Insights from the Hawdon Letters: Colonial Life in NSW, Part 3, 1833-1837

Letters to England from John Hawdon of Elderslie and others

John Hawdon of Elderslie and others wrote letters to England between 1828 and 1837 – this post contains the letters from 1831 to 1833. The letters are held in the State Library of NSW.

The Hawdon letters offer a valuable insight into colonial life in New South Wales, particularly in the Cowpastures.

The Hawdon letters are difficult to read because they are cross-written in a single continuous stream of handwriting, with little punctuation. The writer has stopped writing in parts and recommenced at a later date. The original spelling has been retained, while paragraphing has been added to aid comprehension.

Index To Letters 1833-1837

Hawdon Letters Part 1 1828-1830

Hawdon Letters Part 2 1830-1833

Letter themes

Several themes emerge from the Hawdon letters and they include:

1. Isolation – the distances in the colony of New South Wales from England, both actual 16,000 miles and psychological, eg, voyage to England took four months (16 Nov 1834); the travel times and distances within New South Wales;
2. Communications – the letters took months to reach their destination, and the cost of letters was an issue as well – within England 18s and within NSW 1s (4 Nov 1833); letters were sent in boxes of other goods on the ships; the timing of the sailing of ships from Sydney was an issue (4 Nov 1833);
3. Economic challenges – the market prices for stock, including cattle, sheep, pigs and crops, including wheat, oats, and hay, in New South Wales in the colony vs England;
4. Profit-seeking and speculation – the attitude of John Hawdon to speculation as a regular part of the English settler colonial project; Hawdon was always on the lookout for opportunities for speculation, eg, the overlanding of cattle to Adelaide and Melbourne;
5. Gender – Hawdon has a specific attitude to women and refers to his wife as Mrs Hawdon, never by her first name; Hawdon writes about the lack of women in the colony;
6. Farming – the changes of the seasons are an issue along with the weather and how that effected cropping and stock; Hawdon gives details on his approach to farming; Hawdon gives great detail on market prices for stock, crops and contracts he has entered and fulfilled and return on capital (ROC);
7. Convicts – Hawdon has a paternalistic attitude to ‘government men’ and gives them a degree of freedom that they would not have enjoyed with other landowners; convicts provided free labour, which was important to Hawdon in the success of his colonial farming venture;
8. Indigenous population – Hawdon refers to the Indigenous people as ‘blacks’ and has no conscience in taking and using their land as part of the English settler colonial project; Hawdon saw the ‘blacks’ as a threat in certain circumstances, esp. for his venture of overlanding cattle to Adelaide;
9. Family– the family is always important for Hawdon, and always mentioned in his letters;

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Index To Letters 1833-1837

16 November 1834. Elderslie. Joseph Hawdon to Father. John Hawdon to Father and Mother.

29th January 1835. Elderslie. Joseph Hawdon to Wells.

2nd March 1836. Sydney. John Hawdon to Father.

7th July 1836. Elderslie. John Hawdon to Father.

18th April 1837. Birgulia [Bergalia, NSW South Coast]. John Hawdon to Father.

12th November 1837. Elderslie. John Hawdon to Father.

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Letter 16^th November 1834

16th November 1834

Elderslie New South Wales

My Dear Father,

After a very pleasant voyage I am arrived safe at Eldeslie, I got to Sydney on the 12^th of the month have been exactly four months at sea we would have been here much sooner but were becalmed there three weeks off the Cape of Good Hope which is very seldom the case.

The children is a very swift being indeed was never saw a sail during the whole voyage without passing his with the greatest of cold we had fresh provisions the whole voyage and two pigs are left alive at Sidney.

We anchored 2 o’clock I immediately called upon Mr Dawes who was very attentive and he had seen my Brother and his servant riding about town in the morning after y little seeking we found him at his from the Royal Hotel in George Street.

you may fancy our speaking I knew him in an instant though his is much stouter that he was in England but just the same man he always was he is in excellent spirits

The last year contracts have payed uncommonly well, he fortunately he contracted with miller for his flour as wheat has been very high,

we drove to Elderslie on the 14^th (my birthday) a distance of 40 miles

I found my sister looking very well, indeed, My four little nephews John, Gilbert, William and Eilesh and my little niece Margaret are five of the Healthiest children I ever saw William is a very stout fellow very like you in the face for a child I never saw a f’heness so strong,

The waggon which was in Sydney on the 14^th bring my trunk safe up here yesterday. The roads are very excellent and about twice the width of the high road behind Wakerfield. every thing in the large trunk was in very fine order as I never opened it during the whole passage

John is very proud of is Geography and Gilbert of his knife he was so ofe off into the wood to be it to by it, he was with me in the Bush yesterday and knows where all the springs of water are.

