My dinner guests would be my great great grandfather and family. Samuel Picken born about 1806, son of James PiCKEN and Elizabeth McKINLAY. In 1832 he married Mary Stuart BLAIR, daughter of William BLAIR and Mary BANNATYNE. Samuel was a sea captain and spent many years at sea. This item in the "Newfoundlander' dated Thursday, August 9, 1832 - ' Married on the 3rd July, at Rothesay, Captain SAMUEL PICKEN, of the Brig Funchal of Gronnock, to Miss BLAIR, of the former place.' indicates that he was probably at sea then. In the 1841 census Samuel is not mentioned, but a ship named 'Mary Bannatyne' arrived in Sydney on 4th February 1841, the Master named as PICKEN. Was this you, Samuel ? and was the ship named after family. Incidently the passengers on the ship were Sir Thomas and Lady Mitchell and their nine children. I guess this was our famous explorer.Major Mitchell. The rest of the family mentioned in the census at Argyle Street were Mary BANNATYNE 50, Elizabeth BANNATYNE 60, Mary BLAIR 25 , Jessie PICKEN 5, Samuel PICKEN 3, Elizabeth PICKEN 1, Janet MCKIRDY 20 Female Servant and STEELE (Mrs.) 35 Outside. ( the women seem to use their single surnames) Captain SAMUEL PICKEN came to Ausralia almost every year, between 1850 and 1858 bringing passengers and merchandise, and returning with passengers and cargo of gold, wool and tallow. In 1852 Capt. Picken came to Australia on the "Melbourne', his 14 year old son came with him. Some extracts from his (young Sam's) journal Thunder and lightening accompanied by a shower of hail and a squal happened at dinner time today. The hail fell very fast and in very large stones, never saw hail in July before. Thinking of home, my brother will now have the vacations for some time. Gooseberries and apples will now be ripe. If the shore people have fruit, we have fruit too. We have our Greengage, Green Gooseberry, Damson and apple tarts. Our raisins, our nuts, our figs, and our almonds. Morning.Very cold, a good deal of wind from the Westward.Stearing SE ½ South. I am tired of the sea. I wish I was on shore no matter where, either in Port Philip or Rothesay would be best. When the change wears off one is heartily tired of the sea. Nothing to do, except read, and who can be always reading? No ship seen for a long time, nothing to take away the sameness of our every day life. Youths are generally fond of novelty, and I am not an exception to the rule. Days sailing 195 miles. Lat. South 40º41 Long. 3º33 East The wind lulled towards evening. Think often of home, & all the friends I left there. Father was up late last night, a sailors life is not at all an enviable one Go to the Forecastle every night to see the Bosom. He often speaks of mother and Grannie. I was talking to Father about my future prospects, he says, there will be plenty of situations for me. He was offered some before he left Port Philip. Besides I have a Letter from Potter Wilson & Co. to Mr. Oswald Gilchrist to do all he can for me. I do not know how I will get on in Port Philip, after Father leaves me. I shall then be alone, as it were, in the world. But Father has got many Friends in Port Philip, who will take care of me, and will show kindness to me, If by my own conduct I merit it. I am sure, it will be a great pleasure to all of us, to meet again. I hope we will do so either in Port Philip or in Dear old Scotland. Obviously young Samuel was to be left in Australia. In December 1858, Captain Samuel brought his wife and the rest of his family to Australia on the "Harriet' The children wereJessie, Aged 21, Eliz Picken, Aged 19 (my Great Grandmother), Wm Picken, Aged 15, and James Picken, Aged 9 when I guess they reunited with young Samuel. There are many questions I would like to ask the family, partcularly Captain Samuel's career at sea.and how Mary coped at home with her growing family, with her husband away at sea for such long periods. Cheerio Janet Trudgeon Victoria, Australia