The life and labours of George Washington Walker, of Hobart Town, Tasmania

Front matter

PRINCETON, N. J.

BX 7759 .W18 A3 1862 Backhouse, James, 1794-1869 The life and labours of George Washington Walker

OF ?mG^

Preface

that at the time of his eomnienciag his travels, he was the only survivor of a considerable family by a second marriage, and was liable to attacks of illness similar to those he refers to in the jom-nal and letters ; and there is reason to believe, that the constitutional vigoiu', both of himself and his companion, was so much increased by their long travel in the service of the Grospel, as to add more days to their lives than they spent together in this interesting ser-\dce.

Contents

CHAPTEE I.

EARLY LIFE.

Page.

CHAPTER II. Chelsea Pensioners 19

Call to the Ministry 20

EfiFects of Strong Drink 21

Religious service 22, 23, 28, 30

Whaling 23

VOYAGE TO TASMANIA.

Dr. Philip and family . . 25, 27, 28

Mahometan Convert 25

Stormy Petrels 29

Bush Fires 31

Approach to Hohart Town, .... 3iJ

Cape Town 24

Land at Ilobart Town 32

Chapter III. Sojourn In Hobart Town

Visits to Governor Arthur 34, 39, 49

John Leach 34

G. A. Robinson 36

Sealers 37, 38

" Elizabeth" Convicts 38,39

Bridgewater Chain-gang 40

VISIT TO THE CLYDE, ETC.

Ncw^Wolk 41

Visit to the Clyde district 43

Native animals 45

Pious Wcsleyans 48

Sabbath School Meeting 52

Chapter IV. Visit To Macquarie Harbour

Reformed Prisoners .... 62,

64, 68

Prisoners on board the Tamar . ,

Gospel labours 63, 65,

67, 68

Port Davey

Detention at the Harbour Bar

.. 07

Entrance of Macquarie Ilai-bour .

The Penal Settlement

.. 70

vi

CO NT F, NTS.

CHAPTER V. SOJOURN IN HOBART TOWN, Page

J. Leach and the "Wesleyans 72, 73, 79

Social Intercourse 74, 76, 79

Meetings at the Penitentiary . . 75

Climate, &c 76

"W. Shoobridge 77

"Weslcyan Frayer-Meetiug .... 78

VISIT TO RICHMOND, ETC.

Page.

Wesleyan Band-Meeting 80

Missionary Prayer-Meeting .... 81 Tour through Clarence Plains.

Richmond, &o 83

Robert Mather's family 84

Francis Cotton and Dr. Story . . 86

Chapter VI. Visit To The Aborigines On Flinders Island

Sail in the Charlotte 89

Port Arthur Settlement 89

Whalers, Black Swans 91

Preservation Island 93

Mutton Bii-ds 04, 111

The Settlement & the Aborigines 97

Site of the new Settlement. .. . 103 Character of the Aborigines .... 106

Religious Meeting 107

Customs and Ill-treatment of the

Voyage to George Town 112

CHAPTER VII. Arrival at Launceston 114

Return to George Town 115

Circular Head 116, 120

"Woolnorth, Cape Grim 118

SETTLEMENTS, &C.

Forest Scenes 121,123,127

Spirit-drinking 122, 1 GO

Hampshire Hills 124

St. Valentine's Peak 126

Onesimus 128

Journey to Launceston 129

Chapter VIII. Journey From Launceston To Hobart Town, Etc

A Converted Atheist's Testimony 133 Remarks on Transportation . . Nottman's Road Party .... 136, 139

Perth and Norfolk Plains 136

Meetings 137

Journey to Hobart Town . . 139, 141

Reformed Prisoners 143

Settlement of a Meeting for

W^orship 144

Archdeacon Broughton 144

Chapter IX

EASTERN COAST OF TASMANIA, LAUNCESTON, ETC. Journey to Oyster Bay 146 Meetings 153, 157

F. Cotton and Dr. Story 149

Falmouth to Launceston.. 150, 157 John Leach 153

Drinking 164, 158

Central districts 156

Journey to Hobart Town . . 158, 162

CONTENTS.

