Letter from GF Story to J Bonwick about an Aboriginal attack at Kelvedon, East Coast Tasmania c 1829
Story, George Fordyce 1829 , Letter from GF Story to J Bonwick about an Aboriginal attack at Kelvedon, East Coast Tasmania c 1829 , University of Tasmania Library Special and Rare Materials Collection, Australia.
C7-127.pdf | Download (1MB)
PDF (Letter transcribed)
Letter_from_GF_...pdf | Download (60kB)
A draft letter, from GF Story to James Bonwick (c. 1829) about an attack by Aborigines on workmen in Kelvedon. A copy of the letter may or may not have also been forwarded to George Augustus Robinson. The letter describes an attack by aborigines on 3 workmen clearing land to build a Kelvedon house in 1829. Story reflects that it was not safe to travel without a gun at this time, reflecting the atmosphere of the period. Story also describes the periodical visits of Aboriginal tribes to the 'sea coast', who hunted kangaroo and 'oppossums' while the women dived for shell fish. He observes that the Tasmanian tribes did not eat other fish, as no fish bones appeared in their fires. Story compares this apparent taboo with the fact that the South Australian aborigines were 'prejudiced' against eating native currants. From Cotton Family Papers C7/127. Letter transcribed by GR 24/7/14.
Story, George Fordyce
Tasmania, social history, Australia, George Augustus Robinson, James Bonwick, Aborigines, Kelvedon, frontier conflict, black war, Aboriginal history, George Fordyce Story, Dr GF Story, 1829, 1820s, 1830s, Aboriginal diet, ethnography, South Australian Aborigines, colonial travel, Francis Cotton, waddies, weaponry, Aboriginal raids, kangaroo dogs, Van Diemen's Land, VDL, guns, guns in early colony, Oyster Bay, transcription
University of Tasmania Library Special and Rare Materials Collection
Quaker Collection
Dr GF Story Collection
The University of Tasmania Library is copying and communicating the material in this collection as a service to the public. Please note than any further copying by you may be subject to copyright protection. If you do re-use the material please provide the following acknowledgement: "Courtesy of the UTAS Library Special & Rare Collections and The Plomley Foundation". Such a reference is not an endorsement, authorisation or recommendation by the University of Tasmania.