The life of a Greenwich pensioner by himself [manuscript] : being the memoirs of George Bruce, native of London and first European resident in New Zealand upon whom on his adoption into the native race the rank of a chief was conferred in 1806, 1898-1929
- Bib ID:
- 2834292
- Format:
- Manuscript
- Author:
- Bruce, George, 1778-1819
- Access Conditions:
- Available for research. Not for loan.
- Description:
-
- [1898-1929]
- 0.06 m. (2 v.)
- Summary:
-
MS 3608 comprises an exercise book containing a manuscript copy of the journal memoirs of George Bruce titled "The life of a Greenwich pensioner by himself: being the memoirs of George Bruce, native of London and first European resident in New Zealand upon whom on his adoption into the native race the rank of a chief was conferred in 1806". The memoirs were dictated while Bruce was in Greenwich Hospital, the residential home for injured sailors in London. The manuscript was copied from the original memoirs in 1898 and includes notes by Thomas Whitley, signed and dated 1 January 1899.
A second exercise book contains a "Brief synopsis of the life of George Bruce, first European resident of N. Zealand, tattooed and made a chief in 1806". Among the papers inserted in the books is a small illustration of Tippahee "from an original drawing by G.P. Harris"; a manuscript poem titled "Botany Bay" said to have been published in an English magazine in December 1786; Chart of the three harbours of Botany Bay, Port Jackson & Broken Bay (1804); and, a newspaper article on "The thief who prayed too much" by C.H. Bertie from The Sun (Dec. 22, 1929) (2 v.).
- Biography/History:
-
George Bruce was born in Shadwell, London in 1778, one of a family of 13 children. Bruce became involved in juvenile crime and, in 1792, at the age of 14, was sent to Sydney as a convict. In New South Wales he received a free pardon from Lieutenant-Governor Grose and enrolled in the police force. Following his expulsion from the force he became a seaman on H.M. Brig Lady Nelson. In February 1806, the Lady Nelson sailed from Sydney to return Maori chief Tippahee to New Zealand. Tippahee's stay in Sydney had made him the first New Zealand chief to experience European civilization. During the voyage the chief became sick and Bruce was appointed to act as steward. On their arrival in New Zealand General Wellesley, captain of the ship, gave permission for Bruce to stay with Tippahee and thus Bruce became the first white man to live with the Maoris. After some months among the Maoris, Bruce agreed to have his face tattooed.
Bruce's subsequent travels took him to North Cape, Malacca, Penang, Hobart and Sydney where his wife died. Serving in various ships of the navy his tattooed face was a source of worry to him. He sailed in H.M.S. Porpoise for England and then made one final attempt to return to New Zealand aboard the Guildford. At San Salvador however, he became ill with fever and was taken on board H.M.S. Congo and returned to England. A period of penury ensued until he was admitted to Greenwich Hospital as a pensioner. Bruce died on 9 February, 1819.
- Notes:
-
- Manuscript reference no.: MS 3608.
- Title from manuscript title page.
- Caption title from p. 1: The most wonderful adventures of a man.
- Also available on microfilm at the National Library of Australia Main Reading Room – Newspapers and Family History at mfm G 14944-14945.
- Related Material:
- A similar manuscript which contains more detailed biographical information and other related papers titled, The life of a Greenwich pensioner, an autobiography 1778-1819, is available on microfilm at; National Library of Australia Main Reading Room – Newspapers and Family History at mfm G 15844.
- Source of Acquisition:
- Sir John Ferguson Collection.
- Subject:
- Time Coverage:
- 1778-1819
- Occupation:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Whitley, Thomas, 1830?-1912
- Also Titled:
- Most wonderful adventures of a man
- Copyright:
-
Copyright Undetermined
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- Reason for copyright status:
- A Manuscript Collection may have a range of formats and dates.
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary Dramatic Musical
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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