Identity area
Reference code
AU PMB MS 418
Title
Date(s)
- 1848 - 1858 (Creation)
Level of description
Collection
Extent and medium
1 reel; 35mm microfilm
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Reverend John Geddie was a Presbyterian missionary who left Nova Scotia, Canada, for the New Hebrides (Vanuatu) in 1846. He reached Aneityum in May 1848 in the mission ship John Williams. Geddie was accompanied by his wife Charlotte Geddie (nee MacDonald, 1822-) and Thomas Powell of the London Missionary Society. Powell left the island after about a year, and the Geddies remained with Samoan teachers. They were joined by John and Jessie Inglis of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland in 1852. John Geddie retired to Australia in 1872, and died soon afterwards.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Reverend John Geddie (1815-72), a Presbyterian missionary, left Nova Scotia, Canada, for the New Hebrides (Vanuatu) in 1846. He reached Aneityum in May 1848 in the mission ship JOHN WILLIAMS. He was accompanied by his wife Charlotte Geddie (nee MacDonald, 1822-) and Thomas Powell of the London Missionary Society (LMS). Geddie and Powell established themselves on the southern side of the island, but were coolly received by the inhabitants. When Powell left the island after about a year, the Geddies remained with Samoan teachers. In 1852, the mission was joined by Reverend John Inglis and his wife Jessie from Scotland, representing the Reformed Presbyterian Church. They established a station on the northern side of the island. Meanwhile, Geddie had begun printing books in the Aneityumese language - the first being a spelling book, with readings from Scripture, hymns and prayers. During the next few years many similar works and translations of the Scriptures were published. Geddie retired to Australia in 1872, and died soon afterwards.
The diaries provide information about Geddie's activities during his first ten years on Aneityum.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Available for reference
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
The Australian Presbyterian Board of Missions, Margaret St., Sydney, NSW
Existence and location of copies
Access this title at PMB Member Libraries or by contacting the Bureau directly: http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/pambu/accessing.php
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
ms418