MS 7887
Papers of James Frederick Watson (1878-1945)
The Papers of J.F. Watson were purchased from his daughter Miss
Pauline Watson in 1989.
The Watson Papers form a large collection covering an exceptionally
long period and including an unusual variety of materials. The
bulk of the collection comprises Watson's own papers and they
document most phases of his life, from his early days as a student
and medical practitioner to his long career as a historian, publicist
and editor of Historical Records of Australia. In addition,
there are important papers of his father, the politician James
Watson, and of other forebears of Watson, in many cases annotated,
arranged and bound by Watson. Finally, there are papers relating
to Watson's life and writings which were assembled by Pauline
Watson in the 35 years after his death.
The papers include family, business, political and official correspondence,
manuscripts, research material, essays, cutting books, certificates,
legal documents, printed items, invitations and photographs.
There are also many books from Watson's library and an unusual
array of objects, mostly associated with James Watson, including
a Treasury despatch box, travelling desk, two pairs of spectacles,
badges, medals and a volume of New South Wales duty stamps.
Other papers on Watson's work as editor of Historical Records
ofAustralia can be found in MS 237 and in the archives of
the National library (especially CP 740, set 6, boxes 5 - 7)
James Frederick Watson was born on 27 June 1878 in Sydney,
the eldest son of James and Margaret Watson. He was educated
at Sydney Grammar School and Sydney University. He was a resident
surgeon and an assistant medical superintendent in Queensland
in 1903-05. He married Muriel Marks in 1906. In the same year
he joined the surgeon Neville Howse at Orange, New South Wales.
In 1909 he took his family to Europe to study radiology. After
returning to Sydney he maintained medical rooms in Macquarie street
for about two years.
In October 1910 he was appointed a trustee of Public Library of
New South Wales. In 1912 he was appointed by the Commonwealth
Parliamentary Library Committee as the first editor of the Historical
Records of Australia. Under his editorship 33 volumes were
published. He resigned in 1925 and no further volumes were ever
issued.
In 1927 Watson moved to the Canberra district, although he continued
to spend a good deal of time in Sydney. He was elected a member
of the Federal Capital Commission in 1929 but resigned six weeks
later.
Watson wrote numerous workson historical, economic and constitutional
subjects, including The history of Sydney Hospital from 1811
to 1911, The beginning of government in Australia,
A brief history of Canberra, Constitutional reform as
a basis for the permanent economic recontruction of Australia,
and 'Financial history of Australia'.
Watson died in Sydney on 22 January 1945 and was survived by his
wife and three daughters.
See: Australian Dictionary of Biography, vol. 12, p.399.;
A.M. Mitchell. Dr Frederick Watson and Historical Records of
Australia. Australian Historical Studies, vol. 20,
no.79 (Oct. 1982), pp.17197.
James Watson, the father of J.F.Watson, was born on 17
December 1836 in Port down, County Armagh, Ireland, the second
son of James (d. 1847) and Sarah Watson. He followed his brothers
George and William John ( d.1886) to Victoria, arriving in Melbourne
in 1856. In 1861 they moved to Lambing Flat (Young, N.S.W.) and
in 1862 opened a store which was provisioned by John Frazer.
In 1869 James Watson bought a quater share in John Frazer &
Co. and moved to Sydney. He married Margaret Ewan, sister of James
Ewan and sister-in-law of Frazer, in 1871.
On 28 December 1869 Watson was elected to the Legislative Assembly
for Lachlan, a position which he held until 1880, when he won
the seat of Young. He became a close friend and creditor of Sir
Henry Parkes. He served in the Parkes Ministry as the Colonial
Treasurer from 21 December 1878 until 4 January 1883 when he was
defeated for the seats of Young and Illawarra. In April 1884
he won a byelection for Gundagai, which he held until October
1885. He became a director of the Australian Joint Stock Bank
in 1897.
Watson died on 30 October 1907.
See: Australian Dictionary of Biography, vol. 6, pp. 362
- 63.
James Ewan, the maternal grandfather of Frederick Watson,
was born in Edinburgh on 23 January 1811. A schoolteacher, he
was a Fellow of the Educational Institute of Scotland and tutor
to Lord Howick (later 3rd Earl Grey) on his travels in Europe.
In 1849 he and his family emigrated to Sydney on the Zemindar
and at first he conducted a school in York street. He edited
Australian Era (1850 -51) and Australian Witness
(c.1853) and was the author of Geography of the Australian
colonies, Sydney, 1851 (2nd ed. 1854).
In about 1854 Ewan moved to Maitland where he was a reporter on
the Maitland Mercury, correspondent of the Sydney Morning
Herald and one of the founders of the Northern Times.
He died at West Maitland on 10 July 1860.
Ewan's daughter, Margaret Salmon Ewan (d.1887), married James
Watson in 1871. His son, James Ewan (1843-1903), was a partner
of James Watson and John Frazer in Frazer & Co. and he was
a chairman and a chairman and director of several companies, including
the Australasian Steam Navigation Company.
See: James Ewan Papers (Series 12/3). Australian Dictionary
of Biography, vol. 4, pp. 145-46.
