Mary Watson diaries

Lett's rough diary kept by Mary Watson while she lived at Lizard Island and at Cooktown. 

In this diary Mary Watson relates the day's events and weather conditions as well as the circumstances of her leaving Lizard Island with her infant son Ferrier and Ah Sam, a Chinese worker, after conflict with local Indigenous people. This diary was later found at her hut on Lizard Island. This item is very fragile.

Loose leaves with diary entries kept by Mary Watson recording events while she drifted over the Barrier Reef in a steel tank and on No. 5 Island of the Howick Group.

Mary Watson had left Lizard Island with her infant son Ferrier and Ah Sam, a Chinese worker, after a conflict with local Indigenous people. On leaving Lizard Island, Mary Watson was confused about the date. Her first entry is for 3 September when in fact it was 2 October 1881. The three drifted over the reef for several days eventually landing at No. 5 Island of the Howick Group. Being unable to find water on the island all three died of thirst and were not found until several months later. These loose leaves were found with Mary Watson's body. The last entry reads: "No water. Nearly dead with thirst".

Photocopies and transcript of diaries kept by Mary Watson [Items 1 and 2]. Transcribed by John Armstrong, Brisbane, October 1998.

Photocopiy of certified extract of birth register for the birth of Mary, daughter of Thomas Oxnam and Mary Phillips on 17 January 1860 at the parish church of St Newlyn.( Certified extract issued by the General Register Office, London on 4 May 1978)

Photocopy of certified extract of marriage register, for marriage of Thomas Oxnam and Mary Phillips on 14 March 1860 at the parish church of St Newlyn. (Certified extract issued by the General Register Office, London on 4 May 1978). Thomas Oxnam and Mary Phillips were the parents of Mary Watson.

Marriage certificate for Robert Watson and Mary Beatrice Phillips Oxnam, on 30 May 1880 at the English Church at Cooktown. This is the original (Schedule D) copy handed by the minister to the parties married.

Certified transcribed entry from the Register of Deaths for the death of Thomas Oxnam, the father of Mary Watson, at Rockhampton on 29 June 1886. (Certified copy issued by Registar General's Office, Queensland on 17 April 1979).

Certified transcribed entry from a Register of Marriages for the marriage of John Bartlett and Mary Oxnam, mother of Mary Watson, at Townsville on 10 February 1892. (Certified copy issued by Registar General's Office, Queensland on 17 April 1979)

Certified transcribed entry from a Register of Deaths for the death of Mary Bartlett, mother of Mary Watson, at Charters Towers on 30 December 1904. (Certified copy issued by Registar General's Office, Queensland on 17 April 1979)