VU

Chapter X

ESTABLISHENT OK A MONTHLY MEETING, VISITS TO PORT ARTHUR AND FLINDERS ISLAND.

Page. Page.

Commencement of a Monthly Port Arthur 167

Meeting 163, 164 New Settlement at Wybalenna 170

Judicial Swearing 164 Launceston .... 172

Ascent of Mount Wellington .. 165 Return to Flinders Island 173

Voyage to Flinders Island, .... 167 Perilous Voyage to Kelvedon . . 174

CHAPTEE XL

G. W. WALKER ACKNOWLEDGED AS A MINISTER. FIRST YEARLY MEETING IN TASMANIA, &C. LETTER TO M. BRAGG.

Arrival of D. and C. Wheeler . . 185

Journey to Hobart Town . . 175, 177

Excursion to Richmond, &c 178

Hobart Town 178, 181, 18"i

Visit to Lauderdale 182

Penitent Prisoner 183

Yearly Meeting 186

Visit to Port Arthur 186

Departure for N. S. Wales 188

Letter to Margaret Bragg 189

Engagement relative to Marriage 195

Chapter XII. Sydney, New South Wales, And Norfolk Island

Religious Labours and Repenting

Prisoners 205 to 208

Prisoners' Address 208

Return Voyage to Sydney 209

Botany Bay and Aborigines . ; . . 211

Gabriel Bennett 212, 215

Marsh Fever 214

Voyage to Sydney 197

Samuel Marsden 197

Richard Hill 198

Great heat 200

Convicts on Norfolk Island ... 200 Landing at the Penal Settlement 203 Major Anderson, Penal Discipline 204

Chapter XIII

EXCURSION TO WELLINGTON VALLEY, NEW SOUTH WALES ; ATTENDANCE OF THE TASMANIA YEARLY MEETING, &C.

Outfit, Paramatta 217

Ironed Gangs, Road Parties 218, 219

Drought 218, 227

Blue Mountains 219

Bathurst 221, 229

John E. Keane 221

Fatiguing Journeys . . 223, 224, 227

Wellington Valley 224

Return Journey 227

Mental Distress 228

O'Connell Plains 230

Spirit Drinking 231

Death of John Leach 231,234

Rcgentville 232

Anglo-Australians 233

Sydney 233

Voyage to Hobart Town to attend

• the Yearly Meeting 234

Labours, Retuin to Sydney .... 236 viii

CONTENTS,

Chapter XIV. Nkw South Wales, Moreton

Page.

Voyage to Moreton Bay 237

Miserable Prisoners 238

Tread Wheel 239

Natural Histoi-y and Aborigines 240

Newcastle 243

Return to Sydney and letter to Rachel Priestman 244

BAY AND THE HUNTER RIVER.

Page.

Newcastle, Maitland 246, 250

Journey up tho Hunter Valley. . 246

Stockade Punishment 246, 247

John Burke, George 'Wyndham 247

St. Helliers, St. Aubin's 348, 249

Port Macquarie 251

Sydney : 262

Chapter XV. Illawarra, Shoal Haven, Paramatta, Sydney, Etc

Vale of the Nepean 261

Paramatta, Sydney 264

Remarkable Preservation 266

Livei-pool, Campbell Town .... 253

Illawarra, Shoal Haven 2.56

Bongbong 259

Chain Gang 260

Botany Bay, La Perousc 267

Departure from Sydney 268

Chapter Xvi.* Tasmania, Victoria, South

Voyage to Hobart Town 269

Sir George Arthm-, Sir John

Franklin 270

Captain Maconochie 271

Christian intercourse 273

Great Swan Port, and Launceston 274 Recognition of Ministers 274

AND W^ESTERN AUSTRALIA.

Yearly Meeting, Departure .... 276

Melbourne 277

Adelaide 278

King George's Sound ........ 280

Swan River, Perth 281

Freemantle, Spirit Drinking. . . . 282

Treatment of Aborigines . . 283, 288

Chapter XVII. Mauritius

Voyage 289

Hurricane, Port Louis 290

Plaines Wilholms 291

Condition of the Population 292, 29.3 George Clark, Sir George Grey . 294

Mapou 295

Cemetery, Tamsey • 295

Omnibus Journey 298

Departure from Mauritius .... 299

Madagascar, Cape Colony 300

Chapter XVIII

SOUTH AFRIC.\, J. Williams and the Camden . . 302 Simon's Town, R. Jennings 305, 306 Meetings on board the Camden . 306

CAPE TOWN.

