Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
George Wyndham - diary, 1830-1840
B 1313
This book was presented to The Mitchell Library Sydney
By Brigadier H.L. Wyndham
23/3/50
The Diary of George Wyndham
Of Dalwood
1830-1840
Made & Sold by
E.WILLIAMS.
STATIONER
to the
DUKE & DUCHESS of YORK,
NO. 11, STRAND.
Letters sent
[indecipherable] January 6 1830
V11.March 10.
V111. April 25. Ella
1X. July 3. Maryanne, my Father & Mother
X. Augt. Sept. Charlotte
X1. Oct. 4 Mother
X11.Nov. 21. William &Frank
X111. Frank.
X1V. Dec.29. Alick.
1831
XV. April 1. Charlotte.
XV1. April.19.Mother
XV11. June.3. Mother
XV111. July.4. Charlotte.
Febry. 1830
As the new ground when planted, was so hard & lumpy from the drought, that it was impossible to pastuerize it;
The last month has been hot, even the nights are close till midnight, it has threatened rain some time & we have occasional very light showers.
31. Sund. Lennan took letter to Mr. Macleay, de [indecipherable]
Feb.1. M a heavy 1\2 hours rain at 4pm & showery
raining lightly all the forenoon. P.M. faster & steadier.
mustered the cattle. laying the blue room floor. rain steady thro’ the night.
drizzly rain till 11a.m.been a fine soaking rain. not too late for my maize, but it was too late
In at Court Luskintyre. Mr. Pender there
I sent 14 cattle to Patrick P. Pound
[indecipherable] Called on Mr. Harper, edificaturers.
11.th. Sent old Mary to the Factory for Robbery.
12. I started [indecipherable] Mr. Wood. Capt. Dumaresq called on his way to St. Keliers
13. Sat.Terrificly hot wind.103%
14 Sun. do.do.104°;
l
side
Don Brigadier H.L. Wyndam 28-3-50
Potatoes planted about 9th
1830
Febry.
15th. The hottest sun I ever felt my minimum registering thermometer burst,
which required to fill it a heat, Mr. Harper tells me his therm. was observed
at 142° of 133°.. hanging on a wooden post
16 Tue. Quarter sessions At daylight to Cn. Allman full of the idea of a
Marine villa.
17.W. Returned to breakfast. Thunder storms here last night. cooled us much.
More rain in P.M.
18 Th. Running cracks over with Ian &Land. guiding trees. laying dining
room floor.
20 S. Mr. Felton Matthew came.
21 Sund. He stayed with us.
22. He left us going to the reserve at Hay.
23. Very close. At eveng. a heavy thunder storm finished ploughing
the stubble, the grey horse 2 a mule are harrowing 7 or 8 are done. The grass
has not failed us this summer. John Puntine came as overseer.
24 W. Wet day. Came up here to the new house & thought it
better to fetch up the beds & sleep on the fls.
than to go back home. So home changed its name . on 23 & 24 perhaps
rained 16 hours, light & heavy.
25th. Bringing up things. To Luskintyre. Have two rooms ready, but are roofed, but the rain has moistened the ceilings in places.
26. Brought up more things. More rain & heavy showers, say 1 hours smart rain at night drizzly. MrTownshunt[?] with us, came on steady after 10, the whole night.
27. 7A.M.steady and fast till sunset.
28 Sund. Overcast with frequent showers, river is just wadiable. The holes in Stony creek are empty, 9 inches water in cellar.
March 1. A very heavy 40 inch shower. The Sydney papers speak of the 14 & 15 Febry. as days of fire, girdling trees on the print South likewise on the sandy flat.
2. Baled 2 feet of water out of cellar.
4&5; a little burning off to furnish ashes.
6. I cleaned out the stockyard.
March 8. Monday 1830
Received a letter from Ella up to Oct 8 weather plesant & cloudy.
10. Went to Mr Townshends. W.Scott took my letter no V11 for Dr Cunningham to take home.
11. Returned. Greymare lame from a bruise.
12.F. Fetched the sideboard from Lushintger, where Major Innes called whilst I was there Mr Mathews came.
14 S. Wrote for a woman from [indecipherable]
15 M. Digging garden 18 inches deep and following day it rained at night lightly just one cask fulled.
16 T. Brought back ale and saucepans, at night a thunderstorm with tremendous rain 20 inches.
19 S. To Mr [indecipherable] his relations recently arrived. trenching the garden, and qurring the capital of the columns.
22 Dray from Mr Cory’s with cedar
23 Dray from Maitland with blanke J&C.
24 Bottling [indecipherable] 191/2 dozen brought it up Mr Townshend here.
25. F. Sent Anne away, being pregnant. Still digging garden two spit[indecipherable] Potatoes come up very irregularly. My early
sown maize has failed again this year. Some carefully and hastily sown in drills a little before Xmas promised well, must always in future put in more stubble maize, proved a good crop.
April 1. Helenns Scott here. 3 vols. Muk. Mag. left.
2. Pulling early maize.
3 Pretty heavy rain & steady for 2 hours.
4 Sun. 2 very heavy showers at night.
5. Esther left us, on chestnut mare.
6- Rain all day, at times heavy.
7. Carrying away maize, very wet.
8. Do find there is more than I fancied hope to have near 600 bushels from the flat. about 30 acres. The stubble maize sown just before Xmas promises well & turned out the best crop I have yet raised and took no pains with it.
9. Good Friday. [indecipherable] birthday. Two years old, he is 2 feet 11 inches high by repeated measurement, & weighs about 27 lbs. could not weigh him accurately. John Allman called. light wetting rain. all night.
10. and all day. and occasionally at night.
11. breaking away. began again at night.
April 1830
12.[M] Rained all day, tho’ very light in the forenoon, steady and heavier P.M. the Stoney creek is running throughout its whole length. but had today filled the long pool at the Quarry. I have never seen the ground soaked before. every appearance of more.
13.T. Rained fast & steady the whole night till 8 A.M. and then ceased. heavy shower.
14.W. Sunshine. one smart shower. Got in the last of the maize that was picked some had been lying on the ground during the whole rain, but is uninjured save that where uncovered by the husk.
15. Quarter sessions & rather. To Maitland keeping this side of the river being [indecipherable] of swim heard the [indecipherable] was [indecipherable] aground at Swan River and Port Macquarie oopen.
16. Returned. Weather looks unsettled, with an occasional llight shower. weeding & [indecipherable] potatoes.
April 1830
17. Very light showers. rained somewhat thro’ the night. and till one P.M. the whole of
18. Sunday. All day & all night and till one
19.M. afternoon showers.
20.T. Gathering cornstalks into heaps.
21. Thunder showers weather getting fine.
24.Sat. Pulling maize. the weather cleared from Monday. and it is now cold & clear wind brisk from W.N.W.
25.S. Dispatched a letter to John & Ella No.V111 to Sydney for Dr. Cunningham. [indecipherable] in to Government on Thursday last. Hear there has been a tremendous flood on the Hawkesbury. Our river is now 5 feet deep at the crossing place and it has fallen 5 feet. Judge Dowling & sheriff called. I was out.
27. Finished carrying early maize. Jane Bret arrived with a black eye.
28.W. Began ploughing for wheat the maize land .2 ploughs. hauling stones [indecipherable]
20th. 3 ploughs. carrying off corn stalks.
May 1830
3. Monday to Captain Allmans & slept there.
4.T. To Newcastle with John Allman
5.W. Valley of palms. Burning bank.
6.Th. Returned home. Arrived with [indecipherable] Aubin. The blacks brought in a plant of nails.
8. S. Plant peach stones 500- Sow onion, 3 sorts Cauliflower. Peas 2 sorts. allin drills and [indecipherable]. Three ploughs going all this week& finished the maize grain this day. sown May 12, [indecipherable] out June 23, planted out Aug 17 & turn to seed Sept 1
9.Sun. To Mr. Lambs. gave me garden seeds
10.Mon. Sharp fork. Potatoes very much cut.[indecipherable] lilly browned somewhat, shady side as well as. [indecipherable] kidney potatoes more than other sorts. elevation same.
13Th. Ct of requests at Maitland.
14.F. To Newcastle with Messrs. Wilkinson & Townshend
15.S. A fellow who undertook to show me these good sections
did not show 3 good acres. On a [indecipherable] heading to Sugarbark. Returned home[indecipherable] part of threshing machine and goods[indecipherable]
M r Bettington arrived
The potatoes at Mr Sparkes on the river
bank are not frostbitten, and the Balsams at Newcastle are untouched, mine are smashed thick fog prevail on mornings, days exceedingly plesant
16 Sund. Wrote to Cn. Dumaresq, Mr Bettington
17th Sent Frank to Captn. Allman with Mrs Palmers diamond.
19W. Sowed first wheat. Threatens rain last week sowed Parsnip, Carrot, Beet, Brussel sprouts, Rhubarb [indecipherable] Cabbage & Cauliflower in drills. Today some peas, soaked, gathered the hemp.
20th Sowing wheat , 3 ploughs going constantly and now a harrow but the land is in a dreadful state, quite ashamed of it, another year plough all thro. the summer the weeds were so strong [chiefly the self sown] wheat that I turned the cattle in to eat it down, when the ground got firm. But they beat it very hard, and it is all in hard lumps in consequence.
22 Sat. About 8 acres sown. Weather mild and fine.
May 1830
23. Letter from Mary Anne Dec.18.
24 M. Mr &Mrs Ogilivie came.
25 W Left us. Sent Irvin to the hospital at Sydney with 1Pound. Two harrows on today. Settled dry pleasant weather at night lightening flashing in N.S.W. thunderstorm with rain at midnight.
27th Quarrying first column [shaft] at[indecipherable] Creek
29 S. Katherine sent to the 3rd class factory
30 S. Wrote to Mr Williamson Cn Dumeresq a little rain in late evening.
31. 2 hours rain 8pm.
June 1 Sent drays to Maitland. At night rain
June 2 W.Heavy frequent showers, ground quite wet. Drays returned with looking glasses & machinery.
3 Th. Fine again. repaired fence. began splitting for a low fence. Irvin returned.
4 F. Went to [indecipherable] the mill.[indecipherable]
5 S. Returned cold blowing & showers.
6S. [indecipherable] Mrs Bettington
June 1830
7.M Turned Davis into Government.
8 T. Fine weather& cold. Glad to wear drawers with duck trousers which I had left off for a month. Making hay with the wheat. Rode to Glendon
9 W. Mr. Townshend came
11 Th. Planted cauliflowers from Mr [indecipherable] cabbages from Luskintyre and carrots
12 S. Lettuces
15 Building an [indecipherable] to the East
16 W. Carrying stubble Maize, fine crop.
!7 Th. [indecipherable] and finished wheat sowing by dibbling & [indecipherable] in rows 9 inches apart, and seed [indecipherable] inches, likewise 4 sorts of Bk [indecipherable] laid. Cold blowing day, light rain[indecipherable] occasionally, some heavy rain at night. Found a Wild ducks nest on Tuesday, two or 3 quails nest a month ago.
24 Tu. Digging out kitchen foundation
25 W. Gathering potatoes, picked out 48 Cauliflower
26 Th. Mr Wilkinson on his road to Newcastle
[indecipherable]
June 1830
25 F. Mr Townshend. We tried to let the leg of chestnut mares foal in [indecipherable]
28 M. Saved castor oil Leeds
29 T. to Maitland by way of Mr Middletons [indecipherable]
30 W. to the top of Sugarloaf with F. Allman & Capt Aubrin planted a lemon on the top & an orange pip
July
1 Th. Returned home. [indecipherable] build the oven
2 F. digging holes in front for trees.
3 S. Mr Mailers took my letters home No 1X and to Mr Bettings. Began putting up the fence from the paddock to the river.
This week have been splitting and hauling and making a bridge for hauling stone.
6 Beautiful day
Rain, cold. Splitting hauling and[indecipherable]
[indecipherable]
12 Kitty Spalding came.
July 1830
15. Smashed the spoked of a draywhich finished the fences of new im paddock
16. to Mr Townshends
18. Returned on foot the mare lame, found the river up. swam it very cold.
19. [indecipherable] away getting married.
20. Gardening [indecipherable] began to walk
21. A wet morning. Put the dray wheel together. The tire on.
23 F. Msrs. Townshend & Webber start for Sydney
24 Despatch [indecipherable] still gardening, killed 2 pigs last night. put up 4 others. Mr Ogilvies dray with Turkeys,[indecipherable]. [indecipherable] burnt himself with an iron.
