ii. Oct 1832-Jan 1833
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.1.
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[note] Rec Dec 10/33
Handt's Journal from Oct 3/32, to Jan. 3 1833
[3 October 1832]
October 3, 1832 After a tedious and troublesome journey we arrived at Wellington about 3 of the clock in the afternoon. Thanks be unto our God for the frequent manifestations of his care and protection.
[6 October 1832]
Oct. 6. Have been busy in getting my things in order, since the last date. One of the Blacks who accompanied us from Molong beat his wife most dreadfully last night. He calls himself king Bogen, and was inclined to this act by jealousy, on account of her brother, and, as far as we could ascertain afterwards, not without reason. This incident throws a little light upon their private conduct. The man, however, appeared to have repented by the morning of his violence towards her.
[10 October 1832]
Wednesday, 10. The Natives have frequented us hitherto and we have tried to talk with them, and to be friendly with them. There are now four black children staying with us. Three
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.2.
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of them belong to those Blacks who met us at Molong, and the fourth is he whom we brought from the Revd. T. Hassall’s farm, at O'Conner plains. We have much to do at present in the house and garden.
[14 October 1832]
Sunday, 14. Had divine service. The Soldiers, who are stationed here, attended, and also our men. Mr and Mrs Fisher, who live four miles from Wellington, would also have come to the divine service, if they had not been prevented by the swelling of the river, which they have to cross in coming hither.
[16 October 1832]
Tuesday, 16. My time has since Monday been chiefly employed in making alterations and improvements in the house. Some Blacks are daily here about our settlement.
[19 October 1832]
Friday, 19. Employed in acquiring the Native language and in various other ways. The Blacks are sociable and friendly, but extremely idle and dirty.
[20 October 1832]
Saturday, 20. Spoke with some Blacks about religion, and told them that the souls of
People in WellPro Directory: Fisher, Thomas
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.3.
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good men will after death go to heaven, but that those of the wicked must go to hell. I do not think that they understood me well; for only one seemed to be a little surprized.
[21 October 1832]
Sunday, 21. Had divine service. Mr Fisher, before mentioned, attended, and so did the Soldiers, and our three black children. We had four of them, which may be seen under the date of the 10th inst., but one has been persuaded by his friends to leave us, and to take the bush again.
[22 October 1832]
Monday, 22. Was endeavouring to get some words from the Natives, and to talk with them. I amused myself also with their children in instructing them. May the Lord prepare the way before us and direct us to adopt such methods as he will be pleased to bless.
[23 October 1832]
Tuesday, 23. Two of those three black children, who were left us, have also taken the bush, we have therefore only one, who is yet staying with us, the one whom we brought from O'Conner plains.
[24 October 1832]
Wednesday, 24. Engaged in getting some words from the Natives, and in several other ways. The Natives do not visit us in so great numbers, as they did the first time of our arrival. There are however generally
People in WellPro Directory: Fisher, Thomas
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.4.
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a few about our premises. The words which I took down in Sydney are of very little use. There is not one among ten which the Natives understand, which is owing partly to my not knowing the proper pronunciation of them, and partly to their being altogether wrong. The plan which I now pursue is, that I first learn from the Natives the proper pronunciation of a word and then take it down.
[26 October 1832]
Friday, 26. I find it very difficult to impart to the Natives an idea of God. They have some idea of an evil spirit, but none of a good one; and when I sometimes am endeavouring to speak with them about the Supreme Being and their souls, they seem to be quite in different, and direct their attention to something else. This is, however, with many the case who call themselves Christians, and know better than these poor ignorant creatures do. We must therefore not be discouraged on that account; and who knows whether in the course of time, when we know more of
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.5.
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their language, they may by divine grace not better attend to what we say. Was endeavouring to instruct the little black boy, who is staying with us.
[27 October 1832]
Saturday, 27. Snakes and adders begin now to be more numerous, as the heat is increasing. We have much fine weather. My leisure hours are generally employed in gardening.
[28 October 1832]
Sunday, 28. Conversed with some Blacks. Had divine service; the congregation was large considering the few people, who live in these parts. After service a soldier's child was baptized. Mr and Mrs Fisher were the sponsors. Had a warm day.
