Many donations of books to the Launceston Mechanics’
Institute were not isolated gifts. Several members of the Institute gave more
than one book, either in one bequest or on many occasions over the years. In
this respect the collection of books from the Oldaker family appears to be
nothing particularly unusual; however, probably few donations would illustrate
the history of a family as well as this small collection of five or six books.
All the books, apart from one Latin dictionary, are on the
subject of agriculture and finance. As one would expect from a collection of
practical books, they are well used, and owners have not hesitated to write not
only their names in the front, but also notes (copious, in some cases) within the
pages of the books and in the end papers.
The book with the earliest date written in it is also the
one with the latest date, and spans one hundred and ten years of the Oldaker
family, beginning with Charles Oldaker, born Stratford upon Avon in 1800 (later
pioneer on Tasmania’s NW coast) and ending with his great-grandson, Max
Oldaker, internationally renowned singer and stage performer.
Morell, Thomas. Abridgement of
Ainsworth’s dictionary, English and Latin designed for the use of schools,
London, 1808.
Inside the front cover is written “Charles Oldaker Stratford on Avon
Warwickshire”, on the following page “Charles Oldaker Feby 3rd 1812”
and “Max Oldaker Sept. 1st 1922”. Inside the back cover is “Charles
Oldaker Stratford”. In the section at the back of the dictionary is a list
“Nominum propriorum”; at the beginning of the “O” section “Oldaker” has been
added in what appears to be Charles’ hand.
It is possible that some of the Oldaker books in the LMI
collection belonged to Charles’ father, William. “William Oldaker, a Miller of
Cleeve Prior, Worcestershire, and Meal Merchant of Stratford, became an
important banker in Shakespeare’s birth-place”.[1]
Lowrie, William, The
principles of keeping accounts with bankers… with accurate tables… London,
Longman, Hurst, Rees and Orme, 1809.
Inside the cover is written “Charles Oldaker 1st June 1823.
Stratford upon Avon”. Name and date are repeated on the title page. There are handwritten
notes inside the back cover about regulation weights and measures for peas,
beans and grains. This handwriting is slightly different from the signature in
the front of the book.
Charles Oldaker and his brother, Edmund, became successful
lawyers, operating a firm in nearby Pershore and in London.
Lawrence, Richard. An inquiry
into the structure & animal oeconomy of the horse… Birmingham, Richard
Lawrence publisher.
“Charles Oldaker. Pershore.”
This last book reflects Charles’ interest in farming. In Max
Oldaker’s memoirs, he wrote that his great-grandfather Charles “had long
imagined himself a land-owner, a leisured gentleman farmer …”[2]
By 1838 it seems that Charles’ dream had come true; he retired from law and was
able to purchase Hardres Court, an estate close to Canterbury in Kent.
Jarvis, Thomas. The Farmer’s
harvest companion and country gentleman’s assistant… [Agriculturist’s ready
reckoner]. Hythe, William Tiffen, 1836.
Chas. Oldaker Hardus Court 28th July 1838. Includes a
handwritten “Table of Duties payable”. There is a handwritten note on p.190
“240 lbs make 1 Pack” – added to a section on wool weights. A stain on p. 32
looks very much like the rich red soil of the Tasmanian NW coast.
 |
| Charles Oldaker's handwritten table of duties payable |
The “duties payable” and a general depression prompted
Charles to migrate to Van Diemen’s Land with his wife, Emma, and young Francis
and Emma in 1850. Charles’ two older sons, William Henry and Charles Ford from
his first marriage, also accompanied them. Their life in Van Diemen’s Land
began at once with great difficulties. Their ship, the ‘Phillip Oakden’ struck
Hebe Reef on arrival in the Tamar estuary. Fortunately, for the passengers and
for us, a lot of the cargo was saved. In the case of the Oldaker family, our
small collection of books must have been amongst the items saved.
The horse; with a treatise on
draught... London, Baldwin and Cradock, 1831.
Contains a newspaper cutting on horse treatment. A slip of paper
(wrapping paper?) with “Cornwall Chronicle” printed on it and the name “W
Oldaker’ handwritten on it. There are at least two hands on several pieces of
notepaper, one apparently Charles senior and one possibly William. One a recipe
for Pink Linseed Oil balls, a remedy for scoured horse.
The next book is also not dated, but the handwriting in it
includes that of Charles Edmund Wells Oldaker. Charles senior’s son, Francis
Frederick Orson Oldaker married his second wife, Maria Ann Higgs in 1878 and
their son, Charles Edmund Wells Oldaker was born in 1879. Maria Ann Higgs was
the daughter of Joshua Higgs, architect, of ‘Arnwood’ near Torquay (East
Devonport). Joshua Higgs was later to give the same name to his house in
Trevallyn.
Youatt, W. Cattle, their
breeds, management, and diseases. London, Baldwin and Cradock, 1834.
P. 486 et al marginalia, in the section on “diarrhoea and dysentery”.
Childish handwriting inside the front cover includes letter writing practice
and “C E W O” and “C Oldaker” [This would be Charles Edmund Wells Oldaker, Max
Oldaker’s father.]
This collection of books from the Oldaker family made its
way from Stratford upon Avon in 1812 to East Devonport at some time after 1879.
At some point they became part of the collection of the Launceston Mechanics
Institute. For anyone using the LMI collection now, the books can be seen as
“snapshots” from the history of one of Northern Tasmania’s most well-known
families.
My family are related through the marriage of max oldakers parents. Mabel oldaker nee wade sister eliza mills nee wade was my great grandmother.
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