25 Sun. A driving rain all forenoon
26 M. at the Gaarden
27 T. Began digging holes for fruit trees.
28. Rain again all day. Steady tho’ light
30 Mr Wilkinson & H. Scott came. Splitting lintels & slabs for roof of kitchen.
31 Sat. Vine cuttings from Mr Busby.
August 1830
2 Monday. Very cold day. Wore a plaid all day cold drying wind ever since the rain which continued till Thursday.
5 Th. Received letter from Ella to March.
6 F. Getting up peach & fig trees etc.
7 S. Putting them in . in front of the house. Louisa Hoskins arrived. Borter & Jenkins broke down first apple tree log [sawyers] we now hear the cuckoo
11 Mr Townshend from Sydney.
13 F. Rain all morning and forenoon
14 Loquat seeds. Sydney lemon & orange seeds. The weather is now pleasant I have begun to clear the river bank for vines, on this side the fence. received a letter from Charlotte. Feb 9
16 M. Sowed lemon seeds. Planted raspberries
17 Peach. Quince, Figs, Pomegranate cuttings Peach kernels.
Cabbages all running to seed.
August 1830
18 W. Cabbage seed. Beans to Mr Townshend.
20 F. Rain set in at noon lasted with little intermission till sunset on the
21 S.
22 S. Frequent showers. The holes I dug for the trees in front are full of water. The trees never grew. Took them up in 1831
23 M. Smart Showers.
24 T. Began ploughing the river bank for vines
Sept
1. Planting Vines
2. Potatoes do. Peach stone sown May 8 came up, all ye vines I pruned bleed profusely, not so those I am moving.
3. Sowed turnip
4. Broke down the big log in new pit
4 Asparagus & Radish. Peach trees now on full blossom
September 1830
12. Sunday .With Mr Ogilvie to Mr.Glennies. cold wind.
13 to Merton
15 to Holdsworthy downs.
16 Burning mountain & back
17 By Segentus & St.Heliers to Merton.
18 Home
24 to Maitland
27 Do.
29 Smart shower or 2.dray upset on the wharf with load of flour. little damage
30. Rain almost all day. Mr.Townies.
Oct 1. Tremendous showers. A great furrow cut thru' the garden
Oct 2. Clearing up with light showers, got fine. the lagoon has risen 2 feet. & covered my slabbed cart road. and there is a little water in the small lagoon in front of the house, the first I ever saw there. The cold North West winds of Sept12 etc blighted the peach trees.
the wheat is not at all laid by the rain not yet in ears.
Oct.4. making pigstys.(roman numbers?
5 .T. Sewing Seeds.
10. Kitty left us./ a little rain at even.
M. 11. Anne se refugia de son mari
T.12 hear the bird again (a hornbill) that cried so much last summer.
W.13 Sowed seeds. Trenching a piece of garden for Tobacco. making pigs troughs & styes. threshing, and preparing puzzolana, Dent ill from Rheumatism. the wheat is a little longer, a good deal is in ear. the joists are on the kitchen roof. breaking up for orchard & for home pasture field about a week.
15F. Attended court at Maitland respecting Cannon & his sale of Hops.
16 S. Returned. Walked thro, wheat at husk in tyre. never saw finer. Mr.Ogilvie at Maitland from Newcastle, going to Barraba. Strawberries now ripe.
October 1830
20 W Exceeding hot. planted first Maize. Louisa fell down in an Epileptic fit.
21.Th =ly hot- bathed twice.
22.F. Hot still. Wind shifted to E at 3 p.m.(enjoy a fire at night 23S. Cloudy & cold. Planted millet. cucumber. called on the Harpers & at Huskintyre the former have 50 acres of Wheat Bengal had sowed in May, destroyed by the rust. which I hear is general. trenching the garden. disturbances in Argyle & Bathurst.
24.S. Rain all day. very steady.
26. Kitty Spalding returned unmarried.
27. 4 A.M.Heavy thunder storm & rain till 8.a great deal fell, can trench no longer. Mr.Scott heard L.Crake died.
30.S. Went with Capt. Wright to Glennie's.
31.S. to Capt. Allman's (heavy thunder & great rain) dined there, then to the Ogilvies, where thunder & rain again.
Nov.1. Stayed there.
Nov.-1830. Novenber.
2.T. Started at 8. Rain began at the junction of the Wollombi; & continued to Black Creek. got home at dusk. very heavy rain. Cape barley ripened. Roses and pinks blowing sweetly.
4. Began cutting Cape barley.
5 F. Fitting lead to the bath. a thunder storm with heavy rain, a great deal fell in the night.
6 S. Sunshine and hot. A mill stream runs from the lagoon to the river. I never
7. (Prentice left me) water in the channel before. We are now eating the Savoy cabbage sown May 12. which have hearted well, and not run to seed. 7.8.9.10. Generally fine. some showers. Kick stands
11.Th .Rain all day.
12.F. to Mr. Close's. Court of Request. Rainy Even
13 S. Returned. Rain all day heavy. a strong stream running over the bridge.
14 Still raining lightly.
November My. wheat is almost entirely destroyed by the rust, scarcely any of it worth reaping.
a little near Dents cottage is pretty good. But that is touched and smutty besides.
19.20. Misty
21S. Rain. Almost constant, steady
22.M Rain but not very heavy
23T. Rain Lagoon quite a sea. 24W.
for the month of January. 1830. See the last page in this book.
December 1830
good harvest weather, not hot, indeed so cold that some evenings we could have enjoyed a fire. it frequently threatened rain, but very little fell. of 70 acres that I had under wheat I have reaped about 10. the rest being worthless finished at Bowers the wheat is good and even on my old farm.
9 Th. Finished thatching . Swam the river and went to Huskington the day hot. first heard the cicadas
10.11 Hilling potatoes. Threshing & winnowing the barley on the flat.
12 Sun. Very hot. but pleasant breeze from N.W. Fnr.90.Cicadas noisy Watermelon just in flower .
13 Very hot. breeze N. W. pleasant. Fnr.98 deg.
14 T. Wind shifted to E. at midnight, became cool cloudy day. Sowed Dzn, head Cabb. Beetroot Turnip. Carrot Prep. Spring Onion. Stubble wont burn.
December.
15.W. Plantad potatoes in the Vineyard
16 Th. Planted maize. Ward's sale. most beautiful weather. bought 50 Bushels Wheat of Bowen for 7 pound. I am to thresh it.
17F Planted Maize & some to transplant. to Mr.Harpers seeing after Tobacco plants.
18 the Spotted gum trees have just shed their bark. They look very smart on the Western hill in the morning. Thunder but without rain.
19 Called on the Reids.
21.T Tobacco plants Came 22W. Hot wind. in Verandah 104deg. at night Thunder and a little rain.
23. See one melon as big as a pear. only one other formed. planting maize
24 F. To Maitland. Paid old Marshall 4.1.5 pound & p.Office Revolution in France. dray brought up my rifle & Portmanteau from Amin
25. X.mas day. very hot. W.Scott came.
December 1830
26. very hot.
27.M. Set out to see Ashe island. to Mr. Close's. W.Scott took letter for Aleck on 29th
28.T. Slept at Sparkee's. very pleasant weat
29.W. went to the lower island. and returned home. the men have been cutting down the stubble to make it burn.
30.Th Al Luskintyre holding court.
31.F. dug up the kidney potatoes. beautiful they are too. weather delightful. Sowed cauliflowers & radish. Macdonald & Micanotto have lately come to put up a Stockyard.
Have this year raised. about 300 peach trees. 300 lemon. 2 Loquats.1 Olive. from Seed. from cuttings. 80 Figs. 40 Quinces. pomegranates. 2 Lemon. 2 Eng.h Mulber Cape. very few of my vines took, put out above 600. they were dead before I got them. I got 8 pears from Sydney 5 8 peaches.1 Greengage Have the Tomata.
January 1831
12.w Planting kidney potatoes. cloudy. set up the barn, the tye beams having parted. being pinned only.
13 Th. Cloudy & occasionally a drizzle put out 400 Tobacco plants, that I found self sown among the stubble a nice shower last night. maize grows apace.
14F. A hot wind. hilling stubble maize.
15.S. a hot wind. hilling on. burned off grass at night. Thunder & rain heavy. OBrien came (in margin)
16, Light showers. cloudy. Obrien came last night.
17 M. clearing up. splitting shingles to cover verandah. Mr.Townsend & Mr Campbell brought the news of the Governor's being at Maitland.
18T put out 100 cabbage plants.
19 W. Rainy morning & forenoon. budding
20 Th, To Maitland, called on the Governor. The Allmans & home
January .1831.
21. F. His excellency & Captn.Dumarisq took lunch. put them on their road to Glenom. as far as Black creek MR.Wilkinson with us.
22. S. His reverence left us for Upper District MR.Glennie came. tuned the piano. Opening the trees beyond the garden to the S.E. Hot moist weather 23.S. Stubble maize very promising
24. M.Cloudy, & drizzly showers. budded 40 peach trees. Clearing maize, with plough and hoes. & breaking up for wheat the back of the house.
25.T. Cloudy, with drizzly showers, and rather cool. budded 66 peach trees. dray with claret. pitsan & files
26.W. put stakes to espalier vines in Garden and budded trees.
27W. Budded trees at Huskintyre.
28 F. put out Tobacco plants. As lightly hot wind. Thunder & heavy rain at even. Watermelons now fairly in
1831. January & February.1831
30 S. Called on Mr Lamb. Mr Wilkinson.
31.M. Christened Alward & buitas. Wata hoeing maize (stubble) looks extremely well. indeed the weather could not be better
Feb.1.T. hoeing maize. trying to make an avarie
2. W.Sowed cabbage & cauliflower.( up,on the 8th)
3Th. Called on the harpers. a report of Limestone. Saw Kennel & Common Coal in Anvil Creek. digging potatoes.
4.F. Maling a tube? ( above ) too iron tuyau(above). /4 gallenas Mr.Lamb very hot today.
5.S. Digging praters.set a by for Soap.
6.S. Smart thunder storm. Great lightning to the Southward with heavy thunder at night.
7.M. To Mr Coulson's. found Porteus putting up Mr.Pringle's mill there. cool & cloudy
9 W. on Mr Winder.
11.Th. a little rain. sowed Carrot. P.p Beet.
12.S. Boiling soap . the whole week, digging potatoes. The garden. Tobacco & c. stockyard finished. Kitchens roofed. cool cloudy weather sometimes cold.
February. 1831.
14.M. Boiled soap again, hoeing potatoes.
15T. Rainy morning. At night again heavy.
16.W. Splitting shingles.
17. Th. To Glenom. Slept there. a ( indecipherable) came down and stopped my horse. Rode one of Mr. Bell's, on
18 F. home, misty rain. At midnight very heavy.
19 S. making a duck shed. Looking at ground plates for milking shed. sunshine out at 4 oclock starlight night, quite pleasing. so much dull weather & rain. I have not booked half the rain lately. Mr. Townshend here.
21. M Cleaning maize.
22 do.do.
23.W . the garden. Beautiful weather bright sun& moonlight nights and cool. 24Th. Trying to mow the weeds the other side of the creek to allow the plough to move.
25F.
26 S Exceeding hot. Distant lightning. Mr.Brown brought 29 lbs Tobacco. 25 F. Getting aches for leg. Trying dead Apple tree and Gum bark.
March.1831.
1.T. Went to a sale at Mr Gaggans with Milis Ogilvie & Keswell who slept here.
2 W. A letter from Ella Sept.6
began sowing. Swede turnip.and a row of Glendon cabbage. pricked out 50 cauliflowers.
3.Th. Set off for Port Stephens.(indecipherable) at Swansea. Mr.Warren,Mr Mosman slept there.
4 F. reach Port Stephens. smart shower.
5 S. examined the Butchers print
6.S. Sawyers print. 7 M. Called on Capt.n Parry.
8 T. Nelsons bay. Fingals bay. Cromartys on Soldiers point.
9.W. Returned by Grahams. Barneys. Took a stroll in the bush. Capt. Allmans. Found Porteus had put the machinery somewhat together.
12.S. mustered the cattle. Beautiful weather thought I could distinguish an Autumnal feel. Last night very cold.
March 1831
12 to 19.to Porteous about millshop. Covered the verandah with bark. Splitting posts for pig fence. Fine weather. planted out Cauliflowers & D.D.Cabbage. Sowed Spinage radish
17 Brown committed.
18. Rode the grey mare first time since her illness. showers flying about. 19. Before sunrise a tidy rain. At ( indecipherable) at 12 'oclock on the 9th the tide was running out and was then pretty low. Moon 25 days old. Say low water at one. Then on the 5th and 18 of moons age high water at one.
22T. Sun very scorching. At sundown rain and thunder. Splitting stuff to enclose pigs in Lagoon. Thinning turnips. Cleaning strawberries. Laying flagging before kitchen. Curran mending plough.
March 1831
24Th. Sale at Luskintzee. estate knocked down at 1100 pound. Steers 3 yr.30 s. Cows 18s. calves weaned 6 & 4.
