Article #1 - Dated Thursday 20 March 1947
Special Feature
In this issue appears the first of a series of special feature articles which will be published in the "Courier." The articles will deal with the settlement of Hills district townships in their earliest days, and the life of the pioneers thus engaged. The first article illustrates the settling at Gumeracha of William Bevis Randell, the first chapel of baptistry in that town, the Initial navigation of the River Murray etc. etc. From the diary of William Bevis Randell are culled many items of interest in painting a pen-picture of the early settlement days. As the series continue, other townships will be included in this feature, the first of which is entitled "A Jewel Casket.''
Randell Family and Gumeracha District
A Jewel Casket of Memories, a veritable archival ark, lies moored an Australia's great waterway — the mystic Murray. It is presided over by the octogenarian grandson of one of the earliest pioneers of South Australia. The casket is the old River steamer Murrundi.
The curator of this highly interesting repository is Captain Richard Murray Randell, son of the late William Richard Randell, who was one of a family of many sons of William Bevis Randell, who, in 1837, took, up a large tract of land in the district of Gumeracha. He it was who actually visualised and was solely responsible for the birth of Gumeracha, which town in later years gave the name to the electorate which returns to Parliament the Premier of the State. It was William Bevis Randell who had the town surveyed and subsequently sold or leased to approved tenants sections of the township. William Bevis Randell migrated from Devonshire with his wife and family of many sons and two daughters. One of the daughters died at sea, the other lived to the great old age of 103. For more than 60 years she resided at Norwood as Mrs. Swaine, but later she removed to Marlborough St., Malvern, where she passed away. Of the sons of William Bevis Randell there were William Richard (who was 17 years of age when he arrived with his parents in 1837), Tom, Ebenezer, John Frank, Samuel and Elliot. John had the flour mill at Gumeracha (now a butcher's shop) as years went on. William, until the fifties of last century, assisted his father and brothers in the pastoral activities of the big estate, and then concentrated from 1853 in the building of the first steamer to navigate the River Murray. That is another story and must wait for a later article. Frank was always interested in cattle and was a squatter on the Murray at Mannum in the earlier period of the then colony. His run extended from Mannum to Stone Wall. He subsequently concentrated on sheep, but in his earlier years it was mainly cattle in which he interested himself, moving large mobs from the Gumeracha station to the Mannum station and bringing mobs of fat beasts back to the Gumeracha estate for sale in Adelaide and the surrounding country. With the influx of farmers invading the Murray areas, his run was cut up, and Frank moved to the Bogan River above Bourke in New South Wales. Tarcoona was the name of his station on the Bogan. In due course he passed on and his sons ran the place till droughts forced them to abandon it. If ever there was a worker it was Frank, not to say that every individual member of that family of Devonshire boys did not inherit the activity and inordinate capacity for work as exemplified in their venerable parent, William Bevis Randell. How those fellows worked! From early morn till sunset they went about their various duties, arranged methodically by their father, who in turn, did not forget their education, such as was then available in the young colony. Periodically he would arrange for them to attend some school, but if there were holidays they returned to lend a hand in the general routine of multifarious labors in which, of course, the father was the guiding spirit. It was the parent who set down the schedule of work, it was he who set out the extensive gardens surrounding the 9 roomed two-storied house within a stone's throw of the River Torrens: it was he who arranged the planting of the various fruit trees and English oaks, hawthorn hedges and other growth until when in later years that garden came to maturity, as one per son who saw it in its prime remarked, a fairy-like garden that could wall have been a fitting Garden of Eden. Now, with the passage, of time it has been all practically cut up, and the old unblemished beauty of the estate is no more.
The writer recalls when, as a small boy he accompanied his parent and the late Theodore Bruce on a shooting expedition to the Gumeracha district. The trip was made in a one horse buggy, and after staying the night at the hotel at Gumeracha, we made an early start towards Mount Pleasant. The road was lined with high hawthorn hedges, and there was a lifting mist as the party passed on its way to the shooting area. Through a slight opening in the hawthorn hedge at one spot could be seen a group of English pheasants preening themselves in the morning sunlight. "That's Randell's," remarked Mr. Bruce. It was quite rational that so beautiful an estate should prompt the remark, and no further eulogy in explanation was necessary. That shooting trip was made nearly sixty years ago.
