Anonymous diary by a servant of the Scott family, 8 Aug. 1821-Mar. 1824 (written after 1825), with notes, 1832
MLMSS 7808 (Safe 1/403)

See Appendices for placename, spellings and notes on the identity of the author]


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1821
We left London the 8th of August and went to Gravesend in the steam Boat called the Swiftsure and went on board the Ship Britomart and on the 10th weighd Anchor and the Pilot came on board the wind blowing very fresh I soon began to sicken and went to bed and wished myself on shore again on the 12th we anchord in the Downs and I got better and went on deck and got laught at by all the Sailors on the 13 the wind got fair and the Anchor was weighd and I soon got as sick as ever and went to my bed and never got up again until the 18th when we anchord at Portsmouth when I got better and went on shore and stayd on shore until the evening, when I went on board and we laid at Spithead until the 30th all the passengers being on Board and everything ready the anchor was weighd in hopes of beating round the Isle of White but we were forced by a fowl wind to put back when the Captain and several of the passengers went on shore there was twenty two passengers the Ships company was twenty one and the Captain, altogether fourty four people on board on the 2nd of Sept we left Spithead and


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saild through the Needles with a fine breese but very clowdy weather I soon was sick as ever and went to bed and remaind very bad until the 10th when I began to get better and able to be on deck. but Master very poorly on the 12th we crossd the Bay of Biscay Master very ill and confined to his cabbin. on the 13th it blew a very heavy Gale with a very heavy sea nothing set but the main topsail and continued all night blowing very heavy but nothing happend particular, on the 14th it became quite a calm about 4OClock in the afternoon a fine breese sprung up from the West and all hands were calld to make sail, at six OClock Master was taken a great deal worse but the Doctor said he could do no more for him nothing particular happend until the 11th of October when a Ship came in sight the Captain ordered the signal to be hoisted and the Ship to lay too, about twelve OClock we came up too her and she proved to be a French Ship from Bordeux bound to the Isle of France, a Boat ws hoisted out and our Captain went on board and bought some french Wine


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for he thought master would like some of it as he kept getting worse and could not get him to take anything, and he kept getting worse until the 15th when he died about 12 oClock in the day but he remaind sensable until the last and said from the first of his illness that he shoud never get well and wishd to be burried at the Cape of Good Hope. on the 16th he was put into a Cask of Rum. on the 18th The Carpenter was missing and search was made all over Ship, when he was found in the Sail room dead drunk fast Asleep they soon found that he had been in the Gun Room and broached a Wine cask and had not only got drunk but had got one of the deck Buckets full hid in a empty Biscuit Cask for his messmates the Captain orderd him to be put in Irons and after a good deal of kicking and fighting they got them on him the next morning he was orderd to the Quarter deck when the Captain told him that he should give him four dozen lashes or keep him in Irons until we arrived at the Cape of Good Hope, he agreed to take


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the lashes he was tied up at the Gangway and after they had given him about a dozen he began to cry out Murder when the lady in the Cabbin began to screem and faint and the Ship was in quite a uproar. the Gentlemen begged that he might be taken down so the Captain gave him a severe repromanding a let him go about his business at 4 OClock in the afternoon it began to blow very fresh and all hands were calld to reef Topsails and it blew very hard all night with a very heavy swell on the 21st at 3 OClock the Captain and all the passengers were in the Cabbin at Breakfast when a very heavy sea struck to Ship on the Quarter and washd the quarter Gallery complete away they run on deck and ordered the sails to be all taken in except the Main Topsail and to be kept right before the wind after they had taken in the sails the Captain orderd the men down to their Breakfast and the cheif Mate and the man at the Helm where the only persons left on deck when another very heavy sea struck the ship on the stern and drove her nearly under water, when the water swept completely over


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the deck which nearly filld the Cabbin with water and the Chief Mate said it was some time before he knew whether he was overboard or not as soon as they could they heaved the Log and found they going eleven Nots an hour the Captain orderd the topsail to be furld and to drift where the wind carried her. even the oldest sailors on board said they never witnessed the like before we kept drifting about at the mercy of the waves scarcely any one able to be on deck except the man at the wheel and he was lashed to the mast until the 24 about 8 OClock it began to clear off and in the evening it became quite fine and every thing was brought from the Cabbin on deck to dry on the 25th we were quite becalmd and the Sailors caught a Dolphin on the 26 we had a fine Breese and saw the Canary Islands on the 27 we saw during the day three Whales A great disturbance with the Chief mate and one of the Stearage Passengers 27 Fair Weather with a light breese the Boatswain on titening one of the ropes let the heaver slip which struck him on the nose and cut one side of his nose


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nearly off, the evening being very fine the Passengers were Dancing on deck till twelve OClock, the Weather getting very warm, 28th fell in with a Brig bound for Liverpool and Mr Robert Scott sent a Letter by her to his Mother to tell her of the death of his Father 29th being a very fine day and very little wind there were very little done except Dancing and singing the Weather getting very hot. November 3rd Crossing the line soon after Breakfast when the people were all on deck the Boatswain who was dress up in a curious manner for Neptune came up the side of the Ship and asked for his Children if were any on board that he had not seen before, when one of the Sailors gave him a list of all their names and he calld for us one at the time the Doctor was the first that he calld for and his eyes were blindfolded and marched on deck when they seated him on a plank put across a large flat tub full of Water when the man they calld the Barber came with a pan of Tar and Greese and smeard his face


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all over and scraped it off with a old knife then asked him what Countryman he was and the while he was speaking they drew the plank from under him and let him flat on his back into the Water after I saw how they served him I ran below into the Gun Room and hid myself in a empty flour Cask but soon herd them calling out for me and soon found me and took me on deck and shaved me and let me into the Water and they were pulling me out and Neptune said give him another douce to wash the flour off his Jacket so they let me back into the tub again and then took me out and I saw the rest served the same after they had shaved all the men the Ladys were calld but the Captain said he would not allow the Ladys to be shaved but if they thought proper one of them might go into the Cabbin and if they thought proper to give them anything instead, so one of the men took his cap and went round to them all but they would none of them give him


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anything in the afternoon when they were in the Cabbin at Dinner in the meantime the Sailors filld the Buckets with water and carried them into the Missen Top after it got dark they got a empty Pitch Cask set fire to it and threw it overboard and they give three cheers signifying it was Neptune leaveing the ship the Ladys all run on Deck and all stood on the stern of the Ship, wondering what it could be when all of a sudden the water sluced down upon them and nearly drowned some of them which made them scream and scramble over one another to get away O how horrable says one, I shall catch my death a cold says another. I would rather been shaved a dozen times than been served so. November 6th Very fine Weather, the Sailors caught three Dolphins and saw a Whale and great many flying fish 8th one of the passengers caught a Shark on the 10th the morning very fine but the afternoon very wet and squarly fell in with the Ship Castle Forbes from the South seas she had very bad Weather and lost her foremast and two Men. nothing particular happend until the 18th at daylight in the morning a man was sent


