Series 1: Ledgers (1854-1863)
Station ledgers of financial transactions for Gigoomgan Station for the years 1854-1863.The entries detail stores, interest and commission, cheques issued and sundry expenses. The entries also detail rations issued to employees such as drovers and station hands, but also Native Police employed by Mant.
First occupied by the Scott brothers in 1848, the property was next taken up by Henry Cox Corfield, (1823-1883) who in 1850 sold the run to James and Norman Leith-Hay, who in turn sold to Peter Anderson and George Leslie. Initially stocked with sheep the property was acquired by Anderson's nephew George Mant (1836-1913) who was in occupancy from 1856. In partnership with Henry Stuart Littleton (1844-1933) Mant established a quality shorthorn cattle station.
Of special interest: Entries contain references to Aboriginal people employed on the station, which was located on the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi [Gubbi Gubbi] Nation.
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Items in this series:
Cattlebook (1854-1861)
Leather bound ledger in which is recorded dates of mustering, branding, sales and deaths of bullocks and cows. Later entries also detail the heritage of stud bulls and their brands.
Description
Station ledger (1854-1871)
Station ledger of accounts and wages for Gigoomgan Station for the years 1854-1871.The entries detail rations issued to employees such as drovers and station hands, but also Native Police employed by Mant.
Description
Station ledger (1858-1863)
Station ledger of financial transactions for Gigoomgan Station for the years 1858-1863.The entries detail stores, interest and commission, cheques issued and sundry expenses.
Description
Series 2: Diaries (1854-1868)
Station diaries in which are recorded daily entries of activities, weather, and work undertaken at Gigoomgan Station.
First occupied by the Scott brothers in 1848, the property was next taken up by Henry Cox Corfield, (1823-1883) who in 1850 sold the run to James and Norman Leith-Hay, who in turn sold to Peter Anderson and George Leslie. Initially stocked with sheep the property was acquired by Anderson's nephew George Mant (1836-1913) who was in occupancy from 1856. In partnership with Henry Stuart Littleton (1844-1933) Mant established a quality shorthorn cattle station.
Of special interest: Entries contain references to Aboriginal people employed on the station, which was located on the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi [Gubbi Gubbi] Nation.
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Items in this series:
Station diary (1854-1858)
Journal or diary kept by Peter Anderson who took up Gigoomgan Station, in 1854, along with his financial partner George Leslie.
This journal details daily activities on the station, stock movements, fencing stockyards and daily weather reports. The journal also records the use of Aboriginal labour and reports of clashes with local tribes over livestock.
Description
Station diary (1859-1868)
Leather bound journal in which is recorded daily entries of activities, weather, and work undertaken at Gigoomgan Station. The first entry beings 1 January 1859 and concludes 31 December 1868. Many entries to refer to Aboriginal people who were employed by the station mustering, harvesting corn and clearing scrub. On 27 December 1866 the first Gigoomgan races were held, at Washpool Flat, over a course of 3/4 mile, 55 people attended. Prizes of bridles and whips were presented to first and second place getters.10 races were held with up to seven horses competing. The last race of the day was the 'Blackboys Race' with small sums of money awarded. The race meet was repeated the following years, in 1867 it finished with a foot race between 50 of the Aboriginal people who were in attendance and in 1868 seven jockeys rode mounts in the 'Blackboys Race'.
Gigoomgan station was located on the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi [Gubbi Gubbi] Nation.
Description
Series 3: Correspondence (1854-1881)
Letterbooks in which are recorded copies of correspondence written by owners and managers of Gigoomgan Station. They include Peter Anderson, George Mant and Henry Littleton. Some loose items are also enclosed.
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Items in this series:
Letterbook (1854-1881)
This journal contains handcopied letters written by Peter Anderson and his nephew George Mant from Gigoomgan Station. George Mant took over the property from his uncle, along with financial partner Henry Littleton and established a quality shorthorn cattle station and later actively encouraged mining activity on the run, which yielded quantities of gold, copper and other minerals.
In the first letter dated 9 July 1854, Anderson writes to his partner George Leslie, of his concern for the safety of the manager after clashes with Aboriginal tribes. Later correspondence shows however their confidence in employing Aboriginal labourers on the property for stock work, around the homestead, stripping bark or cultivating crops. There is much correspondence regarding cattle and stock management and the prospect of further land selection to add to their holdings. It also contains several loose items of correspondence.
Description
Letterbook (1873-1884)
Letterbook of correspondence written by George Mant and Henry Littleton. The letters were primarily to suppliers or prospective buyers of their prime cattle but also detail their financial transactions with regard to property selections.
Description
Series 4: Notebooks (1850-1890)
Small cloth covered notebook used to record shopping lists and expenses. Very few pages have been used.