Total Abstinence Principles Letter to Rachel Priestman Outfit for the Interior ....

Increase of Mahomedanism

308 309 311

Leave Cape Town 313

* From page 273 to page 320, the numbers of the chapters are a unit in Rrrcar of the correct number.

CONTENTS.

IX

Chapter XIX

SOUTH AFRICA. JOURNEY FROM CAPE TOWN TO PACALTSDORP.

Page

African travel, Calcdon 315

Leper Institution 316

Genadenda) 318

Elim 321

Zwellendani 322

Zuuarbraak 323

Page.

Jonker's Fontein, Zoar 324

"Wagon upset 326

Pacaltsdrop 327

Dr. and J. PMip 327

Excursion to the Knysna River 328 George and Dysalsdorp 329

Chapter XX

SOUTH AFRICA. JOURNEY TO THE KAT RIVER. Cradoek's Kloof 330 Fort Beaufort 338

Hankoy, Abolition of Slavery . . 331

Betht-lsdorp, Port Elizabeth 333

Enon 334

Uitcnhage 336

Grahams Town 337

Makomo 339

Philipton 340, 343

Kat River Hottentots 341

Shiloh 343

Penitent Natives 344, 346

Chapter XXI

SOUTH AFRICA. CAFFRARIA.

The Gaffer race 347

Tyumie 348

Block Drift, C L. Stretch .... 349

Makomo 350

Knapshope, Missionary trials . . 353

Notondo 354

Igquibigha 355

Sandilli, Buffalo River 356

Bethel, Incantations 357

Suffering J oumcy 359

Butterworth 361

Clarkebury, Morley 363

Buntingville 365

Eeturn Journey 366

Gacella's Kraal 367

Mount Coke 368

"Witchcraft 369

Wesleyville, Fort Peddie 371

Caffer Language 372

Cross the Fish Eiver 373

Chapter XXII. Journey Through The North East Of The Cape Colony

Lower Albany 374

Restoration by Faith 375

Good effects of Adversity 376

Bathurst, Theopolis, Salem .... 377

Richard Gush 377, 378, 380

Meeting with Makmo's People 380 Philipton, Letter to R. Pricstman 381 Applications for Missionaries . . 383

Blinkwater 385

Old Koonap Post 386

Somerset, Cradock 387

The Gnu, Manners of the Dutch 388 Colesberg, Letter to M. Bragg . . 390 Spirit Drinking, Faithful Bushman 391

Philippolis 393

CONTENTS.

CHAPTEE XXIII.

SOUTH AFRICA. PHILIPPOLIS TO THABA BOSSIOU.

Page.

Meetings at Philippolis 395

Bothulia, Bechuana Huts 396

Beersheba, Basutus 398

Journey to Morijah 400

Cannabalism, T. Arbousset .... 403

Page.

Thaba Bossiou 405

Moshcsh's Speech 408

Drinking, Mokatcbani 411

Death of Mosbesh's Wife 412

Intermeut 415

CHAPEE XXIV.

SOUTH AFRICA. THABA BOSSIOU TO PHILIPPOLIS.

Plaatberg, Ijisbuani 419

Mokwatling 420

Molitsani, Black Forest Station 422

Imparani 424

Remarkable Awakening 426

"Daniel the Propbet" 427

James Allison 429

Thaba Unchu 431

Trading in Spirits 432

Incidents of Travel 433

Bethany 435

Bushmen, Return to Philippolis 436

CHAPTEE XXV.

SOUTH AFRICA. PHILIPPOLIS TO MOTITO, ETC.

Mixed Tribes 437

Scarcity of Water 438

Ramah 439

Griqua Town 441, 448

Remarkable Awakening 442

Journey to the Kuruman 444

Motito, Retui'n to the Kuruman 447 Desert Journey to Graaf lioinet 450

Graaf Reinet 452

Beaufort 453

CHAPTEE XXVI.

