Sewell, Julia, Miss   (c.1847 - 1914)

Born near Northam, WA, c.1847; died in 1914 at Gilga, Middle Swan, WA, in 1914.

One of four children, to George Sewell (c.1817-1891) a farmer near Northam, WA, and Elizabeth née Logue (1822-1912). The family settled at Chittering Brook, then in 1868 established 'Sandsprings' sheep and cattle station near Champion Bay. In 1877, they returned to Chittering Brook. After her father's death, Julia and her mother lived near Midland Junction.

Julia collected MEL specimens at Mount Caroline, 1882-1885, 1890; 'Spring Valley', 1883, 1890; Swan River, middle Swan and lower Swan River, 1883, 1895; Chittering, 1889; and Bunbury and Geographe Bay, 1892.

She collected types of Hydrocotyle blepharocarpa F.Muell. (1883) and Elachanthera sewelliae F.Muell. (1886), named for her.

Julia's cousins GERALDINE ALLEN SEWELL and MAUD AMY SEWELL (MRS SKEWES), and KATE FRENCH LOGUE also collected MEL specimens.

Either Julia, GERALDINE or MAUD SEWELL, collected the type of Aizoon glabrum Leuhm. ex Ewart (1908).

In 1887, Julia placed notices in the West Australian and Western Mail seeking information on Mueller's behalf about the Gnarba (or Narboola) plant.

Julia did not marry and died in 1914 at Gilga, Middle Swan aged 67.

One letter from Julia to Mueller survives.

Source: extracted from: Maroske, Sara and Vaughan, Alison (2014) 'Ferdinand Mueller's female plant collectors: a biographical register', Muelleria Vol.32 [consult for source references]