Guide to the Letters of Jane and David Cannan

Letter from Jane Cannan to Mrs Cannan, 5 May 1853 (Item 1)

Jane Cannan writes to her mother in law before departing to Australia. She writes that her and David visited the ship and been allowed inside to inspect their living quarters, described in detail. Describes other goings on of acqauintances including young children excited to see Kangaroos in Australia.

Letter from Jane Cannan to Agnes Cannan, from London, 5 May 1853 (Item 2)

Jane Cannan writes to her sister in law Agnes from London. Talks about their departure date and time from Gravesend. Mentions thier visit to the ship and describes the size and furnishings of their intended living quarters on board. Talks about the abundance of food, some of which she might save for when 'provisions are dear'. Mentions of acquaintances visits, and clothing that David has not got yet.

Letters from Jane Cannan aboard the Hempsyke to Madame du Bois Raymond in Berlin, June 2 1853; 7 August 1853; 14 August 1853 (Item 3)

Three letters written to her cousin Jeannette, now Madame du Bois Raymond in Berlin from the journey aboard the Hempsyke.Letter (i) written on June 2 describes the sea sickness they have suffered, her disinterest in the latitude and location of the ship, weather events, descriptions of the areas of the ship including the church, how they spend the time, daily routines, harsh descriptions of characters aboard such as the third class "intermediate" and steerage passengers she dislikes and how many of these passengers look, dress and behave badly.Letter (ii) written on 7th August details the further discomfort they have suffered on the journey during large storms and bad weather. They are close to Australia now but expect delays due to the bad weather. Talks about how their berth is 'noted the most comfortable of the lot...' and metions the various visitors they receive, gossip about passengers aboard, and other goings-on such as auctions and performances aboard.Letter (iii) describeds the arrival at Hobson's Bay, impressions of the country as they await disembarkation, sickness suffered onboard by crew and passengers.

Letters from David Cannan aboard the Hempsyke and on arrival at Hobson's Bay and after arriving in Melbourne to his mother, 3 July 1853 - 16 August 1853 (Item 4)

Two letters written aboard the Hempsyke on the journey to Australia. Letter (i) dated 3 July 1853 and continued on the 6th and 9th of July. He describes the weather on the journey, sightings of other ships, food they brought, fowl ducks and livestock they ate, daily activites on board, sightings of sea life, birds and islands, the equator crossing, current locations and other goings on on the ship. Letter (ii) written from Hobson's Bay describes the news he hears of society on arrival including politics and prices of goods. Describes his good spirits at finally leaving the ship. He lets Jane finish off the letter where she notes her impression of Australia as much more agreeable than expected, and describes the view of the coast line from Cape Otway to Hobson's Bay. The next part of the letter written on 16 August from Melbourne cross-written on letter (i).

Letter from David and Jane Cannan in Melbourne to his brother James, 24 August 1853 (Item 5)

Letter from David Cannan written from 26 Flinders Lane, Melbourne to his brother James. In it he describes his business as an importer as dull with the expectation that it will pick up as the roads to the gold fields will open soon. He talks about the cost of land and houses compared to back home. His intention to travel to Adelaide, how much goods cost, the condition of Melbourne streets and offices. Jane then finishes the letter discussing her skecthing of the suburbs and detailing the townships which are camps of several thousand people accommodated in villages of tents. She describes in great detail the streets, tents, and people of her new surrounds and compares things in the colony to how they are back home such as fireplaces, clothing etc.

Letter from Jane Cannan to Mary Cannan, 11 September 1853 (Item 6)

A letter to Mary Cannan in which Jane apologises for not writing sooner. She talks about occupying her time sketching; assisting the land lady with chores; her wishes to have their iron house put up so she can get it in order soon. Mentions David working in Adelaide with Mr Pollock. She has enquired about teachers and governesses and has been told that people send their children home for education. She describes 'vulgar people and vulgar children' and is harsh in her judgements. Observations about the current Art culture. She talks about The Pollocks; price of goods being expensive. The letter is concluded by David who will be travelling to Adelaide and his hopes of making a better income than in England once Mr Pollock returns to England.

Letters from Jane Cannan to Jeannette du Bois Raymond in Berlin and Mrs Gustave Adolphe Claude in Ambleside, 21 September [1853] (Item 7)

Letters to her cousin Jeannette and her Aunt Minne (Jeannette's mother). Discusses family matter such as Jeanette's wedding; letters received from home; the style of living in Australia; awaiting their house; The Pollocks and how David will step into Mr Pollock's shoes when he leaves; other nieghbours and acquaintances. Describes the layout of Melbourne and the Canvass Town village of tents; the Australian insects having a harsh sting; the Australian trees; how her hair adjusted to the journey and the new climate; how gardens and plants grow in Australia. The next letter is written to Tante (aunt) Minne describing similar things about new life in Australia.

Letter from Jane Cannan in Melbourne to Mary Cannan in Rome, c/o Dr Braun, Archaeoloza Instituto, via Belgium, 27 September 1853 (Item 8)

Jane Cannan writes to Mary Cannan explaning why she has not written sooner. Describes setting up the household after the arrival of their Iron house; cost of materials and goods and her worries about having things in order; continues to discuss the usual goings on of her circle of neighbours, friends, acquaintances; the cost of rates, servants, clothes board and lodging; and discusses her feelings and views about family matters.

