The Historical Archaeology of the Old Farm on Strawberry Hill: a

Transcription

The Historical Archaeology of the Old Farm
on Strawberry Hill: a rural estate 1827-1889,
Albany, Western Australia
Amy Gardos, BA (Honours, Archaeology)
This thesis is presented for the degree of Master of Arts by research
of the University of Western Australia
Archaeology, School of Social and Cultural Studies
University of Western Australia
2004
Abstract
This thesis presents the results of historical archaeological research at the Old
Farm on Strawberry Hill in Albany, Western Australia. The site is an important
colonial farm in Western Australia’s history; the location for the first farm in
Western Australia (1827) and linked to many important individuals in the state’s
colonial past. The site is owned and managed by the National Trust of Australia
(W.A.) and is registered on both the West Australian, Heritage Council Register of
Historical Places and the Australian Heritage Commission’s National Estate.
Past historical and cultural biases had created an incomplete interpretation of this
site that did not represent all social groups, including indentured servants, convict
and Aboriginal labourers and women. The research has provided a holistic site
interpretation that identified all social groups living and working on this site in the
1800s by analysing historical documents and archaeological excavated materials.
The
historical
documentary
record
included
both
personal
and
official
correspondence, diaries and drawings, as well as two valuable farm log books that
documented the day to day events on the farm in the early to mid 1800s. The
archaeological excavation was restricted to small area excavations in habitation
areas still present on the site or in areas identified from 19th century surveyor
maps. Both of these data sources were analysed to identify social and economic
relationships, such as gender, status, class and ethnicity so that a comparison
could be made between historical and archaeological data and a complementary
interpretation created.
The research was divided into three main periods of site occupation, firstly by
convict gardeners during the government farm period from 1827 to 1832. The
Spencer family period from 1833 to 1889, which is further defined by two phases,
the six years from their arrival until Richard Spencer’s death in 1839 and the
dispersal of the family and the property decline until it was sold in 1889. The third
period of occupation by the Bird family was not discussed due to the
i
discontinuation of a farming subsistence that distinguished it from a rural rather
than an urban property.
This study provides the current heritage managers with an updated interpretation
of the site’s past and changing social and economic relationships on site and with
the early town of Albany. It is hoped that this interpretation will be used to improve
the site’s current representation and becomes the basis for a heritage conservation
plan which not only recognises the importance of existing site structures, but also
sub surface remains. This thesis also identifies a number of avenues for future
research that will further enhance the site’s interpretation.
ii
Contents
Abstract
i
Contents
iii
Tables
vii
Graphs
xiii
Figures
xv
Plates
xvi
xviii
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1 Introduction
Research aims
Related research in historical archaeology
The discipline of historical archaeology
Old Farm on Strawberry Hill site description
Previous archaeological research
Historiography of the Old Farm on Strawberry Hill site
Summary of chapters
1
2
3
6
8
11
12
19
Chapter 2 Documentary Review and Analysis of the Old
Farm, Strawberry Hill
1. Methodology of documentary analysis
2. Documentary accounts of the Government farm
period (1827-1833)
3. Documentary accounts of Sir Richard Spencer,
Government Residence (1833-1839)
i)
Official correspondence
ii)
Personal correspondence
iii)
Strawberry Hill logbook (1836-1838)
iv)
Strawberry Hill drawings
4. Documentary accounts of Lady Spencer and the
farm’s decline
i)
Personal correspondence (1839-1840)
ii)
Strawberry Hill logbook (1852-1853)
iii)
Chauncy’s surveyor field-notes and map
5. The Bird Family period of occupation (1889-1956)
6. Conclusions
20
Chapter 3 Old Farm Archaeological Methodology and
Organisation
Initial Fieldwork
a) Surface survey
b) Grid referencing system
70
iii
20
21
32
34
37
48
56
58
58
61
66
69
69
70
70
71
c) Sample test-pits
Excavation fieldwork
1. Excavation methodology
2. Area location and excavation organisation
a) The farmhouse
b) The worker’s cottage
c) Outbuildings
d) The shed and stables
e) Refuse areas
Post excavation analysis
1. Stratigraphic analysis and assemblage
organisation
2. Function in historical archaeological artefact
analysis
a) Building function
b) Foodways
c) Beverage and alcohol function
d) Pharmaceutical function
e) Personal function
f) Occupational and recreational
g) Household function
3. Conclusion
Chapter 4 Archaeological Analysis of Old Farm on
Strawberry Hill Excavation
1. Farmhouse
Windows
Roof, walls and floor
Charcoal
b) Foodways function
Food
Containers
Cooking
Tableware and serving wares
c) Beverage and alcohol vessels
d) Pharmaceutical equipment
e) Personal objects
f) Occupational and recreational activities
g) Household items
h) Aboriginal artefacts
i) Summary
2. Worker’s cottage
Windows
Food
Containers
iv
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72
73
74
76
77
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104
106
107
108
111
112
113
114
115
115
117
119
119
119
Cooking
e) Personal objects
g) Household Items
h) Summary
3. Outbuildings
Windows
Roof and walls
Charcoal
Food
Containers
Cooking
e) Personal objects
g) Household Items
h) Summary
4. Shed and stables
Windows
Food
Containers
Cooking
d) Personal objects
e) Occupational and recreational activities
f) Summary
5. Refuse area
Windows
Food
Containers
Cooking
d) Personal objects
v
121
121
124
125
126
126
128
128
129
130
130
133
135
136
137
137
138
138
140
142
142
143
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150
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158
159
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161
162
163
163
165
166
167
f) Household items
g) Aboriginal artefacts
h) Summary
168
168
169
Chapter 5 Discussion of the Old Farm Documentary and
Archaeological Records
Working at the farm
Living at the farm
Women and children at the farm
Aboriginal labourers at the farm
The synthesis of documentary and archaeological
records
Implication of findings and future research
170
References
187
Appendix A. Selected Historical Documentary
Transcriptions
A.1 Captain Collet Barker’s Journal: selected references
to the Government Farm (Mulvaney and Green 1992
A.2 Sir Richard Spencer’s selected correspondence
[Robert Stephen’s Collection (BL MN 533)]
i)
Official correspondence
ii)
Personal correspondence
A.3 Biographical information from Erickson’s (ed.) 1988
West Australian Biographical Index
i)
Biographical index of Spencer family
ii)
Spencer’s indentured servants and
farm labourers
A.4 Strawberry Hill Spencer Family Logbook (18361838)
A.5 The Spencer Family selected correspondence
[Robert Stephens Collection (BL MN 533)]
A.6 Strawberry Hill Farm Spencer Family Logbook
(1852-1853)
199
Appendix B. Stratigraphic Profiles of Excavated Squares
from the Old Farm
B.1 Farmhouse area
B.2 Worker’s cottage area
B.3 Outbuildings area
B.4 Shed and stables area
B.5 Refuse areas
266
vi
170
174
177
179
182
184
199
209
209
214
228
228
230
234
247
255
266
267
268
268
269
Tables
2.1
List of plants and seeds from the Botanic Garden for the
settlement at King George Sound compiled by C. Fraser,
Colonial Botanist (HRA, 3:6, p.457, 7th November 1826)
23
2.2
Barker’s references to introduced plants and animals at
the Government farm (Mulvaney and Green 1992)
26
2.3
Rations held at King George Sound 1830-31 (Mulvaney
and Green 1992:245)
28
2.4
List of Convicts employed on the Government farm
1830-1831. Source: Return of Crown Prisoners at King George
Sound, 10 September 1830 (AO NSW 4/4551)
29
2.5
Fruit trees, flowers and seeds brought by Richard
Spencer to King George Sound 1833 cited in official
correspondence to J.S. Roe 26th November 1833
34
2.6
Indentured servants brought from England by Richard
Spencer, 1833, cited in official correspondence to P. Brown,
Colonial Secretary, 27th November 1833 (year of birth, age on
arrival, year of death and occupation derived from Erickson, R.
(ed.) 1988)
35
2.7
Ordered goods with an agricultural function from
merchants in England 1837-1838
41
2.8
Ordered goods with a household function from
42
2.9
Ordered goods with a food and beverage function from
43
2.10 Ordered goods with a personal function from merchants
from England 1837-1838
45
2.11 Alphabetical list of farm labourers cited in the Strawberry
Hill logbook 1836-1838
50
2.12 List of events by the Spencers farm labourers included in
the Strawberry Hill logbook
51
2.13 Events recorded in the Strawberry Hill logbook 18361838 relating to the Spencer Family
52
2.14
55
Plants sown from Strawberry Hill logbook 1836-1838
vii
2.15 Alphabetical list of farm labourers in the Strawberry Hill
logbook 1852-1853
62
2.16 Building and other materials sourced from the
Strawberry Hill logbook 1852-1853
64
2.17 Types of plants sown from the Strawberry Hill logbook
1852-1853
65
3.1
General and specific function typologies used for
analysis as per Casey (1999)
81
3.2
Flat glass thickness and associated manufacturing dates
as per Boow (1991:101-102)
82
3.3
Date ranges for colour on printed wares as per Samford
(1997:20)
84
3.4
Date ranges for border/marley on printed wares as per
Samford (1997:19-21)
84
3.5
Datable technological and manufacturing characteristics
of dark olive bottle glass as per Boow (1991:113-115)
85
4.1.1 Stratigraphic profile and excavated units from the
farmhouse
91
4.1.2 Frequency and weight of flat glass width from the
farmhouse
92
4.1.3 Flat glass widths and associated manufacturing dates
from the farmhouse
93
4.1.4 Number of nail types identified from the farmhouse
93
4.1.5 Nail type production periods and frequency from the
farmhouse
94
4.1.6 Farmhouse general foodways function
99
4.1.7 Fire affected glass and ceramic artefacts from the
farmhouse
99
4.1.8 Farmhouse identified bone weight (g) from excavated
squares
100
4.1.9 Containers summary for the farmhouse
100
4.1.10 Cooking summary for the farmhouse
101
viii
4.1.11 Tableware and serving ware by shape from the
farmhouse
102
4.1.12 Tableware and serving ware by decoration colour and
style/motif from the farmhouse
104
4.1.13 Beverage and alcohol vessels from the farmhouse
105
4.1.14 Dark olive ‘black’ datable glass bottles from the
farmhouse
106
4.1.15 Pharmaceutical equipment summary from the
farmhouse
106
4.1.16 Personal items from the farmhouse
107
4.1.17 Occupation and recreation summary from the farmhouse
109
4.1.18 Identified clay pipe manufacturers (Gallagher and Price
1987, Davey 1987)
110
4.1.19 Household function summary for the farmhouse
111
4.1.20 Aboriginal artefacts recovered from the farmhouse
113
4.2.1 EEE49 stratigraphic profile and excavated units
115
from the worker’s cottage
117
4.2.3 Number of nail types identified from the worker’s cottage
117
4.2.4 Nail type production periods and number of items from
the worker’s cottage
117
4.2.5 Worker’s cottage foodways function
119
4.2.6 Containers from the worker’s cottage
120
4.2.7 Tableware and serving ware by shape from the worker’s
cottage
119
4.2.8 Tableware and serving ware by decoration colour, style
and motif from the worker’s cottage
121
4.2.9 Beverage and alcohol vessels from the worker’s cottage
124
ix
4.2.10 Dark olive ‘black’ and clear flint datable glass bottles
125
4.2.11 Pharmaceutical equipment summary from the worker’s
cottage
125
4.2.12 Personal objects summary from the worker’s cottage
126
4.2.13 Occupational and recreational summary from the
worker’s cottage
127
4.2.14 Identified clay pipe manufacturers (Gallagher and Price
1987, Davey 1987)
127
4.2.14 Household item summary from the worker’s cottage
128
4.3.1 Stratigraphic profile and excavation units from the
outbuildings
130
4.3.2 The frequency and weight of flat glass width from the
outbuildings
132
from the outbuildings
132
4.3.4 Number of nail types identified from the outbuildings
133
the outbuildings
133
4.3.6 Outbuildings general foodways function
137
4.3.7 Outbuildings identified bone weight
137
4.3.8 Containers summary from the outbuildings
138
outbuildings
138
style/motif from the outbuildings
139
4.3.11 Date ranges for colour on printed wares as per Samford
(1977:20)
140
4.3.12 Beverage and alcohol vessels from the outbuildings
140
4.3.13 Dark olive ‘black’ and clear ‘flint’ datable glass bottles
141
x
4.3.14 Pharmaceutical summary for the outbuildings
142
4.3.15 Occupational and recreational summary from the
outbuildings
143
4.3.16 Household function analysis summary for the
outbuildings
143
4.4.1 Stratigraphic profiles and excavation units from the shed
and stables
144
4.4.2 Frequency and weight of flat glass width from the shed
and stables
146
from the shed and stables
146
4.4.4 Number of nail types identified from the shed and
stables
147
the shed and stables
147
4.4.6 Shed and stables general foodways
150
4.4.7 Shed and stables identified bone body parts and
minimum number of individuals
151
4.4.8 Containers summary from the shed and stables
153
4.4.9 Tableware and serving ware by shape from the shed
and stables
153
style/motif from the shed and stables
154
4.4.11 Beverage and alcohol vessels from the shed and stables
154
4.4.12 Personal objects summary for the shed and stables
155
4.4.13 Occupational and recreational activities summary from
the shed and stables
156
4.5.1 Stratigraphic profile and excavation units from the refuse
area
158
4.5.2 Number of nail types identified from the refuse area
160
4.5.3 Refuse area foodways summary
161
xi
4.5.4 Refuse area identified bone body parts and minimum
number of individuals
162
4.5.5 Containers summary from the refuse area
162
4.5.6 Tableware and serving ware by shape from the refuse
area
163
style/motif from the refuse area
165
4.5.8 Beverage and alcohol specific functions from the refuse
area
165
4.5.9 Identified datable bottle glass from the refuse area
166
4.5.10 Personal objects summary from the refuse area
167
4.5.11 Occupational and recreational summary from the refuse
area
167
4.5.12 Household items summary from the refuse area
168
xii
Graphs
2.1
Frequency of animals slaughtered from the Strawberry
Hill logbook 1836-1838
54
2.2
Total number of animals slaughtered as per the
54
4.1.1 Flat glass widths – weight and frequency by percentage
from the farmhouse
92
4.1.2 Farmhouse structural and roof function by weight
95
4.1.3 Farmhouse wall/floor specific function by excavated unit
96
4.1.4 Farmhouse roof specific function by excavated unit
96
4.1.5 Farmhouse window (flat glass) by excavated unit
96
4.1.6 Total charcoal weight from the farmhouse
97
4.1.7 Farmhouse foodways function by percentage
99
farmhouse
103
4.1.9 Beverage and alcohol vessels from the farmhouse
105
4.2.1 Flat glass width by weight from the worker’s cottage
116
4.2.2 Worker’s cottage structural and roof items by weight
118
4.2.3 Worker’s cottage foodways function by percentage
119
4.2.4 Tableware and serving ware by shape from the worker’s
cottage
122
4.2.5 Beverage and alcohol vessels from the worker’s cottage
124
132
4.3.2 Outbuildings roof and wall function by weight
134
4.3.3 Outbuildings structural function by excavated unit
134
4.3.4 Outbuildings roof function by excavated unit
135
xiii
4.3.5 Outbuildings window function by excavated unit
135
4.3.6 Total charcoal weight from the outbuildings
136
4.3.7 Outbuildings foodways by percentage
137
outbuildings
139
4.3.9 Beverage and alcohol vessels by percentage
140
4.4.1 Flat glass width – weight and frequency by percentage
146
4.4.2 Shed and stables structural items by excavated unit
148
4.4.3 Shed and stables roof items by excavated unit
148
4.4.4 Shed and stables window (flat glass) by excavated unit
149
4.4.5 Shed and stables foodways by percentage
150
4.4.6 Tableware and serving ware by shape from the shed
and stables
154
4.4.7 Beverage and alcohol vessels from the shed and stables
155
from the refuse area
159
4.5.2 Building function weight by percentage from the refuse
area
160
4.5.3 Refuse area foodways function by percentage
161
4.5.4 Tableware and serving ware by shape from the refuse
area
164
4.5.5 Beverage and alcohol vessels by percentage
166
xiv
Figures
1.1
Location of Albany, Western Australia and position of the
Old Farm
9
1.2
Existing Old Farm boundary and greater curtilage (from
Heaver and Farrow 1999)
11
1.3
13
Location of settlements established in Australia by 1826
2.1
Map showing the Albany settlements initial farm
locations in 1827
22
2.2
Map of Albany Settlement by Surveyor Clint 1832
31
2.3
Drawing by George Pitt Morison, 1833
57
2.4
Drawing by Ommanney, 1836
58
2.5
Strawberry Hill Map, Surveyor General’s Office, Perth,
1855
67
2.6
A map based on Chauncy’s 1855 Map with additional
data from his 1851 field-notes
68
3.1
Grid reference and datum used for the Old Farm
excavation and location of excavated areas
72
4.1.1 Location of excavated squares showing the perimeter of
the original cottage as per Chauncy (1855)
90
4.2.1 Location of excavated and surface collection squares
116
4.3.1 Location of excavated squares and perimeter of the
outbuildings
131
4.4.1 Location of excavated squares showing the perimeter of
the shed and stables as per Chauncy (1855)
145
4.4.2 Ovis/Capra standard carcass division (Landon 1996:95)
152
4.5.1 Location of excavated squares in the refuse area
158
xv
Plates
Southern elevation of the farmhouse and kitchen/scullery
10
1.2
Northern elevation of the worker’s cottage currently used
as a tearoom
10
1.3
Sir Richard and Lady Spencer’s tomb site on top of
Strawberry Hill
17
3.1
Southern elevation of the two-storey granite extension
built 1835-36
75
3.2
Extent of trench dug in front of the worker’s cottage to a
depth of 30cm
76
3.3
Soil spoil heap from the trench dug in from of the
worker’s cottage
77
4.1.1 CCC13 post-hole feature
98
4.1.2 VV13 post-hole feature
98
1.1
4.1.3 Examples of tableware and serving wares recovered
from the farmhouse
103
4.1.4 Personal items from the farmhouse
108
4.1.5 Stoneware ink bottles from the farmhouse
109
4.1.6 Clay pipe fragments from the farmhouse
110
4.1.7 Weapon objects from the farmhouse
110
4.1.8 Aboriginal artefacts from the farmhouse
112
4.2.1 Containers from the worker’s cottage
120
4.2.2 Scroll and flower motif from Podmore, Walker & Co.
123
4.2.3 Personal objects from the worker’s cottage
126
4.2.4 Clay pipe (TT45 SUR/5) and Davidson & Co. catalogue
item
127
4.3.1 Dark olive bottle from the outbuildings
141
4.3.2 Dark olive bottles from the outbuildings
142
xvi
4.4.1 DD59 showing granite slab flooring from shed and
stables
147
4.4.2 Photo c.1925 of the farmhouse with the shed in the
background
149
4.4.3 Photo c.1930 of shed/workshop showing wooden
construction
149
4.4.4 Examples of butchery marks from the shed and stables
152
4.5.1 Ceramic storage bottles from the refuse area
163
4.5.2 Cup from refuse area
165
4.5.3 Anchor pendant and brass buckle from the refuse area
167
4.5.2 Possible glass flake (L62 4/1) from the refuse area
168
xvii
Acknowledgments
First and foremost I would sincerely like to thank my family; Andrew and Annette,
Yolande, Gabby and Nathan, Jayne and Deacon, Jean and Valentine; and lets not
forget the loves of my life, Darwin and Huxley. Without their support and love, I
would not have been able to identify or strive to achieve my dreams.
This research was generously supported by the National Trust of Australia (W.A.),
especially Sarah Murphy, Phillip Bennett and Tom Perrigo and the Old Farm,
Strawberry Hill Committee, Valerie Milne and June Bailey, who had to see the
site’s lovely gardens massacred by more than twenty archaeology students.
I
would also like to thank Robert Reynolds from the Indigenous Affairs Department
(Albany) for his hospitality and support during the field season, Billie Giles-Corti
and staff from the University of Western Australia (Albany Centre) for their
enthusiasm and all the friendly and helpful staff at the Battye Library. This project
was partially funded by the University of Western Australia, Department of
Anthropology.
This research project could not have been completed without my primary
supervisor, Alistair Paterson; his time, advice and comments have been invaluable.
I would also like to thank my secondary supervisor, Jane Balme as well as Sandra
Bowdler for their encouragement and support. Special thanks go to Mary Casey
for her help with functional typologies, fellow post grad Shane Burke for sharing his
amazing historical knowledge and advice, and Dan Midalia for reading the final
draft.
Fellow post grads, Luke Lowry, Dave Guilfoyle, Kazi Jestribek, Rodney
Harrison, Kathryn Przywolnik, Ian Ryan and Ben Marwick for sharing research and
fieldwork experiences.
Sincere thanks go to the hard working archaeology volunteers who excavated in
February 2001; Shane Burke, Vanessa Macri, Stuart Rapely (Chef extraordinaire),
xviii
Birra-Li Moore, Penny Clifford, Juliet King, Karina Waddell, Robert Reynolds, Mike
Manley, Norbert Svatos and Nigel Wright as well as all the students from the 2001
Archaeology Field School, Alex, Shelley, Martin, Nick, Sarah, Monica, David,
Martin and Alana.
Many people have helped keep me focussed and driven during the long process of
this project, enduring heart wrenching rants and bouts of depression. Namely my
long suffering friends, Kathryn Przywolnik, Joe and Dirima Dortch, Nikki Sinclair
and family and Zaneta Georgievski, as well as all my work colleagues (current and
courageous escapees) from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
xix
Chapter 1 Introduction
Charles Darwin’s journal of the H.M.S. Beagle voyage around the world
documents Darwin’s observations on the variation of life’s creatures and led to
his meditation on their origin and adaptation, culminating with On the Origin of
Species (1859). This journal is also a valuable historical document providing
descriptions of various isolated settlements and their people. Darwin’s eightday stay in the King George Sound, Australia March 1836, includes his
description of the sparse vegetation and a “great dancing party” by the King
George Sound tribe (Darwin 1889:327-328). His views on the Albany Town and
other Australian settlements, can be concluded from his parting comments from
the King George Sound, 14th March:
Farewell, Australia!! You are a rising child, and doubtless someday will
reign a great princess in the South: but you are too great and ambitious
for affection, yet not great enough for respect. I leave your shores
without sorrow or regret.
The H.M.S. Beagle’s arrival and departure from the King George Sound in 1836
was recorded in a farm logbook from the Old Farm on Strawberry Hill. No other
information, such as its occupants or their activities were recorded, and no
distinction can be made with other entries recording vessels sailing into the
King George Sound (Appendix A.4).
The Old Farm on Strawberry Hill in Albany, Western Australia, plays an
important part in the state’s colonial history. The site is the location for the first
farm in Western Australia from 1827 and the first wheat, maize and barley crops
in this state. The site is also linked to a number of important individuals in
Western Australia’s colonial past.
The original cottage was built to house
Governor Stirling and his wife when they visited Albany in 1831. The site’s first
private owner was Sir Richard Spencer, a heroic naval Captain who served
under Nelson during the Napoleonic War and became the second Government
Resident of Albany in 1833. Historians have since claimed Richard Spencer as
the ‘founder of Albany’ (Warburton, 1883; Cowan, 1927; Little, 1962). For the
1
purposes of this research the site will be referred to as the Old Farm only. In
addition to the Old Farm’s historical significance, the site represents the
establishment of an early rural property.
The site’s social and economic
organisation can be compared with other settlement communities across
Australia.
Research aims
The historical archaeological research aimed to interpret the people who lived
and worked on the Old Farm in the 1800s. This required identifying different
social groups, however, due to historical and cultural biases not all people were
represented in historical records. By identifying these ‘hidden histories’ it was
hoped that a complete history, representing all social groups, could be created
for the Old Farm. ‘Hidden histories’ was first termed by Bird-Rose (1991). BirdRose’s research highlights that historical documents are not the only source of
data that can be used to interpret the past.
The site’s current historical construct is designed to present visitors with known
preconceptions of how wealthy middle-class English families lived during the
19th century. One problem with this representation is that the wealthy middleclass English family were not the only people who lived and worked on this
property. The historical sources provide glimpses of many different people who
we know existed but do not provide information as to how they lived. Richard
Spencer brought with him from England a number of indentured servants and
also hired local labourers.
Information about this group is sourced from
historical documents and through events that only impacted on the Spencer
family. Very small amounts of information can be used to construct where or
how they lived on this site. Spencer also hired local Aboriginal (Mineng) men to
clear land and to help with farming.
As for indentured servants and farm
labourers, very little information is available to construct the lives of these
people and their treatment by their employers.
Historical archaeological research has previously yielded valuable information
about how people lived in the past that has assisted heritage managers to
2
create accurate historical interpretations.
It is hoped that this research will
enable the heritage managers to construct an interpretation of the site’s past
that represents as closely as possible the site’s original use and the different
people who lived there. As well as constructing an interpretation that largely
conforms to visitor’s preconceived notions of how these families lived.
The period of analysis will be restricted to the 19th century and consist of the
government farm period of occupation from 1827 and the Spencer family
occupation from 1833 until 1889. The research aims to materially distinguish
between the different social groups who lived at the Old Farm by comparing
assemblages between the Spencer family who lived in the farmhouse and those
who lived in the adjacent cottage, or other buildings on the property.
This
research will enable representations at the Old Farm to be reviewed and to
present a holistic interpretation of the past for all the people who worked and
lived at this site.
Socio-economic factors such as status, gender, class and ethnicity will be used
to aid the identification of social groups and their organisation at this site.
Socio-economic factors are specialised relational structures or functions in
society that form a complex whole. Material remains and the interpretation of
structural locations and utilisation will be used to materially distinguish between
different individuals and groups who worked and lived on this site. The study of
past social organisation through the analysis of status, gender, class and
ethnicity is a useful way to identify power relationships in stratified organisations
and therefore past inequalities (Paynter 2000:170).
Identifying social
categories, such as gender, enables the researcher to improve understanding
of past social processes and how they are represented physically.
One
problem with this type of research is that social categories, such as gender and
ethnicity, are research manifestations and therefore it is sometimes difficult to
balance the relationships between these categories when they usually share
the same concept, such as capitalism or colonialism (Orser 1996).
3
Related research in historical archaeology
Yentsch’s (1994) work on an individual site provides a strong model of how to
integrate the processes of status, gender, class and ethnicity successfully.
Yentsch’s research on the Calvert family in Annapolis, Maryland provides
detailed information about social organisation during the 18th century and the
relationships between a family and their slaves that can be applied to a wider
paradigm.
Yentch’s model was strong due to her use of an historical
anthropological approach to link archaeological data with anthropological
events rather than relying on a purely archaeological approach (1994:293). This
was achieved by using historic ethnographic data to form culture identities and
context for archaeological artefacts that also enabled cultural change to be
identified.
The historical archaeological research of the Old Farm will aim to provide a
single site interpretation that reflects the social organisation of the early Albany
settlement, which is also representative of other isolated colonial settlements in
Australia.
Class and status is a social category used by historical archaeologists to
reconstruct past social and economic organisation in small and large
communities by identifying differences between artefact assemblages and
inferring status and class inequalities. The definition of status is an individuals
social position or rank in relation to others, whereas class is defined as a group
of people who can be placed within a wider ranking system in society, such as
the lower working class. Past historical archaeological research has focused on
the inequalities between employer and employees and more so between
master and slave in North America (Delle et al. 2000, Delle 1998, Yentsch
1994, Orser 1988, McGuire and Paynter 1991, Otto 1977).
For example
Orser’s (1988) historical archaeological research in South Carolina identifies the
material distinctions and physical manifestations that can outline the
relationships between plantation masters and their slaves.
The location of
slave quarters and the associated personal possessions identified how the
plantation
was
socially
and
economically
4
organised.
This
example
demonstrates how class and status relationships can be represented physically
in the built environment and from material objects.
The identification of past social organisation is necessary to understand the
complex relationships that existed within the site of the Old Farm so that these
relationships can then be related to a wider social phenomenon. Identifying
social organisation through status and class will hopefully distinguish materially
between employer and employee.
Gender provides information on the relationships between men and women in
the past.
The gender system of the 1800s has been defined and widely
recognised as patriarchy (Paynter 2000:186).
Walby (1990:20) defines
patriarchy as, “…a system of social structures in which men dominate, oppress
and exploit women”.
Patriarchal gender relations when placed within the
convergence of class and the division of labour provide insight into the
relationships of a capitalist society (Paynter 2000:187).
Past research has
largely focussed on the built environment and how gender relationships can be
derived from the analysis of house structures. Rotman and Nassaney (1997)
reviewed changing architectural styles and structures in Michigan and how the
changes related to the social and economic status of women. They found that
the status of households determined how female status was represented in
private or public spheres in the home. Lower status families needed to rely
more on the economic production of women which was represented with less
private space for women compared to higher status households where women
were not depended on for economic survival (1997:52). The identification of
gender through the documentary and archaeological analysis of the Old Farm
aims to identify a social group that due to its private sphere in the home and
unrecognised economic contribution has not been represented historically.
Ethnicity is another important category of social organisation that provides
insight into communities’ ideological beliefs.
There are numerous ways in
which researchers can study relationships between different ethnic groups,
though past historical archaeological research in North America has focussed
5
on the relationship between black slaves and white masters on southern
plantations. (Delle 1988, Delle et al. 2000, McGuire and Paynter 1991). In
Australia research has identified the varying relationships between Aboriginal
people and their colonisers and the changing economic and social status of
Aboriginal people in European society (Murray 1992, Birmingham 1996, Head
and Fullagar 1997).
The Central Australia Archaeology Project by Sydney
University aimed to identify cultural interaction between European and
Aboriginal Australians in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries
(Birmingham 1996:2, Paterson 2000).
The project recorded exchanges in
goods in the archaeological record, and the developed spatial divisions evident
between European and Aboriginal living space representative of past social
organisation (Birmingham 1996:8).
At the Old Farm the identification of ethnicity aims to construct a complete
history that represents all ethnic groups living and working on the site, including
the Mineng who worked for Richard Spencer and possibly lived on the farm.
Identifying different ethnic groups provides a greater understanding of the
different economic and social relationships on the site and will hopefully place
the local Aboriginal population within the Albany social organisation, including
their role in the town’s beginnings.
The discipline of historical archaeology
Historical archaeology relies upon the analysis and interpretation of two
markedly different sources of data, the archaeological and the historical
documentary records.
Both of these sets of data can be considered
complementary in providing insight of past life-ways and cultural processes that
are not easily interpreted from the archaeological record alone (Beaudry
1988:43). The different approaches for deciphering and assimilating these two
data types are numerous and contentious and have been widely debated within
the discipline, though an in-depth review will not be undertaken here (see
Leone and Crosby 1987, Leone and Potter 1988, Orser 1990, Little 1994 and
Paynter 2000).
6
Contemporary historical archaeology approaches largely builds on middlerange theory, developed by Binford (1977, 1981, 1987) as a device in defining
the roles of archaeological and non-archaeological data in research.
In
prehistoric archaeology middle-range theory uses ethnographic analogies
between two different cultural groups that are separated by time and distance.
Mark Leone (1988, Leone and Crosby 1987, Leone and Potter 1988) applied
middle-range theory in historical archaeology by emphasising that there is a
parallel between the documentary and the archaeological records that can be
correlated to Binford’s ethnographic and archaeological records.
Leone
stresses the importance of giving equal emphasis to the two different types of
information that documents and archaeological objects produce.
Leone and Crosby demonstrate “…written documents and archaeologically
recovered objects are from one culture, and even one site, they are
epistemologically separate” (1987:399). In other words, written documents and
archaeologically recovered objects are produced by two completely different
types of processes and dynamics that form two different types of facts.
Therefore middle-range theory in historical archaeology is a tool that can be
used to organise two different data sets for comparison and distinction (Paynter
2000:169).
Recent approaches in historical archaeology have embraced the use of direct
historical evidence and historical anthropology, relying on ethnographic
accounts to link cultural and geographical accounts with archaeological sites
where a cultural continuity is perceived (Stahl 1993, 1994; Lightfoot 1995).
Researchers’ have equally focussed on historical sources and archaeology and
view the interpretative and theoretical gains as reciprocal by expanding the
possible interpretation of the archaeological materials (Sahlins and Kirch
1992:25).
For example, Sahlin and Kirch’s (1992) ethno-historical and archaeological
research of the Kingdom of Hawaii stresses the importance of historical
archaeologists to produce holistic interpretations that give equal importance to
7
historical ethnographic and archaeological interpretations. Their research has
acted upon earlier researcher’s emphasis to treat archival sources with the
same “…commitments of time and effort equal to what goes into the excavation,
analysis and synthesis of the archaeological data” (Schulyer 1998:40).
Old Farm on Strawberry Hill site description
The Old Farm is located in Albany, approximately 410km southeast of Perth,
Western Australia along the southern coast. The site is located in an urban
area of the Albany town with an entrance off Middleton Road (Figure 1.1). The
site is situated on a gradual slope leading to a granite rocky outcrop behind the
present site boundary with a long path from Middleton Road (Figure 1.2).
The present site boundary has a small stream running perpendicular across the
base of the slope that leads into a small lake west of the property. Documentary
records reveal that it was constantly flowing until the land was sub-divided and
drainage systems removed much of the excess water at the end of the 19th
century. The stream now only flows intermittently during winter months. The
soil consists of a rich dark loam on top of a clay deposit contributing to past and
present drainage problems on the site. Drainage channels, from the Spencer
period of occupation, running down to the stream are visible along the present
eastern property boundary.
Albany’s climate is temperate with the highest rainfall periods between June
and August with a mean rainfall exceeding 100mm. Temperature maximum
mean ranges between 15.5°C in August to 25.8°C in January and mean
minimum from 6.8°C in August to 13.9°C in February (Beard 1981:25).
Compared to Perth, the climate has more moderate temperatures throughout
the year with rainfall more likely to occur during the summer months.
Existing structures on the property include two buildings of high historical
significance: the two-storey farmhouse and adjoining kitchen and scullery built
1835 and 1836 and the cottage, currently used as a tearoom for visitors, with an
8
‘Figure 1.1’ could not be included in the digital version of this thesis for
technical reasons.
Please refer to the physical copy of the thesis, held in the University Library.
undetermined 19th century construction date (See Plates 1.1 and 1.2). Other
structures on the property include a toilet block, warden’s cottage and two
sheds housing agricultural implements.
Figure 1.1 Location of Albany, Western Australia and position of the Old Farm
9
Plate 1.1 Southern elevation of the farmhouse and kitchen/scullery
Plate 1.2 Northern elevation of the worker’s cottage currently used as a
tearoom
Prior to colonisation, vegetation consisted of Jarrah-marri forests around the
central Albany town surrounded by Marri-sheok low woodlands but due to the
amount of development and clearance in this area, little to no original
vegetation is present around the Old Farm site.
On the present site the
gardens have been constructed and maintained by a group of volunteers in
keeping with a late Victorian English garden, with rose beds and other
traditional plantings, such as hydrangeas. This garden is not representative of
the original garden constructed and maintained during the 1800s.
10
Figure 1.2 Existing Old Farm boundary and greater curtilage (from Heaver and
Farrow 1999)
The site is currently managed by the National Trust of Australia (W.A.) as a
tourist destination for visitors to learn about Albany’s early colonial history. The
existing farmhouse and adjoined kitchen and scullery are used as a museum
housing items donated by local patrons. Visitors pay a fee to walk from room to
room with or without a tour guide. The cottage has been utilised as a tearoom
serving Devonshire teas with a veranda overlooking the rose garden and lawn.
Previous archaeological research
No previous archaeological survey or excavation has been conducted at this
site, though William Ferguson did perform a rudimentary survey for surface
Aboriginal artefacts in the late 1970s for his PhD project (1985). No artefacts
were found. Despite the importance of Albany, there have been no historical
11
archaeological surveys conducted in Albany at other historical sites. The only
historical archaeological survey and excavation previously conducted in the
Albany region was by Martin Gibbs for his PhD project on shore based whaling
in Western Australia (1995).
Historiography of the Old Farm on Strawberry Hill site
The Old Farm and its past occupants have attracted many amateur and
professional historians from the local Albany region who have recognised the
site’s importance. The following historiography is a combination of the accounts
written, primarily by Hunt (1976), Johnson (1984) and Garden (1977), that lead
into the analysis of the documentary record in the following chapter.
The origins of the Albany settlement and the Government Farm (1826-1833)
The south-west coast of Australia was initially surveyed by the Dutchman,
Pieter Nuyts on The Gulden Zeepaard in 1627, and was later visited by
numerous ships, both exploratory expeditions as well as commercial (sealers
and whalers) (Hunt 1976: 6). It was not until Captain George Vancouver took
possession of the south-coast in September 1791 that the British became
interested in the west side of the continent; this followed the establishment of
the colony in Sydney in 1788. Following Vancouver’s description of a sheltered
sound, water source and woodland, an expedition was granted to Matthew
Flinders in 1801 to survey the southern continent to collect plants. After the
successful expedition in 1801, Captain Parker King conducted another survey
on route to the north-west coast in 1818.
Concerned by French expeditions, the Colonial Secretary dispatched a decree
to New South Wales urging the expansion of British settlement to all shores of
the continent (Hunt 1976:10).
Sydney’s Governor Darling appointed Major
th
Edmund Lockyer of the 57 Regiment to command an expedition to the King
George Sound in 1826 to establish a military outpost and explore for the
possibility of a future settlement. Other settlements already formed or soon to
be established included Hobart, Launceston, Moreton Bay, Port Essington,
Macquarie Harbour and Port Phillip Bay, Phillip Island (Figure 1.3).
12
Figure 1.3 Location of settlements established in Australia by 1826
Major Lockyer and the 57th regiment arrived in the King George Sound 26th
December 1826.
Their primary objective was to establish a small military
settlement and to establish means to produce food for self-sufficiency. The
initial settlement of King George Sound comprised of a commander, sergeant
and eighteen rank and file. Added to this a convict gardener and two convict
overseers of twenty seven convicts, a storekeeper, three wives and two children
of the soldiers as well an assistant surgeon made up the population (Garden
1977: 15).
The settlement spent the first few months establishing camp and exploring the
surrounding area for good farming land. The first garden was set up by May
1827 in Little Grove; convicts cleared land, planted vegetables and looked after
a few sheep that the military had brought with them. In August, another garden
was planted on Green Island located in Oyster Harbour. Due to the distances
of these gardens from the settlement the second commandant Captain
Wakefield cleared some land behind Mt. Clarence and planted ‘…an acre of
13
maize and an acre of garden’ (HRA, 3, VI, pp.506-512). The maize crop is
attributed as the first grain crop planted in Western Australia and was on the
site that is now called Strawberry Hill.
Captain Collet Barker arrived as the new Commandant in December 1829,
replacing Lieutenant George Sleeman. Barker’s journal of the two and a half
years he spent in Albany is an important record of life in this isolated settlement
(Mulvaney and Green 1992). His relationships with the Aboriginal landowners
of the Albany coastal region, the Mineng, enabled him to record many myths
and ritual ceremonies that constitute the main ethnographic descriptions of the
Mineng at European arrival.
When Captain Barker arrived at the King George Sound in 1829 the Swan River
Colony had recently been established as a free enterprise settlement. In 1830
Captain James Stirling arrived at King George Sound and confirmed that the
settlement would come under the authority of the fledgling Swan River Colony
with prospects for free enterprise settlement (Mulvaney and Green 1992:246).
On the 7th March 1831, the King George Sound settlement was declared part of
the colony of Western Australia.
Lieutenant Governor Stirling changed the
original name of the settlement, Fredericktown, to Albany, though King George
Sound was preferred until the 1870s.
On 30th March 1831 Captain Barker handed over the settlement to the first
Government Resident of Albany, Dr. Alexander Collie (Johnson 1984:10). The
military garrison that left with Captain Barker left Collie with three run-down
buildings and one ex-convict who had requested to stay. Troops from the 63rd
regiment also arrived with Dr. Collie though the population totalled seventeen
(Garden 1977:40).
By mid-1830 news of the struggles at the Swan River colony had reached
England. Governor Stirling was desperate for settlers to establish themselves
in the settlement though stories of starvation and subsequent abandonment by
many settlers had given the Swan River Colony a bad reputation (Garden
14
1977:37). Stirling had heard good reports of Albany’s rich soil and informed Dr.
Collie that he would spend the summer in Albany to see the settlement for
himself and thought that a house should be built on the government farm for
him (Johnson 1984:10).
In August 1831 a wattle and daub house with a
thatched roof was built by a Detachment under Lieutenant Carew (Heaver and
Farrow 1999:16). Stirling and his wife stayed at the farm for three months from
November 1831 to January 1832.
The Government Farm and house were leased from January 1832 to the
Albany Commissariat Officer, Lawrence Morley until its sale in 1833 (Heaver
and Farrow 1999:17). Stirling returned to England to advertise the Swan River
Colony and the Albany settlement. The Government Resident, Dr. Collie, was
gravely ill and also departed for the Swan River Colony in the hope of returning
to England (Garden 1977:49). Stirling called on many acquaintances including
Captain Richard Spencer convincing him to immigrate to Albany to become the
second Government Resident with an annual income of £100.
Richard Spencer and the Government Residence (1833-1839)
Richard Spencer had commanded a man-of-war ship towards the end of the
Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815) under Horatio Nelson and had received many
commendations for his heroism (Garden 1977:49). He also received a number
of injuries, including a frontal lobe fracture and a broken nose when a carronade
gun recoiled in his face. This injury was largely responsible for his many
headaches, loss of memory and sometimes-explosive anger. In 1831 Spencer
was a retired naval officer living on half pay with an ever-growing family that
had limited prospects in England (Johnson 1984:15).
Spencer decided to
immigrate to Australia to acquire land and make honest farmers of his sons.
Spencer and Stirling were both knighted together before leaving for Australia in
February 1832.
Sir Richard Spencer arrived in Albany on the Buffalo 18th September 1833
(Garden 1977:50). On his arrival the settlement consisted of the garrison, three
civil officers and six private individuals around forty in total. Sir Richard brought
15
with him his wife and nine children, eleven indentured servants, stock,
agricultural implements and building materials. The enormity of the Spencer
household and the comparatively small settlement on arrival, meant that
Spencer’s household comprised one third of the total Albany population. The
house on the government farm was promised to Spencer by Governor Stirling in
a letter dated before Spencer’s departure from England, though when Spencer
had arrived the two year old house was in need of immediate repairs and the
gardens were neglected (Johnson 1984:16-17).
Richard Spencer conducted most of his administrative duties as Government
Resident from the Old Farm (Johnson 1984:21), as he was expected to be a
host for many visiting dignitaries. Due to his large family and many servants,
Spencer decided to expand the original wattle and daub house with a twostorey granite extension in 1836. He also built a separate kitchen and a row of
sheds and stables from 1834 to 1835 (Heaver and Farrow 1999:18) (see Plate
1.1).
Spencer was not used to administering a small settlement. It isn’t surprising
that by 1835 many settlers had developed a strong dislike for his autocratic
rulings and his blind rages whenever someone questioned a decision or his
authority (Garden 1977:51). This led to many complaints to the Swan River
settlement Colonial Officer and the Governor. While Spencer was not a popular
figure in Albany’s early settlement administration, he was a pioneer of farming,
expanding the existing property and establishing a sheep farm on the Hay River
(Johnson 1984:22).
Richard Spencer died in Albany 24th August 1839 and was placed in a tomb on
his property on Strawberry Hill (Plate 1.3). He left a district with 139 settlers,
103 cattle, 2200 sheep, 18 horses, 15 donkeys and pigs and poultry in
abundance (Garden 1977:62). At the time of his death Albany had 60 dwelling
houses, many of which were built of brick and stone, and in the district there
were from 70 to 80 acres of land in cultivation.
16
Plate 1.3 Sir Richard and Lady Spencer’s tomb site on top of Strawberry Hill
Lady Spencer and the farm’s decline (1839-1889)
Lady Spencer and the children continued to live on the Old Farm, though
gradually the children married and left (Johnson 1984:24-25). Only Edward and
Joseph Spencer remained in Albany, running the Old Farm but residing at their
father’s sheep property on the Hay River. Lady Spencer died July 19th 1855 in
Perth, her body was returned to Albany and she was placed beside her
husband in the tomb on the Old Farm. Joseph Spencer took over control of the
Old Farm after his older brother Edward shot himself in the muniment room in
1869 (Heaver and Farrow 1999:22).
At that time the farm was described as a rundown property (Johnson 1984:25).
Various tenants occupied the house though the property continued to
deteriorate.
In 1870 the original wattle and daub cottage built to house
Governor Stirling burnt down, leaving the two-storey granite extension built by
Richard Spencer in 1836 and the other buildings on the property (Johnson
1984:25).
The granite extension still bears scorch marks and the wooden
beams and keystones used to join the two buildings still exist, as well as bricked
in doorways. During the 1880s the property was leased to Chinese market
gardeners and the Miner family occupied the present worker’s cottage (see
Plate 1.2). Also during this period the farmhouse was used as an abattoir for
cattle and sheep.
17
In 1887 Joseph Spencer decided to sell the property and the original farm was
divided into 111 allotments; 34 were sold by auction October 5th (Heaver and
Farrow 1999:23). By May 1889 all remaining lots were sold including Lot 19
with the farmhouse.
The Bird Family restoration (1889-1956)
The third and final period of the Old Farm’s occupation was by the Bird Family,
though due to the research parameters of the 19th century and a focus on rural
farming subsistence, the historical and material remains from the Bird Family
period of occupation has not been analysed in this thesis. Francis Bird was a
retired architect living in Claremont and was an acting superintendent for the
Public Works Department in Perth (Johnson 1984:26). In 1889 he became
partly blind and decided to take a holiday to Sydney. On his return to Perth his
ship stopped at Albany, which had become a boomtown due to the opening of
the Great Southern Railway, the P&O Port and the whaling industry. Francis
Bird decided to purchase the property even though he described it as ‘entirely
neglected’ (Bird 1940).
Mrs Bird was not impressed with the property, her first impressions include; “a
fearsome sight…a more dreadful and dreadfully dirty and tumble-down dark
hole could not be imagined” (Bird 1940). But by 18th December 1889, Mr. and
Mrs. Bird, their six sons, one daughter, two servant girls and a German
handyman named Grosser, moved into the Old Farm.
Using his architectural knowledge, Francis Bird, completely renovated the
existing buildings and added a few additions (Stephens n.d.). He joined the
two-storey granite house to the kitchen and scullery by an alcove. In 1899 he
bought a wooden room that was attached to the end of the alcove and used as
a dining room (He sold this building in 1926 and it is now part of another house
on Middleton Road). In the same year a galvanised iron room was attached to
the dining room. It had a door on either side but no windows. It was used as a
bedroom for the servant girls.
18
Francis Bird did not intend to farm on the property and therefore the adjacent
land and worker’s cottage were leased to a Mr Fuller and the garden and
orchard continued to be leased by Chinese market gardeners, Ah Loo and
Charlie Ah Chi. In 1937 at the age of 91 Francis Bird died, after living on the
property for 48 years; his wife Augusta died in 1946.
After his death all
additional land except the present property was sold. Their only daughter, Mary
Cowle, held a mortgage on the property.
The State Government purchased the present Old Farm in 1956 and the Albany
Town Council began restoration of the buildings. In 1964 the Town Council
passed over the control to the National Trust of Australia (W.A.) the first
acquisition in the state.
In 1966 after restoring and applying historical
interpretation the Old Farm property was opened to the public.
Summary of chapters
The following chapter (Chapter 2) will discuss the use of historical records in
historical archaeology and will critically analyse the historical documents
associated with the Old Farm.
Chapter 3 will outline the archaeological
methodology used to survey and excavate the site, by identifying different
habitation and activity areas, and the various methods used to analyse the
objects recovered. Chapter 4 will present the archaeological analysis results of
the different habitation and activity areas and Chapter 5 will discuss the
synthesis of the documentary and archaeological evidence in relation to the
research aims.
19
Chapter 2 Documentary Review and Analysis of the Old Farm
The review and analysis of historical documents, from the Old Farm, provides
information about individuals who worked and lived on the property during the
1800s. The documentary evidence detailed social organisation and farming
practices from the farm’s beginnings to the expansion of farming operations and
inhabitants during the Spencer family occupation as well as providing valuable
information about past consumer habits.
1. Methodology of documentary analysis
As discussed in Chapter 1, the relationship between historical and
archaeological records and their utilisation by historical archaeologists has been
widely debated.
The purpose of this research has aimed to treat both the
documentary and archaeological records equally. The documentary analysis
was considered complementary to the archaeological data, providing an
alternative interpretation for the different social groups who lived on the Old
Farm and the type of activities that they performed.
The analysis has utilised Wood’s (1990) methodology for researching
documentary evidence. Wood emphasises the importance of critically using the
documentary record, by focussing on primary records in relation to four basic
principles (1990:89-92).
Firstly, identify the temporal proximity between the
event(s) observed and the creation of the record, noting that the potential for
distortion increases over time.
Secondly, determine the purpose of the
document and the potential bias towards its intended purpose.
Thirdly,
evaluate the competence of the observer to provide an accurate testimony,
including their ability and willingness to tell the truth. This includes establishing
whether or not authors actually witnessed an event, and if they did not, where
(or from whom) they might have received their information. The final principle
for documentary analysis is the corroboration of details through independent
sources when critically evaluating historic accounts.
20
The critical analysis of documentary materials provides a complementary
interpretation of the past by criticising the document’s authenticity, content and
meaning. The construction of the ‘truth’ relies on the researcher’s ability to
understand why a document was written and why it still exists. The critical
analysis of the historical documents from the Old Farm therefore aimed to
produce a complementary interpretation that could be compared with the
archaeological record.
In this thesis the historical documentary analysis and review has been divided
into two main periods of site occupation. The first period of occupation was the
initial Government farm established by Major Lockyer in 1827 which continued
until the Spencer family’s arrival in 1833. The second period of occupation, by
the Spencer family, lasted for most of the 19th century until 1889, when the
property was divided and sold by auction. The period has been further divided
by two phases: the six years from their arrival until Richard Spencer’s death in
1839, when the majority of Government Resident business was being
conducted at the farm and the second phase following Richard Spencer’s death
which resulted in many changes to economic and social relationships on the
farm. The historical documents associated with the Old Farm are numerous
and varied across the two main periods or occupations of the site. The primary
sources include documents such as personal and official correspondence, farm
logbooks, diaries, maps and drawings.
The period after 1889, when the Bird family occupied the site until 1956, after
which the State Government and the Albany Town Council bought the property
is beyond the scope of this research. This is due to the discontinuation of a
farming subsistence that distinguished it from a rural rather than an urban
property.
2. Documentary accounts of the Government farm period (1827-1833)
The Government farm lasted for only six years, becoming a productive farm for
the first military settlement with the first structure, the ‘original cottage’ built, on
21
the site in 1831. The documentary evidence from this period is sparse; mainly
due to the length of the period and also because the occupants who lived on
this site were illiterate. The documentary record is restricted to accounts made
by the military commandants and the first Government Resident who occupied
the Albany settlement. Most of the record consists of letters addressed to the
Colonial Office in New South Wales reporting on settlement establishment and
progress.
Figure 2.1 Map showing the Albany settlements initial farm locations in 1827
The Government farm had yet to be established under Major Lockyer’s
command. The initial farms were started in the settlement itself behind Parade
Street in the present Albany Town and another on Green Island in Oyster
Harbour (Figure 2.1). A list of the plants and seeds that accompanied Major
Lockyer on the Amity Brig were included in a report from the Colonial Secretary,
Macleay to Major Lockyer, 7th November 1826 (Table 2.1). The list includes
22
seven types on beans, six types of turnip and seven types of cabbage as well
as a number of herbs.
The settlement and Green Island gardens had varying success over the first
few years of settlement.
The most pressing problem in establishing these
gardens was to find a site that had suitable soil and availability to running water.
Green Island’s most obvious problem was that rainwater either had to be
captured on the island in barrels or transported by boat.
Major Lockyer
reported the problem of the original gardens in a personal diary he kept during
his command of the settlement:
The vegetables that was sown in the Garden has made little or no
progress; whether the season is unfavourable or the soil too sour for want
of being properly worked, must remain for some time unascertained. I
think it is likely to be from both causes. (HRA, 3:6, p.484, 13th April 1827)
…the garden has been completely labour lost as yet, everything dies after
coming up. (HRA, 3:6, p.487, 27th April 1827)
Table 2.1 List of plants and seeds from the Botanic Garden for the settlement at
King George Sound compiled by C. Fraser, Colonial Botanist (HRA, 3:6, p.457,
7th November 1826)
Plants
Seeds
Thyme
Peppermint
American Cress
Parsley
Double Alassomer Pease
Blue Prussian Do.
Turkey Beans
Dwarf Beans
Early dwarf cabbage
Imperial do.
Battersea do.
Sugar Loaf do.
Red do.
Yellow Savoy do.
Green do.
New Zealand Spinach
Cucumbers of sorts
Marjoram of sorts
Tanzy
Eschalots
200 lbs Derwent Potatoes
Cream Thiddery Beans
Dwarf do. do.
Scarlet running do. do.
Cantebury do. do.
Dun Spotted do. do.
Prussian Kale
Red Barcede
Carrots
Parsnips
Green Beet
Drumbead Lettuce
Melons of sorts
French Pumpkin
Spearmint
Water Cress
Syboul & Welsh Onions
Early Globe Turnip
do. Dutch do.
do. Yellow do.
do. Stone do.
Round do. do.
Red do.
Radish
White Celery
Red do.
Parsley
Garden Cress
Mustard
During Lockyer’s period of command he did make references to an area that
had good agricultural possibilities in an official settlement report to the Colonial
Office, New South Wales, “…there is some good land and which could answer
well to commence a Farm on to produce Vegetables as well as Grain.” (HRA,
23
3:6, p.488, 2nd April 1827). Lockyer also referred to this site in a personal letter
to the Colonial Secretary Macleay on 18th April 1827:
…a piece of land behind the Lake towards the Settlement is particularly
good and would be an excellent spot for forming a Farming Establishment
and is only two Miles from the Settlement. With this exception, I did not
find any other spot that was capable of immediate cultivation… (HRA, 3:6,
p.503, 18th April 1927).
After Major Lockyer’s return to Sydney, his successor, Captain Wakefield, had
greater success in establishing gardens at the settlement; the most successful
being the farm identified by Lockyer, located behind Mt. Clarence on some land
that had both rich soil and a permanent water source (Figure 2.1). Captain
Wakefield also records the erection of “… two weatherboard huts…ten feet by
eight feet (3m x 2.4m) each” on the site (HRA, 3:6 p.517, 15th January 1828).