- General correspondence, 1879-1944
- Newspaper cuttings, 1896-1944
- The history of Sydney Hospital from 1811 to 1911
- The beginning of government in Australia, 1913-14
- Historical records of Australia, 1911-41
- A brief history of Canberra, 1921-44
- Constitutional reform, 1915-46
- Public finance and banking, 1924-60
- Other writings by Watson, 1815-1944
- Canberra and Gungahleen, 1927-79
- James Watson, 1837-1932
- Family Papers, 1814-1940
- Miscellaneous Papers, 1895-1934
- Printed items, 1895-1934
- Objects
- Books
SERIES 1 - GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE, 1879 - 1944
This series contains correspondence concerning Watson's career
as a doctor and historian and his numerous intellectual and literary
pursuits, as well as some personal and family letters. Most of
the papers were bound into volumes by Watson or his daughter Pauline
Watson and the letters were indexed. Some of the volumes also
contain personal documents, invitations, cuttings, photographs
and other items. It should be noted that in other series there
are further papers on some of the subjects mentioned in the general
correspondence, such as Watson's interest in banking system and
his relations with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library and
the Mitchell Library.
Most of the personal items are contained in Pieces 1-3, which
cover the years 1879-1944. They include his birth certificate,
letters to his uncle William Ewan (1891-95), letters of commendation
from Sydney University professors (1903), photographs of St Paul's
College and football teams (1902), items relating to Orange District
Hospital and Orange Jockey Club (1907-8), letters from Watson's
sisters and others concerning his election to the Federal Capital
Commission (1929), extracts from his diaries (1913, 1923-24, 1933),
invitations, cuttings and family photographs.
There is an extensive correspondence concerning various literary
projects, including Watson's writings on radioactivity (1912),
Australian public opinion (1918), Captain James Cook (1933) and
the Australian banking system; Sibella Macarthur Onslow's research
for her book Some early records of the Macarthurs of Camden
(1914); the Commonwealth of Australia yearbook; the political
reminiscences of Mrs J.H. Keating; and John Macpherson's writings
on John White and William Balmain. Other correspondence deals
with G.A. Wood's scheme for the teaching of Australian history
at Sydney University; Watson's editing of Historical Records
of Australia; the proposed establishment of an Archive Office
in Sydney (1911); the purchase of the Macquarie Papers by the
Mitchell Library and the Cook Journal by the National Library;
and the history of St James' Church, Sydney (1944)
Correspondents include Sir Mungo MacCallum, B.R. Wise, Charles
MacDonald, Sibella Macarthur Onslow, Elliott Johnson, J.H.Keating,
Sir Earle Page, G.A. Wood, W.A. Holman, Sir Daniel Levy, Frank
Clune, Lallah Keating, A.B. Patterson, H.E. Hunt, Sir Josiah
Symon, K. Binns, J. Cousins, R.C. Mills, W. Clark, Sir John Peden,
J. Macpherson, Sir George Knibbs and E. Davidson.
Pieces:
- Personal correspondence, 1879-1927 (1 vol., indexed)
- Personal correspondence, 1928-44 (1 vol., indexed)
- Correspondence with sundry authors, 1910-38 (1 vol., indexed)
- Correspondence with sundry authors, 1913-24 (1 vol., indexed)
- Correspondence with sundry authors, 1913-44 (1 vol., indexed)
- Correspondence, 1934-39 (1 folder)
- Correspondence, 1911-31 (1 vol., indexed)
- Correspondence with J. Macpherson, 1928 (1 folder)
- Correspondence with E. Davidson, 1944 (1 folder)
- Correspondence with Professor E.R. Holme, 1944 (1 folder)
SERIES 2 - NEWSPAPER CUTTINGS, 1896-1971
Apart for one folder of miscellaneous cuttings, the series comprises
seven volumes compiled by Watson and, after his death, by his
daughter.
The 1897-99 scrap book contains cuttings, photographs and manuscript
poems, written when Watson was an undergraduate at St Paul's College.
The 1896-1922 cutting book contains articles on bushrangers,
Aborigines, L. Leichhardt and other subjects. The other five
volumes mostly have cuttings on Watson's writings, including
The History of Sydney Hospital from 1811 to 1911 (1911-12),
The beginnings of Government in Australia (1913-14), Historical
Records of Australia (1914-21) and Constitutional Reform
(1932), as well as general articles on banking, Canberra, and
the Federal Capital Commission (1929). Volume 5 (Subseries 6)
also contains cuttings, letters and telegrams on the deaths of
Watson (1945) and his brother, Captain Herbert F. Watson (1941).
Correspondents include Lady Gowrie, K. Binns, E.G. Whitlam, and
Sibella Macarthur Onslow.
Pieces:
- Historical newspaper cuttings, 1896-1922 (1 vol., indexed)
- Scrap book, 1897-99 (1 vol.)
