Photocopies of letters from the Bell family, 1880 to 1907 [provided by Anita O’Connor, descendant of Sarah Bell (nee Alexander) and son, John Alexander Bell]

Historical information about the house called 'Rakeevan', situated in Graceville, Brisbane. The house was originally built for Charles Hardie Buzzacott in 1888 and was called 'Verney'. John Ferguson bought the house in 1895 as a residence for his daughter Mary Ann Ferdinando Ferguson and her husband Alfred Henry Chambers, who named it 'Rakeevan'. When they moved, John Ferguson presented the house to his second daughter, Catherine Jane Ferguson and her husband Joshua Thomas Bell. The house, after more changes of ownership and usage is now an aged care facility with the original name of 'Verney' and is heritage listed.

Photocopies of parts of scrapbook of Catherine Jane Bell (nee Ferguson) (1847-1943), 1906 to 1910

This files includes: correspondence, notes, newspaper cuttings, 'Order of Service ... on the 125th anniversary of the famly of The Hon Sir Joshua Peter Bell commencing residence in Jimbour House 7 April 2002', and 'Order of proceedings' for the cellar door opening on 7 April 2002.

Photocopies of correspondence to Colin Basil Peter Bell regarding Joshua Thomas Bell’s (Joey) death, 28 letters, 1910 to 1911. Correspondence to Colin Basil Peter Bell regarding Joshua Thomas Bell’s (Joey) death, 12 telegrams, 1911.

Information, photocopies of newspaper cuttings, articles and copies of photographs relating to horse racing and Show trophies won by Joshua Thomas Bell from 1865 to 1909

Correspondence to Colin Basil Peter Bell regarding Joshua Thomas Bell’s (Joey) death, 28 letters, 1910 to 1911. Correspondence to Colin Basil Peter Bell regarding Joshua Thomas Bell’s (Joey) death, 12 telegrams, 1911.

One typescript page and seven handwritten pages, of various sizes, with lists of Aboriginal Australian words. Three pages with pen handwritting have a note across the first page saying they were given to Joshua Thomas Bell at Jimbour on 2 Mar 1897 and appear to be from the envelope with the notes 'Aboriginal Vocabulary, supplied at jimbour, 2nd March 1897, by 'old Combo, Darlo, and Nipper. JTB'. Some pages are written in pencil and there is one page of typescript. There is a handwritten note inserted in this file (with the date 17 Jun 2010 printed at the bottom) that says Darlo spoke Yarrawa [sic] dialect, the dialect ... Jimbour to Dalby'; Old Combo came from Big River, New South Wales and spoke the Hamilario [?] N.S.W. dialect [possibly Gamilaroi ?]

Letters to Colin Basil Peter Bell from men who had worked at Westland, during their World War I service, 13 letters, 1915 to 1918. Correspondents include: Bob Thompson Cowlishaw and Harold E. Lawrence. Photocopies maps and newspaper cuttings related to World War I battle sites accompany the letters.

Copy of the booklet Inauguration of the University of Queensland on Queensland’s Jubilee Day, 10 Dec 1909, Cumming, Govt. Printer, Brisbane; with a facsimile of admission card for the Hon. J. T. & Mrs Bell. Inserted are loose hand written notes for the speech in the booklet by the Hon. Joshua Thomas Bell (Speaker of the Legislative Assembly)