Bussell & Molloy Diaries
The Write Way – Bulletins from Busselton and Beyond
When the
Warrior arrived at Fremantle on 12 March 1830, it brought with it
several families who became prominent in Western Australia’s history.
Chief amongst these were John Garrett, Joseph Vernon, Alfred Pickmore
and Charles Bussell as well as John and Georgiana Molloy. On 27 January
1833 the Cygnet brought Lenox, Frances Louisa (Fanny) and Elizabeth
Capel (Bessie) Bussell to Fremantle and on 19 June 1834, the James
Pattison arrived at Albany with Mrs Frances Louisa and Mary
Bussell.
The
four brothers who arrived on the Warrior proceeded first to Augusta in
May 1830, but they were hampered by the isolation and the heavily
timbered country. They decided to move to the Vasse after John Garrett
Bussell discovered fine pastures on Geographe Bay in December 1831. By
1834 they had established a property named “Cattle Chosen” in honour of
a lost cow which walked into their farm. The present townsite of
Busselton was surveyed in 1837 and named in their honour. Alfred
Pickmore Bussell moved to Margaret River on his marriage in 1850,
establishing “Ellensbrook” and Wallcliffe”.
The
Bussells were prolific letter writers and diarists. The State Library
of Western Australia holds a large collection of private archival
material relating to the family (some 13 shelf metres), both in England
and in Western Australia. These include diaries, letters, notes, legal
documents, plans, sketches, verse, cards, recipes, wills, certificates,
accounts and religious writings to name a few. However, the collection
predominantly consists of letters which discuss religion, politics and
domestic life in the Victorian era. Also held are books, photographs,
serial articles and accounts in newspapers.
In 2007
eleven
diaries written mainly by Frances Louisa (Fanny) and Joseph Vernon
Bussell and two diaries written by John and Georgiana Molloy were
offered for sale. Funding to acquire the diaries came from the
Australian Government through the National Cultural Heritage Account,
the descendents of Frederick Aloysius Weld Bussell, Busselton Shire
Council and the State Library of Western Australia. The diaries were
purchased for $91,000 and complement the Bussell and Molloy collections
already held by the State Library of Western
Australia.
Page last updated: Tuesday 25 January 2011
