Tasmanian Family History Society Inc. Awards

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TASMANIAN FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY INC.

Volume 33 Number 1—June 2012 TASMANIAN FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY INC. PO Box 191 Launceston Tasmania 7250

Society Secretary: [email protected] Journal Editor: [email protected] Home Page: http://www.tasfhs.org

Patron: Dr Alison Alexander Fellows: Dr Neil Chick and Mr David Harris

Executive: President Maurice Appleyard (03) 6248 4229 Vice President Robert Tanner (03) 6231 0794 Vice President Pam Bartlett (03) 6428 7003 Society Secretary Muriel Bissett (03) 6344 4034 Society Treasurer Betty Bissett (03) 6344 4034

Committee: Helen Anderson Peter Cocker Libby Gillham Vanessa Blair Lucille Gee Sue-Ellen McCreghan Judith Cocker John Gillham Colleen Read

By-laws Coordinator Robert Tanner (03) 6231 0794 Webmaster Robert Tanner (03) 6231 0794 Journal Editor Rosemary Davidson (03) 6278 2464 LWFHA Coordinator Lucille Gee (03) 6344 7650 Members’ Interests Compiler John Gillham (03) 6239 6529 Membership Registrar Muriel Bissett (03) 6344 4034 Publications Convenor Bev Richardson (03) 6225 3292 Public Officer Colleen Read (03) 6244 4527 Society Sales Officer Betty Bissett (03) 6344 4034

Branches of the Society Burnie: PO Box 748 Burnie Tasmania 7320 [email protected] Mersey: PO Box 267 Latrobe Tasmania 7307 [email protected] Hobart: PO Box 326 Rosny Park Tasmania 7018 [email protected] Huon: PO Box 117 Huonville Tasmania 7109 [email protected] Launceston: PO Box 1290 Launceston Tasmania 7250 [email protected]

Volume 33 Number 1 June 2012 ISSN 0159 0677

Contents From the editor ...... 2 President’s Message ...... 3 AGM Notice of Meeting ...... 4 Branch Reports ...... 5 Paying for the School Piano, Betty Jones ...... 9 Voices from the Orphan Schools: ‘a boy named Henry Osborne’, Dianne Snowden . 15 My Grandfather Henry Watson’s Anglo-Indian Family, Paul Edwards ...... 19 A Gathering on the Norfolk Plains, Descendants Day, 2 March 2013 ...... 28 New Members’ Interests ...... 29 Supplement ...... centrefold New Members ...... 33 Help Wanted ...... 33 William Stanley Sharland, Rosemary Davidson ...... 34 The ‘Emma Eugenia’ (4) 1846: A disagreeable voyage, Anne McMahon ...... 35 Agnes Hunter (née Thompson) Located, Leonie Mickleborough ...... 37 Houses and Boarding Houses in the Hobart Area c.1925, Laurie Moody ...... 40 The Squatter’s Joy, Shirley Foster ...... 42 Albert Edward Bird, A Flawed Champion, John Bird ...... 43 John Pyner, Intriguing ‘bit player’ in a Family Saga, Don Bradmore ...... 49 Sophia Hopwood, ‘Harbourer of Prostitutes’, Margaret Nichols ...... 53 Keeping Memories Alive, Allison Carins ...... 54 Early Burials at the Wesleyan Chapel O’Brien’s Bridge, Glenorchy ...... 55 What is that Publication About?, Maurice Appleyard ...... 57 Library Notes, Society Sales ...... 58 Library Acquisitions ...... 59 Deadline dates for contributions by 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October

From the editor Journal address

PO Box 191, Launceston TAS 7250 email [email protected] A month or two ago it was arranged for a friend and I to visit the Information Articles are welcomed in any format— and Land Services Division of the handwritten, word processed, on disk or by Department of Primary Industries, Parks, email. Please ensure images are of good Water and Environment (DPIPWE) to see quality. what maps of the St John’s Park, New Town, area were available. We learnt Deadline dates are: they were busy digitising their holdings 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October with the aim of putting them online. With the wonders of a ‘smart board’ we If you wish to contact the author of an were shown some beautiful and article in Tasmanian Ancestry please email interesting maps with the capability of the editor, or write care of the editor, overlaying and building up an image enclosing a stamped envelope and your displaying the changes and development correspondence will be forwarded. in the area. The opinions expressed in this journal are One was a beautifully drawn and painted not necessarily those of the journal map of land originally granted to Thomas committee, nor of the Tasmanian Family Hayes in New Town. In 1816 it was History Society Inc. Responsibility rests owned by Thomas Luttrell who named it with the author of a submitted article, we do Prospect Farm and in 1823 by Bartho- not intentionally print inaccurate inform- lomew Broughton when it became known ation. The society cannot vouch for the as Newtown Park. It was later acquired accuracy of offers for services or goods that by Charles Swanston soon after his appear in the journal, or be responsible for arrival in 1829. (It is worth re-reading the outcome of any contract entered into Tasmanian Ancestry, Vol.32 No.2, p.87.) with an advertiser. The editor reserves the This map was one of those produced by right to edit, abridge or reject material. William Stanley Sharland (see page 34) © The contents of Tasmanian Ancestry are with his ‘logo’ in the top right-hand subject to the provisions of the Copyright corner. I left the building on a real high Act and may not be reproduced without and would like to thank the two men who written permission of the editor and author. generously gave of their expertise and assistance to ‘put us in the picture’.