Elderslie is a pretty place indeed I was very fond of the appearance of the country Elderslie is a very cheap place John has taken it for other two years Wm Forster is engaged for another two years and will have the primary management of Elderslie.

John was so kind as offer me half of it but we think there is a great deal of good to be done in stock for a year until I see the ways of the country all letters will always find us at Elderslie.

Mr David Scot got to Sydney a short time before us

John has engaged Weatherhead and his wife for a year for £25 a year and their rations. They have gone up to his grant. We intend going up on Tuesday and go by Araluen to take a flock of his sheep up to wash and shear the wool will come down by water to Sydney.

John bought a fine chestnut horse in Sydney on Friday for £24 he is the finest horse I have seen here was bought for £40 a few weeks ago but they could not ride him I rode him yesterday and like him very much I am going to ride him up the country and will most likely keep him the bridle and saddle I bought out was the best thing I could have brought as they are very dear and not so good as the English ones. The horses here are principally of the Arab Breed very bloody and very hardy. They ride them at a gallop or full trot between here and Sydney

we met about 8 coaches and near 30 gigs and carriages I hardly expected to have seen so many

My brother sold his wool at 2^s a pound a short time before I arrived Bullocks are worth about £5 a head they sell them without a buyer even seeing them John bought 500 a short time ago without even seeing them they have payed very well he has got a large flock of sheep up in Araluen we are going to take them up to his grant in Brugate on the Marooga River [Maruga near Charleville].

I rode over Elderslie yesterday the crops are very heavy the soil is very like the waste at low fields John mows down his …. just after shooting for hay the horses here prefer it and thrive better on it than … English grapes

the men appear to work very well and man is made overseer with regular wages for fear of loosing his wages he keeps them working.

The cattle in the country are of all kinds principally of the devon breed

my Brother has a great many of the Durham Breed the Bullocks work very well 8 Bullocks brought the waggon from Sydney here that is 40 miles in 30 hours then were 2 tons of goods such as flour, maize, sugar, tea, etc. etc.

Gregory a man who was a herdsman in England sees every thing weighed and measured.

John gives him his freedom at Christmas for his attentive good behaviour he has been with him ever since he came to the colony.

He rode on to call upon Captain Cogald he has got a very rich place we called upon Mr Inglis who lives where  Mr Campbell did live I met about 15 or 16 Ladies and Gentlemen just on a call all very hearty people indeed there are now more visiting neighbours here, They are quite as near and the roads are better than about Walkerfield.

My Brother wishes to write a few lines therefore for the present I must conclude after being a while in the country I can write you more particularly both about it and my self as soon as I return from Brigale I will write a long letter to Will^m with kindest love to my mother, these sisters and all inquiring friends.

Believe my dear Father Your Appreciative Son

Joseph Hawdon

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My dear Father and Mother

I was quite delighted to see my Brother Joseph he had arrived safe after a pleasant Voyage and as I supposed to be in Sydney the same day, it was fortunate very much …ed to hear my dear Father and Mother are looking so well a … joy. Such good health …. shall be allowed to … and spend many happy days you,

My affairs are on very prosperously … I … glad Joseph has come for they are getting rather too … was for my attention,

We set off in the morning from grant ‘Burgaily’ & to shear my sheep I think we shall be about five weeks from home,

I have sold my wool here at 2^s per lb, I thought it too great a price to speculate on, I got 2^s/4^d/lb in England last year and 3/- the year before the was I just much life was I cut it before it got to its full growth as I want to ewe over here to fresh ewe –

I have been a great deal amused with Josephs account of every thing the changes are very many since I have left you and  we had heard of my full of them we Expected Mrs Peacock with Joseph I suppose we may still look for that pleasure It is a long way for his but I think she would like the country.

A long after Christmas to five on the Coast at my grant but I have taken Elderslie two years longer but doubt intend living on it, I have had a very good crop of hay this year on it – I have sold about 60 tons of nice hay at £6/10^s per ton I have about 120 tons left, Hay is nearly all the agriculture I attend to here –

– on our return down the country I shall write you a long letter and give you a full account of every thing.

