A letter to Captain Philip Parker King addressed his property Dunheved at Penrith from his son Philip Gidley King regarding the first explorations of the land that was to become “Gidleigh” signed and dated 17th August 1836
On the same sheet – a note to his Mother – the whole written on blank space remaining on two pages extracted from an accounts ledger
My Dear father
I have just a word to say as the day will be so long on the road. I have sent down the material for making a kind of a plan for Gidleigh – but as I only had a compass it will not much better than a corrected sketch. And the kind of country is very bad for that sort of thing, however it will be an amusement and I know almost every gully round about – I have protracted it unto here but as I have not a straight ruler or a sheet of paper large enough I shall do it over again. I have also made a sketch or two which I have sent down.
We were disappointed in the post today but we must not expect every time – will you send the xxx letter when you send yours to Wickham
Pray give my love to all and believe me ever your affectionate Son Philip Gidley King
We have had bad weather for the last three days – a succession of Thunderstorms – with very vivid lightening. Wind hard from WNE to WNW –
Today however has been very warm and fine –
Wednesday August 17th/36
My Dear Mother
I am afraid you will think we have almost forgotten you – but I trust you will give us more credit – I hope all has been going on well at home and that poor little Libby’s finger is quite well. Pray give her my love. I have sent Bob a couple of geological specimens – for his collection – we have no news from this part of the world. I hope that Mr Cookey has been going on all right since we left. Pray remember me over at Albemington and with love to all believe me so
Yours Affectionately So
PGK
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Philip Parker King (1791-1856) was the son of Philip Gidley King (snr) and Anna Josepha Coombe. Philip Parker King joined the navy in 1807. In 1817 he married Harriet Lethbridge. In 1826 he sailed in command of HMS Adventure in company with HMS Beagle (and Charles Darwin) to survey the southern coast of South America. He settled in Sydney in 1832 where he owned land at St Mary’s which with his mother’s farm, became known as Dunheved. His sister Mary married Harriet’s brother Rev Robert Lethbridge and his sister Anna Maria married Hannibal Macarthur.
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This letter is part of an archive of items connected to the Parker King Lethbridge families and is not currently available for sale as a discrete item. Enquiries regarding the whole collection are welcome. The collection is being researched and documented.