James Erskine Calder - letterbooks, ca.1822-1857

A 589 - A 592

series

ca. 1822-1833, 1835, 1839, 1842-1851, 1857

430360

Microfilm : CY 3321, frames 1-231 (A 589).
Microfilm : CY 3321, frames 232-303 (A 590).
Microfilm : CY 3322, frames 1-250 (A 591).
Microfilm : CY 3322, frames 251-299 (A 592).

4 volumes - 0.13 Meters
Textual Records - (manuscript)

Hugh Cotton, born in England, was an engineer and surveyor. In 1842 he was appointed Deputy-Surveyor-General in Van Diemen's Land but worked as an irrigation engineer throughout the depression until the post was restored in 1847. Under Governor Denison's patronage, Cotton was responsible for and managed the trigonometrical survey of Tasmania.
Joseph Milligan, surgeon and naturalist, was born in Scotland in 1807. From 1830-1842 he was surgeon to the Van Diemen's Land Company's establishment at Surrey Hills. In 1842 he accompanied the Franklin overland expedition to Macquarie Harbour. Milligan served in various government posts until his appointment as superintendent and medical officer of the Aboriginals, 1843-1855.
Robert Power, born in Ireland, was a military officer who was appointed Surveyor-General of Van Diemen's Land in 1841 when land sales were falling due to an economic depression. Power also acted as commissioner of Crown Lands and introduced a system of land leases that created friction with Lieut-Governor Denison.
James Sprent, born in England, was appointed assistant surveyor in Van Diemen's Land in 1833. Sprent worked with Calder on the trigonometrical survey to establish observation stations and accurately measure sections in the settled districts. In 1856 Sprent served as Deputy-Surveyor-General to Robert Power and the following year was appointed Chief Surveyor and acting Surveyor-General (1857-1859).
-- Reference: Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol.2, 1788-1850. Carlton, Vic.: Melbourne University Press, 1967

A 589
30 Jun. 1842 - 14 Aug. 1847; Copy of letters and memorandum by Calder mainly to the Surveyor General regarding general business, salary, surveying, applications for deeds of grants, provisions, and exploration. Includes copies of Surveyor General's letter to the Colonial Secretary (1843); maps (land granted to William Murray and sub-divisions); copies of tables extracted from Frankland's "Report" 1847; Report of a Journey from the town of Bothwell to Cressy containing some account of the country between these places.
A 590
[front cover]
30 Sep. 1845 - 27 Jan. 1847; Copies of letters to the Surveyor General, Robert Power, from Calder (with some copied responses and an original letter from Power). Includes Report of "good" land available near Deloraine and the Forth River; examination of land; exploration; notes on forests, harbours, climate, prospect of settling the heavily wooded districts; road improvements necessary; finances; list of provisions; abstract of meteorological observations made at Circular Head Van Diemens Land during the years 1843-1845; letter from Robert Bickwell regarding trip to Emu Bay in 1845; Table of rain - statement of the fall of rain at the Van Diemen's Land Company's Establishment Hampshire Hills during the years 1835-1839 by Joseph Milligan.
[back cover]
[List of] Imports and exports for Hobart Town, 1822-1833, 1849. Includes produce name and amount, and annual figures for revenue and government expenditure.
A 591
[front cover]
14 Aug. 1847 - 14 Jul. 1852 ; Copies of correspondence and notes mainly addressed to the Deputy Surveyor General, H.C. Cotton with some original letters received by Calder from Cotton. Material relates to the Trigonometrical Survey in Tasmania (1847-1848) and general business and duties as a surveyor. Includes statements of accounts and expenses; lists of supplies; commentary on condition of roads; field books obtained; descriptions of land lots; observations on the Tasmanian landscape made by Calder; "Remarks on the Official Report of my work for 1851".
Also contains:
Map of Pembroke showing land lots [on butter paper] by "J.C.W." 1851"
[Tables of] estimate of wages required of the mechanics employed in the Road Department for the month of September 1847
[Tables of] Estimate of wages required for the payment of oversee, sub-overseer & light labourers employed on the Trigonometrical survey for the months of October 1847; and February 1848 (Mr Calder's party)
Copy of table of "Approximate distances for the port of Hobart ..."
[back cover]
[1835, 1839], 17 Jul. 1848 - 16 Jan. 1851; Copies of Official letters received (includes statement about Calder's position and powers, probationary ticket of leave holders); extracts from a despatch relating to retuning allowances; copy of Colonial Secretary's letters to the S. [i.e. Surveyor] General settling the salaries of the Asst. Surveyor ... 1839, 1835, & 1850.
A 592
[front cover]
1 Jul. 1857 - 8 Feb. 1858; Copies of correspondence with the Acting Surveyor General, James Sprent, regarding the surveying and allotment of land, term of service, and general business of the Survey department. Includes "Official Reports, written since 1840 by J.E. Calder",
[back cover]
1 Jan. 1858; Statements of account from Bothwell Stores
25 Jul. - 20 Aug. 1855; Statements made by Calder to the Deputy-Surveyor-General in relation to duties performed, land surveyed, position in the department, and expenses incurred.
Copy [or draft of] letter to the Colonial Treasurer regarding salary increase, term of service in the Survey Department, and "Mr Burnett's case".

Within each bound volume the papers are arranged mainly in chronological order. The volumes overlap in period.

Volumes were rebound into new covers at an unknown date.
A 589 bears watermark, "Ansell / 1840"
A 590, A 591, & A 592 are reversible, as they have been used from the front and back.
A 590 bears watermark, "A. Cowan & Son / 1844"
A 591 has various pages added into the volume. One document bears watermark, "Warren & Son / 1847". Other evident watermarks include: "Edward Smith / 1848"; and "R. Turner & Sons / 1849"
A 592 bears watermark, "Hodgkinson & Co. / 1855"