Letters from Francis Halhed to Alfred Caswell, 1839-1845

MLMSS 10266

fonds

1839-1845

9583907

0.03 metres of textual material (1 folder) - manuscript

Francis Halhed (1804-1880) made the voyage from England to Australia aboard the East India ship the Neptune, 1836-1837. Halhed attempted sheep-raising at Wandsworth station, Guyra, New England. Finding colonial entrepreneurship more difficult than expected, Halhed returned to England in 1845. Born in Yateley, Hampshire, Francis was the eighth son of 18. After an early career with the East India Company, Francis arrived in Australia with his brother, the twelfth son, William Duodecimus Halhed. William and Francis took up their property “Wandsworth” (near Guyra) in 1838. Their distant relatives, the Everetts, took up the property “Ollera” at the same time.
Reference: Library correspondence file

Captain T.G.S. Ward owned each of the letters at some point. The three letters on offer have now been located by Matt Fishburn from other sources: the first (dated 1839) via a UK auction house; the second (1840) from a Sydney collector; and the last (1845) from a Canadian collector.

Three autographed handwritten letters from Francis Halhed, 1839-1845, early colonial NSW farmer, to his cousin, Alfred Caswall, in London.

1. Three-and-a-half foolscap page letter, dated 10 December 1839. Halhed describes the first year on his sheep station and his expenses in setting it up. He describes being ill with dysentery and complains that frosts have damaged nearby wheat crops. Halhed also complains of the nature of Government surveying in the country, describes health and financial issues of the author, as well as the difficulties of farming life.

2. Single sheet of laid paper (both sides inscribed), watermarked 1837, noted as ‘no. 16’ in the sequence. The letter describes rising tensions between New England settlers and the local Kamilaroi tribes. The letter contains more details regarding farming life, but more importantly, describes a recent massacre of up to 10 aboriginal people that took place 30 miles from the author’s property in Wandsworth, New England. Probably 9-17 May 1840. It is unlikely, due to Halhed’s location, that he is referring to the Waterloo or Myall Creek massacres.

3. Partial letter, last page only, on wove paper watermarked “W. Waggon 1839”, postal marks and original red wax seal and red penny stamp. Letter describes author’s intention to return to England after approximately 10 years farming in Guyra, Wandsworth, New England.

Out of copyright: Author(s) died more than 70 years ago
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales