Person:James Munday (6)

James emigrated to the Swan River Colony on the "Medina" in 1830 with his brother John, as that was considered to be the most promising of the fields of emigration at that time; the first immigrants to the colony were attracted by glowing reports of a fertile land suitable for agriculture and opportunities to make their fortunes. Advertisements and placards had been posted all over England, and newspapers published feature columns on these opportunities. Contemporary observers called it "Swan River mania".^[8] The brothers took with them farming implements and James received a grant of land in the newly surveyed town of Kelmscott^[1] where he was granted 15 acres of land on the bank of the Canning River, but he appears not to have taken that up for long (emigrants who arrived after 1830 were given 20 acres of land for every three pounds of capital invested, so clearly James did not have much money).

James then turned his attention to building and entered into partnership with James Woodley Davey in the newly gazetted town of Fremantle, and is listed as a carpenter — in the 1832 census as 'single, age 25, carpenter, b. Wilts, came on the Medina'^[6]. The two Jameses were granted Fremantle building lots S527 and S538 on 23 September 1833^[9] They also had Lot No.40, at the end of Mouat Street (next to the Watermans Arms), Lot No.20 in Pakenham Street, and Lot No.93, at the southern end of Henry Street (are these the same as the previous lots?). They also had some land as a "timber allotment" two miles from Fremantle on the Bull Creek Road. In 1831, Mary Ann Friend (who was also on the Medina) wrote of Fremantle: "Never slept in such a miserable place; everything so dirty, sheets etc. such quantities of mosquitoes and fleas..."^[8] Life would have been hard, with many people still living under canvas without sufficient tools and supplies. The partnership with Davey was dissolved in 1835 (his brother John stayed in Van Diemens Land, where he died in February 1835). (N3)

Maybe because of his brother's death, and because he had promised his mother, James went back to England in 1835, where he met and married Sophia Davis. (Although see note 1). She would not go back to Australia, so he lost his business there. They went to Montreal, but found the climate 'too fierce', and returned to live in Cheltenham and then Worthing, then London where he died in 1863. (information from notes made by J. Hill Munday , following conversation with John's sisters Kate and Elizabeth).

1. ↑ To the Editor of the Colonial Times, in Colonial Times, and Tasmanian Advertiser. (Hobart, Tasmania, Australia)
   3, 29 June 1831.

   To the Editor of the Colonial Times.
   
   Having read a statement in the Hobart Town Courier of the 5th February relative to the Swan River, furnished by "a passenger by the Eagle" and conceiving that the worthy Editor would not consciously become the promulgator of misrepresentation or untruth, I request your insertion of a refutation of that very unfounded statement, considering it to be duty of every settler in this rapidly improving colony to contradict the false reports which have been made, either by persons to answer their private ends, or those whose mismanagement or misconducts have obliged them to leave the settlement. The informant states that Kelmscott is a desirable situation for a town, and enumerates some of its local advantages - so far he is correct; but he proceeds to state 'that some settlers went up there, but left the place in disgust, owing to the ill management of the person appointed to locate them; he fixing them in one place, and after they had gone to considerable expense informing them that they most remove, for the situation they occupied was a government reserve, the result was that they had come on to Hobart town". This statement is wholly untrue - but knowing the circumstances upon which his Correspondent pretends to found his assertions, I will state the facts. Mr James Munday being desirous of obtaining a grant at Kelmscott, moved up into the neighbourhood before the town survey was completed, and on His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor visiting that part of the country he permitted Mr Munday to select a location, on the same day giving out a notice that persons who for their accommodation were allowed to choose their allotments before the town was surveyed, were to consider that they were liable to have their boundary line moved if the Lieutenant Governor should think fit, on the plan of the town being completed. On the surveyor finishing his map, which he neglected to do for a considerable time, it appeared that three chains of the ground Mr Munday had selected, at the northern extremity of his grant, were marked as a Government reserve for a bridge. Mr Munday was apprised of this circumstance within one hour after the map was put into the hands of the Resident and informed of the probability of his having to take three chains of the south instead. He had not gone to any expense on his grant except a temporary rush hut, and none whatever on his reserve. Mr James Munday is still in this colony and has notified his wish to retain his grant, and his intention to improve on it, regretting that he allowed himself to be influenced by the bad example and bad advice of some of our experts. When he does proceed to occupy his grant he will no doubt experience that encouragement and protection which it is the anxious wish of His Excellency to attend to every well conducted settler, and which example those to whom he delegates authority must follow if they attend to their instructions.
   