25F. Sale Mr. Ogilvie & Son with us.
26S. branding Mr Coswell's purchase. The whole week very hot.
28 . Porteus putting the millwork at the barn Branding Ogilvie's cattle.
29. Branding mine 8 head & Mr Bettington
20 . Hot winds last two days.
30 W.Th.
April 1,2 S. putting up the horse course & c Sent a letter to Mr. Bettington. Wilkinson & Charlotte by Mr Macleod.
2.Saturday. Elizabeth Hughes came. Hot dry weather for a long time even the stubble maize where the earth has been repeatedly ploughed there are large cracks. my turnips look well.
April . 1831.
3 Sunday Hot wind. Looks Thundery
4.M. Light rain all day.
5. T (George) boy born.4 a.m. rain all night.
6 W. 7 TH. Porteus returned .budded 5 peach trees. Weeded tobacco.
8. F. working at the mill. Ploughing for orchard cutting up roots there. 2 yrng Ogilvies. Weather very showery for some days.
9. S. Alward's birthday . height. 3 ft. 3. ground one peck of wheat with the Mill, in about 12' - with 7 min. Weather continues showery & threatening. Hear the Whigs are in. and receive letter to Dec 3. mentioning riots in Wiltshire. we put the horses into the mill. bothered with the strap slipping--- bottled pear apr Quince which all took.
April 1831
20. W. [indecipherable] of Request. [indecipherable] at Captn. [indecipherable]
21. Rainy morning, came home, rain afternoon.
22. Rain all morning.
23. Rain morning.
27. Great thunderstorm [indecipherable][indecipherable].
29. Rain last night not much. Ogilve staying here. Then are mowing down weeds to enable the plough to move. Too wet to plough.
30. Rain all night, at times heavy. All morning heavy & steady
The stream that ran down Stony Creek was quite tremendous. Since is now May 9. 9 am. rising fast. My [indecipherable] flat is covered nearly up to the maize cobs. and a great deal is over. which however did not hurt that which was [indecipherable] but the ripe rotted at the bottom.
May 1831
1. Sunday. Tempestuous night. rain furious. Lagoon a sea. rain gentle.
3.T. A lake from the foot of the hill in front to just under Deuts cottage. but the right hand bank of the creek was uncovered. it remained high about 24 hours.
4. water within the creek this morning – the weather then turned fine; we had a thunder shower on the 9th.
9. Fetched a load of coal.
10. Cold gale from N.W.
11. Cold: fine day. 1 cwt salt. 12lbs tea [indecipherable]. The turnips (white) were covered; and three longest under water, rotted. the rest do well. the millet (ripe) is not at all injured. the maize (ripe) would soon have rotted if left on the plant. the turnipe seems [indecipherable]. it ripened but did not grow afterwards.
May 1831
15.S. A light frost, the first.
16.M To Luskintyre with letters. too late. began ploughing for the seed. [indecipherable] to Maitland.
17.T. Set the threshing machine to work.
18.W. 2 pitsaws going this week. for a barn loft. 3 ploughs.
20.Th. left letters with Mrs. Harper. wheat from Bowen. Dr Thompson from [indecipherable] [indecipherable]. Saturday showery. Sunday Do Monday do. too wet to plough again. putting up beams for barn. loft.
24.T. Thick weather. got barn loft ready for maize. turned find in P.M.
25. carried early maize. ploughing again.
26.
28.Sat. Went to Wisemans.
29. S. to Parramatta.
30.M. to Sydney
31.T. Brown acquitted.
June 1. Shepherds nursery
3 wrote home.
Sat. 4 To Parramatta, after sunset. 2 showers.
S. 5 Mr Blaxland’s vineyard. Major Lockyer.
June 1831
6.M. Rained all day steady.
7.T. Started for home. reached Wisemans light showers.
8.W. reached young Wiseman’s. lt. showers.
9.Th. found first bridge gone. [indecipherable] the mare walked over a tree. got home. beautiful day.
10.F. Neale to Hospital with a letter Mr Bettington.
12.S. Mr Holman [indecipherable] traveller here.
13.M. cutting joists for workhouse roof.
18.S. Crossed the river with [indecipherable], to Mr Reids. Cn Wrights sheep.
19.S Mr Reid called. gathered 3 or 4 figs small & poor flavoured but ripe off last winters cuttings. halo round the morn. since the 9th weather delightful with dry cold N.W. winds some mornings frosty.
20.M. On the Harpers. old lady arrived from Sydney whilst I was there. cold & fine. began pulling stubble maize very fine. dead ripe.
Served Rhubarb. Beet, Savoy. Onion.
1831
July
the day, arrived last night.
1st Friday. Mr Ogilvie & Wilkinson stayed
2.S. Mr O. departed with Ellen.
Wilkinson to Bloomfields & the [indecipherable]
4.M. Obrien commenced quarrying.
Ratagau to Sydney. letter to [indecipherable].
5.T. Have been carrying maize ever since the 20th June & not yet done, beautiful weather all the time. on 4th Ratagau took my [indecipherable] to be new stuffed. letter applying for Coghlan. Mr B [indecipherable] goes by Thame.
Anne Jackson (Dent) arrived on 12th.
12.S. Left home for Sydney, in hopes to [indecipherable] a reserve for a Grant. no go. Left Newcastle at 6 P.M.
13.W. the day in Sydney.
14.Th. to Parramatta in the even.
15.F. cut a bundle [faggot] of fig cuttings from Cn Wright’s garden, put them on board the [indecipherable] steamer. [indecipherable] rode into Sydney. left Campbell’s wharf at 10.P.M.
July 1831
16.S. reached the Green hills at 2 P.M., came home . found Anne had arrived the day I left, rye sown, [indecipherable] course roofing.
20.W. Mr. Matcham left us going up the river: began [indecipherable]. machine.
21.Th. does pretty well. ground a little.
22.F. Saved orange seeds. Olive seeds. Mandarin.
XI orange seeds XI
XII orange/olives XII
XII Mandarins XIII
23.S. Planted out Loquats from Mr. Campbell’s garden.
July August 1831
25. Mond. to sd. Planted the ground to eastward of the garden with peach and apricot trees. my own budding. yearling stocks [indecipherable]. Mr Mateham here.
30. Mr Mathew came. planted
31. Sunday./peach trees in nursery in the vine
Aug.1.
2.T. Messrs. Mathew & Mateham towards Brisbane water. Threshing.
3.W. Sowed peas 3 drills next strawberry plants.
1st [indecipherable][indecipherable] 2nd Prussion Blue 3rd [indecipherable]
7.S. Called on Harpers. Wrote for men, and [indecipherable] to Macleay de White. Passion flower on bud.
8.M. Got Rafferty to help me gardening took up fig and quince cuttings.
August
9.S. [indecipherable] vines bled a little under the pruning knife. Cuttings down trees & ploughing fig orchard.
August 1831
10.11.12. Planting vine cuttings chiefly single eyes, in the vine yard. Taken up what few struck last year & ploughed for potatoes. Finished trench ploughing fig orchard.
13.S. Began an asparagus bed.
15 M. Thrashing. Brown’s hut building.
16.T. Winnowing. 3 hands digging
17.W. Grinding. Finished the asparagus, hauling off maize stalks together with the harrow- [indecipherable] well. Unworked peach trees in blossom, improved ones not stirring.
18. Storing turnips. A month too late
19 put upper mill stone to rights. Planting vine cuttings. [Dec 31 wheat looks well] the eyes did not grow well. Generally dying back and many never sprouted. The cuttings did better.
31 Planting figs for espelient.
September 1831
1st Thursday-Wet forenoon & night. A very fine rain- cut down great tree near sawpit.
2.F. Fine day. Finish figs. Some cuttings
3.S. in the garden. Put in vines to peaches. The asparagus began to shoot up last week, ought to be planted out by middle of August. The worked peach trees are beginning to blossom. Cauliflowers are passes.
5.M. dressi planting espalier trees and nursery finished I believe
6.T. Letter from Mother. Messr. Child [indecipherable]
7.W. contemplating [indecipherable] wet 8th all day light rain. Threshing.
8 .Th. cleaned up & returned. Staked the nursery, vines[cuttings] moving.
9.F. Wet night day turned fine. Celery plants put out,& rose cuttings put the grey colt into the mill
10.S. put out Lemon trees& oranges Mimora [indecipherable], sweet bians.
October 1831
10.M. Sent old Lennan to Sydney for his wife.
Mr. [indecipherable] with us
13. To Scott’s putting big log on pit
14. Flying foxes apparently migrating pass hundreds all night long, from E.S.E. to W.N.W. the end of Sept and begg. of this month, were very wet rain was very frequent, but so light that the brooks were but just in motion. The grubs have for 2 months eaten every thing that rose. Have not a cabbage plant. Same happened last year.
February 1832.
are very much drawn up, not nearly so stout as they should be, these are what was planted after magpies, just now showing the cob. planted Nov.18. first hoeing Jan. 8 second Feb. 8 both might to have been earlier sooner. it should have had 3 hoeing.
7. T. Levelling ground plates & setting up corner posts of Tobacco shed all day.
8. W. Cleaning maize. Grey mare has Foal. a dark foal 3 days old, white face.
9. Th. a fine 2 hours rain at 1. a.m. again at sunset. hilled 5 acres maize. gathering Tobacco leaves. More rain at sunset.
10. F. Cleaning vineyard. then early maize.
11. S. More rain in the night. felling trees for brick-kiln & sawpit. cut Tobacco.
13.M. Cutting tobacco as quick as I can, weather threatening, hilled maize alongside creek.
14. T. Rain all day. News of Reform Bill lost.
15. W. Rain. Felled a few trees for sawpit.
16. Th. Rain. a.m. p.m. felled a big tree for shingles.
17. F. Broiling sun. been a soaking rain.
February, 1832
18. Sat. very hot. hoeing last maize. at night great thunder & rain.
20. M cleaning maize. [indecipherable] Tobacco.
21. T. To quarter sessions.
22. W. Back. intensely hot. Brick kiln 29,000 fired.
23. Th. Hot. close. p.m. thunder. Mr. [indecipherable]nshend.
24. F. Hot at 10 p.m. tremendous thunder squall. blew maize down, the earth being mud would not support it. can plough among it no more.
27. M. Cutting Tobacco & suckering. Hot close thundery weather, with occasional [indecipherable] drops, cannot be better for growing, weeds & every thing else. Barn is brimful of Tobacco. Walls of wooden shed up.
March. 1832.
1. Th- not knowing where to put Tobacco.
2. T. Fixed Lime kiln. Harris & Valentine began to split shingles.
3. Four ploughs. rain all night.
5 M. rain all forenoon. Cleaning vines.
6.T. Tobacco all ripe. Hoeing it. cutting and hoeing.
7.W. Weather fine. cold night.
8. Th. Beautiful day. Weather appears settled. Began putting up rafters to Tob. shed. Beautiful steady weather.
to
12th nights cold – Clearing Swedes. Early Yorker = C Tea-cake.
13. Hot & close. Branding calves.
15. Th. Transplanting Swedes, called on Mr Pinkerton. Harris began shingling Micanotti finished slabbing Tobacco shed.
16. O’Neil caught stealing flour.
17. S. Cannon joined Ma[indecipherable]
18. S. Rain all day & night.
19. M Rain. The Creek runs strong. river rising p.m. showery. felled a few trees in future vineyard. S.D.P. sharpen axes & Xcut saws.
March 1832
20.T. Worked at future Vineyard. showers & cloudy
21.W. River over the lower Tobacco. cut a few plants in the water.
9.a.m. heavy rain with thunder from W. wind had been E. before. then turned S. with light rain all day. river rising.
22.Th. Rain all night, river fallen 1 foot. I have the lowest part of the Flat under cultivation. the banks of the creek lower down are [indecipherable].
23.F. River has risen to within a foot of last year’s [indecipherable]. light showers. old cow bales tumbled down.
24.S. River [indecipherable] last year’s max’m exactly. fine day. come from sawpit on a cedar raft. To the [indecipherable]
25.S. Rain again. river falls quickly. Kearney took the [indecipherable] to have his folly out.
26.M. Rain again. held up p.m. river is off the lower Tobacco.
March. April. 1832
27. Light showers. cloudy. preparing vineyard.
28.W. Fine day. a turn at the burning off. sent O’Niel to [indecipherable]
29 Th. Fine day, but looks suspicious.
30.F. Showery.
April
1.Sun. P.M. Very heavy thunder shower.
2.M. looks unsettled.
3.T. Beautiful day. Mr Dutton take letter to my mother to Sydney.
4.W. Had Hely here respecting an axe
5.Th. Letter (Charlotte). Nov. 6. Sent Elizabeth off.
6.F. Mr Townshend. some v. light showers.
7.S. Beautiful day. wind N.W.
8.S. Rafferty layering lemons.