Margaret sends his kind love to you My dear pasients & do all my little followers be kind Enough to give out love to Bessan & I shall write to him when I come down We wish Fanny and her husband every Happiness I shall write to William on my return – Every your truly affectionate son

John Hawdon

[Addressed to]

John Hawdon Esq, Wackerfield, Darlington, England.

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Letter 29th January 1835

29th January 1835

Elderslie

My Dear Wells

I have now been a long time in the colony and hand never yet …osethew So you best before you finish this letter  I have no doubt you will be fully commenced it was for want of an opportunity.

I had a pleasant … the time appeared … about according to my promise I kept a journal on … for your … … I will deed the … opportunity there is very little anxiety at sea the content may be placed under three heads … pounds … flock and sp…ing useful I arrived here for my birthday three days … & … … thousand … stock … … … to his grant it is … of 200 miles & four good days journey tho first … … is a very good road the remainder of the way is through the … the road is then very … bush the ascent and descent in many places & very steep in going … the first of about a mile and a half of steep as it is …… cattle to down we get into a valley called Araluen about 10 miles being by 3 broad it is rich well watered clear of timber bounded all round by steep mountains sufficiently timber … to show the green … … summit

There is a … and pro… of land on the Bunnell

I believe my sister Before and known his family his Father sued at thing the same street as his ….thorn tried me his head stn ….. on Herman Hill bot – are  … the one called Burrick the other is dead but I forget his name

he wishes me to join him in the nailed for a fraction who wish to spend an easy life now can ..ss.. every frnish can he …duced with the greatest …. cattle get very fat I bought 20 two year old Bullocks of him …ly  650 pounds for 58

I sent them down to Sydney when my Breg sold them for £12 profit any Brothers sheep are running  on the ….. at the foot of the mountain in Araluen they are a f….. healthy flock and were very full of wool he sold his for 8 pound we washed them in the valley and drove them to the top of the mountain to be shorn where we had a had to sloss our they over aged more shorn 3lbs a fleece any one bringing sheep over use to be very soon rich for it they buy 1000 ewes for 800 as can be …. how calculating the ewes to …. 3 pounds and the lambs 1p that 4050 at 2 … at 405 a year for wool they nearly double … on sale good the quantity of wool every year a ewes Breed 3 times … two years the greatest chance  of 1000 is 100 per annum there hundred of sheep… and side the lines of …ark … and will be for many years there are many gentlemen who have flocks of 10000 sheep each

Here have become a great quantity of wool sent to America this season  ..ay some appears inclined to encourage the American trade

I fade a letters from Macfr Lean Alsofts dispacking  by Buying shorn wool the out side price they would go to 1^s/6^d per pound now the very most samples is sold for most him for cash.

They also placed the responsibility on me, I back stating the prices here at what for cartage I will buy for them, But I am much better employed than I could had in buying wool although the opportunity that I have is better than any now in the colony as any Brother is so well known and I am like to be constantly travelling the country in all directions  after my Brother had put his affairs right at his grant

he returned to Elderslie which I went to Borowhar 250 miles south most from his grant for a herd of 507 cattle which he bought very  cheap he sold 200 head of them for the amount he gave for the whole Herd as it may be amazing  I will discribe how I bought them over after travelling about 250 miles over very fine country almost  all clear of underwood and many established fil acces without a tree,

I arrived  Borowhas next morning I went one with 3 mounted stockmen … at the outside of the cattle and they commenced … those whips and cact mob of cattle ran toals be ..ading place that is a beater from of ground under some shady trees where they stand during the heat of the day we then galloped one mob into the other until we had a good herd these we chased at full speed to the stockyard when all were collected we tailed then out in the evenings with horsemen to feed, and Branded them during the day when all was ready for stocking a good in any came and affected as a days journey over after they have a quiet as possible as was a grand sight to see them swim …. The Maroora River when arrived there Mr Hunt knows some horsemen to assist us over until we were 12 horsemen 20 blacks and dogs outass number besides 509 head of cattle all in the river at one moment which is nearly for a mile a cross we were now nearly half way over when the leading Bullock made a turn with the tide just before you might have heard the Blacks yelling and the stockmen cheering on the leaders now the whole herd senept furious to swim with the tide not a word was head but the Blowing of the cattle every one being content  upon me own safety to st… his herd safe from the herd just at that  moment the stockmans horse next to me began to sink from over ….  before we entered the water I got off for fear of drowning him in after the Blacks demand to … misapprehension and safed them

