfound him just preparing for a t r i p to Sydney & saw him start with h i s son Charles. On my way back I called at Moffats a l s o . - On reaching home I found among other l e t t e r s one from Mr.Manning consenting to my suggestion about an extra t r i p of the black Swan after Xmas.- I have not been out anywhere today, except as f a r as the blacksmiths, to see whether he could remove Mettle's shoes for him - James & h i s brother commenced yesterday to s p l i t timber for fencing i n my land. I have engaged to give them 10/- per rod for a good two r a i l e d close paling fence. Returned this afternoon from Mangrove, having had rather a long & harassing time of i t , among sick people affected with Typhus Fever, or something very nearly resembling i t .

December 9.

1856

I t was my intention to have started on Friday, but a 99. messenger (Grif.Parry) came for me on Thursday morning, requesting me to go as soon as possible to v i s i t old Ellem, whom he described as being i n a dying state, (tho' not affected with the fever.) & very anxious to see me. I got ready therefore as soon as I could, & leaving home about 2 o'c: reached Mangrove at Sunset. I went straight to Richard Ellem's house, where h i s father was l y i n g , & where R.Ellem & a youth named Horty, were sick with the fever. The poor old man was very glad to see me, & I v i s i t e d him & the other sick folks each day I was i n Mangrove, except Saturday, which being excessively hot, & I rather fatigued with the labors of the two previous days, I thought i t prudent to remain indoors & rest, otherwise I might have been hindered i n my Sunday work. Old Ellem l i k e many others, has l e d a very dissipated l i f e having been a t e r r i b l e drunkard, & a l l my repeated e f f o r t s to reclaim him were always unavailing. He f u l l y acknowledged a l l his past e v i l doings, saying he had been as great a*sinner as a man could be, & expressed his sorrow over & over again, that he had not followed the good advice I had given him- I endeavoured to urge upon his sons, who have hither to shown very l i t t l e disposition to care much about their souls, to take warning by t h e i r poor father, who, while i n the season of health & prosperity, "would none of the counsel" which I so frequently gave him, now when death stared him in the face, sent 25 miles to fetch me up to minister to him.- I t was at a l l events a favourable time for trying to sow the good seed i n their hearts, & I must only hope & pray for God's blessing upon my feeble e f f o r t s to promote their s p i r i t u a l welfare. On reaching the lower school at lOP.M: I found that Mrs.Foster was away i n Sydney, & Mr.F. there alone.- Friday

December 1856 9.

13.

I went up again to see them a l l , & extended my ride 100. to P h i l i p Gould's, where was another fever patient, a lad about 18. son of Mrs.Gould.- He was almost d e l i r i o u s , & I could be of no service to him, for 1 could not make him understand me.- I had small congregations on Sunday, & my c o l l e c t i o n at the lower Ch: where I preached a charity sermon on behalf of the Benevolent Asylum, amount to 10/6 only. Yesterday 1 spent v i s i t i n g the sick again & came away about 8 o'clock this morning.- Mrs.Foster returned about 4 o'c: yesterday morning, having walked, with Mrs.Mcintosh & her daughter, by the Lane Cove route & of course very much fatigued.- For some weeks past the Upper school has been closed on account of this contagious fever that i s among them.- I am i n hopes however that i t w i l l not spread any farther as there do not appear any new cases, & the o l d ones are on the mend. (Saturday night) This has been, since Tuesday, rather an i d l e week with me, that i s , as far as attending to my flock i s concerned. Having been among those at Mangrove, who were sick of a contagious disorder, I thought i t right not to v i s i t , more than was necessary, among my parishioners, u n t i l I f e l t s a t i s f i e d that I had brought no contagion with me. Therefore, with the exception of c a l l i n g to enquire after Hegin on Wednesday afternoon, & then, on my way back looking i n at Moore's (who wanted to see me.) & c a l l i n g at Mr.Battley's new building, to ask whether he wanted my horse & cart to help him move house this week, I have not been out at a l l : but have employed the time i n knocking off a few necessary jobs about the house which have been hanging on hand for some time, waiting for an opportunity to do them.- On Thursday, with Watson's

December 1856

f Jj

[T]

13.

assistance, I got the galvanized iron guttering fixed along the east side of the house, & a place prepared at the end for the new water cask. - Yesterday & this morning Watson was away with the horse & cart helping Mr.Battley to move to his new house.- I was employed the whole of yesterday at at upholsterer's work, s t u f f i n g & sewing through a hair mattress.A variety of carpentering jobs have occupied my time today - mending a washhand stand, & preparing some makeshift furniture out of packing cases, & so f o r t h . Among other things, we got the water cask fixed i n i t s place this afternoon, & i t i s a l l ready now for a good shower o f r a i n to f i l l i t .

29.

My journal seems to have been spending i t s Xmas holidays, but i t i s now time to note what I have been about a l l this time. On Monday the 15th the Misses Donnison came from Sydney, per Black Swan, & remained with us t i l l the Friday following on which day "Uncle F e r r i s " came down to spend Xmas with us.- I had f i r s t of a l l to go & receive him, & then go back & despatch the Misses Donnison.- Mr.& Mrs.Foster, from Mangrove, also went up to Sydney by the same conveyance.- On Saturday, the 20th F e r r i s accompanied me up to the Sawmill.- On Sunday, I had my usual routine of services, Morning at Kincumbar, where I had the addition of the Holy Communion - Afternoon, Gosford, with the Baptisimal Service, & evening, Sawmill where I preached my Charity Sermon i n a i d of the Benevolent Society, & had a very good c o l l e c t i o n , - about 50/- I t was a very dark night with a l i t t l e d r i z z l i n g r a i n , I reached home at 25 m: to 12.- I was sorry to be obliged to refuse to baptize Thomas Davis' c h i l d at Kincumbar in the morning.- Why they should have fixed upon the morning service

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101.

December 1856 29.

I know not, but having to administer the Sacrament, I t o l d them I could not possibly have the Baptismal service i n addition, & then get to Gosford by 3 o'clock. As i t was, I was a quarter of an hour l a t e at E: Gosford.- On Tuesday I took F e r r i s to c a l l on the G i t t i n s ' , r i d i n g a l l round by Kincumbar. On Thursday Xmas day - we had a favourable congregation at E.Gosford,not f a r short of 100.- Mr.Moore came over from Kincumbar, & dined with us.- Friday we remained at home.- Great thunderstorm i n the afternoon.- On Saturday we a l l made an excursion out to the Sea back at T o r i g a l . F e r r i s on horse back, & a l l the rest ofus i n the cart.The weather seemed so doubtful i n the morning, that we hesitated for some time about venturing, & this brought i t to 12 o'clock before we started. We made out the journey very well however, & had about an hour & a half on the beach, for our pic-nic & a l i t t l e ramble.- Rain came upon us before we reached home,, but not very heavy. - A great thunderstorm came on during the morning service yesterday, & the r a i n continued for some time, & put us out a l i t t l e . I had a congregation of 5 only at Kincumbar i n consequence, & a very small one at Erina i n the evening. I had to go over to Kincumbar this morning to marry a couple, - Pritchard, & E l i z b t . Garner.- I t rained a l l the way there & back.- Indeed so f o u l was the weather that we did not expect to see the "Black Swan"To our surprise however, she came i n a l i t t l e before one o'clock, so Uncle F e r r i s had to hurry away from us. & we are once more alone again.

102.

January

1857

Here we have the b e g i n i n g o f another new y e a r , & I t has commenced w i t h a s m i l i n g f a c e , as f a r as the weather i s concerned, - A f t e r the t h r e e p o u r i n g days o f Monday, Tuesday, & y e s t e r d a y - days which I t h i n k I never saw s u r p a s s e d f o r gloominess & s t e a d y s o a k i n g r a l n , i t was q u i t e d e l i g h t f u l t o see the sun s h i n i n g so b r i g h t l y t h i s morning t o welcome i n the new y e a r . A f r e s h N:W! wind has done a good d e a l towards d r y i n g the roads today i n t o the b a r g a i n . - I d i d not v e n t u r e out o f the house e i t h e r y e s t e r d a y or the day b e f o r e , but t h i s e v e n i n g , h a v i n g f i n i s h e d my despatches f o r the p o s t , 1 went t o c a l l a t Keene's, & Barron's I s h o u l d have c a l l e d i n upon o l d M r s . C r e i g h t o n a l s o , but t h e r e seemed t o be s e v e r a l people a t the house, & b e i n g a h o l i d a y , I thought I would d e f e r my v i s i t to h e r . -

I got ready d i r e c t l y a f t e r b r e a k f a s t t h i s morning to conduct Mr.ÂŁf M r s . F o s t e r s a f e l y onto the Mangrove r o a d , i n t e n d i n g then t o p r o c e e d , i f time enough, t o the S a w m i l l , but a f t e r w a i t i n g t i l l p a s t 12 o ' c l o c k , I r e c e i v e d a note from M r . F o s t e r , s a y i n g they had put o f f t h e i r j o u r n e y t i l l tomorrow, I t h e n s t a r t e d , & a f t e r c a l l i n g & l u n c h i n g a t Wyoming, rode on t o K i n g s & M u l l i n s on the Mangrove Road, & from thence proceeded t o B l u e Gum F l a t & c a l l e d a t Deeves, Newman, H a r r i s , Gowdle, C a t e r & Walmsley.

I have had r a t h e r a hot days work t o d a y , v i s i t i n g among the Sawyers about E r i n a . - A f t e r c a l l i n g f i r s t at Moores, Hegin's & R u d k l n s , I proceeded t o " S c o t c h town" t o see Mrs.White, and arrange w i t h h e r about opening the E r i n a s c h o o l , w h i c h she w i l l be prepared to do next Monday week. I t h e n took a round t o see what I c o u l d so towards m u s t e r i n g p u p i l s f o r h e r , & the r e s u l t o f my e f f o r t s promises f a v o u r a b l y . - I c a l l e d a t the f o l l o w i n g

103.

January 1857 3.

houses, namely - D u f f y - N a i l o r - B r y a n t - Chennel - J a c k s o n ~ 104. W h i t t a k e r - F l e t c h e r - Avery - & B a r b e r ' s . - By t h a t time the day was g e t t i n g f a r s p e n t , & a b l a c k t h u n d e r c l o u d to the westward warned me t h a t 1 had b e t t e r make my way home, w h i c h I d i d as q u i c k l y as I c o u l d persuade o l d M e t t l e t o c a r r y me. - I t has been an e x c e e d i n g l y hot day, & I f e l t i t s o . - The thermor; was 91 i n HJ the shade.

I had a f a i r c o n g r e g a t i o n o f 36 a t t h e S a w m i l l y e s t e r d a y morning, & a t o l e r a b l e one a t E.Gosford i n the a f t e r n o o n , where I b a p t i z e d 3 i n f a n t s . - T h i s morning I p a i d a few v i s i t s c l o s e a t home, & began my d i s a g r e e a b l e work o f c o l l e c t i n g f o r t h e S t i p e n d Fund. I n the a f t e r n o o n I went over t o E.Gosfd, and made a few c a l l s i n t h a t neighbourhood. - I found the Bensons had removed t o Peek's c o t t a g e , l a t e l y v a c a t e d by Mr.Toms.

10.

f2j

( S a t u r d a y ) L a s t Tuesday b e i n g a v e r y r a i n y day, I d i d not v e n t u r e o u t anywhere. On Wednesday I p a i d a round o f v i s i t s i n the Kincumbar neighbourhood ( v i d e " v i s l t a t l o P a r o c h l a l l u m ) Thursday I was engaged a l l the morning l e t t e r w r i t i n g , c h i e f l y t o the B i s h o p , from whom I r e c e i v e d a l e t t e r on Tuesday n i g h t , announcing h i s Intended v i s i t t o t h i s D i s t r i c t i n March. In the e v e n i n g I went & p a i d the D i c k s o n f a m i l y a visit. Y e s t e r d a y I had a l o n g days v i s i t i n g a t E r i n a , commencing w i t h T a a f e , & t a k i n g a l l i n s u c c e s s i o n to Warbertons, & beyond t h a t , t o a l i t t l e c l u s t e r of h a l f a dozen f a m i l i e s r e c e n t l y come t o the d i s t r i c t . On my homeward r i d e I t u r n e d o f f t o v i s i t poor Mrs.Chennel, who, I have v e r y l i t t l e doubt i s f o l l o w i n g her b r o t h e r s George & J o s h u a , t h a t i s , g o i n g i n t o a consumption. She seems t o be f u l l y persuaded so h e r s e l f & I t r u s t w i l l use h e r utmost endeavours t o prepare f o r t h e a w f u l change w h i c h i s e v i d e n t l y not f a r d i s t a n t . Today I have been a b l e t o adhere t o a r u l e

[1]

That JU

째 In ceMtigiadii

[21

EtizabeXh BARRON, daughtOA oi Vavid Voang & EllzabeXh. Bom 17 NovmbZA 1856, Gtofige. WlUJjm KING, ion %QKn 28 Uo\j(imbQJi 1856.

4>calt.

o^ Gdoigt

Stoitkttp^K

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Ma^lrnn. o^ Wyoming i WaKuLat,

EmanuoJi Hilton OJRJNG ion o^ Emanuel -, i Ann, Bom 25 Novmbex 1856.

CuKilan.

& ShomakoA. of, Eftlna

January 1857 10.

which I made some time ago, (but l i k e most o f my r u l e s , Is f r e q u e n t l y d i s r e g a r d e d ) not t o go out v i s i t i n g on S a t u r d a y s . I had two reasons f o r making t h i s r u l e . 1st t o a v o i d b r i n g i n g on a Sunday headache, which I have sometimes done by a l o n g day's v i s i t i n g & f a s t i n g on Saturday; & 2ndly because i t i s a day when most of my f l o c k a r e busy c l e a n i n g up t h e i r houses, & so do not w i s h any I n t e r r u p t i o n . - I wrote a l o n g l e t t e r to Mr.Simpson & have a l s o done a l i t t l e g a r d e n i n g by way o f a l i t t l e change. I sowed some cabbage & swede t u r n i p s t h i s morning, & budded a few t r e e s t h i s e v e n i n g .

12.

I went over t o E a s t G o s f o r d a f t e r b r e a k f a s t t h i s morning & made a few c a l l s t h e r e . Among the r e s t I c a l l e d at M r . L l o y d s , where I found t h a t M r s . L l o y d s s i s t e r , Mrs.Ingram,had been c o n f i n e d & b e i n g r a t h e r a n x i o u s about her l i t t l e babe(which was p r e m a t u r e l y born) I a d m i n i s t e r e d p r i v a t e b a p t i s m t o I t . I y i e l d e d the more r e a d i l y t o t h e i r r e q u e s t , as I purpose l e a v i n g home f o r a few days tomorrow. - I a f t e r w a r d s went to see Mrs.Rudkln, who was c o m p l a i n i n g y e s t e r d a y , & found her up, though v e r y p o o r l y . We had a n i c e c o o l Sunday y e s t e r d a y , & t h o ' the c o n g r e g a t i o n was below the average a t E . G o s f o r d , I had good ones both a t Kincumbar, & E r i n a . The G i t t i n s had some Sydney f r i e n d s w i t h them. A Mrs.Lord & h e r daughter. Tomorrow I hope t o r i d e t o Yarramolong t o v i s i t M r . L e t t e , & baptize h i s l i t t l e c h i l d .

17.

( S a t u r d a y n i g h t ) I have accomplished my v i s i t a t i o n as f a r as Cabbage Tree v e r y s a t i s f a c t o r i l y t h i s week. S t a r t i n g on Tuesday morning, I had a n e x c e e d i n g l y hot r i d e t o M r . L e t t e a t Yarramolong, where I a r r i v e d about 4 P:M: I found t h a t he & h i s s l s t e r l n l a w , Mrs. C o r n i s h , purposed s t a r t i n g f o r Sydney the next morning. I c o u l d not c o l l e c t a c o n g r e g a t i o n

[1]

Ellm INGRAM, daughtex Ge.on.gz -, i EtLzd. EoKYL TO Janamy 1857,

[2]

Donald LETTE, ion o^ John Maxlmui -, & Sanah. Bonn 29 November 1856

Labouieji

SeltleA

o^ Bail

Goi^ofid

oi Vatiiajmalong

105.

[1]

12]

January

1857

t h e r e , as I had hoped, the neighbours b e i n g away from 106. home, but I a r r a n g e d t o v i s i t them a g a i n , & have D i v i n e s e r v i c e on Wednesday the 15th A p r i l , a t 10A.M. - I b a p t i z e d another l i t t l e son f o r M r . L e t t e on Tuesday e v e n i n g . - On Wednesday morning I s t a r t e d e a r l y (accompanied f o r 9 m i l e s o f the road by M r . L e t t e & M r s . C o r n i s h ) & a f t e r c a l l i n g a t Wyong & Reedy F l a t , proceeded t o Cabbage T r e e , where I was h o s p i t a b l y r e c e i v e d & e n t e r t a i n e d by Mr.Hargraves. There was no one t h e r e but h i m s e l f & son W i l l i a m , & two men. He i s b u i l d i n g a v e r y s p a c i o u s & commodious house, w h i c h i s p r e t t i l y s i t u a t e d on a s l o p i n g t e r r a c e o v e r l o o k i n g the s e a , not f a r from B i r d I s l a n d . I l e f t h i s p l a c e soon a f t e r 10 on Thursday morning, & reached Mr.Lee's between one & two. - Mr.Lee was away a t Newport, but r e t u r n e d b e f o r e 3 o'c:, a t which hour I had a r r a n g e d t o have a s e r v i c e t h e r e , & I was much g r a t i f i e d a t the numerous c o n g r e g a t i o n t h a t assembled, amounting t o about 22_. I gave n o t i c e of my i n t e n t i o n t o v i s i t them a g a i n f o r d i v i n e s e r v i c e on Thursday the 16th Ap; a t 10 A.M., & purpose, now t h a t t h e r e a r e more people I n t h a t neighbourhood, to make a q u a r t e r l y v i s i t a t i o n among them. I remained w i t h Mr.Lee on Thursday n i g h t , & came home y e s t e r d a y , c a l l i n g by the way upon a f a m i l y whom I had not v i s i t e d b e f o r e o f the name o f G l l c h l s o n . I had some d i f f i c u l t y i n f i n d i n g them out f o r t h e y a r e i n a v e r y s e c l u d e d s p o t , about 2 m i l e s o f f the r o a d , & a v e r y i n d i s t i n c t t r a c k l e a d i n g t o t h e i r house. - Today I thought m y s e l f e n t i t l e d t o a r e s t , & have enjoyed a v e r y a g r e e a b l e h o l i d a y , rendered much more so by a v i s i t from the G i t t i n s f a m i l y , whose a c q u a i n t a n c e I have been d e s i r o u s f o r Ann & the c h i l d r e n t o make, e v e r s i n c e I knew them. The p a r t y mustered 7 i n a l l , c o n s i s t i n g o f Mr.G, son & 2 d a u g h t e r s , Mrs.Lord &

January 1857 17.

daughter, & Mr.Omfrey. - They came about 12 o'c, & spent t h e day, r e t u r n i n g about 5. I t was f o r t u n a t e l y a v e r y f i n e day, not v e r y warm, & they a l l seemed much d e l i g h t e d w i t h the s i t u a t i o n & view.

19.

Our u s u a l l y q u i e t l i t t l e p l a c e was e n l i v e n e d today by t h e a r r i v a l o f t h e " B l a c k Swan" Steamer, soon a f t e r 12 o;c: w i t h a f a i r number o f passengers from Sydneys t a r t i n g a g a i n a 2 w i t h I t h i n k a goodly number i n r e t u r n . - F i n d i n g t h a t M r . B a t t l e y was g o i n g t o make up a M a i l , I was o c c u p i e d p a r t o f t h e morning w r i t i n g a few l e t t e r s f o r Sydney, & t h e n a f t e r t a k i n g them to t h e p o s t , went over t o meet t h e Steamer, c a l l i n g i n upon Hegln by t h e way. I d i d n o t f e e l e q u a l t o much p a r o c h i a l work today a f t e r my l o n g days work of y e s t e r d a y , so d i d n o t go out any where a f t e r d i n n e r . I had the a d d i t i o n o f Seven o f t h e G i t t i n s f a m i l y y e s t e r d a y t o my Kincumbar Communicants, A t G o s f o r d & t h e S a w m i l l t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n s were below t h e average.Mr.Davison was among them a t t h e l a t t e r p l a c e . - he came down a few days ago, t o see about some arrangements which may p r o b a b l y r e s u l t i n t h e r e t u r n o f h i s f a m i l y to t h i s d i s t r i c t .

21.

Y e s t e r d a y we had another day o f p o u r i n g r a i n - r a t h e r an u n u s u a l k i n d o f day - v e r y calm & warm, what l i t t l e breeze t h e r e was, coming from N:E: - I d i d n o t l e a v e the house. - I t was my i n t e n t i o n t o have gone t o Kincumbar t o d a y , b u t t h e M. weather l o o k e d so t h r e a t e n i n g & f o r b i d d i n g i n the morning t h a t I postponed i t , i n hope o f a f i n e r day tomorrow. - T h i s e v e n i n g I rode up t o Wyoming t o v i s i t t h e Nunn's, & see whether M i s s Kate was a n x i o u s t o be c o n f i r m e d a t t h e approaching v i s i t o f t h e Bishop & f i n d i n g t h a t she i s , I must see what o t h e r s I c a n c o l l e c t t o j o i n h e r . The evening was most b e a u t i f u l .

107.

January

1857

24,

( S a t u r d a y ) On Thursday I rode down t o see M r . G i t t i n s , (whom I had commissioned t o l o o k out f o r a boat f o r me i n Sydney) b e f o r e answering a l e t t e r I had r e c e i v e d from F e r r i s , i n w h i c h he mentioned a v e r y good boat w h i c h was f o r s a l e i n Sydney. U n f o r t u n a t e l y Mr.G: had gone away t o Sydney e a r l y t h a t morning. - That was n o t , however, my o n l y e r r a n d , - wished t o a s c e r t a i n whether t h e i r youngest daughter was o l d enough, & d e s i r o u s o f b e i n g c o n f i r m e d , & found t h a t she i s s o , b e i n g 15. y e s t e r d a y . - On my way back I c a l l e d a t T a y l o r s & Wards, & a r r a n g e d t h a t Sarah T a y l o r & Sophy Ward s h o u l d be c o n f i r m e d . - Mr.Moore came & took up h i s q u a r t e r s w i t h us t h a t n i g h t , p r e p a r a t o r y t o t a k i n g h i s d e p a r t u r e per Steamer y e s t e r d a y , w h i c h he d i d , i n company w i t h a g o o d l y number o f p a s s e n g e r s , among whom was the Roman C a t h o l i c A r c h b i s h o p . D r . F o l d i n g . A f t e r s e e i n g Mr.Moore o f f by the Steamer, I f i n i s h e d out the day v i s i t i n g among the n e i g h b o u r s . - Today I have adhered t o my r u l e o f r e m a i n i n g a t home on S a t u r d a y , & have been o c c u p i e d c h i e f l y sermon w r i t i n g .

26.

I have spent t h i s day c h i e f l y v i s i t i n g i n the neighbourhood of E r i n a & was g r i e v e d t o f i n d the demon o f Intemperance making such ravages among some o f the people t h e r e . I t has t h e r e f o r e been a n y t h i n g but an a g r e e a b l e day w i t h me. - Amidst much however t h a t was so v e r y u n s a t i s f a c t o r y , 1 was p l e a s e d t o f i n d so good an assemblage of l i t t l e people under Mrs.Whites' charge a t the s c h o o l . There were 28 i n a t t e n d a n c e , but she t e l l s me she has 36 on the books. - Mr.Rudkln had an a c c e s s i o n of 5 new s c h o l a r s t h i s morning, w h i c h b r i n g s h i s number above 50 now, so t h a t t h i s new arrangement has caused a c o n s i d e r a b l e i n c r e a s e i n the number o f c h i l d r e n a t the s c h o o l s . - Poor c o n g r e g a t i o n s ( e x c e p t Kincumbar by the bye) r a t h e r y e s t e r d a y .

108.

January

1857

28.

Today's work l a y over a t Kincumbar, I c a l l e d up Kearnes, & asked him t o take upon h i m s e l f the t a s k of c o l l e c t i n g f o r the C l e r g y S t i p e n d Fund, which he has k i n d l y undertaken t o do. I l e f t w i t h him a paper, headed, & r u l e d a l l ready f o r e n t e r i n g the names of S u b s c r i b e r s , & amount of t h e i r s u b s c r i p t i o n s , and f o r the i n f o r m a t i o n of those r e q u i r i n g i t , 1 appended a copy of the B i s h o p s P a s t o r a l l e t t e r on the s u b j e c t . I a l s o l e f t w i t h Mr.Lane a n o t i c e i n v i t i n g tenders f o r r e - s h i n g l i n g the s c h o o l h o u s e , which has become so v e r y l e a k y as t o be almost u n i n h a b i t a b l e . - I expected t o have commenced my c l a s s today a t the Kincumbar Church, f o r Candidates f o r C o n f i r m a t i o n , but not one appeared. - L e a r n i n g f r o m Mr.Lane t h a t K i r k was v e r y i l l , I went on t o v i s i t him, but found him b e t t e r t h a n I e x p e c t e d . ~ I a l s o l e a r n t today t h a t a l l the Roman C a t h o l i c c h i l d r e n and been withdrawn a g a i n from our s c h o o l , & t h e i r p a r e n t s t h r e a t e n e d w i t h excommunication ( o r something l i k e i t ) s h o u l d t h e y c o n t i n u e t o send t h e i r c h i l d r e n to a protestant school.

29.

T h i s morning I spent a t home, making p r e p a r a t i o n s f o r my Mangrove j o u r n e y , e t c . A f t e r d i n n e r I rode out t o F l e t c h e r ' s t o e n l i s t h i s s e r v i c e s as C o l l e c t o r f o r the S t i p e n d Fund, a t a s k w h i c h 1 found him v e r y w i l l i n g t o u n d e r t a k e . - I p r o v i d e d him w i t h a S u b s c r i p t i o n l i s t p r e p a r e d as t h a t above mentioned w h i c h I l e f t w i t h Kearnes y e s t e r d a y . I c a l l e d upon S w a d l i n g i n p a s s i n g & gave him a l i t t l e a d m o n i t i o n on the s u b j e c t of h i s d r e a d f u l d r i n k i n g p r o p e n s i t y . But i t i s not the f i r s t t h a t I have been c o m p e l l e d t o bestow upon him, & f e a r w i l l not be the l a s t .

109.

January 1857 30.

I had every t h i n g packed up ready upon s t a r t i n g t o Mangrove today a t noon but Ann b e i n g r a t h e r u n w e l l , I thought i t a d v i s a b l e t o a l t e r my purpose, & remain a t home t o d a y , & make a v e r y e a r l y s t a r t tomorrow morning. 1 hope t o g e t away about 5, o r sooon a f t e r , so as t o r e a c h t h e creek by 10 o'c: & thus I s h a l l have t h e day b e f o r e me, b e s i d e s g e t t i n g t h e j o u r n e y over i n t h e c o o l o f t h e morning. - I went o u t t h i s a f t e r n o o n & c a l l e d f i r s t a t W a t k i n s ' , t h e n a t Barrow's & then a t Dickson's. - E m i l y , A r a b e l l a & H a r r i e t B a t t l e y came t o spend t h e day w i t h us today.

February 1857 4.

1 s t a r t e d soon a f t e r 5 o'c on Saturday morning, & reached Mangrove a t 101. Mrs.Ferguson's was t h e f i r s t p l a c e I c a l l e d a t , & she informed me t h a t M r . F o s t e r was g e t t i n g on v e r y b a d l y w i t h t h e s c h o o l s , i n f a c t t h a t t h e r e was s c a r c e l y any s c h o o l a t a l l b e i n g c a r r i e d on & added t h a t he had so f a r f o r g o t t e n h i m s e l f , as to spend 3 days d r i n k i n g a t t h e p u b l i c house. T h i s was c o n f i r m e d by C h a s e l i n g , & a f t e r w a r d s , when I a r r i v e d a t M r . F o s t e r ' s i n t h e evening acknowledged to be t r u e by b o t h M r s . F o s t e r & h i m s e l f . T h i s o c c u r r e n c e took p l a c e p r e v i o u s t o my l a s t v i s i t t o Mangrove, at t h e b e g i n i n g o f December, & I t o l d t h e p a r t i e s they ought t o have r e p o r t e d i t t o me t h e n . Some o f them I found were p r e p a r e d , & a n x i o u s t o do so, but they d i d n o t see me. I found u n i v e r s a l d i s s a t i s f a c t i o n p r e v a i l i n g throughout t h e c r e e k , & b o t h s c h o o l s & Churches almost d e s e r t e d & no wonder - f o r M r . F o s t e r has e v i d e n t l y shown h i m s e i * a g r e a t e r p r e d i l e c t i o n f o r t h e P u b l i c House t h a n t h e Schoolroom.

110.

February

1857

I was g r i e v e d t o f i n d t h a t when I taxed him w i t h h i s m i s c o n d u c t , a l t h o u g h he c o u l d not do o t h e r w i s e than p l e a d g u i l t y t o the charge, he was more angry w i t h those who had a c q u a i n t e d me w i t h h i s f a u l t s than w i t h h i m s e l f . - I found o n l y 4 c h i l d r e n a t t e n d i n g the Upper S c h o o l , & none a t the l o w e r , & a l t h o u g h some few s a i d they would send t h e i r c h i l d r e n a g a i n , o t h e r s d e c l a r e d most p o s i t i v e l y t h a t they would never do so, w h i l e M r . F o s t e r remained t h e r e , nor c o u l d I p o s s i b l y urge them t o do so. I t h e r e f o r e gave n o t i c e a t both churches on Sudnay of my i n t e n t i o n o f v i s i t i n g them a g a i n the f i r s t Sunday i n March, & I must resume my monthly v i s i t s a g a i n . - I have now the d i s a g r e e a b l e t a s k t o perform o f r e p o r t i n g M r . F o s t e r ' s conduct t o the B i s h o p , X spent Monday v i s i t i n g among the f o l k s of the lower c r e e k , & came home y e s t e r d a y . This a f t e r n o o n I rode over t o Kincumbar t o commence my C o n f i r m a t i o n c l a s s t h e r e , & found Sarah T a y l o r o n l y i n attendance,

At home a l l y e s t e r d a y l e t t e r w r i t i n g - T h i s a f t e r n o o n I walked up t o E r i n a . ( M e t t l e being a t work i n - t h e e a r t drawing i n f e n c i n g ) t o meet my c o n f i r m a t i o n c l a s s , & had 4 a l t o g e t h e r . I f e a r t h e r e w i l l not be many whom I s h a l l f i n d conpetent & q u a l i f i e d f o r c o n f i r m a t i o n .

On Saturday morning I was o c c u p i e d p a r t l y i n marking out the l i n e of fence f o r James & h i s b r o t h e r who are c l e a r i n g the same, & p a r t l y l o o k i n g out sermons f o r y e s t e r d a y . - I n the evening I s t r o l l e d as f a r as M r . H a r r i s o n ' s t o i n v i t e A l i c e t o come over t h i s a f t e r n o o n t o form one o f my c o n f i r m a t i o n c l a s s . - I had but s a m l l congregations yesterday - that i s at Gosford & E r i n a . Kincumbar was p r e t t y good,- I preached my C o n f i r m a t i o n sermon both

111.

February 9.

1857

a t Gosfd. & Kincumbar, where most o f the c a n d i d a t e s were p r e s e n t . I was t o have commenced my c o n f i r m a t i o n c l a s s a t home t h i s a f t e r n o o n , but u n f o r t u n a t l e y i t has been a v e r y r a i n y day, w h i c h prevented the young people from a t t e n d i n g , w i t h the e x c e p t i o n o f Jane Crause, who managed t o s t e p i n between the showers.

12.

Tuesday was a g a i n a wet day, so t h a t I d i d not go out anywhere, but spent the day c h i e f l y sermon w r i t i n g & r e a d i n g . Y e s t e r d a y I spent a t Kincumbar - going round by Green P o i n t , & c a l l i n g f i r s t a t P i p e r ' s , & then working my way up t o the s c h o o l . - I had two C o n f i r m a t i o n p u p i l s a t the Church, Sarah T a y l o r , & Sophy Ward - who a c q u i t t e d themselves v e r y w e l l . Today i t was my i n t e n t i o n t o have v i s i t e d the S a w m i l l e t c : but coming on to r a i n a g a i n , I d i d not get beyond Wyoming where I spent an hour o r more c a t e c h i s i n g Kate Nunn, p r e p a r a t o r y t o her c o n f i r m a t i o n . M r . B o n i f a c e ' s man, Chas.Bate, came t o me t h i s a f t e r n o o n f o r a marriage L i c e n c e , b e i n g about t o marry a widow by the name of J o n e s , - not l o n g out from England.

19.

Having despatched my l e t t e r s t o the p o s t , i t i s now time f o r me t o r e c o r d the t r a n s a c t i o n s o f the p a s t week. - L a s t F r i d a y I v i s i t e d the s c h o o l a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , & spent the morning i n t h a t neighbourhood, & then walked on t o meet my C o n f i r m a t i o n c l a s s a t E r i n a . A v e r y bad headache came on i n the a f t e r n o o n , which f o r c e d me t o d i s m i s s my c l a s s e a r l i e r than I s h o u l d have done. On Saturday I went up t o the S a w m i l l , t o remind them o f the Sunday n i g h t s e r v i c e , & c a l l e d a t a l l the i n t e r v e n i n g houses. - Began my Sunday d u t i e s v e r y much out o f s o r t s , h a v i n g been t r o u b l e d w i t h headache a g a i n a l l Saturday n i g h t . - I t was a p l e a s a n t day however, & I found m y s e l f Improving as the day advanced. - I l e f t home a t i p 8 i n the morning, &, r e t u r n e d near 12 P:M:- I had one o r two l e t t e r s t o w r i t e on Monday morning, & a few

112.

February 1857 19.

o t h e r l i t t l e m a t t e r s which prevented my v i s i t i n g 1 the s c h o o l a s 1 i n t e n d e d , 1 went over t o meet t h e Steamer ( P e l i c a n ) w h i c h appeared b e f o r e 12 o'c: & to d e l i v e r my l e t t e r s t o the C a p t a i n . - I n the a f t e r n o o n I had t h r e e young p u p i l s , as a C o n f i r m a t i o n c l a s s . A l i c e H a r r i s o n , Jane Crause, & Mary P a r t r i d g e . - I was c a l l e d out t h a t i n i g h t by M r . N o r r i s , t o b a p t i z e [1] h i s l i t t l e i n f a n t c h i l d who had been v e r y p o o r l y s i n c e the day b e f o r e . On Tuesday I rode down t o M r . G i t t i n s ' to c a t e c h i s e h i s youngest daughter, who i s a l s o p r e p a r i n g f o r C o n f i r m a t i o n , & found h e r v e r y apt & p r o f i c i e n t . On my way home i n the evening I c a l l e d i n a t M r . N o r r i s ' & found h i s poor l i t t l e c h i l d had j u s t e x p i r e d . Yesterday morning I had t o go down t o the b u r i a l ground a f t e r b r e a k f a s t t o show where the grave was t o be dug, & remained t h e r e t i l l the f u n e r a l took p l a c e , about e l e v e n o ' c l o c k . I c a l l e d on M r s . C o u l t e r on my way back. - I was g o i n g t o Kincumbar i n the a f t e r n o o n , but a g r e a t s q u a l l coming on, accompanied w i t h thunder, & r a i n , I was p r e v e n t e d . Today I have spent a t home, l e t t e r w r i t i n g . We had a c a l l t h i s morning from Mr. Drew, who came up per steamer on Monday, t o see h i s [2] p r o p e r t y a t Wyoming. Ann d i d not see him, b e i n g o b l i g e d t o keep her bed a l l the morning w i t h s t i f f neck & p a i n s about t h e s h o u l d e r . - I n the a f t e r n o o n Mrs.Nunn J u n r . & M i s s Kate c a l l e d & enjoyed some grapes.-

23.

On F r i d a y morning I went over t o E.Gosford, & a f t e r c a l l i n g a t O r p i n ' s & Spears, went t o the s c h o o l & s t a y e d t h e r e t i l l the a r r i v a l o f the Steamer, On g o i n g t o the wharf I found a female s e r v a n t on board f o r u s , engaged by M r . F e r r i s , P i t t S t r e e t . - I n the a f t e r n o o n I went t orayc l a s s a t E r i n a where the young people a c q u i t t e d themselves t o l e r a b l y w e l l . - On Saturday I remained

[1]

Maty Eltm WRRJS, daaghttn. oi Jame.6 Chadwlck -, Eait Goiioid ^ Haty. Bom S Ttbrnaiy 1857.

[2]

MfL. VREW wa4 F. A . HELY'6

ion-ln-lm

Ctzxk

February

1857

23.

a t home sermon w r i t i n g e t c . - Y e s t e r d a y - t h i n c o n g r e g a t i o n s a t G o s f o r d & E r i n a - good a t Kincumbar. t h i s morning I went down t o C o u l t e r ' s t o see whether he would come & draw i n my f e n c i n g s t u f f f o r me. I c a l l e d a t P i g g o t t ' s by the way, had a l o n g t a l k w i t h him, which I hope w i l l not be e n t i r e l y l o s t upon him. Very heavy r a i n came on w h i l e I was a t C o u l t e r s , but they l e n t me an u m b r e l l a , w h i c h k e p t o f f the w o r s t of i t . - I was o b l i g e d t o t e l l Watson t h i s morning t o l o o k out & s u i t h i m s e l f w i t h a n o t h e r s i t u a t i o n , as our p a t i e n c e i s w e l l n i g h exhausted w i t h him.

24.

The a n n i v e r s a r y o f my a d m i s s i o n t o Deacon's O r d e r s . t h i s day seven y e a r s . - Would t h a t I c o u l d , on r e v i e w i n g t h i s b r i e f term o f y e a r s , f e e l s a t i s f i e d t h a t they have been spent as p r o f i t a b l y , as they have passed r a p i d l y . - But a l a s ! when 1 ask m y s e l f the q u e s t i o n "what have 1 done"? the o n l y answer t h a t I can g i v e m y s e l f i s , the r i s i n g up b e f o r e my e y e s , o f a mountain of d u t i e s l e f t undone, w h i c h c o m p l e t e l y s h u t s out from my view any l i t t l e amount o f good w h i c h I may have been made the i n s t r u m e n t of p e r f o r m i n g . I t was my i n t e n t i o n t o have spent t h i s day a t Kincumbar, endeavouring t o r a i s e a s u b s c r i p t i o n among the people t h e r e t o r e - s h l n g l e the schoolhouse - but the heavy r a i n wh: f e l l n e a r l y a l l the morning p r e v e n t e d my g o i n g o u t . - T h i s a f t e r n o o n I s p e n t p a i d a few c a l l s about home.

March 5.

I have now more t h a n a week's b l a n k t o f i l l up. & t o b e g i n w i t h l a s t Wednesday, 2 5 t h . As I was s t a r t i n g f o r Kincumbar towards the a f t e r n o o n , Watson i n f o r m e d me of an occurence which had t a k e n p l a c e , namely, the drowning of two men i n the broadwater. One a man

114

March 1857

[1]

named T h u r s t o n , (near McCullum's) & the o t h e r h i s mate, [1] 115. both s h e l l g a t h e r e r s . I t seems they came a c r o s s t o the Township, on the p r e v i o u s Saturday, and from some cause unknown,must have upset on the way home. I t i s c o n j e c t u r e d t h a t they were q u a r r e l l i n g . - The b o d i e s f l o a t e d up on Wednesday, t h a t o f T h u r s t o n b e i n g found on the beach o p p o s i t e Henessy's & the o t h e r man M r . B a t t l e y ' s & M r . H a r r i s o n s . An i n q u e s t was h e l d [2] on Thursday, & I had the d i s a g r e e a b l e o f f i c e o f r e a d i n g the B u r i a l s e r v i c e over them i n the e v e n i n g . On F r i d a y morning I went t o see Mrs.Thurston a t E a s t G o s f o r d , I i n the a f t e r n o o n went t o E r i n a f o r my C o n f i r m a t i o n c l a s s . - On Saturday I went t o Mangrove where n o t h i n g p a r t i c u l a r o c c u r r e d . - Returned on Monday, accompanied by M r . F o s t e r , who came down t o see Mr.Woolfrey, w i t h a view o f g e t t i n g him t o recommend him t o M r . P l u n k e t t , f o r the o f f i c e o f Teacher i n a N a t i o n a l S c h o o l , as t h e r e i s no l o n g e r any hope o f employment i n the c h u r c h f o r him. - Both Tuesday & y e s t e r d a y I spent a t Kincumbar. T h i s morning I was going t o Wyoming by appointment, but sundry i n t e r r u p t i o n s prevented me. - T h i s a f t e r n o o n my c o n f i r m a t i o n p u p i l s came t o me, - & the i n t e r v a l s o f the day have been occupied l e t t e r w r i t i n g .

I was out the whole o f y e s t e r d a y , b e g i n i n g my work a t E.Gosford, & then p r o c e e d i n g t o E r i n a v i a Garner's St Ashby's. - I went t o v i s i t Mrs.Chennel, who i s e v i d e n t l y s i n k i n g under Consumption, & then r e t u r n e d t o meet my young p u p i l s a t the s c h o o l . - Q u i t e dark by the time I reached home. - Today, Saturday - I have not been out anywhere, o c c u p i e d c h i e f l y sermon w r i t i n g , & p r e p a r i n g f o r tomorrow's d u t i e s . - I got r i d o f Watson y e s t e r d a y , b e i n g q u i t e s i c k & t i r e d o f him. James & h i s b r o t h e r have been g e t t i n g f i r e w o o d f o r me today, & have got a good s u p p l y drawn i n .

filWUjm HURSTON, agzd 36, UdKinoji oi the. BKoadwateA. Vied 21 ftbiaaiij 1857 - and JameA (Surname. Unknown), agzd 29 yzati, Vltd 21 Fe.bn.uaKy 1857.

[2]

BATTLEy i HARRISON wzne. nelgkbouni. which li, whzne. the. cottage oi that Edwand'i College., now standi.

Uailnzi

oi the

Bioadwatti.

HARRISON llvzd at Uona Vale, name., In the. gnoundi oi St.

March

1857

18.

I was t o have s t a r t e d today t o M meet the Bishop tomorrow e v e n i n g a t M r . C h l l d ' s , but was g r e a t l y r e l i e v e d by r e c e i v i n g a l e t t e r from him by y e s t e r d a y ' s p o s t , p u t t i n g o f f h i s v i s i t f o r the p r e s e n t i n consequence of the u n f a v o u r a b l e weather & dangerous s t a t e of the r o a d s . Indeed I had p r o o f o f the danger i n t r a v e l l i n g on our roads i n t h e i r p r e s e n t s t a t e as i was g o i n g to the S a w m i l l l a s t Sunday n i g h t , f o r I found m y s e l f suddenly s t u c k f a s t i n a bog a l i t t l e beyond S t o c k d a l e s . F o r t u n a t e l y o l d M e t t l e took i t v e r y q u i e t l y , & gave me ample time t o q u i t the s a d d l e b e f o r e s t r u g g l i n g to e x t r i c a t e h i m s e l f . L a s t week was spent much as i t s p r e d e c e s s o r s . - Monday morning t o E.Gosford & a f t e r n o o n c l a s s a t home.- Tuesday t o M r . G i t t i n s ' , Wednesday Kincumbar - Thursday morning, a Wedding a t E.Gosfd c l a s s a g a i n a f t e r n o o n - F r i d a y E r i n a a f t e r n . Saturday at home. On Monday morning I went over t o meet the Steamer - a f t n c l a s s a t home a g a i n . - Tuesday morning to Kincumbar as per n o t i c e which I gave i n the church on Sunday, t o meet any persons w i s h i n g t o be c o n f i r m e d , but who had not g i v e n me the o p p o r t u n i t y o f examining them. I was g l a d t o f i n d a young man t h e r e whom I had not known b e f o r e , named Evans, & w i t h whom I was much p l e a s e d & gave him h i s t i c k e t a c c o r d i n g l y . T h i s a f t e r n o o n I v i s i t e d most of the p a r t i e s between t h i s & E.Gosfd.- M i s s Kate Nunn has been s t a y i n g a week w i t h us, & went home t h i s a f t e r n o o n .

19.

A t home a l l the morning l e t t e r w r i t i n g e t c : - Took my l e t t e r s t o the p o s t i n a f t e r n o o n & went on t o East G o s f o r d t o make a c a l l o r two.

20.

Went over t o the Steamer t o meet E l i z a b e t h & K a t e , who, w i t h t h e i r f e l l o w passengers per " B l a c k

116.

March

1857

20.

Swan" had a v e r y n i c e passage from Sydney. - I v i s i t e d Mrs.Mcintosh a l s o , who i s s t i l l c o n f i n e d t o her bed, but her d o c t o r (Benson) g i v e s her hopes o f b e i n g up a g a i n i n a few days. I found a l s o on board the B l a c k Swan, a new manservant, whom M r . F e r r i s has engaged f o r me i n Sydney, James Foote by name. -

21.

D i d not go out anywhere today, b e i n g S a t u r d a y , but employed m y s e l f c h i e f l y sermon w r i t i n g , & p r e p a r i n g f o r tomorrows d u t i e s .

28.

Here's a weeks b l a n k a g a i n , the r e s u l t o f my p r o c r a s t i n a t i n g p r o p e n s i t y . - On Monday morning l a s t I v i s i t e d the s c h o o l , & a t the same time v i s i t e d poor Mrs.Powrle, who has been s e r i o u s l y i l l f o r a few weeks - a l s o M r s . M c i n t o s h . I n the a f t e r n o o n I rode up t o E r i n a , as f a r as B r i t t o n ' s t o see whether they Intended t o a l l o w Annie t o come t o us. & Mrs.B: t o l d me she would be prepared t o come next Monday. - We have agreed t o commence w i t h ÂŁ12 per an: wages. On Tuesday I went over t o Kincumbar as f a r as McMaster, c a l l i n g a t the i n t e r v e n i n g p l a c e s . On my r e t u r n i n g home a t n i g h t , I found among the l e t t e r s p e r p o s t , a most e x t r o a r d i n a r y & d i s t r e s s i n g l e t t e r from M r . F o s t e r , d a t e d Sydney, 20th March e n c l o s i n g one t o h i s w i f e dated 21st announcing h i s I n t e n t i o n of d e s t r o y i n g h i m s e l f . He concluded h i s l e t t e r by s a y i n g he had "purchased some a r s e n i c , & he supposed the newspapers would t e l l the r e s t . " There was n o t h i n g i n Monday's or Tuesday's paper (which 1 saw y e s t e r d a y a t Kincumbar) showing t h a t he had up t o t h a t time p e r p e t r a t e d the deed, & i n the absence o f any c e r t a i n i n t e l l i g e n c e , I cannot of course communicate w i t h h i s poor w i f e , nor s h a l l we know a n y t h i n g f u r t h e r u n t i l next Tuesdays m a i l a r r i v e s . - I d i d not go out on Wednesday o r ThursdayOn Wednesday M r . B a t t l e y c a l l e d , a t my r e q u e s t , i n the

117

March 28.

a f t e r n o o n t o a s s i s t i n the e x e c u t i o n o f some deeds one from o u r s e l v e s t o one S h o r t , of p a r t of the Newtown p r o p e r t y , the o t h e r the deed of C o t t r i l l t o Crane.On Thursday morning ( h a v i n g prepared some p i e c e s o f smoked g l a s s o v e r n i g h t ) I took the c h i l d r e n out as f a r as Moore's c o t t a g e , on the r i s i n g ground t o v i e w the T o t a l E c l i p s e o f the Sun. I t was a b e a u t i f u l c l e a r morning & we saw i t i n p e r f e c t i o n , & enjoyed the s i g h t v e r y much, f o r i t was indeed b e a u t i f u l , & c u r i o u s . The sun was t o t a l l y obscured f o r a few minutes, & d u r i n g t h a t time the s t a r s were q u i t e v i s i b l e , & Mercury among the number. Y e s t e r d a y I went t o Kincumbar a g a i n , f i r s t c a l l i n g t o see the two i n v a l i d s , Mrs.Powrie & Mrs.Mcintosh. The former seemed v e r y p o o r l y , but the l a t t e r a l i t t l e b e t t e r . I found t h a t Sarah P i p e r has been v e r y s e r i o u s l y i l l , but was r e c o v e r i n g a g a i n . I a l s o found t h a t Conroy had commenced r e - s h i n g l i n g the school-house a t Kincumbar, & I hope he w i l l make a good job of i t . - I went t o see Mrs. Powrie a g a i n t h i s a f t e r n o o n & s a t sometime w i t h h e r . - She seems t o be v e r y i l l - bad cough e t c . but I am not w i t h o u t hopes of her r e c o v e r y .

April 1.

1857

Sunday & Monday were such d e l i g h t f u l l y f i n e days, almost w i n t e r days, w i t h c l e a r sky & b r a c i n g w e s t e r l y w i n d , t h a t we f l a t t e r e d o u r s e l v e s t h a t f i n e weather had r e a l l y come a t l a s t . I t has t u r n e d out o t h e r w i s e however, f o r y e s t e r d a y morning d i s p l a y e d a S o u t h e r l y wind & a c l o u d y s k y , & by noon the r a i n began a g a i n , & drove me home from Kincumbar where I had reached a l i t t l e beyond Kearnes & M o i r s on my

118.

A p r i l 1857

[1]

way t o T o r i g a l , & today i t has been r a i n i n g v e r y h a r d a g a i n . - On Sunday my c o n g r e g a t i o n s were much s m a l l e r than they ought t o have been, c o n s i d e r i n g the b e a u t i f u l weather. - The wetness o f the roads however might be an excuse f o r some. On Monday morning. I p a i d Mrs.Capper a v i s i t , and gave h e r two boys a l o n g l e c t u r e about n e g l e c t i n g t h e i r Sunday d u t i e s , which I hope w i l l not be l o s t upon them. I t h e n made a few more c a l l s i n E.Gosfd. - I n the a f t e r n o o n , j u s t as I was p r e p a r i n g t o walk w i t h the c h i l d r e n t o Wyoming. I r e c e i v e d a message t o go out & b a p t i z e a s i c k l y l i t t l e i n f a n t a t A v e r y ' s . - Mrs.McMahon's. - I have not been out anywhere t o d a y , owing t o the heavy r a i n . - Annie B r i t t o n came on Monday the 3 0 t h h a v i n g agreed t o t a k e h e r as housemaid a t ÂŁ12 per a n :

T h i s has indeed been most i4f u n p r e c e d e n t e d l y wet season, & i n s t e a d o f any appearance o f f i n e weather, the r a i n seems t o i n c r e a s e upon us. I t has c o n t i n u e d ever s i n c e Tuesday up t o t o d a y , - not one c o n t i n u e d r a i n w i t h o u t i n t e r m i s s i o n - but r a i n i n g v e r y h a r d a t t i m e s , b o t h n i g h t & day, & t h e n h o l d i n g up f o r a w h i l e . T h i s evening the c l o u d s appear t o be d i s p e r s i n g , & the moon i s s h i n i n g through them, g i v i n g hopes o f a f i n e day tomorrow. - The v e r y f o u l & r a i n y weather has compelled me t o abandon my Mangrove t r i p t h i s t i m e , f o r i n d e p e n d e n t l y o f the heavy r a i n which f e l l at i n t e r v a l s t o d a y , the roads must be almost dangerous to r i d e on. Added t o t h i s , I am f o r a time d e p r i v e d of the s e r v i c e s o f my c h a r g e r " M e t t l e " , who has somehow c o n t r i v e d t o s p r a i n h i s f e t t l o c k j o i n t , & i s so lame t h a t I cannot use him. I r e c o l l e c t e d on Thursday morning, t h a t Mr.Moore's grey was i d l i n g away h i s time

Ckailzi, McMAHOW, 6on John -, Shlpmlght & Mail} knn. Bom 26 MaKch 1857.

ol Matcham'i

Land

119.

April

1857

i n Mr.Dwyer's paddock: so w i t h Dwyers consent I got him up, & had 2 shoes put upon him i n t e n d i n g t o take him t o Mangrove had the weather p e r m i t t e d . - 1 must endeavour t o r i d e up & pay them a v i s i t when the water has d r a i n e d o f f somewhat from the r o a d s .

I d i d y e s t e r d a y , what p r o b a b l y never o c c u r r e d i n B r i s b a n e Water b e f o r e , namely, had b o t h morning & a f t e r n o o n s e r v i c e s a t E.Gosford. - Having no appointment e l s e where, I thought I c o u l d not employ the a f t e r n o o n b e t t e r , so gave n o t i c e o f my I n t e n t i o n i n the morning, & c o n s i d e r i n g the v e r y wet s t a t e of the r o a d s , had a f a i r c o n g r e g a t i o n . - T h i s morning I went t o the s c h o o l , & t h i s a f t e r n o o n rode up t o Wyoming t o see the Nunns, not h a v i n g seen any o f them f o r some tlme.I found M i s s Kate & h e r Papa were s u f f e r i n g from bad colds.

13.

Owing t o M e t t l e ' s lameness, I d i d not v e n t u r e out on horseback l a s t week u n t i l Good F r i d a y when I rode him t o Kincumbar f o r s e r v i c e i n the morning. - Tuesday was not q u i t e so u n f a v o u r a b l e a day as the postboy has g e n e r a l l y had s i n c e the b e g i n n i n g o f the year-, but he was stopped by f l o o d s a t Mooney Creek, & d i d not come i n t i l l Wednesday morning. - I was o c c u p i e d the g r e a t e r p a r t o f the week i n d o o r s , w r i t i n g l e t t e r s , sermon - & r e a d i n g . On Thursday we had a v i s i t from the G i t t i n s p a r t y , 8 i n number. They had a b e a u t i f u l day & seemed t o enjoy i t much, as we d i d t h e i r company, we o n l y w i s h they were a l i t t l e n e a r e r t o us. - Y e s t e r d a y I had b e t t e r c o n g r e g a t i o n s almost t h a n I c o u l d have expected c o n s i d e r i n g the s t a t e of t h e r o a d s . - Today we have a l l ( w i t h the e x c e p t i o n o f Anne) been t o v i s i t the S c o t t s . - The day has been f i n e , & E l i z : seemed much p l e a s e d w i t h the e x c u r s i o n

120.

April

1857

16.

Tuesday b e i n g the day f o r a p p o i n t i n g e l e c t i n g Church Wardens, I went up t o the church a t the a p p o i n t e d hour w i t h M r . B a t t l e y , and we were the o n l y two i n a t t e n d a n c e , c o n s e q u e n t l y we v e r y soon t r a n s a c t e d a l l our b u s i n e s s . Mr.&Mrs.Harrison (& A l i c e , ) came & drank t e a w i t h us on Tuesday e v e n i n g . Y e s t e r d a y I was t o have s t a r t e d f o r Wyong & t h a t neighbourhood h a v i n g a p p o i n t e d t o h o l d s e r v i c e s a t Reedy F l a t & Yarramalong, but h a v i n g r e c e i v e d such an e v i l r e p o r t o f the r o a d s , I wrote both t o J.Osborne & M r . L e t t e , p u t t i n g o f f me j o u r n e y u n t i l more f a v o u r a b l e weather.- Today I have spent v i s i t i n g about B l u e Gum F l a t & the S a w m i l l , & f i n d i n g the roads i n such a d e p l o r a b l e c o n d i t i o n , I t o l d the people not t o expect me up next Sunday n i g h t . - The weather has been v e r y f i n e f o r s e v e r a l days p a s t , & I do hope i t w i l l c o n t i n u e now, & we s h a l l soon have dry roads a g a i n .

18.

Y e s t e r d a y morning 1 went t o pay a few v i s i t s i n E a s t G o s f o r d . - On my r e t u r n I found Mrs.Nunn & h e r daughters here who remained t o d i n n e r . - The B a t t l e y s came & spent the e v e n i n g w i t h us. Today, ( S a t u r d a y ) 1 have not been out anywhere, except t h i s e v e n i n g t o see Wm.Muddle. - We have now enjoyed a whole week of b e a u t i f u l weather, & I t r u s t the r a i n has f a i r l y t a k e n up now.-

29.

L a s t week may b e s t be d e s c r i b e d as b e i n g a l l broken to p i e c e s . - To b e g i n w i t h Monday - E l i z a b e t h & Kate had e v e r y t h i n g p r e p a r e d t o take t h e i r d e p a r t u r e per B l a c k Swan, & had a c t u a l l y t a k e n l e a v e , & I was w a l k i n g w i t h them over t o the steamer, when whom s h o u l d we meet on the r o a d but U n c l e F e r r i s , j u s t come up from Sydney t o s t a y t i l l F r i d a y . He had w r i t t e n the week b e f o r e announcing t h i s arrangement, but h i s l e t t e r was d e t a i n e d

121.

April 29.

1857

i n Sydney & he got h e r e b e f o r e i t . T h i s q u i t e a l t e r e d 122. a l l our p l a n s . - I n the a f t e r n o o n I rode out t o F l e t c h e r ' s , to see what he had c o l l e c t e d f o r the C l e r g y S t i p e n d Fund, and r e c . from him ÂŁ1 as the t o t a l amount o f h i s c o l l e c t i o n s . - On Tuesday morning F e r r i s & I walked over t o E.Gosford & v i s i t e d Venteman's S a w m i l l , a l s o brought back a h o r s e , t h a t we might go out r i d i n g t o g e t h e r . - Towards e v e n i n g I went & c a l l e d a t Mona V a l e , & begged f o r M r . H a r r i s o n the l o a n o f h i s boat and b l a c k f e l l o w f o r Wednesday, on which day we made a l i t t l e p i c n i c e x c u r s i o n t o Wye Wye, & enjoyed i t v e r y much. On Thursday a f t e r n o o n , F e r r i s & I rode up t o c a l l a t Wyoming. - On F r i d a y I had t o do double Steamer duty t h a t i s , - 1 went over f i r s t o f a l l t o b r i n g the M i s s e s Donnison back, & then had t o scamper o f f as q u i c k l y as p o s s i b l e w i t h E l i z a b e t h & K a t e , Uncle F e r r i s w a l k i n g over meanwhile t o prevent the v e s s e l g o i n g w i t h o u t them. - I t was n e a r l y one o ' c l o c k b e f o r e the v e s s e l a r r i v e d , so t h a t I was v e r y much h u r r i e d . - I n the a f t e r n o o n I s t r o l l e d down as f a r as C o u l t e r ' s , and borrowed from him some numbers o f the M a i t l a n d Mercury, c o n t a i n i n g correspondence between the B i s h o p o f Newcastle & the people a t Morpeth & Raymond T e r r a c e , the p e r u s a l o f w h i c h gave me much p a i n . As I was g o i n g out t h a t a f t e r n o o n , I h e a r d a c c i d e n t a l l y t h a t M r s . S t o c k d a l e had met w i t h a m i s f o r t u n e & b u r n t h e r s e l f . W i s h i n g t o see her on o t h e r m a t t e r s as w e l l , I purposed r i d i n g up on Saturday t o v i s i t her, but e a r l y i n the morning G a r r e t t came down & r e p o r t e d her d e a t h w h i c h took p l a c e d u r i n g the n i g h t from the e f f e c t s o f the b u r n i n g . - T h i n k i n g the f u n e r a l would t a k e p l a c e on Monday, I remained a t home t o be i n r e a d i n e s s , but towards noon M r . N o r r i s c a l l e d to say t h a t i t would not t a k e p l a c e t i l l Tuesday. Thus, I was p r e v e n t e d from g o i n g out b o t h Monday

A p r i l 1857 29.

& y e s t e r d a y . The f u n e r a l took p l a c e about 2 P.M. y e s t e r d a y . - I was s u f f e r i n g r a t h e r from headache, w h i c h was not improved by s t a n d i n g bare headed i n the h o t sun ( p a r t o f t h e t i m e ) & i t i n c r e a s e d upon me towards e v e n i n g , & c o n t i n u e d t h e whole n i g h t , much t o my d i s c o m f o r t . Nor have I been q u i t e w e l l a l l today - I t h i n k want o f good, n o u r i s h i n g , & r e g u a l r d i e t , i s t h e cause. I c a n ' t g e t time f o r d i n n e r now on Sundays & h a r d work w i t h s c a n t y f a r e w i l l n o t do.The M i s s e s Donnison remained w i t h us t i l l today, when they d e p a r t e d f o r t h e i r own q u a r t e r s a t E r i n a . - I took a walk t h i s a f t e r n o o n t o E . G o s f o r d , & made a few c a l l s t h e r e .

May 1857 1.

Y e s t e r d a y morning I went over t o Kincumbar and made a few c a l l s t h e r e c h i e f l y w i t h a view o f c o l l e c t i n g money t o pay Conroy f o r s h i n g l i n g t h e s c h o o l h o u s e , but had t o come home e a r l y t o enable me t o w r i t e some l e t t e r s f o r the p o s t , among w h i c h was my r e p o r t t o M r . B l o m f i e l d , w i t h t h e account o f our c o l l e c t i o n s f o r l a s t y e a r . - w h i c h I r e g r e t t o say e x h i b i t e d a g r e a t f a l l i n g away from t h e p r e v i o u s y e a r , b e i n g about ÂŁ.53 i n s t e a d o f ÂŁ96. Today I spent v i s i t i n g i n t h e E r i n a neighbourhood, e x t e n d i n g my r i d e as f a r as Anson's. 1 went c h i e f l y t o see Chennel, who has j u s t been a f f l i c t e d w i t h t h e l o s s o f h i s poor w i f e , who d i e d i n Sydney on Good F r i d a y , l e a v i n g him w i t h 5 c h i l d r e n t o m a i n t a i n .

S t a r t e d f o r Mangrove on S a t u r d a y morning (2nd) & had a most b e a u t i f u l day f o r my r i d e . P e r f e c t l y c l o u d l e s s sky w i t h moderate w e s t e r l y b r e e z e . Reached Mrs.Ferguson's about 3 P.M. & then worked by way g r a d u a l l y down t o Watkin's I n n , where I had c o m f o r t a b l e q u a r t e r s f o r the

123.