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up to the Masthead to look out for land for the Captain thought they were not far from the Cape by his observation of the sun in the morning and also by the number of Cape Pigeons flying about but there was no land to be seen we had a fine breese the whole of the day in the evening they slackend sail and kept gently on until the next morning when it got light Table Mountain was quite plain right ahead and by two OClock we were nearly up close to the land at four OClock we came to an Anchor in Table Bay.
the next Morning we went on shore to a Mrs Gees on the 21st The Cask containing the Body of Dr Scott was brought on Shore onto the Beech and the Body taken out and put into a Coffin and carried to the Undertakers were it remain until the 23rd when all the Gentlemen Passengers all attended the Funeral 24th went to Constantia about nine Miles from Cape Town to see the Vineyards. Nothing particular happend during our stay at the Cape.
December the 1st we left the Cape with a strong south east Wind blowing very fresh but had


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a very narrow escape of getting aground on Robin Island we soon lost sight of Land, on the 4th fell in with a ship from Trinadad laden with Mules for the Cape they had very bad weather a few days before and lost her Maintop mast the 5th it blew very fresh during the day all the next night on the 6th it blew a very heavy Gale and continued until the 9th when they sounded the pumps and found that the ship had made a good deal of Water all hands were orderd to the pump but they found it impossible to stand on the deck as the waves was washing over at every minute and the Ship rolld very heavy, but they got the pump going by lashing themselfs to the Mast. Dec 10th not so much wind but very heavy sea 11th a very fine day caught a Shark and saw a great many flying fish 12 Caught a Dolphin passengers Dancing on Deck all the evening Fine pleasant Weather all the latter part off December and nothing particular happend until Jany 1st 1822 being New Years day the Captain give the Men a double allowance of Grog, and great many small Birds flying


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about which the Sailors call Mother Carys chickens and they say when they are seen about near the ship it is a sure sign of bad weather.
Jany 3rd dark clowdy Weather Blowing very fresh all hands calld to reef Topsails and blew a very heavy gale all night and thunder and Lightning very bad 4th Blowing very hard at 8 OClock a heavy squarl took the ship and carried away the fore top Mast and laid her on her beam ends one of the men was going along the deck with a Tea Kettle of Water when the Ship gave a heavy roll and he fell down the Main Hatchway on to the Middle deck and cut his head very bad. it continued Blowing very hard and the sea running very high and washing over the Deck until the 9th on the 10th a Light Breese the sailors employd repairing the Mast and Riggin 12th a fine clear day expecting to see land and a man was sent to the Masthead, and he thought he saw land on the Bow we kept on steadyly all night and the next Morning at daylight nearly close to the shore

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twelve Mile to leeward of the River, in the evening we come to a Anchor near Tasmans Head as the Captain thought it too late to go up the River. at daylight the next morning we weighd Anchor with a fine steady breese and by ten O Clock we enterd the Mouth of the River with a fine high land on each side coverd with Timber, the River Derwent is a fine River fourteen Miles Navigable for Shipping with a most beautiful country on each side.
at 6 OClock in the evening we came to Anchor at Hobart Town which is the principle Settlement of Van Deimens Land, we were soon surrounded with Canoes full of Natives both men and women with Fish and Oysters which they sold for Biscuit, they are of a dark Chocolate colour well made with Wooley Heads the only clothing they wear is a Belt round their middle made of Hair, which serves them for a kind of pocket for if anything is given them they put it inside the Belt. on the 14th we went ashore and went to New Town another Settlement three Miles from Hobart Town


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Jany 15th Landed the greatest part of the Passengers and their Luggage. Van Deimans Land seems to be a very fine country. Oranges and Peaches seem to be very plentiful which I think is the only fruit that they have a plenty off but I had very little opportunity of seeing much about as I was very little on shore. on the 8 of February we saild from Hobart Town for Port Jackson with a fair Wind to take us down the River met the Ship John Bull from Calcutta going up the River to Hobart town. We had a quick passage with fine weather until the 12th when it Thunderd and Lightning very bad all night on the 13th at day light in the morning we saw the light house and flagstaff on the South Head, but not haveing much Wind and a strong currant against us we did not make the land until nearly dark, when we let go the Anchor at the Mouth of the River the next day we droped down with the Tide to the harbour and Anchord close by the side of the Wharf.


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on the 15th we went ashore to Sydney to a small House on the Race Course where we remaind for six weeks. The Britomart being ready for sea again bound for Valperaso and the coast of Peru Mr Helenus Scott left Sydney in the Britomart for Valperaso and then to take a passage in another Ship for England. Mr Robert Scott wishing to go and see about the Country we removed from the Race Course and took a room at Mr Morris’s at the Grey Hound Inn Castlereigh Street for to leave his goods in the time we were away.
We left Sydney and went to Parramatta 16 Miles from Sydney where we stayd a few days and Dr Beaumont and Mr Mitchel of the 48 Regiment that was then at Parramatta and Mr Scott agreed to go as far up the country as they conveniantly could for the purpose of finding the best place for a Settlement. we left Parramatta with seven Pack Horses to carry provisions and Tent a Tea Kettle saucepans frying pan a good stock of Tea and Sugar and every Man a Musket and went twenty one Miles and encampt by the side of the Nepien River. Government has a


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Settlement here which is called Emu Plains we slept at the Overseers house and next morning we set off at daylight with intention to go first to Bathurst one hundred and thirty Miles from the Nepien River but after traveling two days they agreed to go first to a place calld Bung Bung ninety Miles to the South of Bathurst the next morning we set off with Bungaree and Carawoolgal a Native Black Man and Woman that we fell in with the day before as guides to show us across the unknown country and they seemd highly dilighted for one of the gentlemen gave the Man a old waistcoat and the Womas a old White Stocking which they put on and struted about. we found them very useful for they took us a higher way than we should have went had they not been with us and also told us many things that we should not have known for before we met with them we had often seen in different parts the Trees plasterd up about half way up the trunk with clay, and wonderd what it was for but they told us in the best


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way they could that it was the Blacks way off Burrying their dead they stand them up on there feet against a tree and plaster them round with clay until they are quite coverd. Bungaree was a very interesting fellow for showd us the use the Blacks make of different things which was sometime very curious the next Morning we fell in with a number of Blacks and when they first see us they run away, but when they see Bungaree two of them came and met us and stayd with us all Night in the morning they left us as soon as it got light and in less than an hour they came back with several fine fish which we eat for Breakfast after we had loaded the Horses we set off again and Bungaree kept saying Carborn Bardo and pointing in the direction we were going but we none of us understood what he ment, we kept on for two hours when we came to a River and then we found out what Bungaree meant by Carborn Bardo, carborn is large, Bardo is Water and not being able to cross we pitched our Tent on the bank, and Blacks set to work to make a Canoe to carry the luggage over


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they got the Bark of a large tree called the stringey bark tree which his the toughest and thickest of any of the trees and they always use it for that purpose and pear [pare] it thin at each end and by laying the ends on the fire it becomes quite soft so as to enable them to doble it up at each end which they tie with the bark of another tree when they had finished the Canoe which was seven feet long and able to take four of us over at the time they soon paddled over with the things and swam the Horses by the side and then took us all over, and we pitched our Tent and the Gentlemen went fishing and caught a few fish. The next Morning we Breakfasted early and set off and reached Bung Bung by dusk in the evening and pitched our Tent by the side of the River where we stoped three days to rest the Horses and look about. this is a very fine part of the country and the Timber very large and thick, the Black Swans are very plentiful in the River and we