In addition to the arduous labors connected with the running of so extensive an estates was his William Bevis Randell found time to record in diary form the activities and events of those early days when the estate was in the making and the birth and growth of Gumeracha and the surrounding settlements were giving some promise of success in a locality favoured by a wonderful climate and highly productive land. It was in the early fifties that William Bevis Randell was arranging for a new office near his home in which he could more comfortably attend to his increasing activities. Even the gold fever which broke out in the colony in 1851-2 did not disturb this pioneer family from their main purpose, and the normal routine work proceeded as if with the knowledge that the real wealth was to be found in the produce of the soil— result of hard work. In the jewel casket of memories presided over by Capt. Richard Murray Randell of the old Murrundi this diary of his grand- father's—the original pioneer of 1937 —is one of the desirable gems. It is crammed with desirable recordings, scattered through the setting down of the routine arrangements in the conduct of a cattle run and the labors necessary in a vast garden and farm adjacent to the homestead. In the diary, for instance, is set down on July 2, 1852, that he wrote to Mr. G. E. Hamilton "accepting his offer to lay out the town of Gumeracha for the sum of ten pounds, me providing a person as chairman, wood stakes, etc. etc." As though proud of his in the progress of his idea, he on the same date forwarded a letter to his father, William Randell, Bury Pomeroy, Devonshire. But we anticipate. — Let us first return to the family and their doings.
The sons, naturally, with different characters, had, as they grew to man hood varying outlooks, and while they one and all combined to make the old estate an outstanding success, they went their various ways. Samuel was seemingly most interested in fruit. Frank was more for being out and about after cattle, and Elliot and Ebenezer were similarly inclined, but Elliot seemed to hold the trust and esteem of his father to such a degree that when, in 1855, after seventeen years' settlement in the colony, his family decided to make a trip to see his father and old home in Devonshire, he arranged that Elliot be left in charge. But that trip was not undertaken before full instructions to Elliot were duly drawn up, laborers engaged to maintain the working strength, and everything done to ensure the smooth working of the estate in the absence of its owner.
Early in the history of the Randell family, the son William must have visited the mighty Murray River, which was but some 25 miles distant from the Randell estate at Gumeracha — and there where the father had financed the cattle run on the Murray is now Mannum. The deep slow moving waters of the great waterway must have so impressed William that be decided to build a steamer and set about the navigation of the great stream and the shipment of produce and stores to the settlements scattered at intervals along its banks.
The story of William Randell's historic activities on the River Murray, his initial navigation of the waterway on the Mary Anne steamer must form another article in these series, but it may he stated here that it is now generally conceded that to William Richard Randell is due the honor of opening up the Murray trade, for though praise may be due to Captain Cadell in this connection William Randell was before him. As a reward for his efforts the Government awarded him £300. and the public a purse of sovereigns. The diary as we peruse it will clearly disclose the justice of the claims of Randell.
It is very difficult to decide upon the manner of painting a pen picture of the pioneer family of William Bevis Randell and his sons, and the few laborers he hired to assist under his personal direction, or necessarily the diary records so much labor of a similar character that its reiteration would pall upon the reader. And so the writer decided to take approximately three years of the diary and extract suitable entries which would give the reader an indication and an index to which he or she may fill in the obvious elaboration until there appears a moving picture of that pioneer period of at least one type of family all the male members of which worked strenuously from daylight till dark without a holiday as is known today, hut of course, with no pictures, radio or sport to distract them from the main work in hand. Of course, coming from the Old Country in Devonshire. the primeval forest, the lush growth, the River Torrens at their door, the Murray hut 2S miles distant, the cattle, the native animal and bird life, must have been a continual tonic and urge to make good. Tom, for instance, when the apple trees that his father had grafted, the other fruit-bearing trees, the goose berries, raspberries, had come to bearing, entered into an agreement with his parent to buy the fruit produce for £200 per year. He used to take it to the city by spring cart or bullock dray and presumably marketed it at a satisfactory profit. Frank and Elliott had their cattle, the beef of which they disposed of later at their own account, also the horses and bullocks. And William, as we have seen, was engrossed in his dreams of a lucrative Murray River trade. What young men of today would not embrace such opportunities of eventual success. But the opportunity has to he present and the parent or some patron, governmental or otherwise, to ensure that the necessary tools of trade and maintenance costs are provided until such time as the enterprise is self-supporting.
