Herewith another month in the Life of Augustus Bostock of Grasmere, north of Warrnambool. If you would like a map of portion of that country I would be happy to copy for you through private email only....Thelma... FEBRUARY 1863 Sun 1 - MACKAY (Mr.) came out and spent the day. MARGETTS (Edw) called down. W. Hot wind Th.100. Mon 2 - DREW (Mr.) went to Purnim and cut thistles missed in first cut. Also cut some on Grasmere. Went to DOYS (Mr.) about oats and sold hima heifer. Went to FOREST and bought 30 hurdles. Brought back paddock cattle that got on to road, by fence being broken by falling tree. Saw Mr.Stubbs about filly and he is to come in the morning to see about her. Went round cattle both on PURNIM and GRASMERE. Deliver heifer to DOY (Mr.) Called at ARNEL'S (Frederick) to see if he go for hurdles tomorrow. W. hot wind, light shower in evening. Therm 100. Tue 3 - Drafted all the sheep ready for Mrs.SNOW and SHELDRICK (Walter - butcher), but they did not send for them. Sent to the forest for the hurdles. Wed 4 - Mrs.SNOW (wife of Harry) got 20 sheep, but SHELDRICK (Walter) could not trade. Showed SHELDRICK (W) Margett's (Edw.) cattle and went into W'bool. Stayed at ERNEST'S (Bostock) all night. Made a yard in the river to soak sheep for their feet. Weather cool and a little rain. Thu 5 - Went into W'bool. Settled with ERNEST (Bostock) for MARGETTS(E) wool and a portion of our own. Went out to Mrs.W.H.McKIERNIN'S sale. Returned home after sale. Weather cool. Fri 6 - Footrotting the sheep in middle paddock.. TOM(Bostock), JANE(nee Mackersey BOSTOCK) and JIMMY(Bostock) called on their way into Warrnambool. I went in with them and stayed all night. Weather fine and cool. Sat 7 - Returned home before breakfast. Went to CARAMUT as witness in case of BOSWELL(Mr.) called at ? and returned home at night. DREW(Mr) FOOTROTTING sheep. Weather fine and cool. Sun 8 - Went into Warrnambool. Went out to ERNEST (Bostock). Weather cloudy - a little rain. Mon 9 - Stayed in town all day. Saw Mrs.SNOW about WRENCH'S bill. Stayed in town all night. Tue 10 - Return before breakfast. Got sheep and drew sheep for TOM (Bostock) to see.TOM and JIMMY (Bostock) returned to BOORTKOI(Hexham). Footrotting sheep in afternoon. W.cool and cloudy. Wed 11 - FOOTROTTING some of the sheep. MARGETTS (Edw) called on his way home. Put some sheep in water to FOOTROT tomorrow. Mrs.SNOW(Butcher) sent out for 20 sheep.W.fine. Thu 12 - Footrotting some of the sheep. Went into W'bool to a PARTY at Mr.STEPHENS. Wthr.Cool. Fri 13 - Stayed in W'bool all day. Saw Mrs.SNOW about WRENCH'S (Mr.) acceptance. DREW (Mr. finished footrotting the last of the sheep. TOM'S (Bostock) man came down for the fat sheep. Cool. Sat 14 - Saw MacGREGOR (Sam) about my land in Bilpah ???? TOM'S man came about the sheep. Returned home. Drew the sheep ready for TOM (Bostock) to start tomorrow morning. W.warm. Sun 15 - Stayed at home all day. MARGETTS (Edward) called down. DREW (Mr.) away all day. Mon 16 - HARRY WILLIAMS called about fencing. DREW (Mr.) cutting thistles. Went to W'bool in afternoon to see about things to go to COOMETE by dray. Stay at ERNEST'S (Bostock) all night. Weather fine. Tue 17 - Saw Mrs.SNOW about WRENCH'S affair. Started timber etc., out by dray. returned home. Wed 18 - Got in wood as PRINCE is obliged to go to COOMETE. Went to see WILLIAM KEILLAR about going. Called at DOYS (Mr.) about oats. Sent dray for them. W. light rain nearly all day. Thu 19 - Drafted sheep. CASSIDY (Mr.) came to see ewes and wethers. Went to W'bool in the evening. W. light rain most of day. Fri 20 - Stayed in town. ERNEST(Bostock) and myself went in to BATEMAN (Jas or Wm.) to see him about taking cattle to GEELONG. Stayed in town all night. Weather fine. Sat 21 - Decided to start with