[30 October 1832]
Tuesday, 30. It gives the Natives much pleasure, when I ask them a word, and cannot pronounce it properly at first. They say it then over again; and sometimes I make them repeat it several times, because they speak very fast, so that I cannot get easily hold of the proper sound. They are also generally willing to do so, except they are murry (very)
People in WellPro Directory: Fisher, Thomas
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.6.
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lazy.
[2 November 1832]
Friday, November 2. The Natives have of late been backward in visiting us, their curiosity having now been satisfied. May God give them a desire to stay with us, and to be instructed in the good things of the great Jehovah.
[4 November 1832]
Sunday, 4. Had divine service, Mr and Mrs Fisher, the soldiers etc. attended. Mr Fisher brought a black lad who had scalded his legs very severely, in order that he might have medical advice.
[7 November 1832]
Wednesday, 7. Have been doing something in the language, and should be very glad, if I understand more of it, that I could make known unto the poor Blacks the salvation of God through Christ Jesus. With great difficulty I have only been able hitherto to tell them that there is a Supreme Being, who lives in heaven, that he is good, that he loves good people, and that after death he will take them to himself; but that bad people must go to a place of fire. Whether they have perfectly understood even this, I am rather doubtful.
[8 November 1832]
Thursday, 8. Went to Cobolyen to see the Blacks there. Met with some young men with whom I had a conversation; but their attention
People in WellPro Directory: Fisher, Thomas
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.7.
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was much drawn away by the branding of cattle. I got a few words from them, and that was all that I could do. Took tea in the afternoon at Mr Fisher's; one black boy, who is always staying with them, asked a blessing, and afterwards returned thanks. It was rejoicing to hear that little black Australian boy, with his stammering tongue, praising God.
[11 November 1832]
Sunday, 11. The holy Lord's Supper was administered. The Communicants were six in number. Some of the Blacks also attended the service but as they do not know sufficiently English to understand what is said, I do not think that they profit by it. I intend, if it please God, to take a journey to morrow into the Country with Mr Fisher, who is going to some of his stations.
[12 November 1832]
Monday, 12. Went on my intended journey in hopes that I might see some Blacks. Had some trouble with my horse on my first setting out. We took a black young man with us and travelled to the West, through a plain and fertile country, moderately timbered with pine-trees, gum-trees, and the Australian oak. In the afternoon we
People in WellPro Directory: Fisher, Thomas
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.8.
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arrived at Mr Palmer's stock station, called Murrumburchery, about 18 miles from Wellington,[13] where we met several Blacks, who well know Mr Fisher, and as they had been at Wellington during the time of our staying there, they knew me also. They told us that a man belonging to their tribe, known to us, had shortly died. He had been sick, about two days only. He was generally called Major, a man of 6 feet 4 inches high, and the tallest among them. I invited them to came again to Wellington, and to bring their children with them, that they might become like white fellows. Having stayed about half an hour, we left for Warry, another cattle station, which we reached in the evening. Here we met with about 20 Blacks. I tried to amuse the children by teaching them the letters of the alphabet; and as they seemed to be pleased with it, I made them understand that they should come to Wellington, where they would be farther instructed. I endeavoured to persuade particularly their parents to bring them to us. They laughed, but gave me no positive answer.
[13 November 1832]
Tuesday, 13. Had this morning a conversation with the Blacks about God. I endeavoured to make them understand that God loves them which they seemed to comprehend; but I could not succeed in informing them that God had sent his Son to die for them. The easiest
People in WellPro Directory: Fisher, Thomas
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.9.
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method of instructing them about the Supreme Being, I find is, who made the Cangaroos (Bandar), Oppossums, (Willae) Grass, (Bogun) etc. After breakfast I went with Mr Fisher to another of his stock stations, called Burchery, about 12 miles from Warry, but we found no Blacks there. The country through which we travelled is in some parts very fertile, but in others barren. Near the Macquarie river, the soil is rich, thinly timbered, and without any underwood: the country is interwoven with extensive plains. But about 6 miles from the river, or less, the country bears another aspect, it is barren and covered with underwood. We returned on the same day to Warry. The attention of the Blacks was occupied this evening with the entrails of an ox, which had been killed to day on the station. They merely emptied them, threw them on the fire, toasted them a little, and then seemed to make a delicious supper of them.