Both the cattle had not gone far when a Black in a canoe headed them over side when we all arrived safe without loosing men & calf although at frequently saw their legs upperanoak

My Brothers grant called by Blacks Curer is on this side of the Maroora river this is about 500 acres of rich cultivation land all clear most of in in crops this year

My B is going their himself shortly when I have no doubt but he will clear 1000 a year after paying all expenses by cultivation alone the other side of the river is called by the Blacks Burgally a fine intensive cattle area entirely occupied by himself it is bounded on the north by the Maroora River on the south by the Durros River on the east by the sea and by the coast mountain on the west

he has got a good dairy managed by Weatherhead and his wife, who you said at Wakkerfield they have 3 men to assist in milking in the mornings that is the home

Stockman who rides amongst  the cattle during the day; a man of all each during the day and the cow herd who takes the cows out as soon as milked brings back at 4 in the afternoon when their calves are yarded for the night – the morning as day break the ….. return to be milked and get their calves the milk stands … when it is creamed and given to the small pigs which ar …  as butter the big ones fend for themselves in the woods and make … holes Mr Hunt tells  a good story  of the Blacks, the frog pigs had come home lame for some tried when his determined to find out the reason, he was going along the edge of a hill when he heard a terrible noise coming up the other side he was presently astonished by seeing the same herd of Black hog pigs each mounted by a black rider racing and shouting at full speed

I suppose it was and necessary to make then dismount for they took to there heels in an instant but still they are very useful many of them good looking fellows very quick and frequently behave in a most noble business to whites

Mr Hunt is a great favourite on the coast by his being so particular on seeing go …. …..  the Blacks when the men want to act unfairly they are in great glee about Mrs Hawdon and the children coming to live amongst them, they often ask me about my Father ass he is very (corbn fig) and if I am going to bring my wife live there, many of them are very independent sort of fellows a few minutes since little  Ernest was standing by my side a Black fellow called Bundel was leaning  against the door  watching me and write I asked Ernest who he saw against the door Tell your Uncle (said Bundel) it’s a country man you see

They are very fond of all that are horses here

I have only returned from the south 10 days ago since then have been twice down at Sydney

Mr Brother and son returned from there later last night

My Brother Mr Hill a young gentleman …  considerable capital living at my Brothers home on the Maroora River and my …. going to salt Beef for exportation at the slauter house there this winter each having a third share Mr Hill manages the curing used overlooks the slautering part whilst I get the cattle from different parts of the country to the Maroora

Mr Biden the principal house in Sydney accept my Brother’s Bills to any extent that he will go to in Bringing cattle he will have the whole of the Beef at 3^s per pound the tallow  at 3/- per pound the hides at the head price which is about 17^s per hide salt and staves are quite as cheap as an  England in small vessels has already made two trips to the Maroora with those articles where the coopers now at work

My Brother Bought 40 last year off a Mr Thomson about 20 miles from Bungaly £3/10^s per head, he bought them salted and sold them within 2 months for £240 clear profit he bought 60 of him yesterday to be delivered in June for £4 a head to weigh 750lbs to be payed 6 months from the time of delivery he bought 250 fat Bullocks besides at a lower rate

We start at 3 in the morning for the country afs ..g afs plains and Borowhow where I know of a great many fine lots we intend gathering about 600,

Dr Emily and his two Brothers have Bought all fat Cattle about Twofold Bay and Menero plains past as I came down therefore I have no doubt but cattle in two months will rise fifty per cent indeed the Sydney market frequently fluctuates 50 per cent in a week

how both and regrets grain, Beef spirits tobacco vg, so that person making the markets higher do well in Sydney but it is a most disagreeable place to live in the streets are so hot and the generality of the inhabitants not over good looking they are nothing like the respectable and hospitable settlers in the interior in any of which have from three to four thousand a year coming in from their wool and sheep,

a great many Military and naval officers are sheep ‘grazers’ than having captains are the best farmers,

the farming doctors are well very numerous but farming here is quite a Burglas give on farming at home

the wheat crops were very good this year

Captain Makella when I staid all night in coming  had 50 acres of wheat which would average 35 bushells per acre for the last three years

I had a wheat crop and it had only had four ploughmen indeed the crops have generally been like that which I saw to the south but this is one an uncommon year the crop is always best when the grain is sown on the stubble and then slightly ploughed in –

