Historical information

This is a book given to Margaret Davidson in 1875 by her aunt, Mrs J. Davidson. Margaret Milne Davidson (1839-1928) was the eldest child of James and Isabella Davidson and she was born in Kirriemuir, Scotland. She came to the Warrnambool area in 1850. The property, ‘Woodend’, was near Cassadys Bridge (Caramut Road today). The aunt, Mrs J. Davidson would be the wife of John Davidson, the brother of James and a farmer at ‘Rosebank’, Woodford. The portraits of John and James Davidson are on the Warrnambool Pioneer Honour Board.

Significance

This book is of interest because of its inscription. The book is connected to the Davidson families, prominent in Warrnambool’s pioneer history.

Physical description

This is a hard cover book of 832 pages. The book has a dark green cover with dark green and gold lettering with ornamental gold surrounds. The book has an index, short stories, poems, essays and articles on science and the arts. The book contains monthly journals for 1874 combined in one volume. The cover is stained and blotched. There are several stamps of the Warrnambool & District Historical Society. The inscription on the first page is handwritten in black ink.

Inscriptions & markings

‘Margaret M. Davidson, Woodend, from her aunt, Mrs J. Davidson, 30/9/75’.