Letter from William Jones to his father and mother, 25 March 1853 (edited transcript)

Balla Rat Gold Diggings, 25 March 1853

(Note: Ballarat, a town in Victoria, Australia, 37-33S, 143-50E, approximately 70 miles North-West of Melbourne.)

Dear Father & Mother

Once more I have the pleasure of writing you a few lines from this part of the world in the hope that you are well and happy as I am at present. Thank God for his kindness. I stopped in Melbourne for 9 days. From Melbourne to Geelong in the steamer, 4 hours sailing (Note: Geelong – a town in Victoria, South-west of Melbourne, 38-2S, 144-20E). Morton, Seth Evans and the son of the King’s Head, Bethesda, all mates (partners), we were then starting for the diggings. Our passage was 12s/6d each, things £2:10. We arrived at Geelong at 12 o’clock and then we had from 40 to 70 miles to go up to the diggings. We took up with us 8 hundredweight of bread, sugar and etc., only just one suit of clothes and tent tools. We paid 15s/0 per cwt. For taking our things up and walked all the way ourselves. We went up in four days. There were three bullock drays which started together with two tons apiece. There were 8 bullocks in two and ten in the other. We used to set the tent at night to sleep but the first night we lost the dray. (There was) no house within 20 miles to get anything to eat or drink. We slept that night near a place called mody water-holes under some carf and there was heavy rain. Then we found the dray and came up very comfortably. When we reached the journey’s end we pitched our tent amongst others and slept, messed and worked together for some time – 5 or 6 weeks for very little gold. I found myself doing more work than the other three and I joined another two men. When I left them we had 2 oz. of gold apiece (then worth £3:10, now £3:17 to £4). I began to work with these new mates. One is from Llanwrst and one from London. The latter is married and has got his wife here with him. She is washing and cooking for us and we are very comfortable, get good bread and clean clothes. We sank one hole 50 feet deep and got nothing. We then went about 4 miles off. I sank a hole myself 9 feet deep and got 10 pounds weight of gold in it. After we have washed all that we have we expect to have 7 pounds weight of gold each, that is 21 pounds between us. I don’t think that Morton & Co. got 2 oz. since I left them but they might be lucky again. There was close to me a party of four who found a nugget 148 lb. weight of pure gold. They said that the best digging is done. There are a great many here doing very badly. It is the same as Mynydd Parys (Note: Mynydd Parys – Parys mountain copper mine at Amlwch, Anglesey, very near William Jones’ home). Some get copper and others don’t. Still people are coming up. They won’t stop in town to work for 15s to 20s per day. There is plenty of work to be got and good wages.

There are not many farmers about here. I have never seen one field of corn since I have been in the Colony. Everything is very dear up here. Flour is £4:10 to £5 for 200 lb. We paid last week £4 for 4 bushels of oats for the mare, that is one pound for one bushel. Daw gybunad I wish that I could get 200 qr from there (Note: there – home). I could see it all at £7 or £8 per qr. but the river is too wide and I don’t intend stopping long here. Next Christmas I intend making a start for home if God Almighty will spare my life. I don’t intend going to town before then or else I would send you some money. I cannot send any from here and it will cost me ten pounds going to town and back. I have not sold any of my gold yet and I don’t intend to sell much of it before I come home which I hope won’t be long. I have seen a few Welshmen here. I have seen the son of Ysgubor fawr near Tyn y gongl and the Captain and crew of that small vessel that same from Holyhead. They are living close to us. I have not seen any from the Llanerchymedd party yet. They are in the other diggings 100 miles from (here). I have seen 2 daughters of Garnedd goch. They are keeping house in Melbourne, keeping lodgers and sewing. I have not been there the last 4 or 5 months (Note: William Jones disembarked at Melbourne 4 months previously on 20 November 1852). We are living in the middle of the bush, nothing to be seen only trees and birds. All kinds of parrots. Plenty of grass for the horses for nothing. We have a good tent, cost £15. The mare cost 4, cart £20, harness £10. The whole concern is worth there £18. I expect to have about 20 weight of gold by next year when I hope that I shall see you all happy and doing well – I mean all of you, not (just) one. Please give my best respect to my dear sister Jane. Cathrine you know is the. I must conclude because I intend to be there with you soon. (Note: William Jones’ sisters Catherine and Jane. Catherine was baptized on 10 April 1819 at Llangristiolus church and Jane on 11 April 1824).

I am your Son & Brother.

W. Jones

(Note: William Jones did not leave Melbourne for home until 4 June 1855.)