9.M. Set the ploughs going again. found Kearney.
[indecipherable] 4 yrs old, height 3 ft. 5 ½.
10.T. Buried Kearney, fine weather.
11.W. Beautiful day. budding trees. green gaze.
III [indecipherable]Camp. melter. IV Newington [indecipherable] vine.
12Th. Pat came. Harris finish shingling
April 1832
15.S. A light shower at 5 A.M.
16.M Mosquitoes biting abominably and looks for rain. sowed Peas.
17.T. Rain all P.M. all night to 9 A.M. on
18.W. Beautiful day. creek over the bridge.
19 Th. River very high. Mr Ogilvie called.
21.S. China rose cuttings putting out.
23. Making a Tobacco press. 3 Ploughs again
24.S. Sowed Wheat (creeping) below the Wheat stack. heavy shower at night
25.W. Brought ploughs to the back of the house; too wet below. digging a till pond for my Grey mares field –
28. 3 ploughs always going, have about 8 acres sown round brick kiln
May. 1832
Keep three ploughs going and horses harrowing in wheat. but get on slowly owing to the foul state of the land. must farm better some day if possible -- there may be acres sown.
12.S. Sent Ellen away.
Captn Wright called on 9th
14.M. Shifted a heap of Tobacco. – which will not heat readily --.
15.T. Pulling maize. some is very fine. but a good deal knocked down & destroyed by wet and pigs and blacks. must wage war with pigs. beautiful seed time. days clear & hot, night & morning cold.
18. Finish the maize by Marshall’s hut. am hauling shingles for continuation of Tobacco shed. And at 4 P.M. shift ploughs into the Flat.
19.S. Charlotte Fethers. came.
May 1832
21.M. Capt Wright towards Newcastle
22.T Transplanted some Tobacco plants.
2nd brick kiln on fire -
23.W. To Maitland & Capt. Altman’s.
24.Th. on board the William IV. Capt. Parry joined us to Newcastle.
25.F. in Sydney.
26.S. To Parramatta. Capt. Wright’s.
27.S. To Wilkinson’s with him. pass two fine orange orchards.
28. To Parramatta. Mr. Bowerman’s crop
29.Tu. to Sydney
Trees brought up 1831.
Double [indecipherable] Peach
West’s Col. Lindesay Peach.
Macarthurs Gen. Darling
Murrays Macleay Apricot
Macarthurs M’cleay Apricot.
Camplells Col. Liny. Peach
Thin shelled Almonds (shifted)
Ribston pippin
Newton pippin
Golden nonpareil
Scarlet nonpareil
4. Seven elbow pear
Crasanne pear.
At [indecipherable][indecipherable] with these. gowing westwards
Standards Bellarsine )
Ribston pippin ) original brought
Bellarsine ) up in 1928
Ribston pippin )
Golden [indecipherable] )
Trees from Shepherds nursery brought up in 1830.
Greengage: new below it
Newington late Peach
Red Roman Nectarine
[indecipherable] Campbells [indecipherable]
Newington Nectarine
Royal George. then Gardener’s late peach
Mr Townshend’s
Do. ---Evergreen
Breda Apricot.
Jangmelle pear.
5 or 6 other pears unknown.
American plum
Cherry.
June 1832
1.Fr. in Sydney. [indecipherable] 6.P.M. on board the Sophia Jane steamboat. enter Newcastle at daylight following [indecipherable]
2.S. Greenhills at 12. walked to Maitland found [indecipherable] horse and took him home.
3.S. [indecipherable] Apollo.
4.M. Gather 2 tons [indecipherable] maize for pigs. 2.8 ft 6 to pit – ploughing up potatoes, gathering a few taros. Paid Mr. Hely £1.5.0, the balance of £2.0.0 due him by Obrien quarryman.
7 Ploughing the old maize ground
8 the flooded. done saving wheat
9 perhaps 50 acres. Now burning
10 off for vineyard. Some showers. 8th set up joists in stone building –
15 Very cold. N.W. winds strong, wear
16 cloth trousers.
17 Warmer, duck trous. after 10 a.m.
June 1832
In Sydney Herald see that Trevethick examined before Committee of H. Commons states that fuel & boiler [indecipherable] he has reduced to such [indecipherable] that a ship of 500 tons, may be driven 5 miles an hour for 4 [indecipherable] of coals, and boiler not larger than a ton cask –
28th Some Barley, first of 7 bushells from Ratagher – wear cloth trousers, but they are too much from 10, till 3.
July 1832
2.M. [indecipherable] begin again working for me. continuing the shed. Weather dry & winds strong N.W. this week; preparing the 2 acres for vines & dig saw pit there. Captain Pike called going home. tells me the Black Oporto is a good eating grape.
10.T. Mr. A. Glennie stayed. going to Newcastle. [indecipherable]
11.W. Broke down log, at vineyard pit. cutting out a few left stumps. almost
14. ready for the fence. made a sundial.
15 Sun. A smart shower at 2 a.m. the only rain for a long time. need more
16.M. Sent Joe to Mr. Cary’s with Chas
17.T. 3 sawyers ill – rain from sundown till all night in frequent showers
18.W. Boy born (died Jan./33) at 1 a.m. all day showery
19.Th. Dray returned with 2 (1/2 chests) tea ½ ton sugar. ¼ ton Salt – Gunpowder [indecipherable] Soap. Ginger. vine cuttings Cn. wright – the day showery, some [indecipherable]
20.F. from Mr. Winters 200 flour – putting up fence of Vineyard and digging up the vines –
21.S. Fence & vines – From Cn. Pike Cape Ivy. Creeping rose. good eating white grapes. Large [indecipherable] purple raisins. I find the eyes make much nicer plants than the cuttings, to remove, and the best of the eyes are as big as the best of the cuttings. Margaret surprisingly well.
22.Sun. Very raw cold, then rain from 11 to night – on this day bleeding Aug.3d –
23.M. Fence & vines – 2 of Captn. W [indecipherable] Frances Bagley, were not the worse for it apparently, & [indecipherable] per Berrell came. [indecipherable] 5 years.
24.T. Vines all up. The men in the mill. P.M. hail & rain showers. More at night.
25.W. Repairing slip panels in side line. Finish vineyard fence.
July. August. 1832
27F. Planting the Vineyard –
28 8 ft 6 log broke down – Heavy shower
29.S. received letter from my Mother, Mary Anne & Mr. [indecipherable] with Herries & Farquhar’s receipt – very heavy showers.
30.M. Rainy morning. P.M. Cut Black grapes on the ground for the [indecipherable]
31.T. Rainy morn. felled trees on [indecipherable] Rain came on again all night.
Aug.1. Cleared up. burning stumps on asperge staining dining room buff color.
2.Th. Planting vines. P.M. grafting, threshing the sweetwater bleed a very little
3.F. Planting vines. See some pruned on the 23d of July are bleeding –
4.S. Planting vines – P.M. rain very [indecipherable] from 3 till 6.
5 till 12. A dripping week, dug up asparagus, kept burning off a little, planted a few peach trees. to Maitland on 8 – bought a bull.
August – 1832.
13.M. Hired Nagle at 7/ a week. trenched 12 ½ roots of asparagus ground –
14.T. Sent letters to Mr. [indecipherable] & Mother. trenched – 17 ½ roods.
15. 15 roods Showery – ground very wet
16. 15 roods. 3 pits deep, thrown out 2 complete feet. 11 men do in 5 hours working pretty briskly.
17.F. 15 roods – fine. Planted 5 rows asparagus.
18.S. showers all night & all morning – finish trenching for asperge ground is exceeding wet cannot go into the garden to do anything –
19.S. To Ratagan to see Mr. Dutton just starting for Upper District – showers
20.M. [indecipherable] some trees in the hollow – P.M. planting asparagus. fine day.
21.T. Planting asparagus & sowing some - [indecipherable] a few trees on this side them – too wet to go on the flat to the hops.
Captn. Wrights vine cuttings sent me. July. 1832 –
1. Muscatel. his own.
2. Muscatel
3. Black Hamburg. h.v. very good.
4. Red Portugal
5. Green Malaga
6. Constantia (own)
7. Black Cluster
8. Black Damascus ) not
9. Alex. Frontignac )
10. Black Sweetwater ) sent
August 21. Robertson goes to meet his wife.
23.25. Grafting vines – and putting garden to rights. Cut up some hop plants. Scott here.
28.T. Major Innes here. grafting vines gardening.
29.W. Gardening. 8 P.M. rain again. the ground exceedingly wet.
30.Th. Wet. men husking maize.
August 31.F. Splitting slabs for Stone store roof.
September. 1832.
1.Sat. Splitting slabs as quite day Mr. Mackenzie here. Grandson of [indecipherable]
2.S. Very beautiful day rather hot.
3.M. Garden again. the eyes of the grafted [indecipherable] seem generally swelling & woolly. the asparagus do not show themselves, the layered lemons (April) have mostly roots of an inch long or so.
Send Charlton to Ratagan.
[indecipherable] begins shingling with Joe.
[indecipherable] & [indecipherable] commence splitting for the side line -
4.T.) Garden. getting up Lemon trees & layers & layers & planting them
5.W.) in [indecipherable]
6 Th. Wilkinson here
7 F. with him to Scotts, non [indecipherable]
8.Sat. threatens rain a little. 3 ploughs in the flat. [indecipherable] & Larkin come
10.M. Hogan came yesterday
11, September – 1832
11.T. justice at Mr. Harper’s, on to Newcastle at 9 p.m.
12.W. Limeburner’s Bay, in grape cutters boat.
13.Th. Sailed 6 a.m. head wind & sea. reached Sydney 9 p.m.
14.F. Saw the Governor & a little business
15.S. Shopping. Steamer delayed till [indecipherable]
16.Sun.With Riddell, Macleay’s gardens.
17.M. Letter to Charlotte in post and [indecipherable] Childs, Treas.B.200. sailed 7 P.M. fair wind, got
18.T. inside Nobby’s at 4 a.m. on the Greyhorse at 6.30 and got home in 6 hours, from Sydney in 17.
19.W. Vines just bursting at bottom.
20.Th. Sent drays down – 2 men came & Scott
21.F. left us. unpacking.
22.S. Pulling weeds this week.
Sept. 22 to 29.
Very fine weather this week. Planting tobacco in situ.
26.W. To Maitland. Sale of Company’s Rams. With Scott to Ash Island and returned home. Letter to Mr. Close. No [indecipherable] by Col. [indecipherable]
27.Th. Old Miller suggests altering the mill. iinformation of carpenters tools. Townshend cause.
28.F. With him to Trevallyn.
29.S. Returned home. brought New Zealand Spinage plants and put them out.
October. 1832.
1.M. at Mr. Middleton’s sale, bought 212 sheep & lambs. Slept at Mr. Lethbridge’s. Some cattle.
2.T. Tim Nowlans sale. 66 cattle.
3.W. Brought home cattle 85 head.
4.Th. Pulling mustard in the barley (horrid thick) was obliged to
5.F. [indecipherable] some, and plough the ground. Beautiful weather all along
11.Th. Mr. & Mrs. Wilkinson
12.F. Captain [indecipherable] took him away
16.T. perambulated side line with Ratagan.
18.Th. Charlotte 1 month servant leaves us. Begin milking shed –
19F. Begin altering mill, bringing the motion below –
20.S. Planting first maize – the English Mulberry bud is just bursting – very hot day.
October
21.Sunday. Hot wind, but not a November one
22.M. Cool easterly wind Washing sheep
23.T. Exceeding hot & sultry. at night great thunder & some rain, enough to start the maize.
24.W. Women [indecipherable] a little before daylight.
November – 1832
drying N.W. winds
5.M. Started 1st [indecipherable] for Gammon plains
6.T.
7.W. Wilkinson moves westwards, packing the cellar. [indecipherable] the sheep-
8.Th. Followed him to [indecipherable], fresh horse to Capt. Pike’s. very hot
9.F. Ratagan joins us at breakfast. Overtook dray at Hall’s station to Gammon plains that night slept at Mr. Dutton’s farm.
10.S. [indecipherable]
11.S. Very hot, remaining here
12.M. Frenchman let the mare go. Sent for two horses to Mr. Bettington’s station which [indecipherable] arrived. Walked 6 miles down the Rivulet
November, (1832)
13.T. Started at 6. Capt. Pikes at 11 – Found our horses there, and started again at 12. came home without stopping at 9 PM.
14.W. putting on roof of great stone store.
15.Th. Reaped 4 or 5 acres. a great deal of [indecipherable] this year, & more rust but rust has not finished the grain so far as I see.
17.F. digging the raspberries, & cucumbers. Mr. & Mrs. W – leave us for Newcastle. letter from Mrs Britton & Mrs. Bennett. cool day Wind E & cloudy. there has been no rain since Oct. 24.
