v. July-Sept 1833
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Journal 5: July-September 1833, p.1.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/15
MS page no: 2-138
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[Note] Rec. Aug 16/34
Rev W. Watson's Journal from the 1st July to the 1st October 1833 inclusive
[4 July 1833]
Thursday 4th July. Nine Natives here today. Some who have been remaining with us have gone into the bush, probably they will soon return. Their predilection for wandering about prevents that improvement which they would otherwise make.
[5 June 1833]
Friday 5th. One of our girls (Murramil) who had learnt to read and sew, was enticed away a short time ago and is now living in prostitution with an European stockman. Today I attempted to get her away but was unsuccessful.
[6 June 1833]
Saturday 6th. Some of those who went away on Thursday have returned this evening.
[7 June 1833]
Sunday 7th. Eight Natives at family worship and at Church today.
[8 June 1833]
Monday 8th. This morning one of our Native youths had been shooting cockatoos in the wheat paddock. I had been attending to the repairing of the plough and was returning when I met him with some
Journal 5: July-September 1833, p.2.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/15
MS page no: 2-139
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[8 June 1833 cont]
other Natives, one of whom had a musket which he had borrow'd at a stock station. Jemmy, our Native, said that he and the others were going to look out Black fellows, a very large number having come within three or four miles of Wellington, in order, as he said, to kill his father. I told him that I did not believe it, false alarms are so frequent among them. He persisted in his determination, however I would not allow him to take the fowling piece, and I proposed that he should go home with me, catch the horses and I would go with him. To this he assented with the greatest readiness. Speaking of his father (who is a notoriously bad man and who is said to have murdered many an European) he said "me very fond of that old man, I no want to throw him away." We went to within a short distance of the place where the wild Natives were said to be, and having sent Jemmy's father and those who were with him to the mission house I proposed to go into the bush and look out for them, but not a single Native was willing to proceed.
Journal 5: July-September 1833, p.3.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/15
MS page no: 2-140
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Br Handt and I proceeded into the bush but could not discover the tracks of any. I cooed but received no answer, and it being nearly dark we returned home.
[9 June 1833]
Tuesday 9th. This evening I baptized Br Handt's child and we experienced a sense of the Divine presence in that Holy ordinance.
[11 June 1833]
Thursday 11th. Finished sowing twenty acres of wheat today.
[12 June 1833]
Friday 12th. The Natives who came to us for safety the other day left us this evening, saying they would go and look out Black fellows to come and fight those Myole fellows.
[14 June 1833]
Sunday 14th. A dray stopped in the settlement tonight (on its way to Bathurst). Two or three Natives who are accompanying it came up to the Mission house, joined us at family prayers, and remained afterwards to say prayers with the children. This is gratifying to our minds, perhaps it may please the Lord to open the eyes of some of them that they may behold the great things of his law.
[18 June 1833]
Thursday 18th. Narrang Jackey, to whom one of our girls (Warrahbin) belongs, came up. He had over his shoulders an old oppossum cloak
Journal 5: July-September 1833, p.4.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/15
MS page no: 2-141
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and was so thickly daubed all over his body with red ochre that I did not know him. He had heard in the bush the circumstance of two Native youths who came up some time ago breaking into a hut where the girls were sleeping. However, Warrahbin would not yield to their wicked desires. Circumstances of this nature are peculiarly painful and lead us often to apprehend that we shall be under the necessity of confining ourselves to the instruction of the males. And hitherto we have had more reason to hope favourably of our girls than of the boys.
[21 June 1833]
Sunday 21st. Feel much depressed in mind on account of the general difference which the Natives manifest to their spiritual interests. Oorimbildwally, who almost invariably attends our church, today informed me in the course of conversation that he says his prayers when he is absent, and that he knows he shall go to Heaven when he dies. If he does feel any confidence on that point, though, it is an evidence that he has not learnt the plague of his own heart. An important point seems to have been gained, that is, his belief in the existence of a heaven.
[28 June 1833]
Sunday 28th. Fourteen Natives attended church today.
Journal 5: July-September 1833, p.5.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/15
MS page no: 2-142
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It was highly pleasing to observe how correctly one of our children pointed out to some who are here only occasionally the meaning of several pictures, as the crucifixion of our Lord - the prodigal son - Christ blessing the little children &c.
[29 June 1833]
Monday 29th. Kobohn Billy, his three wives and two children came up again today. He is literally cover'd with filth and disease. He has lost the use of one hand and nearly of both his legs, as well as being deeply diseased in other parts with the venereal. Last week I allowed rations to Goongeen, one of our youths, and he went out every day and worked with the men, but this week something has offended him in the men's hut and he will not remain with them.
