Diaries [manuscript]. 1871-1920.

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Diaries [manuscript]. 1871-1920.

The diaries consist of 26 neatly written volumes of T.J. and J. Smith's Pocket Diaries together with 21 small PĖ€ausey's Pocket Diaries'. The small diaries cover the period 1871-1894 when Wilson was a solicitor before entering the church. Also in the collection are three photographs of Bunana and dried flowers interleaving the diaries. Robert Wilson kept accounts of his work experience mainly in the Solomon Islands. While in Siota in 1898 there was a epidemic of dysentry which affected 40 of the native population of 62, and killed 11. The diary notes native names with dates of death and recovery. In 1907 Wilson returned to England on leave then on to Norfolk Island and Bunana in 1908 where he stayed until 1920. His sister Ellen visited him in Bunana where Wilson stayed until 1915, with one brief visit to England. In Bunana he helped establish a Church and found a school. The diaries also give detailed accounts of ships in port; cannibalism among the Melanesians and work of the church mission.

47 v.

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 7072564

Libraries Australia

Related Entities

There are 2 Entities related to this resource.

Melanesian Mission

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6jd97bq (corporateBody)

Member of the Church of England Missionary and Ecumenical Council. From the description of Records of the Melanesian Mission, 1890-1932 (inclusive). (Yale University). WorldCat record id: 702152310 ...

Wilson, Robert Paley.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6029468 (person)

Robert Wilson was a member of the Church of England Missionary Society. He left England aboard the P & O Ship Parramatta and arrived in Melbourne in 1895. During 1895-1897 he travelled to Norfolk Island, Motu and adjacent islands. He also visited Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland. From 1898-1907 he travelled throughout the Solomon Islands and spent time in Santa Cruz, Port Patterson, Vila, Motu and especially Siota where he helped establish a school. From the description of Diaries [...