The Randell Diary 1851
In the Springtime of 1851 on Monday, October 6, William Bevis Randell records that his sons Elliot and Samuel returned to school that morning, accompanied by his son Ebenezer, who went to take back their horse. Son Frank went to Springfield and to Mr. Crook's for plants in the forenoon and in the afternoon was engaged about cattle. Mr. Randell and one, Ridler, were engaged in planting 1000 hawthorn bushes received from C. Giles. Mott (a laborer) is digging in the kitchen garden and planting cabbages got that day from Mr. Crook's.
October 7 (Tues.)—Frank went to look for and found the horse Billy Button; afternoon, about cattle. Ebenezer assisting to repair lawn-paddock fence by the River (Torrens) forenoon; afternoon, went with Ridler to haul fencing for repairing Springfield fence. Rose (another laborer), cleaning up walks etc. Motts, digging in garden. Self, repairing lawn park fence, forenoon; afternoon, about sundries.
Oct. 8, Wed.—Frank about horses. Ebenezer with Ridler, again hauling fences for Springfield paddock. Rose, raking between various plants and cleaning up walks. Mott, digging in the garden. Self, planting cuttings and working about the borders, etc. Sowed larkspurs seeds, stocks (varieties) sweet-williams, etc.
Oct. 9, Thurs.—Frank left this morning to take horse Billy Button to the Murray. Ebenezer, gathering up vine prunings etc. Ridler, planting potatoes. Elliot, digging in the kitchen garden. Rose, hoeing and clearing up weeds, etc. Self, about borders. Sowed flower seeds and turnips. Attended to bees, also, which swarmed this forenoon at 11 o'clock.
Oct. 10, Fri.—Frank at the Murray. Ebenezer and self went to Springfield this forenoon to look at and measure fence repaired by Mr. Luxford who put up 5 rods lower 7 rods higher end by the river. Ridler, planting potatoes. Rose, cleaning up borders. Mott, hoeing weeds in kitchen garden and about shrubs. Self, planted 3 rows white beans.
Oct. 11, Sat.—Frank returned this afternoon from the Murray with 11 head of cattle and 2 calves. Ebenezer tying vines and about cattle. Ridler planting potatoes. Rose, raking weeds. Motts, hoeing weeds. Self, repairing clay pads about pear grafts forenoon; afternoon, measured lawn paddock fences with Luxford and settled with him.
Such are the entries for the first week given as a sample and style of entry in the diary, which will give an idea of the industry of father, sons and employed labor. The son William is away at the Murray, and through out the diary various members of the family, especially Frank and Elliot, make the trip to the big river with cattle and horses where they fatten on the rich lush feed bordering the great stream, later bringing them back for sale. And so, on October 13, Frank delivers an entire colt sold that day to Abraham Shannon at £17. On the same day Frank goes to the mill for a load of flour to take to Adelaide for sons William and Tom on the morrow.
Next week we will merely take excerpts from the diary, the reader having seen the type of entry. But the recordings later are of greater interest.
Article #2 - Dated Thursday 27 March 1947
Randell Diary (continued)
We have seen how the old pioneer, William Bevis Randell put into operation his idea of forming a township at Gumeracha; how he engaged a surveyor, Mr G.E. Hamilton, for £10 to lay out the embryo town, and while continuing his extraordinarily numerous interests was able to find time to see to the religious affairs of the district.