May 1857 6.

n i g h t . I had about 22 i n my c o n g r e g a t i o n a t the Upper 124. Church i n t h e morning,& double t h a t number below i n the a f t e r n o o n , where I b a p t i z e d 2 i n f a n t s . - M r s . F o s t e r [7J was a t t h e l o w e r c h u r c h , & l e f t Mangrove on Monday morning i n Woodbury's v e s s e l . - I spent Monday a t the lower p a r t o f t h e c r e e k , g o i n g f i r s t t o t h e poor d e s e r t e d s c h o o l h o u s e , & r e - a r r a n g i n g a l l t h e books e t c . w h i c h had n o t been l e f t i n t h e most t i d y s t a t e . I then c r o s s e d o v e r , & walked down t o Richd.Woodbury's, & t h e n worked my way back as f a r as Watkins Senr. by w h i c h time t h e day was n e a r l y s p e n t , & I r e t u r n e d to t h e "Cross Keys", where, a f t e r my days w a l k , I enjoyed some b o t t l e d a l e & bread & cheese. - Y e s t e r d a y morning I worked my way up t h e c r e e k as f a r as John S i n g l e t o n ' s , whose w i f e had been v e r y p o o r l y l a t e l y , & about one o ' c l o c k s t a r t e d homeward & g o t t o Wyoming soon a f t e r s i x , where I found them a t d i n n e r , & remained to d i n e w i t h them, & then reached home about 9 o'c:_ T h i s morning I went t o t h e s c h o o l , & had an hours c a t e c h i s i n g w i t h t h e c h i l d r e n . - A t home t h i s a f t e r n o o n , g a r d e n i n g a l i t t l e . - Mr.Battley looked i n & o f f i c i a t e d i n the e x e c u t i o n o f a n o t h e r deed o f conveyance. [2]

Out a l l today v i s i t i n g a t E r i n a & Mosquito town. B e i n g a b e a u t i f u l c l e a r day, w i t h b r a c i n g w e s t e r l y wind I p r e f e r r e d w a l k i n g . - b e s i d e s , o l d M e t t l e was employed c a r t i n g good from t h e S y l p h . I was a t home a l l y e s t e r d a y l e t t e r w r i t i n g , e t c . John Osborne c a l l e d & a r r a n g e d t o go up n e x t Monday t o h i s house, so as to have an e a r l y s e r v i c e i n t h e neighbourhood, ( a t Freemans) on Tuesday morning.- & from thence go t o M r . L e t t e ' s . - Mr.Nunn & h i s daughter Kate a l s o l o o k e d i n upon u s .

11.

[1]

R a i n a g a i n , began y e s t e r d a y morning, & so caused a t h i n c o n g r e g a t i o n . - A t Kincumbar I had o n l y S.Mr.Lane, Mrs.McMaster, & Scaysbrook. - I t came on to r a i n v e r y h a r d towards e v e n i n g

Uaiy Ann CRAFT, daaghtZK S Rabzcca. Bom 25 Ftbiuaiy

WLttiam -, 1857.

AithuK William WOOVBURV, ion ÂŁ Janz. Bom 10 Mich 1857. [2]

BATTLEV izzmzd to oi thz czlzbKoJtzd.

Famzn.

o^ Rlchaid

havz had iomz Izgal "Buih LawyZK"?

tiajjilng

Lowzn. Mangtovz

Fanmzn o^ Lowzn. Mangnovz

OK wai hz a cai>z

May 11.

w i t h o c c a s i o n a l t h u n d e r , though v e r y c o l d . - I came s t r a i g h t home from Kincumbar, w i t h o u t g o i n g t o E r i n a , as t h e r e c o u l d have been no c o n g r e g a t i o n t h e r e . T h i s day has been showery a l s o some v e r y heavy showers i n the morning, but i t seems i n c l i n e d t o c l e a r up a g a i n t h i s e v e n i n g . - Having l e a r n t from Rudkin y e s t e r d a y t h a t M r s . C o t t r e l l was i l l , I went t o pay her a v i s i t t h i s morning, & found her s u f f e r i n g from the e f f e c t s o f a f a l l she had on F r i d a y l a s t . She was out g e t t i n g some f i r e w o o d , & f e l l upon her s i d e a c r o s s a l o g , & t h i n k s she has broken some r i b s . She seems g e t t i n g b e t t e r however, though o b l i g e d t o keep her bed.

14.

I v i s i t e d M r s . C o t t r e l l a g a i n on Tuesday a f t e r n o o n & found h e r somewhat b e t t e r . - 1 made a few o t h e r c a l l s a l s o i n t h a t neighbourhood. - On coming home, I found t h a t a young woman had c a l l e d w i t h a s i c k baby, w i s h i n g t o have i t b a p t i z e d . - Mrs.Henry by name, the w i f e o f a sawyer out a t the back o f D o u a l l ' s . I s e t o f f d i r e c t l y a f t e r b r e a k f a s t y e s t e r d a y morning, and a d m i n i s t e r e d p r i v a t e baptism t o the l i t t l e c h i l d , & then proceeded as f a r as Wyoming, i n t e n d i n g t o go on t o S t o c k d a l e ' s , but the r a i n s e t i n a g a i n , & a f t e r w a i t i n g I n v a i n f o r i t t o c l e a r up, I r e t u r n e d home.Today I have spent c h i e f l y l e t t e r w r i t i n g - took my l e t t e r s t o the p o s t t h i s e v e n i n g , & a l s o c a l l e d t o see M r s . C o t t r e l l , who i s i m p r o v i n g . I found her upÂť Mrs.McMaster & a young f r i e n d from B a t h u r s t c a l l e d e a r l y t h i s morning. They had s l e p t a t C o t t r e l l ' s last night.

16.

[1]

1857

Saturday n i g h t . T h i s has been a thorough wet week a g a i n , so t h a t I have been k e p t from g o i n g abroad, & have o c c u p i e d m y s e l f a t my books & sermon w r i t i n g . Y e s t e r d a y i t r a i n e d n e a r l y the whole day & c o n t i n u e d v e r y hard a l l n i g h t , & u n t i l about 9 o r 10 t h i s morning when i t ceased, & the wind r o s e & g r a d u a l l y c l e a r e d the sky. But the ground under f o o t i s i s as wet as i t can be.

Maiy Ann HEMRV, daughZtn. i Mmy Ann. Bom 12 ApnJit

Wllllajn 1857.

Smyzt

Goi^oKd

125.

[1]

May 17.

1857

by t h a t time have p a i d o f f a l l o t h e r l i a b i l i t i e s . On Monday I was p r e v e n t e d by the heavy r a i n s from going out t o v i s i t , though I went up t o the c h u r c h a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , e x p e c t i n g t o f i n d a couple t h e r e t o be m a r r i e d . - They d i d not come however, but i n the a f t e r n o o n , a man named Watson came t o e x p l a i n the r e a s o n o f t h e i r non-appearance, namely, t h a t they had d i s c o v e r e d the Intended bridegroom t o be a l r e a d y a M a r r i e d Man. On Tuesday I was c h i e f l y employed v i s i t i n g about home, i n v i t i n g the d i f f e r e n t members of our b u i l d i n g Committee t o meet on Thursday morning t o c o n s i d e r the Bishops p r o p o s i t i o n o f a i d i n g us i n the church work. " On Wednesday I went over t o Kincumbar t o v i s i t M r s . M o f f a t t , & l e t h e r know t h a t I had t r a c e d her husband a l i t t l e f u r t h e r a l o n g the r o a d . I met McMaster coming t o see me, who put a l e t t e r i n t o h i s my hand, f o r b i d d i n g me any l o n g e r t o a d m i n i s t e r the Sacrament t o h i s w i f e . - On Thursday morning we h e l d our Committee meeting, but none seemed d i s p o s e d t o make themselves p e r s o n a l l y l i a b l e f o r the money we want t o borrow t o complete the b u i l d i n g . I read t o the meeting p a r t of a l e t t e r w h i c h I r e c e i v e d from Mr.Cape l a s t Week, e x p r e s s i n g h i s w i l l i n g n e s s t o j o i n Mr.Hargraves i n p u t t i n g a b i l l t h r o u g h the Bank, and i t was r e s o l v e d t h a t Mr.H: be communicated w i t h on the s u b j e c t so t o prevent unnecessary d e l a y . I s t a r t e d o f f t o Cabbage t r e e on F r i d a y t o c o n s u l t w i t h Mr.Hargraves who seems d i s p o s e d t o a i d us t o the utmost^ but a t the same time r e a s o n a b l y & p r u d e n t l y r e q u i r e s some t a n g i b l e s e c u r i t y f o r the money he may advance. I t o l d him I had money m y s e l f i n the hands of H . F e r r i s , but I c o u l d not say whether he c o u l d c o n v e n i e n t l y l e t me have i t a t the p r e s e n t t i m e . We agreed t h e r e f o r e t h a t I should w r i t e t o him f i r s t on the s u b j e c t , & then be guided by h i s r e p l y as t o f u t u r e p r o c e e d i n g . Accordingly,

126

May 1857 23.

Another week gone, & l i k e many o f l a t e , i t s work has been much h i n d e r e d by r a i n , Monday was r a i n y e a r l y i n the morning, & we doubted whether the Steamer would make her appearance but she came i n about one o ' c l o c k . I v i s i t e d the s c h o o l t h a t morning - & made a few c a l l s i n t h a t neighbourhood. - Tuesday 1 went t o Kincumbar, as f a r as McMasters, c h i e f l y t o v i s i t Mrs.McKechnie, who has been p o o r l y , but r e c o v e r i n g . - Wednesday & Thursday I remained a t home, been r a i n y . - Y e s t e r d a y a f t e r n o o n I rode up a s f a r as G a r n e r ' s , - I n one p a r t o f the r o a d my h o r s e s t u c k f a s t i n a bog & I had t o dismount i n the m i d d l e . - Today I have been X c u t t i n g f i r e w o o d w i t h James, & making a new Maul f o r h i m t o s p l i t f i r e w o o d , f o r we have been s a d l y put about l a t e l y w i t h our wood, b e i n g u n a b l e , from the d r e a d f u l s t a t e o f the r o a d s , t o send the c a r t out f o r any. - Today however, the weather has c l e a r e d up from the west, & promises f a i r a g a i n .

25.

A b r i g h t sun r o s e upon us y e s t e r d a y morning, & gave promise o f a b e a u t i f u l day, but i n the f o r e n o o n i t became o v e r c a s t a g a i n , & by the time the morning s e r v i c e was o v e r , a v e r y d a r k , f o r b i d d i n g bank o f c l o u d s extended a l o n g the S i W e s t e r n h o r i z o n . B e f o r e I had got more t h a n h a l f way t o Kincumbar, I had t o u n f u r l & p u t on my c l o a k , & we had not been l o n g i n c h u r c h t h e r e , b e f o r e the r a i n descended a g a i n i n t o r r e n t s . & so i t c o n t i n u e d the whole e v e n i n g . - There were two l i t t l e I n f a n t s brought f o r b a p t i s m - B.Davis, & F r o s t from Tuggerah Beach. - The c o n g r e g a t i o n was p r e t t y numerous, & I f e a r e d most o f them must have been q u i t e drenched b e f o r e they reached t h e i r homes. I t h i n k I was neverout i n a more f r i g h t f u l n i g h t . I t became q u i t e dark b e f o r e I reached the punt r o a d , and as I waded s l o w l y a l o n g i t , knee deep a l m o s t i n mud, the r a i n came b e a t i n g down upon me i n g r e a t vehemence, & my c l o a k was p r e t t y w e l l s a t u r a t e d b e f o r e I reached

Saiah Jam VAVJS, daugkteA i Etiza. Bom 4 Apill 1S57.

Bznjomln

Emily FROST, daughtZA o^ Joseph i Eliza. Bom 5 ApnJJi 1857.

Shlpmlgkt

Cockle,

VouUiyman of, Tu.gge.fiah Beach

127.

[1]

Cizek

May

1857

25.

t h a t f a r . I f e l t r e a l l y g r a t e f u l when I found m y s e l f s a f e w i t h i n the w a l l s o f the parsonage, h a v i n g been brought s a f e l y t h r o * a l l the dangers o f the boggy r o a d s , & p i t y l e s s storm. - I was not a l i t t l e g r a t i f i e d y e s t e r d a y morning a t the appearance among my communicants, of one,who then came f o r the f i r s t t i m e , & though f o r m e r l y , a g r e a t s i n n e r , I s i n c e r e l y b e l i e v e presented h e r s e l f as a t r u e p e n i t e n t , & t h e r e f o r e , a welcome g u e s t . - & t h a t was - M r s . M c i n t o s h - I t was the f i r s t time she had been a b l e t o r e a c h the c h u r c h s i n c e h e r l o n g confinement t o h e r bed, - & I t h i n k she must have found the sermon a v e r y a p p r o p r i a t e one, the s u b j e c t b e i n g the m p a r a b l e o f the M a r r i a g e f e a s t . I c a l l e d on h e r t h i s a f t e r n o o n , & was g l a d t o f i n d her s t i l l b e t t e r , & apparently improving i n b o d i l y h e a l t h . - I t has been a b e a u t i f u l c l e a r day t o d a y , & I do hope & t r u s t t h a t we may now be b l e s t w i t h f i n e weather a g a i n .

26.

Spent t h i s day v i s i t i n g - the morning a t E . G o s f o r d , & the a f t e r n o o n about home. Among o t h e r s I c a l l e d on John B e a t t l e t h i s morning, & hope t h a t I may have p r e v a i l e d upon him t o come t o h i s church a g a i n , f o r though he had been l o n g absent from i t , (& Indeed w h i l e he was k e e p i n g a p u b l i c house he o n l y a c t e d , as I t h i n k , c o n s i s t e n t l y i n not a t t e n d i n g church) I thought I c o u l d d e t e c t i n h i s moistened eye, & h i s manner o f e x p r e s s i n g h i m s e l f an inward f e e l i n g o f sorrow f o r p a s t d e l i n q u i n c i e s , & a d e s i r e of amendment, & r e f o r m a t i o n . - May the L o r d Grant him the grace of r e p e n t a n c e , & so r e s t o r e t h i s l o s t , wandering sheep, to the f o l d from w h i c h he has so w i d e l y s t r a y e d . -

30.

Saturday n i g h t . - The f i n e weather which commenced on Monday, has c o n t i n u e d throughout the week, but the appearance a g a i n today has been v e r y o f u n p r o m i s i n g , & I cannot h e l p f e a r i n g

128.

May 30.

t h a t more r a i n i s c l o s e a t hand.- I took advantage of the f i n e weather t o pay o f f s e v e r a l v i s i t i n g debts t h a t have been l o n g owing. On Wednesday a f t e r n o o n I went a c r o s s by Pagan's punt & rode up t h a t s i d e of the c r e e k t o Wyoming c a l l i n g on a person a t Mr.Hely's whom I ought t o have v i s i t e d l o n g ago, namely Mrs.Hayes. She has l a t e l y r e c e i v e d the r e s t of her f a m i l y (3 daughters) from England. - On Thursday I went f i r s t to E r i n a , & then a c r o s s t o Kincumbar. - Y e s t e r d a y I went up Blue Gum F l a t way, c a l l i n g upon a l l the people as f a r as S t o c k d a l e s e t c . but d i d not reach the S a w m i l l . - I s t a y e d & d i n e d a t Wyoming on my r e t u r n . Today I have remained a t home, a c c o r d i n g t o my Saturday rule. M r s . W i l l i a m Nunn popped i n t h i s a f t e r n o o n , one of her sudden unpremeditated c a l l s . Here i s the r a i n , now p a t t e r i n g down on the s h i n g l e s a g a i n .

June 4.

1857

Thursday. - P r e p a r i n g t o s t a r t f o r Mangrove tomorrow morning. - 1 had s m a l l c o n g r e g a t i o n s on Sunday owing t o the c o n t i n u e d r a i n . A t Kincumbar t h e r e were not enough communicants, 2 o n l y remained, so I d i d not a d m i n i s t e r the Sacrament. On Monday morning I was i n t e r r u p t e d by M r . F o s t e r , who came t o see me about sending i n h i s papers f o r January & p a r t o f F e b r u a r y . I had t o make them out f o r him, as w e l l as t o w r i t e a l o n g e x p l a n a t o r y l e t t e r t o Mr.Roberts w h i c h o c c u p i e d a good d e a l o f the day, p r e v e n t e d my g o i n g out. On Tuesday morng. I v i s i t e d the s c h o o l , & c a l l e d on Hegln on my r e t u r n e d . Y e s t e r d a y morning I v i s i t e d Betsey Muddle, who on Monday n i g h t was d e l i v e r e d of a s t i l l born c h i l d . & was happy t o f i n d she was d o i n g w e l l f o r I f e a r she had been i n some danger. - She seemed v e r y g r a t e f u l f o r my v i s i t .

June 1857

These e x p r e s s i o n s o f g r a t i t u d e w h i c h one not i n f r e q u e n t l y r e c e i v e d b e s i d e a s i c k bed, (the s i n c e r i t y of which i s m a n i f e s t from the t e a r s w h i c h accompany them) a r e some o f the g r e a t rewards t h a t o c c a s i o n a l l y f a l l t o our l o t , & tend t o compensate f o r many o f the b i t t e r discouragements w h i c h we are compelled t o bear w i t h . I p a i d h e r another v i s i t t h i s morning, & found her g a i n i n g s t r e n g t h , & r e c o v e r i n g n i c e l y . - I a l s o found a n o t h e r s i c k p a t i e n t t h i s morning a t E.Gosfd. i n Mrs.Lucey, who has been a i l i n g more o r l e s s f o r some t i m e , but now seems v e r y p o o r l y w i t h cough & g r e a t weakness.

13.

I had v e r y f i n e weather f o r my Mangrove j o u r n e y , b u t f i n d i n g I c o u l d not so e a s i l y a c c o m p l i s h my u s u a l v i s i t i n g work, owing t o the q u a n t i t y o f water i n the c r e e k . - the b r i d g e s a t the upper p a r t b e i n g washed away, I came home on Monday, a f t e r h a v i n g agreed w i t h a stonemason t o b u i l d a double chimney a t the s c h o o l house f o r ÂŁ15 he f i n d i n g a l l the m a t e r i a l , & l a b o u r . I c a l l e d a t Wyoming on my r e t u r n & d i n e d t h e r e . On Tuesday I had one o f the worst headaches 1 have s u f f e r e d , f o r a v e r y l o n g t i m e , which prevented me from Going out u n t i l towards e v e n i n g , when i t got b e t t e r , & we a l l went t o see how Betsy Muddle was g e t t i n g on. On Wednesday I went t o Kincumbar, and made s e v e r a l c a l l s i n t h a t q u a r t e r , - On Thursday morning I had a m a r r i a g e t o s o l e m n i z e j - Lees & E l l e n Gowdle - & i n the a f t e r n o o n a f u n e r a l , the c h i l d o f one P l c k f o r d , a Sawyer a t Mosquito Town. Y e s t e r d a y 1 v i s i t e d E r i n a , but h a v i n g t o l o o k i n upon M r . B a t t l e y f i r s t , as w e l l a s v i s i t Mrs.Lucy - i t was l a t e b e f o r e I got t h e r e , so I f i l l e d up the a f t e r n o o n a t E r i n a w i t h o u t g o i n g f a r t h e r . Today I have remained a t home w i t h the e x c e p t i o n o f a v i s i t t o Betsy Muddle, who i s now c o n v a l e s c e n t . - M i s s Donnison c a l l e d t h i s a f t e r n o o n

n June. 1857, Jo6e.ph Sutton Labouiex - and

LEES,

23, MckeloK,

Sydney,

Ellzn GOWVIE, 21, SplniteA. Bom at Ayie. Shine. In Scotland daughter o^ Jame.i SoMyex o^ Bluz Gum Flat. WltneMe.'i: [2]

Robcnt GOWVIE and EllzabeXh

TAYLOR.

Jane. PICKFORV, ne.an Enlna, aged 15 months, John -, SoiuyeA.. Vied 10 June. 1857.

the. daughttn. o{,

130.

[1] [2]

June

1857

17.

Sunday b e i n g a b e a u t i f u l day, a f t e r t e n days or more of f i n e w e a t h e r , I had the g r a t i f i c a t i o n of s e e i n g l a r g e r c o n g r e g a t i o n s a t E.Gosfd. & E r i n a than I have had f o r s e v e r a l months, though a t Kincumbar t h e r e were not so many. I thought I was f u l l y j u s t i f i e d a f t e r the f a i r & a p p a r e n t l y s e t t l e d weather o f the p r e v i o u s 10 o r 12 days, t o r e t u r n thanks f o r the same, & d i d so a c c o r d i n g l y a t a l l the churches. Monday a g a i n was a most d e l i g h t f u l day, but a t n i g h t a s m a l l shower f e l l between 10 & 11 which r a t h e r made us quake a g a i n , & y e s t e r d a y the weather t o t a l l y changed & heavy r a i n s e t i n i n the a f t e r n o o n w h i c h c o n t i n u e d a l l n i g h t , & u n t i l near 8 o'c: t h i s morning accompanied by one o f the most t e r r i f i c g a l e s o f wind I ever w i t n e s s e d . I t f o r c e d i t s way through our r o o f i n a l l d i r e c t i o n s , more so than ever i t d i d b e f o r e . - I t has r a i n e d v e r y h e a v i l y a t I n t e r v a l s throughout the day, & though I t c l e a r e d up towards e v e n i n g . I f e a r t h e r e i s more i n s t o r e f o r us y e t .

19.

I l e a r n t y e s t e r d a y t h a t two v e s s e l s were t o t a l l y wrecked a t T o r i g a l d u r i n g the g a l e on Wednesday morning.One, the o l d Rainbow, belonged t o F r l s b y , the o t h e r , a v e s s e l from Newcastle l a d e n w i t h c o a l . - I f e a r we s h a l l hear o f many more l o s s e s when our next m a l l a r r i v e s . - I went t o v i s i t Mrs.Lucey y e s t e r d a y morning, & found her i n a f a i r way t o get w e l l a g a i n , h a v i n g g i v e n b i r t h t o a son the p r e v i o u s n i g h t , & b o t h d o i n g w e l l . - I was busy w r i t i n g l e t t e r s t i l l post time i n the a f t e r n o o n . - T h i s morning I went over t o E.Gosford t o meet the Steamer but w i t h many o t h e r s , was d i s a p p o i n t e d , f o r she never came & on r e t u r n i n g home & r e f e r r i n g t o Monday's paper, I saw she was a d v e r t i z e d t o come on Monday next a g a i n . T h i s evening I rode out as f a r as D i c k s o n ' s .

29.

Here i s a b l a n k o f t e n days w i t h o u t any r e c o r d . P r e s s o f b u s i n e s s a l l l a s t week must be my excuse but I must now endeavour t o make up the d e f i c i e n c y as w e l l as my memory w i l l a l l o w me

131.

June 1857 29.

[1]

Saturday the 20th I spent v i s i t i n g i n the E r i n a neighbourhood, 132. The c h i e f o b j e c t which took me i n t h a t d i r e c t i o n was t o v i s i t poor b l i n d B o s t o n , a t Pennington's w i t h whom 1 read a l i t t l e , & l e f t h i m a t r i f l i n g d o n a t i o n . The road t o the S a w m i l l b e i n g s t i l l so v e r y bad. 1 of course made no attempt t o go t h e r e on Sunday n i g h t On monday morning I went over t o meet t h e Steamer, & as I was coming away was a c c o s t e d by a gentleman passenger, who t u r n e d o u t t o be Mr.T.W.Cape, o f Sydney, the owner o f Wyong & o t h e r p r o p e r t i e s i n the d i s t r i c t we had not exchanged many words b e f o r e I d i s c o v e r e d t h a t i n o u r younger days we had been v e r y near neighbours i n England, as h i s f a m i l y r e s i d e s a t F o r e s t h i l l . He p u t up a t Mr.Crause's, b u t I i n v i t e d h i m t o spend the e v e n i n g & we had a v e r y p l e a s a n t & a g r e e a b l e c h a t . I n the a f t e r n o o n o f Monday I walked out t o v i s i t Mrs. Henry, who had l o s t h e r l i t t l e baby i n Sydney.- I was r a t h e r s t a r t l e d by a d i s c l o s u r e she made t o me r e g a r d i n g her husband, t h a t he i s n o t b a p t i z e d . I promised I would seek an e a r l y o p p o r t u n i t y o f s e e i n g & c o n v e r s i n g w i t h h i m on the s u b j e c t . - On Tuesday I rode up t o the S a w m i l l , & arranged w i t h M r . A u s t i n to go up & h o l d a s e r v i c e t h e i r on F r i d a y a f t e r n o o n , f o r t h e s p e c i a l b e n e f i t o f some who were a n x i o u s t o get t h e i r c h i l d r e n b a p t i z e d . - On Wednesday I rode out t o a p l a c e c a l l e d the Sandy r i d g e , where a l i t t l e c l u s t e r o f f a m i l i e s r e s i d e , - Abdy - Rlmmer, R i c h a r d s & Grey. & f i n d i n g t h e r e a r e 3 i n f a n t s t h e r e u n b a p t i z e d , I t o l d them t h a t as t h e y were so f a r away from t h e c h u r c h , I was go o u t any day they c o u l d make i t c o n v e n i e n t , & h o l d a s e r v i c e w i t h them & b a p t i z e t h e i r c h i l d r e n . On Thursday I went over t o Kincumbar t o marry M i c h a e l Scaysbrook & Margaret G a r n e r , & a most d e l i g h t f u l [1] sunny day they had f o r t h e i r wedding.- On F r i d a y I a c c o m p l i s h e d my v i s i t t o t h e

25 June 1857, Hlchael SawyeA - and

SCAISBROOK, nzaily

19, Baahdion,

MaigaKQJt GARNER, 16 yuan 6 montki, Spinitvi. man. Llvzipool, England - daaghttn o^ Samuel Wltm6ie.6:

WltUam

KlncumbeA,

Bom aX. Runcorn, SawytK.

MELVIN and Man.y Ann SCAYSBROOK.

June 1857 29.

S a w m i l l , & had a v e r y t o l e r a b l e c o n g r e g a t i o n , b a p t i z i n g 133. 4 i n f a n t s . - I had M r . L e t t e ' s company. He had come [1] down w i t h Mr.Cape t h e p r e v i o u s day, Thursday, & spent t h a t eveng w i t h u s . On my r e t u r n on F r i d a y evening I was g l a d t o f i n d t h a t Mr.Cape had a c t e d upon my s u g g e s t i o n , & brought h i s c a r p e t bag from t h e I n n to t h e Parsonage. On Saturday morning Mr.Cape & I s t r o l l e d over t o E.Gosfd. f o r the purpose o f borrowing John B e a t t i e s boat t o c r o s s t h e water t o M r . S c o t t , but I found he had s o l d h i s boat, & i s p r e p a r i n g t o l e a v e t h e d i s t r i c t & r e t u r n t o Sydney.- I n t h e a f t e r n o o n we a l l s t r o l l e d t o t h e t o p o f Mount r e c r e a t i o n , t h e view from which p l e a s e d Mr.Cape e x c e e d i n g l y - I had a good c o n g r e g a t i o n , & a goodly number o f communicants y e s t e r d a y morning a t E.Gosfd., but poor attendance elsewhere.- T h i s morning Mr.C: & I s t r o l l e d up as f a r as t h e wharf a t E r i n a . On the way I was t o l d o f a man who had met w i t h a g r i e v o u s m i s f o r t u n e , & g o t s e v e r e l y b u r n t . - I had t o come back t o meet the steamer, b u t rode out t h i s evening t o t r y & f i n d the hut where t h e poor man l i v e d , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e d i r e c t i o n s g i v e n t o me, but I c o u l d not f i n d i t so I must t r y a g a i n tomorrow.- I saw Mr.Cape o f f p e r " B l a c k Swan" t h i s a f t e r n o o n . He seemed v e r y much p l e a s e d w i t h h i s v i s i t t o B.Water & I am p l e a s e d a t h a v i n g made h i s a c q u a i n t a n c e , & am n o t a l t o g e t h e r w i t h o u t a hope he may someday become a r e s i d e n t h e r e .

J u l y 1857 2.

[1]

On Tuesday morning I walked out & found t h e h u t where t h e burnt man was l y i n g about a m i l e out I n the bush from G r a n t ' s house.- He seemed s u f f e r i n g v e r y much, b e i n g d r e a d f u l l y brunt a l l up t h e l e f t arm, & t h e l e f t s i d e o f t h e head. He was unable t o speak much, b e i n g

Haniy John TOOT, ion o^ WWlMm -, i Many Ann, BoKn 4 Udich 1S57,

Smyti

MaigaieX ROBERTSON, daughtZA oi Wlltiam -, SmmU.1 i Haiy. Bom 22 Ftbiuaiy 1857, (Ullllam EARL, ion Bom 4 My 1857.

oi WAlHam -,

Smyzi

William Thomai WAMSLEV, ion oi Eduiand -, i liabdlla. Bom 7 June 1857.

o^ Omimbah

SmyeJi oi

Saimlll

Oaiimbah

Blue Gum Flat

Famzi

Saiah.

Blue Gum Flat

J u l y 1857 2,

i n so much p a i n . - I r e a d a l i t t l e & prayed w i t h him, & t h e n came home a g a i n . - Y e s t e r d a y morning I went f i r s t to D r . A u l d ' s , t o a s c e r t a i n h i s o p i n i o n o f t h e b u r n t man (Ambrose) and got a l i t t l e medicine from him t o s t o p the v o m i t i n g , o f which he complained v e r y much the day b e f o r e . - I t h e n went on t o P i p e r ' s & so round by the c h u r c h & over t h e h i l l t o Ambrose, whom 1 found a l i t t l e b e t t e r : t h e v o m i t i n g had ceased, & he was able to eat a l i t t l e . Today I walked up t o t h e S a w m i l l , to v i s i t a young g i r l - E l i z a Babbage - one o f an Immigrant f a m i l y l a t e l y a r r i v e d t h e r e , who seems t o be i n v e r y d e l i c a t e h e a l t h . - M e t t l e h a v i n g met w i t h a l i t t l e mishap y e s t e r d a y , when c l o s e t o D r . A u l d ' s , by t r e a d i n g t o o near t h e edge o f a h o l e i n a l i t t l e g u l l y near t h e house, when t h e e a r t h gave way, & down h i s h i n d l e g s went i n t o t h e h o l e , I thought he would be a l l t h e b e t t e r f o r a days r e s t today as w e l l as tomorrow, p r e p a r a t o r y to my j o u r n e y t o Mangrove on S a t u r d a y .

(Wednesday) L a s t F r i d a y morning I went over t o meet the Steamer, & a r r a n g e about the conveyance t o Sydney H o s p i t a l o f the b u r n t man, Ambrose.- H i s f r i e n d s had c o n t r i v e d t o b r i n g him down i n a boat from the E r i n a Wharf but when t h e v e s s e l a r r i v e d I found they had a r r a n g e d t o remain a l l n i g h t , & n o t r e t u r n t o Sydney t i l l Saturday morning so I a r r a n g e d w i t h Page t o r e c e i v e Ambrose f o r t h e n i g h t i n t o h i s h u t , & they put him on board t h e B l a c k Swan on Saturday morning. I started f o r Mangrove about 10 o'c: on S a t u r d a y , but had n o t gone f a r b e f o r e I d i s c o v e r e d t h a t M e t t l e had n o t r e c o v e r e d from the i n j u r y w h i c h he must have r e c e i v e d t h i s day week, & t h a t he was q u i t e u n f i t f o r t h e j o u r n e y . I t u r n e d back t h e r e f o r e & a f t e r a l i t t l e e n q u i r y f o r a horse t o c a r r y me up Buscombe o f f e r e d h i s mare, w h i c h , b e i n g recommended t o me by o t h e r , I a c c e p t e d , & had my s a d d l e e t c . p u t upon h e r , & made a second s t a r t . - I had a

134.

July 8.

1857

l i t t l e d e l a y a t the B l a c k s m i t h ' s , g e t t i n g her shoes t i g h t e n e d , & t h e n , made a f t e r p r o c e e d i n g a s h o r t d i s t a n c e 1 found t h a t t h e a n i m a l , h a v i n g a p p a r e n t l y been s t a r v e d d u r i n g the days o f the r a c e s , was q u i t e u n f i t t o go a j o u r n e y . I determined t h e r e f o r e t o f e e d her w e l l a l l S a t u r d a y , & make an e a r l y s t a r t on Sunday morning. A c c o r d i n g l y I was up a t 4 o'c: & I n the s a d d l e , f o r the t h i r d a t t e m p t , b e f o r e 5. I t was a most b e a u t i f u l morning, though f r o s t y & c o l d . - The moon was j u s t s i n k i n g i n the west as I l e f t the house, & Venus & J u p i t e r were s h i n i n g most b r i l l i a n t l y i n the e a s t . My borrowed nag d i d not seem t o have a c q u i r e d any v e r y g r e a t amount of s t r e n g t h & a c t i v i t y from my f e e d i n g h e r , & a f t e r g e t t i n g o f f the pathway, & b l u n d e r i n g among the bushes i n the d a r k , I .came t o the f i r s t c r e e k , about 3 m i l e s away, & I t was j u s t l i g h t enough to show me t h a t the b r i d g e had been washed away by the r e c e n t f l o o d , so t h a t I was c o m p l e t e l y stopped, & gave up the j o u r n e y as u n a c c o m p l i s h a b l e . I had 2 s e r v i c e s on Sunday a t E.Gosfd., morng. & a f t e r n o o n . On Monday a f t e r c a l l i n g a t M r . H a r r i s o n ' s & M r . B a t t l e y ' s , I s e t o f f t o walk t o D r . A u l d ' s , t o c o n s u l t him about removing a k i n d o f s t y w h i c h f o r some months has been growing on my e y e l i d . As he thought i t b e t t e r t o have the o p e r a t i o n performed a t home, we arranged t h a t he s h o u l d come up the next day f o r t h a t purpose.He v e r y k i n d l y saved toe the l o n g & d i s a g r e e a b l e walk back a g a i n , by p u t t i n g me a c r o s s i n h i s b o a t , & l a n d i n g me a t the B u r y i n g Ground.- Y e s t e r d a y he came up, & brought M r s . A u l d w i t h him, & the o p e r a t i o n upon my e y e l i d , c o n s i s t e d merely of p r i c k i n g the l i t t l e tumour w i t h h i s l a n c e t , & s q u e e z i n g out the eheesey substance c o n t a i n e d i n i t . I remained a t

135.

J u l y 1857 8.

home a l l today u n t i l l a t e i n the a f t e r n o o n when we s t r o l l e d out t o see B e t s y Muddle g o i n g round t o show Margt.McMaster t h e way t o M r s . C o t t r i l l ' s . - We were o b l i g e d t o h u r r y home from Betsey's t o a v o i d the r a i n w h i c h was f a s t : a p p r o a c h i n g , & I r e g r e t much t h a t i t has a p p a r e n t l y s e t i n f o r more r a i n a g a i n .

C o n t r a r y t o our e x p e c t a t i o n we rose t o a b e a u t i f u l , b r i g h t , sunny morning, & the day has c o n t i n u e d f i n e throughout.- I have o c c u p i e d today c h i e f l y l e t t e r w r i t i n g , b u t walked over t o E.Gosford t h i s a f t e r n o o n t o make a few c a l l s t h e r e .

10.

Set out t h i s morning a f t e r b r e a k f a s t i n t e n d i n g t o v i s i t Mrs.Hayes & h e r f a m i l y , & from thence proceed t o M r . S c o t t ' s , but b o t h punt & boat b e i n g a t t h e o t h e r s i d e o f t h e c r e e k , & f i n d i n g when I began p u l l i n g the b e l l rope t h a t i t was a t t a c h e d t o a dumb-bell, i . e . , a b e l l w i t h a c l a p p e r , I had t o a l t e r my p l a n s and rode up t o Wyoming & so down t h e o t h e r s i d e o f the c r e e k , c a l l i n g a t each house as I passed, Mrs.Hayes b e i n g the l a s t . I t was the f i r s t time I had r i d d e n M e t t l e t h i s week, but I was s o r r y t o f i n d him a s bad as e v e r , & n o t a b l e t o move out o f a walk, o r a t most, a slow j o g . Among o t h e r c a l l s , I p a i d a v i s i t t o L i n d s a y H e l y , & had a l i t t l e admonitory c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h him. Having been r a t h e r taken up w i t h horse r a c i n g o f l a t e , I reminded him o f t h e r a c e i n which he i s p r o f e s s i d l y engaged, in, & t h e grand p r i z e o f heaven t h a t i s t h e o b j e c t f o r which we a r e o r ought t o be c o n t e n d i n g , p o i n t i n g out t o him t h e n e c e s s i t y o f our s t r i v i n g & e a r n e s t l y contending i n our X t i a n c o u r s e . - H i s b r o t h e r was engaged i n c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h Mr.Nunn o u t s i d e t h e house, a l l the time I was t h e r e . I hope & pray t h a t my words spoken t o L i n d s a y , may not have been spoken i n v a i n . -

13.

I had the g r a t i f i c a t i o n o f s e e i n g goodly c o n g r e g a t i o n s assembled y e s t e r d a y , both a t E.Gosford & Kincumbar.

136.

J u l y 1857 13.

A t E r i n a t h e r e were not a g r e a t many.- As t h e people 137. have been t a k e n up l a t e l y w i t h Horse r a c i n g . - I thought i t a f a v o u r a b l e o c c a s i o n f o r reminding them o f t h e r a c e i n wh: they a r e a l l p r o f e s s e d l y engaged, c h o o s i n g f o r my t e x t t h a t o f S t . P a u l t o the C o r i n t h i a n s , "So r u n , t h a t ye may o b t a i n . " & X hope, & pray t h a t t h e e x h o r t a t i o n w h i c h X d e l i v e r e d , may n o t be e n t i r e l y u n p r o d u c t i v e o f good f r u i t . - Poor o l d M e t t l e n o t h a v i n g r e c o v e r e d s u f f i c i e n t l y from h i s l a t e d i s a s t e r , I d i d n o t attempt t o use him y e s t e r d a y except t o c a r r y Anne t o & from c h u r c h , & 1 walked t o Kincumbar, & from thence t o E r i n a , - M i s s Donnison was k i n d enough to l e n d me a horse t o come home upon, w h i c h I was v e r y t h a n k f u l f o r , as t h e n i g h t was dark,& I s h o u l d have found d i f f i c u l t y i n p i c k i n g my way through t h e mud. T h i s morning I went t o the s c h o o l , & a f t e r c a t e c h i z i n g t h e r e a l i t t l e went & c a l l e d on M r s . F o s t e r . This a f t e r n o o n X had my opened my C o n f i r m a t i o n C l a s s a g a i n at home, w i t h 8 p u p i l s . - On Saturday morning, I c a l l e d on P i g g o t t , & i n t h e course o f c o n v e r s a t i o n , t o my g r e a t s u r p r i s e , d i s c o v e r e d t h a t he i s u n b a p t i z e d . & I f e a r , i s t o o l i t t l e concerned about t h e m a t t e r . X must endeavour t o awaken him t o a sense o f h i s a w f u l danger.- We a r e a g a i n l e f t w i t h o u t a female s e r v a n t , Anne h a v i n g l e f t us t h i s morning & gone home a g a i n .

16.

H e a r i n g on Monday from Mrs.Powrie, t h a t Mrs.Roberts was v e r y i l l , X determined t o go & v i s i t h e r on Tuesday, & w i s h i n g a l s o t o see M r , S c o t t , & t a l k over the a f f a i r s of our c h u r c h b u i l d i n g w i t h him, X thought my b e s t p l a n was t o r i d e t o M r . S c o t t ' s & g e t him t o put me a c r o s s t h e water t o Mr.Robert's.- I found them a l l v e r y busy a t t h e i r w e l l , o r s h a f t s i n k i n g f o r c o a l , & M r . S c o t t , b e i n g most e a s i l y s p a r e d , he took one oar & X t h e o t h e r , & 3 o f h i s g i r l s accompanied u s . I t was a most d e l i g h t f u l day - i f a n y t h i n g t o o warm & t h e water l i k e a sheet o f g l a s s . - To my astonishment.

July

1857

16.

I found Mrs.Roberts p e r f e c t l y w e l l , nor had she been i l l a t a l l . I was not s o r r y however, t h a t I p a i d her a v i s i t , f o r I had not been t h e r e f o r a l o n g time, & owed her one.- Y e s t e r d a y 1 went over t o Kincumbar, & a f t e r p a y i n g a few v i s i t s went to meet my expected C o n f i r m a t i o n C l a s s , when o n l y one appeared, - W i l l i a m K i r k . - T h i s has been my post day, & I was j u s t s t a r t i n g f o r E . G o s f o r d , t o make a few c a l l s t h e r e , a f t e r f i n i s h i n g my l e t t e r s , when I met the M i s s e s Donnison coming to c a l l so I r e t u r n e d a g a i n . - I n the evening I took my despatches t o the p o s t & c a l l e d on M r . H a r r i s o n also.

17.

Walked up t o E r i n a t h i s morning, making a few c a l l s i n E.Gosford by the way.- M i s s Donnison l e n t me a horse t o r i d e out as f a r as W h i t t a k e r s , & on my r e t u r n I had a s m a l l c o n f i r m a t i o n c l a s s of 3. - I hope however by t h i s day week, t o have the a d d i t i o n o f a few more.

20.

At home a l l Saturday except a v i s i t I p a i d t o P l g g o t . J u s t as we were s e a t e d a t t e a on Saturday e v e n i n g , a l o u d rap a t the door announced the a r r i v a l of a t r a v e l l e r , & on opening the door, the l o u d v o i c e of Townshend echoed through the house.- He had come a l l the way from Richmond V a l e . - He accompanied me to Kincumbar c h u r c h y e s t e r d a y morning - & went o f f by B l a c k Swan today f o r Sydney, l e a v i n g h i s two h o r s e s i n my charge.- Mr.Keane, from N e w c a s t l e , i s here a t p r e s e n t . - He spent l a s t e v e n i n g w i t h us. - John Osborne a l s o c a l l e d today.-

21,

H e l d a meeting o f our c h u r c h B u i l d i n g Committee t o d a y , & r e s o l v e d t o a d v e r t i s e at-once f o r t e n d e r s t o e r e c t e i t h e r the whole o r p a r t o f the b u i l d i n g - i . e . - p a r t i e s may c o n t r a c t f o r the whole, o r s e p a r a t e t e n d e r s may be o f f e r e d f o r the masonry & C a r p e n t e r ' s work.- I have a l s o , by d e s i r e o f the Committee w r i t t e n t o ask the Bishop whether he can a i d us by a l o a n of money.

138

August 7.

1857

( F r i d a y ) Here I s a l o n g pause a g a i n , w h i c h must not be 139. a l l o w e d t o grow l o n g e r . - My hands have been f u l l e r t h a n u s u a l d u r i n g the l a s t f o r t n i g h t or t h r e e weeks.On F r i d a y the 24th J u l y , Anne & the c h i l d r e n l e f t me, & went t o Sydney i n the B l a c k Swan, I n t e n d i n g , a f t e r a few days s o j o u r n i n Sydney, t o go on t o S i n g l e t o n , w i t h the hope o f p i c k i n g up a l i t t l e renewed h e a l t h & s t r e n g t h . - The same steamer brought Townshend back a g a i n . - On Sunday the 26th I preached a C h a r i t y Sermon a t G o s f d . & Kincumbar, i n a i d of the Fund f o r the r e l i e f of the s u f f e r e r s by the f l o o d s a t M a i t l a n d . A bad headache o b l i g e d me t o cut s h o r t my s e r v i c e a t E r i n a , & dispense w i t h the sermon. Townshend accompanied me i n my rounds, & we had no sooner reached home than the r a i n began a g a i n , & c o n t i n u e d I n t o r r e n t s up t o the Wednesday f o l l o w i n g . - The consequence has been, a n o t h e r , & h i g h e r f l o o d , not o n l y i n the Hunter, but up the Hawkesbury a l s o . - where they have not had such a f l o o d these 40 y r s . - A g r e a t g a l e of wind accompanied the r a i n on Tuesday n i g h t , w h i c h has done much damage i n v a r i o u s ways, b o t h a t sea & on shore. Among the Sawyers s e v e r a l a c c i d e n t s o c c u r r e d by the f a l l i n g of t r e e s upon t h e i r h u t s . James B e a t t l e & f a m i l y had a p r o v i d e n t i a l escape from b e i n g crushed t o death by the f a l l i n g of a t r e e , which s h a t t e r e d t h e i r hut a l l t o p i e c e s . - B e a t t l e had h i s l e g broken, & h i s w i f e her c o l l a r bone w h i l e the c h i l d r e n a l l escaped. A t a n o t h e r h u t , t h a t o f R i c h a r d Hedgecock - h i s f a t h e r o l d Solomon had s e v e r a l r i b s broken, & o t h e r w i s e , I f e a r , d a n g e r o u s l y i n j u r e d . While h i s w i f e r e c e i v e d a severe b r u i s e , from w h i c h , h a p p i l y she i s r e c o v e r i n g . B e a t t i e ' s l e g , by a l l accounts from n e g l e c t & mismanagement, has become v e r y bad, & they made an e f f o r t the n i g h t b e f o r e l a s t , t o take him up t o Sydney i n an open boat but meeting a s o u t h e r l y wind i n Broken Bay they were f o r c e d t o b r i n g him back y e s t e r d a y . - Should the

August 1857 7.

[1]

weather prove f a v o u r a b l e , they s t i l l hope t o a c c o m p l i s h 140. i t tomorrow by a v e s s e l now l y i n g a t the heads.- Townshend, b e i n g weather bound h e r e , t h e r e b e i n g no l i k e l i h o o d of the c r e e k s becoming f o r d a b l e f o r s e v e r a l days, accompanied me t o Mangrove l a s t F r i d a y , t h i n k i n g to get home sooner by the Wollombi.- On r e a c h i n g Mangrove we found they had had a t e r r i b l e f l o o d t h e r e , h i g h e r than any e v e r known b e f o r e . - The water reached about 4 f e e t up i n the house o f James W a t k i n s , where we stopped, and was up t o the c e i l i n g i n h i s f a t h e r ' s house. The s c h o o l m a s t e r ' s d w e l l i n g , which I had always c o n s i d e r e d q u i t e out o f danger, was a l s o surrounded w i t h w a t e r , & i t must have been about l e v e l w i t h the f l o o r . - I was vexed t o f i n d t h a t the stone chimney which had j u s t been e r e c t e d a t the s c h o o l - h o u s e , had a l l f a l l e n down. The mason s a i d the f l o o d undermined i t , but I am persuaded i t was the s h a m e f u l l y u n s u b s t a n t i a l manner i n which i t had been put up, t h a t was the cause of i t s f a l l i n g . - Townshend swam h i s h o r s e s over the creek on S a t u r d a y morning, & I t h i n k would meet w i t h no o b s t r u c t i o n s t o h i n d e r h i s r e a c h i n g Wollombi t h a t n i g h t , - I r e t u r n e d home on Tuesday.- On Wednesday I walked out t o see the s i c k people about E r i n a . Y e s t e r d a y morng. I v i s i t e d Mrs.Holmes.- the r e s t o f the day a t home, l e t t e r w r i t i n g . Today went t o E r i n a a g a i n . - Was s o r r y t o f i n d o l d Solomon v e r y p o o r l y , & the Doctor t e l l s me not out o f danger. R a t h e r a busy day t o d a y . - The f i r s t t h i n g a f t e r b r e a k f a s t I went out t o see Solomon Hedgecock.- As soon as I r e t u r n e d I had t o go t o the B u r i a l Ground f o r the F u n e r a l o f Underwoods c h i l d . - Thomas soon as I had f i n i s h e d my d i n n e r I went as f a r as G r i f . - P a r r y ' s t o see h i s l i t t l e c h i l d , t h a t i s s i c k , found i t much b e t t e r . - C a l l e d i n a t M r s . O v e r a l l ' s whom I found w i t h another young i n f a n t , & I then f i n i s h e d the day w i t h a v i s i t t o M r s . C o t t r e l & Mrs.Holmes

Emma Jane. UMVERWOOV, Anthony Sawyzn.. Vied

Eilna, aged IS montki, 6 August 1857.

the

daughlei

[7J

August 1857 15,

Poor c o n g r e g a t i o n s a t a l l the churches l a s t Sunday141 hope f o r b e t t e r t h i n g s tomorrow. On Monday morning I rode out t o see Solomon - found him much the same. I n the a f t e r n o o n I had my c o n f i r m a t i o n C l a s s a t home.On Tuesday I rode up t o the S a w m i l l , & made the a c q u a i n t a n c e , of the new p r o p r i e t o r , M r . S c o t t - Found t h a t he i s a c q u a i n t e d w i t h some o f C o u s i n John's f a m i l y a t Aberdeen.Arranged t o have s e r v i c e a t the S a w m i l l on Sunday morning, the 3 0 t h , b e i n g the 5 t h i n the month, a s i t i s q u i t e I m p r a c t i c a b l e t o resume my n i g h t s e r v i c e s w i t h the p r e s e n t r o a d s . I s t a y e d & d i n e d a t Wyoming on my way back. A l e t t e r from Anne t h a t n i g h t (& one from H . F e r r i s ) b r o u g h t me t i d i n g s o f Marianne b e i n g v e r y u n w e l l i n Sydney, & s u g g e s t i n g my g o i n g up per B l a c k Swan o f Monday n e x t . - I hope t o hear b e t t e r accounts on Monday morning, but i f n e c e s s a r y , I must go up, & then b r i n g them home on F r i d a y . - On WednesdayM e t t l e b e i n g lame, I walked over t o Kincumbar t o meet my c l a s s a t the c h u r c h . - On Thursday I walked out t o see o l d Solomon a g a i n , & p a i d a few o t h e r v i s i t s i n t h a t neighbourhood - c a l l i n g i n upon Mrs.Holmes as I r e t u r n e d . - Y e s t e r d a y morning was r a i n y a g a i n , but i n the a f t e r n o o n I got up t o my c l a s s t h e r e a t E r i n a . - Today, by appointment, I went out t o Sanday R i d g e , & h e l d a s e r v i c e t h e r e , f o r the purpose o f b a p t i z i n g 3 i n f a n t s , c h i l d r e n o f Abdy, Rimmer, & R i c h a r d s . [1 I mustered a n i c e l i t t l e c o n g r e g a t i o n o f t h i r t e e n , & they a l l seemed g r a t e f u l t o me f o r coming t o them, which made i t a r e a l p l e a s u r e t o me.

31.

When the Steamer came i n on Monday, the 17th, i t brought me l e t t e r s s a y i n g t h a t Marianne was so s e r i o u s l y i l l , t h a t i t has been found n e c e s s a r y t o seek the a d v i c e of a second

Ellen RIMMER, daughXtfi Bom 15 KpnlL 1857. Jane ABVV, daugktet Bom 17 May 1857,

Thoma-i, -,

o^ Thomai

Smyei

neat Wyoming & Maiy.

Sawyen neat Wyoming ÂŁ

Thomai Jamei Ollven., ion ol Joieph ÂŁ Many MeKAV, Bom 16 June 1856,

Eliza.

RICHARDS, SoMiyen. neat Wyoming

August 1857 31.

t o the c o u n t r y . - I came back per Steamer on Monday, & f e l l I n t o my u s u a l r o u t i n e s o f d u t i e s the next day.Found Solomon g e t t i n g b e t t e r , & Mrs.Holmes, whose case i s h o p e l e s s , g e t t i n g worse.- Y e s t e r d a y morning, a c c o r d i n g t o appointment I went up t o the S a w m i l l f o r morning s e r v i c e . I t was a l o v e l y morning, b u t my c o n g r e g a t i o n t h e r e was s m a l l . - I n the a f t e r n o o n I had a l a r g e c o n g r e g a t i o n a t E.Gosford.- T h i s morning I went t o the s c h o o l , & then c a l l e d on Mrs.Benson: C o n f i r m a t i o n C l a s s a t home i n a f t e r n o o n .

[7J

143.

September 1857 11.

H i g h time t h a t I made a note o f my p r o c e e d i n g s . On Tuesday the 1st o f the month I had t o go over t o Kincumbar t o marry a c o u p l e , Edward D a v i s & L y d i a P i p e r . - A f t e r the ceremony I f i n i s h e d out the day v i s i t i n g i n the neighbourhood. On Wednesday I went t o Kincumbar a g a i n , Thursday, l e t t e r w r i t i n g , & went up t o Wyoming i n the e v e n i n g . F r i d a y t o my c o n f i r m a t i o n c l a s s a t E r i n a , & on Saturday morning s e t o f f t o Mangrove a f t e r b r e a k f a s t . Got t o Mrs.Fergusons about 3. & worked my way down the creek t o Watkins'.-^1 found they had been v i s i t e d w i t h a n a w f u l f l o o d a g a i n , the f l o o d mark i n Jus.Watkins' b e i n g about a f o o t h i g h e r than the p r e c e e d i n g one.I t had come i n t o the M a s t e r s d w e l l i n g t h i s t i m e , about a f o o t deep & had done g r e a t m i s c h i e f t o the l a n d i n many p l a c e s , c o v e r i n g i t w i t h beds o f sand.- Having a cough upon me, I d i d not t h i n k i t prudent t o remain l o n g e r than I c o u l d h e l p , s l e e p i n g i n a house r e c e n t l y f i l l e d w i t h w a t e r , & so a s soon as 1 had M a r r i e d

[1]

Smuzl PEEK and kU wXjJe, Caroline., pZAliked In tht mecfe "Vunbai", Tkei/ wejte. letuinlng liom a itay X.n England to In theJjL home at Eait Goi^oid [on Peek'i Point].

[2]

1 September 1S57, at the Chaieh at KlneambeA, Edwaid VMIS, 20, BacheloK. Bom at Uollongong, Shipwright, o^ Klnembeji - ion ol (Ullllam -, BakeA, and Satah [both deeeaied] - and Lydla PIPER, IS, Splnitex. Bom at Klncumben. - daughter Jonathan -, Shlpmlght o^ KlneumbefL and Ann [BATES]. Wltneiiei:

[3]

Re^eii

Thomai PIPER and Saiah

to Jai.

WATKIMS.

Ann PIPER.

the. iettle.

[2]

(3]

September 1857 11.

a couple on Monday morning. 1 made a s t a r t f o r home [1] a g a i n , & j u s t had l i g h t enough t o b r i n g me s a f e p a s t Wyoming. I had a v e r y d i s a g r e e a b l e r i d e home, f o r i t r a i n e d a good p a r t o f the way, w i t h a l i t t l e s m a l l h a i l , & c o l d S.W w i n d . On Tuesday morning I went to see MrS.Holmes, whom I found a l i t t l e b e t t e r , t h a t i s , n o t s u f f e r i n g so much p a i n , as she had been. In t h e a f t e r n o o n I walked up as f a r as the wharf a t Wyoming, t o c a l l on a young couple named Smith, who l o s t and i n f a n t l a s t week, but I d i d n o t see them. They were moving house t h a t day & had gone t o t h e i r newabode. On Wednesday morning I went over t o Kincumbar, where 1 m a r r i e d a c o u p l e - W i l l i a m Guy T a y l o r & R o s i n a [2] Barb, ( f o r m e r l y S a v e r l a n d ) , & a f t e r p a y i n g a few v i s i t s i n t h e neighbourhood, r e c e i v e d my c o n f i r m a t i o n c l a s s at t h e church c o n s i s t i n g o f Wm.Klrk & E l i z h . J o n e s . y e s t e r d a y I was o c c u p i e d l e t t e r w r i t i n g the whole day & today - F r i d a y - I have spent a t E r i n a - v i s i t i n g i n forenoon, & Confirmation Class i n afternoon.

12.

A t home i n t h e morning. I n t h e a f t e r n o o n I walked iK>6iii t o Henry's w i s h i n g t o see him on t h e s u b j e c t o f h i s b a p t i s m , b u t he was n o t a t home.- C a l l e d i n upon,& had a l o n g t a l k w i t h "Magnus Jacobus" , as we g e n e r a l l y c a l l poor o l d James H a l l K i n d e r found him a i l i n g from r h u m a t i c s .

ti. 18.

Here i s a n o t h e r week s l i p t away, & numbered w i t h t h e d e p a r t e d . - Monday morning I v i s i t e d t h e s c h o o l , & had my c o n f i r m a t i o n c l a s s & a headache i n the a f t e r n o o n . On Tuesday 1 s e t o f f I n t e n d i n g t o have a good day's v i s i t i n g about E r i n a ; b u t r a i n came on & h i n d e r e d me, so t h a t I c o u l d n o t a c c o m p l i s h a l l I d e s i r e d . On Wednesday a f t e r n o o n , I went t o Kincumbar s c h o o l . yesterday I s t a r t e d w i t h the i n t e n t i o n

[1]

No mtiy

loand in

CkuKck RzgliteA

Ion. man.nAM.gt6.

12}

9 Se.ptmbzK 1S57, at the. Chunch at KlncumbeK, WilUam Guy TAYLOR, about 42, BacheZon. Bonn at LtomlniteA, HeAz{,on.d6hiAe., SawyeA oi KincwnbeA - ion oi Wlllijm -, UiZleA oi KincumbeA, and Man.y [GUY] both de.ce.aizd - and Roiina BARB, Wldouj, oi William -, LabouKZn, [26 ApnJJ. 1851, onz child allvz i 3 dead], - daughtzn. oi Thomai SAVERLANV, Boot & ShoemakeA, and Mn.y [MURPHY] both dzczaizd. Wltnzii:

Jamzi BULLOCK.

144.

September 1857 t$, 18.

o f v i s i t i n g the Davis v i l l a g e , but a l i t t l e mishap which b e f e l me on l e a v i n g D r . A u l d s , drove me back a g a i n . I n a t t e m p t i n g t o c r o s s a swampy h o l l o w , w h i c h I have f r e q u e n t l y c r o s s e d b e f o r e , o l d M e t t l e g o t q u i t e bogged & a f t e r f l o u n d e r i n g about & making a few p l u n g e s , he f e l l down upon h i s s i d e , & p r e c i p i t a t e d me i n t o the water & mud.- I f o r t u n a t e l y escaped from b e i n g under him & r e c e i v e d no i n j u r y , Mrs.Auld was s p e c t a t o r to thewhole a f f a i r . I came s t r a i g h t home & got me d r y c l o t h e s . - M r . S o i l i n g came i n t h e e v e n i n g , & took a bed h e r e . - T h i s a f t e r n o o n I walked t o my C o n f i r m a t i o n Class at Erina.

28.

(Monday) On t h e morning o f Saturday, the 19th, j u s t as 1 had f i n i s h e d b r e a k f a s t , I r e c e i v e d a summons to h u r r y out & v i s i t M r s . B a r t l e t t , a Sawyer's w i f e , near F l e t c h e r ' s who was s a i d t o be d y i n g . I met Dr. A u l d coming from h e r p l a c e , who t o l d me t h e r e was no hope whatever o f h e r r e c o v e r y . - I had a p a i n f u l , u n s a t i s f a c t o r y t a s k t o preform. There seemed no sense o f s i n , c o n s e q u e n t l y no c o n t r i t i o n , & the poor woman's b o d i l y s u f f e r i n g s were so g r e a t , t h a t she c o u l d pay v e r y l i t t l e a t t e n t i o n t o a n y t h i n g I s a i d t o h e r . I remained some time w i t h h e r , & then l e f t & v i s i t e d poor o l d Warburton, & had a l o n g c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h him, endeavouring t o convey something I n t h e form o f i n s t r u c t i o n i n t h e way t o heaven, t o him, o f w h i c h he expressed a d e s i r e , w h i c h I hope was s i n c e r e . I t h e n r e t u r n e d t o M r s . B a r t l e t t , whom I found j u s t i n the same s t a t e , & a p p a r e n t l y n o t e x p e c t i n g d e a t h , but hope t o be " a l l r i g h t a g a i n i n a few days." I n s h o r t h e r s u f f e r i n g was so g r e a t , t h a t she showed symptoms o f d e l i r i u m . F i n d i n g I c o u l d n o t b e n e f i t h e r by c o n v e r s a t i o n , a l l I c o u l d do was t o c a l l upon those p r e s e n t t o j o i n i n p r a y e r f o r h e r .

145.

September 1857 28.

& so r e t u r n e d home, r e s o l v i n g , by God's h e l p , t o w r i t e a sermon from the t e x t i n I s a i a h "Seek ye the L o r d , w h i l e he may be found." e t c . f o r never was I more d e e p l y impressed w i t h the n e c e s s i t y o f u r g i n g my c a r e l e s s f l o c k , t o a c t up t o t h a t n e c e s s a r y but much n e g l e c t e d p r e c e p t . On Sunday morning a messenger came t o announce the poor woman's d e a t h , which took p l a c e on Saturday n i g h t . - The f u n e r a l took p l a c e on Monday morning, a f t e r which I took my d e p a r t u r e f o r Sydney i n the " B l a c k Swan", & had a famous passage, r e a c h i n g the wharf a t i p 6.- Found them a l l i m p r o v i n g i n h e a l t h , had b e a u t i f u l weather a l l the time I was away, & a f i n e passage home a g a i n on F r i d a y morning.-I soon had t o resume my d u t i e s a g a i n , b e g i n i n g Saturday w i t h a wedding ( F o s t e r & widow Robinson) & then r e p a i r i n g i m m e d i a t e l y t o the B u r i a l Ground f o r a f u n e r a l . - a l i t t l e c h i l d o f one G e o . W i l l i a m s o n , a sawyer, who was a c c i d e n t a l l y b u r n t t o d e a t h . - Y e s t e r d a y I was s o r e l y h i n d e r e d i n p e r f o r m i n g the v a r i o u s s e r v i c e s by a v e r y bad c o l d , which a t t a c k e d me on S a t u r d a y , & my hoarseness rendered my r e a d i n g v e r y d i f f i c u l t , but I got t h r o ' a l l t h r e e s e r v i c e s , n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g , & had a t E r i n a the b e s t c o n g r e g a t i o n I have had the whole y e a r . T h i s morning I walked over t o E.Gosfd. t o c o n s u l t our Committee members upon the p r o p r i e t y of abandoning our o r i g i n a l c h u r c h p l a n s , & a d o p t i n g i n view o f i t the p l a n o f a church now i n p r o g r e s s a t P i t t Town, & as a l l q u i t e approve o f i t . I s h a l l write to Mr.Blacket forthwith.