19.M. Thunder about. Had a very slight shower. reaping –
20.T. Misty morning. P.M. very hot, reaping Barley. the fist coat is on the great store roof. [indecipherable] knocks all off. Carried 3 loads this evening
November 1832.
21.W. Reaping – Hot N.W. Dr. Edwards came.
22.Th. N.W. Reaping the flat, the best wheat I have or indeed ever had sown the last day of May. No [indecipherable] a good deal of [indecipherable]. Dray return from Mangarinda.
23.F. Hot wind. Reaping –
24.S. Hot wind. Helping Ratagan.
25.S Cool. E.
26.M. Very hot. Helped [indecipherable]
27.T. Hot sun. P.M. E. strong breeze. reaping. two ricks [indecipherable]
28.W. Hot A.M. Pat goes. Small tunder, shower, cool
29.Th.
30.F.Finish reaping
December. 1832.
1 S. Thatching. Wilkinson came, going west.
2.S. Fine breeze E. - [indecipherable] from Hewitts farm.
3.M. Exceedingly hot. chipping maize, Sawyers commence again. Thunder & few drops. hot night.
4.T. Carry up 2nd coat on great roof. Set stubble on fire.
3W. 2 showers in the night. Dr. Edwards leaves us. dull day, drops. P.M. a shower. Finish 2nd coat.
6 Th. Hot & pleasant. E. Dray to St. Michael – Flanaghan from Mangaiinda with information that they are all adrift. he woos & wins Mary, i.e. Anne [indecipherable] & vineyard – See one Melon the size of a Partridges egg
7.F. Hot & thunder. Mrs. Bettington called & slept. 2 showers in the night.
8.S. Dray brought Wilkinson’s books & Brown. Salt. Brown begins planting some Tobacco. McKeown goes to Mr. [indecipherable] after sheep.
September. 1832.
10.M.
11.T. To Greenhills. brought away 700 sheep, 17 head cattle. Thunder showers, morning.
12.W. To Wollombi. Hewits cattle. Ploughing flat for stubble maize
13.Th. Rest. Strong breeze E. Mares return.
14.F. Hot wind. Rode farming. at night thunder squall with rain. Contemplating Tull’s husbandry. well adapted to the flooded land. one crop in before the other off.
15.Sat. Heavy thunder shower.
17.M. Rainy forenoon. P.M. broke two ploughs. hoes finish clearing maize.
18.T. Two ploughs & Harrow going. Grinding throwing stubble together to burn it –
19.W. 3 Ploughs of six & roller with 4 bullocks very hot fine day. Hogan’s tobacco now shows the rows at the bottom of the garden.
20.Th. Crops burning. Nagle brings 77 cattle (Hewitts) from Wollombi. At 2 P.M.
December 1832
a heavy thunder shower. The maize books very well. The bush which had been generally burnt, looks green again.
21.F. Planting drilled maize in double drills 10 feet intervals. All hands after 11 A.M. 10 acres may be. beautiful day. Captn. Anley & Hungerford called.
22.Sat. Finish planting Maize in front of Hogan’s hut. hot sunshine. raspberries are small but promise to be larger & more numerous.
24.M. Planting last maize. below Hogans tobacco. E. Breeze
25.T. Xmas day. [indecipherable] hut in uproar. cool beautiful day.
26.W. Branding Hewitt’s cattle. Hot day – N.W.
27.Th. Pretty 1 hours rain from [indecipherable] then drizzly showers. Felton from Wincanton here. Maize of 21st up
28.F. Cloudy, occasional drizzle. branding. 2 ploughs dray hauling fence sideline.
29.S. Rain very light, all night & morning – Sent letters for Dr. Edwards by Felton.
31.M. Cool. E. Sunshine. burning off for garden. potatoes good for nothing.
January. 1833
1.T. Beautiful day. Branding. 2 ploughs 1 dray fencing. Mr. McKenzie
2.W. 3 Th. Nagle & Lennan after stray cattle for one hour
4.F. Heavy rain & thunder at 10 A.M.
5.S. Ploughs finish barley stubble. rode by [indecipherable] to Mr. Harper’s. His house rising, one window head up.
6 .Sun. Pleasanter weather is not such in Tahiti. since Xmas. gathered first 3 figs in the garden. raspberries in – some peaches [indecipherable] & one bunch of Black cluster grapes Black.
7.M. Staked out the opposite hill for the garden. Very hot.
8.T Hot wind
9.W. Hoeing old maize. [indecipherable]
10.Th. do. – fine breeze at E, di, di,
11.F. found the Baby had the dysentry
12.S. The Dr. here in the morning
13.S. Little sufferer died at 8 A.M. buried him at 12. then 2 hours rain.
January. 1833
14.M. Hauling in foundation for my study – a few peaches ripe but the ants attack
15.T. Layering lemons. Hot wind
16.W. Sent off letters to Dr. Edwards. hot & high wind. Paddock on fire [indecipherable] very unpleasant day. 40 [indecipherable] burnt.
17.T. Very hot forenoon. P.M. sez breeze.
18.F. Very hot. [indecipherable] cattle.
19.Sat. intensely hot, mustered cattle. At even great thunder & lightning, but little rain.
20.S. a pretty 2 hours rain P.M.
21.M. Budding quinces. Charlton over from Cockpit –
22.T. Lennan brought 51 cattle, 3 calves
23.W. Hoing vines & layering them.
24.Th. Thinning stubble maize. Gathering cattle. beautiful weather, cool
25.F. Put the whole herd together & 4 men with them yarding them at night.
26.S. Marked the sheep. Branding & c. [indecipherable] gives up his burning off job - [indecipherable] Neil joins Fenahy, Matson to Mangarindar.
January. 1833
27. Margaret & two eldest children looking at cattle coming in from the top of the great stone store – Sweeney
M.28 3 ploughs. dull day. a little drizzle
29.T. intensely hot wind
30.W. Sent off sheep 1073 & dray.
31.Th. Rode to Scotts.
Feb.F. Ratagans bull
2.S. Bill Neill cut his head with his axe. Scott going to Sydney. did not cull [indecipherable]
3.S. Very pleasant cloudy weather. Sent away Anne [indecipherable] pregnant.
4.M. pleasant cloudy. Stubble maize looks wretched, but that sown on fallow 2 days later is flourishing. Lennan in the Tobacco house.
5.T. Cool E. [indecipherable] mate from Mangainda.
6.W. [indecipherable] comes down. [indecipherable] up.
Feb. 1833
7.Th. very hot
S.7 intense heat. Mrs. Harpers pigs & his maize de neighbours
9.S. Hot wind.
10.S. Hot. Wine E. but pleasant.
11.M. Dreadful heat. N.W. wind. 4 p.m. sea breeze but so hot at first that we did not open the windows till six. Wilkinson to Newcastle this morning –
12.T. Scorching heat. to Mr. Winder’s – at 9 P.M. windows shut. Then thunder & a few heat drops. Carrying Hogan’s Tobco.
13.W. Cloudy & thundery & a shower, [indecipherable] a column stone out of the creek & home at night thunder & a fine shower.
14.Th. Pleasant E. &. filling Fenehy’s holes.
15.F. Pleasant. clearing carpenters shop for tobacco.
16.S. Hot wind, went up cedar country. Brushes delightfully [indecipherable]. No idea the hot wind was blowing, great thirst coming down.
17.S. Hot wind, which gradually became cool tho’ violent. with an appearance
of thunder but we heard none. no rain
18.M. Cool atnight shut up the windows for the warmth. Went over beyond Ratagan to see John Cox’s wife. Curren corner $52. Mrs. Hook’s servant. Set a man sinking a well in the great store. [indecipherable] cuts first tobacco. 2 months & ten days from 1st Dec. 8 planting. Ratagan’s late peach just ripening.
19. Mr. Ogilvie from Sydney.
20. getting ready the dry land for [indecipherable]. 2 wool bales from Ratagan.
21.th. Sent off the herd – the blacks are saucy in Mr. Harper’s bush.
22.F. Well 10 feet deep, set up w[indecipherable]
23.S. Dray from [indecipherable]. Mr. Winder called. Hot wind. Thunder & rain evening.
25.M. Sweeny joins seven Police after Blacks
26.T. Mary West came.
27.W. Captn. Allman called. going west. thunder & rain, at evening rain.
28.Th. Rain A.M.
March 1833
1.Friday. Send off drays and 2 bales of wool. 1.2.12 K 1.2.11 = [indecipherable]3 0 23 A.M. Showers. P.M. Steady Rain
2.S. Fine day. Split slabs for study and roof. to Molly Morgans. Poor fellow with tongue out. Well 20 feet deep. very stiff clay. 2 men continually. 5 ft 6 diameter.
4.M. preparing to stack a dray for Mangarinba.
5.T. Dray starts – Marvin returned – Ploughing up the facing half of the garden. Calf paddock with a new green coat.
6.W. Well 24 ft deep. this morning – made an auger and bored to 34. very hard clay.
7.Th. at 48 ft. came to about a foot or more of heavy red clay. at 50 sandy clay – clayey sand.
S.7. To Maitland with Townshend. called on Mr. Lethbridge.
9.S. Two heavy thunder showers. bored to 54 feet thro’ gravel to a rock apparently
10.S. Rainy.
11.M. Rainy. [indecipherable] to Sydney. letter to Charlotte.
11.M. Nagle to Williams [indecipherable] after Fine day.
12.T. Fine day.
13.W. Trelawney with Fanny to Maitland 14 days [indecipherable]
15.F. Dray from Mangarinda. Saw Major Mitchells new road marked by Mr. Harper’s hill. beaut’ful day.
19.T. Cut a load or two of Brown’s Tob. 2 [indecipherable]
20.W. Sent drays for iron & from Greenhills Nagle with 3 head returned –
29.F. Have been setting up the pillars on the Eastern side of the house. today completed the Architrave course. Bricking the wall in the great store.
Chapman’s first week free. 4/ per 100.
April. 1833
1.M. Tom - ploughman engaged at 5/- ¼ lb Tob. 2 oz Tea. 2 lb sugar 10 lbs Flour. 10 lbs. Beef per week. 3 ploughs going this week.
3. Some rain with thunder. [indecipherable] satisfied.
5.F. George 2 yr old weighs 29 ½ lbs. height 2 feet 10 ¾ without shoes.
6.S. Pulling maize vigorously.
11.Th. Dray to Mangarinda with McNulty & Tench. Hamish found drowned.
12.F. By Luskintyre round Mr. Harpers hill with Ratagan. Maize stalks all down. Holes all filled in the vineyard piece. The tobacco which is not now ripe, looks poorly –
April 1833.
16.T. To Maitland to meet the Governor.
17.W. do. Paid £3.2.0 for Cedar.
18.Th. Quarter Sessions.
19.F. The Governor called. Judge Forbes, Burton, Major Mitchell.
20.S. Began Irving by ploughing in the garden 9 acres.
22.M. Mr. Harper’s place & Ratagan robbed by two men.
23.T. Some ground sowed & harried in on this side barley. ploughing in the garden piece –
24.S. Rain. very nice.
25.Th. Husking maize.
26.
27.S. Anne Dent died at Maitland.
29.M. To Scotts & Westbrook with Mr. Lett. bridge to [indecipherable] rams & home.
30.T. Ploughs finish garden paddock.
May. 1833 –
1.W. Ploughs to the flat. mowing weeds again. Shower at night.
2.Th. Hanging the Bell i.e. [indecipherable] it. very showery – Dray from Mangarinda..
6. (
7. ( continues showery. hauling Brennans shingles.
8. (
7. With Scott to the pass.
8. Sent Joe with grey mare to Alcorns.
9.th. To St. Hiliers.
10.F. Rams of the Col. & Gen. Forbes and reached Captn. Pikes
11.S. To Margarinda.
12.S. Back to Capt. Pikes –
13.M. Home. Grey horse fell with me. Close to the house
15.W Heavy thunder shower –
16.Th. Cold wind. N.W. 11 A.M. began a driving rain till evening.
May 1833.
22.W. Sent Nagle & Price to collect the up country cattle.
23.Th. Cutting a path to Vineyard.
24.F. MacManus & Tench [indecipherable] from McNalty begin building till June 29.
29.S. June continued from [indecipherable] face Obrien (Gardener) has found & trained the vines alongside the raspberries & all the peach trees.
Base course built but not backed up of future smithy.
June 1833 –
10. [indecipherable]
13.Th. To Maitland to the Court.
15.F. Sowed last wheat in drills –
17.M. Begin sowing barley in drills – Price returned on Saturday – Bill Neil goes with Lennan to Newcastle Mr. Wilkinson goes. Mrs McKenzie comes from Scootts with sketch for a memorial.