[14 November 1832]
Wednesday, 14. As Mr Fisher had no salt to cure the beef, which had been killed yesterday, and his own people were not able to consume it all, while in a good state in all this warm weather; so the Blacks got a large share of it. None of them, however, asked a piece for his Yeenar (Wife) except an old man, who as
People in WellPro Directory: Fisher, Thomas
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.10.
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Mr Fisher told me, esteems his wife more than any of them, and never lent her to any white man, as many others frequently do. Their wives are obliged to carry their weapons, their provisions when they have any, and their little children also. They must also sew their oppossum cloaks, and do all the little work. In return of which, the husband, when in an ill humour, takes his womera (A weapon of wood shaped thus: [diagram] which the Natives throw with great force and precision.*) or a club, and wounds her head or another part of her body. This is one of the fruits of Heathenism. O may the Lord extend his mercy towards them and deliver them from sin and cruelty.
After breakfast we left for home, none of the black boys would come with us. About 12 o'clock arrived at Murrumburchery. I had learned at Warry that here was a man, who spoke the Native language fluently but he had not told me of it when I passed here some days ago. I inquired therefore for him, and had a profitable conversation with him about the language. He told me, as I also have
* The Native name of this weapon is "Bargan". The mode of throwing it in battle is this: After his opponent has called out "Be-rim-ba" (Throw it!) he gives a short run, and then, with great force, throws his bargan so as to strike the ground, at a short space from him, when it flies, or rebounds from the ground, with greater force to the spot where his opponent stands, who is obliged to use all his abilities of sight, and agility of body [text at foot of following page] to escape its blow. Another mode of throwing the Womera is into the air, when, after having gone a certain distance, it forms a semicircle, and returns to the spot whence it was thrown.
People in WellPro Directory: Fisher, Thomas
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.11.
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learned from several others, that some of the words by which the Whites communicate with the Blacks, are not native. "For," says he, "those Blacks who had no communication with the Whites do not understand them". Another proof of this argument is that I seldom met with a black man, who could pronounce the word "Gin", which word belongs to the class of those new made words; but they pronounce it generally as if written "Ghin," G hard. This word means "Wife", but the right name for wife is "Yeenar". I met here also with some Blacks, and they promised to come by and by to Wellington. Left afterwards for home, where we arrived in the Evening.
[17 November 1832]
Saturday, 17. The Rev. S. Marsden arrived here this evening on a visit to Wellington. Mr T. Marsden, and Captain Jacob were his companions. We were glad to see these our friends: Captain Jacob has shortly come from India for the benefit of his health. He is a very pious and pleasant man.[14]
[18 November 1832]
Sunday, 18. Mr Marsden gave us a very instructive and simple sermon concerning the character and history of David. A warm day.
[19 November 1832]
Monday, 19. We and our visitors took a ride to
People in WellPro Directory: Marsden, Reverend Samuel | Watson, Mrs
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.12.
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Mr Fisher's this morning; and the latter being desirous of seeing more of the country, we went afterwards to a subterraneous cave, 3 miles from Wellington. This cave is on a plain, in rocky ground. The nearest mountain is about a mile from it. Its entrance is insignificant and the descent steep. The height inside is about 40 feet in some places and the width twice as much. In length it is about the same as Salisbury Square in London. In the middle of the cave there is a formation of rocks resembling an altar with a pulpit. Close to this formation, at the left side, the lofty rocks seem to be of a crystalline substance; and as their outside form was like icicles, they resembled much a large organ with various tupes. The rocks were in many places of a crystal appearance. We went as far as we could, and where we could not walk, we crept along, as at steep places we were obliged to do several times, till we came to an abyss, which as it proved by throwing down stones, was filled with water. When we came up, I found that my hat, which I had left outside, was burned to sinders, as Mrs Watson's bonnet and veil, and some other little articles. We had made a small fire outside the cave, before we entered it, in order to kindle the
People in WellPro Directory: Fisher, Thomas | Watson, Mrs
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.13.