[30 June 1833]
Tuesday 30th. Was pleased with the attention which Kobohn Billy paid while I was speaking to him this evening on the subject of the soul's immortality, the son of God's dying to save mankind. Two of his yeeners are ill like himself.
[3 August 1833]
Saturday 3rd August. A Native youth who had been cured of the disease some time ago at this place, came up this morning with an European stockman who is ill and who did not know anything of their being medical aid to be obtained here except from what the Native had said. He brought him a distance of 30 miles through
Journal 5: July-September 1833, p.6.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/15
MS page no: 2-143
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the bush.
[4 August 1833]
Sunday 4th August. Yesterday I got Kobohn Billy into a hut with his family in order to render him more comfortable and to facilitate my attendance on him (3 or 4 times daily). But this morning I found the hut empty, he had crawled out and gone three or four hundred yards into the bush. He and his yeeners listened to religious instruction tonight but my faith is very feeble.
[8 August 1833]
Thursday 8th. One of our girls was extremely angry last evening because one of the other children had received some trifle and she had not. She spoke in a very improper manner and said she would go away to a certain stock station to a white man. Poor creatures, little do they know, therefore they [are] unable to appreciate the ultimate advantage contemplated in their instructions. This morning however, she expresses sorrow for her conduct and promised not to be guilty of such behaviour any more.
[9 August 1833]
Friday 9th. Kobohn Billy is recovering. He can use both his hands and his feet.
[18 August 1833]
Sunday 18th. Rode over to a station to see a person who is ill. On my return I called to another where two yeeners are kept by an Englishman, a shepherd. These females had both been at Wellington, one of them was very bad of the disease when she came and after her recovery she remained some months with us. The other had been lame and unable to walk for 3 months
Journal 5: July-September 1833, p.7.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/15
MS page no: 2-144
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when I first saw her, however by the use of some oils she recovered. When these two females saw me going towards the hut they ran away. I spoke with the man on the wickedness of his conduct, but he said he was a very honest, upright person.
[23 August 1833]
Friday 23rd. Narrang Jackey desired Warrahbin (his yeener who is with us) to go with him to a station 3 miles off. I was not willing, for I knew that some stockmen there had long been using every means in their power to induce him to take her away from us, saying among other things that I only wanted her for a very improper purpose, and telling Jackey to break her head is she would not go. Two young Natives came up this evening. After prayers, as they did not attend, I went to them and asked if they heard the bell ring? Yes. Did they know for what purpose it was rung? Yes. Why did you not come in? They answered that they were very tired but they would come in the morning.
[24 August 1833]
Saturday 24th. As the Natives had heard that some blankets forwarded by the Government had arrived, about 30 of them came up today and made a formal demand of them, saying that
Journal 5: July-September 1833, p.8.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/15
MS page no: 2-145
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[24 August 1833 cont]
they did not belong to me, they had been sent up for them and they must have them. Such a procedure not meeting with my view of the case, they were very insolent, and it was thought that one of them would have knocked down Mrs Watson with his club because she had a short time ago lent him a very large blanket to sleep in here, and having taken it and disposed of it to a white man, she told him of it. But she was no way intimidated by his maneuvers. I thought that the stores would have been forcibly entered by some of them. I gave a blanket to Bobby, King of Wellington, and promised that if they would come on Wednesday and cut bark I would give them blankets. As my conduct in not giving the blankets to the Natives on this occasion may not be viewed in the same light by different persons I think it my duty here to assign my reasons. . The letter of the Hon the Colonial Secretary which accompanied them directs that they should be distributed amongst the Black Natives in this district, of which there are several hundred, and preference was to be given to such Natives as had conducted themselves properly. (60 blankets was the number).
People in WellPro Directory: Watson, Mrs
Journal 5: July-September 1833, p.9.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/15
MS page no: 2-146
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[24 August 1833 cont]
Had we therefore given 30 at this time (for there would have been dissatisfaction if one had received and another not, we should have had only 30 remaining for all the Natives who should afterwards visit us, particularly as the blankets are very small.
Again, last year 40 blankets were given us for distribution among the Natives. Being very good ones I cut them into two and made 80 of them. At that time I gave one to every Native who in a measure earned it by cutting bark, working in the field &c and the remainder were reserved for future exigencies. As we brought no blankets with us nor could we obtain any, I have many times felt very thankful that such a plan had been adopted. Otherwise I am at a loss to know how we should have acted, for we have had sometimes from twelve to twenty children and youths under instruction who all required a supply of blankets. Moreover we have almost generally had several sick Natives with us who also needed the same accommodation.