19.W. Planning a smaller pission for the mill
20.th. To Scotts. agreeing on a petition –
21.F. Pulling maize. Blacks helping –
24.M. Putting up fence round the additl 4 acres of vineyards – Jenkinss & Price –
29.Sat. Joe & M’go & Fenany. all the week. Cutting down & clearing away the trees that will fall into it – Harrowing & rolling it, gathering grass in to heaps & burning. Always very busy
July. 1833.
1.M. Found the Pikes has recei ved a blow on the head –
2.T. McNalty comes down. Mc[indecipherable] 1108 sheep Nagle 199 head. letter from my mother.
3.W. Got vineyard ready for the hedge.
4.Th. Taking up Lemons
5.F. do. They took up and layered Vines above 5000 and pruned. many bleed.
8.M. Sent Joe with bales to the court.
10.W. Began Vineyard hedge.
11.th. Hedge & ploughing vineyard again. Frank & Price after cattle to [indecipherable]
12.F. Finish hedge & ploughing
13.S. Planting Vines – Constantia. [indecipherable]
15.M. To Maitland [indecipherable] Joe.
16.T. Finish planting the Vines. Rain at night. None for a long time.17.W. Drizzle rain. Men husking. Begin well in slatted shed.
July. 1833.
18.th. Cleared asparagus. take up pear trees and planted the S.E. square of garden at sundown heavy showers began. letter from Ella. Feb. 23.
19.F. Capt. Pike in morning. then rainy P.M. & all night & A.M. of Sat. but light –
Mr. George Macleay. end of July –
Ratagan in Sydney – orders Iron 1 ton. Salt. 1 ton. arrives Aug.7.
Aug.9. Irwin starts with dray for station. –
[indecipherable]
1. Muscat of Alexard 8
2. Red Portugal 8
3. Green Portugal 7
4. Black Hamburgh 2
5. Alexandria Frontig’c 1
6. Black Sweetwater 1
7. White Frontignac 2
8. White Syrian 1
9. Green Malaga 1
10. White Muscatel 2
Rooted plants –
1. Black Hamburgh
3. black Damascus
5. Red Muscatel
6. Black Spanish
August. 1833.
12.M. Frank goes after cattle to Patersn’s R. Margo’s brother began quarrying
13.T. Walked to Ratagan with Alward
14.W. The Swallows are building in the house. Sowed Melons. Showery. rest of month very dry.
19. Lock to Sydney
Vines from Townshend
1. Black Damascus
2. White Muscatel large fleshy
3. White Gonars
4. White Muscatel good eating
5. Shephards [indecipherable]
6. Captain [indecipherable]
8. Large purple
9. Corinth
10. Wantage
11. Black Frontignac
12. Madeira
13. Tinto
August. 1833.
September 1833
1. Sunday. Cold Day. Gardener’s peach in Quince in the [indecipherable] shows the blossom bud. The Clematis is perfection.
5.Th. Mrs. Marsden & Lethbridge called.
6.F. 125 bushels maize completed and put down the well.
7.Sat. working at water closet. Threatens rain somewhat but none came tho it promised will about 18th again, yet we hear there has been plenty at the Hawkesbury.
23.M. A hot wind. the Lagoon in front has burnt bare today, there is not a drop of water in it.
26. Sent grey mares yearling foal grey whiteface to Scotts – exceeding hot and another boiling day this week burning off the [indecipherable]
29.S. Exceeding hot
30.M. Cool. No rain since July 19.
October 1833.
4.Fri. Getting anxious for rain.
5 Sat. at daybreak a heavy shower which [indecipherable] the wheat but heard afterwards twas very partial. None at Anvil Creek. [indecipherable] Cleared the vines and tying the shoots which are long and breaking off. Strawberries. the grey mare has a white faced filly foal by [indecipherable]. burning off the nursery hollow –
9.W. Those long billed birds which were here at the end of the last drought, and I believe at same time of year are again about. I hear ‘tis the Ibis.
10.Th. the chestnut mare a horse foal by [indecipherable]
13.Sun.Capt. Wright on his way to his [indecipherable]
14.M. MacManus & Sheehan to Mangarinda - to get on with the shed.
October. 1833.
15.T. Preparing post v. sleepers for threshing floor & mill house – and placing rafters for dray shed.
16.W. Margaret unwell. boiling sun A.M.
17.Th. at 2 A.M. boy born. John. intense heat. Thunder clouds gathered but dispersed. [indecipherable] his family
18.F. Hot wind boisterous. got cooler P.M. but very unpleasant. Thunder clouds as before.
19.S. Beautiful day. Wind E. Threshing machine does well. Obrien spokes for carriage beginning. Shot an ibis – halo round the moon. Wind S. – looked rainy at 18 P.M.
20 S. Hot & fine ) with his wife from Hospital
21.M. fine day )
22. ) do. Old Michael back
23.W. Heard a hornbill at sun rise. at 10 A.M. began a light rain. Put a drum down well in great stone store & wall plates in blacksmiths’ shop –
24.Th. 3 a.m. Rain – a good drop. Setting up stakes in vineyard. Not half enough of them ready. Cooper came.
Oct. 25. F. Dray with Carpenter to Gammon –
26.S. Went up Jangerin with Balls & Obrien.
27.S. Irwin returned. bullocks lost.
28.M. Began reaping. Capt. Wright.
29.T. a party for flooded gum. do. Espalier stakes.
30.W. Reaping again & hot P.M. at even rain.
31 Th. and more in the night: kept on reaping.
Nov.
1. Beautiful harvest day.
2 Sat. [indecipherable] Frank with cattle from Mangarinda . reaping away. At night rainy.
3.Sun. a drizzle at times. [indecipherable]
4.M. A drizzle in the morning. began carrying. Mcgo broke his arm the dray turning over upon him.
5.T. Drizzle occasl. A.M. – Fine P.M. Irwin returned. hauled a good deal – rather afraid some is too green.
6.W. Overcast. rick heated. pulled it to pieces again
November – 1833
7.Th. Planted first maize. A shower
8.F. A fine harvest day.
9.Sat. Finish the early wheat.
10.Sun.Close. at night time rain. 2 [indecipherable]
11.M. Cleaned the Vineyard
12.T. Split stakes – Mr. Dutton robbed
13.W. Carried wheat – Robbers taken –
14.Th. Carrying. fine day.
15.F. Dr. Fotheringham. carrying – [indecipherable]
17.W. A good drop of rain. This week reaped the flat and thatched ricks & planted maize in front of Hogan’s hut.
21.Th. Called on Scott
24.Sun. Dr. Fotheringham takes a letter to my mother to Post Office – Carpenter from [indecipherable]
25.M.
27.T. Hot wind violent. 1st this month. The Dr. to the baby – hauled wheat all night –
27.W. Pleasant day.
November. 1833. Decr.
28.Th. Finished hauling wheat & barley.
29.F. Cleared the vineyard.
Decr.
Mon.2. Building the heated rick anew. Thatching.
5.T. Party to Tangerin for slaves. Shower.
4.W. Packing pork in [indecipherable] Cool, spilling. Annie Prentice ran from husband.
5 Th. Up to the brush party with the Cooper.
6.F. Rain – light showers. Old mill course fell.
7.S. rain 2 hours A.M. Heavy [indecipherable] shower.
16.M. Rainy. A.M. To [indecipherable] with Alward. The rest of week. Shingling threshing floor. 3 ploughs – party splitting Espalr. stakes. Beautiful weather – which continued till Jan. 11. Very pleasant with occasional thunder showers. all this time putting up the milkshed & machinery – and splitting & putting up espalier stakes in the vineyard –
January - 1834 –
2 Th. Rode Robin Hood to Maitland in re McGough and Piper. Captn Anley back with me. putting up espalier stakes in vineyard till 17th – 2 horse teams going at the weeds. 2 or 3 ploughs and a harrow & a dray or two fetching in stakes or stone – building the mill-house.
14. Msrs. Wright & Lanyan came.
15. Stayed. A hot wind, unpleasant day. 2 drays start for wool with John Hill for a shepherd and ONeil to bring down yg chesnt mare from Satellite –
16. Showed Mr. W. & & L. way to Mr. [indecipherable] –
30.Th. To Maitland. [indecipherable]
31.F. very hot & yesterday. Mr. Townshend & Mackenzie Jr about 20. Saw Mr. Kelman’s [indecipherable]
Feb. 1834
1.Sat. Cool.
3 M. Burning – Breaking this wellside. Making frame for raisins. Sweet after grape now ripe – peaches gone.
10.M. Col.& Mrs. Dumaresq on way to Port Stephen
12. Cracked the level wheel
13. Broke two cogs from Level wheel.
18.T. rain plenty. Making a [indecipherable] plane.
19.W. Rain continues. Mr. Gisborne.
20. A stout fresh. The lagoon filled and a few gallons ran over but the lower waterholes in the creek by Ratagans old station were not filled.
to 28. Grinding some 70 bushels.
March. 1834.
Threshing out the old rick.
5.W. Washed 52 bushels of it – Keep threshing about every other day 40 bushels a day.
11.T. Put down first 27 bushels.
17.M. Sowed the little field with creeping wheat. harrowed & finished – a heavy shower for 2 hours.
19.W. Almost cold. Mill house finished and roofed today – Began laying floor over [indecipherable] and ploughing between the maize drills.
26.F. Break in the wall side for Reservoir No. 2.
22.S. Beautiful weather this week. Cold nights.
April 1834.
1.Tuesd. Finish sowing. Creeping wheat other side creek. Move pigeon house.
3.Th. thresh 50 bushels x 36 on 1st
5.Sat. Put 86 Bls into the vault.
9.W. Putting out layered citrons. Lisbon lemons & limes. all evergreens seem to move best about this = nox.
10.Th. Rainy morning. Enough rain to stop ploughing till pass
15.T. Began sowing red wheat [indecipherable] unwashed. 4 ploughs. 15.16.17./35 [indecipherable]
18. 14 lambs washed & binned.
19.S. 15 lambs. do. do. Making a drill.
21.M. rain all day.
22. grinding –
23.W. Do. - made a kiln of charcoal.
24.Th. Do.
26. Shivery, grinding all week. Set fire, the sea roars. Choke fire.
30. Irvin goes up with Mr. McLeod’s people. Clearing vineyard.
May. 1834
1.th. Overcast & spitting. Alward breaks George’s thumb. the Doctor tells me the sea broke over the Good Hill
2.F. Showers. very moist time since 21. not a plough moved since.
3/S. Sky clear & cold – Layer vineyd Lemons
6.T. Set 2 ploughs on. Sent flour to Luskintyre. A job to crops the river vines pruning. Cut off a large branch yesterday, it does not bleed.
8. Carrying maize.
9. Do. finish – Bows & chains gone
10. Drs. binds up George’s thumb.
13.T. Curren goes to get married –
14.W Irwin returns –
19.M. to Maitland & Greenhills & home.
21.W. Curren returned. Mr. Mackenzie called.
22.Th. Ploughing up maize ground. Showery.
Showery weather this week.
29.Th. To Mrs. Webbers with Ratagan. Blk. Damascus oporto.
30.F. Planted Cn. Wright’s acorns. First wheat sowing. Cabubi & Walnuts
June. 1834.
2.M. Joists up Lockie Store.
3.T. Cold wind. Locke starts for Sydney. Robt. Meredith to Mr. Webber.
6.F. for vine cuttings. Oporto & Gonais.
9.M. Clearing maize for Mr. Winder – Locke returns with dray –
10.T. cut a road up river bank. Laying my dressing room floor.
11.12.13. Sending maize to Mr. Winder. 160 bushels.
Th. 12. Pinned the carriage together.
20.F. Licensing at Patricks Plains – rain
26. Began shingling Lock’s store. Anne Smith to the Doctor. Esther Reaves went yesterday. Bruiser has a fistula.
July. 1834.
12.Sat. Measured the road from hence to the rain. 3.72 chains by a line we contemplate. 4 miles/ the present road to the same point.
14.M. ONeil off after cattle. Frank & Brotheridge do. bushrangers who robbed Captn. Dumaresq then a house at Patrick Plains supposed about here – keep a watch –
15.T. To Maitland with Ratagan. A sale there.
August 1834 –
5.M. To Maitland with Ratagan. Quarter Sessions. Heard Macdonald & party had robbed Mr. Palmer’s Sugarloaf.
6.T. Cold blowing day – weather lately. wheat is very forward. Double blossom peach just blowing in – in full blossom on.
14.Th. began grafting vines – Balls & Dent looking after limestone which Bell discovered by fancy.
13.F. Threshed
14.S. Grafting in the garden.
No. 1 White Muscatel
No. 2 Black Dancasens
No. 3 Oporto
23.S. a little rain.
24. threatens. rain all night.
