Bound for South Australia 1836Weddings Week 23

"The Bride" engraved by Charles Heath after a picture by C.R.Leslie, published in The Keepsake, 1830.

OverviewBetween February and July 1836 nine ships left Britain bound for the newly created province of South Australia. On-board the ships were passengers who over many long months braved the perils of the ocean, including some of the most treacherous seas in the world to begin a new life on the other side of the world.

This resource uses the stories from these nine ships as recorded by the passengers and crew in their personal journals.

Contents

• Introduction• Journal entries• Inquiry Questions• Relevant images• Glossary of terms

Introduction What an exciting week on board the Buffalo! We read in Bingham Hutchinson’s diary on Thursday 28th July that three weddings took place on the same day. The ceremony was conducted by Mr W. Howard and was witnessed by the entire crew and all the passengers. Hutchinson’s diary entry gives us few details about the service, including the drinking of ‘wine on the quarter–deck, after which followed singing & dancing.’ With some understanding of English weddings in 1836, we can make assumptions about what other events may have occurred. For example, “To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part”, are common marriage vows that have been recited at many English church weddings since 1552.

This week we will build upon our own understandings and experiences to explore the concepts of marriage and weddings, from traditional English weddings in 1836, to the weddings from different cultures, ethnic groups, religion and countries in present times.

George Stevenson, on board the Buffalo wrote:

Three weddings amongst the young Emigrants

this morning. The ceremony was performed by Mr Howard

on the quarter deck in the presence of the Governor, officers

passengers, emigrants and whole ships company. Mr Howard

on this occasion acted under a license granted by the

Governor, and as some doubts have occurred to me, as to the

legality of marriages under such circumstances, I subjoin

a Copy of the licence under which they were celebrated.

“By His Excellency John Hindmarsh Esq. Captain in

the Royal Navy, Knight of the Royal Hanoverian order,

Governor and Captain General of His Majesty’s province

of South Australia,

Journal entries Thursday 28 July 1836

“Whereas it hath been represented to me that A.B.&c (Here the names and last residences of the partiesare enumerated) are desirous of being united inmatrimony and that there are no lawful impedimentsto the solemnization thereof, now therefore I herebyauthorise you to proceed to solemnize the marriagesbetween the parties herein before designed withall convenient speed according to the rites ofthe Church and for so doing this shall be yourwarrant. Given under my hand & seal &c”Signed by the Governor &addressed to the Rev. Mr Howard.

Thursday 28 July 1836

Young Bingham Hutchinson, on board the Buffalo wrote:

Light airs & fine wr, wind S.S.E. steering W.b S.at 11. The whole of the crew & passengers assembledto witness the celebration of three weddings on board, previousto which part of the Morning Service of Prayer, & part ofthe Prayers to be used at sea, were offered up by the Revd

C.B. Howard: after the ceremony the married couples andbridesmaids were regaled in the cabin by His Excellen--cy the Governor. Noon. Light airs & fine wr. wind S.S.W.P.M. Light winds & cloudy, S.W. with a threatening aspect.The first number of the “Buffalo Telegraph” appeared.(This was a periodical, to be continued weekly during thevoyage, by contribution of original articles by those onboard). Contributed “a letter from Bembridge” &c. &c. &c.The wedding parties were regaled with wine on the quarter-

-deck, after which followed singing & dancing. Windfreshened during the evening against us. Shortened sail.

Inquiry Questions • Find information about traditional English church weddings in 1836. How

are they the same / different to church weddings today?

• Hutchinson’s diary entry gives us some information about the wedding celebrations onboard. Use your knowledge of English weddings in 1836 and draw conclusions about what the passengers might have done to mark this significant occasion.

• Why have some wedding traditions changed over time and others have remained the same?

Images

Front cover of Young Bingham Hutchinson’s journal aboard the Buffalo

The First Quadrille at Almack's

Glossary of Terms Quarterdeck• The quarterdeck was the deck between the main mast and the back of the ship.

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