- Newspaper cuttings, 1905-21 (Vol. 1, indexed)
- Newspaper cuttings, 1921-29 (Vol. 2, indexed)
- Newspaper cuttings, 1929-32 (Vol. 3, indexed)
- Newspaper cuttings, 1932-37 (Vol. 4, indexed)
- Newspaper cuttings, 1937-71 (Vol. 5, indexed)
- Miscellaneous newspaper cuttings, 1944 (1 folder)
SERIES 3 - THE HISTORY OF SYDNEY HOSPITAL FROM 1811 TO 1911
Watson's first book was written at the request of the Board of
Directors of the Sydney Hospital to celebrate the centenary of
the laying of the foundation stone of the original hospital in
1811. The history was published by the New South Wales Government
Printer in 1911.
Watson bound the manuscript, with very few corrections, with a
small group of letters concerning his research and the distribution
of the book and also the copyright certificate.
The correspondents include Charles H. Helsham (Secretary of the
Hospital), Charles McDonald and J.W. Minty.
Pieces:
- Manuscript and correspondence, 1911-12, 1939 (1 vol.)
- Galley proofs (2 copies)
SERIES 4 - THE BEGINNING OF GOVERNMENT IN AUSTRALIA, 1913-14
In the early stages of his research as editor of Historical
Records of Australia, Watson discovered some important early
legal documents in the New South Wales Supreme Court. He reproduced
a selection of them in facsimile form in a quarto volume entitled
The beginning of government in Australia, published by
the Government Printer in 1913.
The small series comprises a copy of the publication, with a few
letters inserted, and a volume of drafts. Correspondents include
Celix Turnbull and Charles McDonald.
Pieces:
- Published work and correspondence, 1913-14 (1 folio)
SERIES 5 - HISTORICAL RECORDS OF AUSTRALIA, 1911-41
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Library Committee appointed Watson
as the first editor of Historical Records of Australia
in August 1912. He proposed to publish seven series of predominantly
official documents covering the years 1787 to 1855. In fact,
only volumes in three series were published:
- Series 1. NSW Governor's despatches, 1787-1849 (26 vols.)
- Series 3. Despatches and papers relating to the settlement
of the states, 1803-30 (6 vols.)
- Series 4. Legal papers, 1786-1827 (1 vol.)
Publication ceased in 1926 following a dispute between Watson
and the Library Committee arising from the failure of the Government
Printer to publish four volumes in 1925. No other editor was
ever appointed.
The principal papers in this series are three volumes of correspondence
between Watson and members of the Parliamentary Library Committee,
librarians and historians, dating from 1911-41. They largely deal
with the administration, funding and printing of Historical
Records of Australia, but also discuss such matters as the
Macquarie Papers acquired by the Mitchell Library in 1913, the
King Papers, the location of records in Tasmania, and the possible
resumption of publication in the 1930s. Correspondents include
Charles McDonald, W. Elliott Johnson, G.A. Wood, Arthur Wadsworth,
J. Keating, W.H. Ifould, J.M. Robinson, W.G. Robertson, J.W. Beattie,
Kenneth Binns and Ida Leeson.
Among other important material in the series are correspondence
with G.A. Wood and J.B. Peden concerning Watson's introductions
to each volume (further letters on the same subject are contained
in Series 1); a volume of manuscript entitled 'The birth of civilisation
in Australia'; correspondence and other papers relating to the
legal suit Watson v. the Commonwealth, which led to the cessation
of the publication in 1926; and a set of Historical Records
of Australia heavily annotated by Watson. Of special note
are a volume of letters from James Bonwick to Alexander Britton,
H.C.L. Anderson and F.M. Bladen discussing his transcription of
British documents and the publication of Historical Records
of New South Wales.
Pieces:
- Correspondence and agreements, 1911-20 (1 vol., indexed)
- Correspondence and agreements, 1920-22 (1 vol., indexed)
- Correspondence and agreements, 1922-41 (1 vol., indexed)
- Comments on introductions by G.A. Wood (1 vol.)
- Correspondence with G.A. Wood and J.B. Peden, 1914-24 (1 vol.)
- Manuscript 'The birth of civilisation in Australia' (1 vol.)
- Papers re suit Watson v. the Commonwealth, 1915-25 (vol.1,
indexed)
- Papers re suit Watson v. the Commonwealth, 1925-27 (vol.2,
indexed)
- Letters of James Bonwick to F.M. Bladen and others; and a
letter of G. Hendy-Pooley to Watson, 1892-96, 1945 (vol.1, indexed)
- Letters of James Bonwick to F.M. Bladen and others, 1896-98
(vol. 2, indexed)
- History of New South Wales annotated by James Bonwick,
1783-1789 (vol. 1, part 1)
- Copies of letters of James Bonwick to F.M. Bladen, Alexander
Britten and H.C.L. Anderson, 1892-98 (1 vol., indexed)
- Set of Historical Records of Australia annotated by
Watson (33 vols.)
In 1927 Watson, who had recently moved to Canberra, completed
a book entitled A brief history of Canberra: the capital city
of Australia. It was published in a limited edition by the
Federal Capital Press and is believed to be the first book published
in the ACT. The history began with the Aborigines of the Limestone
Plains and the arrival of Charles Throsby in 1820 and ended with
the opening of the Federal Parliament in Canberra in 1927.
The series contains manuscript and typescript drafts, printed
items and correspondence concerning Watson's research, distribution
of the book, appreciation by readers and the disposal of spare
copies. The correspondents include F.H. Throsby, Audrey Mowle,
Thomas White, F. Strahan, H.E. Jones and Alec Ogg.
