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Field name | Value |
---|---|
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 |