Cover: Rosemary Davidson ‘Compass, Divider & Quill’, copied from the original on Plan 14 Buckingham (by William Sharland, 1823) and reproduced with the kind assistance and permission of Information & Land Services Division, DPIPWE (see p.34)

2 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

NCE again, I am writing this Hobart Branch has reported that they have article in April for inclusion in the recently purchased new digital cameras and O June journal. Branches are about associated equipment, thanks to the to hold their Annual General Meetings and generosity of the Clarence City Council’s at the Society’s AGM, new office bearers Community Support Grant. will take over the role of providing the A camera will be used by their CHAMP services that we all enjoy. (Cemetery Headstones and Memorials I am advised Muriel and Betty Bissett Project) group to capture images. Perhaps (Secretary and Treasurer) will not be the next municipality CD to be published in standing for Executive Officer positions at the Cemeteries of Southern Tasmania series our AGM in June. will be about Clarence. Muriel and Betty have become ‘an Another camera will be used by a project institution’ in our Society. For many of us group to store and preserve heritage (some with long periods of membership) information from various registers. I under- they have always carried out the duties of stand another volume in the series Under- these positions. takers of Hobart will be published shortly. Tasmanian Ancestry for December 1997 As this issue goes to press, I marvel at the first reported Muriel as Secretary whilst dedication and hard work of our current Betty appears as Treasurer in September Editor, Rosemary Davidson, who took on 1988. I understand they have held these the role again ‘just for one year’ about four positions continuously ever since; except years ago. Thank you Rosie.  for one period (seven years ago) when they swapped roles for a year. Maurice Appleyard

This remarkable achievement was carried out whilst also holding Executive Officer positions in the Launceston Branch; and at Carr Villa Memorial Park various times carrying out the work of Membership Secretary, State Sales Officer, Burial and Cremation records (updated 23 January 2001) Tasmanian Ancestry Editors, etc for shorter periods of time. CD-ROM $50.00

On your behalf, I thank them for all the Index to Passenger effort they have put into these roles and Arrivals and Departures their time freely given, that has been for the benefit of all members over the years. From early Launceston newspapers 1829–1865 What have we to look forward to in our next Society year? CD-ROM $60.00

I am advised by Artemis Films, in West Available from Australia, that they have started production TFHS Inc. Launceston Branch of the fifth Australian series of Who Do You PO Box 1290 Launceston TAS 7250 Think You Are? plus $5.50 p&p TFHS Inc. Members less 10% discount, Hopefully we may see this very popular plus $5.50 p&p series ‘go to air’ towards the end of the calendar year.

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 3

Notice of Meeting Notice is hereby given in accordance with Rule 14, that the

32nd ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the

Tasmanian Family History Society Inc. is to be held on

Saturday 16 June 2012 at the Town Hall, Church Street, Ross commencing at 2:15 pm

Voting is restricted to financial members of the Society and a current membership card may be required as proof of membership.

AGENDA

1 Welcome by the President 2 Apologies 3 Presentation of the 2011 ‘Lilian Watson Family History Award’ 4 Presentation of TFHS Inc. Awards 5 Confirm Minutes of the 2011 AGM 6 Business Arising 7 Reports 8 Election of Office Bearers and Endorsement of Branch Delegates 9 General Business: i Annual General Meeting, Tasmanian Family History Society Inc.—15 June 2013 Venue to be advised