Letter from Jane Cannan in Melbourne to Mary Cannan, 17 October 1853 (Item 9)

Jane Cannan writes to Mary Cannan expressing the excitement of receiving a batch of letters from family members abroad. Dicusses her feelings after living two months in the new country. Refers to the "tainted population" and the stories they hear about the goings-on in the lower class population. Discusses the Pollocks, and other friends and neighbours and the day-to-day gossip and goings-on of colonial life including robberies, cost of transportation, weather. Offers up her judgements of people's situations, and tells stories of people in the Colony. Dicusses her anxieties about receiving news from home intermittently.

Letter from Jane Cannan to Jeannette du Bois Raymond from Melbourne, 27 November 1853 (Item 10)

Jane Cannan writes to Jeannette advising that her and David had received an account of the wedding from various relatives. Expresses her wish to hear how Jeannette found things in Berlin and how she enjoyed London. She asks for an account of what her family members in Berlin are up to and of Jeannette's household. She goes on to describe how the houses are built in Australia and her surprise that they are sturdy enough to withstand the wind. Further description of her home, its standing in the landscape, views from their house, flowers that grow in the garden. Her readiness to now try cooking, her newly found skills such as covering chairs, making oil cloth place mats, and her continued drawing in sketch books. Goes on to discuss the usual characters in their lives and stories about the daily goings on. Mentions of the Yarra River, native flora and fauna.

Letter from David Cannan to Hannah Greg from Melbourne, per "Madras" and overland, 22 January 1854 (Item 11)

David Cannan writes to Hannah Greg, a relation married David's brother Thomas. Describes the climate; housing situation; and observations of the colonial society including prices of goods; excitement regarding the gold diggins; his preference of Australia over Manchester and his wish to remain; his travel to Adelaide for work and his regret at having to leave Jane behind when he travels.

Letter from David Cannan and Jane Cannan to Mary Cannan, from Melbourne, per Madras and overland via Southampton, 20 May 1854; 26 May 1853 (Item 12)

Started on 20 May from David, then continued on 26 May from Jane. Discusses extended family mambers and their travels and movements; the change in weather in Melbourne; the increase in the price of beef and mutton; acquaintances from England arriving in Australia. Jane continues the letter noting not much sight of native animals, the plants that grow in gardners, her increasing domesticity, and gossip about friends and acquaintances.

Letter from Jane Cannan to Agnes Cannan, from Prahran, 19 July 1854 (Item 13)

Letter discusses family members; a trip in carriage; friends and acquaintances; work on their house and gradens; daily routine; her views on the climate being the primary cause for drunkeness in the colony.

Letter from Jane Cannan to Jeannette du Bois Raymond in Berlin, Madras and overland via Trieste, 22 September 1854 (Item 14)

Letter discusses servants; Jane's feelings of failing in managing money and house keeping; Jane's forays into cooking: what food and how much they eat each week; gives news of her first pregnancy and the apprehension to make preparations as 'this is a great contry for people being disappointed'; mention of David being unwell; a railway open to Sandridge; an upcoming exhibition of natural curiosities; and talk of family members.

Letter from Jane Cannan to her mother in law Mrs Cannan, 18 March 1855 (Item 15)

The letter announces the birth of David and Jane Cannan's daughter Louisa on 3 February 1855 and reports she is well and thriving, and how the new parents are coping. Other mentions of the weather, David's resignation from Morewood and Rogers and their plans to travel back to England, discusses other family members and friends.

Letter from Jane Cannan to Agnes Cannan, from Melbourne, 9 May 1855 (Item 16)

The letter discusses David's resignation; David and Jane's plans to leave Australia before the baby is 12 months old; Catherine their maid being a great help with the baby; the weather; visitors she received when David was in Adelaide.

Letter from David Cannan to Jeannette du Bois Raymond, from Melbourne, [1855?] (Item 17)

David writes to Jeannette discussing family matters.

Letter from David Cannan to his mother Mrs Cannan, from Melbourne, 29 November 1855 (Item 18)

David Cannan writes to his mother reporting the death of their baby daugther Louisa on the 26 November 1855. He details the circumstances of her death, his and Jane's sadness, the support they have received from friends, the funeral.

Letter from Jane Cannan to her mother in law Mrs Cannan, from Melbourne, 7 July 1856 (Item 19)

In this letter to her mother in law, Jane refers to David as a 'gentleman at large' now as he does not need to stay in town long or often anymore. She talks about their plans to leave in December if they can sell their house. Details the weather; discomfort of travel around Australia; her feelings about selling the house and what possessions they wish to bring home with them; her hopes for their living situation on return to England; family members, etc.

Letter from Jane Cannan to Tom, from Melbourne, September 1856 (Item 20)

Describes David and Jane's enjoyment of a visit from someone named Archie and details adventures they had whilst he was visiting - trips to Geelong, Brighton. Mentions of Aboriginal people and her impression of their languages; describes social customs. Further details about Archie and his life; news about friends family members.

Letter from David Cannan to his mother, from Lemon Springs, Tasmania, 47 miles from Hobart Town, 30 September 1856 (Item 21)

David Cannan writes to his mother from a trip in Tasmania with Jane. It begins in Lemon Springs on the 30th September 1856. He describes the journey over; their impressions of Launceston; flora and fauna they saw; the beauty of the country. The letter is continued from Hobart Town on the 5th October. He again describes the beauty of the country they saw on their journey to Hobart; impressions of the town; describes the journey they took; the relative cheapness compared to Melbourne; impressions of the locals; materials furniture and buildings are made of. The letter continues again on the 11th October from Ross, 69 miles from Hobart Town.Again he describes their journey; the election; people they met. The Letter then finishes on the 10th of November from Melbourne. Details their journey home; how much money they spent on their trip; stories of people they met on their travels.

Photograph of Jane Cannan (Item 22)