[1]

Honota EARTLETT, aged 34, wl^d oi Rlchaid -, SawyeJi.

Matckam'i Land, EiUbane Vltd 19 Stpttmbtn. 1857.

d/ateji,

[2]

26 Stptmbtn 1857 aX tht TtmpoKaiy Chuich at Ea6t GoiioKd, (JJlUlam FOSTER, 28, EacktloK. Eom at Voddlngton, County oi Ktnt, SoMytA., oi Eilna - ion oi Vavld -, Labouifi oi Eilna and Maiy VORREL - and AnnLt ROEINSOH, 20, Widow oi John Mlntl, [10 Januaiy ont child]. Bom at BiLitol - daughtti oi John BLAIR, and Maiy Ann [BURMS] dtctaitd. Wltntiiti:

[3]

Patilck

O'NEAL and Caiollnt

1857 Bookiellti

HARRIS.

Roianna WILLIAMSON, Ntai Eilna, agtd 2h, tht Gtoigt -, Savoyti. Vied 24 Stpttmbti 1857.

daughtti

146.

[1]

[2] [3]

THE TWIN CHURCHES CHRIST C H U R C H - G O S F O R D

PHOTO: GWEN DUNDON COLLECTION

A contemporary rear view of the O l d Christ C h u r c h , G o s f o r d . (I consulted) our Committee members upon the propriety of abandoning our original church plans, & adopting in view of it the plan of a church now in progress at Pitt Town . . . I shall write to Mr. BLACKET forthwith. September 1857, 28. ST. J A M E S - PITT T O W N

The two Churches, both designed by Edmund B L A C K E T , built at the same period, have exactly the same measurements. Their plans are mirror imaged. The vestry and the porch have been placed on alternate sides.

Plate IX

October 2,

8.th

1857

( F r i d a y ) F i n d i n g my c o l d & cough so troublesome, 1 d i d not go out a t a l l on Tuesday l a s t . On Wednesday 1 was p r e p a r e d t o go t o Kincumbar, as u s u a l , but was stopped by a n o t h e r f u n e r a l , w h i c h r e q u i r e d my attendance a t the B u r i a l ground i n the a f t e r n o o n . 0tt John Osborne c a l l e d here t h a t day, & I a l s o saw M r . L e t t e , a t Crawse's & I a r r a n g e d w i t h them t o v i s i t t h e i r p a r t o f the c o u n t r y the week a f t e r n e x t , & t o have d i v i n e s e r v i c e at ^ i i c i i i t i i L e t t e s on the morning o f Tuesday, the 13th & a t T u r n e r ' s on Wednesday the 1 4 t h . - Mrs.Rimmers l i t t l e g i r l , A l i c e , c a l l e d a l s o t h a t day t o beg me to go out & see her mother the next day, as she was v e r y p o o r l y . A c c o r d i n g l y I s t a r t e d away t o Sandy Ridge y e s t e r d a y , & saw h e r & a l l her n e i g h b o u r s , c a l l i n g at R a l p h Wood's & Brown's & H a r r i s on my way back.Today I walked up t o E r i n a by way o f Seamons, & had my c l a s s t h e r e t h i s a f t e r n o o n .

147â&#x20AC;˘

[?J

(Thursday) My j o u r n e y t o & from Mangrove t h i s time was not the most a g r e e a b l e one I ever had. I got on w e l l enough t i l l Sunday n i g h t , when a headache came on & r a t h e r d i s t u r b e d my n i g h t s r e s t . - I got up f e e l i n g v e r y u n w e l l on Monday morng. but s t a r t e d , n e v e r t h e l e s s about 8 o ' c l o c k t o r i d e up the c r e e k to v i s i t poor o l d E l l e m who i s a g a i n v e r y i l l , & not expected t o l i v e l o n g , dropsy b e i n g h i s c o m p l a i n t . 1 got up as h i g h as Gould's & then a g r e a t thunder storm came on, w h i c h d e t a i n e d me n e a r l y an h o u r . - I got a l i t t l e wet r i d i n g down a g a i n , & on Tuesday, though i t ceased r a i n i n g b e f o r e I s t a r t e d , I had a d i s a g r e e a b l e j o u r n e y homeward owing t o the wet bushes.I came home v e r y t i r e d , 6f have not been v e r y w e l l since.

Han,ij Jam AMITAGE, tht daugkleA Jamz6

Ea6t Go6^o^d, agtd 2 months & IS day6, fJuka^man i labQiiKVi. VLdd 29 Sdptmboji

1857.

October 8.th

17.

1857

b e i n g i n c l i n e d t o be b i l i o u s , b u t I hope i t w i l l pass o f f a g a i n . - Y e s t e r d a y I rode over t o Kincumbar s c h o o l , & came s t r a i g h t back a g a i n , a f t e r examining my c o n f i r m a t i o n c l a s s of one. E l l z t h Jones.- Today I have s t a y e d a t home w r i t i n g l e t t e r s . - Mr.Nunn came & took h i s daughter home t o d a y , she had been s t a y i n g here d u r i n g my absence a t Mangrove. I r e t u r n e d l a s t n i g h t from a l i t t l e v i s i t a t i o n t o u r which I have made t h i s week among some of my d i s t a n t p a r i s h i o n e r s . - But l e t us b e g i n where we l e f t o f f . On F r i d a y the 9 t h I d i d not f e e l q u i t e w e l l enough to go out so remained a t home.- Saturday was spent i n removing my s t u d y t o what was the c h i l d r e n s bedroom, i n o r d e r t h a t t h e y might have my study f o r t h e i r bedroom, t h i s former room b e i n g too damp. On Sunday I had poor c o n g r e g a t i o n s a t a l l my churches. Mr.& Mrs.Nunn accompanied me t o Kincumbar church i n the a f t e r n o o n . I found t h e r e Mr.Aaron Booth, the B u i l d e r from B a l m a i n , h a v i n g come down t o see the spot & g a t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n r e l a t i v e t o our i n t e n d e d new c h u r c h . - I met him & Mr.Venteman on the ground on Monday morning, & showed him the s t o n e q u a r r i e s e t c . w i t h which he seemed q u i t e s a t i s f i e d , & I l e f t him, w i t h the u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t he s h o u l d , send down a t e n d e r by the B l a c k Swan next Monday.- I was a t t a c k e d on Monday morning w i t h one of my w o r s t headaches, which was so bad t h a t I c o u l d not s e t out f o r Yarramalong as I had a p p o i n t e d . On Tuesday morning I s e t out on my j o u r n e y , & a f t e r c a l l i n g i n a t the S a w m i l l , & a few o t h e r p l a c e s a l o n g the

148.

October

1857

17.

r o a d , reached John Osborne's about s u n s e t , where I passed the n i g h t . Mr.Fred: H e l y was t h e r e a l s o . On Wednesday morning, a c c o r d i n g t o appointment, I had a c o n g r e g a t i o n a t Wyong, i n Turners house, & b a p t i z e d 4 c h i l d r e n t h e r e . I n the a f t e r n o o n I went on t o Cabbage T r e e , where I found Mr.Hargraves v e r y w e l l . I n the e v e n i n g I had s e r v i c e & preached a sermon t o h i s assembled h o u s e h o l d . On Thursday I rode from Cabbage Tree t o M r . L e t t e ' s , about 28 m i l e s . Y e s t e r d a y morning. I had a n i c e c o n g r e g a t i o n o f about 30, i n M r . L e t t e ' s new house t h a t he i s b u i l d i n g , & b a p t i z e d another i n f a n t t h e r e . - A f t e r s e r v i c e I mounted Old M e t t l e , & we jogged q u i e t l y home t o g e t h e r . I reached home about 8 p.m. w e l l s a t i s f i e d w i t h the r e s u l t o f my j o u r n e y .

26.

(Monday) I have now the whole o f l a s t week t o account f o r , & t o b e g i n w i t h Sunday, I had a s m a l l c o n g r e g a t i o n & v e r y few communicants a t Kincumbar.- Good c o n g r e g a t i o n a t G o s f d , a f t e r which I went up t o the S a w m i l l , where I had a v e r y good a t t e n d a n c e . B e i n g a dark & d r i z z l y n i g h t , I d i d not attempt t o come home, but took a bed a t M r . S c o t t ' s & g e t t i n g an e a r l y b r e a k f a s t next morning, came home i n good t i m e . On the a r r i v a l of the B l a c k Swan I found a Mangrove Schoolmaster on b o a r d , a Mr.Wheeler, q u i t e a young man, & q u i t e I n e x p e r i e n c e d as f a r as c o u n t r y l i v i n g i s concerned, but I hope he w i l l prove competent f o r h i s o f f i c e . - I had a good many l e t t e r s t o w r i t e , & o t h e r m a t t e r s which p r e v e n t e d my g o i n g out much on Tuesday & Wednesday. On Thursday I borrowed C o n s t a b l e Conway's pony. & took Mr.Wheeler a r i d e over t o Kincumbar as f a r as McMasters.- On F r i d a y morng

149

October 26.

I had t o be a t the wharf a g a i n t o meet the Steamer, & r e c i e v e two female s e r v a n t s from Sydney - Jane a l s o to her d e p a r t u r e by r e t u r n o f Steamer, & a p e r i l o u s voyage she must have had, f o r a t e r i f i c s q u a l l o f t h u n d e r , r a i n , & wind from the S.W. came on between 4 & 5 w h i c h upset one o f our s m a l l v e s s e l s i n the Broadwater, & I r e g r e t t o l e a r n , wrecked another l a r g e Merchant V e s s e l from E n g l a n d , a t the Sydney n o r t h h e a d , c a u s i n g the l o s s o f many l i v e s . On Saturday morning I went out as f a r as Seaman's, & i n the a f t e r n o o n to Wm.& R o b t . C r e i g h t o n ' s - Mr Wheeler accompanied us i n my rounds y e s t e r d a y - poor c o n g r e g a t i o n s , a l l of them - T h i s morning was t a k e n up v i s i t i n g a s i c k shoemaker - C h a s . F i s h e r - & m i n i s t e r i n g t o h i s wants.A f t e r n o o n C o n f i r m a t i o n C l a s s - Then c a l l e d t o see M r s . H a r r i s o n , whom I found b e t t e r .

November 9.

1857

Here i s a f o r t n i g h t ' s b l a n k t o be f i l l e d up, as w e l l as my poor memory w i l l enable me. I was P r e p a r e d t o s t a r t t o Mangrove w i t h Mr.Wheeler on Thursday the 29th , but the weather b e i n g r a i n y , we put i t o f f t i l l F r i d a y , when we got o f f i n good t i m e , & had a f i n e day f o r our j o u r n e y . - We made the c r e e k a t Mrs. Ferguson's, & t h e n worked our way down t o W a t k i n ' s , c a l l i n g on a l l the people as we passed a l o n g . S a t u r d a y we spent v i s i t i n g a t the l o w e r p a r t o f the c r e e k . On Sunday, though the weather was b e a u t i f u l & I might r e a s o n a b l y e x p e c t good c o n g r e g a t i o n s , they were u n u s u a l l y s m a l l . - On Monday morning we opened the Upper s c h o o l , & a f t e r r i d i n g up t o v i s i t poor

150.

November

1857

o l d E l l e m , I s t a r t e d homeward about 3 o ' c l o c k , & reached home a t 9. On Tuesday a f t e r n o o n I rode over t o Kincumbar t o see Godwin about h i s h o r s e f o r Mr, Wheeler & agreed t o purchase i t f o r £15. p a y i n g £5 down, & the o t h e r £10 t o be p a i d on 1st January. On Wednesday I remained a t home, & sent James over t o Godwin's i n the a f t e r n o o n , t o f e t c h the h o r s e , but i t was so l a t e b e f o r e they c o u l d f i n d i t , t h a t James remained a l l n i g h t a t Mr.Lane's,& d i d not r e t u r n t i l l Thursday morning. On Wednesday evening M r . L e t t e ' s p r e s e n t , " L i t t l e N e l " a r r i v e d , & on Thursday morning M r . L e t t e h i m s e l f c a l l e d t o see u s . - As u s u a l , I was busy t h a t day l e t t e r w r i t i n g . On F r i d a y morning, j u s t as I was p r e p a r i n g t o s e t out f o r a l o n g days v i s i t i n g a t E r i n a , over came Mr.Venteman, accompanied by Mr.Booth, the c o n t r a c t o r f o r our c h u r c h b u i l d i n g , h a v i n g the p l a n s & s p e c i f i c a t i o n s w i t h him.- T h i s stopped me, & caused an a l t e r a t i o n i n my p l a n s . We a r r a n g e d t o assemble our b u i l d i n g committee, i f p o s s i b l e , the next morning, f o r the purpose o f c o n s i d e r i n g Mr.Booth's t e n d e r namely, t o complete the t whole b u i l d i n g f o r £1000 or i f s l a t e d i n s t e a d o f s h i n g l e d . £25 more. I rode up t o E r i n a t o see M r . B o n i f a c e i n the f o r e n o o n , he b e i n g l a i d up w i t h a severe i n j u r y which he r e c e i v e d from the f a l l o f h i s h o r s e . - A f t e r d i n n e r I went round t o M r . S c o t t ' s t o i n v i t e him over t o our Committee meeting, but found t h a t he was away i n Sydney.- Mr. Hargraves came i n w h i l e I was t h e r e , & I had thus the o p p o r t u n i t y o f showing him the p l a n o f the c h u r c h , of which he q u i t e approved as w e l l as Booth's t e n d e r . On Saturday morning we had our meeting

November 9.

1857

M r . B a t t l e y , Mr.Venteman, & m y s e l f , b e i n g the o n l y members p r e s e n t , & we had no h e s i t a t i o n I n a g r e e i n g t o accept Mr.Booths t e n d e r , & t o take the s l a t e s , i n l i e u o f s h i n g l e s . - The M i s s e s Donnison came & spent Saturday w i t h u s . - Y e s t e r d a y my c o n g r e g a t i o n s were p r e t t y good, a t a l l p l a c e s . - At E r i n a v e r y good.- T h i s morning I rode out as f a r as Seamans, & on l o o k i n g i n a t the s t o n e q u a r r y on my way, found Mr.Booth & h i s l a d a t work, so t h a t when I came home I was a b l e t o announce t o Annie & the c h i l d r e n t h e , THE CHURCH WAS BEGUN.

12.

Tuesday we a l l spent a t Wyoming, but u n f o r t u n a t e l y i t proved a v e r y h o t day, q u i t e a hot w i n d , which d e t r a c t e d from the p l e a s u r e of the v i s i t , & t o make m a t t e r s worse, I had t o scamper o f f i n the v e r y heat of the day, a f t e r " L i t t l e N e l " , who c o n t r i v e d t o get out of the paddock & was making her way back t o Yarramalong.1 caught the t r u a n t however, w i t h the a i d o f two men, a l i t t l e a t t h i s s i d e o f Blue Gum F l a t . - Y e s t e r d a y I went t o Kincumbar a f t e r f i r s t marking out the s i t e o f the c h u r c h , w i t h Mr.Venteman's a s s i s t a n c e , & c a l l e d a t Ward's & T a y l o r ' s , & on my way home v i s i t e d Mrs.Holmes & the W h i t e s . I t was my i n t e n t i o n t o have v i s i t e d the S a w m i l l & B l u e Gum F l a t today, but i t has been r a i n i n g the g r e a t e r p a r t o f the day, so I postponed i t t i l l S a t u r d a y , when I hope t o have f i n e r weather.

18.

On F r i d a y ( t h e 13th) I went t o E r i n a making a round of c a l l s out i n t h a t neighbourhood, as f a r as B a r t l e t t ' s , & t h e n round by W h i t t a k e r s t o Ingrams - Ramos, Bushby, & I r w i n . - On Saturday I went t o the S a w m i l l , c a l l i n g on a l l the Blue Gum F l a t f o l k s by the way. On Sunday I went through my u s u a l s e r v i c e s - Kincumbar - E.Gosfd & S a w m i l l . - I f e l t r a t h e r vexed

152

November

1857

18.

on a r r i v i n g a t the S a w m i l l t o f i n d t h a t M r . S c o t t & h i s c l e r k , M r . W i l l i a m s o n were both away from home, & had l e f t no o r d e r s about a r r a n g i n g f o r the evening s e r v i c e . - I had a good c o n g r e g a t i o n , however, & a f t e r p a r t a k i n g o f a g l a s s o f w a t e r , by way o f r e f r e s h m e n t , had a b e a u t i f u l s t a r - l i g h t r i d e home, & was b a c k a g a i n by 2 p 10. - u n u s u a l l y e a r l y . - On Monday 1 r a t h e r f e l t the e f f e c t s o f the p r e v i o u s day's e x e r t i o n s , & was not f i t f o r much. I went over t o meet the Steamer & get the Sydney t i m e , & remained a t home a f t e r d i n n e r . The M i s s Nunns c a l l e d , & I i n v i t e d them t o j o i n me i n a r i d e which I purposed t a k i n g the f o l l o w i n g day t o M r . G l t t i n s ' , an I n v i t a t i o n which they r e a d i l y a c c e p t e d , & a c c o r d i n g l y were a t the gate by 9 o ' c l o c k y e s t e r d a y morning.- We had a most d e l i g h t f u l day f o r our r i d e , & the g i r l s e v i d e n t l y enjoyed the e x c u r s i o n much. M r . G l t t i n s & C h a r l e s were away t o Sydney, but the r e s t of the p a r t y were found a l l w e l l . - I have been t o Kincumbar a g a i n today, t o r e c e i v e my C o n f i r m a t i o n C l a s s , & c a l l e d a t Scaysbrooks, where I got a cup o f t e a . -

19.

To Kincumbar a g a i n t o d a y , t h a t i s t o " D a v l s v l l l e " , c a l l i n g on Mrs.Auld by the way, & a t Woodwards a l s o . V l s i t e d f o r the f i r s t time the P o o l e f a m i l y , who came about 6 months ago t o s e t t l e o p p o s i t e the Rom: Cath: C h a p e l . - On c a l l i n g a t Woodwards I r e c e i v e d c o n f i r m a t i o n o f what I was t o l d by Mr.Lane y e s t e r d a y , namely, t h a t John Woodward has t a k e n upon h i m s e l f t o l e a v e the c h u r c h , & j o i n the Roman C a t h o l i c s . - The m o t i v e , which has l e d him t o take t h i s s t e p I s u s p e c t t o be h i s d e s i r e t o b r i n g about an a l l i a n c e w i t h a Rom: C a t h : family.

153.

November 1857 21.

I t was my i n t e n t i o n t o have had a l o n g day's v i s i t i n g about E r i n a y e s t e r d a y , but f e e l i n g r a t h e r fagged from h a v i n g been out t h e whole o f t h e t h r e e p r e v i o u s days, I remained a t home a l l t h e morning, & j u s t rode up t o my C o n f i r m a t i o n c l a s s i n the a f t e r n o o n . T h i s has been v e r y h o t day, & b e i n g Saturday I have n o t been out anjrwhere, except a l i t t l e walk i n the c o o l o f the evening t o see how Mrs.Holmes was.- She c o n t i n u e s to s u f f e r g r e a t b o d i l y p a i n , w i t h v e r y few i n t e r m i s s i o n s o f ease, & I cannot p e r c e i v e any t h i n g v e r y s a t i s f a c t o r y as r e g a r d s t h i n g s s p i r i t u a l . M r . C o u l t e r has f i n i s h e d p l o u g h i n g my l i t t l e p i e c e o f l a n d today.

23.

Good c o n g r e g a t i o n a t G o s f o r d y e s t e r d a y , & 25 Communicants. A t Kincumbar & E r i n a t h e attendance was s c a n t y . I was much vexed i n the evening a t E r i n a , by a most unseemly i n t e r u p t i o n o f t h e s e r v i c e , & t h a t was some drunken p a r t i e s coming & t a l k i n g c l o s e t o the p l a c e j u s t o u t s i d e t h e b u i l d i n g , so t h a t I was compelled to s t o p i n t h e middle o f my sermon, & go o u t t o t r y & d i s c o v e r whom t h e y were b u t they made o f f when they heard me coming.- A r e p e t i t i o n o f such conduct, s h o u l d i t occur w i l l almost i n c l i n e me t o d i s c o n t i n u e my s e r v i c e s t h e r e . - Among the Communicants y e s t e r d a y morning. I was d e l i g h t e d t o see Rosa B a t t l e y a g a i n . She r e t u r n e d from Sydney per F r i d a y ' s steamer v e r y much b e t t e r - i n s h o r t , a p p a r e n t l y q u i t e h e r s e l f a g a i n . She & h e r two s i s t e r s came w i t h John t h i s a f t e r n o o n & took t e a w i t h u s .

25.

I had a l o n g day's r i d e y e s t e r d a y , s t a r t i n g a t 8 A.M. & r e t u r n i n g towards 7 P.M: I went down n e a r l y t o t h e heads, t o c a l l f i r s t on a f a m i l y l a t e l y come t o r e s i d e at Ward's o l d p l a c e .

154.

November 25.

McDonald by name. I found, however, t h a t McDonald & h i s w i f e were b o t h away i n Sydney but two grown up s i s t e r s were t h e r e b e s i d e s some younger f o l k s . - I went on f u r t h e r t o c a l l a t W i l s o n s & John Spears, but they a l s o were o u t . I c a l l e d a t M o f f a t ' s on the waydown & a t Wards on the way home found Mrs.Ward w i t h another l i t t l e son, born about a week ago. Today I have been t o Kincumbar a g a i n , v i s i t i n g about Kearns' & then had my c l a s s a t the c h u r c h , coming home by P i p e r s & so round by Green P o i n t .

December 12.

1857

A l t h o u g h the c l o c k has s t r u c k 10 ( S a t u r d a y n i g h t ) I must not a l l o w another week t o c l o s e , as I d i d the l a s t , w i t h o u t an e n t r y i n my j o u r n a l , p a r t i c u l a r l y as t h e r e are m a t t e r s t o be r e c o r d e d , which s h o u l d have been n o t i c e d b e f o r e . - Mr.Booth r e t u r n e d from Sydney about the time of my l a s t e n t r y , & commenced v i g o u r o u s l y a t h i s work about the c h u r c h . On Monday the 30th 1 s i g n e d , w i t h him, the c o n t r a c t , by which he engages t o have the work f i n i s h e d by the 1st of June n e x t . As he was a n x i o u s t o make a s t a r t w i t h the b u i l d i n g , & i t b e i n g q u i t e u n c e r t a i n when the B i s h o p would be down, we f i x e d upon Thursday, the 3rd i n s t , as the day on which t o l a y the f o u n d a t i o n s t o n e . & I gave n o t i c e i n the c h u r c h , i n v i t i n g a l l the members o f our c h u r c h t o a t t e n d . - On Tuesday 1 remained a t home t o prepare an address f o r the O c c a s i o n . On Wednesday a f t e r n o o n I went over t o meet my c l a s s a t Kincumbar, & on the way back was caught i n a Thunderstorm. Thursday morng. u n f o r t u n a t e l y was r a i n y , & I f e a r e d we shd. have t o put o f f the ceremony, but the r a i n ceased a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , & enabled us t o proceed, I was

155.

December

1957

p l e a s e d t o f i n d a v e r y t o l e r a b l e assemblage, i n s p i t e 156. of the u n f a v o u r a b l e weather, & the ceremony seemed to g i v e g r e a t s a t i s f a c t i o n . - When i t was o v e r , the p a r t y adjourned t o a f e a s t f o r the s c h o o l c h i l d r e n , at w h i c h , thanks t o the v a r i o u s C o n t r i b u t o r s , t h e r e was an ample s u p p l y f o r a l l , & both young & o l d seemed to enjoy the whole days e n t e r t a i n m e n t . I was v e r y much d i s a p p o i n t e d t h a t the M i s s e s Donnison were prevented from j o i n i n g u s , by a v e r y u n p l e a s a n t a c c i d e n t , namely, t h e i r horses g e t t i n g bogged on the punt r o a d , & they themselves h a v i n g t o dismount i n t o the water b e f o r e t h e i r nags c o u l d r e c o v e r t h e i r l e g s a g a i n . - T h i s was o c c a s i o n e d by an u n u s u a l l y h i g h t i d e which covered a l l the f l a t f o r some d i s t a n c e . I t was my i n t e n t i o n to have gone t o Mangrove on F r i d a y , but the e x t r a work of L a y i n g the F o u n d a t i o n Stone of X t . Church took up my time so c o m p l e t e l y u n t i l the ceremony was o v e r , t h a t I was g l a d o f a l i t t l e r e s t on F r i d a y , & so put o f f my j o u r n e y t i l l Saturday, when I had Worley's company.- I was much p l e a s e d t o f i n d t h a t Mr.Wheeler i s g e t t i n g on w e l l a t Mangrove, g i v i n g g r e a t s a t i s f a c t i o n t o the p e o p l e , & seeming c o n t e n t w i t h h i s l o t . - I r e t u r n e d on Tuesday, a f t e r b e i n g n e a r l y r o a s t e d i n Mangrove Creek, which I d i d not l e a v e t i l l towards 3 o ' c l o c k . - With the e x c e p t i o n o f a r i d e to E r i n a y e s t e r d a y a f t e r n o o n , & t o Wyoming t h i s morning, I have not been out much, h a v i n g a g r e a t many l e t t e r s to w r i t e . - The weather has been v e r y hot t h i s week, & we f e e l i t r a t h e r j u s t a t f i r s t s e t t i n g i n . - I am now h a v i n g my l i t t l e farm, as I term i t , p l a n t e d w i t h c o r n & m i l l e t e t c . I v i s i t e d Mrs.Holmes

December 1857 12.

18.

[1]

f o r ' t h e l a s t timevon F r i d a y & then f e l t c o n v i n c e d t h a t 1 s h o u l d n o t see her a g a i n I n t h i s w o r l d . She d i e d on Sunday n i g h t , & was b u r l e d on Monday a f t e r n o o n by M r . B a t t l e y .

157. .., ^

My c o n g r e g a t i o n s l a s t Sunday were s m a l l a t a l l the Churches, t h o ' t h e weather was c o o l & a g r e e a b l e , & no r e a s o n e x i s t e d , as f a r a s I know, t o prevent a good a t t e n d a n c e . On Monday morng. I went over t o E a s t G o s f o r d , but was too l a t e f o r the s c h o o l , b e i n g Interupted a l i t t l e before s t a r t i n g . Charles G i t t i n s came I n about 10 o ' c l o c k t o make arrangements f o r our l o n g t a l k e d o f v i s i t t o t h e i r house, & we determined upon g o i n g the next day, weather p e r m i t t i n g . B u t on g o i i i the g a l e o f wind which blew so h a r d a l l Monday ended i n r a i n a t n i g h t & c o n t i n u e d the e a r l y p a r t o f Tuesday morning, so t h a t M r . G l t t i n s d i d not v e n t u r e t o come f o r u s . - I n the a f t e r n o o n I rode up t o Wyoming, & p a i d a few v i s i t s i n t h a t neighbourhood.On Wednesday I went t o Kincumbar, & h e l d the h a l f y e a r l y e x a m i n a t i o n o f the c h i l d r e n - few i n number, & s m a l l i n s i z e , - but they a c q u i t t e d themselves w e l l . I had a s m a l l c o n f i r m a t i o n c l a s s a f t e r w a r d s , & was g r i e v e d t o be compelled t o d i s m i s s W i l l a i m K i r k from the c l a s s h a v i n g d e t e c t e d him i n c o m i t t i n g a robbery on h i s way t o the c l a s s . He went i n t o M e l v i n ' s h u t , & s t o l e a watch t h a t was hanging up t h e r e . - Mr.Lane took the watch from him i n the schoolroom & I was sorry to learn, that p i l f e r r i n g i s a propensity t o which he i s a d d i c t e d . I went out a t once t o see h i s p a r e n t s , & by the way c a l l e d t o see F u t c h e r who i s very poorly again.- Yesterday M r . G l t t i n s & Charles brought up t h e i r f i n e l a r g e boat & took us a l l down to spend the day.- We were f o r t u n a t e I n h a v i n g a c o o l c l o u d y day, but we ahd a v e r y s c a n t y s u p p l y o f wind, w h i c h made b o t h

Wo mtiy

{ound -in Chufich RzgL&te.i ion.

baiJuoili.

December 1857 outward & homeward voyages t e d i o u s . I t was p a s t 10 at n i g h t b e f o r e we r e t u r n e d home. M i s s Kate Nunn accompanied us down, & Alexd.G: r e t u r n e d w i t h us t o s t a y a few days. Today ( F r i d a y ) M r . B a t t l e y a s s i s t e d me t o examine the s c h o o l a t E.Gosford which i s now a p r e t t y f u l l one about 50 c h i l d r e n . - As u s u a l they a c q u i t t e d themselves v e r y w e l l . 31.

158.

Here we have a r r i v e d s a f e l y a t the end o f the year 1857 & so have completed another stage i n the j o u r n e y of l i f e . - I t has been a n e v e n t f u l y e a r , b e i n g marked w i t h o c c u r r e n c e s which w i l l l o n g be remembered by those who have w i t n e s s e d them. & w i l l d o u b t l e s s be r e c o r d e d i n the h i s t o r y o f the Colony, such as the sweeping f l o o d s o f l a s t w i n t e r , & the d r e a d f u l shipwrecks t h a t have happened not o n l y on our own c o a s t , b u t i n v a r i o u s p a r t s o f the w o r l d , & o t h e r more i m p o r t a n t events i n I n d i a , e t c . e t c . Then t o come down t o s m a l l e r m a t t e r s , the commencement o f our new Church i s an event worthy o f b e i n g r e c o r d e d i n the a n n a l s o f the G o s f o r d P a r i s h , & I t r u s t t h a t the c o m p l e t i o n & c o n s e c r a t i o n of the church w i l l form p a r t o f the h i s t o r y o f 1858. Our Xmas h o l i d a y s have passed over v e r y q u i e t l y & the people seem t o be g e t t i n g t o work a g a i n , but I suppose tomorrow - New Year's Day - must be observed as a h o l i d a y . - Uncle F e r r i s came by l a s t Thursday's Steamer t o spend h i s Xmas w i t h us & r e t u r n e d t o Sydney on Monday l a s t . - Two deaths have o c c u r r e d i n my f l o c k t h i s week - Thos.Futcher a t Kincumbar, & a young c h i l d [1] of R i c h d . H i t c h c o c k . [2]

[1]

Tkomai TiancU, FUTCHER, aged 39, Vied 28 VccembcK 1857,

Salloi

[21

Solomon William HITCHCOCK, oi Eilna, the. 6on oi Rlchaid -, SaiAjyei. Vied

& SmyeA

KincumbeA,

aged 13 months & 22 dayi,, 29 VecembzA 1857.

January 9.

1858

days of the new year have slipped away before I have taken any notice of i t . On the morning of Friday the 1st I went over to see Mrs.Benson, who was very i l l , & i n the afternoon rode out as f a r as Warburton's, c a l l i n g at most of the intervening houses. On Saturday, the 2nd I started for Yarramalong, having appointed to have service there & at Wyong on the 1st Sunday i n the year. I t was exceedingly hot, & I got a great roasting upon the road.- I called at Gilchison's on the way up, & reached Mr.Lettes about 6: P.M:On Sunday morning I had a congregation of 25 at Mr.Lettes, & then rode 10 miles to Wyong where another congregation of 20 awaited me.- I started homeward at 5 o'clock, & arrived at about i p 8. The day, tho* hot,was a l i t t l e cooler than Saturday. On Monday morning I went over to meet the Steamer, & found Mr.Cape there, with 3 of his family, Minnie, A l f r e d , & Emily.- Mr.C: rode " L i t t l e Nel" home, while I walked with Minnie, & the 2 others came i n the cart.- I t was awfully hot, & we came i n quite i n a fever a l l of us.- Tuesday was s t i l l hotter, a regular hot N:W; wind which quite unhinged us a l l . - Wednesday was cooler, being cloudy.In the afternoon I accompanied Mrs.Cape & a l l the young folks to Wyoming - taking the two horses, & r i d i n g turn about.- On getting up on Thursday morng.6 o'c: I found Mr G i t t i n s & Charles at anchor by the wharf, having come, by appointment to take us down for a p i c n i c - The morning was very hot but taking a l l things together we enjoyed the day very much. We had f i r s t to go down & fetch the rest of the G i t t i n s party, & then returned to Wye Wye Bay, where we found a d e l i g h t f u l shady nook, with a beautiful stream of water among the rocks.- We mustered 16 i n party altogether, 10 ladies & 6 gents.- Yesterday

159.

January 1858 9.

morning I got an early breakfast & rode up to the Sawmill to see E l i z a Babbage, whose mother had sent a message during my absence on Thursday, requesting me to come up. I found her better than I expected, but I fear i n a very precarious state, I returned by eleven o'clock, & when the Steamer came i n , accompanied Mr.Cape & party over & saw them safe o f f . - I was glad to find Mrs.Benson much better, I mentioned the case of Babbage's daughter to Dr.B: who promised to go up & see her this morning, provided his wife were well enough.- Today been very hot again, & I cannot help fearing that we are doomed now to be v i s i t e d with drought & heat.-

11.

(Monday) Learning from Mr.Lane yesterday that Ben:Davis had been a great loser by a f i r e , which I had previously heard had occurred on his premises on New Years day, I set o f f this morning to pay him a v i s i t of condolence.His workshop, with a l l his tools, & various a r t i c l e s to the value of something l i k e ÂŁ150, were e n t i r e l y destroyed. Sad however as this disaster i s , i t i s nothing i n comparison with a circumstance connected with a neighbouring family, which was made known to me by Mrs.Auld, & the Dr. & which I s h a l l say nothing about here, as i t i s possible, some further l i g h t may yet be thrown upon the matter.

15.

One of the hottest days I ever experienced. I t was my intention to have gone to McMasters today, but finding, after breakfast, what sort of a day we were going to have, I abandoned the ride, & well I did so for I fear I should have been made quite i l l by it. I rode over to E.Gosford to see the church work, & also to v i s i t Mrs.Garrett & see her l i t t l e g i r l , Harriett who has been confined to her bed for a fortnight with a bad l e g , & I only heard of i t yesterday

160.

January 1858 15.

at Blue Gum F l a t . On my return home I found the Gittons family here, 8 i n number, having come up f o r the purpose of going on to c a l l at Wyoming; but i n consequence of the intense heat of the day, they prudently abandoned their purpose & remained with us t i l l past 3 o'clock, when they started back again, fearing that the N:W: wind might l u l l i f they remained too long.- I t was one of the most oppressive days I ever f e l t . On going up to inspect the church work on Tuesday morning, I found that Mr.Booth was departing very widely from his contract, i n allowing too great a space between the stretchers i n the centre of the wall, & so ÂŁackin^, contrary to agreement. The fault was so glaring that I went & brought Mr.Venteman up to look at i t , & I am very much vexed thus to discover that we must watch the progress of the work very narrowly.- I called to see Mr.Battley on my way back, & i n the afternoon I rode up to see Mr.Nunn, & was glad to meet him out r i d i n g with his daughters.- On Wednesday I remained at home writing, & yesterday I went up to the Sawmill, v i s i t i n g a l l the Blue Gum Flat people by the way.

16.

At home the greater part of the day.- In the morning c a l l e d on Worley & family, who arrived from Mangrove on Tuesday evening l a s t . - also on Mrs.Creighton, & i n the evening we a l l walked as f a r as Mona Vale, to see A l i c e , & enquire what tidings she had received of her Mamena from Sydney & we were glad to hear a favourable report.

18.

Quite out of sorts today from my overwork of yesterday.At the conclusion of the service i n the morning at Kincumbar, I found Dr.Auld at the door begging me to come round by his house to baptize his infant c h i l d , who was very i l l , which I d i d . - Had another Baptism at

[1]

Robojut SpottL&mod fa.iqu.ha.fi AULV, i>on V.obQAt Thomas -, Saige.on Saiahvlllt, MLibant WatZK g. Uany Wtbb, Eon.n 26 May 1857,

12]

OJlltiam WHITE, ion o^ RobzKt BoKH 5 Uovmbzt 1857.

161.

Samynn. ojj Ea4i Goi>{on.d i MaKqaKzX..

[1] [2]

January 1858 18.

23.

Gosford, & then proceeded to the Sawmill, from which I had the darkest ride home that I ever had, & on a r r i v i n g , near 12 o'clock (with a very bad headache) f e l t r e a l l y thankful that I had reached home i n safety.- I went over to the steamer this morning, & inspected the church with Mr.Battley. This afternoon had a funeral,a young c h i l d of Seamans, died yesterday.- Much sickness abroad now, caused by the late excessive heat. Something of a b i l i o u s diarrhoea,many children are affacted with i t . - Had a v i s i t from John Osborne today. Saturday night.- Went to Kincumbar on Tuesday to v i s i t Mrs.Futcher, & came round by Dr.Aulds to enquire after the c h i l d , & was glad to f i n d i t better. On going to the Post Office after my return, I found Ephraim Bushby there, come to report the death of his infant c h i l d . Hearing that there were several sick people at the Sawmill, I rode up there on Wednesday to see them & found Mrs.Foot &child both very i l l , also M i l l e r ' s brother & several others more or less a i l i n g . Came back i n time to bury Ephraim's c h i l d . On Thursday I remained at home l e t t e r writing & among my dispatches was grieved to have writen a l e t t e r of condolence to poor Mr.Caper, whose wife's death we saw announced i n l a s t Monday's Herald.- During the day Foot c a l l e d from the Sawmill to announce the death of his c h i l d & arrange about i t s b u r i a l at Blue Gum F l a t . - Yesterday morning I went out to see Mrs.Bushby after loss of her baby, & i n the afternoon to the funeral of Foot's c h i l d a f t e r which I proceeded to the Sawmill to see Mrs.Foot who was very i l l . This morning I went with Mr.Battley to the church, & this afternoon I rode up to the Sawmill again to v i s i t the i n v a l i d s , who seem to be progressing favourably.- Worley rode home with me.

[1]

Maltha Rtbe.caa SEAMAM, thz daughte.n. John -,

Spilng^leZd, age.d 2 yzai'i S 6 months, Laboaitt. V.ie.d 17 Januaiy 185S.

[2]

Thoma^i Htniy BUSHBy, Eilna, agzd 10 monthi ^ 17 dayi, ion EphiaJjrt -, SpUXtOA.. VJ^nd 19 January 1858.

[3]

Hznuy John FOOT, o^ OatJutnbah Sajimlll, the. ion oi UJlllum -, Laboutzt. Vldd

agzd 10 monthi i 21 January 1858.

Ihz

17 day6,

162.

[1]

[2]

[3]

February 13.

1858

Saturday night.- A sad blank this i n my journal 163. 3 whole weeks without an entry! Let us see what can be r e c a l l e d . On Wednesday the 27th Jany, I set o f f for Morpeth to see the Bishop, having various l i t t l e matters to consult with him.- Mr.Nunn accompanied me that day as f a r as Mount Vincent, where I remained the night, he going on a l i t t l e farther. I reached Morpeth about the middle of Thursday, found the Bishop at home, & well - had a very nice chat with him saw Mr.&Mrs.Boodle also,& Mr.& Mrs.Bolton.- On Friday I returned homeward as f a r as John Osborne's,& on Saturday afternoon found myself safe back again. Sunday the 31st I had morning service at the Sawmillc a l l e d i n & saw E l i z a Babbage before the service, & finding her evidently approaching her l a t t e r end, suggested to her my obtaining the prayers of the congregation on her behalf, which I did - & i t was rather singular that within about half an hour of my leaving the place, she expired.- Her funeral took place the next day.[1] On Tuesday, the 2nd instant I rode down to v i s i t the G i t t i n s e s . I was again at the Sawmill on Wednesday or Thursday (I forget now which) & was very sorry to f i n d poor Foot's other l i t t l e boy very i l l , apparently sinking l i k e h i s l i t t l e brother.- On Saturday I went to Mangrove, & remained my usual time there, returning on Tuesday night. Found Mr.Wheeler going on very well & giving great s a t i s f a c t i o n . On reaching home, the f i r s t announcement was of death of Foot's c h i l d , [2] whom I went & buried on Wednesday evening c a l l i n g i n to tea at Wyoming on my return. On Thursday afternoon I went again to the Sawmill to v i s i t poor Mrs.Foot, & the other sick & a f f l i c t e d up there - found another l i t t l e infant apparently going the way of the others the c h i l d of McDonald the

[1]

Eliza BABBAGE, OjJ Ouiimbah Sawmill, agtd 18 ymii i 8 months, tho. daugktzn. John Slzatli -, LaboafLZK, Vlzd 31 January 1858.

12]

OJWULam Joitph FOOT, oi Owiimbak Sajmlll, age.d 2k ymM, 6on oi Wlltiajn -, LabouKZA. Vlzd 9 Ftbiuaiy 1858.

tht

February 1858 13.

engineer. Other children there & i n the neighbourhood are suffering from the prevailing sickness, whatever i t may be, a sort of b i l i o u s fever, or diarrhoea & I f u l l y expect there w i l l be more deaths.- I never had such a time of sickness before.- Yesterday morning 1 rode up to Erina to c a l l on the Misses Donnlson & see how Mrs.Swadling was, called also at Mr.Wm.Nunn's for they moved on Saturday l a s t to their new abode, Grant's former residence.- In the afternoon I went to c a l l upon the Mann's, f o r the f i r s t time, & from thence to Point Clare.- Today I have remained at home.

17.

On Monday l a s t , ( f i n d i n g i t desirable to have a complete change of ministry) the whole of our domestic establishment took their departure for Sydney per Black Swan.- I had previously agreed with a man to take James's place one Gabriel Cubis, from the Sawmill, & he came down on Monday morning to commence h i s duties.- Hearing on Sunday that Scaysbrook was very i l l , I rode over on Monday afternoon to see him - I went again yesterday morning, & persuaded them to send for Dr.Auld, who came to see him during the day & pronounced him to be suffering from l i v e r complaint.- I extended my ride as f a r as McMasters, c a l l i n g at the intermediate places.- This morning, being Ash-Wednesday, we had service at E.Gosford, where a good congregation attended that i s , above 40. In the afternoon I again rode over to see how Scaysbrook was getting on. Found him very weak, but I think he was f e e l i n g the effects of the medicine the Dr. gave him yesterday.

March 5th

(Friday) On this day fortnight, when I went over to the Steamer, I was not a l i t t l e surprised at meeting Uncle F e r r i s there among the passengers.

164.

March 1858 5.

11.

He had had a serious attack of i l l n e s s i n Sydney, & came down to r e c r u i t h i s health & remained with us t i l l today. That afternoon I went out to see a sick boy, son of Luke Wallbridge who was suffering from Sun stroke, of which he died the following week.-On Saturday I wrote out a W i l l for Scaysbrook, & i n the afternoon took i t over for him to sign, getting Mr.Lane to Witness i t with me.- On Sunday I was unfortunately v i s i t e d with one of my bad headaches, & i n consequence did not go to the Sawmill that night.- My memory I regret to say w i l l not allow me to record now the daily transactions of the past fortnight.- I must therefore endeavour to conquer that procrastinating propensity which too frequently occasions me to postpone from day to day making the proper entries. My time however has been employed much i n the usual way. Last Week (I think Tuesday) I went out beyond Stockdales on the Chittaway road to v i s i t a sick lad there named Smith, another case of Sun stroke.- V i s i t e d the Sawmill also. Last Tuesday being Emily's birthday - we a l l went out to T o r i g a l for a sort of Picnic & as on a former occasion, got caught i n the rain on our way back. On Wednesday I went to Kincumbar & yesterday & today s t a i d at home.

165. [1]

John Osborne came & stayed here on Saturday night, & we rode up to Wyong together on Sunday morning, where a congregation of upwards of 20 assembled soon after ten o'clock. John accompanied me to Mr.Lette's also where Id*^ we had a very small congregation.- On Monday I rode to Mr.Hargraves' at Cabbage Tree, & [2] preached to his household i n the evening. Returned home on Tuesday afternoon by Tuggarah Beach got a l i t t l e wet crossing the

[1]

Gzofcge. Cddil WALLBRWGE, oi Eail Goi{,ofid, agzd 11 yzaii thz ion ol Lukz -, LabouizfL. Vlzd 24 EzbiuaKy 1858,

[2]

Cabbagz

TKZZ

nzai

HoKahvlltz.

i 4 months,

March

1858

11.

entrance.- Had Orpan & young Freeman as fellow t r a v e l l e r s . Brought home a headache with me, which obliged me to take some medicine, so did not go out anywhere yesterday.- Writing a long l e t t e r to the Bishop this morning.- After dinner I rode out to v i s i t Mrs.Rimmer, whose l i t t l e g i r l c a l l e d during my absence to say she was unwell,

13.

Yesterday morning I set out to pay a few v i s i t s toward E.Gosford, but did not get beyond Mr.Battleys. After dinner I rode up to Erina, by the old road at this side the creek,(the punt being out of the water) c a l l i n g at Cadby's by the way)- This morning I paid one or two v i s i t s near home, & i n the afternoon, after c a l l i n g at Mona Vale, went on to the church to pay Mr.Booth his weekly sum, & found the church getting on very n i c e l y . We have had a few grateful showers of rain l a t e l y , which have fresherned up the surface of the ground a l i t t l e , though water i s much wanted i n the wells etc.- Cubis has made an end today of potatoe planting, having got a nice large bed f i l l e d i n the new ground, with Californian seed. He gets on very well with h i s work, & I think w i l l suit me well.

14.

Tolerable congregations at a l l three places yesterday. This morning I was busy writing l e t t e r s for the steamer t i l l past 12 o'clock, & then went over to despatch them. I commenced my confirmation class again this afternoon, taking i n some new candidates. Margaret Crawse, Elizabeth Worley, & Miss Smith, the young Governess at Mona Vale.- Mrs.Harrison came over to c a l l , & Mr. Osborne & Mr.Scott also looked i n upon us, so that i t has been a kind of long day. We have again had a change of Ministry i n our household establishment Margaret l e f t us per Steamer today

166.

Mf.rch 1858. 15.

& our only domestic now i s a l i t t l e g i r l from the Sawmill, who came this morning as a sort of juvenile housemaid.- Isabella Prigg by name.

16.

Had a long day's v i s i t i n g beyond Erina, round by Whittaker & Fletchers.- The l a t t e r I found have l e f t their former residence, where they have been located 22yrs. & have removed to the hut abandoned by Avery.

17.

Went straight to Kincumbar this morning, & from the school passed on to Mullards, & from thence, took them a l l i n succession on the road to Avoca, by which I passed over to T o r i g a l , & so home by Wilson's & Frisby's. I am mustering up as many candidates for Confirmation as I can.

18.

Started this morning with the intention of going to the Sawmill, but hearing by the way that there was sickness s t i l l at Smith's house on the Chittaway road, I altered my course & went there instead,- The lad whom I saw a few weeks ago, i s s t i l l very bad, almost out of h i s mind, & a most p i t i a b l e object, & his mother is also very i l l i n bed.- Altogether the family are in a deplorable state, & I know not how to help them otherwise than by interceding for them at the throne of grace.- I c a l l e d i n also to see the l i t t l e g i r l (Smith) at Stockdales who got burnt so badly.- She i s also a wretched looking object, though her mother said the wounds were healing n i c e l y . - I v i s i t e d Harris also, 5f gave him and h i s partner (Mrs.Cole) a farewell admonition, as they are on the point of leaving the d i s t r i c t . From his house I went to young Brown, & had a very long admonitory conversation with him, on the subject of h i s present perilous position ( l i v i n g as he i s with Mrs.Taylor). I hope my words may not have been altogether i n vain

167.

March 1858-

[1]

19,

Went over to E.Gosford this morning - called on Mrs,Benson, then at the school, & saw Mr.Booth & the building. After dinner I rode up to Erina to meet my class of candidates for confirmation - six were i n attendance, but there should have been several others.

20.

Out again a l l today, contrary to my rule of always remaining at home on Saturday.- Went f i r s t to v i s i t the two Smith Families, (at Stockdales & Chitterway) found the sick patients apparently better. Then went to the Sawmill, & made a few collections for the Clergy Stipend Fund, & came home very l a t e , past 8 o'clock.- bad preparation for the Sunday duties.

26.

Last Sundays congregations were good, except that at the Sawmill, which was very small. On Monday morning I went over to see Partridge about Mrs.Pipers Mangle, which has given her great trouble.- Rain came on about noon, but not very heavy. I t prevented most of my pupils however from coming i n the afternoon to the Confirmation c l a s s . - On Tuesday we went out, a l l of us, to spend the day.- We l e f t the children at Mrs.Wm.Nunn's, and then Anne & myself, accompanied by the Misses Donnlson; rode out to T o r i g a l . - The object of our v i s i t was c h i e f l y to engage a young g i r l as a servant,daughter of Mrs.Wilson.- We went on to the heads, & enjoyed the ride very much. On returning home i n the evening,I found Stockdale's man. Smith waiting here, to announce the death of his poor l i t t l e g i r l , [1] whom was burnt about a month ago. On Wednesday I rode out to v i s i t the other Smith Family at Chittaway, & buried the l i t t l e g i r l at Blue Gum Flat on my way back - rained nearly a l l the time I was out.- Yesterday I took a long round on the Kincumbar side, going f i r s t to Moffat's then to McDonnell's, & from thence home via Mr.Gittins'. It was i p 5 when I l e f t there

ChailottiL daughtOA.

SMITH, Bluz Gum Flat, ageA ntaily 6 yzaii, GtoKgz -, LabouiZK. Vltd 23 Maich 1858,

tht

168.

March

1858.

26.

& I was caught i n a great thunderstorm on the road home. The thunder was very close & loud, & the r a i n poured i n torrents. - This morning I went over to see the church work etc. i n the afternoon went to my Confirmation Class at Erina, which was rather a small one, owing, I suppose to the threatening state of the weather, for I am happy to say i t has been raining greatly again this evening.

27.

At home a l l day (with the exception of a walk to Mr.Battley's in the evening) preparing f o r tomorrows duties. Some glorious r a i n f e l l i n the forenoon, for which, together with that which has f a l l e n previously, during the week, we must be mindful to return thanks tomorrow.

April 2.

10.

1858.

Good Friday. A Fair congregation of upwards of 50 this morning at E.Gosford. On Monday Morning l a s t I went over as f a r as Mr.Fosters i n E:Gosfd - to leave with him a copy of l a s t years report of the Newcastle Ch: Socy. etc. - In the afternoon had my Confirmation Class at home.- On Tuesday I rode out towards Chittaway to v i s i t the invalids there, found them much as usual.Called i n at Wyoming on my return i n the evening & took tea there.- At home on Wednesday morning -(except a walk up to the church) & i n the afternoon went over to Mr.Scott's, having heard that Mr.S. Junior was i l l . - Found him better, tho' s t i l l confined to bed.At home a l l yesterday l e t t e r writing. - Tomorrow I must start for Mangrove. This day week (Saturday) I had a very disagreeable ride to Mangrove, starting away from home with a headache, which continued a l l the way.Passed a sleepless night at Mr.Wheeler's, (from the number of fleas that disputed the possession of the bed with me.) which did

169.

A p r i l 1858 10.

[1]

not render me better q u a l i f i e d for the Sunday Services. 170. On Sunday night I fared very l i t t l e better, & therefore did not grieve much at having to return on Monday, which I was compelled to do on account of Tuesday being the day for electing church Wardens. I did not leave, however, u n t i l after I had catechized two of Wm.Woodbury's lads, who are Candidates for Confirmatlon.On Tuesday we had, f i r s t of a l l our meeting to elect church Wardens, which was better attended than usual, Mr.Battley, & Mr.Scott were duly elected for the ensuing year.- We then had a meeting of our Church Building Committee, at which several resolutions were passed, (see minutes thereof). On Wednesday 1 made a round of calls,commencing with Dr.Auld, & f i n i s h i n g with the Piper family whom I had not been to v i s i t for some months.- The object of my v i s i t to them was a very painful one, & as I may have occasion to revert to i t again at some future time, I w i l l say no moreabout i t here.- On Thursday I remained at home l e t t e r writing.In the afternoon I had a funeral - another l i t t l e infant.- We had a v i s i t from some of the G i t t i n s party HJ on Thursday.- Mr.Homfray & E l l e n , Charles & Alexa. & a most beautiful day they had f o r their excurion.Yesterday morning I went to see Dr.Auld, & returned to dinner, a f t e r which I went to Erina for my confirmation c l a s s . - At home a l l this morning, towards evening we a l l went out intending to c a l l on the Manns, & from thence I purposed proceeding to Mr.Scott's, to see how young Scott i s , but we could not get over the creek by Pagan's punt, so after walking up the creek side, & saying a few words to Mrs.Mann across the waters, we returned home.

Jam. ABVy, OjJ Tkoma6 -,

Wyoming, agzd 10 months S 20 dayi, SawyZA. Vlzd 6 Apill 1858.

thz

daaghtzi

April

1858.

Another week has s l i p p e d away, & where are i t s f r u i t s ? I have gone through my u s u a l r o u t i n e which may be b r i e f l y expressed, as f o l l o w s : - On Monday morning I v i s i t e d the s c h o o l , & the church b u i l d i n g e t c . I had made an appointment t o v i s i t the G i t t i n s e s on Tuesday accompanied by the Miss Nunn's but t h o ' t h e y came i n the morning, the weather proved unfavourable & we abandoned our r i d e , so I r e t u r n e d w i t h them t o Wyoming, & then made a round o f c a l l s down the o t h e r s i d e o f the creek as f a r as P o i n t C l a r e , where I found Dr.Auld i n attendance upon young Mr.Scott. I t rained p r e t t y s m a r t l y f o r about an hour w h i l e I was on my r o a d . - On Wednesday I went t o Kincumbar, Thursday morning I was a t home l e t t e r w r i t i n g , & a f t e r d i n n e r went t o see Mr.Scott a g a i n whom I was g l a d t o f i n d a l i t t l e b e t t e r . - Yesterday morning, a t home Sermon w r i t i n g , & i n the a f t e r n o o n went t o my c l a s s a t E r i n a , where 2 p u p i l s o n l y met me.- I t was my i n t e n t i o n t o have v i s i t e d the Sawmill today, but such r a i n came on as we have not w i t n e s s e d s i n c e the f l o o d s o f l a s t w i n t e r , t h e r e f o r e I remained a t home, & t h i s i s the sum t o t a l o f my week's work.- My time today has been o c c u p i e d , 1st l o o k i n g out sermons f o r tomorrow, & then, w r i t i n g a l o n g l e t t e r t o Mr.Bode. Saturday n i g h t . - T h i s week commenced r a t h e r u n f a v o u r a b l y . I s t a r t e d as u s u a l f o r Kincumbar on Sunday morning, i n the r a i n , & on r e a c h i n g E.Gosfd., found the punt has sunk, & I c o u l d not c r o s s . - I paused a moment or two t o c o n s i d e r whether i t was worth w h i l e r i d i n g round by E r i n a , ( f e a r i n g I should h a r d l y reach the church i n t i m e ) , but I pushed on as f a s t as I c o u l d make o l d M e t t l e c a r r y me, & was v e r y g l a d a f t e r w a r d t h a t I d i d so, as I found a s m a l l c o n g r e g a t i o n , & among them, t o my s u r p r i s e , s i x o f the G i t t i n s f a m i l y . - The day c o n t i n u e d v e r y wet, so t h a t I had v e r y few a t G o s f o r d , & I d i d not attempt the Sawmill a t n i g h t .

April

1858

24.

Monday morning was rather f i n e r . - I went to E.Gosford after breakfast, to see Mr.Booth, & v i s i t the school etc. also met the Steamer & got the time from Cap.Brett.Mr.Osborne came from Sydney by the Steamer, & took up his quarters with us t i l l Wednesday.- My class came as usual on Monday aftn. - Tuesday & Wednesday being wet, I remained at home, l e t t e r writing etc. On Thursday I went up Blue Gum Flat way & on to Chittaway, where I found Mrs.Smith s t i l l very i l l , 1 found two more cases of fever at Blue Gum F l a t . Wm.Deeves & his s i s t e r Mrs.Barden. On Friday morning I rode down to Mr.Scott, where I found the young man s t i l l i n bed, but they thought he was improving.In the afternoon to Erina, where a class of two met me. Today I have been to see poor Mrs.Moffat, & t r i e d to console her i n her present loneliness hoping that some thing may soon lead to the discovery of her absent husband. I went on as far as the Gittinses also.

29.

On Monday morning I went to Mr.Scott's after breakfast, to see how the young man was progressing & was glad to f i n d every thing going on favourably. In the afternoon I had my confirmation class, but a small one only attended.- On Tuesday I went to Chittaway & the Sawmill.Found Wm.Deeves up, & much better, but h i s s i s t e r , Mrs.Barden much the same, & s t i l l i n bed.- Mrs,Smith also, much as usual,- Yesterday morning I spent v i s i t i n g between this & E.Gosford.- Mrs.Nunn & daughters came & dined with us, & we a l l accompanied them on their way home nearly to Dickson's.- On our return we called at Overall's & Worley's,- Today Bessy accompanied me on L i t t l e Nel to McMasters, & on the way there had a f a l l . As we were cantering along a nice l e v e l piece of road just beyond Godwins, some piece of s t i c k or something suddenly

172.

A p r i l 1858 29.

tripped her, & down she was right on her head, & Bessy was thrown v i o l e n t l y over her head sprawling on the road, but received no damage beyond a l i t t l e graze on her nose, which bled s l i g h t l y , & a t r i f l i n g hurt of one elbow.- I f e l t very thankful when I saw poor Bessy safe upon her feet again.- The saddle was injured a l i t t l e , & I think i t was the outer pummel of that, which stopped Nel from r o l l i n g over on her side.- We found a l l well at McMasters, & after enjoying some nice bread & butter & eggs, took a s t r o l l upon the beach, & then came back i n good time, with no further mishap than a pretty smart shower, which damped us a l i t t l e .

173.

TkU, Li, the. e.nd

PART 1 FEB. 1855 APR. 1858

ol the. ^Ive. Volumes Faci,lmU.e.

EdJUJion

1982

REV. A L F R E D G L E N N I E JOURNALS

TtvU L6 the. btg-innlng

PART I I MAY

1858

MARCH 1861

of the. fac6.mllt

fjLve.

\JoZ.ume.6

EdJjtion of 1982

up to Page. 128 of

REV. ALFRED GLENNIE JOURNALS

May 1858. On Saturday the 1st I n s t . I started o f f f o r Yarramalong, where I had service on Sunday morning,- Afternoon Service at Wyong, & then accompanied John Osborne home to h i s house. On Monday morng. I went to Cabbage Tree. Mr.Hargraves was not at home, but I assembled his household & preached them a Sermon i n the evening.Tuesday morning was so very r a i n y , that I began to despair of proceeding on my journey to Maitland, but towards 10 o'clock i t brightened a l i t t l e , so o f f I s t a r t e d , & had a t o l e r a b l y f i n e ride to Mount Vincent, where I found Mr.Child's family w e l l . - L i t t l e N e l being rather lame, I borrowed a horse from Mr.Child, & went on t o Maitland next morning. Mr.Addams came to meet me at Morpeth & I accompanied him t o Paterson & slept there. Our annual meeting of the Church Society was held at Morpeth on Thursday, & I returned to i t with Mr.Addams & Mr.Townshend i n the morning. We had a b e a u t i f u l day f o r the meeting which went o f f very w e l l , & the r e s u l t was very s a t i s f a c t o r y . I remained at the Bishops that night, & on Friday, a f t e r a l i t t l e chat w i t h the Bishop, made my way back as far as Mt.Vincent.- On Saturday I had a long & tedious r i d e home i n the r a i n . S t a r t i n g a t 7 A.M. & reaching home about I p 6 p.m.- Among other matters arranged with the Bishop, h i s l o r d s h i p consented t o take Mr.Foster i n hand again, and give him another t r i a l as teacher of a school a t Murrurundl, which piece of new Mr.F. very t h a n k f u l l y received & i s now preparing to s t a r t . The Bishop also made a very l i b e r a l proposition with regard to our church a f f a i r s , o f f e r i n g to advance ÂŁ250, at 5 per cent i n t e r e s t , to be repaid by yearly payments of ÂŁ50 w i t h the i n t e r e s t due, on the 30th June 1859. i f the parishioners

May 1858 17.

22.

[1]

on my return home on Saturday n i g h t , I wrote a long l e t t e r to F e r r i s , which I posted per Black Swan t h i s morning & hope to have h i s answer on Friday.- I s t a i d some time a t Frosts on Saturday, catechizing h i s c h i l d r e n , who acquitted themselves p r e t t y w e l l . Had a b e a u t i f u l day yesterday, which brought a large congregation to E:Gosford i n the afternoon, I went to the Sawmill i n the evening, where I baptized two i n f a n t s . - I found that the i n f a n t c h i l d of McDonald the engineer, which had been a i l i n g so long, was buried at Blue Gum F l a t i n the evening, Mr.Foster reading the f u n e r a l s e r v i c e .

