Turner Family of Augusta A Family Reunion

Some of the major collection items include:

• James’s Diary (16 Oct 1829 – 12 January 1830): James’s personal diary of the leadup to his voyage to the Swan River Colony shows a personal—and very clear—view of life aboard the ship.
• Ann’s Diary (1839): As with her father’s diary, Ann’s gives us a great insight into her life; specifically at Augusta in 1839. The diary provides us with details about the colonists’ diet, daily activities (including interactions with Aboriginal people), whaling processes, and also shows us the importance of letter writing to those who really were on the far side of the world from all they truly knew.
• Thomas’s Augusta artworks (1830): These two art pieces by Thomas show some of the earliest views of Augusta with settlers rafting goods ashore; and a slightly later view of the bay in 1830 after the Turners’, Bussells’, and Molloys’ had all established their houses. Having these perspectives of Augusta provides us a useful visual representation of the locale as it was, including what was a great isolation from the rest of the colonists up and down the WA coast.

A brief history of the Turner family

James Woodward Turner was born in England in 1780.  He lived in London where he became a successful businessman.

At this time, the British Government was actively promoting the development of the Colony of Western Australia. Appeals were made to men of capital and resources to become involved in this project. James Woodward Turner, seeing this as an opportunity for his family, responded to the Government’s appeals.

On 24 October 1829, James Woodward Turner and his family joined about fifty emigrants on board the 'Warrior' bound for Western Australia. After a voyage of some five months they reached Fremantle on 12 March 1830.

On arrival they found that there was no land available anywhere on the banks of the Swan or Canning Rivers near Perth or Fremantle. It all had already been allocated.

However, they were informed that a district was to be opened up further south. 

In May 1830, the Turner Family embarked at Fremantle on board the 'Emily Taylor' with Captain Stirling (Lieutenant Governor), Captain McDermott and settlers, the Bussell Brothers, Captain Molloy and others. 

Their purpose was to explore land south in the vicinity of Cape Leeuwin, where there were prospects of good land near a fine river and a reasonably sheltered harbour. They eventually landed at Augusta and after a few days making inspections, JW Turner and his family decided to remain and pioneer that district having land grants totalling 30,000 acres. 

The other settlers decided to move on to the Vasse and as a result, the Turners found that they were alone at Augusta.

For nineteen years James Woodward Turner and his family worked amid all kinds of difficulties. When the Turners left Augusta they dismantled their home, 'Albion Cottage', which they transported and rebuilt in Perth. With the help of a tenant, James Woodward Turner retained an interest in the Augusta property until his death in 1862.