cattle. TELEGRAPH to SYNNOT and GUTHRIE (George Synnot and Thomas Guthrie). Stayed in town all night. W.fine. Sun 22 - Muster cattle to start tomorrow. BATEMAN (Jas or Wm.) brought his cattle as far as Purnim. Weather fine - rather warm. Mon 23 - Started for GEELONG with the cattle. CASSIDY (Mr.) got the wethers. Got the cattle as far as CAPT.EDDINGTON'S (John E. of Ballangeich, neighbour to Augustus, who became his close friend for many years). W.Cool - little rain. Tue 24 - Went with cattle as far as Mt.SHADWELL (at Mortlake). Wed 25 - Took the cattle as far as the ELEPHANT PLAINS. Weather fine. Thu 26 - Went as far as WATER HOLES. W.fine. (Brown's Water Holes - Lismore, Victoria.) Fri 27 - Went as far as FRENCHMAN'S. (Wardy Yallock, Cressy, Victoria.) Sat 28 - Went as far as the WARRUMBINE CREEK. Lost the cattle all night. Stayed at LARRY'S ?? Weather fine. That was the last day in February that year... However, I must tell you if he found the sheep !!!!! March 1st . Found the cattle and went as far as ?? by sundown AND TRAVELLED ALL NIGHT. Weather very fine. Sold the cattle and stayed in Geelong all night - in 1863 !!!. W.very close/warm. Just enjoy....Thelma (Bostock) Birrell in Queensland. E. & O.E.......November 2003.

Continuing with the diary of Augustus Bostock from Grasmere 1863..... For the interest of new readers. Augustus is growing tobacco here as he uses it in the wash to footrot the sheep. Tobacco contains arsenic. Just enjoy..Thelma MARCH 1863 Sun 1 - Found cattle and went as far as ??? by sundown and travelled all night. Weather very fine. Mon 2 - Sold cattle and stayed all night in Geelong. Tue 3 - Settled with SYNNOT & GUTHRIE for the cattle and went down to MELBOURNE. Weather close. Wed 4 - Stayed in Melbourne. Weather warm. Thu 5 - Stayed in Melbourne. Went out to see the MANIFOLDS (Thomas & Jane 'Synnot'), but had left home for PURRUMBETE (Camperdown.) W.very warm. Fri 6 - Intended to start for home but missed the train. Sat 7 - Went to Geelong. Left there in the afternoon for MR.HOPKIN'S. Stayed there all night. Wthr fine. Sun 8 - Started for home. Travelled all night, calling at CAMPERDOWN and TERANG. W. fine - cold night. Mon 9 - Got into Warrnambool about 6 o'clock in the morning. Went out to see JAMES BATEMAN. Saw McGREGOR (Sam) about sheep. Returned home in the evening. Weather very fine. Tue 10 - Put TOBACCO in order in barn.Went with BRENNAN (Mr.) to see working bullock. Went to SCHOOL HOUSE to a meeting about new proposed regulations respecting school, particularly to pay of masters. Weather - rained nearly all day. Wed 11 - Cut timber for pig fence across paddock. Settled in full with WILLIAM KEILLAR for work done. JAMES AITKIN (Jas.Wm.M.Aitkin) came - paid him balance of MARGETT'S (Edward) rent - and money on account of Manifold & Co. Went to BOORTKOI. Called and saw JIMMY (Bostock) on the way up. DREW (Mr.) & ARNEL (Frederick) carting in some of the TOBACCO. MARGETTS (Edward) called down. ARNEL (Frederick) called about cash for work of bullocks. Wthr, fine cloudy. Thu 12 - Returned home. Called at COOMETE. DREW(Mr.) & ARNEL (Fred.) hanging up some of the TOBACCO. Mrs.SNOW (w/o Henry Snow) and SAVIDGE (? SAVAGE) got some sheep. MARGETTS (Edward) called down. Weather fine. Fri 13 - Hanging tobacco. Cut two loads, but too wet to get anymore. Commenced THATCHING roof of the barn with straw. Gathered fallen fruit and last PLUMS. JAMES McNAMARA came. Sent over to DOYS (Mr.) to get a COIL of WIRE. W. Raining. Sat 14 - DREW (Mr.) & ARNEL (Fred) THATCHING ridge of barn and hanging some TOBACCO. Went into Warrnambool and stayed in town all night. Went down to saleyards. W. rained nearly all day. Sun 15 - Went to ERNEST'S (Bostock - brother) and stayed all day. Went to Church in evening