Reference
FAC73/5
Title
2 letters from men in Australia, George Venteman in East Gosford, and William Northwood, commenting on affairs there. Northwood comments that he has received a conditional pardon - 'I must say it was the most fortunate thing that ever Could happen me to be Sent out here..' They both send money home
Date free text
1842
Production date
From: 1842 To: 1842
Scope and Content
[George Venteman of Maulden married Ejulia Boston of Ampthill at Maulden on 10th March 1835. There is no evidence to suggest that Venteman was transported, and so one must suppose that his was a private emigration]
East Gosford December 12th 1842
Dear Sir we take the liberty of addressing these few lines to you trusting to find you and yours All Well as it leaves us at present thanks be to The Almighty for it and for all the kindnesses which his Wise Providence Ordains to us unworthy Creatures. We was Verry sorry to Read of the Loss You have sustained But it was the Lord (His Will be done) 2 months Back I wrote with pleasure to inform My friends that Lucy had a Daughter but Now I have to Annouce that it is Called away William & Lucy Me & Julia unite to send A little money which We shall take as A great favour for you to Distribute in the following Manner say to My Father if Alive if not to My Mother Venteman ten Pounds £10 Also to our Father or Mother Boston ten pounds £10 My uncle Will Write in this Letter Concerning the other £15 As I shall send. This letter to sydney opern and partley wrote for him to fill up as I Was in Sydney on the 6th instant where we went together to Take the Money to the Bank say £35. I was Reading A Paper of A late Date from England And it gave A Verry sad Account of the Distress in England which I was sorry to hear But it is not so here unless Brought on Chiefly By persons own Misconduct For I am sorry to say that it is Not uncommon to see A Company of Men and Women yes and children together take A Bucket of Rum with A Lot of Tin Pots And drink it like Ale in fact strong Drink is I Believe the greatest Evil in this Collony for most persons that Abstain from it Do Exeedingly Well. But the poorest in this country Can Allways get Plenty to Eat in short I wish every Person Belonging to Me was here if they was steady if not it is of no use to come here
with these few Lines I Conclude hopeing that I am not Intrudeing too much on your Kindness and Begging to Return you our sincerest thanks for Past favours
I Remain Yours Ever Obedient
George Venteman
To the Reverend Charles Ward
Maulden Rectory
Exent
2
Level of description
item