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caught plenty of fish to keep us the time we stoped but our flour and Buscuits began to grow short which made us leave sooner than than we inteded we off towards Bathurst Plains and first day we reachd a place calld Tablebucar, which is a very fine plain twenty Miles from Bung Bung but the Grass was very long and matted together which made it very bad to travel, the next day we only went ten Miles for we met with some Blacks that Bungaree knew that said they were going to bury a Black Woman when the Moon got up for they always bury them by night for they say if they do it by day they will turn to White man and get up, in morning Bungaree returned as he promised and we set off again but it turnd out a very wet day, in the evening we stoped by the side of a small run of Water but we had not a dry thing on us and all our Tinder spoilt that we could get no fire to make our Tea which we missed very much for it was the only thing we had to drink. the rain continued very heavy all night and we all crept into the tent but could not lay down


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in the wet in the morning it cleard up and became very fine we then got a fire by one of the Gentlemen tearing a bit of dry rag of the tail of his shirt which we lit in the pan of A Musket with some Gun powder, so we boild the Kettle and had A good Breakfast and set of again and went eighteen miles and at Night we pitched our Tent by the side of a large lagoon, after we had got our suppers and sitting very quiet in the Tent we saw a large flock of Kangaroo coming to the Water to drink we got ready our Muskets and when they got within shot we fired in among them and killd three one a very large one, this was a great surprise to Bungaree when he saw them lay dead for he did not know the use of the Muskets for he thought they were only to strike a light as he had seen us do when we wanted a fire and he seemd quite struck when he saw the blood on the Kangaroos and could scarcely beleive what he had seen


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The next morning set of early and reachd a place calld Muggie fourteen Miles, where we met with A large party of Blacks that had met together to go and fight another party that had killd one of their men about four Miles from Muggie. Bungaree persuaded us to go and see them, in the morning we set off with one hundred and eleven Black men besides Women and Children. we followd them to the place where the others had met when two of the Chiefs of each party went and gabbled together for some time and then parted and set down at a distance from each other for about an hour when all of a sudden one of the the partys jumped up and began to hollow and a Volley of spears was thrown and three men was wounded the Women who were seated at A little distance screamed and run and helpt them away, one of them had a spear through the calf of his leg, they then got to close quarters with their Waddies which are large clubs made from Wood, and fought for twenty minutes and then the other party run away after they had done they set down


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and talked for a long time and then they went of hollowing and singing and skipping to have a Carrobarah, which is a kind of dance they always have after they have gaind a battle, when the men were all gone we went to see the place where the Women was and the Men that was wounded and they were dressing their wounds with large plantain leaves, one was quite dead for he had been speard through his body and another that was speard through his neck was laying by and seemed to be very little life in him and the Women set round him and talked for a short time but we did not understand what they said, when one of them got up and took one of the Waddies and hit him on the head several times and killed him quite after we had seen that done we went away Bungaree was gone with the other Blacks to Corrobarah and we did not expect to see any more of him but he overtook us in the afternoon and said that two more of the men had died since the morning. we kept on


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until the evening and stopped at a place they call, Guarrah, and pitched our Tent under a large hollow tree, after it got dark we herd a squeeking in the tree so we made a fire in the hollow of it and drove out two Apposum and a flying Squarrel, the Apposums they shot but the Squarrel got away, and Bungaree eat them for his supper for he said he would rather have them than our Pork and Buiscuit he Burnt the Hair of them, and then tore the bellys open with his teeth for they have no sort of knife and spread them open on the fire and just warmd them through and eat them all but the fat, which he kept to rub on his face and Arms to make them shine some times he would paint himself all over Red and White streaks, with a kind Ocre they find by the side of the Rivers. they always Wear a long Read through their Nose for they have all a hole made when they are young in the middle part of the Nose their Hair which is very long is turnd back and bound around till it sticks up in a Peak on the


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top of their Head we would some times let him Ride one of the Horses, which he seemd very much pleased with one day one of the Gentlemen shot a swan and Bungaree picked the down off and coverd his head with it. Bathurst Plains his ten miles from Guarrah and we got up early intending to go there to Breakfast but after traveling about an hour we found we had yet another River to cross here again we found Bungaree very useful for he made another Canoe and got our luggage all safe over and was returning to fetch us all over and the Canoe struck against a log of Wood and knocked the String of the end that it was tied with and it sunk, so we all had to swim over that could swim and those that could not swam the Horses, one of the men rode one horse and lead another by his side and the Horse in swimming struck the man on the foot and very much hurt him that he was not able to walk.
We loaded the horses and started again and reached Bathurst Plains at three


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in the afternoon this his the finest part of the country we have yet seen, it is a fine open Country with scarcely a tree to be seen Government has a settlement on the further side of the plains and a great number of the prisoners are sent from Sydney to it. we encampt by the side of a fine run of Water and went fishing a caught a few fish.
The next morning the Gentlemen went across the plains to the settlement and stayd the whole of the day and we employd our time mending our cloths for they had got very ragged traveling through the Woods in the evening the Gentlemen returnd with a Government Cart and a fresh supply off provision, and they intended to set of the next morning across the country that no one had ever been before and we tried very much to persuade Bungaree to go with us but he would not for he said they would kill him and White man they never see white man, they kill and eat you never see Bungaree again, what for you go


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The next morning we set off but could not persuade Bungaree to go with us, and we went twenty five Miles and encampt by the side of a fine stream of Water which we give the name of twenty five mile Creek The next day we only went fourteen Miles for the grass was nearly as high as ourselfs and matted together which made it very bad traveling and was forced to cut away the grass before we could pitch our Tent and make a fire after we had got our supper and sitting by the fire a large Black Snake crept out of the grass and coild itself up by the fire one of the men chopd at it with a spade and cut its tail off and it run into the grass and we see no more of it we laid down by the fire but I had very little sleep for thinking of the Snake The next morning we started early and stopd again at twelve o’Clock for it turnd out a very wet day and we killd another Snake it was nine feet 6 Inches long which is a very large Size it was one of the Diamond


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Snakes they are very handsome speckeld on the back and brown belly, and run much larger then the Black ones, but they are not so poisonous as the Black ones are if they bite we cut it open and in the inside we found a small animal about the size of a Guinea Pig which they call a Bandykoot and several frogs.
The next morning being a very fine one we set of at four OClock and did not stop to Breakfast until eleven and started again at one and in the afternoon one of the shot a large Emu, and we saw a great many Blacks but they all run away we stoped at seven OClock in the evening and encampt at the bottom of a very high hill, by the side of a fine stream of water and stopd all the next day until the following Morning for we had lost count of the days and not knowing when Sunday was the Men grumbled because they had no day of Rest
The next day we started as soon as it got light traveld fifteen Miles before we stopt to Breakfast for they said they would serve