to hear MR.RUPP preach. ERNEST had an addition to his family in the shape of a daughter. (!! Thel)W.cloudy Mon 16 - Return home, calling at Warrnambool to see AITKIN(Jas.Wm.M.Aitkin)about FOSTER'S FLAT. JONES(John) called and I drew a memorial for him to get agreed to present to ROAD BOARD respecting road down NICHOL'S LANE. Hung rest of the TOBACCO in barn and put up wires ready to hang tobacco in shed. Went to MARGETTS(E.) Tue 17 - Finished putting tobacco right. Cutting stuff for the pig proof fence. Went over to the sheep in the back paddock. Wthr, rained all day. Wed 18 - Putting up rails and wire ready to hang ready to hang up the tobacco as soon as we get a fine day to get it cut. JIMMY(Bostock) came down. SAVIDGE (?Savage) came out for sheep. MARGETT'S (Edw.) and STUBBS (Mr.) came over and spent the evening. W. - rained all day. Thu 19 - MRS.SNOW'S man came and got sheep. Went to PURNIM to see cattle. Splitting and carting stuff for pig fence. JAMES BATEMAN called about taking cattle. Wthr - slight showers. Fri 20 - JIMMY (Bostock) left for COOMETE. Split and cart for PIG FENCE. Cut and cart tobacco. MARGETTS (Edward) called. Weather beautiful. Sat 21 - Finished splitting the logs ready cut for fence. Too wet to cut the tobacco. Putting up some of the pig fence. W.light shwrs & sunshine. Sun 22 - DREW (Mr.) went into W'bool. CHARLIE HELPMAN & TEDDY MARGETTS called. W.fine. Mon 23 - Cart tobacco. Mrs. Aitkin (Mary Meacock nee Manifold AITKIN), ALICE AITKIN, and MISS WHITING came down and stayed all day. Bullock dray came down from COOMETE (his next farm). Tue 24 - Finished carting in the tobacco. ARNEL (Fred) went with the bullocks to get a new pole for the dray. WM.KEILLAR came over and put it in. Carted some posts for the pig proof fence. JIMMY (Bostock) came down late in the evening COOMETE. Weather. Very warm. Wed 25 - JAMES BATEMAN called before breakfast about the waggon. JIMMY (Bostock) went to Warrnambool. Sent in STOVE by the bullock dray. Went over to Mr.TOZER'S sale at THE LAKE. Killed a beast so that part could go up by the dray. Thu 26 - Started dray for COOMETE. JIMMY (B) left for home. Hanging some tobacco. ARNEL (Fred) working at the fence. Weather cool. Fri 27 - Hanging up the tobacco. ARNEL (Fred) digging the drain for the fence. TOM (Thomas Edw. Bostock) & ERNEST (Bostock - brothers) came out. I went into Warrnambool with them and stayed all night. Weather fine... Sat 28 - Came home with TOM (T.E.Bostock & C. Jane Bostock nee Mackersey) to breakfast. Went to BATEMAN'S (Jas ?) to help him draw cattle for BALLARAT. Walked from W'bool from there to see sheep sold at McGREGOR'S yard. Stayed at BATEMAN'S all night. W. warm in day. Sun 29 - Returned home. Weather very fine. Mon 30 - Went to MR.TOZER'S (Francis) to get three cows bought at his sale. I could not find them. BRENNAN (Mr.) called to get steer to yoke, but one I offered did not suit him. White Poley steer got over fences. I went as far as JENKINS (Allan) fence but could see nothing of him. DREW (Mr.) hanging up tobacco. MARGETT'S (Edw.) called down in the evening. Gathered the last of the APPLES. Weather very hot. Tue 31 - Went to JOHN JONES to look at cattle for sale. Had a look at HELPMAN'S THRASHING MACHINE (Charles Helpman). TOZER (Francis) called and I got TILT belonging to WAGGON. Went as far as EAGLE TAVERN to see BATEMAN'S (James) cattle as they passed on way to Ballarat. Also to see McGREGOR (Samuel) about land up country. MRS.SNOW'S man came and got 20 ewes. (Henry Snow the butcher).Went as far as DOY'S about sheep but he was not home. DREW (Mr.) hanging tobacco. W. warm little rain. Well that is all for March in 1863... more as time permits... Just enjoy.. Sincerely Thelma (Bostock) Birrell at Maroochydore in Queensland..