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torches which we would take with us; but, during the time we had been in, the fire had rapidly spread towards our things; and had we not appeared just at the moment we did, would have destroyed all we had left outside.
[21 November 1832]
Wednesday, 21. Our visitors left us this morning. I and Mr Watson accompanied them to Ngury, 8 miles from here. [15]
[22 November 1832]
Thursday, 22. Went to Cobolyen, and had some conversation with the Blacks about God and endeavoured, at the same time, to make a little advancement in the language. There were several children of strange tribes, who seemed to be shy. I was therefore the more friendly towards them, and as soon as they were collected around me, I instructed them in the letters of the alphabet, and tried to amuse them in several other ways; I could however not induce them to come to Wellington, especially as their parents would not go.
[23 November 1832]
Friday, 23. Conversed with some Blacks about the Supreme Being, that he had made them and every thing, and that he loves the black people etc. but they seemed to be very indifferent. O that the Lord would open their minds for instruction, and convince them of the need of
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.14.
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a Saviour. And that the Lord would give us more faith concerning their conversion, steadfastly to believe that he will fulfil his promises also in them, and make them his Son's inheritance.
[24 November 1832]
Saturday, 24. Asked some black women this evening, who were sitting around the fire, where their children were but they replied, why I asked for their children. This answer induced me to think that their minds must be still prejudiced against us, by reason of those stories, which some of the white men at the stockstations had told them viz, that we would take away their children, and put them into a jail. I told them however that we desired to instruct their children, and to make them like ourselves, after which they replied that they had no children.
[25 November 1832]
Sunday, 25. A very hot day. Divine service was well attended. Several more of the Blacks have been coming to day, and, I hope, will remain with us a few days. Mr Fisher brought us a black boy to day who is of a distant tribe and does not understand any English; he will, therefore, be the most likely to stay with us, for he will very seldom see his relatives and friends, who very likely would entice him to go with them into the bush, if not altogether, at least for a season.
[26 November 1832]
Monday, 26. Conversed with the Blacks about their
People in WellPro Directory: Fisher, Thomas
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.15.
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souls, and endeavoured, at the same time, to make some progress in the language. May the Lord bless my work and feeble endeavours both with regard to the language and the instruction which I try to impart to them. For if he does not do the work there is certainly nothing to be done with these Natives. They are indeed very careless and indifferent about spiritual things. O that all Christian friends whose hearts have been blessed with the gracious influence of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour, would lift up their hearts unto the Lord of the harvest and implore of him a rich effusion of his Holy Spirit, that also these poor straying sheep might be gathered into the fold of the great Shepherd of the sheep.
[27 November 1832]
Tuesday, 27. Conversed with the Natives, and asked one of them particularly, who has seen most of civilised life, why he did not cultivate a spot of ground, that he might have plenty to eat, as the white people have. He answered that it was too warm to work. I asked him whether he said that it was too warm to eat when he could get some of white man's food. He then began to laugh and said he would work by and by.
[29 November 1832]
Thursday, 29. Went to Cobolyen to see the
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.16.
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Blacks there, and remained with them a few hours; but they seemed to be very drowsy, so that I found it very difficult to fix their attention on things relating to God. One was marking his body by cutting his skin with a piece of glass and offered his services to do the same on me. This operation, after something of a poisonous nature having been inserted into the wound, produces a swelling or protuberance, which remains through life. These marks they think highly ornamental.
[30 November 1832]
Friday, 30. Am instructing that boy whom Mr Fisher brought to us last Sunday . He seems to be willing to stay with us.
[2 December 1832]
Sunday. December 2. Mr and Mrs Fisher attended divine service, and brought with them, as usual, several little black boys, who are very much attached to them. They are little interesting children, but will not yet be induced to stay with us. A young black man named Geordy came also from Cobolyen, who was sick; and we were informed that it was probably owing to his having eaten too much oppossum meat the day before. This man is one of the most intelligent among them, visits us frequently, and told me the day of our arrival, that he was king of Wellington. He has been a help to me hitherto in learning the language.