25. All day. Not very much. rather not very heavy for a good deal fell. No more wanted now, for some time.
30. Some of the wheat is in ear, but not generally. Clearing it.
September. 1834
1. M. grafted 2 vines, which had failed last year – The early vines show a leaf or two. Strawberries & peaches in blossom.
2.T. Put out quince cuttings. Cutting if cold blow.
4. Arrived the cask from Dinton Alwards [indecipherable] Meg’s Parramatta gown -
13.Sat. Arrived Elizabeth Wright.
15.M. Cut a road to the river. The early sown wheat is now well in ears.
16.T. Dent begins laying flags of Locke’s store.
24.W. Finished. Have been threshing for some time. Getting ready the fowl houses.
Sept 30. Wheat on the hills misty.
October. 1834
1.W. Clearing stones & timber from farmyard
2.Th. Spitting rain. Light rain all night.
3.F. Heavy rn. In forenoon. Mr. Hicks here. Clearing a drive round the farm.
13.M. To Maitland. Mr. Campbell Rest. Magte. Dined with Mr. Lethbridge.
16. dug foundation of room.
John 1 yr. old 22 ¾ lbs. ht. 30 inches as near as I could guess.
30.Th. Set off for Mangarinda. Got to Glendon.
31.F. Reached Dr. Bowmans
Nov.1. Captain Pikes
2. Mangarinda –
M.3. Rode down the brook
T.4. to get Dangar Creek station.
November
5.W. Stayed at home.
6.Th. Started again. Reached Capt. Pikes day hot.
7.F. to Dr. Bowmans. Very hot.
9.Sat. Got home at 1 P.M. Heat great.
Alice Martin arrived. £12.0.0
9.S. Very hot. The Grey mare has lost her foal.
10.M. Began harvest. Very little fit to reap the rust has settled most of it.
11.T. Elizab. Wright left us in Cooper’s dray – Cool W.S.W. breeze.
12.W. Drays from Gammon with 13 bales [indecipherable] Cool W.S.W. breeze. P.M. Cold sea breeze. Wheat is over ripe & spoiled by rust. Reaping, made a long rick by the
21.F. The Govr. at Maitland, dined at Mr. Campbells called on Mr. Rusden. Cool day.
22.S. Cool. 23. Hot. At night Thunderstorm.
24.M. Clearing vineyard. Cool. Do. do. 25.T.
26.W. Clearing
Wheat crop spoiled by rust the sowing finnished by May 30.
December. 1834.
2.T. To Maitland with Alward in the carriage brought Mary [indecipherable] & Manning. Alternately this week, great heat & thunder & cool. Finish reaping.
9.T ) very hot / burnt off stubble –
10.W.) terrific. Carted the barley &
11.Th.) threshed - & ground first six bushels cool P.M.
At Sydney with Alward just before Xmas. Went there by the Tamar, and returned by Sophia Jane.
February 1835.
Feb.3. Boy born at 5 P.M. Francis
S.8. Some rain in showers.
9.M. Began my vintage. Filled the pipe with must of the Black Cluster.
10.T. No appearance of fermentation.
11 W. A.M. a froth rising – P.M. a head forming thick, and a vinous smell.
12.Th. Fermenting strongly, on the 10th the temperature of [indecipherable] was 79 deg the 11th was a fair hot day of 90 deg and I took the blankets off the vat, to raise the tempr. Of [indecipherable]
3.F. Very hot 99 deg. Blankets on.
14.S. Very hot. P.M. a much more violent fermentation commenced, the froth broke through the head and filled up to running over the 4 or 5 inches to spare. Took off blankets but kept the head covered.
15.Sun. at 5 a.m. found the head had [indecipherable] and sweet taste gone and instead
February. 1835.
A harsh & vinous taste. Drew it off & filled a hogshead & a [indecipherable] with it.
16.M. Fermentn. Continued violent tried to stop it with sulphuring but too late. It is sharp & promises to make good vinegar.
17.T. Filled vat again with Blk. Cluster. 3 buckets of skins & 12 lbs. sugar – ferm. Was rapid, [indecipherable] before day.
19.Th. discharged vat & racked off
20.F. Sulphured.
21.Sat. over Sulphured & stopped fermn. Altogether. Tastes sulphury & a little sweet.
25.W. Another gathering. Pleasant warm day. Max. 89 deg. Must 85 deg fermn began at 9 P.M. filled pipe vat wanting 14 inches
Feb. 1835
26, Th. Weighed Meg. 9 stone. Gathered Muscatels 1 ½ buckets Hot day. Gonars/both without press 4 Back to max. and 2 baskets of thick skinned. 95 deg. White grape in the Garden. In all 10 buckets of mush, filled a beer hogshead nearly, with 5 lbs. sugar at 9 P.M. fermenting finely – yesterdays gathering running over.
17.F. Discharged vat at sunrise, head had sunk. Wine 100 deg – cool day wind S. at 5 P.M. head of white wine vat had sunk gathered yesterday. Discharged vat & chalked it, sweet taste being nearly gone. vat had a splendid bouquet.
28.Sat. White wine fermentg. Slowly. I like its promise – chalked one tierce of red wine. [indecipherable]
1835. March.
No vegetables to eat this month.
1.Sun. Cool. W – S.
2.M. Mr. Markham arrived
4.W. Cold day. Gathered the last of the Black clusters. Filled pipe again. Must. 68 deg fermented with hulls
6.F. Discharged vat into a sulphured cask.
7.S. Working away
8.S. Quiet. Only bubbling.
9.M. Put it into the cellar.
11.W. Half filled the vat with the last of the Oportos skins & all. 70 deg. A rainy P.M. very light tho scarcely any maize raised this year. I have not a grain –
12 Th. Rain A.M.
13.F. Rain A.M. a good deal.
14.S. Rainy. Very little.
15.S. Rain. Very little. Cleared up
16.M. Fine again but we have rain enough for the present. Mushrooms
21.Sat. Grapes growing sweetly occasional showers to April 12. when a heavy hail storm with thunder now and then the land was too wet to plough yet the ground was not soaked below the furrow. It is too wet this day April 14 P.M. the hail storm and last night’s rain.
April 1st. Mary Smith begins walking.
May. 1835.
1.F. Begin wheat sowing. Frosts.
S.F. Frances Webber arrives. Beautiful cloudless weather. Riddell’s gardeners daughtr. Finished wheat saving in May.
No rain fell after April 12 till July 13 and 21 when a very little fell. Enough however to start a good deal of grain which had not vegetated but it came to nothing. The dry weather continued till Sept. 19 when we had thunderstorm and 2 hours rain which refreshed my wheat a little it had begun to turn white in many places and was indeed a melancholy prospect but on Sept. 29 came a splendid rain of 20 hours, which filled all the holes in the Lagoon and the wheat soon altered its appearance but that which had turned
white, never recovered. There is a little grain on it pretty good – a piece of sick ground which had long laid fallow has beautifull wheat on it. 30 bushels I should think.
In September 1835 I burnt off the hollow [indecipherable] and it is now nearly ploughed. Oct. 5. my seed wheat was my own very shrivelled stuff. ½ bushel to acre and no wheat could look better till the middle of August –
Oct. 5 Johnny’s and baby’s arms are happily rising. Vaccinated – the [indecipherable] in post with small pox. Ibises about. They preceded the rain a fortnight or 3 weeks.
Oct.9. See 4 white bodied Ibises at the Lagoon, they do not join the others.
12. Planting the hollow with maize 2 ploughs breaking up over the creek.
12.T. Hoe drills of wheat.
1835. October.
16.F. John 2 yrs. Old. Ht. 3 feet in his shoes weight 28 lbs. in his clothes.
Weeta unwell. Doubtful whether measles.
17.Sat. Clearing a road to Anvil Creek. Richard Howard shepherd for Carston arrives –
20.T. Col. Cumaresq and Dr. Stacey pronounces no measles
22 Th. Set off for G[indecipherable] at 12 o’clock reach Alcorn’s. Sleep in the bush.
23.F. Captn. Pike’s
24.S. Schofields
25.S. Mangarinda.
Nov.26.Blowing day. West but cool. Mr. Dutton called.
27. Begin carrying: 12 loads. Fine harvest day.
28.Sat. Carrying till Tuesday night the first of December.
November 1835.
Ibises still here. Nov. 27.
5.Th. Alward discovers a keg of Rum iin the dog trap. Kelly’s no doubt.
12.Th. Start 2 days with wool. Several bullocks being lost, leave one dray behind. We start at 12. reach Cn. Pike’s.
13.F. [indecipherable] Great improvements.
14.S. Alcorn’s. Sleep there.
15.S. Home.
16.M. Begin reaping.
17.T. Eales & Binn with wool drays.
18.W. A shower A.M. 5 P.M. thunder & great rain. Wet night, and A.M.
19.Th. P.M. showers.
20.F. Reaping again.
21.S. Irwin arrives with 3rd dray. A fire in the bed room Margaret finds quite comfortable. Saw the [indecipherable] 23 hours old.
23.M. rain at night 5 hours.
24.T. Wet A.M.
25.W. Heavy 4 hours rain A.M. Find P.M.
December. 1835
1.Tues. Finish carrying wheat.
2.W. Thatching & cutting hatches.
25. Xmas day at Newcastle
26.Sat. [indecipherable] close to the beach.
Janry. 1836
Visited Sydney with Alward.
David Gibson & chapman burn off a point for Maloney to rent.
Feby. 1836
3. Francis 1 yr old in shirt weight 20 ¼ lbs. at 3 yr. old – 34 lbs
Threshing
11.Th. Begin vintage. Fill 23 of vat A being a Tri butt, husks & stalks & all (foulage) on 12th [indecipherable] 74 deg.
14 Sun. Tremendous thunderstorm. Discharged vat 98 deg. = 110 gallons
16 Tues. Fermentation has stopped without sulphuring put bungs in.
17.W. A.M. Threshed 80 bushels wheat
P.M. gathered 23 tubs grapes in Vat C
18 Th. Gather 33 tubs, 5 in C, 28 in A.
24.W. Finish threshing
25 Th. Fill vat with Black Cluster A
24 F. A great day’s rain
27.S. Discharge A at 105 deg. – Fill B & C
March 17. Gather the last. Fill A with Oporto C with all sorts
Total 1650 gallons from tubs. 269 of fruit
1836
March 24. First wheat (creeping) sown –
19 Mr. & Mrs Townshend here
22.Tues. With Messrs. Macleod & Dawson [indecipherable] Towns
23.W. To Booral, very near bushing it.
24 Th. Stroud. Telligerry. Booral.
25.F. Carrington with Col. Dumaresq to Mr. Kings. The Pottery.
26 Sat. Through Maitland, home. Lee at the Court.
30.W. Steady rain P.M. & all night.
31.Th. Steady & faster all day & all night
April 1. Good Friday. Rain till 5 P.M.
2.Sat. Fine day, heavy shower at sunset. From Thursday at 5 P.M. till Friday 5 P.M. 6 inches perpendicular fell as near as I could guess by a bucket. The Lagoon has not run over altho’ very nearly full before. Weather continues showery till April 6, cannot plough
1836. April & May
April 5. George measures
Weighs
May 2 Rain
5 Rain
7 Sat. 12 hours. Piney from Pt. Stephens
9.M. Showers. Cannot plough
10 Tues.Light rain all day. The creek did not reach lagoon
11 W. turned fine. Buried Mr. Harper. New Moon on 16th
15.Sun.Sent letters to Dr. Edwards
May 23. Monday. Finish wheat sowing here
24 T. Begin Sandy Island side –
Fri.27 Finish – wheat sowing and the shingling of Storeroom & Nursery. Showers.
31. Wet night – weather very damp for some time. Not much rain, yet the ground is always wet.
June. 1836.
1.W. Ground always wet
2.Th. Rainy. All night steady & light
3.F. Wet morning & all day light rain
4.Sat. Fine with Westerly wind. Moon enters last Qr. On 6th at 5 P.M.
14.th. A wet night. Col. & Mrs. Dumaresq left us on Thursday morning for Maitland.
17.F. Clearing road along the ridge to join the main.
21. Licensing day to Patricks Plains.
George Walker & James Backhouse with us one night.
27.M. Maitland licensing.
28.T. Very cold rain. Some snow.
1836. July
2. Horse pond frozen – 2 ft. deep. ½ inch thick
3. Sunday. Another son. At 3 A.M. Hugh. Very wet weather
12.Tues. To Maitland on [indecipherable] absence
W.20. Hall brings 7 fat cattle 3 cows. Great rain at night.
21.th. Creek from Lagoon runs strong. Rain. Packing beef & yesterday.
22.F. Rain. Captn. Pike going up.
23.Sat. Rain in frequent heavy showers. Draw off wine.
24.Sun. Fine day.