Pieces:
- Correspondence and manuscripts, 1921-44 (vol. 1)
- Corrected manuscripts and typescripts (vol.2.)
- Typescript (1 folder)
- Printed items (1 folder)
NOTE: Further papers on Canberra may be found in Series 10.
SERIES 7 - CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM, 1915-46
As editor of Historical Records of Australia, Watson became
deeply interested in the constitutional history of Australia and
constitutional reform became one of his abiding interests in the
1920s and 1930s. In 1924 he appeared before the New South Wales
Royal Commission on New States, setting out in great detail the
history of colonial boundaries. In 1927 he gave evidence to the
Royal Commission on the Constitution, again arguing in favour
of New States and also calling for uniform State constitutions.
The economic and political turmoil of the Depression heightened
his interest: he gave a paper on constitutional reform and economic
reconstruction to the Economic Society of Australia and New Zealand
in 1931 and the following year published a book entitled Constitutional
reform as the basis for the permanent economic reconstruction
of Australia.
In addition to his 1931 address, the series contains two volumes
of correspondence, cuttings, notes, manuscripts and pamphlets
on a number of constitutional subjects, such as New States, electoral
reform, the abolition of Upper Houses, the powers of governors,
and Commonwealth-State financial relations. Correspondents include
Earle Page, Justice John Cohen, Sir Thomas Henley, Sir Josiah
Symon, A. Berriedale Keith, Sir John Latham, John M. White, W.M.
Killen, S. McKellar White, J.H. Scullin, Lieutenant Colonel E.J.
Munro and H.R. Redding.
Pieces:
- Correspondence, manuscripts, cuttings, 1915-30 (vol.1., indexed)
- Correspondence, manuscripts, cuttings, 1931-46 (vol.2.)
- Address to Economic Society of Australia and New Zealand,
1931 (1 folder)
SERIES 8 - PUBLIC FINANCE AND BANKING, 1924-60
As with constitutional reform, Watson became interested in public
finance and banking as a result of his research on Australian
colonial history. In 1924 he engaged in extensive correspondence
with James Kell, the Acting Governor of the Commonwealth Bank,
Earle Page, W. Massey Greene and others concerning the policies
of the Note Board and the Commonwealth Bank Bill. In the following
years he wrote papers on the banking crises of the nineteenth
century and the causes of the Depression. He gave evidence to
the 1936 Royal Commission on Monetary and Banking Systems. In
1937 he completed a financial history of Australia, which was
never published.
The series comprises correspondence, research notes, manuscripts,
typescripts and cuttings relating to both the history of banking
and contemporary economic problems. Correspondents include H.
Vaughan, Earle Page, A.C. Davidson, James Kell, Charles Binnie,
W.M. Hughes, W. Massey Greene, R.C. Mills, W.T. Harris, H.A. Pitt,
J.H. Scullin, W.T. Kirwan, W.G. Cousins and S.G. McFarlane. There
is also some correspondence of Pauline Watson with H.S. Temby,
W.R. Cumming and D.J. Hill in 1957-60 dealing with her efforts
to find a publisher for her father's financial history.
Pieces:
- Correspondence, notes, typescripts on central banking, 1924-31
(1 folder)
- Typescript entitled 'The failure of the Australian banking
system in the 1843, 1866, 1893 and present crisis', 1932
(1 folder)
- Manuscript on control credit in Australia (1 folder)
- Paper on banking presented to Economic Society, Canberra,
1930 (1 folder)
- Manuscript entitled 'Causes of the Crisis', 1930 (1 folder)
- Notes on banking, 1880-1900 (1 folder)
- Evidence and Report of 1936 Royal Commission on Monetary and
Banking Systems and related correspondence (1 folder)
- Manuscript entitled 'Financial History of Australia; Book
1, 1788-1831' (1 folder)
- Manuscript entitled 'Financial History of Australia; Book
2, 1832-1855' (1 folder)
- Manuscript entitled 'Financial History of Australia; Book
3, 1856-1900' (1 folder)
- Miscellaneous notes by Watson and Pauline Watson on 'Financial
history' (1 folder)
- Petition of J.F.Watson to the House of Representatives concerning
banking methods of the Bank of New South Wales [n.d.] (1 folder)
- Correspondence on 'Financial History of Australia', 1937-43
(1 folder)
- Correspondence of Pauline Watson on 'Financial History of
Australia', 1957-60 (1 folder)
- A copy of the Commentary on the proposed bill for the establishment
of a Central Reserve Bank for Australia, 1930 (1 folder)
SERIES 9 - OTHER WRITINGS BY WATSON, 1815-1944
The series contains manuscripts, typescripts and printed items
written by Watson throughout his life.
Items:
- Copy of manuscript 'Memoranda road book' which belonged to
Dr Arthur B. Cox. The original was written by Lieutenant W. Cox,
12 July - 28 October 1815
- Notes of early research, mainly on Aboriginal vocabularies,
c. 1893
- Essay entitled 'A comparison of the Roman provincial government
with the English government of India', 1896 (Windeyer Prize Essay,
Sydney Grammar School)
- Manuscript entitled 'An account of all races and matches ever
run in New South Wales up to the year 1812', 1898 (1 vol.)
