Continuing with the Diary of Augustus Bostock of Grasmere. OCTOBER 1862 Wed 1 - EDDINGTONS ? left for home. HILL (Mr.) put up oven. Thu 2 - FRED ARNEL commenced shearing LEICESTERS. Drew wethers from middle paddock and put in front paddock. Took two cows and calves and young steer from front paddock to PURNIM. JAMES BATEMAN called on way to ? ickelton's with cattle. Sold him three beasts in back paddock for £2/5/- Kill one cow from back paddock for dogs. Got Tim shod on forefeet. W. fine except shower in middle of day - wet sheep. Fri 3 - Hoe garden. Finished shearing LEICESTERS. MARGETTS (Edw) called. Went to ERNEST'S and stayed all night. ALICE AITKIN, MISS HOWARD and C.HELPMAN (Charles) came out. Weather very warm. Sat 4 - Went to see DENNINGTON BRIDGE to report to ROAD BOARD whether it is in a fit state to stand the summer traffic. Attend the ROAD BOARD MEETING. To a meeting of MR.BLACK'S (Neil) supporters. Saw TOZER (Francis) and MacGREGOR (Samuel) about store cattle. Spent evening at Mr.BATEMAN'S. W. v.warm. Sun 5 - Walk to ERNEST'S (Bostock) before breakfast and stay until after dinner. Return home in afternoon. W. warm. Mon 6 - ARNEL (Frederick) hoeing in garden. DREW (Mr.) took JELLIE'S DOG ( James Jellie) home. SHELDRICK (Walter) got sheep. Went up to MR.HOOD(Robert) to see about store cattle, but he had sold them. JAMES BATEMAN went up with me. JIMMY (BostocK) came from BOORTKOI. Tue 7 - Went to W'bool. Got TELEGRAM from POWER and RUTHERFORD about cattle. Stay in town all night. W. warm. Wed 8 - Got TELEGRAM. POWER and RUTHERFORD giving us an offer of cattle. Stay in town all night. W. v.warm. Thu 9 - BATEMAN (James) and myself went up and looked at MR.HOOD'S (Robert) cattle. Went on to HEXHAM and TELEGRAPHED that we would take them. Stayed at BOORTKOI all night. Weather warm. Fri 10 - Return home. Finish ploughing TOBACCO ground the second time. BATEMAN (James) went home. Drove M.AITKIN (Could this be Margaret Aitkin) from TOM'S (Thomas Edw.Bostock at Boortkoi) to BATCHELOR'S BALL. Sat 11 - Stayed in W'bool. Played MARRIED vs SINGLES MATCH at CRICKET. Weather very warm. Sun 12 - Drove up to BOORTKOI (Hexham) MacKENZIE (Anthony ?) went up part of the way with us. W.very warm. Mon 13 - Took delivery of MR.HOOD'S (Robert) cattle and brought them as far as MR.EDDINGTON'S (Ballangeich). Stayed all night. Weather very warm. Tue 14 - Got home with the cattle. TIM (horse) fell on my leg and lamed me. Weather very warm. Wed 15 - Commenced dividing cattle with BATEMAN (James). BAYLES (William) and JIMMY (Bostock) came and stayed all night. W. v.warm. Sharp thunder storms. Thu 16 - BAYLES (William) and JIMMY (Bostock) left for W'bool. Helped BATEMAN (James) with his cattle. Went to Warrnambool and stayed all night. W. cool. Fri 17 - Settled with BATEMAN (James) for the wethers. Saw BAYLES (Wm.) about land in HOOD'S Run (Robert of "MERRANG" on the Hopkin's River). JAMES AITKIN and family (Jas.Wm.Manifold AITKIN) and BAYLES (Wm.) left on STEAMER. Returned home. Weather showery. Sat 18 - Went to W'bool to a meeting of ROAD BOARD. DREW (Mr.) and ARNEL (Fred) put up a fence against the cattle crossing the river. Planted some French beans in the garden. Weather fine. Sun 19 - Had to go over to PURNIM too look after the cattle brought home. One bullock from MATHERSON (George). JIMMY(Bostock), PALMER (O.Fred.Wm.), TRIPP(W.) MACKAY (Mr.) and DAVIS (Mr.)came out. TOZER (Francis) and MacGREGOR (Samuel) drove out in afternoon. Went and saw horses and sheep. Weather mild. Mon 20 - Commenced sowing TOBACCO. Drew 13 cows for MARGETTS (Edw) and put them in his paddock. Took the rest of the cows over to PURNIM paddock. COCKLAN ? COUGHLAN (Mr.) came to see the two colts. Went round all cattle in the evening. Weather fine. Tue 21 - Hoeing garden. FRAZER (Mr.) called onj his way to BOORTKOI to see sheep. JIMMY (Bostock) came to meet FRAZER (Mr.). Went to BOORTKOI after dinner with them. Finished sowing TOBACCO. W. very warm. Wed 22 - JIMMY(Bostock) and FRAZER(Mr.) went to look at sheep. DREW (Mr.) and ARNEL (Frederick) putting up wire fence around TOBACCO paddock. Stayed at BOORTKOI all night as FRAZER (Mr.) as FRAZER returned too late to get home. W. close - thunder storms. Thu 23 - Return home. Went to MR.ARMSTRONG'S to an early breakfast. FRAZER came as far as GOOD'S(John) gate with me. Finish wire fence around TOBACCO and mended other fence broken. Set outside paddock gate. Took the FIRST SWARM of BEES. MARGETT'S (E.)cattle down. Weather very close with rain/thunder in evening. Fri 24 - TEDDY MARGETTS came over and got the dray. Put all the sheep through ARSENIC for their feet. Pared the feet of the LEICESTERS. Drew the old ewes to shear. Working in the garden in the evening. W. cool and cloudy. Sat 25 - Shearing sheep. Went to W'bool. Weather fine. Sun 26 - Went to ERNEST'S (Bostock at Lipook) to dinner - return home in afternoon. J.MATSON (John) came with me and took in chesnut colt. Weather fine. Mon 27 - Shearing sheep. Went round cattle. MR.ALLAN called - stayed all night. MARGETT'S (E.) called down. W. fine in morning but rained hard at night. Tue 28 - Too wet to shear. DREW (Mr.) & ARNEL(Fred) take ? two colts to MR.TOZERS (Francis). Went to MARGETTS (Edw) and found him just commencing to plant potatoes. PALMER (Octavius Frederick William) escorted eight ladies and went to Warrnambool with them in evening. Went to small party at PATERSON'S (Robert Brand Paterson hus/of MARY JANE AITKIN.) Wed 29 - TELEGRAPH to TOM (Bostock) when the sheep would start. Return home - shearing sheep. Saw SHELDRICK (Walter) and MRS SNOW about cattle and sheep. Weather nice cool wind. Thu 30 - Shearing sheep. Went to PURNIM to put out MARGETT'S (Edw.) cattle that got through the fence. Brought home a heifer that calved. PALMER drove out MRS.PALMER and family for afternoon. (Mrs.Palmer was Rachael Emily DOVETON, d/o Francis Crossman Doveton and Margaret Bostock. Margaret was a sis/of Augustus, George, James, Ernest and Thomas). Went to Purnim with PALMER (O.F.W.) to see cattle. Went round sheep in back paddock. W. fine in morning and thunder storms in evening. Fri 31 - Too wet to shear sheep. Packed wool already shorn. Got potatoes from JENKINS (Allan). Went into Warrnambool and stayed all night at JAMES AITKIN'S. Weather - sharp showers all day. For today....14th Oct. 2003 Thelma (Bostock) Birrell in Queensland where it has been quite cool for a few days now.

Dear Friends of the W.D.List, Thanks to Beryl and others who managed to find and post numbers 75 & 76 to the list... For those who are new to the list, the following is from the DIARY of AUGUSTUS BOSTOCK who lived at Grasmere, a little north of Warrnambool. I have all previous diaries in a folder and am happy to forward to anyone who would like them. Sincerely in Searchng.... Thelma NOVEMBER 1862 Sat 1 - Took the grey mare to DR.HARRINGTON'S (R.H.) horse. Sold Bay colt and filly in yards. Bought four cows and DREW (Mr.) brought them home. Returned home. PALMER (Octavius Frederick William) and RAINGILL (Thomas W. an Actuary with W'bool Savings Bank.) came with me. W.fine. Sun 2 - JIMMY (Bostock) came down from TOM'S (T.E.Bostock of Boortkoi at Hexham.). TRIPP (W. - Clerk of Parliament in Debating Club), MACKAY and some others came out. Weather fine but cool. Mon 3 - Repairing wire broken in fence next to LATTAS(W.) JIMMY (Bostock) and myself went into W'bool to see about BAYLES (William) land and to see JAMES BATEMAN to settle about the bill for cattle, but he was not in town. Weather fine, excepting a light shower or two. Tue 4 - Started the sheep for BOORTKOI. saw them clear of farms and went to BOORTKOI myself. Weather very warm. Wed 5 - Sheep on Road. Went to meet them. Could not get them any farther than large swamp. Weather very warm. Thu 6 - Got sheep as far as MUSTON'S CREEK. W.warm. Fri 7 - Got sheep mixed with a flock of MR.ARMSTRONG'S. Had to go down and draft them. Weather - hot wind. Sat 8 - ARNEL (Frederick) and KEILAR (John/Wm.) return. Wash some sheep. PATERSON(Rob't B.), MUSGROVE(A.W) LUCY (Aitkin) and ALICE (Aitkin)came late at night. W.fine. Sun 9 - All Stayed at BOORTKOI and went out for a drive in the morning. Weather warm. Mon 10 - Finished washing the sheep. Went out SNIPE SHOOTING with PATERSON (Robert Brand Paterson, who was married to Mary Jane Aitkin). Weather warm. Tue 11 - PATERSON (Robert Brand) and party left. ERNEST (Bostock) and myself went to SHAWS (Mr.) and stayed all night. Weather fine and cool. Wed 12 - Returned to BOORTKOI (Hexham) early in the morning. My sheep crossed the river on to Mr.MOFFAT and mixed with some of his sheep. ERNEST (Bostock) out SNIPE SHOOTING. Weather fine but rather warm. Thu 13 - TOM (Bostock) commenced shearing my sheep. ERNEST (Bostock) left for home (LIPOOK) W. - hot wind. Fri 14 - Shearing sheep. Weather close in the morning and sharp storms in the afternoon. Sat 15 - Finished shearing sheep aboout breakfast time. Returned home and started WILLIAM (Keilar) and FRED (Arnel) to bring down sheep. Went into Warrnambool in afternoon. Stayed all night. Weather fine. Sun 16 - Went to ERNEST'S (Bostock) with JAMES AITKIN (Jas.Wm.Manifold Aitkin wife of Annie Y.McRobie WARE who was widow of Jeremiah George WARE). Stayed in Warrnambool all night. Weather warm. Mon 17 - Return home before breakfast. Fixed DIP FOR SHEEP. JIMMY (Bostock) came and went to meet the sheep. ARNEL (Frederick) came down with the cart to leave the wool etc. Put up a fresh yard at the drafting yard. Sold five cows to DOY (Mr.). Weather warm...some thunder... Tue 18 - ARNEL (Frederick) start with dray up to meet sheep again. Deliver cows to DOY (Mr.). Sold SMITH (Mr.) 'Spot' and he took her. Commenced shearing lambs left on GRASMERE. Sent GOOSEBERRIES to TOM (T.E.Bostock). Got a message from DAVIS (Mr.) about Special Meeting of ROAD BOARD tomorrow. Ewes lambing. W.cloudy/warm. Wed 19 - Went to W'bool to attend the Meeting of the ROAD BOARD. Received a letter from BAYLES (William) respecting land at HOODS (Robert Hood). Got home a portion of the sheep. Saw DUNCAN McRAE ? about sheep. Thu 20 - Drew ewes and fat wethers. Cut off sheep that came home. Went to W'bool to send answer to BAYLES (William) about land. Remaining sheep came home. Shearing remaining lambs. Weather stormy. Fri 21 - Dipped sheep shorn at GRASMERE. To W'bool and then to MELBOURNE by STEAMER to see BAYLES (William) about the land on MUSTON'S CREEK. Weather cool. Sat 22 - Agreed with BAYLES (Wm.) to take the land. W.warm. Sun 23 - Dined with BAYLES (Wm.). Spent the afternoon there. Weather close and warm. Mon 24 - Saw about getting money in Foster's Flat. Saw Solicitor with BAYLES (William) about AGREEMENT for LAND (? COOMETE). Went out with MANIFOLD (Thomas ) in the afternoon and went to CREMORNE GARDENS in the evening. LUCY(L.H.Bostock) went out to get some fruit. Weather close and warm. Tue 25 - Signed AGREEMENT for LAND (Coomete ?). Called at FRANCIS McPHERSON & Co., about money on land. Went on board the STEAMER to return to W'bool. Wed 26 - Arrived at W'bool about 9. JIMMY (Bostock) drove cattle from HAMMONDS (Mr.). Return home. BOY bought home the mare from Dr.HARRINGTONS (R.H.). Thu 27 - Mustered calves and branded them. Kept back the oldest from cows. LADIES MAKING JAM. W. fine Fri 28 - JIMMY (Bostock) went round cattle and went to town to see MRS SNOWS (w/of Henry Snow, butcher) cattle. Start for TOMS (Thos.Edw.Bostock) to see wethers. Sat 29 - TOM (T.E.Bostock) finished shearing. Went out to see the wethers. Bought 4,700 youngs @ 8/- (Eight shillings) and his own breeding at 7/- . Went out to show Stockmen old ewes. Weather fine and cool. Sun 30 - Went through land rented from BAYLES (Wm.). Met CAMPBELL EDDINGTON and returned home. MacKENZIE(Anthony), STEWART(Mr.) and the MARGETTS (Edward) were down. W. fine and cool. So ends another month in the life of Gussy, who outlived all his siblings, as he continued to write until his decease in 1920. Just enjoy.... Sincerely Thelma Bostock/Wilkinson/Rafferty/Rhodes - http://birrell.1hwy.com/index.htm Cox/Dorset/Clarendon/N.S.W. www.angelfire.com/rnb/mrbirrell/ James Cox/Connell Clarendon/Tasm. http://matthewbirrell.tripod.com/index.htm Crawford/McKay/Sarkies/Rafferty/Robe/Landsborough www.electricscotland.com/webclans/atoc/crawfor2.html Montgomery/Skeats/Redman/McGregor/Barber/Jeram www.users.bigpond.com/mrbirrell/

