September

Septr. 1.
Mrs. Morley and my dear intended went this morning to look at our House, with which they were much pleased; — I gave orders to have it immediately white–washed and repaired where necessary – and the man I employed promises to finish it in four days. —

I took a ride on Mr. Reeve's Arab this Evening to Mr. Burrowes's in the Country – Mr. Morley's Family and Miss J. having gone there in the carriage. — My Darling and lovely Jane having given her consent to compleat [sic] my happiness on next Sunday the 8th. Inst., I acquainted Mr. Burrowes that our Nuptials should be solemnized on that day, and requested his attendance accordingly.

Septr. 2.
Monday. This day at Eleven OClock, the Marriage Settlement between my beloved and dearest of Women, Miss Jane Jarvis, and myself, was executed and drawn out, agreeable to all the usual forms of law, by Mr. Constable; in which Deed of Settlement, James Morley and John Tasker Esquires, are nominated Trustees for the management of our mutual interest and affairs. — Miss Jarvis own private Fortune consisting of Six Thousand Pounds Sterling, and also, One Thousand Pounds Sterling of my own money (being the whole of my present fortune) I have consented should be and is accordingly all settled on my beloved, and totally at her own disposal in the event of her having no issue: – if she has children, the one half goes to them, and the other to herself on my decease, and on their being of age. — The Trustees being of opinion that it is running too great a risque to lay out our money in this country, we have both agreed that it shall all be laid out in the English Funds at home, with powers to draw the interest as it becomes due. —

Septr. 4.
Captain & Mrs. Blachford gave a Concert, Ball & Supper; – I had the pleasure of attending on my beloved and dancing one Dance with her; – Mrs. Morley being indisposed was not there – and my Delight came away early on account of a severe Head–ach. [sic] —

Septr. 5.
I moved this day into my New House (lately occupied by G. Simson Esqr.) and began getting it into some sort of order. — I rode out in the Evening with my beloved and Major Stirling – Mrs. Morley and Mrs. Stirling having gone in the Carriage. —

Septr. 7.
I waited on George Dick Esqr., the Acting Governor, and got my Licence to be married. —

Septr. 8.
Sunday. My beloved and dearest Miss Jarvis, having consented to crown my felicity, by being united forever this day, in the holy banns of Matrimony, a numerous and very respectable company of our mutual Friends and acquaintances were invited by Mr. and Mrs. Morley to an Evening Entertainment in their House; where it was agreed, our Nuptials should be Solemnized by the Reverend Mr. Arnold Burrowes the Minister of Bombay, and who was accordingly warned to attend at Mr. Morley's House precisely at Seven O'Clock this Evening. — I spent a great part of the forenoon with my beloved at Mr. Morley's House, seeing her Baggage removed from thence to her intended place of residence, which I got put into the best order that circumstances would permit; and having arranged every thing preparatory to the happy event, I took my leave of her untill [sic] the Evening, and went to the Barracks, where I took a sober farewel [sic] and last Bachelor's dinner with my good and much esteemed friend Surgeon Colin Anderson of the 77th. Regiment, with whom I had some agreeable conversation on my approaching happiness. — I left my friend Anderson a little before Six O'Clock, and went home to my own House to dress. — I dressed as quick as possible, having very little time to Spare, as I promised Mr. Morley to be at his House before Seven OClock, so as to have the ceremony over before the whole of the Company should assemble; it being intended to have only a few particular friends present on this happy occasion; but notwithstanding all my haste in Dressing it struck Seven OClock before I arrived at Mr. Morley's House, where I found all the Friends intended to be there, assembled, except Mr. Tasker who soon afterwards appeared. — Having first seen, and paid my respects to my beloved Jane, who had just done dressing herself as I entered the House: a few minutes past Seven OClock, she was led out, elegantly attired, (her lovely countenance beaming full of beneficence, beauty and unaffected modesty) by her Brother–in–law, James Morley Esqr. followed by Mrs. Morley and the rest of the Ladies, to the outer Hall or Verandah, where the Revd. Mr. Burrowes and the Gentlemen waited to receive us. — The rites of matrimony were then solemnized with all due form; Mr. Morley having given away his Sister, as her nearest Male Relation in Bombay; – I had provided a Wedding Ring some days before for this happy occasion; and the Ceremony with great regularity and decency, my beloved having conducted herself during the whole of it with the most correct propriety and fortitude. — The following Ladies and Gentlemen were present at the celebration of Our Nuptials – vizt. Mr. and Mrs. Morley, Mr. John Morley, Mr. Jas. Morley; Major & Mrs. Stirling, Major & Mrs. Oakes, Major & Mrs. Woodington, Mr. and Mrs. Halliday; Colonel Balfour, Lt. Colonel Nicholson, Surgeon Colin Anderson, Mr. John Forbes, Mr. John Tasker; besides the Revd. Mr. Burrowes; all these Gentlemen had the pleasure of kissing the Bride and the rest of the Ladies, as is usual on these occasions, I having myself set them the example as soon as the ceremony was over. — The usual Compliments and Congratulations being received by the Bride and myself from the Company present, the Ceremony of Baptism was performed on Mr. Morley's youngest Daughter, who was christened by the name of Hariot; and General Carnac, who was to have stood as God–father, being absent, I stood as Proxy for him,; and my beloved stood as Godmother. — There was also a little Country–born Girl, a distant relation of Mr. Morley's christened at the same time, and was named Sarah or Sally; – (the Daughter of a Mr. Richardson.) I was requested by Mr. Morley to stand Godfather to this Girl, which I accordingly did; – after which the Company sat down to cards; and in addition to our former Society, which I have already named, the following Gentlemen who had been invited to spend the Evening joined us –vizt. Mr. Thistleton, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Harding, Mr. Reeves, Doctor Scott, Mr. Boag, Mr. Charles Forbes, Captain Romney; – Mr. Seton, Mr. Paddock & the Revd. Mr. Wade were invited but sent excuses on account of their having been engaged. —