Muriel Bissett Society Secretary

4 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012

BRANCH REPORTS

Burnie Our April day meeting was a session on looking at the different methods of http://www.clients.tas.webnet.com.au/ geneal/burnbranch.htm capturing a digital image from the many President Peter Cocker (03) 6435 4103 coloured slides we all have in the back of Secretary Ann Bailey (03) 6431 5058 the cupboard. PO Box 748 Burnie Tasmania 7320 Our Library continues to be well patron- email: [email protected] ised by members and visitors and a reminder to members if you want to use a Our first meeting for the computer at the branch to access year was on the third ‘Ancestry’ or some of the other sites to Tuesday night in which we subscribe, a booking is February. The topic was necessary. You need to visit the library on the ‘British Newspaper a Tuesday or Saturday to make a booking Archive’ site. This site as the booking sheet is kept there. is managed by the same company that manages ‘Scotland’s People’ and ‘Find My Past’ so they have a lot of experience Branch in this type of website offering. If you http://www.hobart.tasfhs.org haven’t seen the site the address is President Robert Tanner (03) 6231 0794 http://www.britishnewspaperarchive. email: [email protected] Secretary Howard Reeves co.uk/ PO Box 326 Rosny Park Tasmania 7018 Our first day meeting for the year was email: [email protected] 5 March when many of our regulars All telephone enquiries to (03) 6244 4527 turned up to listen to a podcast from BBC Radio Scotland from the ‘Digging up The year 2012 has your Roots’ series. These podcasts are started with much available from time to time and are taken activity in the branch. from the one hour broadcast hosted by Work has continued on Bill Whiteford. Each episode has a copying and indexing particular theme and the presenters the Catholic records answer questions provided by listeners. kindly loaned by the Catholic archives. It was decided for our March night Research requests are coming in fairly meeting we would have a question/ constantly, and visitors to the library are answer and problem solving session. continuing at a reasonable rate, although Members were invited to send in aspects there has been a slight decrease in of family history that they were stuck on numbers over the last few years. One or general problems they had encountered worrying aspect of the branch’s work is with any aspect of their research. The the fact that expenditure has exceeded request went out via our mailing list and income a little more, and we are slowly responses came back. Two were selected but surely eating into our financial and answers and solutions provided. We reserves. Our committee is spending also had a look at the new online sync quite some time looking at ways of features in ‘Family Tree Maker 2012’.

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 5 increasing our income. Expenditure has authority in the colony used their already been pruned to essentials. influence to secure for themselves grants Thirty-six members and visitors attended of some of the best land, but often acted the first meeting for 2012 to hear Tom as absentee landlords and used free Dunbabin’s presentation, Making their convict labour and appointed overseers. own way - The Dunbabins on Maria For less important people the grants of 20 Island 1869–76. Tom spoke about his acres—a viable size in England—were desire to make the book a story—a family too small for anything other than bare and social history—and not just a subsistence farming and many recipients collection of facts. The presentation were lacking in farming skills. The included background relating to the success rate was low. The talk included writing of the book and the resources stories of some of the early settler used—including fifty letters held in the families of the Pittwater area. family, Trove (newspapers on-line) and My thanks go to our secretary, Howard how Excel was used to record and Reeves, for the notes on guest speakers. sequence events. The PowerPoint General Meetings presentation included a collection of Members are reminded that all general photographs and other images of Maria meetings are held at ‘The Sunday Island. Tom spoke of his family’s lease School’, St Johns Park, New Town, on of the whole Island—by brothers Tom the third Tuesday in the month at 7:30pm. and John who died at the age of 34 in Visitors are always welcome at these 1875, after which the lease on the Island meetings. was not renewed. Speakers planned for the next few Paul Kregor, a member of GST when it meetings are: was affiliated with the Genealogical Tuesday 19 June: Craig Joel—‘Sir John Society of Victoria, was the guest speaker Franklin and John Montagu—A Tale of at the March General Meeting. His talk Ambition and Unrealised Hope.’ titled ‘Pittwater Families—Their part in our families’, was a variation on the Tuesday 17 July: Patrick Howard— theme of his 2011 Bowen Lecture: ‘Early West Coast History and Pioneering ‘Macquarie Land Grants 1811 to 1816: Families.’ Families of the Pittwater, Coal Valley and Tuesday 21 August: John Morse— Clarence Plains’. In his talk to the ‘Tracing My Ancestors into China.’ branch, Paul gave a detailed description Tuesday 18 September: TBA of the conditions and establishment of the Family History Computer Users Group Sorell district as a food bowl for the This large and enthusiastic group meets at Hobart settlement due to the unreliability the branch library on the second of food arrivals from Sydney. This and Wednesday of the month at 7:30 pm the arrival of Norfolk Islanders provided under the expert leadership of Vee the impetus for land grants to be made. Maddock. The allocation of land grants was a tedious process with some farmers WISE Interest Group occupying (and farming) their land for The Wales, Ireland, Scotland and three to five years before the paperwork England group is currently in recess, but was completed, much of it under is looking at resuming meetings if Macquarie’s watch in 1813. People in sufficient interest is shown. Contact the