These extracts are from the diary of Augustus Bostock of Grasmere, near Warrnambool. He wrote faithfully about his family and people of the district including those who worked on his property from 1854 to 1920 when he died... In APRIL 1863 Gussy wrote thus, Wed 1 - DREW (Mr.) and Boy took lambs as far as EDDINGTON'S DAM for TOM (Thomas Edward Bostock - brother). To Warrnambool in afternoon. W. sharp showers. Thu 2 - Stayed in Warrnambool to Show. Paid bill due to AITKIN & BOSTOCK (- now J.Wm.M.Aitkin & Ernest Bostock -after death of George Bostock in 1858). Stayed in town all night. W. showery. Fri 3 - Came home to breakfast. MacKENZIE (Anthony) and two EDDINGTONS (Campbell & ?) came with me and left for home after. Went to Lake (Woolongoon at Hexham) and brought home three cows bought at TOZER'S SALE (Francis Tozer). W. fine & cloudy. Sat 4 - Went into Warrnambool to attend a meeting of the ROAD BOARD, but got in too late - returned home late. MARGETTS (Edward) came out part of the way with me. Weather fine. Sun 5 - PALMER (Octavius Frederick Wm.) came out and spent the day with me. (Octavius m.1867 to Rachael Emily, dau/of Margaret & Francis Doveton. Margaret Bostock was sis/of Augustus Bostock). Mon 6 - PALMER (O.F.W.) and myself went down to STAINES SALE (John Staines). Stayed at WOODFORD and saw the races. Wthr. very fine. Tue 7 - Dr.HARRINGTON (R.H.) came down from BOORTKOI (Hexham) before breakfast. Returned Punch. Went round cattle and went to FOSTERS FLAT to see EVERITT (Charles) & WRIGHT about their rent. Agreed to give them some timber to repair their hut. DREW (Mr.) working at the drain for the fence. Wthr.very fine. Wed 8 - Went to SPRING CREEK and brought home two white poley bullocks. Brought cows with calves from PURNIM. DREW (Mr.) working at the drain. Went to DOYS (Mr.) in evening to see about heifers. Counted all cattle on PURNIM. Weather very fine - frost in morning. Thu 9 - Deliver heifer sold to DOY (Mr.). DREW (Mr.) finished digging drain as far as log. Commenced putting up fence. Went to see BLACKSMITH to order BRAND and to see KEILLAR (William) about coming. W. very fine. Fri 10 - Finished putting stuff already split. Took a cow up to PHINNS (Thomas) to kill. Went round cattle at PURNIM. Commenced splitting again for fence. JIMMY (Bostock) came down. W. very fine. Sat 11 - Went to W'bool to see about bank account. but could not get anything done. Went over to ERNEST'S (Bostock) and stayed all night. MANIFOLD (Thomas) came down by the steamer. Weather. very fine. Sun 12 - Went for a ride to Mr.RUTLEDGES (Wm) and from there to MacGREGORS (Samuel). Stayed at ERNESTS (Bostock) all night. W. rather warm. Mon 13 - Got my business settled. ERNEST (Bostock) came down from PURRUMBETE (Manifolds of Camperdown). The bullock dray came down from COOMETE (Hexham - Gussy is to move there soon). JIMMY (Bostock) and myself returned home late in the evening. Weather very fine. Tue 14 - Went to JONES (John) to look at cattle he had for sale. Killed a bullock to go to COOMETE by the dray. Went to Warrnambool to see the CIRCUS. Stayed all night. Weather -very fine. Wed 15 - Returned home. Dray started for COOMETE and JIMMY (Bostock) left. Mr.PARKER (Samuel) came to breakfast. Went with PARKER (Sam) to lay road from IDEN'S BRIDGE toward HEXHAM. Mrs. SNOW (w/o Henry Snow, butcher)got sheep. Thu 16 - Went over to see the KEILLARS (Wm.) about rent of allotments. DREW (Mr.) sawing logs ready to split for the division fence. MARGETTS (Edward) called down. Weather rather warm. Fri 17 - Split fence posts. Mr.