Mid-North Coast: Vocabulary of the language of the natives at Port Stephens, 1845–50
Charles Macarthur King was the grandson of Governor Philip Gidley King and the son of Phillip Parker King who was the resident commissioner of the Australian Agricultural Company during the 1840s. Port Stephens became the Company's headquarters in 1826.
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A list on notepaper of 55 words of the language of the Port Stephens people with English translations. It is undated, but is written on paper watermarked 1845. The note is inscribed 'Miss Donaldson with Charles McA King's compliments'. The list is in King's hand. The words are grouped into parts of the body; the physical environment (eg moon, stars, harbour rocks); animals; family relations; and commands such as 'make haste' and 'go away'.
Full catalogue record available online at: http://archival.sl.nsw.gov.au/Details/archive/110331901.
The people to the north of Awabakal country speak Warrimay, a Gathang dialect. This list of 55 Warrimay words was compiled by Charles Macarthur King, although he doesn’t name his source. The words are grouped into: parts of the body, the physical environment (such as the moon, stars, rocks), animals, family relations and commands such as ‘make haste’ and ‘go away’.
King was the grandson of Governor Philip Gidley King and the son of Phillip Parker King, resident commissioner of the Australian Agricultural Company during the 1840s. Port Stephens became the company’s headquarters in 1826.
