Reverend James Tait Scott Torres Strait Islands papers

This album or scrapbook contains a series of approximately 52 letters (32 typed, 20 handwritten) by Eliza and the Reverend Scott to Eliza's parents, written from Mer (Murray) Island, Thursday Island, Erub (Darnley) Island and Cooktown between 27 July 1880 - 5 September 1882.

When Eliza arrived at Murray Island she declaired it "the most beautiful place I have ever seen by a long war" and was struck by the generours welcome of the islanders who presented them with yams, bananas and sweet potatoes. The letters describe to her family back in Scotland the behaviour and customs of the islanders including their dances and music; as well as some of the less desirable behaviour of European visitors.

The Scott's early use of a typewriter is noteworthy.

Also included in this album is Eliza's autograph journal for 9 April -12 May 1882, including two drawings and various notes, letters and one unframed painting of an island hut on board, signed "E.J.S."

[Item 29018/1]

This journal or diary was kept by Eliza Scott with entries from 15 October 1880 - 24 February 1881; it also includes 20 watercolours and 25 drawings depicting local flora and fauna, the islanders, their dress and implements, as well as houses and landscapes. Some pages of the diary also are decorated with fragments of actual specimens of local butterflies.

The daily entries note their endeavours to educate the children of the island, their delight in exploring, and the difficulties of limited food supplies when ships were delayed. Eliza writes as one whose eyes are always wide with amazement, as is evident in her delightful art works; the local people bringing her things of interest to sketch.

Her journal also reveals how dependent they were on news from home, always noting how many letters and from who they were received, and the disappointment when it was delayed. It concludes a few days into their voyage on the Jessamine.

The journal includes words interpreted by the Scott's as spoken by the people of Mer (Murray) Island.

A transcript is available for this journal.

[Item 29018/2]

This photograph album which is fitted with a brass clip, contains approximately 36 carte-de-visite portraits of Eliza and James Tait Scott and other family members taken in Scotland and Lymington in Hampshire, 1870s-1890s.

[Item 29018/3]