Dear Thelma, Thankyou for your work in sharing this diary. I am wondering if you ( or any other readers on the list) have any information regarding two men associated with the very early days of Warrnambool - James Ford STRACHAN and William KEITH Jane Thelma wrote: > Dear Friends of the W.D.List, Thanks to Beryl and others who > managed to find and post numbers 75 & 76 to the list... > > For those who are new to the list, the following is from the > DIARY of AUGUSTUS BOSTOCK who lived at Grasmere, > a little north of Warrnambool. I have all previous diaries in > a folder and am happy to forward to anyone who would like > them. Sincerely in Searchng.... Thelma > > NOVEMBER 1862 > > Sat 1 - Took the grey mare to DR.HARRINGTON'S (R.H.) > horse. Sold Bay colt and filly in yards. Bought four cows and > DREW (Mr.) brought them home. Returned home. PALMER > (Octavius Frederick William) and RAINGILL (Thomas W. > an Actuary with W'bool Savings Bank.) came with me. W.fine. > Sun 2 - JIMMY (Bostock) came down from TOM'S > (T.E.Bostock of Boortkoi at Hexham.). TRIPP (W. - > Clerk of Parliament in Debating Club), MACKAY and some > others came out. Weather fine but cool. > Mon 3 - Repairing wire broken in fence next to LATTAS(W.) > JIMMY (Bostock) and myself went into W'bool to see about BAYLES (William) > land and to see JAMES BATEMAN to > settle about the bill for cattle, but he was not in town. > Weather fine, excepting a light shower or two. > > Tue 4 - Started the sheep for BOORTKOI. saw them clear > of farms and went to BOORTKOI myself. Weather very warm. > Wed 5 - Sheep on Road. Went to meet them. Could not get > them any farther than large swamp. Weather very warm. > Thu 6 - Got sheep as far as MUSTON'S CREEK. W.warm. > Fri 7 - Got sheep mixed with a flock of MR.ARMSTRONG'S. > Had to go down and draft them. Weather - hot wind. > Sat 8 - ARNEL (Frederick) and KEILAR (John/Wm.) return. > Wash some sheep. PATERSON(Rob't B.), MUSGROVE(A.W) > LUCY (Aitkin) and ALICE (Aitkin)came late at night. W.fine. > > Sun 9 - All Stayed at BOORTKOI and went out for a drive > in the morning. Weather warm. > Mon 10 - Finished washing the sheep. Went out > SNIPE SHOOTING with PATERSON (Robert Brand Paterson, > who was married to Mary Jane Aitkin). Weather warm. > Tue 11 - PATERSON (Robert Brand) and party left. ERNEST > (Bostock) and myself went to SHAWS (Mr.) and stayed > all night. Weather fine and cool. > Wed 12 - Returned to BOORTKOI (Hexham) early in the > morning. My sheep crossed the river on to Mr.MOFFAT and > mixed with some of his sheep. ERNEST (Bostock) out SNIPE > SHOOTING. Weather fine but rather warm. > > Thu 13 - TOM (Bostock) commenced shearing my sheep. > ERNEST (Bostock) left for home (LIPOOK) W. - hot wind. > Fri 14 - Shearing sheep. Weather close in the morning and > sharp storms in the afternoon. > Sat 15 - Finished shearing sheep aboout breakfast time. > Returned home and started WILLIAM (Keilar) and FRED > (Arnel) to bring down sheep. Went into Warrnambool in > afternoon. Stayed all night. Weather fine. > Sun 16 - Went to ERNEST'S (Bostock) with JAMES AITKIN > (Jas.Wm.Manifold Aitkin wife of Annie Y.McRobie WARE > who was widow of Jeremiah George WARE). Stayed in > Warrnambool all night. Weather warm. > > Mon 17 - Return home before breakfast. Fixed DIP FOR > SHEEP. JIMMY (Bostock) came and went to meet the sheep. > ARNEL (Frederick) came down with the cart to leave the > wool etc. Put up a fresh yard at the drafting yard. Sold five > cows to DOY (Mr.). Weather warm...some thunder... > Tue 18 - ARNEL (Frederick) start with dray up to meet sheep > again. Deliver cows to DOY (Mr.). Sold SMITH (Mr.) 