Again, when any Natives come and sleep here, which is a general practice with some or other of them, they invariably ask for a blanket, which indeed except when the weather has been very stormy we have not in every case acceded to. With these facts (arising out of twelve months experience) before my eyes, I deemed
Journal 5: July-September 1833, p.10.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/15
MS page no: 2-147
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[24 August 1833 cont]
it a very imprudent act to give away so many in an indiscriminate manner. Lastly, I was convinced that the Natives had been induced to behave in this insolent manner in making a demand of the blankets by the advice of some European stockmen who had on the occasion mustered all their shirts and clothes and dressed up the Natives as much as they could. Knowing the disposition of the Natives I was aware that if we evidenced the least fear of them by yielding to their demands in this instance it would only be a means of giving them reason to believe that on any future occasion they might obtain whatever they should think proper to demand.
Coercive measures enter not into the means used by X'n missionaries in labouring to bring savage tribes to the knowledge of the Saviour, but promptitude and decision I think should always accompany kind and gentleness in our conduct towards them. On this occasion they were treated with some beef and wheat and appeared satisfied and listened to our instructions. Narrang Jackey succeeded in getting Warrahbin away this evening when I was in the garden.
Journal 5: July-September 1833, p.11.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/15
MS page no: 2-148
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[25 August 1833]
Sunday 25 Augt. Ten Natives here today. Warrahbin came home today. Jackey had gone into the bush and she had come, according to her own words, to escape the evil treatment of a stockman who wanted her to go into his hut.
[26 August 1833]
Monday 26th. Twenty Natives came up today and cut bark. While speaking with them on religious subjects some paid attention and others were very careless. They are not ashamed to assign as a reason for their not knowing or not attending to these things "that Black fellow too much stupid". I was in the garden in the afternoon when two elderly yeeners and one about 9 years of age came up. I asked to whom the young one belonged and if he would remain with Mrs Watson, but this obtained no satisfactory answer. I began to speak to them something respecting God, when one of them said "you give me pipe, you give me bakka, me murry hungry, me murry mitherable". I told them to go up to the house to Mrs Watson. I followed immediately. When in the house I asked them who made them? One of them said she did not know, "dibbil dibbil I believe" (that is devil). I enquired what would become of them when they did? She said she did not know, she believed dibbil dibbil would take her.
People in WellPro Directory: Watson, Mrs
Journal 5: July-September 1833, p.12.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/15
MS page no: 2-149
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[27 August 1833]
Tuesday 27th August. Gentleman Jackey came this morning with other Natives to cut Bark. I had a long conversion with him but he is as hard as the Nether Millstone.[65] He says he has four yeeners and so is a gentleman. He has indeed 4 yeeners who are all "farmed out" as it were to white men by whom he is quite well supplied with food &c. Horrid work indeed!!! The Natives repeatedly say that if they will not lend yeeners White fellow take them by force.
[28 August 1833]
Wednesday 28th. Lieutenant Lukie of the 39th has come up to see the country and remains with us at the mission house tonight. The Natives received blankets and went away. Ten young men remain with us.
[30 August 1833]
Friday 30th. The young men caught a large number of oppossums today and went a short distance into the bush to feast on them. Jackey wants Warrahbin to go, and as she was anxious to go we agreed, but knowing the abominal practice of the men in lending their yeeners to the youths I was jealous on that point, and late in the night I went as near as I could to observe their movements, but the dogs either saw or heard me and immediately began to bark. In the twinkling of an eye every Native was up on his feet and his spear and clubs in his hand, looking out. I stood behind a tree and before they could have distinguished who it was I should probably have felt something grazing or pricking me in rather an
Journal 5: July-September 1833, p.13.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/15
MS page no: 2-150
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unpleasant manner. However, I told them in their own language that I saw them, they instantly recognised my voice and retired to their fire again.
[1 September 1833]
Sunday 1 Sept. Many Natives at Church today. While speaking to several of them in my study this evening respecting the love of God displayed in the gift of his son Jesus Christ to die for them, I thought they were very attentive, and I entertained the hope for the time that their minds were somewhat impressed. We are very apt to think our giving instructions to them is like writing on the sand, the impression on which may be defaced by the first breeze or wave that passes over it . But as we know not what thoughts are entertained by them on these subjects, or how often what we have said comes into their minds, and having the promise of God we feel it our duty and desire to continue to sow. We have 19 now with us.
[2 September 1833]
Monday 2nd. All the young men in at prayers today. Kobohn Billy went away as soon as he was able to walk. He has been brought back extremely ill. He says that last night he dreamed that he was on a great fire which burnt him all about. I told him that the Great God sometimes speaks to people when they are dreaming. He says that his present affliction is the effect of a dream
Journal 5: July-September 1833, p.14.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/15
MS page no: 2-151
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in which he thought that he was taken up to a great height in the air where he fought with a Black woman and killed her, and that afterwards she killed him and put him in the ground.