SOUTH AFRICA. JOURNEY

The Karroo 454, 458

The Bokkeveld 456

The Kamiesbcrg 460

LUy Fountain 461

Illness 462

Komaggas 463

Thirst, the Buifels Rivier 464

Religion in the Desert 465

TO GREAT NAMAQUA L4.ND.

Robben Bai 466

Kok Fontein 467

Heat, Orange River 469

Discomforts, Nisbett Bath .... 470

Korikus . , 472

Amse River 473

Afrikaner's Kraal 475

Fruits of the Gospel 476

CONTENTS.

xi

CHAPTER XXVII.

SOUTH AFRICA. JOURNEY FROM NAMAQUA LAND TO CAPE TOWN, AND RETURN OF G. W. WALKER TO TASMANIA.

Pago.

Swimming the Orange River . . 480 Kok Fontein, Lily Fountaia .... 482

Ebenezor, Heerlogement 484

Uitkomst 485, 486

Wupptrthal 485

Letter to Margaret Bragg 486

Tulbagh 489

Worcester 490

Fransche Hoek 494

Page.

The Paarl 495

Groene Kloof, D'TJrban 497

Stellenhosoh 498

Remarkable Dream 499

Cape Town 500

Penal Settlement 601

Death of Margaret Bragg 503

Parting from J. Backhouse, Voyage to Hobart Town .... 504

CHAPTER XXVIII.

G. AV. WALKER SETTLES IN HOBART TOWN.

LETTERS, FROM

Commences Business' 506

Exertions and Influence 507

Marriage 508

Religious Engagement 509

Holy Living 510

Yearly Meeting 513

Birth of a Son 513

Sacrifices to Principle 514

Meetings for worship 515

Parental Meditations 616

CHAPTER XXIX.

LETTERS, FROM 1843 TO 1852.

Penal System 517 Chelsea Pensioners 524

Pressing Engagements 618

Trials of Faith 519

Savings Bank 520

Pentonville Prisoners 521

Progress of Tcctotalism 523

Providential Allotment 625

Estimate of Self 526

Conversion by Tracts 527

High School 528

Gold Digging 529

CHAPTER XXX.

LETTERS, CHIEFLY TO HIS SON, FROM 1853 TO 1856.

School Arrangements 530

Christian Counsel 531

Reading and Meditation 533

Domestic Difficulties 534

School Studies 535

Scriptural Instruction 536

Maine Liquor Law 537, 539

J. J. Gurney 540

Death of R. Mather 541

Views of Teaching 642

Church Discipline 544, 547

Loneliness of Age 545 xii

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXXI.

LETTERS, FROM 1857 TO 1858.

Page.

J. B. Walker's Return 549

Spii-itual Comfort 550

Interest in Education 550

Groimd of Hope 551

Views of Wealth 552

LAST ILLNESS AND DEATH.

Page.

On the Close of Life 553

Last Sermon 553

Illness and Death 554

Funeral and Character 555

Crowning Mercy 566

Friendly Counsel ; addressed to the Working Classes, more especially to Newly arrived Emigrants 1 to 12

Chapter 1. Early Life

George Washington Walker was bom in London, on the 19tli of the Thii'd Month, 1800. His jDarents were Unitarians. His mother died when he was very yoimg ; and when he was about five years old, his father removing to Paris, where he had business engagements, George was sent to Newcastle-on-T}Tie, to be brought up by his grandmother. At ten years of age lie received the rite of water baptism from a Unitarian minister, on which occasion he was so sensible of a religious impression as to be melted to tears. He was afterwards confirmed by an Episcopal bishop. He was placed at a school kept by a Wesleyan, at Barnard Castle, where he associated with a little band of his school-fellows, who were desirous to help one another in their Christian course, and who frequently met together for prayer.

About the age of fourteen, he was apprenticed at Newcastle, to a professor of religion, wlio was nevertheless a very inconsiderate man. Here he was exposed to many temj^tations ; but his master dying before the expiration of George's apprenticeship, he was, at his own request, transferred to Hadwcn Bragg, a draper of that town, well knomi as an upright, consistent member of the Society of Friends. Hadwen Bragg and his wife, Margaret Bragg, were people of intelUgent, kind, and commanding minds, who exercised a watchful, Christian care over all

B

REOGIOITS IMPRESSIONS.

within their sphere ; and in his new home George W. Walker had the privilege of associating with persons of dispositions congenial with his own, and whose example and conversation were very helpful in forming his character.

