The Beatrice Mary Hudspeth Archive

A Summary of the Research Paper written by J. L. Skilton.

Introduction

The purpose of this research was to research, identify, describe and record the contents of the Beatrice Hudspeth Archive, at the request of Mr. Mark Mader, the current owner of the Archive. However, as is the case with many such projects, the scope widened as the research continued, as more and more information about Beatrice came to light. It soon became apparent that the Archive was not just a collection of manuscripts, personal papers and letters. Once the information from the Archive was collected and documented, a very clear picture emerged of a remarkable young Australian (Tasmanian) woman who achieved her dream to become a published author of a book of children’s stories.

It is an extraordinary Archive, given that the contents (many of the letters and papers were tied up with string), do not seem to have been disturbed since the 1930’s when Beatrice passed away. It is both fortunate and remarkable that the Archive has survived for so many years. It is rare to find such an Archive, given the nature and condition of the contents, which provide an insight into the lives of Beatrice and her family during the late Victorian era in Tasmania. Additionally, it is important to acknowledge her achievement as an early female author of children’s stories and her courage and self-belief to attempt such an undertaking in the latter part of the 19th century

Short Biography of Beatrice Hudspeth

Beatrice Mary Hudspeth was born in Hobart, Tasmania, in 1867. She was the daughter of the Rev Francis Maule Hudspeth and Lucy Cogle.

The Hudspeth family of nine children lived at a substantial residence called Highfield from 1875 until 1912. When the property was sold in 1912 it was described as “a substantial brick and stone dwelling house, containing 12 rooms with usual offices and out buildings, including stone stable, dairy, workshop, etc. The grounds are well stocked with flowers, shrubs and fruit trees and a considerable portion of the estate (these were wheat fields) could be subdivided into building allotments”.

The letters in the Archive reveal that Beatrice lived at Highfield until 1899, when she married Percy Hubert White Parsons. Beatrice enjoyed travelling to visit friends and relatives, staying at various locations in Tasmania, in particular with relatives in the house at Cambria, near Swansea, and with friends at “The Hollies” Launceston, with Canon Bailey and his family at New Norfolk and in Melbourne. The Archive contains several pencil sketches of the house at Cambria and sketches of small children – most likely Molly and Trevor, the children of the owner of the house, Mr. John Meredith. Whilst these children would refer to Beatrice as “Aunty”, the exact relationship is not known at this stage.

Beatrice spent some time staying at the Church of England Grammar School in North Sydney, at the invitation of an acquaintance Miss Gertrude Robson, who was the sister of the first Head Master of the School, Mr. E. I. Robson (Headmaster from 1889 to 1900). One letter in the Archive, from Miss Gertrude Robson (writing from the Church of England Grammar School), dated February 16th, 1890, contains advice on writing articles for newspapers contact details for the Centennial Magazine and the Sydney Morning Herald, and the usual fee paid for articles was 2 Guineas.

Quite a few letters in the Archive are addressed to Beatrice, care of Miss Robson, Church of England Grammar School, North Sydney. There is a fascinating and detailed account from Beatrice regarding the school and some of the inhabitants during which time the fourth and last building to complete the quadrangle was under construction.

For a period of 2 years from 1895 to 1897 Beatrice travelled to the United Kingdom and also visited the Continent. It is worth mentioning that Beatrice’s friend Lilly Allport (who is thought to have provided illustrations for Beatrice’s Book “Santa Claus and the Shadow”) was living and working in the United Kingdom from 1888 until 1922. There is a reference to Lilly Allport in a letter from Alice to Beatrice circa 1884, which refers to Lilly and Sunday school. It is probable that the two friends would have seen or at least contacted each other, especially when they were both in London at the same time.

From the letters addressed to Beatrice during her stay in the United Kingdom, it is possible to trace some of her movements. Information from a Passenger List and another letter in the Archive, records the name of the ship which brought Beatrice home – it was the RMS “Ophir”. Beatrice stayed in at least 4 different locations in the United Kingdom and at least 2 different locations in Germany (Dresden and Buckeburg).

The Archive also contains two pamphlets kept as souvenirs from her visit to the United Kingdom. One is from St Pauls Cathedral (London) The Evensong and Sermon from the 6th of September, 1896, the other theatrical show “The Little Sentinel”, Dated February 10th/11th 1896.

