Notes for the "semi-retreat" and the "day of harmony", note on silence or "stillness".

Drafts and circulars to Members of Friends' Meetings reminding them to organise their monetary affairs and to make their wills, etc.
To Hobart friends, signed by Hannah Propsting and J. Ridley Walker.
To Lisburn friends, signed by Clerks of Committee on Ministry and Oversight:
• Norah Douglas - 20 December 1943
• Arnold Benington - 7 December 1946
• Cecil M. Johnson - no date

Letters received 1838 - 1883. Letters to Francis Cotton from friends, neighbours etc, many referring to the Society of Friends, some also addressed to Anna Maria Cotton

Collection consists of correspondence, diaries, accounts and documents relating to personal life and the Society of Friends

Letters written by George Washington Walker to Esther Stickney dated April 1834 and November 1835 regarding : Journal writing, Esther's afflictions, parental discipline, plant specimens, glad to hear her brother had given "proofs of his best feelings being exercised towards his family, Barclay's Apology, Backhouse's health (26 April 1834, also copy "per favour T. Mather"); thank for journal; search for Richard and information about his death, his job with Thomas Steel and lodging with Thomas Soltit and wife who kept the "Jolly Tar" public house. his property; the Meeting House in Sydney (November 1835)

Miscellaneous material, including correspondence, relating to the children of Frances & Anna Maria Cotton

Photograph thought to be the town of Gormanston c1885-90

Photographs of Government House, Botanical Gardens, dated c1879-1882. Photographed by Anson Brothers & Baily

Documents relating to the Grange Property dated 1846 – 1855. Francis Cotton's correspondence relating to the purchase of the Grange estate) including: copies of letters from Charles Swanston (1846) letter from J.L. Gellibrand offering Grange Farm on the same terms as agreed with Swanston, ie. £4000 at 5% (27 May 1850); letters from Thomas Young, solicitor, relating to the survey of the land, original grantees and application by Gellibrand and Bethune for part of the estate (Oct., Nov. 1854).·copy of letter to Surveyor General (31 Oct. 1854) and to Colonial Secretary (25 Aug. 1855 . Also rough note of history of F. Cotton's purchase of the Grange, uncertain boundaries and "proposals for the occupation of the Grange Estate” (Joseph to have the part known as the Bend and the Big River about 3000 acres, Henry to have remainder of estate and Crown land upwards of 5000 acres)

Documents relating to the Grange Property dated 1846 – 1855. Francis Cotton's correspondence relating to the purchase of the Grange estate) including: copies of letters from Charles Swanston (1846) letter from J.L. Gellibrand offering Grange Farm on the same terms as agreed with Swanston, ie. £4000 at 5% (27 May 1850); letters from Thomas Young, solicitor, relating to the survey of the land, original grantees and application by Gellibrand and Bethune for part of the estate (Oct., Nov. 1854).·copy of letter to Surveyor General (31 Oct. 1854) and to Colonial Secretary (25 Aug. 1855 . Also rough note of history of F. Cotton's purchase of the Grange, uncertain boundaries and "proposals for the occupation of the Grange Estate” (Joseph to have the part known as the Bend and the Big River about 3000 acres, Henry to have remainder of estate and Crown land upwards of 5000 acres)

Documents relating to the Grange Property dated 1846 – 1855. Francis Cotton's correspondence relating to the purchase of the Grange estate) including: copies of letters from Charles Swanston (1846) letter from J.L. Gellibrand offering Grange Farm on the same terms as agreed with Swanston, ie. £4000 at 5% (27 May 1850); letters from Thomas Young, solicitor, relating to the survey of the land, original grantees and application by Gellibrand and Bethune for part of the estate (Oct., Nov. 1854).·copy of letter to Surveyor General (31 Oct. 1854) and to Colonial Secretary (25 Aug. 1855 . Also rough note of history of F. Cotton's purchase of the Grange, uncertain boundaries and "proposals for the occupation of the Grange Estate” (Joseph to have the part known as the Bend and the Big River about 3000 acres, Henry to have remainder of estate and Crown land upwards of 5000 acres)

Letter to Colonial Secretary dated 25 August 1855.