25.26 Racking wine.
Nov.7 or 9. a sharp frost. Maize killed in the hollows. We were at [indecipherable] & found it exceeding cold – a decent harvest. The rust spoiled a little but was checked by Novr. N.W. wind Xmas Eve, comes [indecipherable]
1837. Janry. & February
14.Sat. With Alward to Greenhills & Sydney per Tamar
17.T. 3 hours rain
18.W. Rain steady which lasts night and day till Sunday 22nd –
24.T. return home. [indecipherable] ricks unthatched!
28.Sat. Begin threshing. Pretty considerably soaked. Keep threshing till
Feb.8.W – Begin vintage. Fill Butt A.
8 Mr. Wilkinson sailed for England in ShipPegasus.
July 11. Letter from Mrs. Wilkinson from New Zealand. He was to have sailed from thence to England on the 22 April.
Should have had a fine crop.
1837.
April and May.
Spooner has burned down all the trees on face – Letters now dropped at Bush Inn. Anvil Creek –
April 20. Col. Cumaresq going Westwards –
Fri. 21. Shew him to Anvil Creek, rode Stella back.
M.24 Dangarfield’s burning down dead timber in Oxens’ Field.
T.25. Finish sowing Marron’s piece.
Th. 27. Very hot day. Indeed the month has been hot & dry tho’ very pleasant. Ploughing & stumping at Sandy Island. Hauling stone for Eastern Cornice.
May 5. Begin working same. Moon changed/new and weather with it. Heavy gale from N.W. cold.
13.Sat. Mr. & Mrs. Ogilvie came.
17.W. They leave us. Finish carrying early maize which was injured by November frost much was killed & replanted but had ploughed all up and planted afresh: I
1837. May & June
17.W. Finish harrowing Wheat on this side.
24.W. Sale at Windermere. Buy a bull 13.10.0
25.Th. A drizzle rain. Sowing wheat.
27.Sat. A good shower or two early A.M.
June 4. Some drizzles.
Tues.20. Licensing day. Mr. Macleay & Capt. Dumaresq call going Sydneywards.
W.21. Cn. Wright westwards.
T.27. To Glendon get wet through & return. Ride Cameo.
F.30. to Maitland, rain all the way home. All night
July 1. rain all day. Very steady. Abundance
Tues.4. To Glendon to assist Dawson in selecting 20 mares from Dr. Mitchell’s stud left my horse opposite, river being high. River took 7 hours to come thence here.
July 6. Mawson comes
10. Racking wine.
1837. November
Full moon 12th at midnight.
5.Sunday. very hot weather
7.Tues. Election of Qr. Sessions. Chairman – Manning or McAlister.
10.T. at Maitland. Very hot from 4th to 13th
8.W. Send Cart for Urquhart & family Highlander from Lillingston 0
18.M. Great thunderings. No rain
14.T. Thunder again. No rain
15.W. A drizzle or two. Planted seeds.
16 Th. Rain fine & steady. Plant Bacco.
17.F. Rain, all day. Chesnut mare foals a Bennelong 0 Transplant Maize.
18.Sat. Replant maize. Drs. Edwards and Captn. Wright.
25. 26. 27. Very hot 101, 105 and 101
28.Tues.Awful day. A hot tempestuous wind – at Maitland. Patr. Manning at [indecipherable]
29.W. hot. 30. Th. Hot.
Decr. 1837
1. Cool pleasant day.
7.Th. old Grey horse dies of inflammation.
6.W. A fine roll with Cameo, at Ratagan –
9 Sat. Set out for & reach Sydney with Alward. Townshend lodges us.
14 Th. Sail in Wm. Nicol
15.F. Enter Newcastle, and reach Maitland
14 Sat. Get home. By mail to Harper’s Hill. Find the weather has been extremely hot here, and continues so. Till
22 Fri. Cool S. Wind. Rain all night
23.Sat. Rainy day. All night gentle.
22.Sun. Rain fast and steady, cleared up P.M.
25.M. Fine day. Stony Creek did not quite fill the long pool yet the lagoon is much replenished by the home branches.
Figs, Mulberries first ripe. Apricots abundant.
26.T. Sun hot, at sunset great thunder and rain for some hours.
30.Sat. Thunder and rain 2 hours.
1838
Jan - clearing vineyard for some time.
3.W. Thunder and a deal of rain. Fin pleasant weather.
12.F. Eccles & Brown with 20 bales Wool to Newcastle to the Wm. Nicol.
14.Tues Begin to wash the wethers. 2 hours fast rain.
17.W. Finish washing wethers. Drays return from Newcastle with staves & salt.
18 & 19. Shearing wethers. Beautiful weather.
28.S. Dray from Newcastle with Sugar & the Cooper & his wife.
31.W. Light thunder at sunrise. Becomes heavy.
Feb.3.S. Francis 3 yrs. Height 3.2 Weight 34 lbs.
8 Th. Wear a coat. Maxm. 65 deg. Thunder distant in the morning. Wind S towards evening sun shone out & a few drops of rain at night the moon shone with a dazzling brilliancy, and now & then a light shower.
9. Fri. Rainbow in the morning and a smart shower about 9. Set in quick thick and heavy, for 1 hour, then showers
Feb12 1838
Feb.12.M Rainy day & night
13.T. Fine. Quails are now innumerable.
14. W. Vintage begins. Fill the pine vat.hot.
15.F. Fill oak vat. Plesant day.78°
20.T. To Maitland with Alward & George
21.W. To Newcastle
24.S. Set out in Wm. Nicol’s boat with George and reach home. Mr &Mrs Ogilivie here.
27. Margaret & mrs O. for Newcastle
March
Mar.11 Sun. To Greenhills
12.M. To Newcastle by King William new Steamboat.
13.T. return per Tamar. Find Onslow & G. Mcleay on board. who come here
14W. Daughter born- drop my intention of attending Col.Dumaresq’s funeral.
!7.Sat. To the Paterson and Allyn to see old Barnes.benighted.
22.Th. To Newcastle by King William.
23.F. Home with Alward.
30.F. Old Barnes set out for Matringarinda
April 1838
1st. week rain enough to stoop ploughs
7.Sat. Set out for Matringarinda. Cn. Wright.
11.W. To Cn.Wright across Wybong hills.
12.Th. Buy rams- home. Find rain has been heavy.
May 9. to Sydney
12. Home
May 30. To Clarence town
31.Booral. High water at Port Stephen at ½ past nine at new & full moon Mr. Elsworth tells me.
June 1. in the bush near Bulladella.
2. Back to Booral. From the rain
3 Home. Found there had not been a drop
1838
July 3. To Greenhills for Miss King- very dry winter
August 17. Fine soaking rain
21. Fired Sidus’s hocks
22. Cameo dies
25. Bottle 12 doz. White wine- which was finished Nov 15
September
27th. Rode to Port Stephens. Tanilba
28.F.Crossed to Carrington and failed in obtaining a crew of Black fellows.
Oct’r. 1. Monday. Proceeded up the Myall
2. To the Great Lake
3. Examined the neighbouring country and returned across ye lake
4. Reached the junction of the Crawford
5. Junction of Myall & Lake
6. Tanilba and 16 miles further
7. Reached home
October 1838
12 See Ibis at Dawson’s and they are here too
Nov.9. cask from Dinton with Alward’s Gun
Nov.5. Begin harvest
14 a thunder storm set stony creek pouring a torrent, which would have swept away a horse in the narrow places. Half filled lagoon
Dec 2 24. a good many Ibises
25 Intense heat. 101 no wind.
26. Hot wind 107 the month had been cool & plesant till xmas day.
Tishy sick with the Influenza- the heat of 25&26 burnt up the French beans so that the leaves crumble and the grapes are damaged. The [indecipherable] and Shiraz have suffered most.
1838
Dec.27. Cloudy and cool and a shower of rain with S. wind
1839
This rain half filled the long pool in Stoney Creek and Glendon Brook set the river running here
May.19. bought Paymin
May 29. This rain half filled the lagoon
1839 January
Jan.5.Sat. a very pretty rain. planted ½ as acre of Tobacco. at night rain faster& steady.
7 M. Hot winds 90° and violent
March Tishy 1 yr old weighs 21 lbs height 2ft 61/2
16.Sat. 3 days of hot wind 107° to day very violent.
April 29. Rain very beautiful and steady. Earth soaked below the plough. Rain lasted near 40 hours, but generally light . Full moon on 29
About May 26 Barom 30.40
May 29. Rain again. Full moon yesterday. Rain all P.M & all night Barom 29.68
May 31. The river knee deep. Seems to be Glendon Brook
Scab interim
1839. May.
The receipt opposite is obsolete. The more rational method of Mr. Wright of Lanyon having superseded it . his method is to pull off wool on any spot of scab, till a healthy margin appears, then apply and will rub in, your wash.
Recipe
Corrosive Sublimate ½ oz
Saltpetre [clean] 2oz
Salt [clean] 3oz
Booiling water [pure] 1 gallon
Turpentine[when cold add] ½ pint
Any spot so treated is cured the difficulty is to find the spots.
So 2X 14 =32 10= 320 [indecipherable] 10 lbs Corr Subb would make 320 gallons
Scab.
30 gallons of obacco water
6 lbs of tobacco to produce that
1oz Corrosive Sublimate
8oz Salammiac
4lbs Quick Lime
dip the object
2lbs of Sp. Turpentine
Dip the sheep except his eyes & mouth only
June 1839
5.W. a wet P.M. . ploughs
19.W. Rain very soaking . stand
21.Friday.Rain.Very wet day . still
24. Rainy P.M.
25. Rain again
July 1. Rain. at night heavy.
2. Heavy showers. Creeks are running. River over the log at the Ford.The ploughed land is a bog.
Sept 2 Finish wheat sowing
Grey mare ; Gratis
4 Great rain
1839
Oct.
7.Monday. To Sydney with R.Dawson to attend a land sale.
9. Bought the Terrace Hill at 7/6 per acre
12.Sat. Home again. Find Alward sick with fever
16. Wednesday. Wm. Mitchell sails. Some hot days. Hot winds at the end of the month
November
18 Cold .64° at 1P.M. at 4P.M. 60° Obliged to have fires. The last fortnight so cold that I have worn my winter dress almost constantly. Rain frequent.
1839 December
Generally so cool that I wear breeches and gaiters. Often so cold that a cloth coat is necessary
I hear that in the upper district a good shearer asks £ 4 per week and his food.
1840
Jan 19. Sunday. Wind N.W. 95° Mr Ryves came
20.M. 102° N.W.
21.T. 95° E. Shewed the Bishop to Black C’k. 2 boys with me. Got cooler as we returned
22.W. rain at night a good deal
23 Th. fine dry day. Rain at 5 P.M. heavy and wet night
24F. Wet day
25.S. Showery
26 Sun. Continual rain Barom.30
27.M. pretty thick drizzel all P.M. 29.70
28.T. rain all day. Not very much 29.70 all night very steady & fast.
29.W. Remove rails from bridge, a great stream from lagoon. River looks imposing.
1840
Jan
30.Th. river runs into the Lagoon.
31.F. Bridge 4 or 5 feeet under water. We heard afterwards of great losses and damage particularly on the Lower Namoi, sheep lost in 1000’s and a poor Lieut. Lowe blistered to death by the sun.
Feb.20.Th. Set out for Mahngarinda
23. Arrive there.
26. Cross the ridge [indecipherable] A Macleods
27 Go to my station
29. Return to A Macleods& home by Mahngarinda, on Mar.3
Copy of leaf torn out by the child [indecipherable]
1830 January
1.Fri. Splitting and nailing on shingles. heavy thunder with rain. Joe is guarding the melons & trenching the garden which requires a pickaxe.
4.M. Began laying plaster on roof occasional showers.
6.W. Wrote home no V1 & to Mr. Bettington
7,Th. Sent Maria to the cells.
11. Putting up fence on river bank
14. Women arrived from Factory.
16. Received a summons to the Supr. Court and box [coat, 2 waistcoats, trousers] from England.
17. Sun Hut burnt. To Capt Allmans . Sent Mr Norton a copy of receipt & begged him to defend the case .
18 Sent Isabella to the Factory.
19 Cut 35 melons.
20 [indecipherable] caught stealing melons had him flogged.
January 1830
21 Dent’s eye injured yesterday the maize os much burnt up and the grass very brown.
22.F. a little rain
23S. 2 hours good rain & showery, still, a mere nothing
24.S. Mr Townshend came with peach cutting
25.M. Set to budding my first attempt. Allware very feverish and unwell
28 Washing blood line & tar into the cracks of the roof
30.Sat. Plastering the blue room last coat Gathering potatoes before the house a miserable crop, althou’ in new ground . some left undisighedly in the old garden are very fine, which I conceive must be caused by the difference of tilth as the new ground was owing to ye drought never sufficiently fertilized.
[Transcribed by Trish Barrett, Dorothy Gibson for the State Library of New South Wales]