Jonathan Binns Were (1809–1885)

Jonathon Binns Were was a prominent early Australian settler. He arrived in late 1839 and fairly quickly started trading goods he brought with him from England before rising through a number of prominent positions in the new colony, including Justice of the Peace and Chairman of the Stock Exchange.

This is his account of the voyage to the new colony as related in a journal to his brother back in England. Not exhaustive, by which I mean, not every minute detail of every day onboard is recorded, but an interesting series of observations about daily shipboard life, the voyage and landfall in the newly emerging town of Melbourne. I found the description of several deaths, particularly infants, during the voyage gave an interesting picture of just how harsh, but commonplace, conditions were in those days. Also, being from Melbourne, the picture painted of the early township and the wider district of Port Phillip including William Town, Sandridge, Geelong etc gave the account a great local flavour.

Unfortunately it is only a short account but there is enough to grab anyone interested in this period. My only complaint, it wasn't long enough.… (altro)