My dear Grandmamma

Lucy was probably the eldest child of the Birchall family. In 1855 they all travelled from Melbourne to the Bendigo diggings. Lucy penned an account of her journey to the goldfields as well as a letter to her grandmother. These documents provide a rare insight into a child's experiences.

Lucy Hannah Birchall, Papers, July-August 1855

Accession number: MS 9328

From the State Library of Victoria's Manuscripts collection.

See the catalogue record for this item 

Transcription

Sailors Gully,
Aug 20th

My dear Grandmamma,
Since I last wrote we have performed a journey of one hundred miles a full account of which is in the journal that accompany's this. I like the diggings very well I have washed myself about a pennyweight of gold besides a match box full of specimens The other day I went with Mamma and Papa over to the quarry reef. There we saw a gentleman of the name of B Farrell he has one of the richest claims in the reef He has made thousands of pounds While we were talking he said if we would go down to his tent he would give us some specimens little items of what he had He gave Mamma some beauties and me three two of which I send home one to you and the other for dear Aunt Eliza. They are the nicest I have ever had You will laugh when I tell you what I have been doing today, making a kennel for a puppy I have not yet got it is a very nice one made of latice. Mr Sundy is going to give me the puppy this week We began school today. We were delighted to hear that Aunt Mary has a little boy We did not forget little Anna Maria's birthday Haree is delighted with her doll it amuses her for many an hour Good bye with dear love to and from all I remain your very affectionate granddaughter

Lucy Hannah Birchall