From Devon to Australia Through the Unpublished Letters of the Merrifield Family: a 19th Century Narrative |
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| Author:
| Noonan, Virginia |
| Appendix by:
| Noonan, Virginia |
| Footnotes by:
| Noonan, Virginia |
| Index by:
| Noonan, Virginia |
| Introduction by:
| Noonan, Virginia |
| Designed by:
| Wolf, Anna |
| Cover Design by:
| Wolf, Anna |
| Editor:
| Wolf, Anna |
| ISBN: | 978-0-9946128-3-0 |
| Publication Date: | Dec 2017 |
| Publisher: | Virginia Noonan
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| Book Format: | Paperback |
| List Price: | GBP £25.00AUD $40.00 |
Book Description:
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The 19th century context for this narrative, based on the content of family letters and other documentation, has provided the background for exploration of a range of historical topics. Beginning in Britain the narrative examines the effect the industrial revolution had on the agricultural labourer, the start of education for the working classes and the resulting opportunities. Those who seized the change for an education, not only changed their own destiny but that of their...
More DescriptionThe 19th century context for this narrative, based on the content of family letters and other documentation, has provided the background for exploration of a range of historical topics. Beginning in Britain the narrative examines the effect the industrial revolution had on the agricultural labourer, the start of education for the working classes and the resulting opportunities. Those who seized the change for an education, not only changed their own destiny but that of their descendants. Many of these educated people went on to university, participated in community affairs, politics, religion, and took greater interest in developments in technology.In Australia, research was undertaken to explore the life of the gold diggers and the harsh conditions they endured, along with the brutality inflicted on them at the Eureka Rebellion, and life in Australia after the decline of the gold rush.The discovery of gold in Australia stirred the young Samuel Merrifield from Tavistock. Devon, to set sail in 1854 to make his fortune in Britain¿s far-off colony. This adventure resulted in over 140 unpublished personal letters being written by the family, giving readers a first-hand account of what life was like for them in 19th century England and Australia. Their words provide insight into the life of people, similar to the Merrifields, whose everyday activities have been more or less forgotten.The 19th century narrative provides the reader with a rare opportunity to examine the trials, tribulations and changes faced by working-class people during that period, and to consider the effect these changes have had on today¿s society.