After their marriage, Wiseman and Sophia built an extension on their house and called the place Cobham Hall, the name of a stately home in Kent. The section of the river where they lived was known as The Branch, because the first branch or tributary of the Hawkesbury joined the main river at that point. There they lived grandly and entertained the gentry, including—according to the Gazette—the governor himself.
Right at the end of my list of references from the catalogues was one just called ‘Wiseman, S., MLMSS 3795’. I filled out the request slip without much interest—probably another business letter.
On the contrary, MLMSS 3795 was the only personal letter from Wiseman that I unearthed. It was written in 1828, when he was rich and respectable, to Sophia’s brother in England. I gulped it down.
Lower Branch, Hawkesbury, New South Wales
22nd May 1828
Dear Sir and brother,
I have now the unbound pleasure to inform you that I have married your sister Sophia Widow of the late Mr Wm Warner, our marriage took place about two years after the death of her late husband, and since our Union I have learnt to feel her inestimable value, and must acknowledge she is a Woman of Sound Sense, Prudence, and reflection, of a mild temper and accomplishments—therefore to all her relatives I wish to pay a due attention and respected regard as I sincerely feel it the happiest moment of my life, and am daily raising from threatning pain (by continual losses) into affluence and increased wealth, and my future expectations in life, I trust through Divine Providence will never more be blithed especially as I am joined to a Woman capable of having an opinion of her own; and if agreeable to you I shall correspond at convenient opportunity with you by letter as it is my intention to visit England in the course of 3 years—There was a Captain Pierce who came to this colony about 12 months ago, with a letter to my wife, but did not see the gentleman, nor receive the letter untill after he had sailed from Port Jackson when I was given to understand that such a person had arrived; I did without delay despatch a Couple of Horses to Sydney, in order to convey himself and another gentleman to my residence, but the Ship had left the harbour, the distance from Sydney to my place of abode is 60 miles, and, but 1 mile within these few months almost impassible, at present, Government has several working gangs, called road making parties employed making high roads in that direction, and I victual them by Contract.
To give a candid description of this Colony (‘infant’ as it is), its surprising rise and progress, would exceed the limits of my present correspondence, suffice to say its a wholesome climate, and every individual may, if his inclinations lead him towards industry, obtain a livelihood—and when infirmities—decease, and incripid old age incapacitates them from industrious earnings, there is an Assylum for them, let their conduct be ever so imprudent or mischievous—christian humanity is become the prevailing motto—Dear Sir I cannot conclude this letter without once more mentioning your sister, she has a conjugal and maternal heart, she is a Wife and a Mother continually preparing the way for my childrens independence and respectability, by teaching temperance and frugality, so to all her relations I beg leave with heartfelt affection to be remembered.