On Tuesday l a s t , a f t e r v i s i t i n g one or two s i c k f o l k i n E.Gosford, I went up to E r i n a , & having paid a short v i s i t to the Misses Donnison (the elder of whom has been very poorly of l a t e , but seems getting better again) I went on to v i s i t some s i c k people i n the bush.- two of Ingrams l a d s , who have been i l l some weeks with the "Blue Gum F l a t low fever" Also Mrs.Irvine, a l i t t l e f a r t h e r on.- On Wednesday morning I rode out to Luke Wallbridgeâ&#x20AC;˘s, where there i s another l a d of about 13 on the s i c k l i s t . - The r e s t of the day I spent a t home, l e t t e r w r i t i n g . On Thursday I went out to McMasters.- Yesterday morning I went over to the Steamer, being anxious to get the mail & see whether there was a l e t t e r from F e r r i s , so as to answer i t , i f possible by the return v e s s e l . The steamer however was l a t e i n coming i n , & was o f f again before the l e t t e r s were sorted.- A f t e r dinner I rode up to see Mrs.Nunn, who i s s u f f e r i n g from a bad hand.- Today (Saturday) I have remained at home Sermon w r i t i n g , but had to go to the b u r i a l ground t h i s evening to read the service over David A l l e n , who died at Joseph Spears' on Friday morning - He was by profession a presbyterian, but 1 have been v i s i t i n g him frequently since l a s t tuesday week, the day on which I f i r s t heard of h i s i l l n e s s , & I fear that he has gone i n t o e t e r n i t y

William Eioom LEES, ion of Jo6tpk Sutton i EUm. Bom 25 MaKch 1858 Martha DUTCH, daugkteA of Chanlti i MaKga^et. BoKn 22 OctobeA 1857

[1] [2]

[3]

LabomoA. of Blut Gum Flat

Laboun.M. of OufLimbak Sawmill

[2]

No itdoid

in CkuKck Rtgi^teA.

[3]

Vavid ALLEhl, about 37 OK 38, Ston&maion of Ea6t Vied 20 May 1858.

Goifoid.

May 1858. 22.

as unprepared f o r death as i t i s possible f o r a man to be. He has been a t e r r i b l e drunkard, i n fact that dreadful e v i l has brought him to a premature grave, dropsy been the disease under which he died. From the f i r s t he seemed to e n t e r t a i n no fear of death, saying that he should die happy, & he expected to have a l l h i s sins pardoned because he had never injured anyone. My sole e f f o r t i n a l l my v i s i t s was to t r y & awaken him to a sense of h i s dangerous e r r o r , & persuade him, while there was any portion of time l e f t to remove h i s house from so sandy ÂŁ foundation, & endeavour to b u i l d i t upon the rock provided f o r him, I fear however, that my e f f o r t s were unavailing. He l i s t e n e d to me always, but seemed l i t t l e affected by a l l that I could say of myself, or by what I read to him from the B i b l e .

28.

I began t h i s week - Monday - by r i d i n g round to Point Clare, to see how young Mr.Scott was getting on, & was glad to f i n d him recovering from h i s l a t e i l l n e s s . A l l he seems to require i s t o regain h i s strength, & make up h i s l o s t f l e s h . - I was v i s i t e d with one of my b i l i o u s headaches that day, which increasing i n the afternoon, I dismissed my Confirmation Class with a short lesson. On Tuesday my headache returned, worse than the previous day, & being moreover a rainy day, I d i d not go out. On Wednesday, being s t i l l r a i n y , I remained at home, & made i t my post-day. Towards evening I went out t o pay one or two v i s i t s c a l l i n g on Orpin, whom I found i n bed with h i s rheumatic neck, & from thence to Wallbridge's whose boy I found better. - Yesterday morning I went to Klncumbar & from thence crossed over from Kearnes's to Mosquito Town, & then went t o v i s i t the s i c k people at Ingrams, & also Mrs.Irwin.- I found Ingram's eldest boy very i l l - Indeed, apparently i n s e n s i b l e & speechless though from h i s mentioning my name

May 1858. 28.

he thus gave proof that he was not e n t i r e l y bereft of 4. h i s senses.- Mrs.Irwin I found much better. I t r i e d to get out again pretty e a r l y t h i s morning, but a v a r i e t y of i n t e r r u p t i o n s kept me at home t i l l past 12 ÂŤ-ga-iti o'clock.- I went to Ingram's again, & was sorry to f i n d the s i c k l a d apparently worse than yesterday, & I greatly fear he w i l l not recover. He was quite i n s e n s i b l e , but tho'he could not j o i n with us i n prayer, a l l that we could do was t o commend him to God i n our prayers f o r him - I c a l l e d at Erina where I expected a confirmation c l a s s , but none of my pupils came.'

29.

Broke through my r u l e again today, as I too often do, about staying at home on Saturdays. But not having been to the Sawmill f o r some 3 weeks or more, I took a round i n that d i r e c t i o n today, c a l l i n g on the way up at a l l the houses along the road, & going f i r s t to Chittaway, where I found Mrs.Smith on her legs again - Mrs.Barden I also found convalescent, i n short they seem a l l to be pretty w e l l again about Blue Gum F l a t . At the Sawmill I found the Misses Horsburgh & I l e a r n t from H.Horsburgh that Ingram's son, mentioned above, died t h i s morning. The father came i n today to report the death & arrange about the f u n e r a l , which they wish to take place tomorrow, but i t w i l l be impossible f o r me to o f f i c i a t e , therefore the father said he wd. arrange with Mr.Battley to do so.

31.

[1]

Yesterday was one of my very brightest Sundays.- bright i n every sense of the word - f o r I set o f f f o r the morning service at the Sawmill with as b r i l l i a n t a sunny sky over head, as could possibly be,& as I approached the place, passed several groups of people winding t h e i r way to church. I had a very nice congregation at the M i l l , both the Misses Scott being present.On reaching home, I found a party of people here, who had come a l l the way from P i t t water, to have a child

No e,yLtfiy found In Church. Reglite.^ fofi bu^-iali.

May 31.

[1]

baptized.-Mr.Ross, the Custom House o f f i c e r (or whatever 5 his o f f i c e maybe) had come up e a r l y i n the morning with a party of three l a d l e s , & a l i t t l e Infant, hoping f/J that the service might be i n the morning. They were anxious to get away as soon as p o s s i b l e , having such a distance t o go, (at l e a s t 15 miles I suppose) but I could not possibly baptize the c h i l d here, & then be a t the Church by 3 o'clock, so I requested them to make t h e i r way up to the Church, having f i r s t taken down the p a r t i c u l a r s f o r my r e g i s t e r , so that they might depart immediately upon the conclusion of the baptismal s e r v i c e . - I had an unusually large congregation, at l e a s t 100. & no l e s s than 6 c h i l d r e n to Baptize [2] the greatest number I ever had a t once.- I t was to myself a t l e a s t , & I hope t o many others present, a very i n t e r e s t i n g s e r v i c e , & I gave them a Sermon on Baptism, which I had prepared s p e c i a l l y f o r the occasion, & which I think was a t t e n t i v e l y l i s t e n e d to by a l l . - So much f o r my bright yesterday.- But the events of t h i s day, or r a t h e r , an event which has only t h i s day come to my knowledge, has sadly i l l u s t r a t e d the fact that l i g h t & shadow are c o n t i n u a l l y following each other i n rapid succession. I t not u n t i l a f t e r breakfast t h i s morning, when on my way to Mr.Battley's, that I met a man named Montgomery, from whom I l e a r n t a most melancholy occurrence which happened on Saturday evening, when, by the upsetting of a boat i n the broadwater, poor Mrs.Moffat, of Klncumbar, was drowned, with one of her c h i l d r e n , and a man, whom I d i d not know.Mrs. Bogan was also i n the boat, but by c l i n g i n g to i t , preserved her l i f e , & was rescued, as I am t o l d by her husband, who, g e t t i n g uneasy a t the delay of the party coming home, set o f f i n a boat to meet them, & being a t t r a c t e d by the c r i e s o f the poor woman, found on reaching the spot, that she was h i s w i f e . The body of

Je^iA-e. R o 4 4 MacVONALV, daughteA of Jaimi -, ViapZA of Moizton Bay & HabeJUa Gordon. Bom 20 Ap^li 1858. Ju6lz Ro44 MacVOkALV wa6 not the. daughter of ROSS the. Ca.itom'6 Hoa^e. Officer, but probably the. God-daugkteA. Rey. Gle.nnJie. baptJizzd

[2]

1858.

6 chULditn

RobeAt MUVVLE, â&#x20AC;˘ion of WUIlam Bom 31 Ma^ch 1858 Samuel HENU, 6on of djlttiam Bom 7 May 1858 Man.y CRANE, daughteA Bom 17 Apill 1858

Labouizi

LabouieA

otheA.<i uie.ie.:-

Elizabeth.

C>ie.dz & Maxy Ann.

LaboufieA of Go^foid

of (JJlttiam

of Gzoige. -,

Thz flvt

SauiyeA of Gafoid

SawyeK of Haiaia

of Jame.^ -,

Sanah Ann CRANE, daughter Bom 17 Apill 1858 Anna SMITH, daughteA Bom 28 Apiil 1858

on 30 May 1858.

Lydla.

of Goifoid

Eait

Go^foid

& Ann,

& Maiy

Ann.

May 31.

the c h i l d has been picked up today, & deligent search i s being made f o r the others. I must go tomorrow, & see what has become of the poor c h i l d r e n who are l e f t at home now f a t h e r l e s s & motherless.- I went up to the church t h i s morning w i t h Mr.Battley expecting the Black Swan to come i n , & probably w i t h Mr.Hargraves on board.- To our disappointment, however, & that of many others, the steamer d i d not come.- This afternoon I had a nice c l a s s of eleven candidates f o r Confirmation.

June 1858 3.

[1]

(Thursday) On Tuesday morning 1 went out, prepared to go over to Klncumbar, & see what was to be done about Moffatt's c h i l d r e n . On c a l l i n g at Mr.Harrison's I found that an inquest was about to be held on the body of the i n f a n t , Catherine, & as I should be required i n the afternoon f o r the f u n e r a l , I a l t e r e d my course, & d i d not go to Klncumbar, but rode out to Ingram's, to v i s i t h i s family,where I found four i n v a l i d s . Charles G i t t i n s came up i n the boat with the Bogan's, Mrs.B:having begged him to do so, & while the Inquest was going on he came over to c a l l at the Parsonage.I returned about 2 o'clock & towards 5, went to the B u r i a l Ground, w i t h Anne & the c h i l d r e n , to perform the Funeral service on the poor l i t t l e c h i l d . Singular that i t was buried on i t s birthday. YesterdayI went down as f a r as the G l t t l n s e s , c a l l i n g to see Mrs.Bogan by the way,& returning by Moffatt's place. The c h i l d r e n 1 found at Mrs.Leary's, hard by, & 1 arranged f o r disposing of them among the neighbours.Mr.Law takes the eldest boy - P i c k e t t the two g i r l s , & Mrs.Leary keeps the l i t t l e boy, the youngest. Today Mr.Dwyer has been down to arrange w i t h

CatkojLlne. MOFFAT, of Cocklz Qfittk, agtd one. yeai, the, daaghte.fi of RobeAt -, Fa>ime.>i, wai diovjned 29 May 1858. Thejie. JU no tntiy foi he.1 mothe.1 on. the. othe.n. man bodi.e.6 we-te, not n.zcove.>ie.d.

- po^i-dibly the.

June 1858. 3.

19.

Leary about the d i s p o s a l of some f l o u r that was l e f t i n the house, as w e l l as two pigs and some remnant of a standing maize crop - f o r a l l of which he brought me ÂŁ7. I have been at home a l l today, c h i e f l y l e t t e r w r i t i n g , & preparing to s t a r t f o r Mangrove tomorrow.

Saturday evening. Just come i n from a r i d e to Wyoming with Marianne, & while tea i s g e t t i n g ready I w i l l f i l l up the i n t e r v a l , & t h i s long gap i n my journal at the same time. I went to Mangrove on Friday the 4th, & returned on Tuesday 8th. Found everything going on s a t i s f a c t o r i l y . & the people a l l h i g h l y s a t i s f i e d with Mr.Wheeler. As he had lodgers i n h i s house I took up my abode at Watklns' where I had very comfortable quarters.- On the Saturday 1 walked down as f a r as Wm.Woodbury's where 1 administered private baptism to twin daughters. The younger was very d e l i c a t e , [1 & they seemed apprehensive that i t would not l i v e , therefore, i t being rather too soon f o r Mrs.Woodbury to come to church, & as I should not v i s i t them again for two months,! thought i t better to baptize them both, with the understanding that they be brought to the church at my next v i s i t . - 1 had my usual congregations on Sunday. Monday I spent v i s i t i n g as I rode up the creek to the Upper School, where I had a small confirmation c l a s s . I s l e p t that night at Chaselings, but spent the evening at Richard Elm's. My object i n v i s i t i n g him was to p r e v a i l upon him & h i s wife to be confirmed when the Bishop comes, & I was happy i n succeeding with them. I had a l i t t l e more catechism with Chaselings boys before I l e f t on Tuesday morng & then had a b e a u t i f u l r i d e home.-On Wednesday morning I went over to

MafiganeX TheAe.6a and SaKah AnaUaila WOOVBUHV, daughteA^ of ULttiajn Tamtfi of LoMVi Mangiove. i MaKy. Bom 15 May 1858.

June 1858 19.

E;Gosford to see Mr.Venteman & Spears on Church matter.8. Called by the way at Mr.Battley's & got the two lads to come over & help to gather my maize harvest, being anxious to take advantage of the f i n e weather.- I n the evening I c a l l e d on Mr.Harrison.- Thursday I spent as usual, l e t t e r w r i t i n g . Friday morning went up, to the church, & to the Steamer, i n the afternoon to E r i n a - no class attended, but I went out & v i s i t e d the Ingrams, whose c h i l d r e n were much the same. Saturday morning at home, i n the afternoon went to Wamsley's where I had i n v i t e d the neighbours to meet me about getting a temporary place of worship erected upon Cox's land. Some 7 or 8 attended, and we determined upon b u i l d i n g a s l a b . Instead of weather boarded b u i l d i n g , & I am now preparing a plan & s p e c i f i c a t i o n preparatory to c a l l i n g f o r Tenders, Last Monday morning I made a few c a l l s i n E:Gosford. I n the afternoon had my home c l a s s . On Tuesday I went by appointment to Mooney Creek, where I had a nice l i t t l e congregation of 15 at Roe's hut, & baptized an Infant - Sutton's. I t [1] was rather a rainy day which made the r i d e disagreeable.On Wednesday I went to Klncumbar to see how Moffatt's l i t t l e c h i l d r e n were f a r i n g , & found them a l l very w e l l . Mrs.Leary accompanied me to Moffatt's hut, where I unlocked the box & got out some clothes f o r the l i t t l e c h i l d r e n . - Thursday I spent a t home, l e t t e r w r i t i n g t i l l dark - most of my despatches being on church matters. I have now, I think, by the assistance of Mr.Hargraves f i n a l l y arranged every thing i n the way of borrowing the sum of money required to f i n i s h the Church- I am to advance ÂŁ200 myself, f o r which I made myself l i a b l e to Mr.Booth,

Jame.5 SUTTOM, â&#x20AC;˘ion of WWUjm Hmiy -, i Maiy Ann. Eon.n S May 1S5S,

Smyzn. of Moonzy Moonty Citdz

June 1858. & Mr.Hargraves has consented to advance ÂŁ150 f o r the f i n i s h i n g of the i n t e r i o r f i t t i n g s upon my g i v i n g him a P.Note at 12 months, w i t h 8 per cent discount.I accordingly signed & sent him the P:Note by yesterdays post, together with a cheque f o r the discount, ÂŁ12 & as the tenders f o r the f i t t i n g s are to be received next Wednesday, 1 hope t h e i r w i l l be no more delay. Yesterday morning Mr.Battley & myself had a sort of h a l f examination of the School at E;Gosford. I have been so very much pressed of l a t e , that I could not secure a Whole day f o r a f u l l examination, so we must hope f o r a better one next time.- From the School I went to E r i n a , where the two Cooks met me, & learning from them that Ingrams c h i l d r e n were b e t t e r , I d i d not extend my r i d e . I found another patient at E r i n a . Poor George Swadling met with an unfortunate accident the other day, h i s horse f e l l with him, & broke h i s r i g h t arm close to the elbow J o i n t . I t i s rather a serious case, but I hope they may yet save the arm. This morning I remained a t home Sermon w r i t i n g , & when I had f i n i s h e d that work, began one of rather a d i f f e r e n t character, namely f i x i n g a new grindstone, which I have had by me some time, w a i t i n g t i l l I could f i n d time to set i t up: but I have not completed my job yet, f o r hearing that poor Mr.Nunn met with an accident the other day on h i s way to Sydney, & was l a i d up i n consequence, I determined to go up & see him t h i s evening, & being a b e a u t i f u l evening, I took Marianne w i t h me on L i t t l e N e l l & she enjoyed her r i d e exceedingly. Last Tuesdays M a i l brought me a nice budget of English Papers, the "Guardian",which I ordered some time ago from Mr.Clarke.

June 1858. Sunday commenced very i m p r o p i t i o u s l y , with a Thunderstorm, & smart shower of r a i n . But i t soon passed o f f & was followed by a f i n e day so that although the Klncumbar congregation was small, a f a i r one assembled i n the afternoon at E:Gosfd. 1 had a bright moon to l i g h t me to & from the Sawmill, but was disappointed by f i n d i n g a congregtn. of eleven only there. - The smallest I ever had. - I suppose because I d i d not go up during the week to remind them of the day. Yesterday morning a f t e r w r i t i n g a few l e t t e r s f o r the post, I went to the Church, & Steamer. - Class as usual i n the afternoon.This morning I walked up to Erina to see how George Swadling was progressing & think he seems doing favourably. In the afternoon we a l l walked over to E;Gosfd. &• c a l l e d on Mrs.Benson a f t e r looking i n upon Mrs.Mcintosh. This evening's mall brought me 5 Tenders from Sydney for the i n t e r i o r f i t t i n g s of our church, varying from 93 to £139-10. Here ends another week.- The most important transaction of i t has been my making a contract with Mulligan & Taylor f o r the i n t e r i o r f i t t i n g s of the church, the whole of which they have agreed to perform f o r £105. & to have i t a l l completed by the 4th September. Mr.Hargraves has paid £150 i n t o the Bank, which we have borrowed from him to enable us to f i n i s h the Church & now that everything i s so s a t i s f a c t o r i l y arranged, I f e e l a great weight o f f my mind. I was much gladdened a l s o by a l e t t e r from Mr.Blacket l a s t Tuesday n i g h t , i n reply to one I had previously w r i t t e n to him,stating h i s i n t e n t i o n to come & inspect the b u i l d i n g as soon as Booth pronounces i t ready f o r inspection.- Yesterdays post, per Steamer, also brought me agreeable Church matter l e t t e r , namely - a note from the Bishop, enclosing h i s promised c o n t r i b u t i o n of £10.- I have had so many church l e t t e r s to w r i t e , that I d i d not go to Klncumbar t h i s week.

J u l y 1858. Saturday night & though more than i p 10. I must not r e t i r e to bed without making some note of the l a s t f o r t n i g h t though i t be but a short & hurried chapter. I was prevented from going out much l a s t week, by wet weather. I t was my i n t e n t i o n to have v i s i t e d B:G:Flat on the Tuesday but i t rained Incessantly the whole day. Wednesday & Thursday were wet days a l s o , so I found employment i n doors, w r i t i n g l e t t e r s , making up accounts, e t c . On Friday I went to E r i n a , & v i s i t e d Mrs.Irwin, who was s t i l l poorly - also George Swadling, where I found Dr.Auld i n attendance, & he seemed anxious about the broken arm, which had not been going on so favourably.- On Saturday afternoon I again rode to E r i n a to see the Miss Donnisons & George, & found J.Osborne here when I returned home.On Sunday morning he & I started f o r Wyong about sunrise, i n as b i t t e r cold morning almost as ever I was out i n . Ice abounded on the puddles as we rode thourgh the paddocks at Wyoming, & I do not remember to have ever suffered so much from cold feet i n my l i f e . The weather favoured me a l l the time I was away.- Sharp f r o s t y mornings, w i t h bright sunny days.Monday I spent at Yarramalong, v i s i t i n g . Tuesday I rode to Cabbage Tree, c a l l i n g at Dorringtons by the way & on Wednesday I rode home again, by Wyong, the entrance of the lake being impassable.- At Blue Gum F l a t , I found Robert Lang very i l l at Taylor's & arranged f o r him to go to H o s p i t a l per Steamer of yesterday, which he d i d . - Thursday morning I went to the Church to i n s p e c t , & spent the afternoon l e t t e r w r i t i n g . - Yesterday morning we a l l walked over to E:Gosford, expecting to meet the Miss D's there on thr way to Sydney, but they d i d not come.- I went to my class at Erina i n the afternoon.- Today at home Sermon w r i t i n g .

J u l y 1858. 13.

I had very good congregations at Gosford & Klncumbar on Sunday, but a gloomy, & rather rainy evening prevented any from assembling at E r i n a , so that I had no service there. Yesterday morning I went over to E:Gosford, & made a few c a l l s there, c h i e f l y I v i s i t e d Armitage, & had a long conversation w i t h him on the subject of h i s drinking propensity, but I f e a r , without leaving any impression behind me.- Today I have been over to Davis', v i s i t i n g a l l the branches of that family & t h e i r neighbours, - Found a f i n e batch of l e t t e r s on my return home, & among them one from E l i z a b e t h , w i t h a very urgent i n v i t a t i o n f o r me to go up & o f f i c i a t e at the wedding of Lucy, & I am rather puzzled how to answer i t .

14.

To Klncumbar again today - went to v i s i t Mrs.McKechnie, who i s recovering from severe i l l n e s s again, - & then had a nice c l a s s of young f o l k s at the Church - four new candidates f o r Confirmation, namely Edmd. Taylor, Henry Woodward, & two of Poole's daughters.

21.

Last Thursday - the 15th - I went f i r s t of a l l to Mr.Scott's, to get some cheques signed, c a l l e d at Mr.Mann's on my way back, then rode over to the Church, & spent the r e s t of the day l e t t e r w r i t i n g . On Friday morning I went out to Wilson's at T o r i g a l , & took Erina on my way back. On Saturday 1 went to the Sawmill to remind the good f o l k s there of the service the next evening. On Sunday I had a famous congregation at E Gosford the place being crowded.- I had a l s o a very good assemblage at t the Sawmill, & a f i n e Moonlight night to r i d e home. On Monday morning the two g i r l s accompanied me to the Steamer, where we expected to meet Mr. Blacket & h i s l i t t l e boy, but they d i d not come.- In the afternoon we a l l went & c a l l e d upon Mrs. Mann.- Yesterday morning I went over to the Church & found the B e l l Turret f i n i s h e d & the

July

1858.

21.

b e l l handing i n i t s place, & the S l a t e r j u s t f i n i s h i n g off h i s work.- We had a v i s i t from 3 of the Miss Scotts i n the afternoon.- Today 1 have been over to meet my Confirmation Class at Klncumbar, & paid a v i s i t to Scaysbrook, as w e l l . - We are now making preparations for a v i s i t to Singleton - Lucy's wedding i s to take place t h i s day week, & I am asked to go & perform the Marriage s e r v i c e . We have therefore arranged that Anne & the g i r l s go round by water, leaving t h i s per Black Swan next F r i d a y , while 1 s t a r t by land on Monday morning.

24.

Saturday n i g h t . - I went up to the church on Thursday morning, to inspect matters there & then spent the remainder of the day at home, l e t t e r w r i t i n g etc. Yesterday morning was occupied packing up & preparing for the journey to the Hunter. The weather threatened to be unfavourable i n the morning, & i t began r a i n i n g a l i t t l e , but before 12 o'c: i n ceased, & turned out a b e a u t i f u l afternoon.- I saw them a l l safe o f f per Black Swan at i p one & then walked up to E r i n a , where I had only George Jackson f o r my c l a s s . - Called & dined at Mr.Wm.Nunn's by the way.- Found George's arm progressing favourably.- This morning I went over to the church to pay the carpenters some money,- At home the rest of the day - pruned a few vines i n the afternoon.

August 1858. 2.

Monday.- Returned home at noon today, having accomplished my journey to Singleton i n the most s a t i s f a c t o r y manner.I l e f t home t h i s day week at 20m: to 8 am & reached Mount Vincent j u s t about Sunset. On Tuesday morning I proceeded to Singleton where, a f t e r a windy r i d e , I a r r i v e d about 4 P.M. & found them a l l w e l l . - Anne & the g i r l s

13.

August 1858 with Uncle F e r r i s , W i l l y & Harry, had reached there i n safety two days before me.- The Marriage ceremoney was duly solemnized on Wednesday morning, by the"Uncle of the Bride" (myself), a s s i s t e d by Mr.Blackwood.~ I t was most p r o p i t i o u s morning, & as the sun shone b r i g h t l y through the chancel window, upon the b r i d a l party, who quite f i l l e d the chancel, I thought i t emblematical of the b l e s s i n g of heaven upon the youthful couple. I t was a gay & j o y f u l ceremoney, such as I have never before taken part i n , or even witnessed. A goodly array of bridesmaids attended on dear Lucy no fewer than 9. i n c l u d i n g the baby, or youngest of her s i s t e r s , Marianne & Emily were also of the number,Mr. & Mrs.Wyndham were present, also Mr.Townshend, Uncle F e r r i s , Mr.Read, Cousin John & h i s wife & Mr.McKenzie, (soninlaw to Mr.Wyndham) & Mr.Chas.Wyndham.- Everything was w e l l arranged, & the ceremoney passed o f f admirably.When concluded, we a l l adjourned to the breakfast, which was a very sumptuous one & b e a u t i f u l l y arranged.Soon a f t e r twelve o'clock, John & Lucy set o f f i n a gig to Maitland, & Mr.& Mrs.Wyndham also took t h e i r departure - In the evening there was a b a l l & supper, to which several of the neighbours were i n v i t e d , as the Dangars, Larnacks, McDouall's,Collets, e t c . e t c . who swelled the party to about 50, & dancing continued t i l l about 3 o'clock. A l l p a r t i e s seemed highly g r a t i f i e d with the days proceedings, & I think none more so than myself, f o r the match which Lucy has made, i s a very excellent one i n every respect. John Wyndham being a great f a v o u r i t e with a l l who know him, &, which i s of chief importance, a sincere X t i a n . - I remained over Thursday at Singleton, &

August 1858 2.

accompanied Henry i n the afternoon to Mr.Dangars, t o see Miss Douglass, who has been l y i n g some weeks there with a broken l e g . She was s i t t i n g by her bedside, & was very glad to see me, though we are comparatively strangers, f o r I think I have only seen her once before.On Friday morning Townshend & I started together, & r i d i n g round by Cessnock, reached Mr.Whinfields at Wollombi about sunset. On Saturday I rode i n t o Mangrove Creek, & took up my abode at Chaselings. Yesterday morning, " L i t t l e N e l l " c o u l d not be found anywhere, so Chasellng l e n t me a horse to r i d e to the lower church & I arranged with Worley f o r a horse to bring me home today, but f o r t u n a t e l y " N e l l " came to l i g h t t h i s morning i n Richd. Ellem's paddock.I l e f t Chasellng's about 8 o'clock, & on reaching home at 5m: p: 12. saw the smoke of the "Black Swan" down the r i v e r , & had just time to w r i t e a h u r r i e d note to Singleton, to announce my safe a r r i v a l , & then get over i n time t o d e l i v e r i t to Captn. B r e t t . I found Mr.Blacket at the wharf, who had given the church a rapid i n s p e c t i o n , but to my s u r p r i s e , he was obliged to r e t u r n t o Sydney - I was much pleased however to f i n d that he quite approved of the b u i l d i n g . He pronounced i t a very good job, & said he could f i n d no f a u l t i n i t . - Thus have I been brought s a f e l y through my week's journeying, & am very thankful at f i n d i n g everything so s a t i s f a c t o r y as regards our church.-

Saturday night. My time has been a l l broken up i n t o small pieces t h i s week.- I never remember to have had such a s e r i e s of i n t e r r u p t i o n s . - This has been owing c h i e f l y t o my having

15.

August 1858. 7.

c a l l e d f o r Tenders to b u i l d a temporary church at Blue Gum F l a t . - Several p a r t i e s have been c a l l i n g to see the plans, e t c . - Last Monday Tuesday morning I went up to the church, & paid a v i s i t to Mrs.Powrie, who was very unwell.- In the afternoon I rode to Wyoming to see the Nunns. Sn-We Mr.Lette came that evening, & took a bed here. On Wednesday morning I took him over to see the new church, with which he was highly pleased, as a l l must be who see i t : & he very generously authorized me to put h i s name down f o r £5.subscription.- I remained at home that morning, with the exception of v i s i t i n g at Wm.Muddle's & Barron's, where there were s i c k c h i l d r e n . A f t e r dinner I rode up to E r i n a , to see how Miss Donnison was,& George, Found the l a t t e r out walking about & Miss D: rather b e t t e r . - At Mr.Wm.Nunn's too, the c h i l d r e n are a l l s i c k . - Thursday I was at home l e t t e r w r i t i n g , Friday morning, more l e t t e r w r i t i n g , & then, a f t e r dinner to Blue Gum F l a t , to meet the members of my Committee there, & show them the Tenders.- This morning I went up to the church, & s e t t l e d some of the church accounts, that i s , gave Mr.Booth £95, which paid o f f the Carpenters & a few other small debts, & there now remains above £100 i n hand, f o r the windows e t c .

21.

Saturday night & the events & doings of a f o r t n i g h t to be recorded - On Monday morning the 9th I rode over to Mr.Scott's,to gethfs h i s signature to some cheques, & had my confirmation class i n the afternoon. Tuesday being r a i n y , I remained at home l e t t e r w r i t i n g . Wednesday to Klncumbar - Thursday to Sawmill, taking tea at Wyoming on my return - Friday morning to T o r i g a l , afternoon class at E r i n a . - Saturday at home. Sunday, services as u s u a l , having a f i n e moonlight night home from the Sawmill. On Monday I took my departure per Black Swan f o r Sydney, but f i n d i n g such a

16.

August

1858

21.

high sea outside, & strong S:W: wind, the Captain very prudently put the v e s s e l about, & took refuge i n P i t t Water f o r the n i g h t . We started again about 5 A.M. on Tuesday & reached the Phenix wharf about i to 9. I found Anne & the g i r l s lodging at Mrs.Dixon's, i n Cumberland Place. I could not accomplish a l l my work, & was therefore compelled to come away leaving some undone.- We returned yesterday, with a very strong breeze from W:N:W, which, though very unpleasant I t s e l f , yet gave us a d e l i g h t f u l l y smooth sea f o r our short voyage. And here we are, a l l safe, sound, & snug again.- I went up to the Church t h i s morning to inspect matters there, & found a l l the seats f i x e d i n t h e i r places, & the g l a z i e r busy putting i n the windows 6 p a i n t i n g e t c . - From thence I rode to E r i n a , to see Rix's c h i l d , - s t i l l very i l l .

25.

Fine weather continues to favour us.- Sunday was a most d e l i g h t f u l day, the high westerly winds having abated, & I had good congregations at a l l places. Monday & yesterday were quite mild spring days, e s p e c i a l l y yesterday which was quite hot. I rode down as f a r as the G l t t l n s e s , & made a few other c a l l s by the way. On Monday morning I went up to the church. In the afternoon confirmation class at home.- To Klncumbar again today - v i s i t i n g i n the morning, & confirmation c l a s s at the church i n afternoon.

17.

October

1858.

High time, I think, to remember my j o u r n a l , which seems to have been quite forgotten f o r some weeks past. The a l l important event of Consecrating our new Church, with the necessary preparations f o r the ceremony, so completely engrossed my time & a t t e n t i o n , that 1 was obliged to l e t my journal sleep the while. Having s e t t l e d down again p r e t t y w e l l now, I w i l l endeavour to record a b r i e f o u t l i n e of the most important occurrences since I l a s t wrote.- About the 1st September Townshend, a r r i v e d , with a c a r t load of orange trees. He accompanied me to Mr.Lette's on Saturday the 4th, & seemed much pleased with h i s l o c a l i t y . 1 had my usual service on Sunday, the 5th, returning home at night, a f t e r the Wyong s e r v i c e . On Monday Townshend took the Steamer to Sydney & returned the following Friday. Next day, Saturday the 11th, he took h i s departure homeward; & I started away to Mangrove, to be ready to meet the Bishop, as appointed, on Monday morning,- I s l e p t at Chaselings on Sunday n i g h t , & e a r l y next morning rode up to the 10 mile hollow, where the Bishop met me at | p 8, accompanied by Mr,Bolton, who came on with us to take part i n the ceremony of consecrating the Church.- We had service at the Upper School, where 13 were confirmed, a f t e r which we had a f i n e r i d e of 5 hours home.- On Tuesday morning, the Bishop walked up w i t h me to inspect the Church, with which he seemed very much pleased,& over & over again during h i s stay with us, pronounced i t to be "a great work accomplished". On Wednesday we went over to Klncumbar, where we had morning service & 13 young people were confirmed. Called at E r i n a on the way home again. Thursday the 16th, was a day of days, never to be forgotten i n Brisbane Water,

October 1858. 5.

I suppose that I was not the only one In the Parish who 19 had prayed f o r a f i n e day, & we were favoured to the utmost, f o r I t could not possibly have been f i n e r . Not a cloud was to be seen i n the sky, & the westerly wind, which had been rather boisterous the two preceding days, seemed l u l l e d f o r the occasion, so that the scenery presented i t s most a t t r a c t i v e aspect, the calm broadwater r e f l e c t i n g the deep blue of the sky above & a l l the surrounding h i l l s looking as bright & smiling as i f they too, shared the joyous oeeaaion event. Mr.Boodle & Mr.Wayn had a r r i v e d from Morpeth & Hexham the previous evening. Long before eleven o'clock numbers had assembled at the Church & a l l the seats were soon f i l l e d . - Several p a r t i e s came over from Klncumbar, & among them I was glad to see the G l t t l n s e s . In order to make as much room as p o s s i b l e , most of the Candidates f o r Confirmation were arranged i n the Chancel. P r e c i s e l y at eleven o'clock the service commenced.- The Bishop, attended by The Revd Canon Boodle ( h i s Chaplain) & Mr.Bolton came round from the vestry to the porch, where Mr.Wayn & myself, & a number of the p r i n c i p a l residents were i n readiness to receive h i s l o r d s h i p . - Here the P e t i t i o n was presented by Mr.Scott, one of the Church wardens, & the Bishop handed i t to Mr.Harrison, a c t i n g R e g i s t r a r , who read i t out, & handed i t back to h i s l o r d s h i p . - The procession then entered the Church, & the i n t e r e s t i n g service proceeded.At the conclusion of the Nlcene Creed, the R i t e of Confirmation was administered to 26 young persons,- 16 g i r l s & ten boys. The scene must have been most i n t e r e s t i n g & imposing to a l l who witnessed i t , but to none so much so as to myself. Indeed the r e a l , s o l i d gra-

October 1858. t i f i c a t i o n which I experienced that day, i s f a r beyond my power to describe, & w i l l never be forgotten as long as the power of r e c o l l e c t i o n remains with me.The Bishop gave a b e a u t i f u l sermon, from Geneses.28-20-22 & afterwards the Holy Communion was administered to Seventy three Communicants, (Including the 5 c l e r g y ) , among whom were 25 of the young people who had just been confirmed, as w e l l as some of those confirmed the previous day at Klncumbar.- The Offertory c o l l e c t i o n amounted to ÂŁ.18-6-9.- By the time the service was concluded, i t was drawing towards 3 o'clock, & we immediately proceeded to the B u r i a l ground which the Bishop also consecrated. That done, we returned to the church, i n the neighbourhood of which a school feast had been provided, which afforded ample refreshment f o r a l l . - 1 suppose the number who assembled altogether could hardly have been l e s s than 250.- Having f i n i s h e d the proceedings with a Scamble of Sweetmeats among the c h i l d r e n , we returned to the Parsonage & at an e a r l y hour the next morning. The Bishop & h i s party ( i . e . Messrs.Boodle & Wayn) set out f o r Mount Vincent, having constable Gorman f o r t h e i r guide. I accompanied them as f a r as the new bridge beyond the Sawmill, & then b i d them a l l f a r e w e l l . - On Saturday I remained at home, preparing my opening sermon f o r the next day.- On Sunday the 19th had my three usual services with some increase at Klncumbar to the number of Communicants.- On Tuesday I went down to see Mr.McDonnell & t e l l him that the Bishop would, i n answer to h i s a p p l i c a t i o n , give him the appointment of Schoolmaster at C a s s i l i s .

CHRIST CHURCH CHURCH OF ENGLAND Peek's Point, East Gosford, 1858

ETCHING FROM BOYD & KING'S "FARMERS AND SETTLERS' GUIDE' BOOKLET, 1885

''February, 1855, 13, — I received a most satisfactory letter this evening from Mr, G, K, HOLDEN, telling me that the long lost Deeds of the Church land at East Gosford. had come to light at last having been mislaid all this time in his office''. ''November, 1857, 9, — This morning I , , . found Mr, BOOTH & his lad at work, so that when I came home I was able to announce to Annie & the children , , , 'The Church was Bemn' '\ "October, 1858, 5, — Thursday, the 16th, was a day of days, never to be forgotten in Brisbane Water , , , "Precisely at eleven o'clock the service commenced — the Bishop , , , came round from the vestry to the Porch , , . there the Petition was presented by Mr, SCOTT, one of the Church wardens, & the Bishop handed it to Mr, HARRISON, acting Registrar, who read it out & handed it back to his lordship".

Plate VIII

October 1858 The Miss Nunns accompanied me to the G i t t i n s e s . on Friday, the 24th, the people assembled, according to n o t i c e , to s e l e c t t h e i r seats i n the Church, & with the exception of one party, (Dr.Benson) a l l seemed s a t i s f i e d . - On both Sundays, the 19th & 26th the church was nearly f i l l e d , & on the l a t t e r day I administered the Sacrament to 43 comts - On Tuesday afternoon l a s t we a l l went up to c a l l at Wyoming.- On Wednesday 1 went to Klncumbar to v i s i t several p a r t i e s there. Thursday I remained at home l e t t e r w r i t i n g e t c . but i t was a day of unusual i n t e r r u p t i o n from v i s i t o r s . We were delighted to have a v i s i t from the G l t t l n s e s , who had not been here f o r a very long while. A f t e r dinner they walked up to c a l l at Wyoming.- The others who c a l l e d during the day were the Miss Donnisons, M r . S o i l i n g , & 4 of the Harrisons family. On Friday I set out about noon f o r Mangrove & reached Mr.Wheelers about dark. 1 hoped to have found h i s house habitable again, & that I might make i t my r e s t i n g place as before. I found my mistake however, f o r the f l e a s seemed determined I should have no r e s t so I d i d not attempt i t a second night, but f e l l back upon the comfortable & c l e a n l y r e t r e a t of the "Cross Keys." On Saturday I got one of Woodbury's boys, (Thomas) to row me down to the mouth of the creek, where I v i s i t e d Crumpton, Lewis, e t c . e t c . That night I t commenced r a i n i n g & has scarcely ceased since, Sunday was a very wet day. I had a congregation of 10 only i n the morning at the Lower Church, & the r a i n poured down so h e a v i l y i n the afternoon that I d i d not attempt to go to the Upper Church.- On Monday morning, yesterday, I married a young couple John Andrews & Sarah C r a f t , & about i p 12, mounted o l d M e t t l e , & a f t e r a disagreeable

October 5.

1858.

through the wet bushes, & along the sloppy road, was thankful to f i n d myself once more sungly housed w i t h i n the w a l l s of the Parsonage. Something however had disagreed with me during the day, & I was very sick before going to bed.' Today I have been doing a l i t t l e carpentering work, making two kneeling stools for the Communion Table of our Church.

22.

I should have mentioned the melancholy termination of the earthly career of one unfortunate member of my f l o c k - George Doel - who was a c c i d e n t a l l y k i l l e d by the overturning of h i s c a r t , as he was r i d i n g home i n i t on the night of the 6th September, I fear the words of h i s poor w i f e , which she spoke to me when I went to acquaint her with the t i d i n g s the following morning,, too t r u l y declare the cause of h i s untimely end. "Had he been sober, the accident would not have happened." 16.

[1]

Saturday night. Here i s another week s l i p t away, & l i k e most of i t s predecessors, has I fear not been very f r u i t f u l i n good works on my part. Monday being very wet I d i d not go out any where.- Sunday was a very rainy day a l s o , which caused very scanty congregations at both places.- The Punt at East Gosford being sunk, I had to r i d e round by E r i n a to Klncumbar, & so d i d not stay f o r evening service at E r i n a as I would not attempt to r i d e that bad road i n the dark.- On Tuesday I took a l i t t l e round, going f i r s t to Wyoming, & then by Mr.Mann's down to Mr.Scott's - As I crossed the punt at Fagan i n the dusk of the evening I discovered a b e a u t i f u l Comet i n the western sky. I t had been seen as I afterwards l e a r n t , on Monday evening. I t has appeared

Ge,on.ge. VOEL, aged 45,

BuXchzi of

Wyoming. Vlzd 6 Se,ptmbe.K

1S5S,

October 1858.

16.

every evening since, g e t t i n g higher & higher i n the sky & seems t r a v e l l i n g i n a S.E. d i r e c t i o n . I t i s a very c l e a r & d i s t i n c t Comet, though nothing equal to that which appeared i n March 1843.- On Wednesday. I went over to Klncumbar. Thursday at home l e t t e r wr+ttwrlting a l l day. - Yesterday morning over to E:Gosfd, afternoon to s i g singing c l a s s at the church - having commenced the Friday before to have a c l a s s , every Friday afternoon. Today I have been v i s i t i n g at Blue Gum F l a t & Sawmill.

19.

Got through my Sunday duties very w e l l , & had f a i r congregations, & a nice moonlight r i d e home from the Sdwmill.- yesterday morning I went to v i s i t Orpin, & then to the Steamer.- Miss Scott & Jane paid us a v i s i t i n the afternoon - a l s o Mrs.Rudkin came over to have a l i t t l e m u s i c - Today I have made a round of c a l l s i n the Klncumbar neighbourhood, commencing with Dr.Auld, & f i n i s h i n g with Poole. I had to run for i t coming home again, seeing a storm gathering i n the Westward. The r a i n began just as I crossed the Punt, & I got a good soaking before I reached home. November 1858.

Everything going on much as usual. On Wednesday the 20th went to Klncumbar i n the afternoon. Met Wm.Stephens (commonly c a l l e d "Mischievous") on the Klncumbar H i l l , who had somewhat to say to me on the subject of S:Piper, quite confirming a l l that had previously been made known to me by other p a r t i e s . On Friday, the 22nd the Miss Donnisons returned from Sydney per Steamer, Miss D: looking alarmingly i l l . On Saturday

November 1858. 4.

the 23rd I went to see Mr.Henderson, having discovered that he was one of the Trustees of E:Gosford Church. He seemed not a l i t t l e surprised when I t o l d him of i t , f o r he had never been made acquainted with the fact before. He seemed quite w i l l i n g however to a s s i s t i n anyway i n which he could be made u s e f u l I then went on to Davis's & got a l a d (A:Settree) to row me down to M r . G i t t i n s ' s . The purport of my v i s i t was to see a boat which I had obtained from Mr.McDonnell, & a s c e r t a i n from Mr.G: what r e p a i r s were necessary: that I might judge as to the propriety of keeping the boat or otherwise. As Mr,G:'s opinion was favourable to my keeping the boat 1 determined upon doing so, f o r I r e a l l y require one to enable me to reach some of my Parishioners across the water, whom I cannot otherwise v i s i t - A f t e r dinner, with the assistance of Charles & Mr.Homfray we brought the boat up t o Rock Davis's, with whom 1 have l e f t i t f o r the necessary r e p a i r s . - On Monday-.25th-5ffe a l l went up to see poor Miss Donnison, whom seemed very weak & i l l , but before we l e f t i n the evening she was a l i t t l e more l i v e l y . - Emily B a t t l e y , who was staying with us a t the time, accompanied us.A melancholy accident happened at the Sawmill that day - A young l a d , H:Smith by name, (step son of Cater's) was k i l l e d by the wheel of the timber carriage passing over him.- The f u n e r a l took place on Tuesday afternoon, & was very numerously attended.- On Wednesday afternoon 1 went to Klncumbar.- On Thursday a f t n . I went to see poor Mrs.Cater to condole with her upon the l o s s of her boy.- On Friday a f t n . 1 l e a r n t from Mr.Crawse, whom I met on my way to the singing c l a s s , that Ralph Wood had met with a serious accident, having got h i s shoulder broken by the overturning of h i s dray.Went to see him on Saturday evening - The Intervals of l a s t week were f i l l e d up, preparing

[1]

Hmntj SMITH, agtd 17, Laboufizi of OunJunbah SmmWi.

[2]

Wo entfiy of that name, found In ChuKck RtgiAteA foi

24.

[1] [2]

Vl<Ld 25 OctobeA 1858, builali.

November 1858. 4.

a Sermon which I Intended to have preached l a s t Sunday 25. on the subject of the proposed New Bishopric at Moreton Bay, but i i t turned out so rainy a day, that I postponed i t f o r another occasion, when I may hope f o r larger congregations. 1 went to the Sawmill f o r morning service & had a wet, disagreeable r i d e . - Monday, I was glad to see ushered i n w i t h a bright sun, f o r 1 had i n v i t e d my f l o c k to assemble f o r morning prayers & Communion at the church, & then adjourn to the school house f o r a meeting to e l e c t a Lay Representative to attend the forthcoming conference at Morpeth, on the 15th Deer. A good congregation of females attended, but only 5 adult males. I administered the Sacrament to 26 communicants, & a f t e r the service we adjourned to the Schoolhouse where 5 persons attended to take part i n the proceedings, namely Messrs.Harrison, Nunn,(Senr.), Scott (Senr.), Rudkin, & P a r t r i d g e , and Mr.Harrison was unaminiously chosen as the Lay Representative of t h i s D i s t r i c t . Last Tuesday we a l l went to spend the day at Wyoming. Anne r i d i n g N e l l y , & a l l the rest of us walking.- Yesterday morning soon a f t e r breakfast, Charles & A l e x a . G i t t i n s a r r i v e d i n t h e i r "dingy", the l a t e r having come to spend a few days with us.- In the afternoon I went out to v i s i t Wm.Creighton's family, & from thence on to Ralph Woods. Today I have been l e t t e r w r i t i n g e t c : - In the evening, a f t e r posting my l e t t e r s , I c a l l e d on Mr.Harrison, & thence went to see Orpin.

Yesterday morning went to the School & Steamer.- Afternoon to singing c l a s s . Mr.Hargraves came from Sydney per Steamer, and asked me to postpone my Intended v i s i t to h i s place, as there were scarcely any people there, & himself might be absent. Today I have been at home, preparing f o r my service tomorrow at Wyong & Yarramalong.A l f r e d Settree brought my boat

November 1858. 6.

13.

home today from Davis's, & I have moored her to a stake out i n f r o n t , Had a very pleasant r i d e to Wyong l a s t Sunday morning, & found my usual congregation assembled there. Mr.Osborne accompanied me to Mr.Lette's.- The day turned out exceedingly s u l t r y , & the appearance of a storm gathering i n the west, made us r i d e b r i s k l y up the creek: & before we reached Mr.Lette's s l i p r a i l , "The nimble l i g h t n i n g mix'd with showers began, and o'er our heads, loud r o l l i n g thunder ran." Five minutes l a t e r , & we shd. have been drenched i n the heavy storm which followed. On Monday morning, a f t e r walking round the wheat paddock, & paying M r s . H i l l a v i s i t , who was i l l i n bed, we rode down the creek again, c a l l i n g at Dorrington's & then, Mr.Osborne returning to h i s home, I struck o f f to Wyong, & went over to c a l l on Roland & Wilde, & came home that evening.On Tuesday I was c h i e f l y employed about my boat, c u t t i n g some stakes f o r mooring her e t c . I n the evening 1 made a t r i a l of her, taking Alexa. & the g i r l s across the water & back again. On Wednesday I went to Klncumbar, & on to the G l t t l n s e s . Thursday at home again, except a t r o t over t o East Gosford i n the morning.- I n the afternoon we a l l went i n the boat to c a l l on Mrs.Mann.Yesterday morning I took Alexa.,Marianne & Emily across to Point C l a r e , & found I could manage the boat p r e t t y w e l l by myself.- Singing c l a s s i n the afternoon, but owing to a cold I have upon me, I could not manage to sing very comfortably.- At home a l l today preparing for tomorrow's d u t i e s , e t c . etc. Rain has set i n again tonight & I fear a wet Sunday tomorrow.

26.

November 1858 Sunday, the 14th was very rainy i n the morning, from which cause I had only 14 at Gosford Church.- I had more at Klncumbar, as the weather Improved i n the afternoon. There being no punt at East Gosford, I had to go a l l round by E r i n a , & so had no evening service there.- Some time during the evening, the verandah room occupied by Alexa. & Marianne was entered, & Marianne's work box removed from the table & Alexa's brooch from the pincushion. The former 1 found on the ground outside, where i t had been dropped, but the brooch was c a r r i e d o f f . - On Monday morning I discovered that i t must have been a very j u v e n i l e offender, from the footmarks outside - Went over to the Steamer at noon. I r v l n was taking the cart over, but o l d Mettle thought proper to f a l l j u s t going up the h i l l from the swamp, & we had some d i f f i c u l t y to e x t r i c a t e him. He was not much hurt,- In the afternoon we walked over to the creek i n f r o n t of Mrs.Mann's to carry a b o t t l e of medicine which I obtained from Cap:Brett.^ On Tuesday I d i d not f e e l very w e l l , so stayed at home.- Wednesday to Klncumbar, going down to Davis', & c a l l i n g on Dr.Auld on the way back - Thursday afternoon I rode out to see Orpin, & then on to v i s i t Mrs.Anson, who i s i l l . On F r i d a y , Charles came up to take Alexa home, & was accompanied by E l l e n & Mr.Homfray.- They came to breakfast, & spent the day. Charles moored my boat f o r me - Singing c l a s s i n afternoon - On Saturday I went out to Chittaway to v i s i t the good f o l k s there, c a l l i n g at Blue Gum F l a t by the way & reminding them a l l of the c o l l e c t i o n to be made on Sunday night f o r the Moreton Bay B i s h o p r i c - Sunday being a b e a u t i f u l day I had good congregations at a l l places. On Monday the Nunns came from Wyoming & spent the day with us.

November 1858. 24.

Yesterday I was going to have a good day's v i s i t i n g at E r i n a , but i t came on so i n t e n s e l y hot, that I d i d not go beyond E:Gosford.- Today has been much h o t t e r . I have been over to Klncumbar today.December 1858.

Judging from the above w r i t i n g , & my having stopped short i n the t h i r d l i n e , I imagine that my besetting i n f i r m i t y of sleep must have overtaken me, & so prevented further progress. I had a very hot r i d e on that day, over to Klncumbar. I t was something of a hot N:W: wind, the thermo: reaching 93 i n our verandah.- A change of wind however came on during the night,.& i t was cool enough next day. I had good congregations on Sunday, both at Gosford & Klncumbar & c o l l e c t e d about ÂŁ6 f o r the Moreton Bay Bishopric endowment Fund. The weather became gloomy towards evening, & rained a l i t t l e so that I had but a small congregation at E r i n a , & a bad headache to boot. Monday was very rainy i n the morning, which prevented the Seat holders assembling to e l e c t Trustees, - Three only being i n attendance I adjourned the meeting f o r three weeks, t i l l Monday, the 20th i n s t . - On Tuesday I had a good r i d e , going f i r s t to v i s i t poor K i r k , at Klncumbar, who i s very poorly, & very poor w i t h a l . From thence I returned & took the road f o r Avoca, & then on to T o r i g a l , & so home by E r i n a , v i s i t i n g Mrs.Anson, & Orpin by the way. Wednesday I remained at home l e t t e r reading the report of the Church Conference i n Sydney. Yesterday a l s o , I was at home, except a short v i s i t to the

December 1858. 3.

11.

morning.- Having f i n i s h e d a l l my despatches f o r the 29. m a i l , I took the g i r l s out a l i t t l e way i n the boat about sunset, & we a l l enjoyed the b e a u t i f u l cool breeze upon the water. Today I have removed a burden which has been sorely pressing upon me f o r many months, that i s , I have been to v i s i t a l i t t l e sawyer v i l l a g e , fpr the f i r s t time, which I ought to have v i s i t e d long, long ago, but never could accomplish i t before.The place i s but a short distance from E r i n a , across what they c a l l the Bangelow Bridge.- I f i n d a c l u s t e r of 9 f a m i l i e s located there.- not new f a m i l i e s altogether, though 1 made some new acquaintances among them.I t r u s t I s h a l l not allow myself to be so long without seeing them again.- I dined a t Mr.Wm.Nunn's on the way out. and on my return found the two Miss Nunns here.1 took them out i n the boat f o r h a l f an hour about Sunset. - & now I must begin to pack my v a l i s e f o r Mangrove, i n order to make an early s t a r t tomorrow morning. Had a d r e a d f u l l y hot r i d e to Mangrove l a s t Saturday never f e l t i t so hot before, i n a l l my journeyings to that place.- I returned on Tuesday, having had 2 good congregations on Sunday, & having married a couple on Monday morning, & examined & feasted the school c h i l d r e n afterwards.- On reaching home, the f i r s t thing that greeted my ears was another death by drowning - Vincent Montgomery, down the r i v e r . The f u n e r a l took place on Wednesday evening.- On Thursday 1 went to v i s i t Mrs.Anson, Orpin, e t c . Yesterday, School examination a t E:Gosfd.- At home today, preparing for tomorrows d u t i e s , & my journey to Morpeth next week.

HJ [2]

[7J

Wo maiiJiagt mtfiy aX thout datz found In Chutch Ragl^toJi foi ma.fLila.gzi,.

[21

Vlnctnt Vouglaa MONTGOMERY, agtd 28, MailncA of BiiAbanz Watzi. Vltd 5 Vzcmbtfi 1858.

December 1858. 23.

[T]

On Sunday, the 12th I d i d not go to Erina i n the evening 30. owing to the r a i n , which came on just at the conclusion of afternoon service at Klncumbar, & so wetted my feet & l e g s , that 1 deemed i t imprudent to remain i n wet clothes & therefore came s t r a i g h t home. Mr.Harrison came by appointment, & breakfasted w i t h me at | p 5 on Monday morning, (13th) & we set out together on our journey to Morpeth. At Currumbong we stopped for about an hour at Geo:Stockdale's, where 1 baptized an infant i n a German family there. We then then proceeded to Mount Vincent, where we were entertained for the night with t h e i r accustomed h o s p i t a l i t y . Reached Morpeth next day between 1 & 2. I found Mr.Bode at the Bishops, come down to receive P r i e s t s Orders on Sunday. I took up my quarters at Mr.Boodle's where I met Mr.Coles C h i l d , Mr.Greaves & M r . N a s h . T h e next day our conference commenced, a f t e r Morning Prayers & Communion i n the church. There was a goodly assemblage of both Clergy & l a i t y . At the close cif the day's proceedings I accompanied Mr.Addams & Townshend to Paterson,^ f o r the night & we came i n to Morpeth again e a r l y next morning.- The subject of our Conference.the Synod B i l l - had been so thoroughly discussed i n Sydney that we had nothing hardly to do, but simply to adopt the B i l l , as amended by the Sydney Conference.We went through the b i l l clause by clause, w i t h a l i t t l e discussion upon some of them, & I was r e j o i c e d to f i n d that everything passed o f f most amicably, & by about 4 o'clock our business terminated. Mr.Harrison & I then got our horses & reached Mount Vincent about 8 o'clock. Next day, Friday, we had a cloudy day for our homeward journey, & making an e a r l y s t a r t reached home i n good time.

Gzoige. REIGLER, 6on of AndKzai, -, Laboumi of Canitmbong i Anna Walbou/tlng. Bom 8 OctobdA. 1858.

December 23 1858. 23.

On c a l l i n g at Turner's at Wyong Creek, I was sorry to l e a r n that Mrs.Tomllnson, a t the Sawmill had l o s t her l i t t l e g i r l during my absence,- I went i n to see her as I came by & found her sadly grieved at her l o s s , the c h i l d having been taken o f f rather suddenly, that i s with only a few days sickness.- I d i d not go out any where on Saturday but prepared f o r Sunday's d u t i e s . I t was a very hot day & I was thankful to be at home rather than t r a v e l l i n g from Mt.Vincent.Sunday was s t i l l h o t t e r , but I got through my long day's work, without much f a t i g u e . - On Monday morning I went up t o the Schoolhouse f o r the Meeting then & there appointed to be held f o r e l e c t i n g Trustees & a f t e r w a i t i n g an hour, & only three p a r t i e s attending, I closed the meeting by suggesting that i t should be l e f t to the Bishop to nominate three persons as Trustees, f o r i t seems hopeless to geti the Seatholders to meet f o r the purpose. On going down to the Steamer, I met Mr.Scott ( of Sawmill) & h i s Bride, just a r r i v e d from Sydney:- I n the evening we a l l went & c a l l e d on M r s . C o t t r i l l , who has been rather poorly the l a s t few days. On Tuesday I went out beyond E r i n a , t o v i s i t Orpin, Mr.Anson, & some other of the good f o l k s thereabouts & d i d not get back t i l l about 8 o'clock, & having passed the whole day (about 12 hours) without eating a mouthfull I f e l t the i l l e f f e c t s of i t yesterday. I was quite u n f i t t e d to day anything & therefore d i d not go to Klncumbar, as i t was my i n t e n t i o n to have done but s t a i d at home, & wrote a l e t t e r or two.-

Mo zntKy found In Chuich RtgLitZA. foi

builali.

January 1859An unpardonable f i t of p r o c r a s t i n a t i o n , & I fear I must add, downright l a z i n e s s , combined therewith, has been the occasion of t h i s long pause i n my j o u r n a l . But f e e l i n g a l i t t l e over-fatigued from a hard day's work yesterday i n the boat, 1 have decided upon remaining at home, instead of v i s i t i n g the Davises, as I purposed doing, & before doing anything e l s e , w i l l endeavour to record a b r i e f o u t l i n e of what has passed during the l a s t month. We had a very quiet Xmas time, as usual, the Misses Donnison came & took t h e i r Xmas dinner with us.- I paid my accustomed v i s i t to Yarramalong, Wyong, & Cabbage Tree, the f i r s t Sunday of the month. 1 began with morning service at Yarramag. & at the c o n c l u s i of the Wyong afternoon service set o f f f o r Cabbage Tree by a new route, (to me) passing Mr.Harrisons place at the mouth of Wallard Creek. Turner's Boy went with me as guide, but proved a very bad one, for he l e d me i n t o a soft boggy placeÂť & i t was as much as 1 could do to keep my seat while N e l l y plunged her way thro to shore. The boy was thrown o f f i n the water & had to wade through leading h i s horse.Not withstanding t h i s d i s a s t e r , however, 1 reached Mr.Hargraves by 7 o'clock, & had my t h i r d service there a f t e r changing my wet clothes, & refreshing myself with a cup of tea. I found Mr.Hargraves a good deal a f f e c t e d by the rather unexpected death of a young f r i e n d i n Sydney - the daughter of our old acquaintance "Tom Balcombe" - He i s very intimate with Balcombe's f a m i l y , & the death of t h i s young g i r l seemed to have made a deep impression upon him, & I was r e j o i c e d to f i n d i t was an impression i n the r i g h t d i r e c t i o n , f o r i t opened h i s eyes more p l a i n l y to discover the vanity of a l l e a r t h l y things & to lead him to view more c l e a r l y , the unspeakable importance of things e t e r n a l . I t gave me r e a l joy

January 26.

1859.

t o hear him make the e n q u i r y , "when do you a d m i n i s t e r the Sacrament a t G o s f o r d ? " & t o express h i s r e s o l v e t o come down, & p r e s e n t h i m s e l f , f o r the f i r s t time i n h i s l i f e a t the Lord's T a b l e . I l e f t him on Monday morning, & r e t u r n e d home, W i l l i a m accompanying me as f a r as F r o s t s , a t Tuggerah Beach. On F r i d a y the 7th, F e r r i s a r r i v e d per Steamer t o spend a few days w i t h us. Mr.Balcombe a l s o came down t o v i s i t Mr.Hargraves. D u r i n g the f o l l o w i n g week we made two attempts t o r e a c h M r . G i t t i n s ' by boat but d i d not succeed. The f i r s t day I was u n w e l l & o b l i g e d t o t u r n back & the next time the wind & sea began t o r i s e upon u s , & we judged i t prudent not t o v e n t u r e on.- On F r i d a y , the 14th, we a l l made a l i t t l e p i c n i c e x c u r s i o n t o T o r i g a l . The p a r t y c o n s i s t e d o f the H a r r i s o n & B a t t l e y f a m i l i e s , the M i s s Donnisons, Mrs.Wm.Nunn, & the M i s s Nunns.- The day was b e a u t i f u l & a l l enjoyed the p a r t y much.- On Sunday, the 16th on g o i n g t o Kincumbar, I found Mr.Hargraves & Mr.Balcombe j u s t mounting t h e i r h o r s e s a t L l o y d s , t o accompany me over t o Kincumbar, f o r the purpose o f p a r t a k i n g t h e r e o f the H o l y Communion, as they were b o t h t o d e p a r t f o r Sydney the next day. They came & took t e a here i n the e v e n i n g , but I c o u l d not remain t o r e c e i v e them, h a v i n g t o go t o the S a w m i l l The next day Uncle F e r r i s l e f t us per B l a c k Swan, & Kate Nunn, who had been s t a y i n g a f o r t n i g h t w i t h u s , a l s o r e t u r n e d home, l e a v i n g us q u i t e an empty house a g a i n . Tuesday was one o f those t e r r i b l e s c o r c h i n g days which ended i n a g r e a t storm o f Thunder, w i n d , & r a i n i n the e v e n i n g . I went t o B l u e G: F l a t l a t e i n the a f t e r n o o n , t o see how Boscombe was g e t t i n g on w i t h the b u l l d -

BUSCOMBE wai a. BuJUdoA, uiho had fitce.YiX.ly afifilvtd in the. The, family iA itlll >ie.pKe.6ente.d In the. dl^tfilct.

dl&tiijcX,

January 26.