Copy of letter to the Surveyor General dated 31 October 1854

Photograph of a group of 21 men and ?one woman, in front of the Royal Tennis Court building. Undated,
c1915-30

Photograph of a group of ten men, seated and standing, business suits and waistcoats, beards or
moustaches. Undated but may be c?1895-1910

Various photographs of Harrington Street - St. Marys Cathedral, Wilmot Terrace; Pressland House (formerly J P Cowles School); Goulburn St. ; St John the Baptist Church. Photographs by Winter Baily and Anson Bros.

Photograph album presented on 23 November 1897 to Henrietta Pierce, secretary of the Missionary Helpers Union, Hobart. She had taught at Friends School for eleven years and was leaving Hobart to teach at her aunt's school in Colchester, England. Letter enclosed signed by members of the Missionary Helpers' Union.
Photographs (as identified by Nancie Hewitt):

1. Pierce family - Alice, Henrietta, John, Margaret (9 yrs)
2. Friends School party (group of girls and boys seated on ground with tennis racquets)
3. May Gould - first cousin of Henrietta Pierce
4. Gould boys left to right: Jack, Arthur, Cecil, Alan
5. Mrs W.E. Shoobridge (nee Mather)
6. Edith Shoobridge, daughter of above and missionary wife
7. Ada Gatchell, Irish Friend (blind and deaf 40 years)
8. Frank Mather, Margaret and Henrietta Pierce before Henrietta went to England 1897
9. Charles Sowden
10. Henry Propsting
11. Hannah Propsting
12. Sarah Pumphrey and Mary (daughter)
13. Elinor and Margerita Robey [as children with doll]
14. Miss Wilson (LeTall), housekeeper Friends School
15. Margaret Pierce
16. Alice Pierce - taken at Lawson by William Allen [elderly woman with stick and bundle of firewood]
17. Shoobridge family - Edith's wedding
18. Samuel Clemes - first head of Friends School
19. Isabella Jane Clemes (1840-1903) first [woman] senior wrangler of Cambridge University, Newham College
20. Ferdinand Grone, husband of Lizzie Pierce
21. Aunt Lizzie Pierce, John Pierce's sister
    24 Thomas Pierce (grandfather of Mary) "(John youngest son): and Mary Anne
22. Pierce cousin (boy) (carte de visite by G. & J. Hall, Wakefield, England]
23. Woman, spectacles, head & shoulders by William Gill of Colchester [aunt? or other relative]
24. Henrietta Pierce [Later photograph, head & shoulders by Whitfield Crosse & Co., Salisbury, Devizes & Southampton]
25. John Pierce and Elizabeth - first wife ("Gould. Her brother a Hobart chemist, grandfather of present ones")
26. John & Elizabeth Pierce [carte de visite photos by G. & J. Long, Newport Isle of Wight and Brading]
27. Friends of Ettie's in England [two young men, spectacles, 1920s or 1930s, photo by Edges Ltd., Llandudno]
28. [Young man, rustic boots and breeches no date]

Notes and cuttings relating to the Brownell, Judd, Barnett and Propsting families, made by Nancie Hewitt, including:-

Brownell: notes by Mrs Hewitt including extracts from an account of Thomas Coke Brownell by his son John Beecham Brownell, photograph of T.C. Brownell.
Barnett: news cutting on Archdeacon Ernest Judd Barnett (died 1955) and copy of memorial address, notes, photograph of Grace Hannah Barnett, obituary of Barbara Burnett (1946).
Patricia Hewitt to serve in India news cutting 1961.
Judd: notes on Judd family; copy of letter from Elizabeth Judd to her aunt, H. Cane, London, on arrival in Hobart describing their voyage, Father being schoolmaster for the voyage in an emigrant ship, and describing Hobart - many things cheaper than in England 1 December 1842 (typed and manuscript copy).
Propsting: marriage declaration of no impediment to the marriage of Alfred Henry Barnett to Elizabeth Georgina Propsting no date; notes on the Propsting (or Probstein) family; extract from minutes of Friends Meeting concerning Henry Propsting 1878, 1901; photographs of Ann and Hannah, first and second wives of Henry Propsting.
Family tree showing connection of Brownell, Barnett, Judd and Propsting families.
News cuttings: Friends School painting of Matthinna, Arthur Circus, Fern Tree Hotel.

