Project Gutenberg
Australia a
treasure-trove of literature treasure found hidden
with no evidence of ownership
BROWSEthe site for other works by this author (and our other authors)
or SEARCHthe entire site with
Google Site Search
Joseph HAWDON (1813-1871)
Overlanders
"The first overlanders with stock from Sydney side to Port
Phillip were Messrs. Ebden (afterwards treasurer), Joe Hawdon,
Gardener (of Gardener's Creek), and Captain Hepburn. This was in
1837, one year before Mr. Mackinnon arrived in the colonies. In
1838 Captain Hepburn made a second overland trip, starting from
Braidwood, New South Wales, with sheep purchased from Captain
Coghill of that place, and in January same year (1838), Mr.
Gardener started on second trip with 460 head of cattle purchased
from my father, the late Dr. Reid. of Inverary Park, in Argyle;
delivery of same made by myself at Yass end of January month. This
trip with Mr. Gardener so far imbued me with the love for adventure
that I followed with stock the June following, and formed stations
on the Ovens River, near where the town of Wangaratta now stands.
The first overlanders with stock to Adelaide were Joe Hawdon and
Eyre, the latter afterwards celebrated as an explorer. Well can I
remember the excitement caused by the then so-called race, who
should be first to Adelaide, Hawdon or Eyre, but Hawdon was too
good a bushman for Eyre and had more experience, and was a better
judge of the season (it was a dry one). Hawdon wisely followed the
course of the Murray right to Lake Alexandrina, and consequently
had food and water in abundance. Eyre crossed from Goulburn to go
over the Wimmera Plains--no doubt a shorter way had the season been
propitious, but as it turned out dry he had to retrace his steps,
and follow the track of friend Hawdon. Hawdon by this time had a
long start, and arrived in Adelaide two weeks before Eyre, and had
his stock disposed of. I may remark very few of us overlanders are
now left, but should this meet the eye of any such of 1837 and
1838, I make no doubt they will remember the facts above
stated."--Extract from "Answers to Correspondents," from Mr. David
Reid, Moorwatha, Victoria, in the Australasian, May 4th,
1888.