Immigration: Farquhar Morison SS Blonde

14/50 Family History Blogging Challenge

Farquhar Morison

Farquhar Morison is my 2x great grandfather. He was born at Glenshiel Scotland, and came to Australia on the SS Blonde in 1848.

SS Blonde

Farquhar emigrated to Australia in 1848. He was aged 26, and unmarried, when he left Scotland to start a new life. Farquhar travelled to Australia, as an assisted passenger, on ‘The Blonde’, leaving Portsmouth, England on 20 June 1848, and arriving at Port Phillip, on 15 October 1848. The Blonde was a 610 ton barque, captained by Mark Todd, and carrying several passengers in cabins and 241 assisted emigrants. During the 117 day voyage, there were two births and two deaths. The doctor on board was surgeon, Dr. John West Miller, and the matron appointed by immigration commissioners was Mrs. Mary A. Campbell, of County Down, a widow and seamstress. Mrs. Campbell was found, by Captain Mark Todd, to be careless in her duties, and officials refused to pay her gratuity.

The passenger list gave Farquhar’s occupation as sheep overseer. He was appointed schoolmaster for the voyage, and was paid a wage of five shillings. It’s probably not at all surprising that he took on this task, as his father, William, was the schoolmaster of the parochial school in Glenshiel.

When Farquhar arrived in Australia he was employed by Dr. D.C. Stoddart at Lake Colac, Victoria. The term of his employment was to be six months, with an annual wage of 20 shillings.¹

Report of the Immigration Board of Inspectors²

We have the honour to inform you that in pursuance of your directions, the Immigration Board of Inspection proceeded on board the “Blonde” on the 16th instant and performed the duties assigned to us.
The Blonde sailed from Plymouth on the 26th of June with a full complement of immigrants and arrived at Port Phillip on the 15th of October 1848.
The passengers by this vessel appear to be of the various classes such as the wants of the colony require. They comprise 40 families consist of 140 souls, single, adult females 52 souls,
single adult males, 49 souls, making a total of 241 souls
Their several callings may be classed as follows. agricultural labourers 113, shepherds 17,
stock? 3, Gardeners 1, General Labourers 13, woolsorter 1, wheelwright 1, millwright 1, miners 4, smelter 1, stonemason 3, blacksmiths 2, carpenters 3, cabinetmaker 1, miller 1, bakers 2, ?master 1, tailor 1, shopkeeper 1.
Adult females, farmhouse servants 4, dairymaids 8, general housemaids 33,cooks 2, nursemaids 8, housekeepers married 40, single 1.
A large proportion of the male adults appear to be belong to the class of agricultural labourers, the females generally seem to be commonplace farmhouse servants, and it may be presumed from the great want of both these sorts of people, that they were prone to be very acceptable to the Colonists in their respective spheres of usefulness. They are reported to have been as amenable and obedient to the rules and regulations, established for their observance, during the voyage, as the generality of immigrants sent to the Colony.
The passengers enjoyed uninterrupted health from the commencement to the completion of the voyage. No disease of an endemic infection nature having shown itself amongst them.
One male adult and one child (only) died on the voyage and their occurred two births only on board.
The people arrived i good health and spirits, only one female, Mrs. Ashton was confined to bed from an attack of rheumatism, but was in a state of convalescence, the benefit which will result from fresh provisions, and will no doubt soon reestablish her health and strength.
There were no complaints to referred by any of the passengers but she spoke highly of the ? and attentive conduct of not only the surgeon superintendent but of the master and the officers of the vessel.

The master, Mr. Todd was in the daily habit of enquiring of the surgeon at dinner time, if any of his patients would like to have any article that his table afforded, and should such be recommended by the surgeon, to any person, “that person got the first help”
I aught perhaps here to remark that the matron, Mrs. Campbell, a widow, appointed by the House Commissioners began to show a great neglect of duty, about the end of the third week at sea. She and the single females under her surveillance, could not be made to get out of their beds at the proper hours, their apartment became dirty, some little delicacies such as raisins, were, in consequence of such conduct, witheld from them for a time, by the surgeon.
The matron became indignant and according to the testimony of not only the master, but some of the passengers, she made use of most abusive and insulting language to the Doctor. The result was that he would not allow her to act any longer in the capacity of matron. The board, having investigated the matter, came to the conclusion that she was not entitled to her gratuity, which was accordingly with held. She > appeared sufficiently well calculated for the service she has been employed in, being roomy and lofty between decks.
The provisions shipped for the use of the immigrants appear to be of first rate quality, the water good and in abundance. On the whole, we came to the conclusion that these people never lived so well or so happy as they did from the time of embarkation to their arrival here.
For and on behalf of the members of the Immigration Board of Inspection present. Captain Bunbury J.P. and Mr. Guire, Clerk of Board of Works.
(signed) John Patterson
Chairman of the Board.

Report – Ship Blonde
The matron of the vessel, having according to the report of the Surgeon Super. openly disregarded the rules and regulations established on board of immigrant ships for the well being of all the passengers, and having, by her example, induced others to do so likewise, and when reproved by the surgeon, for so doing, set him, at defiance and dared him to exercise his authority over her. The Board having made all the enquiries possible in the case, came to the conclusion, that the matron (Mrs. Campbell)was not entitled to the gratuity usually granted to matrons, of immigrant ships, which was accordingly withheld. Mrs. Campbell, upon this adduced this honour. The superintendant which adduce was referred to take immigrants to the port. (See Letterbook Folio 56)³

14/50 Day Family History Blogging Challenge

1. Collaboration with family researcher, Graham Sleeth

2. The Blonde, 1848-1849 PROV, VPRS 14/P0000, Book No. 4

3. Originally posted on my Wordpress blog Jones Family History