& Mrs.MacARTHUR and Mr.& Mrs.PATERSONcame. (Robert Brand Paterson m.1861 to MARY JANE AITKIN (d/o James & Mary 'nee Manifold' AITKIN.) MANIFOLD (Thomas) came before breakfast. Went round farm with him and went into W'bool in evening. Found TOM (Bostock) and wife JANE (Catherine Jane Mackersey) in town and stayed in town all night. Weather very fine. Sat 18 - Attended meeting of the ROAD BOARD. DREW (Mr.) splitting posts and putting up some fence. TOM (Bostock) and Mr.MANIFOLD (Thos) came out with me. Weather very fine. Sun 19 - Went up to BOORTKOI (Hexham) with TOM and MANIFOLD. Mr.BUSH overtook us on the road. Weather fine. Mon 20 - Stayed at TOM'S (Bostock) all day. Went out to see some of the sheep. DREW (Mr.) putting up the fence. W. fine. Tue 21 - Returned home. TOM and MANIFOLD came down with me. Called at COOMETE (Hexham) on the way. DREW (Mr.) finished putting what stuff was already split. W. very close and warm. Wed 22 - Went down to sale of cattle and sheep at COILS (Mickey). Went from there to ERNESTS (Bostock) and stayed all night. DREW(Mr.) sawing more logs for the fence. W. very warm. Thu 23 - Branded all unbranded sheep. TOM (Bostock) called on way home. Went to CAMPBELL EDDINGTON'S BALL and stayed all night. Weather fine. Fri 24 - EDDINGTON (Campbell) left for W'bool before breakfast. Took one cow to PURNIM. Had in horses as one had a bad eye. Went round farms belonging to DOVETON (late sister's family) to see about getting in the rents. Called at DOY'S on way over. Weather dull. Sat 25 - Went to Warrnambool. Settled with WILSON (John) for sheep. DREW (Mr.) splitting stuff to keep in pigs. JIMMY (Bostock) came down. MARGETTS (Edward) rose out with me. Sun 26 - JIMMY (Bostock) and myself stayed at home. Walked up as far as MARGETTS (Edward) in the afternoon. Weather fine. Mon 27 - JIMMY (Bostock) left for home. Put some tobacco in a heap. DREW commenced securing the river to keep the pigs. Went into W'bool in the evening and stayed all night. Fine. Tue 28 - ERNEST(Bostock), ATKINSON (Mr.) and myself went up to see MAILOR'S FARM (Robert -of 'Merri Farm') and the GREENHILLS. Returned home in the evening. DREW (Mr.) finished opposite side of the river. W.very fine. Wed 29 - ERNEST(Bostock) & ATKINSON(Mr.) left. Worked at fence to secure pigs. PALMER (Octavius Fred Wm.) came in evening and stayed all night. Moved some of the tobacco. Thu 30 - PALMER (O.F.W.) left. Went with him as far as PURNIM to see if Creamy ? had come over and to see my cattle. Went over to see DOY (Mr.) about a heifer with a young calf. Marking fencing - pig proof. Finished the division fence. Weather fine. I hope you have all shared some measure of happiness and contentment over this Christmas Season.... Best Wishes for 2004.. Thelma (Bostock) Birrell at Maroochydore. "Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."