Series 1: Manuscripts (1 December 1848)
[Item 1] Photocopies of notes compiled by Ellen Palmer later Ellen Mant, titled 'Continuation of the Questions in English History from the Reformation to the Reign of George the Third". 24 pages.
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Series 2: General correspondence (1872-1931)
This series contains photocopied letterbooks containing correspondence by George Mant of Gigoomgan Station; and copies of individual letters received by George and his wife Ellen Mant, from family, friends and business partners, both from within Australia and overseas.
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Items in this series:
Letters (1870-1872)
Letters received by George and Ellen Mant, including items from Ellen's sister, Agnes Hall Palmer 1851-1907, of Ferncliff, Hunters Hill; and George Mant's aunt, Mary Anderson 1840-1871, also of Hunters Hill.
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Letters (1886-1931)
Letters which were received by George Mant, and his son George Smyth Mant, of Gigoomga Station, from family and friends both from within Australia and overseas.
Correspondents include: items from his sons William and Charles Mant; George Mant's business partner Henry Stuart Littleton; Edward Palmer; Stanley Hill; god-daughter Ada Violet Ross; Ellen's niece Lillie Clements and others.
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Letterbook (1879-1880)
Letterbook containing copies of correspondence sent by George Mant, of Gigoomgan Station for the years 1879 to 1880.
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Letterbook (1888-1901)
Gigoomgan Station letterbook containing copies of correspondence, written by George Mant. Also included are several loose letters he received from his brother Charles, and several other correspondents.
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Letters & narrative (1912-1913)
Narrative based on the letters of George Mant titled "A Door to Door Bull Sale, 1912" which describes how George Mant of Gigoomgan Station sought the assistance of Charles Outram Mant, an agent for Dalegety's, on who best to sell his stock, during the severe drought of 1912.
They planned to rail the cattle from Boompa to Clermont and undertake a "door to door" sale to pastoral stations in the district. 36 letters, statements and receipts detail the initial employment of Mr Plummer as drover, who was then replaced by Oscar Von Stieglitz, who although he encountered 4 floods and 15 inches of rain, managed to complete his assignment with few animals lost.
The author of the narrative is not identified.
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Letters, Charles Mant (1884-1937)
Correspondence chiefly relating to or received by Charles Outram Mant, son of George Mant of Gigoomgan Station.
Included in the correspondence is: a declaration assigning George Mant permission to act on Charles Mant's behalf to select land in his name in 1886; letter from G M Roebeck, Maryborough, regarding the use of a brand; Joseph Bushnell wrote of a cure for cancer in horses; and several from Charles Outram Mant to his brother George Smyth Mant and his father.
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Letters, Mant to Littleton (1885-1901)
Correspondence primarily between George Mant, of Gigoomgan Station, and his partner Henry Stuart Littleton, 1844-1933, in England.
In partnership with Henry Littleton, George Mant chose to destock Gigoomgan which was orginally a sheep station, and establish a quality shorthorn cattle property; they also actively encouraged mining activity on the run, which yielded quantities of gold, copper and other minerals.
Littleton who had emigrated from England in the 1850s went into partnership with Mant in 1866 but later moved to Sydney where he obtained the position of private secretary to Sir Hercules Robinson, Governor of New South Walesm for a short time. Littleton returned to England in 1879.
In 1918 Littleton transferred the title to a number of properties in Brisbane to the four children of his former partner.
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Series 3: Mining correspondence (1872-1910)
This series contains photocopied correspondence relating to mining activities and mineral selections on the Gigoomgan Run.
It includes items relating to: Yorkies Paddock; Louisa Copper Mine; Warratah Reef, Triad and Zealandia mining leases; Beer's Reef, and Rogers claim.
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Items in this series:
Yorkies Paddock (1872-1898)
Correspondence relating to mining activities and mineral selections on the Gigoomgan Run, these include items from James Elliot, Yorkie; Edgar Finney, John Ray, Malcolm McLean & others.
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Gigoomgan Run (1887-1907)
Correspondence relating to mining activities and mineral selections on the Gigoomgan Run, these include items from R.A. Pollock, Gympie; James Higgins, Mount Shamrock; Ort of Mt Steadman, Ivanhoe & Leichhardt Syndicates, and Newton of Yorkie.
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Louisa, Yorkey etc. (1877-1906)
Correspondence relating to Louisa Copper Mine and Yorkey's Surprise Gold mine, Calgoa Consolidated Copper Co., Cerro Syndicate and Lady Florence Extended Gold and Biggenden Mining share certificates. The papers include maps, memoranda, prospectuses and articles of association.
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Gigoomgan lease (1894-1895)
Correspondence between George Mant, Henry Littleton and solictors Power and Ruthning, regarding a mining lease on theeir selection known as Portion 649.
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Warratah Reef (1897-1905)
Correspondence regarding the mining lease known as Waratah Reef, consisting of 50 acres, situated outside the Marodian gold fields.
