"Tuesday
Spring Vale Farm October 25th 1870

Up about half past five a.m. Dry and warm summer time day. Having sent a letter down to Melbourne P O inquiring for home letters and papers. I gave the letter to the workman who is going away to be …. After breakfast I went to build the coping on the stone wall. The stones are not good for the job. They are more like the projectiles which the …. and the French army through [sic] towards each other. These stones are hard and globular. Mr … has better prospect for a crop of corn this year than any of his neighbours and that may be attributed to his high farming and his numerous and well planned and blind drains Fine and cool Southern breeze today. Pleasant for field work. The sky looks … sign of more rain again. O how much more pleasant it is to work at a well conducted place than to carry a heavy swag along the country. Whether money or not he will have to bear the tittle [sic] of beggar, leper and so on.

Of all the stations man may have
From mighty monarch to the slave
The daily work man got the best
In health, in joy, in meals and sort,
He has no course within his space
To hate and envy any man;
This world revolves in form and fame
But let him pray to be the same

That is my feeling and experience

Wednesday
Spring Vale Farm October 26th 1870

I slept well. Up at half past five o’clock the sun looks watery. Signs of rain. The breakfast bell went soon after six oclock same work as yesterday. Not to warm today and more overcast. The barley grows well these days and will soon be out in full ear. It looks … and clear. Fine breeze from S. S. E. They are weeding. The have no tools. They pull the weed with the hands. The wheat is backward this season. It was not sown early and the cold and wet weather has checked its growth. Very little ground is set with potatoes on this farm this year. About three quarters more or less of an acre. They were planted very convenient and near to the house. Having worked rather hard alll day. The stones are heavy and awkward which makes the work tedious

The mental labor through the brain
May bring to man an honest gain;
But double labor is to stow
And work though sweating of the brow.
My duty is to do my best
Before the time I’ll have to rest,
And make this world , as I go around
The better form than it was found."

Monday 6th January 1873 Mr John Hawkins Farm Coghills Creek Victoria Australia

"Up early. The sun appeared but was soon lost in a thick and a cold mist....from W. S. W. We were ordered to go and stack wheat we had a good dunking. The sheaves were wet. I was called to cover the haystack the wind breeze southward when it cleared up, we went to reap and bind O what a narrow escape I had from being bitten by a bitten by a big black snake. I was binding and within few yards to the reaper. The snake was under the swathe, or rather in it as I had the band in my hand under it and the big reptile crept out from the swathe. If I was in haste, I could not avoid being bitten, It bended its curves to the growing crop. Nothing was at hand to kill it. It was too strong to head upon. I called the binders then but neither would go near it, I ran for a big stone and soon dispatched it. After it was killed many wanted to show it that there was a punishment after death. It was 4 feet 7 inches long.

Tuesday the 7th of January 1873
Coghills Creek
Mr John Hawkins Farm

Up as usual and in for breakfast. We did finish to reap and bind on this farm. At dinner time it was ... and dry with moderate gale from S. S. E ...of more dry weather, but very cold at this season of the year. After dinner we went to reap and bind Paddy the workman’s wheat about 6 acres of healthy looking crop. It blows a .....gale and it is chilly cold. We did not finish.

Wednesday the 8th of January 1873
Coghills Creek
Mr John Hawkins Farm

Up at the appearance of the Sun. Three of us were paid off this morning. Harry the ... is here with me yet. Dry and windy, we went to Paddy’s place to finish his wheat we were only two binding after the reaper which was cutting to and fro. Cold with stiff westernly breeze. We have finished by now and went over to Mr Hawkins farm. We began to cut in. I was stacking. Harry was paid off this afternoon. I will be the next. Too many are out of work and the wages are low. Farmers are not in hurry. No hot wind..."

"Friday the 15th January 1875
Bellarine East
G. Ibbotson Esq.s Farm

Up at half past 5 O’Clock, lovely morning as yesterday. With westerly breeze. I was well heated here last night and had work for today. Mowing …. which runs wild though the paddocks. About lunch time in the afternoon I was sent to thatch a big hay stack. Some sort of reed I had as thatch which lasts many years in running. It has been in use many times before. We are only five persons here. The foreman and his wife, two boys and myself. Good tucker time of work from six to six. No hurry but steady work at reasonable pace. Very fine spot. The Farm runs down to the beach of Hobson Bay (called Corio Bay) I can see the Heads at a distance where all the ships of the world are obliged to enter for Melbourne William’s Town, Geelong, and so on by going half a mile southwards This spot of Australia is a tongue of land extending out to the Hobson Bay and divides the water into two channels the Southern channel takes the ships to Geelong and the Northern one to Melbourne, Williamstown etc etc What a beautiful bay!