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.17.
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[3 December 1832]
Monday, 3. I intend to go again into the country tomorrow with Mr Fisher.
[4 December 1832]
Tuesday, 4. Set out about 9 o'clock and met with from 40 to 50 Blacks in the bush lower down the country who were all coming up to Wellington. This circumstance led me to think that I should not find many at Murrumburchery and Warry; this however was not the case. In the evening we arrived at Warry. Had a long conversation with the Blacks. When I told them that God loved them, one asked me whether he was a black fellow. I answered him in the presence of all, that he was neither black nor white, but bright as the sun. They have no name nor idea of God as I stated before; but when I gave them a description of his almighty power, they called him "Mur-ra-wal Co-bor-na". (The Great, The Strong.) Sometimes they will also say "Ca-born Go-ver-na." (The great Governor.) Governor is not Native, but derived from the English word Governor. When I speak with them about God, I always call him by the former name. The two words of this name they use indifferently, sometimes putting the latter before the former, saying "Coborna Murawal".
People in WellPro Directory: Fisher, Thomas
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.18.
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Although they have among themselves no idea of a Supreme Being, yet their fear of the evil Spirit is very great. They call him "Wom-dang" and also "Bug-een". They say it sometimes visits them at their fires at night; and then they are extremely frightened.
[5 December 1832]
Wednesday, 5. This morning I conversed with a black man, who was infected with a very bad disease, the consequences of a licentious life. He said that the Devil had made him sick. His wife, he told me, has the same sickness, and so had his child, whose eyes, he said, had fallen out. Several others are infected with the same sickness. Besides the small pox, which made great havock among the Blacks two years ago, is said to be again raging among them lower down the country. We returned in the afternoon and I arrived at Wellington late in the evening.
[7 December 1832]
Friday, 7. We have now here again some boys who are staying with us. May God incline their hearts to remain with us and receive instruction.
[9 December 1832]
Sunday, 9. Had divine service in the morning, and a pretty large congregation, considering the few people who live here about. In the afternoon, I held divine service at Cobolyen, at Mr Fisher's station, 4 miles from Wellington. The assembly was more numerous than I
People in WellPro Directory: Fisher, Thomas
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.19.
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should have expected. There is a great want of the means of grace here about the country; and they are more desired, than one could expect, considering the state of society.
[13 December 1832]
Thursday, 13. Set out on a journey this morning to see some of the Blacks. On my way I called on Mr Fisher, who informed me that the Blacks, who usually stay at his station, had all go into the bush last night to perform the ceremony of making young men of some boys. This ceremony is, however, kept a secret. For several days Mr Fisher had particularly been endeavouring to keep the Blacks near his station in order that they might assist him in reaping his wheat; but now, just on the day when he wanted [to] commence the harvest, they left him; and took the women also whom Mr Fisher had employed to prevent the wheat from being destroyed by the Parrots; so that there is very little dependence on them.
Met with no Blacks on the road, but found some at a station. A little interesting girl engaged particularly my attention. She is the most intelligent looking female I have seen among the Blacks. She at first appeared to be very timid, but afterwards allowed me to instruct her in the letters of
People in WellPro Directory: Fisher, Thomas
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.20.
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the alphabet etc. Her Father and mother died of the small pox two years ago in the bush, where she covered their corpses, as well as she could, with grass and earth, and then made her way to this station, where she has been living with the hut keeper ever since, and whom she would not leave by any means. The hut keeper told me that she was a very little girl when she came to him.
[14 December 1832]
Friday, 14. Did not see any Blacks while travelling; and when I came near a station, a runaway black boy, who had been staying with us for several days at Wellington, and had received a blanket, as soon as he perceived me coming towards the place, ran into the bush. The people of the station called him afterwards, but he gave no answer.
Started again, and was overtaken with a heavy shower of rain, accompanied with severe thunder and lightening. Towards the evening I met with several Blacks who were very friendly in their way. My pity was, however, excited, when they laughed at, and treated with indifference the subject of religion, on which I attempted to converse with them. I paid more particular attention to the few children they had with them, and who seemed to be of a more teachable disposition.