He it was, as we have seen recorded in the Diary, who went to prepare a baptistry at a suitable spot near a spring where adherents of the Baptist faith were taken in as members of the church, and it was he who planted the English oak trees which later surrounded it. The earthquake of 1899 altered the geological formation of the country and the spring vanished. The font, which had given service in those early days since 1852, was filled in, but the oaks still remain, an historically interesting landmark of the baptistry initiated by Wm. Bevis Randell and which in its completed usefulness was walled appropriately with steps at two sides leading to the baptismal waters. Wm. Bevis Randell named his homestead Kenton Park, it being situated some little distance from Kenton Valley, where a small village later came into being, and in the early sixties of last century was a diminutive agricultural village on the Kenton Creek, boasting an inn, known as the Kenton, and a resident magistrate, W. Lillecrapp, J.P., a name we see frequently mentioned by Mr. Randell in his diary, to which we will return for perusal:
Oct. 24.—Wrote to Mr. G. E. Hamilton and enclosed to him a cheque for balance due him by the N.E. road committee, viz., £7/10/.
Oct. 28th, '51.—Frank left for Murray station to see how things are going there, and bring up cows, etc.
Oct. 30th—Tom left for Adelaide in spring cart to fetch back Mrs. Randell who has been in Adelaide for about a week. He takes with him Bessy Nickels who goes to board with Miss Rowland.
Nov. 5—Filled out a form claiming free passage at the public expense for 7 persons in virtue of having paid into the Colonial Treasury the sum of £300 in purchase of Crown Lands. I did not name a larger sum on account of keeping an amount in reserve should I require to lend any assistance to any deserving individual here after.
Nov. 6—This evening about 8 o'clock Smallacomb called to say Will Kendell had injured himself much by a fall from a horse. I went with him and found him (Kendell) lying on the ground very much hurt about the mouth and left side of the face. I immediately dressed it and put him to bed. Although he may do well yet he is very much hurt.
Nov. 12—Mr. Wm. Giles. M.S.A.C. called this evening and stopped the night. Left next morning at 10 o'clock.
Nov. 18—Out with John to look at section and killed two native dogs.
Nov. 21—Went forenoon to see and accompany Mr. James about new road. He dined and we went to look at best place for bridge for new road above this.
Nov. 29— Afternoon, bottling wine, etc. etc. After tea went to the mill and assisted Dr. Yates to set Irishman's leg which took about an hour.
Dec. 8—Went forenoon to meet James Fisher, Shannon and Cowe to survey the spot in- tended for new road. They failed the appointment and did not come till 8 o'clock at night; remained till 11.
Dec. 9—Frank left this morning (accompanied by Ebenezer) for the Murray station with 64 head of mixed cattle, picked up 4 head more at Baker's making 68 in all. Came to an agreement with Tom for this year's produce of fruit for the sum of £200 giving him spring cart and horses.
Dec. 15—Attended to Mr. Godfree who commenced the erection of a new office this morning.
Dec. 16—Ridler left my service this evening amidst the busy time of hay making.
Dec. 23—Frank left at 6 o'clock this morning to accompany Baker's stock keeper to the dust holes etc. in search of straying cattle.
Dec. 25—Went to Williams' mill cottage. Tom came home from Adelaide about 2 o'clock. Brought Miss J. Rowland and Bessie Nickels.
Dec. 30—Samuel Gregory came and is going out to the Murray with Frank tomorrow.
1852: Jan. 3 (Saturday)—I was hindered this afternoon by Mr. Geo. Angas calling in a gold-searching expedition he desired, and with a young man accompanying him stayed for the night.
Jan. 5—Accompanied Geo. Angas in search for gold and went to the creek to the south west of Mount Prescott. William also. But we did not succeed in finding any.
Jan. 8— David Redman has been engaged as a storekeeper etc. for one year from this day.
Jan. 9—Tom returned this evening from Adelaide having left his cart with shafts broken off and harness nearly destroyed at bottom of Coombe Valley.
Jan. 17—Elliot and Frank collecting cattle to take to the Murray next week. Samuel pruning vines. Afternoon, both him and Elliot preparing to leave for school on Monday morning. William and Mr. Ridley came back from the Murray, report rations wanted.
Jan. 21— Frank left at 6 o'clock with 72 head of mixed cattle for Murray station. Eb. also with two months' rations.
Jan. 22—Wrote Abe Shannon about road.
Jan. 26—Frank went this morning to take Mr. Jas. Daniel who came with Tom on Saturday and preached yesterday.
Jan. 30 — Self (accompanied by Frank) went to see Mrs. Wainwright to inquire particulars about 3 cows of ours seen by Mr. Fredk. Goddard on the Wakefield. He informed me they were seen near the Bridge station (late Fry's) on the Wakefield.