Mrs. Morley had prepared a most elegant Supper to which the Company sat down, twenty Eight in number, a little after Ten O'Clock. — Mr. and Mrs. Morley paid Mrs. Macquarie and myself a most handsome compliment on placing us at the Head and foot of the Table, to preside at and do the honours of it in their stead; waving their own right, to do the honours of their Table for this night, in our favor, as a testimony of their regard, love and respect for us: – this mark of kind and polite attention, was very pleasing and flattering to us both; and will not fail of making a strong and lasting impression on our minds, of grateful and just remembrance, for the favor and honour conferred on us. —

The Company were well chosen on this joyous occasion, and appeared, one and all, to participate in our joy and felicity – all was mirth and good humour, tempered by strict decorum, politeness and temperance – Several Songs were sung, and we sat till past Twelve OClock at Table; when the Company broke up, and the whole retired to their several homes, in good spirits, and highly pleased with each other, and the Entertainment of the Evening. —

Mrs. Morley was kindly pleased to accompany her Sister home to her new Lodging, where she staid to see her bedded and then took leave of her Sister; — I handed Mrs. Morley to her chair and saw her off; then undressed as quick as possible and flew on the wings of love to my dearest of Women, to finally crown my measure of happiness and bliss! — My felicity and delight, on this joyous and fortunate night, can only be conceived – but, impossible, to be described! suffice it to say – no Benedict was ever happier, or better pleased with his lot and good fortune, in the choice of a Wife! —

Septr. 9.
From this day till Saturday the 14th. Inst., we staid at home, and saw no Company but Mr. and Mrs. Morley, and a very few select friends, not wishing to have our own little interesting Society and conversation interrupted, till we should sit up in form to receive Visits agreeable to the custom of Bombay on these occasions.

Septr. 14.
The London Indiaman commanded by Capt. Grant arrived this day from England. — I had the pleasure of receiving letters by her from my Brother Charles and other Friends. —

Mrs. Macquarie and myself supped and spent this Evening with the Revd. Mr. Burrowes in Company with the Morley Family, and Mr. & Mrs. Shaw, being the first of our going out any where since our marriage. —

