Watkins family papers, ca. 1810-1965

MLMSS 8257/Boxes 1-4
MLMSS 8257/Box 5X
ML 1268

fonds

1810-1965

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Paintings, Photographs

98483

1.25 metres of textual material (4 boxes , 1 outsize box)
1 painting - pastel - 62 x 53 cm on frame

Watkins family papers consisting of material related to a number of branches of the Watkins Family that emigrated to Australia in the mid 1800’s. Notable figures represented in the collection include Father James Watkins (1794-1869) a Catholic Priest who emigrated from London in 1835 and John James Aston Watkins (1817-1866) who arrived in Sydney in 1840 and later became Registrar of the Supreme Court in Hobart, Tasmania in 1860. The collection includes his portrait. There are also some early documents related to John Watkins (1785-1855) retired clockmaker and jeweller of London who emigrated to Australia around 1845. The majority of the collection relates to the family of John Watkins (1811-1884) who arrived in Hobart, Tasmania in 1843 from London and became a merchant trader, moving his young family to Sydney in 1853. The majority of the collection relates to his elder son, John Leo Watkins (1849-1932), who was born in Tasmania, and educated at Sydney Grammar, Sydney University, Cambridge University and the London Bar. Watkins became Parliamentary Draftsman in 1882 and he retired after 27 years' service in 1919. J. L. Watkins edited a number of legal publications and assisted in the drafting of early versions of the Federal Constitution. The collection includes material relating to J. L. Watkins time as a student at Cambridge University and tours of Europe and the Middle East. Also includes original sketches and water colors by J. L. Watkins and friend George Collingridge. Also includes a small quantity of material related to the house ‘Llanthony’ built by J. L. Watkins in Hunters Hill in 1884.


References:
Compiled from the collection and notes on donors file

Collection of material including textual records, manuscript diaries and notes, photographs and pictorial works related to a number of branches of the Watkins Family that emigrated to Australia in the early 1800’s.

BOX 1
Undated series of manuscript devotional notes and Christian meditations, probably in the hand of Father James Watkins, letters from Ann Watkins to John L. Watkins and family, 1887, letters to John L. Watkins from various correspondents, ca. 1869, John L. Watkins diaries 1872, 1895, and 1901, 1904, 1905, 1906, printed copies of ‘The Lands Acts of New South Wales’ by J. L. Watkins, 1861, and manuscript journal of travel on the continent of Europe during the autumn 1887 by John L. Watkins

BOX 2
Bound travel sketch book including original water colour paintings and pencil sketches of rural and bush scenes around Sydney and the Blue Mountains, ca. 1883, bound travel sketch book including original water colour paintings and pencil sketches of scenes in the Mediterranean and Middle East, ca. 1887, diary 1902, John Watkins passport, 1868, memorandum book and address books. Letters from ‘Downside’, 1894-1898, Letters from J. J. Watkins, Cambridge, 1899-1902

BOX 3
Letters to J. L. Watkins, 1880-1919, photographs John Leo Watkins, letters regarding ‘Llanthony’ ca. 1901-1915, letters from Catholic Church, ca. 1887-1918, original water coloured greeting cards by George Collingridge, ca. 1894-1904, postcards, photographs, documents and letters of John Leo Watkins and John James Watkins in Cambridge, ca. 1901-1931, Will of John James Watkins, 1965, J. L. Watkins letters from Cambridge University friends, 1873-1917, Illuminated Address to John Watkins Esq: J.P., 1882

BOX 4
Petty Cash book 1869-1881, Letters to J. L. Watkins regarding mining in Bathurst, 1886, letters from E. McCarthy to her sister Mary Therese McCarthy, 1885-1898, Notes related to John Watkins, clockmaker of London, 1810, Sketchbook including original pencil sketches by John Leo Watkins, 1863, Album of original water colours by John Leo Watkins, 1887, Letters to J. L. Watkins, 1880-1919

BOX 5(X)
Architectural prints from Europe and the Middle East, invitation to the Opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth, Melbourne, 1901, photographs of John Leo Watkins, John James Watkins and Bernard F. Watkins, ca. 1849-1932

ML 1268
Pastel portrait of John James Aston Watkins, Registrar of the Supreme Court in Hobart, Tasmania / artist unknown, ca. 1860

Out of copyright: Applies to photographs created before 1955
Copyright status:: In copyright - This collection has multiple rights owners (manuscripts)
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Information upgraded as part of the Manuscripts Unprocessed eRecords Project 2011-2012