Various photographs of Hobart and Hobart environs taken between 1870 and 1882. Photographed by H. H. Baily, and Anson Bros.

Photographs of Hobart Domain, the University (Domain House), railways, and Regatta

Photograph of Hobart harbor and mountain (snow topped) from river, showing sailing ships, steam ferries. Glossy print, on "cabinet" mount, T. Crawford, Hobart.

Various photographs of Hobart and Hobart environs taken by prominent Tasmanian photographers including , Baily, Anson Bros., Winter and Cawston

Education for peace - Honora Deane Memorial Lecture, 19th July 1990.

Photograph of unidentified house with pillared verandah and shrubbery, paling fence, other houses beyond (? Hobart). A man, woman and child faintly visible on verandah.

Photograph of Huon Road, Hobart showing wide, graded dirt road, fence, and gum tree. Glossy print, amateurishly mounted.

Photograph of Huon Road, Hobart showing wide, graded dirt road, fence, and gum tree. Glossy print, amateurishly mounted.

Letter from Isaac Solomon to Robert Mather, dated 5 March 1829

Letters from sons and daughters: James B. Cotton, Kelvedon 1862, 1870-1875 Carting hay, municipal candidates Adam Amos, Henwood, John Amos, E.C. Shaw, birds nearly finished cherries, apple pearmains, soft soap for "Dr." (1862), Bentmore: sheep (1870), to Mother: Sydney trip (Mar.71 ), Kelvedon: farm matters (1872).

Collection consists of correspondence, diaries, accounts and documents relating to personal life, the Society of Friends xxxxxxx

Property query : James Munro dated 6 February 1883

Letters from sons and daughters: J.B. Mather 1856-7, 1872-1873 Wife's death (21.4.56); shopping, freight and other commissions for Cottons, T.Buxton's land (1857); Sarah Cole purchase order forgery (1.2.72), death of Esther Mather (2.9.72), F.C's commissions, Marriage Act and Friends' marriages (23.9.73), Martha Martin (24.11.73). Also letter to Anna Maria C: her health.

Photograph of Joan and Ursula Walker, daughters of John Ridley Walker (1847-1915) and Adah Caroline Giblin. Ursula seated at garden table, Joan standing behind, with cat.

Written from school, Mr Cowle's 'Hobart Town Classical and Commercial Academy' by John Beecham Brownell to parents [Thomas Coke and Elizabeth Brownell] dated 15 December 1851: Christmas holidays would start on 17 December.

Letters from sons and daughters: John Cotton, Earlham, Sandspits: Grueber's problems with his farm dated 1861

Collection consists of five letters from a Quaker, John H. Fisher, in Hobart to his brothers, Reuben A Fisher and Thomas W.Fisher in Cork, Ireland.
John Fisher asked for news of his family, mentioning particularly his sisters May, Susanna and Margaret, Uncle John, cousins and friends and the other apprentices and he inquired if brother Thomas was still apprenticed to Henry Morris. His past misfortune was his own fault and he did not expect friend Thomas Harvey to forgive him (F.1/2) and he wanted to know if the Friends Society had disowned him and how people he owed money to felt (F.1/4). He had not been much to the Friends Meeting House in Hobart -- it was very different from home (F.1/3). Fisher had been in Port Philip and went into the bush but had an accident crossing the Goulburn River when a bullock dray ran over his legs and broke his thigh. In Hobart Isaac got him a job as overseer to David Lord but he was the only free person employed. Now he was working with Isaac who was teaching him hat making (1843 F.1 /2) but in 1845 he wrote that hats could be imported more cheaply and Isaac was fell mongering - getting up wool for the English market (F.1/4). There was a depression in Hobart but his life was comfortable. Hobart had 4 insurance offices, 4 churches (2 English, 2 Scotch), a Catholic chapel, 4 dissenting houses and a Friends Meeting House. In his last letter, dated 11 November 1845, John Fisher says he is thinking of
trying for Californian gold. One letter was later endorsed with a letter from A. Fisher to Thomas dated 31 . 12 . 1894 from Dymond City, N.C., enclosing the letters from their brother John and commenting on A.F.'s good life in the U.S.A., news of his children and his
farm on which he still led an active life although both he and Thomas had "passed the three score and ten"

The bulk of the correspondence consists of Francis Cotton's letters to Joseph Benson Mather, and some other correspondence from members of the Society of Friends (Quakers), family and a few business correspondents also a few letters addressed to Joseph Benson Mather’s children.

