Birks family papers, chiefly letters received from Susannah Watson, 1857-1883

MLMSS 6010

fonds

1857 - 1883

95300

Microfilm : CY 3575, frames 26-133 (MLMSS 6010)

0.02 metres of textual material (1 folder) - manuscript

The Birks family of Bulwell, Nottinghamshire, included Abraham and his wife Mary Ann, née Watson. Mary Ann’s mother, Susannah Watson, had been convicted of stealing in 1828 at Nottingham Quarter Sessions and sentenced to transportation for 14 years. She arrived in the colony of New South Wales in 1829 on board the ‘Princess Royal’ and remained in New South Wales until her death in 1877.

Reference:
The Female Factory Online. “Susannah Watson”. Accessed 20 October 2020. https://femalefactoryonline.org

The collection was sold through Sotheby's by Leslie King of Nottingham, England, a descendent of Susannah Watson

23 manuscript letters, most on single leaves with franked envelopes, written between 28 June 1857 and 10 April 1883 to members of the Birks family in Nottinghamshire, England. 15 of the letters are from Susannah Watson of New South Wales to her daughter Mary Ann Birks. Writing from various places in the Southern Tablelands including Braidwood, Shoalhaven, Terrara, Queanbeyan, Gundaroo and Gunning, Susannah Watson describes conditions and events including a severe flood at Braidwood in August 1867, gives news on family matters and her continuing health problems and expresses her wish to hear from her daughter. Some of her later letters are in the hand of her son John Watson, who also wrote several further letters to his sister Mary Ann following their mother’s death in 1877. A letter from Mr Larby to Mary Ann Birks, dated 28 October 1877, informs her of Susannah Watson's death.

Also included are manuscript notes with information on the dates of Susannah Watson’s birth and marriage and the births of her children, along with a copy of a birth certificate for one of Mary Ann Birk’s children.

Out of copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Women Transported : Life in Australia's Convict Female Factories - Parramatta Heritage Centre (2 August, 2008 - 9 November, 2010)