Presumably these two structures were used to house the farm labourers and
equipment.
The third military Commandant, Lieutenant Sleeman, recorded the success of
the farm behind Mt. Clarence 14th May 1829:
…that the Garden, which I had just completed at the Farm and which I had
the honour to describe in my last despatch is in a very flourishing state,
having more than three thousand cabbages and broccoli plants in it of a
good size, besides an abundance of turnips, potatoes, carrots, onions,
radishes, parsley, &c. rapidly coming forward… (HRA, 3:6, P.531, 14th
May 1829).
Sleeman also cleared a rough track between five and six feet wide from the
settlement to the farm of approximately a mile and a half to aid easier
transportation of materials and produce.
The fourth military Commander, Captain Collet Barker, wrote a remarkable
journal during his posting to the King George Sound settlement; comprising the
main ethnographic descriptions of the local Aboriginal population at European
arrival. Barker was Commander from 3rd December 1829, until his departure 7th
March 1831, when the Swan River Colony took over the settlement (Mulvaney
and Green 1992:246).
John Mulvaney and Neville Green (1992) have
24
reproduced Captain Barker’s journals, including the Raffle’s Bay and King
George Sound period of command. The original journals are held by the New
South Wales Archives Office and are not readily accessible.
Mulvaney and Green have provided a detailed description of the documentary
editing process used to reproduce Barker’s journal for publication. The
manuscript was transcribed from microfilm by two separate researchers and the
copies compared with each other and the original manuscript. Mulvaney and
Green edited the manuscript, as Barker did not pay much attention to
punctuation or grammar.
Despite the intervention Mulvaney and Green
(1992:30-31) were conscious of reproducing Barker’s original style, therefore all
capitalisations were reproduced and Barker’s spelling mistakes included. From
the details provided by Green and Mulvaney the reproduction of Barker’s
journals can be analysed with a degree of authenticity. However it should be
emphasised that reproductions of handwritten manuscripts in printed form
should not be treated as original documents (Wood 1990:94).
Barker’s numerous references to the Government Farm during his stay at King
George Sound have been reproduced in Appendix A.1, transcribed from
Mulvaney and Green’s (1992) reproduction. Though this reference is published
and widely available I have transcribed items relating only to the Old Farm.
These refer to the condition of the farm’s soil, different vegetables and grains
planted, failures and successes, as well as the learning processes in adapting
to a new environment. Most importantly they provide information about the
occupants of the farm and visitors not provided in the official correspondence to
Governor Darling of New South Wales.
The plants grown and the animals raised at the Government farm in 1830-1831
have been synthesised from Barker’s journal in Table 2.2. The main crops
planted were grain and cereal crops of wheat, maize, oats and barley. The
planting of these crops was crucial for the nutrition of the military settlement by
supplying much needed carbohydrates.
Grain and cereal crops were also
needed to feed the grazing animals at the military settlement.
25
Table 2.2 Barker’s references to introduced plants and animals at the
Government farm (Mulvaney and Green 1992)
Plant/Animal
Description/Comment
Date
1830
18 January
24 January
8 April
11 April
16 April
17 April
29 May
30 May
31 May
9 July
19 July
7 August
12 September
4 October
11 October
14 October
18 October
29 October
30 October
3 November
11 November
6 December
14 December
1831
6 January
8 January
14 January
15 January
20 January
26 January
30 January
31 January
7 February
21 February
Peas and Beans
Strawberries
Bull and sheep
Goat
Pigs and Fowl
White Turnip
Wheat
Swede
Goat
Potatoes
Pig
Maize
Rams
Goat
Swede
Maize
Pumpkin, swede
and turnip
Ewe
Maize
Garden vegetables
Swede
Barley and Oats
Strawberries
Wheat
Cabbage
Peaches
Barley
Cabbage
Wheat
Sheep
Potatoes
Barley
Peas
Wheat
Potatoes
Wheat
Barley
Sheep
Melons & pumpkins
Sheep
Oats
Oats
Potatoes
Too dry to sow anything else
Barker collects for George Little
Looking good
Found dead
Fowl getting into sty and pigs killing them. Sty
moved
Sown
Not all showing
Rats sapped
Goat kidded, but kid smothered
Digging up
Killed, 102lb.
Not ripening, given to pigs
Seven castrated
Milking
Pulled
Planting
Pumpkin holes, swedes and turnips pulled
Milking
Ripening
Storm damage
All pulled up
Comment on growth
Ripe for George Little
Fire almost destroyed
Covered over to protect from sun
Thinned from tree (450 removed)
In ear but short and small
Six bags
Two small sheaves (first crop)
2 dead, 6 suffering – first reference to poisonous
plants
Small bag for Keegan
Small reaped
Sown among barley in Sept 1830
Damper made – sweet and good
Digging up, Mineng watching
Mineng taste damper
Cut
Four ill (poisonous plants)
Showing in lower garden
Recovering
Ripe
Threshed 3 bushels for 17 rods
Failure in hot dry ground – not a summer crop
26
The need for grain and cereal crops for animal feed rather than relying on
natural grasses was fully realised when the settlement’s sheep began to die. As
Barker suspected from examining the sheep stomachs and intestines after
death (6th January 1831), the illnesses were attributed to a poisonous plant in
the region. Western Australia has over 40 species of Gastrolobium plants that
have been discovered to be toxic to introduced livestock, though the toxic
principle was only discovered in the 1950s (Gardner and Bennetts 1956). The
most toxic of these plants Gastrolobium bilobum, is found on the granite hills
around the King George Sound and is the most likely cause of the illness and
post-mortem findings reported in Barker’s journal (Mulvaney and Green
1992:388). The references to these poisonous plants are the first made in
Western Australia.
Vegetables grown included potatoes, swedes, turnips, cabbages, pumpkins,
peas and beans. Besides the settler’s preference for fresh vegetables instead
of salted meats and dry goods, vegetables provide Vitamin C that is crucial to
prevent scurvy, a condition common among sailors on long sea voyages, where
their diet consisted of salted meats and hard biscuits. As a consequence, in
1795, the British Royal Navy began issuing daily rations of lemon juice (Keevil
1957).
Barker reports a few occurrences of scurvy among the convicts during his
Commandment which is not surprising considering the rations held at King
George Sound from 1827 for the convicts:
Proposed Scale of Rations for the Convicts at Western Port and King
George Sound
Wheaten flour 10lbs a week
Beef 7 lbs or Pork 4 lbs.
Tea 4¾ oz.
Sugar 7 oz.
Salt when receiving fresh provision 7oz.
Soap 3½ oz.
Tobacco 1 lb. a month
N.B. The Tea, Sugar and Tobacco are to be considered as Indulgence.
(HRA, 3:6. P.457, 7th November 1826)
The rations held at the King George Sound during Barker’s Commandment are
described in Table 2.3. The main item of notice is the inclusion of lime juice in
27
the Government Stores but the exclusion of this item from the weekly rations for
the convicts.
interesting,
as
The disparity between the troops’ and convicts’ rations is
convict
labour
was
relied
upon
for
the
settlement’s
establishment, and convict illness and loss of labour would have played a
crucial part in the settlement’s success.
Potatoes were the most successful crop during the Government farm period,
enabling Barker to distribute them among the troops and convicts. Strawberries
and peaches were considered luxury items and were rarely consumed by the
convicts and troops. Interestingly fruits were not listed among the plants and
seeds sent to the King George Sound in 1826 with Major Lockyer (Table 2.1).
They must have arrived by a later vessel. Barker did mention (11th November
1830) that the peach tree had been in production for two years and in its fourth
year since the stone was set.
Table 2.3 Rations held at King George Sound 1830-31 (Mulvaney and Green
1992:245)
Volume
Pease
Vinegar
Preserved Soup
Weight (lbs)
Biscuit
Flour
Wheatmeal
Raisins
Rice
Oatmeal
Tobacco
Tea
Sugar
Cocoa
Molasses
Salt
1600 pints
766 pints
120 pints
Spirits
Wine
20 gallons
230 bottles
1200
336
3400
1684
2900
470
393
60
350
93
160
1531
Salt beef
Salt pork
Preserved meat
Lime juice
Barley
Sago
Arrowroot
Coffee
Ginger
Candles
Soap
4400
450
500
1200
57
72
73
85
58
50
160
The only information about the farm’s inhabitants comes from Barker’s Journal.
Table 2.4 lists the convict men that worked in the garden and as shepherds.
Two names that were not included in the Crown Prisoners list sent to NSW in
September 1830 were Neale [sp. Newell] and Nathan due to them receiving
tickets of leave. Newell is an interesting individual who arrived during Major
Lockyer’s Commandment in 1827 as an ex-convict from Tasmania, and who
28
stayed on after the military left in 1831 (Erickson 1988).
James Newell
continued to play an important part in the Old Farm’s history, working on the
farm during the Spencer period and later James’ son, Charles, until Joseph
Spencer sold the farm in 1889.
Table 2.4 List of convicts employed on the Government farm 1830-1831.
Source: Return of Crown Prisoners at King George Sound, 10 September 1830
(AO NSW 4/4551).
Name
John Cavenagh
Patrick Crawley
Charles Griffiths
William Keegan
John Marsden
James McKone
John Tobin
Neale [sp. Newell]
Nathan
Occupation
Labourer
Ships rigger
Gardener
Labourer
Horse Dealer
Boatman
Labourer
Labourer
Labourer
Sentence
7 years
Life
Life
Life
Life
7 years
7 years
Received ticket of leave
Received ticket of leave
The information included in Barker’s Journal of the daily events and conditions
of these convicts is scant.
The most compelling information is the relative
autonomy these convicts had by working and living out at the farm. In his
journal entry 12th February 1831, Barker advises Griffiths that he could “…work
his own hours provided sufficient work was done” (Mulvaney and Green
1992:399). The convicts on the farm did not have an overseer to check on their
daily work, though Captain Barker did like to walk to the farm regularly in the
evening to see how the plants and livestock were progressing.
Another incentive for working on the Government farm was the access to fresh
produce.
Barker often referred to distributing vegetables among the farm
workers or the convicts who were clearing forest near the farm.
The relative independence did have its drawbacks; the convicts had to contend
with local Mineng skirmishes with the Will men near the farm, though they never
dared to enter the settlement. Wild dogs would also attack and kill the sheep
and some of the Mineng would steal potatoes from the garden. Stealing during
the early settlement period was not prevalent among the Mineng who inhabited
the outer settlement areas, though Wannewar, considered an outcast by
Mokare, was frequently accused of stealing from the Government farm (Green
29
and Mulvaney 1992:280). Wannewar often camped on or near the farm with his
family and would rarely enter the settlement for fear of reprisal from the Mineng.
Therefore the occupants of the farm, located two miles from the settlement,
probably feared for their own safety due to their isolation from the support and
defence of the military troops.
Accusations of stealing were not isolated to the Mineng.
Arguments would
often arise between convict inhabitants about the distribution of food or of
stealing the food from the garden in the middle of the night. One account (20th
June 1830) described the accusation by Nathan of Crawley attempting to steal
a sheep, though the sheep in question was later found dead from the poisonous
plants located in the vicinity.
The success of the farm on Strawberry Hill is largely attributed to the varying
experiments conducted to enrich the soil and to break up the clay deposits.
Besides finding suitable soil nutrients, another problem was the protection of
plants from the sun and wind. Captain Barker refers to many different methods
that were used to improve the condition of the soil and plants produced. The
first example is the use of potash (17th April 1830); potash traditionally is an
alkaline substance produced from burning wood and vegetable matter and
boiling to evaporation until a white powder is formed, resulting in a crude form
of potassium carbonate (OED). Potash is a very effective fertilizer used to
condition the soil before planting.
On the 15th June 1830 Barker refers to boiling seaweed to make mulch. Barker
supposedly was boiling the seaweed to break down the matter for greater
decomposition. Another reference is made to the success of the barley and
oats as a result of burning rubbish (3rd November 1830). Barker made several
references to burning materials to serve as a ‘dressing for the ground’ (31st
January 1831). Other experiments included the erection of structures to protect
certain vegetables from the sun and wind (11th November 1830).
30
After the Swan River Colony took control of the fledgling settlement and the
military returned to New South Wales there is very little information about the
farm’s activities or the people who occupied the site. Captain Barker left the
settlement 7 March 1831 leaving the command to the first Government
Resident Dr. Alexander Collie.
There are very few maps or drawings available from this period to aid analysis
of the farm’s organisation or the people that occupied the wooden huts.
Assistant Surveyor Clint made the only map of Albany during the Government
farm period in 1832 after Albany came under the control of the Swan River
Colony (Figure 2.2).
Raphael Clint arrived in the King George Sound with
Alexander Collie in April 1831 on the Sulphur (Garden 1977:40). The Assistant
Surveyor’s task was to plan a small area around the parade ground for lots to
be sold to free settlers.
Figure 2.2 Map of Albany Settlement by Surveyor Clint 1832
31
The map does not show the extent of the existing settlement but a proposed
town plan. However it does outline the track made by Lieutenant Sleeman in
May 1829 to Strawberry Hill and the existence of the cleared land known as the
Government farm.
The map also shows a proposed plan to have a road
running from York Street to Strawberry Hill around the base of Mt. Clarence and
shows a marked area of development along Middleton Bay.
The outlined
cleared land at the Government farm contains nine separate paddocks, though
as there is no associated scale on this map the area of cleared land remains
unknown. The location of the original cottage was not included as the structure
was not built until December 1831 after Clint surveyed the site.
3. Documentary accounts of Sir Richard Spencer, Government Resident
period (1833-1839)
The documentary evidence of the site’s occupation by Richard Spencer until his
death in 1839 includes official and personal correspondence by Spencer, and a
farm logbook from 1836-1838 written by various Spencer children. Though the
documentary material includes one hundred and forty-three letters, only a few
were originals.
There are also two drawings made of the farm during this
period.
Robert Stephens was a historian in Albany from the 1930s responsible for
collecting most of the Spencer correspondence material available for analysis
from the Battye Library (BL MN533). The material is presented in an accounts
book transcribed from original papers in 1946. It remains unknown whether
Stephens transcribed the material himself, though the handwritten transcription
is all by the same hand. The correspondence has been arranged haphazardly
with little emphasis on subject or chronology, though letters written by Hugh
Seymour and Anne Spencer after Richard’s death have been grouped together.
The location of the original documentary material is believed to be in private
ownership, though most historians locate the material at the actual site
(Johnson 1984, Garden 1977).
32
The correspondence collated by Stephens consists of letters written by the
occupants of the Old Farm to individuals in the Swan River, Van Dieman’s Land
(Tasmania) and England. The collection does not include correspondence sent
to the Spencer family, only copies of correspondence sent by the Spencer
family for private record. As will be discussed below, Richard Spencer refers to
his children copying letters to practise their penmanship. In many instances the
editor (Stephens) or the writers of the copied correspondence may have omitted
passages, modernised words, corrected spelling and grammar.
Due to the
unknown collation methods for the correspondence, either by the Spencer
children or historical researchers, the material analysed for this occupation
period has not been treated as original documents.
Three original historical letters were included in Stephens’ collection and were
used to test the reproduction of letters by Stephens by comparing content,
spelling and grammar. The analysis found that, though the historical editor had
been faithful in reproducing letters completely, with all passages included, there
were efforts made to modernise 19th century terminology. The punctuation and
grammar were near exact copies and therefore the author’s intent and
emphasis was maintained in the copies made by Stephens.
A selection of relevant documentary material was transcribed from the
Stephens collection held at the Battye Library (BL MN533) and has been
included in Appendix A.2. Not all the correspondence was transcribed as most
of the official correspondence, though interesting in respect to Albany town
beginnings, is not relevant to the Old Farm and its occupants.
The
correspondence has been separated by author and the subjects, official and
personal correspondence, and placed in chronological order. The address and
signature have been included for most letters, though certain passages may
have been omitted. If a letter was not transcribed in entirety the passage was
placed in quotation marks.
33
i) Official correspondence
The official correspondence is written by Richard Spencer upon his arrival to
the King George Sound in 1833. They consist of twenty-three letters out of
forty-three, mainly to the Swan River Colonial Secretary, J.P. Brown and the
Surveyor-General, J.S. Roe. The content is varied, but Richard Spencer’s initial
letters in the settlement were concerned with establishing relationships with the
Swan River dignitaries.
They include in-depth lists of all the fruit and
vegetables brought out from England, and the costs incurred transporting his
family and servants. Table 2.5 provides a list of the fruit trees, flowers and
seeds brought with the Spencers in 1833.
Table 2.5 Fruit trees, flowers and seeds brought by Richard Spencer to King
George Sound 1833 cited in official correspondence to J.S. Roe 26th November
1833.
Fruit Trees
Flowers
Seeds
Orange
Citron
Mango
Gooseberries
Olive
Moss rose
China rose
Tulips
Hyacinths
Tea
Citron
Orange
Holly
Lemon
Fig
Vine
Currants
Nogara Nut (from Bengal)
Cluster rose
Trumpet honey suckle
Narcissus
Cotton
Lemon
Shaddock thorns
20 sorts of English meadow
grass
The presence of flowers indicates that Richard Spencer wanted to recreate an
English garden for his family in an alien environment and the inclusion of fruit
trees indicate he intended staying for a long term in the King George Sound
settlement. Spencer also included twenty different varieties of meadow grass
for animal grazing, though presumably he had not yet learned of the poisoned
grass that had plagued the government sheep at Strawberry Hill.
In a letter dated 27 November 1833, Spencer conveys to the Colonial
Secretary, P. Brown the costs that he incurred in transporting his family and
indentured servants to the settlement.
Table 2.6 lists the names of the
indentured servants brought to Albany in 1833 onboard the Buffalo. In the letter
34
Spencer lists his wife and children in one column and his servants in the next
two columns including total persons and the number of females and males. No
information can be sourced from Richard Spencer’s official correspondence
about the indentured servants’ occupations or ages.
Table 2.6 includes
information cited from Erickson’s (1988) Biographical Dictionary that primarily is
sourced from the 1834 and 1836 Census (see Appendix A.3).
From correspondence to dignitaries in the Swan River Colony by December
1833, two months after his arrival in Albany, Richard Spencer had begun to
have disputes with other settlers, mainly George Cheyne. The main dispute
originated over the sale of rum and gin, the problem of smuggling and the fact
that Spencer would not process a liquor license for Cheyne to sell the spirits
that he had imported. Most enterprising individuals trying to profit from whaling,
sealing or the sale of spirits had little difficulty trading before Spencer’s arrival.
However, Spencer did not allow individuals to take advantage of the
settlement’s isolation to charge exorbitant prices or allow trading to go
unchecked.
Table 2.6 Indentured servants brought from England by Richard Spencer, 1833,
cited in official correspondence to P. Brown, Colonial Secretary, 27th November
1833 (year of birth, age on arrival, year of death and occupation derived from
Erickson 1988).
Name
Year of
Occupation
Year of
Age on
Death
Birth
Jenkins, William
Jenkins, Mary
Emma
Jenkins, Henrietta
Jenkins, Elisabeth
Selina
Jenkins, Emma
Keturah
Gill, Matthew
Brown, Maurice
Stoodley, James
Rogers, George
Bussel, Lydia
Arrival
1799
1799
34
34
1843
1862
Agricultural labourer
House and kitchen maid
1822
1824
11
9
1888
1891
House maid
-
1829
4
1866
-
?
1816
1819
?
1798
?
17
14
?
35
?
?
1867
?
?
Agricultural labourer
Blacksmith
Labourer
Shepherd
Kitchen maid
35
Besides Spencer’s difficulties with some settlers, he also voiced his fears about
the local Aboriginal population and the settlement’s lack of protection. In a letter
to Brown, Colonial Secretary, 18th January 1834, Spencer was concerned for
his family’s protection at the farm due to a “…great number of natives who
frequently bivouac close to my house…”. He requested that twenty muskets
and bayonets were sent to the settlement to arm the civilian population to form
a type of militia, even though “…the Natives are on most friendly terms with us.
The only way to remain so is never to let them feel that you are entirely in their
poseur.”
By March, Spencer received “…six stands of arms receipted for
settlement use” without cartridges.
Spencer subsequently requested one
hundred ball cartridges from Lieutenant J.R. Stewart, Commander Detachment
of the 21st Regiment in Albany on 13 May 1834.
Spencer described in a letter to the Colonial Secretary the willingness of
‘natives’ to be employed in land clearance (19th December 1833). He also
requested basic cooking implements, such as iron frying pans and kettles for
the local Aboriginal people.
In another letter addressed to the Colonial
Secretary he described the increasing use of local Aboriginal people in land
clearance, two individuals employed as a carpenter and in the sawpit. The
basic payment for their services was usually in food: “…a lb. of flour and two
ounces of suet for a forenoon’s work, or a job equal to that, for which they are
very grateful.” (16th June 1834).
The number of official letters to the Swan River Colony kept by Richard
Spencer reduces after 1835. This could be attributed to a number of factors.
Perhaps after the initial flurry of letters detailed descriptions of the settlement
were no longer necessary, or Spencer may not have kept letters after 1835, as
those letters from June 1834 onwards largely dealt with personal squabbles
between individuals.
They could alternatively simply have been lost or
destroyed either accidentally or consciously.
Overall Spencer’s official correspondence to the Swan River Colony stressed
the importance of establishing Albany as a major settlement and port. Many of
36
his letters detailed public and private building and road construction as well as
the need of a town surveyor.
Spencer requested a surveyor on numerous
occasions to plan lots outside of the settlement area, following increased
interest by visitors. Spencer believed the only hope for the small settlement’s
survival was to establish its potential as an agricultural and marine resource
centre and trading port.
ii) Personal correspondence
Richard Spencer’s personal correspondence provides many interesting details
about the Old Farm activities and the people who inhabited the site compared
to his official correspondence. An interesting comparison between the official
and personal letters kept, is that while the number of official letters decreases in
1835 the number of personal letters significantly increases.
The reason is
unclear, though the content may indicate their increase. From the Stephen’s
collection held at the Battye library (BL MN533), a total of forty letters were
transcribed and are included in Appendix A.2.
Most of the personal
correspondence was transcribed as it provided a wealth of information about
the occupants of the Old Farm and their activities. The letters also provided
information about the Spencer family’s financial situation and provided detailed
lists of items ordered in England to be transported to the settlement.
There are a few key individuals that Richard Spencer wrote to from 1835 to
1839, including his agent in London, Stilwell (Stilwell & Sons, 22 Arundel St.
London) who processed payments for all his orders from London merchants
and organised his property finances in England.
He also directly wrote to
merchants in London and Lyme Regis, his hometown, mainly Mr. Mangles (22
Austin Friars, London), Mr. Warrick (Bancroft Place, Mile End, London) and Mr.
Kooke (Tailor, Lyme Regis).
Richard Spencer also wrote to a number of
individuals who were friends from England, including Captain McCrea, Mrs
McLeod, Captain Matthew Liddon (Anne Spencer’s brother) and Lieutenant
Charles Roger.
37
A recurring entry in Spencer’s personal correspondence is his obvious
frustration due to the settlement’s isolation and the length of time taken for
letters or goods to arrive. Goods took a minimum of six months to arrive and
were sometimes delayed up to a year after being sent to the wrong location,
such as to Hobart, Van Dieman’s Land (Tasmania), rather than to Sydney. An
example of Spencer’s frustration is voiced in a letter to Mr. Bennett,
I have 3 cases of clothes and 2 of shoes cruising about for me somewhere
or another. Mr. Stilwell paid Merrell the Cutter of Clements Lane for one
case in August 1836. The others are from our own tailor and shoemaker
at Lyme Regis. We are almost naked and barefooted for want of them
through the stupidity or roguery of some of the people about the docks in
London. (21st October 1837)
Most letters, especially to merchants that he had not written to before,
contained detailed packing and transportation directions.
Spencer’s personal correspondence contains many entries describing the
different crops grown at the Old Farm and their successes and failures, also the
expansion of his sheep farm on the Hay River further inland. Richard Spencer
took obvious pride in establishing his farms and the ability in producing food for
his family and workers as expressed in a letter to Mr. Murray below,
Yesterday was the fourth anniversary of our arrival in this beautiful colony,
when we killed a fine Ox of our own breeding to have roast beef and plum
pudding for dinner; we also had a beautiful 3 year old wether killed, it
weighs 54 lbs, we sold part of the Ox for £8.10.0 and have about 200
weight in salt. We have many choice vegetables, such as green peas and
asparagus.
We have also now 535 sheep, and expecting there will be 600 by shearing
time the 1st November.
I have 2 ½ more acres of wheat in this year making rather more than 5 acres,
1 ½ barley, 1 of oats, 1 beans and some Indian corn, and a ½ of potatoes.
(14th September 1837)
He also used his farm’s successes to encourage friends and family in England
to migrate to the settlement,
My sheep have been thriving most wonderfully and have had 69 fine
lambs without a single accident and expect as many more in the month.
38
We have only lost one ewe since they have been out at the Hay River, that
is six months. If you would like to come out here, Sir James Stirling has
written home to the colonial offices, as his (the Commander’s)
appointment will be from them. (Capt. Matthew Liddon 12th December,
1835)
Richard Spencer did not provide a lot of information about his indentured
servants and his farm labourers, though some insight into their lives can be
gauged through his purchasing of goods for their use. For example in a letter to
Mr. Murray, Spencer ordered “1 chest of cheap Keyson Skin tea for servants”
(27th November 1838). In another letter to Mr. McCrea advising what types of
items he should bring to the settlement if he intended emigrating included
“…cheap rum for servants” (27th November 1838).
Spencer also ordered
clothing for boy servants from Mr. Kooke (6th October 1837) though there is no
associated description of what type of clothing this entailed, and in the following
year (5th September 1838) Spencer requests that no clothing should be sent for
the boy servants.
Spencer had a few problems with his indentured servants from England. The
Jenkins family listed in Table 2.6 had bought a 4-acre property in the
Plantagenet region in 1834 soon after arriving with Spencer and his family on
the Buffalo in 1833 (1836 census). This left the Spencers with only one female,
Lydia Bussel, as a kitchen servant but no house or chambermaid. By 1836
Maurice Brown the farm’s blacksmith was indentured to a blacksmith in Albany
and moved to Guildford in 1840 (1836 census). In a letter dated 27th November
1838, Richard Spencer complained “I have spent a fortune in bringing servants
from England and have not one remaining.” Spencer had better luck in hiring
local farm labour: “There has never been a want of labourers here. They are
very drunken and ask high wages but are better than any English servants can
be bought.” (27th November 1838).
Richard Spencer used the term ‘indentured servant’ in his correspondence in
reference to a contract that bound his servants to him for a period of three years
(27th November 1838).
It remains unknown whether the contracts between
39
master and servant were broken, or whether the contracts had been fulfilled
and not renewed. Possibly the servants had not been strictly indentured to
Richard Spencer, otherwise legal repercussions could have resulted if his
servants had broken their contract early, especially when the Jenkins family
purchased a property one year after arriving in the colony.
Besides hiring local labourers on his farms, Spencer also wrote to the
Children’s Friend Society in London, 27th June 1837 asking “…that the society
could send me by the first ship two healthy boys about 14 years old for farm
servants. One to learn to be a shepherd.” In the same letter, Spencer also
requests that “When an opportunity offers of sending out a girl, under the care
of a respectable female passage, Lady Spencer will be happy to receive one,
not above 14 years of age.” The letter also states that orphaned boy servants
already sent to Albany “…are likely to become useful and respectable members
of society.”
Once again Spencer does not refer to the servant’s names or
conditions in his personal correspondence.
A particular type of information that can be gathered from Richard Spencer’s
correspondence is the lists of goods ordered and transported from England to
the Albany settlement, both for Spencer family use and for the establishment of
Hugh Seymour Spencer, Richard’s eldest son, as a merchant in Albany. This
information is especially useful in gauging the relative wealth of the Spencer
family and to gain knowledge of the Spencer’s personal effects as well as the
type of farm equipment used on the Old Farm during the Spencer period of
occupation.
The lists of items ordered from England from 1837 to 1838 are considered here
in functional categories: agricultural, household, food and beverage, and
personal.
The items are sourced from eighteen personal letters kept in
Appendix A.2 written to various merchants in England by Richard Spencer.
40
Table 2.7 Ordered goods with an agricultural function from merchants in
England 1837-1838
Agricultural Function
3 cart whips
6 Webb halters
for horses
6 hunting whips
with hammers
6 thongs for Gig
whips
2 new saddle
cloths
12 dairy pans
2 burry combs
2 pr of string
light cart wheels
an axle
3 Cruppers for
horses saddles
6 dozen or a
given piece of
whip cord
2 tin Lauthones
6 Webb halters
for donkey’s or
calves
3 thousand
detonating caps
3 cruppers for
donkey’s
saddles
6 weeding tools
2 saddles for
small sized
horses
2 leather head
stalls
3 large milk
pans
Most of the items with an agricultural function are linked to the riding of horses
or the use of a cart (Table 2.7). The only items relating to other farm activities
are the presence of fifteen dairy pans and six weeding tools. Spencer indicates
in a letter dated, 27th December 1835, that he has been producing “…sufficient
butter of the highest quality and next year shall have some for the market made
at the sheep farm.” Therefore, besides the market of wheat, wool and meat
from the farm, Spencer intended producing dairy products.
The majority of household items are related to either lighting or window
dressing (Table 2.8). The presence of a large stone oven was listed in a letter
to Mr. Marriott, 20th October 1837.
Spencer praises Marriott’s cooking
apparatus, especially the stone oven. “It is the greatest possible comfort and
convenience for cooking bread baked in the large stone oven. I have one loaf
for my own table baked in it every day.”
The inclusion of window glass is
presumably to replace glass that has been broken, as Spencer brought most
architectural items to build a house in 1833.
41
Table 2.8 Ordered goods with a household function from merchants in England
1837-1838
Household Function
2 common brass 2 brass
lamps
candlesticks
2000 iron tacks
12 papers of
court plaster
8 brass bolts for
French windows
one large stone
oven
6 balls lamp
cotton
12 rings or
thimbles for the
end of mop
handles
plaster of Paris
1 pair strong
plated
candlesticks for
drawing room
3 pelts of brass
for ends of roller
blinds
2000 tin tacks
iron clamps
window glass
14x10, 12x10,
7xG
3 fastenings to
window sashes
The food and beverage category included various types of functions. Therefore
the table was further sub-categorised by food, preparation, beverages and
tableware (Table 2.9). Some of the listed items in the sub-category preparation,
beverages and tableware include those intended for sale by Hugh Seymour
Spencer in establishing his services as a merchant in the Albany settlement.
Richard Spencer’s description of these wares includes the terms ‘plain’ and
‘undecorated’. In a letter to Mr. Bennett, 18th January 1837, Spencer requests
“You must send them the lowest wholesale price for each.” The items in Table
2.9 identified as intended for sale are ordered in multiple dozens. The cutlery,
such as the twelve white-handled dinner knives and twelve desert knives and
the fourteen various pint basins, jugs and pewter mugs were intended for the
Spencer family.
42
Table 2.9 Ordered goods with a food and beverage function from merchants in
England 1837-1838
Food and Beverage Function
Food
3 cwt. 1 ½ in
2 pounds of
load sugar
carbonate of
soda
1 ton sugar
barrel of fine salt
1 ton of rice
2 chests of tea,
one black, one
green
2 jars preserved
ginger
2 jars guinea
(guava) jelly
2 pounds
nutmeg
2 pounds cloves
2 dozen
anchovy
box of mustard
box of fish
sauces
two Hogshead
of Rum
four barrels of
salt pork
Tableware
40 Meat dishes
– various widths
6 corner dishes
with covers
4 doz Soup
12 white
handled dinner
knives
18 Pie dishes –
various widths
12 doz Dinner
Plates
8 doz Cheese
Plates
12 dessert
knives
Beverages
2 doz large
white handles
cups
2 doz saucers
6 pint jugs
4 doz plain
tumblers
Preparation
2 doz pint
basins
2 doz quart
basins
3x 3 pint basins
3x 2 pint basins
4 doz plain or
low fluted wine
glasses
1 quart, 1 pint
pewter mugs
All of the items listed under the food sub-category were also intended for the
Spencer family. They represent food that the Spencer family were unable to
produce. Most of the items are spices or flavourings. An interesting inclusion is
the four barrels of salt pork, as the Spencer’s had many pigs on the farm, also
the two Hogshead of rum, presumably purchased for the servants, as Richard
Spencer preferred to consume wine, as stated in a letter to a friend 27th
December 1835, “I send you a set of Bills for £20 and will thank you to send me
½ a ton of best sugar, a sample of some cheap red and white wines, also a
case of best claret and one dozen of Champagne.” In another letter dated, 30th
March 1838, Richard Spencer reports on the wine received from a friend,
I have just got up the wine and am sorry to tell that 3 bottles of
Champagne were leaked out and a great number of the Claret appear not
full, much evaporated, it has a coat on it like Port. I have tasted the Claret,
and cannot give it the good character you expect, indeed last evening I
had several heads of Department of Swan River to dine with me and they
drank the Port in preference. The port and the sherry appear as good as
can be expected for the money.
The personal function contains the most items and is sub-categorised into
reading/writing, personal, recreational/occupational, clothing and medicinal
43
(Table 2.10). The reading and writing category contained items bought for a
school and comes from a letter to the London merchants, Messrs Arbuthnot and
Lathan’s dated 3rd April 1838. Many of the items were ordered in multiples of a
hundred or the dozen, though they were still used by the Spencer children. The
books, such as the English Grammar, Tutors Assistants and Parley’s Tales,
were obviously intended for the younger Spencer children who were still
learning to read and write.
At the time of this letter the Spencer children ranged from five to twenty-three
years of age. The youngest were William, then Richard at seven, Robert at
eight and Joseph at eleven years. The books, as well as particular writing tools,
such as the pewter ink stands and the Indian rubber were ordered for three
individuals, presumably for the above four children. The inclusion of Marryat’s
Novels and the 6 volume sermons by T.F. Dibdin were presumably intended for
Richard Spencer, his wife and the senior children.
The personal items ordered were intended for grooming and toiletry purposes.
The items were mainly purchased in multiples of six, and therefore presumably
for six individuals within the Spencer family. These items can also be gender
determinant, the razor strap, the three pocket knives and the three tinder boxes
were probably intended for males, as were the two silver mounted watches that
were ordered by Richard Spencer for his two eldest sons, Hugh Seymour and
Edward May.
The occupational and recreational categories can also be gender defined due to
the roles that males and females played in 19th century English society. The
sewing items and materials are probably intended for the Spencer females,
while the whips and horns were intended for the Spencer males.
One-off
inclusions are the two sundials ordered from London merchant, John Warrick,
29th June 1837.
44
Table 2.10 Ordered goods with a personal function from merchants from
England 1837-1838
Personal Function
Reading/Writing
3 Murray’s
abridgements of
English Grammar
1 Parley’s Tales
3 Tutors assistant
12 spelling books
24 primers
1 doz tables of
cards
300 pens
2 reams bath paste
3 reams of foolscap
24 packets of ink
powder
3 pewter ink stands
3 doz B lead
pencils
3 pieces of Indian
rubber
12 doz part copy
books
1 doz printed books
of copies
500 slate pencils
edition of Marryats
novels1
Sermons by T.F.
Dibdin D.D. 6
volumes
Clothing
Recreational/
Occupational
6 light whips for
boys to play with
Personal
Medicinal
6 hand
basins
50lbs soap, 2
yellow, 2 bottles
9 Children’s
boots
1 blue coat,
one black
2 black silk
waistcoats
6 Lady’s silver
thimbles
6 brass powder
horns
3 pounds of
patent pins
12 chambers
4 doz moulds
2 doz wax
2 pair black
trousers
5 doz striped
coloured shirts
12ft of men’s
cotton
stockings
brown or white
2 Fustian suits
100 drilled eyed
needles
100 darning
needles
½ pd dark blue
thread, black
white and brown
6 doz tooth
brushes
6 string
dressing
combs
6 nail
brushes
6 hair
brushes
1 razor strap
3 bone
handled
pocket
knives
6 short
combs for
ladies hair
4 ounces of
laudanum
1 quart oil of
vitriol
2 Fustian suits
2 Troughton
sundials
4 pairs black
Denmark satin,
heels, leather
fronts boots
2 pairs dress
shoes
12 brass knobs
for horns
3 yards of ribbon
3 tin tinder
boxes
6 pairs of small
men’s size light
kid gloves
12 silk stay
laces
6 pairs of large
women’s size
silk stockings
4 pairs small
silk stockings
3 pretty small
shawls for girls
piece of Irish
linen
2 silver
mounting
watches
2 doz
spermaceti
3 ounces Jalap
1 pound
Sarsaparilla
2 ounces of oil
of peppermint
28lb. of Epsom
salts
piece of Welsh
flannel
1
Marryat, Frederick (1792-1848) English naval officer whose novels about life at sea were
widely read during the 1800s. The Naval Officer, or Scenes and Adventures in the Life of Frank
Mildmay (1829), The King’s Own (1830), The Pirate and the Three Cutters (1836), and Mr.
Midshipman Easy (1836).
45
The clothing category was particularly useful in identifying the intended user, as
the clothes were generally ordered from Spencer’s tailor in Lyme Regis, Mr.
Kooke, and named the children, their sizes and quantity. The shoes and boots
were also ordered from the Spencer’s shoemaker in Lyme Regis, Mr. Bennett.
Lady Anne Spencer over the period 1837-1838 had ordered six pair’s silk
stockings, twelve silk stay laces, two pair’s of dress shoes and four pair’s of
boots. The female children, from eldest to youngest, Mary Anne, Augusta and
Eliza Lucy received four pair’s silk stockings, small shawls for girls to wrap
around their necks and a pair of boots each. The male children received a pair
of boots each, one pair of gloves, striped coloured shirts and a Fustian suit.
Richard Spencer received the most number of items; two Fustian suits, 12ft of
cotton stockings, striped coloured shirts, two pair’s of trousers, two black silk
waistcoats and two coats.
The final category, medicinal, provided specific items used by the Spencer
family for various reasons.
Jalap is a purgative drug got especially from
tuberous roots of a Mexican climbing plant, while Sarsaparilla was sourced from
tropical plants (this medicine was primarily sourced from Jamaica) and used as
a tonic.
Laudanum was specifically used for pain relief.
It was a costly
panacea or elixir tincture of opium and is highly addictive.
All of these items were ordered from the London merchant, John Warrick, 29th
June 1837. The letter does not provide information as to the individuals who
used the above medicinal products, however due to Richard Spencer’s ongoing
physical problems from his head injury, the products were likely to have been
used by Richard Spencer. Another indicator for Richard Spencer’s use is in a
personal letter to Lt. Charles Roger, dated 17th August 1837, “I have been very
unwell and unable to move about near five months but pray to the Almighty to
spare me a few years longer to see my numerous children more permanently
settled and provided for.” Richard Spencer had suffered a minor stroke that he
did not recover from until November 1837, creating many concerns for the
welfare of his children and wife if he should die. It was also during this period
46
that he refers to his children writing his letters and also copying letters for
private archive, presumably because he could not write.
Richard Spencer’s personal correspondence describes his views on the ‘native’
situation and his views on treatment, education and employment. In a letter to
the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts in London, 6th
July 1837, Richard conveys that the local Aboriginal population “…are anxious
to be employed as servants both as agricultural and house servants, numbers
of them speak English tolerably well and are anxious to learn the principles of
our Holy Religion.” Richard Spencer was conscious of the social implications to
Aboriginal peoples from Europeans inhabiting Australia and the responsibility
this placed on Europeans. In a letter to Governor Stirling, Spencer’s views on
European responsibility for Aboriginal people is demonstrated,
…the owners of all lands should be bound to maintain the Natives to
whom it respectively belongs and the boundaries of each individuals land
is as well known as the family estate of any…in England, the occupier
should obtain as much work as possible from the Native for his provisions,
but they should be bound to see that they do not starve (21st July 1837).
He also was of the belief that the only option was to fully assimilate the local
inhabitants through religion.
Richard had also been requesting that a
clergyman be employed to serve the Albany settlement and in the same letter
asked that, “a married missionary residing here and none other should be sent
could have both male and female native servants in his house which would be
the readiest means of teaching them the truths of the Gospel.”
Richard Spencer was also responsible for providing clothing and cooking
utensils for the local Aboriginal population. This was used in conjunction to
educate and convert the Mineng to Christianity:
…by some charitable Ladies Her Highness The Duchess of Kent, Lady G.
Murray, Lady M. Dyson and others, at my request have sent me some red
flannel dresses for the families, which I have had the pleasure of giving
them at the commencement of this winter and nothing can equal their
delight and gratitude for them (6th July 1837).
47
Hugh Seymour Spencer, the eldest son, also shared his father’s beliefs. In a
letter to the British and Foreign Bible Society, 18th January 1837, Hugh refers to
a local Aboriginal male employed by the Spencer family, “Our native servant is
always present on his knees at family prayers and our native always attends the
Church service.”
Hugh also displays some understanding of the Mineng
religion and its believed similarities with Christianity in a letter to the British and
Foreign Bible Society,
They have an idea of an evil spirit, whom they call ‘Jannock’, and of whom
they are in constant dread. That is present punishment of annoyance. I
don’t believe they think at all of future punishments; a woman who had
been always about our house lost her baby and when Lady Spencer
asked her where it was, she pointed to the clouds and said “up there”. I
don’t know whether she had learnt that from us as they always attend our
funerals, walking two and two and appear as sorry at the loss as our own
people (18th January 1837).
iii) Strawberry Hill logbook (1836-1838)
The most interesting historical document surviving from the Richard Spencer
period is a logbook, as it provides a wealth of information about the daily farm
activities and the people who worked and lived on the site during the period
1836 to 1838. A complete transcribed copy is included in Appendix A.4. The
logbook’s survival is also attributed to Robert Stephens. It was included in the
back of the accounts book containing copies of the Spencer family letters (BL
MN533).
The logbook is attributed to be written by Richard Spencer’s eldest daughter, by
the header on the first page “by Mary Anne Spencer”, beginning 1st February
1836. However Mary Anne married Arthur Trimmer on the 28th April 1836 and
moved to the town of York, therefore all entries after this date cannot be
attributed to her. The authorship can be inferred from the text which always
refers to events that occurred away from the farm and recorded the comings
and goings of the older male Spencer children.
The author also refers to
Richard and Anne Spencer as ‘Papa’ and ‘Mama’ and to Mary Anne on her
wedding day as ‘my sister’. The logbook was therefore presumably the efforts
48
of one or more of the younger Spencer children, possibly one of the daughters,
Augusta and Eliza Lucy.
The logbook’s intended reader or the reason for its existence remains unclear.
Richard Spencer was keen to encourage his children to study and therefore the
logbook could have resulted from a desire to practice their penmanship.
Richard Spencer delighted in the fruits of his farm and maybe out of pride
wanted to record all the farm’s successes for posterity.
The logbook does
contain detailed accounts of the number of sheep and cattle at the Hay River
farm.
It records the birth of all the farm animals and the amount of crops
planted and harvested each season. The logbook also contains the names of
ships coming and going from the harbour, providing insight into Richard
Spencer’s passion for the sea as well as providing a wealth of information about
the types of ships and their frequency. The logbook ends without warning on
the 30th December 1838, though the preceding months entries were becoming
less frequent.
The logbook’s most important information are the names and activities of the
farm servants and labourers that were not mentioned in Richard Spencer’s
personal correspondence. Through the aid of the West Australian Biographical
Index (1988) the names of the farm workers and their family circumstances
have provided valuable insight into the lives of these individuals, most of the
information was sourced from the 1836 census completed by Edward May
Spencer. The reference of these individuals by surname greatly improved the
finding and embellishment of their lives.
Table 2.11 lists the names of the Spencer’s farm labourers from 1836 to 1838
and provides biographical information and their occupations included in the
Biographical Index (Erickson 1988). When compared with Table 2.6 that lists
the indentured servants Spencer brought out with him from England, only
James Stoodley remained employed by 1836. The inclusion of four orphans
sent by the Children’s Friend Society in London corroborates Richard Spencer’s
letter dated 27th June 1837 requesting more boys to be sent. All four boys
49
arrived on the 19th June 1834 via the Pattison and worked on Richard
Spencer’s farms.
Table 2.11 Alphabetical list of farm labourers cited in the Strawberry Hill
logbook 1836-1838
Name
Brown, James
Evans, Richard
Hughes, John
Johnson, John
Ludlow, Frederick
Mason, John
Newell (Neale), Charles
Newell (Neale), James
Paine, John
Smallhorn, Samuel
Staples, J.
Stoodley, James
Thomas, William
Townsend, Henry
Young, John
Date of Birth
1820
1796
1825
1796
1820
1818
1813
1795
1819
1812
1811
1796
Age 1836-1838
16-18
40-42
11-13
40-42
16-18
18-20
23-25
41-43
17-19
24-26
25-27
40-42
Occupation
Orphan
Servant
Orphan
Servant
Shepherd
Labourer
Orphan
Orphan
Gardener
Labourer
Servant/bricklayer
Farmer and grazier
Labourer and builder
As stated in the Barker journal accounts of the farm’s activities, the story of the
Newell family and their connection with the Strawberry Hill farm started when
James Newell, a ticket of leave convict, arrived from Tasmania during Lockyer’s
command in 1827 and, as recorded in Captain Barker’s journal, worked
sporadically at the farm until the Spencer family’s arrival in 1833. His family,
including his son Charles, followed him from Tasmania in 1831.
The
relationship between the Newells and the Spencers was long lived. James
Newell leased adjoining farmland to produce crops and the farm’s logbook
includes many references to the families’ activities.
Richard Spencer also
employed Charles Newell as a shepherd on his Hay River sheep farm and his
sister, Mary, married Matthew Gill, one of Richard Spencer’s indentured
servants from England.
The references to the farm labourers in the Strawberry Hill logbook usually
coincided with the male Spencer activities to and from the Hay River sheep
farm as cited in the example below.
November 1836
1st: Seymour, Edward and Young went to the Hay with cart
50
2nd: Began shearing sheep at the Hay
4th: Horace returned from the Hay brought 2 lambs. Sheep all well and 1
killed. 347 remaining
Most of the labourers lived and worked on the sheep farm, though they usually
returned to Strawberry Hill every couple of weeks to bring lambs and kangaroos
for food. Most of the references to labourers in the logbook document their
movement between the Strawberry Hill and the Hay River farms.
Table 2.12 List of events by the Spencers farm labourers included in the
Date
20th April 1836
Name
Tom and Paine
2nd July 1836
28th December 1836
Paine
Paine
27th August 1837
Paine
20th November 1837
26th February 1838
7th March 1838
10th May 1838
11th May 1838
21st May 1838
Evans
Dan and Mr Grath
Paine
Paine
Dan
Dan
Logbook Entry
Mule died. Found to be beaten to death by
Tom and boy Paine
Paine sentenced to Black Hole 14 days
Paine went into the Settlement without leave
and remained late at night.
Paine burnt 4 pairs new boots of the children
because he wished to go out
Evans broke his arm.
Dan and Mr Grath burnt the new hut down
Paine left out ewe and lamb, lamb lost
Paine ran away from Chokerup
Dan went to jail
Dan ran from prison.
Table 2.12 lists the events involving the Spencer’s farm labourers included in
the Strawberry Hill logbook, containing information about the orphan John
Paine and his temperamental nature and an individual named Dan. However
no records obtained provided information about this latter person.
The
misdemeanours of Spencer’s farm labourers were treated harshly “Paine
sentenced to Black Hole 14 days”, for acts that were not recorded in the
logbook (2nd July 1836). Also the acts that are included in the logbook do not
include the reaction and the subsequent punishment of the individual.
The logbook records the quantity and frequency of provisions given to the
Mineng from the Government Stores. Provisioning is the main reference to the
local Aboriginal population in the farm’s logbook as well as the only activities in
the logbook that relate to Richard Spencer’s occupation as Government
Resident. Five entries record provisions being given to local Aboriginal people,
though more may have occurred that were not recorded.
51
The provisions
included an amount of salted beef and flour. There is one other reference to
‘natives’ affecting the Spencer family by the spearing of two Oxen at the Hay
River farm 2nd March 1838.
The logbook also provides information about particular events in the Spencer
family during this period (Table 2.13). Interestingly, Richard Spencer’s own
illness, resulting from a stroke in 1837 is not recorded in the logbook. The only
reference to an illness is the visit of Dr. Crichton from the Swan River in entries
12th and 15th October 1837. In Richard Spencer’s personal correspondence in
October 1837, he thanks the Governor for sending the Doctor to him, though by
this stage he had already been seriously ill five months.
The logbook quantifies the number of animals slaughtered for consumption by
the Spencer family, their servants and labourers, and the types of vegetables
planted and harvested. This information does not provide details as to which
individuals
ate
at
the
farm
or,
as
recorded
in
Richard
Spencer’s
correspondence, whether the meat was sold. Graph 2.1 provides the type and
frequency of animals slaughtered from 1836 to 1838 and Graph 2.2 shows the
total number of animals slaughtered as per the logbook.
Table 2.13 Events recorded in the Strawberry Hill logbook 1836-1838 relating to
the Spencer family.
Date
th
27 April 1836
28th April 1836
th
13 May 1836
Event
Foundation stone of barn laid
Wedding – Mary Ann
Spencer and Arthur Trimmer
st
21 Birthday – Hugh
Seymour Spencer
5th September 1836
Men’s kitchen started
13th September 1836
Four year anniversary in
Albany
7th December
rd
3 June 1837
Governor Stirling Visit
th
4 Birthday – William
Spencer
Description/Comment
Breakfast at 10 o’clock and a
merry party.
Fixed a salute of 21 guns at
12 o’clock a ball in the
evening.
Began the men’s kitchen,
Thomas at work.
Fired a salute 11 guns in
commemoration of our arrival
in the colony
Party for William
Graph 2.1 demonstrates that sheep were the primary animal reportedly
consumed at the Old Farm. There is also a shift from consuming lambs to
sheep, possibly due to the author previously referring to all sheep as lambs, or
52
showing a conscious decision to consume older animals rather than the young
lambs that had yet to contribute their own offspring to the Hay River farm.
Another inclusion is the addition of kangaroo meat to the farm’s diet. This
occurs mainly late 1836 and early 1837 when the farm had not yet established
its stock. There is also one inclusion of an emu in December 1836, though this
experience was not repeated.
Graph 2.2 shows the total number of animals slaughtered and demonstrates
through linear regression that the total over time was increasing at an average
rate of almost two animals per year. Graphs 2.1 and 2.2 both demonstrate
particular peaks in consumption throughout the year. The main trend appears
to be an increase in the number of animals slaughtered in the months leading
up to December and probably coincides with the festivities of Christmas and
New Year, though these peaks also probably represent additional animals
slaughtered for sale in the settlement.
This could also reflect a seasonal
variation when lambs were only available after lambing. Even though sheep
are the primary meat consumed during these peak seasons calves were also
slaughtered. The inclusion of eighteen sheep and one kangaroo in October
1837 is not clear from the logbook or any other correspondence, the high total
was the result of Horace returning from the Hay River with fourteen sheep on
28th October.
53
Graph 2.1 Frequency of animals slaughtered from the Strawberry Hill logbook
1836-1838
Dec
Oct
Aug
Jun
Apr
Feb
Lamb
Dec
Sheep
Year/Month
Oct
Kangaroo
Aug
Emu
Calf
Jun
Cow
Apr
Pig
Bull
Feb
Dec
Oct
Aug
Jun
Apr
Feb
1836
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Frequency
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Frequency
Graph 2.2 Total number of animals slaughtered as per the Strawberry Hill
logbook 1836-1838
1836
1837
1838
Year/Month
Total Consumed
Linear (Total Consumed)
*Linear regression (y=mx=b)
54
The inclusion of vegetables in the Strawberry Hill logbook unfortunately cannot
be quantified like the meat. However the logbook does report the types of
vegetables available and the time of sowing.
Table 2.14 provides a
chronological list of the vegetables planted at the Old Farm as entered in the
Strawberry Hill logbook from 1836 to 1838. The majority of vegetables were
sown in August/September of each year, though in 1836 they were sown a
month early. Turnips and potatoes were not sown in specific seasons, while the
cereal crops, such as wheat, barley and oats were sown in winter or early
spring and harvested during the summer months.
Table 2.14 Plants sown from Strawberry Hill logbook 1836-1838
1836
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
turnip, potato
carrot, pease, beans
turnip
potato, cauliflower
almond trees
wheat, onion,
cabbage, lettuce,
celery, radish,
artichoke, pease,
beans, asparagus,
raspberry, grape
beans, melon, barley
French beans,
carrots
pease, beans
-
1837
turnip, potato
cabbage, broccoli,
radish, cauliflower,
beans, pease,
French beans
turnip, wheat
wheat
asparagus
1838
turnip
-
barley, pease, beans
barley
pease, potato, wheat,
oats, barley, potato
broad beans, Indian
corn, dwarf beans
potato
-
potato, wheat
dwarf beans, oats
barley
wheat
-
The planting system at the farm closely revolved around other farm activities.
For example the lack of planting in November and December, though due to
harsher climate conditions coincided with the shearing of the sheep and
preparation of wool bales for sale.
Though the planting system is mainly
followed each year, in 1838 there were significantly less vegetables being
planted. As mentioned previously, the entries of 1838 are less frequent and are
55
more concise which could have attributed to a decrease in the number of
vegetable plantings being recorded.
iv) Strawberry Hill drawings
There are only two pictorial drawings known to exist of the Old Farm during
Richard Spencer’s occupation.
The first is a black ink drawing penned by
George Pitt Morison. Believed to be drawn in 1833 the original is kept at the
Old Farm in Albany. As seen in Figure 2.3, a copy of the sketch shows a single
storied dwelling viewed from a rocky hill overlooking Middleton Bay.
The
drawing also shows a fenced area, to the east of the dwelling. The dwelling has
one chimney and a small veranda over the front door that faces the northern
slopes and surrounded by a large cleared area.
The objectivity of this drawing is doubtful, as George Pitt Morison was not born
until 1861 (Chapman 1979:103). Morison arrived from Melbourne in Perth in
1894 and worked in a photographic studio in Bunbury, in 1896 he was a
prospector in Coolgardie and upon his return to Perth became a draughtsman
in the Lands and Surveys Department.
The production of this sketch was
therefore an artist’s representation of the farm in 1833. In comparison with a
later map (1855) the dwelling orientation and front entrance are completely
wrong. The original dwelling ran along a north/south orientation and the front
door faced west.