I mentioned in my other letter that I had bought a horse for £22/10 he has turned out a fine fellow I rode him 900 miles without giving him saw than 3 days  rest during the time in any day I rode from 30 to 60 miles a day I have turned now turned him out on the flats to get at again since I bought him horses have ridden very much and price I have no doubt but I can get 40 for him now indeed if every thing appeared on the site  … is a new Bank just forming which will make monie of much lass

water this new settlement in Spencer Gulf will want many things from this country, the American  ship give good prices for this country produce so that the demand for all kinds of produce is about equal to the supply the greatest want I know of –

The colony is expectable young ladies

Here young fellows Burgaly are all talking of going home for wifes

there is but one lady down their shoss Makella a pretty girl too but I am afraid they be getting to fight about here

Mr Hunt is very anxious to be married he has got a good herd at cattle I should think near 200 head in 5 years he will be worth £500 a year … he mages at all well he intends beginning  for himself as soon as My Brother goes down he is questioning  in doing no but of course every one to his own pleasure her is sure to do well down there is so impossible to get wrong,

I promised to write to my cousin George Hunt I am sorry that I cannot do to …ecaust but if you should write him give our love and tell him there is every prospect for me to let well, but what monie he can command to bring to see … and past to see the … whom he assumed for strong entire horses might pay 100 per cent on Sunday but the risk is great

Elderslie is managed by Mr Forster now he is a very nice fellow,

I think he will clear my Brother £600 a year on Elderslie, he very much pleased with this country he just sown processed the door task is him up for had any commands to England he says his has some but that he is as happy as a king

My Mother fully intends seeing all and Sundry in England  in from years he was opposed to do that very well in a shorten panic but he quite ought to our carlon a date his affairs are very prosperous indeed and he is not owing a farthing to any one indeed he is just now what in England you would call a very rich man he is in the Beach ‘it’ Cample Town today, But will ‘be at’ home to stock with morning his very cattle altered an excellent travelling companion in the Bush on the call any part of this country where there is not a road

Remember me to old friend R Robinson, you can tell him my opinion of this country but will write according to any promises in long letter when I return I should like to see him here

She would be since to do well I think I mentioned the delivery of all the letters I brought out in my Fathers letter Lance Sanderson address I cannot make out I believe that he is in Bathurst but I have gained some of the men Mr Tinction to find him when I had

I will like John Stamp known. I have not yet heard from you but am very anxious as I know you will write if I should not rah… soon from the south  I will write to your fewsulst I am those your letters are since to be forwarded to one to some place where I may call for the fesant I must conclude given my Kindest love to my Father and to my Mother I will write soon to my Mother and give a devempted of all I promised to My Sister Jane and all Re family to my sister and to all inquiring friends Mrs Hawdon and all your little nephews and nieces for I can assume you this … … of little fellows join in Kindest love to Believe and  …. ….. Well Your Affec^tn Brother

Joseph Hawdon

[Cross-written; some handwritten text illegible; some handwritten words hard to decipher]

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Letter 2^nd  March 1836

2nd March 1836

Sydney

Mr Dear Father

Have today shipped from ‘Warlior’ for London a box for you containing a sample of New So Wales wool to make cut Coats I have written to you and sent several of my dear friends & sent this letter in the box, but for fear it should be detained I think it advisable to write to you by another vessel –

in my Mothers letter I forgot to mention that my little one have each sent some thing to Grandmother at England and tho’ they are but trifles I have no doubt but my dear Mother will be glad to receive them from her grandchildren in New So Wales – John has sent a few birds skins which I believe can be stuffed and made to look well in England there are two Rozella Parrots skins and two Gray Paraquets skins Gilbert has sent two Emu Eggs, Margaret has sent two pheasant tails, and William has sent some Cockatoo feathers

I have just got all my business finished here and set off home tomorrow.

Every thing is very busy here. I have just sold five young Durham bulls at 20 Guineas Each something like English prices – My cattle are getting to be very good and I think I shall get a name against next season for good Durhams I have kept twenty calves this year for bulls for next season Joe says they are not so good as your cattle at home but what I recollect of them at home I think they are –

I told you of all our proceedings in my letters that is in the box but perhaps you may view this first so it is missing to tell you in this that we are well and that every  thing  is going  on very prosperously here,

we have had a very dry season this last year and the crops are consequently  very bad particularly near Sydney at Elderslie and that neighbourhood they had very little rain nothing  but hay is selling very high Mr Forster that is managing Elderslie for me had three and a half tons of hay in the market last week he got twenty pounds per ton for some of it and very near that for the whole –

we were favored with rain on my own grant  and the crops were good indeed from its situation being next sea on the banks of a river  and the mountains surrounding  it subjects it to showing when there is any rain in the country

