Diary of Robert Gouger [Transcript by his daughter Sarah Gouger]

A copy of the Diary of Robert Gouger in five parts: Some rough notes of a voyage ... in the 'Africaine' in two parts, extracts from a memorandum of a residence in Holdfast Bay; memoranda made during a voyage ... by way of Van Dieman's Land in the 'Katherine Stewart Forbes' and 'Voyage from Hobart Town to England'. This second version (designated PRG 1012/1 transcript) is clearly labelled as a transcription, beginning on the top of the first page as, "1st page of journal, copied by S.A.G., some rough notes of a voyage from Gravesend to South Australia in the ‘Africaine', Captain Duff, 316 Register, commencing June 30th 1836 by Robert Gouger." In total Miss Gouger's version consists of 17 folded double page sheets covering Robert Gouger's journey to South Australia, his time in the colony and return journey to England. Each section is clearly labelled and consecutively numbered in ink – I would say almost certainly by Miss Gouger. The transcription is identical to the copy described at (1) above, except that Robert Gouger's version contains fine pen and ink drawings of two sea creatures (with descriptions) and, significantly, Miss Gouger's version has an additional sequence which is labelled, "Extracts from a memoranda of a residence in Holdfast Bay by Robert Gouger, copied by S.A.G." This latter section does not contain any entries for 4-6 November 1836, but as stated in the introduction, (dated 25 November 1836), " I have been obliged to neglect my journal in consequence of the many calls upon my time, therefore the account which follows may not be given in chronological order.".

Her copies of the other parts are faithfully made, even though she does exclude some repeted references to his first wife Harriet's ill health and some of the more acerbic ones about his political opponents. She also leaves out a bridf V.D.L. postscript concerning Peter Degraves.

Robert Gouger, a religious Dissenter and associate of Edward Gibbon Wakefield, was an early advocate for the establishment of the new colony in South Australia. From distributing Wakefield's A letter from Sydney to financing the South Australian Association, and persistent advocacy of the experimental colony, Gouger's role was critical. His appointment as Colonial Secretary was acknowledgment of this. Gouger's wife Harriet died in the new colony on 14 March 1837, followed by their baby son two days later. Gouger became embroiled in the disagreements between Governor Hindmarsh and Colonel Light, which led to his suspension by Hindmarsh and return to England in 1837. Absolved of any wrong doing he returned to South Australia and his position as Colonial Secretary in 1839 with his new wife, Sarah. In 1841 Gouger relinquished the role of Secretary for the less strenuous position of Colonial Treasurer. However, in failing health he returned to England in 1844 where he died in 1846.

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