Food
The first days
Survival and basic necessities were very much on the minds of the Canterbury Settlers in the first few days on shore. Their letters, diary accounts and reports are full of the details of everyday life as they did their best to make do with the little that was available, much of which proved to be expensive if it had to be bought.
John Stanley wrote letters to his mother and father in 1851 about his early days in Lyttelton .
Survival and basic necessities were very much on the minds of the Canterbury Settlers in the first few days on shore. Their letters, diary accounts and reports are full of the details of everyday life as they did their best to make do with the little that was available, much of which proved to be expensive if it had to be bought.
John Stanley wrote letters to his mother and father in 1851 about his early days in Lyttelton .
- Think: Notice the positive tone of his letter. Is it possible he does not mention some challenges because he wants to reassure those so far away, or is it an accurate account?
- What choices do you make when you write letters or emails to those close to you? What could that mean for those studying your writing in future?
"Port Lyttelton Canterbury Settlement New Zealand
Feby 16th 1851 Sunday
My Dear father and mother and all my relations and friends…
…on the 12 of Decr we sighted that Land we so long had been anxiously looking for we kept tacking in and out…till the 16 of December Afternoon when we found ourselves Anchored at Port Lyttelton God Save the Queen was then Sung by all on Deck there was a lot of natives in there Canoes round the Vessel with Goosberys and young Potatoes for Sale on the 19 of Decr we was landed once again Safe and Sound and was Shewn into the Imegration Barracks where we had weeks Lodgings and weeks Provisions abundantly Supplied to us flour tea and Sugar and fresh meat free of Expense…
Certainly some things are very dear at present as alwas is at a new Colony Bread is dear 2lb load Good Mutton Beef and Pork 5d a pound Sugar 5d a pound good tea 2s6d a pound potatoes 6s a hundred weight onions 2 a pound Coffe 1s-6d a pound Salt Butter and Cheese 1s, 3d per lb there is no fresh butter made here yet we are expecting things will very shortly be cheaper as Vessells are now running in and out of this harbour rapidly…thank god we are doing very well at present and if things get Cheaper and Labour keep up we shall do well if with the Blessings of God we have our health...
Feby 16th 1851 Sunday
My Dear father and mother and all my relations and friends…
…on the 12 of Decr we sighted that Land we so long had been anxiously looking for we kept tacking in and out…till the 16 of December Afternoon when we found ourselves Anchored at Port Lyttelton God Save the Queen was then Sung by all on Deck there was a lot of natives in there Canoes round the Vessel with Goosberys and young Potatoes for Sale on the 19 of Decr we was landed once again Safe and Sound and was Shewn into the Imegration Barracks where we had weeks Lodgings and weeks Provisions abundantly Supplied to us flour tea and Sugar and fresh meat free of Expense…
Certainly some things are very dear at present as alwas is at a new Colony Bread is dear 2lb load Good Mutton Beef and Pork 5d a pound Sugar 5d a pound good tea 2s6d a pound potatoes 6s a hundred weight onions 2 a pound Coffe 1s-6d a pound Salt Butter and Cheese 1s, 3d per lb there is no fresh butter made here yet we are expecting things will very shortly be cheaper as Vessells are now running in and out of this harbour rapidly…thank god we are doing very well at present and if things get Cheaper and Labour keep up we shall do well if with the Blessings of God we have our health...
…you will wonder some things are so dear when i tell you there is no land cultivated here not more than 3 or 4 Gardens in Lyttelton in these gardens is seen green peas young potatoes Beans and every thing looking well on Christmas day that is Midsummer day here there is plenty of good land here land that will produce or Bear anything that is produced in england all that is wanted is Cultivation…"
Source: John Stanley, Letters to Family 1850 – 1880 Canterbury Museum Documentary Research Centre
Source: John Stanley, Letters to Family 1850 – 1880 Canterbury Museum Documentary Research Centre
Edward Ward wrote a short entry in his journal on Boxing Day, 26 December 1850. He mentions that tents, huts and temporary buildings were springing up all around Lyttelton. A few days later he provided much more detail about what food was available.
"Saturday January 4 1851
Stirabout, oaten bread and tea for breakfast. The hens have not settled sufficiently to be able to lay but are beginning to domesticate themselves about the house…We bought a bag of potatoes…the best I ever tasted. Beefsteaks and pickles made up a delicious dinner. Margaret washing a few things for Sunday, but she is sorely off for conveniences, such as an ironing table and clothes horse.
Robert made a mat for the door hut of the long thick grass of the place."
Source: E. Ward, The Journal of Edward Ward 1850 – 51, Christchurch, first published 1851. Canterbury Museum Documentary Research Centre
Pages: 1 2
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"Saturday January 4 1851
Stirabout, oaten bread and tea for breakfast. The hens have not settled sufficiently to be able to lay but are beginning to domesticate themselves about the house…We bought a bag of potatoes…the best I ever tasted. Beefsteaks and pickles made up a delicious dinner. Margaret washing a few things for Sunday, but she is sorely off for conveniences, such as an ironing table and clothes horse.
Robert made a mat for the door hut of the long thick grass of the place."
Source: E. Ward, The Journal of Edward Ward 1850 – 51, Christchurch, first published 1851. Canterbury Museum Documentary Research Centre
Pages: 1 2
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Haere Mai, Welcome / Solving History’s Mysteries / Will you join us? / Our Journey / Our New Land / Resources / About this site / Links / Sitemap