56
Figure 2.3 Drawing by George Pitt Morison, 1833
Another drawing reportedly executed during this period was by Assistant
Surveyor, Ommanney, during a visit to the farm in 1836 (Figure 2.4). The
original is kept at the Battye Library, though a copy was made from the archived
copies of photographic and drawing collections (BL 6392B).
The drawing
shows a xanthorrea in the foreground and a large hill in the background, also a
small dwelling to the left, again showing a single dwelling structure with a
veranda and front door. It is not easily identifiable which hill dominates this
picture’s background, it could be Strawberry Hill, however the height of the hill
is not in perspective with the dwelling, as the hill is too high this may be Mt.
Clarence with the artist facing south-west. Again the location of the dwelling
and the hill do not correspond with the actual topography.
Another problem with this drawing is the exclusion of a number of buildings
already built by Richard Spencer by 1836. The two-storey granite structure
adjoining the original cottage and the kitchen and scullery had already been
constructed by the time this drawing was sketched.
57
Figure 2.4 Drawing by Ommanney, 1836
4. Historical accounts of Lady Spencer and the farm’s decline (1839-1889)
i) Personal correspondence (1839-1840)
The Spencer family personal correspondence in the period following Richard
Spencer’s death primarily include letters written by Anne Spencer, though the
eldest son, Hugh Seymour, also wrote a number of letters that informed friends
and family of Richard Spencer’s death, settled debts in England and finalised
his will. These eighteen letters were also transcribed into Robert Stephen’s
accounts book in 1946 and are not to be considered as original documents (BL
MN533). Selected sections of the eighteen letters are included in Appendix
A.5.
The greatest amount of insight offered from these personal letters, is the
despair and distress of Anne Spencer upon her husband’s death and her lack of
knowledge concerning her late husband’s financial situation. Anne Spencer’s
ignorance of conducting business is demonstrated in a letter to the Spencer’s
solicitor in Devonshire, Mr. Mules, on the 15th August 1839, three weeks after
Richard’s death.
58
I am so unaccustomed to business transactions that I fear my numerous
enquiries will be troublesome to you. Pray my kind friend write me by the
first opportunity as I shall be anxious to your advice.
In letters to the Spencer’s agent, Mr. Stilwell, Anne Spencer becomes
increasingly distressed about the debt that Richard incurred and the ways in
which Anne could relieve the situation. At this time a number of Bills made out
to various merchants had been returned to Anne unpaid, due to Richard
Spencer’s debt with Stillwell.
I have been extremely shocked and distressed not only by the annoyance
it has occasioned me but also on account of the strain that may be
attached to the character of my beloved husband by receiving in addition
to Messrs Samson’s Bill for £40, James Dunn’s dated 9th 1838 for [£]25,
Thomas King dated do for £129 and Stephen Knight dated March 1838 for
£40. (4th September 1839)
The Spencer’s financial situation was known by Richard before his death,
though presumably from the above, was not communicated to his wife. In a
letter to the merchant, Mr. Warrick (9th February 1839), Richard writes “It has
been a madness in me not adding up my accounts for the last 2 years.
However I am paying for it now, it annoys me so much. I shall be fortunate if I
do not knock up.” Richard instructed Mules and Stilwell to sell their cottage in
Lyme Regis in order to cover the debt incurred, though this was not completed
until after Richard’s death in December 1839.
Anne Spencer’s stress was relieved when Hugh Seymour returned from the
Swan River Colony. As news of Richard Spencer’s death had to be relayed to
the Swan River and a ship was not available, the quickest option was for Hugh
to ride to Perth and relay the news himself. Upon his return, Hugh took over the
financial and legal commitments for the Spencer family.
Selling the English cottage and settling all the accounts by June 1840 quickly
relieved the financial situation of the Spencer family upon Richard’s death. In
the first letter to Mr. Mules after Richard’s death Anne writes,
…I have no doubt but with God’s blessing we shall in the course of 3 or 4
years become nearly independent, as the next year we shall have 900
breeding ewes and 40 acres of wheat and about 20 cows breeding this
59
must be a better prospect than any other person here has. (14th August
1839)
Even though the debt had been covered, Anne Spencer still had to contend with
supporting her family and paying for servants and farm labourers until the farm
was independent. In response, Anne as a naval officer widow, wrote a letter to
the Admiralty Secretary, requesting a “…pension allowed to widows of Post
Captains of three years standing and upwards.” (12th September 1838):
The gallant and long service, 48 years of my late husband and the serious
wounds he received in the service of his country, as well as having left me
a widow with 10 children in a distant land and the youngest not 5 years
old, on an income of barely £200 p.a. will I trust induce their Lordships to
take my case under their most favourable notice.
Hugh Seymour meanwhile applied for his father’s position of Government
Resident in a letter to the Colonial Office in London (1st February 1840). At the
same time the Government Resident position was temporarily held by Captain
Grey of the 83rd Regiment. On the 2nd November 1839, approximately two
months after her father’s death, Eliza Lucy, the second eldest daughter married
George Grey, who later went on to become Governor of South Australia in 1841
and New Zealand in 1861.
The Spencer family received another blow when the third eldest son, Horatio
William died in September 1839 accidentally by a falling tree. Anne Spencer
did not refer to Horatio’s death in any letters, though further tragedy when Hugh
Seymour died in the following year would force her to take control of the family’s
affairs. The earliest reference to Hugh’s death was in a letter from Anne to Mr.
Stilwell, 9th September 1840 “You will have heard ere this of the melancholy
death of my late beloved eldest son Hugh Seymour.” In a letter to a family
friend 21st September 1840, Anne relays the circumstances of Horatio and
Hugh’s death,
Twelve months ago, two months after the decease of my dear husband, I
lost my third eldest son, and six months since it pleased the Almighty to
visit me another severe trial. My eldest son had gone off to a ship on the
Harbour and on returning in a boat with some other gentleman, it was
upset and my poor boy sank, to rise no more, except as lifeless clay.
60
You may imagine my dear but it is impossible for me to describe the
agonising feelings of sorrow I have since experienced. I have received
your kind letter addressed to my late husband.
Since the death of her eldest son, Anne relied on her second eldest, Edward
May to conduct business transactions on her behalf. Only one letter has been
archived from Edward May, to his maternal uncle Matthew Liddon, 5th October
1840. The letter conveys the effects of the deaths on his mother, “I am happy
to say my Mother has gradually regained her composure, but her health is still
somewhat infirm, the remainder of us I am glad to say are quite well.” This
personal letter is also the last archived from the Spencer family, though Anne
Spencer lived until 1855 and Edward May until 1869.
ii) Strawberry Hill logbook (1852-1853)
The Strawberry Hill logbook from 1852 to 1853 contains a wealth of information
about the farm’s inhabitants and activities. This logbook provides a valuable
comparison between the period of Richard Spencer’s Government Residence
with all of the Spencer family still living on the property and the period after his
death when the family dispersed. The Strawberry Hill logbook 1852-1853 was
also transcribed by Robert Stephens in 1946 and held at the Battye Library (BL
MN533). A complete transcription can be viewed in Appendix A.6.
The author of the second logbook is clearer than the earlier logbook (18361838).
During this period, Lady Anne had returned to England with the
youngest sons, Joseph, Robert, Richard and William to further their education
and the daughters had married and moved from the farm. The most likely
author is therefore Edward May Spencer, the second eldest son, who in 1852
was thirty-three years old. After Hugh Seymour’s death in 1840, Edward May
assumed control of the farm’s activities and finances. The logbook entries are
written in the first person and breaks in entries are followed by a return from the
sheep farm on the Hay River. Illustrating that the author was also the primary
farmer on the site.
As a result the logbook has many entry gaps that
sometimes lasted months. The most complete year of the logbook is 1852 with
61
two months, October and December omitted, though 1853 had a three month
gap and finished in September.
The existence of the logbook for only two years during this period is again
unclear. More than likely it was Lady Anne and the four younger Spencer
children’s absence that initiated the record. Unlike the previous logbook the
entries are more infrequent and are interrupted by Edward May’s numerous
trips to the Hay River farm. A further inclusion in this logbook are local weather
descriptions.
A number of farm labourers were included in the logbook, though most of the
names were also entered in the 1836-1838 logbook. Table 2.15 lists the farm
labourers recorded in the logbook. As per Table 2.11 additional information
from the West Australian Biographical Index (1988) has been included.
Table 2.15 Alphabetical list of farm labourers in the Strawberry Hill logbook
1852-1853
Name
Dan
Jones
Knapp
Newell (Neale), Charles
Newell (Neale), James
Price
Thomas, William
White, George
Date of Birth
-
Age 1852-1853
-
Occupation
-
1820
-
32-33
-
Shepherd
Labourer
1812
1820
40-41
32-33
Servant/bricklayer
Servant
There are a number of differences in the types of activities at the farm during
this period. There is a shift in focus from crop growing and sheep farming to
activities benefiting other Albany settlers, such as carting firewood and stone for
building materials. The Old Farm’s shift in activities was in part the result of the
lease of the surrounding farm to the Newell family, though the Spencers still
kept the garden in front of the farmhouse. This enabled the Spencer family to
take advantage of the growing Albany settlement and the need for building
materials for the many new inhabitants. Though the Spencer family’s activities
had shifted, they were still managing the sheep farm on the Hay River and were
often employed working in Newell’s paddocks.
62
Many of the logbook entries describe cutting and carting loads of building
materials, such as wood, rushes and stone for various private individuals and
public institutions. During this period a number of well known historical Albany
buildings were being constructed and from the Strawberry Hill logbook, it
appears that the Spencers had an important role in supplying the builders with
materials. Table 2.16 records who the Spencers worked for during this period
and the types of materials that were sought.
As recorded in Table 2.16 the majority of materials sought were building
materials. There is also a record of a brick kiln on the farm to make bricks for
the Church in May 1852, presumably using clay soil available on the farm.
There are also a few key individuals and institutions that obtained the majority
of materials from the Spencer family. The individuals Pullen, Dunn, Camfield,
MacKail and Cheyne employed Edward May Spencer on a regular basis, while
contracts with the Government Commissary, the Archdeacon Barrett for the
Church, the Depot and the Institution (Annesfield) kept Edward May constantly
in employ.
From the West Australian Biographical Index (Erickson, 1988) the details of the
individuals above are able to provide added information about Edward May’s
work and the relationships he had with other Albany settlers. John Pullen’s past
is unclear, though the biographical index states that he was a Private in the 51st
Regiment and stationed at York in 1840. He may therefore have travelled to
Albany with Captain George Grey.
James Richard Dunn, however is well
known as a wheelwright, pastoralist and builder. He was contracted with John
MacKail to build the Albany Jetty and was also appointed Jailer and Police
Constable 1841-1849 and a Member of the Albany Town Trust in 1860. Henry
Camfield was also a leading Albany settler appointed as the Resident
Magistrate from 1848 to 1860 and Magistrate at the Albany Depot in 1851.
Camfield and his wife, Anne, were dedicated in educating the Aboriginal
children and the logbook’s references to building the Institution in 1853 probably
relate to the construction of Annesfield School.
63
John MacKail was another prominent Albany settler, who married one of the
Spencer’s English indentured servants, Henrietta Jenkins in 1839.
He was
primarily an agent and merchant as well as Postmaster from 1843 to 1846. He
was also a sandalwood exporter and pastoralist in the 1860s.
Table 2.17 Building and other materials sourced from the Strawberry Hill
logbook 1852-1853
1852
Activity/Material
Carting wood
1853
Activity/Material
Carting rushes
Carting wood
Carting wood
Carting
February
Carting stones
Carting wood
Raising stones
Town Trust
Pullen, Dunn
March
Carting wood
Martin, Pullen
Carting
Carting rushes
Carting wood
April
Carting stones
Ploughing
Carting
Carting stones
Laying bricks
Government
Uglow
MacKail
Church
Church
Carting stones
Stores
Selling produce
Carting shingles
Carting rushes
Carting wood
May
Brick kiln –
500 bricks
Carting bricks
Carting stones
Carting gravel
Carting wood
Carting rails
Carting shingles
Carting
Carting wood
Carting wood
Carting shingles
Carting
Archdeacon
Barrett
-
Sought By
Camfield
Dunn, Camfield
MacKail, Dunn
Cheyne, Dunn,
Camfield,
MacKenzie
Steamers
Camfield
Dunn, MacKail,
Cheyne
Government
Uglow
Visiting ship
Dunn, MacKail
Camfield
Williams, MacKail,
Cheyne, Depot
-
-
-
-
-
Building
Bag of potatoes
Carting stone
Stores from
ships
Carting wood
Carting wood
Working
-
Camfield
Cheyne
-
-
Institution
MacKail
Cheyne
Doulby, Dunn,
Cheyne
Warburton, Mrs.
Jenkins. Depot,
MacKail,
Humphries,
Sutherland,
Commissary
-
-
-
January
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Sought By
Cooper
Government
Barrett, MacKail
MacKail
MacKail
Williams
MacKail
Williams
Williams
Dunn
64
The entries recorded in the Strawberry Hill logbook about the various activities
for the Town Trust, the Government, the Church and the Institution demonstrate
that the Spencer family and their labourers were often employed to provide
building materials for a number of important historical town buildings.
Though the logbook does not include information about the number of animals
slaughtered for consumption like the 1836-1838 logbook, the 1852-1853
logbook does provide general information about the type of vegetables planted.
Table 2.17 Types of plants sown from the Strawberry Hill logbook 1852-1853
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
1852
Potatoes
Swede, white turnip, potatoes
Indian corn, potatoes, turnips
Oats, barley, wheat,
strawberries
Potatoes, cabbages, hay,
turnip
Potatoes, asparagus, turnips
Potatoes, carrots
Cabbages, potatoes, wheat,
oats, peas, gooseberries
-
1853
Potatoes, turnip
Turnips, cabbages, barley
Potatoes, onions cabbages
-
Table 2.17 lists the types of plants sown at the Old Farm including land leased
by the Newell family. The obvious planting difference between the Strawberry
Hill’s logbooks of 1836-1838 and 1852-1853 are the reduced amount of
vegetables and fruits being planted during the latter period, though the logbook
does not enable the researcher to quantify amounts.
Apart from the large
monthly omissions in the 1852-1853 logbook the reduced amount of fruit and
vegetables could be attributed to the reduced number of the Spencer family
living on the Old Farm during this period. Another difference is the reduced
variety of vegetables and fruits grown on the Strawberry Hill Farm. There are
only eight varieties of vegetables planted in 1852 compared to twelve varieties
in 1836, the only mention of a fruit variety in 1852 are strawberries and
gooseberries, but in 1836 they include melons, grapes and raspberries. This
65
reduction could relate to production from earlier plantings. Another omission
concerns the plantings and maintenance of a flower garden begun by Richard
Spencer in 1833.
iii) Chauncy’s Surveyor field-notes and map
The only known drawing or map showing a visual representation of the Old
Farm during the period 1839 to 1889 is a surveyor’s map released in 1855 by
the Surveyor General’s Office in Perth. Chauncy drew the map from a visit to
the farm in 1851 of which the field-notes are currently kept on microfiche at the
State Records Office at Alexander Library. The 1855 map includes the location
of structures at Strawberry Hill (Figure 2.5). The field-notes provide further
information as to the building materials used as well as detailed surveys of
structures. These were used to locate the archaeological excavations.
There are a number of structures on the Strawberry Hill farm that have survived
to the present, however the original cottage attached to a two-storey granite
structure built by Spencer in 1835-1836 burned down in 1870. Therefore this
map is the only historical document that enables the researcher to know the
exact dimensions of the original cottage. The kitchen and scullery are attached
at an angle and other structures and fences have been depicted.
The 1851 field-notes are useful in identifying the other structures on the
property.
Figure 2.6 illustrates the basic outline from the 1855 map with
additional information supplied by Chauncy’s 1851 field-notes.
This figure
shows the structural materials used and the function of most of the structures
present. The function of the two structures that run parallel with the farmhouse
are unknown. Chauncy’s field-notes also record the elaborate ditch and bank
system around the paddock and garden to the right of the farmhouse that
replaced the need for fencing. Though the purpose of this system is unknown,
it could possibly be the product of a drainage system.
66
Figure 2.5 Strawberry Hill Map, Surveyor General’s Office, Perth, 1855
The function of the structures in this map can also be expanded with the 18521853 logbook that refers to specific activities on the farm. The Strawberry Hill
logbook 1852-1853 records the existence of a cow house/shed, a small and
large shed, stables, pigsty and a pig house.
The logbook records specific
activities that would have occurred in a structure, such as tanning skins,
washing wool, cleaning wheat and thrashing oats. As Chauncy surveyed the
property in 1851 the logbook entries one year later provide concurrent
information of the farm structures.
67
Figure 2.6 A map based on Chauncy’s 1855 Map with additional data from his
1851 field-notes
Mahogany forest and Red Gum
paddock
barn
stockyard
sandy soil
shed and stables
bridle track
animal pen
original track
from Albany settlement
wheat field
rocky outcrop
sandy soil
kitchen
shed
garden
garden
house
rich black loamy soil
paddock
pig sty
brown loamy soil
creek
rushy swamp
arable land
track
poor sandy soil
Middleton Road
brick/stone structure
wood structure
As seen in Figure 2.6 the stockyard and wooden structure are probably the cow
shed and yard. There are also two sheds identified from the field-notes that
include the stone barn built in 1836 and recorded in the 1836-1838 logbook.
The stables is probably the stone structure with the open-ended yard east of the
cow yard. However the function of the two parallel structures, one stone and
one wood, remain unknown, though they were possibly used as stores for
equipment and produce. The pigsty identified from Chauncy’s 1851 field-notes
68
is actually the lowest structure on the map below the two unidentified structures.
This is a wooden structure with an enclosed yard.
The logbook also provides information in conjunction with the Chauncy 1855
map as to where specific crops were planted. The areas identified in Figure 2.6
as the paddock is the location of the wheat, barley and oat crops that were
leased to Charles Newell and the garden next to the paddock would probably
have been the location of mainly potato and turnip plantings also leased by
Newell.
The other garden, also referred to as the ‘lower garden’ from the
logbook, is the site for the Spencer vegetable and fruit plantings.
5. The Bird family period of occupation (1889-1956)
The third and final period of the Old Farm’s occupation was by the Bird Family,
though as this research focuses on the 1800s, the historical documents from
the Bird Family period of occupation has not been analysed.
Though the
documents from this period are readily available and many early photographs
were produced, the occupation of this site during this period saw the
abandonment of a farming subsistence coinciding with the urbanisation of the
surrounding area along Middleton Beach Road by the early 20th century.
6. Conclusions
The documentary analysis of the historical accounts during the 19th century
provides a wealth of information about the occupants of the Old Farm. Though
these accounts described activities such as crop sowing and animal husbandry
as well as providing insight into social organisation of the period, the documents
were not representative of all the individuals who lived and worked on this site.
Due to the biases of the authors and the historical conservatism of the
documents, the analysis cannot provide a holistic interpretation of the Old Farm
during the 19th century.
69
Chapter 3 Old Farm Archaeological Methodology and
Organisation
The aim of the historical archaeological research at the Old Farm was to
interpret the people who worked and lived on the site in the 1800s, so that a
complete history could be constructed representing all social groups.
Archaeological excavation enables the researcher to collect and analyse
material objects to construct an interpretation of the past.
The analysis of
material remains can be used to infer past social organisation and relationships,
such as status and class, gender and ethnicity manifested in built environments
or from associated material objects. The archaeological excavation at the Old
Farm therefore aimed to collect a sample of objects that represented all social
groups, by excavating in known habitation or occupation areas.
Fieldwork conducted at the Old Farm consisted of two field periods, the first in
November 2000, aimed to test the site for surface artefact distributions, to
design a grid referencing system, for the archaeological excavation and to
excavate small test-pits to identify stratigraphic profiles and optimum locations
for subsequent excavations. The main fieldwork conducted in February 2001
consisted of a three-week long excavation of areas identified during the initial
fieldwork.
Initial fieldwork
a) Surface survey
During the November field period, a colleague and I conducted a surface survey
of the whole site, including areas outside of the current National Trust property
(see Figure 1.2 in Chapter 1 for the current National Trust property boundary
and the immediate surrounding area). This surface survey was conducted to
identify particular areas for future excavation from the presence of artefactual
material, and to also locate past structures with the use of historical maps. The
surface survey identified particular areas within the current National Trust
property that contained low density surface scatters, suggesting the presence of
past structures and also the possible location of a refuse area north of the
farmhouse.
70
b) Grid referencing system
A grid referencing system was used to enable the site to be surveyed and
excavated within a one metre square grid. The grid system across the site
assisted excavation locations to be identified in relation to past and present site
structures. As the property runs along a north/south orientation the grid system
was incorporated to fit within this layout.
The grid system also aimed to
construct one continual grid across the whole site that was sited from a central
datum location. In order for this to occur the grid system was orientated 20°
north/200º south.
The datum (50H 05 82 059 UTM 6124535) was located between the worker’s
cottage and the farmhouse (see Figure 3.1). All squares running along the
north/south axis are numerically labelled, the east/west axis is alphabetic.
Therefore the north-eastern square of the property was identified as square A1
and the central datum point at the north-western corner of square PP33.
c) Sample test-pits
The final objective of the first fieldwork period was to excavate a number of test
pits (25cm²) to locate stratigraphy and to identify locations for further
excavation. Seven small test-pits were excavated across the site (see Figure
3.1). These test-pits were not expanded into 1m² during the main excavation
fieldwork . Chauncy’s 1855 map was used to locate past structures and identify
key test-pit areas for sampling. Artefacts recovered from the seven test-pits
were included in the analysis.
71
Figure 3.1 Grid reference and datum used for the Old Farm excavation and
location of sample test-pits from the initial fieldwork
D46
Beauchamp Street
C43
N
garden shed
warden's cottage
farmhouse
worker's cottage
200S/20N
site datum n/w
cnr PP33
BB6
Y50
TT45
AA46
sundial height
datum
0.86m
YY52
existing structure
concrete well
bitumen path
tree
garden bed
1 cm = 2 m
surface scatters of artefacts
Excavation fieldwork
1. Excavation methodology
Excavation at the Old Farm, followed established archaeological excavation
techniques (Higginbotham 1985, Roskams 2001). Due to the large site area
and the number of structural locations needed for sampling, the excavation of
1m squares were used. Particular squares were identified for excavation within
the grid system. Excavation areas were chosen from known past and current
structure locations and the identification of historical artefact surface scatters.
The location was surveyed from the central datum to keep three dimensional
records of the site. The height datum used for all squares excavated was the
sundial, set in concrete, located in front of the present farmhouse as seen in
Figure 3.1. Except for surface levels, height recordings were taken from each
square corner at the base of each excavated unit.
72
An excavation team consisted of three or four volunteers.
One or two
excavated; one records, labels, weighed buckets and completed Munsell colour
chart matches and pH soil testing; the third or fourth person sieved and sorted
excavated materials. The excavation recorder used single excavation sheets
per unit to record all unit information and unusual or interesting notes during
excavation that could aid analysis. The fieldwork co-ordinator took a
photographic record of each base unit, and once the squares were completed,
of each wall section to record stratigraphic profiles.
Once the square was
completed section drawings were also drawn on graph paper, one person
measuring stratigraphic layers in the square, the other recording and drawing
behind them.
The squares were excavated in arbitrary 5cm units until a stratigraphic layer
was identified; 5cm units were further excavated until another stratigraphic layer
was identified.
All excavated material was sieved through 5mm and 3mm
sieves aided by a metal tripod. Excavated artefacts were placed in separate
labelled bags according to their composition i.e., glass or ceramic. Perishable
or fragile items, including building construction materials, charcoal and wooden
remains and other organic remains, such as bone, teeth, shell and seeds were
carefully sealed in separate bags to retain moisture and to prevent
decomposition.
2. Area location and excavation organisation
The excavation of the Old Farm aimed to materially identify all historical social
groupings that were identified from the historical written records in Chapter 2.
By materially identifying these social groups an interpretation of their day to day
lives can be constructed.
To address the aim a large site area containing different dwelling structures had
to be sampled to obtain a material record for analysis and comparison. As
people were known to have lived at the farmhouse and worker’s cottage these
two areas were initially targeted for excavation.
73
Also a shed and stables
structure and several outbuildings were sampled to identify and describe the
types of functions that were occurring on the site and whether particular groups
could be identified from their use. Overall there were four main areas of focus
on this site not including refuse areas identified during the initial fieldwork.
Over the three-week period an excavation team worked in the original cottage
location, two teams in the outbuilding area, the fourth in the shed and stables
area and the final group working in the identified refuse areas. A total of
eighteen one metre squares were excavated and are discussed below.
The need to sample multiple areas of the site coupled with time constraints,
meant that areas targeted for excavation could not be opened across large
areas. Historical archaeological sites are commonly excavated in large openareas aiding detailed understanding of spatial patterns in shallow or single
period deposits (Higginbotham 1985:10, Barker 1983). The excavation of one
metre squares across the site therefore limits my research by limiting my
understanding of a structures function and the people who inhabited them.
a) The farmhouse
Chauncy’s 1851 field notes and subsequent map of 1855 document the
farmhouse location and its structural perimeter built in 1831 (Figure 2.5). The
later two-storey addition built by Richard Spencer between 1834-1835, as seen
in Plates 3.1, remained after the original structure burnt down in 1870. Physical
evidence remaining of the fire event includes scorch marks on the south facing
elevation where the original cottage was attached. The excavation of the area
aimed to identify the materials used to construct the original cottage in 1831.
This was achieved by excavating one metre squares, with the use of Chauncy’s
field notes, where outer walls may have existed, and where the front entrance
was possibly located, though as mentioned above an open-area excavation
was not possible.
Excavation squares were also placed within the building’s perimeter to identify
the socio-economic characteristics of the people who lived in this building over
74
time. The investigation aimed to collect data that would be able to identify
gender-specific activities, status and ethnic social factors that could be
compared with other areas excavated in the site. The excavation inside the
structures aimed to locate and identify separate room activities within the
building, as historical documents do not identify all room uses (See Figure 4.1.1
for location of excavated squares and the original cottage perimeter in Chapter
4).
The kitchen and dining room built by Richard Spencer in 1835 was attached by
an alcove to the two-storey building by Francis Bird in 1889. As the southern
and east facing elevations were surrounded by bitumen and the north elevation
covered by brick pavers, one square was excavated along this structure’s
boundary. The pavers along the northern elevation were removed behind the
kitchen scullery building to allow one excavation square, to collect and identify
historical artefacts associated with the past function of this building.
Plate 3.1 Southern elevation of the two-storey granite extension built 1835-36
75
b) The worker’s cottage
The antiquity of the worker’s cottage structure has been claimed by historians to
belong to the period of Richard Spencer (1833-1839) as living quarters for
Spencer’s farm labourers and house servants, though there are no written
sources that can identify this building’s antiquity and function (Johnson 1984:21,
Heaver and Farrow 1999:103).
Chauncy’s 1855 map was used to locate
structures that still exist and those that have been removed.
However this
structure cannot be identified as existing prior to 1851, though it definitely
existed when the Bird Family bought the property in 1889 (Bird 1962:36). The
structure is currently being used as tearooms for visitors to the site.
Excavated squares were intended to identify the structures’ antiquity from
associated datable historical artefacts and to also identify the socio-economic
status of the people who occupied this structure and their comparison to the
farmhouse occupants, as identified in Chapter 1. Unfortunately the construction
of a trench, by heritage architect consultants, directly in front of this structure to
deal with rising damp removed all historical layers associated with the front of
this structure.
Plate 3.2 Extent of trench dug in front of the worker’s cottage to a depth of
30cm
76
However the trench enabled some salvage archaeology to occur. The trench
was divided into forty-six one metre squares within the grid referencing system
and a surface collection gathered all remaining historical materials left at the
bottom of the trench (see Plate 3.2). The spoil from the trench was also sorted
to gather historical materials associated with this building (see Plate 3.3). As all
materials, except to a certain degree the surface collection, are out of context,
the material analysis was used cautiously when comparing the assemblage with
other areas on the site.
One square was excavated behind the worker’s cottage to determine the
stratigraphic profile and an artefactual sequence for this building (see Figure
4.2.1 for location of excavated squares and the surface collection). As time was
a limiting factor this square was excavated in stratigraphic rather than arbitrary
units.
Plate 3.3 Soil spoil heap from the trench dug in front of the worker’s cottage
c) Outbuildings
The identification of two structures one of wood the other of brick or stone
running parallel to the original farmhouse cottage was sourced from Chauncy’s
field notes and map (See Figure 2.5). The date of construction therefore must
have occurred between the Spencer’s initial arrival in 1833 and Chauncy’s field
notes of 1851. The function of these structures is unknown. They did not exist
77
when Francis Bird bought the property in 1889, therefore their destruction must
have occurred between these two dates. The only historical records of these
structures are from Chauncy’s 1855 map.
Three squares were excavated, though one square (RR33) was not completed
due to time constraints (see Figure 4.3.1 in Chapter 4). The excavation of
squares in this area aimed to identify the function of these structures during the
Spencer period, and also to identify the construction and destruction dates of
these buildings.
d) The shed and stables
A structure in Chauncy’s 1851 field notes and subsequent 1855 map identified
a structure, half brick or stone the other half wooden, on the northern slopes of
the property associated with a wooden animal pen.
The identification of this structure as a shed was solely derived from
descriptions and reminiscences by Francis Bird’s son, Ivan Bird (1962). David
Bird (2001) also provided an oral account of this structure’s function and
location. During the Bird period of occupation this structure was used to house
carts and, later, motorcars. The structure was also used to provide additional
bedrooms during the 1930s and 1940s for the Bird grandchildren. When the
Bird family first arrived at the Old Farm the shed was very dilapidated, as were
most surviving structures on the property (Bird 1962:82). When the warden’s
cottage was constructed in 1965, this structure was destroyed.
The function of this structure during the Spencer family period of occupation
can only be pieced together from historical documents. The identification of a
blacksmith indentured servant and the storage of animals close to this structure
indicate a working site for a possible blacksmith and the storage for equipment
associated with the running of the farm.
There is also a garden shed,
constructed in 1992, located on the far eastern area of this structure.
78
The only available area to excavate and to recover items associated with the
function and construction of the shed and stables is under a large tree located
between the warden’s cottage and the garden shed2.
One topographical
feature of interest is a steep slope running parallel to the structure. This slope
created a level area on which the structure was built. Two one metre squares
were excavated underneath this tree (see Figure 4.4.1 in Chapter 4).
e) Refuse areas
The identification of refuse areas on the site was important to determine
patterns of site use and consumer variability over time. The surface survey on
the northern slopes between the present farmhouse structure and Beauchamp
Street identified a medium-level surface artefact scatter (approximately twenty
artefacts per 1m²), including datable 19th century items. On the location of this
scatter a 25cm² test pit was excavated confirming that there were underlying
archaeological deposits.
Two one metre squares were excavated in this area. From David Bird’s oral
information a further refuse area was identified to the north of the shed area
location where a further two one metre squares were excavated (see Figure
4.5.1 in Chapter 4).
Post excavation analysis
1. Stratigraphic analysis and assemblage organisation
The stratigraphic analysis of the deposits on the Old Farm reveal three main
distinct natural layers that were used to aid the archaeological analysis and the
identification of occupation periods.
The identification of three stratigraphic
units provides a useful cross-site comparison by comparing dated assemblages
for occupation in different structures.
In the archaeological results chapter
(Chapter 4) a table illustrates the different stratigraphic units in each area and
the associated depths and corresponding arbitrary excavation units (5cm). All
stratigraphic profiles can be viewed in Appendix B. The dated stratigraphic
2
According to David Bird the tree is approximately 30 years old, planted soon after the
warden’s cottage was built in 1965 (06/02/01).
79
layers can also be used to date structures where the construction is unknown or
contentious, such as the worker’s cottage and the outbuildings.
2. Function in historical archaeological artefact analysis
The analysis of material remains from historical archaeological sites has largely
focussed on functional typologies as per South (1977).
The supposition of
functional typologies focuses on the similarity of modern material culture to
objects recovered from the relatively recent past, maintaining a ‘commonality of
function’ (Orser 1988:232). Through the use of documentary records, analogies
can be drawn between modern objects and their past equivalents, though Orser
(1988) cautions that the accuracy of functional interpretations correlates to their
distance from the present. As functional research on historical assemblages in
North America have dated from the 17th and 18th centuries through to the 20th
century, the Old Farm assemblage from the early 19th to the mid 20th century
can be analysed with a degree of confidence.
A functional analysis of the materials excavated from the Old Farm was crucial
in attempting to reconstruct the farm’s past occupant activity areas and to
explore issues of gender, ethnicity, class and status that related to the site’s
past social organisation.
For example the identification of gender specific
items, such as jewellery, can possibly identify areas on the site where women
lived.
Items such as milking pans can also be inferred to represent past
dairying activities that were traditionally performed by women (Casey 1999).
The functional analysis therefore aimed to group recovered objects into
typologies that could be related to specific activities that could identify a
structure’s function and indicate the status, gender and ethnicity of its
occupants.
South’s (1977:95) functional typology has been applied extensively in North
American analyses, outlining nine major functional groups: kitchen, bone,
architectural, furniture, arms, clothing, personal, tobacco pipe and occupational
or recreational activities. Orser (1988:233) produced a revised typology based
on five major functional groups: household/structural, foodways, clothing,
80
personal and labour. Both functional types listed above have been largely used
to organise artefact description and analyses within and between historical
sites. The functional analysis of the Old Farm required categories that not only
related to artefactual classes but specifically identified occupant activities.
The functional analysis developed for my analysis closely follows Casey’s
(1999:12) categories for her research conducted at a 19th century dairy in
Sydney, New South Wales. Casey’s (1999) functional types aimed to identify
site activity in an urban area, and therefore I have expanded her types to
include rural activities. The functional analysis in this research is a two-tiered
structure: general function and specific function. A third tier, shape, was also
applied to glass and ceramic objects that could aid functional interpretation. To
aid the research analyses I used Microsoft Access, a relational database, in
order to group functional types together between excavation squares across the
whole site.
Table 3.1 General and specific function typologies used for analysis as per
Casey 1999.
General Function
Building
Foodways
Beverage and alcohol
Pharmaceutical
Personal
Occupational and recreational
Household
Specific Function
window
roof, wall and floor
food
containers
cooking
tableware and serving wares
beverage
beer/wine
gin/spirits
wine
beer
medicinal
ornament
clothing
writing
smoking
shooting
agricultural
light
maintenance
furniture
As seen in Table 3.1 my analysis used seven general functional groups to
identify occupants and activities best associated with rural properties in 19th
81
century Australia, as well as identifying specific functions associated with
specific activities. For example, general function categories like ‘occupational
and recreational’ activities aim to identify occupant activities apart from labour
activities associated with agricultural or household functions. The functional
types also reduced the number of objects unable to be assigned a function. By
presenting a two-tiered system most objects could be labelled with a general
type though they may not have a specific function.
The analysis of the Old Farm assemblage considered the different processes
that act upon the objects in deposition, such as fragmentation; i.e. glass,
ceramics, metal, eco-facts and others. Due to the many variables that affect
objects the functional analysis used weight (grams), minimum number counts
and proportional ratios to test distribution patterns, though not all three methods
could be used when objects remained unidentifiable, or had characteristics that
did not allow for minimum number counts to apply, such as charcoal, or small
brick fragments. In this instance weight was used to group unidentifiable or
uncharacteristic objects together which could then be compared across the site.
Objects that can be identified as belonging to a building function include bricks,
organic materials such as floorboards, window glass and metal.
Flat glass identified as window glass had its width measured as the
manufacture of window glass can easily be dated according to thickness (Table
3.2).
Table 3.2 Flat glass thickness and associated manufacturing dates as per Boow
(1991:101-102)
Thickness (mm)
0.9 – 2.8
2.8 – 3.5
3.5 – 5.5
Manufacture Type
Crown
Broad
Modern
Manufacture Dates
c. 1790-1850
c. 1860-1920
c. 1920-present
Bricks were analysed to identify manufacturing techniques and the clay matrix
described to source a manufacturer’s location.
This analysis could only be
administered if the brick or brick fragment displayed external manufactured form
82
(Gurke 1987, Pearson 1988).
Brick fragments that contained no clear
identification marks were grouped together by colour and matrix.
Metal objects were analysed mainly as whether they could be identified as
nails, screws, fencing wire. The metal objects identified as nails were described
according to technologically derived attributes such as nail head, shape and
stem shape e.g., square/rectangular, round stem section; tapered or non
tapered stem shape.
Varman (1987) and Wells (1988) were both used to
distinguish between hand and machine made nails and their manufacturing
techniques and dates. The function of nail types were used to identify their use
in a structure’s construction, though specific functions rarely can be determined.
The roofing specific function at the Old Farm was largely dependant on the
collection of blue slate tiles that Richard Spencer brought from England in 1833.
This material is highly fragmentary and therefore weight was used as a
comparison between excavated units and squares.
Floor and wall specific
function was not easily identifiable in the archaeological deposit. This function
was used for fired clay recovered from the original cottage in the farmhouse
area that burnt down in 1870.
b) Foodways
Foodway related objects contain the most diverse number of materials of any
other function. Bone analysis utilised minimum number of individual counts to
ascertain how many types of animals were slaughtered for consumption (Klein
and Cruz-Uribe 1984).
Glass and ceramic objects as a food function could identify condiments and
storage uses, as well as cooking, serving and tableware functions. Due to the
fragmentary nature of glass and ceramic objects, analysis of minimum item
counts were used as a variation of minimum number of individuals, developed
and discussed by Beaudry et al. (1988) and Yentsch (1991). Minimum item
counts are used to identify the functional vessel rather than to count the number
of sherds deposited archaeologically. Glass and ceramic sherds represent part
83
of an item or vessel therefore their analysis should reflect the life use rather
than their eventual sherd representation (Beaudry et al. 1988:52). Sherd based
analysis also creates a statistical bias that produces an exaggeration of the
proportion of activities at a particular site (Casey 1999:10).
Samford (1997), Miller (1980), Godden (1964) and Coysh and Henrywood
(1982, 1989) were used to identify ceramic types, such as porcelain,
earthenware, stoneware or ironstone; the form of decoration such as slipware,
glazed, flow or transfer printed and the manufacturer and datable attributes that
could assign age such as transfer print motifs and colour where a maker’s mark
was absent.
Samford (1997) was used to analyse sherds according to manufacturing
innovations, such as colour and motif preference to provide relative production
periods (see Table 3.3 and 3.4). Most of Samford’s work focuses on the central
designs on printed wares, though date ranges for colour on printed wares in
conjunction with border motifs on printed wares were also used.
Table 3.3 Date ranges for colour on printed wares as per Samford (1997:20)
Colour
Dark Blue
Blue
Black
Brown
Green
Purple
Maroon
Mean Beginning
of Production
1819
1817
1825
1829
1830
1827
1837
Mean End of
Production
1835
1834
1838
1843
1846
1838
1852
Range of Production
1802-1846
1784-1859
1785-1864
1818-1867
1818-1859
1814-1867
1818-1870
Table 3.4 Date ranges for border/marley on printed wares as per Samford
(1997:19-21)
Motif
Continuation of Main Scene
Geometric
Floral
Vignettes or Reserves
Linear
Range of Production
1815-1837
1818-1829
1829-1843
1832-1848
1842-1858
84
c) Beverage and alcohol function
The above analysis of glass and ceramic objects identified as having a foodway
function have been treated the same for the beverages. As beverages occur
mainly in the shape of bottles the analysis focused on the identification of bottle
shapes. The minimum numbers of items or vessels were calculated based on
identifiable and datable characteristics of a bottle shape (Boow 1991). Table
3.5 identifies the datable characteristics for dark olive glass manufacturing
outlined in Boow (1991) that applied to glass from the Old Farm.
Table 3.5 Datable technological and manufacturing characteristics of dark olive
bottle glass as per Boow (1991:113-115).
Shaping
Methods
Push Ups
and pontil
marks
Forms of
Finish
Characteristics
Traditional blowing
Traditional blowing + 3-piece mould
Turning in wooden moulds
Turning in past-moulds
2-piece mould with base plates
Conical push-up up to 30mm diameter
Dome-shaped push up + sand pontil
Conical push up + capped or uncapped
wooden pontil
Rickett’s push up
Rickett’s without pontil mark
Ring pontils
No pontils due to holders
Single collar
Single collar reinforced lip
Double stringing & reinforcing collars
Double collars length approx. 25mm
Foil-covered single collar, turn moulded
Machine made
Perry-Davis machine made
Production Period
Before 1820-40
1820-40 – 1900-20
Some before 1880
After 1880
After 1900-20
Up to c.1750
1720-50 – 1850-70
1820-40 – 1860-70
1820-30 – 1850-70
1830-70 – 1900-20
Up to c.1850-60
After c. 1830-70
Before c.1700-20
During c.1720-80
During c. 1780-1820
1840-50 – 1900-20
1840-50 – 1900-20
1900-20 to present
1900-20 to present
d) Pharmaceutical function
Objects identified as having a pharmaceutical function were identified from
glass and ceramic objects that contained medicinal products.
If a
pharmaceutical artefact was not easily identifiable from a recognised brand
name objects were identified by vessel size and colour. For example small
cobalt tinted glass bottles were traditionally used to store medicinal products
and therefore cobalt-tinted glass sherds can be inferred a pharmaceutical
function.
85
e) Personal function
Many different objects can be identified as having a personal function and was
largely reliant on the objects shape and identified function. For example small
round stone and glass artefacts with drilled holes were identified as threaded
beads for a necklace or other personal adornment. This function also included
artefacts identified as vases, clothing items, such as buttons and buckles and
perfume bottles.
f) Occupational and recreational function
Occupational and recreational function was further divided into specific
functions such as writing, smoking and shooting. Writing as a specific function
was assigned to artefacts identified as slate pencils, writing quills or inkwells.
Smoking was identified from clay smoking pipes. The pipes were fragmentary
and were further analysed by pipe part, such as stem or bowl, colour and style.
Clay pipe maker marks were easily identified and were used to date
stratigraphic assemblages (Davey 1987, Gojak and Stuart 1999).
Shooting
artefacts were identified from firing by-products, such as cartridges, percussion
caps, musket balls and lead slag associated with ball production.
Datable
manufacturing techniques were used to assign possible periods of use on the
Old Farm (Hunt 1993, Irons 2000).
The occupational function primarily included agricultural artefacts identified from
their function in gardening, husbandry and smelting activities. They included
items such as horseshoes, blade sharpeners and wood wedges.
g) Household function
Objects identified as having a household function as per occupational and
recreational artefacts consisted of a number of compositions. They included
furniture nails and items associated with window dressings.
3. Conclusion
As outlined above the post excavation analysis aimed to classify objects
according to their function in order to highlight social organisation.
86
Using
inference to link objects to categories such as gender, ethnicity, status and
class to construct a holistic site interpretation for individuals and groups who do
not appear in the documentary record.
The following chapter provides the
results of the archaeological analysis; divided into the main excavation areas
described earlier in this chapter, the farmhouse, the worker’s cottage, the
outbuildings, the shed and stables and the refuse areas.
87
Chapter 4 Archaeological Analysis of Old Farm on Strawberry
Hill Excavation
The excavations at the Old Farm on Strawberry Hill aimed to identify past
inhabitants during the government farm and Spencer family occupation periods
that were not identified from documentary records. The analysis of excavated
material focused on gender, ethnicity, class and status to identify individuals
and groups with ‘hidden histories’. The farm was divided into separate areas
for archaeological analysis reflecting past functions.
1. Farmhouse
The functional analysis of the farmhouse included materials excavated from six
1m squares (VV13, WW14, CCC13, BBB12, SS07 and TT07) their location
depicted in Figure 4.1.1. The excavated matrix for the excavated squares is
represented in Table 4.1.1, including stratigraphic profiles. Stratigraphic profiles
of all excavated squares can be viewed in Appendix B.
The building analysis of the farmhouse area provided valuable information
about structural materials of the original cottage that burnt down in 1870, as
little historical data is available about this structure (see Figure 4.1.1 for the
structures’ perimeter). Artefacts identified as belonging to a building function
were divided into four specific function categories based on the location of
building attributes, namely windows, roof, walls or floor.
89
Figure 4.1.1 Location of excavated squares showing the perimeter of the
original cottage as per Chauncy (1855).
SS07
TT07
VV13
WW14
garden bed
concrete well
BBB12
CCC13
fir tree
excavated square
original cottage area
N
present farmhouse structure
Scale 1 cm = 1 m
90
Table 4.1.1 Stratigraphic profile and excavation units from the farmhouse
VV13
1H
2
3 SC
4
5C
6
7
posthole
feature
WW14
1H
2 SC
3
4S
5
CCC13
1H
2
3
4
5
6 SC
7
8
9
10 C
11
posthole
feature
BBB12
1H
2
3
4 SC
5
6
7C
SS07
1H
2
3 SC
4C
5
6
TT07
1H
2
3 SC
4
5C
6
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
*Soil descriptors: SC – sandy/clay, H – humus, C – clay, S - sandy
Windows
Windows were represented in the archaeological record at the Old Farm from
flat glass. From the six squares excavated in this area a total of 489.29 grams
were recovered, the varying widths measured ranged from 0.9mm to 3.5mm.
This total also included 59.06 grams (9%) of melted flat glass.
Table 4.1.2 and Graph 4.1.1 reveal a strong positive relationship (correlation
coefficient of 0.766095) between the weight and frequency of flat glass in this
area suggesting that weight amounts have not been affected by the number of
flat glass sherds recovered from the deposit. There is a discrepancy for flat
glass widths between 1mm and 1.5mm (Graph 4.1.1).
This discrepancy
probably resulted from flat glass fragment size in this width range being larger
than other fragments recovered and therefore does not correlate with the
frequency of occurrence.
91
Table 4.1.2 Frequency and weight of flat glass width from the farmhouse
Width (mm) Weight (g) Percentage Frequency Percentage
0.9
15.7
3.6
4
6.0
1
42.8
10.0
8
11.9
1.1
11.2
2.6
5
7.5
1.2
65.6
15.3
7
10.5
1.3
93.3
21.7
4
6.0
1.4
49.5
11.5
6
8.9
1.5
82.4
19.2
11
16.4
1.6
0.4
0.1
1
1.5
1.7
2.4
0.6
1
1.5
1.8
10.0
2.3
3
4.5
1.9
6.7
1.6
3
4.5
2
6.0
1.4
2
3.0
2.2
1.6
0.4
2
3.0
2.3
1.8
0.4
1
1.5
2.5
0.5
0.1
1
1.5
2.6
1.3
0.3
3
4.5
2.8
10.9
2.5
2
3.0
3
24.4
5.7
2
3.0
3.5
3.7
0.9
1
1.5
Total
430.23
100
67
100
Graph 4.1.1 Flat glass widths – weight and frequency by percentage from the
farmhouse
25
Percentage
20
15
Weight
Frequency
10
5
0
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
Width (mm)
The thickness of flat glass can be dated from technological changes and
therefore can be dated within archaeological deposits (Boow 1991:101-102).
Table 4.1.3 illustrates flat glass thickness, associated manufacture dates and
occurrence in the farmhouse area (Boow 1991). As shown 95% of all flat glass
recovered from the farmhouse area was Crown manufactured c.1790–1850
which is consistent with the historically described original cottage construction
92
date of 1831 and its destruction by fire in 1870. The small occurrence of thicker
flat glass (<2.8mm) in the upper two units possibly date from the restoration of
the existing structure by the Bird family after 1889 or repairs by the National
Trust in the 20th century.
Table 4.1.3 Flat glass widths and associated manufacturing dates from the
farmhouse
Width (mm)
0.9 – 2.8
2.8 – 3.5
3.5 – 5.5
Weight (g)
402.1
28.1
0
Frequency
64
3
0
Manufacture
Crown
Broad
Modern
Manufacture Dates
c. 1790–1850
c. 1860–1920
c. 1920-present
Apart from ferrous nails, the materials identified as having specific functions as
roofing, walls or flooring did not include artefacts that could be identified by
specific and datable technological manufacturing attributes, therefore they have
been analysed by weight and percentage only.
Ferrous nails were identified by head, stem and point characteristic shape and
corresponding production dates for known nail types. Due to varying degrees
of corrosion not all metal objects resembling nails could be identified. As seen
in Table 4.1.4 the number of hand-forged nails comprise 66% of all nails
recovered in this area. Table 4.1.5 reproduces known periods of production for
nail types as per Varman (1987) and Wells (1998). Most of the wrought iron
nails (55%) were identified by point or head characteristics. Wrought iron nails
were produced in Australia from the 18th century until wire nails became popular
during the 1860s (Varman 1987:107). The production dates for nails recovered
from this area is congruent with the cottage construction of 1831 and
destruction by the fire event in 1870.
Table 4.1.4 Number of nail types identified from the farmhouse
Nail Type
Wrought
Nail Plate
Wire
Total
VV13
14
1
2
17
WW14
6
0
3
9
BBB12
6
1
3
10
93
CCC13
11
1
3
15
SS07
4
0
6
10
TT07
6
1
3
10
Total
47
4
20
71
Nail type functions varied though the majority of nails were used for woodwork;
sharp pointed traditionally used for hard woods and wedge-points for timbers
that split easily. Therefore it can be inferred that the nails recovered were
utilised in the original cottage construction, though whether they were for roof or
structural functions cannot be determined. Wire nails (1860s to present) were
recovered from the upper three excavation units and could reflect maintenance
while the original cottage was standing or when the Bird family restored the
existing farmhouse structure (1860s-1890s).
Table 4.1.5 Nail type production periods and frequency from the farmhouse
Nail Type
Hand Forged
Wrought Wedge Point
Wrought Rose head
Wrought ‘Eubank’
Nail Plate
Wire
Total
Period of Production
18th century - 1820s
18th century - 1870
th
18 century - 1870
1840s - 1870
1775 - 20th century
1860s - present
No. of Items
3
14
10
2
4
20
53
The roof was reflected in the archaeological deposit by blue slate tile fragments
brought to the farm by Richard Spencer in 1833. The only evidence for the floor
and wall were two post-holes excavated in squares VV13 and CCC13. The
post-hole in CCC13 was surrounded by intact wall indicating a rammed earth
construction for the cottage. All six squares revealed materials that resembled
fire-baked clay that was not consistent with brick firing due to its fragile and
crumbling consistency. It was inferred that this material resulted from the fire
event in 1870. None of this material, including the intact wall structure around
the post-holes, contained any evidence for wattle and daub walls, such as
intertwined branches and twigs. Past floors were difficult to identify, as the
stratigraphic profiles did not provide a clear indication of a constructed floor
except for the clay base discovered in all deposits across this site. Suggesting
that the original cottage floor was constructed by a compacted clay surface.
Again due to the fire of 1870 the surface of this clay had been fired and
therefore resembled the wall material.
94
Graph 4.1.2 Farmhouse structural and roof function by weight
Weight (grm)
2000
1500
Roof
1000
Structural
500
0
VV13
WW14
CCC13
BBB12
SS07
TT07
Grid Reference
As seen in Graph 4.1.2 the weight of structural and roof materials excavated
vary between squares.
However there is a significant peak of material in
squares CCC13 and BBB12. Both of these squares are located the farthest
away from the existing two-storey structure and attached kitchen, while squares
VV13, WW14, SS07 and TT07 are located within a distance of seven metres
from the south facing elevation (see Figure 4.1.1). Due to the site’s constant
use after the fire event of 1870, one possible interpretation is that the area
immediately around the existing farmhouse was cleared of rubble and structural
materials after the destruction of the original cottage.
Each square was also analysed to show variations of building function over time
(including flat window glass). Each square was analysed by excavation unit to
determine patterns or trends between squares. As can be seen from Graphs
4.1.3 (wall/floor), 4.1.4 (roof) and 4.1.5 (window) there are distinct patterns
between each square and specific architectural functions. One pattern is the
peak of architectural materials in the third and fourth excavated unit, especially
shown in squares CCC13, BBB12, SS07 and TT07. Square VV13 shows a
greater degree of dispersed materials throughout the excavated square with a
slight peak in the second unit, while Square WW14 represents a strong peak in
the second unit followed by a sharp decline in subsequent units.
Graph 4.1.2 reveals that greater amounts of building materials was excavated
from squares CCC13 and BBB12, therefore it can be argued that trends
represented by these two squares should have greater representation. Overall
the analysis suggests the extent of clearance and subsequent disturbance of
95
rubble and structural remains after the 1870 fire. A greater degree of clearance
and disturbance occurs closer to the existing two-storey farmhouse structure
than materials excavated further away.
Graph 4.1.3 Farmhouse wall/floor specific function by excavated unit
Percentage
100
80
VV13
60
WW14
40
CCC13
20
BBB12
SS07
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
TT07
Unit
Graph 4.1.4 Farmhouse roof specific function by excavated unit
Percentage
100
VV13
80
WW14
60
CCC13
40
BBB12
SS07
20
TT07
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Unit
Graph 4.1.5 Farmhouse window (flat glass) by excavated unit
Percentage
100
VV13
80
WW14
60
CCC13
40
BBB12
SS07
20
TT07
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Unit
The reduction of building materials in excavated units five, six and seven
indicate that the fire event and subsequent disturbance is represented by
96
materials in units one to four and units five to seven represent the period
before.
Charcoal
Charcoal suggests when fires occurred as seen in Graph 4.1.6 charcoal weight
peaks from units three to five and declines rapidly after unit five. As per the
analysis undertaken for building materials it appears that the fire event occurred
in units four or three, therefore subsequent units pre-date this event.
The post-holes (VV13 and CCC13) were excavated as separate features and
therefore do not contribute to Graph 4.1.6 (see Plates 4.1.1 and 4.1.2). The
charcoal from the VV13 feature was analysed to determine wood species used
for the posts to construct the original cottage structure. The charcoal showed
evidence of fire splitting, indicating that the charcoal was the product of a
smouldering fire that was hot and slow (Burke pers.com.). The sample species
was identified as not being a eucalyptus example, though it definitely was a
softwood, such as casuarinas or sheoak. The sample from the CCC13 posthole indicated a hardwood sample, though the species was not determined.
The charcoal cell structure could possibly be attributed to the one of the acacia
(fake wattle) species, though the analysis did not conclusively confirm that the
wood was of Australian origin.
Grams
Graph 4.1.6 Total charcoal weight from the farmhouse
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
VV13
WW14
CCC13
BBB12
SS07
TT07
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Unit
The charcoal analysis indicates that the original cottage was constructed from a
wide range of materials that may not have been sourced from the local
97
surrounds.