Feb. 4—Frank went to Cave's with letter about request of payment of dairy produce. Wm. Nickels, self, Rose, and Eb. went down to the River prospecting for gold.
March 1—Tom brought me home from Adelaide this evening two pairs of pouter pigeons from Whilie's at 10/ per pair.
March 3—G. F. Angas called at 11 o'clock forenoon and remained about an hour, took refreshments.
March 4— Self clearing out loft for cheese etc.
March 5—G. F. Angas called again this afternoon, stopped about 3 minutes and took some brandy and water
March 10—Mr. W. Finlayson called 7 o'clock in the evening and stopped the night.
March 18th—Frank and Eb. started at daybreak this morning for cattle at the Murray and picked up about 30 head and saw 10 head more with a number of scrub cattle and a wild bull that has been running on the Murray to our annoyance for a long time. I have proposed to have him shot first opportunity after drafting. I counted out the cattle this evening which amounted, including strangers (about 20 head) to 422 and 20 in the yard drafted off.
March 19—This morning Frank and self went to lower boundary of the run to measure the distance for the surveyed land, viz., I was assisted by Mr. W. W. Back section 1424 to Mannum our boundary and found it to be 140 chains. I have observed that our count of cattle yesterday was very deficient, not less than 140 head short.
March 25th—Self left for Adelaide 8 o'clock this morning, arrived at half past 11.
March 26th—Left Adelaide and went on my way home with Tom to view Mr. Anstey's garden. Remained there about an hour and a quarter. The gardens are very superior and have been planted and laid out at very considerable cost. I stopped and dined at Travellers' Rest and arrived home about 4 o'clock.
March 27— Frank and Eb. went to the forest for vine sticks.
March 30th—Eb. at school forenoon, afternoon no school, Mr. Howard going to a tea meeting. Frank with self hauling bushes and logs to keep people on the new road. Rose gathering hops.
Match 31st—Self much hindered this morning by calls. Mr. W. Giles, of S.A.C., J. W. Swaine, and sundries.
April 2—Self went this morning to visit Geo. Hannaford. Found him very poorly. I think of slow fever. Called at Mr. W. Kelley's, also at Benjamin Cornish. Came home to dinner near 3 o'clock.
April 3— Self called to see Abm. Shannon about payment for land for new road. Did not find him at home. Called on David Shannon also to enquire about religious meetings, etc.
5th—Frank and Eb. left with 18 mares, colts and fillies for the Murray. John Luxford also and his assistant with dray of rations and tools for the cattle station to erect fences to make the present paddocks secure. Self, planting hazel nuts and padding apples trees.
10th—Samuel and Elliott taking honey from bees. Self, afternoon went and prepared a place in Kinton Creek near chapel for baptizing tomorrow.
12th —Mott preparing load of apples for Adelaide tomorrow. Self, with Mr. Gill until about 10 o'clock (who then set off for Flaxman's Valley); then went to see Williams at the mill and called on Mrs. Yateman to let them know of Mr. Gill's intention to preach at chapel tomorrow evening.
12th—Elliot accompanied by John Emery left this morning with 60 head of cattle for the Murray. Self in afternoon went with Mr. Gill, gospel minister, to take tea with William and at evening at tended Divine Service.
14th—Samuel left again for school about 7 o'clock morning. Self went as far as Abe Richardson's to see Mr. Nickels about supplying Salem chapel and to communicate the decision of the church as to giving him an invitation for a short time to see the working of things.
30th—Mr. Geo. Smith called on me this forenoon wishing to take a number of cows and the dairy premises at Retreat Valley. I accordingly agreed to let him have as many as could conveniently spare at the rate of two pounds per cow for the season.
5th May—Mr. Smith went to Retreat Valley with me and examined three sections.
10th—Self to Springfield this morning till about 3 sowing artificial grass seeds, viz., lucerne, and clover about in the gullies.
22nd —Self met Abm. Shannon and William Lilllecrapp for purpose of measuring both the old and new line of roads where alterations are to be made running through my land.