'Spot' > and he took her. Commenced shearing lambs left on > GRASMERE. Sent GOOSEBERRIES to TOM (T.E.Bostock). > Got a message from DAVIS (Mr.) about Special Meeting of > ROAD BOARD tomorrow. Ewes lambing. W.cloudy/warm. > Wed 19 - Went to W'bool to attend the Meeting of the > ROAD BOARD. Received a letter from BAYLES (William) > respecting land at HOODS (Robert Hood). Got home a > portion of the sheep. Saw DUNCAN McRAE ? about sheep. > > Thu 20 - Drew ewes and fat wethers. Cut off sheep that > came home. Went to W'bool to send answer to BAYLES > (William) about land. Remaining sheep came home. Shearing remaining lambs. > Weather stormy. > Fri 21 - Dipped sheep shorn at GRASMERE. To W'bool and > then to MELBOURNE by STEAMER to see BAYLES (William) > about the land on MUSTON'S CREEK. Weather cool. > Sat 22 - Agreed with BAYLES (Wm.) to take the land. W.warm. > Sun 23 - Dined with BAYLES (Wm.). Spent the afternoon there. > Weather close and warm. > > Mon 24 - Saw about getting money in Foster's Flat. Saw > Solicitor with BAYLES (William) about AGREEMENT > for LAND (? COOMETE). Went out with MANIFOLD > (Thomas ) in the afternoon and went to CREMORNE > GARDENS in the evening. LUCY(L.H.Bostock) went out > to get some fruit. Weather close and warm. > Tue 25 - Signed AGREEMENT for LAND (Coomete ?). > Called at FRANCIS McPHERSON & Co., about money > on land. Went on board the STEAMER to return to W'bool. > Wed 26 - Arrived at W'bool about 9. JIMMY (Bostock) > drove cattle from HAMMONDS (Mr.). Return home. BOY > bought home the mare from Dr.HARRINGTONS (R.H.). > > Thu 27 - Mustered calves and branded them. Kept back > the oldest from cows. LADIES MAKING JAM. W. fine > Fri 28 - JIMMY (Bostock) went round cattle and went to > town to see MRS SNOWS (w/of Henry Snow, butcher) > cattle. Start for TOMS (Thos.Edw.Bostock) to see wethers. > Sat 29 - TOM (T.E.Bostock) finished shearing. Went out > to see the wethers. Bought 4,700 youngs @ 8/- > (Eight shillings) and his own breeding at 7/- . Went out to > show Stockmen old ewes. Weather fine and cool. > Sun 30 - Went through land rented from BAYLES (Wm.). > Met CAMPBELL EDDINGTON and returned home. > MacKENZIE(Anthony), STEWART(Mr.) and the > MARGETTS (Edward) were down. W. fine and cool. > > So ends another month in the life of Gussy, who outlived > all his siblings, as he continued to write until his > decease in 1920. Just enjoy.... Sincerely Thelma > > Bostock/Wilkinson/Rafferty/Rhodes - > http://birrell.1hwy.com/index.htm > Cox/Dorset/Clarendon/N.S.W. > www.angelfire.com/rnb/mrbirrell/ > James Cox/Connell Clarendon/Tasm. > http://matthewbirrell.tripod.com/index.htm > Crawford/McKay/Sarkies/Rafferty/Robe/Landsborough > www.electricscotland.com/webclans/atoc/crawfor2.html > Montgomery/Skeats/Redman/McGregor/Barber/Jeram > www.users.bigpond.com/mrbirrell/ > > ==== AUS-VIC-WESTERN-DISTRICT Mailing List ==== > Digby Hotspur Merino and Surrounding Areas > http://www.ballaratgenealogy.org.au/digby/ > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

Herewith another chapter in the life of AUGUSTUS BOSTOCK and many of his friends from the Western District of Victoria. DECEMBER 1862.... Mon 1 - Two young ladies went to Warrnambool. ERNEST (Bostock) came again in the evening. Went to JONES (John) about cow. Hoeing in the garden. Went over to Purnim to see the cattle. Weather very warm. Tue 2 - ERNEST & LUCY (Bostock) left for W'bool. MRS.SEMPLE & children went in the dray. Hill ? about Purnim looking burnt up. Mended gate broken by bullocks. JIMMY (Bostock) cut some thistles on Purnim. Got SODA & SULPHUR out by ANDREWS (? J.) Wthr. warm. Wed 3 - Dip wethers in middle paddock. JIMMY (Bostock) went to W'bool and returned at dinner time. MRS.SNOW (w/o Henry) sent for sheep and lambs. JIMMY went to W'bool to get permit for sheep. Weather warm. Thu 4 - Dipped the ewes and