The Albany vegetation to the north of the King George Sound
consists of Jarrah and Sheoak low woodlands, and the coastal area of Mallee
scrubland (Beard 1981). The CCC13 post-hole did not necessarily confirm an
Australian species, therefore if this post did originate from elsewhere, it could
be attributable to timber brought by the first settlement.
Plate 4.1.1 CCC13 post-hole feature
Plate 4.1.2 VV13 post-hole feature
Bone, glass and ceramic artefacts all suggest past foodways.
These were
analysed in different categories, specifically as food, container vessels, cooking
items, or as tableware and serving wares.
Table 4.1.6 demonstrates the
number of items of bone, glass and ceramic sherds and their weight by specific
function, while Graph 4.1.7 illustrates the percentage of these amounts. Both
ceramic and glass objects were affected by a fire event.
98
Table 4.1.6 Farmhouse general foodways function
Specific
Function
Food
Containers
Cooking
Tableware/Serve
Total
No. of
Items
11
17
7
43
78
% of
Items
14.1
21.8
9.0
55.1
100
No. of
Sherds
15
28
12
54
109
% of
Sherds
13.7
25.7
11.1
49.5
100
Weight
(g)
12.3
53.2
59.0
175.5
300
% of
Weight
4.1
17.7
19.7
58.5
100
Table 4.1.7 illustrates the number of burned items in the farmhouse area. The
majority of these were recovered from the second and third units of excavation,
while squares BBB12 and CCC13 had the most number of items represented.
This supports the argument made earlier that the 1870 fire event and
subsequent clearance and disturbance occurred closer to the existing twostorey structure.
Graph 4.1.7 Farmhouse foodways by percentage
70
Percentage
60
50
% of Items
40
% of Sherds
30
% of Weight
20
10
0
Food
Container/Store
Preparation
Tablew are/Serve
Specific Function
Table 4.1.7 Fire affected glass and ceramic artefacts from the farmhouse
VV13
WW14
CCC13
BBB12
SS07
TT07
Total
Unit 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Unit 2
2
3
1
1
0
0
7
Unit 3
0
0
2
3
3
0
8
Unit 4
0
0
1
1
0
0
2
Unit 5
1
0
1
0
0
0
2
Unit 6
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
Unit 7
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
Total
3
3
5
7
3
0
21
Food
Food was represented by the presence of bones deposited by the processes of
butchering and consumption. Of the 11 bone items recovered from the six
squares excavated in the farmhouse area only five could be identified. The
99
bone in this area was small and fragmentary; therefore the dietary intake or
culinary processes of the occupants in this area could not be undertaken.
Table 4.1.8 Farmhouse identified bone weight (g) from excavated squares
Sheep
Chicken
Unidentified
Total
CCC13
BBB12
SS07
TT07
Total (g)
5.1
0
0.1
5.2
0
0
0.7
0.7
1.7
0
0.4
2.1
0
1.0
0.4
1.4
6.8
1.0
1.6
9.4
% of
Total
72.4
10.7
16.9
100
The identifiable bone has been identified as the introduced species Ovis aries
(Sheep) and Gallus domesticus (Chicken) (Table 4.1.8). Sheep represented
72% of bone weight, however only four bone fragments were recovered. The
presence of these bone fragments represent a maximum number of two
individuals, one individual in square CCC13 by three fragments of rib bone and
one possible individual in SS07 by a carpal (knuckle) bone. The bones show
no evidence of butchery, though one unidentified fragment (SS07 3/20) is burnt.
Containers
Container items consisted of either glass or ceramic objects used for storing
food such as preserves and condiments. Containers accounted for the second
largest number (25.7%) of foodway objects as shown in Table 4.1.6. All objects
recovered were fragments of ceramic and glass bottles of various size, shape
and colour.
Table 4.1.9 shows that clear ‘flint’ square/rectangular and
octagonal bottles dominated the container category. Glass bottles used for
preserving or storing food represented 65% of all bottles in the farmhouse area.
Table 4.1.9 Containers summary for the farmhouse
Composition
Colour/
Glaze
Glass
Clear
Earthenware
Amber
Tint
blue
Brown
glaze
Cream
glaze
% of
Items
25.0
46.4
7.1
7.1
No.
of
Items
3
7
1
2
3
10.7
3
17.6
2.4
1
3.6
1
5.9
100
28
100
17
100
Shape
Weight
(g)
% of
Weight
No. of
Sherds
% of
Sherds
Cylindrical
Squ/Oct
Squ/Oct
Squ/Oct
7.8
8.8
2.1
4.4
14.7
16.6
3.9
8.3
7
13
2
2
Cylindrical
28.8
54.1
Cylindrical
1.3
Total
53.2
100
17.6
41.2
5.9
11.8
The identification of containers was primarily based on vessel shape and
colour. Clear ‘flint’ glass was highly taxed and therefore its uses were usually
restricted to storing and preserving, where the product’s lifespan was longer
and therefore more cost effective for consumers (Boow 1991:115-116).
Octagonal and square bottles were first manufactured in England c.1835 with
side embossing c.1860, providing useful dating criteria. In the farmhouse area
only one embossed blue tinted square/octagonal bottle fragment was recovered
from BBB12 unit 3, while there were seven representations of clear ‘flint’ square
or octagonal bottles from all squares.
Cooking
Ceramic objects, mainly coarse earthenware pans, bowls and colanders,
represented past food preparation activities. Table 4.1.10 shows that only five
items were recovered each represented by one sherd, except for the colander
from square WW14. The pan/basin items were all made of earthenware with a
course to medium matrix. The items were not decorated except for a black or
brown glaze; the colour reflects the temperature at firing. The cheap materials
used to make these items suggest that they were primarily used in a kitchen for
the preparation of food. The colander found in square WW14 has a dark blue
transfer print pattern, and could have been purchased singularly or as part of a
set.
Table 4.1.10 Cooking summary for the farmhouse
Artefact
ID
WW14
2/1
CCC13
3/4
BBB12
1/1
SS07
3/27
Shape
Colour
Weight
(g)
20.2
% of
weight
39.1
No. of
Sherds
3
% of
sherds
37.5
No. of
Items
1
% of
items
20
Colander
Dk bl TP
Pan
Brown
glaze
No Glaze
5.4
10.5
1
12.5
1
20
22.3
43.2
1
12.5
1
20
Blk gl,
0.7
1.4
2
25
1
external
none
3.1
5.9
1
12.5
1
SS07
Pan
Br gl,
5/3
external
none
Total
51.7
100
8
100
5
Legend: D bl TP: Dark Blue Transfer Print, Blk gl: Black glaze, Br gl: Brown glaze.
20
Pan
Pan
101
20
100
Tableware and serving ware items was the largest group to be recovered in the
farmhouse area (Table 4.1.6 and Graph 4.1.7).
The materials were highly
fragmented with 115 sherds weighing a total of 221.07 grams. The majority of
items identified as having a tableware or serving ware function were ceramic
(97%) while the glass artefacts were wine glasses (2.6%).
Table 4.1.11 illustrates items broken down by vessel shape to show the range
of vessels recovered from this area. Of the identified items, flatware vessels
was the largest group recovered. The number of items that were identified as
belonging to the tableware and serving ware category accounted for a majority
of sherds in the deposit. There is also an inverse relationship between the
number of unidentified sherds and the sherd weight. Table 4.1.11 shows the
average mean weight of unidentified sherds as 0.78 grams, and as Graph 4.1.8
illustrates, the percentage of sherd numbers far exceed the weight of the sherds
recovered. Therefore sherds were unidentified due to their smaller fragmentary
size. Graph 4.1.8 excludes the items identified as being jug and basin/pan
vessels as there is only one sherd to represent them. See Plate 4.1.3 for
tableware and serving ware ceramic items recovered from the farmhouse area.
Table 4.1.11 Tableware and serving ware by shape from the farmhouse
Shape
Weight (g)
% Weight
No. of
Sherds
% of
Sherds
No. of
Items
% of
Items
Mean
Weight (g)
Bowl
31.6
14.3
7
Flatware
103.1
46.6
37
Basin/Pan
20.2
9.1
1
Cup
12.5
5.6
11
Jug
6.7
3.1
1
Glass
6.2
2.8
6
Unidentified
40.8
18.4
52
Total
221.07
100
115
6.1
32.2
0.9
9.6
0.9
5.2
45.2
100
5
15
1
6
1
3
N/A
31
16.1
48.4
3.2
19.6
3.2
9.7
N/A
100
4.5
2.8
20.2
1.1
6.7
1.0
0.8
102
Percentage
Graph 4.1.8 Tableware and serving ware by shape from the farmhouse
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
% of Weight
% of Sherds
Bowl
Flatware
Cup
Wine
Glass/Glass
Unidentified
Shape
Approximately half (49%) of all tableware and serving ware sherds recovered
had decoration colour (Table 4.1.12). Of the decorative sherds recovered blue
transfer printed wares were the largest category (45%) with seven different
decoration styles or motifs. Blue printed wares were undoubtedly the most
popular colour for printed decoration on English earthenware during the early
nineteenth century (Coysh 1970:7).
Plate 4.1.3 Examples of tableware and serving ware recovered from the
farmhouse
103
Table 4.1.12 Tableware and serving ware by decoration colour and style/motif
from the farmhouse
Colour
Transfer
Printed
Glaze
Dark Blue
Blue
Flow Blue
Green
Olive Green
Black
Brown
Purple
Maroon
Cream
White
Yellow
Total
No. of
Styles/
Motifs
2
7
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
2
0
0
21
% of
Styles
Weight
(g)
% of
Weight
No. of
Sherds
% of
Sherds
9.5
33.3
4.7
9.5
4.8
9.5
9.5
4.8
4.8
9.5
0
0
100
18.2
68.4
1.5
8.4
1.2
2.0
9.3
0.9
7.8
77.9
14.2
3.1
213
8.5
32.1
0.7
3.7
0.6
0.9
4.3
0.4
3.7
36.6
6.7
1.5
100
6
29
2
4
1
2
4
1
4
52
2
1
108
5.6
26.9
1.9
3.7
0.9
1.8
3.7
0.9
3.7
48.2
1.8
0.9
100
Due to the relatively low amounts of tableware and serving ware items
recovered and the high level of fragmentation within the deposit, an in-depth
analysis of market trends and identification of specific patterns have not been
possible.
The level of fragmentation has also prohibited a comprehensive
analysis of vessel shape and utilisation to determine the presence of matching
sets.
Samford (1997:1) suggests that colour and motif sherds can indicate production
periods.
The presence of dark-blue and blue colour printed wares in the
farmhouse area overall reflect the site’s occupation by the Spencer family,
though without maker identification marks, it remains unclear whether vessels
were transported with the family from England in 1833 or acquired from Albany
once settled.
Drink consumption was indicated by bottle glass recovered from the farmhouse
area. A total of 502 sherds weighing 873.31 grams were excavated. This
material was divided into five categories relating to beverage or alcoholic bottle
contents (Table 4.1.13). The beer and wine category was the largest by weight,
sherd number and minimum number of items, followed by beverages including
aerated water and cordials and thirdly gin and spirit bottles. The presence of
104
wine and beer bottles reflects modern (20th century) bottle glass in the top two
excavation units. The number of items in the deposit was calculated by taking
the minimum number of bottles present, characterised by technological
characteristics and colour.
Table 4.1.13 Beverage and alcohol vessels from the farmhouse
Specific Function
Beverage
Beer/Wine
Gin/Spirits
Wine
Beer
Total
Weight (g)
114.4
598.6
140.8
13.6
5.9
873.3
% of
Weight
13.1
68.5
16.1
1.5
0.7
100
No. of
Sherds
77
374
31
14
6
502
% of
Sherds
15.3
74.5
6.2
2.8
1.2
100
No. of
Items
9
11
5
1
1
27
% of
Items
33.3
40.7
18.5
3.7
3.7
100
Graph 4.1.9 portrays the above table by percentage to show the relationship
between weight, sherds and the number of represented items. The beer and
wine category shows that many fragments weighed more than other categories,
however due to technological characteristics they are not representative by the
number of items. The opposite is true for the beverage category, where a
greater proportion of items are represented by a lower number of sherds or
weight. A large base bottle fragment (BBB12 4/11) influenced the weight of the
sherds for the gin/spirits than in other categories.
Graph 4.1.9 Beverage and alcohol vessels from the farmhouse
80
Percentage
70
60
50
% of Weight
40
% of Sherds
30
% of Items
20
10
0
Beverage
Beer/Wine
Gin/Spirits
Wine
Beer
Specific Function
Most of the datable bottle glass recovered from the farmhouse area have long
production ranges, such as the double lip collar from c.1820-1840 to 1900-1920
(Table 4.1.14).
Significantly there were no artefact production dates that
conflicted with others between excavation units and squares BBB12 and
105
CCC13 had items in lower excavation units with the narrowest production
periods.
Table 4.1.14 Dark olive ‘black’ datable glass bottles from the farmhouse
Artefact ID
VV13 3/14
VV13 4/21
CCC13 2/26
CCC13 3/26
CCC13 3/45
CCC13 3/46
CCC13 4/28
SS07 3/7
BBB12 7/1
Manufacturing Characteristics
Lip - double collar
Lip - double collar
3 piece mould
Bulbous neck
Lip - double collar
Base - wooden cone push-up
Lip - double collar
Lip - double collar with string
Production Periods
c.1820-1840 to 1900-1920
c.1820-1840 to 1900-1920
c.1820-1840 to 1900-1920
c.1820-1840 (Jones 1986)
c.1820-1840 to 1900-1920
c.1820-1870
c.1820-1870
c.1820-1840 to 1900-1920
c.1820-1860
Evidence for medicines was restricted to bottle glass that once contained
medicinal products.
No other objects were identified as belonging to a
pharmaceutical function in the farmhouse area.
Analysis was restricted to
bottle colour to infer content and function.
Table 4.1.15 lists the blue tinted and cobalt bottle glass recovered from the
farmhouse area. From the base, neck and shoulder fragments these bottles
would have had smaller fluid volume than other glass bottles recovered,
therefore inferring infrequent use and higher value for their contents.
minimum of five bottles is represented in the deposit.
Table 4.1.15 Pharmaceutical equipment summary from the farmhouse
Artefact ID
Composition
Colour
VV13 3/17 + 4/16
CCC13 2/3, 2/4, 2/5
Glass
Glass
Blue tint
Blue tint
CCC13 3/7, 3/8, 3/9,
3/10, 4/7, BBB12 3/20
Glass
Cobalt
TT07 4/2
BBB12 9/8
Glass
Glass
Cobalt
Blue tint
Characteristics
Neck and base
fragments
Neck and
shoulder
fragments
Base fragment
Total
106
Weight
(g)
0.2
11.2
No. of
Sherds
2
7
12.4
16
3.3
1.0
28.1
1
2
28
A
e) Personal objects
Table 4.1.16 lists all the personal objects recovered.
A perfume bottle
recovered from VV13 was identified mainly by fluid volume, as it would have
ranged between 30 to 50ml with a stopper. Three buttons recovered were all
brass and did not have identifying characteristics that were datable. A fourholed button from BBB12 4/24 was the only button to have a stylistic scroll
pattern that may have come from female clothing. Copper dress pins were
found and four beads, two glass, one plastic and one stone (Plate 4.1.4). It is
most likely that the carnelian bead and cobalt glass bead were strung into
necklaces, however the amber glass and modern silver bead were probably
attached to clothing or other fabric items.
Table 4.1.16 Personal items from the farmhouse
Artefact ID
Material
VV13 2/13
VV13 2/19
VV13 3/16
VV13 4/14,15
VV13 4/25
VV13 5/9, 10
SS07 2/14
SS07 3/5
SS07 3/24
SS07 4/7
SS07 4/8
SS07 4/9
BBB12 2/6
BBB12 3/30
BBB12 4/24
BBB12 4/25,
26
Glass
Metal
Glass
Glass
Stone
Metal
Other
Glass
Metal
Glass
Glass
Glass
Metal
Metal
Metal
Metal
Colour/
Composition
Clear
Brass
White
Clear
Carnelian
Copper
Plastic
White
Lead
Cobalt
Amber
White
Brass
Copper
Brass
Copper
Item
Perfume bottle
Button
Ribbed vase
Geometric moulded vase
Bead
Dress pin
Bead
Ribbed vase
Toy soldier
Bead
Bead
Ribbed vase
2-holled button
Dress pin
4-holed button
Dress pin
Total
Weight
(g)
3.4
2.5
0.6
5.0
1.0
0.1
0.1
1.5
5.9
0.7
0.1
0.6
1.5
0.2
0.5
0.3
23.7
No. of
Sherds
5
1
1
2
1
2
1
6
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
28
Finally, there was a toy lead soldier (SS07 3/24) of a Scottish highlander with a
red and yellow dress kilt with daypack. The Scottish highlander toy soldier was
popular from late 19th century to early 20th century and was widely available.
The toy probably dates from the Bird family occupation from 1889.
107
Plate 4.1.4 Personal items from the farmhouse
There are four categories related to occupation and recreation: fishing, writing,
smoking and weapon firing, though fishing and shooting could also relate to
foodways (Table 4.1.17). Only one object was identified as relating to fishing.
TT07 4/26 is a rectangular lead line sinker with a small hole at one end. The
object was roughly produced and pre-dates machine production.
Writing was represented by three slate pencils and two small hand-wheeled ink
bottles weighing a total of 29.64 grams.
The slate pencil fragments were
probably snapped during use though none show evidence for utilisation, such
as sharpened or flattened wear on either end. The slate pencil fragments do
not exceed 2.5cm in length. The two stoneware ink bottles recovered from the
farmhouse area (VV13 6/1 and CCC13 4/4), were small hand-wheeled bottle
fragments (see Plate 4.1.5). Traditionally stoneware was the preferred material
for use in storing food and other perishable items due to its durability.
108
Plate 4.1.5 Stoneware ink bottles from the farmhouse
Table 4.1.17 Occupation and recreation summary from the farmhouse
Specific
Function
Writing
Smoking
Shooting
Fishing
Composition
Description
Slate
Stoneware
Clay pipe – white
Clay pipe - orange
Clay pipe - white
Clay pipe - white
Lead
Lead
Lead
Copper
Copper
Copper
Lead
Pencil
Ink bottle fragments
Stem and bowl, mouth fragments
Bowl fragments
Stem and bowl, mouth fragments
Bowl fragment
Musket ball
Slag
Shot
Percussion cap
Percussion cap
Bullet casing
Line sinker
Total
Weight
(g)
2.2
27.4
3.6
1.9
7.3
0.3
30.2
71.9
0.6
0.2
0.3
0.3
5.9
152.1
No. of
Items
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
6
1
1
1
1
1
21
Smoking is represented by four clay tobacco pipes, consisting of nine fragments
weighing a total of 13.11 grams (See Plate 4.1.6). Two stem fragments, one
from VV13 3/21 and WW14 2/27 have maker marks. Table 4.1.18 shows the
maker, location and production ranges of the two pipe stems. There was a
complete pipe stem recovered (WW14 3/1) that has snapped off at the bowl
base, however there was no maker’s mark.
109
Plate 4.1.6 Clay pipe fragments from the farmhouse
Table 4.1.18 Identified clay pipe manufacturers (Gallagher and Price 1987,
Davey 1987)
Artefact ID
VV13 3/21
WW14 2/27
Maker
Thomas Davidson & Co.
(Caledonian Pipe Works)
William White & Sons
Location
Glasgow
Production Period
1862-1911
Glasgow
1806-1955
Weapons include a number of lead and copper items (see Plate 4.1.7). There
were two percussion caps recovered from CCC13 (units three and four) where
only one was split as a result of discharge (Müller 1980).
Both are the
‘common’ ribbed variety, 5mm in diameter, though they do not have identifiable
head marks. The length and width of both percussion caps fall within the size
distribution of a rifle (Hunt 1993:96). Copper percussion caps are a priming
charge that replaced the flint mechanism of the 18th century.
The actual
ammunition was usually a lead ball (Müller 1980). Percussion-lock guns were
in popular use in the late 1820s and could still be purchased until the turn of the
20th century (Halls 1974).
Plate 4.1.7 Weapon objects from the farmhouse
110
A single musket lead ball was recovered (CCC13 2/75) with associated lead
slag indicating that the gun owner manufactured the ball. The ball diameter of
0.71 inch (18mm) is consistent with being in use for a 0.75 inch calibre weapon.
Calibre weapons ranged from 0.5 inch to 0.75 inch (Irons 2000). The accuracy
of this weapon is partly dictated by windage, the difference between the interior
barrel diameter and the ball's diameter. Windage affects the speed of reloading
and the muzzle velocity, the greater the windage, the easier it is to ram home
the ball into the barrel. This also allows more gas to escape from the barrel
without pushing the ball out. Therefore less windage will yield a higher muzzle
velocity and higher accuracy.
Also recovered was a single lead shot from TT07 (unit seven) measuring 0.19
inch (0.48mm). A single calibre shell was recovered from TT07 (unit four) with
a triangle maker’s mark on the head.
g) Household items
Eleven objects weighing a total of 49.93 grams were identified as household
related (Table 4.1.19). The majority were identified as either screws or furniture
nails. There were also a number of unusual items that could not be identified
specifically, though they would most likely have had a household function of
some kind, such as the ferrule and ribbed casing (SS07).
Table 4.1.19 Household function summary for the farmhouse
Artefact ID
SS07 3/24
SS07 3/25
SS07 3/31
TT07 1/3
TT07 2/11
TT07 4/14
BBB12 3/11
BBB12 9/3
CCC13 3/84
CCC13 4/76
WW14 3/13
Material
Metal
Metal
Metal
Other
Metal
Metal
Clay
Ceramic
Metal
Metal
Metal
Composition
Copper
Bronze
Ferrous
Plastic
Ferrous
Ferrous
Fired Clay
Earthenware
Ferrous
Ferrous
Ferrous
Description
Bolt (screw)
Ferrule
Ribbed casing with internal screw
Electrical casing
Clout furniture nail
Domed screw
Terracotta planter
Decorative Tile
Total
Weight (g)
4.5
1.6
15.2
0.1
1.0
15.5
4.3
3.6
2.3
0.9
1.0
49.9
A decorative earthenware tile fragment was recovered from the base of BBB12
(unit 9), with a black transfer printed ‘aesthetic’ pattern. Decorative tiles were
111
commonly used to line hearths and vanity units and were increasingly popular
during the Victorian era. Decorative tiles can be dated by the thickness of the
tile.
Generally English tiles produced between 1840 and 1914 were
approximately 10mm thick, though could range between 8 and 13 mm
(Austwick 1980). The fragment from BBB12 is 9mm thick. Manufacturers of
decorative tiles would usually use an embossed mould to include the maker and
location on the back. Particular manufacturers in England used generic back
patterns, such as rod or bar lines, though the BBB12 fragment has a grid
portcullis (Ellis 2002). The grid portcullis was originally designed by Minton, but
also used by Sherwin and Cotton. The BBB12 fragment of tile also has an
embossed ‘O’ presumably the maker’s mark on the portcullis, indicating a
possible Minton or Cotton manufacture.
i) Aboriginal artefacts
There were six quartz stone fragments recovered from the farmhouse area that
were identified as Aboriginal artefacts (see Plate 4.1.8). Table 4.1.20 lists the
artefacts and their attributes. Four artefacts were recovered from BBB12 that
could represent one historical event, while the VV13 and CCC13 unit four
artefacts could also represent a single event. None had evidence of utilisation
or retouch and therefore are probably by-products of tool manufacture.
Plate 4.1.8 Aboriginal artefacts from the farmhouse
112
Table 4.1.20 Aboriginal artefacts recovered from the farmhouse
Artefact ID
Material
Identification
VV13 4/24
CCC13 4/90
BBB12 8/2
BBB12 8/3
BBB12 9/12
BBB12 9/13
Quartz-crystal
Quartz-crystal
Quartz-milky
Quartz-rose
Quartz-crystal
Quartz-rose
Distally broken flake
Distally broken flake
Core fragment
Complete flake
Flake fragment
Core fragment
Length
(mm)
14.9
11.3
22.0
20.2
6.8
10.2
Width
(mm)
11.9
6.8
19.3
17.4
4.6
9.8
Total
Weight
(g)
1.0
0.2
3.3
2.6
0.1
0.5
7.7
All glass and ceramic artefacts were examined for Aboriginal utilisation,
however except for a few susceptible fragments that could be the product of
breakage, no introduced European materials were found to be deliberately
modified in the farmhouse area.
j) Summary
The archaeological analysis of the farmhouse area unearthed the remains of
two post-holes and the remains of the original cottage built on the farm in 1831.
Recovered wall materials indicate a rammed earth dwelling rather than a wattle
and daub construction. From the charcoal analysis the fire event that destroyed
this structure in 1870 was hot and slow.
The material remains recovered from this area provide a wealth of information
about the occupants of this structure from 1831 to 1870 when the Spencer
family inhabited the property. The lack of expensive ceramic items, such as
porcelain tableware, indicates that the Spencer family were probably not
wealthy inhabitants. The amount of mixed motif and colour transfer-printed
earthenware items recovered from this area, when compared to other ceramic
studies, possibly belonged to a middle class family (Delle et al. 2000).
Little information could be inferred about what types of food the inhabitants
consumed, therefore an analysis of dietary intake could not be conducted.
Other indicators of food were the recovery of musket ammunition, possibly the
by-product of food procurement. However alcohol and beverage consumption,
with wine and beer dark olive ‘black’ bottles being represented the most, was
113
easily identified in the deposit and also supported by the recovery of wine glass
fragments.
Items were recovered which were specific to individuals on the farm.
The
presence of sewing pins were probably utilised by Lady Spencer or her female
children, Mary Ann, Augusta and Eliza. The recovery of carnelian and glass
beads also may have belonged to the Spencer females and indicate a certain
level of status display by the women in this household.
The weaponry
paraphernalia probably belonged to Richard Spencer or his senior male
children, Hugh Seymour or Edward May. Also the recovery of stone artefacts
indicate that local Mineng groups also inhabited or visited the farm during this
period, even though, utilised European objects, such as glass, were not
recovered from this area.
2. Worker’s cottage
The analysis of the worker’s cottage included materials excavated from one 1m
square (EEE49) and surface collections from a trench excavated by bobcat
20m long, 3m wide to a depth of 30cm directly in front (north) of the cottage
structure (See Figure 4.2.1). The surface artefacts were collected within 1m
squares within the grid system outlined in Chapter 3.
The spoils of the
excavated trench were unsystematically searched to collect salvage artefacts
associated with the worker’s cottage.
Further surface artefacts were
unsystematically collected around the worker’s cottage resulting from
disturbance during the placement of reticulation pipes in 1984 and the
construction of a veranda to the south of the worker’s cottage in 1992 (Heaver
and Farrow 1999:33-34). Table 4.2.1 shows the stratigraphic profile of EEE49
and excavation units.
114
Table 4.2.1 EEE49 stratigraphic profile and excavated units
EEE49
1 SC
2C
* SC – sandy clay, C - clay
The analysis of archaeological artefacts excavated and collected from around
the worker’s cottage aimed to define the date of construction and period of
habitation as historical maps do not show this structure on the farm during
Richard Spencer’s occupation, though historians have claimed that it was used
by Spencer’s labourers and house servants (Chauncy 1855). The isolation of a
construction period of use would identify occupants. In addition the analysis
may provide information about the occupants social and economic standing to
compare other areas of the site, particularly the farmhouse.
Windows
From the surface collection and the excavated square a total of 166.2 grams
were recovered, the varying widths ranged from 1.3 to 3.9mm.
Only 0.1%
came from an archaeological excavated deposit (EEE49), while 29% came from
the trench surface collection and 71% from the unsystematic salvage collection
from the trench spoils. Due to the lack of archaeological control in the collection
of flat window glass in this area, analysis of the varying width sizes and weight
collected are based on percentages rather than raw numbers to be able to
compare the data with other areas on this site. Graph 4.2.1 demonstrates the
varying widths of flat glass from this area. The main peaks were 19% for flat
glass width 1.6mm, 32% for 1.8mm and 20% for 2.8mm.
Table 4.2.2
associates the flat glass widths with known manufacturing dates from the
worker’s cottage area from Boow (1991).
115
Figure 4.2.1 Location of excavated and surface collection squares from the
worker’s cottage
N
1 cm = 1 m
low density
surface scatter
low density
surface scatter
excavated square
raised bitumen carpark
EEE49
worker's cottage
verandah (1992)
fruit tree
garden bed
surface scatter collections
surface collection from excavated trench
Percentage
Graph 4.2.1 Flat glass width by weight from the worker’s cottage
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
Width (mm)
116
2.5
3
3.5
4
worker’s cottage
Width (mm)
0.9 – 2.8
2.8 – 3.5
3.5 – 5.5
Weight (g)
Percentage
115.2
48.6
1.6
69.7
29.4
0.9
Method of
Manufacture
Crown
Broad
Modern
Manufacture Dates
c.1790–1850
c.1860–1920
c.1920-present
Of the flat glass recovered from the worker’s cottage 70% dates from the Crown
method of manufacture prior to 1850 (Table 4.2.2). Though this result does
indicate an early construction date for the worker’s cottage, it should not be
considered in isolation from other datable artefacts recovered, as the window
glass may have been recycled from other structures or purchased and stored
earlier.
Due to varying degrees of corrosion, not all metal objects resembling nails
could be identified. The majority of nails recovered from the worker’s cottage
area were wire constructed (Table 4.2.3). Table 4.2.4 lists the different nail
production periods present at the cottage. While the nails suggest a mid to late
19th century construction date this probably is due to the wide period of
production for both wrought and nail plate types.
The nail functions were
primarily for woodworking, especially the modern galvanised roofing nails.
Table 4.2.3 Number of nail types identified from the worker’s cottage
Nail Type
Wrought
Nail Plate
Wire
Total
EEE49
0
0
6
6
Surface
0
0
4
4
Salvage
4
2
7
13
Total
4
2
17
23
Table 4.2.4 Nail type production periods and number of items from the worker’s
cottage
Nail Type
Wrought Wedge Point
Nail Plate
Wire Rose head
Wire Rhomboid head
Wire Galvanised
Total
18th century-1870s
1775-20th century
1860s-1880s
1880s-20th century
1950s-present
117
No. of Items
4
2
1
3
7
17
Building construction materials from this area included red brick, plaster and
concrete, and blue slate tile fragments. Graph 4.2.2 illustrates the structural and
roof functions by weight according to the differing collection procedures.
Weight (grm)
Graph 4.2.2 Worker’s cottage structural and roof function by weight
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Roof
Structural
EEE49
Surface
Salvage
Graph 4.2.2 is problematic due to the bias of the salvage collection in this
analysis. The large amount of slate recovered is probably not representative of
roof and structural functions from the worker’s cottage, probably illustrating
material preference of field collectors to pick up large slate and brick fragments
from the trench spoil heap. The only true representations should be considered
from the trench surface collection and the excavated square.
The presence of blue slate in EEE49 is probably a reflection of the fragmentary
and dispersed nature of slate that can be found across the whole site, though
the lack of structural materials in this square is probably due to the distance
from the structure. As seen from Plates 3.2 and 3.3 (in Chapter 3) the present
roof is covered by iron-corrugated sheeting from the National Trust restoration
in 1965 that removed the slate from the worker’s cottage to restore the
farmhouse roof and replace the shingles on the kitchen and scullery.
The
surface presence of slate across the whole site, though not uniformly dispersed,
is primarily the result of this restoration.
The increase in building materials from the surface collection is the result of the
collection spanning an area of 41 metres. The structural materials recovered
include plaster with lime-wash, bricks, which do not relate to the cottage
118
construction, though the presence of bricked chimneys from the present cottage
kitchen does not match the brick colour or matrix. No other information could be
collected from the brick analysis as to manufacturer or technological period.
Table 4.2.5 and Graph 4.2.3 demonstrate that the majority of artefacts
recovered in this area specifically had a tableware function, while food remains
were the least represented.
Table 4.2.5 Worker’s cottage foodways function
Specific Function
Food
Containers
Cooking
Tableware and
serving wares
Total
No. of
Items
5
14
6
52
% of
Items
6.5
18.2
7.8
67.5
No. of
Sherds
6
24
8
91
% of
Sherds
4.6
18.6
6.2
70.5
Weight
(g)
27.1
278.9
55.7
371.1
% of
Weight
3.7
38.1
7.6
50.6
77
100
129
100
732.8
100
Percentage
Graph 4.2.3 Worker’s cottage foodways function by percentage
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
% of Items
% of Sherds
% Weight
Food
Container/Store
Preparation
Tableware/Serve
Specific Function
Food
Of the five food items recovered, three could be identified as belonging to the
introduced species Ovis aries (Sheep), represented by 2 teeth and 1 rib bone.
Two bone fragments are affected by fire, while the identified rib bone had been
sawn through the processes of butchery. One large fragment is possibly from a
cow (Bos taurus) scapula due to its thickness and mass (Landon 1996)
Containers
As seen in Table 4.2.5 containers accounted for the second largest number
(38%) of foodway objects. Clear cylindrical bottles represented a third of the
total containers, though the number of items only came to five (Table 4.2.6).
119
There were a number of different tint glass bottles recovered, which may have
had other functions besides storing food products.
Table 4.2.6 Containers from the worker’s cottage
Composition
Glass
Earthenware
Stoneware
Colour/
Glaze
Clear
Clear
Green
tint
Aqua tint
Blue tint
Cream
glaze
Brown
glaze
None
Shape
Cylindrical
Squ/Oct
Stopper
Cylindrical
Weight
(g)
56.6
24.5
11.0
9.3
% of
Weight
16.5
7.1
3.2
2.7
No. of
Sherds
5
5
1
2
% of
Sherds
20
20
4
8
No. of
Items
5
3
1
1
% of
Items
31.3
18.7
6.2
6.2
Squ/Oct
Cylindrical
Cylindrical
40.2
51.4
71.3
11.7
15.0
20.7
5
4
1
20
16
4
2
1
1
12.5
6.2
6.2
Cylindrical
31.1
9.1
1
4
1
6.2
Cylindrical
Total
48.2
343.6
14.0
100
1
25
4
100
1
16
6.2
100
The blue tint cylindrical bottle (SC/3) was identified as a salad dressing bottle
dating from the early 20th century (Vader and Murray 1975:74). The cream
glazed earthenware bottle (SAL C/32) also had a partial circular stamp
‘Aberdeen - Imperial Potteries - Lambeth’ near the base. The circumference of
this earthenware bottle was approximately 8cm. See Plate 4.2.1 to view both
examples.
Plate 4.2.1 Containers from the worker’s cottage
120
Cooking
Only two items, represented by two fragments, were recovered from this area,
SC/17 and SAL C/36 are brown glazed earthenware fragments with a course
matrix recovered from the salvage process.
Tableware and serving wares was the largest group to be recovered in this area
(Table 4.2.5 and Graph 4.2.3). The materials were highly fragmented with 143
sherds weighing a total of 451 grams.
Tableware and serving wares are
dominated by ceramic objects (98%) with glass belonging to glassware.
Table 4.2.7 Tableware and serving ware by shape from the worker’s cottage
Shape
Weight
(g)
%
No. of
Sherds
%
No. of
Items
%
Mean
Weight
Bowl
57.4
Flatware
237.3
Basin/Pan
33.4
Cup
34.6
Jug
8.2
Glass
10
Unidentified
70.4
Total
451.2
12.7
13
52.6
49
7.4
4
7.7
17
1.8
1
2.2
5
15.6
54
100
143
9.1
6
34.3
18
2.8
2
11.9
9
0.7
1
3.5
5
37.8
N/A
100
41
14.6
4.4
43.9
4.8
4.9
8.4
21.9
2
2.4
8.2
12.2
2
N/A
1.3
100
Table 4.2.7 shows that of the identified items, flatware vessels were the largest
group recovered.
Flatware vessels were identified by larger fragments,
compared to the unidentified fragments that contained a similar number of
sherds, though due to their smaller fragmentary size were unable to be
identified (Graph 4.2.4).
Similarly the glass and cup shapes were also
represented by a higher percentage of sherds than fragment weight, though
identification was still possible due to the characteristic identification of glass
and cup rims, handles and bases.
121
Graph 4.2.4 Tableware and serving ware by shape from the worker’s cottage
60
Percentage
50
40
% of Weight
30
% of Sherds
20
10
0
Bowl
Basin/Pan
Jug
Unidentified
Shape
The majority of all table and serving ware sherds (84%) recovered had
decoration colour, style or motifs of some kind (Table 4.2.8).
Earthenware
printed wares were mainly represented, though two porcelain cup handles were
recovered during the salvage process, though they are not included in Table
4.2.8. Cream-glazed wares were also excluded, mainly due to the unknown
quantity of fragments that belonged to already recorded printed wares.
Table 4.2.8 Tableware and serving ware by decoration colour, style and motif
Colour
Transfer
Printed
Glaze
Dark Blue
Blue
Flow Blue
Green
Black
Brown
Purple
White
Green
Maroon
Blue
Total
No. of
Styles/Motifs
3
% of
Styles
9.7
Weight
(g)
93.6
% of
Weight
26.7
No. of
Sherds
18
% of
Sherds
20.2
6
1
4
6
1
19.3
3.2
12.9
19.3
3.2
16.1
6.4
3.2
3.2
3.2
100
118.1
2.3
29.8
43.3
23
11.1
9.6
1
16.8
1.8
350.5
33.7
0.7
8.5
12.4
6.6
3.2
2.7
0.3
4.8
0.5
100
18
1
16
12
3
7
9
2
2
1
89
20.2
1.1
18
13.5
3.4
7.9
10.1
2.2
2.2
1.1
100
2
1
1
1
31
The colour of the decorative sherds were varied, though dark blue (20%) and
blue (20%) transfer printed wares are represented more than others, though
purple (16%), black (13.5%) and green (13%) printed wares were also
significantly represented.
Even though blue printed wares were the most
popular colour for printed decoration on English earthenware during the
nineteenth century (Coysh 1970:7), they did not dominate the assemblage
recovered from the worker’s cottage area. One explanation for the inclusion of
122
black, green and purple printed wares was that due to their lack of popularity
they were cheaper to purchase and therefore can indicate a lower level of
status.
The level of fragmentation has prohibited a comprehensive analysis of vessel
shape and utilisation to determine the presence of matching sets, though the
varying motif colours and styles, suggests that many different complete or
incomplete sets were used in this area over time.
The wide date ranges for both printed ware colour and motifs are unable to
provide a great degree of insight into the sherds recovered from the worker’s
cottage area (Samford 1997). However one border motif/marley from a basin
(EEE49 1/8, SAL C/5) was identified as a design used by Podmore, Walker &
Co., which operated from 1834 until 1859, though Wedgwood & Co. continued
to use the scroll and floral motifs after the firm closed down (see Plate 4.2.2)
(Coysh and Henrywood 1982:236/286). One other fragment was also identified
as having a ‘Willow’ pattern, though due to the many different makers of this
pattern pre-1880, a date of production is impossible from one sherd. Especially
when the pattern was produced from the early 19th century until the present,
though it had its peak popularity during the Victorian era (Coysh and
Henrywood 1982:402).
Plate 4.2.2 Scroll and flower motif from Podmore, Walker & Co.
123
A total of 168 glass sherds weighing 904 grams were recovered, though only 49
(5%) grams were from EEE49, while 109 (12%) grams were collected from a
surface collection in front of the cottage structure, leaving 746 (82.5%) grams
from the salvage collection of the trench spoil heap. Overall the beer and wine
category was the largest by weight and sherd number, followed by gin and spirit
bottles and thirdly beverages, though beverages represented the most number
of items (Table 4.2.9).
Table 4.2.9 Beverage and alcohol vessels from the worker’s cottage
Specific
Function
Weight (g)
% of
Weight
No. of
Sherds
% of
Sherds
Beverage
Beer/Wine
Gin/Spirits
Wine
Beer
Total
160
396.5
318.7
6.7
21.8
903.6
17.7
43.9
35.3
0.7
2.4
100
25
98
36
2
7
168
14.9
58.3
21.4
1.2
4.2
100
% of
Items
Minimum
No. of
Items
6
5
3
1
1
16
37.5
31.2
18.7
6.2
6.2
100
Graph 4.2.5 portrays the above table by percentage in order to illustrate the
relationship between weight, sherds and the number of representative items.
The beer and wine category shows that many sherds were recovered that
weighed more than other categories, though they did not have the most items
represented. A great amount of sherds were identified as belonging to this
category due to the dark and light olive colour specific to these bottles contents.
Graph 4.2.5 Beverages and alcohol vessels from the worker’s cottage
70
Percentage
60
50
% of Weight
40
% of Sherds
30
% of Items
20
10
0
Beverage
Beer/Wine
Gin/Spirits
Specific Function
124
Wine
Beer
Table 4.2.10 lists both clear ‘flint’ and dark olive ‘black’ glass fragments that
were positively identified and dated. The majority of fragments belonged to
clear glass bottles, though only one fragment was recovered from square
EEE49. The fragments date from 1835 to the present, though the majority were
dated after c. 1900. The dark olive fragments recovered represented an even
wider dating range from 1820 to 1920. Due to the wide varying manufacturing
periods, the identified glass fragments cannot be used in isolation to date the
worker’s cottage construction and period of occupation.
Table 4.2.10 Dark olive ‘black’ and clear flint datable glass bottles from the
worker’s cottage
Artefact ID
EEE49 1/15
MM44 SUR/1
SAL G/26
SC/1
WW45 SUR/1
SAL G/20
SAL G/27
SAL G/28
SAL G/29
SAL G/30
SAL G/5
SS44 SUR/3
SAL G/3
Colour
Clear
Clear
Clear
Clear
Clear
Clear
Clear
Clear
Clear
Clear
Dark olive
Dark olive
Dark olive
Base – no pontil mark
Base – machine made
Shoulder
Marble seal
Lip – machine made, two mould
Lip – spherical ‘blob’ collar
Lip – spherical ‘blob’ collar
Lip – machine made single collar
Base – conical push-up
Shoulder – 3 piece moulding
Lip – finishing tool, double collar
Production Periods
c. 1835-1870
c. 1900
c. 1900
c. 1900
c. 1900-1920
c. 1875
c. 1895 after
c. 1860-1870 – 1900-1920
c. 1860-1870 – 1900-1920
c. 1720-1780 to date
c. 1820-1840 – 1860-1870
c. 1900-1920
c. 1820-1840 – 1900-1920
Table 4.2.11 lists the artefacts identified as having a pharmaceutical function.
From the nine fragments recovered a minimum of two items were represented
in the worker’s cottage area.
Table 4.2.11 Pharmaceutical equipment summary from the worker’s cottage
Artefact ID
Composition
Colour
Characteristics
DDD45 SUR/8, FFF44
SUR/4, FFF45 SUR/3,
FFF46 SUR/2
SAL G/17, SAL G/18
Glass
Cobalt
None
Glass
Cobalt
Squ/Oct
Total
125
Weight
(g)
0.6
No. of
Sherds
4
12.1
12.7
5
9
e) Personal objects
The majority of personal items recovered were ornamental and did not perform
a specific function (Table 4.2.12). The recovery of buttons, beads, a vase, a
perfume bottle and a glass bowl (see Plate 4.2.3) suggest female activities in
the worker’s cottage area. None of the personal items recovered provide any
information on male specific activities.
Table 4.2.12 Personal objects summary from the worker’s cottage
Artefact ID
Material
Colour
Item
UU44 SUR/1
UU45 SUR/2
ZZ44 SUR/1, SAL
G/22
EEE45 SUR/1
SAL G/19
SAL G/21
SAL G/48
SAL C/1
Pearl
Glass
Glass
Pearl
White
White
2 holed button
4 holed button
Ribbed Moulded Vase
Glass
Glass
Glass
Glass
Ceramic
Clear
Clear
Blue
Clear
Hand-painted
Candlestick holder
Scallop rimmed bowl
Bead
Perfume bottle
Basin
Total
Weight
(g)
0.7
0.4
17.1
No. of
Sherds
1
1
8
61.7
10.5
0.3
13.7
30.9
135.4
1
1
2
1
1
16
Plate 4.2.3 Personal objects from the worker’s cottage
The majority of objects identified as having an occupational and recreational
function were identified as smoking paraphernalia (Table 4.2.13). Of the seven
smoking clay pipe fragments recovered, a minimum of three separate items
was represented. Fortunately two stem fragments, as seen in Table 4.2.14 had
maker impressions that are easily identified.
126
Table 4.2.13 Occupational and recreational summary from the worker’s cottage
Artefact ID
EEE49 2/1
EEE49 2/2
EEE49 2/3
TT44 SUR/5
BBB45 SUR/1
SAL E/9
SAL E/16
SAL E/7
Item
Clay pipe
Clay pipe
Clay pipe
Clay pipe
Clay pipe
Clay pipe
Clay pipe
Slate Pencil
Colour
White
White
White
White
White
White
White
Blue
Characteristics
Stem fragment
Mouth piece
Chip
Bowl complete
Stem complete
Bowl fragment
Mouth piece
Fragment
Total
Weight
1.7
0.8
0.1
10.6
2.7
4.1
2.4
0.8
23.2
Sherds
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
8
The complete bowl (TT44 SUR/5) recovered during the surface collection in the
worker’s cottage trench was embedded in the soil 30cm below the surface. The
depth, from the stratigraphic analysis, relates to the base of the historical
deposit in this area. The bowl pattern was identified from a Thomas Davidson
& Co. catalogue (Davey 1987:126) dating from 1862 until 1911.
The
corresponding number to the pipe is also accompanied with a list of prices.
This clay pipe was identified as being ’84-Large Basket’ at a price of eight
pence (p.154).
Plate 4.2.4 shows the complete bowl recovered and the
illustration from the Davidson & Co. catalogue.
Table 4.2.14 Identified clay pipe manufacturers (Gallagher and Price 1987,
Davey 1987)
Artefact ID
EEE49 2/1
TT44 SUR/5, BBB45
SUR/1
Maker
C. Crop
Thomas Davidson &
Co.
Location
London
Glasgow
Production Period
Late 19th century
1862-1911
Plate 4.2.4 Clay pipe (TT44 SUR/5) and Davidson & Co. catalogue item
127
Davey (1987:115) has assumed that the catalogue’s date of issue is c.1880;
lower catalogue numbers are manufactured earlier from a total of 255 pipes
displayed. Some pipes were produced to commemorate specific dated events;
therefore their placement in the list can be used to date other pipes. Therefore
the 84 Large Basket mould would have begun production some time between
1864 and 1871 when the manufacturer’s expanded their 43 mould repertoire to
158 (p.114).
g) Household items
The objects identified as household related were four items weighing a total of
142 grams (Table 4.2.15). The ceramic object identified as a light fitting (SAL
C/34) was dated to the installation of electricity to the property during World
War I (1914-1918) (Heaver and Farrow 1999:31). The object includes three
holes in the top for electrical wires and an internal screw thread to hold the light
globe. This object was recovered during the unsystematic salvage collection
from the trench spoil heap and therefore cannot be placed in archaeological
sequence.
Table 4.2.14 Household item summary from the worker’s cottage
Artefact ID
BBB45 SUR/2
SAL C/34
SAL M/1
SAL E/4
Material
Ceramic
Ceramic
Metal
Rubber
Colour
Lime green glaze
Cream glaze
Ferrous
Black
Characteristics
Tile
Light fitting
Hook
Washer
Total
Weight (g)
13.3
14.2
113.3
1.6
142.4
h) Summary
The analysis of the worker’s cottage was problematic due to the excavation of a
trench in front of the structure that removed all the relevant associated
archaeological materials. Since the majority of objects were recovered from an
un-stratified context the archaeological analysis was restricted to general
statistical counts instead of comparable data over time.
128
Overall the analysis of materials recovered from the worker’s cottage area
indicates a mid to late 19th century construction and habitation from the datable
objects recovered, including clear beverage bottles, clay pipe fragments and the
amount of wire manufactured nails.
Therefore the archaeological analysis
indicates that Spencer’s farm labourers and house servants probably did not
inhabit this structure.
Items such as perfume bottles and moulded glass vases suggest that females
inhabited the cottage, though these items suggest a lower level of status
compared to women who lived in the farmhouse. Ceramic items identified as
per the farmhouse area are highly fragmentary with a mix of transfer-printed
motifs and colours, though blue, dark blue, black and purple printed motifs were
the most prevalent. The economic status of the inhabitants is congruent with
the farmhouse area, though two porcelain cup handles were recovered.
Possible inhabitants of the worker’s cottage area were the Miner family who
may have leased the cottage from Joseph Spencer in 1870 (Heaver and Farrow
1999:23).
3. Outbuildings
The analysis of the outbuilding area included materials excavated from three
1m squares (PP33, WW33, ZZ33). The documentary evidence for structures in
this area is limited to Chauncy’s 1855 map showing two structures, one wood,
and one stone. These two structures ran parallel to the original cottage and the
two-storey farmhouse (Figure 4.3.1). Table 4.3.1 illustrates the stratigraphic
profile and excavation units in the outbuildings area. The function of these two
structures remains unknown, as historical records do not mention their
construction or function. The archaeological analyses of this area aimed to find
evidence of structures in Chauncy’s map and establish a construction and
possible demolition date, and define their use.
129
Table 4.3.1 Stratigraphic profile and excavation units from the outbuildings
PP33
1H
2
3S
4
5
6 SC
7
ZZ33
1H
2
3 DL
4
5
6
7
WW33
1H
2
3 DL
4
5
7C
6
8
11
8
9
9
10
10 C
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
*Soil descriptors: H – humus, DL – dark loam, S – sandy, SC – sandy clay, C – clay
Windows
From the three squares excavated in this area a total of 149 grams of flat glass
was recovered, widths measured ranging from 1mm to 2.5mm thick. Table
4.3.2 and Graph 4.3.1 show there is a positive, but not strong, relationship
(correlation coefficient of 0.38) between the weight and frequency of flat glass in
this area.
This indicates that the weight amounts have not been greatly
affected by the number of flat glass sherds recovered from the deposit.
There are two main discrepancies between frequency and the weight of flat
glass widths for 1.4mm and 1.9mm (Graph 4.3.1).
These discrepancies
resulted from many fragments being recovered from one or two units, i.e. unit
13 of square ZZ33 for 1.4mm flat glass thickness and units 8 and 16 also from
square ZZ33 for 1.9mm thickness.
130
Figure 4.3.1 Location of excavated squares and perimeter of the outbuildings
PP33
WW33
NORTH
ZZ33
excavated square
stone structure area
wooden structure area
garden arch
tree
1 cm = 75 cm
131
Table 4.3.2 The frequency and weight of flat glass width from the outbuildings
Width
(mm)
1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
Total
Weight (g)
0.6
9.1
0.6
26.2
25.2
23.5
4
0.4
3.4
45.8
2.6
0.8
4.1
1.6
0.4
0.7
149.2
Percentage Frequency
(%)
(No.)
0.4
2
6.1
4
0.4
1
17.6
5
16.9
1
15.8
5
2.7
4
0.3
1
2.3
1
30.7
2
1.7
2
0.5
1
2.7
3
1.1
1
0.2
1
0.5
1
100
35
Percentage
(%)
5.7
11.4
2.7
14.3
2.7
14.3
11.4
2.9
2.9
5.7
5.7
2.9
8.6
2.9
2.9
2.9
100
outbuildings
35
Percentage
30
25
20
Weight
15
Frequency
10
5
0
0.9
1.1
1.3
1.5
1.7
1.9
2.1
2.3
2.5
Width (mm)
Flat glass recovered from the outbuildings area was manufactured c.1790-1850
(Table 4.3.3). This is consistent with Chauncy’s 1855 map, though the absence
of later glass (2.8 – 3.5mm widths c.1860-1920) from this area could also
indicate that the use of these buildings was short lived.
outbuildings
Width (mm)
0.9 – 2.8
Weight (g)
149.2
Frequency
35
132
Manufacture
Crown
Manufacture Dates
c.1790-1850
Roof and walls
Ferrous nails have been analysed by weight and percentage for wall and roof
function. The number of wrought manufactured nails comprises 57% of all nails
recovered in this area (Table 4.3.4). Table 4.3.5 reproduces known periods of
production for nail types. The majority of nails were identified by stem shape
due to the badly corroded nail examples in this area. The one modern clout nail
recovered (ZZ33 1/6) came from the uppermost excavated unit.
Table 4.3.4 Number of nail types identified from the outbuildings
Nail Type
Wrought
Nail Plate
Wire
Modern
Total
PP33
1
0
4
0
5
WW33
6
0
1
0
7
ZZ33
6
0
4
1
11
Total
13
0
9
1
23
Table 4.3.5 Nail type production periods and number of items from the
outbuildings
Nail Type
Wrought Wedge Point
Wrought Rose head
Wire
Total
18th century - 1870
18th century - 1870
1860s - present
No. of Items
12
1
9
22
Blue slate tile was found, while the wall structures could only be identified by
the presence of red brick and wood fragments. No structural foundation or
post-holes were identified during the excavation of this area.
The weight of wall materials vary significantly between squares, though the
presence of roof materials remains low (Graph 4.3.2). A large amount of brick
materials was recovered from ZZ33, possibly within the interior of the stone
structure on Chauncy’s 1855 map, suggesting the structure identified from
Chauncy’s map was constructed solely or partly from brick materials. There
were also a number of granite rocks removed during the excavation of both
squares WW33 and ZZ33, though their frequency and weight were not recorded
in the field. The recording sheets for these two squares do record the position
133
of larger rocks in each unit, associated with a dark brown soil succeeded by an
orange clay deposit in Units 8 to 12.
Graph 4.3.2 Outbuildings roof and wall function by weight
Weight (g)
2500
2000
1500
Roof
1000
Wall
500
0
PP33
WW33
ZZ33
Excavated Square
Excavation units were compared to determine patterns between squares. As
can be seen from Graphs 4.3.3 (structural), 4.3.4 (roof) and 4.3.5 (window)
there are distinct patterns showing between each square across materials. The
first and most prominent event is the hiatus in unit 6 in all three squares,
surrounded by peaks, especially for roof and window materials. Unit 6 is not
discernable from previous soil colour and texture samples, though below this
unit orange/red clay deposit emerges.
Another pattern is the presence of window glass in square ZZ33 from Units 8 to
18.
All glass recovered from this area had an early manufacture date
suggesting that windows may have been fitted in this structure from its
construction, or stored in this structure over a long period of time.