Saturday the 16th of January 1875
Spray Farm
Bellarine P O

Up as yesterday. Good breakfast at 6 oclock. We had a storm of wind and rain during the night. Lovely morning. I resumed thatching. Two fine carriages were driven in about noon. Master himself with some visiting squatters and other gentlemen. Some of them left during the afternoon, but he himself and another gentleman are going to remain at the mansion until tomorrow we were allowed to give up work early as it was Saturday Evening. I took a long walk after supper and was back before sun set. I find that the working hours are three or four shorter every day than where I was before. Also the living is ten times better, in fact this place is too good to last long to an unfortunate man like myself. The water is good and convenient the big farm is complete in respect of both buildings and fences also sheep proof… …Over half a dozen of fine water dams… ….Fine lot of imported sheep and cattle. Only one big paddock under cultivation at present."

"Wednesday the 3rd of May 1871
Bullarook Districk
Newlyn Hotel …

I was not up before 7 oclock. Having been unwell all night, and could not sleep. One swag man came in little after dark. He came from the Springs. He complains of the dullness of the labor market. Mild and summerlike morning. The clouds are moving from the western direction. It came fair and hot before ten o’clock. I did stop to wash my clothes. I did was[h] twelve article. Fresh spring water, but rather hard to wash I have nothing to boil the water. Plenty of fire wood of all descriptions I did finish washing about 11 oclock. Bright and hot until half past three o’clock p m. When it became overcast with ... I could not have my things dried, as to be fit to be tied up in my swag. It will give a check to my travelling tomorrow I travel South Westward. Very rich agricultural lands black and red loamy soil. Heavily timbered nearly all except what the farmers have cleared up. Fine spring of fresh water here and there. I do inquire every body that I happen to meet for some job to do. But I am so lonely to day, as if the world was all my own. Fine brook with constant run of spring water heavy enough to drive 8 horse power if ever ... a nine feet water wheel. They have not turned the water into that use yet plenty of fire wood to drive the steam Engine I intend to remain here tonight this is better than sleeping in the bush – Good Butcher Shop with plenty of potatoes are close by

It is an easy task to cook
the “spuds” and mutton at Bullarook
Plenty of fuel can be found
with fresh spring water all around

When work is scarce when bread is dear
The Swag mans hospital is here
The soil is rich but dirty now
This uphill work this year to plough
is full of weed, they call it “hogs”
And so the cutter always clogs
The time will come when every hand
Will turn to till the fertile land
And clear it up from West to East
To nourish best thy man and beast

To this small township .....
rich gardens, fine buildings here will ...
A finer spot no man can trace
To build a thriving Market Place
The land is rich the farms abound
... acceptable things here can be found
men of money to come are
....speculate and build hereon

Take notice of thing should you wish
to be wise
Though proof and experience
I will give an advice
Don’t ever feel
Never going to rest
Potatoes and mutton
are hard to digest

F. Wilkins the Butcher
will sell you good meat
For two pence a pound
tis nearly a ....
The faithful tall pauper is willing and true
He’ll lend his edged axe to chop the log though
the landlord Mr Predegast
He will not shut
Against the poor swagman’s
His hospitable hut
I am willing to work but can’t have a job
I hate to go begging
to pilfer and rob."

"Mary Borough Hospital Victoria Australia

26 July 1874
Up at half past 6 o’clock A M. I slept nearly all my time in bed last night. I gain my sleep as well as my strength We had heavy showers during the night. Gloomy morning. Clouds are moving northward. Sign of fine day. I did ask the Matron a leave to attend the English Church and handed her to verses which I have composed this morn when ...the “Dead House” good ...at church – with a moderate attendance.

27 Mon
Up at quarter past 6 o. clock A.M. I did not sleep well last night one of the patients was restless and gave great labor and annoyance to the watch man x x washing and cleaning the before breakfast ...was completed. Breakfast at 8 o’clock ...cool and dry morning. O what lovely weather x x With a sign of ...I intend to leave today or early tomorrow. I feel middling strong and quite healthy. But where to get work is the mystery x x May travel for weeks berfore having work to do this time of the year – pity the farm laborer –

28 Tues
Up at quarter past six o’clock and could see the new commet through the ...window before I went out. Very ...meteor and the tail was not visible to the naked ey but sometimes – Bright and white frosty morning after break fast I left the Hospital at my wish and the immediate neighborhood of the town and could not have a clue of any job.