My sheep and cattle are doing very well I have a very good dairy station & we get 2^d per pound for our butter I cold my lead at 1^s/9^d per lb fat bullocks at £6 each and my wethers @ 12/6 each wheat is worth 12/- per bushel but I have never gone  more than what has supplied myself

Mrs Peacock is very much pleased with this country she had a little money left after arriving here and I bought her some sheep with it that have done very well and I have bought £150 more this year so she  will soon become a sheepowner

Joseph turns his attention all together … cattle I have no doubt but he will do very well Francis Hunt has begun … himself and Every prospect of doing well

Chas Hunt is managing for me and gets on very well –

by reading all my letters I have no doubt but you will see firstly nearly what we are doing

Joe … me to apologize for his not writing  he was off on short notice for 100 head of fat cattle or he certainly would have written by the box he will be in Sydney in a month when he intends waiting as perhaps you may receive his letter first with you tell Gilbert Wood I have not send a letter from him for a very long time I think nearly two years and as a punishment to him I would not send him a letter in the wool box but instead soon put him to the Expense of a letter by Post I suppose he is doing very well at Whitway but he ought to have come to this country but I have you in my last letter

I intend returning to England in about three years if all is well and then I shall give him a full account of this country and he can … him I suppose … has missed

My paper is pretty …. All filled I must … …  my hasty letter give my kind love to my Mother, Fishes, Willam and all Enquiring friends all … me dear Father ever

Your affectional Son

John Hawdon

[Address to]

John Hawdon, Walkerfield, Staindrop, Durham.

[some handwritten text illegible]

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Letter 7^th July 1836

7th July 1836

Elderslie NSW

Mr Dearest Father

I was in Sydney last week when I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Dixon for the first time since my arrival here he informed me he leaves for England a week today by which means to have an opportunity of once more sending you a letter but I can … you I feel any enough disappointed in not hearing  one word from you since I left you … to you write soon I shall almost be inclined to give up all idea that you have any interest in one and still think I am saying to much in hope of receiving a that has long been delayed.

Mr Dixon will tell of the flourishing state of the colony he be in the habit of traveling in the North part of the country the only part  excepting the …. of Bathurst which I am not well acquainted with from Sydney to the entrance of Bass straits & known perfectly it is principally a grazing country the north towards the Hunters’ River is more in agriculture but the south is decidedly better for growing wheat these the seasons are not so subject to drouth [drought] it is intended by government to through [throw] open the colony to Port Philip shortly at which place there are some wealthy stockholders from Van Diemans Land.

We have a station a cattle station nearer to Port Philip than it is to Sydney

Mr Stewart one Police Magistrate was at Campbell Town was at Port Philip by sea the other day by order of out Governor.

I was  …. …. when he showed me a list of prices which Mr McKillup a … there offered to give for cattle  on delivery at Port Philip. Mr Sains who you may remember at raby [Raby] I met in Hobart Town last winter  he is now residing  at Port Philip I wrote to him offering to supply Mr McKillup and …. on their own terms if they will first enter into an agreement I will have to go with the cattle myself if we agree I calculated that the cattle will to PP [Port Philip] in three weeks from the station they are now at which is three hundred miles from here.

I have a little scab & mast which brought in from them a fortnight ago in seven days that is fifty miles a day on grass

My brother J me had a long journey over the whole of that country lately he is now at home at Bungalia had a letter from him last week by sea all are quite well

I was there in the middle of last month he has another Son that is called Zac after me I think I mentioned in my last that I joined my Brother in Elderslie where I now reside I have not got a lease of it but intend taking it for three years more

I am very busy making Hay and will be for the next  five or six months it is now winter I had 2 tons of acre Barley Hay in Sydney last week which I sold as seven pounds ten shillings per ton … 10 to delivery at the farm … the section had been weak therefore next year  and will have every thing very cheap the crops at present are looking beautiful Elderslie is 1740 acres 240 in cultivation all in Hay excepting about 20 in wheat and maize

Mr Forster is gaining up to about my Brother on the coast it will have to keep an … here I aim so much from home it is a very …. neighbourhood some very pleasant families close adjoining  where I am quite at home.