Graph 4.3.3 Outbuildings structural function by excavated unit
80
Percentage
70
60
50
PP33
40
WW33
30
ZZ33
20
10
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Unit
134
8
9
10
11
12
Graph 4.3.4 Outbuildings roof function by excavated unit
Percentage
50
40
PP33
30
WW33
20
ZZ33
10
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Unit
Graph 4.3.5 Outbuildings window function by excavated unit
60
Percentage
50
40
PP33
30
WW33
ZZ33
20
10
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Unit
Charcoal
Due to the close proximity of the original cottage the charcoal may indicate
whether the 1870 fire affected the outbuildings area. Graph 4.3.6 shows three
definite peaks in charcoal weights, with the majority of charcoal recovered from
square ZZ33. The most prominent peak across all three squares is for units 6
and 7, corresponding to the hiatus seen from the architectural function analysis
that also corresponds to an absence of all archaeological materials. From this
analysis and comparison to the analysis undertaken on the farmhouse area, it is
possible that these outbuildings were also destroyed or damaged by the fire
event of 1870 that destroyed the original 1831 farm cottage.
135
Graph 4.3.6 Total charcoal weight from the outbuildings
Weight (grm)
20
15
PP33
10
WW33
ZZ33
5
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Unit
The analysis of charcoal from this area is problematic due to the collection
problems faced during excavation as the soil was particularly wet, making
sifting materials difficult. The collection of only large charcoal fragments during
excavation may have skewed the analysis results.
The origin of peaks of
charcoal weights in Units 2 and 10 in square ZZ33 is not known.
A preliminary microscopic charcoal analysis was undertaken on samples from
the outbuilding area.
There were considerable identification problems
associated with the soil water content and their pervasion of the charcoal
samples collected, distorting the cellular structure of the charcoal. The result of
the analysis indicates that the wood used in this area and possibly in the
construction of the outbuilding structures was a Eucalyptus species, mainly
Eucalyptus calophylla (Marri).
All the species identified were native to the
immediate area in the King George Sound (Beard 1981).
Table 4.3.6 shows the number of items, sherds and their weight by specific
function, while Graph 4.3.7 illustrates the percentage of these amounts.
Container vessels represent 52% of the foodway items in this area, while
tableware and serving wares represent 32%.
136
Table 4.3.6 Outbuildings general foodways function
No. of
Items
5
26
3
16
50
Specific Function
Food
Container/Store
Preparation
Tableware/Serve
Total
% of Items
10
52
6
32
100
No. of
Sherds
5
57
4
30
96
% of
Sherds
5.2
59.4
4.2
31.2
100
Weight (g)
9.7
127.4
9.8
57.4
204.3
% of
Weight
4.7
62.4
4.8
28.1
100
Graph 4.3.7 Outbuildings foodways by percentage
Percentage
80
Items
60
Sherds
40
Weight
20
0
Food
Container/Store
Preparation
Tableware/Serve
Specific Function
Food
Food consisted of small and fragmentary bone fragments.
The identifiable
bone included introduced species, Ovis aries (sheep), represented by one
metatarsal (Table 4.3.7). The presence of sheep and fish bone probably result
from human processes, while the bird skull and rat phalange may have
deposited naturally. None of the bone recovered in this area show visible signs
of butchering.
Table 4.3.7 Outbuildings identified bone weight
Sheep
Fish
Bird
Rat
Total (g)
PP33
0
0
0
0
0
WW33
0
0.4
0
0
0.4
ZZ33
5.1
0
3
0.4
8.5
Total
5.1
0.4
3
0.3
8.8
MNI
Count % of Total
1
57.9
1
4.1
1
34
1
4
4
100
Containers
Container items accounted for the largest number (52%) of foodway objects in
this area (Table 4.3.5). The glass and ceramic objects were of various bottle
size, shape and colour. Clear square or rectangular and octagonal bottles and
pale green cylindrical bottles are represented the most (Table 4.3.8).
137
Table 4.3.8 Containers summary from the outbuildings
Composition Colour/
Glaze
Glass
Clear
Shape
Cylindrical
Squ/Oct
Pale green Cylindrical
Green tint Squ/Oct
Cylindrical
Citrine tint Cylindrical
Earthenware Brown
Cylindrical
Stoneware
None
Cylindrical
Total
Weight
(g)
19.4
51.8
22.7
6.3
11.1
0.7
3.6
9
124.5
% of
No. of
% of
No. of
Weight Sherds Sherds Items
15.5
2
3.8
2
41.6
18
34.6
7
18.2
20
38.5
7
5
1
1.9
1
8.9
2
3.8
1
0.6
2
3.8
1
2.9
2
3.8
1
7.2
5
9.6
3
100
52
100
23
% of
Items
8.7
30.4
30.4
4.3
4.3
4.3
4.3
13
100
Cooking
Ceramic objects, mainly course earthenware, represented food preparation in
this area. Only four sherds were identified as having a cooking function. None
of the sherds recovered indicated a vessel shape, therefore function was limited
to identifying earthenware objects with a course to medium matrix. The cheap
materials used to make these items suggest that they were primarily used in a
kitchen for the preparation of food, though vessel shape information may not
support a food preparation function.
Tableware and serving wares was the second largest group to be recovered in
this area (Table 4.3.6 and Graph 4.3.7). All the objects were small ceramic
fragments weighing a total of 57 grams.
Table 4.3.9 illustrates the wares broken down by vessel shape to show the
range of vessels recovered from this area, while Graph 4.3.8 illustrates vessel
shape by percentage. The table shows that of the identified items, flatware
vessels were the largest group recovered.
Table 4.3.9 Tableware and serving ware by shape from the outbuildings
Shape
Weight (g)
No. of Sherds
No. of Items
Weight M
Bowl
5.5
4
2
1.4
Flatware Basin/Pan
21.3
12
6
1.8
12.1
2
2
6
138
Cup
Jug
6.1
3
2
2
8
2
2
4
Unidentified Total
4.5
7
N/A
0.6
57.4
30
14
Graph 4.3.8 Tableware and serving ware by shape from the outbuildings
60
Percentage
50
40
% of Weight
30
% of Sherds
20
10
0
Bowl
Flatware
Basin/Pan
Cup
Jug
Unidentified
Shape
Half of all tableware and serving ware sherds recovered had decoration colour,
style or motifs of some kind (Table 4.3.10). All of the sherds recovered from
this area were earthenware, except for one white porcelain sherd that was
hand-painted, though due to the size of the sherd a vessel shape was not
identified. Of the decorated sherds recovered blue transfer printed wares were
the largest category (86%) with four different decoration styles or motifs.
Table 4.3.10 Tableware and serving wares by decoration colour and style/motif
Method
Colour
No. of
% of
Weight
Styles/Motifs Styles/Motifs
(g)
Blue
3
25
16.2
Transfer
Printed
Flow Blue
1
8.3
3
Green
1
8.3
0.6
Red
1
8.3
1.1
Glaze
Cream
3
25.
18.1
White
1
8.3
6.6
Yellow
1
8.3
11.5
Hand-painted Porcelain
1
8.3
0.4
Total
12
100
57.4
% of
Weight
28.2
5.2
1
2
31.5
11.4
20
0.8
100
No. of
Sherds
9
3
1
1
10
4
1
1
30
% of
Sherds
30
10
3.3
3.3
33.3
13.3
3.3
3.3
100
The presence of blue-colour printed wares in this area reflects the sites
occupation by the Spencer family, though without the recovery of identification
marks, it remains unclear whether vessels were transported with the family from
England in 1833 or acquired from Albany (Table 4.3.11).
139
Table 4.3.11 Date ranges for colour on printed wares as per Samford (1977:20)
Colour
Weight (g)
Blue
Red
Green
Flow
16.2
1.2
0.6
3
Mean Beginning
of Production
1817
1829
1830
1830s
Mean End of
Production
1834
1842
1846
1890
Range of
Production
1784-1859
1818-1880
1818-1859
1830s-1900s
A total of 484 glass sherds weighing 1,929 grams were excavated. Overall, the
beer and wine category was the largest by weight, sherd number and minimum
number of items, followed by gin and spirit bottles (Table 4.3.12).
Table 4.3.12 Beverage and alcohol vessels from the outbuildings
Specific
Function
Weight (g)
Beverage
Beer/Wine
Gin/Spirits
Beer
Total
26.4
1841.5
56.9
4.09
1928.98
% of
% of Weight No. of Sherds Sherds
1.4
95.5
3
0.21
100
6
437
37
4
484
Minimum No.
of Items
% of
Items
2
14
3
2
21
9.5
66.7
14.3
9.52
100
1.2
90.3
7.6
0.83
100
Graph 4.3.9 portrays the above table by percentage in order to show the
relationship between weight, sherds and the number of represented items. The
beer and wine category shows that many fragments were recovered that
weighed more than other categories, however due to the number of identified
technological characteristics they are not as representative by the number of
items. The opposite is true for all other categories.
Percentage
Graph 4.3.9 Beverage and alcohol vessels from the outbuildings
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
% of Weight
% of Sherds
% of Items
Beverage
Beer/Wine
Gin/Spirits
Specific Function
140
Beer
Table 4.3.13 lists the datable bottle glass recovered from the outbuilding area.
The identifiable manufacturing characteristics have a similar production period
with all, except two (WW33 8/2, ZZ33 8/6), dated between c.1820 to 1870.
Another interesting feature is that all the datable characteristics occur below the
unit 6 hiatus and therefore date prior to the possible destruction of the
outbuildings in 1870. Datable beverage and alcohol vessel fragments from the
outbuilding area are shown in Plates 4.3.1 and 4.3.2.
Table 4.3.13 Dark olive ‘black’ and clear ‘flint’ datable glass bottles from the
outbuildings
Artefact ID
Colour
Production Periods
WW33 7/15
WW33 7/16
WW33 8/1
WW33 8/2
WW33 9/4
WW33 9/5
WW33 9/7
ZZ33 7/4
ZZ33 8/4
ZZ33 8/5
ZZ33 8/6
ZZ33 9/3
ZZ33 18/5
ZZ33 14/1
Dark olive
Dark olive
Dark olive
Dark olive
Dark olive
Dark olive
Dark olive
Dark olive
Dark olive
Dark olive
Dark olive
Dark olive
Dark olive
Clear
3 piece mould
Base
Base - bulge
Lip - double collar
Lip - double collar
Bulbous neck
2 piece mould
c.1820-1860
c.1820-1870
c.1820-1860
c.1820-1840 to 1900-1920
c.1820-1860
c.1820-1870
c.1850
c.1820-1860
c.1820-1870
c.1820-1840
c.1820-1840 to 1900-1920
c.1820-1870
c.1820-1840 (Jones 1986)
c.1750-1890
Plate 4.3.1 Dark olive bottle from the outbuildings
141
Plate 4.3.2 Dark olive bottles from the outbuildings
Table 4.3.14 lists the cobalt bottle glass recovered from the outbuilding area.
The only identifiable characteristic, a neck and shoulder fragment (WW33 8/8)
indicates that the bottle represented has a small fluid volume with an
approximate neck diameter of 20mm.
Table 4.3.14 Pharmaceutical summary for the outbuildings
Artefact ID
Material
Colour
PP33 7/2
WW33 3/11, ZZ33 3/7
WW33 5/14
WW33 7/10, WW33 8/8
Glass
Glass
Glass
Glass
Cobalt
Cobalt
Cobalt
Cobalt
Characteristics
Shoulder/neck frag.
Total
Weight
(g)
0.1
1.1
1.2
3.2
5.6
No. of
Sherds
1
2
3
3
9
e) Personal objects
Only one item excavated from the outbuilding area was identified as having a
personal function.
One amber coloured glass bead (WW33 8/12) with a
diameter of 10mm and a borehole of 2mm, probably strung onto a necklace.
142
Table 4.3.15 lists the objects recovered in the outbuilding area identified as
occupational or recreational. Two items were attributed to writing, while a large
metal wedge was recovered from the base of square ZZ33 that was identified
as being used for wood splitting.
Table 4.3.15 Occupational and recreational summary from the outbuildings
Specific Function
Writing
Agricultural
Material
Slate
Glass
Ferrous
Description
Pencil
Ink well
Wedge for wood splitting
Weight (g)
1
4.5
1922.4
g) Household items
Objects identified as household items are listed in Table 4.3.16.
The two
copper items recovered from PP33 possibly relate to plumbing, whereas the
brass drain top from ZZ33 comes from a water tub of some sort.
Table 4.3.16 Household function analysis summary for the outbuildings
Artefact ID
PP33 7/8
PP33 7/9
ZZ33 8/30
ZZ33 10/10
Material
Metal
Metal
Metal
Metal
Composition
Copper
Copper
Ferrous
Brass
Description
Wire
Pipe
Door latch
Water tub drain
Total
Weight (g)
0.2
22.2
399.3
43
464.6
h) Summary
The analysis of the proposed outbuildings area provides some interesting
information about the farm during the 19th century.
Though the structures
identified from Chauncy’s 1855 map were not revealed from the excavation of
this area, materials recovered indicate that one of the structures was
constructed with red brick and possible granite rock. The lifespan of these
structures, from window glass and nail identification possibly originate from
Richard Spencer’s occupation and probably were destroyed by the fire event
that also destroyed the original cottage in 1870.
The archaeological objects recovered indicate that these structures were not
used for habitation due to the lack of personal objects and the amount of
143
containers represented in the deposit. The structures probably were used as
storerooms for food and beverage and farming equipment.
4. Shed and stables
The analysis of the shed and stables area included materials excavated from
two squares, CC58 and DD59 (Figure 4.4.1). The shed and stable structure
was identified as a wooden structure in Chauncy’s 1855 map and field-notes,
with an open fenced pen for livestock. Part of the shed and stables has been
built over by the caretaker’s house, built in 1965 (Heaver and Farrow 1999:33).
The excavation of this area was conducted to provide information about the
types of activities performed by the farm labourers employed by the Spencer
family during the 19th century. Table 4.4.1 shows the stratigraphic profiles and
excavation units in this area.
Table 4.4.1 Stratigraphic profiles and excavation units from the shed and
stables
CC58
1H
2 DL
3
DD59
1H
2 DL
3
4
5 SC
* Soil descriptors: H – humus, DL – dark loam, SC – sandy clay
Windows
From the two squares excavated in this area a total of 254 grams of flat glass
were recovered, the varying widths measured ranged from 0.9 to 4.7mm.
There is a moderate positive correlation (correlation coefficient of 0.599119)
between the weight and frequency of flat glass in this area (Table 4.4.2 and
Graph 4.4.1).
There are a number of discrepancies between weight and frequency for flat
glass widths between 2mm and 3.5mm (Graph 4.4.1).
This discrepancy
probably resulting from flat glass fragment size in this width range being larger
144
than other fragments recovered and therefore correlating with the frequency of
occurrence.
Figure 4.4.1 Location of excavated squares showing the perimeter of the shed
and stables as per Chauncy (1855)
excavated square
existing structure
shed and stables area
CC58
DD59
tree canopy
bitumen path
warden's cottage
NORTH
0
2
4
1 cm = 1 m
worker's cottage
Of the flat glass recovered from this area 52% was manufactured c. 1790-1850,
while 42% was manufactured c. 1860-1920 (Table 4.4.3), suggesting that the
shed and stables area was utilised over a wide period from the Spencer through
to the Bird family occupation.
145
Table 4.4.2 Frequency and weight of flat glass width from the shed and stables
Width (mm)
Weight (g)
0.9
1.2
1.5
1.6
1.8
1.9
2.1
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.9
3
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.6
3.7
4.7
Total
0.3
2.2
3.6
0.4
2.8
15
29.5
29.5
22.5
23.1
3.5
27.5
5.5
34.7
35
4.8
7.4
3.4
3
253.9
% of Weight Frequency
0.1
0.9
1.4
0.2
1.1
5.9
11.6
11.6
8.9
9.1
1.4
10.8
2.2
13.7
13.8
1.9
2.9
1.3
1.2
100
1
2
1
1
2
3
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
4
1
1
1
1
32
% of
Frequency
3.1
6.2
3.1
3.1
6.2
9.4
6.2
6.2
6.2
3.1
6.2
6.2
3.1
6.2
12.5
3.1
3.1
3.1
3.1
100
Percentage
Graph 4.4.1 Flat glass width – weight and frequency by percentage
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Weight
Frequency
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
Width (mm)
shed and stables
Width (mm)
Weight (g)
Frequency
Manufacture
0.9 – 2.8
2.9 – 3.5
3.6 – 5.5
132.4
107.7
13.8
19
10
3
Crown
Broad
Modern
146
Manufacture
Dates
c. 1790-1850
c. 1860-1920
c. 1920-present
Ferrous nails were identified by head, stem and point characteristic shape and
corresponding production dates for known nail types. Wire nails comprise 78%
of nails recovered from this area (Table 4.4.4). Table 4.4.5 reproduces known
periods of production for nail types.
Table 4.4.4 Number of nail types identified from the shed and stables
Nail Type
Wrought
Wire
Modern
Total
CC58
0
36
0
36
DD59
12
14
1
27
Total
12
50
1
63
Table 4.4.5 Nail type production periods and number of items from the shed
and stables
Nail Type
Wrought Wedge Point
Wire
Wire Rose-head
Total
18th century-1870
1860s-present
1860s-1870s
No. of Items
13
49
1
63
Plate 4.4.1 DD59 showing granite slab flooring from shed and stables
The shed and stables roof was identified by 1138.4 grams blue slate tile
fragments. The floor was a flat granite slab floor (Plate 4.4.1), which was not
removed. The wall construction is unclear from the excavated materials as they
include lime-based mortar, concrete bricks, white plaster as well as red brick
fragments.
Chauncy described this structure as wooden which remained
unchanged until it was demolished (Bird, D. per. comm.). The presence of
other building materials may have been introduced from the worker’s cottage
147
running parallel to the shed and stables approximately 10m distance (Figure
4.4.1).
Excavation units were compared to determine patterns between squares.
Graphs 4.4.2 (structural), 4.4.3 (roof) and 4.4.4 (window) show there are no
distinct trends in the material excavated between each square or specific
architectural functions.
Graph 4.4.2 Shed and stables structural items by excavated unit
100
Percentage
80
60
DD59
40
CC58
20
0
1
2
3
4
5
Unit
Percentage
Graph 4.4.3 Shed and stables roof items by excavated unit
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
DD59
CC58
1
2
3
4
5
Unit
An interesting pattern is the presence of structural materials in unit 2 in both
CC58 and DD59 squares that do not correspond to patterns occurring for roof
and window materials which may account for the inclusion of materials from the
worker’s cottage building. Roof and window materials follow a similar trend in
DD59 while there is an inverse relationship between roof and window materials
in CC58.
148
Percentage
Graph 4.4.4 Shed and stables window (flat glass) by excavated unit
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
DD59
CC58
1
2
3
4
5
Unit
Photos taken during the 1920s and 1930s of the property including the
workshop structure (Plates 4.4.2, 4.4.3) show a wooden slat building with a
wooden slat roof, no windows are evident from these photos. Therefore the
building materials excavated from this area may not have originated from the
shed and stables structure.
Plate 4.4.2 Photo c.1925 of the farmhouse with the shed in the background
Plate 4.4.3 Photo c.1930 of shed/workshop showing wooden construction
149
Table 4.4.6 demonstrates the number of items, sherds and their weight by
specific function while Graph 4.4.5 illustrates the percentage of these amounts.
Food comprised of 72% of all identified foodway objects recovered from this
area (Table 4.4.6).
Graph 4.4.5 illustrates that though food was highly
represented by sherd numbers and weight, it represented two items in the
deposit. While tableware and serving wares had a lower number of sherds but
had a higher item representation.
Table 4.4.6 Shed and stables general foodways
Specific Function
Food
Container/Store
Preparation
Tableware/Serve
Total
No. of
Items
2
7
1
15
25
% of Items
8
28
4
60
100
No. of
Sherds
231
34
1
57
323
% of
Sherds
71.5
10.5
0.3
17.6
100
% of
Weight (g) Weight
395.2
51.8
98.6
12.9
35.5
4.6
234
30.7
763.3
100
Percentage
Graph 4.4.5 Shed and stables foodways by percentage
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
% of Items
% of Sherds
% of Weight
Food
Container/Store
Preparation
Tableware/Serve
Specific Function
Food
Of the 231 bone fragments recovered from the two excavated squares in this
area only 42 could be positively identified.
The other sherds were highly
fragmented or had deteriorated to a degree that identification was problematic.
Table 4.4.7 illustrates the identified bone parts and the minimum number of
individuals represented in the deposit. The identified bone parts also included a
number of butchery marks that help identify butchery methods.
150
All identifiable bone was identified as belonging to Ovis/Capra (Sheep/Goat)
genus, though due to the similarities between sheep and goat bone, the
identification could not be separated. The minimum number of sheep or goat
represented from the archaeological deposit was two, resulting from the number
of teeth recovered, whereas all other identified body parts represented only one
individual.
Twenty-seven mandible fragments were recovered, represented
solely by teeth. As sheep and goat mandibles contain sixteen teeth excluding
two incisors (none recovered) a minimum number of two individuals is inferred.
Table 4.4.7 Shed and stables identified bone body parts and minimum number
of individuals
Genus
Ovis/Capra
Body Part
Number of Parts
MNI
BM%
Teeth
27
2
0%
Thoracic Vertebrae
2
1
50%
Lumbar Vertebrae
2
1
50%
Scapula
1
1
100%
Ribs
4
1
100%
Humerus
1
1
100%
Radio-Ulna
1
1
100%
Carpals
2
1
0%
Femur
1
1
100%
Tibia
1
1
100%
Total
42
2
26.2%
MNI = minimum number of individuals, BM% = percentage of butchery marks present
Figure 4.4.2 demonstrates the various carcass butchery divisions of an
Ovis/Capra from Landon (1996:95). The butchery marks present on the body
parts recovered from the shed and stables area indicate that standard 19th
century butchery portions were practiced (1996:95-95) (see Plate 4.4.4).
151
Plate 4.4.4 Examples of butchery marks from the shed and stables
The bone cuts on the scapula and associated humerus and radius/ulna
indicates the blade division into thick steaks or roasts (Landon 1996:75). The
identified femur is cut across its posterior end, associated with preparation for
roasts [leg of lamb] (p.87) and the tibia was sawn into smaller parts with scrape
lines indicating bone extraction before cooking, either for stewing or to make a
stuffed roast (p.88).
Figure 4.4.2 Ovis/Capra standard carcass division (Landon 1996:95)
Containers
Container items accounted for 11% of identified foodway sherds (Table 4.4.6).
All objects recovered were ceramic and glass bottles of various sizes, shape
and colour. The majority of objects were clear (34%) or green tinted (37.5%)
glass bottles (Table 4.4.7). Only one item (DD59 3/15) was identified as a
Draycott’s Vinegar (c.1890) bottle.
152
Table 4.4.8 Containers summary from the shed and stables
Composition
Colour
Shape
Glass
Green tint
Pale green
Amber
Clear
Brown
Cylindrical
Cylindrical
Cylindrical
Cylindrical
Cylindrical
Total
Stoneware
Weight
(g)
26.7
19.9
14.9
28.2
1.7
91.5
% of
Weight
29.2
21.8
16.3
30.8
1.8
100
No. of
% of No. of % of
Sherds Sherds Items Items
12
37.5
1
16.7
1
3.1
1
16.7
11
34.4
1
16.7
6
18.7
2
33.3
2
6.3
1
16.7
32
100
6
100
Cooking
Only one object recovered was identified as having a food preparation function.
DD59 4/1 is a thick earthenware bowl base fragment with a cream glaze and
stained internal wall, weighing 35.5 grams.
Tableware and serving wares were the second largest group to be recovered in
this area (Table 4.4.6 and Graph 4.4.5).
The materials were moderately
fragmented, compared to other areas on site, with 53 sherds weighing a total of
236.59 grams. Table 4.4.9 and Graph 4.4.6 shows the range of tableware and
serving ware vessels recovered from this area. The table shows that flatware
items, followed by cup or creamer vessels, were the largest type recovered.
Table 4.4.9 Tableware and serving ware by shape from the shed and stables
Shape
Weight (g)
% of Weight
No. of Sherds
% of Sherds
No. of Items
% of Items
Weight Mean
Bowl
32.1
13.6
1
1.9
1
6.3
32.1
Flatware
126.3
53.4
21
39.6
10
62.5
6
Cup/creamer
50.5
21.3
10
18.9
4
25
5.1
153
Jug
9.9
4.2
1
1.9
1
6.3
9.9
Unidentified
17.9
7.6
20
37.7
N/A
N/A
0.9
Total
236.6
100
53
100
16
100
Graph 4.4.6 Tableware and serving ware by shape from the shed and stables
60
Percentage
50
40
% of Weight
30
% of Sherds
20
10
0
Bowl
Flatware
Cup/creamer
Jug
Unidentified
Shape
Approximately 36% of all tableware and serving ware sherds recovered had
decoration colour, style or motifs of some kind (Table 4.4.10). Of the remaining
undecorated sherds, 80% were plain earthenware and 20% stoneware vessels.
Of the decorated sherds recovered blue transfer printed wares were the largest
category with three different decoration styles or motifs.
from the shed and stables
Method Colour
No. of
% of
Styles/Motifs Styles/Motifs Weight (g)
3
23.1
67.9
Transfer Blue
printed Flow Blue
1
7.7
1.3
Green
1
7.7
5.9
Brown
1
7.7
19.4
Maroon
1
7.7
1.1
Glaze
Cream
2
15.4
43.2
White
3
23.1
78
Porcelain White
1
7.7
9.9
Total
13
100
226.7
% of
Weight
29.9
0.6
2.6
8.6
0.5
19
34.4
4.3
100
No. of
Sherds
13
1
1
4
1
16
14
6
56
% of
Sherds
23.2
1.8
1.8
7.1
1.8
28.6
25
10.7
100
A total of 81 glass sherds weighing 287.85 grams were recovered. Overall the
beer and wine category was the largest by weight, sherd number and minimum
number of items, followed by beverages (Table 4.4.11 and Graph 4.4.7).
Table 4.4.11 Beverage and alcohol vessels from the shed and stables
Specific
Function
Beverage
Beer/Wine
Wine
Beer
Total
Weight (g)
70.4
155.6
43
18.8
287.8
% of
Weight
24.5
54.1
15
6.5
100
No. of
Sherds
28
38
10
5
81
154
% of Sherds
34.6
46.9
12.4
6.2
100
Minimum No.
of Items
% of Items
1
16.7
3
50
1
16.7
1
16.7
6
100
One fragment (DD59 4/8) was identified as a double collar dating from c. 18201840 to 1900-1920 and a base fragment (DD59 4/9) identified as having a
wooden pontil mark with a metal cap dating from c. 1820-1840 to 1860-1870
(Boow 1991:114-115).
Graph 4.4.7 Beverage and alcohol vessels from the shed and stables
60
Percentage
50
40
% of Weight
30
% of Sherds
% of Items
20
10
0
Beverage
Beer/Wine
Wine
Beer
Specific Function
d) Personal objects
The two brass clothing studs were matching and therefore came from the one
clothing item, while the jewellery pieces were inexpensive modern items (Table
4.4.12).
Table 4.4.12 Personal objects summary for the shed and stables
Artefact ID
DD59 2/32
DD59 2/41
DD59 3/31
DD59 3/36
Material
Metal
Other
Glass
Metal
Colour
Brass
Plastic
Citrine
Brass
Characteristics
Clothing stud
Machine made bead
Jewellery stone
Clothing stud
Total
Weight (g)
0.5
0.3
0.1
0.5
1.3
Sherds
2
1
1
1
5
Compared to other analysis areas on the Old Farm, objects identified as having
an occupational and recreational function were more numerous and belonged
to a greater number of occupational activities (Table 4.4.13). The presence of
clinker materials identifies the presence of smelting in this structure and the
presence of a horseshoe further supports that smelting was performed for the
manufacture and repair of horseshoes.
There was also a number of
ammunition and weapon paraphernalia, from grapeshot and wasted cartridge
items supporting the possible slaughter of animals. The presence of a knife
155
and knife sharpener further supports that this area was used to slaughter and
prepare meat for consumption.
Other items recovered provide information about recreational activities in this
area, including the presence of clay smoking pipe fragments and the presence
of two coloured marbles belonging to children.
Table 4.4.13 Occupational and recreational activities summary from the shed
and stables
Artefact ID
DD59 2/9
DD59 3/10
DD59 3/37
DD59 3/38
DD59 4/24
DD59 4/25
DD59 4/32
DD59 5/9
CC58 1/9
CC58 1/26
CC58 2/25
CC58 3/7
CC58 3/10
Material
Glass
Glass
Metal
Metal
Stone
Clay
Other
Other
Stone
Clay
Metal
Metal
Metal
Colour/
Composition
Purple
White
Lead
Ferrous
Slate
Fired Clay
Mix
Mix
Pumice
Fired Clay
Copper
Ferrous
Mix
Characteristics
Toy marble
Toy marble
Grapeshot
Horseshoe
Pencil
Clay smoking pipe, bowl fragment
Clinker, smelting
Clinker, smelting
Knife/blade sharpener
Clay smoking pipe, stem fragment
Shotgun cartridge
Knife/blade
Clinker, smelting
Total
Weight (g)
2.2
6.4
3.7
372.9
0.1
1.5
12.6
1.8
102.2
0.7
2.2
222.9
22.5
751.6
f) Summary
The excavation of two squares (DD59 and CC58) in the area identified from
Chauncy’s 1855 surveyor’s map as a wooden shed with an attached open pen
has provided valuable information about the type of occupational activities in
this area, including smelting and butchering.
The unearthing of the granite
flooring also indicates that hoofed animals were present in this structure. The
protection of hoofed animals from soil rot was greatly reduced by keeping them
on dry surfaces usually with hay or straw to soften the surface and aid cleaning.
The objects recovered also reveal that the area was possibly inhabited by
individual/s who were not occupying the other structures already present on the
property, such as the farmhouse and worker’s cottage.
The presence of
dominantly cheaper plain earthenware and alcohol bottles possibly indicate that
farm labourers at some time in the past occupied this area.
156
The architectural materials recovered provide a mixed interpretation including a
large amount of slate and red brick fragments that could not possibly have been
part of the shed construction, as seen in early photographs and Chauncy’s
map. The presence of these types of materials indicates that this area was
disturbed, possibly during the destruction of the shed and the construction of
the caretaker’s house during the early 1960s. The presence of tableware and
beverage and alcoholic items could also be a result of this disturbance.
5. Refuse area
The refuse areas on the Old Farm were identified from surface surveying the
present National Trust property. Refuse areas are important as they provide
insight into consumerism. The Old Farm consists of one main visible refuse
area, however this area did not consist of rubbish pits, but rather a wide surface
scatter. This area was located along the northern boundary of the property and
contained by the construction of the Beauchamp Street when the original
property was subdivided in 1886 (Heaver and Farrow 1999:map 5). Four 1m
squares were excavated, two located behind the present farmhouse structure
(G35 and F27) and two behind the shed and stables area (L62 and K62) (see
Figure 4.5.1).
The analysis aimed to identify what types of objects were
dispersed in this area and to link objects to habitation areas, such as the
farmhouse and worker’s cottage. Table 4.5.1 illustrates the stratigraphic profile
and excavation units in this area.
157
Figure 4.5.1 Location of excavated squares in the refuse area
F27
Beauchamp Street
G35
K62
L62
garden shed
warden's cottage
farmhouse
worker's cottage
existing structure
bitumen path
excavated square
garden bed
N
concrete well
tree
1 cm = 2 m
Table 4.5.1 Stratigraphic profile and excavation units from the refuse area
L62
1H
K62
1H
2
3S
4
5
6
7
8
2
3S
4
5
6
7
8
G35
1H
2
3S
4
5
6
7
8
9 SC
F27
1S
2
3
4
5
6
* Soil descriptors: H – humus, S – sandy, SC – sandy clay
The analysis of building materials in the refuse area is not associated with a
known structure; therefore objects identified are sourced from other structures
on the property.
158
Windows
From the four squares excavated in this area a total of 37.34 grams of window
glass were recovered, with varying widths ranging from 1mm to 2.9mm. Graph
4.5.1 illustrates the relationship between weight and frequency of flat glass
widths recovered. There is a strong positive relationship (correlation coefficient
of 0.762196) between weight and frequency for each width measured
supporting the possibility that the weights recovered were not affected by the
number of flat glass sherds recovered.
refuse area
30
Percentage
25
20
Weight
15
Frequency
10
5
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
Width (mm)
Flat glass recovered in the refuse area had widths between 1mm and 2.9mm
associated with the Crown technique manufactured c.1790-1850. The majority
of flat glass was recovered from G35 (53%) located behind the present
farmhouse and therefore possibly sourced from the maintenance of broken
windows or the destruction of the original cottage by fire in 1870.
Roofing in the refuse area was identified by 337.17 grams of blue slate tile
fragments. Flooring was identified from a floorboard (K62) and walls by the
recovery of brick and plaster fragments. Graph 4.5.2 illustrates the amount of
materials identified as having a building function, including window materials.
The majority of materials, except for flooring was located in square G35 which
is located behind the present farmhouse and as mentioned for window glass
could be associated with the dumping of materials during maintenance of the
159
farmhouse after the Bird family brought the property in 1889 or after the
destruction of the original cottage by fire in 1870.
Percentage
Graph 4.5.2 Building function weight by percentage from the refuse area
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Roof
Wall
Window
Floor
G35
F27
K62
L62
Grid Reference
The majority (90%) of all nails were recovered from L62 (Table 4.5.2). The
location of this square is in close proximity to the shed and stables structure
and could have been effected by the destruction of this building when the
caretaker’s house was built in 1965. Due to the nails sharp pointed ends the
wire nails recovered were probably used on hard wood. All the nails were
recovered from the first three excavation units therefore earlier nails, such as
wrought nails c. 18th century-1870, were possibly disposed of in another
location on the property.
Table 4.5.2 Number of nail types identified from the refuse area
Nail Type
Wire
Galvanised
Total
G35
0
0
0
F27
1
0
1
K62
2
0
2
160
L62
27
1
28
Total
30
1
31
Table 4.5.3 demonstrates the number of items, sherds and their weight by
specific function, while Graph 4.5.3 illustrates the percentage of these amounts.
Table 4.5.3 Refuse area foodways summary
Specific Function
Food
Container/Store
Preparation
Tableware/serve
Total
No. of
Items
1
9
1
21
32
% of
Items
3.1
28.1
3.1
65.6
100
No. of
Sherds
30
20
1
97
148
% of Sherds
20.3
13.5
0.7
65.5
100
Weight
(g)
63.4
280.1
80.8
218.6
643
% of
Weight
9.9
43.6
12.6
34
100
Percentage
Graph 4.5.3 Refuse area foodways function by percentage
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Items
Sherds
Weight
Food
Container/Store
Preparation
Tableware/serve
Specific Function
Food
Of the 30 food items recovered, 21 (70%) were identifiable. Two of these items
were fruit seeds, apricot and peach, both located in square L62. The rest of the
items were identified as sheep or goat (Ovis/Capra). Only one individual was
identified using MNI (minimum number of individuals) calculations, though due
to the distance between excavation squares (27m) probably do not belong to
the same individual (Table 4.5.4). The bones located in squares K62 and L62
could be a product of the butchering activities identified from analysis of the
nearby shed and stables structure.
161
Table 4.5.4 Refuse area identified bone body parts and minimum number of
individuals
Genus
Ovis/Capra
Body Part
Number of Parts
MNI
BM%
Thoracic Vertebrae
1
1
0%
Cervical Vertebrae
9
1
22%
Ribs
2
1
50%
Radio-Ulna
1
1
100%
Carpals
2
1
100%
Femur
4
1
25%
Total
19
1
36.8%
MNI = minimum number of individuals, BM% = percentage of butchery marks present
Containers
Containers account for the second largest number of foodway objects in the
refuse area (Table 4.5.2). Ceramic bottles (55%) were the largest represented
and accounted for 75% of the total weight (Table 4.5.5). The presence of a
high proportion of ceramic bottles used for food storage is not represented in
any of the habitation areas at this site. The ceramic bottles were recovered
from G35 and F27 located behind the present farmhouse (Plate 4.5.1), while
the glass containers were mainly recovered from L62 (75%) located behind the
shed and stables area.
Table 4.5.5 Containers summary from the refuse area
Composition Colour
Shape
Glass
Cylindrical
Cylindrical
Cylindrical
Cylindrical
Cylindrical
Cylindrical
Cylindrical
Total
Purple tint
Pale green
Clear
Stoneware
Unglazed
Earthenware Green glaze
White glaze
Cream glaze
Weight % of
(g)
Weight
4.2
1.5
41.2
14.7
23.6
8.4
1.7
0.6
2.1
0.7
0.9
0.3
206.1
73.7
280.1
100
162
No. of
% of No. of % of
Sherds Sherds Items Items
1
5
1
11.1
4
20
1
11.1
7
35
2
22.2
1
5
1
11.1
1
5
1
11.1
1
5
1
11.1
5
25
2
22.2
20
100
9
100
‘Plate 4.5.1’ could not be included in the digital version of this thesis for
technical reasons.
Please refer to the physical copy of the thesis, held in the University Library.
Plate 4.5.1 Ceramic storage bottles from the refuse area
Cooking
One item was identified as having a food preparation function. K62 3/1 is a
very thick cream glazed earthenware bowl rim fragment with staining on the
internal wall weighing 80.84 grams. This item corresponds with another base
fragment recovered from the shed and stables area (DD59 4/1).
Tableware and serving wares were the largest foodway group to be recovered
from this area (Table 4.5.3 and Graph 4.5.3).
The materials were highly
fragmented with 97 sherds weighing a total of 218.59 grams. Table 4.5.6 and
Graph 4.5.4 illustrate the wares broken down by vessel shape.
The table
shows that of the identified items, bowl shaped vessels (56%) were the largest
group recovered, followed by cup shaped vessels (22.5%).
Table 4.5.6 Tableware and serving ware by shape from the refuse area
Shape
Bowl
Weight (g)
122.6
% Weight
56.1
No. of Sherds 46
% Sherds
47.4
No. of Items
8
% Items
38.1
Mean Weight
2.7
Flatware Basin/Pan
23.5
7.1
10.7
3.2
13
1
13.4
1
7
1
33.3
4.8
1.8
7.1
Cup
49.2
22.5
30
30.9
3
14.3
1.6
163
Jug
11.9
5.4
1
1
1
4.8
11.9
Glass
1.1
0.5
1
1
1
4.8
1.1
Unident.
3.2
1.4
5
5.1
N/A
N/A
0.6
Total
218.6
100
97
100
21
100
In other areas on the Old Farm flatware vessels were the primary vessel shape
for objects identified as tableware and serving wares. Though flatware sherds
and their weight do not account for a large proportion of the assemblage in the
refuse area, they still represent 33% of items recovered. Distinctions between
refuse and habitation areas are the different proportions for particular vessel
shapes. One possible explanation is that the proportions of vessel shapes in
habitation areas relate to the proportion of vessels in tableware sets, where the
primary shape would have been flatware. In the refuse areas the large amount
of bowl and cup shape vessels may therefore relate to a pattern of disposal.
For example, cups break more easily and regularly, therefore they are
discarded more frequently.
Graph 4.5.4 Tableware and serving ware by shape from the refuse area
60
Percentage
50
40
Weight
30
Sherds
20
10
0
Bowl
Flatware
Basin/Pan
Cup
Jug
Wine Glass Unidentified
Shape
The majority (71%) of tableware and serving ware sherds recovered had
decoration colour (Table 4.5.7).
Of the decorative sherds recovered, blue
transfer printed wares accounted for half, with seven different decoration styles
or motifs.
Another high incidence was the amount of sherds with multiple
printed colours (37%), though only one style/motif was represented.
The dating of tableware and serving vessels was primarily reliant on border or
marley motif print colour as per Samford (1997), though two base vessel marks
were recovered from the refuse areas.
One cream saucer (L62 3/1) has
‘England’ printed on its base. Due to the introduction of the American McKinley
Tariff Act 1891 all English wares had ‘England’ printed with the maker’s mark to
comply with trading embargoes with the United States of America. Therefore
164
vessels with ‘England’ printed on its base indicates post-1891 manufacture.
Another tableware object, a cup with four transfer printed colours (L62 2/1) has
a phoenix on its base that also has the phrase ‘Made in England’, adopted early
20th century (see Plate 4.5.2 for both items).
Plate 4.5.2 Cup from refuse area
from the refuse area
Method
Colour
No. of
% of
Weight
Styles/Motifs Styles/Motifs
(g)
Blue
7
36.8
34.7
Transfer
printed
Blue Flow
2
10.5
18.4
Black
1
5.3
2.3
Green
3
15.8
8.4
Multiple
1
5.3
39.5
Glaze
Cream
3
15.8
98.7
White
1
5.3
10.5
Maroon/
1
5.3
4.8
19
100
217.5
Hand-painted Total
% of
Weight
16
8.5
1.1
3.9
18.2
45.4
4.8
2.2
100
No. of
Sherds
34
4
1
3
25
25
3
1
96
% of
Sherds
35.4
4.2
1
3.1
26
26
3.1
1
100
Beverage and alcohol vessels were primarily bottle glass recovered from the
refuse areas, a total of 211 sherds weighing 791.3 grams. Overall the beer and
wine category, signified by dark olive ‘black’ and light olive bottle glass, was the
largest by weight, sherds and the minimum number of items (Table 4.5.8).
Table 4.5.8 Beverage and alcohol specific functions from the refuse area
Specific Function Weight (g)
Beverage
253.1
Beer/Wine
371.7
Gin/Spirits
151.6
Beer
14.8
Total
791.3
% of
Weight
32
47
19.2
1.9
100
No. of
Sherds
59
119
25
8
211
165
% of
Sherds
28
56.4
11.8
3.8
100
No. of
Items
3
5
2
2
12
% of
Items
25
41.7
16.7
16.7
100
Graph 4.5.5 portrays the above table by percentage in order to show the
relationship between weight, sherds and the number of representative items.
The beer and wine category shows that more fragments were recovered
compared to weight and the number of items compared to the other specific
function categories.
Graph 4.5.5 Beverage and alcohol vessels by percentage from the refuse area
60
Percentage
50
40
% of Weight
30
% of Sherds
20
% of Items
10
0
Beverage
Beer/Wine
Gin/Spirits
Beer
Specific Function
Most of the datable bottle glass recovered from the refuse areas has long
production periods (Table 4.5.9).
Most of the datable bottle glass was
manufactured by modern machine methods, though there was mixing with
modern bottle glass being recovered below bottle glass dated to c.1820-1860.
Table 4.5.9 Identified datable bottle glass from the refuse area
Artefact ID
L62 1/7
F27 2/5, 3/8
F27 4/1
G35 6/8
G35 7/6
K62 1/2
F27 2/4
Three piece mould
Modern machine Mould
Production Periods
c.1820-1860
c.1820-1840 to 1900-1920
c.1820-1860
After c.1900-1920
After c.1900-1920
After c.1900-1920
After c.1900-1920
d) Personal objects
The majority of objects were copper or brass clothing items, while three
separate glass vase ornaments were also recovered (Table 4.5.10). The most
interesting inclusion is the anchor pendant (L62 2/14) and the brass buckle (F27
4/12) (Plate 4.5.3).
The pendant is roughly cut from copper sheeting and
twisted and possibly made by an inhabitant of the site.
166
The pendant is
associated with largely late 19th and early 20th century items and therefore
probably dates from the Bird family occupation.
Table 4.5.10 Personal objects summary from the refuse area
Artefact ID
L62 1/12
L62 2/14
L62 3/12
L62 3/13
G35 2/4
G35 5/10
F27 1/15
F27 4/12
Material
Glass
Metal
Metal
Metal
Glass
Metal
Glass
Metal
Composition
Clear
Copper
Copper
Copper
Clear
Copper
Clear
Brass
Characteristics
Weight (g)
Ornament, bowl
0.5
Pendant, anchor
3.1
Clothing, eyelet fastener
0.2
Clothing, stud fastener
0.2
Ornament, vase
20.3
Clothing, button 4 holed
0.4
Ornament, vase
1.4
Clothing, belt buckle
5.9
Total
32.1
Sherds
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
9
18
Plate 4.5.3 Anchor pendant and brass buckle from the refuse area
Only two items were identified as having an occupational or recreational
function from the refuse area (Table 4.5.11). An interesting recovery from the
refuse area was what appeared to be a gravesite for a pet bird. Both of the
bird’s legs had ferrous rings around its base, usually associated with falconry.
The bird species was not identified. The clay smoking pipe bowl fragment had
no evident maker’s marks and the standard horseshoe was a surface object
from square F27.
Table 4.5.11 Occupational and recreational summary from the refuse area
Artefact ID
G35 6/16
K62 4/4,5,6,7,8,9,10
K62 4/3
F27 1/1
Material
Clay
Ecofact
Metal
Metal
Composition
Fired Clay
Bone
Ferrous
Ferrous
Characteristics
Smoking pipe, bowl fragment
Pet, bird leg bones
2 rings around bird leg bones
Horse shoe, standard size
Total
167
Weight (g)
1
6.1
10.2
159.1
176.4
f) Household items
Nine items weighing a total of 123.15 grams were recovered (Table 4.5.12).
The majority of items were external household items, such as fencing wire and
garden planters that date from associated objects from the late 19th to early 20th
century.
Table 4.5.12 Household items summary from the refuse area
Artefact ID
L62 1/23
L62 1/36
L62 3/29
L62 3/32
L62 4/7
G35 1/11
G35 3/9
K62 1/6
K62 1/10
Material
Metal
Other
Metal
Clay
Metal
Clay
Clay
Other
Metal
Composition
Ferrous
Plastic
Ferrous
Terracotta
Ferrous
Terracotta
Terracotta
Plastic
Ferrous
Characteristics
Fencing wire
Electrical insulator
Fencing wire
Garden planter
Drill bit
Garden planter
Garden planter
Electrical insulator
Door spring hinge
Total
Weight (g)
1.1
0.6
2.4
1.6
1.6
1
4.7
0.1
110.1
123.2
g) Aboriginal artefacts
Only one object recovered from the refuse area could be identified as a
possible Aboriginal artefact (see Plate 4.5.4). The glass object (L62 4/1) was
identified as a distally broken flake with possible retouch on one side. The
glass comes from a beer or wine bottle measuring 19.2 x 12.2mm and weighing
1.12 grams.
Plate 4.5.4 Possible glass flake (L62 4/1) from the refuse area
168
h) Summary
The archaeological analyses of the refuse areas provide information about
specific areas on the farm property. The squares located behind the shed and
stables area (L62 and K62) include items disposed from the shed and stables
area as well as the worker’s cottage, while squares G35 and F27 include refuse
items from the farmhouse area.
The type of items recovered from these areas cover a wide range of functions,
including personal to tableware and alcohol items. The absence of purpose
excavated pits for disposing of refuse from these areas indicated that they were
possibly not the primary location for refuse disposal on the farm.
169
Chapter 5 Discussion of the Old Farm Documentary and
Archaeological Records
The preceding chapters have described the documentary and archaeological
analysis of the Old Farm on Strawberry Hill. This chapter will discuss how the
two different types of evidence relate to the research aims. The aim of the
historical archaeological research, as outlined in Chapter 1, was to interpret the
people who lived and worked on the Old Farm by identifying different social
groups, that traditionally due to historical and cultural biases, were not often
represented in historical records and therefore history. The identification of
gender, ethnicity, status and class from the documentary and archaeological
records therefore aimed to establish a history for groups whose day to day lives
previously were unidentified such as, convict farm labourers from the
government farm period (1827-1833), Aboriginal labourers and indentured
labourers from England during the Spencer family occupation (1833-1889), as
well as female housemaids and Richard Spencer’s own wife and children. The
identification of these ‘hidden histories’ aimed to provide a holistic interpretation
for this site that would improve the present historical representation by heritage
managers.
Working at the farm
Numerous studies have looked at the working conditions of labourers, slaves
and house servants and their relationships with their employers, especially in
North America and the conditions of slaves on plantations in the south (Delle et
al. 2000, Delle 1998, Yentsch 1994, Orser 1990, McGuire and Paynter 1991).
The research has emphasised the inequalities that existed ideologically
between slaves and their masters that are represented in both the physical
landscape and material remains.
The research of employee and employer
relationships in historical archaeology is important in interpreting the social and
economic hierarchy within a settlement, town or country that ultimately impact
on all other aspects of social organisation. For example, Shackel and Larsen’s
(2000) research of a built environment in an early manufacturing town in United
States of America’s south identified changing social relationships between
170
employers and their employees resulting from the changing economy from rural
subsistence to industrialisation. The research found that moving from a rural to
industrial subsistence created co-habitation working and living areas between
African Americans and Europeans that forced interaction between the groups
(2000:34). The interaction re-evaluated the concept of slave labour and paid
labour, highlighting racial discrimination. White capitalists however were sure to
force African Americans into subservient supportive roles in their factories.
Early working conditions of farm labourers and house servants at the Old Farm
would probably have evolved from English social and economic relationships; in
place for approximately two hundred years prior to the industrialisation of
England during the mid to later Victorian era (Fussell 1949, Davidorff and Hall
1987). Clear distinct social and working roles established in England would
have been maintained in the small settlement of Albany, though as the
documentary and archaeological analysis of the Old Farm demonstrates, these
relationships were established but were not maintained.
Several different groups have worked at the Old Farm since its small
beginnings as a government farm in 1827. During the government farm period
from 1827 until 1831 the farm employed convict labour to clear the land and
start the arduous work of preparing planting plots for crop growth. The analysis
of document records from the government farm period, primarily from Captain
Collet Barker’s journal, provides information about the type of crops planted and
the successes and failures of starting a farm in a new settlement. The
archaeological analysis of the Old Farm did not recover any evidence for the
government farm period therefore working practices can only be gauged from
the documentary record.
Captain Collet Barker’s journal during the period 1830-1831 provides a detailed
record of the necessity of a successful farm to the settlement’s short and longterm survival (Mulvaney and Green 1992). Barker’s description of the problems
of dealing with livestock that were dying from an unknown illness, and the
constant experimentation with fertilizers and composting to improve the soil
171
condition, provide valuable information about the importance of establishing a
successful farm in a new settlement. The valuable nutrients provided by fresh
vegetable produce for the settlement cannot be understated. Barker’s constant
visits to the farm, located two miles from the central settlement, his enthusiastic
description of the farm successes and his genuine distress at the sheep’s
illnesses and failure of specific crops, indicate that Barker was aware of the
farm’s role in the survival of the settlement (Mulvaney and Green 1992).
The documentary and archaeological analysis of the Spencer family period of
occupation provides detailed information of the working conditions of farm
labourers, indentured servants and the Spencer family from 1833 until 1889.
Historical information came from two farm logbooks (1836-1838 and 18521853) and the archaeological analysis of the outbuildings and the shed and
stables area.
The main occupations of the farm during this period were related to the
maintenance of the sheep farm on the Hay River, including the butchering of
animals for consumption and profit and the shearing, cleaning and bailing of
wool for transportation to markets in London. All the male occupants on the
farm, except Sir Richard Spencer and the younger Spencer children, were
employed in these activities.
Farm labourers, who had arrived in Albany
independently, performed work at the farm, as most of the indentured servants
brought out from England had left Spencer’s employ by 1834. The senior
Spencer male children, Hugh Seymour and Edward May, supervised.
Other activities performed at the farm were related to the Spencer’s garden and
the lease of adjacent farmland to Charles Newell. Correspondence by Richard
Spencer and the farm logbooks provide detailed information about the seasonal
variation of crops planted and their successes. The most popular crops for
consumption were potato, wheat, barley, oats, peas and beans, which supplied
carbohydrate staples for the farm occupants.
172
The activities performed at the farm shifted after Richard Spencer’s death in
1839. Edward May Spencer, the eldest surviving son moved into contract work
for individuals of the fast growing Albany settlement. Building materials were in
short supply and created opportunities for the Spencers to supply materials
such as bricks and stone, as well as firewood and stock feed. From the farm
1852-1853 logbook, the Spencer family supplied the majority of building
materials used to construct many of Albany’s early town buildings. The sheep
farm on the Hay River became the primary earner for the Spencer family during
this period, with most of the labourers working on this site and not at the Old
Farm. The farm garden was still maintained and Charles Newell leased the
adjacent farmland from the Spencer family, though the crops grown at the Old
Farm were less varied than the crops grown during Richard Spencer’s
occupation.
The relationship between 19th century English farm employers and employees
were distinct (Farrell 1949, Hasbach 1908). Specific roles within a set hierarchy
determined each individual’s activities; the master or employers on 19th century
farms were largely employed in the administrative aspects of farming, such as
sales and the purchase of stock, dealing with labourers only through an
overseer. Farm labourer’s predominately worked and lived on site in separate
dwellings and did not contribute to how the farm was managed. During Richard
Spencer’s
occupation
from
1833
to
1839
established
master-servant
relationships were maintained; Richard Spencer conducted only administrative
duties in relation to the farm’s activities. However from historical evidence after
his death his sons did not continue with this tradition.
Problems with the shortage of labour and the lack of opportunities for Spencer’s
male children to take on traditional administrative employment in such a small
settlement as Albany saw the employer and employees working together. The
sole surviving letter from Edward May Spencer to his uncle emphasises the
amount of time spent at the farm to the exclusion of all other activities: “My time
as you well can imagine is quite taken up in attending to our farms,
consequently I have not much time for correspondence.” (5th October 1840)
173
Ultimately the strict social hierarchy in England could not be maintained in the
small colonial settlement of Albany where the constant struggle for survival was
more important than preserving the standards of Victorian England. Similar
working relationships between employer and employees in colonial settlements
can be viewed around Australia and the world (Delle et al. 2000, Delle 1998,
Yentsch 1994, Orser 1988, McGuire and Paynter 1991).
The archaeological analysis of areas, such as the shed and stables, identified
occupation activities such as smelting, butchering and dairying.
The
archaeological methodology emphasised excavating in areas associated with
past and current structures, therefore the majority of farming activities, such as
crop planting and harvesting and the cleaning and baling of wool, were not
identified.
Living at the farm
Living conditions are also important to interpret past social and economic
organisation. Past research has focussed on the analysis of material remains
or building location and size to gauge the economic position of occupants of a
site, or the varying social groups living on a site by comparing assemblages
between buildings where differing social groups were living (Shackel 1993,
Spencer-Wood 1987, Miller 1980).
Rotman and Nassaney’s (1997:42)
research of the spatial relationships between structures in cultural landscapes
in Michigan highlights the use of space in controlling the activities and
movements of some individuals and the need for historically accurate
landscape reconstruction’s for interpretation. Their research reviewed urban
farms and urban households and how social dynamics shaped building
structures and their locations.
