Document information

Physical location:

73.03.00

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to James Patten, 1873-03. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id//letters/1870-9/1873/73-03-00-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

1
Letter not found. The text given here is from Ballarat Star, 29 April 1873, p. 2. The letter is dated to March 1873 as the latest date a contribution could have been sent by M to Adelaide and be transmitted to Natal, and the acknowledgement be reprinted in the Australian press.
[The following from the Natal Colonist will, interest some of our readers:—"Mrs M'Ken
2
Margaret McKen (née Wood), widow of M. J. McKen who died on 20 April 1872 and 'left his wife and six children destitute' (S2A3, accessed 14 June 2022).
has received a most kind letter from the Rev. James Patten, formerly of Durban, sympathising with her on her loss, and transmitting the sum of £13 8s collected by him in Melbourne and Adelaide, and including his own donation. Among the contributors are Baron von Mueller, Director of the Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, £5 5s, and an amount of £2 2s, from Dr Schomburgk, of the gardens, Adelaide, both of whom sent Mr Patten letters expressive of their warm esteem and regard for our late curator."]