- Manuscript on x-rays read before British Medical Association,
1910
- Notes on NSW land grants and pardons (1792-1809), with a copy
of the first minute book of the Bank of New South Wales (1816-17),
1913
- Reporters' notes of lecture entitled 'The writing of Australian
history' delivered to the Australian Historical Society, 1915
- Manuscript entitled 'A brief analysis of public opinion in
Australia during the past six years', published by Tyrrells, 1918
- Typescript entitled 'Some unexplained mysteries about Lieutenant
Cook's voyage in the Endeavour and the first settlement
in Australia', read before ANZAAS Congress, 1932
- Manuscript entitled 'History of the subdivision of Australia
and the principles for readjustment', read before ANZAAS Congress,
1932
- Manuscript entitled 'The journal of Sir Joseph Banks', c.
1935
- Manuscript on a national university in Canberra written for
jubilee number of Canberra Times, 1938
- Manuscript entitled 'The first settlement of Australia', written
for National Review, 1938
- Manuscript entitled 'History of the Australian Capital Territory,
1820-1910', written for ANZAAS Handbook, 1939
- Volume entitled 'Sundry thoughts and scribblings selected
from loose papers, 1940-42', mainly comprising draft letters to
Sydney Morning Herald
- Notes on article by George Mackaness on Sir Joseph Banks papers,
1944
- Personal reminiscences, in eight chapters, n.d.
- Manuscript copy of meteorological observations by Lieutenant
Dawes, Port Jackson, 1788-91
- Manuscript notes on locating historical records, [n.d.]
- Manuscript of Captain Cook essay, [n.d.]
- Manuscript entitled 'Australia, the land of experiments',
[n.d.]
- Manuscript entitled 'Promotion of the North Australian White
Settlement Association', [n.d.] and printed items
- Manuscript 'The discovery of Australia', [n.d.]
- Manuscript 'Road to Uriara gorge', [n.d.]
In 1927 Watson moved to Canberra but he continued to spend a good
deal of time in Sydney, especially in his last years. He was a
member of the Federal Capital Commission in 1929. In 1934 he
purchased a property 'Gungahleen', north of Canberra, and in this
period he took a prominent part in social and sporting activities
in Canberra and the surrounding district.
This series contains invitations to functions at Parliament House,
Canberra Grammar School and elsewhere in Canberra, photographs
of Shows and race meetings, invitations and greeting cards, correspondence
concerning the purchase of 'Gungahleen' and the erection of a
R.A.A.F. transmitter on the property, a volume of acceptances
to a garden party to celebrate the 108th anniversary of the discovery
of Canberra, scrap book entitled 'Beginnings and origins in Canberra',
a collection of race meetings tickets, and cuttings about Canberra
kept by Pauline Watson. Correspondents include A. Percival and
H.S. Foll.
Also included in this series is one folder of material relating
to Canberra, including a copy of The fight for Canberra,
26 July 1915, which was given to Watson by A.J. Macdonald. Macdonald
had the power of attorney of Walter Burley Griffin.
Pieces:
- Invitations, menus and photographs, 1927-38 (1 vol.)
- Invitations and greeting cards, 1936-38 (1 vol.)
- Acceptances to Gungahleen garden party, 1928 (1 vol.)
- Correspondence and legal documents concerning Gungahleen,
1934-40 (1 folder)
- Scrap book 'Beginnings and origins in Canberra', 1927-38 (1
vol.)
- Race meeting tickets, Canberra and district, 1929-39 (1 folder)
- Cuttings from Canberra Times, 1976-79 (1 folder)
- Home made nails from the floor of the old laundry of Gungahleen
(1 folder)
- Original plans for sale of land in Canberra, 1927 (1 folio)
- Federal Capital Commission election poster, 1929 (1 folio)
- Papers acquired from A.J.Macdonald, 1883, 1912-38 (1 folder)
NOTE: Papers concerning Watson research on history of Canberra
may be found in Series 6.
SERIES 11 - JAMES WATSON, 1837-1932
The series contains political, business and family correspondence,
legal documents, invitations, photographs and cutting books of
James Watson (1869-74), the father of Frederick Watson. An unusual
array of objects that originally belonged to James Watson can
be found in Series 15.
The papers in piece 1 include Watson's baptism and marriage certificates,
miner's licences, passport and electoral rights, papers concerning
his emigration to Australia in 1856, correspondence with James
Frazer in London, letters of Lord Augustus Loftus on financial
matters and appoinments (1880-84), letters of the Bishop of Goulburn
on the Cathedral Fund (1882-92),
papers on the sale of James Frazer & Co. in 1889-90, invitations,
photographs of James and Margaret Watson, and letters concerning
the family burial ground (1908-9). The correspondence with Sir
Henry Parkes deals with Parkes' financial troubles, New South
Wales politics, Treasury administration, visits to Britain, the
affairs of the Australian Investment Company, and Watson's resignation
as Treasurer in November 1882. The other three letterbooks contain
letters from Watson to John Frazer, George Ewan, William Ewan
and other relatives and business associates concerning business
and family matters, including the death of Margaret Watson in
1887.