In Australia research has focussed on variations between assemblages in
determining social organisation of an area or town, including mining
communities (Lawrence 2000) and early settlements, especially in Sydney
(Connah 1986, Higginbotham 1987). The excavation of buildings in the early
town of Parramatta in Sydney identified a number of social distinctions from
174
how buildings were manufactured and their associated assemblages that
identified
convict
and
free
settler
dwellings
(Higginbotham
1987:3).
Higginbotham identified that different social classes built similar styles of
buildings in early New South Wales probably as a result of limited access to
capital or that the pioneering nature of the settlement did not necessitate social
classes to be differentiated (1987:15).
Connah’s (1986:41) excavation of
Regentville, Penrith highlighted that archaeology can sometimes not provide
specific information about the social organisation of a manor house that the
historical documents alone can provide. The archaeological analysis at the Old
Farm similarly cannot provide detailed information about the farm’s inhabitants
that the historical documents already provide.
The social organisation and living conditions at the Old Farm have changed
since the beginnings of the government farm in 1827. Captain Barker’s journal
describes the lives of the convict farm labourers during this period (Mulvaney
and Green 1992). Barker’s journal provides names of the nine labourers who
lived and worked on the farm during 1830-1831, though usually only four
convicts were posted at the farm at any one time. The lives of the convicts
were fairly autonomous as there was no overseer at the farm and they also
received better rations than those billeted at the settlement, though the convicts
were accused of stealing food (1992:304, 308, 321). The farm convicts were
housed in two weatherboard huts approximately 3 x 2.4m, though the
archaeological analysis did not identify the government farm period.
Life at the farm during Richard Spencer’s occupation (1833-1839) exhibited
established social status traditions from England. Richard Spencer was the
master of indentured servants from England and approximately ten farm
labourers who established a sheep farm on the Hay River and cleared more
land at the Old Farm for crops and grazing. His employment as the settlements
Government Resident also meant that the Old Farm was used to entertain
many visiting dignitaries from the Swan River settlement and from passing
ships.
175
The documentary analysis identified a clear social distinction between Richard
Spencer’s family and the house servants and farm labourers that he employed.
Interestingly the archaeological analysis of the material remains from the
Spencer family and the labourers could not identify a clear economic distinction
between these social groups.
Similar ceramic and glassware goods were
collected from across the site irrespective of social status or occupation, with
many different colour and motif patterns. Research conducted (Baugher and
Venables 1987, Miller 1980, Wall 2000) into ceramic remains in relation to
social status has been used to determine divisions between the employer status
from their employees and within classes.
However this research was
conducted in established towns and urban centres in America and may not be
suited to a study of local socio-economic organisation evident in a small
settlement like Albany, where the variety of consumer goods were restricted.
The main distinction between the ceramic assemblages at the farm is that the
Spencers had primarily blue printed earthenware tableware, whereas at the
worker’s cottage, though blue dominated, black and purple printed earthenware
were also popular. Despite this distinction, cheap earthenware was the norm,
where other tableware, such as the expensive porcelain recovered, was not
statistically significant.
There is archaeological evidence of the shed and stables area also being used
for habitation mainly from the proportion of recovered cheap undecorated
creamwares.
Labourers may have been housed in this building and their
tableware does represent an economic distinction from their employers.
In
contrast artefacts were recovered from the farmhouse, including perfume
bottles, glass beads from jewellery and decorative vases, which denote a higher
social status than the inhabitants of shed and stables area or the worker’s
cottage.
The higher status artefacts recovered from this area link to the
documentary evidence where Richard Spencer purchased status display items
for members of the Spencer family, such as the pocket watches for the two
eldest sons. Even though the family was facing economic difficulties some
maintenance of a relatively wealthy lifestyle must have been maintained.
Possibly through items purchased before the Spencer family emigrated from
176
England in 1833. Therefore the archaeological data may not be representative
of the relative quantity of artefacts owned by the Spencer family.
After Richard Spencer’s death in 1839, the family disperses: the three
daughters married and moved by 1842, two sons, Hugh Seymour and Horatio
William died accidentally in 1840, and the younger sons accompanied by Lady
Anne Spencer returned to England for a few years. The second eldest son,
Edward May remained attending to the sheep farm on the Hay River, though he
continued to use the farmhouse intermittently.
The farm underwent a long period of neglect after Anne Spencer’s death in
1855. The land surrounding the existing structures were divided and leased,
while the structures continued to deteriorate, culminating in the destruction of
the original cottage by a fire in 1870 and the use of the existing farmhouse as
an abattoir during the 1880s. The archaeological analysis of the farm during
this period indicates the construction of the ‘worker’s cottage’ after the fire
destroyed the original cottage and possibly the outbuildings in 1870.
Women and children at the farm
Past gender research has concentrated on making women’s lives more visible,
by focussing on the ideologies of kinship and gender within the family home,
though recently research has emphasised the significance of gender relations in
identifying public and private spheres within past societies, which expand to
include the workplace (Walby 1990, Wall 1994). The key feature of gender
relationships during the 19th century in western countries is understood through
patriarchal ideology of male superiority and the separation of private domestic
life (the domain of women) and public political and economic life (the domain of
men).
The identification and separation of these two spheres has been
recognised as the result of the division of labour, primarily between paid and
unpaid work.
Women and children did not inhabit the farm until after the government farm
was leased in 1832 followed by Richard Spencer’s family arrival in 1833. The
177
family included Richard’s wife, Anne and their nine children, three girls and six
boys.
They also had brought out ten indentured servants from England,
including Mary Jenkins a housemaid and her three daughters, as well as Lydia
Bussel, a kitchen maid, and a young boy, James Stoodley, as labourer. They
also acquired four orphan boys from the Children’s Friend Society in London
who arrived in 1834 after the Jenkins family brought their own property in the
Plantagenet district and moved from the farm.
Social status formed a definite distinction between the Spencer females and
young children compared to the indentured servant women and children
brought out from England. The Spencer household originally included three
house servants: Mary Emma Jenkins was a senior house and kitchen maid, her
11-year-old daughter performed only housemaid duties, while 35-year-old Lydia
Bussel remained in the kitchen. The smaller Jenkins children, Elisabeth and
Emma Keturah, though only nine and four respectively would probably have
helped their older sister and mother in household duties for the Spencer family.
The majority of their duties would have traditionally been to prepare meals as
well as maintain a clean and comfortable home as prescribed by the strict
Victorian house rules of the period. When the Jenkins family moved in 1834,
only Lydia Bussel remained, leaving many duties for the Spencer females to
perform, though efforts were made to obtain an orphan girl from London.
Richard Spencer, apart from his wool business was also interested in marketing
cheese for the settlement.
The production of cheese from milking to
preparation was traditionally the responsibility of women (Yentsch 1991, Casey
1999) and may have been an additional task performed by the female
indentured servants or the female Spencers.
Very little information is available from the documentary record about the work
and living conditions of the females in the Spencer family and the indentured
servants.
A revealing letter by Richard Spencer to the Colonial Secretary
details the relationship between females and males during this period (23rd
June, 1834). The Government had been paying male settlers twelve pounds
towards the passage of each unmarried female to Van Dieman’s Land and
178
Sydney settlements. Spencer wanted to be similarly recompensed for paying
for the passage of seven unmarried females, of which three were his own
daughters.
This letter demonstrates the possessive nature of males over
females, where unmarried women were viewed as a valuable asset in male
dominated settlements as well as the relationship between indentured servant
and master.
Activities identified from the archaeological analysis as possibly being
performed by women at the Old Farm were primarily sewing and cooking.
Items such as perfume bottles and ornamental items like vases and glass bowls
and necklace beads can be interpreted as being used by women for
beautification and indicate a certain level of status.
The documentary and
archaeological analysis of the farm supports the current gender research
theories of the Victorian era (Walby 1990, Wall 1994). Women at the Old Farm
are only identified within the private domestic sphere, though activities such as
dairying were discovered from course earthenware milk pans. Even though
women would have contributed to the economic viability of the farm, their
services remained unpaid compared to their male counterparts working at the
Old Farm or on the sheep farm on the Hay River, therefore living and working
within an established patriarchal society.
Children were the least represented group from the archaeological analysis,
only a lead soldier and a glass marble were recovered across the whole site,
though writing implements, such as lead pencils were also recovered. The
children employed on the farm remained largely invisible, since the majority
would not have had the same amount of leisure time compared to the younger
Spencer children. These findings perhaps represent past social ideals where
children were expected to behave as adults from an early age, to be ‘seen but
not heard’.
Aboriginal labourers at the farm
The identification of race or ethnically defined social groups, as per working and
living conditions, is important to gauge past social organisation based on
179
ideological
beliefs.
Historical
researchers have
already
studied
the
relationships between early settlers and Aboriginal people during the initial
contact period of Albany (Green 1981, 1984, 1989; Le Souëf 1980, 1993 and
Logan 1998). The research relates a fairly harmonious relationship compared
with other settlements, such as the Swan River Colony, where food stealing led
to serious conflict in the early 1830s and the establishment of a militia for settler
protection (Green 1981:81).
Le Souëf’s (1993) historical analysis of early contact between Europeans and
Aborigines of the King George Sound focuses on the economic interaction and
later Aboriginal reliance on European food and materials for survival.
The
research also records the decreasing numbers of Aboriginal people due to the
contraction of influenza and other communicable diseases (1993:49-51). The
majority of the ethnohistorical material is sourced from Captain Collet Barker’s
Journal, also the primary document for the government farm period on the Old
Farm.
Though Le Souëf’s research provides valuable information about
Aboriginal territoriality, seasonal movements and subsistence patterns, the work
does not provide historical details of Aboriginal and European co-habitation and
past social structures.
References were made in the historical documents of Aboriginal people being
employed at the farm from the government through to the Spencer family
occupation. Both Richard and Hugh Seymour refer to a male house servant in
personal letters as well as numerous farm labourers employed both at the Old
Farm and the sheep farm on the Hay River. Very little is known about their
working and living conditions, though Richard Spencer was very clear of the
responsibilities that Europeans had in providing for Aboriginal people and
respecting their territorial boundaries. However the realities were that the Old
Farm was located on a long established summer camping ground for the local
Mineng that continued to be a meeting ground for large groups until the end of
the 19th century (Logan 1998:3).
Even though Richard Spencer respected
Aboriginal territorial rights he still claimed the land as his to settle and adapt for
profit. In a letter to Governor James Stirling, 21st July 1837, Richard Spencer
180
discusses the conflict problems in the Swan River and acknowledges the land
rights of Aboriginal peoples. However he also maintains that settlers who have
bought land and have developed the land for use, have a right to the land as
long as they look after the Aboriginal people who inhabit it.
Richard Spencer was also interested in converting the Mineng to Christianity
and was instrumental with the Camfields in establishing the Annesfield School
for Aboriginal children as well as trying to convince the Lord Bishop of Australia
to send a missionary. Traditionally religion was a popular tool used to convert
and educate indigenous populations around the world by their capitalist
oppressors.
Very little information is known about individual Aboriginal employees on the
Old Farm. The only material remains recovered were a number of quartz stone
artefacts located near the original cottage associated with historical remains
dated to the mid 19th century and a few bottle glass sherds with possible
reworking for utilisation from around the worker’s cottage. The lack of
archaeological remains does not infer that Aboriginal people did not live on the
farm or were infrequent visitors, as the excavation focused on European
habitation structures, and therefore would not have recovered evidence for
camping areas identified from the historical sources.
Richard Spencer
employed two individuals referred to as Dan and Mr Grath in the Strawberry Hill
logbook 1836-1838 as farm labourers.
Dan was later sent to prison and
escaped 21st May 1838. A female house servant, Purnature, under the employ
of Lady Anne Spencer is also recorded in Neville Green’s compilation of
Aborigines of the Albany Region (1989), though the record accounts her being
fatally speared on 2 March 1847 (CSR V164 3 March).
The lack of information available on Aboriginal individuals employed by the
government and the Spencer family is indicative of an ideological belief of
Europeans during this era that the indigenous peoples of Australia were inferior
and uncivilised, therefore not worthy of identifying in their daily lives. Though
the Spencer’s provided cooking utensils and clothing for the women and were
181
concerned about their welfare they were not treated as equals and were only
viewed as potential cheap employment in a settlement where European
labourers drove high wage rates.
The synthesis of documentary and archaeological records
Historical archaeology uses two very different types of data to create
interpretations of the past, the material remains from human activity and the
written record.
archaeological
Depending on theoretical position, documentary and
data
“…may
be
thought
of
as
interdependent
and
complementary, or as independent and contradictory.” (Little 1992:4, 1994).
Middle-range theory in historical archaeology view documents and artefacts as
independent sources of data that can be played off against each other. Potter’s
(1992:13) work in Virginia is concerned with appropriately matching
documentary information to the archaeological question, but the matching is not
intended to ‘fill the gaps’. It is intended to identify anomalies that will lead to
further questions. Potter’s (1992) methodology in comparing documentary and
archaeological records is essentially the same advocated by Leone and Cosby
(1987) discussed in Chapter 1.
The historical archaeology of the Old Farm aimed to establish ‘hidden histories’
from the archaeology where the historical sources were insufficient due to their
historical and cultural biases. The historical archaeology of the Old Farm has
also been a useful tool in identifying how material culture is involved in the
construction of relations of social inequality, where the interplay of gender, class
and race have been previously incomplete (Paynter 2000:170). Emphasis has
been placed on analysing the two different types of data with the critical
methods that question the data’s validity and places it within a known
conceptual paradigm. The analysis of the two different types of data from the
Old Farm therefore aimed to produce two independent ‘stories’ of the site that
were both complementary but different enough not to produce a tautology.
The results of the analyses, discussed above, have produced a very different
story from the existing historiographies of this site, but have produced evidence
182
that supports the main historical events that shaped its history. The analysis
has also provided new knowledge of the site history and the people who lived
and worked there that was not identified previously.
The most interesting
discovery has been the Spencer family’s economic difficulties.
Richard
Spencer, though titled and having an important government position, did not
materially represent the current historical view of a local aristocratic family.
They were a struggling middle-class family that hoped to obtain land and future
wealth in an unknown settlement on the other-side of the world.
But the
crippling costs of moving and the ongoing maintenance of the Old Farm and
establishment of the sheep farm on the Hay River left the family with increasing
debt that was unknown to Anne Spencer and the older male children until after
Richard Spencer’s death in 1839. The tragic events of Richard Spencer and his
two sons death shortly afterwards meant that the family never really recovered
economically. It would be interesting to ponder the effects on history if Richard
Spencer and his two sons had survived, possibly producing a family force in the
region that would have remained today.
Another interesting discovery from the historical record has been the shift in site
use after Richard Spencer’s death in 1839 and the change in social
organisation, largely as a result of their economic difficulties.
The
archaeological record does not mirror the change in site use or identify the
changes that occurred in the site’s social organisation. This is probably due to
the archaeological analysis being limited to habitation areas, such as the
farmhouse and the worker’s cottage, though the latter was built towards the end
of the Spencer family occupation.
Changes in social organisation can be
inferred from gender specific artefacts, such as sewing needles being
recovered in lower and therefore older deposits rather than later ones. Though
statistically the occurrence of gender specific items recovered can be
interpreted as insignificant, they nonetheless contribute to the overall
interpretation of the site.
Overall the historical and archaeological analyses of the Old Farm were largely
complementary, creating stories that were supportive. The historical analyses
183
provided an individual insight of farm life and its operations, though the
incomplete collection and small amount of record materials greatly diminished
the reliability of the history. While the archaeological analysis provided a wider
social and economic organisation of all the farm’s inhabitants, though due to
problems with areas of the site and time constraints, the interpretation was
compromised.
Both types of analyses have their problems and are at the mercy of the
researcher’s own biases and interpretation. Historical records are biased by
past social standards as well as the biases of the historical record collector, as
not all records are deemed of historical importance and preserved in libraries or
private collections.
The archaeological excavation of a site is a sample;
therefore the archaeological record is determined by the researcher’s ability to
gauge the best areas for analysis. Furthermore problems with past and present
site disturbances, such as from plumbing and electrical installations, can greatly
compromise a site’s integrity.
Acknowledging the problems associated with
both types of data and providing clear methods to overcome them have resulted
in a cautious interpretation of the Old Farm, that has greatly improved the site’s
interpretation and hopefully the future site’s representation.
Implication of findings and future research
The historical archaeological research of the Old Farm has provided valuable
insight into the social organisation of an early colonial farm in a small
settlement. The identification of status and class, gender and ethnically defined
groups, that have previously remained hidden due to historical and cultural
biases, has improved the site’s current interpretation.
It is hoped that the
current heritage managers, the National Trust of Australia (W.A.), will use this
research to better represent the site’s past and to construct a conservation
strategy that recognises the importance of past structures and subsurface
archaeological deposits.
Future research that could be conducted to expand the present findings include
an archaeological analysis of the sheep farm on the Hay River as a comparison
184
between households at the Old Farm run by individuals with a higher status
including females, compared to a household run by lower status males.
Another avenue for future research could be to perform a comparative historical
archaeological study on a similar early colonial household or farm in the Albany
region to assess the interpretation that the Spencer family was not materially as
wealthy as previously believed.
Due to the limited time and funding available for this research, I recommend
that further excavations should be conducted at the Old Farm.
Open area
excavations, especially in the original cottage area could provide a greater
understanding of the inhabitants, namely the Spencer family, of this structure.
Unfortunately a bitumen path covers most of this area and would have to be
removed for open area excavations to occur. Further excavations could also be
conducted to find the main refuse disposal area, expanding the sites pattern of
consumerism, and excavation in the barn area, currently located in a property
west of the current boundary, to improve knowledge of the site’s past farming
activities.
The current interpretation and representation by heritage managers at the Old
Farm presents a house owned by a wealthy middle-class English family
surrounded by a beautiful English garden. The only inference available that this
site was a functional and productive farm is the misplacement of a few old
agricultural tools in a modern shed without any interpretation. There is no
information about the placement of the original cottage, the shed and stables or
the row of outbuildings that would greatly improve the interpretation of this site
as a farm.
The use of the worker’s cottage as a tearoom also lends a
misinterpretation of this structure even though it is not of as great an antiquity
as previously believed. Overall the lack of on-site interpretative information
leaves the visitor with an incomplete picture of the importance of this site in
Western Australia’s colonial history and the complex social organisation that
previously existed.
185
The historical archaeological research conducted at the Old Farm has
highlighted the importance of archaeology in heritage management to form a
holistic site interpretation to aid representation. Understandably the problems
of finding funding to conserve historical sites must always result in a balance
between representing the site as closely as possible to the past and performing
a viable public function (Hall and McArthur 1996).
Without the present
tearooms and the hiring of the site for functions (during the three week
excavation period there were two weddings and a folk music festival) this site
would not be economically viable for heritage managers.
One aspect of this research that reiterates the importance of archaeology in the
heritage management of historical sites, besides the valuable contribution of
interpretation, is the use of public archaeology as a popular method for
educating the public of the site’s past and providing an economic boost for often
struggling heritage sites.
The immense interest generated from the
archaeological excavation and the number of school groups booking site tours
demonstrates that archaeology should be considered as an important part of a
site’s heritage management.
186
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AO NSW
BL
CO
CSR
HRA
OED
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Colonial Secretary’s Office, correspondence received. Battye
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Oxford English Dictionary
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D. Bird
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W. Hackett
David Bird, grandson of Francis and Maude Bird, owner of the Old
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Shane Burke, postgraduate student, Centre for Archaeology,
University of Western Australia.
Wendy Hackett, granddaughter of Francis and Maude Bird, owner
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Appendix A. Selected Historical Documentary Transcriptions
A.1 Captain Collet Barker’s Journal: selected references to the
Government Farm (Mulvaney and Green 1992)*
*The excerpts below from Green and Mulvaney’s 1992 collation of Captain
Barker’s, King George Sound Journal, 1830 and 1831, includes references
made to the Government farm only. For all journal entries refer to the published
work.
1830
18th January
Griffiths1 at the farm today, says the ground is much improved and will be good
but recommends that nothing shall be put in at present except a few peas and
beans, but to keep it free from weeds until the rains will allow us to sow
something to advantage. Ground to be well watered previous to sowing peas
and beans but not afterwards until they show themselves.
19th January
Griffiths says it was useless sowing all our pumpkin as indeed it has proved.
That it will not do here to do it before the 1st of after the 10th October. They were
unable to sow any this year before the arrival of the Amity, Lt. Sleeman having
had all the pumpkins gathered before they were ripe last year, contrary to his
wish. Lt Sleeman had the potatoes used also, so that all those he brought from
the Derwent are gone and they had no seed potatoes to put in.
24th January
Walked to the farm after according to promise with George2 for Strawberries,
when we found 15. Bull improving and sheep looking well.
5th March
To the farm before breakfast and saw that Marsden came in. Mokare followed
me out and coming to me into the garden said, “Taragon (person) was no
good”.
12th March
Mokare, Nakinah, Wapiri and Perityet with him. Had returned last night as far
as the farm, where they slept.
14th March
The Shepard last night shot a large native dog. It had been about the farm for
some nights past.
1
Charles Griffiths was described as a gardener at the time he was sentenced to transportation
for life. He also served as gardener at King George Sound.
2
George was the young son of Private and Mrs William Little, who also lived at Fort Wellington,
Raffles Bay, northern Australia.
199
8th April
The he-goat from Raffles Bay not being with the others when I was at the farm,
Nathan went to look after him and reported afterwards he had found him dead.
11th April
Nathan shot at the dog, for which he had left a bait, about 4 this morning and
from the traces of blood seen, apparently hit him, but he got away. The young
cock got into the sty and was killed by the pigs. They have destroyed so many
of the fowls, that I have ordered the sty to be shifted.
13th April
Heard at the farm this evening that Wannewar and Patyet had just been there,
but being told by Nathan that Mokare and myself were coming, had made off.
14th April
Wannewar and Patyet again at the farm this evening, accompanied by a third
person. They would not come into the settlement. Mokare said he would go
out tomorrow to shake hands with them.
16th April
To the farm at 8am to see the Gardener sow some white turnips. Rain coming
in prevented him, but they were sown in the course of the day, though not raked
in. A rat caught in one of the traps at the farm.
17th April
Farm looking well after yesterday’s rain, the wheat is not yet however all up.
Potash3 at farm.
25th April
The bull sick and the Dr recommended some medicine, but as he is a surly
brute there was some difficulty administering it. I suggested some castor oil
which he took five drops, mixed in gum Arabic and oatmeal and put between
two cabbage leaves.
28th April
Fire, pumpkin, potash – West Wind.
11th May
About 4pm an alarm that some blacks were coming hastily down the hill. All
immediately on the alert to meet them, an advanced party running with spears
shipped. It turned out to be some of the women who had come to report having
seen strangers near the farm.
12th May
At the farm most of the morning set wheat, examined ground with Griffiths etc.
3
An alkaline substance, crude form of potassium carbonate. Originally produced by lixiviating
(percolation of water) vegetable ashes and evaporating the solution in iron pots, Oxford English
Dictionary.
200
13th May
Commenced breaking up fresh ground at the farm. Rather stony but strong
good soil.
29th May
Many of the swedes at the farm sapped by the rats.
30th May
Goat kidded. Kid smothered in the birth. Wannewar in today. His mother and
brother’s family to sleep at farm.
31st May
The pigs appearing to suffer from cold and wet, had they sty removed to near
the old place. Employed much of the day digging up potatoes, partly as a
medicinal exercise and partly to be enabled to judge the best situations for replanting. Where they have failed it seems to me to be more from the dryness of
the ground than from want of manure.
1st June
Much hail and rain. Potatoes cut for planting.
6th June
Walk to farm. Dr Davis, Langton-ticket-liberty. Things not growing well, either
from cold or the ground being too clogged.
9th June
Accusation by Crawley of Noel stealing his biscuit – that he had seen him shut
down the lid of his box after taking it out. Only these two in the hut at the time,
yet he made no remark about it, nor did he speak of the subject to anyone till
some time after at the farm.
10th June
Before I had left Mr Kent, the overseer was looking for me on the subject of the
new fence, splitting, breaking up etc and I had to accompany him to the splitters
near the farm, where I saw as he had reported, that the wood was so ill adapted
for the purpose and the work so difficult, that I determined on using saplings for
the rails if they can be got and gave orders accordingly.
11th June
A sheep missing one of these expected to wean (to lamb).
12th June
The missing sheep found today with a fine ewe lamb.
201
15th June
Boiling seaweed for manure.4
18th June
Nathan succeeded in hardening a file properly. A fine day, which he considered
much in his favour. Cast steel also, which he says takes a better temper. Farm
nails short, partly overseers fault perhaps in merely telling and not giving them
the proper measure. Ground cold. Things don’t come on so well as they
should.
20th June
Walk to the farm after. Nothing of the sheep (accusation by Nathan on Crawley
for stealing it – later found dead of natural causes).
27th June
At the farm with the Dr and got wet through. Surface of the garden green with a
minute moss. Ewes weakly and lambs small but pretty well. Season so
backward, there was little food for the ewes before yeaning. Ordered bran.
3rd July
New line of garden laid out.
6th July
Found it useless to go on with the new fence at present from the wetness of the
ground. Post holes full of water. Mr Kent and Gough killed a native dog after a
long chase near the farm.
9th July
Pig killed – 102lb – Coppers hut on fire.
10th July
Walk to farm, not having been able to get out there for some days. In spite of
the trouble I took in laying out the exact lines for the new fence, they have put
the commencing post several yards out.
19th July
Maize not ripening, gathered it for the pigs.
27th July
Overseer reported the men bringing manure from farm. Ordered all my fowls to
be killed, never being able to get an account of the Government ones. If there
are none but Government’s there can be no mistakes. Kill the worst of the
whole.
4
Barker persisted in agricultural experimentation, especially in attempts to produce a suitable
manure which would decompose.
202
1st August
Walk to Farm. Story of Nathan of turnips taken by N with consent of Henrys,
that Crawley had been seen by McKone and Cavenagh eating them in the hut
and that Marsden saw Crawley with turnips in the settlement about Friday last.
2nd August
7 young rams castrated today by Davies.
4th August
To farm with the Dr to look for sheep but could not find neither them nor
Nathan.
10th August
Bull missing, not seen since Saturday evening.
15th August
Walk to the farm
8th September
Goat brought in from farm.
12th September
Goat 20 inches of milk morning, 15 evening.
1st October
Many of the natives remained all day manufacturing waneras and knives for the
Dr in exchange for biscuit, 2 lb of biscuit for a wanera. Their knives formerly
made by fixing with the grass tree resin, sharp pieces of quartz on a piece of
stick of about a foot long. They now substitute for the quartz pieces of broken
glass bottles, broken or sharpened so ingeniously that they can shave
themselves with them.5
4th October
Several new flowers between the soldiers barracks and the farm. Pulled some
of our first swedes from the latter and gave permission for Tobin to take a few
extra one for himself. He has been very industrious in the garden. Vegetables
however come on very slowly there.
6th October
Repaired the bad part of the road over the plain near farm, a very good day’s
work.
8th October
Finished the fence at farm except the two sides of garden which will rejoin old
fences pulling down to complete.
5
This knife was called a taap knife.
203
11th October
Sowed Maize at farm and grass in settlement garden.
14th October
Fires burnt pretty well but rather scorched near part of the barley. I began
making pumpkin holes in the stony slopes.
A few turnips and swedes from farm, not sufficient for general supply and gave
them to be distributed by Keegan to those men who most deserved them by
their industry.
16th October
Barley a good deal scorched, the wind having unfortunately blown towards it
from the fires. The clay has now burnt very thoroughly. What has been well in
the fire has turned red.
17th October
Walk with Dr to farm, by Wannewar’s 3 huts and to potatoes in sand where
sheep died.
18th October
Gave permission to Neale to make a garden at the lower farm. Nathan to cut
12 files. Allowed him to milk the mother of the lost lamb.
29th October
To farm after dinner. The maize up and Sydney seed tolerable healthy. The
plants from seed ripened in my room weak and of bad colour. I hardly thought
they would have grown at all. Part of wheat in ear and also some barley or bran
among the peas. Garden plants not thriving and many completely destroyed by
severe gale during the burning off, blowing smoke ashes all over them. The
ground, however, is evidently not suited to them and I fear will be fit for nothing
but wheat under our management.
30th October
Most of the swedes in from the farm, tho too far gone for dressing and the roots
very small. Not worth a general division and gave them to the three men with
tendency to scurvy.
31st October
Observed some seeds up, planted by Neale near lower farm.
3rd November
To the farm after dinner. Barley and oats (late) looking well from the rain,
particularly in patches where it is supposed rubbish is burnt. I fear, however, it
was sown too late and that the warm weather will burn it up. A few strawberries
ripe and brought them in for George (Little).
204
4th November
To the farm after dinner. Nathan laid up in bed with a cold. Directions to Tobin
to look after the sheep in the morning and the whole of the day if necessary.
11th November
Fires rather too near my wheat, newly enclosed ground nearly broken up.
Keagan’s plan with cabbage plants roofed over them to keep them from sun
and wind. Thinned peaches again today. This makes upwards of 450 pulled off
the tree and there are still an abundance on it, more probably than it will be able
to ripen properly, as it is only the 2nd year of bearing, the 4th from the time it was
set. A few more strawberries today, improving in flavour. Met Mills as I was
going to the farm, who stopped to say there was no alteration, nor did he now
hear anything going off, whether it was given up altogether or only put off, he
could not tell.
16th November
Report of two dogs having attacked the sheep. Sent overseer out to ascertain
particulars. Found Tobyn had been with them. One of the dogs had seized the
goat, but was knocked by him while the other separated 8 sheep from the flock.
These were recovered unhurt by Tobyn shouting off the dogs.
20th November
To farm after dinner. Sheep all right and I judge that Tobyn has kept close with
them from the circumstance of finding nearly all lying down chewing the cud
instead of feeding as usual.
21st November
To the farm with the Dr and the two boys, George and John.
25th November
Commenced felling wood above the farm garden.
To farm after dinner. Barley sown 25th Sept in ear, at other parts it will come to
nothing.
26th November
To farm and marked out with Keegan the line of trees to which Peacock is to
clear.
28th November
Approved of wheat. His (Dr) remark that the farm ground would not be so dry in
summer, if drained, as the cracks or fissures would not be so deep.
3rd December
Fitzgerald had wanted earthing potatoes at farm as a 4 day task.
6th December
To farm at 11am to measure with the chain the disputed felled timber. Found it
266 rods. The overseer had made it 272.5. Including Saturday’s work there
205
was about 5 rods over the two acres. Some of the soil now breaking up seems
very good, 2 feet deep in parts before reaching the clay.
14th December
Six bags of cabbages from farm.
18th December
Got clay from farm to repair dam which, however, gave way before it could be
done. Sods (turf, upper layer of grass land) not holding together, laid a
foundation of stones.
25th December
Walk to farm with Capt Stirling and after to top of Mt Clarence.
29th December
Fires lighted at the farm.
1831
6th January
Coming from bathing met Nathan with a report that the sheep were all put up
well last night, but one ewe and one lamb were found dead this morning,
supposed from some poisonous herb. Six others were suffering. To the farm
with the Dr after breakfast and physicked two of the worst sheep, which were
much swollen. Pummelled the ewe rather roughly I thought on the flank, but it
seemed to give some relief by causing an extrication of gas. Many seed in their
stomach, but we would not of course tell what food had caused their death.6
Mrs Mills seriously ill. Cut our first crop of wheat – two small sheaves.
8th January
Gave bag of potatoes dug up at farm to Keegan, to distribute to those who had
worked well during the week. A little barley brought in from farm, self sown
among the peas. That sown in September not yet ripe.
10th January
To the farm in the evening, one of the ewes being again reported ill. The
giddiness had returned but not naturally. All the rest well.
14th January
Report from Tobin of the sick ewe having died in the night and a wether
(castrated ram) being very ill. Sent out some medicine (Pulv Jal) but it had
scarcely time to swallow it before it also died. Both had inflammation in the
6
There is no doubt that the deaths of the sheep were caused by ingestion of poisonous plants
growing in an area not normally grazed. Western Australia has many plants toxic to livestock,
among the most poisonous are 40 species of Gastrolobium, attractive pea-flowered shrubs in
the family Papilionaceae. The species causing the death of the sheep was almost certainly
Gastrolobium bilobum, one of the most toxic in the genus, which is common on the granite hills
around King George Sound. See Gardner, C.A. and H.W. Bennetts 1956 The Toxic Plants of
Western Australia, Perth.
206
intestines. Made a small damper from the wheat grown at the farm, the first
bread from native corn made at the Sound, if not in Western Australia. A little
gritty from Mills not having cleaned the wheat before grinding, otherwise very
sweet and good.
20th January
Part of the September sown barley cut.
21st January
To the farm to compare sheep with the returns, but it was no easy matter.
Tobin knowing only the total number and not much better judge than myself of
their ages, etc. Got them into the house with the assistance of the butcher, but
could not succeed in classifying them.
23rd January
First mentioned my idea of abandoning Green Island. Little produced during
the dry weather and we have no boat now fit to go in the winter.
24th January
To the farm after dinner and remained til dark, neither Tobin or the sheep to be
seen.
26th January
To the farm with Keegan. The young ram had died soon after taking medicine.
Four more very ill, though it had taken effect. Gave vinegar at Dr’s
recommendation to three of the worst and bled all four. The two worst died
while I was there, death preceded by convulsive staggering, both ewe lambs.
Nothing was heard or seen of the three missing, which have probably also
taken the poison and died.
30th January
To farm with the Dr. A few melons and pumpkins showing in the lower part of
garden. Sheep pretty well, but seem all to have suffered a little. The sick one
recovering.
31st January
To the farm after dinner. Oats ripe. The poisoned wether still ailing. Rubbish
fires beyond old garden burning slowly, but they promise to make an excellent
dressing for the ground.
6th February
Walk to farm with Dr and Capt B. Goat very ill.
7th February
Threshed oats, upwards of 3 bushels for the 17 rods. Pity we did not sow more
of it but it was thought to be too late.
207
11th February
To the island and brought away the gardener. It is full time. There is no
provision of anything for some months.
12th February
To the farm with Griffiths to point out what his arrangements should be with
respect to the garden. Gave him permission to work his own hours provided
sufficient work was done.
21st February
Potatoes from opposite side a failure, not the half of what was put in the ground,
which is too dry and hot for the summer crop. Mr Kent and the Dr to prepare
forms of reports for the board of survey to save time. Gardener to collect
seeds. Carpenter to make two cabins.
27th February
Griffiths reported potatoes at farm rooted by blacks.
208
A.2 Sir Richard Spencer’s selected correspondence [Robert Stephen’s
Collection (BL MN 533)]
i) Official correspondence
To A. Hillman Esq.
Assistant Surveyor
Albany 13th September 1833
“Having bought with me a great number of prize sheep from Lord Weston’s
stock an the choicest breeds of cattle etc., is necessary that I should as soon as
possible be put in a possession of a proper place to secure and feed them.”
Messrs Lyttleton and J. Morley
Albany Oct. 1833
Gentleman,
His Excellency Lieutenant Governor, Sir James Stirling having consented that I
shall be allowed to purchase the Government cottage and garden situated at
Strawberry Hill, at a fair price, I have to request that you will be pleased to
survey the said cottage and gardens and report to me, in the Lieut. Governor’s
information, your opinion as to its fair value of its present state, subject to any
improvements, or repairs, I may think it necessary to make.
I remain gentlemen, your most obedient servant,
Richard Spencer
To P. Brown Esq.
Colonial Secretary
Albany 26th October 1833
“… Reserves are strictly adhered to, it being impossible for any non settler to
penetrate beyond six miles into the country to look for a suitable location that he
might wish to purchase much less to convey to that distance implements to
build a house, or provisions to subsist on.
The colony at this place has now established 6 years, and up till then is not an
agricultural settlement for residents and on my arrival there were only six other
individuals, besides the Troops and three civil officers of the Establishment. If
one or two intermediate allotments were sold to commence with, their farms
would serve as a stations of communication for future settlers, and we might
then hope for the future prosperity of the district.”
To P. Brown Esq.
Colonial Secretary
Albany 21st November 1833
“On my arrival I found no road between the Government House and the
settlement and therefore directed that the foot path be widened sufficient for a
cart and horse to pass along, which has been completed by the detachment
and is at present the only road in the district.”
209
To his Honor
J.S. Roe Esq.
Surveyor-General
Albany November 26th 1833
“ Sir James assured me, that I should receive a grant of land of 1000 acres
immediately surrounding the Government Cottage near Strawberry Hill.”
“…first person to import the following fruit trees – oranges, lemons, citrons,
olive, fig, mango, vines, gooseberries, currants, tea plant, nogara nut from
Bengal (the most rapid growing tree known). Flowers – moss rose, cluster do,
china do, trumpet honey suckle, tulips, narcissus, hyacinths etc. etc. the whole
of which are growing in a luxuriant manner. Seeds; tea, cotton, citron, lemon,
orange, shaddock thorns, holly and every description of superior English garden
seeds; as well as 20 different sorts of English meadow grass seeds, most of
which appeared soon after sowing but appear now to want water…”
“I have also introduced at great expense and heavy loss the finest breeds of
cattle, pig, asses, mules, merino sheep known in England.”
To P. Brown Esq.
Colonial Secretary
Albany 27th November 1833
“Having incurred the expense of passage to this colony of persons named in the
margin, I have to request that you will be pleased to inform me what is the
amount of remission of purchase money which I am to be allowed for them; and
also when the amount of purchase for allotments of land is to be paid, and then
a Bill in my part in London, payable ten days after sight will be received in
payment.”
Settlers to Colony (names in margin)
A.M. Spencer
W. Jenkins
H.J. Spencer
M. Jenkins
G.M. Spencer
T.L. Jenkins
A Spencer
L. Jenkins
G.L. Spencer
E. Jenkins
H. M. Spencer
I. Spencer
N.A. Spencer
M.I. Spencer
Total 21
Females 9
M. Gill
T. Gill
M. Brown
I. Stoodly
L. Bussel
E. Rogers
Males 12
To P. Brown Esq.
Colonial Secretary
Albany 19th December 1833
“I am happy to say that I have been enabled to employ six or eight natives daily
the last fortnight as agricultural labourers, cutting down trees, clearing the land,
and paying them a lb. of flour and two ounces of suet for a forenoon’s work, or a
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job equal to that, for which they are very grateful. If the Lieut. Governor will
send a doz. frying pans, and the same number of iron kettles to present to
them.”
To P. Brown Esq.
Colonial Secretary
[Reference to purchase of rum and gin by Mr, G. Cheyne, and references to
smuggling of unlicensed spirits to Augusta and Fremantle. Start of problem
between Cheyne and Spencer over the licensing of spirits for sale in the
settlement.]
To His Honor
J. Roe Esq.
Surveyor General
Albany 1st January 1834
“…Council has consented to my purchasing the cottage and garden at
Strawberry Hill, at the price fixed by Lt McLeod and Mr. Hillman, also that I may
purchase the remainder of the farm consisting of 106 ½ acres at the rate of 10
shillings per acre.”
“The sum of one hundred and fifty three pounds, 8 shillings being the amount of
the valuation.”
To P. Brown Esq.
Colonial Secretary
Albany 18th January 1834
“Sir,
The great number of natives who frequently bivouac close to my house, renders
it of its distance from the settlement as an unsafe residence, without some
military protection, and it appears to me that if two privates of the guard were to
walk up here every morning after breakfast, to see that all was safe…the
protection afforded would be valuable.”
“Although at the moment the Natives are on most friendly terms with us. The
only way to remain so is never to let them feel that you are entirely in their
poseur. I have also, to request that His Excellency will order, a supply of 20
muskets and bayonets with cartridge boxes in order that we may be enabled to
arm the civil inhabitants, as militia, in any case of emergency, to be forwarded
to this residency.”
To J. Burne H. Esq.
Colonial Secretary – Hobart Town
Albany 28th February 1834
“…We are now 77 persons here besides 21 of the military detachment.”
To R.W. Hay Esq.
Under Secretary of State for the Colonies
Albany 19th March 1834
“I have received 300 fine wooled sheep from Hobart Town…also Devon and
Dushan bullocks and horses and landed safely.”
211
“This has been the driest summer known by the oldest settler, yet everything
grows and looks green.”
“My clover is as fine as any in England and melons in the open garden without
even dung were as large and high flavoured as in the south of Spain.”
“…Asparagus, tea, English furze, prickly pear from Brazil.”
Albany 24th March 1834
Received from Mr. John Lewis, Department Assistant Commissary General, six
stands of arms receipted for settlement use.
To P. Brown
Colonial Secretary
March 1834
[First census collected by Edward May Spencer]
To Roe
Surveyor General
Albany 31st March 1834
[Problem with Hillman about “mark off of the boundaries of the Farm.” Did not
take a survey of the farm before returning to Perth, despite being requested
frequently to do so.]
To P. Brown Esq.
Colonial Secretary
Albany 5th April 1834
“For establishing whale fishing here this winter, I have ventured to promise a
Mr. McLeod that he may commence immediately to erect his house on about
your allotments No. 119 which I hope will meet his Excellency’s approval”.
“ May I again request you to represent to this Excellency the importance of
sending us an assistant Surveyor; also the absolute necessity of building a pier
for landing goods and passengers.”
To. P. Brown Esq.
Colonial Secretary
Albany April 1834
“…Public sale of Lands at this place today I have purchased two lots amounting
to £351.10 and that I have paid to Mr. Austin £51.10 which added to the £300
the remission of purchase money I am entitled to as Captain in the Royal Navy
of upwards of forty years in the service, is the amount of the whole purchase
money…”
“…I request that you will be pleased to direct the deal of Grant from the Crown
be prepared and delivered to Mr. I.L. Rae [J.S. Roe?] who I have requested and
empowered to act as my agent on this occasion.”
“This having been the first sale of lands here, I enclose you Austin’s Report of
Sale that you may see if we have acted in accordance with the instructions of
Government.”
R.S.
212
To P. Brown Esq.
Colonial Secretary
Albany 21st April 1834
“…From Sydney with more letters and the necessities for establishing a whale
fishing here this winter. Pray let me have an assistant Surveyor as soon as
possible to mark off the Town Site.”
“…Would authorise me to commence building a pier or jetty or put aside to be
built on 3 piles and planked over with three inch planks…to be wide enough for
carts.”
“The road from Middleton Bay is also much wanted, particularly if the whalers
are significantly numerous in the winter season to maintain a fishery.”
Lt. J.R. Stewart
Commander Detachment 21st Regiment
13th May 1834
“I have a request that you will please supply me with 100 ball cartridges for their
use.”
To R.W. Hay Esq.
Under Secretary of State for the Colonies
Albany 16th June 1834
“As you desired that I would frequently write to inform you of the state of this
district, I have the honour to acquaint you that our numbers have increased to
91. Besides 24 military, several new country houses have been completed and
others are in progress. The men, who have established themselves here, have
a whaleboat for the purpose of sealing, have been very successful. They
returned today with 190 seal skins, having left as many more on the coast for
want of salt.”
“…Natives are becoming more useful and have learned to work as a carpenter
and another to saw in the pit.”
To J.P. Brown Esq.
Colonial Secretary
Albany 23rd June 1834
Sir,
Having received the expense of the passage of 9 females to this colony, in
addition to 13 male settlers. I have to request that you will lay the case before
his Excellency the Lieut. Governor in Council for their consideration what
amount of remission of payment purchase money I shall be allowed on that
account, only 2 of these females are married, but as the Government have
lately been paying 12 pounds towards the passage of each unmarried female
migrant to Van Dieman’s Land and Sydney. I trust that a similar indulgence and
encouragement may be extended to us for the importation of females of good
character to this colony.”
213
To P. Brown Esq.
Colonial Secretary
Albany 15th July 1834
“Sir, no Postmaster having been appointed at Albany. I beg leave to
recommend Mr Edward May Spencer to his Excellency…as a fit and trustworthy
person to fill that office.”
“Dear Mr. Lyttleton,
I received your note of this morning enclosing the letters for which you engage
an account of the Government to afford medicinal attendance (without medicine
to my family) should the terms be accepted viz. the Government agree to pay,
you must include my articled apprentices for when I am bound to provide
medicinal treatment. Whenever my hired servants may require your advice,
and assistance, they will send you and on these occasions they must authorise
me to pay you from the amount of their wages. Pray give me an immediate
answer. Until the assent of Government is received whenever myself or family
require your medicinal attendance I will send you a note.”
To P. Brown Esq.
Colonial Secretary
“Do not receive the Perth Gazette, therefore acts of Council are not known in
Albany.”
To the Right Reverend
The Lord Bishop of Australia
Albany May 25 1837
“…The utmost crime that they (natives) have committed is has been pilfering a
few potatoes and knives…”
“Several of them learned the alphabet in English very readily and I understand
one boy was taught to read well by a crew of a sealing ship. He spoke as well
as my children, he is now living with my daughter who is married, and lives at
York, Swan River. They make good servants; one who lived with us about a
year always attended at family prayers and church, and quite understood that
we were praying to the almighty…”
“In general I have had about eight men employed, breaking up ground with the
hoe, or cutting down trees in general job work…”
ii) Personal correspondence
To Captain Mathew Liddon R.N.
My dear Mathew,
We have by great good luck received the box from your mother; and your letter
dated January 1835. How unfortunate that you do not put your letters into the
214
post office directed Hobart Town, Van Dieman’s Land7. I might have heard
from you as late as July 35, and what anxiety it would have spared me. I had
heard from Stillwell that the house and field were sold. I hope Pinney has
bought the cottage and furniture also, and that Mules did not neglect to have
the conveyance made out, and that you have been enabled to get it all properly
settled, and the money paid to Stilwell. I am obliged to pay the whole bill for the
rotten sheep, with interest from the day it became due until it is paid. A friend in
V.D Land to whom I referred to business, wrote Stilwell in July last to pay it. If
they had not paid it, or will not pay it, I shall get into the most devilish scrape.
On hearing that Stilwell had allowed Buchanan to protect my Bills, I wrote to Sir
Francis Omminney [Ommanney?] to ask if he will take my business as an
agent. Surely they should have written to tell one it would be inconvenient for
them to cash my Bills before they dishonoured them. I think Pinney would like
to have the Crack House, and stable to take it out of the way. I hope therefore
that you have got rid of the cottage. I think that will make my accounts square
with Stilwell, if he had paid everything. I wrote you a former letter Mules might
sell the Foxdowns to John Bullen for his full price they cost me, with about £215
added, I paid for the conveyances, so I sustain no loss, and the moneys to be
placed in the 3% reduced in the names of the Trustees with the other
settlement finances. I suppose you were obliged to have the hedge dug for
Caddt; I forget our Agreement about the Linhay, but he thinks he was bound to
keep it in repair; but not to rebuild it if it be blown down in a hurricane. In my
last letter I requested you, if you could not sell the cottage, to ask Mules to get a
mortgage on it for 5 or 6 hundred pounds, and send it to Stilwell, but as I am so
much in the dark as to what is doing at home, I must trust you to act for the
best, which I am sure you have been doing.
My sheep have been thriving most wonderfully and have had 69 fine lambs
without a single accident and expect as many more in the month. We have only
lost one ewe since they have been out at the Hay River, that is six months. If
you would like to come out here, Sir James Stirling has written home to the
colonial offices, as his (the Commander’s) appointment will be from them. Now
you can wait on the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, in Downing
Street and offer your services if his commander is not yet appointed, and say
Sir James Stirling will be very happy if they will give you the command of her.
In consequence of my assurance of your abilities as a sailor, and your
relationship to Lady Spencer, which you can at the same time mention, should
such an appointment meet your fancy.
Sir James Stirling and the Surveyor-General, Lieutenant, now of the navy, have
just arrived here from the Swan River over land. They performed the journey
without the slightest accident, and roamed about East and West after they
made the coast until their provisions were expended, 30 days. They report
most favourably of parts of the land in their journey, but the largest river they
found was salt, which prevented their tracing its course for more than 3 days.
They bought 12 horses with them, which all arrived safe. We have been the
gayest of gay since the Governor’s arrival, two fancy dress balls, at which the
characters were supported in great style.
7
Tasmania.
215
We now have three ships belonging to the port. Only two ships of war have
touched here since our arrival and the Captains of both have determined to
come and live here the moment they are paid off. McPrice of the ‘Sefra’ left
money with me to buy him a square mile of land, in addition to his 1200 acres
allowed him, and the Lord Lieutenant of the ‘Alligator’ bought a square mile of
land to which he intends to return immediately. This speaks more for the place
than any description that can be given, but no one can see our house without
being delighted with the situation.
Yours Richard Spencer
My Dear Mrs. McLeod,
I have only just received your letter of January last, with the box quite safe, for
which myself and Lady Spencer feel particularly obliged. You really have taken
great pains in selecting the different articles for her use, and if you could be so
kind to send us a similar box in two years time, containing another hat and
everything but fewer ribbons and bands we shall be much obliged. The box
was 4 months lying at the Swan for want of a Government vessel.
The Governor has now bought the ‘Champion’, a fine schooner, which I hope
will keep up our communication frequent and constant for some years.
The contract for the Jail all complete, with 2 feet thick foundation four feet
square is only £200. My barn 36 feet long, 19 inches wide, floor 3 inches thick
was only £90. My cart drew the stone. However if the expected party of
persons arrive from Calcutta before I again hear from you, I will do my best to
part with it if they will accept your letter as my authority of selling it. With my
guarantee that you will sign the paper again when sent to you.
Bless God we have all enjoyed the best of health since you left. My daughter
Mary Ann has married a gentleman at Swan River in April last. We have not
had many additions to the numbers since you left. Mrs. Morley returned from
India with 12 native servants [from Calcutta]. A Mr. and Mrs. Hanson came
from Newfoundland in a brig of his own, with 12 children, and she is expecting
another addition in a few days. They have all built good houses.
The Government has built new large Commissariat Stores, and Military Guard
House, and cells for prisoners. All the houses now are built of stone or bricks.
Lady Spencer, Augusta and Eliza desire me to present to you their kindest
regards and best wishes for your happiness and welfare. Your old servant,
Dory, married a black [Sealer], her sister has never been heard of. They were
wrecked on the coast 230 miles east from here.
I remain, my dear Mrs. McLeod,
Your very sincere friend,
Richard Spencer
Dear Roger
Lady Spencer received your present of Liqueurs for which she is much obliged.
You appear astonished that I should emigrate, what could a poor man in
England do better to provide for 10 children. The best prospect I had for my
216
eldest son was to get him the appointment of Clerk in a Public Office and to
obtain what appeared almost impossible in the Admiralty Sir Jas Graham
positively refused it tho he was given appointments every day whilst I was
applying the new regulations gave him a dozen vacancies. You recollect who
was Clerk in Lord Keith’s office now Commissioner of Vitualling. I had him call
Dundas Sir John Picker and George Elliot all to assist me but without effect.
From Lord Grey I had some hopes but the pain and annoyance of making
applications quite upset me and I thought it better to make farmers of them all.
I also have a very fine sheep farm about 30 miles inland, which now entirely
supplies my table with mutton of the finest flavour and so fat, it cannot be eaten
without waste, we have also sufficient to supply the Troops weekly at 1/6 per lb.
We make sufficient butter of the finest quality and next year shall have some for
the market made at the sheep farm. I have a noble barn built of granite and
covered with slate in which we have this day finished thrashing our last years
crop of wheat (reaped New Years Day).
I have Malta oranges growing before my windows, grapes running up the posts
of the balcony, and I have eaten Tea Kale, asparagus, currents, gooseberries,
raspberries, strawberries, figs, almonds all our own imposting.
I tried the brown Malta cotton but it will not succeed, our autumnal rains set in
too early before the cotton is quite ripe, and decays it.
I send you a set of Bills for £20 and will thank you to send me ½ a ton of best
sugar, a sample of some cheap red and white wines, also a case of best claret
and one dozen of Champagne.
Mr Stilwell & Sons
22 Arundel Street, London
“…and send the Bill of …to you for payment, which I will thank you to pay and
place to my debit, also to Barclay and Daniels for 20 barrels of Pork, to
Newman for some stationary to Mingog for earthenware, to Brown for iron, to
Mangles for 3000 slate for the whole of which I will thank you to pay and place it
into my debit.”
“I hope I have not been premature in ordering these goods.”
“Seymour will begin business as a wholesale merchant here, as long as I live,
and I trust will be enabled to make 2 or £300 per year with his money.”
“I have drawn on you in his favour for £40. When you have a balance in my
favour send me two plain silver mounting watches, one marked H.J.S. [Hugh
Seymour Spencer] one E.M.S. [Edward May Spencer] and a spare key and
glass for each.”
217
Hon. George Elliot
Admiralty
“I assured you of my honour that I paid about £300 to the Captain and owners
of the ship Governor Stirling, for the freight and passage of 6 servants, and
cattle which I could not carry in the ‘Buffalo’, and £200 for the freight of goods,
and 5 sheep in the ‘Brilliant’ making a £1000 for my passage out.”
“I have Malta blood oranges growing before my windows on a tree I brought
from the Island in 1817.”
[Fruits etc.] “…Cuttings brought from Lyme.”
Austin Friais
Sir,
I will thank you to send me by the first ship for this place the goods, as under.
Sending this letter with the account and Bill of Loading to Messrs Stilwell & Son,
Arundel Street, Strand who will pay the amount. as freight is so high you must
be very particular with the stowage. The crate you sent me in 1833 by order if
Mr. N. Dorriett were well packed, not an article broken. Direct them to Mr. Hugh
Seymour Spencer, King Georges Sound, Western Australia
I am Sir, your obedient servant,
(sgd) Richard Spencer
A crate to contain 6 meat dishes 18 inches, 6 do8 16, 6 do 14, 6 do 10, 6 do 8, 4
to 12, 6 do 6 (6 do pie 16) 6 do 14, 6 do 10. 6 corner dishes with covers, 10 ord
inches square, 12 dozen dinner, 4 dozen soup, 8 dozen cheese plates, 2 dozen
large white handled cups, 2 saucers, 6 pint jugs, 6 each hand basins and … 12
chambers at 8d each, 2 dozen each pint and quart basins, three 3 pint do, 3 two
quart do with lip. If the above come better in 2 small crates than one large one,
send them so. Can you send me 3 large dishes like pie dishes to hold milk with
a lip for pouring out. If I like what you send I will write for a number. Send me a
small case with four dozen plain good size tumblers, and four dozen plain or
low fluted half up wine glasses. As part are intended to try for sale in the
market. You must send them the lowest wholesale price for each. Send a bill
with the goods beside the one to Mr. Stilwell.