Correspondents include: M.S. Ort of Running Creek; Thomas Lym, Gympie, and W.E. Burbidge, Gympie; the papers include maps.
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Zealandia etc (1899-1907)
Correspondence relating to A. Wells Newton, manager of Triad and Zealandia mining leases, which describe various claims in the vicinity of Running Creek, including Yorkey's, Triad, Beer's, Edwards, Waratah, Ray's, Ortt's and McLean's loads.
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Beers Reef (1901-1910)
Correspondence from William Beer of Kilkivan, regarding the mining lease known as Beers Reef, located outside the Marodian gold fields.
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Newton, Rogers (1902-1904)
Correspondence from P.C. Rogers & A. Wells Newton, to George Mant, regarding prospecting for gold.
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Series 4: Shire correspondence (1898-1938)
[Items 18 & 19]
Photocopied correspondence relating to the Woocoo Shire Council, both personal and business related. George Smyth Mant was a member of the council for more than 25 years. Included are copies of property valuations for the year 1917.
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Series 5: Station correspondence (1858-1939)
[Items 20-28]
This series contains general correspondence relating to Gigooman Station, Alpha Sugar Palntation and Alpha Diary at Tinana and makes reference to labourers of Aboriginal heritage.
Photocopied correspondence relating to Gigoomgan Station for the years 1858 through to 1939, including statements of account, receipts, share dividends, handwritten memorandums of agreement and stock transactions.
Correspondence received by George Mant regarding his property 'Alpha' for the years 1880 through to 1917. Mant was in partnership with several others who invested in Alpha Sugar Plantation and Alpha Dairy.
Employment contract / agreement made under "The Aboriginals Protections and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Acts, 1897 to 1901" between George Mant and Burnett Pope of the Barambah Aboriginal Settlement, for 12 months. Burnett Pope married Alice Brown in 1924. Pope is reported in the newspapers of the day to have been an experienced buckjumper and horseman.
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Other
Series 6: Financial records (1854-1940)
[Items 29-44]
This series of financial records relating to Gigoomgan Station includes:
Cash books recording stock sales, station stores and other related expenses, including wages paid and cash balances.
Meat export statements for beef supplied by Geoge Mant of Gigoomgan Station, to Queensland and overseas agents. Mant was a pioneer in the frozen meat export trade from Australia.
Bank books in the name of George Mant and his son George Smyth Mant - 1904-1905 titled 'Alpha Dairy a/c' Gigoomgan, Tiaro ; 1910-1912, 1913-1915, 1924-1926 Gigoomgan
Memorandum book for George Smyth Mant, Gigoomgan, Brooweena, in which he records requests for supplies or payment on behalf of Gigoomgan Station.
Checkbook stubs for money orders issued on behalf of Gigoomgan Station for the years 1893-1894 and 1900-1901
Statements of account, receipts for goods and stock purchased by or on behalf of George Mant and Henry Littleton. The merchants include: R. Travis & Co, Maryborough; Bodimeade & Co, Blacksmiths & wheelwrights; G Horsburgh & Co, ironmongers; Buss & Co, outfitters; J Wearin, saddler; Powell, Gardner & Bell, ironmongers etc. for the years 1873-1874; 1875-1879; 1880-1889; 1890-1899
Miscellaneous receipts and correspondence relating to Gigoomgan Station.
Mortgage document or 'indenture' made between George Mant and the British and Australasian Trust and Loan Company Ltd, agreeing to the sum of £17,500 for security over the property known as Gigoomgan Station.
Agricultural and pastoral statistical return for the year ended 1940 for Gigoomgan Station.
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Other
Series 7: Station ledgers (1869-1897)
[Items 45-67]
This series contains ledgers relating to Gigoomgan Station which record summaries of expenditure, records of dividends, petty cash, stores, and wages, including those paid to Aboriginal, South Sea Islander and 'Coolie' [South Asian ie Chinese or Indian] labourers.
Of note: Item 47
Journal / ledger for Gigoomgan Station records wages paid to Aboriginal and South Sea Islander labourers; [Page 26] refers to the following: Peebee, Mossoo, Whoccow [Islanders]; Andrew [Blackboy], Charley Paraw, Charley Boubeyjan and others. Work is recorded variously as mustering, droving, and cutting sapplings.
Also of note: Item 49
This ledger records stores issued and wages paid to Aboriginal and South Sea Islander labourers. Many names are identified in the front index, but others may be found within the volume. Identified are: Andrew [Blackboy], Bella [SSI], Billy [SSI], Bobby [SSI], Booubyjan Charlie [Blackboy], Byimia [Blackboy], Captain [Blackboy], Charcoal [Blackboy], Charlie & Topsy, Cobbo [Blackboy], Detto [SSI], Gardiner [Blackboy], Harry [SSI], Jemmy [SSI], Johnny Walker [Blackboy], Kargundy [Blackboy], Moosoo [SSI], Paddy [Blackboy], Peter Blackboy [?], Sambo [SSI], Toby [Blackboy], Tom [SSI], Topsy [SSI / Kanaka woman], White [Blackboy], Whoccow [SSI], Widger Jemmy [SSI], Willy [SSI], Woogaroo [Blackboy].