On the 7th of June, 1899, Beatrice married Percival Hubert, son of the late A. White-Parsons at St. Johns Church Hobart, solemnised by the Rev. Canon Finnis. At the time of their marriage, Beatrice was 32 years old and Percy was 38 years old. It is known from the letters in the Archive that Percy was well known to the Hudspeth family for at least 11 years prior to his marriage to Beatrice.

The image below is a copy of an early photograph of Pecry Hubert White Parsons, c. 1890. Percy shared many interests with Beatrice, in his early years he was a teacher, and his other interests included drawing and music – he was also an organist and Choir master.

Beatrice Hudspeth came from a talented family – many of whom were of adventurous, gifted and courageous. These are characteristics which Beatrice shares with these individuals, four of whom deserve special attention.

Beatrice’s Great Grandfather – Thomas Hudspeth (1761 – 1849)

Thomas was born in 1761 and was a surveyor and school master at Bowsden, Northumberland, England. In 1791 he married Alice Fox-Maule and sometime after 1822 he, together with four of his eight children, Elizabeth, Catherine, James and Alexander, joined his eldest son John Maule Hudspeth at ‘Bowsden’, Jericho, Van Diemen’s Land.

Thomas Hudspeth wrote a series of diaries from 1839-1849.The diaries, entitled “Hemerologium”’ (Greek for “daily account”) were written at ‘Bowsden’, Jericho. Entries from 9 Jan 1848 (a year before he died) are in different hands (his daughters). A pencil note added to the last page of the last volume reads “Grandfather Hudspeth’s Journal dictated to Elizabeth and Catherine, A.C.P”.’ Entries are fairly detailed accounts of the daily life of the family and include references to visits of neighbours such as the Harrisson and Pike families. The last entry (17 Aug 1849) notes, “This being the 88th anniversary of my birth”.
These diaries are kept in the Royal Society Collection at the University Of Tasmania Library.

Beatrice’s Grandfather – John Maule Hudspeth (1792 – 1837)

John Maule Hudspeth was born in 1792 and married Mary Lowry, an old school friend on the 20th of July, 1819. After medical training he worked as a ship’s surgeon on the whaler Inverness, visited Greenland, Davis Strait and Hudson Bay and worked for the Hudson Bay Company in 1815 before taking up private practice at Bowsden.

Competition from the arrival of a number of doctors in the district and a prevailing depression, made it difficult for him to earn a living, so the Hudspeths decided to emigrate to Van Diemen’s Land aboard the “Minerva” in 1822. His final residence was a house in Jericho (Tasmania) called “Bowsden”.

He is known for his journals, written from 1812 to the end of 1816. Two of these journals are entitled “The Conclusion of a Winter and Commencement of Summer in Hudson’s Bay”’ and “Summer in Hudson’s Bay and the Voyage home to England”. The journals describe the voyage to Hudson’s Bay on board the ‘Hadlow’ (Captain Davidson), with some water-colour sketches of Labrador, etc., and of a winter and summer spent at Hudson’s Bay and Eastmain and voyage back to England. The last volume includes a list of Native American Indians to visit camp at Eastmain, and includes a list of Indian names and vocabulary of Indian words and phrases.

His accounts are detailed and illustrated with ink and water-colour sketches. The second volume includes list of whaling ships. Both journals include sketches and description of the Orkney, Faroe and Shetland Islands, with water colour views of Brassa & Scallaway Islands. The first journal also notes that Dr. Hudspeth spent the winter in London and attended lectures on midwifery, physiology and surgery.

A third journal entitled “A Second Voyage to Greenland in the good ship Inverness under the command of Captain Thomas Potts 1813”, which includes a description of whaling and at the end there is a “List of ships in the Greenland and Davis Straights Whale Fisheries in 1813”.The journal also contains illustrations of whale tails with measurements and a coloured sketch of a monstrous island.

There is also a diary of the voyage to Tasmania and arrival and settlement at “Bowsden” at Jericho, from the 21st of January 1822 to 25th of March, 1823. This includes an account of a place to settle, with the help of Major Bell, grant of 600 acres, planting potatoes and cabbages, his appointment as medical officer and deputy constable, erecting a hut, making bricks and clearing ground for gardens at “Bowsden”.