Mr. C. Roberts
Wax and Fallow Chandler
Chandos Street London
Albany April 2nd 1837
Send me the same quantity by the first of Mr. Mangle’s ships next year, except
the black lead and in addition send eight small boxes 50lbs of soap, 2 yellow, 2
bottles, 2 boxes 4 dozen each of moulds, short sixes, 1 box containing 2 dozen
wax and 1 do 2 dozen of spermaceti9. Recollect the original order is always to
be sent by the first of Mr. Mangle’s ships every year in case my letter to you
may miscarry. You must have small rough boxes made for the soap and
8
do = abbreviation of ditto. OED.
Spermaceti n. White brittle fatty substance contained in solution in heads of sperm-whales.
Used for candles and ointments. OED.
9
218
candles, and address the additional order to Mr. Hugh Seymour Spencer,
Albany, King Georges Sound. In future send my mould candles in 2 boxes, the
great heat in crossing the line melts them altogether in such large packages.
You may add 4 dozen dips about 9 to the pound to the additional order. I will
thank you to buy me three cart whips and when you ship the goods ask the
Captain of the vessels to put them in his cabin for me.
Right Reverend
Lord Bishop of Australia (William Grant Broughton)
Albany May 25th 1837
“There are 45 houses erected in the town some of stone, others of bricks
covered with slate and about 180 inhabitants.”
The Secretary of the Children’s Friend Society
3 Exeter Hall, London
Sir,
I wrote to you 2 months since to request that the society could send me by the
first ship two healthy boys about 14 years old for farm servants. One to learn to
be a shepherd, if they have not sailed, I will thank you to send me 3 instead of
2. It will be satisfactory to the Friends of the Society to learn that most of the
boys who arrived here in the ‘Patterson’ are turning out good servants, and are
likely to become useful and respectable members of society. When an
opportunity offers of sending out a girl, under the care of a respectable female
passage, Lady Spencer will be happy to receive one, not above 14 years of
age. About the time you receive this Messrs Mangle’s will most likely have a
ship about to sail.
The Secretary
of the Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts
St. Paul’s, Chapter House, London
“The aboriginal natives are more numerous in this district and better disposed
towards Europeans than in any other part of Australia and are anxious to be
employed as servants both as agricultural and house servants, numbers of
them speak English tolerably well and are anxious to learn the principles of our
Holy Religion.”
“A married missionary residing here and none other should be sent could have
both male and female native servants in his house which would be the readiest
means of teaching them the truths of the Gospel. They willingly wear European
clothing, some charitable Ladies Her Highness The Duchess of Kent, Lady G.
Murray, Lady M. Dyson and others, at my request have sent me some red
flannel dresses for the families, which I have had the pleasure of giving them at
the commencement of this winter and nothing can equal their delight and
gratitude for them.”
219
Captain McCrea
“The last two years we have now established a bank, the Capital, subscribed in
shares of £10 each to enable everyone to hold shares since its opening.”
“The road is now cleared from Perth to Albany and the military posts
established one 90 miles from this on the banks of the River Avon, on Williams
and at York.”
“We have only lost one sheep at the Hay, they now number 510 besides having
supplied us with mutton this last 18 months and sold £120 to the Troops last
year. We have now 33 cattle besides giving my daughter three on her
marriage.”
“The net profits of my farm this year should be £900 is sold at the market
prices.”
“I have just received authority to from Sir James Stirling to build a wooden Pier
that you may land dry footed when you arrive among us.”
Mr. John Warrick
No. 5
Bancroft Place, Mile End, London
“You will be kind enough to buy the whips, tooth brush, detonators at a whole
sale shop for trade to sell again. I always bought my toothbrushes at a shop in
Cranbourne Street Leicester Square. I think the name was Pearce. Buy the
detonating caps at Joyce’s Hall, Old Crompton Street, Soho.”
“6 Webb halters for horses, three Cruppers for horses saddles, 6 Webb halters
for donkey’s or calves, 3 cruppers for donkey’s saddles, 6 hunting whips with
hammers at the end of the handles, 6 light whips for boys to play with, 6 thongs
for Gig whips, 6 dozen or a given piece of whip cord, 6 dozen tooth brushes
middling hard silver wired, some ivory at back of w___ [unclear]. 6 string
dressing combs, 6 nail brushes, 6 hair brushes, one razor strap from Weep’s in
Strand, 6 Lady’s silver thimbles, 2 good size, 4 smaller, 3 thousand detonating
caps, 2 pounds of carbonate of soda, 3 ounces Jalap10, 3 ounces Balamel, one
pound worth of portable compound decoction of Sarsaparilla11, 6 brass powder
horns for Sportsmen, 6 weeding tools for garden, 3 bone handled pocket knives
to contain 1 large, 1 small blade corkscrew. 2 common brass lamps, 2 brass
candlesticks, 6 balls lamp cotton, 1 pair strong plated candlesticks for drawing
room, 2000 tin tacks, 2000 iron tacks, 12 white handled dinner knives, good
blades, common handles, 12 desert do. no forks. 6 short combs for ladies hair
behind about 10 or 12 shillings. 12 papers of court plaster, 12 rings or thimbles
for the end of mop handles and 12 nails for do. 2 ounces of oil of peppermint, 4
ounces of laudanum12, 3 pounds of patent pins and 1 hundred of each drilled
eyed needles, 3 short and No. 6, 7, 8 and 1 hundred darning from Taylor & Co.
No.9 King Street Cheapside. ½ pound dark blue thread, black and white and
10
Jalap, n. Purgative drug got especially from tuberous roots of a Mexican climbing plant, OED.
Sarsaparilla, n. Kinds of tropical plant (so called as chief source of medicinal – for which
Jamaica was emporium), dried roots, or extract of these used as tonic etc. OED.
12
Laudanum, n. Tincture of opium, a costly panacea or elixir, later transferred to preparations
containing opium. OED.
11
220
brown. Pray order me two sundials to be made by Troughton, or a good maker
for Latitude 35° south, longitude 117° west. Horizontal dials. Send 12 brass
knobs for horns to secure on the tips of their horns and 2 new saddle cloths, 3
tin tinder boxes with 3 spare sheets and flints, 3 pelts of brass for ends of roller
blinds to windows and 3 good fastenings to window sashes, 8 brass bolts for
French windows. 1 quart, 1 pint pewter mugs, 3 pieces of stuffs for … You will
get it at wholesale price opposite No.17 Watting Street, say they are to send to
Australia. Silk of same colour to make them up and 3 yards of ribbon of each
colour.”
Sir James Stirling
Governor
Albany 21st July 1837
“I have entered in contract for the Pier and Road to Middleton Bay…”
“I am sorry your Natives behave so horridly and fear they will require a very
severe punishment to bring them to their senses, afterwards the owners of all
lands should be bound to maintain the Natives to whom it respectively belongs
and the boundaries of each individuals land is as well known as the family
estate of any…in England, the occupier should obtain as much work as
possible from the Native for his provisions, but they should be bound to see that
they do not starve,”
“Lady Spencer and all our dear children are quite well and request you to
present their love and my kind regards, and best wishes to Lady Stirling.”
Lt. Charles Roger R.N.
Isle of France
Albany 17th August 1837
“I have been very unwell and unable to move about near five months but pray to
the Almighty to spare me a few years longer to see my numerous children more
permanently settled and provided for.”
“…kind regards to send me by the ‘Alcona’ arrived safe except for the Claret
which was so badly packed that ten bottles were broken.”
Mr. Kooke
Lyme Regis
Albany, 6th October 1837
“…but by neither is there any news of the box you mention having sent to
London by the…’Pearce’ in October containing Fustian suits.” “servant boys
clothing”.
“The Fustian suits for Master Seymour and Edward have round jackets not
shooting jackets.”
“I am lame and unwell for some time past.”
“Tell Mr. Bennett what distress Lady Spencer and all the children have been
suffering for want of shoes thro a long winter and not a bit of leather to be had
as we do not employ the Shoemaker here generally he does not keep a stock.”
221
J.S. Roe
Surveyor-General
Albany September 1837
“I have taken the liberty of using your name jointly with Mr. Taylor as Trustees
to a cordial to my will to hold the Fee Simple of my lands in Australia in trust for
my widow and children during their minority and hope you will have no objection
to it.”
“…merely to prevent a possibility of my lands being sold till my youngest child is
of age and provided for. The entire control and management of the Estates will
be vested in my widow, and after her decease in my eldest surviving son.”
Mr. Murray
14th September 1837
“Yesterday was the fourth anniversary of our arrival in this beautiful colony,
when we killed a fine Ox of our own breeding to have roast beef and plum
pudding for dinner; we also had a beautiful 3 year old wether killed, it weighs 54
lbs, we sold part of the Ox for £8.10.0 and have about 200 weight in salt. We
have many choice vegetables, such as green peas and asparagus.”
“We have also now 535 sheep, and expecting there will be 600 by shearing
time the 1st November.”
“I have 2 ½ more acres of wheat in this year making rather more than 5 acres, 1
½ barley, 1 of oats, 1 beans and some Indian corn, and a ½ of potatoes.”
“We have broken in a pair of oxen; a young bull and cow, with 2 horses to lead,
form our present team for the plough, which we are tearing up new land, to lie
and sweeten during the summer.”
“I think 8 acres will feed our family. I shall then increase the number of
labourers, and I hope very soon after that grow wheat enough for the colony.”
“…No labourer will work for under 5/- per day so it will be an immense expense
to fence it in. I have not more than 40 acres fenced.”
“There are only three spots of water for 15 miles above my present farm. I have
bought the highest spot and shall endeavour to procure the other 2.”
“At the lower part of my farm there is a beautiful rivulet that runs all the summer
with sufficient water to turn a mill wheel.”
“I am sorry to say that my poor daughter Mary Ann has been obliged to leave
their farm (due to Native threats)…she is now on a visit to us with a beautiful
little daughter…”
Mr. Bundrett
15th October 1837
“I have unfortunately being confined to the sofa 5 months by a serious
lameness of which the surgeon here gave me hopes of recovering, but the
Governor has sent down the Colonial Surgeon to see me, and I now hope in 2
or 3 weeks to be again under weigh.”
222
Sir James Stirling
October 1837
“Many thanks for your kind friendship in sending Dr. Crichton to see me. He
has, I am happy to say, given me hopes that the disorder is not of that
malignant kind I feared it was and that in a few weeks with a plentiful use of
mercury I may hope to be quite well again.”
“Our road is finished to Middleton Bay…”
Mr. Bennett
21st October 1837
“I have 3 cases of clothes and 2 of shoes cruising about for me somewhere or
another. Mr. Stilwell paid Merrell the Cutter of Clements Lane for one case in
August 1836. The others are from our own tailor and shoemaker at Lyme
Regis. We are almost naked and barefooted for want of them through the
stupidity or roguery of some of the people about the docks in London.”
Mr. W.H. Mackie [Judge Mackie]
22nd October 1837
“I would like early in the winter 12 or 20 grafted standard apple trees, that is
grafted 4 ft from the ground for an orchard so that my cattle can graze under
them…”
“My good wife begs acceptance of a ring I gave her when we were in Rome as
a small token of our esteem.”
“Lady Spencer and all the children are quite well…”
“I have not yet been able to site and finish writing the Codicil to my will but think
that what I have written will be sufficient in case of a sudden accident.”
Mr Marriott
89 Fleet Street, London
20th October 1837
“I can recommend your cooking apparatus to any person who can afford it, and
it is not going too far inland. It is the greatest possible comfort and convenience
for cooking bread baked in the large stone oven. I have one loaf for my own
table baked in it every day. I want 12 dairy pans same as you sent me before
and 2 tin Lauthones [sp.?] with small sized wine corks and the corners of the
case and send them in the first ship Messrs. Mangles has coming out…”
Mr. Bennett
20th December 1837
“I have just received the box of shoes you forwarded in May 1836. It has been
laying in a warehouse at Van D. Land one year…”
“Joseph’s Richard and Roberts shoes are all too small, Edwards and Eliza’s
shoes too large, in future send all lace up half boots for Horace, Joseph,
Robert, Richard and William 4 boots each, no shoes. Send some sole leather
in the next box. All Seymour’s to be high. Send 18 pair boots for the boys next
box put more and larged headed nails in them and leave the Ilse leather well
long before the toe and six pair of shoes for them same nailed as those you
sent.”
223
“Tell Mrs. Liddon, Lady Spencer was very much distressed at not having a letter
from her, or any of the family in the box, we have not heard from them these 2
years.”
Mr. Merrell
28th December 1837
“Pray send me one blue coat, one black do, two black silk waistcoats and 2 pair
black trousers and 5 dozen striped coloured shirts…”
Mr. Burra
9th April 1838
“As some drawback to our successes here the Natives speared a bull and two
oxen to death for me and we suppose they speared 3 cows of mine they died
some distance off and had no proof whether they were speared by the Natives
or shot by some black guard Englishman, this is a great loss I could have sold
them at £27 each and the cows at £25. While we have so few military we dare
not take any severe steps to secure the offenders for the Natives muster 200 or
300 and we but nine military.”
To whom?
12th March 1838
“I shall take advantage of your kind offer and request you to send me by the first
ship coming here 1 ton sugar, ½ first sort, ½ second. 1 ton of rice, 2 chests of
tea, one black, one green. 2 jars preserved ginger, 2 jars guinea [guava] jelly or
jam, 2 pounds nutmeg, 2 pounds cloves.”
Mr. Warrick
26th March 1838
“…keg, or box containing 28lb. of Epsom salts and 1 quart of oil of vitriol14…”
“Send me packed 2 saddles for small sized horses and 2 leather head stalls or
halters for tying the horse in the stable.”
“Let one saddle be stuffed flaps, the other common cheap both with in front for
coats and behind for pad, also place in front to buckle the buster. No bridles, I
have some, send 2 burry combs and put a set of shoe brushes in the box.”
“…Send me 2 Elm boxes with 3 cwt. 1 ½ in each of load sugar and a barrel of
fine salt. Send me two Hogshead of Rum and four barrels of salt pork by the
same.”
13
Messrs Arbuthnot and Lathan’s
Great Street, Helens, London
3rd April 1838
“Send plenty of plaster of Paris with it and iron clamps. Pray send me a small
book practical gauging with a table for the New Imperial Gallon 5/6 by Nesbit, 3
Murray’s abridgements of English Grammar, one Parley’s Tales. I wrote to
John Newman, No. 7 Castle Street opposite Cranbourne Street Leicester
Square a supply of stationary. Will you call and ask if he has sent it. If not send
13
14
Epsom, n. magnesium sulphate, OED.
Vitriol, n. concentrated sulphuric acid, OED.
224
me as follows by first ship packed in tin, 3 Tutors assistant, 12 spelling books,
24 primers, 1 dozen tables of cards, 300 pens, 2 reams bath paste a 12/-2 do
15/- 3 reams of foolscap, 24 packets of ink powder, 3 pewter ink stands, 3
dozen B lead pencils and 3/- dozen at 4/-. 3 pieces of Indian rubber at 1/- 12
dozen part copy books, 4 dozen of each. 1 dozen printed books of copies, 500
slate pencils. This is mostly for our school.”
Lt. Charles Roger
Isle of France
30th March 1838
“I have just got up the wine and am sorry to tell that 3 bottles of Champagne
were leaked out and a great number of the Claret appear not full, much
evaporated, it has a coat on it like Port. I have tasted the Claret, and cannot
give it the good character you expect, indeed last evening I had several heads
of Department of Swan River to dine with me and they drank the Port in
preference. The port and the sherry appear as good as can be expected for the
money.”
Mr. Warrick
11th April 1838
“I received by the ‘Eleanor’ via Swan River the crate of earthenware and casks
of glass as per order. But owing I am afraid to being badly packed the articles
hereunder mentioned viz. 3 vegetable dishes, 1 chamber. 1 pint cup were
broke, otherwise all the rest arrived safe.”
“Pray send for the window glass I wrote for by the first ship…14x10, 12x10,
7xG.”
Messrs Mangles
22 Austin Friars, London
11th April 1838
“Sir James Stirling left us yesterday for the Swan quite well.”
Messrs J & W Samson
Perth
21st April 1838
“Pray send me 12ft of men’s cotton stockings brown or white.”
Mr. Kooke
Lyme Regis
5th September 1838
“The box of clothes by the ‘Shepherd’ has just arrived and is exactly what I
ordered but I am sorry to say my Apprentices have behaved ill, the liveries are
of little use to me at present.”
“I think we can now do very well till this time 1840. If you will have a box
prepared in the early part of March 1840. One suit for Seymour and Edward,
blue coat, black silk vests, and black trousers and one suit each Fustian, the
others the same as this time. Allow well for their growing; add for little William
the same size as Richard is now. Richard’s are a very tight fit and will all have
225
to be let out, he never had a day’s sickness, and is very stout. All the others fit
well. Send none for servants. You should have sent finer flannel to be useful.”
Mr. Warrick
3rd September 1838
“For Lady Spencer, 4 pairs black Denmark satin, heels, leather fronts (boots),
and 2 pairs dress shoes not low in the instep 97/8 inches long. Pray send me a
piece of Irish linen about 2/6 per yard, six pairs of small men’s size light kid
gloves and a piece of Welsh flannel about 2/6 per yard and 12 silk stay laces.”
“I hope Mr. Wissett got my last 2 letters if you have not sent my silk stockings
send 6 pairs of large women’s size, 4 pairs small do, 3 pretty small and shawls
for girls to wear around their necks indoors. A box of fish sauces and mustard
and about 2 dozen anchovy. A cheap edition of Marryats novels15 also Sunday
library a collection of Sermons by T.F. Dibdin D.D. 6 volumes 36/-.”
Mr. Warrick
27th November 1838
“Will you have the goodness to send me in addition to the articles mentioned in
my last letter 2 pr of string light cart wheels an axle, 1 chest of cheap Keyson
Skin tea for servants, 2 barrels of ___ [unclear]…”
Lt. Charles Roger
27th November 1838
“There has never been a want of labourers here. They are very drunken and
ask high wages but are better than any English servants can be bought.”
“I have spent a fortune in bringing servants from England and have not one
remaining.”
“1 carpenter, 2 masons, 3 agricultural labourers to be bound for 3 years. The
daily allowance of provisions to be clearly stated in their agreement.” [Madras
Servants]
“There are 3 or 4 houses to let in the town about £40 per year, but you must
bring sufficient furniture to be comfortable and everything you want to eat. A
good pony of mare would be useful…”
“Fowls, ducks, geese, hams, preserves, flour, rice, sugar, wine and cheap rum
for servants. Everything here is sold 2 and 300 per cent profit.”
1st January 1839
“I brought out one South Devon Bull, 2 heifers, one Guernsey cow, one Suffolk
and one Cumberland cow.”
“Last year I bought a thoroughbred horse and a thorough bred English Suffolk
last horse from Swan River but the young thoroughbred died on the road over.”
15
Marryat, Frederick (1792-1848) English naval officer whose novels about life at sea were
widely read during the 1800s. The Naval Officer, or Scenes and Adventures in the Life of Frank
Mildmay (1829), The King’s Own (1830), The Pirate and the Three Cutters (1836), and Mr.
Midshipman Easy (1836).
226
Mr. Warrick
9th February 1839
[Overdrawn account] [Shipped wool and mortgaged cottage in England to
Stilwell to cover account]
“I have a furnished cottage, with good gardens, coach house and stable at
Lyme, which I have ordered my Solicitor (Mr Philip Mules of Honiton) to sell or
to take up a mortgage of £500 immediate and remit it to Stilwell.”
“It has been a madness in me not adding up my accounts for the last 2 years.
However I am paying for it now, it annoys me so much. I shall be fortunate if I
do not knock up.”
Mr. Massingberg
30th May 1839
“…To beg you to be so kind as to bring us a ton of flour and two tons of new
salt beef…”
“We are in a far way of starving just now.”
227
A.3 Biographical information from Erickson’s (ed.) 1988 West Australian
Biographical Index
i) Biographical index of Spencer family
Spencer, Sir Captain Richard
b. 1782 d. 24/8/1839 married 31/8/1812 Anne Warden Liddon (b. 1796 d. 1855)
Arrived 13/9/1833 per Buffalo (Albany).
Children:
Hugh Seymour
b. 1815 d. 1840
Mary Anne
b. 1818 d. 1886
Edward May
b. 1819 d. 1869
Augusta
b. 1821 d. 1871
Eliza May
b. 1823 d. 18??
Horatio William
b. 1824 d. 1840
Joseph
b. 1827 d. 1890
Robert John
b. 1830 d. 1884
Richard Augustus
b. 1831 d. 1890
William Albany
b. 1833 d. 1884
Government Resident of Albany from 1833 to 1839. Land owner and farmer on
Hay River. First exporter of wool from district.
Spencer, Hugh Seymour
b. 1815 d. 1840 drowned in Albany harbour
Spencer, Mary Anne
b. 1818 d. 1886 married 18/4/1836 Arthur Trimmer (b. 1807 d. 1877)
Children:
Ellen Spencer
b. 1837 d. 1899
Sophia Jane
b. 1839 d. 1890
Richard
b. 1843 d. 1888
Blanche
b. 1845 d. 1918
Jessie Emily Spencer
b. 1847 d. 1891
Lucy Ann
b. 1850 d. 1924
Octavia Sarah Grace
b. 1853 d. ?
Edward Algernon
b. 1856 d. ?
Trimmer arrived 25/4/1831 per ‘Atwick’ with brother William. At York 1830s with
Bland, leasing Government Farm. Granted 15,200 acres with brother, selected
in Avon district. Arrived 6/1836 per Cleopatra from honeymoon with his bride.
Took up land at Pootenup near Cranbrook. JP 1856 and sub-protector of
Aborigines, Albany district. Member of Board of Education. Employed 4 T/L
men on occasion 1865-1874 at Pootenup and Eticup. His widow resided at
‘Annesfield Albany’.
Spencer, Edward May
b. 11/1819 d. 30/8/1869 (Albany). 9.1835 at 16 years old was Postmaster at
Albany. Landholder Kojonup 1850s-1860s. Employed 7 T/L men on occasions
1864-1868. JP.
Spencer, Augusta
b. 1821. Married 2/11/1839 George Grey (b. 14/4/1812 d. 19/8/1898)
228
As Lt. in 83rd Regiment he offered to explore north of Western Australia with a
view of colonisation. To Cape Town per Beagle and thence to Kimberley
district per Lynher, arrived 3/12/1837. They left per Lynher 14/4/1838 having
explored Glenelg River region and discovering Wangina Art [rock art]. A 2nd
exploration which culminated in the party walking from Shark Bay on starvation
rations, one man died. Appointments, Resident Magistrate at Albany 8/1839.
Returned to England via South Australia in 1848. Published 2 volumes
describing his expeditions. Appointed Governor of South Australia 1841, and of
New Zealand 1861 for a second term as Governor. Unpopular during these
years, he continued to be a force to be reckoned with in Colonial Affairs and
was active at Australian Federation Convention 1891. He was estranged from
his wife early in their married life after their only son died in infancy.
Spencer, Eliza Lucy
b. 1823 d. 4/11/1871 married 23/11/1842 George Edward Egerton Warburton
(b. 25/3/1819 d. 20/3/1889)
Children:
George Grey
b. 1843 d. 1913
Roland
b. 1845 d. 1902
Alice
b. 1847 d. 1931
Horace
b. 1848 d. ?
Augustus
b. 1850 d. ?
Mary Egerton
b. 1851 d. ?
Emma B.
b. 1853 d. ?
Reginald
b. 1855 d. 1890
Philip Egerton
b. 1856 d. ?
Edward
b. 1857 d. 1931
Randle
b. 1860 d. 1938
Ann
b. 1864 d. 1947
George E.E. Warburton arrived 25/6/1840 per Runnymeade from Tasmania
with 51st Regiment. Ensign in 51st Regiment, resigned 12.1845 and took up
land at ‘St. Werburgh’s’, Mt. Barker, 320 acres Hay District 1842, 100
acres Kojonup 1857 and 111 acres Plantagenet 1857 as well as pastoral
leasehold. Appointments: Assistant Supt. Albany Convict Department 18521855. Was Deputy Vice President of Mech. Institute and during 1873/5 kept the
accounts of Albany Steam Mill Co. Sons assisted in development of ‘St.
Werburgh’ property and other pastoral stations.
Spencer, Horatio William
b. 1824 d. 1840 killed accidentally by fall of tree.
Spencer, Joseph
b. 1827 d. 31/12/1890 married 1865 (Melbourne?) Louisa Morrison (b. 1844 d.
13/3/1915)
Children:
Josephine Ann
b. 1867 d. 1937
Richard Lewis
b. 1868 d. 1940
Florence Ann
b. 1871 d. ?
Georgina Henrietta
b. 1873 d. ?
Joseph George
b. 1879 d. 1938
Edward M.
[no details]
229
Octavia Margaret
b. 1880 d. ?
Farmer, pastoralist, horse-breeder 1860s. Owned much land at Kojonup
c.1859 ‘Balgarup’ and leased nearly 40,000 acres. Chairman of Road Board
1883-1890. His summer residence was at Strawberry Hill. Employed 12 T/L
men on occasions 1863-1871 at Ongarup, Balbarup and Kojonup. Educated
England.
Spencer, Robert John
b. 4/11/1830 d. 11/2/1884 (accident with dray) Married 1869 Mary Elizabeth
Gibbs (b. 1847 d. 1926)
Children:
Sophia Mary
b. 1870 d. 1873
Augusta Emma
b. 1873 d. ?
Robert Ernest
b. 1875 d. WWI
Mary Eliza
b. 1876 d. ?
Ann Warden
b. 1877 d. ?
Richard Walter
b. 1879 d. Boer War
Seymour John
b. 1881 d. 1955
Horace
b. 1882 d. ?
Sheep farmer at ‘Ongerup’ and Gordon River. He employed 11 T/L men on
occasions 1865-75 including 2 shepherds and a cook.
Spencer, Richard Augustus
b. 1831 d. 1890 (NSW)
Spencer, William Albany
b. 25/8/1833 d. 1884 (gangrene) Grazier. Employed 4 T/L men on occasions
1855-1871 at Hay River including a sawyer and a shepherd.
ii) Spencer’s indentured servants and farm labourers
Jenkins, William
b. 1799 d. 25/5/1843 (Albany) m. Mary Emma b.1799 d. 1862.
Children:
Henrietta
b. 1822 d. 1888.
Elizabeth Selina
b. 1824 d. 1891
Emma Keturah
b. 1824 d. 1866
A shipwright, he came as an employee of Sir Richard Spencer. Received 4
acres of land, A2 Plantagenet district 1834.
Jenkins, Mary Emma
b.1799 d. 1862 see above. Married again after William’s death to William
Pretious (b.1799 d. 23/2/1881). Pretious arrived 22/5/1844 per Trusty at
Australind. In partnership with J.D. Gibbs, brought land in Harvey district 1850.
Ship master, serving the WA outports in Typo 1.1848. To Albany as pilot 1853.
By 5/1868 was a Water Policeman, later served as Harbour Master for over 15
years before retirement. Employed a T/L man 1871.
230
Jenkins, Henrietta
b. 1822 d. 5/5/1888 married 1839 John McKail (b. 1810 India d. 6/8/1871)
Children:
Ann Augusta
b. 1840 d. 1904
Ada Emmeline
b. 1842 d. 1857
Mary Henrietta
b. 1844 d. ?
Selina
b. 1846 d. ?
Emma Christina
b. 1847 d. ?
Selina Christian
b. 1848 d. ?
Nathaniel William
b. 1850 d. 1937
Mary Elizabeth
b. 1853 d. ?
John Frederick
b. 1856 d. ?
John McKail was a carpenter employed on Government works at Swan in early
years. Agent and merchant, Albany, whaling 1836. Postmaster 1843-46.
Sandalwood exported and pastoralist in 1860s leasing land in Porongorup,
bought 40 acres1867 “Bolganup”. Founded the business which became Drew,
Robinson and Co. MLC Albany 10.1870 – 5.1871. Consul for Hamburg 1867.
Made frequent voyages 1860s. Employed 3 T/L men 1865-1868.
Jenkins, Elizabeth Selina
b. 1824 d. 13/11/1891 (Tenderen) married 1841 Thomas Meadows Gillam
(b.1804 d. 9/5/1874). Gillam arrived 10/8/1833 at Albany per Jane from Hobart.
He had arrived in Sydney 20/1/1829 per Mary as a free migrant to be an
overseer on Major Rhodes property.
Children:
Asenath
b. 1842 d. 1888
William Jenkins
b. 1844 d. 1908
Alfred Meadows
b. 1848 d. 1932
Mary
b. 1848 d. 1928
Emma Keturah
b. 1850 d. 1851
Henrietta Balson
b. 1853 d. 1912
Edward Thomas
b. 1854 d. 1925
Arthur Balson
b. 1855 d. 1910
John Pretious
b. 1860 d. 1946
Selina Elizabeth
b. 1863 d. unknown
Gillam was a carpenter, shipwright, he was commissioned to build a ship for
Symers at Albany. By 1844 he held a slaughtering licence and bred cattle for
provisioning ships called at Albany. Brought Albany town lots 1852, built his
home ‘Pyrmont’ 1858. Agent for P&O in 1864 and bought land at Porongorups
where he then lived.
Jenkins, Emma Keturah
b. 19/2/1829 d. 9/8/1866 married 19/6/1855 Thomas Sherratt (b. 30/9/1829 d.
25/6/1895) arrived 19/6/1834 per James Pattison
Children:
Mary Amelia
b. 1856 d. 1940
John Thomas
b. 1859 d. ?
William Brooker
b. 1860 d. 1876
Edwin George Jenkins
b. 1861 d. ?
Emma Agnes
b. 1863 d. 1864
Walter Pretious
b. 1864 d. 1939
Frances
b. 1866 d. ?
231
Emma Harriet
b. 1878 d. ?
Sherratt was a Merchant victualler 1850s. 1871 member Albany Municipal
Council. Warden of St. Johns Church. Ship owner Amerla 24 tons 1863,
Walter and Mary 1875. York Hotel 1865-67.
Gill, Matthew
Married Mary Newell
Gill, T
There is no record of a T. Gill in the Dictionary of West Australians.
Brown (Broun), Maurice (Morris)
b. 1816 arrived as per Richard Spencer on Buffalo. Indentured to a blacksmith
at Albany 1836, then to John Hewson at Guildford but absconded 23/12/1840.
Visited SA 3/1848 per Arpenteur returning 10/1848 per Champion.
Stoodley (Studley), John
b. 1819 d. 15/8/1867 (Albany). Arrived 1833 as a servant for Richard Spencer.
Labourer, Albany. Sailed to Mauritius 15/8/1844 per Unicorn and returned to
WA by 1845.
Bussel, Lydia
b. 1798 Arrived KGS 13/9/1833 per Buffalo with Richard Spencer.
? No trace
Rogers, George
Arrived 13/9/1833 at Albany per Buffalo with Richard Spencer. Shepherd,
‘Gerlin’ Williams 106 miles on Albany Road. Employed by John Owen, farmer.
Farmer (1868-1889) Alm. Employed a T/L teamster 1874 to 1877 other T/L
men on occasions 1865-1874.
Staples, James
b. c. 1795. Arrived 12/3/1830 per Warrior. Was a servant to J. Molloy at
Augusta. To Albany and was listed as a gardener there in 1836 census.
Smallhorn, Samuel
b. 19/12/1813 arrived 12/6/1834 (Albany). An orphan sent out by Children’s
Friend Society. Labourer at Albany (1836 census). Listed in York census 1859
as an unmarried Storekeeper with R.G. Meares. Recommended for admission
to Mt. Eliza Invalid Depot 1888. No relatives in WA.
Young, John Samual
b. 1796 d. 7/6/1866 (Albany). Arrived 13/9/1833 per Buffalo with wife and 2
children. Wife May b. 1796 d. 3/5/1868.
Children:
David
b. 1825 d. 1918
Agnes
b. 1827 d. ?
Labourer and builder. Contracted for bridge building 1830s. Albany house
owner 1864-66.
232
Townsend, Henry
b. 1811 d. 21/1/1877 (Tenderden) Arrived 9/1833 per Sterling. Married
17/11/1846 Jane Susanna Tonkin (b. 1825). Farmer and grazier at King River
at Albany and ‘Silver Grass Flats’ at Tenderden. Wife and children departed
1/1850 for NSW per Oceania and said to be lost at sea.
Brown, James
b. 1820/24 Arrived 19/6/1834 per James Pattison at Albany. An orphan sent by
Children’s Friend Society. Departed 12/1845 per Roseanna.
Evans, Richard
Servant to Joseph Browne 1836 census, Plantagenet District.
Hughes, John Morgan
b. 1796. Arrived 431830 per William from Tasmania. Applied for rations at
Albany 30/10/1834 and mentioned in 1836 census.
Johnson, John
b. 1825 d. 1869 (Albany) Bookkeeper at Albany?
Ludlow, Frederick
b. 1796 Arrived 1/6/1829 per Parmelia with wife Mildred (b. 1803 d. 1834) as
servants to Currie. Went to Augusta 1830 with Molloy.
Mason, John
Arrived 6/5/1830 per Britannia. Sergeant 63rd and 21st Regiment. On 4/1831
received rations at Albany. Appointed Gaoler 3/1857.
Newell, James Thomas
Ex-convict who was given passage from Tasmania during Major Lockyers stay.
His wife and children joined him in 1831/4. The family made a living labouring,
lime-burning and sealing.
Newell, Charles
b. 1820 d. 5/10/1841. Son of James Thomas. Shepherd, employed by Hassell
at ‘Kendanup’ where he was speared by Aborigines.
Paine (Payne), John (James)
b. 1818 Arrived 19/6/1834 per James Pattison at Albany as an orphan sent out
by Children’s Friend Society.
Byrne (Burn), Charles
b. 1812 (Scotland) arrived Crew 4/6/1831 per Sterling, deserted. Worked for
Spencer, was member of crew which explored the coast line near Albany under
W. Nairn Clark (Inq. 29/9/1841). Reported by G. Cheyne for shooting his pony.
Bought Albany town lot 1855.
233
A.4 Strawberry Hill Spencer Family Logbook (1836-1838)
[Unpublished transcript held at the Battye Library (BL MN533), collated by
Robert Stephens 1946.]
February 1836
John returned from the Hay, brought home a lamb
1st:
nd
2 : Stacked the oats and thatched the barley
3rd:
Arrived the American Schooner Tonic from Sydney
th
4 :
Brown and South came from the Hay
9th:
Seymour and John went to the Hay Donkeys and Mules etc. South and
Brown returned to the Hay
10th: Sailed the American Schooner Tonic
12th: Went to the Hay, Edward returned
14th: Returned from the Hay, sheep all well
17th: Sowed some turnip by middle path, not drawn 1st May
18th: Sowed the white clover. John returned from the Hay, brought a lamb
23rd: Planted some potatoes in barley
26th: Went to the Hay with cart and old English cows and 5 calves
27th: Arrived the Sally Ann from Swan River with passengers on board. Sow
farrowed
29th: Large red and white Sydney cow calved
March 1836
1st:
Papa returned from the Hay with the cart, brought a lamb
nd
2 : Harry came
3rd:
Began ploughing paddock in evening
th
6 :
Arrived His Majesty’s Ship Beagle from Hobart Town
9th:
Sailed the Schooner Sally Ann for Swan River
th
10 : Arrival the Brig Salacia from Sydney and Cutter Fanny. The Schooner
Sally Ann put back again
th
11 : Devon cow calved
13th: Sailed the Sally Ann
14th: Sailed the Beagle for England. Sowed carrots brown. Garden seeds in
upper garden
16th: Went to the Kalgan
17th: Sailed the Brig Salachia for Isle of France.
18th: Put in pease and beans
19th: Sailed the Cutter Fanny
20th: Fanny put back again. Went to the Hay
21st: Fanny sailed for Middle Island
23rd: Taking up potatoes in garden
24th: Returned from the Hay with one calf found on the road halfway home.
All the cows from the Hay strayed
25th: Mr. Taylor saw the strayed cows. John returned from the Hay and
brought a lamb
26th: Brought home strayed cows from the bush
28th: Lost the mules all day
234
30th:
31st:
James went to the Hay with cattle
Rain in morning
April 1836
3rd:
Horace returned from the Hay brought home a lamb
th
5 :
Ploughing in the paddock
6th:
Ploughing in the paddock
7th:
Ploughing
11th: Arrived the Abeona from the Cape of Good Hope
12th: Finished sowing half the paddock to turnips
15th: French cow calved. Finished sowing the paddock
16th: Sent the cart to the Hay
17th: Arrived the Schooner from Swan River with Augusta
18th: Sailed the Brigatine Abeona
19th: Tom returned from the Hay. Mule sick, brought 2 lambs
20th: Mule died. Found to be beaten to death by Tom and boy Paine
22nd: Sailed the Schooner for Swan River
25th: Staples went to the Hay
27th: Seymour returned from the Hay. Laid the foundation stone of barn
28th: My sister Mary Ann married Arthur Trimmer Osgr. of York. Breakfast at
10 o’clock a very merry party
th
29 : Edward went to the Hay. Fanny Cutter sailed for Swan River
May 1836
2nd: Staples returned from the Hay. Sheep all well
8th:
Horace and Tom went to the Hay with cart
10th: Sydney cow calved.
11th: Tom returned from the Hay brought home 3 sheep, all well
13th: Seymour arrived this day at the mature age of 21 years. Fixed a salute
of 21 guns at 12 o’clock a ball in the evening
th
16 : Ploughing the piece of ground in front and harrowing in the garden
17th: Ploughing and harrowing in front of house
18th: Ploughing in the upper garden
19th: Arthur missing. Ploughing and harrowing
20th: The calf Arthur found dead in the morning
22nd: Gathered the Indian corn, not ripe sown too late
23rd: Borrowed 2 horses from Symers for the plough
30th: Mr. and Mrs. Trimmer and Harry went to the Hay
31st: Tom went to the Hay with mule and donkeys
June 1836
1st:
Trimmers returned from the Hay. Sheep all well, 88 lambs
3rd:
Tom and Harry returned from the Hay brought home a lamb. Arrived the
Sally Ann
12th: Sailed the Sally Ann for Launceston
15th: Arrived the Caledonia. Goose died
18th: Brindle cow calved, heifer calf
19th: Guernsey cow calved, bull calf
23rd: Horace went to the Hay with cart and donkeys. French cow missing
235
24th:
26th:
28th:
29th:
Arrived the Stirlingshire from Calcutta
Sailed the Caledonia. Horace returned from the Hay brought home 2
lambs. 117 lambs
Newell began work around the garden
Found the French cow dead on the sand hills
July 1836
1st:
Staples went to the Hay with mule and donkeys
nd
2 : Sailed the Stirlingshire. Paine sentenced to Black Hole 14 days
3rd:
Staples returned from the Hay. Sheep all well. 119 lambs
th
8 :
Received mare from Morley. Planted potatoes in barley
9th:
Planted several rows of potatoes in barley
th
13 : Black heifer calved at Hay
14th: Seymour went to the Hay with mules and donkeys
15th: Planted out cauliflowers, Trimmers
16th: Newell finished bank of lower garden. Carried small rick [stack in
wooden enclosure] of wheat up into the shed.
th
18 : Edward returned from the Hay brought 2 lambs. Sheep all well. 122
lambs
th
19 : Planted the cauliflowers, lost the lamb
20th: Planted almond trees around the hedge of garden
22nd: Thrashing of wheat in hut. Sowed a pinch of rose seed
25th: Lost the mule
27th: Winnowed wheat
28th: Edward went to the Hay with cart and donkeys
31st: Edward returned from the Hay lost the donkeys and brought home a
lamb. 129 lambs
August 1836
2nd: Hired Newell half a day on Wednesday
Hired Newell and son to prepare ground for wheat, found the mule
3rd:
4th:
Edward went to the Hay to look for donkeys
Sowed the upper part of the garden to wheat. 4 bushels to the acre.
5th:
Edward returned from the Hay, 130 lambs, all well
8th:
Finished sowing wheat given me by Symers
12th: Sowed Irefoil [sp.?] Winnowed oats, sowed Lucerne seeds [clover like
plant used for fodder].
th
13 : Repairing small boat
17th: Edward went to the Hay with mule and donkey
20th: Edward returned from the Hay, brought home a lamb. Sheep all well,
139 lambs, 343 sheep total
st
21 : Sowed onions, cabbage, lettuce, celery, radishes and artichoke seeds.
Red clover by garden rails
th
24 : Sowed pease by middle path 2 rows of green beans, asparagus. Seed
in bed, brought flour from Sheratts
th
26 : Edward went to the Hay with cart
29th: Transplanted raspberries. Edward returned from Hay 132 lambs,
brought home 3 lambs. 341 total. Sowed grapes seed in west corner of
garden. Newell and boy
236
30th:
31st:
Ploughing in paddock, rolled wheat
Ploughed. Sowed rows of pease in middle of garden, large and blue.
Newell
September 1836
3rd:
Finished harrowing the oats in paddock. Planted four rows beans,
sowed melon seed
4th:
Planted French bean runners
th
12 : Sowed the barley in paddock
14th: Finished the barley
15th: Edward went to the Hay with mules and donkeys
17th: Edward returned from the Hay brought a lamb. 348 sheep
27th: Edward went to the Hay with the cart
30th: Sowed carrot seeds. Newell finished the hedge
October 1836
1st:
Seymour returned from the Hay brought home 2 lambs, Lyttleton’s mare
and calf. 348 sheep and lambs remaining at the Hay
10th: Planting in front of the garden
14th: Papa went to the Hay with mules and donkeys
16th: Papa returned from the Hay brought 2 lambs. Sheep 349, English cow
calved, Lupi calf
21st: Sow pig died
22nd: Seymour met Edward at Chokerup. Returned with 2 kangaroos
28th: Sowed pease and beans in front of garden. 348 total left
29th: Edward returned from the Hay brought home a lamb and 2 kangaroos
and calf
November 1836
1st:
Seymour, Edward and Young went to the Hay with cart
nd
2 : Began shearing sheep at the Hay
4th:
Horace returned from the Hay brought 2 lambs. Sheep all well and 1
killed. 347 remaining
8th:
Sow farrowed
th
10 : Edward and Young returned from the Hay. Finished shearing sheep at
the Hay
13th: Mule died
17th: Edward went to the Hay with cart and 2 cows and 4 calves
20th: Edward returned from Hay with 2 cows, 2 oxen, 3 lambs. Remained 355
total
25th: Edward went to the Hay with cart and donkey
28th: Seymour returned from the Hay brought home 2 lambs and 2 kangaroos.
Sheep all well, 367 remaining
December 1836
3rd:
Seymour met Edward at Chokerup returned with 3 kangaroos and emu.
Sheep all well, total 380
7th:
The Governor and Mr. Armstrong went to the Hay with Papa
th
10 : The Governor returned from the Hay. Paine went to Chokerup
237
11th:
Papa returned from the Hay. Sheep all well, brought home 2. 386
remained
12th: Began mowing the grass and clover
13th: Champion with Sir James Stirling, Seymour with him. Horace went to
the Hay with cart
th
15 : Papa went to the Hay. Horace returned from the Hay brought one
kangaroo
17th: Papa returned from the Hay. Paine went to Chokerup returned with a
lamb. Arrived the Lady Stirling
19th: Mowed the clover
21st: Horace went to the Hay with cart. Sailed the Lady Stirling
22nd: Lady Stirling still insight. Luddlow came at £26 per year
24th: Horace returned from the Hay brought home two sheep 2 calves. Brown
came home
th
28 : Paine went into the Settlement without leave and remained late at night.
Boy Brown returned to the Hay
January 1837
1st:
Sowed canary seed
nd
2 : Edward went to the Hay with the cart and boy Brown
7th:
Sowed some turnip
th
8 :
Red Van Dieman’s cow calved, bull calf
9th:
Began reaping the wheat
11th: Arrived the True Love from Sydney, last from Mangarro Island [sp.
Kangaroo?]
th
12 : Finished the wheat
13th: Planted potatoes from Sydney
17th: Devon cow calved, bull calf
21st: Horace went to the Hay with cart, Stoodley and Ludlow
25th: Horace returned from the Hay brought 3 sheep. Brought the last of the
wool home, 844 lbs remained 379 sheep, all well
28th: Sailed the True Love
February 1837
7th:
Boy Broome and Leo returned from the Hay
9th:
W. Hanson and Taylor went to the Hay
10th: Leo and Brown went to the Hay. Arrived the Abeona from Sydney one
month
12th: Sailed the Abeona for Swan River. The Doctor arrived from the Hay,
brought home one lamb. Arrived the Champion from Swan River
16th: Sold the wool 1/8d per pound
17th: Sailed the Champion
18th: Seymour and Mr. Townsend went to the Hay with donkeys. Ludlow left
20th: Paine returned from the Hay brought home a lamb
21st: Papa went to the Hay
23rd: Papa returned from the Hay. Saw none of the calves
24th: Edward returned from the Hay
25th: Staples went to Chokerup returned with a lamb
26th: Arrived the Lady Stirling from Augusta
238
28th:
The paddock
March 1837
1st:
Edward went to the Hay with horses, too out six cows found the calves
3rd:
Seymour returned from the Hay, brought home 2 sheep
th
6 :
Sailed the Lady Stirling
11th: Sowed 3 sorts of cabbage in middle path. Broccoli and black radish
seed. Brought 2 lambs from Chokerup
th
15 : Sowed cauliflowers
16th: Papa and Mama went to the Hay with the cart
19th: Papa and Mama returned from the Hay. Left the mare, brought back a
lamb. 370 sheep all well, 12 cows and calves
nd
22 : Sowed vetches [kind of pea plant usually used for forage] in east side
garden
rd
23 : Arrived the American ship Samual Wright Whaling 4 months from Salem
24th: Tom and Horace returned from the Hay and brought 2 lambs. 368
27th: Sowed 3 rows of beans, 2 pease and 1 French beans dwarf above
garden gate
28th: Arrived the Champion from Swan River
30th: Sailed the Rhoda for England
31st: Lockyer came
April 1837
2nd: Sailed the Champion
3rd:
Arrived His Majesty’s Ship Victor
th
4 :
Smallhorn returned to the Hay. Paine returned home 2 sheep, pony ill
Edward returned from the Hay
6th:
9th:
Sailed the Victor
th
12 : Edward and Horace went to the Hay
13th: Black cow calved
15th: Sailed the Samual Wright
16th: Horace returned from the Hay brought 3 sheep and calf
24th: Paine went to Chokerup
25th: Paine returned from Chokerup brought 2 lambs. 359 remaining and
kangaroo
28th: Paid Lockyer
May 1837
1st:
Lucky calved
nd
2 : Paine went to Chokerup, brought 2 sheep, kangaroo and the mare
3rd:
Byrne came
th
4 :
Arrived the Lady Stirling
8th:
Paine went to Chokerup
th
9 :
Paine returned from Chokerup brought 2 sheep and 2 kangaroo. Sheep
all well 391 remaining
13th: Sowed turnips in lower garden
16th: Paine returned from Chokerup brought 2 sheep. 408 remain
19th: Paine, Mr. Johnson – Natives provisions
239
22nd: Ploughing seed into the paddock
24th: Paine went to Chokerup to the Hay with cart and small mare
27th: Paine returned from the Hay brought home 2 sheep and kangaroo.
Sheep all well 450 remaining
29th: Finished sowing wheat in the paddock, bulk wheat
30th: Sow farrowed, 10 pigs
31st: Ploughing in higher garden
June 1837
3rd:
Smallhorn came in from the Hay brought 2 sheep, remaining 490
th
5 :
Sowed the wheat in front of the house before the garden
7th:
Paine went to the Hay with mare and donkey
10th: Paine returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep. remaining 490
14th: Smallhorn went to the Hay with horse and donkeys
15th: Black heifer calved
17th: Edward returned from the Hay brought 3 sheep, remaining 497
20th: Edward to the Hay
23rd: Paine went to Chokerup brought 2 sheep, remaining 503
30th: Edward came in from the Hay brought 2 sheep and kangaroo
July 1837
2nd: Edward and Horace went to the Hay
9th:
Paine brought 2 sheep from Chokerup
th
11 : Guernsey cow calved
13th: Arrived the Abeona from Swan River
14th: Byrne went to Chokerup with the cart, Joseph went
15th: Horace returned from the Hay brought a sheep
20th: Sailed the Abeona
21st: Paine went to the Hay
22nd: Paine returned from the Hay brought 1 sheep and kangaroo. Native
provisions
24th: Planted the asparagus bed
26th: Ploughed in upper part of the garden
28th: Paine returned from Chokerup brought 2 sheep and kangaroo
August 1837
4th:
Paine went to Chokerup brought 1 sheep lost the pigs
th
Arrived the Lady Stirling went down to the new hut to sow grass seeds
5 :
7th:
Paine returned from the Hay brought 1 sheep and half the pig
12th: Sowed the barley in upper half of garden
13th: Sailed the Lady Stirling
14th: Ploughing in upper garden
15th: Planted six rows of pease
17th: A bark [sp.?] working in. Arrived the Regina
18th: Paine went to Chokerup, returned brought one sheep
19th: Planted five rows of beans
21st: Arrived Mr. Armstrong brought letters from Mary Ann dated 6th August
26th: Paine went to Chokerup, returned brought a lamb
240
27th:
28th:
30th:
Paine burnt 4 pairs new boots of the children because he wished to go
out
Edward came in from the Hay. Began draining
Little sow pigged 8 pigs
September 1837
1st:
Edward went to the Hay. Devon cow and Timber fattor [sp.?] came
4th:
Byrne returned from the Hay brought 1 sheep, 4 cattle. Sheep all well,
remaining 525
5th:
Sailed the Regina. Began the men’s kitchen, Thomas at work
th
6 :
Coles went to the Hay with donkeys
7th:
Send cows out to Hay
th
8 :
Smallhorn returned from the Hay brought 1 sheep, remaining 527
11th: Lord Exmouth (bull) knocked on the head weighed 329 pounds. His
Lordship was not so fat as we expected.
12th: Put up sow to fat. 530 sheep remain
13th: Sowed 3 rows of pease seed from England. Fired a salute 11 guns in
commemoration of our arrival in the colony [four year anniversary]
14th: Planting potatoes
15th: Sowed wheat, oats and barley in SW quarter of garden
16th: Planted seed potatoes adjoining finished above the middle path
17th: Brindle cow, calved heifer
22nd: Edward came in from the Hay with horses and donkeys
23rd: Sowed barley SE corner of garden
25th: Edward went to the Hay with horses and donkeys
26th: Planted 20 rows broad beans in upper garden
27th: Sowed Indian corn in lower garden. Paine returned from the Hay
brought 2 lambs, 532 remain
th
28 : Planted potatoes in the lower garden
29th: Planted 2 rows of white runners and 2 rows dwarf French beans
30th: Planted Mangel potatoes, 13 rows pease, 9 rows dwarf beans, potatoes
no. 1 Irish red, 2 early purple, 3 Mangel Wurzal, 4 early ruff coats
October 1837
1st:
Arrived the Champion
4th:
Paine went to the Hay with donkey
6th:
Edward returned from the Hay, brought 1 sheep, remaining 532
th
10 : Edward went to the Hay
12th: Dr. Crichton and Seymour went the Hay
13th: Discharged Byrne and planted some Irish reds
15th: Dr. Crichton and Seymour returned from the Hay brought 1 sheep
17th: Mr. Smith returned from the Hay
18th: Evans came @ 9/20th: Paine went to Chokerup brought 2 sheep and kangaroo
24th: Arrived the Samual Wright. Champion went into Sound
25th: Horace went to the Hay with horses
28th: Returned from the Hay brought 14 sheep. Arrived the Mary Bark
30th: Champion and Mary went into the harbour
31st: Seymour went to the Hay with cart, Young with him
241
November 1837
Began shearing the sheep
1st:
th
5 :
Edward and Seymour returned from the Hay brought 1 sheep and 3
bales of wool. Finished shearing the sheep, 576 remaining
6th:
The American under weigh. Arrived the Portland
7th:
Sailed the Champion
8th:
Edward went to the Hay
th
10 : Edward returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep
15th: Served Natives 31lbs beef, 62lbs flour from Government Store
16th: Edward went to the Hay with cart and 5 calves
17th: Devon and Sydney cows calved at the Hay
18th: Sailed the Portland
19th: Sailed the Mary. Edward returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep
20th: Evans broke his arm. The Mary put back, rudder broke
22nd: Edward and Joe went to the Hay with cart
23rd: White donkey foaled
24th: Horace returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep
27th: Horace to School. Sow farrowed
29th: Sydney heifer calved at the Hay. Sailed the Mary
30th: Lord Hobart sailed and came too again
December 1837
1st:
Paine returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep. Arrived the Champion
7th:
Sailed the Lord Hobart
th
8 :
Edward returned from the Hay brought 1 sheep
11th: Edward went to the Hay took out 2 calves. Evans went to the Hay
16th: Paine returned from Chokerup brought 2 sheep
22nd: Paine went to the Hay
23rd: Returned from the Hay brought 3 sheep, 502. Arrived the Alice Brig
25th: Arrived the Endora
26th: Dorey calved
27th: Sailed the Endora
28th: Newell began leasing
29th: Paine went to the Hay
30th: Sailed the Alice
31st: Returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep, remaining 504
January 1838
1st:
Began reaping wheat sown in winter
nd
2 : William Thomas paid Earle
4th:
I. Earle at 4/6
th
5 :
Paine went to the Hay
7th:
Returned from the Hay brought 1 sheep remaining 504
th
10 : Edward went to the Hay. Arrived the French frigate Heroine. Served
Natives 200lb. flour 70lbs. beef
11th: Put all the wheat from paddock. Arrived the French whaler Harmonie
12th: Evans and Smallhorn idle till today
242
13th:
18th:
19th:
20th:
27th:
29th:
30th:
Horace and Stoodley returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep, 502
remain. Paid Earle
Horace and Stoodley went to Hay with cart
Sailed the Heroine
Brown and Paine returned from the Hay, brought 4 sheep, remaining 499
Brown returned from the Hay
2 sheep died
Edward came in from the Hay brought 2 sheep remaining 496
February 1838
3rd:
Edward and Paine went to the Hay
5th:
Hired Hughes at 25/th
6 :
Edward and Smallhorn returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep
7th:
Natives rations
10th: Edward returned to the Hay. Sowed small patch of turnips
12th: Smallhorn brought 2 sheep from Chokerup
17th: White Suffolk cow calved heifer. Smallhorn and Staples went to Hay.
