My Dear Annie – Missingham Letter 2

Friday 13 November 1896

My Dearest wife

Since my last letter on Sunday I ran down to Kiama  (NSW) by 8.30 train and arrived at Albion Park at 12 noon saw Jamie & his wife and youngsters, the mater (Mother) was in Sydney in the suburbs but I could not find her. I took a run round and saw D L Dymock & his boys and a few people that I remember.  I am I find quite old now scarcely anyone knows me and the boys did not know me and I had a generally miserable time.

The Barabool

I stayed one night in Albion Park and came back to Sydney on Tuesday morning and caught the first boat, the ‘Barabool’ and left the wharf at 5 pm arriving here this “Friday” morning after a long slow trip.  The weather is very sharp and cold and eating has been my chief occupation. I am most ashamed of my appetite and if it keeps increasing as I go south the company will be charging extra fares.  I have not met a soul that I know since leaving Brisbane and am continuously wishing you were with me dear mine.  Kiama & District looks to me better than ever, it is undoubtedly the prettiest part.

This is the morning of landing and I hope my dearest you are getting along all serene and that you will let one know how everything is as soon as you can possibly. I am anxious that you were talking to me about Paddy, the garden and the children but after sitting up and bumping my head against the ceiling of the bunk ( a top one) I realized that it was not so.  I am having very bad luck with the  steamers, the one we leave in tomorrow being the “Gabo” and full from stem to stern with passengers and  cargo all bound west a great number being young boys and I can see that some of them will not pull through the hard living in the west.  However they all seem full of hope and if they stand the climate experience.  I sent you a few little books for the children and Musketts latest in cooking from Sydney and trust you get them aright.  The first thing we have heard this morning was the position of the Qld. Bank and I hope that you had cashed the cheques that I left as I cannot send any more money forward until I reach Albany where my credit letters will be cashable.  Now my little sweetheart with my very best love to yourself and also to the babies Davie & Madge and Silla & little Jack believe me ever yours always.

D Missingham.

PS:-    I haven’t seen Melbourne yet or am I likely to see much of it as it is raining hard. DM

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Moya Sharp

Owner at Outback Family History

My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

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