PURE MERINOS AND OTHERS: THE "SHIPPING LISTS" OF THE AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL COMPANY

Pemberton, PA. Pure merinos and others: the "shipping lists" of the Australian Agricultural Company, Canberra: Australian National University, Archives of Business and Labour, 1986

Pure Merinos and Others begins with a general history of the Australian Agricultural Company and its subsidiary, Peel River Land and Mineral Company. Between 1825 and 1862 the companies brought from Europe to New South Wales over 700 men to work either at the colliery in Newcastle or on the extensive pastoral estates at Port Stephens, Tamworth and the Liverpool Plains. The new arrivals were managers, skilled mechanics, shepherds, miners and labourers. Many were accompanied by their wives and families.

Using the shipping lists from the records of the companies held at the Noel Butlin Archives Centre, Pure Merinos and Others records names of these newly arrived employees and, wherever possible, details of their ages, occupations and wages. The book also includes sailing and arrival dates of the ships on which they came, tonnage, captain and details of significant cargo, especially animal stock.

The book is currently out of print, but can be consulted in the reading room of the Noel Butlin Archives Centre. It is also available at the National Library of Australia, all state libraries and major university and public libraries. A few limited copies are available from the Centre.