Arrived in melbourne from London on “Queen of the Seas” 13/11/1855 with stepmother Janet Gibson (nee Gemmel)
(From the book “Women of the Mount” property of Patsy Littlejohn.)

The following is an account written by Annabella Helen Sloane (nee Gibson) describing a journey from Melbourne to Savernake on the Murray River which took place in 1862. The journey was made by Annabella, her husband Alexander Sloane and four small children aged from 6 years to 5 months. Annabella wrote her account some 30 years after the event took place.
Annabella Gibson was born in Ayr, Scotland in 1836. Her mother, Annabella Helen Hamilton, died shortly after she was born. Her father Thomas Gibson then married Janet Gemmell in 1839. The only child of this marriage, Robert Gemmell Gibson, was born after his fatherís death in 1840.
Three of Annabellaís brothers, James Gibson, Hugh Hamilton Gibson and Thomas Gibson came to Victoria between 1847 and 1852. Her brothers visited the diggings but decided that this was not the life for them. Hugh and James later became pastoralist and Thomas went into business. Tom made the acquaintance of Alexander Sloane in Victoria and they formed a partnership.
In 1853, Hugh Gibson returned to England to settle some family matters. His stepmother Janet Gibson, his halfbrother Robert Gemmell Gibson and his sister Annabella Gibson were living in Taunton, Somerset, where Annabella was at school in Bath. Hugh travelled to Scotland to visit the Gemmell family and whilst there met Alexander Sloane who had arrived from Victoria. Hugh persuaded Alexander travelled to Taunton with him. Alexander and Annabella were attracted to each other and shortly afterwards became engaged. Annabella was just 17 years old. Hugh Gibson became engaged to Lavinia Featherstone of Wiveliscombe about the same time.
In 1854, Hugh Gibson and Alexander Sloane returned to Victoria. Mrs Janet Gibson, her son Robert, her stepdaughter Annabella and Lavinia Featherstone sailed for Victoria in 1855, arriving in November of that year.
Annabella and Alexander Sloane were married at St Kilda on 20 March 1856. Alexander, at that time, was described as a merchant. He was involved in various business ventures before purchasing Savernake in 1862. When they made the seven-day journey described by Annabella, they were the parents of four children, James Sloane (b. 14 January 1857), Thomas Gibson Sloane (b. 20 April 1858), William Sloane (b. 22 Aug 1860) and Janet Turner Gemmell Sloane (b. 16 July 1862). The trip took place in December 1862, Christmas Day being celebrated en route.
Why mother might you write some of your experiences to fill up your idle time ñ Well shall I try? ñ Let me think where shall I begin.
On a fine summer morning a family party assembled at a quiet corner of Lonsdale St. Melbourne to see off Alex Sloane, his young wife & 4 little children - three bright lively boys and a baby girl. They had with them a young bright looking Tasmanian girl as nurse and all embarked in an American buggy with one quiet old horse. Their destination was New South Wales across the Murray to a back block which in those days was thought very far away 200 miles to be traversed in daily stages of 30 or so.
The friends looked wistfully after them for to them it seems a hard destiny but to the young couple it is all full of hope ñ Those two during their short time of wedded life have had many trials and disappointments ñ have felt griefís strong hand laid on them through the death of a dear brother alied to both from his warm affection as well as business concerns. Then this young wifeís health is threatened. The physicians have ordered a warmer climate to ease that terrible unremitting cough. The prospect of a home in the Riverina is hailed as a possible deliverance and after the first sadness at parting from those dear friends their spirits rise and all enjoy the newness of their surroundings.
On they go till an old fashioned Inn is reached where comfortable quarters are obtained. Next morning Kilmore is reached ñ The lovely hills give a delightful charm to the landscape. Several stoppages are made ñ always at midday to have lunch and let our old horse rest. The children enjoy the freedom ñ One little chap Willie by name is the only restless spirit. All day long he changes his seat first ìI want a Paî ñ then ìI want a Maî then ìI want a drinkî.
Their grandmother has furnished the party with every requisite amongst these a tin can for water so his wants are quickly supplied. The wee baby girl is contentment personified ñ Her nurse a very handsome girl with good happy manners wins the hearts of all the six other males down to the cooks of the hotels and Miss Babeís gets lots of drinks of milk out of her feeding bottle which is a constant source of interest and surprise to those dwellers in the Bush ñ Then again nurse understands now to pack one buggy which is a very superior affair most easy and comfortable to drive in but no room for luggage so all the childrens clothes have to be laid out under the seats and carefully disposed of every morning ñ the olders had to discard [missing word] beyond absolute necessities. At Talarook a halt is made in a giant forest at a bush public house ñ before the door stand bullock drays ñ In the bar are rough men ñ but our party enters at the private door into a decent sitting room, hoping to get some refreshment ñ blasphemous sounds are heard reeking through the place ñ The mother goes to the door to look about, sees a wretched man with blood streaming from his face ñ begs her husband to leave at once, and all thankfully take refuge in their carriage and flee from this true pandemonium ñ The weirdness of those giant trees the brawny fierceness of those strong men demoralised by the stuff they had imbibed remains imprinted in the mind after 28 years have come & gone - Avenel is the next halting place ñ There an old digger reigns as host a widower with a large family ñ a brisk woman as housekeeper ñ The eldest daughter is a young lady who is engaged to be married to the store keeper over the way ñ The rooms in this house are large and comfortable and all rest and have a real good time ñ A little chap lies on a bed in the room near the bar his leg in a wooden case a little wayfarer who has had his leg broken by a fall from a dray and is left in those kindly hands ñ I do not know that they were to get any pay but everyone was good to him and his merry cheery face rises as contrast to the former scene and shewing that good Samaritans are to be found in out of the way places ñ That little fellow was full of wit and full of gratitude too. Nurse had a real happy day here ñ I think she must have left several sore hearts behind her for what a fund of song and story she had to beguile the day and a pair of roguish black eyes to break menís hearts for no mercy had she.
