Henry Lyon Letter Book; Henry Lyon; 1855-1862; 1954.14.9
Name/Title
Henry Lyon Letter Book
Henry Lyon Letter Book
About this object
Henry Lyon’s letter book contains carbon copies of letters written in Wanganui from 1855-1862, mainly to his family and friends in England. The letter book is a soft covered exercise book with tissue leaves. A transcription and an index have been made. Lyon’s letters are a commentary on life in Wanganui during this period of settler migration and the growth of the town of Wanganui. Many of the events that he records can be verified from other sources, and Lyon has proved to be a reliable observer. The letter book became, in effect, Lyon’s journal, a record of his life and thoughts. There are some gems. A letter to Lyon’s sister on 27 August 1860 tells, in his idiosyncratic style with a much personalised approach to grammar and punctuation, of his interest in a young lady: "I have been amused by the remarks that I have heard about it having began to pay attention to some young ladies of course it is at once put down that I intend taking a wife - no doubt I shall some time though not just at present as I really cannot afford it - speaking of young ladies it is a very difficult matter to tell their ages, I was one night escorting one home that I thought was at least 25, and a native of England, when I found her to be a 'Fern Stalk' (that is born here) and about a month under 18.” In May 1863 Lyon married the Fern Stalk, Helen Waters, the daughter of his employer Mr Thomas Waters, who owned a large store on Taupo Quay.
Henry Lyon’s letter book contains carbon copies of letters written in Wanganui from 1855-1862, mainly to his family and friends in England. The letter book is a soft covered exercise book with tissue leaves. A transcription and an index have been made. Lyon’s letters are a commentary on life in Wanganui during this period of settler migration and the growth of the town of Wanganui. Many of the events that he records can be verified from other sources, and Lyon has proved to be a reliable observer. The letter book became, in effect, Lyon’s journal, a record of his life and thoughts. There are some gems. A letter to Lyon’s sister on 27 August 1860 tells, in his idiosyncratic style with a much personalised approach to grammar and punctuation, of his interest in a young lady: "I have been amused by the remarks that I have heard about it having began to pay attention to some young ladies of course it is at once put down that I intend taking a wife - no doubt I shall some time though not just at present as I really cannot afford it - speaking of young ladies it is a very difficult matter to tell their ages, I was one night escorting one home that I thought was at least 25, and a native of England, when I found her to be a 'Fern Stalk' (that is born here) and about a month under 18.” In May 1863 Lyon married the Fern Stalk, Helen Waters, the daughter of his employer Mr Thomas Waters, who owned a large store on Taupo Quay.
Maker
Henry Lyon
Henry Lyon
Maker Role
Writer
Writer
Date Made
1855-1862
1855-1862
Place Made
New Zealand
Place Made
New Zealand
Medium and Materials
Tissue paper /card / ink
Tissue paper /card / ink
Measurements
19.5 x 25 x 1 cm
19.5 x 25 x 1 cm
Subject and Association Keywords
Fern Stalk
Helen Waters
Henry Lyon
Migration
Settlers
Thomas Waters
Wanganui
Whanganui
Fern Stalk
Helen Waters
Henry Lyon
Migration
Settlers
Thomas Waters
Wanganui
Whanganui
Subject and Association Description
Henry Lyon, Wanganui settler
Henry Lyon, Wanganui settler
Object Type
Letter
Letter
Object number
1954.14.9
1954.14.9
Tags
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