Family History 4.25

Robinson story

Joshua's diary continues

Patriarchal Style

 

Having settled down in our new house and having the run of Parnell and Government domain reserve we bought some milking goats, increased to quite a flock and was of great benefit to us with milk and occasionally varying our diet with goat mutton and lamb. When a friend would come and see us, in quite Patriarchal style, I would kill a kid of the goats and the wife would cook it and serve it up.

 

We also made a little by selling the milk, but this kind of life did not last very long, as the land was taken up and built upon, and the goats became very mischievous and got us into trouble, so that we had to reduce our flock and at last to cease keeping them.

 

I might say here that our house was small but our fireplace was large, a seat within it on both sides so that in the wet and wintry weather our children could sit within it. The chimney is what is called a wattle and dab -- upright poles and titre woven between and then plastered with clay.

 

Sometime after we had got as comfortably settled as circumstances would admit to, our first trouble took place. We had commenced a contract to build a house for Mr Beveridge on land taken up for farming near to Onehunga. I would start to work on the Monday and come home on the Saturday.

 

On the 9th of October 1842, I had started leaving, bid goodbye to our dear ones. Our youngest could just run alone, but not yet weaned. I thought her very handsome, was very fond of her. I had got some distance from home when all at once I thought of a hole I had dug to get the clay for plastering. It was not more than two feet deep.

 

October weather is like April in the Old Country, sunshine and showers. I knew the hole was not covered up. The thought occurred to suppose some of the children was to fall into it. I ought to go back and cover it over. I was expecting to meet a bullock dray that had taken out timber. I did not like losing time, it is only a silly fear, but if I meet the dray I will go back. And so I quieted my fear and went on.

 

I did not meet the dray. I worked all day and was just getting my evening meal when my brother arrived. I was not expecting him until the morrow. He just said these words: Josh, you will have to go home, for if Jemima is not dead, I am afraid she will be before you get there. I started like a madman and like one I behaved.

 

I found her dead. She had run out after the other children when her mother had given her the breast, but a shower of rain coming on the children ran in. My wife said, "Where is Jemima?" The answer was, "She did not come with us." My wife ran out to look for her. Not finding her she alarmed the few neighbours we had, but no-one thought of the hole.

 

One at last passed the hole. There she lay her feet and legs out of the water. She had fell in head first and was smothered. As he took her up she died. Every means that kind and sympathising friend could do to resuscitate life was used but in vain.

 

O it was my greatest sorrow. I refused to be comforted and though the heart of my wife was almost breaking with anguish, I blamed her and this added to her grief. I saw my folly and cruelty afterwards and bitterly repented. That was the darkest days of my life. My Christian friends rallied round me not to palliate my conduct, but to show me my sin and lead me to confession and repentance before God, and though many years have passed away the 9th of October was never forgotten as long as I lived.