It is now very expensive for those just arriving to commence setting working Bullocks are mostly £10 each fat … 8 cows £6 fat ewes £1 ewes £1 ewes /30 shillings to £2 per head is very different to what it was two years ago we did … tender for  the salt Beef contract this year it was taken 4s [hillings]

Mr Hill who joined us in it last year has joined my Brother to fatten cattle to the south us in Bass Strait

I have nothing in P’nership with him now as we have professed joining in John separately he cannot stand to much fatigue as I can he is very gentlemanly man I have no doubt they will find it pay well I expect them all down  & Mrs Hawdon at Christmas as we

The wool season as well call it when we will have a messy time Mrs H[awdon] has not been here since they first went to the coast they are very fond of that place

John & Francis Hunt are both well & he intends joining Francis on the wagon garnier a day ride below Bungalia where Francis has Begun agriculture and a dairy I believe he will have a large dairy next year Mr Peacock is well and ….

[Address to]

John Hawdon Esq, Walkenfield, Darlington, England.

[handwritten illegible in places; letter unfinished]

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Letter 18^th April 1837

18th April 1837

Birgulia [Bergalia]

My Dear Father

It is now a long time since I wrote to youSand confidentially longer since I had the pleasure to receive a letter from you.

I can apuse you It would be a great treat to have a letter from you I wrote several letters about twelve months ago and sent these in a box with house wool that I sent to you thinking you would have pleasure in weaving a coat of your Sons wool but I am afraid the box never came to hand or I should have heard before this I have sent you other twenty fleeces by John Hunt who is on the point of setting off for England for a wife

John will tell you how we are getting on which I am happy to state is in a prosperous way under Every thing is now doing very well the prices of cattle, sheep and wool have advanced considerably and I am now rather an extensive sheep and stock holder I have about five thousand sheep and twelve hundred head of cattle in occupance 

of the cattle that Joseph and I have in partnership which is I believe about a thousand Joseph is way … and doing very well I took him into partnership in Elderslie and he purchases herds of cattle and sends them to the different markets he is just now at Port Philip with a herd of cattle for sale and finding a station about halfway there for us of which Mr William Potts takes charge and he will leave a thousand head of Cattle under Mr Potts charge

Jo saw this place as he went to Port Phillip last December he bought a herd of between two and three hundred and took these there he was only two months away and after Expenses cleared £700

by this trip we have Mr John Withinalls managing Elderslie Jo says he is a fine young man but I have not seen him yet Mr Forster is coming to look after my concerns here this winter as I intend spending this winter months in the neighbourhood of Sydney –

there is a new Colony formed from London to the So[uth] of this you most likely have heard of it, the Spencers Gulf Company. They have come out and have bought considerable capital and are in want of cattle & sheep, I have made them our offers of all mine and will Engage to deliver them where they are I have offered my Ewes at four pounds each My Cows at £15 Each and Every thing in proportion My offer comes to upwards of thirty thousand pounds should it be accepted

I have made up my mind to return to England as I should like very much to see you again –

but I don’t thing my offer will be taken but should it not I think I shall be able to …. up my concerns in a couple of years –

I have not much time to write this letter as John Hunt leaves in the morning at sunrise but I dont think he will have left Sydney before we go down & there I shall write you another containing more particulars I shall write to my dear Mother from Sydney where I hope to receive some letters from you for I am most anxious to hear from you for it is now so long since we did –

Is upwards of 20 miles off –

I officiate as … at last I … these and had the funeral was nice we have had these or farms deaths since we came down here –

should I get to Sydney before John Hunt leaves I will write you another letter for this is but a hasty scrawl … my any dear Father

Your affectionate Son

John Hawdon

[Addressed to]

John Hawdon Esq, Walkerfields, Durham

[letter continues]

Passed by Mr & Mrs Hunt

My wife joins me in kindest love to you and my dear mother and all our friends I have … to Before and Jane who was kind Enough to offer to take came of our two boys if she would I sent them to Durham School but as we shall …. likely return to England soon it will be better not to send the boys they are all fine healthy fellows time is over this way one age of you that is William he is a way quaint strong fellow of his age the youngest boy is a year old today he is a very lovely child we intend to call his Joseph we … can him Christened where go to Sydney the mastest Churchman here

[handwriting illegible in places; letter disjointed]

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Letter 12^th November 1837

12th November 1837

Elderslie

My Dear Father

It give me pleasure  of you having the opportunity of writing to you but hope you … … of me… you by my not doing so more frequently. I can … you when My Brother & I out together our conversation on generally … towards home. Yet cannot help wondering at the long silence that has taken place.