The cutting books were compiled by both James Watson and Frederick
Watson and contain general articles on politics as well as references
to James Watson and other members of his family.
Pieces:
- Correspondence, documents, photographs and other papers, 18371907
(1 vol.)
- Correspondence with Sir Henry Parkes, 1869-72 (1 vol., indexed)
- Correspondence with Sir Henry Parkes, 1882-1917 (1 vol., indexed)
- Letterbook, 1876-82 (1 vol.)
- Letterbook, 1884-86 (1 vol.)
- Letterbook, 1886-95 (1 vol.)
- Acceptances to ball given to celebrate arrival in Sydney of
S.S. Whampoa, March 1875 (1 vol., Indexed)
- Invitations, 1884-99 (1 vol.)
- Invitations, 1888-1906 (1 folder)
- Invitations to Commonwealth celebrations, 1901 (1 Vol. and
1 folio)
- Legal documents, 1869, 1899 (1 folder)
- Private account book, 1871-74 (1 vol.)
- Newspaper cuttings, 1869-73 (1 vol.)
- Newspaper cuttings, 1873-1932 (1 vol.)
- Miscellaneous papers, 1832-1919 (2 folders)
SERIES 12 - FAMILY PAPERS, 1814-1940
This series contains papers of other relatives of Watson, namely,
his grandfathers James Watson (d. 1847) and James Ewan (1811-60),
his mother Margaret Watson nee Ewan (d. 1887), his brother Captain
Herbert Frazer Watson (1881-1937) and his son James Frederick
Watson (1921-40)
The James Watson papers relate to the administration of his estate,
1848-55. The James Ewan papers mainly comprise manuscripts, including
an unpublished history of New South Wales, The geography of
the Australian colonies (1851), a guide to Sydney (1854),
a satirical account of social conditions in Australia prior to
1850, a chronological table, and a copy of The Australian Witness
(1853), which Ewan edited.
The Margaret Watson papers include a photograph, cuttings, correspondence
(1870-85) and letters, telegrams and cards of sympathy on her
death. Correspondents include James Ewan, Lady Sophia Cecil,
Elizabeth Watson, Florence Fairfax, Elizabeth Frazer, G.H. Reid
and Sir Henry Parkes.
The papers of Herbert Watson consist of letters that he wrote
to his brother, including one from Gallipoli in November 1915,
photographs, cuttings, a passport and letters of sympathy on his
death. The papers of Jim Watson comprise meteorological records
kept at Gungahleen in 1930, essays and articles on physics and
meteorology, and cuttings and a copy of an obituary.
Pieces:
- Papers of James Watson, 1832-87 (1 vol.)
- James Ewan. 'History of New South Wales' (1 vol.)
- James Ewan. Manuscripts (1 vol.)
- James Ewan. The geography of the Australian colonies
(2 vols.)
- Papers of Margaret Watson, 1870-87 (1 vol.)
- Papers of Herbert Watson, 1915-41 (1 vol.)
- Papers of Jim Watson, 1930-40 (1 vol.)
- Album of J.F.Watson, 1850-1859 (1 folio)
SERIES 13 - MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS, 1823-1943
The most unusual items in the series are some of the original
boards used for filing legal papers in the office of the New South
Wales Judge Advocate prior to 1823. Other items include commissions
and diplomas of Watson and his father, exhibition programs (1879-80),
membership tickets, greeting cards, circulars, and cuttings (1936-37)
SERIES 14 - PRINTED ITEMS, 1895-1934
The series contains a small number of miscellaneous printed items,
including copies of Sydney University Public Examination papers
(1895-1903), proofs of Hansards (1927) and copies of the
Canberra News Bulletin (1937-38). Books from Watson's
library have been placed in Series 16.
Most of the objects belonged to Watson's father and include a
Treasury despatch box, and two pairs of glasses, a bottle of gold
dust, badges, medals and a volume of New South Wales duty stamps
(1882). There is also a travelling desk which belonged to Watson.
Several hundred books from Watson's library were acquired with
the Watson Papers and have been kept with the Papers. Many of
them contain annotations by Watson. They include both Australian
and British works, mainly dating from the period 1790-1900. They
will in due course be catalogued individually.
Box Series Piece
1 1 1 - 4
2 1 5 - 10
3 2 1 - 5
4 2 6 - 8
4 3 1 - 2
5 5 1 - 3
6 5 4 - 6
7 5 7 - 12
25 6 1 - 4
26 7 1 - 3
27 8 1 - 7
28 8 8 - 15
29 9 1 - 9
30 9 10 - 17
31 9 18 - 24
32 10 1 - 4
33 10 5 - 8
33 11 1
34 11 2 - 6
35 11 7 - 12
36 11 13 - 15
36 12 1
37 12 2 - 6
38 12 7
38 13 1 - 3
39 13 4 - 11
40 14 1 - 7
41 15 Objects
42-65 16 Books
Folio Series
1 4
2 10
3 10
4 11
5 14
6 15
7 15
8 15
9 15
10 12
BOX 42
- ANZAAS. Meeting (11th : 1939 : Canberra, A.C.T.) Australian
and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science. Canberra
Meeting, 11-18 January, 1939 : programme Canberra : The Association,
1939
- The Financial statements of the Colonial Treasurers of New
South Wales : from the introduction of responsible government
on 24th November 1855, to the close of the Parliamentary session
of 188081, on the 6th April, 1881; together with an appendix Sydney
: Thomas Richards, Government Printer, 1881
- Robinson, Frederick W. (Frederick Walter) Canberra's first
hundred years Sydney : W.C. Penfold, 1924
- Sands' country and gazetteer of New South Wales Sydney : J.
