Description

Extended Data

Location notes

Date notes

We do not know the exact date that Bussell reached Cattle Chosen, however she writes in a letter on 22 January 1836 that she is about to depart from Augusta, so we have given the estimate of 31 January. [4]

Biographical information

In early 1836 Bussell and her family moved from Augusta to a homestead built by John Garratt Bussell and his brothers. The Bussells named the property 'Cattle Chosen'. [11] In a letter dated 22 January 1836 to Elizabeth Capel Carter, Bussell writes: 'it is the last you will receive from Augusta, the Sally Ann is now at anchor waiting to transport us to Cattle Chosen where you may believe I have been long anxious to [set?] up my abode tho parting with Charles will be much felt but we do not expect that it can be for long as when John was at the Swan it was decided that the Vasse should soon become head quarters, I shall feel some regret at leaving Augusta for [truly?] it is really a sweet place and I still take great pleasure not unaccompanied by pain in inspecting the arduous labors of the inexperienced hands of our first young immigrants I am however fully satisfied it was a wise measure to abandon it and eventually with heavens blessing they will see a flourishing place rise up rounded by this magnanimous effort made by them to strike out anew ...' [4] This land belonged to the Wadandi Noongar people. Tensions built between the Wadandi Noongar and British colonists. Some Noongar men and women were employed by colonist George Layman. When Noongar man Gayware approached Layman to ask for his wife - who had been working for Layman - to return, they got into a dispute and Layman grabbed Gayware by the beard, a major violation in Noongar culture. Gayware speared Layman who died. Two days later, John Bussell and Magistrate John Molloy led a party of colonists and soldiers who purused and killed at least a dozen Noongar men, women, children and elders around Wonnerup, Busselton and Minninup. [16] Historian Warren Bert Kimberly described the massacre at Lake Minninup as 'one of the most bloodthirsty deeds ever committed by Englishmen'. [17 p 116] Bussell remained at Cattle Chosen until her death in 1845. [13? Check this]

Links to slavery

Attitudes around race

The Bussell family, in particular Frances Louisa's sons, were involved in violence toward the Wadandi Noongar people. John Bussell co-led the Wonnerup 'Minninup' massacre (see 'Biographical information') In Cattle Chosen: 'One suspects an antipathy between Miss Hayward and Mrs. Bussell. [Sophie Hayward was John Garrett's childhood sweetheart. Hayward was an orphan and her father was a Western Indian planter] The former demurred more than once at the prospect, as she deemed it, of not being mistress in her own house. Mrs Bussell once speaks of her as "the fickle Indian", and seems to show relief at a phase of estrangement.' [13, pp 125-126]

Attitudes around labour

Images

Images notes

References