The journals and diaries are kept in the Royal Society Collection at the University of Tasmania Library and may also be viewed on-line.

Beatrice’s Aunt – Elizabeth Hudspeth (1820 – 1858)

Elizabeth was born on the 19 September 1820 at Bowsden, Northumberland, the eldest child of Dr John and Mary Hudspeth. She fell and injured her knee aboard the Medway on its voyage to Australia. Upon her arrival in Australia, her father, Dr John Maule Hudspeth and Dr Robert Officer decided to amputate her leg, without anaesthetic. She recovered from this terrible ordeal, but had to wear a cork leg for the rest of her life.

The convict artist Charles Henry Theodore Costantini (1803 – 1860) painted a miniature portrait of Elizabeth in 1834 when she was 13 or 14 years of age, which is the only known image of her. Costantini captures strength of character already evident at this young age. He also painted miniatures of other members of her family. It is possible that he influenced Elizabeth’s great enthusiasm to sketch. She became a fine artist and leaving a wonderful legacy of delicate historical sketches and lithographs. Her images vividly document the history of Van Diemen’s Land as she sketched at the time when many settlers were quickly developing their land grants using the low-cost convict labour.

After the death of her mother, Elizabeth’s brother Frank (Beatrice Hudspeth’s father) and her aunt, Miss Elizabeth Snr. sailed to the United Kingdom from Hobart on the 18th March 1854 on board the ship the “Antipodes”. Whilst in England, Elizabeth, although in bad health, embraced the social, cultural and tourist life of London, visiting many of the major attractions, especially art galleries, the theatres, Botanical Gardens and House of Commons.

It is probable that Elizabeth had contracted tuberculosis from her mother and unfortunately she and her sisters Mary and Catherine all died in the same year. Her brother Frank (Beatrice’s father, later Canon of St David’s Cathedral, Hobart) took her to Madeira in the Canary Islands hoping her health would improve, however she died there on 29 May 1858. Elizabeth was just 38 when she died.

She had experienced severe difficulties in her relatively short life: having her leg amputated when she was twelve, living with a cork leg; taking on extra family responsibilities when her father died prematurely, enduring her mother’s disapproval of a Mr Orr (the name Orr appears in many of the letters in the Archive), the man she wished to marry and then coping with the death of her mother, the suicide of her younger brother and finally, her unsuccessful battle with tuberculosis. In bearing these hardships, she displayed great determination and strength of character. Some of Elizabeth Hudspeth’s drawings are kept in the Fine Arts Collection, Tasmanian Archive & Heritage Office, Hobart and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart.

Much of the above information is from an article by Robert Stevens, published in February, 2017 by the Australiana Magazine. Elizabeth’s portrait and many of her sketches appear in this illuminating article.

Beatrice’s Father – Reverend Francis Maule Hudspeth (1833 – 1908)

The sepia photograph shown below is a view from Highfield (the Hudspeth family home), looking towards the Derwent river. This photograph was found in the Archive – it was kept with Beatrice’s Birth Certificate.

The photograph below is of Beatrice’s father and with it is the obituary for the Rev. Francis Maule Hudspeth, published by the Mercury Newspaper, December 30th 1908

The Beatrice Hudspeth Archive

The Archive was discovered several years ago in Sydney, found amongst the contents of a very large estate and consists of letters, manuscripts, personal papers, receipts, some pencil sketches and watercolours. The current owner of the Beatrice Hudspeth Archive is Mr. Mark Mader. Primarily, the Archive consists of the following artefacts:

The Blue Album / Scrapbook

The Blue Album / scrapbook contains newspaper clippings, pasted onto the pages of the album to form a “book” of the short stories written by Beatrice (see mage below). These short stories and poems were published by the Tasmanian Mail newspaper over several years, from 1889 to 1892.

It is interesting to note that only one of these published stories (“Where the Old Years Go”) and one of the poems (“Our Garden”), are attributed to Beatrice M. Hudspeth by name, she used a variety of pen names for all the other stories and poems. Some of the pen names used by Beatrice included, Judith, J.C.E., BMH (Hobart) and Bluff.

There are 28 short stories and 4 poems published by the Tasmanian Mail, which are contained in the Blue Scrapbook Album.

