James Scott, Sergeant of Marines, travelled to New South Wales on board the Prince of Wales. He was accompanied by his wife Jane who gave birth to a daughter, Elizabeth, during the voyage.

The journal came to Angus & Robertson Ltd from the executors of the estate of Miss Russell, believed to have been the granddaughter of John Russell, private Marine, who traveled with the First Fleet on board the Friendship. The precise connection between Scott and Russell is uncertain as Scott makes no mention of Russell in his journal.