After the decease of Hadwen Bragg, which took place in 1820, his widow invited James Backhouse of York, to Newcastle, for a few days, to assist her in the valuation of the stock of a tenant. This circumstance first brought him into association with George W. Walker, and led to a close friendship between them. George soon opened his mind freely to his friend on his spiritual condition. He said that his gi^andmother had taught him to read a chapter in the Bible every morning before leaving his room, and in the continuance of this practice, he had been convinced that the reproofs for sin which ho felt, were the work of the Holy Spirit, as described in the New Testament. It was evident to him that these reproofs could not bo of himself, because that which was of himself would natm-ally run parallel with his own inclination, but these ran counter to it. With this view of the teaching of the Holy Spirit, he saw the consistency of the practice of Friends in sitting do">\Ti in their Meetings for worship in silence, to direct their attention to the Spirit's teacliing ; but he added, that he did not think he could ever believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ, or that a God of mercy would require the death of an innocent person as a sacrifice for the guilty. He was asked by his friend, if the Unitarians did not believe that Christ was a prophet of a peculiar mission ; and that this mission was, to sot mankind a perfect example. He said they

ClI.VI'. 1.] COXVEHSION. 3

did believe this. The next question put to liim was, wlietlier tliey did not believe that this example would have been imperfect if Christ had not sealed his testimony with his l)lood, seeing so many of his disciples had to seal their testimony with theirs ; and if thev did not believe in the historical fact of Christ's death. He replied they did believe in the fact of Christ's death, and that his example would evidently have been imperfect if he had not sealed his own testimony with his own blood. He was then asked, if, seeing by their own admission, that Christ must die a violent death, and that he did so die, he could show what there was inconsistent with the character of God, in placing so great a boon to mankind on Clmst's death, as the forgiveness of sins to those who repent and believe in Him. This he admitted was a view of the subject which had not previously come before him, but one on which he must meditate. He was then asked, if he had ever examined consecutively, the passages of Holy Scripture which treat of the character and offices of Clu"ist, and of liis receiving glory, honour and worship along with the Fatlier. He replied he had not, and accepted an invitation to examine them "\\ath his friend. On the following Fii'st-day evening they commenced the examination, by reading the promise of a deliverer to our first j^arents, in " the seed of the woman." They read wdthbut comment, other passages, tln^ough the Old and New Testament, to the end of Revelation. The Book was then closed ; a solemn silence ensued, which was followed by the enquiry, if he was satisfied. The answer was. Yes, fidly. He had now accepted Christ as his di\ane Saviour ; he felt that his sins were forgiven for Jesus' sake ; and the

CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLE.

comfort of the Holy Ghost prevailed in his heart in an extraordinary degree for many days.

AVhat has been just related, hajDpened when George W. AValker was about twenty years of age. From this time he commenced a regular attendance of the meetings for worshij) of Friends ; and keeping his mind open to the teachings of the Holy Spirit, his understanding became enlarged, until he saw the consistency of the principles held by that Christian community with the doctrines of Christ and his Apostles, and adopted them as such under the obligation of religious duty.

On the expu'ation of his apprenticeship, he was for some time in business in Newcastle, in the manufacture of earthenware. The manner in which he carried his religious principles into business may be seen from the following short passage in a letter which he wrote to his cousin and partner, John Maeleod, then on a journey.

July 19, 1823. — Especially, my dear Jolm, never be induced to say anything or do anything witli a \dew to promote the interests of business, which may yield a moment's compunction at any future period. I believe tliis is the most ready way even to insure success, and, what is of infinitely more importance, will yield soHd permanent peace of mind.

During one of his business journies he experienced a preservation from imminent danger, and of which he made a memorandmn, under date of 23rd of 2nd mo. 1824.

Left Alnwick about five o'clock, and reached Hawklull in safety to tea. An awkward accident happened from