1. A Brave Little Girl – Published 6/4/1889 – By “Judith”
2. Phil and the Raindrop – Published 27/4/1889 – By “Judith”
3. Kaffa’s Easter Dream – Published 11/5/1889 – By “Judith”
4. The White Rose Tree – Published 29/7/1889 – By “Judith”
5. The Smoke Fiend – Published 20/7/1889 – By “Judith”
6. What the Starlings Saw – Published 3/8/1889 – By “Judith”
7. Prince Discontent – Published 21/9/1889 – By “Judith”
8. Minnies Michaelmas – Published 5/10/1889 – By “Judith”
9. Rays Pine Field – Published 26/10/1889 – By “Judith”
10. Santa Claus and the Shadow – Published 21/12/1889 – By “Judith”
11. Mignonette – Published 1/1/1890 – By “Judith”
12. Much too Little – Published 1/1/1890 – By “Judith”
13. The Bluebell and the Ocean – Published 12/4/1890 – By “Judith”
14. Do You Like Butter? – Published 1/1/1890 – By “Judith”
15. Moll’s Queens Birthday – Published 31/5/1890 – By “Judith”
16. Elf and Fairy (a poem) – Published 30/8/1890 – By “Judith”
17. Desolate – Published 13/9/1890 – By “Judith”
18. Today (a poem) – Published 15/11/1890 – By “Judith”
19. The Family’s Slippers – Published 15/11/1890 – By “Judith”
20. My Molly (a poem) – Published 13/12/1890 – By “Judith”
21. Better then Fivepence A Christmas Story for theLittle Ones. – Published 20/12/1890 – By “J.C.E”
22. The Happy Princess – Published Christmas 1890 – By “B.M.H”
23. Good Company – Published 24/1/1891 – By “Judith”
24. Three Thistle-down Brothers – Published 14/3/1891 – By “Judith”
25. A First Sorrow – Published 2/5/1891 – By “J.C.E”
26. A Modern Heroine – Published 9/5/1891 – By “J.C.E”
27. Rag Dolls – Published 16/5/1891 – By “J.C.E”
28. Cabbages – Published 11/7/1891 – By “Judith”
29. Our Garden (a poem) – Published 13/7/1891 – By “Miss Beatrice M. Hubspeth”
30. Billy’s Hunt for the Bunyip – Published 19/12/1891 – By “Miss Beatrice M. Hubspeth”
31. The True Story of a Dreadful Day – Published 16/1/1892 – By “bluff”
32. Where the Old Years Go – Published 17/12/1892 – By “Miss Beatrice M. Hubspeth”

Handwritten Manuscripts of Published Works

The Archive contains a total of 37 original handwritten, complete manuscripts, part manuscripts and notes in the Archive. All of the manuscripts are written in pen and ink in the late 19th century cursive script. The manuscripts are in surprisingly good condition given that they are almost 120 years old. It is worth mentioning that Beatrice would have had to produce several copies of her manuscripts so that she could retain a copy and send other copies to other publishers.

Of the 28 short stories and 4 poems originally published from 1889 to 1892 by the Tasmanian Mail newspaper, the Archive contains 17 original manuscripts handwritten by Beatrice, which include the following titles:

Handwritten Manuscripts of Unpublished Works

There is another 14 handwritten manuscripts of short stories, a small diary and 2 poems in the Archive. Of these, two short stories “Felix” and “The Light that never was on Sea or Land” seem to be incomplete. There is no evidence to suggest that any of these short stories were published.

One of the manuscripts in the archive “Bully’s hunt for the Bunyip” has a hand written letter (and a draft letter) dated 31st, 1896 attached to it (Beatrice was living in London at thetime). The letter proposed the publication of a new book called “Tales from Far Tasmania” which (as seen below) contained 7 stories.

Handwritten Notes and Partial Manuscripts

There were also 6 “partial manuscripts” some of which were incomplete and a large number of loose pages of “manuscript” writings and notes for short stories. Most of the pages were not in any order and had to be reassembled. Many of the pages were reused torn in half “scrap” paper, and some have unrelated text on the back of the pages.