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them out for grumbleing the day before as soon as we had got our Breakfast we started again and kept on until seven in the evening and encampt by the side of a large Swomp we got our suppers and eat the last supply of Buiscuits, we having a Sack of flour to bake as we wanted we made a large fire before we went to bed for have plenty of hot ashes to bake with in the morning and as I was cook I was to be baker also for I had seen it done when in Sydney by making the dae [dough?] into large flat cakes at putting it on the hot ground and covering it over with hot ashes, and they call them Dampers.
In the morning as soon as we had got all things ready we set of again and went about sixteen Miles and pitched our Tent by the side of a run of Water under a large Rock. This is a wild looking part of the Country and very large flocks of Parrots flying and screaming about over our heads the whole of the day, on the opposite side of the stream from


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our Tent was a very high hill coverd with large pieces of loose rock and very old trees, and the Parrots seem to all flock there to roost, for they made so much noise the whole of the Night that we got very little sleep.
The next morning we set of by four OClock and stopd to Breakfast at nine after Breakfast we started again and traveld all day over a Rockey Barren plain with scarely a Blade of Grass to be seen nor a drop of water to be found, we traveld until nearly nine OClock in the evening before we found any Water and then we came to a small hole that had been filld by the rain we pitched our Tent but I could have no fire for there was no wood so was forced to drink cold Water instead of Tea.
In the morning we set of early as we said that it was best for the sake of the Horses for there was very little grass for them and on one side of us was very high land so we went towards it and when we got to the top of it we could see trees at a great distance so we kept on towards them across a soft sandy ground until three OClock in the afternoon


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when we came to a stream of Water and plenty of Grass for the horses we thought it best to stop and pitched our Tent near the Water soon after we had got our supper and was sitting by the fire there came over our heads a large flock of black Cockatoos one of the Gentlemen shot at them and killed four, there was a great many Parrots about this part of the Country more than we had seen in any part before.
The next morning we did not start till near eleven OClock and we soon got into a fine part of the Country in the afternoon we went over a very high hill, and could see smoke in the bottom we kept on towards it and could see a party of Black sitting round it but they did not see us until we got very nigh them when one of the Men hollowd and they all jumpt up in an instant and run away like a parcel of Deers, we went up to their fire and found on it a fine large fish half roasted and a net full of Yams and red Ocre and a row of some kind of Teeth on a string which the Black


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women wear as beads, and several spears and clubs we took the fish and the net with Yams and left the rest as they were of no use to us, we kept on until dusk and then encampt for the night in a very fine Valley with a stream of water running down the middle of it, but as this was a very fine part of the Country the Gentlemen all agreed to stay a few days for to look about, and rest the Horses, in the morning as soon as they had Breakfasted they left us at the Tent to look after the things and told us to bake some Dampers for us, to be ready against we started again, after I had taken the flour out of the sack I forgot to tie the mouth of it, in the night one of the Horses got and spoild all the flour and carried the Sack about in his mouth and scatterd the flour all over the place so we were left without any flour and very little Bread and above one hundred and fifty miles from any place that we could get any more and our Meat began to grow short so we thought we had better make the


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best of our way to Bathurst Plains, so we did not see so much of this part of the country as we wished as we only stayed one day and two nights but what we did see of it was very fine and we named it Wellington Valley.
In the morning we got up as soon as it got light and set of depending only upon our little Meat and what we could shoot or find going along, and went about twenty Miles for we came to a Creek and thought we had better stop and try for some fish, so we pitched our Tent by the side of the Water and went fishing but caught nothing, so we had some Tea and a very small piece of bread and Meat each and went to sleep. The next morning we took the Spade and went and found a few Yams which we eat with a little of our Meat and a pot of Tea and then set of again and only went twelve Miles for some of the Men had worn their Shoes completely of their feet and with walking through the long grass bare foot they were quite


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lame and we pitched our Tent and had our allowance of Tea and about an ounce of Meat each, but we made ourselfs as comfortable as our ungry bellys would let us and laid down for the Night
The next morning we had our allowance as the night before, but we found we could not travel bare foot we cut our Blankets and bound round our feet, and set off again and went about fourteen for we came to a River and we said had better try for some Fish so we pitched our Tent a short distance from the River and went fishing and soon caught a fine fish which was soon in the frying pan, and in about half an hour we caught as many as we thought we could eat the while they were good so we had a good supper and Breakfast the next Morning but being without shoes made it very painful to travel and hinderd us a good deal for the bits of Blanket we put round our feet was very troublesome to keep on, we went eighteen Miles and pitched our Tent on a fine plain with scarcely a tree nearly half a Mile round us, but we was not so fortunate as the night before for we had nothing


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for supplies but a small piece of meat and a pot of Tea, and laid down in the grass and went to lseep in hopes of fareing better the next day.
The next morning we set of as soon as it got light and traveld seventeen Miles by twelve OClock for the weather being very hot we thought the best way would be to stop an hour or two in the heat of the day, so we stoped until three OClock and then started again and traveld until dark but we [were not so fortunate as the day before for we got nothing for supper but a small piece of Meat and a pot of Tea and went to sleep.
The next morning we set of early and kept on until nearly dark for we were in hopes of falling in with some water that we might get some fish but we found none so we pitched our Tent and boild the kettle and had a little Tea but we could not eat any more of the salt meat, and three of the men took their Muskets and went to try to shoot


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a Kangaroo and the other took the spade and went to try for some Yams and left me to take care of the Tent, at dusk they returnd with a few Yams and a Bandicoot which they had caught in a hollow tree which was a little help but I had often seen the Blacks eat them and thought them very filthy, but was now glad to eat it myself as it began to get late we expected to see the other men return in hopes they would bring something more with they so we fired of a Musket thinking if they were near they would return, we laid down by the fire and all fell asleep and did not wake until the morning but there was neither of them returnd and we began to be very uneasy about them and we fired several times but could hear nothing of them, it was now time to set of on another days Journey, but we thought if we went without them and came back they would not know which way we were gone so we went in search of some more Yams in hopes if they had lost


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themselfs in the dark they would find their way by day light, and about seven OClock two of them returnd and said they had been walking all night, and they had missed the other man in the early part of the night and had not seen him since. We stopd until twelve OClock but we herd nothing of him nor we ever herd of him any more altho we made every enquiry of the black we possibly could and offerd them plenty of Tobacco if they could find him for they will do any thing for Tobacco for Money nor cloths are of no use to them, he must have been starved to death or killd by the blacks as soon has we had given the men some tea we started again and only went nine Miles for the men that was lost where very bad and scarcely able to walk, we pitched our Tent between two high hills after we had got some Tea and a little Meat we took the spade and went in search of some Yams, but we dug as long as we could see without


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finding any, and was returning to the tent we see a very large Snake laying asleep on a old rotton tree that had been blown down which we killed and took it to the tent to show it to the others, and one of the men said that he had herd say that a snake was very good eating and he would cook it and see, so we skined it and cut it in slices and fryed it with some the fat of Pork and it tasted very good but we were afraid to eat much of it, but we never found any ill effects of it but rather good as was very much in want of something for we had eaten very little for the last few days, after we had got our supper we took our bits of Blankets and laid down by the fire for the night.
The next Morning we got up at day light and eat the remainder of the Snake with some Tea and started again and traveld about fourteen Miles over a barren sandy country, and pitched our Tent at the bottom of a steep sandy bank, but we could find


