Sydney Dorothy Aris née Arundel (1884-1966) was born on Sydney Island in the Phoenix Group. The natives wished to call her Sydney because she was the first white child born on their Island. J.T. Arundel brought his child into the world, with the help of Mrs Surman and JTA's relative, G.C. Ellis. On the day of the christening of Sydney and Lillian, her sister, by the native pastor on Sydney Island the natives became so excited that they upset the little trolley car on which the babies and their mother, Eleanor Whibley ("Lillie") were being taken to the chapel. Though it was not known at the time Lillie Arundel must have been injured.
As there was no means of communication with the outside world and there was need to report to HQ in London, the family left Sydney Island on the small yaught Explorer and waylaid a liner (off Samoa) on her way from New Zealand, Honolulu and then on to San Francisco. With the family was the devoted Monga, a young chief of Niue Island (Savage Island) who from his youth had insisted on following John Arundel ("Aneru" to all natives) and who now became the attendant on both babies. He had arrived with all his possessions knotted up in a red handkerchief, refusing to budge until accepted. At San Francisco Lillie Arundel and the children were left at Monterey while JTA and Monga returned to the Islands. Lillie Arundel realised that she was losing the use of her right arm, but said nothing. Later on the family, including Monga, were reunited and came on to England, where they lived with Lillie Arundel's father, stepmother and family. Although Lillie Arundel was obviously ill, doctors did not understand the trouble and urged her to have another child. Twin sons were born, but only lived a short time. Lillie died soon after. Monga took charge of the Arundel babies and if offended and would go off in a huff with them for many hours. JTA and Monga left soon afterwards for the Pacific, "leaving the small girls in the wonderful care of their grandparents and aunts".
I do now understand why grandmother kept those letters and did not include them in the deposit in Canberra! There is a packet of 5 photos, four of Monga (in various dress, mostly as a Gentleman's Jeeves) and one of his sweetheart, Kate the English nursemaid he fell in love and proposed to many times, and with whom he wished to return to his island "where if any man speak to you I shoot him quick". After the death of JTA's wife in 1886-7, Monga returned to the islands with JTA. The rest of his story is told in the packet of letters microfilmed. Some are in Tahitian and most are dated in the 1880s. It is a wonderful story.
Notes condensed from commentary by Anthony Aris, son of Sydney Aris.
Family papers held by Sydney Dorothy Aris, daughter of J.T. Arundel. The records consist of:
- papers of Rev. John Arundel, Home Secretary of the London Missionary Society, 1820-1846;
- papers of J.T. Arundel, his wife, Lillie, his daughters, Sydney and Lillian; his Niuean servant, Mounga; and his Tahitian-French protégé, Denis Drollet (Davide Dorlini).
In particular, the papers include:
- Irene Fletcher’s biographical notes on Arundel;
- letters of Lillie Arundel to her family, 1882-85;
- letters of J.T. Arundel to his daughters, 1887-1901;
- photographs of a painting of the ship 'Explorer', photographs of J.T.A., William, Sydney, Lillian and Lillie Arundel and nurse Surman;
- correspondence, papers and photographs of Monga of Niue Island, including his letters to JTA in Polynesian, 1886-1900; - documents relating to the death of Squire Flockton on Jarvis Island in 1883;
- Lillian Arundel’s, “Six Months on a South Sea Island” (illustrated);
- photographs of Nauru, Ocean Island, Jarvis Island; 1905; and
- the Diary of A.F. Ellis, Ocean Island, May 1900.”
See Finding aids for details.
See also:
PMB 14 H.I.N. Moouga: Diary, in Tahitian, Mangarevan and English, kept on Flint Island, Eastern Pacific, Apr 1889-Jan 1891.
PMB 480-495 John T. Arundel: diaries, correspondence, miscellaneous papers on the phosphate industry, 1870-1919.
PMB 1174 J.T. Arundel & Company and Pacific Islands Company Limited, Australian Office Correspondence files, 1892-1904.