Septr. 15.
Sunday. My beloved and myself went to Church, in company with Mrs. Morley. — We dined this day at Mr. Morley's. — I forgot to mention, that we also dined there on Thursday the 12th. Inst.; that Doctor Anderson dined with us in the family way on the 13th., and Colonel Nicholson in the same way on the 14th. Instant; these were the only friends that we dined with or that dined with us in this first week after marriage; but several friends called on us in the mornings and Evenings without waiting for the ceremony of our Sitting up in form; – vizt. Mrs. Stirling, Mrs. Woodington, Mrs. Halliday, Mrs. Coggan, Mrs. Sandiford, Mrs. George Simson, Mrs. William Simpson, and Mrs. Roberts; – Colonel Balfour, Doctor Anderson, Major Stirling, Major Oakes, Major Woodington, Mr. Wilson Mr. Sandiford, Mr. Tasker, Mr. Halliday, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Thistleton, Colonel Nicholson, Mr. Burrowes, Mr. Reeves, Colonel Kerr, Doctor Spink, Capt. Romney, Capt. Dunlop, Mr. Boag, Mr. Maister, Mr. Torin, Capt. Williamson, Capt. Torin, Mr. Atkins, Mr. Seton, Major McDonald, Mr. Harding, Mr. Wade, Capt. Storey, Mr. Stevenson, &c. &c. &c.; — Mr. & Mrs. Morley together or separately called on us every day during this week, and were good enough to spend their Evening with us two or three times. —

Septr. 16.
Monday. We were invited by Mr. Herring to a Ball and Supper this Evening and we went accordingly having borrowed Mr. Tasker's Carriage to carry us thither. —

Septr. 17.
The Barwell Indiaman commanded by Captain Welladvice arrived from England. — I had the pleasure of receiving by her from my Brother Charles, Uncle Lochbuy, Colonel Marsh, Capt. Chas. Erskine and Messrs. Cox & Greenwood; – all of them very acceptable and containing good accounts and agreeable news – excepting only, my Brother Charles's resolution of staying at home another year, which I am much displeased at, as I wished him very much to come out this Season; however, tho' it may perhaps injure my interest and also his own promotion, I have the less regret on this occasion, as I find his staying at home another year is solely with a view to be useful to his Uncle Lochbuy, whose affairs are a good deal deranged and embarrassed, and can only be put in order and arranged in a proper train by Charles, who has for some years past acted as his Uncle's Factor on the Estate of Lochbuy; and his assistance at the present moment is become the more necessary and in a manner indispensible on account of his Uncle's having accepted of the Majority of the Argyleshire Fencible Regiment lately raised by the Marquis of Lorn.

Colonel Marsh, on the application of General Maclean, was kindly pleased, to apply for and procured, twelve month's leave of absence, for my Brother to stay at home, till 1794. —

The measure being advised by our friends, my beloved and myself, in compliance with their wishes as well as the old Bombay custom, sat up in form this Evening for the first time to receive Visits and Compliments of such friends as should be disposed to call on us. — We also sat up the two following Nights of Wednesday the 18th. and Thursday the 19th. of September, and during these three nights, (the time Bombay custom prescribes) all the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Settlement came to pay us their compliments of congratulations. — Mr. & Mrs. Morley, Major and Mrs. Stirling, Major and Mrs. Woodington, Col. Balfour, Mr. Anderson, and a few other particular friends, spent the Evening with us each of these three sitting up nights. — Mrs. Morley is kind, affectionate, and Sisterly attention, on this occasion, demands my warmest sense of gratitude and thankfulness, and confirms me in the opinion I have ever entertained of her amiable, worth, and excellence. — She is a most charming woman, and I am proud and happy of having such a Sister.

Septr. 20.
We were invited to a Ball and Supper by Mr. Reeves, to which we went. — Mrs. Macquarie went with her sister in Mr. Morley's Carriage, and I went thither in my Palanquin. —

Septr. 21.
Saturday. We dined and Supped this day with the Major and Mrs. Stirling. — The Major was so obliging as to request, before we married, that we should take our first publick [sic] Dinner with them after marriage, which we promised to do, and have kept our word. —

Septr. 23.
We dined at Mr. Morley's with a very large Company, invited on purpose to meet and in compliment to us on our marriage. — Mr. & Mrs. Crokatt, Col. & Mrs. Jones, Mr. & Mrs. Simson, Mr. & Mrs. Roberts &c. &c. were the Party on the occasion. —

Septr. 28.
— I wrote complimentary letters, of this date, to my Mother in law Mrs. Jarvis; and to Thomas Jarvis Esqr. of Mount Joshua in Antigua; (my beloved's eldest Brother) and sent them, by way of Madras, to go by the Swallow Packet, which is soon to sail for England. —

Septr. 30.
We dined and Supped this day with Major & Mrs. Woodington and a large Party.

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 2: 26 March 1792 – 28 December 1794.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A768 pp.115–141 [Microfilm Reel CY299 Frames #252–265].