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.21.
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O may the Lord take away from their hearts the great indifference, which they manifest towards any thing of a spiritual nature.
[15 December 1832]
Saturday, 15. The Blacks were very much amused when I showed them the affects of a burning glass. "Bail white fellow that stupid" they said. (Bail, or Wirai, are negatives.) They went hunting to-day, but did not succeed well and have therefore a scanty meal.
Some of them were sick. There are chiefly two diseases among them, and a great many are infected either with the one or the other. In the evening I went to Burchery.
[16 December 1832]
Sunday, 16. Held divine service in the morning to the whites at this station, where I had two hearers, the only two belonging to this place. After service, I rode to another station, 12 miles distant from the former. Here I preached in the afternoon to three white people; two of them belong to this station and the third had come from a distance of five miles. Several Blacks also attended, and behaved as well as could have been expected.
[17 December 1832]
Monday, 17. Returned from my journey to Wellington. In the morning when I was saddling my horse, I saw that the girth[?] of the saddle had made the horse's belly sore, and therefore,
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.22.
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in order to spare the horse, I did not buckle them very tight. On my way, I had to ride through several very steep creeks, and my horse, being a young animal, ran them up very fast. When climbing up one of these, my saddle slipped to one side, but leaning immediately to the other side, I got it straight again. Having come up from the steep place, I thought to dismount and fasten the saddle. But not supposing that it was so very loose, it turned round in my getting down, before I was aware of it, so that I fell on my back and the horse got shy, threw of the saddle, with the baggage fastened to it, and ran away. I endeavoured to get it again, but it took [to] the bush, and would not allow me to catch it. I took therefore my saddle and baggage upon my shoulders, and carried them to the next station, whence I sent a man on horse-back in search of it, who succeeded in finding it and bringing it back. In the evening I arrived at Wellington.
[20 December 1832]
Thursday, 20. I never Saw any of the Natives so much affected, with the subject of religion as a man and a woman with whom I conversed to day. I heartily wished that I had understood more of their language, in order to be enabled to tell them more on this important subject.
[23 December 1832]
Sunday, 23. Had divine service which was well attended.
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Journal 2: October 1832-January 1833, p.23.
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[25 December 1832]
Tuesday, 25. There were rather more Blacks here, than there have been of late. The divine service was very well attended by the Whites, as well as by the Blacks, though the latter do not understand English. O may the Lord, in these latter days, pour out his Spirit upon this poor, ignorant and degraded people, that their minds may be enlightened, to know, understand and feel the truth as it is in Jesus.
[27 December 1832]
Thursday, 27. There are not many adults here at present; but a greater number of children, most of them staying at the Mission house.
[30 December 1832]
Sunday, 30. The divine service was well attended by the Whites. Some Blacks also were present, and behaved rather more quiet than usual. One of the black boys who were afresh staying with us, has gone away; but it is supposed that he will come back again after a time.
[1 January 1833]
Tuesday, January 1, 1833. There are a few Blacks here, but I find it very difficult to raise their attention to listen to anything concerning religion, so as to make any impression upon them. They hear what is said to them, but make no farther inquiry; nor do I suppose that they think about what is said to them any longer than just for the moment.
[4 January 1833]
Friday, 4. A large party of Blacks came this morning
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to Wellington. Their chief design appeared to be to get something to eat; for after dinner they all went off again. I had a conversation with several of them, and asked them various questions about the things around me, in order to inform their minds of the Author of all, and to distinguish those to them which had been made by art by white people. One, who had a pipe, asked me simply, whether God had made it. I was much pleased with this question, as it afforded me opportunity and encouragement to say something more on the subject; for it is not often that they ask such questions.
Praise be unto God through our Lord Jesus Christ, for having sustained me hitherto, and for every little encouragement he has given to me with regard to the Blacks. May the happy time soon arrive, when they shall worship in the courts of Jehovah, and sing praises unto [the] Lamb.
[signed] J.C.S. Handt.
[note]
Rev. J.C.S. Handt’s Journal
Oct. 3/32 to Jan 4/33.