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EYRE, Edward John , 1815-1901 PRG 177 Series List

Eyre was born at Bedfordshire, England, and educated at schools near Rotherham and Grantham and at Sedburgh. Instead of joining the army as originally intended, he used the purchase money to emigrate to Australia, arriving in Sydney in 1833. He moved from there to the Hunter River district and then to Molonglo Plains (near Queanbeyan) to set up as a grazier. This venture was less than successful, so in 1837 Eyre organised stock for overland transport to Port Phillip. The success of this exercise encouraged him to attempt the same with as the destination, the trip being successfully completed in 1838. Another successful venture in 1839 gave him sufficient capital to purchase land and build on to it in Adelaide, but before the end of the year Eyre was off again to explore the country to the west. A second exploratory trip again took him west across but he did not see it as successful. In1840 Eyre drove sheep and cattle overland to the Swan River Settlement from King George Sound, returning in time to join an expedition to explore the area north of Adelaide. As before the party met with difficulties and halfway through Eyre sent all but a few back, while he continued on to try and find a way around the Bight. After passing Eucla, two of the aborigines murdered Baxter (Eyre's overseer) and disappeared with supplies and fire arms, leaving Eyre with only one Aboriginal guide. These two finally made it to King George Sound, a feat which later earned Eyre the Royal Geographical Society's gold medal (in 1847).

In 1841 Eyre accepted an appointment as resident magistrate and protector of Aborigines at Moorundie, a position he filled with notable success. This period provided the basis of his "Account of the Manners and Customs of the Aborigines and the State of their Relations with the Europeans" which was published as part of his "Journals of Great Expeditions of Discovery into Central. Australia and overland from Adelaide to King George Sound in the years 1840-41, 1841-42" (London 1845). In 1844 Eyre sailed to England, using the time to prepare the manuscripts.

In 1846 Eyre was appointed governor of , where the actions of Governor Grey in withdrawing his living allowance made life difficult for him. In 1853, he again returned to England to be appointed Lieutenant governor of St. Vincent in the West Indies, a position he held until 1860. In 1861 he was appointed acting governor of and in 1864 was promoted to governor-in-chief.

Then in 1865, faced with problems which he saw as a general rebellion, Eyre imposed martial law on the county of Surrey, and had arrested a member of the Legislature whom he considered responsible for the uprising. While his actions were acclaimed in Jamaica, he was denounced in England and was subsequently relieved of his governorship. For years he was the centre of debate and three times faced proceedings for his actions (each time dismissed). In 1872 the British government ordered payment of Eyre's legal expenses, and in 1874 he was given a pension as a retired colonial governor. He lived the remaining years of his life in seclusion at Walreddon Manor, near Tavistock. (based on ADB, Volume 1).

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Letters written to E.J. Eyre by various people over the period 1844 to 1901. 1 See special list for details of individual items. 1844-1901. 7 cm.

Letters written by E.J. Eyre to various people. 2 1835-1901. 3 cm. This includes precis of some letters held elsewhere, and printed copies of letters written by Eyre and made public during the inquiry into his administration as governor of the West Indies. See special list for details of individual items.

Testimonials and recommendations, some of which are printed. 3 1856-1857. 1 cm.

Personal documents of E.J. Eyre: Certificates of baptism (2) at Whipsnade 4 17/8/1815; and Marriage certificate of E.J. Eyre on 3/4/1850. 3 items.

Papers relating to Eyre's time as governor in Jamaica and the subsequent 5 charges brought against him. See special list for details of individual items. 1864-1901. 3 cm.

Papers relating to Eyre after his death in 1901. See special list for details of 6 individual items. 1901-1928.. 4 items.

Letters written to Mrs. E.J. Eyre. See special list for details of items. 7 1851-1902. 1 cm.

Volume entitled "Report of the case of the Queen vs. Edward John Eyre for 8 High Crimes and Misdemeanors Alleged to have been Committed by him in his office as Governor of Jamaica. 1868. 1 cm.

Programme of proceedings at a public dinner to E.J. Eyre in commemoration 9 of his return from expeditions to the interior. Photographic copy. (Original in the National Library, Canberra). 26 August, 1841. 1 page.

Proof copy of Eyre's Exploration entitled "Manners and Customs of the 10 Aborigines of Australia", with corrections in ink written throughout. (Note: This copy is fire damaged and incomplete. For details of its history see note following the special list). Not dated 7 cm.

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Visiting card of Lady Francis Hotham. Printed 24" x 34". With address (14 11 Upper Grosvenor Street), endorsed in manuscript on the front of the card, and with other manuscript additions of a heraldic nature on both the front and the back of the card. Not dated. 1 item.

A listing of certain Eyre Papers, by one of E.J. Eyre's children. 12 Not dated. 2 pages.

Rhymes on Gladstone. Two stanzas, each of ten lines. unsigned. 13 Not dated. 2 pages.

Announcement of the birth and christening of Susannah Eyre, daughter of 14 Anthony Fountayne Eyre and Susannah his wife. Printed on card (face only) by C. Prescott. March 16, 1771. 3" x 4 7/8".

Announcement of the birth and christening of Charles Wolff Eyre, son of 15 Anthony Fountayne Eyre and Susannah his wife. Printed on card (face only) by C. Prescott. January 23, 1773. 3" x 4 7/8".

Bound volume of duplicated lists of British Parliamentary Papers relating to 16 New Zealand. 1817-1900 by J.0. Wilson. 1 volume. 0.5 cm.

Handwritten double sheets (4) of statements relating to the service of 17 Commander Francis Ormond with the Royal Navy. 1804. 4 items.

Printed copy of the Act under which pensions are granted on the Civil List. 18 1837. 6 folios.

Printed pamphlet "Return of all Officers now Alive who have acted as 19 Governors, Lt. Governors, etc.". 20 March 1871. 1 double sheet.

Printed pamphlet "Return of all Governors, Lt. Governors, etc." 20 1868. 5 folios.

Ticket for Dinner to E.J. Eyre 21 1841. 0.5 cm Printed Dinner to E.J. Eyre given on his return from the expedition into the Australian interior, Thursday 26 August 1841, with stewards’ names listed. This item was from the estate of Miss Violet de Mole and has been added to the Eyre group as no copy of the ticket was in it. (Formerly A 1192)

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