Pastoralists and farmers. Edward Hamersley (born 1810) arrived in Western Australia in 1837 and settled at Pyrton and Lockridge in the Swan district. Bought grants and established horse breeding stations at Toodyay, York and Williams. Left for Europe in 1843 and returned in 1850. Took up large leases in the Irwin and Greenough districts. Director of the first W.A. Bank in 1841. Held many town allotments in Perth and Fremantle. Served on the Committee of the W.A. Turf Club. MLC for Swan 1857-1865. Member of the Guildford Board of Education 1861-1867. Died 26 November 1874. His daughter Margaret married John Forrest, later the first premier of Western Australia. The collection contains correspondence, including letters sent and received by Margaret Hamersley, later Lady Forrest, and her husband Sir John Forrest; leases and other papers connected with land holdings; photographs; other miscellaneous papers.