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no Water after traveling all day in the hot sun we could do better without eating than we could without drink, so we laid down by the fire intending to set of early in the morning to try to find Water.
In the Morning we set off long before day light and traveld about nine Miles before we found any Water, where we stayed to Breakfast, after we had Breakfasted one of the Men went a short distance from the water and found a Black Woman laying dead with a Child by her side, which seemd to have laid there some time for there was very little flesh on, we set off again and went twelve Miles more, and found a few Yams for supper near the place that we made our fire we found one of the Blacks Clubs.
The next Morning we got up early and went and found a few more Yams which we eat for Breakfast and set of again and traveld sixteen Miles, and stoped by the side of a stream of Water with a great many Green Wattle Trees growing on


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the bank, the time we were pitching the Tent and getting things ready for the Night a large flock of the Wattle birds came and settled in the Trees over our heads we fired four Muskets at them and killd nine which we eat for supper, they are about the size of a thrush and are very good eating and we found them a great help to us for we had eat but very little for some time.
The next morning we started early in hopes of reaching Bathurst Plains by the evening as they thought by the account they had kept we were but twenty three Miles off but we kept on until three OClock in the afternoon before we reached twenty five Mile Creek and we pitched our Tent in the same place that we did before. In the morning we set of early and went fourteen Miles before breakfast, after breakfast we started again and reached Bathurst plains about five OClock in the evening, after we had got our Tent pitched every thing ready for the Night we all went to the Overseers house


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and had a harty Meal of fryed Pork and Eggs and each a pair of Shoes, and returnd to our Tent and went to sleep, but we were most of us very sick and bad all Night for it was nearly a fortnight since we had eaten scarcely any thing, and when we come to eat harty it made us sick and bad the next day having nothing to do we employed ourselfs mending our Trowers for they had got very ragged, in the evening a large party of blacks come to us and stayed with us all night, in the morning we all set off afishing with several of the Black Men, and we left the women at the Tent making of Netts, which is very curious to see them, the get some bark of a small Tree calld the Tea tree chaw it for a long time until it come to a kind of stringey stuff like hemp and then roll it on their thighs, to make it into string. some of them were employed chowing it, others rolling it, and others making the netts, so they looked like so many Adams and Eves without so much as


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a fig leaf, sitting of a row showing their white teeth. The next morning being sunday we all went to the settlement to the overseers where there is prayers read every sunday, and a general muster of the prisoners.
Monday morning we set of from Bathurst Plains towards Parramatta and stopped the first night at Coxs a settlement twenty seven Miles from Bathurst where we got plenty of Milk which was quite a treat to us, in the morning we set of again and went twenty one Miles to a place calld Long Bottom, where one of the Gentlemen shot a large Kangaroo so we fryed some steaks for supper and all eat very harty, and put the tail in the pot and put by the side of the fire all night for some soup for Breakfast in the Morning
In the Morning we started early and went ten Miles before Breakfast as soon as we had Breakfasted we started again and we traveld over a fine plain for about seven Miles, in some parts of the plain was large flocks of Kangaroo


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feeding like flocks of sheep, in other parts Emus in some places where there was water swarms of Wild Ducks, so the Gentlemen thought if they stoped they would have good sport ashooting so we pitched our Tent on one side of the plains by the side of a run of Water, but we had not been long there before it began to Rain very hard and thunderd and lightend very bad, the whole of the Night, so we were forced to make our fire in the tent to boil our Kettle for Tea, so we got no sleep all night, in the Morning at day break it cleard up and when we got up we could see at a distance the plain coverd with Kangaroo, they all set off with their Muskets and left me to get Breakfast ready against they come back. I soon herd them fireing away and see the Kangaroo running in all directions and in about an hour they returned with two large ones, so we had some steaks for Breakfast and kept the Tails for soup


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and then set of again and traveld seventeen to a place calld Womby, where there is another settlement belonging to Mr Lawson, where we got plenty of Milk, and Eggs.
The next day we went twenty two Miles across a fine country and we saw a great many beautiful birds calld the Regent Bird, and abundance of Parrots, one of the Gentlemen shot a Wolaroo which is a small Anamal about the size of a large cat, but these are not got to eat and are only caught for the sake of the skin.
In the Morning we started early and went fourteen Miles before we stopd to Breakfast after Breakfast we started again and went ten Miles and encampt under a large hollow tree, one of the men made a fire in the Tree and it being very dry it caught fire and we were forced to move the Tent away from it and by the morning it had burnt to the ground, we started again and went ten Miles before we stoped to breakfast while we was setting getting Breakfast



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a party of Blacks eight or nine, came and set on the top of the hill in front of us, we called them but they would not come near us and if we offerd to go to them they run away, after we got our Breakfast we set off and got to Emu Plains by four OClock in the afternoon, and pitched our Tent by the side of the Nepien River and went to the Overseers House to supper, and they gave us very comfortable Lodings for the night, and in the morning set a man to help to get our things over the river, and after we had Breakfasted we started again, and reached Parramatta, about seven in the evening which is twenty one Miles from Emu Plains.
We stayd at Parramatta three days where we left the Horses and went down the River to Sydney in a Government Boat to our lodgings in Castlereigh Street.


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We stayd in Sydney three Weeks and then set of on another journey to the Coal River we saild from Sydney in the Eclipse a small Government Vessel, we cleard the Heads by dusk in the evening but as it blew very fresh and a foul wind we put into Broken Bay, for the Night.
In the morning we left the Bay but the wind still against us, we beat about until about four OClock in the afternoon, and then the Sea Breese set in which carried us into Port Stevens, as soon as the Native saw the Vessel a great number of Canoes came alongside with fish which they sold for Biscuits, in one of the Canoes was a very old man, that could talk a little English and he told us that he used to be at Sydney, but he had done something there and the Governor had threatend to have him floged if he ever saw him in Sydney again and he had never been since which must have been near twenty years, for he had a Brass plate with a chain hung round his Neck, and on it was engraved Jingleham, Chief of the Native Tribe of Wooloomooloo given to him by Governor Philips,


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We stayed in Port Stevens two days as the Wind was against us, the Natives supplyd us with plenty of fish and Oysters, and they tried to get out of Jingleham the reason he left Sydney and why he did not go there now but he would not tel them anything about it and when they put any questions to him about it he always turned it of to something else, he looked to be very old and is Hair was quite Grey and all the rest of
them seemd very kind to him for if they had anything they always offerd him part of it.
We left Port Stevens late in the evening and saild along the shore with a steady Breese until dark and then let go the Anchor about half a Mile from the shore, as it got dark we could see on brow of the hill near the shore several partys of Black setting round their fires and their Canoes were pulled up on the Wide sandy Beach. In the morning at break of day we got under weigh, and the sandy beach was coverd with Sea Fowl, the White Cranes