The journals have been published as "Immense Enjoyment, the illustrated journals and letters of William L Wells 1884·1888, the life of an early Quaker family in Tasmania" edited by Faye Gardam and published by the Devon Wells Historical Soicety (1987) a copy is held at UTAS Library Cent.Quaker DU 194.3, .W45, A3 1987
Diaries, illustrated with sketches, written in duplicate copy books, using a lead point on thin copying paper with a blue "carbon" pad which printed both on the back of the copying paper to darken the faint impression made by the lead point as well as on to the slightly thicker copy paper pages which were perforated to tear out (the copy being darker and clearer writing than the "top"). In the last volume, however, the top flimsy pages were removed to send overseas (possibly now written with a pen) and the copy made with a blacker "carbon" was retained

Miscellaneous items collected by Nancie Hewitt (nee Brownell), including copies of Judd and Brownell papers, notes relating to Judd, Brownell and Propsting families and other items given to Mrs Hewitt. Also Mrs Hewitt's notes on the Society of Friends and the Quaker faith and some photographs of Quakers.

Papers relating to Joseph William Story of Eastern Marshes, Oatlands, farmer (died 1864), by his will dated 9 March 1855, appointed his cousin G.F. Story and Francis Cotton his trustees and executors. Includes papers relating to Ponsonby Vale and Stone House Farms 1868-1874.

Labour and order book dated.1844 to 1846. Including notes of sheep; sawyers and wood; labourers' wages, rations, tobacco and clothing. entries include Henry Pickering, James Harris £10 pa, James O'Daly, Hugh Fullam £9 pa., David Akin £9 pa., Alexander Dougal £10 pa., John Spencer £12 pa., Walter Thompson £20 pa., Timothy Coleman, James MacMillan, Mary Crofton, Ann Sullivan; produce etc shipped to R. Mather by "Mary Ann"

Photographs of Lake St. Clair at the southern end of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair area was declared a scenic reserve in 1922, a wildlife reserve in 1927, a national park in 1947 and a world heritage area from 1982.

Lands & Works Office: survey fee repayment dated 4 January 1883

Photograph of Launceston: Princes Square and general view.

Photograph of Launceston, Cataract Bridge, Tamar River. Photographers : WA Cawston, Anson Bros.

Photograph of Launceston, Cataract Gorge, with railed walkway, glossy print numbered 49 and stamped D'Emden

A lecture delivered to the Royal Society of Tasmania, 5th July 1994 entitled The importance of James Backhouse in the history of Van Diemen's Land in the 1830's.

Letter from Sarah Benson Mather to her aunt describing her mother's death, dated 18 September 1831.

Letter written by William L. Wells to "Sister" dated 17 July 1910. Grandson, Frank and Isabel's child, William Walker Wells, little Francie,
Arnold, Ella.

Robert Mather's letter concerning the sale of his stock-in-trade

Letter received from Abraham C. Flower dates,17 January 1835. Purchased 4 room cottage for 13 years for £50 - sending title as security.

Letter received from Abraham Davy, dated, July 1868. James Backhouse, trustee question (Sydney Meeting House), Friends, Alfred Allen.

Letter received from Ellen Boultbee, Avoca, dated 1863, Bible Reader

Letter received from F.Aubin dated 12 January 1857 regarding sheep

Letter received from George Bowes dated 17 October 1838. Green Bank: potatoes, Constable Macdonald's behaviour. F.C.'s reply cross -written over letter: spiritual riches.

Letter received from George Renison Bell dated 25 November 1882 and 8 January 1883. Regarding Gladstone: tin mining - description, mine shares

Letter received from J. Bassett dated 1858, cousin of Francis Cotton.: potato cargo, corn, Adam Amos' fire, Adelaide.

Letter received from James Backhouse jnr.dated 1871 regarding Family, Friends, Norway and J. Crosfield's visit, Father-in-law Isaac Robson visiting America, Hickites (followers of Elias Hicks) and other errors, modes of speech and dress "practically thrown overboard", uncle by marriage Benjamin Seebohn died.