29 Wed
Mrs Barclay Boarding House Up early and had my breakfast soon. The bed I had last night for as shilling was not equal to the bed I had in the hospital. Left Mary-Borough towards Majorca where my swag and my watch remain. I went around about many farmers, but could not have any job. The space between these two towns is full of worked gold diggings and many are ...there still but the most pits are not favorable. Very dull time about here I reached Majorca early in the noon."

"Royal Hotel Majorca

21st June Sunday 1874
Black Sunday morn for Jo. The pain increases. The signs are all against me. My two jaws are nearly closed up. They are remarkably kind to me here. If my mother and my sister Jane would be here they would not be more tender and attentive.

22nd June Monday
The doctors did call early and found me in a deplorable condition groaning and frothing from the mouth and nearly choked up. They tried to cheer me up and asked me If I would be able to ride in a spring bed between two towards the hospital I gave a nod that I could

23rd Tues
Not up before 8 o’clock did not sleep a wink and in almost desperate pain all night Dr Hewels came there and gave me up for dead Mr Meyers to take me to the Maryborough Hospital which that most tender of .... did avow and willing. Having arrived and entered before dark. I could barely stand up on my feed when examined by the Dr. who saw that I was so bad and ordered me towards...the bed.

24th Wed
Maryborough Hospital. Very painful and restless night. Dr and his assistants are very attentive though I getting weaker and more painful. The doctor pronounces my case bad but not hopeless in any measure. I have lost all my power of speech and I think that I have never been so painful for such a long time in running. Had I my own days and liberty I would sleep

Now I can tell that what I have lately and greatly feared happened to me. for all the wet and cold feet I suffered during the last 5 weeks, here is my just payment for it. I had no business to stop there at any time as my judgement reminded all the time

25 Thurs
Up at 7 o’clock. No improvements very restless night and could not sleep a moment during the whole time O what a lengthy nights. All the invalids are looking merry here except myself as for ...very few of them got the least feelings towards an overpowered invalid. Except the Doctor and his assistant they are very attentive and full of humanity.

26th Fri
Up at 7 o’clock. No better. Did not sleep a wink. Great activity in town this morn as the first train is going to run from here to Castlemaine with about 800 children be-longing to certain schools. A ...of pic nic is to kept at Castlemaine before they will return. As the Railways are belonging to Governments It is their treat to the children. Have arrived safe about 6 o’clock p.m

27th Sat
Up at 7 o’clock not worse and very little better. The mouth is entirely closed and my tongue would take and relish a morsel. Only looking at other enjoying their good things. But I cannot blame any body for that even myself as I am not the direct cause of this illness myself. I am afraid that they are two complaints connected together. The diphtheria and the quinsey ...jaw may settle the connection"

"Mary Borough Hospital Victoria

19 July
Sun Up at half past 6 o’clock AM I slept well last night and do feel much better for that White frost after became foggy. It was so calm as all the weather cocks were pointing to different directions. We were visited by the Dr. about one o’clock pm as usual. I reported myself much better. The sunshine before noon but afterwards became gloomy and overcast.

20th Mon
Up as half past 6 o’clock A M I did not sleep well but not subject to much pain. One of the patients was very noisy some times. wholly in a lunatic state He reported himself on the books from Cornwall but the plain welsh language came out from his mouth last night and he confessed this morning that he was a welsh man but nothing better or worse for that. Lovely day rather inclined to white frost in the morning It became overcast in the afternoon I was able to go out for a walk. I feel very weak.

21st Tu
Up as usual, I had a good nights rest I am rallying fast, as far as I have good taste to every meal and could devour more than my allowance Bright morning and summer like before ...all the ...were enjoyed by the patients who were able to go out. I had two kind letters today one from David Evans Berlin with one pound note and another from Brycock ...with worth ten shillings of letter stamps – both were welcomed as a...

22 Wed
Up as usual if not sooner, I had an easy night but could not sleep all my time another lovely morning. Inclined to white frost I have eaten good breakfast and feel very weak. I had a loan of today’s paper and found that the English mail is telegraphed being five days before the contract time Ive had a summer-like day after dark the half moon was quickened. It was of large cir- cumference..."