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seemd very plentiful and great numbers of Pelicans and Calews [Curlews?] all very busy fishing, soon after the sea breese set in and about twelve OClock we enterd the mouth of Hunters River, here is a settlement here and a company of Soldiers stationd, we stayed two days at this settlement and hired a Boat to take us up the River. We set of early in the morning and took with us a fortnights provisions, and went forty miles to a place calld Nelsons Plains, and pitched our Tent on the bank by the side of the River, but the Snakes was very thick about that we thought it not safe to sleep on Shore and we went and slept in the Boat. In the Morning we went on shore and boild the Kettle for Breakfast and made ourselfs very comfortable we found it much better then traveling by land, as we had done before. After Breakfast we set of again and pulld slowly up the River with very high land on one side and very thick of Timber, on the other side a very flat barren country which seemd to be under Water in wet weather


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we could hear the Blacks hollowing in the Woods and we see their fires but we did not see any of them until one of the Gentlemen fired a Musket at some Wild Ducks and then some of them come to see what it was and they set themselfs of a row and watched us as far as they could see us but never said a word, we kept on until dusk in the evening and then we run the Boat on shore, and made a fire and boild the Kettle and had a very comfortable supper in the Boat, after supper we went into the Wood by the side of the River and found several Parrots nests some with eggs and some with young ones but we did not disturb them after we had walked through a thick Wood for about half a Mile we came into a fine open Country, and flocks Kangaroo but we could not get near enough to shoot them as it was a fine Moonlight night we wanderd about, that it was near one OClock before we returnd to the Boat, where we laid down and slept sound until eight OClock in the morning and then got our


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Breakfast and set of again and reached a place calld Carajong, here we found plenty of Wild Ducks and they were very tame for they would let the Boat get close to them before they would fly away, for they had never been disturbd before but they got very shy before we left them for we shot thirty two of them in about an hour, the first shot Master had killed seven and seemd to stoopyfy all the rest for some of them flew away, some seemd quite stund and never moved, others went under Water and the young ones that could not fly run about on the shore in abundance.
In the Morning we set of again and reached Wallis Plains, this is a fine part of the Country on the farther side of the Plains is a long chain of Mountains calld the Blue Mountains and the White people have made several attempts to settle on the plains, but after they had been there a short time the Blacks came down off the Mountains and drove them into the Woods, one of them thought to make friends with


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them by offering them buiscuits and other things, but they would not except any thing from him and seemd to turn away from them with contempt, the others made of in their Boats leaveing him on shore and pulled out about half a mile in the River thinking if he could make friends with them he would call them to him, and if not they would be ready to take him in the Boat in case of danger, they remaind paddleing about for about an hour at a little distance from shore when they heard a great noise and shouting with the Blacks and nearly a hundred of them run down to the River and threw several spears at them, and as they found they were in danger if they offerd to go on shore again they made the best of their own way to the settlement, but have never herd of the man they left behind them since, (this is the account that we had from one of the men that see it which happend about four years before the time we were there)


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Since that time there is three settlers at a short distance from each other on the opposite side of the River from the Mountains, one of them is a Scotchman named Macdonald, the other a Irishman of the name of Paddy Maloney, and other a Englishman named Morgan. But to return to our own journey we hired a Horse of Morgan and left our boat in his charge and set off across the country to find out the best place for a settlement the first day we traveled throught a thick Woody country for twenty Miles, when we came to fine plain which we named St Georges Plains, and we stayed all Night.
In the morning we set of again as soon as it got light and traveld across the plains there is a fine run of Water on the further side of the plains where we stoped to Breakfast the while we were getting our thing ready to set of after we had Breakfasted a little Black boy came to us from out of the Woods and as soon as he saw the Horse he said ‘that Binghi Morgan Horse’ we asked him


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what his name was and where he was going, he said the White men call me Ben Davis, and he was going along with us, for Binghi Morgan set him, which we was very glad of for we had been trying to get one of the Blacks to go with us but none of them happend to be at the settlement at the time, and this boy happeard to go there soon after we had left and Morgan had sent him after us. We set of with Ben Davis as a guide and he seemed very much pleased, and kept talking all the way he went but we did not understand him but by what we could make out he was telling us about the country, we kept on until nearly dark and then pitched our Tent under a tree, as we thought it looked very likely for a wet night;
In the Morning we started early and went eleven miles before we stoped to Breakfast after Breakfast we set of again, and shot a large Kangaroo, in the afternoon and killed a large Snake, and see a great many


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Blacks, but they all run away like a parcel of Deers, but it turned out a very wet Night and we pitched our Tent under a very high Hill in the evening we were setting very quietly in the Tent when we herd a great noise with the Blacks, and we could se several on the top of the hill behind the Tent, and the Boy that was with us went and brought two of them down to us at the Tent one of them was a old Man, and appeard to be one of the Chiefs, but we could not pursuade them to go into the Tent, soon after several more came down to us and they began to be very troublesome and we began to wish to get rid of them for they set round our fire so thick that we could not so much has see it ourselfs, and told Ben Davis to tell them to make another fire for themselfs a little further from the Tent, but they would not move, so we thought it was best not to offend them so we left them, and made another fire for to cook our supper and Boil the Kettle for our Tea


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after the Kettle had been on the fire some time and had got hot one of them I suppose he found himself thirsty and went very leisurely and took the lid of and filled it with the water out of the Kettle and put it up to his mouth to drink he soon let it drop and run away, the others when they see him could not make out what it was it was, and one of them went and put is hand into the Kettle which was by this time nearly boiling to feel what was in it that hurt the others Mouth and he of course scalded is hand very bad and screamd in great pain but we could not help laughing at them and they thought it was done to play them a trick and they went of quite offended and we passed the Night very quietly by ourselfs
In the Morning we had a very comfortable Breakfast before we started and traveld over a very fine country very thinly wooded, and stoped about four OClock in the afternoon near


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Run of Water, after we had our suppers Ben Davis amused us with the Native Dance and several songs.
In the Morning we set of early and reached Patricks Plains by four OClock in the afternoon and encampt by the side of the River, and went fishing and caught several fine fish which we eat for supper and spent a very comfortable evening, the next day Mr Scott and Ben Davis went across the Plains ashooting and left me to take care of the Tent and get dinner ready after they had been gone about an hour several Blacks made their appearance out of the Woods and when I first see them they were standing peeping among the trees and seemd afraid to come near me and I was half afraid myself, but I thought I had best not to let them know I was afraid of them and I made signs for them to come to me and held up a fish to them and they came up to the fire and set down but never said a word but kept their


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eyes fixed on me and watched me very closely in everything I done. I gave one of them the Tea Kettle and asked him to go to the River and fill it which he very readily done and I gave him a piece of Buiscuit for his trouble, and then he began to talk and we got very good friends he told me his name was Mytie and he belonged to the Womby Tribe, about three OClock Mr Scott and Ben Davis returned with a fine large Kangaroo which they had shot where they found me and my new Acquaintances very busy among the trees diging Yams, we asked Ben Davis if he knew Mytie and he said he did and that he was a very good fellow and we soon got very good friends, we remaind here three days and the Blacks supplyed us with plenty of fish from the River, and we spent our time very pleasantly and the Blacks amused us very much with their Spears for we stuck a Buiscuit on the top of a stick and made them


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stand at a distance and throw their Spears at them and them that hit it had it, and in short time they would have got all the Buiscuits we had if we had not left of for it was no trouble to them to hit them for they could do it three time out of five at fourty yards distance with ease.
As Mr Scott had fixed on a place to settle on about two miles from Patrick plains we set of early in the Morning back towards Wallis’s Plains where we arrived in two days, and then went down the River to the settlement where we found the Eclipse and the next morning we made sail for Sydney, where we arrived on the following Morning and went to our old Lodgings in Castlereigh Street.


