LETTER, UNSIGNED COPY OF TESTIMONIAL FROM INHABITANTS OF SANDY POINT, ST KITTS TO ARCHIBALD PAULL BURT

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1860

Overview

Unsigned copy of testimonial letter dated 6 June 1860 from inhabitants of Sandy Point, St Kitts to Archibald Paull Burt (2022.32a). Text nearly identical. The letter expressed the high regard in which Burt had been held and wished him and his family long life, prosperity and a happy return.
Sheet of blue paper folded in half, written on front only in black ink. Previously folded into quarters, three crease marks visible down length. Paper watermark 'Sawston 1859'.

Historical information

Sir Archibald Paull Burt (1810-1879) was born into a plantation-owning family on St Kitts Island (formerly St Christopher in the West Indies). Burt accepted the position of Civil Commissioner and Chairman of Quarter Sessions in Western Australia in 1860. In January 1861 he arrived in Western Australia with his family. Burt was instrumental in establishing the Supreme Court Australia in 1861 and became the first Chief Justice of Western Australia. Knighted for his contributions in 1873, he maintained a secluded life to ensure impartiality and professional detachment as sole judge in the colony until his death in 1879. Archibald Paull Burt’s impact and lasting legacy in Western Australia continues through his family members who have held governmental and legislative roles in the state for multiple generations.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-46-2022.32c

Item type

Documents

Material

Ink

Paper

Contextual information

The two copies of the testimonial letter from the inhabitants of Sandy Point in St Kitts (2022.32a and 2022.32c) are representative of a common form of public commemoration in 19th century Britain known as an "Address" which recognised and awarded public service.
(Note: the term "Address" appears in contemporary handwriting on envelope 2022.32b which originally held testimonial letters 2022.30a and 2022.30b compiled at the same time.)
There is conjecture that the letters were drafted by Burt himself to take with him as a character reference to the Swan River Colony.

Keywords

Burt, Archibald Paull

Sandy Point, St Kitts

Place made

St. Kitts & Nevis

Year

1860

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Scientific or research significance

Comparative significance criteria

Object’s condition or completeness