Who was Joseph Jenkins?
Joseph Jenkins (1818-98) was born at Blaenplwyf, Cardiganshire, West Wales. He lived on his parents’ farm until the age of 28 when he married and moved to his own farm at Tregaron. Jenkins’ marriage was less than harmonious which perhaps explains why he left his family and Wales for life as an itinerant worker in Australia. Jenkins wrote poetry - specialising in the englynion, a Welsh verse form - and wrote diaries from the age of 21 until he died. He returned to his home in Wales in 1894.
Jenkins in Victoria
Between 1869 and 1894, Jenkins lived much of his life in central Victoria including Maldon, Ballarat and Castlemaine. His diaries record his experiences as an itinerant agricultural labourer and provide a rare glimpse into his life and the nature of the society in which he worked. The diaries are a reflective view of Jenkins’ life and detail the day-to-day tasks in a developing colony – splitting timber, digging ditches, hanging gates and fencing.
Jenkins' social commentary
Jenkins was an astute social commentator, and his diaries offer invaluable insights into 19th-century rural Victoria and the problems facing the young colony. Critical of much of the farming practices he saw around him, Jenkins had a keen interest in land management and sustainable agriculture. He did not confine himself to commenting on agricultural matters, deep though his interest and knowledge of the subject was. The diaries also contain observations on human nature, Jenkins’ poetry, and provide an indication of his reading habits. They also show an empathy with indigenous people and interest in world affairs. |
