Letter from Henry Evans to William Evans, 10 June 1846

MLMSS 11939

fonds

1846

9675385

0.01 metres of textual material (1 folder)

There is little known about the writer of the letter, Henry Evans. The letter indicates that Evans was a New England settler based in Armidale, previously employed by Major Archibald Innes of Glen Innes and at the time of writing a superintendent at a station. The relatives to which the letter is addressed, William and Mary Evans, are presumably Evans’ brother and his wife, or Evans’ siblings.

Henry Evans was possibly still living in the region in 1848, as a notice placed by ‘Henry Evans’ in The Maitland Mercury announces the opening of a ‘Servants Registry and General Agency Office’ in ‘Armadale’, the spelling of the town also corresponding.

References:
Compiled from the collection and the Library’s acquisition file
“Armadale. Servants Registry and General Agency Office.” The Maitland Mercury, 5 April 1848. Accessed 12 July 2023. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page125536

The letter was formerly part of a private collection.

Letter from Henry Evans addressed to William Evans, London, dated ‘Armadale [sic], New England, N.S. Wales, 10 June 1846’. Autograph letter, wove paper, three-and-a half pages on bifolium, 20.8 x 17 cm. Separate wrapper with address panel, includes various postal stamps and a red wax seal.

In the letter written to his relatives William and Mary, Henry Evans, a New England settler based in Armidale, outlines the financial arrangements made for his planned return to England, for which he requires the assistance of William: ‘my Attorney had drawn out a Letter of Attorney in your favor for the £70. due to me – also instructing you to place the amount in the Bank of Australasia Moorgate, London, on my A/C. at which Bank on paying the money you will receive a red ink printed Duplicate, which you will forward to me so that I can receive the money at the Bank of Australasia in Sydney'. Discussing further steps that William needs to take, Evans urges him not to delay in doing so, as ‘six months after the receipt of the money I will dine with you & Mary’.

With regard to his personal circumstances, Henry Evans mentions that he has been very ill and ‘more than ever anxious to get home’. He also writes that he has 'left the employ of Major Innes a second time and for ever. I was three mos. out of Employment but have just got a Situation as Superintendent over a large Grazing & Agricultural Establishment, my agreement however only extends to such time as I receive the money from you – my Employer being made acquainted with all the Circumstances’.

Evans concludes his letter by underlining the urgency of the matter, ‘as one days delay may lose a mail & make 2 months difference to me – all now depends on you & Mary whether you ever see me again.’

Out of copyright: Author(s) died more than 70 years ago
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