J.P. Fawkner’s journal extracted from journal in possession of William Oliver, South Yarra 27.6.1932; also J.W. Lancey’s journal 9 August to 26 September 1835 with personal note by J.P. Fawkner, 1932 Digital

Title taken from inside front cover.

Ms in foolscap exercise book. The extracts from the Fawkner journal cover the period 8 August, 1835 to 23 February, 1836, i.e., his settlement at Port Phillip.

This is a partial transcription of items the present whereabouts of which are unknown. In 1928, A.W. Greig published them in the Victorian Historical Magazine, vol.12, nos.3-4, under the title “Some new documentary evidence concerning the foundation of Melbourne”. Greig observed (p. 174) that the Fawkner journal did not appear to be in Fawkner’s own handwriting and that it showed signs of having been written up at a later date. This journal also needs to be compared to the “Journal of preparations for departure to and proceeding at Port Phillip” held by National Library of Australia and published by C.P. Billot as Melbourne’s missing chronicle. (Quartet: Melbourne, 1982).

In his article, Greig also notes (p.109) that William Oliver had acquired the items from Mrs. E.A. Walsh of Mooroopna. Elizabeth Anne Walsh, nee Lucas, was Fawkner’s grand-niece and became the fourth wife of John Joseph Walsh, who had previously married Fawkner’s widow Eliza. The Walsh family is the provenance of several significant Fawkner items (see above, ‘Notes on provenance’).