Documents

Lot 4910    Session 17 (11.30am Friday 23rd November)    Documents

Estimate $100
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $200

VAN DIEMEN'S LAND, handwritten Bill of Exchange for twenty pounds one shilling due 6 augt, issued at Hobart Town 3rd May 1837, with promise to pay three months after date at the Derwent Bank to order of Messrs G & R Sutherland, signed by Geo Meredith, the signature crossed for cancellation after payment on 5-8-37, with various notations and signatures on back, small sticker of paper at top left corner applied over a small hole and reads, 'Augt 5/No Effects/and initials'. Irregular edges at bottom and right edge, small spike hole in centre, otherwise fine.

Ex T.J.Davidson Collection.

G & R Sutherland operated a trading store. The partnership between George & Robert Sutherland was dissolved by mutual consent on 31 May 1837 and thereafter the store operated under the name of George Sutherland but Robert Sutherland was authorised to collect all debts due to the firm and to settle all accounts against them.

George Meredith served as a Lieutenant in the Royal Marines and at Alexandra in 1803, after the defeat of Napoleon's forces he made a daring ascent of the 55 metre high Pompey's Pillar to replace the French cap-of-liberty with the Union Jack. Later he decided to leave England and became a colonist farmer to Van Diemen's Land arriving at Hobart Town on 13 March 1821. Meredith had a difficult relationship with Lt-Governor George Arthur and suffered shocking mistreatment under Arthur. This was publicised in the local press which greatly praised Mr Meredith who 'has done his duty to himself and his adopted country by thus exposing the acts of misrule of the Governor'.