3rd June— Self afternoon went to visit Mr. Lillecrapp. Mrs. Randell was to have accompanied me but is gone to Adelaide in a gig with Tom!
7th—Wrote letter to Mr. Jno. Mitchell, London.
9th —Mrs. Randell came back from Adelaide this evening in gig with Tom.
11th—Frank making his own nursery.
15th—Self in office writing to Richard Bear, North America, forenoon.
20th (Sunday) — Mr. Rd. Nicholls preached morning and Mr. Williams afternoon. It was a damp and hazy day, only moderate attendance.
29th— Put down wine in new cellar, vintage of 1847.
July 1st—Wrote my father today a rather long letter of eight pages.
7th—Wrote Mr. Geo. Hamilton accepting his offer to survey and lay out the intended township of Gumeracha complete for the sum of ten guineas, me providing chainman etc.
July 12—Elliot's weekly pay commences from today at 10/ per week.
21st— Wrote Mr. Hamilton postponing laying out of town one month; also sent in advertisement to the "Observer" of Retreat Valley farm 400 acres and premises, together with 60 or 70 cattle.
29th—Engaged with Wm Robinson and let him 70 cows for one year at £120 per annum.
August 3rd—James Treasner applied this day for dairy
23rd—Completed and signed agreement between Mr Wm. Robinson and self for seventy cows at Retreat.
1st Sept.—Elliot to the Retreat; afternoon preparing to go to the Murray tomorrow with bullock team for William and Tom for the Steam Boat.
2nd— Elliot left this morning 10 o'clock I with the mill team of bullocks, with materials for steam boat for the Murray for William and Tom.
3rd—Elliot lost his team and came back about 12 o'clock in search of them. Tom, who left also yesterday morning, lost his horses which came home about 11 o'clock forenoon.
4th—Elliot left early accompanied by Eb. with fresh team of bullocks to proceed to the Murray with the load left on road yesterday.
6th—John B. Randell took to himself a wife today.
9th—Elliot assisted by Eb. left this morning with 65 head of cattle for the Murray. Eb. came back and took cows to the Retreat dairy.
10th—Elliot returned again last night from the Murray on Williams' horse to take down a load of deal which he left with about 12 with our bullock team.
13th—Elliot at the Murray slaughtering some animals for William and Tom's men. Self, went with Mrs. Randell to visit John and his young wife.
29th—John and his wife Annie came to tea this evening.
4th Oct—Elliot preparing engine for the Murray.
6th —Elliot gone to the Murray with steam engine.
7th—Elliot still at the Murray.
27th—With Mr. Smith to fill out his tender for conveying mail at £200 per annum. Went to Mt. Torrens, called on Mr. Fowler and at Geo. Dunn's and made a sick visit to Phillip Dunn who I found very ill, in the last stages.
24th—Eb. went to Springfield and brought in cows and bullocks for Tom to kill for their steam boat's supply.
26th—Eb. getting in horses for Tom to go to the Murray.
2nd—Self in the office writing, and shooting at parrots and other birds about the fruit.
7th—Finished a long letter to my dear father and forwarded to him enclosed Bill of Ex change value £20.
10th—Went to Usher's, shoemakers, and called on Mr. and Mrs. Morrise in Kenton Valley. Rose (laborer) rubbing insects off apples trees. Mott about hop plants and hoeing weeds.
18th—Engaged in afternoon with William, just returned from Murray. William has returned poorly and is completely sickened of his steam boat building job in hand there.
27th—Wrote to Geo. E. Hamilton, surveyor, to come and lay out the town.
Article #3 - Dated Thursday 3 April 1947
Randell Diary and Gumeracha District
We shall see recorded in the Diary of William Bevis Randell excerpts which appear in this article the recordings of the data relative to the initial nagigation of the Murray River by Wm. Randell in the steamer Mary Ann.
Also of the divine service held on that occasion by the party that went with the Randells for the river trip on the great waterway. In the latter part of the diary we shall see William Bevis Randell preparing for a visit to his old home in Devon, taking certain members of his family with him and not forgetting some packages of apples to show his parents what could be grown in this wonderful new land of South Australia. Not before he had made all necessary arrangements, however, did he start out upon his pleasure trip, and he later returned to the scene of his earlier labors to still further advance the interests of Gumeracha and the Colony (now State) at large.