   The "OFFICIAL OFFICES" as the Correspondent of the Hobart Town Courier terms them, are not removed to Freemantle. Neither is it the intention of the principal settlers, as far as I can learn, to petition the Home Government to make this a penal settlement. We have a pledge that it shall not become so, and we have the satisfaction to know that what we may lack in numbers, we have in respectability. It is not a fact that the expense of breaking and clearing ground is 30 pounds per acre - the expenditure has not exceeded 7-8 pounds at the most expensive time to those who had their own labourers; and at the present rate of provisions land my be broke for 5 pounds an acre.
   
   WE have now surmounted the principal difficulties. The Colony is abundantly supplied with the necessaries of life at moderate prices; and the results of the late expedition have opened up an ample field for the agriculturists and proprietors of stock.
   
   I am, Sir, and co.
   
   One of the Starving Settlers of Western Australia
   
   Kelmscott, Western Australia, May 15 1831

2.   Dictionary of Western Australians 1829-1914, Vol. 1 Early Settlers 1829-1850, UWA Press 1979
   p.244.
3. ↑ ^3.0 3.1 England. Christening Records, 1530-1906 (database).

   Place: Bishopstrow, Wiltshire, England; ; Date Range: 1674 - 1890; Film Number: 1279445.

4. ↑ ^4.0 4.1 England. 1861 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.).

   Class: RG 9; Piece: 89; Folio: 27; Page: 45; GSU roll: 542571.

5.   Held at Fremantle Library, Local history dept. (accessed 9.8.2012).

   Details copied from Summary Precis Book 1, Page 84, No. 304; Original Memorial Book 1, no.304)

6. ↑ James Munday no.772, in Berryman, Ian. A colony detailed : the first census of Western Australia, 1832. (Perth: Creative Research, 1979).

   State records office CO 18/10 pp 112-156

7. ↑ ^7.0 7.1 Notes in family bible (held by living relative).
8. ↑ ^8.0 8.1 "The Foundations of Fremantle", D.Tout-Smith, Western Australia Museum, Perth 1998.
9. ↑ Government Notice, in The Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal
   p.153, 28 September 1833.

   "The assignment of the undermentioned Building Allotments in Fremantle, will be delivered on applying to the Civil COmmissioner there, and paying that Officer the amount chareable for the corner Boundary stakes."
   
   http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article641852

10.   "Arrived per 'Medina' on 6 July 1830 with his brother John. Requested permission to leave the colony on 17 July 1830 (Govt. notices 1393) and they both left per 'Eagle' for Van Diemen's Land in August 1830. James returned early in 1831 with his wife. Applied to leave the colony on 19 April 1834. Had formed a partnership with James Davey, in building at Fremantle (CSR 18/115) but this was dissolved on 11 March 1835 and he again applied for permission to leave on 14 March 1835." (S2)
11.   "Date of Registration: 11 April 1835
    Date of original Document: 14 March 1835
    
    A power of attorney to empower James Davey to manage the joint property of James Munday and the said James Davey; to make improvements theron to be paid from James Munday's share therein, with power to sell or exchange the same. Parties James Munday of Fremantle, Carpenter to and in favor of James Davey of Fremantle, Carpenter.
    Description of the Land:
    All those Town allotments of land in Fremantle and buildings thereon being
    Nos. 93 adjoining McDermotts,
    120 and 121 in Pakenham Street occupied by Mr Okeley and
    40 in Mouat Street occupied by Mr Steele. (S5)