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Title Letter, Reuben Gatward, Prahran, Melbourne to Polly, Luton, England
Author Gatward, Reuben
Date c.1859
Document Type Correspondence; Manuscript
Reference HT 3534
Library / Archive Museums Victoria
Collection Name Diaries / Journals / Letters
Description This letter was written when Gatward was recovering from scurvy, the result of the lack of fresh fruit and vegetables on the goldfields. He talks about mutual acquaintances, and suggests the important role that friends made on board ship had for new settlers without any family. He also talks of the difficulties of the diggings: "Gold digging is a very precarious way of making a fortune. I do not say making a living for I think everyone can do that, but the privations and hardships are greater than I should like to put up with for just that."
Biographical Note / History R. Gatward was a miner who came from Bedfordshire and appears to have worked in a draper's shop before emigrating.
Theme(s) Arrivals: Ports and Early Experiences
Places Pahran, Melbourne, Australia; Luton, England
Nationality English
People Gatward, R
Keywords gold rush, emigration, family, prospecting, miners, mining, health and sickness, disease, scurvy, shipping, postal service
Additional Information Please note: Some of the metadata for this document has been taken from the Museum Victoria catalogue.
Catalogue Link Museums Victoria Catalogue
Language English
Copyright Museums Victoria