The diary of William Henry is written in a book of Hebrew grammar and covers the period 25 October 1843 - 19 April 1847. The diary includes drafts of correspondence and copied extracts from other texts, including Medhurst’s China and ‘Manual of Peace’. Reverend Henry is in his 70s and was living in Kissing Point, Sydney. He refers to the activities of his children and correspondence with church and mission colleagues such as Reverend Threlkeld.

Daily entries stop between January and October 1844, and they resume in October when the family had returned to French Polynesia. He references daily activities and highlights events such as the arrival of whaling vessels, mission ships such as the ‘John Williams’ and attending or preaching at church services. He makes occasional references to politics, including the relationships between the indigenous population - including Queen Pomare - and the French.

In early 1945, he refers to conflict between the Henry family and the resident missionary, writing on January 1, “…jealousy and ill feeling manifested towards us by him who is acting as missionary here”. On 14 January that year, he notes the planting of the French protectorate flag, writing, “Arrived the French steamer this morning from Tahiti, hoisted the protectorate flag, fired a salut…”.

The diary covers ongoing events such as policies and disagreements with native chiefs, the defamation case of his sons Isaac and David, his relationship with the British Admiral, family matters, church services and the establishment of the French protectorate.