Sands, 1881
- Southerly : the magazine of the Australian English Association,
Sydney (Vol. 1, 1939) Sydney : Australasian Medical Publishing
Co., 1939
- Watson James, 18371907 Ways and means : the financial statement
of the Honarable James Watson, Colonial Treasurer of New South
Wales, made 9th February, 1881 Sydney : Thomas Richards, Govt.
Printer, 1881
- Who's who in Australia (1928) Adelaide : F. Johns, 1927
- Wise, B. R. (Bernhard Ringrose), 1858-1916 The making of the
Australian Commonwealth, 1889-1900 : a stage in the growth of
the Empire London : Longmans Green, 1913
BOX 43
- Australasian bibliography (in three parts) : catalogue of
books in the Free Public Library, Sydney, relating to, or published
in Australasia... 1869-1888 Sydney : Government Printer, 1893
- Waterhouse, G. R. (George Robert), 1810-1888 A natural history
of the Mammalia London : Hippolyte Bailliere, 1846-1848
BOX 44
- Australia. Parliament Federal Capital. Melbourne : Government
Printer, 1915
- Burke, Bernard, Sir, 1814-1892 A genealogical and heraldic
history of the colonial gentry. London : Harrison & Sons,
1891-1895
- Low, David, Sir, 1891-1963. Caricatures. Sydney : Tyrrell,
1915
- Old times : an unique illustrated history of early days (vol.1,
no. 4). Sydney : Commercial Publishing Co., 1903
BOX 45
- The illustrated Australian encyclopaedia. Sydney : Angus and
Robertson, 1925-1926
BOX 46
- Hunter, John, 1737-1821. An historical journal of the transaction
at Port Jackson and Norfolk Island. London : Printed for Stockdale
... , 1793
- Phillip, Arthur, 1738-1814. The voyage of Governor Phillip
to Botany Bay ... London : Printed for John Stockdale, 1789
- Tench, Watkin, 1758-1833. A complete account of the settlement
at Port Jackson, in New South Wales ... London : Sold by G. Nicol
... , 1793
BOX 47
- Bonwick, James, 1817-1906. Port Phillip settlement. London
: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington, 1883
BOX 48
- Barton, G.B. Literature in New South Wales. Sydney : Thomas
Richards, Govt. Printer, 1866
BOX 49
- Australian Subdivision, effect on development ... Glen Innes,
N.S.W. : Examiner Printing Works, 1920
- Barnard, F.J. (Frederick John). Accumulimitation ... [Cremorne,
N.S.W. : F.J. Barnard, 1935] Honolulu, Hawaii : Honolulu Star
Buletine : 1941
- Bertie, Charles H., 1875-1952. The stories of Vaucluse House
and Sir Henry Browne Hayes. Sydney : Vaucluse Park Trust, 1923
- Cook, James, 1728-1779. Captain Cook's journal during his
first voyage round the world made in H.M. Bark "Endeavour",
1768-71 ... London : Elliot Stock, 1893
- Fowles, Joseph. Sydney in 1848. Sydney : J. Fowles, 1848?
- George Ernest Morrison lecture in ethnology (47th). Canberra,
[1986]
- Gullick, W.A. The seals of New South Wales. [Sydney : Government
Printer, 1921]
- Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics (Australia).
Sydney, Government Printer, 1910
- Sydney Harbour Bridge. [Sydney : Phillips, 1931?]
- .Pan-Pacific Who's Who. Honolulu, Hawaii : Honolulu Star-Bulletin,
1941
- Scott, J.M. The circulating sovereign. Sydney : J.M. Scott,
1941
- Smith, C.M. Trade depression and wasted resources ... Sydney
: Turner & Henderson, 1887.
- The Sydney Observatory ... Sydney : Government printer, 1882.
- Walker, David B. (David Barker). Early Australian Industries.
Melbourne : Walker, May & Co., 1919
- Wauchope, Charles P. The troubled nations. Adelaide : G. Hassell
& Son, 1916.
BOX 50
- Australian Medical Congress (1887-1920) transactions (8th).
Melbourne, 1908
- Bonwick, James. Discovery and settlement of Port Phillip ...
Melbourne : George Robertson, 1856
- Bonwick, James. The wild white man and the blacks of Victoria.
Melbourne : Fergusson & Moore, 1863
- Darwin, Charles. The expression of the emotions in man and
animals. London : John Murray, 1890
- Eddington, Arthur Stanley. The nature of the physical world.