Natives speared cattle at Hay
18th: Sailed the French whaler
19th: Horace returned from the Hay brought Seymour and Isabel
23rd: Seymour went to the Hay with cart, Daniel returned with 2 sheep
26th: Dan and Mr Grath burnt the new hut down. Seymour returned from the
Hay brought 4 sheep
th
27 : Aspinal returned with his boat
28th: Seymour went to the Hay with 3 calves
March 1838
2nd: Seymour returned from the Hay. Natives speared two Oxen
4th:
Arrived the Henry Wellesby
6th:
Horace went to the Hay. Smallhorn returned from Chokerup
Paine left out ewe and lamb, lamb lost
7th:
9th:
Smallhorn went to Chokerup, returned brought 2 sheep
10th: Served Natives provisions 125lb flour 53lb beef
18th: Sailed the Henry Wellesby
21st: Ploughing
23rd: Seymour went to the Hay
24th: Brought 2 sheep. E & S returned
27th: Edward went to the Hay. Arrived the H.M.S. Pelorus
29th: Horace returned from the Hay brought 7 cows and 2 sheep
April 1838
4th:
Arrived the Champion
5th:
Sailed H.M.S. Pelorus
10th: Edward returned to the Hay
12th: Duncan came. Sailed the Champion
15th: Arrived the Lady Stirling and Delphos
17th: Edward went to the Hay with cart
18th: Sailed the Emma
243
20th: Horace returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep
22nd: Put back the Emma
27th: Seymour returned from Chokerup brought 2 sheep. Remains 279 upper,
224 lower, 503 total. Sailed the Lady Stirling
May 1838
1st:
Sailed the Delphos
4th:
Duncan returned from Chokerup brought 2 sheep, remaining 524. Lucky
calved
7th:
Sail in sight, went fast
th
10 : Paine ran away from Chokerup
11th: Duncan returned from Chokerup brought 2 sheep. Dan went to jail
12th: Edward went to the Hay
16th: Edward returned from the Hay
17th: Dan came up in the night
18th: Duncan brought 3 sheep and Mary from Chokerup. Upper 385, lower
260 total 645
st
21 : Dan ran from prison. Arrived the Samual Wright
22nd: Sailed the H.M.S. Pelorus. Ramroo came. Arrived the Bright Planet
from India
23rd: Ordered Mason to go to Two Peoples Bay tomorrow morning
24th: Black Sydney heifer calved
25th: Duncan returned brought 2 sheep remains 655
26th: Mason went to Two Peoples Bay
28th: Edward came from the Hay
30th: Edward went the Hay with cart
31st: Sailed the Samual Wright
June 1838
1st:
Horace returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep
rd
Horace returned to the Hay with donkey and party for William
3 :
5th:
China cow farrowed
Edward started for the Williams on Wednesday
6th:
8th:
Seymour went to the Hay
11th: Seymour returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep
13th: Sailed the Bright Planet
14th: Seymour returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep, remaining upper 401
19th: Black heifer calved
20th: Black and white heifer calved at the Hay
21st: Brown came. Merinus came into harbour
22nd: Edward returned from the Williams with the horse
23rd: Brown returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep
25th: Sailed the Merinus
27th: English cow calved
28th: Edward went to the Hay with cart
July 1838
Horace returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep, upper 400, lower 254
3rd:
th
7 :
Natives went to William. Horace went to the Hay brought 2 sheep
244
13th:
14th:
15th:
16th:
20th:
24th:
25th:
28th:
30th:
Brown went to Chokerup brought 2 sheep and kangaroo. Guernsey cow
calved
A strange ship in sight
Arrived the American whaler Gratitude
Sailed the Gratitude
Brown went to Chokerup brought 2 sheep remaining 649
Brown went to Chokerup with the goats
Brown returned brought 1 sheep and kangaroo
Edward from Hay brought 2 sheep
Sowed wheat in the NW quarter upper garden
August 1838
1st:
Edward from Hay with donkey
2nd: Charles Newell took charge of the cows
3rd:
Horace came home brought 2 sheep, 249 remaining
10th: Horace went to the Hay returned from Chokerup brought 2 sheep
11th: Devon heifer calved
17th: Sowed barley in paddock
21st: John Wilson hired for the Hay 24/-, 679 remaining
25th: Mr. Grath came in from the Hay brought 2 sheep
30th: Robert and Paine went to the Hay with cart
31st: Arrived the Champion
September 1838
2nd: Horace and Coles returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep
7th:
Horace went to Chokerup. Soldiers to Upper Hay
13th: Planting potatoes red mare
14th: Wilson came in from the Hay
15th: Sowed wheat in SE quarter of garden. Dwarf French beans
17th: Horace went to Chokerup brought 1 sheep
18th: Sowed oats. Devon cow calved
19th: Sowed last of wheat in front. A Schooner arrived
22nd: Planting potatoes. Went to Chokerup brought 2 sheep, upper 399, lower
283, Total 682
rd
23 : Sow farrowed 11 pigs
25th: Sailed Champion
26th: Sowed barley in front
27th: Killed pig
28th: Arrived the Samual Wright
29th: Horace went to Chokerup brought 1 sheep
October 1838
4th:
Smallhorn came. Sheep upper 398, lower 284 Total 692. Brought 2
sheep
6th:
Sailed the Samual Wright
th
10 : Horace went to the Hay with cart. Arrived the Caledonia
12th: Edward came in from the Hay brought 3 sheep. Black Sydney cow
calved. Arrived the Harmonie
th
14 : Arrived the Elizabeth
245
17th:
19th:
20th:
24th:
26th:
27th:
28th:
29th:
30th:
Sailed the Elizabeth
Edward returned to the Hay
Smallhorn returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep
Coles went to the Hay
Smallhorn went to Chokerup brought 2 sheep
Sailed the Harmonie
Seymour went to the Hay with cart
Began shearing at Hay
Brindle cow calved
November 1838
1st:
Sailed the Delphos
nd
2 : Sailed the Caledonia
3rd:
Finished shearing sheep
th
4 :
Edward and Seymour returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep
8th:
Edward went to the Hay with cart. Charles Newell at work. Arrived the
Lady Stirling
th
11 : Horace returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep and quarter
15th: Horace went to the Hay with cart
17th: Edward returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep
22nd: Edward went to the Hay with cart
24th: Arrived the Gaillardon. Edward returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep,
remain 707
29th: Sailed the Gaillardon. Edward went to the Hay with cart
December 1838
1st:
Horace returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep
nd
2 : Arrived Her Majesty’s Ship Conway
6th:
Horace went to Chokerup brought 2 sheep
th
Paid Charles Newell. Smyth arrived from Swan River. Sailed the
8 :
Conway
14th: Edward returned from the Hay brought 2 sheep
17th: Ploughing the upper garden
18th: Edward went to the Hay with 3 cows and 2 calves
19th: William Arrived
20th: Cutting and thrashing out grass seeds
21st: Horace to Chokerup brought 2 cows and 2 sheep. Upper 531, lower 160
total 691
rd
23 : Arrived the Lady Stirling
24th: Edward came in from the Hay brought 3 sheep
26th: Began cutting wheat in front of the house
28th: Ploughing in Newell’s enclosure
30th: Smallhorn went to Chokerup brought 2 sheep
246
A.5 The Spencer Family selected correspondence [Robert Stephens
Collection (BL MN 533)]
To Secretary
British and Foreign Bible Society
K.G.S. Western Australia
18th January 1837
Sir,
Since I had the pleasure of addressing you last I have sold Bibles as follows
£
s.
d.
Chas. Newell boy Pocket Testament
1
Jas. Newell labouring lad Bible
4
Jas. Naples labourer Bremmer Bible
6
8
Thos. Ludlow labourer do.
6
Dorothea Anderson Mariner’s wife Bible
4
£1
1
8
“If any person were to arrive here to determined to study this language I should
have no doubt of his success, Our natives are so very tractable.”
“…and they are all anxious to learn the nature of our worship and to learn our
pray. Many of the lads have lived with English families for years and speak
English well. Our native servant is always present on his knees at family
prayers and our native always attends the Church service. No person here
understands their language sufficiently to know what is their religion. They
have an idea of an evil spirit, whom they call ‘Jannock’, and of whom they are in
constant dread. That is present punishment of annoyance. I don’t believe they
think at all of future punishments; a woman who had been always about our
house lost here baby and when Lady Spencer asked her where it was, she
pointed to the clouds and said “up there”. I don’t know whether she had learnt
that from us as they always attend our funerals, walking two and two and
appear as sorry at the loss as our own people.
A fine lad of about 15 who had been to the Swan River to persuade the natives
there to behave better was speared down close to our house, and died in half
an hour. He called all the servants to him by name, and said “Come here, poor
Taton, by and by, poor Taton his name dead! In very little time, Taton go up
there” pointing to the clouds.
I remain Sir,
Your faithful and obedient servant
H.S. Spencer
To Mr. Lee
Albany 14th August 1839
“He was attacked suddenly by a fit of paralysis on Monday evening the 22 of
July about ½ past seven, whilst conversing with his family, apparently in good
spirits and expires Wednesday 24th at the same time. I am happy to say quite
happy and composed.”
Anne Spencer
247
Messrs Philip and Henry Mules
Solicitors
Honiton, Devonshire
14th August 1839
My dear Mules,
The melancholy event which has occurred since you last heard will I am sure
receive your warmest sympathy. I have met with the greatest loss possible for
a wife and mother in the person of my husband who was suddenly taken from
us after an illness of only 48 hours, on the evening he was taken ill he was
sitting laughing and talking in the midst of his family, apparently in excellent
health, this was on the 22nd July and on the 24th was gone to his long account,
he was perfectly happy and composed, trusting (to use his own words) in the
merits of him who sitteth on the right hand of God to make intercession for the
transgressors, and resigned his soul to God who gave it. Augusta and Eliza
were with him till all was over, the cause of his death was another stroke of
paralysis brought on by over excitement. Had it pleased God to spare his life
for a short time he would have lost the use if his left side, therefore I trust it was
mercifully meant for the best, Edward and the two other of our boys arrived from
the Hay River a few hours before he breathed his last, his senses, except
occasionally wandering, continued perfect to the end. We have buried him a
short distance from the house in a spot he pointed out to Eliza not very long
before his death, it is on a hill at the top of the garden which commands a
beautiful and extensive view of the sea, and when a ship of war arrives a
flagstaff is to be erected, and this, according to his wish by English sailors, that
the flag under which he so often fought and bled may wave over his head. We
are expecting a visit from the Bishop of Australia when I intend to have the
ground consecrated and a large vault built, that when like him we leave this
world of woe and dust may mingle with his. With the blessing of God and the
consolation of knowing that the departed had no other regret than seeing the
grief he could not alleviate and that his spirit left a world of care and trouble for
one of endless bliss and joy, has enabled me to revive my spirits more than my
family expected. Mary Ann arrived overland from Swan River with her two
children, unfortunately three days after all was over and therefore had not the
consolation of seeing her departed parent which she thinks would have been
some comfort to her, not having seen him for 16 months before, you may
imagine I shall not attempt to describe what she felt at having the melancholy
news so different to the reception she had when she had any affectionate and
indulgent father to welcome her, also Seymour left us as soon as the last rites
were over, for the Swan with the last despatches, as the safest mode of
conveyance would be to take them himself, as there is no opportunity at present
by water, we are now expecting and hoping to hear news of his safe arrival.
Looking over some later letters of my husband I see he has written to you twice
to tell you to take up a mortgage of £500 on a furnished cottage at Lyme Regis
which I trust has long ere this been done, I have written to Stilwell by this
conveyance telling him that if the proceeds of the mortgage on the furnished
cottage does not liquidate this demand on my late husband you will be kind
enough to sell the cottage and remit the proceeds. Pray my kind friend do your
best to settle with him for me, I do not think he has behaved well to my beloved
husband. I have drawn a bill for £20 on Mr. Lee of Lyme in favour of Mr. John
248
MacKay who has been a friend to me in my distress, my dearest husband
having been so suddenly taken from us I was left with only a few pounds ready
cash in the house and he has advanced me this therefore should Mr. Lee not
have the funds in his hands at the time, I have requested him to apply to you
knowing that your uniform kindness will for the sake of him who is no more,
prompt you to advance the amount. With respect to your own account, I must
beg that you will forward it either to Mr. Lee or Stilwell, or perhaps it will be
more advisable to reimburse yourself from the funds you may have to remit to
Stilwell, this is my first business letter therefore you must excuse any
inaccuracies there may be, by my dearest husband’s death we lose a
considerable portion of our yearly income, yet by preserving in the course
commenced by him I have no doubt but with God’s blessing we shall in the
course of 3 or 4 years become nearly independent, as the next year we shall
have 900 breeding ewes and 40 acres of wheat and about 20 cows breeding
this must be a better prospect than any other person here has, this year we
shall have some difficulty as far a ready cash is concerned, I have written to
Stilwell to request he will send me as much ready cash as he can, but until I
receive the account current up to this time I do not know how we stand, and
therefore all is uncertain until I hear from him, and servants wages and
provisions must be paid. Mr. H. Townsend went to New Zealand sometimes
since, and we have not heard what has become of them. A Mr. John Cheyne
and a Mr. Skinner went with him. All my children unite me in kind regards to
yourself and family and request you will accept our thanks for your uniform
kindness and attention to our late lamented husband and parent.
Believe me my dear Mr. Mules
Yours sincerely obliged
Anne Spencer
Messrs Philip and Henry Mules
Solicitors
Honiton, Devonshire
15th August 1839
Dear Sirs,
I have just summoned sufficient resolution to look at my late husbands will. I
think the original is in England, was it left in your possession? If so will you take
the necessary steps to have it registered, or should the one in my charge be the
original will you inform us how to proceed, my marriage settlement is in
Stilwell’s hands (the copy I have). Is it necessary for him to retain it? The
dressing case my beloved husband left you as a testimony of his affection and
esteem. I shall transmit to the care of Stilwell by the first safe opportunity
requesting him to forward it to you. I am so unaccustomed to business
transactions that I fear my numerous enquiries will be troublesome to you. Pray
my kind friend write me by the first opportunity as I shall be anxious to your
advice.
249
Stilwell & Sons
14th August 1839
Dear Sirs,
I see by your last letter dated 29th August 1838 that my deceased husband was
considerably in your debt since which he has drawn several Bills on you but I
trust ere this reaches you they will all be paid as he wrote twice to Mr Mules, his
Solicitor, to take up a mortgage of £500 on a furnished cottage at Lyme Regis
which with the wool forwarded you in February 39 the remainder of Seymour’s
money in Mr. Burndrett’s hands amounting I believe to £138 together with the
monies you have otherwise received will I hope more than balance your
account. But of that of course I must remain ignorant until I receive your
account current up to the present time which I request you will the first
opportunity. Should I still prove to be in your debt I shall immediately have the
furnished cottage sold and the proceeds remitted to you. I am writing to Mr.
Mules on the subject by this conveyance and shall beg him to communicate
with you.
Since writing the above I have rec’d a communication through my daughter
overland from the Swan River from a W.G. Samson informing me that the Bill
drawn upon you in his favour has been protested. This has given me the
greatest annoyance as my late husband’s Bill being returned will inquire my
Son’s credit here as the Merchants will be shy of accepting their Bills. On the
receipt of this pray send me what ready cash you can spare as I shall be much
inconvenienced the first year for ready cash to pay my servants and procure
what provisions I may require. With my account current pray state should you
continue to oblige me by acting as my Agent, to what amount you will honour
my Bills until I can receive my annual income fee of incumbence from England.
By the spring ship my sons will forward between 180 and £200 worth of wool,
should you dislike to receive it yourself will you recommend me a good broker
to whom we may send it. I send forward you the last quarter’s Affidavit for my
deceased husband’s half pay. I am ignorant how I ought to apply for the due;
also I enclose a Power of Attorney authorising you to receive my Dividends,
Pensions and any monies that may be paid on my account if the form is not
correct pray have one prepared and send me to sign, or if you have declined
acting for my late husband pray forward it to your successor that he may remit it
to me to have prepared in his name. My son is not at the Swan and will procure
me whatever form is necessary for me to use in applying for my pension as I
have not the least idea how to commence the application and no person here is
enabled to me.
I remain dear Sirs
Your very obliging
Anne Spencer
250
16th August 1839
Since writing the above I have ventured to draw on you in favour of John
MacKay Esq. a Bill for £20 which I trust you will honour. If you will not oblige
me by doing so before you protest it send it to Mr. Mules of Honiton, my
Solicitor, to whom I have written on the subject. Mr. MacKay has been a friend
to me and my family in our present affliction and I should be greatly distressed
to have his Bills returned not approved. I shall not again make any demands of
you until I hear from you,
Anne Spencer
J. Stilwell & Sons
4th September 1839
Dear Sir,
Since I addressed you on the 14th of last month a duplicate of which I send with
this. I have been extremely shocked and distressed not only by the annoyance
it has occasioned me but also on account of the strain that may be attached to
the character of my beloved husband by receiving in addition to Messrs
Samson’s Bill for £40, James Dunn’s dated 9th 1838 for [£]25, Thomas King
dated do for £129 and Stephen Knight dated March 1838 for £40. And I have to
request that you will pay those Bills out of the first monies you may have in your
hands on my account. I have given the holder of the Bills for King, Dunn and
Knight your address as well as that of Messrs Mules and have requested him to
communicate with you. My late husband wrote a friend in London to say that
should you refuse to honour his Bills to offer his agency to W and E Chard
should you have resigned to him you will of course transfer my correspondence
with the accompanying Power of Attorney to them. I have left a space for wither
yours or the names to be inserted. I have again written to my Solicitor to beg
he will immediately sell the furnished cottage. We have not had any
communication with the Swan since last April except Samson’s letter overland
brought by Mrs. Trimmer, but I hope to receive English letters from these on
Seymour’s return.
The Secretary
Admiralty
12th September 1839
Sir,
I have the honour to request that you will be pleased to move my Lord
Commissioners of the Admiralty to grant me the pension allowed to widows of
Post Captains of three years standing and upwards. The gallant and long
service, 48 years of my late husband and the serious wounds he received in the
service of his country, as well as having left me a widow with 10 children in a
distant land and the youngest not 5 years old, on an income of barely £200 p.a.
will I trust induce their Lordships to take my case under their most favourable
notice.
Certificate from the medical gentleman who attended my late husband in his
last illness and that of the magistrate who read the burial service over his
remains, in the absence of a Clergyman. I have the honour to enclose for their
Lordship’s satisfaction. A certificate of my marriage can be obtained by
251
applying to the Clergyman at Chanmouth in the County of Dorset, where we
were married on the 31st day of August 1812 by the Reverend Briant Coombes.
I have the honour to remain, Sir
Your very obedient servant
Anne W. Spencer
(widow of Captain Sir Richard Spencer Knight C.B. K.C.B.)
Mr. Stilwell & Sons
16th September 1839
“…My not being at home at the time and my Mother not being acquainted with
business of the nature…”
H.S. Seymour
Mr. Warrick
September 1839
“I have declined myself entering business as a merchant but intend when all our
affairs are arranged to start one of my younger Brothers at the Sound where I
have a good store and he shall always write you for everything he requires.”
H.S. Seymour
Stilwell & Sons
19th December 1839
“In my looking to your last accounts forwarded to my late father I find another
Bill in favour of Anthony Steel for £722 has not been paid. It has not been sent
to me by the parties holding it. I sincerely trust that the Cottage has been sold
and you have placed the proceeds to our account. It appears by my Father’s
Cash Book that up to the time of his decease he had drawn upon you in all the
amount of seven hundred and odd pounds out of which the above Bills are to
be deducted.”
“I shall feel extremely obliged if you will give me the necessary information
respecting the Naval School and do all that is necessary with regard to my
Mother being able to send one of her Son’s there next year if God still extends
his blessings unto us. We have on our estate after selling 200 ewes for the
purpose mentioned before, five hundred ewes, 40 head of cattle, 7 horses, 6
donkeys and all the necessary implements for managing an agricultural farm. A
good house and 3000 acres of fine land cleared and commenced ploughing for
wheat which will much more than supply all our family.”
“My younger sister Eliza Lucy Spencer was married a few weeks since to
Captain Grey of the 83rd Regiment.”
“He is Resident here temporarily but expects he will have to return home shortly
to join his regiment which is in Canada.”
H.S. Spencer
252
Colonial Department
London
1st February 1840
[Application by Hugh Seymour to apply for his father’s position as Government
Resident of Albany.]
Messrs J. Hyde
Calcutta
2nd April 1840
Dear Sir,
I have to apologise for having so long delayed replying to your kind letter
addressed to my late husband with the invoice of goods shipped on board her
which I received in safety and have to express my sincere thanks for your kind
attention and trust that the severe applications I have since sustained will be a
sufficient excuse for my not having before expressed them. Balance invoice
£371.2.6.”
Anne Spencer
Stilwell & Sons
9th September 1840
“…Letter of the account current of 6th March last 1840…balance due to you
£137/6/3…”
“I have written to Mr. Mules and my Brother respecting the reinvestment of the
£2000 into the funds which I am sure they will attend to. Mr. Mules having been
one of my husband’s oldest friends I rely upon him in conjunction with my
Brother to do what is most beneficial for myself and children.”
“As regards to the application to the compassionate fund I do not consider my
children left insufficiently destitute circumstances to enable me conscientious to
take the oath required, but nevertheless my dear Sir pray accept my sincere
acknowledgement for your kind consideration of us.”
“You will have heard ere this of the melancholy death of my late beloved eldest
son Hugh Seymour.”
Anne Spencer
Mr. Mules
9th September 1840
“…Containing an account of the melancholy death of my beloved son Seymour
who was drowned.”
“…I presume that the house Lyme is left as a residence of my unmarried
daughter, but you will perceive by the codicil that they are to consider this their
home, therefore I suppose you may dispose of it as soon as possible to the best
advantage. You have the full concurrence of my daughter Augusta to do so.”
“We have a letter from my sister Lucy but we have not yet received one from
my brother Mathew.”
Albany September 21st 1840
My dear Captain McCrea,
“Twelve months ago, two months after the decease of my dear husband, I lost
my third eldest son, and six months since it pleased the Almighty to visit me
253
another severe trial. My eldest son had gone off to a ship on the Harbour and
on returning in a boat with some other gentleman, it was upset and my poor boy
sank, to rise no more, except as lifeless clay.”
“You may imagine my dear but it is impossible for me to describe the agonising
feelings of sorrow I have since experienced. I have received your kind letter
addressed to my late husband.”
5th October 1840
Dear Mr. Mules,
An opportunity at length offering I send to the Swan to be ready for the first ship
sailing from England the deeds and writing desk in which I have enclosed a
copy of the codicil to my late husbands will. Also copies of the letters received
from my son in law Capt. Grey as I mentioned I would in one of my former
letters to you. Though we have received the packages from Lyme Regis in
which I fancied they would be I am sorry to say we have no letters from my
bother or Mr. Lee. We have 18 acres of wheat in, besides other grain and our
kitchen gardens are well stocked. With the blessing of God we have every
prospect of independence. I am sure you must be tired of seeing my
handwriting, therefore I must now conclude.
Remember me kindly to your circle
Anne Spencer
5th October 1840
My dear Uncle Mathew,
I suppose long ere this you will have received my Mother’s letter stating the
melancholy and painful event that happened here March last. I am happy to
say my Mother has gradually regained her composure, but her health is still
somewhat infirm, the remainder of us I am glad to say are quite well. We have
received a letter from Mr. Mules respecting the disposal of the English property
and as you are joint executor I copy the leading points of my mothers letter to
him.”
“This house here is to be considered the home of my unmarried sisters, as
Augusta is the only one unmarried and she gives her consent to the cottage
being sold. I have written to Mr. Mules requesting him to do this at the first
opportunity and to the best advantage, and the other property to be sold
accordingly to the will, for the reinvestment of the £2000 of my mothers
marriage settlement.”
“My time as you well can imagine is quite taken up in attending to our farms,
consequently I have not much time for correspondence. Augusta intends
writing a few lines also to my Grandmother and Aunts. Pray my dear Uncle do
not forget to write to us.
Believe me ever
your affect Nephew
Edward M. Spencer
254
A.6 Strawberry Hill Farm Spencer Family Logbook (1852-1853)
[Unpublished transcript held at the Battye Library (BL MN533), collated by
Robert Stephens 1946.]
January 1852
1st Thursday:
25th Sunday:
26th Monday:
27th Tuesday:
28th Wednesday:
29th Thursday:
30th Friday:
31st Saturday:
Very warm. Cutting rushes carted one load for cow house,
cleaned out cow house
Very warm. In morning cleaning out yard, carted rushes
Warm. Carted oats, fetched a load of rushes
Very warm, slight showers during night
Washing wool, looking for sheep. Ploughed in Newell’s
Cutting rushes, fetched a load of wood
Warm. Mending bags at work in Newell’s, digging potatoes
Warm. Went to the Hay. In Newell’s
Warm. Employed as yesterday
Warm. Employed as yesterday
Showery
Fine. Looking for cows. At work in Newell’s
Fine. Returned from the Hay. As yesterday
Fine. Ploughing in Newell’s but weeds among potatoes
Fine. Cutting hay. Fetched a load of rushes
Fine. Cutting hay. Raking do. Cutting rushes. Went to
Hay for cows
Showery. Cutting rushes. Thomas at work in garden
Showery, looking for cows
Fine. Cutting rushes. Thomas in garden. Returned with
cows
Digging potatoes, cut some patches of wheat. Looking for
bullocks
Fine. Ploughing in garden. Carted Rins Cooper wood.
Mrs. T. [Trimmer?]
Fine. Ploughing and harrowing in garden cutting patches
oats and wheat
Fine. Ploughing in garden pm. Fetched two loads of
rushes
Fine. Cutting oats. Sent coal to Adecup. White
commenced work
Fine
Fine
Showery
Showery
Showery
Fine
Fine
February 1852
1st Sunday:
2nd Monday:
Fine
Fine
2nd Friday:
3rd Saturday:
4th Sunday:
5th Monday:
6th Tuesday:
7th Wednesday:
8th Thursday:
9th Friday:
10th Saturday:
11th Sunday:
12th Monday:
13th Tuesday:
14th Wednesday:
15th Thursday:
16th Friday:
17th Saturday:
18th Sunday:
19th Monday:
20th Tuesday:
21st Wednesday:
22nd Thursday:
23rd Friday:
24th Saturday:
255
3rd Tuesday:
4th Wednesday:
5th Thursday:
6th Friday:
7th Saturday:
8th Sunday:
9th Monday:
10th Tuesday:
11th Wednesday:
12th Thursday:
13th Friday:
14th Saturday:
15th Sunday:
16th Monday:
17th Tuesday:
18th Wednesday:
19th Thursday:
20th Friday:
21st Saturday:
22nd Sunday:
23rd Monday:
24th Tuesday:
25th Wednesday:
26th Thursday:
27th Friday:
28th Saturday:
Fine. Returned from Adecup with sheep
Fine. Cutting wheat and sundry jobs
Fine. Finishing dray &c.
Fine. Finishing dray &c.
Fine. Carting stones Town Trust. A load of wood Pullen
Fine
Fine. Carting stones Town Trust. A load of wood Dunn
Fine. Carting stones. Fetched a load of wood Pullen
Fine. Fetched a load of wood and 2 loads of rushes
Fetched 3 loads of wood Dunn. Raising stones
Cloudy. All hands working at stone carting
Fine. Carting rushes. Sowed swede and white turnips.
Went to the Hay
Fine
Fine. Carting stones. Looking for Lion and Billy
Fine. Carting stones. Looking for Lion and Billy
Fine. Gathering stones. Looking for bullocks
Fine but windy. Carting stones
Showery. Carting from 5 Miles shingles and wood.
Grubbing in Newell’s
Slight showers. Carted 2 loads of fire wood
Slight showers.
Fine. Fetched one load of shingles. Planting potatoes.
Raising stones
Fine. Carting stone. Carpet sewing
Fine. Fetched a load of shingles from Corbett’s. 2 loads
rushes
Fine. Carted stones. Planting potatoes
Planting potatoes. Carting
Fine. Planting potatoes in Newell’s. Started for Pootenup
March 1852
[No entry in journal from March 1st to Monday 8th]
9th Tuesday:
Returned from Pootenup
th
10 Wednesday: Pulling Indian corn. Ploughing in Newell’s
11th Thursday:
Carrying rushes – 5 loads. Ploughing and digging potatoes
in Newell’s. Price came
th
12 Friday:
Fine. Finished grubbing and ploughing in Newell’s
13th Saturday:
Fine. Ploughing in garden. Burning in Newell’s
th
14 Sunday:
Fine
15th Monday:
Fine. Ploughing went to the Hay
th
[16 Tuesday to Thursday 18th no entry]
19th Friday:
Fine. Returned from the Hay. Sundry odd jobs
th
20 Saturday:
Fine. Sundry odd jobs
21st Sunday:
Fine. Commenced shed. Carted 1 load or wood, Martin
22nd Monday:
Fine.
23rd Tuesday:
Fine. At work at shed. Carted one load of shingles 2 loads
of wood
24th Wednesday: Fine. Cleaning out stable and small shed. Went for sheep
256
25th Thursday:
26th Friday:
27th Saturday:
28th Sunday:
29th Monday:
30th Tuesday:
31st Wednesday:
April 1852
1st Thursday:
2nd Friday:
3rd Saturday:
4th Sunday:
5th Monday:
6th Tuesday:
7th Wednesday:
8th Thursday:
9th Friday:
10th Saturday:
11th Sunday:
12th Monday:
13th Tuesday:
14th Wednesday:
15th Thursday:
16th Friday:
17th Saturday:
18th Sunday:
19th Monday:
20th Tuesday:
21st Wednesday:
22nd Thursday:
23rd Friday:
24th Saturday:
25th Sunday:
26th Monday:
27th Tuesday:
28th Wednesday:
29th Thursday:
30th Friday:
Fine. Cleaning pigsty
Fine. White cutting rushes. At work at shed
Fine. White at rushes. Got wood for carts from Pullens
Fine
Fine. Carting clay stones and fire wood
Heavy rain all most all day. Sundry odd jobs, cleaning
shed
Cleaning out cow yard. Digging clay and sowing turnips.
During the last week Dan and Price have been constantly
at work about the shed.
Fine. Carting stones contract. Ploughing for Uglow
Fine. As yesterday. Delivered 800 skins to Cooper and 25
to McKail
Fine. Carting stones and rushes. Self-carting muck lower
garden. Cleaning wheat
Fine.
Fine. Carting stones. Went for bullocks
Fine. Carting stones, carrying rushes
Fine. Carting stones, cutting and carrying rushes
Fine. Carting stones, cutting and carrying rushes
Good Friday. Fetched 2 loads of wood
Fine. Carting rushes 5 loads, ploughing in garden
Fine.
Fine. Carting for MacKail. Ploughing in garden
Fine. Carting stones for Government
Rain all day.
Showery. Fetched a load of rails. Ploughing meadow
lands
Fine. Ploughing. Carted 1 load of bricks. Souness and a
load of wood self.
Heavy rain nearly all day.
Showery. Looking for cattle
Fine. Ploughing in lower garden
Fine. In morning cleaning out pigsty and stable. Carting
muck
Heavy rain. Planting cabbages, carting water and wood
Fine. Repairing road. Carts returned with Cooper
Fine. Carted 2 loads of stone for church. Ploughing
Fine
Fine. Ploughing and sundries. Started with Herbert’s team
Heavy rain in morning. Carting stones for church
Fine. Commenced laying bricks. Cart started for Hay
River
Showery. Sundry jobs, carrying rushes
Fine. Laying bricks
257
May 1852
1st Saturday:
2nd Sunday:
3rd Monday:
4th Tuesday:
5th Wednesday:
6th Thursday:
7th Friday:
8th Saturday:
9th Sunday:
10th Monday:
11th Tuesday:
12th Wednesday:
13th Thursday:
14th Friday:
15th Saturday:
16th Sunday:
17th Monday:
18th Tuesday:
19th Wednesday:
20th Thursday:
21st Friday:
22nd Saturday:
23rd Sunday:
24th Monday:
25th Tuesday:
26th Wednesday:
27th Thursday:
28th Friday:
29th Saturday:
30th Sunday:
31st Monday:
June 1852
1st Tuesday:
2nd Wednesday:
Fine. Lighted brick kiln
Fine
Fine. Returned with some hay on Troy’s cart
Fine. Cart returned, looking for horses, self ploughing
Fine. Carting muck and ploughing. Sowed oats in lower
garden
Fine. Carting muck and ploughing. Sowed oats for hay &c.
in field
Light showers. Carted 2 loads of muck. 500 bricks.
Ploughing and sowing
Fine. Ploughing and sowing barley and wheat
Light showers
Fine. Looking for bullocks. Ploughing. Finished sowing
wheat &c. Carting bricks Archdeacon Barrett
Light showers. Ploughing hay ground. Carted 2 loads
bricks Doctor and Barrett
Fine. Carting wood self. Finished ploughing and sowing
for hay. Killed Johnny the Pig
Cleaning turnips, carting rushes for Bullocks
Fine. Cleaning turnips &c. Grubbing Newell’s. Looking for
bullocks
Fine. Looking u bullocks and grubbing in Newell’s
Fine
Light rain towards afternoon. Men called to Muster.
Carting stones
Fine. Men absent. Hoeing turnips and sundry
Fine. Carting stones contract
Fine. Digging drain in Newell’s
Fine. Carting stones. Cleaning roots in Newell’s
Fine. Commenced ploughing new ground Newell’s.
Carted 3 loads of muck
Fine
Light showers. Carting Govt. At work Newell’s and
sundries
Fine. Carted two loads of muck and sundries
Fine. Carting for Govt. Carting water for strawberries
Fine. Cleaning cow sheds. Carting muck, repairing carts
Fine. Ploughing. Carted 2 loads muck, 1 load of wood
Fine. Ploughed new ground in Newell’s
Fine
Fine, rain in night. Carting stones contract
Heavy rain almost all day. Picking potatoes &c. 2 cwt.
vegetables
Slight showers. Planting cabbages and sundries. Sent
cart to __ [name unclear]. Killed pig weighed 170lbs
258
3rd Thursday:
Light showers. Ploughing in Newell’s and paddock and
sundries
4th Friday:
Light showers. Ploughing in Newell’s and paddock and
sundries
5th Saturday:
Heavy rain in day. Carting gravel. Sowed hay ground
th
6 Sunday:
Fine
7th Monday:
Fine. Transplanting seed turnips, sent bullocks, horses &c.
to the Hay
8th Tuesday:
Fine. Finished harrowing ground &c.
9th Wednesday:
Slight showers and heavy wind. Carting gravel
th
10 Thursday:
Showery. Planted Mangel in Newell’s. Cutting bushes
11th Friday:
Heavy rain all most all day. Repairing fence. Cleaned corn
house
12th Saturday:
Showery. Planting Mangel in Garden and Newell’s.
Cleaned pigsty
13th Sunday:
Blowing fresh with rain
14th Monday:
Carting manure from yard for potatoes – 10 loads
th
15 Tuesday:
Fine. Employed as yesterday – 12 loads
16th Wednesday: Fine. Carted two loads of manure Newell’s. Started for
Eticup
[From Thursday 17th June to Wednesday 30th no entry in Journal]
July 1852
[From Thursday 1st July to Sunday 4th no entry in Journal]
5th Monday:
Showery. Putting skins away &c. Returned from Eticup
th
6 Tuesday:
Burning couch in front garden
Ploughing in paddock and burning couch
7th Wednesday:
8th Thursday:
Ploughing in paddock and burning couch
9th Friday:
Finished ploughing in paddock digging potatoes
10th Saturday:
Heavy showers. Digging potatoes when able
th
Showery
11 Sunday:
12th Monday:
Heavy showers of rain and hail. Sundry odd jobs. 140lbs
of hay. Archdeacon
13th Tuesday:
Showery. Carting wood Barrett. Pruning vines
th
14 Wednesday: Slight showers. Digging potatoes. Carted 2 loads rails
McKail
15th Thursday:
Slight showers. Spreading manure, potato digging do.
th
Rain all afternoon. Digging potatoes. Fetched a load of
16 Friday:
wood, McKail
17th Saturday:
Showery, planting potatoes
18th Sunday:
Fine
19th Monday:
Showery. Killed bullock. Fetched two loads of fire wood.
Ploughing
th
20 Tuesday:
Rain all most all day. Sundries. Fetched wood McKail.
Planting potatoes
st
21 Wednesday:
Fine. Finished planting potatoes in paddock. Sow pigged
22nd Thursday:
Fine. Pruning trees and in garden. Fetched manure carted
do.
23rd Friday:
Showery. Preparing manure. Ploughing
259
24th Saturday:
25th Sunday:
26th Monday:
27th Tuesday:
28th Wednesday:
29th Thursday:
30th Friday:
31st Saturday:
August 1852
1st Sunday:
2nd Monday:
3rd Tuesday:
4th Wednesday:
5th Thursday:
6th Friday:
7th Saturday:
8th Sunday:
9th Monday:
10th Tuesday:
11th Wednesday:
12th Thursday:
13th Friday:
14th Saturday:
15th Sunday:
16th Monday:
17th Tuesday:
18th Wednesday:
19th Thursday:
20th Friday:
21st Saturday:
22nd Sunday:
23rd Monday:
24th Tuesday:
25th Wednesday:
26th Thursday:
27th Friday:
28th Saturday:
29th Sunday:
30th Monday:
31st Tuesday:
Showery. Working in Newell’s
Fine
Fine. Digging asparagus beds and in garden. Sowed
turnips in Newell’s
Showery. Looking for bullocks. Digging for potatoes and
sowing turnips
Fine. Fetching wood form 5 Miles. Harrowed in paddock.
Shingling
Fine. Fetched a load of slabs. McKail shingling and
gardening
Fine. Gathering – got some wood ready
Fine. Ploughing and harrowing in paddock
Showery
Fine. Transplanted cabbages. Carted out 3 loads of muck.
Potatoes
Fine. Killed bullock. Carted out muck. Gardening
Fine. Digging mangel wuzgel ground in Newell’s
Fine. Planting potatoes in Newell’s
Fine. Planting potatoes
Fine. Planting potatoes. Sowed carrots
Showery
Heavy rain and wind. Planting potatoes
Showery. Cleaning out cow shed
Showery. Cleaning up yard. Fetched a load of wood
Fine. Digging round vines &c.
Showery. At work in garden. Shingling
Fine. Gardening. Took some cattle to the Hay
Fine in morning
Showery. Returned from the Hay. Planting potatoes
Fine. Gardening
Fine. Digging round fruit trees &c. Shingling. Carted two
loads of manure
Heavy rain. Planted some potatoes in paddock
Heavy rain. Cleaning potatoes. Tanning skins
Showery. Cleaning out drain in garden. Digging potatoes
Showery
Heavy rain. Dug up ground. Carting for Williams
Fine. Ploughing potatoes and shingling
Heavy rain. Dug up ground
Showery. Took load of wood ½ to McKail
Showery. Cutting fencing
Showery. Digging potatoes, went to the Hay. Fire wood
carting
Light showers
Fine. Cutting and hauling logs
Fine. Looking for bullocks and cutting fencing. Returned
from the Hay
260
September 1852
1st Wednesday:
2nd Thursday:
3rd Friday:
4th Saturday:
5th Sunday:
6th Monday:
7th Tuesday:
8th Wednesday:
9th Thursday:
10th Friday:
11th Saturday:
12th Sunday:
13th Monday:
14th Tuesday:
15th Wednesday:
16th Thursday:
17th Friday:
18th Saturday:
19th Sunday:
20th Monday:
21st Tuesday:
22nd Wednesday:
23rd Thursday:
24th Friday:
25th Saturday:
26th Sunday:
27th Monday:
28th Tuesday:
29th Wednesday:
30th Thursday:
November 1852
Thursday 9th:
10th Friday:
11th Saturday:
12th Sunday:
13th Monday:
14th Tuesday:
15th Wednesday:
Fine. Ploughing in garden
Fine. Planting cabbages &c. in garden
Showery. Planting potatoes and digging amongst vines
Fine. Went for a loud of wood. Williams
Fine
Fine. Carted 7 loads of manure paddock and harrowing
Fine. Fetched a load of shingles &c. Williams
Fine. Planting potatoes paddock and garden
Fine. Fetched manure from sand hills
Fine. Planting potatoes in paddock
Showery. Cleaned out cow shed and yard
Showery
Fine. Fetched a load of wood Williams
Fine. Planting potatoes and digging ground in garden
Fine. Planting potatoes. Looking for cattle
Rain all day. Odd jobs
Showery. Looking for bullocks. Carted manure paddock
Showery. Carting for Dunn
Showery
Slight showers. Working new ground in Newell’s
Fine. Fine went for wood. Planting potatoes
Fine. Ploughing ground and sowed wheat
Fine. Ploughing in paddock. Planting gooseberries
Heavy rain in showers. Sowed oats. Ploughing in Newell’s
Showery. Sowed peas and ploughing in Newell’s
Showery
Fine occasional showers. Digging new ground. Went to
the Hay
Fine. Hoeing potatoes in paddock
Fine, rain in night. Returned from Hay
Rain almost all day. Killed bullock 85+80+…
Weight of wool
S1
283 from Waongerup
S2
275 “
“
S3
227
W1 245
W2 267
S6
Total 1297
Fine.
Fine.
Fine.
Fine.
Fine.
Fine.
Fine.
Returned from shearing. Carted 2 loads barley
Carted hay. Cutting barley. Went to Pullen’s
Carted 1 load barley, 1 load wood
Dressed sheep
Cutting barley, repairing cart
Carting barley. 2 loads of wood Camfield
Finished carting and trussing hay. Digging potatoes
261
Fine. Finished carting barley. Working for Cheyne
16th Thursday:
th
[From Friday 17 to Friday 31st no entry in Journal]
January 1853
1st Saturday:
2nd Sunday:
3rd Monday:
4th Tuesday:
5th Wednesday:
6th Thursday:
7th Friday:
8th Saturday:
9th Sunday:
10th Monday:
11th Tuesday:
12th Wednesday:
13th Thursday:
Cloudy. Cutting wheat
Fine
Fine. Cutting wheat and sundries
Fine. Cutting wheat. Carted a load of rushes, Camfield
Cutting wheat &c.
Fine. Digging potatoes. Went to the Hay
Fine. Digging potatoes. Load of wood
Fine. Digging potatoes
Fine
Fine. Returned from the Hay. Digging potatoes
Fine. Digging potatoes and sundries. Load of wood Dunn
Showery. Sent S. Rins potatoes &c. Albany
Slight rain. Cutting thatch. Fetched rails Knight. Wood
Dunn
14th Friday:
Rain. Started for Pootenup with rams and a load of wood
th
15 Saturday:
Fine. Carting earth for muck heap
16th Sunday:
Fine
17th Monday:
Fine. Commenced clearing yard
18th Tuesday:
do.
th
19 Wednesday:
Fine. Fetched a load of wood Camfield
20th Thursday:
Fine. Cleaning yard. Carried wheat
21st Friday:
Fine. do. do.
Fine. do. do.
22nd Saturday:
23rd Sunday:
Fine.
th
24 Monday:
Fine. Finished cleaning yard. Returned from Adecup
25th Tuesday:
Fine. Cutting wheat. Covering heap etc. etc.
th
26 Wednesday: Fine. Thrashing wheat. Digging in Newell’s. Fetched a
load of wood Camfield
th
[From 27 Thursday to Monday 31st no entry in Journal]
February 1853
1st Tuesday:
2nd Wednesday:
3rd Thursday:
4th Friday:
5th Saturday:
6th Sunday:
7th Monday:
8th Tuesday:
9th Wednesday:
10th Thursday:
11th Friday:
Showery. Knapp, Jones, digging in Newell’s
Fine. Cart from Cheyne to Pullen
Showery in afternoon. At work in Newell’s. Returned
Fine. Carting for Cheyne. Digging potatoes
Fine rain in evening. Carting for Cheyne and Dunn
Fine
Showery, blowing a gale. Digging potatoes and sowing
turnips
Fine. Carting Dunn for Cheyne. Cutting wood
Slight showers. Ploughing Newell’s digging do. Cutting
wood, carting for Dunn
Fine. Load of wood McKail. Harrowing
Fine. Cutting and carting rushes – 4 loads. Washing wool
262
12th Saturday:
Fine. Cutting rushes. Washing wool. Fetched a load
wood
13th Sunday:
Fine. Dressed sheep
14th Monday:
Very hot. Carting for Camfield and MacKenzie. Digging
new ground &c.
th
15 Tuesday:
Blowing a hurricane with heavy rain. Repairing cart
16th Wednesday: Heavy rain almost all day. Cleaning wheat
17th Thursday:
Raining all day. Repairing pig house. Load of wood
th
18 Friday:
Showery. Cleaned out cow shed. Planted potatoes. Load
of wood McKail
19th Saturday:
Heavy rain in showers. Carting manure &c.
20th Sunday:
Showery
21st Monday:
Light showers. Planting potatoes in garden and Newell’s
[22nd Tuesday and 23rd Wednesday no entry]
24th Thursday:
Showery
25th Friday:
Heavy showers
26th Saturday:
Left Wongarup – very wet
27th Sunday:
Pootenup
28th Monday:
Kyufenup [sp.?]
March 1853
1st Tuesday:
2nd Wednesday:
Perenellup
rd
[From 3 Thursday to Wednesday 9th no entry in Journal]
10th Thursday:
Cool. Returned from Pootenup
th
11 Friday:
Fine. Carting muck for potatoes
Returned with horse cart as yesterday
12th Saturday:
13th Sunday:
Fine
th
14 Monday:
Carting manure. Fetched a load of rushes
15th Tuesday:
Fine. Carting manure. Went for shingles. Load of wood
Camfield
16th Wednesday: Fine. Returned with shingles. Load of wood Mckail
Fine. Carting for Steamers
17th Thursday:
18th Friday:
th
19 Saturday:
Fine. As yesterday
20th Sunday:
Showery
21st Monday:
nd
Showery. 2 loads of rushes Camfield x for Steamers
22 Tuesday:
23rd Wednesday: Carting for Steamers
24th Thursday:
Carting for Steamers
25th Friday:
Carted 3 loads of rushes Camfield. Load of wood Dunn
th
26 Saturday:
Load of wood Cheyne and McKail from 5 Miles. 1 load of
rushes Camfield
27th Sunday:
Showery
28th Monday:
Went to the Hay 3 carts
th
[From 29 Tuesday to 31st Thursday no entry in Journal]
April 1853
1st Friday:
Returned from the Hay
263
2nd Saturday:
3rd Sunday:
4th Monday:
5th Tuesday:
6th Wednesday:
7th Thursday:
8th Friday:
9th Saturday:
10th Sunday:
11th Monday:
12th Tuesday:
13th Wednesday:
14th Thursday:
15th Friday:
16th Saturday:
17th Sunday:
18th Monday:
19th Tuesday:
20th Wednesday:
21st Thursday:
22nd Friday:
23rd Saturday:
24th Sunday:
25th Monday:
26th Tuesday:
27th Wednesday:
28th Thursday:
29th Friday:
30th Saturday:
Fetched 2 loads rushes delivered hay. Digging in garden
Fine
Fetched 2 loads rushes. Carted a load manure. Turnips
ploughing
Fine. 3 loads rushes Camfield. Ploughing. Killed bullock
Showery. Load of wood Cheyne for Humphries of shingles
Dunn
Showery. Ploughing and harrowing in paddock and garden
Heavy rain almost all day. Transplanting turnips
Showery. Transplanting cabbages
Showery
Showery. Transplanting cabbages and turnips. Went to
Hay 2 carts
Slight showers. Transplanting turnips
Fine. Transplanting turnips
Heavy rain. Cleaning pig sty
Showery. Load of wood and shingles McKail
Fine. Load of rushes Camfield. Digging in Newell’s
Fine
Showery. Carted 4 loads manure Newell’s. Load of wood
Williams
Slight showers. Ruches and wood self. Ploughing in
Newell
Fine. Harrowing Newell’s. Ploughed and sowed barley
garden. Planting cabbages
Fine. Ploughing in paddock. Load of wood Cheyne
Rain in afternoon. Ploughing and sowing paddock. 4
loads rushes
Rain almost all day. Thrashing oats etc. Loads of slabs,
wood vines
Raining. Adelaide and Culledpe [sp.?] arrived
Raining. Splitting posts, cutting fire wood etc.
Raining heavy. Load wood vines Camfield. Stores Uglow
Fine. Carting stones Government. Wood Depot and
MacKail
Fine. Carting stones Govt. Vegetables ship
Showery. At work in Newell’s
May 1853
[From 1st Sunday to 31st Tuesday no entry in Journal]
September 1853
1st Friday:
2nd Saturday:
3rd Sunday:
4th Monday:
5th Tuesday:
At work at Institution [Annesfield Native Institution begun by
Anne Camfield]. 1 load of wood Warburton
Load of wood Mrs. Jenkins. Bag of potatoes McKail
Heavy showers
Showery. Cutting wood
Showery. Planting potatoes
264
6th Wednesday:
8th Thursday:
9th Friday:
10th Saturday:
11th Sunday:
12th Monday:
13th Tuesday:
14th Wednesday:
15th Thursday:
16th Friday:
17th Saturday:
18th Sunday:
19th Monday:
20th Tuesday:
21st Wednesday:
22nd Thursday:
23rd Friday:
24th Saturday:
25th Sunday:
26th Monday:
27th Tuesday:
28th Wednesday:
29th Thursday:
30th Friday:
Heavy rain all day. Cleaning pig sty etc.
Load of wood Doctor and do. Humphrey’s
Load of wood Depot. Cutting do. Planting potatoes do.
Cutting wood. Sowed turnips. At work at Institution
Fine
Carted load of wood self. 2 loads depot and load Norman
Fine. 1 load of wood McKail. Carted 3 loads from beach
do. and load Doulby do. and do. Dunn. 2 loads stone
Cheyne
Slight showers. 1 load of wood. 4 loads stone Cheyne. 2
loads from Beach, McKail. Planting potatoes, onions and
sowed cabbage seed
Heavy showers. Planting potatoes garden do. Cutting fire
wood. Liggle came
Fine. Cutting road to stones. Working at Institution.
Carting wood, stones , sundries and carting dung for
cabbages
Fine. Carting Albany and stones wood. 2 loads sappers
cutting wood
Fine
Heavy rain almost all day. Planting onions
Showery. Carting wood 2 loads Sappers. 8 loads stones
Cheyne. At work at Institution
Fine. 2 loads rushes and load of wood Sutherland. Carting
dung for potatoes
Fine. Carting wood for ___ [unclear name]. Planting
potatoes. At work at Institution
Fine. Cart went to the Hay sent calf. Planting and hoeing
potatoes
Fine. Planting potatoes. 2 loads of wood Commissary
Showery
Fine. A load of wood Commissary. 2 loads of rails.
Planting potatoes
Fine. A load of wood Commissary
Fine. Shearing and ploughing. Digging amongst
strawberries. Planting potatoes
Showery. Ploughing a little etc. Digging amongst
strawberries also for cabbages
Shearing, ploughing. Fetched a load of wood self and for
Doctor. Cutting day wood
265
Appendix B Stratigraphic Profiles of Excavated Squares from
the Old Farm
B.1 Farmhouse area
SS07
East Wall
North Wall
South Wall
West Wall
humic
sandy/clay
orange clay
0
20
40
60
granite
80 100
clay base
1 cm = 20 cm
TT07
North Wall
East Wall
South Wall
West Wall
humic
grey sandy
orange clay lens
yellow/orange clay
0
20
40
60
charcoal lens
80 100
granite
clay base
1 cm = 20 cm
CCC13
North Wall
East Wall
South Wall
West Wall
humic
light grey sand
dark grey sand
orange clay
0
20
40
60
charcoal/ash
80 100
red brick
granite
yellow/orange clay
clay base
1 cm = 20 cm
BBB12
East Wall
North Wall
South Wall
West Wall
humic
grey sandy
orange clay
base
0
20
40
60
reticulation pipe
80 100
1 cm = 20 cm
266
rock
VV13
North Wall
East Wall
South Wall
West Wall
humic
grey sandy
orange clay lens
yellow/orange clay
0
20
40
60
charcoal lens
80 100
granite
clay base
1 cm = 20 cm
WW14
North Wall
East Wall
West Wall
South Wall
humic
sandy/clay
yellow sand
orange clay
0
20
40
60
tree root
80 100
rock
clay base
1 cm = 20 cm
BB25
North Wall
East Wall
South Wall
West Wall
light grey sand
dark grey sand
orange gravel/clay
orange clay
0
20
40
60
red brick
80 100
rock
pvc pipe
base
1 cm = 20 cm
B.2 Worker’s cottage area
EEE49
East Wall
North Wall
South Wall
West Wall
humic
red gravel clay
red clay/base
0
20
40
60
80 100
1 cm = 20 cm
267
B.3 Outbuildings area
ZZ33
North Wall
East Wall
South Wall
West Wall
humic
grey loam
brown loam
brown clay
yellow clay
0
20
40
60
red/orange clay base
rock
80 100
1 cm = 20 cm
WW33
North Wall
East Wall
South Wall
West Wall
humic
brown loam
orange clay
yellow clay
0
20
40
60
granite
80 100
reticulation pipe
base
1 cm = 20 cm
B.4 Shed and stables area
CC58
North Wall
East Wall
South Wall
West Wall
humic
sandy
base
0
20
40
60
rock
80 100
1 cm = 20 cm
268
brick
DD59
0
20
40
60
80
100
1 cm = 20 cm
granite slab
metal barrel hoop
sandy/clay
NORTH
North Wall
East Wall
South Wall
West Wall
humic
sandy
granite slab/base
metal barrel hoop
0
20
40
60
80
rock
100
1 cm = 20 cm
B.5 Refuse areas
G35
North Wall
East Wall
South Wall
West Wall
humic
sandy
sandy/clay
rocky/clay
0
20
40
60
80 100
rock
artefact
clay base
1 cm = 20 cm
F27
North Wall
East Wall
South Wall
West Wall
humic
grey sandy
sandy/clay
clay
0
rock
20 40 60 80 100
1 cm = 20 cm
artefact
granite base
269
L62
North Wall
East Wall
South Wall
West Wall
humic
sandy
sandy/clay
tree root and granite base
rock
0
20
40
60
80
100
1 cm = 20 cm
K62
North Wall
East Wall
South Wall
West Wall
humic
sandy
sandy/clay
clay
granite base
rock
0
20
40 60 80 100
1cm = 20 cm
270
plant root

The Historical Archaeology of the Old Farm on Strawberry Hill: a

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