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We began to provide ourselfs with such things as we thought we should want on our new settlement, for Cooking washing and Bakeing etc and all sorts of tools for Farming, and three Horses and A Cart and seven Government Men and A Boat
John Young, a Blacksmith
John Ering a shoemaker
George Wilson a Carpenter
John Beaumont a Wheelright
Micheal King a Harness Maker
George Macdonald and Thomas Holmes, Sawyers
with myself and Mr Scott , alltogether nine. We left Sydney on the 24th of May 1823 in a small Vessel which Mr Scott had engaged on purpose to take us as far up the River as they could, and on the 4th of June we got within ten Miles of the place where we was stoped by a large Tree that had blown down and laid across the River, and we found it impossible to get any farther with


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the Vessel we got the Horses ashore where there was plenty of Grass for them, we pitched our Tent at the side of the River and in the Morning we got everything on shore, and the Vessel left us and returned to Sydney after we had got the cart put together and loaded with the Ploughs and Harrows &c Mr Scott and four of the Men set of for the intended farm and left me and the other three to take care of the remainder of the things, and in three days we go all the things away to the farm, and we all set to work to build a Hut, for to keep our provisions in, after we had got a little settled, Mr Scott gave all the Men half a Pint of Rum each, for to Christen, the farm which was named Glendon, and we spent a very comfortable afternoon and most of them went to bed drunk. Glendon is on the banks of Hunters River, and is about one hundred and twenty two


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Miles from the Coal River settlement and nearly two hundred from Sydney.
I remained at Glendon twenty five weeks, and I got quite tired of being so far from any other place and people for during the twenty five Weeks I was at Glendon we never see anyone but the Blacks, and I made up my mind to get away if possible and I spoke to Mr Scott, and told him my intention of leaveing him to return to England but he said that I should not go for he had been at the expence of bringing me out and he thought it not be useing him well, so I said no more for three Weeks and then I spoke to him again but he still said I should not go, and I told him if he would not let me go without I would run away, in about a week after I got up as soon as it began to get light and went to the mens hut and told them to tell Mr Scott that I was gone to Sydney to try to get a Ship to go to England


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And I set of by myself with a pack at my back of Bread and Pork and reached Wallis Plains and went and slept at Morgans one of the settlers, and the next morning I set of again with a Black Man as a Guide and I agreed to give him some Tobacco when I got to the settlement; we kept on until the middle of the day when we came to a small River which we had to cross, I pulled my Trowsers of and tied them round the Black mans head and he carried my Bundle in his hand and my shirt I tied round my on head and we swam over and then set down by the side of the water and had our dinners and then set of again and reached Nelsons Plains late the same evening, where we met one of the settlers Boats going down the River for provisions and I got a passage with them down to the Coal River Settlement, where we arrived in two days and I found the Eclipse loding for Sydney and I agreed with the Captain to take me, and paid three


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Spannish Dollars for my passage, which was all the money I had with me except half a Dollar, and the Vessel was to be three days before it saild so that I was forced to make the most of it for to buy food and at nights I went and slept in the Bush behind the Prison with some of the Blacks for three nights and in the daytime I walked about to see the place but the time seemed very long, for I did not know any one, when the Vessel was ready I went on board the wind being fair we run from the Coal River to Sydney which is sixty miles in nine hours.
And I went to lodge at the old Washerwoman in York Street Sydney, when I began to enquire for a ship and I found there was two Ship in Port Jackson fitting out for England, the Tiger, and the Berwick I then went and spoke to Mr Owen the Agent of the Ship Berwick who was a particular acquaintance of Mr Scotts and knew me, and he


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said he would speak to the Captain for me and if I went to him in the evening he would let me know what the Captain said, in the evening I went to him again and he said he though Captain Jeffery would take me but must call again in the Morning at eight O’Clock the Captain would be there in the morning I went and see the Captain and made an agreement with him to attend upon him at his Lodging until the Ship was ready and if we agreed he would take me to work my passage home, in the evening I took my Chest to the Captains Lodgings which was a small house close by the side of the Water belonging to Simeon Lord, where I remaind very comfortable for a Month. the Ship being ready he orderd me to go on board and on the morning of the 6th of February we saild from Port Jackson with a fair wind to take us down the River but at twelve O’Clock the sea breese set in again at us and they were forced to let go the [?anchor]


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near the South Head until the next morning at daylight we got the anchor weighd saild along the coast of New Holland keeping the land in sight for three days, when the wind changed and we steard direct for New Zealand, and we had very fine weather and a fair wind until we came in sight of the Coast of New Zealand when a strong breese of the land drove us back from entering the Straits, until the first of March, when we entered the Straits with a fine breese but the Wind was soon died away, at the entrance of these Straits which is called Cooks Straits because Captain Cook was the first as ever saild through them, we soon saw several Canoes coming of towards the Ship full of the Natives the Captain gave orders to the Sailors not to let to many on board at once, and a great many was on the shore which seemd to us to be chiefly woman and Children in the first Canoe that come alongside the Ship was an

a2852069
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Old Chief called Tippahee, as soon as he got on board he was shown down into the cabbin to the Captain and the men that belonged to his Canoe was allowed to come on deck, they began to crowd round the ship so thick on both sides that the men had great difficulty in keeping the Ship clear of them, and those that was on board was full of mischief for one of them began to knock the iron of the windliss and another to pick the copper of the Long Boat and Boatswain see one of them pick up a Iron bolt and put it under his Matt very sly and went down into the Canoe to hide it so he did not say anything to him but got another bolt and give the cook to make hot and then went and laid it on a anchor that was laid on the deck as soon as he had turned his back one of them went and laid hold of it but he soon let it down and went over the side of the Ship into the Water in an instant and set up a howling like a dog which soon


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brought Tippahee out of the Cabbin and as he swam away he said something to the Chief which we did not understand and seeing all the Sailors laughing Tippahee went of quite offended, when the Captain found out what they had done he gave the Boatswain a good scolding for he said Tippahee had promised to bring him some presents from the shore, and he thought he would not get them as they had offended him, but in about an hour after he came on board again and brought the Captain three very handsome Matts, and the Captain in return gave him Knife an a lot of old iron hoop, which he seemed very much pleased with he is a fine looking old man about five feet eight inches high very stout the New Zealanders are of a dark copper colour, their dress his a Matt made of a kind of fine grass some of them had it put on over their shoulders like a cloke other tied on like a Apron several had nothing on


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This page contains a monochrome [? pencil] drawing entitled [in the same handwriting]
"Tippahee a New Zealand Chief”


