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Collection 18: Letters from the Rev. Richard Johnson to Henry Fricker, 30 May 1787-10 Aug. 1797, with associated items, ca. 18881787-1797

by Fricker, Henry

The Rev. Richard Johnson was appointed as the first chaplain to the colony of New South Wales in 1787, an appointment he held until 1800 when he returned with his family and Governor John Hunter on HMS Buffalo. Henry Fricker, Portsmouth, England, was one of a group of Portsmouth and Lymington friends of the Rev. Johnson, and acted as a channel for news once Johnson and his wife Mary had left on the First Fleet convict transport Golden Grove in 1787. Johnson owed his appontment to friends within the London Eclectic Society, notably the Rev. John Newton, the Rev. Henry Foster, William Wilberforce and John and Henry Thornton.

Transcript: 

[Lower page writing] 
it is impossible I sd. satisfy the wishes of all my fds. Must beg you to communicate the Contents of this Letter to my fds. at Lymington, Boldre, Priestlands, & the Isle of White, with our united & cordial Love to every one that enquires after us - And be sure not to forget to remember us to our dear Portsmouth fds. - Our hearts are with you - We often talk of you - pray for you, & wish you prosperity of Body & Soul. - Know not when I shall be able to repay you for past favours - These however I trust I bear in grateful Remembrances & hope sometime to make you some small return, - Dont fail to let me hear from 
[Upper page writing] 
you, if in nothing else, here remember I stand Creditor. - I long to hear from you - Much more to see you, but when or whether ever this shall be God only knows - & if we never see each other here again, I trust we shall soon meet in a better world when we shall part no more for ever. - Am with real X'tain esteem & affection 
Your truly obliged fd. & well wisher 
Richd. Johnson -