Isabella Davidson nee McArthur	Alexander Davidson

John Simpson Davidson	Archer Boswell Christie Davidson
Agnes Brodie and George Dunbar Davidson	Alice Coffey, Walter Thomas Davidson and baby Colin Dunbar Davidson.
John Ambrose Davidson and Annie Power

Photos supplied by Cheryl Moore [chezem.cm-at-gmail.com]

ALEXANDER WALKER DAVIDSON left Scotland in 1841 for Australia. He had with him his wife, three sons,  John, Alexander (Sandy), and Archer and four daughters Margaret, Elsy, Jane and Isabella. The voyage lasted eleven months (they left 16^th May 1841 arrived at Botany Bay 30^th January 1842), and on the way a fire broke out on the vessel. The Captain, left the vessel with members of the crew who brought her in to Rio de Janeiro - where she was repaired. It is said that the reason the ship got through safely is that the planks which opened up by reason of the heat of the fire, were caulked and made watertight by some soap, part of the cargo, which melted, and filled up and caulked the seams. Alexander worked as a steward on the ship to pay for the bounty of his children. Refer to the ‘Reports by Immigration Board on Complaints of Migrants, 25/08/1838 to 18/04/1842 Pages 333-375’ at the State Archives. The Court of Inquiry at the Trial at which Alexander Davidson and William Goodwin amongst others gave evidence ruled that the bounties were not payable by the immigrants to the ships owners.

Alexander and Jane’s infant daughter Isabella died on the voyage.

Amongst the passengers on board the boat was William Goodwin, his wife and six sons. Both families became friendly being neighbours at Cowra.

Mr. Davidson stayed at Cowra for some time, but in 1855 acquired from Solomon the license of the hotel at Reid's Flat known as -The Squatters' Arms." This he held till 1857, when no renewal was granted. He then left Monaro for a time, but later returned. Subsequently he and the family went to Eden where he worked for Ben Boyd as a cabinet maker, a trade at which he was particularly skilful. Of his sons, Archer, John and Sandy became Master Whalers, and have their names associated for all times with the stories of whaling that are attached to Twofold Bay. George, his youngest son, a noted sport, remained in Cooma, for a time in the employ of Sturgeon Bros., Storekeepers. In later life he was better known as a Livery Stable Keeper. Alexander Davidson died at the age of 92, and is buried at Eden.