Eliza Brown (1811 – 24 April 1896) was an early settler in colonial Western Australia whose letters to her father record the hardships of her family.
[4] Thomas Brown disclosed the reason why the couple considered emigrating in a letter to William Bussey in 1850:[5] I never had a wish to leave prosperity in England where I always felt comfortable and happy for the chance of what might be done in any other country.
My sole object in coming hither was for the improvement of Mrs Brown's health and spirits, she was often very miserable and particularly in the winter season and often expressed a wish that I would remove to some warmer climate, and took a particular fancy to Swan River which she has never deviated from, always liking the Colony and seeing better hope than I ever did.
Her health and spirits were certainly much benefited which makes me not regret the change although it has plunged me into pecuniary difficulties.The Browns obtained advice from friends Samuel Waterman Viveash and William Tanner, who had already settled in Western Australia.
Shortly after leaving, as Eliza wrote to her father: ...a violent gale of wind arose directly opposed to our course and we were driven back again in 24 hours as far as Beechy Head, five days and nights we were exposed to the violence of the storm during which I regret to say our horses perished.
Our poor creatures and two others that belonged to Mr Samson were thrown overboard on Sunday, their necks broken from the violent pitching and tossing of the ship.
I had therefore put the writing aside intending to finish on the following morning, then a little Boy arrived during the night, resembling Kenneth for vigour and healthfulness but disabling me for resuming the pen again so early as intended, and wholly frustrating my intention of writing dear Emma and Matilda at present.Quoting historian Geoffrey Bolton: [They] lived in a thatched shed warmed in winter by the pan of coals.
[13] Eliza writes about this to her father as follows: ...as I know you are gallant enough to take a great interest in the fair sex I will introduce a young Lady to your notice, Matilda Brown, who opened her eyes to this world on Thursday the 25th November.
The iron rods on top of our bedstead were wrenched off by the lightning and scattered in all parts of the room, it also deeply indented a tin box underneath the bed in two places and perforated a small hole beneath which some flannel in the ox was scorched.
On his return, Vernon fell under the wheel of the dray, the horse was backed very promptly so that he was extricated without any bones being broken, but he has a very black leg and goes limping about, nothing depressed, but as usual as gay as a little lark.
I had hoped and have endeavoured to teach my children until they might be put into abler hands, but the increase of family diminished my opportunities and energies....to be enabled to do much if any good with the elder ones..In 1850, her husband joined a party exploring the Champion Bay district.
[4] In May and June 1851, Eliza herself rode with her husband and others to Champion Bay, and was persuaded by the Governor to write her account of the journey, which was published in the Inquirer.
These “form a valuable addition to early accounts of the Swan River Colony, describing it in its second decade of existence.”[1]: ix The letters begin aboard ship in 1840 and cease in 1852.