1859.

t h e r e , & had t o scamper home a t a g r e a t r a t e t o a v o i d 34. the coming storm. Wednesday morning b e i n g wet I d i d not go to Kincumbar, but rode out on Thursday as f a r as McMaster. F r i d a y I went over t o steamer i n morning & i n the a f t e r n o o n resumed by s i n g i n g c l a s s a g a i n . Anne & the g i r l s accompanied me & we c a l l e d on Mrs.Benson. Saturday I remained a t home.- Monday morning 1 got my boat out o f the w a t e r , & c l e a n e d i t , & then gave i t a coat o f c o a l t a r p r e p a r a t o r y t o our Intended v i s i t t o the G i t t i n s e s , C h a r l e s , M i s s G: & A l e x a . were up here on Thursday l a s t & s a i d t h e i r Papa was v e r y i l l & D r . A u l d was a t t e n d i n g him, which made me more d e s i r o u s t o go down.- I asked John B a t t l e y to come & h e l p me p u l l , & r i s i n g y e s t e r d a y morning we s e t o f f a t i p a s t 6, & had a d e l i g h t f u l row o f I f hours r e a c h i n g t h e i r house a t 8 o ' c l o c k . To our s u r p r i s e we found t h a t Mr.& Mrs.G: had s a i l e d f o r Sydney j u s t about an hour b e f o r e we a r r i v e d . I t was at Dr.Auld's u r g e n t a d v i c e t h a t they took t h a t s t e p , & I t r u s t we s h a l l hear i n a few days t h a t he i s c o n v a l e s c e n t . We had a v e r y l a b o r i o u s p u l l home l a s t e v e n i n g , a g a i n s t a s t i f f N:E:er, & r a t h e r a lumpy sea i n the broadwater. We took 2| hours t o come what we a c c o m p l i s h e d i n l i i n the morning.- We had w i n d , t i d e , & sea a l l a g a i n s t us & not b e i n g used t o such h a r d work of l a t e I f e e l the e f f e c t s o f i t a l i t t l e today. Mrs.Anson d i e d on Monday the 10th & was b u r l e d on Wednesday the 12th & I was much g r i e v e d t o l e a r n from Anson, when I e n q u i r e d o f him the p a r t i c u l a r s n e c e s s a r y f o r the r e g i s t e r , t h a t they were Not M a r r i e d . HJ

J u d l l h BUFF, nmily 37, ol Eilna. Vltd 10 Janaaiy 1S59.

Lived

uJjth John kUSOU a SawyzK.

January

1859,

28.

R a i n y e s t e r d a y morning stopped me from g o i n g t o B l u e Gum F l a t , S a w m i l l e t c . as I had purposed d o i n g . I n the a f t e r n o o n I rode up as f a r as Wyoming t o make a few c a l l s i n t h a t neighbourhood.- T h i s morning I spent l e t t e r w r i t i n g , & a f t e r d i n n e r r e p a i r e d t o the Church f o r my s i n g i n g c l a s s , which was but a s m a l l one. On my way home c a l l e d t o see M r s . C o t t r i l l , who has been v e r y u n w e l l f o r the l a s t 7 weeks, & whom I have v i s i t e d 3 o r 4 times a week. She remains v e r y weak & low, - q u i t e unable t o g a t h e r s t r e n g t h . Mr H a r r i s o n ' s l i t t l e boy James, has been v e r y i l l a l s o f o r the l a s t f o r t n i g h t , w i t h a bad l e g , but they hope he i s now i n a f a i r way t o r e c o v e r .

29.

S t a r t e d t h i s morning, I n t e n d i n g t o v i s i t a l l the Blue Gum F l a t , Chattaway & S a w m i l l f o l k s , but a g r e a t thunderstorm came on when I was a t EiWaXmsley's, & by the time the r a i n ceased the day was too f a r advanced t o a c c o m p l i s h what I had i n t e n d e d , so I j u s t rode on t o see S t o c k d a l e , who had been a i l i n g f o r sometime p a s t , & then r e t u r n e d home a g a i n . - I was g l a d t o f i n d t h a t Boscombe had made c o n s i d e r a b l e p r o g r e s s w i t h the b u i l d i n g , h a v i n g put on the r o o f , & b a t t e n e d i t , & he seems t o be t a k i n g p a i n s w i t h h i s work, & d o i n g i t v e r y w e l l .

February 1.

1859

Sunday was a day not t o be f o r g o t t e n i n a moment, from the tremendous r a i n t h a t f e l l . - I t was p o u r i n g i n t o r r e n t s up t o about i p 8, j u s t the time f o r me t o s t a r t f o r my morning s e r v i c e a t the S a w m i l l , when i t h e l d up, so o f f I s e t , but when I got |IH8S p a s t Blue G: F l a t , i t came on a g a i n as h a r d as ever & c o n t i n u e d more o r l e s s the whole day. I was compelled t o s t r i p on coming home

35,

February 1859. 1.

& t h e n , p u t t i n g on my I n d i a Rubber b o o t s , walked through the water t o E:Gosford where I had, o f course a v e r y s c a n t y c o n g r e g a t i o n . The r a i n came on w i t h i n c r e a s e d v i o l e n c e towards t h e c o n c l u s i i o n o f the s e r v i c e , & c o n t i n u e d a l l the evening & n i g h t . - Y e s t e r d a y was v e r y r a i n y a g a i n , & a t n i g h t i t came on I n such s t y l e as I am sure I may say t h a t I never knew r a i n l i k e I t b e f o r e . I t was t r u l y f e a r f u l , & so t h a t up t o n e a r l y 12 o ' c l o c k , I h a r d l y f e l t i n c l i n e d t o go t o bed. I f i t has been a g e n e r a l r a i n , & I have every reason t o b e l i e v e i t has, & has been as heavy i n o t h e r p l a c e s , I f e a r we s h a l l hear o f t e r r i b l e d i s a s t e r s from f l o o d s , a l s o o f shipwrecks a t sea, f o r i t blew v e r y h a r d from S:E: l a s t n i g h t & t h i s morning. Cottrill came over t h i s morning & s a i d t h e f l o o d has c a r r i e d away p a r t o f h i s f e n c e , & James Crane's. I went out y e s t e r d a y a f t e r n o o n t o v i s i t M r s . C o t t r i l l & see how M r . H a r r i s o n s l i t t l e boy was g e t t i n g on, & found them b o t h , a p p a r e n t l y i m p r o v i n g . Today I have not been out anywhere, as t h e ground i s so o v e r f l o w i n g w i t h w a t e r , & n o t h i n g v e r y urgent t o c a l l me abroad.Both y e s t e r d a y & today I have been busy making up my church accounts & s q u a r i n g them o f f . Caught a l i t t l e g i r l i n the garden h e l p i n g h e r s e l f t o q u i n c e s y e s t e r d a y a f t e r n o o n , (daughter o f Conroy, t h e R:C: Schoolmaster) We a r e c o n t i n u a l l y b e i n g robbed o f our f r u i t , & I f e a r t h i s same l i t t l e g i r l i s a f r e q u e n t v i s i t o r t o o u r garden.

Some heavy showers o f r a i n a g a i n today, so I d i d n o t venture o u t , but spent the day l e t t e r w r i t i n g , r e a d i n g , & p r e p a r i n g my sermon f o r next Sunday a t Mangrove Creek.

A f t e r Sunday d e t e n s i o n s between t h i s & E.Gosford, I c o n t r i v e d t h i s a f t e r n o o n t o make my way a c r o s s Kincumbar H i l l t o the 'School, & r e t u r n e d by way o f E r i n a , t o see how the M i s s Donnisons f a r e d a f t e r t h e r a i n . I l e a r n t t h a t t h e f l o o d had been v e r y severe

36.

February

1859.

i n t h e i r neighbourhood, d o i n g c o n s i d e r a b l e damage t o the l i t t l e gardens e t c . A few d r i z z l y showers have f a l l e n today, but the weather g i v e s promise o f c l e a r i n g up.

A d e l i g h t f u l b r i g h t sunny day d g a i n , & I have been out the whole day. Having l e a r n t from Mrs.Swadling l a s t evening t h a t Mrs.Wrights baby was v e r y i l l , I went out t o see i t , - v i s i t i n g M r s . C o t t r i l l f i r s t , & l i t t l e James H a r r i s o n , both o f whom were much the same as y e s t e r d a y - the l a t t e r , seemingly b e t t e r . I found Mrs.Wrights c h i l d e v i d e n t l y v e r y p o o r l y , but am not w i t h o u t hopes i t may r e c o v e r . I v i s i t e d a l l the people i n t h a t l i t t l e v i l l a g e , & by the time I had got through them a l l , i t was n e a r l y s u n s e t . - 1 must now prepare f o r Mangrove Creek t o which I s t a r t tomorrow.Worley came down t h i s e v e n i n g , & gave a s o r r y account o f the u n f o r t u n a t e c r e e k , which has s u f f e r e d s e v e r e l y from f l o o d .

15.

I had t h r e e v e r y h o t days i n Mangrove c r e e k , Monday I rode q u i t e t o the t o p o f the c r e e k , as f a r as Gould's found o l d M r . B a r r y v e r y i l l , seemingly b r e a k i n g up a l t o g e t h e r . Tuesday I spent w a l k i n g about the lower p a r t o f the c r e e k , & was almost r o a s t e d , not w i t h s t a n d i n g the shade o f an u m b r e l l a , I t r i e d t o c o l l e c t f o r the C l e r g y S t i p e n d Fund but c o u l d o n l y get ÂŁ2-2-6. I found the f l o o d had g i v e n them a severe s c o u r g i n g a g a i n , & I f e a r has d e s t r o y e d a g r e a t d e a l o f t h e i r c o r n . - I r e t u r n e d on Wednesday by the S a w m i l l , the f l o o d h a v i n g c a r r i e d away the b r i d g e , & so stopped my u s u a l r o a d . On Thrusday I d i d not go o u t , save to v i s i t M r s . C o t t r i l l , & c a l l a t Mona V a l e e t c . I was g l a d t o f i n d t h a t the H a r r i s o n s had t a k e n t h e i r l i t t l e boy up t o Sydney, by Dr.Auld's recommendation. On F r i d a y morning, a f t e r w r i t i n g a few l e t t e r s , I went t o

37.

February 1859. 15.

[1]

t h e Steamer, & i n the a f t e r n o o n t o the s i n g i n g c l a s s & when t h a t was over I went t o t r y & see Mr.Venteman, who I was g r i e v e d t o hear had g i v e n h i m s e l f up t o drinking, & i s fast hurrying himself to destruction. I c o u l d n o t see him t h e n & Mrs.V: a d v i s e d me t o come the f i r s t t h i n g i n t h e morning, t h a t b e i n g the most l i k e l y time t o f i n d him s o b e r . - I went o v e r , t h e r e f o r e , b e f o r e b r e a k f a s t on S a t u r d a y , but he was not up.I made a second attempt a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , but found he had gone o u t . A g a i n , towards evening made another a t t e m p t , & found him a t home, but never was I more shocked than by f i n d i n g t h e d e p l o r a b l e c o n d i t i o n i n t o w h i c h t h e poor man has f a l l e n . He seems indeed t o be f a s t t i e d & bound i n the c h a i n s w h i c h Satan has succeeded on w i n d i n g round him. A l l r e l i g i o n gone, the B i b l e s c o f f e d a t , & b e l i e f i n a f u t u r e s t a t e d i s c a r d e d . And w i t h a l d e s c r i b i n g h i m s e l f as p e r f e c t l y happy, & t h a t he d i d n o t i n t e n d t o l e t a n y t h i n g t r o u b l e him any l o n g e r . - He s a i d he knew he s h o u l d n o t l a s t l o n g & t h e n t h e r e would be an end o f him. F i n d i n g i t q u i t e i m p o s s i b l e t o make any i m p r e s s i o n upon him, & t h a t my t a l k i n g o n l y seemed t o i r r i t a t e & anger him, I withdrew, & can o n l y adopt t h e words o f Samuel & s a y , "God f o r b i d t h a t I s h o u l d s i n a g a i n s t t h e L o r d , by c e a s i n g t o pray f o r him." t h a t h i s eyes may y e t be opened t o see t h e a w f u l danger o f h i s p o s i t i o n , & h i s h e a r t t u r n e d back a g a i n t o seek the L o r d , w h i l e y e t he may be found. We had a v e r y n i c e day on Sunday, & my t h r e e p l a c e s were w e l l a t t e n d e d . On Monday morning, I took the two g i r l s up t o Wyoming, & l e f t them t h e r e , t o spend t h i s week w i t h t h e Nunns. I made one o r two c a l l s I n t h e neighbourhood &

S e e zntiy

In Qononoji'^ Book,

[1]

February 1859. 15.

i n t h e a f t e r n o o n went t o see M r s . C o t t r i l l , & t o g e t t h e l e t t e r s from t h e post o f f i c e . The M i s s Donnisons came i n t h e e v e n i n g t o spend a day o r two w i t h u s . Today I rode down t o M y r t l e Grove, t o see whether M r . G i t t i n s had r e t u r n e d , & how he was, & was v e r y g l a d t o see him a t home a g a i n , & l o o k i n g so w e l l . A f t e r d i n n e r I went on t o c a l l on Mrs.Joyce. Charles took me down i n t h e b o a t , so t h a t N e l l y had a good r e s t & a good f e e d o f g r a s s b e s i d e s . - Captn.Joyce r e t u r n e d from Sydney w i t h h i s v e s s e l w h i l e we were t h e r e . They a r e r a t h e r i n c o n f u s i o n a t p r e s e n t , b u i l d i n g t h e i r house, but when a l l i s f i n i s h e d , they w i l l be snug enough. They have o n l y two l i t t l e boys.- one about 12, & t h e o t h e r 7.

16.

A t home a l l day - f e e l i n g n o t v e r y w e l l . The M i s s Donnisons l e f t us t h i s e v e n i n g , & we walked w i t h them a l i t t l e way, & then t u r s e d i n t o see M r s . C o t t r i l l who keeps much i n the same s t a t e .

17.

Wet weather a g a i n - r a i n i n g h a r d the g r e a t e r p a r t of t h e day - e c l i p s e o f t h e moon t h i s e v e n i n g , b u t b e i n g c l o u d y & r a i n y we c o u l d n o t see i t - Wrote a l o n g l e t t e r t o Mr.Greenway today, i n r e p l y t o one t h a t I r e c e i v e d from him the o t h e r day.

19.

Went up t o Wyoming t h i s evening & brought t h e g i r l s home a g a i n . The c r e e k s were a l l r u n n i n g p r e t t y h i g h , but they managed t o g e t over on l o g s .

39.

February 1859. 21.

While on t h e wharf t h i s morning, a t the a r r i v a l o f the Steamer, I l e a r n t t h a t Woodward, o f Kincumbar d i e d suddenly l a s t n i g h t . He was i n Church y e s t e r d a y morning w i t h h i s w i f e & f a m i l y & went t o bed q u i t e w e l l but was t a k e n i l l about h a l f an hour a f t e r , & d i e d w i t h i n an hour. He had been s u f f e r i n g f o r sometime, & was under m e d i c a l treatment f o r d i s e a s e o f t h e h e a r t , & I am t o l d was forewarned t h a t he might be c a l l e d away suddenly. H i s l a s t day i n t h i s w o r l d was a t a l l events spent s a t i s f a c t o r i l y , but i t would have been more so had he & h i s w i f e remained t o t h e Sacrament. I n t h e a f t e r n o o n I went out t o v i s i t Seaman's & W a l l b r i d g e s families

22.

Went over t o Kincumbar t o bury Woodward. A g r e a t many a t t e n d e d t h e f u n e r a l . On my way back c a l l e d to see O r p i n , who i s g e t t i n g much b e t t e r , b e i n g now a b l e t o walk about a l o n e . - V i s i t e d a l s o Mr.WVentemans Sawmill establishment.

23.

Went t h i s a f t e r n o o n t o i n s p e c t t h e b u i l d i n g a t Blue G: F l a t , & c a l l e d a t Wamsley's. He had j u s t r e t u r n e d from Wyong Creek where Mr.Nunn had met w i t h some d i f f i c u l t y in crossing.

24.

Spent t h i s day a t Kincumbar, c a l l i n g f i r s t on M r s . A u l d , & MrS.Woodward, & t h e n went t h e round o f t h e D a v i s e s .

25.

A t home.

26. 28.

Steamer i n t h e morning, s i n g i n g c l a s s a f t e r n o o n .

-do - p r e p a r i n g f o r tomorrows d u t i e s . My s e r v i c e s as u s u a l y e s t e r d a y . T h i s morning I made a few c a l l s c l o s e a t home, endeavouring t o c o l l e c t f o r t h e C l e r g y S t i p e n d Fund. T h i s , I am s o r r y t o say, w i l l f a l l v e r y s h o r t t h i s y e a r . I n the a f t e r n o o n , a f t e r going t o see M r s . C o t t r i l l , & c a l l i n g t o see M r . H a r r i s o n , I rode up t o t h e wharf a t Wyoming t o i n s p e c t some windows, w h i c h

Jame.6 WOOVWARV, aged 56, Famen. i Scwjyzi VJieA 20 Tehiaaiy 1SS9.

Cockle.

Cieek.

February 1859. 28.

came per U n c l e Tom f o r t h e Blue G r F l a t Church, but found not a t a l l the t h i n g , so must send them back again. March

Went t o Blue Gum F l a t i n the morning t o see whether t h e r e was any p o s s i b i l i t y o f making t h e windows answer, but found t h e r e was n o t , so on my r e t u r n 1 wrote a note t o M r . J o l l y , s t a t i n g my i n t e n t i o n o f r e t u r n i n g them by the v e s s e l & towards evening took my note on board the U n c l e Tom, a t anchor o f f the mouth o f the c r e e k , g i v i n g the g i r l s thus a l i t t l e " a q u a t i c excursion."

To t h e s c h o o l i n t h e morning, c a l l i n g a t M r . B a t t l e y * s by t h e way t o I n v i t e Mrs .-Park t o come &.dlne w i t h u s , & b r i n g some o f t h e g i r l s w i t h h e r . - She & E m i l y came & John came i n t h e e v e n i n g t o e s c o r t them home; but a g r e a t thunderstorm coming on i n t h e a f t e r n o o n , & the r a i n c o n t i n u i n g a t n i g h t , we made them up beds, & k e p t them h e r e .

Went over t o E a s t G o s f o r d t h i s morning t o see Mr.McDonell, a s t o r e k e e p e r t h e r e , who a day o r two ago, (while s u f f e r i n g , 1 imagine, under an a t t a c k o f " D e l i r i u m Tremens") attempted t o d e s t r o y h i m s e l f by c u t t i n g h i s t h r o a t , b u t most p r o v i d e n t i a l l y , d i d n o t succeed. I had never c a l l e d upon him b e f o r e , though he has been some months i n the d i s t r i c t ; but h e a r i n g o f t h i s d r e a d f u l crime he had committed, I took t h i s s p e c i a l o c c a s i o n t o I n t r o d u c e m y s e l f , w i t h a hope o f b e i n g s e r v i c e a b l e t o him.- I found him up, & about i n the house, & he was e v i d e n t l y g l a d t o see me. On the whole I was p l e a s e d w i t h the s t a t e o f mind I n w h i c h I found him. He e x p r e s s e d h i m s e l f q u i t e s e n s i b l e o f the g r i e v o u s o f f e n c e he had been g u i l t y o f , & v e r y

41.

March

1859

g r a t e f u l t o the A l m i g h t y f o r f r u s t r a t i n g the w i c k e d attempt he had made upon h i s l i f e . He acknowledged t h a t Intemperance was the cause,- t h a t he had been d r i n k i n g i n Sydney, & r e t u r n i n g home s u f f e r i n g from the e f f e c t s of h i s l a t e debauch, h i s d i s t u r b e d mind & i n t e l l e c t made him view h i s l i t t l e w o r l d l y t r o u b l e s as t h r o u g h a m i c r o s c o p e . & hence he was d r i v e n t o the r a s h a c t . He e x p l a i n e d t o me t h a t though not an h a b i t u a l t i p p l e r f o r he c o u l d r e f r a i n aitogether from-liqaor f o r months t o g e t h e r from i n t o x i c a t i n g d r i n k s , y e t i f he were ever tempted t o take but one g l a s s , i t c r e a t e d an i r r e s i s t i b l e c r a v i n g f o r more, w h i c h q u i t e mastered him, & t h e r e f o r e he e a r n e s t l y begged me t o a d m i n i s t e r the t o t a l a b s t i n e n c e pledge. I had some c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h him on the s u b j e c t , l e a d i n g him t o view the pledge e n t i r e l y i n a r e l i g i o u s l i g h t , not as p o s s e s s i n g any charm or v i r t u e i n i t s e l f , but r a t h e r as a remembrancer, c a l l i n g t o mind t h a t most solemn pledge - h i s B a p t i s m a l vow - & f i n d i n g he q u i t e c o i n c i d e d w i t h the views I e x p r e s s e d , a f t e r r e a d i n g a s h o r t passage from S t . P a u l ' s Ep. t o E p e s i a n s VI.10 e t c . & p r a y i n g w i t h him, I l e f t him, p r o m i s i n g t o come a g a i n i n the evening & a d m i n i s t e r the p l e d g e , w h i c h I a c c o r d i n g l y d i d , i n the form p r o v i d e d by our Church S o c i e t y . I have g r e a t r e a s o n t o hope t h a t the L o r d , who so f r e q u e n t l y b r i n g s good out of e v i l , w i l l cause the w o n d e r f u l & m e r c i f u l escape he has j u s t had, t o awaken & r e c l a i m t h i s poor wandering s i n n e r , & b r i n g him back a g a i n t o the f o l d from w h i c h he has so w i d e l y s t r a y e d .

Went over t o Kincumbar today t o bury a l i t t l e c h i l d , (George P a r r y ' s l i t t l e g i r l ) who d i e d q u i t e suddenly [1] y e s t e r d a y morning. Made a few c a l l s a l s o i n the neighbourhood.

At home a l l the morning. I n the a f t e r n o o n I went t o v i s i t M r s . C o t t r i l l & t h e n on t o see Mr.Venteman, who had a f a l l from h i s h o r s e l a s t e v e n i n g on Gorman's b r i d g e , & c u t h i s head v e r y s e v e r e l y , but i t seems f o r t u n a t e l y t o be o n l y a f l e s h wound.

Alice. Ann PARRY, Klncumbeji, age.d 7 ytai 9 months, tht 0^ Ge.on.ge. -, SkomakeA, Vied 3 MaKck 1859,

daughteA

42.

March 1959. 6.

(Sunday) L e f t home e a r l y i n t h e morning f o r Wyong, where I had but a s m a l l c o n g r e g a t i o n . Having r e c e i v e d a l e t t e r from M r . L e t t e begging me t o pass them by t h i s t i m e , owing t o M r s . L e t t e ' s i n d i s p o s i t i o n , I went on from Wyong t o Cabbage T r e e , c a l l i n g and d i n i n g a t John Osborne's. 1 found Edward Hargraves o n l y a t home, h i s f a t h e r b e i n g i n Sydney. Had evening s e r v i c e s w i t h t h e houshold & a r r a n g e d f o r a morning s e r v i c e next day, f o r t h e b e n e f i t o f t h e f i s h e r m e n a t "Canton", who c o u l d n o t come t h a t f a r a t n i g h t .

Had a n i c e l i t t l e c o n g r e g a t i o n i n t h e verandah a t 9 A.M. w i t h the a d d i t i o n o f two f i s h e r m e n , & t h e w i f e & daughter o f one o f them. They a l l seemed v e r y a t t e n t i v e , & pleased w i t h the opportunity of a t t e n d i n g p u b l i c w o r s h i p . A f t e r the s e r v i c e , Edward & I mounted o u r h o r s e s & t a k i n g James Freeman f o r a g u i d e , rode 14 m i l e s t o v i s i t Taafe's f a m i l y on t h e border o f Lake Macquarie. The day was b e a u t i f u l i n the extreme, & I don't know when I have enjoyed a days r i d e so much. Lake Macqe. i s a v e r y b e a u t i f u l sheet o f water & coming back we took t h e p a t h a l o n g t h e t o p o f t h e range by which we had o c c a s i o n a l g l i m p s e s o f the " g l a d waters o f the deep b l u e s e a . " I found Edward a v e r y a g r e e a b l e companion. He seems a v e r y goodnatured, s e n s i b l e , w e l l disposed youth.

Came home round by reedy f l a t & Wyong & had r a t h e r a l o n g day's r i d e , i : e : I was a l o n g time on the r o a d , & so v e r y t i r e d when I came i n .

Ash Wednesday.- Morning s e r v i c e i n t h e c h u r c h . - A t home a f t e r n o o n .

10.

Went t o Kincumbar, & v i s i t e d Mrs.Kearnes, whom I found r e c o v e r i n g n i c e l y from h e r l a t e i l l n e s s - a l s o went t o see M r s . P a r r y & h e r n e i g h b o u r s .

11.

To Steamer i n morning - s i n g i n g c l a s s ( a v e r y poor one) a f t e r n o o n . I went t o see Sarah Swadllng a l s o , who came from Sydney p e r Steamer, w r e t c h e d l y i l l , t o t r y t h e e f f e c t o f change

43.

March

1859.

11.

o f a i r . She i s s t a y i n g w i t h Mr.Mcintosh

at present.

12.

A t home a l l the morning, went to E r G o s f d . i n a f t e r n o o n t o c a l l on Mr.McDonell; a l s o v i s i t e d P a r t r i d g e & c a l l e d on Mrs.Jas.Spears.

13.

(S) Three v e r y good c o n g r e g a t i o n s today;- b a p t i z e d 2 i n f a n t s a t Kincumbar & one a t E r i n a .

14.

R a i n y day. I n the morning I went t o v i s i t Sarah S w a d l i n g , & l o o k e d i n upon M r s . C o t t r i l l on my way back. She seems t o g a t h e r s t r e n g t h v e r y s l o w l y , but I t h i n k i s g r a d u a l l y improving.

15.

Had a l o n g day v i s i t i n g a t Blue Gum F l a t & the S a w m i l l . D i d not come i n t i l l p a s t 8 o ' c l o c k , h a v i n g been more t h a t 12 hours w i t h o u t e a t i n g . - Won't do.

16.

R a i n y day. D i d not go day sermon w r i t i n g .

17.

Showery day. A t home a l l the morning, a f t e r n o o n went t o see M r s . C o t t r i l l & Sarah S w a d l i n g , b o t h o f whom I t h i n k a r e i m p r o v i n g g r a d u a l l y . The M i s s Donnisons c a l l e d f o r a few minutes;- Thus b e i n g S t . P a t r i c k s day, the people have been amusing themselves w i t h horse r a c e s , some of the e v i l a t t e n d a n t s of which were p a i n f u l l y f o r c e d upon my a t t e n t i o n as I r e t u r n e d home. I n one p l a c e P i g g o t t & h i s w i f e were r o l l i n g i n the mud i n the middle o f the r o a d , & Barber the b l a c k s m i t h I found l y i n g i n the g u t t e r i n f r o n t of my own door.

18.

Rode up t o Mangrove t o perform the f u n e r a l s e r v i c e over M r s . A t k i n s , who d i e d t h e r e on Monday l a s t . Had a v e r y d i s a g r e e a b l e r i d e , owing t o heavy r a i n which f e l l soon a f t e r I s t a r t e d , & k e p t my f e e t wet the whole way. Remained w i t h Mr.Wheeler t h i s t i m e , but got no s l e e p a l l n i g h t owing t o the f l e a s . & had a bad headache i n t o the b a r g a i n .

19.

The F u n e r a l o f M r s . A t k i n s took p l a c e soon a f t e r e l e v e n , A:M; so t h a t i t was near one o ' c l o c k b e f o r e I c o u l d get away. Had a b e a u t i f u l a f t e r n o o n f o r my homeward ride.

21.

My c o n g r e g a t i o n s y e s t e r d a y were s m a l l , t h o ' t h a t a t the S a w m i l l was t o l e r a b l e com

out any where, but spent the

Wo enZfiy (,oand In ChuKch RzgLit&K

ioK

Ann ATKJHS, aged 39, 0|$ MangKove. Cittk, Vldd U Match 1859.

bapt-Umi. wL^e. oi Thomai -, famnn..

March 1859. 21.

pared w i t h those I have l a t e l y had t h e r e . - Today Mary Townshend a r r i v e d p e r Steamer, t o spend a s h o r t time w i t h us.- I r e c e i v e d a l e t t e r from Mr.Manning a c q u a i n t i n g me o f an a l t e r a t i o n i n the Steamer's t r i p s f o r t h e f u t u r e . She i s t o come r e g u l a r l y every Monday.

22.

A t home a l l the morning - A f t e r d i d I went t o pay a v i s i t t o Old Warburton, who i s f a i l i n g a good d e a l now from age, & i s almost p a s t work a l t o g e t h e r . - I a l s o v i s i t e d some o f h i s n e i g h b o u r s , whom I had n o t seen f o r sometime.

23.

Went over t o Kincumbar today t o see Mrs.Ward who had requested me t o c a l l upon h e r . She had some c o m p l a i n t s to make o f Mr.Lane, & w i s h e d me t o g i v e him a check as she termed i t , b u t a t t h e same time d e c l i n i n g t o make any s p e c i f i c charge a g a i n s t him. I could only p o i n t o u t t o h e r the i m p o s s i b i l i t y i6 o f r e p r o v i n g a p e r s o n u n l e s s I were made a c q u a i n t e d w i t h the f a u l t s he had committed. On s p e a k i n g t o Mr.Lane a f t e r w a r d s & h e a r i n g h i s s i d e o f t h e s t o r y , I c o u l d c l e a r l y see t h a t the whole a f f a i r was the o f f s p r i n g o f some b a c k b i t i n g , t i t t l e t a t t l i n g busybody, s t r i v i n g t o make m i s c h i e f among n e i g h b o u r s . From Wards, I went a c r o s s the water to P o o l e ' s , f o r t h e purpose o f a s k i n g whether they would a l l o w one o f t h e i r daughters t o go t o s e r v i c e : h a r d l y e x p e c t i n g they would. But though a t f i r s t Mrs.Poole s a i d she c o u l d n o t spare one them, E l i z a , the g i r l I had i n v i e w , expressed a g r e a t d e s i r e t o come. T h e i r f a t h e r b e i n g i n Sydney, i t was agreed t o w a i t f o r h i s r e t u r n & c o n s u l t him i n the m a t t e r .

24.

Began t h i s day w i t h a wedding, R o b e r t Wm.Taylor, one o f the c a r p e n t e r s engaged i n b u i l d i n g the c h u r c h , was t h e f i r s t t o be m a r r i e d i n i t . Being the f i r s t marriage

45.

[]]

24 Ma^c/i ?^59, oJi CknUt Chuich, Ea6t Goiloid, RobznX WllUm TAYLOR, 28, BachzZoi. Bom at Appltby, County ol Wtitmotzland, Caiptnttn., o^ GtLU(iOn.d, UppoA ?ateA6on - 6on o^ RobsAt -, ButchsA i, Innkttpm, and Annie. [THOMPSON] dzctaitd - and Maty Jane. BROOKS, 28, Spln6te.fi. Bom at MafUock, SomeKietiklfie., England, SeAvant, oi Nafcafia Cittk, Bfilibane. Wattfi - daughteji o^ Samuel -, Laboufiex, dtceaizd, and Elizabeth [SULLJVAt^]. Wltne.66e.6: Jame.6 HASLZHGS and Eliza

BROOKS.

March 1859. 24.

i n X t Church, Marianne & E m i l y accompanied me t o w i t n e s s i t , w i t h Mary Townshend a l s o . On o u r way home we c a l l e d on Mrs.Capper, t o see a n i c e p i c t u r e she has o f Wrexham Church, & o t h e r views i n t h a t neighbourhood, w i t h w h i c h Mary i s w e l l a c q u a i n t e d . T h i s a f t e r n o o n , a f t e r making a new back board t o t h e seat o f t h e b o a t , I took t h e t h r e e g i r l s a c r o s s t h e water t o Mr.Holdens o l d p l a c e & we walked on as f a r a s P o i n t C l a r e , t o get a s i g h t o f t h e Banana p l a n t a t i o n , b u t d i d n o t go t o t h e house as i t was t o o l a t e .

25.

P a i d a v i s i t t o M r s . C o t t r i l l i n t h e morning. A f t e r n o o n t o t h e s i n g i n g c l a s s , o r r a t h e r t o t h e Church, t o f i n d no c l a s s t h e r e . , f o r o n l y Mrs.Mcintosh & Mrs.Rudkin a t t e n d e d . - On t h e way home I met t h e B a t t l e y p a r t y g o i n g , b u t they were n e a r l y an hour b e h i n d t h e t i m e . Found Mrs.Nunn & Kate here when I r e t u r n e d , & when they had gone, I dug up a few b u l b s i n t h e garden, t o send by T a y l o r next week t o Mary Anne.

26.

A t home sermon w r i t i n g & l e t t e r w r i t i n g . - Took a l i t t l e w a l k o u t i n t h e evening w i t h Mary Townshend & t h e g i r l s .

28.

Good c o n g r e g a t i o n a t G o s f o r d y e s t e r d a y morning, & had 35 communicants.- Went over t o t h e Steamer t h i s morning, & v i s i t e d t h e s c h o o l . - R e c e i v e d a l e t t e r from Mr.Manning s t a t i n g t h a t he had f i x e d upon Wednesday as t h e day f o r t h e weekly t r i p s f o r t h e B l a c k Swan f o r t h e f u t u r e , commencing on Wednesday t h e 6 t h A p r i l . We had a v i s i t t h i s a f t e r n o o n from Mrs.Park & some o f t h e young f o l k s .

29.

T h i s b e i n g a n i c e c o o l day we took advantage o f i t to accomplish our long t a l k e d of v i s i t t o Mrs.Scott a t t h e S a w m i l l . Mary & t h e g i r l s walked w i t h us t o Wyoming, where we l e f t them, whic w h i l e we rode on to the m i l l . C a l l e d a t Mr.Wamsley's by t h e way, Anne seemed t o e n j o y t h e r i d e v e r y much.-

March

1859.

30.

R a t h e r a l o n g day a t Kincumbar t o d a y . - Went t o v i s i t poor o l d S t a c y , whom 1 found v e r y well weak & a i l i n g , & I f I m i s t a k e n o t , drawing v e r y near t o the end o f h i s j o u r n e y . I remained sometime w i t h him, endeavouring t o i n s t r u c t & guide him i n the way o f p r e p a r i n g f o r h i s d e p a r t u r e from t h i s w o r l d , & I hope my words were not l o s t upon him. He seemed v e r y g r a t e f u l f o r my v i s i t - w h i c h I must endeavour t o renew as soon as p o s s i b l e . Mrs.Kearnes gave me a n i c e cup o f t e a & bread & b u t t e r & eggs, when I r e t u r n e d t o her house from S t a c e y ' s , & t h e n I rode on t o Ward's where I endeavoured so f a r t o r e c o n c i l e Mrs.Ward as t o induce her t o send the c h i l d r e n back t o s c h o o l , f o r she had t a k e n o f f e n c e a t Mr.Lane about something o r a n o t h e r , & had withdrawn the c h i l d r e n from s c h o o l .

31.

W i t h Tom B a t t l e y ' s a i d , I went down the r i v e r i n my boat today. I had two o b j e c t s i n view. F i r s t t o see how M r s . G i t t i n s was, h a v i n g l e a r n t from C h a r l e s l a s t Sunday t h a t she was v e r y u n w e l l w i t h Lumbago.The second o b j e c t was t o b r i n g home E l i z a P o o l e , daughter o f Mr.Poole o f C o c k l e Creek, whom I had p r e v i o u s l y engaged as a s e r v a n t , & a r r a n g e d t o meet h e r a t M r . G i t t i n s ' today. I was v e r y g l a d t o f i n d M r s . G i t t i n s q u i t e r e c o v e r e d a g a i n . - A l e x a had gone t o Sydney w i t h her Papa, so I d i d not see h e r . - We s t a r t e d soon a f t e r 3 o ' c l o c k , b r i n g i n g E l i z a w i t h u s , & on the way home c a l l e d a t a l l the l i t t l e c o t t a g e s by the r i v e r s i d e , some 5 i n number as w e l l as on Mr.Henderson. ( I found I have made a m i s t a k e w r i t i n g as I now am on the 6 t h A p r i l , t h i s t r i p down the r i v e r was a c c o m p l i s h e d on F r i d a y l a s t the 1st A p r i l . ) On Thursday the 3 1 s t , we took h o l i d a y & spent the day abroad, as f o l l o w s . Mr. Nunn & h i s two daughters came down e a r l y , & we a l l s e t o f f a f t e r b r e a k f a s t f o r E r i n a , where we were j o i n e d by Mr.Wm.Nunn & M i s s Laura Donnison. Then, l e a v i n g the c h i l d r e n w i t h Mrs.Nunn, & Ann w i t h M i s s Donnison, the r e s t o f us rode out t o Tuggerah Beach. The day was r a t h e r warmer than q u i t e d e s i r a b l e , but on the whole they seemed t o e n j o y the e x c u r s i o n .

A p r i l 1859. 6.

Went t o Mangrove on Saturday t h e 2nd, & a f t e r g o i n g through my accustomed d u t i e s t h e r e , r e m a i n i n g on Monday to v i s i t among them, I r e t u r n e d l a s t e v e n i n g , h a v i n g had b e a u t i f u l weather a l l t h e t i m e . - T h i s morning I went over t o t h e Steamer, t o put Mary Townshend on board, who has t a k e n h e r d e p a r t u r e from us today. The B l a c k Swan has now a l t e r e d h e r day, & i s t o v i s i t us r e g u l a r l y every Wednesday. T h i s e v e n i n g I c a l l e d at Mona V a l e t o see how the l i t t l e boy was; a l s o on M r s . C o t t r i l l . Both much as u s u a l .

Went t o Kincumbar today & p a i d poor o l d Stacey a v i s i t , found him much t h e same as l a s t week, v e r y f e e b l e I a f t e r w a r d s worked my way down a s f a r as Mrs.Woodwards, c a l l i n g by t h e way on Mrs.Dunlop, whom I had n o t v i s i t e d f o r a v e r y l o n g t i m e . Returned by D r . A u l d ' s , & g e t t i n g home v e r y l a t e - a f t e r dark - found t h a t some o f the G i t t i n s e s had been up d u r i n g t h e day & had t a k e n Marianne home w i t h them.

A s l i g h t c o l d , which I f e l t coming on y e s t e r d a y , has i n c r e a s e d upon me today, so t h a t I have remained a t home as much as p o s s i b l e , t o g e t r i d o f i t t h e sooner. I o n l y went t o M r . B a t t l e y ' s t o t e l l them t h e r e would be no s i n g i n g & t h e n p a i d M r s . C o t t r i l l a v i s i t .

My c o l d v e r y troublesome today, remained a t home sermon w r i t i n g , & p r e p a r i n g f o r tomorrows d u t i e s .

11.

Had such a bad c o l d yesterday,(Sunday) t h a t I deemed i t prudent n o t t o go t o E r i n a f o r t h e n i g h t s e r v i c e , 1 sent t h e people word by G:Swadling, & so came s t r a i g h t home from Kincumbar - T h i s morning I went f i r s t t o the s c h o o l , & from thence t o Dr.Benson's, t o b i d a d i e u to h i s e l d e s t boy, Thomas, who i s about t o l e a v e home, & j o i n h i s U n c l e , on board s h i p , - I took him a few l i t t l e books & t r a c t s , which I

48.

April

1859

11.

hope w i l l read w i t h p r o f i t . - T h i s e v e n i n g I took & E m i l y i n the b o a t , t o c a l l on Mrs.Mann whom we not been t o see f o r sometime, h a v i n g always been whenever we attempted t o go t h e r e . The evening b e a u t i f u l , & we a l l enjoyed the t r i p .

Anne had prevented, was

12.

V i s i t e d Blue Gum F l a t & the S a w m i l l t o d a y , h a v i n g borrowed Tom B a t t l e y ' s horse f o r the o c c a s i o n , N e l l y ' s back b e i n g a l i t t l e touched w i t h the s a d d l e & o l d M e t t l e r e g a l i n g h i m s e l f on C o t t r i l l ' s c l o v e r . - The B u i l d i n g a t the f l a t not b e i n g q u i t e f i n i s h e d enough, t h a t i s , the r e a d i n g desk e t c . not b e i n g up, nor the c a n d l e s o c k e t s , & a few o t h e r r e q u i s i t e s , I have d e c i d e d upon g o i n g t o the M i l l a g a i n next Sunday n i g h t , which I t h i n k w i l l be the l a s t t i m e . - H , B a t t l e y l a d s & M r . F e l t o n have had my boat today on a l i t t l e f i s h i n g e x c u r s i o n down the r i v e r , & brought us a few samples of t h e i r sport t h i s evening.

13.

C a l l e d t h i s morning a t Mona V a l e & on M r s . C o t t r i l l on my way t o the Steamer.- I hoped t o f i n d our cask of oatmeal on board the B l a c k Swan t h i s morning, h a v i n g n o t i c e d the a r r i v a l o f the Canaan i n the paper l a s t week, but was d i s a p p o i n t e d . A f t e r d i n n e r I rode over t o Kincumbar t o see how poor o l d Stacey was & found him a l i t t l e b e t t e r .

14.

The M i s s Nunns came down t h i s morning, by appointment, t o c r o s s the water t o P o i n t C l a r e . But u n f o r t u n a t e l y a s t r o n g S.W. breeze had r a i s e d too much of a sea. We t h e r e f o r e determined upon r i d i n g round by Pagan's a f t e r d i n n e r . I n the meantime however the wind l u l l e d a l i t t l e , so about 3 o ' c l o c k we a l l got under weigh. We had a b e a u t i f u l calm e v e n i n g f o r our homeward voyage & Mr.Nunn came f o r h i s d a u g h t e r s , & took a cup of t e a w i t h us.

49.

A p r i l 1859 15.

A t home a l l t h e morning r e a d i n g & w r i t i n g . I n t h e a f t e r n o o n went t o t h e s i n g i n g c l a s s , h a v i n g f i r s t been t o see o l d M r . P a r r y , who t a l k s o f r e t u r n i n g home tomorrow, f i n d i n g h i m s e l f a good d e a l b e t t e r f o r h i s v i s i t to Gosford.

16.

A t home a l l t h e morning, p r e p a r i n g f o r tomorrows d u t i e s . Towards evening went t o pay M r s . C o t t r i l l a v i s i t , & s a t some l i t t l e time w i t h h e r .

17.

Sunday - A d m i n i s t e r e d t h e Sacrament t o 13 Communicants at Kincumbar. Had a v e r y good & a t t e n t i v e c o n g r e g a t i o n at G o s f o r d , & t h e same a t t h e S a w m i l l . A b e a u t i f u l f u l l moon a s s i s t e d me v e r y m a t e r i a l l y t o f i n d my way home.

18.

Went t o see M r . B a t t l e y t h i s morning on Church b u s i n e s s . T h i s a f t e r n o o n I rode up t o c a l l on t h e M i s s Donnisons, & Mrs.Wm.Nunn & made one o r two c a l l s a t E'.Gosford.

19.

Today I went t o b r i n g Marianne home from M y r t l e Grove. John B a t t l e y came over t o a s s i s t me w i t h t h e boat, accompanied by M r s . P a r k , who seemed d l s l r o u s o f g o i n g to make a c q u a i n t a n c e w i t h t h e G i t t i n s e s . We c o u l d not p o s s i b l y have had a f i n e r day f o r o u r e x c u r s i o n . We l e f t soon a f t e r 9 o ' c l o c k , & reached our d e s t i n a t i o n i n about 1| hour. We found Captn. & M r s . J o i c e t h e r e b e f o r e us:& we made a p a r t y t o ascend t h e h i l l a t t h e w e s t e r n s i d e o f Webb's r e e f & w e l l were we r e p a i d , on r e a c h i n g t h e t o p , f o r o u r e x e r t i o n i n c l a m b e r i n g up t h e rugged r o c k s , Mrs.Park had p r o v i d e d h e r s e l f w i t h s k e t c h i n g m a t e r i a l s , & from t h e t o p o f t h e r o c k y p r e c i p i c e , took a view o f Broken Bay, w i t h i t s s u r r o u n d i n g c l i f f s & headlands. The v i e w on b o t h s i d e s was v e r y b e a u t i f u l , & t h e b r i g h t c l e a r s k y above imparted a c o r r e s p o n d i n g hue t o t h e calm & p l a c i d waters below. A f t e r spending a n hour o r so on t h e t o p o f t h e h i l l , we a l l r e t u r n e d t o M y r t l e Gi?ove t o d i n n e r , & soon a f t e r sunset we re-embarked i n our l i t t l e boat & had a most b e a u t i f u l moonlight voyage home.- M i s s G i t t i n s came

50.

April

1859.

19.

back w i t h us t o spend a few days w i t h u s , & we reached home i n s a f e t y soon a f t e r 8 o ' c l o c k , a l l h i g h l y g r a t i f i e d w i t h the days e x c u r s i o n .

20.

Went over t o the steamer t h i s morning, c a l l i n g t o see M r s , C o t t r i l l by the way, found a packet on board from Mr,Cape, w i t h a note i n t i m a t i n g h i s d e s i r e o f coming up t o see us d u r i n g t h e E a s t e r h o l i d a y s . I was s u r p r i s e d t o l e a r n from him t h a t t h e C o l o n e l o f the 12 Regt. now i n Sydney i s one o f t h e " P e r c i v a l s " who as boys were a t our s c h o o l a t D u l w i c h , but a t p r e s e n t I know n o t whether i t i s Robert o r John. A s t r o n g wind from the South came on about noon today w h i c h I a l m o s t f e a r would p r e v e n t the B l a c k Swan from r e t u r n i n g t o Sydney, & o b l i g e h e r t o t a k e r e f u g e i n P i t t Water f o r the n i g h t . Took a l i t t l e s t r o l l out t h i s e v e n i n g by the water s i d e .

21.

Busy the g r e a t e r p a r t o f the morning making out my account f o r the Newcastle Church S o c i e t y f o r l a s t y e a r , 1858:- I n t h e a f t e r n o o n walked down t o the B u r i a l Ground.

22.

Good F r i d a y . I went over t o Kincumbar f o r morning s e r v i c e s , M r . B a t t l e y o f f i c i a t i n g a t E : G o s f o r d . - Had a v e r y f a i r c o n g r e g a t i o n , about 40.

23.

P r e p a r i n g today f o r tomorrows s e r v i c e s . - Made a few c a l l s about home i n t h e morning.- I n a f t e r n o o n we went over t o E:Gosfd.- C a l l i n g i n a t M r s . C o t t r i l l s by the way, a l s o a t the c h u r c h .

25.

Y e s t e r d a y ( E a s t e r Day) I had good c o n g r e g a t i o n s a t a l l t h r e e p l a c e s , & i n the morning a d m i n i s t e r e d the H o l y Communion t o 41 Communicants,- the g r e a t e r number I have ever had.- T h i s morning the G i t t i n s e s came up, f o r the purpose o f accompanying us t o a l i t t l e party at Mr.Battley's t h i s evening.

26.

The p a r t y went o f f v e r y p l e a s a n t l y l a s t n i g h t . I t c o n s i s t e d o f the two f a m i l i e s o f B a t t l e y & H a r r i s o n , w i t h the G i t t i n s e s & o u r s e l v e s . - The d a n c i n g commenced soon

51.

A p r i l 1859 26.

a f t e r 8 o'c: & about 2 we took our l e a v e & came home. The G i t t i n s p a r t y s e t o f f i n t h e i r boat about 4 o ' c l o c k , as Mr.G: had t o s t a r t t h i s morning f o r Sydney. T h i s a f t e r n o o n I rowed them a l l up t o Mrs.Mann's i n t h e boat- a b e a u t i f u l e v e n i n g & we enjoyed our t r i p .

27.

On g o i n g over t o the Steamer t h i s morning, 1 met t h e r e Mr.Cape & h i s l i t t l e g i r l E m i l y , whom 1 h a l f expected to f i n d , as Mr.C: had w r i t t e n t o i n t i m a t e t h e p r o b a b i l i t y of h i s coming. I n t h e a f t e r n o o n we a l l set o f f t o walk up t o Wyoming, but i t t h r e a t e n e d r a i n so much t h a t we judged i t prudent t o r e t u r n ; &,going i n t h e o p p o s i t e d i r e c t i o n down t o t h e B u r i a l ground, i t t h e r e began t o r a i n , & s o we had a wet walk a f t e r a l l . There was some n i c e r a i n d u r i n g t h e n i g h t , w h i c h was much wanted.

28.

R a i n y d a y - t h a t i s , a s u c c e s s i o n o f heavy showers from the N:E: a l l t h e f o r e p a r t o f t h e day. Towards e v e n i n g Mr.Cape & I walked over t o c a l l on t h e B a t t l e y s & Harrisons.

29.

B e a u t i f u l day. We took advantage o f i t , & went a c r o s s the water t o v i s i t t h e S c o t t s , The p a r t y c o n s i s t e d of Mr.Cape & h i s l i t t l e g i r l . M i s s G i t t i n s & my two girls. B e i n g v e r y calm I f e l t t h e sun r a t h e r h o t w h i l e rowing t h e boat o v e r .

30.

Having borrowed Tom B a t t l e y ' s h o r s e f o r Mr.Cape, he & I s e t o f f f o r Yarramalong a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , & had r a t h t e r a t e d i o u s r i d e o f i t , Mr.C. n o t b e i n g used to r i d i n g , we walked our h o r s e s t h e t h e whole way n e a r l y . Found a l l w e l l a t M r . L e t t e ' s ; M r s . L e t t e h a v i n g been c o n f i n e d a week, w i t h a l i t t l e g i r l , & d o i n g well.

May 1859. 1.

Sunday: Had my morning s e r v i c e a t Yarramalong, w i t h a c o n g r e g a t i o n o f about 24. L e a v i n g Mr.Cape t h e r e , I rode down t o Wyong f o r a f t e r n o o n s e r v i c e , where I had but a poor c o n g r e g a t i o n o f 15. A f t e r s e r v i c e I r e p a i r e d t o John Osborne's f o r t h e n i g h t , & met

52.

May 1859

[1]

Mr.Nunn t h e r e on h i s way from M a i t l a n d w i t h b u l l o c k s . Mr.Coulson was a l s o t h e r e .

53.

L e f t Mr.Osborne's e a r l y , a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , & took the road t o Cabbage Tree. H e a r i n g t h a t the Freemans had l e f t Mr.Hargraves & were l i v i n g a t Wyhee, I went round t h a t way t o c a l l on them, & w h i l e t h e r e , Gorman the c o n s t a b l e came i n , a l s o bound f o r Cabbage Tree & a f t e r p a r t a k i n g o f a cup o f t e a , we rode the remainder of t h e way t o g e t h e r . On a r r i v i n g a t Cabbage T r e e , found Mr.Hargraves & Edward both w e l l . I n the a f t e r n o o n I rode out w i t h Edward t o "Canton" t o see what f i s h e r m e n were t h e r e t o a t t e n d my s e r v i c e next morning. Found two Germans t h e r e , l a t e l y a r r i v e d , one o f them a m a r r i e d man named S m i t h , who had an i n f a n t about e l e v e n months o l d . u n b a p t i z e d , & they seemed v e r y g l a d o f the o p p o r t u n i t y o f g e t t i n g t h e i r c h i l d Xtend. I found t h e s e Germans had been l i v i n g a t Wye Wye, w i t h i n s i g h t o f me, f o r about 12 months, as s h e l l g a t h e r e r s , but I had never met w i t h them.

Had a n i c e l i t t l e c o n g r e g a t i o n i n Mr.Hargraves p a r l o u r , & b a p t i z e d Smith's c h i l d d u r i n g the s e r v i c e . - S t a r t e d homeward about 2 P.M. Edward accompanying me a c r o s s the e n t r a n c e t o F r o s t s . Reaching home about 7 P.M. & found Mr.Cape had o n l y r e t u r n e d about noon, he & M r . L e t t e h a v i n g come down as f a r as the S a w m i l l l a s t night.

M r . L e t t e & h i s E m i l y took t h e i r d e p a r t u r e per steamer today. C h a r l e s & A l e x a came up soon a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , f o r the purpose o f t a k i n g M i s s G: home w i t h them, & we a l l walked over t o g e t h e r t o the steamboat, t o see the Capes o f f . - Mrs.Park & Mrs.Hargraves were t h e i r f e l l o w p a s s e n g e r s , & they had a b e a u t i f u l a f t e r n o o n f o r t h e i r t r i p . A f t e r d i n n e r , having arranged that M i s s G i t t i n s s h o u l d remain here t i l l Monday, C h a r l e s & A l e x a . took t h e i r d e p a r t u r e i n the d i n g y & then went t o see M r s . C o t t r i l l whom we found much the same.

knnle SMITH, daughter o{, John Haimon -, Manlndt i MaKy Mania, Bofin 14 Jane 1858.

OjJ Cabbage

Tiee.

[1]

May 1859. 5.

Went over t o Kincumbar t o d a y , & a f t e r h a v i n g a l i t t l e c a t e c h i s m a t t h e s c h o o l , c a l l e d t o see o l d S t a c e y , whom I found much b e t t e r - From thence I proceeded to T o r i g a l v i a Avoca, & so home t h r o u g h Mosquito Town, c a l l i n g a t each house by t h e way u n t i l I came t o Cork's w h i c h was t h e l a s t , f o r i t was t h e n g e t t i n g d a r k , so I made t h e b e s t o f my way home.

A t home w r i t i n g l e t t e r s a l l the morning. Went t o the Church f o r a s i n g i n g c l a s s i n t h e a f t e r n o o n , but no one came. M i s s G i t t i n s & Marianne were w i t h me, & we went & c a l l e d on Mrs.Benson,

Today I have r e l i e v e d my mind from a burden which has been p r e s s i n g h e a v i l y upon me f o r a v e r y l o n g time & t h a t i s , I have been t o v i s i t McCullum, & C o u l t e r ' s f a m i l y , b e s i d e s a few o t h e r s l i v i n g about Wye Wye.The want o f a boat has always been a s e r i o u s impediment, p r e v e n t i n g me from v i s i t i n g t h o s e who l i v e a c r o s s the w a t e r , & s i n c e I got my b o a t , I have had t o p r a c t i s e p u l l i n g w i t h b o t h o a r s , b e f o r e I c o u l d attempt g o i n g to any d i s t a n c e . - T h i s morning, t h e weather b e i n g calm & f a i r , I s e t o f f a f t e r b r e a k f a s t t o McCullum's, & f i n d i n g I a c c o m p l i s h e d t h a t w i t h e a s e , I went on t o C o u l t e r ' s , & a f t e r h e a r i n g t h e young people r e p e a t t h e i r Catechism e t c : s e t out on my homeward voyage, & reached the wharf c o m f o r t a b l y about Sunset, n o t so much f a t i g u e d as I e x p e c t e d t o have been.- I must endeavour, now t h a t I f i n d I can manage t h e b o a t , t o g i v e them a l l t h e i r p e r i o d i c a l v i s i t s across the water.

Sunday. A l i t t l e r a i n e a r l y i n the morning seemed t o f r i g h t e n many from t h e Church, & caused me a s m a l l c o n g r e g a t i o n . A t Kincumbar & E r i n a t h e r e was a f a i r attendance

May 9.

10.

1859.

Took M i s s G i t t i n s home today, a c c o r d i n g t o promise. Mr.Osborne promised t o come down t o accompany u s , i f w e l l enough, but d i d not appear. Anne & the g i r l s went, & M i s s G i t t i n s took one of the oars & p u l l e d n e a r l y a l l the way down. C h a r l e s came t o meet us as f a r as Henderson's, & t h e r e b e i n g a f a i r w i n d , took us i n tow. A f t e r e n j o y i n g a n i c e ramble t o the top of the h i l l behind t h e i r house, & a good h e a r t y d i n n e r , we s e t out on our homeward voyage about i p 3. accompanied by a l l the young p e o p l e , l e a v i n g the " o l d f o l k s a t home" by themselves. The r e a s o n of t h e i r coming was, t o be p r e s e n t a t a g a t h e r i n g w h i c h i s t o take p l a c e tomorrow a t Wyoming, on the o c c a s i o n o f a C r i c k e t Match which i s then & t h e r e to come o f f between the c l u b s of Wyong & the McDonald R i v e r . As soon as we r e t u r n e d home. I s e t o f f t o Wyoming t o see Mr.Nunn, f o r h a v i n g understood t h a t the Messrs Horsbrugh were t o be o f the p a r t y , I had s c r u p l e s about meeting Mr.B:H, w i t h o u t some p r e v i o u s s o r t of r e c o n c i l i a t i o n , as I have not spoken t o him s i n c e h i s o u t b r e a k , & I thought i t a good o p p o r t u n i t y t o b r i n g about a r e t u r n t o our former f r i e n d l y i n t e r c o u r s e , & t h a t Mr.Nunn would undertake t o speak t o him w i t h t h a t v i e w , which he promises t o do tomorrow morning. A l l went t o Wyoming a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , but u n f o r t u n a t e l y i t t u r n e d out a r a i n y day & so p r e v e n t e d our w i t n e s s i n g the game a t c r i c k e t , a l t h o u g h i t d i d not s t o p the p l a y . One good however r e s u l t e d from i t , namely, the r e e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f f r i e n d s h i p , ( i f t h a t term be a p p l i c a b l e ) between Mr.Horsbrugh & m y s e l f . I o n l y hope & pray t h a t he has sought the peace o f h i s o f f e n d e d God, by humble c o n f e s s i o n , & deep c o n t r i t i o n f o r h i s sin. I brought Anne & the c h i l d r e n home b e f o r e d a r k , but the G i t t i n s e s remained f o r a l i t t l e d a n c i n g i n the e v e n i n g & r e t u r n e d about 12 o ' c l o c k

55.

May 1859 11.

The G i t t i n s e s l e f t us about i p a s t 6 t h i s morning, so as t o g e t home t o b r e a k f a s t . I went up t o the s c h o o l a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , & i n t h e a f t e r n o o n t o see M r s . C o t t r i l l .

12.

Went t o t h e S a w m i l l today, t o warn t h e people o f next Sunday n i g h t ' s s e r v i c e , & a l s o o f my i n t e n t i o n o f opening the new b u i l d i n g a t t h e f l a t on Sunday f o r t n i g h t , when t h e r e w i l l be morning s e r v i c e .

13.

Remained a t home today, & wrote t o t h e Bishop about n o m i n a t i n g Church Wardens, the people h a v i n g f a i l e d on E a s t e r Tuesday t o perform t h a t p a r t o f t h e i r duty. Went to t h e Church i n t h e a f t e r n o o n f o r s i n g i n g c l a s s b u t on 4 met me.

14.

Went up t o E r i n a t o d a y , t o see what I c o u l d do i n t h e way o f c o l l e c t i n g f o r our Church Fund.- I wrote out s e v e r a l c o p i e s o f the account o f a l l monies r e c e i v e d & p a i d on a c c t o f t h e Church, & l e f t one w i t h F l e t c h e r , & another w i t h Dan: B e r r y , & s h a l l d i s t r i b u t e a few more, to l e t them a l l see e x a c t l y what has been done, & what remains t o be done.

15.

Sunday. Most u n f o r t u n a t e l y one o f my v e r y bad headaches came on t o day, & prevented me from a c c o m p l i s h i n g t h e whole o f my days d u t i e s . I f e l t so u n w e l l i n t h e a f t e r n o o n t h a t I d i s m i s s e d my c o n g r e g a t i o n a t E:Gosford w i t h o u t a sermon. Nor c o u l d I attempt t o go t o t h e s a w m i l l I n t h e e v e n i n g . I t was r a t h e r a r a i n y day b e s i d e s .

16.

Went up t o Blue Gum F l a t , t h i s morning, t o g i v e Buscombe d i r e c t i o n s about f i x i n g t h e r e a d i n g desk, & making a Communion Table f o r the l i t t l e Church. I n the a f t e r n o o n we a l l walked down t o c a l l on M r s . C o u l t e r , whom we had not v i s i t e d f o r some t i m e , l o o k e d i n a t M r . B a t t l e y ' s & a t Mona V a l e on our way home.

17.

Being a n i c e b r i g h t b r a c i n g day, I took a walk out today as f a r as Anson's & Long's c a l l i n g a t t h e v a r i o u s houses w h i c h l a y i n my r o u t e outwards & homewards.

18.

Wrote some l e t t e r s t h i s morning t o p o s t per Steamer. A f t e r n o o n t o Kincumbar

May

1859.

19.

T h i s b e i n g Marianne's b i r t h d a y (now 14) I gave m y s e l f a h o l i d a y & remained a t home. Mr H a r r i s o n s 4 g i r l s came t o spend t h e day w i t h h e r . By way o f a l i t t l e amusement f o r m y s e l f , I spent an hour t h i s a f t e r n o o n i m p r o v i n g my boat wharf a l i t t l e , by r a i s i n g i t h i g h e r .

20.

Spent the morning v i s i t i n g Mrs.Muddle, Owen, Capper & C o t t r i l l . A f t e r n o o n t o s i n g i n g class,* but had a very small attendance.only 3 & 2 c h i l d r e n .

21.

A t home a l l the morning sermon w r i t i n g . Towards e v e n i n g I walked over t o E:Gosford t o see M r s . P i p e r , & some o t h e r s about Mr.Venemans M i l l . Saw O r p i n among the r e s t who i s so f a r r e c o v e r e d now, as t o be a b l e t o s p l i t s h i n g l e s - i n the bush. I found him j u s t coming home from h i s days work.

22.

Sunday - U s u a l s e r v i c e s a t a l l t h r e e p l a c e s .

23.

Got John B a t t l e y t o h e l p me p u l l the boat t o Wye Wye l e a v i n g i t a t C o u l t e r s I walked a c r o s s t o G a s k i n ' s & v i s i t e d a l l at that l o c a l i t y .

24.

Went t o C h i t t a w a y & S a w m i l l , summoning a l l the people t o come t o the opening o f the new B l u e Gum F l a t Church n e x t Sunday.

