Late in the year of 1837, Governor James Stirling once again changed the course of history for the Scott family.
They came from Scotland to Stirling’s Swan River Colony in 1831 and they worked the land and livestock for six years at Guildford in close association with him.
Although by then John Scott had acquired two blocks of farm land for himself, he decided in that year to move East to Port Phillip where a cousin of his was farming in that relatively new settlement.
John Scott had made a statement in relation to the alternative agreement that developed with Stirling.
Scott’s plans to leave the settlement were published in the ‘Perth Inquirer’ many years later in 1879, after Stirling had failed to honour the agreement.
“At the end of the six years I sold everything I had (which could not conveniently be taken in a ship), intending to go to Port Phillip.
“Sir James would on no account hear of my leaving the colony, and said if I would remain I should have as good a farm as could be picked for myself and my sons forever after, free of rent.
“With a view to that, he dispatched Daniel McGregor (now of Quindalup) to the Vasse to take up land belonging to Mr Layman for free.
“When Mr McGregor arrived there and was about to lay it out for me, Mr Layman’s father told him that he (George Layman) had taken up all that land.
“Mr McGregor wrote to that effect and Sir James instructed them to get land suitable for a farm for me anywhere between Vasse and Pinjarra.
“He accordingly fixed upon Eelup.”
Such a change of plans would have meant a lot of reorganising for the move overland and southward, with livestock and farming tools.
Governor Stirling appointed Scott as his agent to farm and oversee his large land grants in the South West.
He provided the government schooner “Champion”, and escorted John and Helen Scott with sons John junior and younger son William to the harbour of the Leschenault Inlet.
Their provisions would have made up quite a cargo to last them to a stage of self-sufficiency or supplies by sea from the Swan River Settlement.
Sir James would on no account hear of my leaving the colony, and said if I would remain I should have as good a farm as could be picked for myself and my sons forever after, free of rent.
- John Scott.
American whaling ships were already very familiar with the coastline at that time and proved useful for the settlers to trade with.
The “Champion”, with Surveyor General and other officials, carried out an extensive survey of the coastline from Cape Naturaliste to Rottnest Island before completing that voyage.
The survey started out from Fremantle with the settlers on January 3, 1838.
Daniel McGregor, at 22 and already an experienced bushman, was in charge of the overland expedition.
They had bullock wagons that carried farm implements and other gear, and cattle that were a combined mob of Shorthorns owned by both Scott and Stirling.
The Scott’s second son Robert, who proved to be very outgoing and adventurous throughout his life, was granted permission to accompany the droving expedition at 13.
The company consisted of a guard of soldiers from the 63rd regiment who were stationed at Leschenault afterwards to protect the settlers, as well as three of John Scott’s stockmen and a wheelwright.
We know little of their overlanding trip except to say that it could not have been easy going through virgin bush in the Summer heat.
The Murray River Settlement of Pinjarra would have provided the only sign of civilisation.
They would have had to make good use of the other smaller rivers along the way to reach their destination in good order.
Young Robert Scott, who had arrived at the Swan River Colony with his family at seven, had undoubtedly made friends with aboriginal children.
By the time he left Guildford, he apparently had a good understanding of the Noongar language and was well able to communicate thereafter.
The earliest known use of his valuable skills was at the end of the overland journey to Leschenault.
After climbing a tree for a better view of things, he called out to some aboriginal hunters who were initially quite troubled by the strange occurrence.
They soon became friendly and supplied the drovers with fish.
Robert gained further mention in the history books by having threadbare trousers at the end of the journey.
When the two parties came together at Leschenault Inlet, the Governor asked to see Robert.
So, one of the soldiers patched his pants with the soft bark of a melaleuca tree (paperbark).
The skimpy garment raised a laugh from the Governor who then sent a man in the ship’s row boat to bring one of his own suits for the boy.
It would have required some modifications considering the size difference, and, as the story goes, the gold-braided cap earned him many a military salute whenever it was worn.
Contact bfsdg1838@iinet.net.au or visit the Bunbury’s First Settlers Descendants Group Facebook page for more information about the group and its activities.
Members of Bunbury’s First Settlers’ Descendants Group will hold a ‘family reunion’ event on December 1 at PC Payne Park
The occasion will acknowledge the descendants of John and Helen Scott as well as Helen’s first son, Daniel McGregor.
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