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Other
Series 8: Stock books (1865-1934)
[Items 59-63, 68-70]
This series consists of ledgers, stud books, stock lists [stocktake] horse books and pedigree ledgers relating to Gigoomgan Station.
Ledger sheets recording cattle and horse returns, for Gigoomgan Station, for 1932.
Stud book for Gigoomgan Station in which is recorded the life stories of cattle and horses bred on the property. Included are stud bulls, brood mares and their progeny. Also included are loose notes and pages of correspondence that had been inserted in the original.
Notebook titled 'Horse stock unbroken' recording, the heritage, date of birth, description, name and date of horses and when they had beeb broken in.
Small notebook recording breeding pedigree etc of bulls and horses associated with Gigoomgan Station
Gigoomgan Station horse book recording the life stories of horses associated with the pastoral station. The entries describe the horses by name, brand, mated to, offspring and fate.
Papers relating to the sale of stock for their hides and tallow from Gigoomgan Station for the years 1872 to 1877
Stock lists which are counts of stores [stocktake] as held by Gigoomgan Station and their approximated values for various periods during 1873 and 1876. The stores include food stuffs, medicines, clothing and equipment.
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Series 9: Diaries (1871-1893)
Personal and station diaries kept by George Mant recording an extended visit to England with his family in 1871; and detailed entries on the daily activities of Gigoomgan Station for the years 1891 and 1893.
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Items in this series:
Diary, George Mant (1871)
Personal diary kept by George Mant in which he recorded his journey from Queensland in March 1871 with his wife Ellen and five children, to England where they stayed for an extended visit.
The voyage appears uneventful and he recorded the results of card games which to helped to pass the time. When they arrived in England in early July they were met by his father, who helped them among other things to find accommodation. They were accompanied by family on many social occasions including visits to Wimbledon, Lords, Covent Garden, and Albert Hall. Included are copies of loose correspondence.
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Station diary (1891)
This diary records in detail the daily activity of Gigoomgan Station for the year 1891; notes on the weather; stock movements, travellers and vistors to the property and duties assigned to employees such as harvesting corn, fencing, mustering or gathering grass to build huts.
Their are brief entries on the activities of Aboriginal labourers, the issuing of rations and blankets, and 'Coolies' who were South Asian labourers (from China and Bengal, India) employed by pastoralists on an 'indentured' basis.
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Station diary (1893)
In this diary George Mant recorded in detail the daily activities of Gigoomgan Station for the year 1893. It includes notes on the weather; stock movements, travellers and vistors to the property and duties assigned to employees such as harvesting corn, fencing, mustering or working in the homestead garden.
Mant often refered to his son George Smyth Mant with the initials G.S.M. In the rear is a handwritten petition to the Government of the day to halt the proposed boundary alterations in the Tiaro Division.
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Series 10: Selection papers (1871-1902)
[Items 71-92]
This series consists of correspondence relating to land intended for selection by George Mant and his partner Henry Littleton, including rejected applications. The papers also include relevant maps.
The selections include the following:
- Karri Flat; Registered no. 233 for 1164 acres
- Registered no. 354 for 776 acres
- Merodian Stockyard; Registered no. 248 for 496 acres
- Upper Urah; Registered nos. 263 & 644A for 773 acres
- Little Sandy Creek; Registered no. 774 for 302 acres
- Property in the name of William Kinchella Palmer, brother to Ellen Mant; Registered no. 1453
- Kolo Track Selection; Registered no. 864 for 1740 acres
- Lower Urah; Registered nos. 865 & 1043A for 1480 acres
- Yorkies Run; Registered no. 649 for 1234 acres
- Wombah; Registered nos. 808 & 1022A for 3460 acres
- Congelli Selection; Registered no. 749 for 3631 acres
- Lagoons Pocket; Registered no. 1356 for 1940 acres
- Property in the name of Mary Gertrude Mant, daughter of George and Ellen Mant; Registered no. 1736 for 1492 acres
- Farm No.17 in the name of Edith Ellen Mant
- Head Station Preemptive; Registered no. 240 for 890 acres
- Morodian [Marodian] Station conditional selection; Registered no. 243 for 1037 acres
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Series 11: Miscellaneous papers (1919-1938)
[Items 85-87]
This series includes miscellanous items relating to George Mant and his son George Smyth Mant and Gigoomgan Station.
- Veterinary charts for 3 shorthorn bulls, owner G S Mant
- Survey maps (2) of Resubdivisions 1 to 3 of Portion 913, County of Lennox, Parish of Gigoogman; Landing ground strip map, for Gigoomgan, Lat: 152 15 E Long: 25 44 S
- Article titled 'Wallangarra Abattoirs. Meat treatment works at border' published in the Toowoomba Chronicle & Darling Downs Gazette, 5 May 1932