25.

Went t o the steamer, & a f t e r d i n n e r rowed Mr.& Mrs.Nunn up t o c a l l on Mrs.Mann. Anne & the g i r l s a l s o accompanied us.

26.

Was j u s t p r e p a r i n g t o go t o Kincumbar t h i s morning, when 1 h e a r d t h a t somethings I had sent t o the Wyoming wharf f o r the B l u e Gum F l a t Church, had not been s e n t , so 1 had t o a l t e r my p l a n s , & r i d e up t o see about them, & put a l l t o r i g h t s .

27.

To Kincumbar d i r e c t l y a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , & back t o d i n n e r to attend the s i n g i n g c l a s s , at which only 3 or 4 a t t e n d e d . - Found Mr.& Mrs.Mann here on my r e t u r n .

28.

A t home a l l the morning. To B l u e G . F l a t a f t e r n o o n t o see t h a t a l l t h i n g s were ready f o r tomorrow.

May 1859. 29.

Sunday.- A b e a u t i f u l day - most f a v o u r a b l e f o r t h e opening o f o u r l i t t l e church a t Blue Gum F l a t . Mr. & Mrs.Nunn, & Kate rode up w i t h me, & we had a v e r y g r a t i f y i n g s e r v i c e . The l i t t l e b u i l d i n g was q u i t e f u l l , & o u r c o l l e c t i o n amounted t o ÂŁ4-4-1. A t t h e a f t e r n o o n s e r v i c e a t E.Gosfd., I had two r a t h e r t r o u b l e s o m e ^ c h l l d r e n to b a p t i z e one b e i n g 4 y r s o l d & t h e o t h e r more than one y e a r - t h e c h i l d r e n o f Edwd.Couche o f Wye Wye.

30.

Had an e a r l y b r e a k f a s t , & went up t o Blue Gum F l a t to open t h e l i t t l e s c h o o l House. Found Margaret Bates & about 12 l i t t l e c h i l d r e n , w i t h whom she made a b e g i n i n g . I n t h e a f t e r n o o n I rode up t o E r i n a t o see Mrs.White, & g i v e h e r an order f o r a d m i s s i o n t o t h e I n f i r m a r y i n Sydney.- Found slohn Osborne here on my r e t u r n , ready t o accompany me (by appointment) t o M y r t l e Grove tomorrow.

31.

S t a r t e d f o r M y r t l e Grove i n t h e boat a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , w i t h t h e two M i s s Nunn's & my own g i r l s , Mr.Osborne & m y s e l f p u l l i n g . We had a d e l i g h t f u l day, but u n f o r t u n a t e l y a l l t h e gentlemen were from home. The wind h a v i n g f r e s h e n e d a l i t t l e i n t h e a f t e r n o o n , we had t o p u l l a l i t t l e h a r d e r coming home.

June 1859. 1.

Mr.Cape a r r i v e d per Steamer today upon a n e l e c t i o n e e r i n g v i s i t , t o m e e t s address the e l e c t o r s o f t h e d i s t r i c t . I n t h e evening he accompanied me t o c a l l on M r s . C o t t r i l l , Mr.Battley & Harrison.

A t home a l l day p r e p a r i n g f o r my Mangrove

S e t o f f f o r Mangrove a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , & had a b e a u t i f u l day f o r my r i d e . Went by t h e upper road i n t o t h e c r e e k , & worked my way down t o W a t k i n ' s .

journey.

58.

June 1859. 4.

Found i t r a i n i n g on g e t t i n g up t h i s morning, & t h e t i d e s 59. not answering f o r g o i n g down t h e creek as I i n t e n d e d , I spent t h e day v i s i t i n g among those about t h e neighbourhood, i n c l u d i n g I r o n bark Creek, & Wm.Woodbury's. Sunday - 5 t h - Two v e r y good c o n g r e g a t i o n s . Was g l a d to see P h i l i p Gould i n Church a g a i n , f o r he has been a stranger there f o r a long w h i l e ,

Went up t h e creek a f t e r b r e a k f a s t t o v i s i t poor o l d Mr.Parry whom I found v e r y i l l , & s u f f e r i n g g r e a t b o d i l y p a i n . He s t i l l c l i n g s t o a hope o f g e t t i n g b e t t e r though I f e a r t h e r e i s l i t t l e chance o f h i s ever r a l l y i n g . I read s e v e r a l passages o f t h e B i b l e , & t a l k e d & prayed w i t h him, & he appeared r e a l l y g r a t e f u l f o r my v i s i t & e x p r e s s e d h i m s e l f v e r y w e l l . condemnlng h i m s e l f as a v e r y g r e a t s i n n e r . I hope he was s i n c e r e i n h i s e x p r e s s i o n s o f p e n i t e n c e . - A f t e r v i s i t i n g Gould's f a m i l y I made my way down t o Watkin's by d a r k . - Met Mr.Cape & h i s f r i e n d s coming from t h e i r meeting a t M c l n t o s h s , where Mr.C: was w e l l r e c e i v e d .

Wet morning - S t a r t e d soon a f t e r 9. & reached home towards sunset a f t e r a d i s a g r e e a b l e wet f e e t r i d e through t h e wet bushes.- On r e a c h i n g home I was shocked to f i n d poor I r v i n absent on t h e p a i n f u l duty o f b u r y i n g h i s l i t t l e i n f a n t which was born about 10 days ago.I t died rather unexpectedly, a f t e r a short i l l n e s s , & unbaptized.

To t h e Steamer t h i s morning a f t e r w r i t i n g a l e t t e r or two. I n the a f t e r n o o n I p a i d M r s . C o t t r i l l a v i s i t , & then t h e two g i r l s rowed me a c r o s s t o P o i n t Holden & back a g a i n , w i t h o u t my t o u c h i n g an o a r .

Went up t o t h e c h u r c h t h i s morning t o marry Robert G o l d i e & Han.Lees.-the second couple o n l y t h a t I have m a r r i e d s i n c e t h e Church was f i n i s h e d . A t home i n the a f t e r n o o n .

[1]

No e.ntiy lot that

baby eJjthzK baptiAm

[2]

9 Jane. 1859, at ChnLit Ckaiak, Eait Goi,ioid, Robejit GOLVIE, 25, EacheZoK, BoKn at Manchlane., MtikiAt, Scotland, SpllttZA, o{, Blue. Gum Flat - 6on o^ Jame.6 -, Smyex i Baibana [BROOM] - and Hannah. LEES, 18, SplniteA. 0^ Blue. Gum Flat, and Many

baiLall

Bonn at Klajtna, daughter [LEES].

ol Jame.6 -,

Wltm66eJ,: Vavld GOLVIE and HeJie.n LEES. [Robext GOLVIE wa6 a Pnt6byte.nlan].

f^J

June 28.

1859.

I have s u f f e r e d t h i s gap t o a r i s e i n my j o u r n a l , & though I cannot f i l l i t up a c c u r a t e l y , w i l l now r e c o r d as much as my poor memory w i l l enable me to do. On Monday, the 13th I went down the r i v e r , rowing m y s e l f a l o n e t o M r . G i t t i n s ' , A f t e r d i n i n g w i t h them, Mr.G. & C h a r l e s rowed me down t o Captn. J o n e ' s , On the way back I c a l l e d on Mrs.Booker & most o f the o t h e r f o l k s by the w a t e r s i d e . The w e s t e r l y wind b e i n g r a t h e r s t r o n g , C h a r l e s t o o k compassion on me, & h e l p e d me home. M I found he had bought me a n i c e p a i r o f l i g h t paddles f o r my b o a t , & we brought them home w i t h us. On Tuesday we a l l went t o spend the day w i t h M r s . A u l d , & I was g l a d of C h a r l e s ' h e l p t o row a c r o s s , as the wind got up soon a f t e r we had s t a r t e d . We c a l l e d on Mrs.Roberts a l s o , & took t e a t h e r e on our way back. E l i z a went w i t h u s , & I d i s c o v e r e d t h a t she i s a v e r y good hand a t an oar f o r she took one o f them & rowed a l l the way home. On Wednesday, the 1 5 t h , a f t e r g o i n g t o the steamer, I rode over to Kincumbar, t o examine the s c h o o l c h i l d r e n , I then went t o see Mrs.Godwin, & gave p r i v a t e B a p t i s m t o her young i n f a n t , from thence I went a c r o s s t o Mr.McKechnie, whom I found v e r y p o o r l y . On r e t u r n i n g home, I found a l e t t e r from Mr,Cape, ( t h i s by the bye was on Thursday, a f t e r h a v i n g been out t o v i s i t o l d Warburton) announcing the g r a t i f y i n g f a c t o f h i s h a v i n g been e l e c t e d member f o r the Wollombl e l e c t o r a t e , w i t h o u t o p p o s i t i o n . On F r i d a y , 17th M r . B a t t l e y a s s i s t e d me a t the s c h o o l e x a m i n a t i o n a t E : G o s f o r d . - On Saturday I went up t o B l u e Gum F l a t t o f i x the c a n d l e s t i c k s i n the Church t h e r e , t o be a l l ready f o r the f o l l o w i n g evening's s e r v i c e . Sunday the 19th wet morning - s m a l l c o n g r e g a t i o n at Kincumbar, p r e t t y f a i r a t E.Gosfd. & v e r y good a t Blue Gum F l a t . Monday 20th a t home.

Mo zntKy

^ound

JLYI

ChuKch Rzg-titeA

Ion. baptL&m6.

June

[1]

1859.

28.

Tuesday the 2 1 s t , went over t o Kincumbar, & v i s i t e d 61. Mrs.Mckechnie, whom I was v e r y g l a d t o f i n d d o i n g w e l l a f t e r her c o n f i n e m e n t , w i t h a l i t t l e daughter. P a i d a few o t h e r v i s i t s i n t h a t neighbourhood, i n c l u d i n g Mrs.Booth a t Avoca. On Wednesday morning 1 r e c e i v e d a note, r e q u e s t i n g me t o go over & marry B e n t l e y & [1] Mrs. F u t c h e r a t Kincumbar, which I a c c o r d i n g l y d i d . On r e t u r n i n g home, I found t h a t among o t h e r a r r i v a l s per steamer, a box from England had come, c o n t a i n i n g two b e a u t i f u l s e t s o f books f o r the two c h u r c h e s , Xt. Ch: & Kincumbar, p r e s e n t e d by S.P.C.K. On Thursday [2] morning I v i s i t e d a l l the f a m i l i e s i n t h i s township, i n v i t i n g them t o send t h e i r l i t t l e c h i l d r e n t o Sunday S c h o o l a t the Parsonage, e v e r y Sunday, a p r o p o s i t i o n to w h i c h t h e y r e a d i l y a s s e n t e d . On F r i d a y a f t e r n o o n I rode out t o see o l d Warburton a g a i n , g o i n g round by Swadlings & F o s t e r s . Remained a t home on S a t u r d a y , w i t h the e x c e p t i o n o f walk up t o the Church towards evening w i t h the g i r l s , who h e l p e d me t o c a r r y up the new Books.- Sunday was u n f o r t u n a t e l y a wet day, so t h a t I had v e r y s c a n t c o n g r e g a t i o n s a t the two c h u r c h e s , & none a t a l l a t E r i n a . - y e s t e r d a y I went to C o u l t e r ' s i n the morning, t o ask him t o b r i n g me i n some f i r e w o o d t o d a y , f o r I am now w i t h o u t a manservant, & have t o p e r f o r m a l l the m e n i a l work of c u t t i n g wood e t c . m y s e l f . Today 1 have made a round through Kincumbar, Avoca, & T o r i g a l , & b e i n g s l e e p y & t i r e d , & the c l o c k j u s t upon the s t r i k e o f e l e v e n , 1 must wipe my pen, Sf go t o bed.

29.

T h i s morning I r e c e i v e d a l e t t e r from Mr.Hargraves, ( i n r e p l y t o one w h i c h I wrote t o him l a s t week, as'tcing him t o renew my b i l l f o r 1150)Hi/i stating his inability

22 June. 1859, at the. PanUh Ckunck, KlncwmbeA, AU^ied BENTLEY, 27, BackeJioH.. Bom at Buiy St. Edmund, Stexun Engine. ModelmakeA, ol Kinc.umbe.>i - 6on o^ Tkomai ~, UoodtumeA, and Sophia [HEAD] - and Maty FUTCHER, Wldouj o^ Thomas FUTCHER, 6 zhJULdizn, 31. Bom at Dog Ttap Road, Patiamatta, Klncumbzfi - daughter o{ WHllam PATRICK, CaiKleji, and Saiah [SUNVERLANV] de.c.eja6e.d. lJilltne.6ie.6:

[2]

SocleXy

Geoige. & Maty GODWIN.

loK the. Propagation

o^ Chilitlan

Knou)le.dge..

June 1859 29.

t o do s o , & Monday's p o s t h a v i n g brought me a l e t t e r from the Bank, g i v i n g f o r m a l n o t i c e t h a t t h e b i l l was d i s h o n o r e d , I have now a d d i t i o n a l cause, o f a n x i e t y on my mind.- I see no course open b u t t o go t o Morpeth n e x t week & see i f the Bishop can a s s i s t i n e x t r i c a t i n g me from my d i f f i c u l t y & have w r i t t e n him a s h o r t note by today's p o s t a c q u a i n t i n g him w i t h my i n t e n t i o n o f p a y i n g him a v i s i t n e x t week. T h i s morning was spent as u s u a l , g o i n g t o t h e Steamer & P o s t O f f i c e . A f t e r d i n n e r Anne & I rode up t o Wyoming, t o see Mrs.Nunn, who has been v e r y u n w e l l l a t e l y , but we were g l a d t o f i n d h e r much b e t t e r .

30.

Out a g a i n today, i n t h e E r i n a d i r e c t i o n , on my u s u a l l y f r u i t l e s s e r r a n d o f money h u n t i n g , p a r t l y d o i n g Church Warden's d u t y , c o l l e c t i n g pew s e a t s & brought home o n l y £2 i n s t e a d o f £4-10, b e s i d e s a s o l i t a r y s u b s c r i p t i o n o f 10/- from Logan, a t E.Gosford.

62.

J u l y 1859. 1 & 2

A t home g e t t i n g every t h i n g p r e p a r e d , & i n r e a d i n e s s f o r my j o u r n e y t o Morpeth n e x t week. Sunday - S t a r t e d about 7 A:M: f o r my morning s e r v i c e a t Wyong Creek. A b e a u t i f u l , c l e a r , f r o s t y morning, the ground q u i t e w h i t e w i t h hoar f r o s t i n Mr.Nunn's paddocks.- Had but a s m a l l c o n g r e g a t i o n a t Wyong, & a s t i l l s m a l l e r one a t Yarramalong.- B a p t i z e d D u r r i n g t o n ' s c h i l d a t Wyong, & M r . L e t t e ' s a t Yarramalong.

[1] [2]

L e f t M r . L e t t e s a t j p 8, & found t h e wedding p a r t y w a i t i n g f o r me a t Wyong, James C l i f f o r d , & Susan F r o s t , whom I t h e r e m a r r i e d , a f t e r which I proceeded t o Cabbage Wyong Cittk

[3]

[1]

OJiZllm Jokn VUKklUGTOH, 6on oi Thotnai -, TaimzK Many Ann, Bonn 6 Apull 1859,

[2]

Emily Sophia LETTE, daaghttn o^ John Maximal & San.ah. Bon.n 23 Apnll 1859,

[3]

4 July 1859, at the. u6ual placz oi uion.6hlp at Wyong Cn.ze.k, Jamzi CLIEEOW, 20, Bachzlon.. Bonn In Wllt6hln.z, England, Labounex, o^ yann.amalong - 6on 0^ WJJillam Fanmzn, and Edith [PULLEMJ - and

SzXtlzfi

ai Va.Kn.ma.long

Su^an FROST, about 17, SplniteA. Bon.n at Enlna, Bnl6banz WaXzn, o^ Wyong Cnzzk - daughtzn. o{ Gzongz -, Laboun.zn, and Ann [VOMUELLV] WUnz66Z6:

John CLIFFORV and EUcia COULVRV.

TMO documznt'i apposed In Rzgli>teji - Coniznt 0^ Mannlagz.

o^ both paKentt, and

CznXl^lzatz

J u l y 1859. 4.

T r e e , where I found Mr.Hargraves & Edward b o t h w e l l . Having no e s t a b l i s h m e n t about him, except t h e c a r p e n t e r & h i s w i f e , I had no s e r v i c e t h e r e ,

S t a r t e d about 10 A.M: f o r Mount V i n c e n t ; where I a r r i v e d about s u n s e t , & was g l a d t o f i n d them a l l w e l l .

M r . C h i l d h a v i n g k i n d l y l e n t me a h o r s e , I proceeded t o Morpeth a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , l e a v i n g N e l l y t o r e s t t h e w h i l e . C a l l e d & saw Mrs.McKenzie a t Richmond V a l e , reached Morpeth soon a f t e r one, & found t h e B i s h o p q u i t e a l o n e , & as k i n d l y d i s p o s e d as e v e r . He q u i t e r e l i e v e d me from my d i f f i c u l t y i n t h e matter o f my prom: note t o Mr.Hargraves, by g i v i n g me a cheque f o r ÂŁ100. w h i c h , w i t h t h e ÂŁ50 I had c o l l e c t e d , met t h e note i n q u e s t i o n . I s e n t t h e money o f f a t once t h r o u g h t h e Morpeth P o s t .

S e t out on my homeward j o u r n e y about e l e v e n . C a l l e d f i r s t a t Mr.Chambers', where I was d e l i g h t e d t o f i n d Kate & Bessy from S i n g l e t o n . A f t e r p a r t a k i n g o f some l u n c h e o n , I c a l l e d on Mrs.Rusden, where I met Mrs.Selwyn from the C l a r e n c e Looked i n a g a i n a t Richmond V a l e , & t h e n jogged on t o Mount Vincent.

Made an e a r l y s t a r t a t i p 7 AM; & had a most d e l i g h t f u l day f o r my r i d e . C a l l e d a t Currumbong, & p r i v a t e l y b a p t i z e d George S t o c k d a l e ' s i n f a n t , reached home j u s t as " N i g h t ' s shades began t o i n v o l v e the s k y . "

Not much d o i n g today - went t o b r i n g M e t t l e from C o t t r i l ' s , & c a l l e d t o d e l i v e r sundry c e r t i f i c a t e s t o M r . B a t t l e y .

HaKKlat Ellen STOCKVALE, daughter o(, Geoige Robinson CuKimbong i Ann Rebecca. Bonn 12 June 1859.

EameA

J u l y 1859, 10.

Sunday, & one o f my b r i g h t days, I . e . found good c o n g r e g a t i o n s a t the s e v e r a l c h u r c h e s . & I f e l t p a r t i c u l a r l y w e l l , & able f o r the three s e r v i c e s . The day was b e a u t i f u l , w i t h c o l d f r o s t y a i r , morning & evening.

11.

A t home a l l day, c h i e f l y o c c u p i e d w i t h out-door d u t i e s of wood c u t t i n g , & g e t t i n g food f o r t h e h o r s e s , e t c . etc. T h i s b e i n g w i t h o u t a man i s a g r e a t h i n d r a n c e to me.

12.

Went up t o B l u e Gum F l a t & t h e S a w m i l l t o d a y , t o warn the people f o r next Sunday n i g h t ' s s e r v i c e . C a l l e d by t h e way t o see Mrs.Nunn, who has been s u f f e r i n g l a t e l y from some k i n d o f a r h e u m a t i c p a i n i n one hand & arm. I p a i d M r . S c o t t today f o r t h e t i m b e r he s u p p l i e d f o r t h e b u i l d i n g a t Blue Gum F l a t .

13.

W i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n o f g o i n g t o t h e Steamer, I have been a t home a g a i n today. Among t h e passengers p e r Steamer I g r e e t e d Mr.Hely, who has j u s t r e t u r n e d from E n g l a n d , &, I am happy t o s a y , has brought a w i f e o u t w i t h him.

14.

A f t e r d i n n e r went over t o Kincumbar t o v i s i t S t e a c y , Kerns h a v i n g c a l l e d t o say t h a t he was v e r y i l l , & d e s i r e d t o see me. I found t h e poor o l d man c o n f i n e d t o h i s bed, from which I t h i n k he w i l l never r i s e a g a i n . - F i n d i n g he had n o t made any W i l l , & t h a t he possessed l a n d e d p r o p e r t y a t Cook's R i v e r , I o f f e r e d t o draw o u t a w i l l f o r h i m , which he i n s t r u c t e d me to do bequeathing h i s l a n d t o h i s n e i g h b o u r , John K e r n s , from whom he has r e c e i v e d so much k i n d a t t e n t i o n f o r some y e a r s past.

15.

Having w r i t t e n S t e a c y ' s w i l l f o r him l a s t e v e n i n g , I went over t h i s a f t e r n o o n t o g e t him t o s i g n i t , t a k i n g Mr.Lane t o witness i t w i t h myself.

16.

A t home a l l today, g e t t i n g a good s u p p l y o f wood chopped, & f o o d p r o v i d e d f o r t h e h o r s e s . - I had r a t h e r a h a r d day's work, & f e l t fagged a t n i g h t .

July

1859.

17.

Sunday Rose w i t h symptoms o f headache, which i n c r e a s e d as the day advanced, but d i d not come t o a f i r s t c l a s s headache. Had a v e r y good attendance i n the e v e n i n g at B l u e Giam F l a t , n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g the darkness o f the n i g h t .

18.

Went over t o Kincumbar t o a d m i n i s t e r the H o l y Communion to Steacy, whom I found much w o r s e , - e v i d e n t l y s i n k i n g i n t o the grave. F i v e were t h e r e t o communicate w i t h him, b e s i d e s m y s e l f . The poor o l d man seemed v e r y t h a n k f u l , & I t r u s t was a c c e p t e d as worthy communicant.

19.

Went t o Mooney c r e e k t o d a y , & found a n i c e l i t t l e c o n g r e g a t i o n assembled a t Roe's house, where I h e l d s e r v i c e , & b a p t i z e d an i n f a n t grand daughter of o l d W i l l i a m Hibbs.

20.

Wet day - r a t h e r u n f a v o r a b l e f o r the Steamer, but t h e r e was no wind - James Crane came over i n the morning to o f f e r h i s s e r v i c e s i n t a k i n g the c a r t t o the steamer, wh: I g l a d l y a c c e p t e d , as t h e r e were two heavy sacks of maize t o come. I rode N e l l y over t o E . G o s f o r d , the f i r s t time I have c r o s s e d her s i n c e r e t u r n i n g from Morpeth. Her f o o t i s a g r e a t d e a l b e t t e r , t h o ' not w e l l y e t .

21.

One of the most tempestuous-days I have ever w i t n e s s e d t o r r e n t s of r a i n , & v e r y h i g h , c o l d wind f o r S t o S:E: - NO g o i n g out any where.

22.

T h i s day has been a p e r f a c t c o n t r a s t t o y e s t e r d a y ; j u s t as b e a u t i f u l as i t was stormy & r a i n y . - I was p r e p a r i n g t o go over t o Kincumbar t o see Stacey ii^t & had o l d M e t t l e i n & s a d d l e d f o r the purpose, but a v a r i e t y o f i n t e r r u p t i o n s wore away the day u n t i l i t was too l a t e . I must t h e r e f o r e break through my r u l e tomorrow, & go out on S a t u r d a y . We have had a party

Kdzla. FKanczi HIBBS, iZltgJiJJjnaite. daughteA Sarah Rtbzaca. GianddaugkteA Wlltiam HJBBS, FameA ol Moonty Mooney C>ie.e.k. Bom 9 June. 1859.

July

1859

22.

of the G i t t i n s e s h e r e t o d a y , E l l e n & A l e x a , C h a r l e s & Mr.Homfray.- Mr. Nunn a l s o c a l l e d t o speak t o me about the steamer. B l a c k Swan, Mr.Manning h a v i n g w r i t t e n t o me on Wednesday t o say t h a t he c o u l d not c o n t i n u e the weekly t r i p s , & must reduce them t o 2 per month. Mr.Nunn c a l l e d t o say t h a t he had been c o n s u l t i n g s e v e r a l p a r t i e s , who a l l h o l d the same o p i n i o n w i t h h i m s e l f t h a t the B l a c k Swan had b e t t e r be withdrawn a l t o g e t h e r , & so make room f o r a n o t h e r .

23.

T h i s morning I went o v e r t o Kincumbar t o see S t a c e y , whom I found much as I had l e f t him on Monday l a s t , but was s o r r y t o hear from Mrs.Keans, t h a t he i s g e t t i n g i m p a t i e n t under h i s s u f f e r i n g , & not b e a r i n g h i s p a i n s so w e l l as a d y i n g X t i a n ought. I r e a d a c o u p l e of Passages from the B i b l e ( Heb. 12 & 1 Rs.2) & endeavoured t o impress upon him the d u t y of p a t i e n t s u b m i s s i o n e t c . - T h i s a f t e r n o o n o c c u p i e d p r e p a r i n g f o o d f o r my h o r s e s , & wood f o r the f i r e s f o r tomorrow (Sunday)

August 11.

1859.

(Thursday) I am p a s s i n g away my time now i n a v e r y u n s a t i s f a c t o r y & u n p r o f i t a b l e manner, so l a r g e a p o r t i o n of i t b e i n g spent i n w o o d c u t t i n g & p r o v i d i n g f o r my h o r s e s , so t h a t by the time I have f i n i s h e d a l l the n e c e s s a r y jobs f o r the day, t h e r e i s l i t t l e time t o go out v i s i t i n g my p a r i s h i o n e r s . Here i s a gap of n e a r l y a f o r t n i g h t s i n c e the l a s t d a t e , w h i c h I must endeavour a t l e a s t p a r t i a l l y t o f i l l up. On Tuesday the 26th I went t o B l u e Gum F l a t & C h i t t a w a y , t o warn the people of the morning s e r v i c e a t the F l a t the coming Sunday. On Wednesday, l o s t some 2 hours or more w a i t i n g & w a t c h i n g f o r the steamer, w h i c h d i d not come

66.

August 11.

1859,

t h a t day, owing, as I s i n c e l e a r n t from Mr,Manning, t o the b o i s t e r o u s weather. On F r i d a y the 2 9 t h , we a l l went down t o M y r t l e Grove i n the b o a t , & brought A l e x a . home w i t h u s . - Sunday was u n f o r t u n a t e l y a wet day, & though I had a good c o n g r e g a t i o n a t B : G ; F l a t , t h e r e were s c a r c e l y any i n the a f t n . a t G o s f o r d . L a s t Thursday we a l l went up t o E r i n a , Anne spent the day w i t h M i s s Donnison w h i l e A l e x a , the 2 g i r l s , & myself went on t o T o r i g a l , M i s s D: l e n d i n g us two of t h e i r h o r s e s . M i s s L a u r a we found v e r y i l l , under Dr.Auld's t r e a t m e n t , c o n f i n e d t o the couch, & it s u f f e r i n g much p a i n . - A l l F r i d a y I was v e r y busy p r e p a r i n g f o r my Mangrove j o u r n e y , g e t t i n g a good s u p p l y o f wood c u t , e t c . e t c . - On Saturday I s t a r t e d , & had a f i n e day f o r my j o u r n e y . Came back a g a i n on Tuesday, h a v i n g accomplished my u s u a l r o u t i n e o f Mangrove d u t y . Visited poor o l d M r . P a r r y on Monday, f o r the l a s t t i m e , f o r t h i s e v e n i n g word has come down t h a t he d i e d t h i s morning. Y e s t e r d a y b e i n g Steamer day I went over as u s u a l t o see what t h i n g s she had brought f o r me etc e t c . Today I have been t o see o l d S t a c e y , & made a few o t h e r c a l l s i n the neighbourhood, l o o k i n g i n at E r i n a on the way back, where I was r e j o i c e d t o f i n d M i s s L a u r a v e r y much b e t t e r .

September 28.

fjj

Mo mtiij

[2]

VtnnU

RtgxAteji

STACEV, aged 76, SmyeA

f'J

1859.

Q u i t e time f o r me t o break s i l e n c e , & a g a i n make some l i t t l e mention o f what I am d o i n g - Much has t r a n s p i r e d s i n c e the l a s t d a t e , but a b r i e f o u t l i n e of some of the more prominent m a t t e r s , i s a l l t h a t my poor memory w i l l enable me t o a t t e m p t . - Poor o l d Stacey d i e d about the middle of l a s t month,& 1 b u r i e d him a t Kincumbar on h i s b i r t h d a y , the 16th Augt. ^ound In Chmch

67.

^ot

bmlati.

oi KlncmbeA.

Vltd

13 Auguil

1859.

f2J

September 1859 I cannot now c a l l t o mind any v e r y p a r t i c u l a r e v e n t s , 68. o r t r a n s a c t i o n s d u r i n g t h e remainder o f August, my time was o c c u p i e d as u s u a l t o o much o f i t i n t h e performance o f m e n i a l work. On F r i d a y t h e 2nd i n s t a n t I s e t out f o r Yarramalong, c a l l i n g a t W a l l a r r a b a by the way, t o make a c q u a i n t a n c e w i t h some new comers i n t h a t l o c a l i t y . Four f a m i l i e s b r o t h e r s , named M o r r i s , & a l l church people have l a t e l y come t o commence w o r k i n g t h e i r l i t t l e farms t h e r e . J u s t as I had seen them a l l , & had t u r n e d my h o r s e ' s head towards Yarramalong, i t commenced r a i n i n g , & I rode f o r about 2 h o u r s , i n as heavy a p o u r i n g down r a i n as ever I was out i n . I t was p a s t 6 o ' c l o c k when I a r r i v e d a t M r . L e t t e ' s & the r a i n continued a l l n i g h t , pouring i n t o r r e n t s , c o n s e q u e n t l y when we got up on Saturday morning, we were n o t s u r p r i s e d t o f i n d t h e creek f l o o d e d , & t h e water coming i n upon t h e c u l t i v a t i o n ground. I t ; c o n t i n u e d r i s i n g a l l t h a t day & n e x t n i g h t , & t h e r e I was c o m p l e t e l y hemmed i n by f l o o d s t i l l Tuesday morning, when M r . L e t t e accompanied me a few m i l e s t o show me t h e t r a c k l e a d i n g t o Mangrove, t h a t b e i n g t h e o n l y r o u t e by which I c o u l d p o s s i b l y g e t away. I reached t h e B l o o d Tree about 9 m i l e s from Mr. L e t t e s , & t h e n came a l o n g t h e Mangrove t r a c k , & down by t h e S a w m i l l . On F r i d a y the 9 t h U n c l e F e r r i s a r r i v e d per steamer, & i s here still. The f o l l o w i n g week I was g o i n g about as much as I c o u l d t o warn t h e people o f the B i s h o p ' s a p p r o a c h i n g v i s i t . - Went t o M y r t l e Grove one day i n t h e b o a t , w i t h F e r r i s , who p u l l e d one o a r a l l t h e way t h e r e & back. I got C h a r l e s t o take me up t o D a v i s ' s as w e l l . C a l l e d on Mr. Henderson

September 28.

29.

1859.

as we weat down. On S a t u r d a y the 17th F e r r i s rode w i t h me t o Mangrove. On Monday, 19th I met the B i s h o p by appointment a t the 10 m i l e h o l l o w a t i p 8, & a f t e r h a v i n g s e r v i c e a t Mangrove, which was w e l l a t t e n d e d , we come down & reached home b e f o r e 6 o ' c l o c k . - On Tuesday a f t e r n o o n we had s e r v i c e a t B l u e Gum F l a t On Wednesday a t Kincumbar, & on Thursday a t G o s f o r d a l l w e l l attended, & everything s a t i s f a c t o r i l y arranged t o u c h i n g the S t i p e n d Fund. On F r i d a y we s t a r t e d e a r l y & had s e r v i c e a t Wyong Creek, a f t e r w h i c h the B i s h o p proceeded on h i s j o u r n e y t o Mount V i n c e n t , & F e r r i s & m y s e l f rode l e i s u r e l y home. On Saturday I was g l a d o f a days r e s t a f t e r a l l the week's e x c i t e m e n t & I daresay my h o r s e s were e q u a l l y p l e a s e d w i t h the h o l i d a y . My c o n g r e g a t i o n s on Sunday were r a t h e r below the u s u a l s t a n d a r d . On Monday morning ( 2 6 t h ) I rode up t o the S a w m i l l t o B a p t i z e a s i c k c h i l d - Mrs.Tomlinson's, & rode home from thence accompanied by M r . S c o t t . Y e s t e r d a y I went over t o Kincumbar, v i s i t i n g a t Woodward's, D a v i s e s , P o o l e ' s & a c r o s s the water t h e r e t o T a y l o r ' s . T h i s e v e n i n g I rode up t o E r i n a , t o see Mrs.White p r e v i o u s to her d e p a r t u r e from the d i s t r i c t .

69.

[7j

F e r r i s & I took a r i d e today down t o the G i t t i n s e s , who have removed from M y r t l e Grove t o t h e i r new r e s i d e n c e Ward's p r o p e r t y near the heads, w h i c h , f o r want o f a name we have c a l l e d "Tonga" from the q u a n t i t y o f t h a t p l a n t w h i c h grows i n t h a t l o c a l i t y . I went on & c a l l e d on Captn J o y c e .

Ann EtLza TOULIHSOH, daughXeA i Marganejt, Born 9 StpteiribHA

Samatl -, SavomakeA. 1S59,

Oarlmbah

SmrnWi

October 8.

1859.

( S a t u r d a y n i g h t ) Y e s t e r d a y week I s t a r t e d f o r Mangrove about midday & reached Watkins's about ^ p 7. Saturday I spent a t the lower p a r t o f the c r e e k & Monday a t the Upper p a r t ; t a k i n g names of S u b s c r i b e r s t o the S t i p e n d Fund.- I succeeded v e r y f a i r l y , g e t t i n g s u b s c r i p t i o n s to n e a r l y ÂŁ20. Made an e a r l y s t a r t on Tuesday morning & reached home about I p 10. & saw F e r r i s o f f per Steamer.- I found on my r e t u r n a l e t t e r from the B i s h o p r e q u e s t i n g me t o draw up a s i m p l e memorial t o P a r l i a m e n t a g a i n s t the a b o l i t i o n o f s t a t e a i d t o R e l i g i o n , & a f t e r g e t t i n g i t as numerously s i g n e d as p o s s i b l e , to send i t t o Mr.Cape f o r p r e s e n t a t i o n & t h i s has engaged the whole o f my time f o r the l a s t t h r e e days, u n t i l t o d a y , w h i c h I have spent a t home a t job work.

16.

Summer has come s u d d e n l y upon us. The l a s t 2 o r 3 days have been v e r y warm, e s p e c i a l l y t o d a y , when the thermo: reached 90 i n the shade. I went t o B l u e Gum F l a t t h i s morning t o bury a C h i l d o f W:Durrington at Wyong Creek. I t s d e a t h was o c c a s i o n e d by f i r e , b e i n g s e v e r e l y b u r n t a few weeks ago.

14.

On Tuesday a f t e r n o o n I rode over t o Kincumbar t o see Mrs.Dunlop, who I h e a r d was u n w e l l , & from thence by MrS.Woodward's down t o D a v i s ' s which made i t v e r y l a t e b e f o r e I got home a g a i n . - On Wednesday a f t e r n o o n I rode up t o Mangrove f o r the purpose on M a r r y i n g a couple t h e r e y e s t e r d a y . I s a a c D i x o n & Jane L e w l s & h a v i n g performed t h a t ceremony y e s t e r d a y morning, came back a g a i n i n the a f t e r n o o n . At home a l l today letter writing etc.

[1]

Elizabeth VURKlNGTOhl, OjJ Wyong Ciddk., agzd 5 yzai6 5 months, the. daughtzi o^ William -, EatmOJi. Vle.d S Octobeji 1S59,

[2]

Ho e.ntn.y ^oand In Chufich Re.gli,teA.

70.

October 29.

1859.

( S a t u r d a y evening) Here i s the end o f another week, & 72 l i k e most of i t s p r e d e c e s s o r s , I f e a r t h e r e i s l i t t l e p r o f i t a b l e l a b o u r t o r e c o r d . On a r r i v i n g a t the Church at Kincumbar on Sunday a f t e r n o o n , I l e a r n t t h a t Mrs.Dunlop [T] had d i e d about one o ' c l o c k , & a t Mr.John Dunlops r e q u e s t I went round t h a t way a f t e r c h u r c h & a r r a n g e d w i t h him f o r the f u n e r a l t o take p l a c e a t e l e v e n o ' c l o c k on Tuesday. On Monday morning I went a c r o s s t o P o i n t C l a r e , t o see M r . S c o t t , about commencing h i s work o f c o l l e c t i n g , & had to put him r i g h t a l s o w i t h r e g a r d t o the m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g of the Bishop's a d d r e s s . I n the e v e n i n g I rode up t o E r i n a t o see Mr.Wm Nunn, & have a l i t t l e e x p l a n a t o r y c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h him on the same s u b j e c t . I c o n v i n c e d him a l s o t h a t the people were q u i t e under a mistake as t o the b i s h o p " m i s l e a d i n g " them, but doubt whether hki a c q u i e s c e s i n the system as b e i n g g e n e r a l l y adopted throughout the D i o c e s e . I remained t o t e a t h e r e , Mr.B: Horsbrugh b e i n g p r e s e n t a l s o . 9n-Wednesday-afteifnoon-in On Tuesday morng I went over t o Kincumbar t o perform the f u n e r a l s e r v i c e over the remains o f Mrs.Dunlop. A t the r e q u e s t o f Mr.D: (who s a i d i t was the d y i n g r e q u e s t o f h i s s i s t e r i n l a w ) I went f i r s t t o the house, & t h e n , g o i n g on b e f o r e the f u n e r a l p r o c e s s i o n t o the Church y a r d , r e a d t h a t p o r t i o n o n l y o f the b u r i a l s e r v i c e which i s a p p o i n t e d t o be r e a d a t the g r a v e . Mrs.D:, t h o ' a P r e s b y t e r i a n , had always a t t e n d e d our Church a t Kincumbar. A f t e r the f u n e r a l I r e t u r n e d home, c a l l i n g on my way back, upon a newly a r r i v e d f a m i l y i n E:Gosford, W a l t e r Kemp by name, a shoemaker who works f o r M r . P u t l a n d . On Wednesday a f t e r n o o n I rode up t o E r i n a a g a i n , & v i s i t e d Mrs.Swadling f i r s t , & from thence went on t o see o l d Warburton, who c o n t i n u e s I n the same f e e b l e s t a t e . Marianne accompanied me on " N e l l y " as f a r as

Jane. VUMLOP, age.d 67, ol KlncumbeA, Wldouj KitKonomeA. Royal, Vied 23 Octoben. 1S59.

the. late. Jme.6 -,

October 1859 29.

Mrs. Wm.Nunn's, where I l e f t h e r t i l l my r e t u r n from v i s i t i n g t h e o t h e r f o l k e s . On Thursday I went as f a r as C h i t t a w a y , & t h e S a w m i l l , t o remind t h e people of t h e s e r v i c e a t Blue Gum F l a t tomorrow morng.- Very l a t e when I reached home i n t h e e v e n i n g . Y e s t e r d a y I remained a t home p u r p o s e l y t o r e a d t h e p a r l i a m e n t a r y debate on t h e e d u c a t i o n b i l l o f Mr.Cowper, which has been thrown o u t by a m a j o r i t y o f 57 t o 8 a g a i n s t t h e second r e a d i n g o f t h e B i l l . The consequence o f t h i s d e f e a t was, t h e r e s i g n a t i o n o f m i n i s t e r s t h e f o l l o w i n g day - A t home today p r e p a r i n g f o r tomorrow's d u t i e s , e t c . etc.

31.

T o l e r a b l e c o n g r e g a t i o n y e s t e r d a y both a t B l u e Gum F l a t & a t G o s f o r d . Today we have been spending w i t h t h e Nunns, a t Wyoming. Anne & E m i l y rode up on horse back w h i l e Marianne & I w a l k e d , & a v e r y h o t walk we made i t by s t a r t i n g some 2 hours l a t e r than we s h o u l d have done.

November 1859 1.

Fine with went rode Seed the

day, as u s u a l , f o r t h e " B l a c k Swan." which came i n a g o o d l y f r e i g h t a g e both o f goods & passengers. I over t o meet h e r i n t h e morning, & i n t h e a f t e r n o o n o u t as f a r as Seaman's. R e c e i v e d a q u a n t i t y o f C o t t o n by t h e Steamer, which I w i s h t o d i s t r i b u t e throughout district.

A t home a l l t h e morning. Rode up t o E r i n a towards to c a l l on Mrs. Wm Nunn, w i t h Anne.

To Kincumbar t o d a y , & o u t as f a r as McMasters. the way a t R e y n o l d s , Godwin B e n t l e y , & K i r k .

To t h e Steamer i n the morning. A f t e r d i n n e r we went by boat t o c a l l on Mrs.Mann

evening

c a l l i n g by

November

1859

Kate Nunn accompanied us. T h i s morning C a p t n . B r e t t 74. of the B l a c k Swan t o l d me t h a t he thought i f I were t o w r i t e t o Mr.Manning, s u g g e s t i n g more f r e q u e n t v i s i t s of t h a t v e s s e l t o B:Water, he might a t t e n d t o my s u g g e s t i o n . I have a c t e d upon h i s h i n t , & recommended Mr.M: t o t r y a g a i n , Tuesday & F r i d a y o f every a l t e r n a t e week, a t l e a s t d u r i n g the summer months.

A t home a l l day, p r e p a r i n g f o r my etc.

10.

journey t o Yarramalong

Returned home l a s t n i g h t , h a v i n g been 4 days away. S t a r t e d soon a f t e r 7 o ' c l o c k on Sunday morning, & had v e r y f a i r c o n g r e g a t i o n s b o t h a t Wyong & a t Yarramalong. On Monday I rode t o Cabbage Tree, c a l l i n g by the way on the D u r r i n g t o n s & M o r r i s e s . - I found Henry M o r r i s s u f f e r i n g from the e f f e c t o f a gun shot wound he had r e c e i v e d i n h i s l e g , by the a c c i d e n t a l d i s c h a r g i n g o f h i s b r o t h e r George's gun.- They were both out s h o o t i n g the day b e f o r e , - Sunday, & when t r y i n g t o creep up u n p e r c e i v e d t o a number o f ducks, something caught the hammer of George's gun, & caused i t t o go o f f . I p r e v a i l e d on them t o send f o r D r . A u l d . On Tuesday, Edward Hargraves accompanied me t o John T a a f f e ' s a Lake M a c q u a r i e , where I found the two Boyds from R e l d ' s M i s t a k e w i t h t h e i r f a m i l i e s , & an Uncle who had l a t e l y come t o v i s i t them. A l t o g e t h e r I had a c o n g r e g a t i o n of some 15 or 16, & b a p t i z e d two c h i l d r e n , W i l l i a m Boyd's & T a a f f e ' s . - U n f o r t u n a t e l y , I had one [T] of my w o r s t headaches, w h i c h came on soon a f t e r b r e a k f a s t & c o n t i n u e d a l l day & the g r e a t e r p a r t o f the n i g h t , so t h a t I got v e r y l i t t l e r e s t . - I s t a r t e d from Cabbage t r e e y e s t e r d a y morning, & came home v i a Reedy F l a t & W a l l a r r a b b f , where I found both p a t i e n t s , Mr.Murphy, & H : M o r r i s p r o g r e s s i n g f a v o u r a b l y w i t h t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e i n j u r i e s . Dr.Auld had been t o see M o r r i s , & he was much

[T]

EtizabeXk BOW, daughteA Wlltiam & Elizabeth. Bom 22 June. 1859,

-, ManlneA

[2]

Eliza 7 A A F F E , daughte.>i Oj{ John -, GrazleA i Elizabeth. Bom 12 Octoben. 1859.

oi ReM'6

MUtake.

o^ Lake. Macquarie.

[2]

November

1859.

10.

than-easter e a s i e r t h a n when I saw him on Monday.Reached home soon a f t e r 7 o'c: & v e r y g l a d t o f i n d m y s e l f s a f e a t home a g a i n . - Today I have been r e s t i n g a f t e r my j o u r n e y . Mr.Moore c a l l e d i n the morning, & we p r e v a i l e d 6n him t o s t a y & occupy our spare room.

11.

Rode up t o Wyoming w i t h Mr.Moore t h i s morning t o c a l l upon the Nunns. W r i t i n g l e t t e r s f o r the post i n the afternoon.

12.

A t home a l l day p r e p a r i n g f o r tomorrows d u t i e s .

19.

Saturday n i g h t . - Here i s the c l o s e o f another week, & a v e r y f r u i t l e s s one i t has been. Mr.Moore accompanied me t o Kincumbar Church on Sunday a f t e r n o o n . On Monday, 1 went up t o the S c h o o l i n the morning. Tuesday, the weather b e i n g a l i t t l e r a i n y & t h r e a t e n i n g I d i d not go o u t . Mr.Moore l e f t us e a r l y t h a t morng. f o r Green P o i n t - Wednesday I went t o Kincumbar, & extended my r i d e down t o Tonga V a l e & Cap:Joyce's, where I found a l l p a r t i e s w e l l - The t h r e e l a s t days I have not been out anywhere, h a v i n g a good many t h i n g s a t home t o occupy me - l e t t e r w r i t i n g y e s t e r d a y , sermon w r i t i n g today w i t h sundry I n t e r r u p t i o n s , as u s u a l .

21.

Having n e g l e c t e d my boat f o r a l o n g t i m e , I determined t o get her out o f the water today, & g i v e her a good c l e a n i n g , & a c o a t of t a r . While thus employed, Dr.Auld came a l o n g & t o l d me t h a t he had been sent f o r t o see Rosa B a t t l e y , who was s e r i o u s l y i l l h a v i n g been s e i z e d w i t h v i o l e n t f i t s o f t r e m b l i n g & c o n v u l s e d her whole frame. I went over t o see her s h o r t l y a f t e r , & was much concerned t o f i n d the s t a t e she was i n .

22.

R e c e i v e d a message today from a man named John Cox, l i v i n g a t the mouth o f Mangrove Creek, who b e i n g i n a v e r y p r e c a r i o u s s t a t e of h e a l t h , wished me t o come

75.

November 22.

I t h e r e f o r e arranged t o s t a r t tomorrow morning, & a f t e r g o i n g over t o t h e Steamer s e t t o work & t a r r e d my b o a t , & water cask.

23.

Set o f f f o r Mangrove Creek about 6 A.M. & reached Watkins' about 1 o ' c l o c k . A f t e r g e t t i n g some l u n c h , I p r o c u r e d the s e r v i c e s o f Mat:Pemberton, t o row me down the c r e e k i n the S c h o o l b o a t . I remained a t Mr.Cox's t h a t n i g h t . - found the poor man a g r e a t i n v a l i d , h i s c o m p l a i n t b e i n g pronounced by Dr.Bellamy, h i s m e d i c a l a d v i s e r , q u i t e i n c u r a b l e . Asthma, he c a l l s i t , but I s h o u l d have s e t i t down f o r Consumption. He seemed v e r y g r a t e f u l f o r my v i s i t , & f e e l i n g t h a t he may not have l o n g t o remain i n t h i s w o r l d , i s a n x i o u s to make h i s peace w i t h God, "before he goes hence & i s no more seen" I l e f t him e a r l y t h i s morning, (24th) h i s man rowing me up as f a r as Wm.Woodbury's, from whence I walked t o Watkins'. c a l l i n g on Mr.Wheeler by the way, & s t a r t i n g about one o ' c l o c k reached^ home b e f o r e dark. Went t o see Rosa B a t t l e y , & was g r i e v e d t o f i n d t h a t a l l hope of h e r r e c o v e r y was abandoned. She was i n a profound s l e e p , from the e f f e c t s o f a composing m e d i c i n e .

24.

25.

[1]

^)eeefflbeir 1859.

L e a r n t the f i r s t t h i n g t h i s morning t h a t poor Rosa departed l a s t n i g h t a l i t t l e before midnight. Being one o f a X t i a n f a m i l y , & h a v i n g always a c t e d c o n s i s t e n t l y w i t h her p r o f e s s i o n , we have a l l the c o n s o l a t i o n of a good hope t h a t she w i l l be found among the w i s e v i r g i n s , who have o i l i n t h e i r v e s s e l s w i t h t h e i r lamps. I t i s c o n f o r t i n g , & i n s t r u c t i v e , t o w i t n e s s the p e r f e c t r e s i g n a t i o n w i t h which h e r s o r r o w i n g p a r e n t s bear t h e i r l o s s : c l e a r l y showing how w e l l they have l e a r n t S t . P a u l ' s l e s s o n "not t o sorrow as those w i t h o u t hope, f o r them t h a t s l e e p i n J e s u s "

Ro6t Annt BATTLEY, Go4>^ond, aged 24, tkn datighttn. ol Thomai Cade. -, CleJik Petty Se44-t.on4. Vlext 24 Uovembei

1S59.

76.

[1]

GOSFORD - THE OLD WHARF

PHOTO: BRISBANE WATER HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Above: The wharf below Parsonage Hill at the bottom of Wharf Road. Below: In Glennie's time, the steamer called at East Gosford's "Victoria Wharf.

ETCHING FROM BOYD & KING'S 1885 BOOKLET "FARMERS AND SETTLERS' GUIDE"

Plate XII

November Beeember 1859, 26.

Mr,Moore took h i s d e p a r t u r e y e s t e r d a y per " B l a c k Swan "- Soon a f t e r b r e a k f a s t we s p i e d the "Dingy" coming up the broadwater, & on near a p p r o a c h i n g we found i t t o c o n t a i n M i s s G i t t i n s & A l e x a . rowed by C h a r l e s . They spent the day w i t h u s , & r e t u r n e d i n the a f t e r n o o n , t a k i n g Marianne w i t h them. About noon today was the time a p p o i n t e d f o r the F u n e r a l of Rosa B a t t l e y . & I a c c o r d i n g l y went over t o perform t h a t l a s t solmen r i t e o f the Church. A good many of the neighbours a t t e n d e d , & I was g l a d t o f i n d Mr.Hargraves at the house. I n the a f t e r n o o n I remained a t home, p r e p a r i n g my sermon f o r tomorrow. D r . A u l d came i n to M r . B a t t l e y ' s j u s t a f t e r the f u n e r a l & announced t h a t a l i t t l e g i r l a t Kincumbar about 6 y r s o l d (a Roman Cathc.) had been burnt t o d e a t h t h i s morning. He had a l s o been t o see a boy of Wright's a t E r i n a , who met w i t h a d r e a d f u l a c c i d e n t y e s t e r d a y , h a v i n g been much c r u s h e d by the r o l l i n g o f a l o g over him. He seemed t o t h i n k , however, t h a t the boy was d o i n g well.

28.

I n a d d i t i o n t o my u s u a l c o n g r e g a t i o n y e s t e r d a y I had s e v e r a l s t r a n g e r s i n Church namely. M i s s e s Osborne, F r e d r H e l y , two sons o f Edwd. H e l y o f Lake M a c q u a r i e , Mr.Hargraves, M r . L y a l l S c o t t & M r s . L e t t e . I had another f u n e r a l t h i s a f t e r n o o n , the poor boy of W r i g h t s d i e d y e s t e r d a y from the e f f e c t s o f h i s i n j u r i e s . The wind was b l o w i n g v e r y keen & s t r o n g from the South, & I f e e l t h a t I have t a k e n c o l d .

29.

77.

Have had a j o u r n e y o f f i f t y m i l e s today, h a v i n g been to Freeman's a t Wyee, t o Marry James Freeman, (by L i c e n s e ) t o a v e r y n i c e young g i r l , a p p a r e n t l y , the grand daughter of one Thomas F e n n e l l , whom I saw some time ago p a i n t i n g a t Mr.Hargraves. 1 s t a r t e d about 5 A:M: & reached

[2]

[1]

Rldhan-d Pzdley WRIGHT, Erina, aged 12, the. 6on o(, Richard Moulder In Iron, Vied 27 Movember 1859,

[2]

29 November 1859, at the private residence Jama FREEMAN, Snr, at Wyee, near Lake Macquarie, JameA FREEMAN, nearly 25, Bachelor, Born at Brisbane Water, Stockman o^ Wyee - 6on ol JameA -, Valryman, and Mary Ann [SMITH] - and Sorelna Mary SMITH, 19k, Spinster, o^ Sydney - daughter Labourer, and Seetlna Margaret [FENNELL] deceased, Wltne66e6:

JameA FREEMAN Snr,,

and Mary Ann FREEMAN,

[1]

Pe.dlejj -,

o^ Jame-i -,

November Beeember 29.

1859.

Freemans b e f o r e 10, h a v i n g some heavy r a i n by the way, & g e t t i n g my f e e t wet, I had t o r i d e home i n the a f t e r n o o n a g a i n s t a v e r y c o l d s o u t h e r l y g a l e , & a l l t h i s has not tended t o remove, but r a t h e r t o i n c r e a s e my c o l d .

December

1859

On Wednesday, Thursday, & today, my c o l d b e i n g r a t h e r troublesome, & the wind e v e r y day b l o w i n g v e r y s t r o n g & b l e a k from the southward, I thought i t prudent t o remain i n d o o r s , & endeavour t o get w e l l b e f o r e S a t u r d a y , so t h a t I might be ready f o r my Mangrove j o u r n e y .

10.

T h i s has been an a w f u l l y hot day, the thermo: h a v i n g j u s t reached 100 i n our verandah. T h i s day week, (Saturday 3rd) I s t a r t e d about noon f o r Mangrove, & had a v e r y hot r i d e up. Sunday was much h o t t e r , & Monday h o t t e r s t i l l . We had S c h o o l e x a m i n a t i o n & f e a s t f o r the c h i l d r e n a t the upper S c h o o l , where : they a l l assembled, & were v e r y happy, n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g the h e a t . On Tuesday I made an e a r l y s t a r t , & got Johnny Woodbury t o row me down the Creek t o Mr.Cox's . I was g l a d t o f i n d him v e r y much b e t t e r than when I was t h e r e b e f o r e . 1 c a l l e d upon a l l the people i n t h a t neighbourhood & got back t o Watkins's a f t e r dark. On Wednesday I s t a r t e d about 6 o ' c l o c k , & found m y s e l f s a f e a t home a g a i n about one. A Thunderstorm passed over j u s t as 1 got i n , but s c a r c e l y any r a i n . I suppose i t was the thunder i n the a i r which brought on a bad headache, & l a i d me on the s o f a a l l the a f t e r n o o n . On Thursday morning, h e a r i n g t h a t Mr.Joseph Spears

78.

December 1859 was v e r y 111, I walked o v e r t o see him. He was up & about though seemingly v e r y p o o r l y . & r a t h e r shaken i n mind as w e l l a s body.- From thence I went t o see Mrs.Rudkin, who has another l i t t l e son. & then t o the P o i n t House t o c a l l on two Messrs Peek, b r o t h e r s of the l a t e Saml.Peek, who came down per steamer on Tuesday & brought a l e t t e r o f i n t r o d u c t i o n from F e r r i s . They were n o t a t home but came over i n t h e a f t e r n o o n , & I took them a c r o s s t h e water t o P o i n t C l a r e t o see M r . S c o t t & h i s banana p l a n t a t i o n . We a l l went t o g e t h e r & had a n i c e c o o l e v e n i n g . - Y e s t e r d a y morning I went over t o t h e Steamer, & found i t e x c e e d i n g l y h o t . C a l l e d a t M r . B a t t l e y s by t h e way & i n v i t e d F r e d : H e l y & some o f t h e young f o l k s t o come & spend t h e e v e n i n g , which t h e y d i d . Mrs.Nunn & Kate came down a l s o , & Mr.Nunn came & took them home.- Today i t has been too h o t t o do a n y t h i n g e i t h e r i n s i d e t h e house o r o u t s i d e . 1 c o u l d o n l y manage t o l o o k out some sermons f o r tomorrow, & t h e n t r i e d t o r e a d , but n o t b e i n g v e r y w e l l , I c o u l d n o t get on w i t h a n y t h i n g . 12.

(Monday) My c o n g r e g a t i o n was below t h e average y e s t e r d a y at G o s f o r d , b u t v e r y good a t Kincumbar & E r i n a . F r e d H e l y & John B a t t l e y went w i t h me t o t h e l a t t e r p l a c e s . The day was c o o l & p l e a s a n t . - A t E r i n a I gave n o t i c e f o r a meeting n e x t Saturday a f t e r n o o n , to enable me t o address t h e people on t h e s u b j e c t of the s u p p o r t o f t h e C l e r g y . - Today 1 have remained at home.- The M i s s Donnisons came & spent t h e day w i t h us.

14.

Y e s t e r d a y I had a v e r y l o n g day ( t o o l o n g ) out v i s i t i n g . I went f i r s t t o Kincumbar, & from thence a c r o s s t o T o r i g a l , & so round by E r i n a homeward. I t was p a s t 9 o ' c l o c k when I came i n , n o t a l i t t l e exhausted, h a v i n g t a s t e d o n l y a mouth-

Eme^t Alfred RUVKJM, 6on o{ VanJidi i Magdale.ne.. Born 2 Vncmbvi 1859.

SckooJbna^teA oi Ea^l Go^^oid

79.

December 1859 14.

f u l o f bread & b u t t e r & g l a s s o f m i l k & w a t e r , ( a t K e r n s ) s i n c e b r e a k f a s t : I found E m i l y B a t t l e y here on my r e t u r n home, - come t o spend a few days w i t h u s . Today we a l l went up t o spend t h e day w i t h M i s s Donnison, c a l l i n g on Mrs.Wm.Nunn on o u r way home.

15.

A t home a l l t h e morning, employed c h i e f l y i n p r o v i d i n g food f o r my h o r s e s , w h i c h , f o r want o f r a i n , i s becoming v e r y s c a r c e . - A f t e r d i n n e r 1 went up t o E r i n a , & c a l l e d on a l l between t h a t & F l e t c h e r s , over t h e "Bangelow B r i d g e e t c . i n v i t i n g them t o a t t e n d t h e meeting on Saturday a f t e r n o o n .

16.

A t home today, w r i t i n g l e t t e r s e t c . About noon we s p i e d t h e G i t t i n s ' " d i n g y " coming up t h e broad w a t e r , & on n e a r i n g t h e wharf d i s c o v e r e d i t s c o n t e n t s t o be Mr.Homfrey & E l l e n , C h a r l e s & Marianne. T h i s a f t e r n o o n we a l l went a c r o s s i n my boat t o see M r . S c o t t s banana p l a n t a t i o n , & enjoyed t h e t r i p v e r y much.Ellen remained to s t a y a few days w i t h u s .

17.

The c h i e f f e a t u r e i n t h i s days work has been a meeting which I h e l d a t E r i n a t h i s a f t e r n o o n , f o r t h e purpose of e x p l a i n i n g t o t h e people t h e p r e s e n t system on w h i c h t h e C l e r g y a r e s u p p o r t e d , & i n v i t i n g them t o become s u b s c r i b e r s t o t h e C l e r g y Fund. The meeting was but t h i n l y a t t e n d e d , o n l y e l e v e n persons. Some of them had a l r e a d y become s u b s c r i b e r s , b u t from t h e 8 new ones p r e s e n t , I g o t t h e promise o f ÂŁ7.10.

19.

S e r v i c e s as u s u a l y e s t e r d a y . E l l e n G i t t i n s accompanied me t o Blue Gum F l a t i n t h e evening & enjoyed t h e r i d e , & was much p l e a s e d w i t h t h e l i t t l e Church t h e r e . On o u r way back I l e a r n t from Mr,Nunn t h a t t h r e e o f Campbells c h i l d r e n had poisoned themselves by e a t i n g some b e r r i e s they found I n t h e bush, I l o o k e d I n & saw them as we rode by - They were a l l d e l i r i o u s & a good d e a l c o n v u l s e d . I rode up e a r l y t h i s

80.

December 1859. 19.

morning, & was g l a d t o f i n d them a l l much b e t t e r , & s l e e p i n g c o m f o r t a b l y . We had a n i c e l i t t l e e x c u r s i o n out t o T o r i g a l today - E l l e n rode " N e l l y " & M i s s Donnison k i n d l y l e n t two o f t h e i r h o r s e s f o r t h e g i r l s . E m i l y & Tom B a t t l e y were a l s o o f t h e p a r t y . The weather was most f a v o u r a b l e , & we a l l g r e a t l y enjoyed i t .

20.

Went over t o t h e Steamer t h i s morning, & i n t h e a f t e r n o o n we went up, a l l o f u s , i n t h e boat t o c a l l on Mrs.Mann.

21.

E x a m i n a t i o n o f Kincumbar S c h o o l today.

22.

Remained a t home today. Mr.Homfrey, C h a r l e s & A l e x a . came up t o take E l l e n home a g a i n . They a r r i v e d b e f o r e b r e a k f a s t & spent a l o n g day w i t h u s . I n t h e forenoon we took a s t r o l l down t o t h e B u r i a l Ground & i n t h e afternoon t o the top of r e c r e a t i o n h i l l .

23.

E x a m i n a t i o n o f E r G o s f o r d S c h o o l , which o c c u p i e d t h e g r e a t e r p a r t o f t h e day.

24.

A t home, p r e p a r i n g f o r tomorrow's s e r v i c e ' s .

25.

Xmas Day., & a v e r y happy day i n one r e s p e c t , a t l e a s t , f o r we had a v e r y heavy f a l l o f r a i n i n the morning. I t poured i n t o r r e n t s from about 9 t i l l the time o f g o i n g i n t o Church, so t h a t I had s c a r c e l y any c o n g r e g a t i o n a t G o s f o r d . I t h e l d up towards t h e a f t e r n o o n , which enabled some o f the Kincumbar f o l k s to get t o church.

26.

S t a i d a t home today, as I u s u a l l y do on what i s termed "boxing day", when a l l t h e people a r e out h o l i d a y making. They have had some h o r s e r a c i n g today, & on the r a c e course Mr.Nunn met w i t h an a c c i d e n t - had a f a l l from h i s

81,

December 1859 26.

h o r s e , & h u r t h i s s h o u l d e r v e r y much.- I went up t o see him t h i s eveng & found him i n bed. The M i s s Donnisons spent t h e day w i t h u s .