lambs. Sheldrick (Walter) sent out and got some sheep. Weather fine and cool. Fri 5 - DREW (Mr.) and JOHN KEILLAR commenced sawing logs to make pig yard. JIMMY (Bostock) and myself started for BOORTKOI (Hexham). Wthr. cool. Sat 6 - Went to see Land. TOM (Bostock) went with us. Sun 7 - JIMMY (Bostock) returned home. Weather cool. Mon 8 - Went over to CRAIGS (?John) to see his old ewes. Tue 9 - To BOORTKOI and stayed all night. W. rather warm. Wed 10 - Return home. Showed WILLIAM KEILLAR where to build the hut. Saw HOOD (Robert) about land. Showed ARMSTRONG (Mr. ) where he was to run his sheep on (Lindsay ? ) Weather warm. Thu 11 - MRS.SNOW got 20 wethers. JAMES BATEMAN sent and got his rams. JOHN MACKERSEY and TOM (Bostock) drove down. We went to town with them. Thinning some of the TOBACCO. Weather fine. Fri 12 - Went to the AMATEUR RACES and to the BALL in the evening.... Weather beautiful !!!!! (Change for Gussy. He must have had a good evening !!!!) Sat 13 - Atended the settling. TOM (Bostock), JOHN (Mackersey) and ourselves stayed in town. Weather fine. Sun 14 - TOM (Bostock) drove to BELFAST (Port Fairy) with MISS WILSON. We went to ERNEST'S (Bostock) to dinner. TOM picked us up at ERNEST'S and we returned to GRASMERE. JOHN KEILLAR hoeing in the garden. Weather fine. Mon 15 - TOM (Bostock) , ALICE AITKIN and JIMMY (Bostock) went to BOORTKOI (Hexham) early in the morning as JANE (Mackersey) w/o TOM BOSTOCK was not well. Cut young lambs. SHELDRICK (Walter) got sheep. DOY (Mr.) helped with lambs. W. cloudy. Looks like rain...Went to W'bool. Tue 16 - Stay in W'bool all day. Paid sheep money into bank. MARGETTS (Edward) took in some of his wool. Returned home after tea. Brought home INKERMAN ? from the doctors. Called at JAMES AITKIN (J.Wm.M.Aitkin) on the way out. Wed 17 - Hoeing and thinning the TOBACCO. The two Mrs.AITKIN, Mrs PATERSON, MARGARET (Aitkin - his future bride) & MISS WHITING came out and got some fruit. JIMMY (Bostock) returned from BOORTKOI. MARGETTS (Edward) called down in the evening and we settled accounts. Thu 18 - JIMMY (Bostock) went to Warrnambool. Went round cattle. DREW (Mr.) and KIELLAR (John) work at TOBACCO. Mrs.SNOW (w/o Henry) came and got 20 sheep. Weather warm. Fri 19 - JIMMY (Bostock) went to BOORTKOI. Drew largest lambs from front paddock and put with SHELDRICK'S (Walter) sheep. Logged front fence from garden to river to keep in pigs. Mrs.DREW went into Warrnambool. Heard of Mr.McKIERNIN'S death. (W.H.McKiernin died aged 31 from a fall from his horse) Sat 20 - Finish putting logs to fence to make it pig proof. Went inton W'bool and stayed all night. Weather fine. Sun 21 - Stayed in town to MR.McKIERNIN'S FUNERAL, but missed as we understood it would not take place. Mon 22 - Return home. DREW (Mr.) & JOHN KEILLAR hoeing TOBACCO. Cut thistles in back paddock and along road. Got WAGGON ready to go into town tomorrow. Weather - a few light showers in the morning. Tue 23 - Drove to W'bool to see about starting for BOORTKOI. Stay in town all night. JIMMY (Bostock) drove from Boortkoi to meet JOHN (Mackersey) and TOM (Bostock). DREW (Mr.) and JOHN (Keillar) footrot sheep. Weather very warm. Wed 24 - JOHN MACKERSEY and TOM (Bostock) came by STEAMER. Stayed in town all night. ERNEST (Bostock) left for BOORTKOI. JAMES McROBIE came down. (James was s/o of Wm.McRobie of Hobart and brother of Annie Young McRobie, widow of J.G.Ware and now wife of James Wm.Manifold AITKIN. m.19.3.1862) (This is Christmas Day !!!! ) Thu 25 - We all start for Boortkoi. JOHN (Mackersey) JIMMY (Bostock) and myself dined at GRASMERE and went in afternoon. Weather cool and cloudy. Fri 26 - DREW (Mr.) went to W'bool. Stayed at Boortkoi and went for a drive up to SALT CREEK. Sat 27 - JOHN (Mackersey) & Mrs MACKERSEY (nee Ann Harriet Headlam) start for home (Kenilworth near Hamilton). (Both Mackersey & Headlam families were from the Macquarie region of central Tasmania.) TOM (Bostock) and ERNEST (Bostock) drove to Mrs.ROBERTSONS (? Jemima Vans Robertson of "Konnawarren" on Hopkins Riv.) Went to see how sheep were getting on. Went to see HOOD (Robert) about selling ???? JIMMY went to CRAIGS (? John). Sun 28 - Returned home and came down by the hut with some rations for Shepherd (???). Weather warm. Mon 29th - Commenced footrotting ewes and lambs. Went to Warrnambool and stayed all night. ERNEST (Bostock) drove down from Boortkoi. Weather warm. Tue 30 - Finished footrotting ewes. Mrs.SNOW got sheep. ERNEST and LUCY (Bostock) came. Dogs got among sheep in paddock next to road. W. warm. Wed 31 - Sent dray to Warrnambool to get things. Went with ERNEST (Bostock) in dogcart. The three AITKINS ( ??? ) came with us. Weather fearfully warm.... That ends the year 1862..... The next year seems to highlight a few more people that move into the region or get work with Augustus, while those of his old friends and workers still remain. Just enjoy....Sincerely in Searching... Thelma (Bostock) Birrell - off George Bostock 1826/1858 & Ann Cox 1826/1865.

This diary commences at the start of the year 1863....while Augustus Bostock is a pastoralist on Grasmere still.. 1863 JANUARY.. Thu 1 - TOM (Bostock) drove to W'bool. Had a party in the evening. Went to Coomete to see a flock of sheep that went down last and to see where fire was burning. Weather cool - little rain. Fri 2 - Went to W'bool wit ? and settled with him for sheep. Returned home at night with ERNEST (Bostock), but TOM (Bostock) stayed in town. SHELDRICK (Walter) got forty sheep. Squaring up everything after the party. Wthr - a cool sea breeze. Sat 3 - Dogs among the sheep again. Put all the sheep through the yard and counted all the old sheep. TOM (Bostock) came out from Warrnambool on his way home..Weather very warm. Sun 4 - TOM started early in the morning for home. MARGETTS (Edward) came down. Weather close & cloudy. Mon 5 - ERNEST & LUCY (Bostock) left for W'bool. Sent the dray to ERNEST (Bostock) with things borrowed. Cut all the thistles on Grasmere. Weather warm. Tue 6 - Went through TOBACCO and pulled off seed. DREW (Mr.) cutting thistles on Purnim. ALLAN JENKINS called and got ALISON & KNIGHTS rent. MARGETTS (Edw.) went to TOWER HILL to see farmers about thrashing. W. cool wind. Wed 7 - Went to PURNIM to see if cattle were alright. Found fences down and some cattle in MATHERSON'S PADDOCK. (George). Mrs.SNOW (w/o Henry) sent out and got twenty sheep. MARGETTS (Edward) called returning from Tower Hill. DREW (Mr.) cutting thistles at Purnim. Weather very warm. Thu 8 - DREW(Mr.) cutting thistles at Purnim. Went into Warrnambool re Letters and stayed in town all night. W.v.hot. Fri 9 - DREW finished cutting thistles. Returned home calling at ERNEST'S (Bostock). Commenced at the house for Coomete. (First mention of what is his new home) JIMMY (Bostock) came down. Weather cool - light showers. Sat 10 - JIMMY (Bostock) and myself went to W'bool and attended the Road Board meeting. Stayed in town all night. Weather - southerly wind. Sun 11 - Returned home. MARGETTS (Edward) came down to see about taking sheep to BOORTKOI (Hexham).W.cloudy. Mon 12 - WM.KEILLAR commenced place for COOMETE. JIMMY (Bostock) left for BOORTKOI (Tom's place). Went round cattle at Purnim. Moved cattle in back paddock to paddock next to road. Counted young sheep out for TOM (Bostock) and MARGETTS (Edward) started with them. Sent the dray into town with the PIANO, (his father Robert had four for sale at one time.) and to bring out some timber. Dr.HARRINGTON (R.H.) called as he was attending one of the MacLARENS. ARNEL'S (Frederick) boy called about the loading for COOMETE. Weather southerly - cool wind. Tue 13 - WILLIAM KEILLAR working at building for COOMETE. Mended bench in workshop. Made a latch for a gate. DREW (Mr.) carting wood as old horse is likely to be away. Weather very warm in the morning, but it came on to thunder and rain in the evening. Wed 14 - William working at house (Coomete). Drew the sheep for Mrs.SNOW. DREW (Mr.) thinning TOBACCO. Went to W'bool. Stayed at ERNEST'S (Bostock) all night. Weather very close, heavy storm at night. Thu 15 - Called at Warrnambool on my way home. MARGETT'S (Edward) returned from taking young sheep up to BOORTKOI (Hexham). WILLIAM (?Keillar) finished. ARNEL (Frederick) got load of stuff on for COOMETE. SHELDRICK (Walter) and Mrs.SNOW got sheep. Weather cloudy, some sharp showers at night. Fri 16 - Brought calves from Purnim to wean. Branded a few of my own and MARGETTS (Edward). Went to DOY'S to see about sheep and to tell him to get calf. W.cloudy/little rain. Sat 17 - Went into Warrnambool. Put latch on the gate for Mrs.AITKIN (Mary Meacock 'nee Manifold' AITKIN). Settled old sheep account. Some of the cows and calves were taken from and got back. Weather cloudy. Sun 18 - Returned home. MARGETTS (Edward) called down. Weather close in morning - cool in afternoon. Mon 19 - Went over to see WILLIAM KEILLAR about going up the country and to see MR.STUBBS about taking away the filly. Tried to get in the pigs, but only succeeded in getting in a few. Drew the sheep for SHELDRICK (Walter) and Mrs.SNOW. Moved two of the bullocks from back paddock to RHYGRASS flat. Weather cool and cloudy. Tue 20 - DREW (Mr.) went to Purnim to see about the two FILLIES who strayed. Went to Warrnambool to see about selling some of the PLUMS. Called at SHELDRICKS (Walter) about sheep, but he was not home. KEILLAR (William) started the dray for COOMETE. W. cloudy- wind easterly. Wed 21 - Went to COOMETE to see how WILLIAM (Keillar) was getting on with hut. Went from therre to BOORTKOI. Thu 22 - Helping to put up the hut. Returned to BOORTKOI. Mrs.SNOW got sheep. Weather warm. Fri 23 - Went to COOMETE. WILLIAM (Keillar) putting CHIMNEY to SHEPHERD'S HUT. Had to draw sheep mixed with MR.HOOD'S (Robert at MERRANG on Hopkins River). Went to W'bool to a party at ERNEST'S (Bostock). W.warm. Sat 24 - Went out to ALLENSFORD to try and get some fish. Heavy thunderstorm. Got rather wet and it rained all night. Sun 25 - Stayed in town as it rained all day. Mon 26 - Returned from W'bool. JIMMY (Bostock), Miss WHITING and ALICE AITKIN (m.1875 James Bostock) called on their way to BOORTKOI (Tom's place). SHELDRICK (Walter) got some sheep. Went to BOORTKOI in the evening. Called at the hut on the way. MRS.DREW came out from town with JIMMY (Bostock). Weather cool. Tue 27 - Went to hut and found place upset. Young BOSWELL drunk - also Mrs.BOSWELL JIMMY (Bostock) went to POLICE and gave BOSWELL in charge. MacGILLVRAY ? gave notice of leaving. Saw MR.HOOD (Robert) about changing land. Weather cool. Wed 28 - Went to BOLAC to meet TOM (Thomas Edward Bostock) with dog cart and to see about MITCHELL (Mr..) as SHEPHERD. MacGILLVRAY left. BOSWELL'S Boy shepherding his flock. Weather rather close. Cool afternoon. Thu 29 - Agreed with MITCHELL (Mr.) to take MacGILLVRAY'S ??? flock @ £40 per annum. also with GILCHRIST'S wife and boy @ £70 per annum - wife to mind the house. TOM (Bostock) settled with me for MARGETT'S (Edward) lambs, and rode down to COOMETE with me. We did not find JIMMY (Bostock) and returned home. We found ARNEL'S (Frederick) teams waiting. Sent word to him to start tomorrow. Weather cool. Light showers. Fri 30 - Started Dray with JIMMY'S (Bostock) FURNITURE. (First time I realised he lived with Gussy). HILL (Mr.) from town got some plums. Went to W'bool. Paid money for MARGETT'S (Edw) lambs to bank. Went to ERNEST'S (Bostock) and stayed all night. Weather fine. Sat 31 - Went into town with ERNEST (Bostock). Bought FOUR BULLOCKS and DRAY at MacGREGOR'S SALE YARDS. ERNEST and myself went out to ALLENSFORD HERRING FISHING. Returned home, but did not get home until 12 o'clock at night. Weather fine. So the wheels are turning slowly, as Gussy prepares to move to Coomete, where he spends many years of his life and is married to Margaret Aitkin...(wait for it) in 1865. James and Alice marry in 1875 !!!! Just enjoy.... Sincerely Thelma