In a Durham paper which … … the other day I was delighted to find you in good health and spirits at an agricultural meeting which you had attended in Durham, from the … paper (…………..) it sees agriculture  is in a …. ….. my state than when I left you, but suppose the late … of the ….. market has effected you as much as it has this part of the globe, our merchant in Sydney have lost at least 20,000 by the wool which they exported to England.

Breeding and poor stock have fallen at least 50 pounds in value during the last 3 months … … skills sustain this price and will be higher from ….. the great number of emigrants daily arriving, although in …..

The settlers are not worth above help of what they were worth about 3 months ago yet in circumstances we are quite as independent wool can hardly be sold in Sydney this year at any price

John has agreed with his merchant to take 1000 in advance and sent his wool home on his own account

Since I last wrote to my brother … John I send own to Port Phillip … of about 40 miles he is quite pleased with that part of the colony, it is …. country … saw…an 100 miles to the most of Port Phillip all grazing land well watered with no more timber than you have in Raby Park You would see in one of my letters … … the first that had travelled over that part of the country.

Many have since then followed with stock and …. Is sown a good track or road indeed from the great number of applications I have had for a ….. of that lack of the country I think the principal…. of our … … … … John & I formed a cattle station within 20 miles of Melbourne (the town of that part of the Port Phillip quarter) at … … to supply that … wish fat stock on left 200 3 years old Bullocks on it

Mr and Mrs H have been staying here at Elderslie but have returned home to Busgalia.

I had a letter from him yesterday he says he has commenced … having his ship his two eldest boys are at school at Parramatta

Mr Forster comes down at Christmas he takes them home to spend the … at Condays.

I have over taken Elderslie although at present it is looking very badly … have had no … one this neighbourhood for a long …. The weather is very hot. I don’t think I will have above 40 … of Hay on the farm it is now selling at £10 per ton. I have engaged a Mr Holloway from Hampshire to manage it.

Mr Mcarthur has gone to Port Philip with stock. I mentioned … him in about 14 days on River Hume about 400 miles from here. I had an offer from Government two days ago of …. to send the communication from Gap to Melbourne Port Phillip at the same time they were candid enough to state that they could not get any other party to … mistake it the … is about 300 miles It would take 10 horses to any the small … I wrote them a long letter offering to do it – For £4 acre for one year I think it would cost me about 600 to perform it yet as my … and my help have been at great expense in forming a … in the Hume River.

Government have no right to … the advantage. By undertaking it I shall greatly interfere with a favourite project I have now in means that is to explore the community from Port Phillip to Adelaide the new capital of South Australia a distance of about 1000 miles An agust from there called in on Mr Mc this day stating he had … … any intention to part over land and wishes to purchase stock deliverable at Adelaide. I offered him 1000 head of cattle at cattle at £12 per head I think he wishes to take my offer but on considering it I think it had to find … with about 200 or 300 and sell them at a much higher … should I find the country very dry after … of the Lindsay River

I will form a depot and … Mr Mcarthur with the stock … I  … on with a fine Horseman The Blacks are numerous on the Murray River but 20 men well armed are perfectly safe against any number I should proceed after I get to Port Phillip I think it will be 3 months before to Elderslie.

A good many of my friends here …. In failure in this expedition, but they did the same on my starting … for … yet I have formed that in a much shorter time than I calculated … one and also found it more profitable through many …. to crop and to me than offered quite as many … … to …

My Brother John speaks of returning to England soon & tells me I must return with him. You may be sure it is my … wish to be able to do so –

hopes of once more seeing you often cheers me up on what at the sincerest undertaking this past is much too hot for John and although I have only been 3 years on Monday (my birthday) I find it too warm & think of living more the south or cold climate

I appear to have filled my letter principally about myself hoping the subject may be more interesting to you writing…. And hope you may both be allowed your health and spirits until I once more visit England with kindest regards love to all our family and my dear father

Your truly affectionate Son

John Hawdon

[Addressed to]

John Hawdon Esq, Wackerfield, Darlington, England

[some handwriting illegible]

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References

Magee, Stuart 2006. The History of Moruya. Moruya District Historical Society, Moruya. Online at https://mdhs.org.au/history.html

Hawdon, John 1821-1833, John Hawdon letters, 1821-1833. MSS, State Library of NSW.

Hawdon family 1832-1838, Papers relating to the Hawdon Family, 1832-1838. MSS, State Library of NSW.