27.

Made a v e r y e a r l y s t a r t t h i s morning i n t h e b o a t , t o spend t h e day a t Tonga v a l e . We a l l went, & had John B a t t l e y t o h e l p me t o p u l l . - We enjoyed the day v e r y much. As t h e weather put on a t h r e a t e n i n g appearance towards e v e n i n g , C h a r l e s v o l u n t e e r e d h i s s e r v i c e s t o a s s i s t us home & I was v e r y g l a d t o a c c e p t them. D i s t a n t thunder was r u m b l i n g a l l t h e way & when about the middle o f t h e broadwater, the r a i n began t o f a l l , but f o r t u n a t e l y i t c o n t i n u e d calm, & we were a l l v e r y g l a d t o f i n d o u r s e l v e s s a f e w i t h i n doors a g a i n .

28.

Remained a t home today - weather showery & u n i n v i t i n g t o go abroad.

Went t o Kincumbar today & put C h a r l e s on t h e way home. He rode " N e l l y " , & a f t e r p u t t i n g him s a f e upon t h e road beyond P i c k e t ' s , I l e f t him t o proceed on f o o t & l e d N e l l y back a g a i n , making a few c a l l s by t h e way.

30.

A t home a l l day, p r e p a r i n g f o r my f o r t h c o m i n g j o u r n e y to Yarramalong.

31.

S t a r t e d soon a f t e r b r e a k f a s t f o r Yarramalong, & c a l l e d by t h e way,1st on G i l c h i s o n , 2nd on Wm.Durrington, & 3 r d on Chas W a t k i n s . Found Mr.& M r s . L e t t e e t c . a l l w e l l . - & t h i s ends t h e year 1859.

82.

January

i860

The newyear must be begun upon a new page. I d i d not make a f a v o u r a b l e b e g i n n i n g w i t h r e g a r d t o my c o n g r e g a t i o i which a t Yarramalong was most m i s e r a b l e . - I f e a r the people had n o t q u i t e f i n i s h e d t h e i r h o l i d a y s , & t h i s gave a sad p r o o f how l i t t l e they v a l u e t h e m i n i s t r a t i o n s o f the Church a t Wyong, i n the a f t e r n o o n I had a much b e t t e r c o n g r e g a t i o n . Mr.Lee & one o f t h e M e s s r s . C u r t i s were p r e s e n t . A f t e r t h e s e r v i c e I s e t o f f t o make my way t o Cabbage Tree by t h e l a k e a t W a l l a r a Creek, & as E i H a r g r a v e s had f a i l e d i n coming t o meet me, o r s e n d i n g a g u i d e , Fred:Smith o f f e r e d t o accompany me, but we had n o t proceeded above A o r 5 m i l e s when he pronounced h i s young horse knocked up, & unable t o proceed. 1 was t h e r e f o r e o b l i g e d t o go on a l o n e , & i n t h e f i r s t p l a c e took a wrong road which brought me down t o t h e l a k e some d i s t a n c e from the proper p l a c e . 1 l o s t some time i n f i n d i n g my way, & when a t l a s t I came t o t h e p l a c e where I had t o take t o the w a t e r , 1 f a i l e d a g a i n i n h i t t i n g the r i g h t - t r a c k . & a f t e r p r o c e e d i n g some d i s t a n c e i n t o the l a k e , t h e ground began t o g e t s o f t & boggy, which s e t " N e l l y " p l u n g i n g v i o l e n t l y , & f e a r i n g some u n p l e a s a n t t e r m i n a t i o n i f I v e n t u r e d on, I thought i t prudent t o take t h e s a f e s t course & come back a g a i n . I determined t o make the b e s t o f my way t o John Osborne's, & seek s h e l t e r t h e r e f o r the n i g h t . - I was t h a n k f u l t o have a moon t o l i g h t me, o t h e r w i s e , n o t b e i n g w e l l a c q u a i n t e d w i t h the r o a d , I might v e r y p r o b a b l y have passed a n i g h t i n t h e bush. 1 reached Mr.Osborne's about I p 9 p:m: v e r y t i r e d , & somewhat hungry. & was s o r r y t o be t h e o c c a s i o n o f making him r i s e from h i s bed. He v e r y k i n d l y got t h e k e t t l e b o i l i n g i n q u i c k t i m e , & seldom, i f e v e r , d i d I e n j o y a cup o f t e a more

January

1860.

than on t h a t o c c a s i o n . (2nd) Made an e a r l y s t a r t , 84. hoping t o r e a c h T a a f f e ' s p l a c e a t Lake Macquarie by 11 o ' c l o c k , h a v i n g a p p o i n t e d t o have d i v i n e s e r v i c e t h e r e a t t h a t hour, but on r e a c h i n g Freeman's, a t Wyee, found I c o u l d not a c c o m p l i s h i t , so rode l e i s u r e l y on t o Mr.Hargraves.- There I found h i m s e l f & a l l h i s f a m i l y about him, (2 sons & 3 d a u g h t e r s ) . Had s e r v i c e a t 3 o ' c l o c k P:M. and b a p t i z e d a l i t t l e a b o r i g i n a l i n f a n t . Son o f "Ned" & [ ] ] "Margaret". I t was a v e r y f i n e l i t t l e boy o f about 7 months old. Edward & myself s t o o d G o d f a t h e r s , & the fisherman's daughter, E l i z a C o u l d r o y , was Godmother. Some 2 o r 3 b l a c k s a t t e n d e d t o w i t n e s s the ceremony, & seemed v e r y much i n t e r e s t e d in i t . 3.

Rode up t o T a a f f e s a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , accompanied by both Edward & W i l l i a m Hargraves; but found M r s . T a a f f e & the c h i l d r e n o n l y at home, so had no s e r v i c e t h e r e t h i s t i m e . - We had t o h u r r y back t o a v o i d a thunderstorm w h i c h was r i s i n g i n the West, & we j u s t managed i t n i c e l y f o r the r a i n began not l o n g a f t e r we got i n , & i t r a i n e d a good d e a l d u r i n g the n i g h t .

Returned home from Mr.Hargraves', v i a Reedy F l a t , where 1 c a l l e d t o see Mr.Murphy, whom I found b e g i n n i n g t o hobble about a l i t t l e , w i t h the h e l p o f a c r u t c h . I had not been l o n g home, when a message came, r e q u e s t i n g me t o go t o Mr.Mann's, t h e baby b e i n g v e r y i l l , & u n b a p t l z e d . I s e t o f f a t once & found Mrs.Mann q u i t e a l o n e , & r a t h e r a n x i o u s about the c h i l d , though i t d i d not seem t o me t o be i n any danger.- As Mrs.Mann d i d not w i s h t o name the c h i l d w i t h o u t c o n s u l t i n g her husband, we d e f e r r e d i t s b a p t i s m , hoping a l s o t h a t i t would get w e l l a g a i n .

Wlltiam Hathjti,

Hmiy, about 7 months old, OjJ BungaKa'-s Hoiak,

4on o^ Mzd & Haigaiet,

Abo^lnal

January 1860. 5.

Anne & I went over t h i s morning t o see Mrs.Mann, & h e r baby, & found t h e l a t t e r s t i l l v e r y p o o r l y . A t h e r r e q u e s t I wrote a note t o D r . A u l d , r e q u e s t i n g him t o come & see t h e c h i l d , which he d i d i n t h e a f t e r n o o n .

Steamer day, went o v e r , as u s u a l t o l o o k o u t f o r p a r c e l s & g e t t h e Sydney t i m e . Found Mrs.Lee on b o a r d , & Mr.Lee t h e r e t o meet h e r . Brought them i n t o d i n e on t h e i r way towards Wyoming.

A t home a l l t h e morning, sermon w r i t i n g . Towards e v e n i n g we a l l went up the creek i n t h e boat t o see Mrs.Mann. Her baby seemed r a t h e r b e t t e r .

(Sunday) Great thunderstorm t h i s a f t e r n o o n , I j u s t reached Kincumbar i n time t o escape i t , b u t i t came on v e r y h e a v i l y w h i l e we were i n Church, & poured: down i n t o r r e n t s , f i n d i n g i t s way through the o l d s h i n g l e s v e r y much. When we came out o f Church I r e c e i v e d a message t o go a c r o s s t h e c r e e k & v i s i t Mrs.Reynolds, who was v e r y i l l - D r . A u l d , who had been sent f o r a r r i v e d a t t h e same t i m e , & a s I had my E r i n a c o n g r e g a t i o n t o a t t e n d , I l e f t h e r i n t h e Doctor's hands, p r o m i s i n g t o go & see h e r tomorrow morning.

A c c o r d i n g t o promise I went t o see Mrs.Reynolds, & was v e r y g l a d t o f i n d h e r much b e t t e r - p a i d a few v i s i t s i n t h e neighbourhood & then r e t u r n e d . C a l l i n g at M r . B a t t l e y s by t h e way, I t h e r e heard t h a t Swadling had been a t t a c k e d by f i t s d u r i n g t h e day, & D r . A u l d c a l l e d i n a g r e a t h u r r y t o a t t e n d him.

10.

Went out t o E r i n a t o see S w a d l i n g , & found him v e r y p o o r l y though b e t t e r than he was.- Made a few c a l l s i n the neighbourhood, g o i n g a s f a r a s Warburton's, & James F l e t c h e r ' s . - On my r e t u r n I was much s u r p r i s e d to f i n d t h a t Mrs.Dan:Berry

85.

January 1860. 10.

had decamped d u r i n g t h e day, t a k i n g a q u a n t i t y o f t h i n g s w i t h h e r , e v i d e n t l y i n t e n d i n g t o abandon h e r home. I had seen h e r , & spoken t o h e r as I rode past i n the morning. Her mother & s i s t e r seemed d e e p l y d i s t r e s s e d about i t , as w e l l they may While I was p a s s i n g from B e s t ' s t o R o l f e ' s , I met Edwd T a y l o r i n t h e r o a d , r i d i n g t h i s way, & saw him r e p a s s back a g a i n , w h i l e s i t t i n g i n a t R o l f e ' s . They s u s p e c t , seem p r e t t y s u r e , t h a t he i s t h e p a r t y who has e n t i c e d M r s . B e r r y from h e r home.

11.

Went t o McMaster's t o d a y , c a l l i n g on Mrs.Reynolds by t h e way:- found h e r c o n v a l e s c e n t . On my way back I went t o E r i n a t o see S w a d l i n g , & was g l a d t o f i n d him v e r y much b e t t e r , a s r e g a r d s h i s b o d i l y h e a l t h , but h i s mind seemed wandering & unsteady. They had g r e a t d i f f i c u l t y i n r e s t r a i n i n g h i m from coming t o the township.

12.

A t home.

13.

Went t o B l u e Gum F l a t & Saw M i l l , & on my way back performed t h e f u n e r a l s e r v i c e over a l i t t l e c h i l d ( o f C h a r l e s Dutch) a t t h e f l a t .

86.

^ j j

14.

A t home.

Sermon w r i t i n g e t c . e t c .

15.

(Sunday) Went t h r o u g h my u s u a l course o f s e r v i c e s , w i t h f a i r c o n g r e g a t i o n s a t Kincumbar & G o s f o r d . A t the l a t t e r c h u r c h i n t h e a f t e r n o o n I b a p t i z e d 4 i n f a n t s . ^ ^ J Mrs.Wm.Nunn's, M r s . S e a t t l e ' s , Mrs.Lewis' & Mrs.Rudkin's.Had a m i s e r a b l e c o n g r e g a t i o n a t B l u e Gum F l a t i n t h e e v e n i n g . None o f t h e people from t h e S a w m i l l e v e r a t t e n d t h e e v e n i n g s e r v i c e s , t h o * t h e r e s i d e n t s about the f l a t used g e n e r a l l y t o go up t o t h e m i l l when the s e r v i c e was h e l d t h e r e .

16.

Went a c r o s s i n my boat t h i s morning t o P o i n t C l a r e , t o see M r . S c o t t , & o b t a i n from him any a d d i t i o n a l c o l l e c t i o n s he had made f o r t h e S t i p e n d Fund.

17.

A c c o r d i n g t o appointment I went over t o Mooney Creek t h i s morning t o h o l d d i v i n e

[1]

Ellzn DUTCH, Oanimbah Smmlll, aged 11 months, tke. daaghteA Chaile.6 BuZlock VKVje.1. Vle.d 11 Januafcy 1860.

[2]

Lucy Enlna. UUUH, daughte.n. Wtttiajm John -, & Fanny. Bofin 10 NovembeA 1859. Eva BEATTIE, daughte.n. of, John -, i Hannah. Bo^n 7 July 1859, Ge,oige. LEWIS, ion Bom

7 Vzzembti

oi Jamti

Ge.ntlejfnan o^

Eiina

ShoemakeA o^ Ea6t Goi,{^on.d

SauiyeA ol Goif^oid,

S HaKn-Let:.

1859.

Eint6t Klf^KQji RUVKIH, ion oi Vanlel -, i Mgdalzne. BoKn 2 Ve.cembeA 1859.

Sahoolmaitzi

o^ Eait

Goi^oKd

Jamiary

1860.

17.

s e r v i c e t h e r e , & found the people a l l ready f o r me. On the way back i n the a f t e r n o o n I c a l l e d upon Mrs.Mann, & found her baby much b e t t e r .

18.

A t home a l l the morning. I n the a f t e r n o o n I went up t o E r i n a , t o v i s i t Mrs .EdmundsÂť h a v i n g heard t h a t she has l a t e l y r e t u r n e d from Sydney v e r y i l l ; h a v i n g been up f o r m e d i c a l a d v i c e . - I found her v e r y p o o r l y , & I f e a r f a r gone w i t h consumption. She seemed t h a n k f u l f o r my v i s i t & I must endeavour t o see h e r as o f t e n as 1 can.

19.

To Kincumbar t o d a y , b e g i n n i n g a t M u l l a r d s , & so on by Kearns', & a c r o s s v i a Godwins t o Ward's.

20.

On g o i n g t o the Steamer t h i s morning whom s h o u l d I f i n d on board but Mrs .Rogers^^^rime down f o r the b e n e f i t of h e r h e a l t h . Her s i s t e r s were not aware o f her coming & so no one was t h e r e t o meet h e r . I t h e r e f o r e took charge o f h e r , & brought her t o the Parsonage. & a f t e r d i n n e r , h a v i n g mounted h e r on " N e l l y " rode w i t h h e r up t o E r i n a , h a v i n g p r e v i o u s l y sent on her luggage by b o a t , e n t r u s t e d t o James Crane.- I went on t o see S w a d l i n g , whom I was g l a d t o f i n d i n h i s r i g h t mind again.

21.

A t home, sermon w r i t i n g e t c .

22.

Sunday - One o f the h o t t e s t days t h i s summer.- Had go odly c o n g r e g a t i o n s a t a l l 3 p l a c e s .

23.

A t home i n the morning, towards e v e n i n g Anne & I rode up t o c a l l on Mrs.Hovendon H e l y , who has j u s t come, w i t h h e r husband t o r e s i d e i n the d i s t r i c t . At present the occupy D i c k s o n ' s l i t t l e c o t t a g e by the road s i d e , a w a i t i n g the t e r m i n a t i o n o f Mr.Nunn's l e a s e o f Wyoming.We a f t e r w a r d s went on t o see the Nunns.

24.

Went out t o C h i t t a w a y t o d a y , making a few c a l l s a l o n g the road as I passed, & warning the people about t h e morning s e r v i c e on Sunday n e x t .

25.

To Kincumbar today, b e g i n n i n g a t Green P o i n t , & from thence t o P i p e r ' s , & so on i n

Elde.il daagkteA Heniij VOMNISON and iL&teA the. ML&ie.i VONNJSON oi Eilna. MaKiX.ed Rtv. EdvJaid ROGERS, ilKit Incumbent oi Bllibane. CilatZA.

January 1860. 25th

s u c c e s s i o n , through D a v i s v l l l e t o P o o l e ' s & f i n i s h i n g w i t h Dr.Auld's on my r e t u r n . I was r e c e i v e d a t P i p e r s b e t t e r t h a n I might have e x p e c t e d , & r a t h e r t o my astonishment P i p e r gave me ÂŁ1 s u b s c r i p t i o n t o t h e S t i p e n d Fund, q u i t e u n s o l i c i t e d by me. 1 found George D a v i s & f a m i l y s e t t l e d among the r e s t o f them. He, poor man, seems e v i d e n t l y t o be g o i n g o f f i n a d e c l i n e . He i s q u i t e unable t o work, & has been so f o r some t i m e . 1 had not time t o go as f a r as Mr.Roberts', f o r i t was near 7 o ' c l o c k by t h e time I l e f t D a v i s ' & a sudden change o f weather had t a k e n p l a c e . I t had been v e r y h o t a l l t h e morning, but a t h u n d e r c l o u d a r o s e i n t h e S:W: w h i l e I was a t D i i v i s ' & suddenly a g r e a t s o u t h e r l y g a l e sprang up.- The thunder warned me t o make h a s t e home, & I took t h e h i n t , n o r had I been l o n g i n , when a f i n e s o a k i n g shower came on & r e p l e n i s h e d our. water cask f o r us n i c e l y . I found John B a t t l e y h e r e , he & W i l l i a m had been t a r r i n g t h e boat f o r me d u r i n g t h e day.

26.

Stayed a t home today t o a s s i s t i n a rummage, which has been g o i n g on i n t h e house the l a s t 2 days - We have made t h e p a r l o u r our bed room, & our l a t e bedroom the d i n i n g room, w h i c h we t h i n k w i l l be more c o n v e n i e n t . I d i d i n t e n d t o w r i t e some l e t t e r s , & bud some peach t r e e s , b u t c o u l d n o t f i n d time f o r e i t h e r , Mrs.Rogers & her s i s t e r s c a l l e d t h i s afternoon.

27.

A t home a l l t h e morning, o c c u p i e d w i t h accounts ( C l e r g y S t i p e n d Fund)- I n t h e a f t e r n o o n we had a c a l l from a Mr.Blackwood, a P h o t o g r a p h i c a r t i s t a t p r e s e n t i n the d i s t r i c t , & as soon as he l e f t , Anne & I mounted our h o r s e s & rode up t o E r i n a t o c a l l on Mrs.Rogers. I t was a d e l i g h t f u l c o o l e v e n i n g , & we enjoyed i t much.-

28.

A t home t o d a y , p r e p a r i n g f o r tomorrow's s e r v i c e s . Towards e v e n i n g Mr.Crause

88.

January

1860.

28.

c a l l e d t o announce the sudden death o f poor John Heggin. [1] 89. He had been out i n a boat upon the water w i t h him & M r . L l o y d & was t a k e n i l l i n the boat. They brought him ashore & l a n d e d him on the beach not f a r from h i s house, but he e x p i r e d b e f o r e he c o u l d r e a c h h i s home. H i s sudden d e p a r t u r e from t h i s l i f e i s t h e more a w f u l , because I have reason t o f e a r t h a t he was i n a v e r y u n f i t s t a t e t o appear b e f o r e h i s maker. The l a s t time 1 c a l l e d upon him,(now many weeks a g o ) . I was shocked a t d i s c o v e r i n g the change which he had undergone on the s u b j e c t o f r e l i g i o n . He had e v i d e n t l y been r e a d i n g some i n f i d e l p r o d u c t i o n s , & e x p r e s s e d h i s f i r m c o n v i c t i o n t h a t the B i b l e was a l l a f i c t i o n , & t h a t God never spoke t o any man l i v i n g , a s he i s r e p r e s e n t e d i n the B i b l e t o have done t o Moses & t h e P r o p h e t s . I was q u i t e t a k e n aback on making t h i s d i s c o v e r y , & promised t o l e n d him some work on the "evidence o f X t i a n i t y . " But a l a s ! p a r t l y from h a v i n g work t h r u s t upon me w h i c h I ought not t o have, b u t more, I must c o n f e s s , from my p r o c r a s t i n a t i n g p r o p e n s i t y , I k e p t p u t t i n g o f f the f u l f i l m e n t o f my p r o m i s e , t i l l i t has now become too l a t e .

29.

(Sunday) Morning s e r v i c e a t Blue Gum F l a t , where I had a f a i r c o n g r e g a t i o n , but was not a l i t t l e s u r p r i s e d & d i s a p p o i n t e d t h a t not a s i n g l e i n d i v i d u a l from the S a w m i l l was p r e s e n t . A t the c o n c l u s i o n o f the a f t e r n o o n s e r v i c e a t E a s t G o s f o r d , I r e p a i r e d t o the B u r i a l Ground, t o r e a d the F u n e r a l S e r v i c e over the remains of poor John Hegin. A g r e a t number o f persons were present.

30.

Anne accompanied me today i n a round o f v i s i t s . We c a l l e d f i r s t on Mrs.Benson who has l a t e l y been c o n f i n e d , & then proceeded a c r o s s the water t o Dr.Auld's &

[1]

John HAGJN, agnd 63,

[2]

WlllLi Allation & Hannah Emily,

ShoemakeA o{, Bail

Goiioid.

Vltd

2S January

BEMSOM, 4on oi Baike/i Joie-ph -, Surgeon Bom 23 JanuaKy 1S60. Se.e. page. 94.

Eait

[2] 1S60. Goiiotid

January 1860. Mr.Roberts'. Found Mr.Roberts i n bed w i t h e r y s i p e l a s i n h i s l e g , but g e t t i n g b e t t e r than he bad been. The day was v e r y f i n e & we enjoyed our r i d e v e r y much. I n the evening we had Mr.& Mrs B a t t l e y & H a r r i e t t o t e a , a l s o Mr.Blackwood, a P h o t o g r a p h i c a r t i s t who has been some days i n the d i s t r i c t , t a k i n g views e t c . 31.

On going t o t h e Steamer today I was n o t a l i t t l e s u r p r i s e d t o f i n d Townshend among t h e passengers. L i t t l e Henry Rogers a l s o came down t o remain a few days, i . e . t i l l f r l d a y n e x t , when he w i l l r e t u r n t o Sydney w i t h h i s mama. She was a w a i t i n g h i s a r r i v a l , w i t h h e r two s i s t e r s , & they a l l came t o our house t o spend t h e day, i n t e n d i n g t o make up a p a r t y & go t o "Tonga v a l e " tomorrow. C h a r l e s G i t t i n s came up i n h i s dingy t o c a r r y some o f t h e p a r t y down.

February 1860. 1.

Sydnty

Made an e a r l y s t a r t f o r "Tonga V a l e " , about 20 m: t o 6 t h i s morning, & had a b e a u t i f u l morning f o r the t r i p . John B a t t l e y j o i n e d us & h e l p e d me w i t h my boat i n w h i c h were Mrs.Rogers, h e r s i s t e r s & Townshend. The g i r l s & H a r r y Rogers went w i t h C h a r l e s i n t h e d i n g y , & Anne remained a t home.- We a l l enjoyed our v i s i t v e r y much, & t h e G i t t i n s e s seemed v e r y g l a d t o have us t h e r e . Our homeward voyage was f a r from b e i n g so prosperous a s t h e outward one i n t h e morning. The N:E: wind had b e i n g b l o w i n g v e r y f r e s h a l l day, & c o n t i n u e d t o d i s p u t e our p r o g r e s s v e r y much a s we c r o s s e d t h e broadwater a i d e d a s w e l l by r a t h e r a h i g h sea. We were 4 hours coming home o f w h i c h 3 were consumed t o i l i n g a c r o s s t h e Broadwater & I was v e r y t i r e d a f t e r t h e h a r d work Morning Hzxald

24/4/1873 - Maiilagz

Notlcni:-

On 16lh iMtant, at Vacy ckmch, ?atvi6on RluSA by thz Rzv. F. W. Adams, Edwan.d Hmiy, aldut ion o^ the. Rew Edward KogeAi o^ Sydne.y to Many, 3id dau. o^ Gllbext Coiy, Eiq,, {/acy.

February

1860.

Today I have f e l t v e r y much the e f f e c t s o f my over e x e r t i o n o f y e s t e r d a y , & was q u i t e u n f i t f o r work of any k i n d . I walked over about noon t o see Mrs.Hegln, but found, as I s t o o commonly the case w i t h persons of her c l a s s under s i m i l a r c i r c u m s t a n c e s , t h a t she was s e e k i n g c o n s o l a t i o n i n her d i s t r e s s from the too f r e e l y I n d u l g i n g o f i n t o x i c a t i n g l i q u o r s . I n the a f t e r n o o n Townshend & I rode up t o Wyoming, c a l l i n g on Mr. & Mrs.Hely by the way. While a t Wyoming t h e i r new p i a n o a r r i v e d from Sydney, & we a w a i t e d the unpacking o f I t , & I had the honor o f b e i n g the f i r s t t o sound it. We were a l l much p l e a s e d w i t h i t s tone. C h a r l e s G i t t i n s & the g i r l s were w i t h us a l s o .

Townshend took h i s d e p a r t u r e a g a i n today per B l a c k Swan, as d i d a l s o Mrs.Rogers & her boy. Having seen them o f f i n the Steamer, the r e s t o f the a f t e r n o o n was spent i n p r e p a r i n g f o r my Mangrove j o u r n e y .

I f i n d i t always t a k e s me l o n g e r now a days t o get ready f o r my j o u r n e y s than i t used t o do. To be s u r e , my h a v i n g t o c a t c h , f e e d , c l e a n , & s a d d l e my own h o r s e , & sometimes t o c l e a n my own boots b e s i d e s , runs away w i t h much o f the morning. I must a l s o c o n f e s s t h a t t h a t an i n s u p e r a b l e & i n c r e a s i n g d i s r e l i s h f o r these Mangrove j o u r n e y s makes me g e n e r a l l y put o f f the s t a r t i n g to the l a t e s t p o s s i b l e hour. Hence i t was f u l l y one o ' c l o c k today b e f o r e I found myself equipped, & i n my s a d d l e . I t was a b u r n i n g hot day, & I f e l t i t much as I pursued my l o n e l y way. As I approached Mangrove towards s u n s e t , "the changing s k i e s hung out t h e i r s a b l e c l o u d s , " & d i s t a n t r u m b l i n g thunder warned me t o i n c r e a s e my speed, i n o r d e r t o a v o i d the coming storm. I t was about 8 o ' c l o c k when I reached W a t k i n s ' , & s c a r c e l y had I e n t e r e d the house.

91.

February 1860. 4.

when heavy drops o f r a i n came s p a t t e r i n g down upon the s h i n g l e d r o o f . Mr.Wheeler came up as u s u a l t o g r e e t me, & a f t e r a c o u p l e o f hours c h a t , he r e t r e a t e d t o h i s home & I t o my bed.

(Sunday) Not q u i t e so l a r g e a c o n g r e g a t i o n a s u s u a l a t the Lower Church, I had one c h i l d t o b a p t i z e , but no communion f o r l a c k o f s u f f i c i e n t number.A f t e r s e r v i c e a t the Upper Church i n the a f t e r n o o n , I rode down t h e o t h e r s i d e o f the creek t o l e a v e my horse a t Watkins S e n i o r , p u r p o s i n g t o r i d e up the creek tomorrow,

S t a r t e d a t 8 o ' c l o c k , &, g e t t i n g my nag from Watkins went up t o t h e head o f t h e c r e e k , t o P h i l : G o u l d s , c a l l i n g a t a l l t h e p l a c e s by the way, & then r e t u r n e d t o my q u a r t e r s by 8 o ' c l o c k a t n i g h t h a v i n g been 12 hours o u t .

S t a r t e d a g a i n about 8 o ' c l o c k , hoping t o get one o f Wm.Woodbury's boys t o row me down t h e creek t o see Mr.Cox. I found, however, t h a t Woodbury had j u s t h a u l e d up h i s boat f o r r e p a i r s , & t h e r e was no g e t t i n g any f a r t h e r so I was o b l i g e d t o g i v e up my i n t e n d e d voyage, & r e t u r n e d t o G a r b l e s ' c r o s s e d t h e creek t h e r e & came round by I r o n Bark Creek t o the s c h o o l house.

S t a r t e d about h a l f p a s t r i d e home i n t h e r a i n . i n a d d i t i o n t o my o t h e r headache w i t h me, w h i c h

9 & 10.

[1]

92.

f/J

7, & had a v e r y d i s a g r e e a b l e A r r i v e d about 3 o ' c l o c k , & d i s a g r e e a b l e s , brought a bad kept me up a l l the n i g h t .

D i d n o t go out anywhere, n o t f e e l i n g v e r y w e l l y e s t e r d a y . B e s i d e s t h i s has been a week o f f e s t i v i t i e s w i t h my p e o p l e , who have had t h r e e days h o r s e r a c i n g , & f i n i s h e d w i t h c r i c k e t today, & I g e n e r a l l y make a p o i n t o f s t a y i n g a t home when they a r e a l l abroad. Mr.Fred:Hely c a l l e d today We had a l s o a v i s i t from Mrs.Auld. Dr.A: h a v i n g come t o see Wm.Muddle's c h i l d .

Cathejilne.

Clam

EOWVEH, daughttt ol WLtllam SamueZ -, BoKn 5 OctobzA 1859.

Mang*LO\Jt C^eefe & Elizabeth.

Famzft

F e b r u a r y 1860. 11.

The g r e a t e r p a r t o f t h i s day has gone i n h a r d l a b o u r : c u t t i n g wood f o r t h e f i r e s & food f o r t h e horses & p i g s . One o ' c l o c k had a r r i v e d b e f o r e I had f i n i s h e d a l l . A f t e r d i n n e r I r e a d f o r an hour, & t h e n went as f a r as Keene's t o g e t some buds from some o f h i s peach & o t h e r t r e e s , wherewith t o work a few w i l d s t o c k s s c a t t e r e d about the garden. & t h i s f i n i s h e d out the day.

12.

( S ) R a i n y day, t h e r e f o r e v e r y meagre c o n g r e g a t i o n s . Only 25 a t G o s f o r d , & a t Kincumbar 5 o f Wards f a m i l y w i t h Mr.Lane & boy formed the whole o f my c o n g r e g a t i o n . The r a i n i n c r e a s e d a s I r e t u r n e d a c r o s s t h e mountain, so I d i d not go t o E r i n a b u t came s t r a i g h t home.

13.

Kept a t home today by the r a i n , which c o n t i n u e d w i t h l i t t l e i n t e r m i s s i o n t h e whole day. A good d e a l f e l l d u r i n g l a s t n i g h t & by t h i s evening my boat was 3 p a r t s f u l l o f w a t e r , & b a i l i n g i t out formed p a r t of t h e employment o f t h e day.

14.

Went over t o E;Gosford about noon, h a r d l y e x p e c t i n g the steamer would come owing t o t h e l a t e stormy weather. & h a v i n g w a i t e d t i l l near 2 o ' c l o c k , r e t u r n e d home, h a v i n g c a l l e d on Mrs.Benson i n the meantime, a l s o at P u t l a n d s . On my way back, I met a man o f Mr.Wamsley's coming t o r e p o r t t o M r . H a r r i s o n t h e d e a t h , by drowning, of l i t t l e Emma E a r l , o f Blue Gum F l a t . A f t e r d i n n e r I rode up t o see t h e poor p e o p l e , who were o f course i n t h e deepest d i s t r e s s a t t h e i r sudden bereavement. I t seems t h a t a t r e a c h e r o u s l o o s e s l a b o f t h e b r i d g e i n f r o n t o f t h e i r door had g i v e n way mider h e r , & she f e l l t h r o u g h i n t o t h e c r e e k , whose waters were much s w o l l e n from t h e r e c e n t heavy r a i n s . The f u n e r a l i s t o take p l a c e tomorrow e v e n i n g .

Emma Hydaipt EARL, of, Blue. Gum flat, the. daughteA of, William -, LabouKeji.

aged 7 ye.aH.i 4H months, Vied 14 Ee.bn.uaiy 1860.

February 1860. 15.

The g r e a t e r p a r t o f t h e morning was t a k e n up w i t h t h e u s u a l drudgery. I s t a r t e d f o r Blue Gum F l a t about 3 P:M: & c a l l e d a t Broadbent's by the way. As u s u a l , g r e a t numbers a t t e n d e d the f u n e r a l a t t h e f l a t .

16.

J u s t as I was s t a r t i n g f o r Kincumbar t h i s morning, Mr.WiWalmsley c a l l e d t o announce t h e r a t h e r sudden & unexpected death o f Mrs.E.Walmsley's s i s t e r . M i s s []] Phillips, She-attended-the-fanerai-iast-evening-ÂąittÂąe imagtttittgj-doabtieas^-that-her-own-faneirai-waa-so nigh-at-hand. ( a m i s t a k e o f mine as I a f t e r w a r d s l e a r n t she was t a k e n i l l j u s t b e f o r e the f u n e r a l & so p r e v e n t e d from a t t e n d i n g ) I went a l l round Kincumbar today, hoping t o c o l l e c t a few more c o n t r i b u t i o n s f o r t h e C l e r g y S t i p e n d Fund, but was e n t i r e l y u n s u c c e s s f u l l .

17.

Rode up t o v i s i t t h e Wamsley's t h i s morning, & r e t u r n e d i n time t o go over t o t h e Steamer. By t h e m a i l she brought we f i n d t h e r e have been most d i s a s t r o u s f l o o d s to t h e s o u t h , & g r e a t damage done t o p r o p e r t y , as w e l l as l o s s o f l i f e .

18.

Went up t o Blue Gum F l a t t h i s morning f o r t h e f u n e r a l of M i s s P h i l l i p s i p 10 was t h e hour f i x e d , but they d i d not come t i l l about I p 12. thus d e p r i v i n g me of two whole h o u r s . I o v e r t o o k M r . B a t t l e y r i d i n g up t o the f u n e r a l & we rode on t o g e t h e r , & r e t u r n e d t o g e t h e r , so t h a t by t h e time I got home I t was about 3 o'c: Thus I had n o t s u f f i c i e n t time t o p r e p a r e , as I wished t o have done, f o r tomorrow's s e r v i c e s .

19.

(Sunday) S m a l l c o n g r e g a t i o n t h i s morning a t Kincumbar, & o n l y a m i d d l i n g one i n the a f t e r n o o n a t G o s f o r d . Dr. & Mrs.Benson brought t h e i r baby t o be b a p t i z e d & Mr.Hely s t o o d G o d f a t h e r f o r i t . C o n g r e g a t i o n a t B.G.Flat n o t so l a r g e a s I hoped t o have seen.

[1]

Lydia. PHILLIPS, agzd 24, daughteA of the. late. Pitt Town, Vlzd at Go^ioid Paik, 16 TtbiuaKy

[2]

See page. 89.

Thomai -, 1860,

FameA

94.

[2]

February

1860.

20.

A t home a l l the morning. A f t e r d i n n e r we a l l went i n the boat t o see Mrs.Mann & were g l a d t o f i n d h e r s e l f & babe v e r y w e l l .

21.

My i n t e n t i o n & d e s i r e was t o go t o Kincumbar t o d a y , t o v i s i t some p a r t i e s whom I have not y e t seen round by C o c k l e Creek; b u t , as f r e q u e n t l y happens w i t h me nowadays by the time I had completed a l l my drudgery work, t h e r e was not enough of the day l e f t , so I c o u l d not c a r r y out my w i s h e s . I t h e r e f o r e went up t o Blue Gum F l a t i n the a f t e r n o o n , t o pay a v i s i t t o each o f t h e houses o f mourning t h e r e , - Wamsley's & E a r l ' s , & found them b o t h , I t r u s t , b e a r i n g t h e i r v i s i t a t i o n as X t i a n s s h o u l d do. Anne & the g i r l s accompanied me as f a r as Wyoming, where I p i c k e d them up on my return.

22.

Ash-Wednesday. I had s e r v i c e a t the Church t h i s morning, as u s u a l , but owing t o the r a i n t h e r e were fewer a t t e n d a n t s than o t h e r w i s e t h e r e might have been. Towards e v e n i n g I took Anne a c r o s s i n the boat t o P o i n t C l a r e , t o see how the s i c k c h i l d r e n were, f o r Sarah, (who went over y e s t e r d a y w i t h Wm.Muddle t o get some Bananas) brought us word t h a t they were v e r y i l l . We found them b e t t e r .

23.

A t home a l l day l e t t e r w r i t l i i n g e t c .

24.

Went t o E r i n a today & p a i d a number o f v i s i t s , g o i n g as f a r as F o s t e r ' s , & then coming down t h r o ' Sawyer's v a l l e y , c a l l i n g a t each house by the way. Got home a f t e r d a r k , & brought a bad head-ache w i t h me.

25.

A t home a g a i n t o d a y , t h o ' I d i d i n t e n d t o have gone t o E r i n a a g a i n , but was too much h i n d e r e d by v a r i o u s jobs which robbed me of my t i m e .

26.

(Sunday) The showery weather had the e f f e c t of t h i n i n g my c o n g r e g a t i o n s t o d a y , except a t Kincumbar, where the attendance was good.

95.

February

1860.

27.

Began t h i s week's work w i t h c u t t i n g & h a u l i n g up the 96. h i l l on my back a s much f i r e w o o d a s I c o u l d b e f o r e b r e a k f a s t : & by the time I had f e d the h o r s e s & p i g s , & c l e a n e d the former & m y s e l f ( f o r a f t e r my morning's hard l a b o u r w i t h the thermometer 70 a t s u n r i s e e v e r y a r t i c l e o f c l o t h i n g was s a t u r a t e d w t i h p e r s p i r a t i o n ) i t was not f a r from 12 o ' c l o c k . I then s e t out f o r Kincumbar, f o r the purpose o f v i s i t i n g a f a m i l y named D a l l a s , whom I had not y e t seen, l i v i n g a t Cockle Creek, not v e r y f a r from Davlstown. I went d i r e c t t o Ben:Davis' & got him t o put me a c r o s s the water & l a n d me a t the hut o f a Frenchman named B a p t l s t e , & a f t e r p a r t a k i n g o f a cup o f t e a , w h i c h he h o s p i t a b l y p r e s s e d upon me, he put me on the way t o D a l l a s ' . I thought from a message which I r e c e i v e d from him t h r o u g h Mr.Lane on Sunday, t h a t t h e y were a l l v e r y s i c k l y , & unable t o b r i n g t h e i r l i t t l e i n f a n t t o church f o r B a p t i s m , but I found i t o t h e r w i s e & a r r a n g e d t h a t they s h a l l b r i n g i t t o Kincumbar Church Next Sunday [U week. On my r e t u r n 1 c a l l e d & s a t some time w i t h poor George D a v i s , who i s g r a d u a l l y s i n k i n g under Consumption. Among o t h e r t h i n g s he begged ofme t o draw out a w i l l f o r him, & gave me the n e c e s s a r y i n s t r u c t i o n s . I t was c l o s i n g i n f o r the n i g h t when, a f t e r p a r t a k i n g o f a n i c e cup o f t e a , a t Ben D a v i s ' , I s e t out homeward, & got i n by about 8 o ' c l o c k .

28.

Sarah l e f t us t o d a y , per Steamer, t o r e t u r n t o her f r i e n d s i n Sydney. I n the morning I walked up a s f a r a s P a r r y ' s t o see i f he c o u l d come & get me some f i r e w o o d . Found he was away i n Sydney, but expected home today - A r r a n g e d w i t h Mr.Wamsley t o c a l l & take Sarah's boxes t o the Steamer. & h i s c a r t brought my own t h i n g s home.

29.

A t home today e n t e r t a i n i n g the G i t t i n s e s who came up t o B r e a k f a s t , & remained the day.

Mindd Jamti DALLAS, son oi Gdoigo, -, Milnvi oi Codkln i Eliza. Bom 22 January 1860. See page. 98.

Clddz

March 1860. 1.

Busy today making up t h e account o f c o n t r i b u t i o n s to the C l e r g y Fund f o r l a s t y e a r . The t o t a l amount c o l l e c t e d was ÂŁ127. o f w h i c h 27ÂŁ o n l y w i l l f a l l t o my s h a r e . S e v e r a l who promised t o c o n t r i b u t e have not made good t h e i r p r o m i s e s , & many have n o t been asked e s p e c i a l l y among t h e Sawyers a t E r i n a , f o r t h e r e was no c o l l e c t o r a p p o i n t e d f o r t h a t p a r t o f the d i s t r i c t (Mr.Nunn h a v i n g d e c l i n e d t o a c t ) & I cannot, somehow o r o t h e r c o n t r i v e t o g e t about among them, as l o n g as I have t o be my own manservant.

97.

S t a r t e d f o r Yarramalong about 2 PM, & a f t e r a s u l t r y , t e d i o u s r i d e reached M r . L e t t e ' s about I p 7 i n t h e e v e n i n g . Found them a l l w e l l . - R a i n came on a t n i g h t .

Wet morning. Spent the f o r e n o o n v i s i t i n g among t h e s e t t l e r s a t Yarramalong & i n t h e a f t e r n o o n rode v i a W a l l a r a b b a , t o John Osborne's where I s t a i d the n i g h t .

S. Morning S e r v i c e a t W a l l a r a b b a , i n T u r n e r s house. B e i n g a wet morning, t h e r e were n o t so many p r e s e n t as t h e r e might have been- A t Yarramalong, i n t h e a f t e r n o o n 1 b a p t i z e d S:Boyd's i n f a n t .

[1]

Rode t o Mr.Hargraves v i a Freeman's a t Wyee. On r e a c h i n g h i s house, about 4P.M. I found S i r . D a n l . C o o p e r & o t h e r f r i e n d s had gone away t h a t day i n the Newcastle Steamer, t h e Governor h a v i n g sent an e x p r e s s t o I n v i t e him t o undertake t h e f o r m i n g o f a New M i n i s t r y .

Went (by m y s e l f t h i s t i m e ) t o Lake M a c q u a r i e , & had s e r v i c e t h e r e i n T a a f f e ' s house, where I b a p t i z e d an i n f a n t c h i l d o f Thos Boyd. The two Boyd's & T a a f f e ' s f a m i l y formed my c o n g r e g a t i o n .

[2]

Morning s e r v i c e a t Mr.Hargraves a t i p 9 o'c: Here a g a i n I b a p t i z e d an i n f a n t about 2 y r s o l d ( c h i l d of t h e c a r p e n t e r a t work t h e r e ) a l s o l i t t l e " E l l e n " an a b o r i g i n a l g i r l

[3]

[1]

JamzA BOW, son ol SmaoJi -, BoiYi 4 Ftbtuafiy 1860.

[2]

Louisa BOW, daughteA BoKn 3 Jaruiaiy 1860.

[3]

Agnzs CRAVVJCK, daughteA oi bJlUlam Hzmy Bungailz's Moiah, i Jejan. Bom 5 Januaiy

[4]

Ellen, an Aboilglnal Motive., daughteA oi Nzd oi Haigaiet. Bom In on. about the. ye.an. 1849.

Faman.

Thomas

yan.imalong

MailneA

Eliza,

lake. MacquaKlz

Vailing 1858.

X - CaipenteA

Bungaile.'s

Hoiah

Eliza.

[4J

March 7.

8,9.&10.

14.

[1]

about 11 y r s o f age, & s i s t e r t o the l i t t l e baby boy whom I b a p t i z e d t h e r e l a s t J a n u a r y , M i s s Fanny Hargraves has undertaken t o i n s t r u c t h e r , & a l r e a d y she knows most o f her l e t t e r s , & i s l e a r n i n g t o r e p e a t some h5nnns. I l e f t B u n g a r i e ' s Norah about one o ' c l o c k & reached home i n s a f e t y soon a f t e r n i g h t f a l l r a t h e r t i r e d a f t e r my s i x days j o u r n e y i n g s .

98.

D i d not go out anywhere, except t o post my l e t t e r s on Thursday e v e n i n g . I t h o u g h t m y s e l f e n t i i t l e d t o a l i t t l e r e s t a f t e r my j o u r n e y , & spent the time i n w r i t i n g , l e t t e r s , I p r e p a r i n g f o r Sundays d u t i e s . The weather too was v e r y u n s e t t l e d & showery. Sunday the 1 1 t h , t u r n e d out a f a i r day, & I had t o l e r a b l e c o n g r e g a t i o n s - A t Kincumbar v e r y good.- 2 c h i l d r e n b a p t i z e d a t Kincumbar & one a t E r i n a . On Monday 1 went t o see George D a v i s , by appointment, & took h i s W i l l , which I had w r i t t e n out f o r him, & he d u l y s i g n e d i t i n presence o f m y s e l f & James Conroy as w i t n e s s e s . C a l l e d on a l l the D a v i s e s , a l s o on Mr.Roberts on my way home. Found him g e t t i n g q u i t e w e l l a g a i n , b u t h i s mother, M r s . R l c h w o r t h , was s u f f e r i n g from bad cough.- On Tuesday morning, a f t e r f i n i s h i n g a l e t t e r or two f o r the Steamer's M a i l , I went over t o a w a i t the a r r i v a l o f the b o a t , & get my bread. I t was n o t a v e r y c h e e r i n g day f o r those who had t o go t o Sydney, f o r i t was r a i n i n g v e r y h a r d w h i l e she was a t the wharf. But i t h e l d up soon a f t e r t h e y s t a r t e d , & I t h i n k they must have got on v e r y w e l l . I t was my i n t e n t i o n t o have gone t o Kincumbar t o d a y , but bad weather stopped me.- D u r i n g l a s t n i g h t t h e r e must have been about the h e a v i e s t f a l l o f r a i n we ever knew h e r e . I t d r i p p e d through our c i e l i n g s i n two p l a c e s . & on g e t t i n g up t h i s morning the water was to be seen i n c a t a r a c t s r o a r i n g down the s i d e o f the h i l l beyond Fagan's. The n o i s e too was l i k e the n o i s e of a d i s t a n t "mighty r u s h i n g wind."

EllzabeXk Ann MOJR, daughteA AlzxandeA KlncumbeA i Ann, BoKn 4 Januaiy 1860, Alitzd

[21

1860.

Jamzi DALLAS.

Maiy Ann HEMY, Bom 28 January

MailneA

i SauyeA of

See. page. 96,

daughte.fi oi William 1860.

SauiyeA of

Eilna

& Maiy Ann.

[1] [2]

March 1860. 1.

Busy c l o s i n g the account o f c o n t r i b u t i o n s f o r the C l e t g y S t l 'ena^Fund/~l>oday. JSke t o t a l amount c o l l e c for t i 2 V . oo i which £27 o a l y w i l l co<m^ t o my i »e. Se ral \par es vho nromiaed s u b s c / c i p f i l o n s ^ a v t fnot made go r |roml\ês,\ many have/noj>-i5een a s k ^ d , peoâl awye\ a\i h i v e not ong \thi been AB»--tfiClat4, NoA infleed e tol v i s i t mu^li to my ^ r d c h i a l >û1yaes as TX)ng as I can I aXtend/ propeS;ly own mansi^rvant. am comperbero to be

il5.

Remained a t home today l e t t e r w r i t i n g , & making up my Book account w i t h the Morpeth Depot f o r l a s t y e a r . Took my l e t t e r s t o the p o s t I n the e v e n i n g , & w h i l e out made a few c a l l s i n t h a t q u a r t e r . F i r s t on Mr.Putland's shoemaker, A u s t i n , who has got h i s f a m i l y down from Sydney, & occupies Stockdales cottage. I f i n d t h a t he & h i s f a m i l y are Wesleyans.- I n e x t c a l l e d on Mrs.Capper, Then on M r s . C a l e y , & i n t e n d e d v i s i t i n g M r s . C o t t r l l , but found her gate l o c k e d .

16.

J u s t as we were g o i n g t o b r e a k f a s t t h i s morning, the "dingy" was seen coming up the broadwater, & on a p p r o a c h i n g the wharf, we found i t c o n t a i n e d M i s s G i t t i n s & C h a r l e s , who came t o spend the day w i t h u s . - I was v e r y g l a d t o have C h a r l e s ' h e l p t o t a k e my boat t o the Steamer. I wanted to send the c l o c k up t o Sydney t o be r e p a i r e d , & not f i n d i n g any c a r t g o i n g from t h i s s i d e I thought the c l o c k would r i d e more c o m f o r t a b l y i n the boat t h a n t h e c a r t . - When the Steamer came I n , I was s u r p r i s e d t o see Mrs.Hely on board, w i t h h e r l i t t l e G r a n d c h i l d , Georga Drew. & she was g l a d t o a v a i l h e r s e l f of a s e a t i n my boat r a t h e r than trudge a l l the d i s t a n c e on f o o t . Mr.Hely was t h e r e t o meet h e r & he came w i t h us r e l i e v i n g me o f my o a r .

March 1860. 17.

Sermon w r i t i n g a l l t h e morning. Towards evening Marianne & 1 walked as f a r as B e t s y Muddle's, t o see how the l i t t l e g i r l i s g e t t i n g o n , & were g l a d t o r e c e i v e a f a v o u r a b l e r e p o r t . - She i s a b l e t o walk a l i t t l e now, but the knee i s a l i t t l e s t i f f .

18.

(Sunday) S m a l l c o n g r e g a t i o n s a t a l l t h r e e today - from what cause, I know n o t .

19.

My o c c u p a t i o n today has been r a t h e r v a r i e d , & n o t q u i t e i n k e e p i n g w i t h t h e proper f u n c t i o n s o f a Clergyman. I began by l i g h t i n g t h e k i t c h e n f i r e & p u t t i n g t h e K e t t l e on t o b o i l . The n e x t j o b was t o go down & p u l l t h e boat i n t o t h e s h o r e , (as i t was n e a r l y h i g h t i d e ) w i t h the i n t e n t i o n of c l e a n i n g & g i v i n g i t a coat o f t a r . Having a l s o f e d t h e p i g s & t h e h o r s e s , t h i s brought me t o b r e a k f a s t time. A f t e r b r e a k f a s t I had about h a l f an hour work i n d o o r s i n my s t u d y . & t h e n , j o b No.3 was t o go & f i x up a p a n n e l o f t h e b a t t e n fence near t h e g a t e , by t h e p i g s t i e , which I found l y i n g f l a t on t h e ground when I f i r s t went out t h i s morning - The p o s t s had c o m p l e t e l y r o t t e d away i n the ground & t h e f e n c e h a v i n g a l i t t l e l e a n i n i t , they c o u l d h o l d no l o n g e r , & snapped s h o r t o f f . - I n e x t went t o the f i e l d w i t h t h e s c y t h e , & cut some f o o d f o r t h e p i g s & h o r s e . - That done, & the t i d e h a v i n g gone o u t s u f f i c i e n t l y , I went i n , s e a r c h of someone t o h e l p me t u r n t h e boat o v e r , but c o u l d f i n d no one: so w h i l e w a i t i n g f o r a p a s s e r by, I f i l l e d up t h e time by c l e a n s i n g my "Augean S t a b l e " . I then found some men down on t h e wharf, & g o t them t o h e l p me t o t u r n t h e boat o v e r . - By t h i s time they were p r e p a r i n g f o r d i n n e r , so I had n o t h i n g t o do b u t prepare myself a l s o f o r t h a t : A f t e r d i n n e r I s e t t o work s c r a p i n g the b o a t , & by & bye Booker t h e B l a c k f e l l o w came t o my a s s i s t a n c e , & we

churches

100.

March

1860.

19.

got i t n i c e l y scrubbed & c l e a n e d by about 4 o ' c l o c k . & w h i l e i t was d r y i n g f i l l e d up the i n t e r v a l by c l e a n i n g out the p i g s t i e . I then took the t a r pot & brush down, & s e t t o work t a r r i n g the b o a t , though i t was not q u i t e so d r y as I c o u l d have d e s i r e d i t , b e i n g a d u l l , c l o u d y a f t e r n o o n , w i t h damp wind from S.E. Having f i n i s h e d t h a t j o b , I n e x t t u r n e d out the h o r s e s . & t h e n u n t i e d the bandages o f a l l the peach t r e e s t h a t I budded, a s h o r t time ago & l a s t l y , I f i n i s h e d out the day l i g h t by chopping a good heap o f f i r e w o o d f o r tomorrow morning.

20.

B e i n g a r a i n y day I d i d not go out anywhere, but spent the day c h i e f l y i n sermon w r i t i n g , a f t e r p e r f o r m i n g one o r two l i t t l e c a r p e n t e r i n g j o b s .

21.

Intended spending the day a t Kincumbar, but by the time I had f i n i s h e d a l l my morning outdoor jobs i t was so near 12 o ' c l o c k , t h a t I w a i t e d f o r d i n n e r & then rode over t o Kincumbar, & v i s i t e d R e y n o l d s , Godwin, & B e n t l e y . My v i s i t t o Godwins was a v e r y p a i n f u l one, the o b j e c t o f which was t o a d m i n i s t e r r e p r o o f t o one who has g r i e v o u s l y t r a n s g r e s s e d , & brought shame & d i s g r a c e upon h e r s e l f , b e s i d e s b r i n g i n g g r e a t s c a n d a l upon the Church. One who was c o n f i r m e d the l a s t time t h e r e was a c o n f i r m a t i o n a t Kincumbar, & from t h a t time has been a r e g u l a r Communicant, but i s now a l a s , a mother! though unmarried.

22.

Having a good many l e t t e r s t o w r i t e , I remained a t home today f o r t h a t purpose, & hope t o be out a l l tomorrow, & perhaps Saturday t o o .

23.

Went t o Kincumbar t h i s morning, & a f t e r c a l l i n g a t M u l l a r d ' s & Kearnes' went a c r o s s to W i l s o n ' s a t T o r i g a l , & v i s i t e d a l l the people t h e r e . I found the Hunts have j u s t moved over t h e r e from Matchams ground, & the younger daughter was s i c k

101.

March i 8 6 0 . 23.

i n bed. The e l d e s t daughter I f i n d i s l a t e l y m a r r i e d t o one o f W i l s o n ' s sons, & t h e o l d e s t son, A l f r e d Hunt, was m a r r i e d t h e o t h e r day t o Annie B r i t t o n . That makes 3 c o u p l e s , a l l members o f t h e Church o f England, who have l a t e l y gone away up t o Sydney, & got m a r r i e d by Dr.Lang. Mrs.Hunt e x p l a i n e d t o me the r e a s o n , namely, t o a v o i d the expense o f t h e marriage f e a s t u s u a l l y expected & g i v e n on these o c c a s i o n s . 1 found a n i c e new road opened from Kincumbar t o W i l s o n ' s , w h i c h has s h o r t e n e d t h e d i s t a n c e v e r y much, & I endeavoured t o persuade some o f them t o t r y & f i n d t h e i r way t o Kincumbar Church by i t . On l e a v i n g T o r i g a l I came home t h e most d i r e c t way, c a l l i n g a t J a c k s o n ' s , Browns, F o s t e r ' s Cadby's Cook's, P l u n k e t ' s & S w a d l l n g s , & reached home, r a t h e r fagged & s t a r v e d , a t about i p 7.

24.

Went over t o E t G o s f o r d t h i s morning, & c a l l e d on M r S . L l o y d , ( i n h e r shop) & then went up t o the Church, t o l e a v e t h e wine t h e r e f o r tomorrow, & b r i n g back 2 o r 3 empty b o t t l e s , which had accumulated t h e r e . C a l l e d on M r s . M c i n t o s h , a l s o . - The r e s t o f t h e day was spent i n p r e p a r i n g f o r tomorrow's s e r v i c e s & d o i n g a l i t t l e c l e a n i n g i n t h e S a d d l e r y department.

25.

(Sunday) Three r a t h e r s m a l l c o n g r e g a t i o n s today. The weather v e r y h o t : e x c e e d i n g l y o p p r e s s i v e i n Church a t E a s t G o s f o r d , where t h e s e r v i c e was lengthened by the a d d i t i o n o f both sacraments. I baptized Mr.Edwd,Wamsley's c h i l d b e f o r e s e r v i c e .

26.

We were p r e p a r i n g t o go & spend the day a t Wyoming t h i s morning, when I was summoned up t o t h e Church t o marry a c o u p l e , & by t h e time I r e t u r n e d I had so bad a headache t h a t I c o u l d not attempt t o go out & was l a i d up f o r t h e r e s t o f the day.- Very h o t a g a i n today.

[1]

Atchlbold Mbdfit Einnit WAMSLEV, ion of Edujaid ~, Goi^oKd Vatik i liaboJUia, Bom 5 Fzbiuaiy 1860.

[2]

No tntiy

^ound -in Chufich RtQiAtti

^on. maiKlagti.

FameA o^

102.

[1]

[2]

"WYOMING" was the name F. A. HELY gave to his land grant

KERRY & Co. POSTCARD: GOSFORD CITY LIBRARY

Wyoming, looking south from near the corner of the present Wyoming Road and Glencoe Avenue. The building which dates back to the 1830's is now, in shortened form, the residence of The Grange Hotel-Motel in Renwick Street. The old Hely home is at right. Photo probably taken between 1895 and 1910.

This 1940's snapshot shows six arches, perhaps of stables, part of the long building seen in top photo, but from the other direction.

PHOTO: Mrs. R. LOUGHER, GOSFORD

March

1860.

27.

G r e a t l y d i s a p p o i n t e d today by the n o n - a r r i v a l o f the Steamer. A s o u t h e r l y wind came on l a s t n i g h t & I suppose t h e r e was too much sea f o r them t o v e n t u r e out. I took the c a r t o v e r , e x p e c t i n g t o f i n d a m a r r i e d c o u p l e who have engaged t o come f o r 6 months, but had my j o u r n e y f o r n o t h i n g .

29.

Much t o our s u r p r i s e the Steamer came p u f f i n g i n t o the Broadwater about 2 o ' c l o c k y e s t e r d a y a f t e r n o o n . We d i d not expect h e r t i l l tomorrow, h a v i n g missed the r e g u l a r day. I made a l l the h a s t e I c o u l d & put M e t t l e i n t o the c a r t , & h u r r i e d over t o E a s t G o s f o r d , but the v e s s e l was o f f a g a i n b e f o r e I c o u l d get t h e r e . On the way, however, I met my new man Joseph Chamberlain, coming i n s e a r c h o f me, & handed the r e i n s over t o him a t once. As f a r as we can judge from appearances, we t h i n k they w i l l b o t h s u i t us v e r y w e l l . Today we managed a t l a s t t o a c c o m p l i s h our l o n g t a l k e d o f v i s i t t o Wyoming. S t a r t i n g about 11 o ' c l o c k , we f i r s t c a l l e d on Mrs.Hely by the way, & then reached Wyoming about one o ' c i . J u s t as we were l e a v i n g home we thought we s p i e d the "Dingy" a p p r o a c h i n g the wharf, so l e f t a note f o r them t o f o l l o w us on. I t t u r n e d out t o be M r s . G i t t i n s , E l l e n & C h a r l e s , & they came up w i t h us a t Mr.Hely's - We spent a p l e a s a n t day a t Wyoming g e t t i n g home a g a i n about dusk, & t h e n the G i t t i n s p a r t y s e t o f f home a g a i n .

30.

Went over t o the Steamer as soon as she came i n , & from thence rode out t o E r i n a , t o v i s i t o l d Warburton, & Mrs.Edmunds. The l a t t e r I found a g r e a t d e a l b e t t e r than when I l a s t saw h e r ; Warburton much the same.I c a l l e d l i k e w i s e on Mr.Nunn & the M i s s Donnisons.

103.

April 5.

[1]

1860.

On Saturday l a s t , the 31st March, I s e t out f o r Mangrove about 11 AM, & had one o f the most d i s a g r e e a b l e journeys 1 ever e x p e r i e n c e d , r a i n i n g a l l the way. A r r i v e d t h e r e about dark. On Sunday morning, the 1 s t , Mr.Wheeler accompanied me t o the Upper Church, but from the bad weather, & some o f the people b e i n g away from home, I had no c o n g r e g a t i o n , except a few c h i l d r e n , whom 1 c a t e c h i z e d . I n the a f t e r n o o n t h e r e were o n l y 13 a t the lower s c h o o l h o u s e . On Monday morning I m a r r i e d a young c o u p l e , John Crumpton & Mary C r o s s l a n d , & then preceeded down the creek t o v i s i t poor Mr.Cox, who c o n t i n u e s i n the same p r e c a r i o u s s t a t e . R i c h d . Woodbury rowed me down i n t h e i r boat. On Tuesday I rode up t o the top o f the creek & v i s i t e d a l l a l o n g the road. Found Gould's new schoolmaster a t work w i t h 14 c h i l d r e n , w h i l e Mr.Wheeler had o n l y fiVi 7. t h i s i s e a s i l y accounted f o r by i t s b e i n g so near t h e i r door, & open the whole week, w h i l e the d i s t a n c e to our upper s c h o o l i s some 4 m i l e s , & o n l y 3 days i n the week. Y e s t e r d a y I had a b e a u t i f u l day f o r my homeward j o u r n e y , & got back b e f o r e 4 o' c l o c k , g l a d , as u s u a l , t h a t my "Mangrove v i s i t a t i o n was a t an end.- I found M i s s G i t t i n s here on my r e t u r n . Today I have spent w r i t i n g - Began by addres'sing a l e t t e r t o the Bench, on the s u b j e c t o f the B a l l s a t the P u b l i c Houses, which have been r a t h e r more f r e q u e n t of l a t e , & which I have r e a s o n t o f e a r are p r o d u c t i v e of much e v i l , i f not o f p o s i t i v e i m m o r a l i t y among the p e o p l e , & a r e p a r t i c u l a r l y i n j u r i o u s t o the young. The p u r p o r t o f my l e t t e r was t o beg the M a g i s t r a t e s to w i t h h o l d t h e i r s a n c t i o n t o these p a r t i e s , which I am t o l d cannot take p l a c e w i t h o u t the p e r m i s s i o n of the M a g i s t r a t e s . - I was g l a d t o l e a r n from Mr

No tntiij

found Jin ChuKck RzgJutdi

foi ma>i>uia.Qt6.

104.

f/J

April

1860.

B a t t l e y t h i s e v e n i n g t h a t my l e t t e r has a l r e a d y done good, by c a u s i n g a l i t t l e more r e s t r i c t i o n t o be made i n answer t o the a p p l i c a t i o n o f two P u b l i c a n s today.