Camb : Camb U.P., 1932
- Flanagan, Roderick J., 1826-1862. The history of New South
Wales ... London : Sampson, Low, 1862
- King, Phillip Gidley. Comments on Cook's log (H.M.S. Endeavour,
1770) ... Sydney : Government Printer, 1892
- McNab, Robert. Historical records of New Zealand. Wellington
: John Mackay, Govt. printer, 1908-1914
- Meuller, Fritz. Facts and arguments for Darwin. London : John
Murray, 1869
- Milne, James. Frazer prize essay on secularism in relation
to Christianity. Sydney : Turner and Henderson, 1889
- The railway guide of New South Wales ... Sydney : Thomas Richards,
Government Printer, 1879
BOX 52
- Adamson, Bartlett, 1884-1951. Twelve sonnets. Auckland; Melbourne
: Whitcombe & Tombs, 1918
- Bonwick, James. Geography of Australia and New Zealand. Melbourne
: W. Clarke, 1855
- Bonwick, James. John Batman, the founder of Victoria. Melbourne
: Samuel Mullen, 1867
- Burgess, H.T. Frazer prize essays on agnosticism from a moral
and spiritual point of view. Sydney : George Robertson & Co.,
1888
- Crowther, William E.L.H. (William Edward Lodewyk Hamilton),
Sir, 1887- . The development of the guano trade from Hobart Town
in the fifties and sixties Tasmania : H.H. Pimblett, Government
Printer, 1939
- Crowther, William E.L.H. (William Edward Lodewyk Hamilton),
Sir, 1887- . Method of migration of the extinct Tasmanian ract.Description
of two Tasmanian Aboriginal crania. Hobart : Royal Society of
Tasmania, 1921
- Evans, George William, 1780-1852. A geographical, historical,
and topographical description of Van Diemen's Land ... London
: Printed for John Souter by J. & C. Adlard, 1822
- Faifax, J. Griffyth (James Griffyth). The gates of sleep and
other poems. London : Elkin Mathews, 1906
- Ireland, Alexander, 1810-1894. Geography and history of Oceania
... Hobart : W. Fletcher, 1861
- Jeans, James, Sir, 1877-1946. The mysterious universe. New
York : The Macmillan company, 1931
- Jose, Arthur W. (Arthur Wilberforce), 1863-1934. History of
Australasia from the earliest times to the present day Sydney
: Angus and Robertson, 1911
- A journal of a tour of discovery across the Blue Mountains,
New South Wales, in the year 1813. Sydney : s.n., [19--?]
- Lord, Clive E. (Clive Errol), 1889-1933. The early explorers
of Tasmania. Hobart : J. Walch & Sons, 1920
- Milligan, Joseph, 1807-1884. Vocabulary of the dialects of
some of the aboriginal tribes of Tasmania. Hobart : W.T. Strutt,
1890
- Moore-Robinson, J. Chronological list of Tasmanian newspapers
from 1810 to 1933. [Hobart? : J. Morre-Robinson?], 1933
- Napier, S. Elliott (Sydney Elliott), 1870-1940. On the Barrier
Reef ... Sydney : Angus & Robertson, 1928
- Nicholls, Herbert, Sir. Historical sketch of the constitution
of Tasmania. Hobart : Daily Post, 1908
- Notes on Captain Bligh's visits to Tasmania in 1788 and 1792.
Hobart : Royal Society of Tasmania, 1922
- Notes on the currency of early Tasmania (1803-1825). Hobart
: Royal Society of Tasmania, 1926
- The origin of species by means of natural selection. London
: John Murray, 1872
- R.C.K. Ross centenary, June 2nd, 1821 - June 2nd, 1921 ...
Hobart : The Mercury Office, 1921
- A Record of Tasmanian nomenclature with dates and origins.
Hobart : The Mercury Printing Office, 1911
- Sandes, John, 1863-1938. The escort. Sydney : Angus &
Robertson, 1925
- Seager, Philip S. Hobart General Hospital centenary celebration
... Hobart : Government Printer, 1921
- Snorri Sturluson, 1179?-1241. London : Longman, Brown, Green
and Longmans, 1844
- Tasmanian state records. Hobart : Royal Society of Tasmania,
1921
- Tench, Watkin, 1758-1833. A narrative of the expedition to
Botany Bay ... London : J. Debrett, 1789
- Thorp, J.E. Centenary of Campbell Town, Tasmania, 1821-1921
... Hobart : Mercury, 1921
- To Marian's son, John Leslie, this memorial of his mother
.... Cheltenham, England : H. Edwards, 1880
- Voyage of the "Mary and Sally" to Macquarie Island
for the purpose of obtaining sea elephant oil and seal skins.
Hobart : Royal Society of Tasmania, 1933
- Woodward, G.P.M. (George Paul Minchin). Ambulance handbook
... Sydney : William Applegate Gullick, Government Printer, 1904
BOX 53
- Historical records of Australia. Sydney : Library Committee
of the Commonwealth Parliament, 1914- 1925
BOX 54
- Australasian Medical Congress. Transactions. Australia : The
Congress, 1905-1920
BOX 56
- Barton, Robert D., 1842. Reminiscences of an Australian pioneer.
Sydney : Ryrrell's 1917
List prepared 1990. Last updated 19 September 1996.
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