January 1st, 1853.—Eb. went to Adelaide to take a horse for Mrs. Daniel
6th—Self pruning ivy and roses etc. About pigs and sundries. Could not get on having such a variety of things to attend to.
13th—Elliot out riding with John and repairing fence between self and N. Howard's.
14th— Rose and Mott afternoon assisting to take in the wheat, the whole of which amounted to 4 wagon loads, moderate estimate.
21st—Eb. away looking for lost child, son of Nickels, he was out all night—lost from N. Howard's.
26th—Elliot and Frank left at 7 with 68 head of mixed cattle for Murray. Eb. gathering fruit and about cattle and horses. Rose and Mott gathering fruit. Samuel in Adelaide with fruit. elf, packing fruit and repairing box, I etc.
28th—Eb took quarter ton of hay to Mr. Allom, Riversdale House. Self about sundries till 11, then went with John to mark and measure off his Lot. After 5 went to visit Mr G. Lillecrapp.
29th—Afternoon, part of time with Mr Swaine and family.
31st—Engaged about making a rough sketch of our intended town of Gumeracha, and packing fruit.
Feb. 2.—Went to mark out section for John. Sold two working bullocks to John Bushby (viz J Redman and Ruby) for £18. Also sold black colt (£25) and own mare (also £25) to Thomas McNamara of Adelaide.
Feb. 28—Self packing fruit for Adelaide, and one box of choice for the steamer Mary Ann's excursion to the Lake to meet the Governor and Lady Young on Friday next (D.V.). The box of fruit contains apples, pears, peaches, and golden drop plums
March 18th—Elliot, Samuel, Mr. Jamieson, Allom and Mrs. Randell, Hannah Swaine, the Misses Rowland, Bessie, William and self, with one man and a boy, took a pleasure trip in the Mary Ann steamer down the Murray about 12 miles to Mr. Baker's station, "Wall," which was accomplished in something less than two hours, and came back again in some what less than an hour and a halt with all on hoard gratified. As we drew near the station we found Mr. Lillecrapp had arrived. A boat was sent off and he came on board. We then steamed up the river about two miles and returned home to tea, all parties much pleased and thankful for the day's excursion. At night we engaged in prayer on board the Mary Ann, Mr. Lillecrapp leading them and earnestly prayed the Father of all mercies to bless the young man and the undertaking which he had so courageously engaged in. viz., to be the first navigator of that beautiful river, the Murray. I see myself but very little chance for their remuneration adequate to the immense outlay of time, money, etc. etc.; the great anxiety they have been exposed to in this undertaking, notwithstanding they have accomplished that which none others in the Colony had spirit to attempt. And now they have accomplished their purpose they have won to themselves (under God's blessing) laurels that no man can deprive them of inasmuch as they must stand to all posterity the first navigators of the great River Murray.
March 19.—My old friend Ridley and family sailed for England in the "Melbourne" on Thursday.
25th—William started on his trip up the Murray about 12 o'clock today. Self with Mr. Rowland laying down the town of Gumeracha.
April 14th—William came back from his Murray trip having discovered that there was not sufficient depth of water at this season of the year. Has been absent three weeks. Self, sold Mr. Monfries two allotments in township fronting Victoria Street —£50.
30th—I wrote a notice this evening to Geo. Hannaford to keep his cattle from trespassing or I would positively impound them.
May 4th— Assisting Mr. Davenport on with two Devon bulls as far as Hamlin's in Kenton Valley. Came back and assisted Elliot beyond the Chain of Ponds with fat cattle.
9th—Engaged in making wine. A short time attending to selling James Hooper a pair of bullocks price £24, paid same time
May 17th—Mr. Telford and Mr. Virgo paid me a visit and remained till half past 5. I accompanied them as far as Gregory's on their way home.
24th— Samuel pruning vines, Frank to Springfield and otherwise about cattle and brought in a number of trespassers of Geo. Hannaford's.
Dec. 12—Engaged with Edwards & Field, butchers, but would not sell to them. They offered me for 20 bullocks and cows £304. I would not submit to a less sum than £320. They left with
Randell Diary and Gumeracha District
the understanding to let me know final decision.
