The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery has recently acquired the leatherbound journal of Francis Abbott from a Queensland collector. Abbott brought it with him from England when he was transported for obtaining watches under false pretences. After working on road gangs at Oyster Cove, Abbott became one of Hobart's most respected citizens, gaining recognition as an astronomer, meteorologist and clockmaker, receiving a commission to make the clock at Government House. Abbott also kept weather records which were published monthly and became the standard reference.
State Library of Tasmania
Title: Francis Abbott [seated in doorway]
Creator(s):Unknown
Date: ca 1860
Description: 1 photograph : b&w copy of sepia original; 14 x 10 cm.
Notes: Exact measurements 138 x 98 mm, Title inscribed in pencil on verso in unknown hand., Francis Abbott seated in a shed doorway wearing a fez and holding binoculars.
Subjects:Abbott, Francis - 1799-1883 Abbott family
Format: photograph
Location: Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts
ADRI: AUTAS001125299883
These TV snapshots were taken from footage of an ABC News report of the TMAG's acquistion of Abbott's diary, broadcast October 3, 2010:
EARLIER ENTRY 11/28/06
This is possibly the blue half-plate photograph referred to in Joan Kerr (1992:3) showing the Abbott garden with its workshop and pear tree in foreground.
Title: Hobart Town
Creator(s):Abbott, Charles, 1824-1888
Abbott, Alfred, 1838-1872
Date: 1858
Location: W.L. Crowther Library
ADRI: AUTAS001124068651
The Abbotts were an enterprising family from convict beginnings in Van Diemen's Land.
This Abbott family photo is from Joan Kerr (1992:2). It is believed to be by Charles Abbott, as he is missing from the photograph.
Dan Sprod comments:
"The talented Abbott family in the garden of their Murray Street home, c. 1860. Francis, senior (centre) was transported in 1844 for 'obtaining two watches under false pretences' but soon overcame this setback to gain wide recognition as a watchmaker, meteorologist, and astronomer. Francis, junior (right), was appointed superintendent of the Botanical Gardens. Two other sons, Alfred (left) and Charles (not present) were early amateur photographers. The women are Mrs Mary Abbott and her daughter Maria."Dan Sprod, Victorian and Edwardian Hobart From Old Photographs (John Ferguson, Sydney 1977), Plate 170.
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery Collection:
Ref: Q16505
ITEM NAME: Photograph negative:
MEDIUM: Wet glass plate negative,
MAKER: Charles Abbott [Artist];
TITLE: 'Abbott family, left to right Alfred [ watchmaker, Hobart], Mary (wife of Francis Sen.), Francis (senior), Maria (married Alfred Burbury), Travers Jnr. Photograph "taken in garden of house Murray Street, now Richardson's building" [ by Charles Abbott ? Watchmaker and optician, Hobart.]
DATE: 1858 December
The Census of 1867 listed fifteen Abbott residents. Francis' senior's sons Alfred and Charles were both remarkably good photographers (late 1850s to the early 1860s), although they were not listed by profession in 1867 - unlike professional photographers Letitia Davidson, Charles A. Woolley, Samuel Clifford and George Cherry.
CENSUS: RESIDENTS OF HOBART TASMANIA 1867-1868.
NAMES. OCCUPATION & ADDRESS TOWN
-------------------- ------------------------------------- -----------
ABBOTT Alfred 78 Murray Street Hobart
ABBOTT Charles Murray Street Hobart
ABBOTT Charles Orr 215 Macquarie St. Hobart
ABBOTT Francis Watchmaker & Jeweller 78 Murray Street Hobart
ABBOTT Francis jnr Royal Society's Garden, Queens Park Hobart
ABBOTT Frederick Wm. Survey Office Hobart
ABBOTT George 44 Patrick St Hobart
ABBOTT George Coach Manufacturer 175 Elizabeth St Hobart
ABBOTT Henry Campbell St Hobart
ABBOTT John George St, New Wharf Hobart
ABBOTT John William 54 Murray Street Hobart
ABBOTT Joseph New Street Hobart
ABBOTT Mrs 111, Macquarie Street Hobart
ABBOTT Robert 147 Colins Street Hobart
ABBOTT Robert Macquarie Street Hobart etc etc
Location: Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts
ADRI: AUTAS001125299883