On to Longwood where a very superior hotel kept by an old lady was well known to fame. Unluckily it was Sunday but it was but a Sabbath journey and I agreed to proceed in the evening a lovely eveningís drive. We were received by a waiter in dress suit - a real live orthodox waiter in the wild bush of Australia. The Lady of the house looked on coldly and it was felt to be an intrusion but needs must and the good rooms and a good supper were presently forthcoming but the feeling of solemnity still lingers in the recollection of that Sabbath evening. The Landlady hailed from old Scotia and the true blue Presbyterian had withstood all the temptations of a roadside Hotel in far Australia. Through Violet Town through Benalla on to Wangaratta where the father held out the prospect of a real good rest at Mackís Hotel noted for its comfort and there a halt was proposed to be made for a day. Night approaches when the good house is reached. But ìno room is to be had the house is fullî a foot race has been held this day and all the countryside is congregated in Wangaratta ñ Back they go through that long town every Inn is visited ñ all full ñ the father crosses the bridge to skirmish in the road to urge at a shanty on the other side of the river. Returns to say an old Irishwoman there will turn out the childrer and give ours their bed but the lady mother cannot exactly consent, so back they go to the good Mackís hotel ñ The father has a winning tongue he gets consent to enter for supper ñ Darkness has long set in and it is felt if only a meal can be had something will be gained ñ A proposal has been made by nurse and mother to take possession of one of the bush waggons standing in the yard ñ a good supper is spread before the party ñ a good ham still remembered ñ then their appetites appeased little three year old Willie rises and asks ìwhen are we going to tartî which is his daily question ñ He evidently expects after his 5 days experience that they are to go on for ever. But the father says ìOnce in they wonít get us outî ñ The Innkeeper says faintly they only promised something to eat, but the sight of the babies is too much for those kind women servants and soon a parlour is found where bedding is supplied for all on the floor ñ The door must not be locked for a Cobbís coach agent has the bedroom through this sitting room. The little boys are soon in their red nightgowns, baby is laid down and the mother and nurse recline beside them screened by the table from view without undressing, the father resting on the sofa keeping watch for a light has to be kept burning for this coach agent ñ Presently the door opens and a stalwart man enters looks down on the children ñ ìOh the babes in the wood donít they look pretty. Letís bring the others to see themî and out they go to bring their friends but the father shuts and locks the door and no one troubles them further ñ The whole balcony is strewn with beds and a party of jovial spirits are seen still playing cards in a sittingroom next morning with candles burning in broad daylight.
It is to be hoped that Cobbís agent did not join but all that is known of him is he never used his room that night. Next morning the coach brought a well known friend and a well known pioneer Dr. Gemmell. One little boy Jemmy was very sick from the excitement but a tea spoonful of brandy was proposed and the Dr. said it was the best thing which it proved for the next day they made Wahgunyah where they halted at the good old Inn kept by [missing word] and there was the luxury of a bath and a good Xmas dinner was enjoyed. Mulwala was the next resting place ñ the oldest crossing place on the Murray ñ OíBrianís Inn was the nearest point to their station and there they stayed ñ clean beds ñ the food middling ñ eggs plenty. A handsome family were at the OíBrians ñ all born in that wild Murray neighbourhood ñ full of bush lore ñ and knowing every foot of the country and its uncanny river bends.

The American buggy created great interest as it had in Rutherglen. Such a vehicle had never penetrated so far before with its light ebony wheels its softly cushioned seats its glass windows and light ebony cover.

Postscript
Annabella recovered from the ëunremitting coughí she mentions in her account and after 6 months at Savernake was described by her stepmother as being ëmuch strongerí. She bore Alexander another seven children and lived to the age of 84 years. Alexander purchased Mulwala run in 1864 and maintained a life long interest in the pastoral industry. Annabella died at Mulwala Station in 1920 and is buried with many of her descendants in Mulwala Cemetery.

Of the people Annnabella refers to in her account - the brother who died was Thomas Gibson. Thomas had been in Ceylon on business in 1862, when he became ill and passed away. The grandmother is Janet Gibson (actually Annabellaís stepmother). She and Annabella were said to be very close. Janet made an epic journey to visit the family at Savernake in the winter of 1863. It is not known, at this time, any further details of the Dr. Gemmell whom the family met in Wangaratta. However, the Gibson and Gemmell families were extensive and interrelated many times. He was, no doubt, was a family connection.