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but a band round their head stuck full of various colourd feathers. Tippahee had on a Matt of different colours thrown over his left shoulder which was brought round and fastend under his left arm with a small bone and hung down to his knees, his hair which was very long was combed neatly up and tied in a peak at the top of his head and two long red feathers stuck in the front and carried a large club in his hand.
New Zealand was first discoverd by Able Tasman a dutch Navigator but Captain Cook saild completely round it and found that it consisted of two large Islands the inhabitance live upon fish fern roots etc. and they are the most savage race known in the World, Tippahee his Chief of Wangaree in the Bay of Islands they carry on continual war with each other they live in small huts formed into little vilages on the tops of the highest hills and seem in continual watching


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and alarm. The Ship Boyd Captain Thompson was taken by them and all the crew murderd except a Apprentice boy the Ship Boyd went to New Zealand for a cargo of spars, the Ship Anchord in the Bay and the Natives crowded on board and by some means the Sailors offended one of the Chiefs who stomped about the deck a short time and then got into his Canoe and went on shore and all the rest followed him soon after they all went on board again and the Chief and his men all seated themselfs on the quarter Deck the Sailors was all on deck when in an instant the Natives started up and each knocked his man on the head and in a few minutes the Savages had possesion of the Ship the boy that was saved said that he laid conceald in the hole of the Ship for three days and when he went on deck they were laying about like a parcel of pigs and seemed quite glutted with human flesh and the deck was coverd with blood and flesh


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and bones and the boy says that he cried so much that the old Chief sent him on shore and told them not to hurt him, the first thing he see when he got on shore was the Captains Coat and hat and the body of one of the Sailors with one of his legs cut off, they took him on to the top of the hill to their hutts and left him along with the Women and Children who behaved very kind to him and offered him a part of everything they had.


[The remaining half page is blank; this is the end of the diary part of the journal contents.
The next two full pages of text are in the same handwriting]



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Storm at Sea from Herveys Meditations.
The Ocean swells with tremendous commotions, The ponderous waves are heaved from their capacious bed, and almost lay bare the unfathomable deep, Flung into the most rapid agitation, they sweep over the rocks they lash the lofty cliffs, and toss themselfs into the clouds, Navies are rent from their anchors and with all their enormous load, are whirld swift as the arrow, wild as the wind along the vast abyss. Now they climb the rolling mountain, they plough the frightful ridge and seem to skim the skies, they plunge into the open gulf, they loose the sight of day and are lost themselfs to every eye. How vain the Pilots art, how impotent the mariners strength, they reel to and fro, and stagger in the jarring hold, or climb to the cordage, while bursting seas foam over the deck. Despair in every face, and death sits threatening on every surge. But why, O ye astonished mariners, why should you abandon yourselfs to despair


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Is the Lords hand shortend, because the waves of the sea rage horrable, Is his ear deafend by the roaring thunder and bellowing tempests, Cry unto him who holdeth the winds in his fists, and the Waters in the hollows of his hand, He is all gracious to hear, and almighty to save If he command, the storm shall be hushd to silence, the billows shall subside into a Calm, the lightenings shall lay their fiery bolts aside, and instead of sinking in a watery grave you shall find yourselves brought to the desired Haven.


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False Hearted

False hearted
False hearted all thy friends may prove
In miserys hour to the
No longer wish to share thy love
No more thy friends to be
Yet in that hour turn thou to me



[Page 78]

Epitaph of Wm Sharkespeare
Who died 23 of April 1616 writen by himself

Good friends for Jesus sake forbear
to dig the dust enclosed here
Blest be the man that spares these stones
And curst be he that moves my bones


[Page 79]

[Notes at top of page]

E C = F 20th Sept
G T M H Dec 1st 1832
F N C N E C Sept 1 1832
Had N H = Octr 4 ---



[Page 80]
Illustrations of 5 different types of ape


[Page 81]
Illustration of a volcanic mountain beside the sea

[Transcriber’s notes:
Place names:- surviving place names which are spelt differently in this diary;
Pg 6, Isle of White
Pg 7, Bordeux
Pg 15, Trinadad
Pg 17, 18, Van Deimens Land
Pg 19, Valperaso
Pg 19, Race Course [Hyde Park]
Pg 19, 20, 48, Nepien River
Pg 19, 48, 61, Castlereigh Street
Pg 20, 22, Bung Bung [Bong Bong? – given location would fit, district chosen for a settlement in the S Tablelands by Macquarie in 1820]
Pg 23, Tablebucar [Taralga? – given location would fit]
Pg 50, Port Stevens

The author was previously unknown, but research into shipping records etc., has enabled identifying him as a young servant of the Scott brothers by the name of John Brown.
The Scott brothers to whom the diary refers, describing their voyage to and subsequent settlement in NSW from 1821, escorted their mother and only sister to NSW in 1831. Their sister married Dr James Mitchell, and their son was David Scott Mitchell, benefactor of the Mitchell Library.

References to confirm identity of author:
He describes the voyage in the 'Britomart' from August 1821, and the 'Masters' (Dr Scott's) death at sea on 15th October in great detail.
Passport/ permit to travel to Newcastle on the 'Eclipse'
He is named as John Brown free servant of Robert Scott.
And a list of 7 convicts.
He lists the 7 assigned 'Government servants' in his diary, as well as 'myself' and Mr Robert Scott.("nine in all")
He departs from NSW on the 'Berwick', January 1824, as described in his Diary. The Muster for this ship lists among the passengers John Brown, arrived [NSW] per 'Britomart'

Pg 75, 76. The original as written by James Hervey, 1714-1758, UK Cleric
‘A Winter-piece’ in ‘Meditations and Contemplations’ c 1744. New edition published 1797, is as follows:

"The ocean swells with tremendous commotions. The ponderous waves are heaved from their capacious bed, and almost lay bare the unfathomable deep. Flung into the most rapid agitation, they sweep over the rocks, they lash the lofty cliffs, and toss themselves into the clouds. Navies are rent from their anchors; and with all their enormous load, are whirled, swift as the arrow, wild as the winds, along the vast abyss. Now they climb the rolling mountain, they plough the frightful ridge, and seem to skim the skies. Anon, they plunge into the opening gulf, they lose the sight of day, and are lost themselves to every eye. How vain is the pilot's art. How impotent the mariner's strength! They reel to and fro, and stagger in the jarring hold ; or cling to the cordage, while bursting seas foam over the deck. Despair is in every face, and death sits threatening on every surge. But why, O ye astonished mariners, why should you abandon yourselves to despair? Is the Lord's hand shortened, because the waves of the sea rage horribly? Is his ear deafened by the roaring thunders and the bellowing tempest? Cry, cry unto him, who "holdeth the winds in his fist, and the waters in the hollow of his hand." He is all gracious to hear, and almighty to save. If he command, the storm shall be hushed to silence; the billows shall subside into a calm; the lightnings shall lay their fiery bolts aside; and, instead of sinking in a water grave, you shall find yourselves brought to the desired haven.]

Upper case is used randomly in the text for nouns; these have been transcribed exactly, except for the indefinite article, (A,a), which was almost always written upper case but has been transcribed as lower case to make reading the text more comfortable.

[Transcribed and researched by Jan Thomas for the State Library of NSW]