Y e s t e r d a y b e i n g Good F r i d a y , we had morning p r a y e r s at the Church, & a c o n g r e g a t i o n o f about 50. Towards evening we took a l i t t l e s t r o l l up the h i l l a t the back.- T h i s morning I went t o E a s t G o s f o r d & c a l l e d on P u t l a n d & h i s man, W a l t e r Kemp - t a k i n g C o t t r i l l & Crane on the way back.- Went a c r o s s the water t h i s evening i n the boat & enjoyed i t much. The evening was v e r y calm & b e a u t i f u l .

10.

Sunday, the 8 t h b e i n g E a s t e r Day I a d m i n i s t e r e d the Sacrament t o 32 a t E a s t G o s f d . & had a good c o n g r e g a t i o n b e s i d e s . - Very f a i r a l s o a t Kincumbar & E r i n a . I t was a most l o v e l y day - c l o u d l e s s s k y , & moderatley warm.- Y e s t e r d a y we a l l went by water up the c r e e k , & c a l l e d upon the Drews who a r e now l i v i n g up a t the wharf. We l o o k e d I n upon Mrs.Mann a l s o by the way.- I found i t r a t h e r warm rowing up the c r e e k , as t h e r e was s c a r c e l y any breeze s t i r i n g . - T h i s b e i n g the day f o r e l e c t i n g Church Wardens, I went up t o the Church a l i t t l e b e f o r e e l e v e n , & p u n c t u a l l y a t the hour Mr.Nunn made h i s appearance, but more than h a l f an hour f o l l o w e d b e f o r e any o t h e r s came. A t l e n g t h a s u f f i c i e n t number a r r i v e d (but b a r e l y t h a t , o n l y 5 a l t o g e t h e r ) & we proceeded t o the e l e c t i o n , when the same t h r e e who a c t e d l a s t year were r e - e l e c t e d , namely Messrs H a r r i s o n , B a t t l e y , & S c o t t . I went to the steamer a f t e r the meeting, e x p e c t i n g t o f i n d some goods f o r me. but n o t h i n g has come.- I n s h o r t the Steamer came almost empty t o d a y , no passengers h a r d l y nor goods.- C h a r l e s & A l e x a came up today, & we walked t o the top of R e c r e a t i o n H i l l a f t e r d i n n e r , The evening was v e r y f i n e , so the view was b e a u t i f u l .

105.

April

1860.

11.

S t a r t e d f o r Kincumbar about 9 AM. & a f t e r l o o k i n g i n a t the s c h o o l p a i d a round of v i s i t s i n the f o l l o w i n g o r d e r , D a r b y s h i r e , O v e r t o n , Dunlop, Woodwd. a l l the D a v i s e s , Conroy & P o o l e & S e t t r e e , I remained sometime w i t h poor George D a v i s , whom I found weaker t h a n when I l a s t saw him, but w h i l e the "outward man" i s d e c a y i n g , I hope & t r u s t t h a t the i n w a r d man i s waxing s t r o n g e r & stronger. The sun had sunk behind the w e s t e r n h i l l s b e f o r e I l e f t D a v i s ' s so I had o n l y time t o r i d e up t o Dr.Auld's door i n p a s s i n g , & e n q u i r e a f t e r them a l l , & i t got q u i t e dark on me by the t i m e 1 reached Green P o i n t .

18.

L a s t Thursday, the 12th, I went up t o the S a w m i l l , c a l l i n g a t a l l the i n t e r m e d i a t e p l a c e s . I was s o r r y t o l e a r n from Margaret B a t e s , t h a t i n consequence of the s c h o o l a t the F l a t not being s u f f i c i e n t l y r e m u n e r a t i v e , she had made up her mind t o g i v e i t up. 1 begged of her t o keep i t on another f o r t n i g h t or so & promised t o w r i t e & ask the B i s h o p whether he c o u l d o b t a i n any a s s i s t a n c e by way o f a s m a l l s t i p e n d . On F r i d a y I went over t o the steamer & was s o r r y t o hear from C a p : B r e t t , t h a t my watch, w h i c h I had e n t r u s t e d t o ti"^ him on Tuesday, had been s t o l e n out of the B l a c k Swan. I n the h u r r y & b u s t l e o c c a s i o n e d by h i s h a v i n g t o go o f f i n a n o t h e r v e s s e l i m m e d i a t e l y on h i s a r r i v a l a t the wharf i n Sydney, he f o r g o t t o take the watch t o the o f f i c e , but l e f t i t on the s h e l f i n the s t a i r s l e a d i n g down t o the C a b i n , from which i t d i s a p p e a r e d . My C l o c k came back from Sydney on F r i d a y a l s o , but on unpacking i t I found the screw w h i c h f a s t e n s the pendulum i n i t s p l a c e had broken, & so the pendulum has got a d r i f t , & so i n j u r e d the c l o c k t h a t i t would not go. & I must send i t back t o Sydney next week. Among o t h e r

106.

April 18.

1860.

t h i n g s brought down by the Steamer on F r i d a y were the remains o f poor Mr.Joseph Spears, who d i e d i n Sydney on the 1 1 t h , & was brought down by h i s f r i e n d s f o r B u r i a l . The f u n e r a l took p l a c e on Monday a f t e r n o o n , the 16th. & was more numerously a t t e n d e d than any f u n e r a l I have ever had. On Saturday I was busy w r i t i n g a l l the morning, & i n the a f t e r n o o n we a l l went a c r o s s i n the boat t o Holden's p o i n t , & rambled up t o the top o f the h i l l b e h i n d the house. The evening was most b e a u t i f u l , & the view v e r y p r e t t y . Sunday commenced w i t h a c l e a r b r i g h t s k y , but by 8 o ' c l o c k a sudden change took p l a c e , & heavy c l o u d s began t o r i s e from the S.E. which s h o r t l y d i s c h a r g e d t h e i r c o n t e n t s upon us. I t was showery throughout the day so t h a t my c o n g r e g a t i o n s were s m a l l , & towards evening i t s e t t l e d i n t o a steady l i g h t r a i n , & l o o k e d so v e r y unpromising t h a t I d i d not go t o the Blue G : F l a t c h u r c h . The Nunns came t o spend the day w i t h us on Monday, t h e whole p a r t y from Wyoming. Y e s t e r d a y was my day f o r the q u a r t e r l y v i s i t a t i o n a t Mooney Creek, & I had a v e r y n i c e day f o r my r i d e , b e s i d e s a t i d y l i t t l e c o n g r e g a t i o n o f 20. A f t e r r e t u r n i n g home i n the evening we a l l went t o c a l l a t Mona V a l e . T h i s morning I went over t o see M r s . J o s : S p e a r s , & made one o r two o t h e r c a l l s by the way. I n the a f t e r n o o n I p a i d a few v i s i t s about home.

19.

S t a r t e d i n my boat a f t e r b r e a k f a s t t h i s morning t o v i s i t the people a t Wye Wye, & t h a t neighbourhood, commencing a t McCullum's, & g o i n g a s f a r as Rocky George's. I found i t v e r y hot r o w i n g , t h e r e b e i n g s c a r c e l y a b r e a t h o f a i r s t i r r i n g . I t was about sunset b e f o r e I s t a r t e d back a g a i n from C o u l t e r s , so t h a t i t was q u i t e dark b e f o r e I reached home.

20.

A t home today w r i t i n g l e t t e r s . C h a r l e s G i t t i n s came up e a r l y i n the morning & brought a new rope f o r my b o a t . I n the e v e n i n g we a l l walked t o see M r s . C o u l t e r c a l l e d on the B a t t l e y s a l s o .

Joiojph SPEARS, aged 48,

Innke-zptfL of East Gosfofid,

Vlo-d 11 ApiU.

107.

1860,

A p r i l 1860. 21.

C o n t r a r y t o my r u l e o f s t a y i n g a t home on S a t u r d a y , I have had a l o n g day's v i s i t i n g a t E r i n a today, commencing a t Mr.Nunn's, &. t a k i n g a c i r c u i t by Swadling's F o s t e r s , & then round by J o b Jones, F l e t c h e r ' s & so home by B e s t ' s e t c . I have l o n g been w i s h i n g t o go t o Jones', but somehow o r o t h e r I c o u l d never a c c o m p l i s h i t b e f o r e . 1 found o n l y Mrs.Jones & daughter, b e s i d e s t h e i r u n f o r t u n a t e h e l p l e s s son, who has been a s o r t of i d i o t i c c r i p p l e f o r t h e l a s t 17 y r s , & i s 25 y e a r s o f age. he has been 7 weeks i n bed now, & i s a most p i t i a b l e o b j e c t - a g r e a t burden t o h i m s e l f & t r i a l t o h i s mother. I found F l e t c h e r v e r y p o o r l y t o o . He caught c o l d some 2 months ago o r more, & seems t o have n e g l e c t e d h i m s e l f , whereby h i s l u n g s a r e now a f f e c t e d . He went t o Sydney about 10 days ago t o get M e d i c a l a d v i c e , & p u t h i m s e l f under D r . M u l l e r ' s c a r e , & h i s p r e s c r i p t i o n seems t o be d o i n g him good.

108.

23.

Good attendance a t G o s f r o d y e s t e r d a y morning, but r a t h e r s m a l l a t Kincumbar n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g I had t h r e e young Swadllngs t o i n c r e a s e t h e number. On t h e way back from Kincumbar a s l i g h t thundershower came on, & a l t o g e t h e r t h e evening l o o k e d v e r y t h r e a t e n i n g so I had EBH no congregatl^ion a t E r i n a , & on my homeward r i d e , between 78& 8, I was caught i n a t e r r i f i c thunderstorm. I t was v e r y dark when I s t a r t e d from E r i n a & I c o u l d o n l y grope my way s l o w l y a l o n g by t a k i n g a s i g h t , as i t were, a t every f l a s h o f l i g h t e n i n g . I had j u s t got through Mr.Nunn's paddock, & a r r i v e d a t t h e most d i s m a l p a r t o f t h e r o a d , when t h e r a i n began, & t h e t h i c k e s t o f t h e storm passed over. Poor o l d " M e t t l e " was so b l i n d e d by t h e l i g h t e n i n g , t h a t he stood s t o c k s t i l l , & c o u l d n o t be persuaded t o move, u n t i l t h e storm had passed away, & then

April

[1]

1860.

23.

we f i n i s h e d our r i d e i n s a f e t y . The r a i n poured down i n g r e a t t o r r e n t s , but thanks t o my G u t t a Percha, I reached home p e r f e c t l y d r y . - H e a r i n g from Mrs.Woodward y e s t e r d a y t h a t poor George D a v i s was much worse, I rode down t o see him today & found him g r e a t l y a l t e r e d s i n c e my l a s t v i s i t , & e v i d e n t l y s i n k i n g r a p i d l y t o h i s grave. He has a l l a l o n g seemed q u i t e r e s i g n e d , & " w i l l i n g t o d e p a r t . " &, a s f a r as I can judge, I t h i n k he i s d y i n g i n a v e r y h o p e f u l s t a t e . - On my r e t u r n I c a l l e d a t Mr.Roberts's

26.

On Tuesday the 2 4 t h , went up t o the s c h o o l i n the morning, & thence t o the Steamer when she came i n . Got a copy o f t h a t day's H e r a l d from Captn Brett i n which I was s o r r y t o observe t h a t M r . R o l f e ' s v e s s e l , the " S w i f t " had foundered on Monday o f f the l o n g r e e f , & t h a t the u n f o r t u n a t e master was drawned, the o t h e r two s a i l o r s , & a passenger, a sawyer, b e i n g saved by c l i n g i n g t o the b o a t , from which they were soon rescued by another v e s s e l c l o s e a t hand. A f t e r d i n n e r I took a r i d e w i t h M i s s G i t t i n s up t o Wyoming, Anne & the g i r l s walked w i t h us a s f a r a s Mr.Hely's, where we a l l c a l l e d . Y e s t e r d a y morning I s t a r t e d w i t h the i n t e n t i o n o f g o i n g t o Kincumbar. I c a l l e d f i r s t a t Mr.Wm.Nunn's, & a t M i s s Donnisons, & then s e t o f f f o r Kincumbar, but j u s t a s I had c l i m b e d the h i l l , the r a i n began, & came down p r e t t y s m a r t l y , & h a v i n g every appearance o f a c o n t i n u a n c e , I t u r n e d , & came home a g a i n . & spent the a f t e r n o o n i n w r i t i n g . T h i s b e i n g a wet day, r a t h e r , I remained a t home sermon w r i t i n g , so t h a t I may be f r e e t o go out on Saturday.

27.

T h i s morning I r e c e i v e d i n t e l l i g e n c e o f the death of George D a v i s ( y e s t e r d a y ) w i t h a r e q u e s t t o come over & bury him t h i s a f t e r n o o n , w h i c h I d i d a c c o r d i n g l y . I was v e r y r a i n y a l l

No untKif found In Chufich. Re.gLbt.cft fofi

bufUali,

109.

[1]

A p r i l 1860. the day, t h e r a i n coming down i n tremendous showers, w i t h i n t e r v a l s o f c e s s a t i o n . I went a c r o s s t o see Mrs.Reynolds, a f t e r t h e f u n e r a l , h e a r i n g t h a t she was v e r y i l l . I found Dr.Auld i n attendance upon h e r , & he d e s c r i b e d h e r case as b e i n g a dangerous one. The r a i n c o n t i n u e d i n t o r r e n t s t h e g r e a t e r p a r t of the n i g h t . 28.

S t i l l tremendous r a i n , a l l t h e low l a n d s f l o o d e d , & g r e a t water f a l l s down t h e s i d e o f the h i l l s beyond Pagan's.- No g o i n g out anywhere, except t h a t I went to Worley's i n t h e morning, t o see whether he c o u l d send a l e t t e r t o Mr.Wheeler on Monday - weather p e r m i t t i n g announclng t o him what I t h i n k he w i l l c o n s i d e r welcome i n t e l l i g e n c e , t h a t the B i s h o p has a c q u i e s i e d i n h i s w i s h f o r a removal from Mangrove & has a p p o i n t e d him to succeed Mr.Hawkins a t S t . A l b a n ' s . Worley g l a d l y consented t o send t h e l e t t e r up.

29.

Sunday. Set out about 9 AM, f o r morning s e r v i c e a t B l u e Gum F l a t , but had t o r e t u r n a g a i n ; - t h e c r e e k s at Wyoming b e i n g i m p a s s a b l e .

30.

Went over t o Kincumbar t h i s morng, & v i s i t e d Mrs.Reynolds f i r s t , s t i l l v e r y i l l , & from thence rode down t o D a v i s ' s t o see Poor Mrs.George D a v i s . The roads every where i n a h o r r i b l e c o n d i t i o n , c o n v e r t e d i n t o r i v e r s & d i t c h e s . Found t h e new b r i d g e a t Kincumbar washed away. Found C h a r l e s G i t t i n s here on my r e t u r n , come to f e t c h h i s s i s t e r home.

May 1860. 1.

C h a r l e s & M i s s G i t t i n s l e f t us about 11 AM. I then passed an hour o r so l e t t e r w r i t i n g & a f t e r d i n n e r rode out t o see o l d F l e t c h e r , whom I was g l a d t o f i n d improving g r e a t l y .

110.

May

f/J

1860.

Went t o Kincumbar t h i s morning t o v i s i t Mrs.Reynolds. D i s c o v e r e d t h a t she was a Roman C a t h o l i c , & t h a t Reynolds had consented t o h e r r e q u e s t t o be v i s i t e d by Mr.Woolfrey. I t h e r e f o r e c o n c e i v e d i t my duty t o withdraw from f u r t h e r a t t e n d i n g h e r . - I then proceeded v i a Kerns' t o T o r i g a l , & v i s i t e d a l l i n that quarter, & so r e t u r n i n g l a t e i n the e v e n i n g , by E r i n a .

A t home a l l day, l e t t e r w r i t i n g , & towards e v e n i n g , g a r d e n i n g . - Mr.Osborne c a l l e d , & p a i d h i s s u b s c r i p t i o n t o the c l e r g y f u n d .

I n the morning went t o E a s t G o s f o r d & made sundry c a l l s t h e r e . A f t e r n o o n w r i t i n g l o o k i n g out sermons t o take w i t h me t o Yarramalong e t c . & a l i t t l e g a r d e n i n g .

Rode up t o Yarramalong, c a l l i n g a t G i l c h i s o n ' s by the way, & a d m i n i s t e r e d p r i v a t e b a p t i s m t o h i s i n f a n t c h i l d , t h e y b e i n g u n a b l e t o a t t e n d Church a t Wyong t h i s t i m e , & not l i k i n g t o a l l o w the c h i l d t o remain u n b a p t l z e d f o r a n o t h e r two months.- Found M r s . L e t t e a l o n e , Mr.L. h a v i n g gone t o the Snowy R i v e r .

Sunday - Morning S e r v i c e a t Yarramalong, A f t e r n o o n a t Wyong ( o r W a l l a r a b b a r a t h e r ) - Good attendance a t b o t h p l a c e s . R e p a i r e d t o Duralong a f t e r the s e r v i c e , & passed a s o l i t a r y n i g h t t h e r e , Mr.Osborne b e i n g i n Sydney.

S t a r t e d a t 8 AM: & reached Mr.Lee's a t Currumbong by e l e v e n . Had morning s e r v i c e t h e r e w i t h a v e r y s m a l l c o n g r e g a t i o n , o n l y 7. ~ I n the a f t e r n o o n made my way t o Mr.Hargraves, where I found a l l w e l l .

Accompanied by Edwd.Hargraves, rode up t o T a a f f e s a t Lake Macquarie & had morning s e r v i c e t h e r e . - The Fremans managed t o c r o s s the l a k e & so s w e l l e d my c o n g r e g a t i o n t o n e a r l y 20.- Weather most l o v e l y , & Lakes b e a u t i f u l

Maty GILCHISON, daughtvi of Jamzi i. Haigaizt. Bom 11 Mick 1860.

Famzi

of Wyong Point

111.

[1]

May 9.

10.

11.

12.

1860.

Morning s e r v i c e a t Mr.Hargraves a t 10 o ' c l o c k . I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e i r own h o u s e h o l d , f o u r Chinamen a t t e n d e d the s e r v i c e , & seemed p l e a s e d , p r o m i s i n g to come a g a i n . Though they c o u l d not understand much, t h i s b e g i n i n g may l e a d t o some good e v e n t u a l l y . Mr.Worley was p r e s e n t a l s o , & we rode home t o g e t h e r , s t a r t i n g about i p 12. & coming by way o f W a l l a r r a creek About 9 P:M: I had a v i s i t from Mr.Simpson, one o f the C a n d i d a t e s f o r t h i s e l e c t o r a t e ; he had j u s t been h o l d i n g a meeting a t the Court House. Rode over t o Kincumbar i n the morning t o see Mrs. Reynolds. F i n d i n g i t was h e r d e s i r e t o see Mr.Woolfrey, 1 p r e v a i l e d upon Reynolds t o send f o r him, & then came home a g a i n . A f t e r d i n n e r I rode up t o Blue Gum F l a t t o b a p t i z e a c h i l d o f W i l l i a m Deeves', as they a r e g o i n g away up t o Currumbrong, & wished t o have the c h i l d b a p t i z e d b e f o r e they went. Marianne accompanied me as f a r as Wyoming.- M r s . B a t t l e y c a l l e d w h i l e we were away, &i6 mentioned t h a t Mr.Simpson had a f a l l from h i s horse t h i s a f t e r n o o n a t Kincumbar, & broke his arm. Went up t o Mr.Hely's a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , t o see him about the b a p t i z i n g o f h i s c h i l d , as I heard he had been e n q u i r i n g f o r me, the c h i l d b e i n g r a t h e r d e l i c a t e . They seemed d e s i r o u s o f h a v i n g i t X t i a n e d a t home, but t h e r e b e i n g no p o s i t i v e a i l m e n t , as f a r as they c o u l d t e l l me, I suggested t h e i r b r i n g i n g i t t o the Church i n p r e f e r e n c e , w h i c h they consented t o . I a f t e r w a r d s went t o the Steamer, & s t a i d a t home the r e s t of the day.

[1]

[2]

Went over t o Kincumbar today, t o see Mr.Simpson, who i s l y i n g a t Mr.Woolfrey's - I went by D a v i s ' s & c r o s s e d the water a t P o o l e ' s . Found D r . A u l d

Vavld Robvit VEEVES, ion of William John i Sophia Matilda COLLINS. Bom 12 Ee.biuaiy See

112

page. 115.

Baptised

20 May

1860.

Splitte.1 1860.

Blue. Gum

Flat

May

1860.

12.

w i t h him, d r e s s i n g the broken l i m b , which seemed p r o g r e s s i n g favourably.

13.

Sunday.

14.

Made an a q u a t i c e x c u r s i o n t o Tonga v a l e today. C h a r l e s came q u i t e u n e x p e c t e d l y e a r l y i n the morning t o h e l p us down. He l e f t h i s d i n g y h e r e , & he & Mr.Homfray brought us back i n the e v e n i n g , & then r e t u r n e d i n t h e i r own boat. I l a n d e d a t Mrs.Bookers, & l e t the p a r t y go on, w h i l e I had a l i t t l e t a l k w i t h Mrs.Booker & the Gambles.- M r . G i t t i n s came up a f t e r w a r d s & took me down.

15.

Took the g i r l s up t o Wyoming t h i s morning & l e f t them t h e r e t o spend the week. I a l s o c a l l e d a t the Drews & a t Gavenlock's.

16.

W r i t i n g t i l l about 11 o ' c l o c k , & then went out f o r the day. C a l l e d f i r s t a t C o u l t e r s , where one of the c h i l d r e n - Fanny - i s i l l w i t h the meas^les (as they t h i n k . ) I t h e n c a l l e d t o see M r s . L l o y d , who i s j u s t g e t t i n g about a g a i n a f t e r her confinement, & from thence proceeded t o Kincumbar t o v i s i t Mrs.Reynolds i n t e n d i n g a l s o t o go as f a r as Mr.Woolfrey's & see Mr.Simpson, i f time would admit. I found Mrs.Reynolds v e r y p o o r l y Indeed, & I t h i n k drawing near her end. She e x p r e s s e d a g r e a t d e s i r e t o r e c e i v e the H o l y Communion a t my hands, & I promised t o go over tomorrow a f t e r n o o n t o a d m i n i s t e r i t . F i n d i n g t h e r e was not time t o extend my r i d e t o M r . W o o l f r e y ' s , 1 went as f a r as Ward's o n l y & p a i d them a v i s i t & then r e t u r n i n g reached home a t dark.

17.

B e i n g A s c e n s i o n day, a c c o r d i n g t o n o t i c e g i v e n i n Church l a s t Sunday we had morning s e r v i c e i n the Chruch. I t happened u n f o r t u n a t e l y t o be the P o l l i n g day, f o r the e l e c t i o n of a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e i n P a r l i a m e n t f o r our e l e c t o r a t e .

S e r v i c e as u s u a l , G o s f o r d , Kincumbar,

& Erina.

113.

May 1860. 17.

B e s i d e s t h i s , i t came on t o r a i n & blow from t h e westward, j u s t a t t h e time when people would be p r e p a r i n g f o r Church, so t h a t my c o n g r e g a t i o n amounted o n l y t o seven. Mr.Homfray & C h a r l e s came up v e r y e a r l y , (& E l l e n a l s o ) w i t h a v i e w o f r e c o r d i n g t h e i r vote i n f a v o u r o f Mr.Simpson & then g o i n g t o Church. Immediately a f t e r b r e a k f a s t we t h r e e went up t o t h e Court House, & gave i n our v o t e s , & by t h e time we r e t u r n e d , t h e weather l o o k e d so v e r y bad, & s q u a l l y , t h a t they thought i t prudent t o s e t o f f home a g a i n , l e a v i n g E l l e n behind them, & she accompanied me t o Church. I t t u r n e d out t o be o n l y a w e s t e r l y s q u a l l , & by 12 o ' c l o c k was q u i t e f i n e a g a i n . A f t e r d i n n e r I went over t o Kincumbar & a d m i n i s t e r e d t h e Sacrament t o poor Mrs. Reynolds. On my r e t u r n I p i c k e d up Edwd.Hargraves at L l o y d s , & brought him home w i t h me. Was n o t a l i t t l e s u r p r i s e d , on r e a c h i n g home, t o f i n d C h a r l e s here a g a i n . The a f t e r n o o n t u r n i n g out so f i n e , he came up w i t h t h e r e t u r n o f t i d e .

18.

Went down t o C o u l t e r ^ a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , & was g l a d to f i n d l i t t l e Fanny was much b e t t e r . C a l l e d i n a t Mr.Battley's t o a s c e r t a i n the r e s u l t of yesterdays p o l l i n g , & was v e r y s o r r y t o f i n d t h a t M r . E c k f o r d was 7 v o t e s ahead o f Mr.Simpson. C h a r l e s & E l l e n rode up t o Wyoming i n t h e morning, & soon a f t e r one o ' c l o c k took t h e i r d e p a r t u r e home. I n t h e a f t e r n o o n I rode out i n t o t h e bush t o see M r s . P : W h i t t a k e r , who I heard y e s t e r d a y from D r . A u l d , has been s e r i o u s l y ill. Found her much b e t t e r . - Not v e r y w e l l today headachey.

19.

Went up t o Wyoming t h i s morning t o b r i n g the g i r l s home. C a l l e d i n a t Mr.Hely's as we came by & saw t h e l a d i e s , & l i t t l e baby, who seems t h r i v i n g n i c e l y - They hope to b r i n g i t t o Church tomorrow f o r Baptism.

114.

May 1860. 20.

Sunday. B e a u t i f u l day, S e r v i c e s as u s u a l , Holy Communion at Kincumbar & Baptism b o t h a t G o s f o r d & Blue Gum F l a t . Mr.Hely brought h i s l i t t l e s o n t o G o s f o r d , name " F r e d e r i c k S t r i c k l a n d " . Gave n o t i c e a t B l u e Gum F l a t t h a t I would have s e r v i c e t h e r e on Saturday a f t e r n o o n n e x t , t o a l l o w some p a r t i e s a t a d i s t a n c e a convenient o p p o r t u n i t y o f b r i n g i n g t h e i r c h i l d r e n to Baptism.

21.

Made a l i t t l e e x c u r s i o n today t o Wye Wye, f o r t h e purpose o f g e t t i n g t o the t o p o f a h i g h mountain, the h i g h e s t i n t h i s neighbourhood a p p a r e n t l y . I g o t the t h r e e young B a t t l e y s t o go w i t h me, & we met Mr.Homfray & C h a r l e s G i t t i n s a t C o u l t e r ' s by appointment. The day was b e a u t i f u l , though r a t h e r warm, & we found no d i f f i c u l t y i n a c c o m p l i s h i n g our o b j e c t ; but were r a t h e r d i s a p p o i n t e d w i t h t h e view which we thought would have been much f i n e r .

22.

Went t o Kincumbar e a r l y i n t h e morning t o marry a c o u p l e , (Bruce & W i l s o n ) . A l s o b a p t i z e d an i n f a n t a f t e r t h e m a r r i a g e was o v e r , then v i s i t e d Mrs.Reynolds a f t e r which I g o t a cup o f t e a from Mr.Lane, & t h e n r e t u r n e d by way o f E r i n a , where I c a l l e d a t W h i t t a k e r ' s (Senr. & J u n r . ) F l e t c h e r ' s & Warburton's - Found Mrs. W h i t t a k e r much b e t t e r . The e l d e r had j u s t r e t u r n e d from Sydney w i t h h i s l i t t l e boy, whose f o o t i s coming on v e r y w e l l . A f t e r d a r k , C h a r l e s G i t t i n s a r r i v e d w i t h Mr B u i s t , who came from Sydney today per Steamer, by appointment t o tune a l l t h e Pianos i n the neighbourhood.

23.

A t home a l l day, v a r i o u s l y o c c u p i e d . M r . B u i s t was busy the g r e a t e r p a r t o f t h e day over t h e P i a n o , examining the l e a t h e r s upon t h e hammers, & b r u s h i n g them up a b i t , a f t e r which he p u t t h e i n s t r u m e n t i n e x c e l l e n t tune. I n t h e e v e n i n g I took h i m t o M r . H a r r i s o n ' s , to show him t h e i r p i a n o .

[T]

짜n.(idz>Uxik Sttlckland HELV, Son of Hovtndzn ^ Gtntiixda Maiy. Bom 9 kpiXJi 1860.

Gtntlaman

[2]

22 May 1860, at thz Chmch at KlncmbeA, John BRUCE, 27, Bom In Scotland, MaKincn. i, Sawycn., of TzAilgal - son of Moaldci, and Maigaict [JEEEREV] - and Maty Ann WILSOhi, 18, SplnstCA.. Bom In England, daughtci of Vavld -, Eamfi, and Maiy [WAKELEV] WXXncsscs:

[3]

VafUuS WILSON and MaKy Jane

Emma Jam JONES, JUiltgltunatc EbenczeA JONES, Sawycu. Bom

of Wyoming,

Bac.hdLoi. Vauld

of TzAilgal dzccaszd.

LAIRV.

daughter of Elizabeth, 1 Maich 1860.

daughter, of

115.

f7j

[2] [3]

May 1860

[1]

24.

Took M r . B u i s t up t o Wyoming a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , & l e f t him t h e r e t o tune the two p i a n o s w h i l e I went on t o B l u e Gum F l a t & the S a w m i l l , t o warn the people o f my Intended s e r v i c e on Saturday a f t e r n o o n .

116.

25.

A t home a l l the morning. Went over t o the Steamer to see M r . B u i s t o f f , & g i v e a l e t t e r t o the C a p t a i n . A f t e r d i n n e r we a l l went a c r o s s t o M r . S c o t t s , where 1 expected t o f i n d a s i c k house, but was g l a d t o f i n d them c o n v a l e s c e n t .

26.

R a i n y morning, w h i c h made me f e a r I s h o u l d not have my a f t e r n o o n s e r v i c e a t B l u e Gum F l a t . I t c l e a r e d up however by one o ' c l o c k , & t u r n e d out a f i n e a f t e r n o o n , & I had a c o n g r e g a t i o n o f about 25. & b a p t i z e d 4 i n f a n t e -

27.

Sunday.-Administered Holy Comn - t o 26 a t E:Gosford.N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g the u n f a v o u r a b l e s t a t e o f the weather, w h i c h t h r e a t e n e d r a i n , & was v e r y c o l d , I had a v e r y good evening c o n g r e g a t i o n a t E r i n a - t o l e r a b l e a t Kincumbar.

28.

Went over t o E r G o s f o r d i n the morning t o pay a few v i s i t s t h e r e . I n the a f t e r n o o n we went i n the boat to c a l l on Mrs.Mann, l e a v i n g Marianne a t home, a s she i s a t p r e s e n t s u f f e r i n g from I n f l u e n z a , w h i c h now . p r e v a i l s v e r y g e n e r a l l y ' throughout the c o u n t r y .

29.

Went, by appointment, t o T o r i g a l t h i s morning, where I had engaged t o have a s p e c i a l s e r v i c e , f o r the purpose of b a p t i z i n g two i n f a n t s i n t h a t q u a r t e r ; & I was w e l l s a t i s f i e d w i t h the r e s u l t , h a v i n g a c o n g r e g a t i o n o f more than 30. & t h e s e n e a r l y a l l persons who never come t o any o f the Sunday s e r v i c e s . F i n d i n g they were v e r y w i l l i n g t o a t t e n d , I arranged t o pay them a monthly v i s i t , & have f i x e d upon Saturday the 23rd June f o r my next v i s i t . S e r v l c e e t o commence a t 2 P:M:

Vavld

ROBERTSON, 6on of William

H i

f^-?

Sauiytn. of Wyoming i UaKy.

BoKn 9 Uovmbzn. 1859. Janzt MILLER, daughteA of Jame^ Cowan -, i kgneA, Bom 9 MovembeA 1859.

Labouizn. of Outlmbah

HaKiy STAMP, Maty Ann STAMP, chlldizn of Ge.oKge. -, ShoemakeA of Flat i Ruth. Bom 27 AplU. 1856 and 26 Se.ptembeA. 1859. [2]

Emma KAY, daughteA of James Mann -, Bom 22 October 1859. WlZllam Heniy PAMTLIN, son of Jamts -, Bom 30 Se-ptembeA 1859.

FaKme.1 of TeAilgal

Sawye.i of TeAilgal

Sawmill

Blue. Gum

& Emma.

S Maty Ann.

May 1860.

[1]

30.

S e t o u t about f past 8 t h i s morning f o r a l o n g day 117. a t Kincumbar, Went round by Green p o i n t , & c a l l e d a t D r . A u l d ' s , h a v i n g heard y e s t e r d a y t h a t he had met w i t h an a c c i d e n t a few days s i n c e . He was i n bed, & I o n l y saw h i s w i f e , who t o l d M me he was much h u r t i n one o f h i s l e g s , & i t was w i t h d i f f i c u l t y he c o u l d move, The h u r t was o c c a s i o n e d by a s o r t o f a snag of a t r e e p r o j e c t i n g over t h e road near K e r n s ' s , & i n r i d i n g p a s t h i s h o r s e took him r a t h e r t o o c l o s e , & i t caught h i m i n t h e t h i g h , & dragged h i m s e l f & saddle o f f the horse.From t h a t I went t o Mrs.Reynolds's. Found h e r much a s u s u a l . - Weaker i f any t h i n g . - I then proceeded t o Tonga V a l e , c a l l i n g a t Palmer's by t h e way.- Was g l a d t o f i n d M r . G i t t i n s much b e t t e r f o r on Sunday t h e young people t o l d me they had l e f t t h e i r Papa v e r y i l l i n bed.- I've had a d e l i g h t f u l day f o r my r i d e , & g o t back a l i t t l e a f t e r 6. On r e a c h i n g home I was v e r y s o r r y t o f i n d a note from M r . L y a l l S c o t t r e p o r t i n g t h e melancholy t e r m i n a t i o n of poor Mrs.Tompkins' c a r e e r who was k i l l e d t h i s morning [1] by a f a l l from one o f t h e i r waggons.- I t i s some l i t t l e c o n s o l a t i o n t o be a b l e t o say o f h e r , "The l a s t time I saw h e r was i n Church". & t h a t was on Saturday a f t e r n o o n l a s t , when she t r u d g e d down from the S a w m i l l t o a t t e n d t h e s e r v i c e a t t h e f l a t .

31.

Went t o B l u e Gum F l a t t h i s a f t e r n o o n t o bury poor Mrs.Tompkins, a change i n t h e weather I f e a r has g i v e n me t h e I n f l u e n z a . A c o l d S:W: wind has been blowing a l l t h e day, & r a i n began t h i s a f t e r n o o n . & I came home w i t h a c o l d r a p i d l y s p r e a d i n g on me.

Susan TOMPKINS, agzd about 65, of OuiAjnbah Sawmill. John -, SawyeA. Vlzd 30 May I860.

Widow of

June 1860. 6.

The I n f l u e n z a i s making g r e a t ravages among us a l l now. I was v e r y p o o r l y a l l F r i d a y & Saturday l a s t , ( t h i s i s Wednesday) so much s o , t h a t I was compelled t o abandon a l l thought o f g o i n g t o Mangrove, & even on Sunday I was n o t s u f f i c i e n t l y r e c o v e r e d t o enable me t o r e a d s e r v i c e i n t h e C h u r c h . I t was t h e more u n f o r t u a n t e t h i s t i m e , because Mr. Homfray had arranged t o accompany me the t o Mangrove, & came up e a r l y on Saturday morning f o r t h e purpose. E l l e n came a l s o . I n t e n d i n g t o remain d u r i n g our absence. We p r e v a i l e d on them both t o remain u n t i l y e s t e r d a y when C h a r l e s came up f o r them. On Monday morning we went down t o t h e B u r i a l Ground where I wanted t o take an account of t h e , e n c l o s e d g r a v e s . Head & f o o t s t o n e s , w i t h a view o f a s c e r t a i n i n g as n e a r l y a s we can, who has p a i d , & who n o t (the f e e s f o r these t h i n g s ) . I n the a f t e r n o o n I was c a l l e d t o v i s i t P a r t r i d g e , who i s very w i l l w i t h I n f l u e n z a y e s t e r d a y morning we a l l went over t o t h e Steamer, (except E m i l y & Mamma) & a f t e r d i n n e r the Tonga V a l e p a r t y d e p a r t e d . Anne & I then went t o see o l d M r s . C r e i g h t o n , & take some medicine f o r h e r husband, who i s a t t a c k e d w i t h I n f l u e n z a . On our r e t u r n home Anne h e r s e l f was a t t a c k e d , & was v e r y p o o r l y a l l t h e e v e n i n g . Today she has n o t l e f t her bed, b u t I t h i n k she i s b e t t e r t h i s e v e n i n g . I went t o see P a r t r i d g e a g a i n t h i s morning, & got him t o execute h i s W i l l . T h i s a f t e r n o o n I was c a l l e d t o go & see W i l l i a m F l e t c h e i ; J u n r . who seems v e r y i l l , I t h i n k a r e l a p s e o f I n f l u e n z a , f o r he has got over one a t t a c k o f i t . I recommended an e m e t i c , & gave him some Ipecacuan: powder.

Stormy & r a i n y & c o l d & d i s a g r e e a b l e . C r e i g h t o n i n t h e morning &

Went t o see

118.

June 1860, 7.

found him c o n f i n e d t o h i s bed w i t h I n f l u e n z a . I n the evening I went t o c a l l a t t h e H a r r i s o n s & B a t t l e y s . At t h e former I saw no one, b u t r e t i r e d a f t e r two I n e f f e c t u a l knocks a t t h e door.

S t i f f Gale o f wind from t h e SW & S. so t h a t t h e steamer d i d n o t make h e r appearance. We were d i s a p p o i n t e d a t t h i s , a s we expected Uncle F e r r i s down but hope, i f t h e wind moderates, which i t has done v e r y much a l r e a d y they may d e s p a t c h t h e v e s s e l tomorrow.- E I v i s i t e d C o t t r i l l & P a r t r i d g e t h i s morning, was g l a d to f i n d the l a t t e r much b e t t e r . A f t e r d i n n e r I rode up t o E r i n a t o see Wm.Fletcher, who i s a l s o i m p r o v i n g . He seems t o have had M e a s l e s .

11.

On S a t u r d a y , t h e wind s t i l l b l o w i n g v e r y c o l d from SW. I d i d n o t v e n t u r e out u n t i l l a t e i n t h e a f t e r n o o n when I went t o see how C r e i g h t o n was g e t t i n g on w i t h h i s i n f l u e n z a . Found him o u t w a l k i n g about, but h i s w i f e seemed v e r y p o o r l y . - I t h e n went t o t h e Post O f f i c e f o r t h e l e t t e r s , as t h e m a i l d i d n o t a r r i v e as u s u a l on F r i d a y a f t e r n o o n , owing t o some stoppage w i t h t h e N o r t h Shore Steam F e r r y . - Y e s t e r d a y I had but a s c a n t y a t t e n d a n c e a t b o t h Churches, so many b e i n g a f f e c t e d w i t h I n f l u e n z a - I d i d n o t go t o E r i n a at n i g h t , f o r two r e a s o n s . - ( 1 ) I thought i t b e t t e r not t o expose m y s e l f t o t h e n i g h t a i r on account o f my cough, & ( 2 ) t h e punt road b e i n g p o s i t i v e l y dangerous to r i d e a l o n g even i n t h e day t i m e , much more so i n the d a r k . - T h i s morning I spent v i s i t i n g a t E a s t G o s f o r d , & t h i s a f t e r n o o n went as f a r as D i c k s o n ' s , c a l l i n g on Mrs.Hely by the way.

12.

T h i s morning I went a f t e r b r e a k f a s t t o c a l l on M r s . L e t t e , who I heard was s t a y i n g a t Mr.Crause's.- She had r e c e i v e d good accounts from M r . L e t t e , from K i a n d r a , & e x p e c t s him home i n about 3 weeks, & then they w i l l a l l take t h e i r departure. A f t e r c a l l i n g a t

119.

June

1860.

12.

C r e i g h t o n ' s , I went t o C o u l t e r s , & was g l a d t o f i n d the young f o l k s t h e r e were g e t t i n g over t h e i r a t t a c k of measles. From thence rode on t o meet the Steamer, e x p e c t i n g t o f i n d U n c l e F e r r i s on b o a r d , but i n t h a t I was d i s a p p o i n t e d , f o r he has postponed h i s v i s i t f o r another week. C a l l e d upon P a r t r i d g e & then came home.

13.

Went over t o Kincumbar t h i s morning t o see Mrs.Reynolds, & found her much i n the same s t a t e , v e r y low, but s t i l l l i n g e r i n g on. Went as f a r as Scaysbrooks, but was p r e v e n t e d g o i n g any f a r t h e r by the r a i n . On my way back 1 l o o k e d i n a t the Church, where M u l l i g a n , ( a c c o r d i n g t o my r e q u e s t ) was examining the s t a t e of the Reading Desk, f o r on Sunday l a s t I made the d i s c o v e r y t h a t w h i t e A n t s were a t work t h e r e . He found t h a t the hardwood f o u n d a t i o n was a f f e c t e d , & n e a r l y a l l e a t e n away by them, & i s g o i n g t o t a k e i t a l l down & r e p l a c e the damaged t i m b e r . I t was a happy c o n c i d e n c e t h a t M u l l i g a n happened t o be on the spot when I made the d i s c o v e r y .

14.

Went t o see P a r t r i d g e t h i s morning, & found him much the same, cough r a t h e r b e t t e r . - C a l l e d on Mrs.Hegln a l s o , she i s a t t a c k e d l i k e most o t h e r s , w i t h I n f l u e n z a , A f t e r d i n n e r I rode up t o B l u e Gum F l a t , t o pay Margaret Bates ÂŁ10 which the B i s h o p had s e n t h e r from Moore's Fund.- C a l l e d a t Wamsley's a l s o , & Lees' & E a r l ' s ,

15.

Stormy day & r a i n y r a t h e r . Not f e e l i n g v e r y w e l l i n the morning I s t a y e d a t home,-wrote t o the B i s h o p , e t c . e t c : - Went t o the p o s t i n the e v e n i n g f o r l e t t e r s .

16.

I d i d i n t e n d g o i n g t o E r i n a today, but found s e v e r a l new I n f l u e n z a p a t i e n t s about home & v i s i t i n g them o c c u p i e d the g r e a t e r p a r t of the day - The f o l l o w i n g are the persons I c a l l e d on. Mrs.Anderson, P u t l a n d , P a r t r i d g e , M r s . P i p e r , R u d k i n , Mrs.Hegin,Mr. & M r s . C o u l t e r .

120

June

1860.

18.

The I n f l u e n z a t h i n n e d my c o n g r e g a t i o n s s a d l y y e s t e r d a y 121 a t a l l t h r e e Churches. I had a d i s m a l dark r i d e a t n i g h t t o & from B l u e Gum F l a t , & a l l f o r a c o n g r e g a t i o n o f 12 o n l y . - Today I l e f t home about 10 o ' c l o c k , & was out t i l l d a r k , v i s i t i n g , a number o f s i c k p e o p l e , namely - C o u l t e r , Mrs.Hegln, P a r t r i d g e , M r s . P i p e r , & t h e n proceeded t o E r i n a , where I found the M i s s Donnisons both v e r y p o o r l y . From thence I went t o S w a d l l n g s , & then on p a s t J a c k s o n s , t o a man named Hudson, who met w i t h a n a c c i d e n t about 3 weeks ago,I d i d not know whether he belonged t o my f l o c k o r n o t , but I f i n d he & h i s w i f e a r e b o t h Roman C a t h o l i c s . H e a r i n g t h a t N a i l o r was v e r y i l l w i t h I n f l u e n z a , I came back t h a t way & found both him & h i s w i f e v e r y bad.- He was q u i t e wandering i n h i s mind, & I doubt whether he knew me.

19.

A f t e r v i s i t i n g M r s . P i p e r & P a r t r i d g e t h i s morning, I went t o the Steamer & met F e r r i s who a t l a s t has made h i s appearance. I n the a f t e r n o o n Marianne accompanied me i n a walk t o C o u l t e r ' s , C a l l e d a t Mona V a l e & a t the B a t t l e y s on our way back.

20.

To Kincumbar today - On r e a c h i n g R e y n o l d s ' I found t h a t poor Mrs.Reynolds had d i e d j u s t about h a l f a n hour b e f o r e I got there. I came round by R o b e r t s ' & A u l d s . No one a t home a t the former house. C a l l e d i n a t Green P o i n t a l s o , but no one a t home.

21.

To E r i n a ; t o v i s i t N a i l o r , whom I found I t h i n k a l i t t l e b e t t e r . From thence I worked my way home by Wm. & A: S w a d l i n g ' s , c a l l i n g a t a l l the p l a c e s by the way.

22.

A f t e r g o i n g t o the Steamer I went on t o Kincumbar f o r the F u n e r a l o f Mrs.Reynolds. On r e t u r n i n g home, I found a note r e q u e s t i n g me t o go & b a p t i z e Mrs.Drew's baby, which I d i d . Mr.Hely t a k i n g me up i n h i s b o a t .

23.

F e r r i s accompanied me t o T o r i g a l t o d a y , where I had a f t e r n o o n service, & a

Wo dyitxy found in

ChuKch

RzgiAttn.,

[1]

June 1860.

[1]

23.

good c o n g r e g a t i o n o f about 40.- C a l l e d t o see N a i l o r by the way who seemed b e t t e r . C a l l e d a l s o a t Mr.Nunn's & M i s s Donnison's

122.

25.

The I n f l u e n z a seems s t i l l t o a f f e c t my c o n g r e g a t i o n s , t h a t o f G o s f o r d b e i n g s m a l l y e s t e r d a y , though a t Kincumbar I had a f a i r a t t e n d a n c e . T h i s morning F e r r i s accompanied me t o Kincumbar, where I m a r r i e d John Wm.Palmer & Sarah P i p e r . A f t e r w a r d s we proceeded t o McMaster's, & on the way back I l o o k e d i n upon P a r t r i d g e & M r s . P i p e r . Found them much as u s u a l .

26.

Having seen o r heard n o t h i n g o f the G i t t i n s e s f o r more than a f o r t n i g h t , we thought we would take a row down i n the boat today & see how they f a r e d , Anne & E m i l y d i d not f e e l e q u a l t o the voyage, so our p a r t y was a s m a l l one, i . e . F e r r i s , Marianne & m y s e l f . We s t a r t e d a t 10 o ' c l o c k , & h a v i n g t h e t i d e a g a i n s t us d i d not r e a c h Tonga V a l e t i l l p a s t 12. We found they had been a l l s u f f e r i n g from I n f l u e n z a , & C h a r l e s s t i l l v e r y bad, though g e t t i n g b e t t e r . The day was v e r y f i n e , & we e n j o y e d t h e e x c u r s i o n , though b o t h of u s , ( F e r r i s & m y s e l f ) s t r a i n e d an a r m , p u l l i n g w i t h M r . H a r r i s o n s l o n g o a r s , which I borrowed f o r the o c c a s i o n .

27.

F e r r i s , Marianne & m y s e l f went t o spend t h e day a t Wyoming - Anne was v e r y i l l a g a i n l a s t n i g h t , which prevented h e r from g o i n g a l s o , & E m i l y remained a t home t o t a k e c a r e o f h e r . - I c a l l e d a l s o a t F o s t e r ' s , H o l l a n d s , B r o a d b e n t s , R i c h a r d s & Mr.Drew's. We found Mr.Anderson, a Government Surveyor, a t Wyoming.

28.

T h i s morning I went t o v i s i t P a r t r i d g e , whom I found I t h i n k b e t t e r , c a l l e d a l s o on Mrs.Hegln, & P u t l a n d . T h i s a f t e r n o o n I rode o u t t o see N a y l o r , whom I found much b e t t e r . John Osborne c a l l e d t h i s a f t e r n o o n , & Mr.Wheeler i n t h e f o r e n o o n w h i l e I was o u t .

25 June, 1860, at th& Ckuich at KlncumbzA, John William PALMER, 32, Bom PaiL&k of Bow, MlddloAex, ManJiniLK, uiual ie.ilde.nce. on Sklpboaid, now of Klncumbei - ion of John -, Caiile.1, and Matilda [DOUGLASS] both de.ceM.icd - and Saiah Ann PIPER, 24, daughtzi of Janothan Wltnziici:

SplmteA, Bom at Sydnejj, of Klncumbei -, Shlpwilght, and Ann [BATES].

John OVERTON and Maiy Ann OVERTON.

[1]

Backelon..

J u l y 1860 . 9.

Monday n i g h t . Having some Idea o f r i d i n g t o Mangrove tomorrow, I must endeavour t o r e c o r d t h e t r a n s a c t i o n s of t h e p a s t 10 days, l e s t by y i e l d i n g t o a few more days' p r o c r a s t i n a t i o n , they w i l l have passed beyond the r e a c h o f my f a d i n g memory. On F r i d a y morning, the 2 9 t h , Mr.Wheeler c a l l e d a g a i n , & had an hour's chat about Mangrove & McDonald R i v e r a f f a i r s . I went to see Mrs.Capper, a f t e r he had gone. On my way back I met young C o u l t e r from whom I l e a r n t t h a t he f a t h e r was v e r y i l l a g a i n . I went down i n t h e evening & found him s u f f e r i n g v e r y g r e a t p a i n . The boys had j u s t gone a c r o s s f o r D r . A u l d . - On Saturday I s t a r t e d on my j o u r n e y t o Wyong e t c : h a v i n g f i r s t p a i d C o u l t e r a visit. He was a l i t t l e e a s i e r , b u t s t i l l s u f f e r i n g much p a i n . I t seems t h a t h i s l i v e r i s a f f e c t e d I c a l l e d a t G i l c h i s o n ' s , as u s u a l , & from thence went by Wyong t o T u r n e r s & M o r r i s ' a t W a l l a r r a b b a , & so on t o John Osbornes a t n i g h t . - Had v e r y s a m l l c o n g r e g a t i o n s both a t Wyong &'Yarramalong on Sunday- John 0: accompanied me t o M r . L e t t e ' s . - On Monday I rode t o Cabbage T r e e , On Tuesday, as u s u a l , t o T a a f f e ' s a t Lake Macquarie, w i t h M r . C u r t i s s , whom I found a t Cabbage t r e e . On Wednesday, a f t e r morning s e r v i c e a t Mr.Hargraves rode home. & found C h a r l e s & A l e x a G i t t i n s h e r e . Thursday morning I went t o see C o u l t e r , & found h i m moving about a g a i n . - C a l l e d on M r s . H a r r i s o n a l s o & M r s . B a t t l e y . I n t h e a f t e r n o o n I went t o see P a r t r i d g e - much t h e same.- F r i d a y morning t o Steamer: c a l l e d on Mrs.Heggin & t h e Bensons. I n t h e a f t e r n o o n E m i l y & I took a l i t t l e r i d e t o g e t h e r , a s f a r as Mr.Hely's. They were a l l o u t , so we t u r n e d o f f t o t h e r a c e course & had a nice canter.

123

July 9.

1860.

I remained a t home a l l S a t u r d a y , p r e p a r i n g f o r Sunday d u t i e s . S m a l l c o n g r e g a t i o n s y e s t e r d a y , owing I suppose p a r t l y to I n f l u e n z a , which i s gradually disappearing but not q u i t e gone y e t . Today I have been down t o Davlstown t a k i n g Dr.Auld's & Mrs.Woodwards by the way.

12.

D i d not go t o Mangrove on Tuesday, as 1 t a l k e d of d o i n g , as the time f o r my p e r i o d i c a l v i s i t i s so near at hand, & I know o f n o t h i n g i n t h a t q u a r t e r which u r g e n t l y demands immediate a t t e n t i o n , I thought I might d e f e r my j o u r n e y t i l l the a p p o i n t e d t i m e , e s p e c i a l l y as 1 have many p r e s s i n g c a l l s upon my time & a t t e n t i o n a t home.- I went t o see C o u l t e r on Tuesday morning, & i n the a f t e r n o o n went t o E r i n a , t o see how M i s s Donnison was, as I missed her from the c o n g r e g a t i o n on Sunday. She had been p o o r l y , but was b e t t e r a g a i n . 1 went on t o B e s t ' s where the c h i l d r e n have had measles, but a r e r e c o v e r i n g . Y e s t e r d a y I went t o Kincumbar, & p a i d a round o f v i s i t s . Ward's J a c k s o n s , Scaysbrook J u n r , M o i r , Bushby & K e a r n s . - Jones & M u l l a r d not at home. Today I have remained a t home w r i t i n g e t c .

13.

Went over t o M r . B a t t l e y ' s a f t e r b r e a k f a s t t o t r a n s a c t a l i t t l e Church b u s i n e s s w i t h him. A f t e r d i n n e r I rode up t o B l u e Gum F l a t , & made a few c a l l s t h e r e .

14.

J u s t a f t e r b r e a k f a s t "The d i n g y " appeared i n s i g h t , & i n i t were C h a r l e s , A l e x a . & Mr.A:HomfZray. They came up t o f e t c h Marianne away t o spend a few days a t Tonga V a l e . - A f t e r t h e i r d e p a r t u r e I rode out t o v i s i t o l d Warburton, who s e n t me word he wished t o see me.- Made a few o t h e r c a l l s i n the neighbourhood, as w e l l as on P a r t r i d g e by the way.

17.

Sunday was a d e l i g h t f u l day, & I had good c o n g r e g a t i o n s . Y e s t e r d a y I went per boat

124.

July

I860.

17.

t o Wye Wye, & v i s i t e d a l l t h e f o l k s i n t h a t q u a r t e r . Today I have been t o Mooney Creek, f o r my u s u a l q u a r t e r l y s e r v i c e . About 15 were p r e s e n t .

21.

On Wednesday t h e 1 8 t h I went t o v i s i t F r o s t ' s f a m i l y a t Tuggerah Beach, n o t h a v i n g p a i d them a v i s i t f o r a v e r y l o n g time - f a r t o o l o n g i n d e e d . - 1 must endeavour to a t t e n d t o them b e t t e r f o r t h e f u t u r e . I remained at home on Thursday f o r t h e express purpose o f p r u n i n g the v i n e s , as the season i s advancing r a p i d l y . The " d i n g y " made i t s appearance soon a f t e r b r e a k f a s t , & we were v e r y g l a d t o have Marianne back a g a i n . Her o n l y companions were C h a r l e s & E l i z a b e t h who a r e s t i l l h e r e , weather-bound, f o r a change came on Thursday n i g h t , & y e s t e r d a y t h e wind was from the S. and r a i n y . Today i t has poured n e a r l y a l l day, & i s s t i l l r a i n i n g s t e a d i l y , so t h a t I have a p r o s p e c t o f t h i n c o n g r e g a t i o n s tomorrow, I went t o see P a r t r i d g e y e s t e r d a y & found him a p p a r e n t l y b e t t e r . H i s m a r r i e d daughter, M r s . N i c h o l s , from Queanbean, came down by l a s t Tuesday's Steamer & i s s t i l l w i t h him.

23.

I n consequence o f t h e r a i n y weather, my c o n g r e g a t i o n s y e s t e r d a y were 5 a t G o s f d . & 10 a t Kincumbar.- I t c l e a r e d up n i c e l y towards s u n s e t , & gave hopes o f improvement today b u t about e l e v e n o ' c l o c k a t n i g h t the r a i n began a g a i n , & came down i n t o r r e n t s d u r i n g the n i g h t , - Today i t has been showery & stormy, so much so t h a t C h a r l e s & M i s s G i t t i n s c o u l d n o t v e n t u r e home, & a r e s t i l l weather-bound w i t h u s , hoping f o r f i n e r weather tomorrow. I went t o pay C o u l t e r a v i s i t t h i s a f t e r n o o n , f o r he i s i l l a g a i n , h i s boys h a v i n g come y e s t e r d a y t o borrow t h e boat t o go a c r o s s t o D r . A u l d . - I found him v e r y p o o r l y but n o t so bad as t h e l a s t a t t a c k he had. Looked i n a t M r . B a t t l e y ' s on t h e way back.

125.

J u l y 1860. 26.

The weather c l e a r e d up r a t h e r suddenly on Tuesday morning so t h a t about noon C h a r l e s & M i s s G i t t i n s were enabled t o take t h e i r d e p a r t u r e , w i t h a l i g h t w e s t e r l y wind t o h e l p them home.- I spent t h e day c h i e f l y i n my s t u d y , r e a d i n g , & w r i t i n g a l e t t e r o r two f o r t h e evening p o s t . - Was j u s t g o i n g t o walk over t o see P a r t r i d g e about 4.P.M. when a heavy shower o f r a i n down t h e broadwater, which seemed t o be coming up towards u s , made me change my purpose, & remain i n d o o r s . Y e s t e r d a y I went over t o Kincumbar, & a f t e r v i s i t i n g Godwin's & B e n t l e y ' s houses, went t o f i n d my way t o a c l u s t e r o f newly a r r i v e d Sawyers, who are sawing f o r Ward on McMasters ground.- I found, however, t h e d i s t a n c e g r e a t e r than I expected & as the day was w e a r i n g away, & n i g h t drawing on apace, I h a l t e d b e f o r e I reached t h e p l a c e , & t u r n e d back a g a i n , not d e s i r i n g t o encounter t h e Punt Road i n the d a r k . - Today I i n t e n d e d v i s i t i n g t h e S a w m i l l , but heavy r a i n a g a i n stopped me, & kept me a t home. T h i s a f t e r n o o n , j u s t as I was p r e p a r i n g t o go out to v i s i t P a r t r i d g e & C o u l t e r , Mr.Moore c a l l e d t o beg of me the come t o t h e i r house, where h i s l i t t l e granddaughter, Mrs.Lewis' l i t t l e g i r l , was l y i n g v e r y i l l , a p p a r e n t l y d y i n g . I t has never been w e l l s i n c e a t t a c k e d w i t h measles about 6 months ago, & I f u l l y expect to hear o f i t s death tomorrow. I found P a r t r i d g e much as u s u a l , - No r e a l improvement seems t o take p l a c e , a l t h o u g h he c o n t i n u a l l y f a n c i e s h i m s e l f t o be g e t t i n g b e t t e r . When I l e f t h i s house i t come on t o r a i n & blow v e r y h a r d , & as I heard from Mrs.Lewis t h a t M r . C o u l t e r was b e t t e r , I postponed my v i s i t t o him t i l l tomorrow morng.

28.

Saturday e v e n i n g . Y e s t e r d a y morning I went t h e f i r s t t h i n g a f t e r b r e a k f a s t t o see how L e w i s ' c h i l d was, & j u s t reached t h e house i n time t o w i t n e s s i t s

126.

July 28.

[1]

1860.

d e p a r t u r e , & o f f e r up the l a s t conunendatory p r a y e r . As the poor l i t t l e c h i l d had been s u f f e r i n g some t i m e , & they had q u i t e g i v e n up a l l hope o f i t s r e c o v e r y , i t was r e a l l y a matter r a t h e r f o r j o y than g r i e f when i t s s p i r i t d e p a r t e d . T h i s evening the f u n e r a l took. p l a c e , & they a r e a l l , I t r u s t , q u i t e r e c o n c i l e d t o t h e i r l o s s . - Yesterday a f t e r dinner I s t a r t e d w i t h the i n t e n t i o n o f g o i n g t o Blue Gum F l a t , but f i n d i n g the roads i n such a d r e a d f u l p l i g h t , & so l i t t l e o f the day l e f t , I stopped s h o r t a t Wyoming, & on my r e t u r n c a l l e d upon the H e l y s . I found, r a t h e r t o my s u r p r i s e , M r . G i t t i n s & C h a r l e s here when I came back, & they s t a y e d the n i g h t w i t h u s , & went away t h i s morning. The d r e a d f u l weather prevented t h e i r g o i n g t o Sydney, & they came up t o say t h a t they hope to take t h e i r d e p a r t u r e per Steamer o f next F r i d a y , & purpose coming up here on Thursday e v e n i n g . - Busy w r i t i n g a l l t h i s morning. On my way back from the B u r i a l Ground t h i s evening I c a l l e d a t Mona V a l e , M r s . H a r r i s o n i s s t i l l s u f f e r i n g from I n f l u e n z a .

127.

[]]

29.

Sunday - Morning s e r v i c e a t B l u e Gum F l a t , where, f o r the f i r s t t i m e , I a d m i n i s t e r e d the Holy Communion. The two Wamsleys w i t h t h e i r w i v e s , & the S c h o o l m i s t r e s s , Margaret B a t e s , w i t h m y s e l f , made up h a l f a dozen communicants, & I t r u s t t h i s good b e g i n i n g w i l l be f o l l o w e d by more abundant f r u i t i n course o f t i m e . I n consequence o f the c o n t i n u a l showery weather, both c o n g r e g a t i o n s were s m a l l e r t h a n o t h e r w i s e they might have been.

30.

Went up t o the s c h o o l t h i s morning & c a t e c h i z e d the f i r s t c l a s s e t c . C a l l e d on M r . P u t l a n d a s I came back,& a f t e r d i n n e r rode up t o E r i n a t o c a l l a t the Nunns & Donns

Many Ann LEWIS, agexi 2 yta.i6 SawyeA, Vied 21 July 1860.

10 months, the. daughter

of James

Tke. Re.6t oi Tke. Tifpe.sciipt

PART I I

REV. ALFRED GLENNIE JOURNALS MAY

1858

MARCH 1861

of tke. FacsJjnlle.

EdJUUion of 1982

JU continued

BOOK 2 AUGUST 1860 - JULY 1863 &c

of tke.

SeAles

HISTORICAL RECORDS OF THE CENTRAL COAST OF NEW SOUTH WALES

"WYOMING" GARDEN HOUSE

PHOTO: FRANK WALKER - R.A.H.S. COLLECTION

Rear view of the Old Garden House (sometimes called the "Guard House") which stood in the grounds of "Wyoming" on a site now in Glencoe Avenue. See Gwen Dundon's "Old Gosford", Volume I, page 1.

Plate X V