The Children’s Story Book – “Santa Claus and the Shadow” by Beatrice Hudspeth

Three significant newspaper clippings (Tasmanian Mail, 1889) were found tucked into an envelope which was glued onto the last page of the Blue Album. Two of these clippings refer to a Story Competition which was won by Beatrice, for her children’s story “After Many Days” which won a prize of 5 guineas. Even though her story did not reach the required 10columns, the Editors were charmed by … “the freshness of the incident, happiness of treatment, crispness of dialogue and general good workmanship displayed in the planning-out of the story…” The Archive also contains the original letter from the Editors of the Tasmania Mail newspaper which notified Beatrice that she had won the competition and the prize of 5 guineas.

The third newspaper clipping announced a forthcoming “Special Literary Supplement” to be published on the 21st of December 1889. The supplement contained 13 short stories, 11 stories by other authors and 2 stories which were written by Beatrice, her prize winning story “After Many Days”, and another story for children called “Santa Claus and The Shadow”. This story and 14 other short stories written by Beatrice were later published as a book.

Also found in the blue Album / scrapbook are some reviews of the only published book by Beatrice Hudspeth, “Santa Claus and the Shadow”, which was published in 1891.

The only copy available to the general public resides in the Tasmanian State Library. The 60 page book, described as a “dainty” volume contains some illustrations and contains lithographic illustrations which were almost certainly designed by Lilly Allport.

The Tasmanian State Library holds a copy of Beatrice’s Book and another Manuscript, which are described as…

“… An archive of original and mainly unpublished material by Tasmanian children’s (short story) author. Comprising three ink manuscripts circa 1890s, a copy of the Sydney edition of “Santa Claus and the Shadow”, and a series of untitled pen and ink and coloured pencil illustrations on Bristol board. The drawings are signed only with an unidentified monogram but are possibly by Lily [Curzona Frances Louise] Allport, for one of the manuscripts, “Billy’s hunt for the Bunyip”. All are loosely enclosed in postally used wrapping labelled Cassell & Company (1896) and addressed to Miss B.M. Hudspeth, Paddington [London], 12 September 1896”.

The handwritten manuscripts held in Archive at the Tasmanian Library include, “Three Tasmanian Tales”, “Where the Old Years Go” and “Much Too Little”. As previously stated, the illustrations for the short story called “Billy’s Hunt for the Bunyip” are thought to be illustrated by Lily Allport.

Additional Newspaper Clippings

There is an additional 23 loose newspaper clippings kept by Beatrice, which cover a wide range of topics including songs, poems, short stories by other authors, a review of the book “Aborigines of Australia” by Mr. H. Long Roth, published by Kegan Paul and Co., 1890 and a Draft Bill to Constitute the Commonwealth of Australia.

Conclusion

The letters in the Archive reveal a considerable amount of information about the day to day life of Beatrice, her family and friends. The following is a summary of the information gathered from the observations and comments in the letters, which paint an honest, uncontrived and very vivid picture of (Victorian) life in Tasmania during the latter part of the late 19th century.

As stated before, the information extracted from the contents of the Archive has revealed more than just a record of Beatrice’s literary efforts and details of the publication of her book. When all the information is woven together, a more personal story emerges of the woman behind the signature, the photograph, the manuscripts, notes and the letters.

There are many reasons why the information in the Archive has relevance in the 21st century. The Archive contains a rare insight into the world of a young, well-educated woman, living in the late 19th century, in Colonial Tasmania. The information revealed in the letters, documents and other papers are honest, sincere, authentic and uncontrived, there are few assumptions that need to be made – it’s all real.

Beatrice aspired to be an author and with persistence and hard work managed to achieve her ambition. It is true that such success stories are much more common today, however, modern day success is often enhanced by current technologies, advanced communications, clever advertising and all the other tools of the 21st century.

Beatrice had to handwrite everything (also write numerous copies of her manuscripts), communicate and negotiate via conventional mail (and wait for a reply), and travel by carriage, train or ship (which was very slow). When all these elements are combined there is much evidence to show that her success was all the more remarkable.

The Archive reveals Beatrice to be a person whose life and achievement, which a first glance may seem unexceptional, should be celebrated because of the vitality and warmth emanating from her letters and manuscripts – the information in the letters reveal another story. What we know of Beatrice’s life and her work can be compared to the lives of many 21st century people, who have the ambition to achieve their goals, despite difficulties and roadblocks that may be in the way.

So now, two questions should be asked – what to do with this information and what is the future of the Archive? This research paper and the Archive will provide an excellent foundation for numerous ventures and further projects.