[3 September 1833]
Tuesday 3rd. Some more Natives came up today and attended family worship in the evening. Billy very ill tonight, however I washed him all over in warm water and gave him a sudorific powder.[66] He says "white fellow tell him it is all gammon (lies) about God, that there is no God."
[9 September 1833]
* Monday 9th. Billy very low, he thinks that he shall die. He paid attention to my instructions of a religious nature tonight.
See the next page [67]
[11 September 1833]
Wednesday 11th. Colonel Despard,[68] Lieutenant Darley[69] and some officers of Police came up this evening. The Col remains at the mission house for two nights.
[13 September 1833]
Friday 13th. An old Native (Bobbegul) left us this morning and returned in the afternoon severely wounded and bruised about the head. He had been fighting with a young Native. I dressed his wounds at which he seemed much pleased. Kobohn Billy asked me tonight how he was to pray to God, he himself was very stupid so that he did not know how.
Journal 5: July-September 1833, p.15.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/15
MS page no: 2-152
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[4 September 1833]
Wednesday 4th. Anticipating the arrival of some visitors from Sydney shortly. Mrs Watson had been during the day putting up a kind of curtain to divide the large room where we always have family worship into two apartments. The children remembering that we had green boughs disposed about the room at X'mas asked what tomorrow would be, if it would be Sunday? Warrahbin, speaking about Kobohn Billy, said she believed he would die and enquired of Mrs Watson if he would go to Heaven? Do not such questions being put voluntarily give us reason to hope that there is in the mind of the enquirer a belief in a future state? Some Natives have gone into the bush, we have now 15 remaining with us.
[7 September 1833]
Saturday 7th. One of the Native youths came to the window late tonight. Mrs W asked what he wanted? He said "where is Mr Watson?" In the study, was the reply. What do you want from him? He said "I want some medicine, I have got a cold in my head". He received some medicine but before he took it he said "don't give me any salts, I don't like salts medicine". I have six sick patients to attend to. One of our servants is afflicted with a violent inflammation of the lungs.
See the asterisk on the preceding page
People in WellPro Directory: Watson, Mrs
Journal 5: July-September 1833, p.16.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/15
MS page no: 2-153
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[14 September 1833]
Saturday 14th. Narrang Jackey asked me for a long Pipe. I said yes, you shall have one when you can read. O, he replied, I am very stupid now, but as soon as I get a long pipe and begin too smoke I shall make a light book directly, all stupid then go away. They are quick and cunning enough in reference to a supply of their bodily wants. He has now gone and taken Warrahbin with him. She hesitated, but at length stripped off the clothes which Mrs W had given her and put on her blanket. After having had her a close inmate in our family so long and having made so much improvement and given rise to so many pleasing hopes in our breasts to see her go away to mingle with the deeply debased and untutored Natives of both sexes in the bush produces painful emotions, difficult, yea impossible to describe. We are indeed bound to persevere in our work, but it is evident that in doing so we must against hope believe in hope. Two Native youths were enticed away from us 8 Days ago by a stockman who promised to give them something if they would go with him, and after walking about more than 60 miles he refused to fulfil his promise, and today they returned wearied and vexed.
[15 September 1833]
Sunday 15th. Not many Natives at Church today. One of them, (Oorimbildwally), after Church service was over pulled off
People in WellPro Directory: Watson, Mrs
Journal 5: July-September 1833, p.17.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/15
MS page no: 2-154
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his trousers and laid himself down in the sun. I asked why he had pulled them off? He said he was cold and had pulled them off to get warm.
[17 September 1833]
Tuesday 17th Sept. Billy something better, two of his yeeners very ill.
[19 September 1833]
Thursday 19th. Have had Billy and his family in a hut for a fortnight. He has now so far recovered as to be able to walk. He has gone a short distance into the bush to sleep.
[20 September 1833]
Friday 20th. Billy and his family gone away to a station 2 1/2 miles distant. I asked him this morning who had made him well. He said God.
[24 September 1833]
Tuesday 24th. Have been about 30 miles into the bush but did not see more then half a dozen Natives.
[28 September 1833]
Saturday 28th. One of our Natives had been out early this morning and brought us word that a Bullock had been killed on the other side of the river, and his hide left. After prayers I went to look, and found that it was one (belonging to a neighbour) that had died yesterday, that the Natives had skinned it and several were on the place roasting some of it on the stones.
[30 September 1833]
Monday 30th. Several Natives returned to the mission house this evening. It appears that some of them say prayers
Journal 5: July-September 1833, p.18.
Class Mark: C N/O 92/15
MS page no: 2-155
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and their grace when they are in the bush.
[Signed] J.C.S. Handt
[Note] Read in Committee Dec. 14/33
[Note] Rev. Watson’s Journal
July 4th to Sept. 30/33