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| Perth, Nov 5th, 1857 Dear Son, I received your letter on 30th October and am glad to hear that you are well. I must say that I have thought you rather ungrateful in not writing before as you knew where to write to me whereas I did not know where to write to you. But a frequent communication in future will suffice for the past. I am happy to say that I am in the enjoyment of good health but very lame in my feet. I am afraid that I will ere long lose the use of them. The situation I now hold is much easier than in the police. I am now Warder at Mount Eliza Probation Depot. I have been here now twelve months. I live in my own house but have to attend at the Depot when required. I have a great deal to do in Boats and this gives me ease for my feet, had I much walking I should be obliged to give up the situation. What I would do then I know not, I must hold on as long as I can. Your Mother is never well many days together, she enjoys very bad health and breathes very fast. I believe Bowra and Dalziel will both of them write to you by this mail so they may speak for themselves. Labour is very bad here now, so many 'Ticket of Leave' men working for very low wages. The common price for cutting firewood is two shillings per cord. I know a man who bought fifty cord a few days ago at 1/6 per cord. I can get wood delivered at my door for 7/- per cord. Other labour is in proportion ?there are men now on the roads breaking stones at one shilling a day. There is no very material change in Perth since you left, i.e. it's situation, but a great change in it's inhabitants, many of the old ones gone and many fresh ones come, many of the old settlers are dead. Old Mrs Reid died about a fortnight ago aged 75 years. I do not think the old man will long survive her. We have had a very wet winter. My garden was covered with water, I think, for about eight weeks. Most of my peach trees are dead. It will be a loss of about ten pounds to me but as it was the will of God I must not repine for as Job says, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, Blessed be the name of the Lord". Your Mother takes it rather hard that you have not come to see us before you get married, being pretty well aware that after you are married the thought of seeing you again will be hopeless. We all agree with you in your choice and are very glad that it is a person (and from a family) that we know, please do tell her that if she was here, she would be made a very welcome guest among us. Our earnest wishes are that you may live in peace and unity with your wife and in the fear and love of God for remember my son, that whoever lives without God in this world will have an unhappy death and a miserable Eternity, look to Jesus wile you are in full health and strength and He will look to you in sickness or old age. You may think old age is very far from you, and so it is, but it will steal on you fast, probably before you are prepared for it. I once thought old age very far off but now I find it very close at hand. My son, I hope you will write again as soon as convenient and let me know if you have any Church or Chapel near you and whether you are an Attendant or not. Many a tear has been shed for you within the last two years, both as regards your spiritual, as well as your temporal, welfare. I think if you could see your Mother as she is at this moment you would melt into tears and be sorry that you have not made more enquiry about her, she is very unwell. I do not think she is long for this world. William and Sarah are both well and the two children. William has bought a large cargo boat and I think he is doing very well. He is very steady and I think he is providing for old age. Now my son, I hope you will excuse this jumbled and unconnected letter, I am almost distracted with toothache. Should you wish for any particular information please to send word in your next letter and I shall (by the help of God) with great pleasure answer all enquiries. Please to give our best respects to Mrs Cleaver and family, to Mrs Hokin and family, and all enquiring friends. So I must conclude with our kindest love to you and to your intended and believe us to remain. Your ever loving and well wishing Father and Mother, George and Jane. |
| George Rewell's Letter |
The following is a transcript of a letter written by George Rewell from the Swan River colony on 5 November 1857. He was writing to his son Thomas who had migrated to Victoria - Thomas died in a mining accident at Malden, Vic., on 14 Oct 1877. |
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