Dec. 20—Self accompanied John to Onkaparinga to look at mill which John thinks of taking. Price £3G0 per acre or to sell £1400 for the term of 27 years.
22nd—Wrote letter to Capt. Davison, J.P.. Mount Barker.
24th— Walked out in afternoon till tea with Mr. Lillecrapp from Adelaide, who is in quest of an estate to rent or purchase.
Jan. 2nd, 1854.—Elliot preparing spring cart and sundries to take sundry ladies on a party of pleasure to the Murray. William, Mr. R. P. Aiiom and sundry of his boys, John B. Randell and his wife and sundry others accompanying. If they all return safe and sound I shall be rather surprised. They intend taking a trip too in the Mary Ann steamer,
7th—Thomas Martin has this day applied for a section of land to rent, viz., No. 6072. I offered him two sections I lately purchased at the Ponds but I gave him no price in either.
9th—Afternoon with John Smallacombe and wife about town allotments. Sold him two, No. 13 and 14 at the price of £60.
16th— I have this day agreed with Chas. Smith to come as a day laborer to attend to the garden and farm work etc as may he required on the establishment at 20/- per week with cottage and rations, and if I proceed to England he engages to remain on until my return.
23rd.—Self interrupted nearly all day by callers, viz., J. B. Randell, John Edwards, Will Field, Thos. Martin and John Monfries.
1st March.—Samuel left for Adelaide. He goes to secure a passage for Mrs. Randell, self, himself, brother and sister if they can manage matters as to accommodation, terms of passage etc.
18th—Self engaged in office all day. Finished the draft of lease between self and Thomas Martin. Generally approved deed of conveyance etc. of Salem Chapel in the township of Gumeracha which I hope to submit on Wednesday next.
22nd—The deed conveying Salem Chapel and vesting it in the hands of Trustees has been signed this evening at the chapel in the presence of William Vercoe, of the Chain of Ponds.
29th—Self busily engaged writing instructions to Elliot on leaving for England.
30th—Elliot and Frank with Whiter Smith about cattle till noon. Left with 143 head to go to Murray. Self engaged in office forenoon. Afternoon preparing trunks for travelling. Received a Devon bull from James Hooper bought at £20.
31st—Engaged in office and nailing up packages of apples for the voyage...
April 1st—Elliot, Frank and Walter Smith at the Murray. Samuel drawing, maps of the estate. Eb. doing a few odd jobs and went to Mt. Pleasant for his bullocks impounded by Murray Yetman. Smith dressing apple trees. Self engaged in office all day. (The rest is silence.)
And so ends the diary of Wm. Bevis Randeli, who duly made the long voyage home to Devon with his wife and several members of his indus- address placed on a sticker which will turned to end his days and be laid to rest in the town which he had been responsible for being brought into being, and which as a business proposition must have been a highly lucrative one. The town of Gumeracha progressed in the sixties of last century until we find that less than a decade after the diary ceased the following old recording:—
Gumeracha
A postal township in the electoral district of the same name. It is situated on the Kenton and Smith Creeks, which run north and south of the Torrens River, being a quarter of a mile from the town ship, and running west. The district is both agricultural and pastoral, wheat being grown in large quantities and sheep and cattle grazed to a considerable extent. The nearest places are Forreston, 21 miles distant, Cudlee Creek, 2 miles ,and Kenton Valley, half a mile. The communication is by horse and dray, and with Adelaide 24 miles W.S.W. by Romswell's mail coach twice a week. Gumeracha has a post and money order office, a telegraph office, a literary institute, a courthouse, a police station, a Wesleyan and a Baptist chapel, and a public school; also a local court, the resident magistrates being W. B.. Randell and H. Dawson Esqs., and a branch of the S.A. Insurance Co. There are two hotels—the District and the Kenton, a steam flour mill (Randell's) and a brewery (Moger's). Gumeracha lies in an undulating plain surrounded by hills. Population of district is 7662. Number of electors of district in 1865 was: Legislative Council 750, Assembly 1239; representatives for Legislative Assembly, Hon.. A. BIyth and A. B. Murray Esqs.
