Letter from Lancelot Edward Threlkeld to W.A. Hankey, 20 October 1829

MLMSS 9574

fonds

20 October 1829

1184346

0.01 metres of textual material (1 folder) - manuscript

Lancelot Edward Threlkeld was an English missionary who served as a member of the London Missionary Society. After spending 7 years serving in Raiatea in the Society Islands, when his wife died he sailed back to Sydney, intending to then return to England. However whilst he was in Sydney, Threlkeld was appointed to establish an Aboriginal mission at Reid's Mistake (Belmont) on Lake Macquarie. Once the mission was operating the expenditure Threlkeld incurred brought him into conflict with the London Missionary Society of which Rev. William Alers Hankey was treasurer. The society eventually withdrew Threlkeld from his position and closed down the mission.

Following his separation from the society, Threlkled secured a land grant from Governor (Sir) Ralph Darling in 1829 on the other side of Lake Macquarie, and in 1831 the Executive Council awarded him a salary of £200 to continue his work as a missionary to the Aboriginal people. He went on to work in the mission for over 10 years, becoming fluent in the local dialect under the tutelage of the local elder Biraban and publishing several books relating to Indigenous Languages.

References:
Australian Dictionary of Biography, http://www.adb.anu.edu.au, (accessed 07-07-2014)
Library correspondence file

2 page handwritten letter from Threlkled to W.A. Hankey, secretary of London Missionary Society.

In the body of the letter Threlkled advises Hankey or having drawn down £125 for six months allowance working on the Aboriginal mission at Lake Macquarie.

In the postcript, which is the largest part of the letter, Threlkled writes of his wife's illness and his progress in translating the Gospels into the local language. He then moves onto financial matters, discussing bills owed to Hankey and requesting financial assistance for his aged mother.

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