Two letters from James Bradley Atkins to his mother in Hampshire, 23 September 1840 and 23 January 1847

MLMSS 10001

fonds

1840, 1847

9583867

0.01 metres of textual material (1 folder) - manuscript, typescript

James Bradley Atkins came to Australia in early 1840. After spending four months at Twofold Bay he went inland to work for John Murchison on his property ‘Taradale’ near Goulburn. In September 1840 he signed up with Captain Samuel Moore to superintend his station on the Monaro for one year. In the following years he was located at Braidwood, Gundaroo near Queanbeyan, Goulburn again and Gunning. By 1856 he had moved to Mullelee, Upper Moonie, Darling Downs. In 1862 he was granted a licence to occupy the run Hornby, North Ballandine, Queensland.
In both letters Atkin’s tells his mother about his experiences in New South Wales. It is the story of a young English settler in the New South Wales hinterland during the mid-18th century which he relates with youthful charm and enthusiasm. The letters are full of fascinating details and observations about fellow colonists and his work places.

References: Library correspondence file

Purchased by Captain T.G.S. Ward from the UK stamp dealer Argyll in 1962. Since 2015 both letters have been in a private Australian collection

1. Letter from James Bradley Atkins to his mother in Hampshire, 23 September 1840, three and a half pages, on wove paper, completely cross hatched, 22.4 x 18.3 cm, with address panels and postal stamps. Includes a partial transcription and associated notes by Captain T.G.S. Ward. This letter reveals details of his first few months in the interior of New South Wales. He describes his journey to Taradale near Goulburn during which it rained much of the time. He lost bullocks on five occasions and was robbed of his clothes. Atkins was already contracted to manage Captain Moore’s sheep and cattle station in the high country near the Snowy River. He writes that he will be leaving Taradale with the good will of his former employer because there is little work available around Goulburn. His wages are to be £75 per annum and he has Moore’s permission to run five or six mares of his own. He assures his mother that he plans to return to England in four or five years even though he won’t have amassed a fortune by then. He comments on the overland route to Port Phillip and concludes with news of his brother William who is actually at Port Phillip.

2. Letter from James Bradley to his mother in Hampshire, 23 January 1847, three pages, on wove paper, 25 x 20.4 cm, with address panels and postage stamps. Includes associated notes by Captain T.G.S. Ward. This letter was written from Goulburn where Atkins had evidently returned after his stint on the Monaro. He is employed by a Mr Lang and writes that he is about to set out for Sydney with his sheep and is unlikely to return to the region. Atkins concludes that he has heard nothing from his two brothers in Port Phillip and Sydney. He adds that he is ‘in much better spirits’ than last year and ‘looking forward to brighter prospects.’

Copyright status:: In copyright
Research & study copies allowed: Author has been deceased for more than 50 years
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Captain T.G.S. Ward began seriously collecting letters around 1946. His particular interest was in the history of the mails between the Australian colonies and Great Britain. His collection eventually amounted to more than 3000 items, many of which he transcribed and described. In researching the letters, Captain Ward was a frequent visitor to the Mitchell Library.