# 46170

RUSDEN, Anne (née TOWNSEND) (c.1780-1860)

Letter from Anne Rusden (Townsend), wife of Rev. George Keylock Rusden and mother of artist Rose Selwyn, re. the care of her elderly mother-in-law in London. Sydney, August 1843.

Manuscript in ink, 1 1/4 pp, quarto (lacking the first sheet), signed at the foot ‘With sincere respect & gratitude, A. Rusden’; outer wrapper addressed to ‘Frederick Huth, South Street, Finsbury Square, England’, with oval ‘PAID SHIP LETTER / SYDNEY’ dated ‘AU 21 1843’ in red, annotated by the sender ‘per Chelydra’ and rated in ms ‘8’ (UK incoming), and with London arrival stamp dated ‘2 JA 1844’; endorsed by the receiver ‘1843 Mrs Rusden Sydney 18 August, R[eceived] 2 Jan 1844, [replied] 1 Feb 1845 in letter to Mr Rusden’; original folds, remnants of wax seal (very carefully opened), clean and easily legible.

Anne Townsend (c.1780-1860) married Rev. George Keylock Rusden (1780-1859) in 23 January 1809 in Hurley, Berkshire. The couple had nine children, and emigrated to New South Wales in 1834, where Rev. Rusden took up an appointment in Maitland as a colonial chaplain in the Upper Hunter. Their youngest child, Rose Elizabeth (Selwyn) (1824-1905), was a watercolorist of note who produced views of the Grafton and Newcastle districts; one of their sons, George William Rusden (1819-1903), was a significant colonial historian, educationist and civil servant.

This previously unpublished letter of Anne Rusden was written to Mr and Mrs Frederick Huth in London; George and Anne had entrusted the care of George’s elderly mother to the Huths after the Rusdens emigrated to New South Wales some ten years earlier. The letter was written by Anne during a sojourn in Sydney, which she appears to have been spending with her daughter Rose (who was not yet 10 years old). A highly educated and literate woman, Anne’s writing style is somewhat florid, but her letter (despite unfortunately lacking the first sheet) is packed with family news.

Full transcript of the letter:

‘… change, by visiting Sydney for the first time since we came to the Colony; as Mrs Smith’s kind invitation gave us reason to hope that our society might be acceptable and cheering to her at this time. I expect Mr Rusden in about ten days to fetch us home; but I shall not detain this letter even to communicate it to him, because I have an opportunity of sending it either by the Fame or Chelydra on Sunday next – and I would not willingly miss it. I am happy to say that my dear husband’s health bears up, at present, at least, better than I had dared to hope, under his various anxieties. The other members of our family are generally in good health. We have the happiness of seeing my son Thomas annually when he comes to Maitland on the duties of his station. My son George William too, who is stationed about as far south as Thomas is north, gave us the pleasure of his company for a few weeks at the commencement of this year. George William has got the start of all his brothers in height, being about five feet ten. Henry is at present with George William at his station on the Murrumbidgee. Alfred is still at home. Mr Rusden has some idea of sending him to Singapore, but nothing has yet been decisively arranged; at least, had not, when I last heard from Maitland. We lately had a delightful letter from Amelia brought me by Sir Everard Home, Captain of HMS North Star – he saw them quite well in February last – she devotes herself to her excellent husband & three children. Mr & Mrs Helenus Scott & their five children are well & happy. I have given these particulars, hoping that you will continue to gratify us by circumstantial accounts of yours – my daughter Saranna was delighted with your obliging letter to her. My sister who with my daughter Georgiana is with Mr Rusden at Maitland, would, if she knew I were writing, charge me to offer her best regards to you and dear Mrs Huth and your family. I cannot close this letter without endeavouring to express my sense of your obliging attention to our dear mother; your amiable daughters quite charm her by the politeness with which they attend to her comfort. That you & Mrs Huth, may long, very long be spared in health and happiness to your amiable & numerous family is the ardent wish of my dear Sir, yours with sincere respect & gratitude, A. Rusden’.