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Collection consists of journals and letters relating to William Levitt Wells and his family.

Diary of the voyage to Australia, arrival in Hobart, 31 May 1884 - 6 July 1884, also visit to Bushy Park, 7 October 1884

Diary of the voyage to Australia written by William Wells, 30 April 1844 to 30 May 1884

Letters written by William Wells to Father dated 25 September 1885, 8 January 1888 Hobart: Mather family, job prospects, Thomas Lidbetter there - reminds them of Martin Lidbetter, children and new "young Tasmanian" Martin (1885); Don: birth of Hugh (1888).

William and Bessie Wells to Thomas and Lizzie dated 1885 – 1888. William to sister and brother in law, with notes and one letter enclosed from Bessie: Baby 12 weeks old, Frank and Edith attending Miss Johnson's school, wishes Edith could go to Ackworth school with Fanny, Father & Prissie (September 1885); Hobart house with sketch of verandah railings and "frieze" made by William L. Wells., Edward Octavius Cotton, Mr Henry's business offer, Thomas Lidbetter and son staying after birth of another son for T.L. (18.10.85); family life; birth of fourth son Hugh, business (24.1.88); Miss Greer to be married (5.9.88).

Letters written by Elizabeth Lucy (Bessie) Wells to father, Martin Lidbetter, and mother 1884 - 1886. Bessie's letters to her parents were intended for all her family, as she says in her first letter on the voyage (6 May 1884) which was addressed to Father, Mother, Robert & Sophie, Tom & Lizzie, Willie, Harry & Mary. Her first letter was written from Greenhithe before sailing and describes their boarding, seen off by the Wells father, Prissie, Uncles James Wells, Henry & Louie and her two children, Mabel and Arthur. Her letters supplement the journal of the voyage and describe their lives on the voyage, in Hobart and later at the Don River. There are references to the children's schooling, their hopes for a Friends School and eventual arrival of Samuel Clemes and family and the start of the School and the attendance of Edith and Frank, although the expense was almost too much but Edith gained a scholarship. There are references to visits from other Friends and occasionally relatives, visits to Melbourne, etc. A letter of 13.12.1891 was written on Wells Store printed letter-head.
• Nos. 8-12, 1884 - voyage
• Nos.13-18, 1885 - January 1886 - Hobart
• Nos.19-25, 1886, February-August Don River store (including incomplete letter from Melbourne with postscript from Don, 8 June 1886 - Arnold's eye)
• Nos.26-44, 1887-1893 Don River (including two undated letters c1891- Edith got scholarship, c1892 wedding of Walter Lean at Table Cape, Minnie Furmage and 2 children, Willie going to Latrobe daily, Frank possibly not returning to Friends School after Christmas as fees £50 now he had turned twelve)

Letters written by various members of the Wells family

Letter written by William L. Wells to "Sister" dated 17 July 1910. Grandson, Frank and Isabel's child, William Walker Wells, little Francie,
Arnold, Ella.

The journals have been published as "Immense Enjoyment, the illustrated journals and letters of William L Wells 1884·1888, the life of an early Quaker family in Tasmania" edited by Faye Gardam and published by the Devon Wells Historical Soicety (1987) a copy is held at UTAS Library Cent.Quaker DU 194.3, .W45, A3 1987
Diaries, illustrated with sketches, written in duplicate copy books, using a lead point on thin copying paper with a blue "carbon" pad which printed both on the back of the copying paper to darken the faint impression made by the lead point as well as on to the slightly thicker copy paper pages which were perforated to tear out (the copy being darker and clearer writing than the "top"). In the last volume, however, the top flimsy pages were removed to send overseas (possibly now written with a pen) and the copy made with a blacker "carbon" was retained

Diary of the Don Store, 6 June 1886 - 31 October 1886. In February 1886 Wells was appointed manager of the Don branch store of the Don Trading Company by John Henry, the owner, and about 1888 he took over the store, which became William Wells & Co

Diary of the Don Store, 31 October 1886 - 9 February 1887. In February 1886 Wells was appointed manager of the Don branch store of the Don Trading Company by John Henry, the owner, and about 1888 he took over the store, which became William Wells & Co

Diary of the Don Store, 14 March 1886 - 6 June 1886. In February 1886 Wells was appointed manager of the Don branch store of the Don Trading Company by John Henry, the owner, and about 1888 he took over the store, which became William Wells & Co

Diary of the Don Store, 11 February 1887 - 30 December 1888. In February 1886 Wells was appointed manager of the Don branch store of the Don Trading Company by John Henry, the owner, and about 1888 he took over the store, which became William Wells & Co

Diary of Bushy Park continued, including Kelvedon visit [8] October 1884 - 12 November 1884, and River Don, 14 March 1886