Letters received from James Backhouse, York, 1840, 1848, 1859 & 1865 regarding Society of Friends, Cape Town (1840), doubts propriety of disowning members who marry non-Friends otherwise suitable (1847), attended Yearly Meeting with sister Elizabeth and niece Sarah Jane Backhouse, stayed with son-in-law Joseph Crosfield, transfer of title to Hobart Meeting House - clause in will conveys it to trustees (1859).

Letter received from James Dixon dated 1855. Sheep sales, Russian War. Also printed statement on emigration (1847)

Letter received from Reuben Burden dated 30 May 1880. Baptism

Letter received from Samuel Cook, Adelaide, dated 19 January 1845. South Australia, Jacob Hayn's goats and copper mines, J. Hayne married sister of Baker a director of Bank of Australia, Quakers, taking a run on Murray River for pigs and fish.

Letter received from William Beck, London, dated 1883. Friends

Letters written by various members of the Wells family

Letters written by Elizabeth Lucy (Bessie) Wells to father, Martin Lidbetter, and mother 1884 - 1886. Bessie's letters to her parents were intended for all her family, as she says in her first letter on the voyage (6 May 1884) which was addressed to Father, Mother, Robert & Sophie, Tom & Lizzie, Willie, Harry & Mary. Her first letter was written from Greenhithe before sailing and describes their boarding, seen off by the Wells father, Prissie, Uncles James Wells, Henry & Louie and her two children, Mabel and Arthur. Her letters supplement the journal of the voyage and describe their lives on the voyage, in Hobart and later at the Don River. There are references to the children's schooling, their hopes for a Friends School and eventual arrival of Samuel Clemes and family and the start of the School and the attendance of Edith and Frank, although the expense was almost too much but Edith gained a scholarship. There are references to visits from other Friends and occasionally relatives, visits to Melbourne, etc. A letter of 13.12.1891 was written on Wells Store printed letter-head.
• Nos. 8-12, 1884 - voyage
• Nos.13-18, 1885 - January 1886 - Hobart
• Nos.19-25, 1886, February-August Don River store (including incomplete letter from Melbourne with postscript from Don, 8 June 1886 - Arnold's eye)
• Nos.26-44, 1887-1893 Don River (including two undated letters c1891- Edith got scholarship, c1892 wedding of Walter Lean at Table Cape, Minnie Furmage and 2 children, Willie going to Latrobe daily, Frank possibly not returning to Friends School after Christmas as fees £50 now he had turned twelve)

William and Bessie Wells to Thomas and Lizzie dated 1885 – 1888. William to sister and brother in law, with notes and one letter enclosed from Bessie: Baby 12 weeks old, Frank and Edith attending Miss Johnson's school, wishes Edith could go to Ackworth school with Fanny, Father & Prissie (September 1885); Hobart house with sketch of verandah railings and "frieze" made by William L. Wells., Edward Octavius Cotton, Mr Henry's business offer, Thomas Lidbetter and son staying after birth of another son for T.L. (18.10.85); family life; birth of fourth son Hugh, business (24.1.88); Miss Greer to be married (5.9.88).

Letters written by William Wells to Father dated 25 September 1885, 8 January 1888 Hobart: Mather family, job prospects, Thomas Lidbetter there - reminds them of Martin Lidbetter, children and new "young Tasmanian" Martin (1885); Don: birth of Hugh (1888).

Letter received from James Erskine Calder dated 1857, 1858 &1864. Mr Champ, his school fellow and playmate at 13 years old, and Chief clerk Burnett, blocked his promotion in the Survey Department; defects in new land scheme (1857); acting for sprent during his leave of absence; Henry Ashton delected Clerk of spring Bay Municipality (1864)

Letters from sons and daughters: Rachel Cotton and Mary (Cotton) Scholl (England) sisters of Francis Cotton, 1882-1883
Francis Cotton's bad health, wife's illness, aged friend Dr. Story, Essex, weather, lambing, family, James B. Cotton and Hannah Hall.

Ambrotypes in cases of little girls. Both seated, wearing black and white Pierrette type white dresses. One child has ringlets. Cases: tooled imitation leather, lined red velvet, frames oval top.

Various photographs of Liverpool Street, Hobart including Perkins and Nephew Wholesale & Retail Drapers and Grocers. Photographed by Anson Bros.