What's been happening?

The answer is a lot and nothing. How is this so? Well, I have continued transcribing Robert Sholl's correspondence and have done well over 300 000 words now. I gave a talk at the Royal Western Australian Historical Society on his, and the settlers he was in charge of, relations with the indigenous tribes encountered both at Camden Harbour in 1865 and in the Pilbara region of WA up until early 1868. This was when the infamous Flying Foam Massacres occurred. with bloodletting between white and black, and black and black, continuing for a long time after- in fact I would argue at least until the early 1870s. I am writing up part of this speech for publication in the RWAHS 'Early Days' journal, and hopefully it will see the light of day mid 2023.

I have given two short talks on Jenny Seaton's midday show on CurtinFM here in Perth, the first on Sholl and Camden, the second on my Jamaican ancestor Rosa Smith nee Henriques. I have audio files of both so if you're interested let me know and I can email them.

I have found a distant relative who is very much into colonial WA history to help me out in editing my transcriptions. The hope is to have everything to do with Camden Harbour in publishable shape by mid-2023. Then I need to find someone willing to publish them or do it as an e-book. I expect it to be around 200 000 words or so. The hard part- well one of the hard parts- will be going back over the transcriptions with the originals. I am so much better at reading his handwriting that when I started so it might be laborious work. Then to do the footnotes- how detailed? And finally, to do a good index. There are many people mentioned in his correspondence who have been totally forgotten and hopefully some of their relations will be interested in reading what I have found. 

Below is a very small example of some of what I have transcribed. Anyone interested in helping me financially- the cost of parking, ink, etc adds up when you haven't been able to work for 5 years!- would be greatly appreciated.

CONS 194/26 SHOLL JOURNAL 21/08/67-23/09/67

Wednesday 21^st August 1867 RJS J

Sent Horace to the store for trowsers, he being almost without- those sent down being too small- got a pair for 15/- also 1 dozn matches? 1/6. Blowing very strong from the Eastward with clouds of dust. Obliged to shut windows + doors. In the afternoon took a ride with Mrs wedge as far as the Landing she riding her black mare I the Police hose ‘S___’. Played a rubber at Wedges in the evening with McLeod + Mr + Mrs Wedge. Home by 10pm. Breeze had ___ at 4pm + almost calm by dusk. The young Wedges came in with some nine or ten tons pearl shells for Siebert. He came from the De Grey in the ‘Morning Star’. That vessel as soon as she is discharged will leave for the Ashburton with stores for the settlers there. McCourt saw the ‘Flying Foam’ going out as he came in.

Thursday 22^nd August 1867 RJS J

Calm morning somewhat warm. Took from poor Trevy’s cash £6.6 being £4.6.0 for the store bill + £2 for ___ ___ which I ___ on the 31 ulto. Putting things in order + continually finding something to remind me of my poor lost boy. Some hats + a cap of his- Well Known to me brought tears to my eyes- God grant I may be good enough to meet my child in ____. Called at Wedges in the afternoon, the only place I have to go to ___. Mrs Broadhurst + Mrs Baynton were driven to day by McLeod to the Maitland Broadhurst driving cattle in the same direction. Mr Wedge started surveying so that our little town is becoming empty. Hall’s sheep came in for shearing. We have now two flocks about the town +they are a great nuisance driving away the horses and covering every thing with dust.

Friday 23^rd August 1867 RJS J

Close morning + continued very warm during day. Horace went out on ___ to look after ‘Beetle’ near McLeod’s Camo he thought he saw almost every other horse did not see her. He complained of being sick _ said he had to get off and sleep during the day. I have noticed that he has looked pale lately but he said he was all right this evening Eddie learnt his lines during the ___ myself engaged making entries in the Custom Book + preparing accounts. Called at Wedges in the afternoon + walked with Mrs W + two of her children to the well to see some views? in ___. Horace gave me 5/- he had received from young Wedge (the proceeds of sale of 1lb gunpowder belonging to poor Trevy)