Hale, David Buckley, 1838?-1923: Letter to Martha Bradley

Letter to his old sweetheart, Mrs Thomas B Bradley, of Fairfield, Connecticut, from Sydney, New South Wales, describing his life since leaving Connecticut.

Describes his journey from England, working for the East India Company in Ceylon [Sri Lanka], trading in the South Seas and seeking refuge in Poverty Bay, New Zealand, from a possible attack by "Confederate cruisers" during the ongoing American Civil War. Describes his capture by "Hau Hau" Maori, cannibalism, his rescue by a British naval vessel and subsequent service with the colonial authorities in the militia, in return for the promise of a land grant. That promise not being fulfilled, he left for New South Wales in 1866. Gives an account of his life there and his eventual settlement in Sydney as a carpenter. As well as a brief account of his imprisonment and rescue, and of his service with the colonial authorities against the Hau Hau. Much of the letter is concerned with his life in, and impressions of, New South Wales. There is some discussion of the fortunes of mutual friends.

Includes original envelope and anonymous typed transcription of letter [n.d.]

Source of title - Supplied by Library

Other - The vendor's title, "First-hand account of "Te Kooti's war", is inaccurate as Hale had returned to New South Wales in 1866, before Te Kooti was imprisoned on the Chatham Islands and subsequently escaped.

David Buckley Hale, an American sailor from Connecticut, was captured by Maori while on a trading vessel at Poverty Bay in about 1862 or 1863. After he was rescued by a British ship, he served with the colonial forces until 1866 when he returned to New South Wales.

Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0.01 Linear Metres.

Physical Description: Mss, Holograph and Typescript