Government of the Colony of New South Wales, the mission was maintained till December 31, 1841, when the number of the natives there had so declined that it had to be abandoned. It was during those seventeen years of labour that Mr. Threlkeld acquired so much experience in the use of the native dialect of the tribe, that he was enabled to prepare the works which form the bulk of this volume. The year 1842 and the surrounding years were a time of terrible commercial distress in the colony, and, when the mission station was abandoned, Mr. Threlkeld lost all his property there. But, in 1845, he was appointed minister of the Mariners' Church, Sydney, and in that office he continued till his death. By his first wife he had one son and three daughters; by his second wife—a daughter of Dr. Arndell, the Colonial surgeon of the time—he had two sons and three daughters. Those of his children who still survive occupy honourable positions in this colony.
The following is believed to be a complete list of Mr. Threlkeld's labours in the dialect which I have called the 'Awabakal':—
1827.—"Specimens of the Aboriginal Language"; printed then.
1829.—First draft of the Translation of the Gospel by St. Luke.
1832.—Translation of Prayers for Morning and Evening Service from the Bitual of the Church of England; these were selected by Archdeacon Broughton.
1834.— "The Australian Grammar" published. Mr. Threlkeld's memoranda show that at the beginning of this year the following subjects were occupying his attention:—
- 1. Specimens of the Language.
- 2. The Australian Grammar.
- 3. The Gospel by St. Luke, under revisal.
- 4. The Gospel by St. Mark, in preparation. The first rough translation was completed in 1837.
- 5. The Gospel by St. Matthew, just commenced.
- 6. The instruction of two native youths in writing and reading their own language.
- 7. Beading lessons selected from the Old Testament.
- 8. An Australian Spelling Book.
1836.—"The Spelling Book" printed.
1850.—"The Key to the Aboriginal Language" published.
1859.—At the time of his death he was engaged in completing the translation of the four Gospels; and was proceeding with the "Lexicon to the Gospel by St. Luke." Thus our author's life closed in the midst of 'labours many.'