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Secretary, or ’phone (03) 6244 4527 if as our publicity officer, is now in the you are interested. Chair. Welcome, Russell as the new Family History Writers Group President! We are pleased to report two This group has been meeting at the new members on the committee and branch library on the fifth Thursday of willing delegates to Society meetings. each month when it occurs. Members Requests for research in the Launceston working on individual projects will share Branch area continue to flow in and have them with the group in an informal kept the volunteers very busy. This is an workshop. All welcome! For more excellent source of income for the details contact Dianne Snowden on Branch; if any local member has time to [email protected] or 6260 2515. spare, their help with research as well as Details of these meetings and other typing indexes etc would be much activities may be found on our website at appreciated. http://www.hobart.tasfhs.org Work is continuing on The Tasmanian Mail and the Weekly Courier indexing. Huon The next volume of Weekly Courier (1918) is now out and Volume 11, 1919 President Shirley Fletcher (03) 6264 1546 is well on the way. The latest volume of Secretary Libby Gillham (03) 6239 6529 PO Box 117 Huonville Tasmania 7109 Tasmanian Mail, also released in June email: [email protected] will cover 1931. The end, 1935, is so near, yet so far! No report received Saturday Library Hours—by appointment only—phone (03) 6344 4034. Wednesday 20 June: 2pm: BRANCH Launceston meeting: ‘Researching on FamilySearch’, http://www.launceston.tasfhs.org Computer Room, Adult Education President Russell Watson (03) 6334 4412 Centre, York Street Secretary Muriel Bissett Phone (03) 6344 4034 Wednesday 18 July: 2pm BIG, PO Box 1290 Launceston Tasmania 7250 Computer Room, Adult Education secretary: [email protected] Centre, York Street Wednesday 15 August: 2pm BIG, The last committee Computer Room, Adult Education meeting with Judy as Centre, York Street president was held on Wednesday 19 September: 2pm BIG, Tuesday, 3 April and Computer Room, Adult Education whilst we are sad to see Centre, York Street. her leave for the mainland, we wish Judy and Lloyd a Check the website for more detail of wonderful time of retirement and meetings/workshops and for a list of pursuing interests that have been ‘on publications now available from hold’ for too long. Judy, you will be Launceston Branch. greatly missed!

Russell Watson who has been a former committee member and continued to act

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 7 Mersey http://www.tfhsdev.com President Pam Bartlett Secretary Sue-Ellen McCreghan (03) 6428 6328 PO Box 267 Latrobe Tasmania 7307 email: [email protected]

In February some members of our library went on a tour of Port Sorell and surrounding districts. The tour began at the highest point in Port Sorell, where the Bowls Club now stands. After morning tea we boarded a bus and headed off on a journey back in time, which had us weaving about the local district. We passed a farm house where some of the outbuildings were used as a gaol. We went to where the Heidelberg Inn stood as well as hardware shop, grocer, wheelwright and blacksmith’s shop. It is all gone and hard to believe it was there. As there was a large number of German immigrants in the area, it was named Heidelberg, but at the outbreak of World War I the name was Admission to changed to Harford. Port Sorell also Townsville Orphanage played a big part in shipping history. c.1879–c.1911 There is much to learn about this district. The tour starts at 10:00 and finishes Now Available Online around 3:00. Morning tea and lunch are included for a small fee. If anyone is The Queensland State Archives interested in the tour please phone the has placed the admission register and branch secretary for details. This is a tour index to admissions for the not organized by our branch. Townsville Orphanage online. By the time you receive this journal the You will find the index at: New Year for the society would have started. Our branch has been busy with http://bit.ly/HxaSbY new publications. Please keep watch on our branch website and we welcome any Previously published in QFHS ideas for outings and speakers. 'SNIPPETS' NEWSLETTER" April 2012 Vol.12 No.4 When was the last time you visited our library? Call in and visit us soon. 

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PAYING FOR THE SCHOOL PIANO Betty Jones (Member No.6032)

BAZAAR was held over two In addition to building funds, schools also days in January 1867 in the old looked to the public for contributions A church in aid of the Hagley towards the provision of additional Public School. Eight fat sheep, two pigs, materials and equipment. fat geese, turkeys, pure Dorking fowls, Today, in the quest to find new ways of canaries and rabbits were drawn for in tempting people to make financial sweeps. A number of stalls were set up, contributions, school organisations can be with a high arch erected over the front of aided by suggestions from professional each. One novelty on the stall provided agencies that specialise in trying to make by Lady DRY was a gypsy the process easier. Internet sites encampment. On the stall abound now with advertise- of Mesdames BOUTCHER ments by companies that and BEVERIDGE a stool offer creative and beautifully ornamented diverse ideas, along with bead work, and the with more traditional representation of a dog strategies, to groups on worsted work, wishing to raise framed, were much money for their admired. £192/8/4½ 1 special cause. Not- was realised. for-profit group and Most readers will institution mailboxes remember having partici- can be filled with pated in fundraising activities glossy brochures during their own school days, which provide sug- and many will also remember gestions for raising having helped organise or maximum dollars: ‘-athons’, fun runs, contribute to such events in their pre-packaged food products (chocolates, adulthood. Fund raising has always been pizzas, pies, lamingtons), tokens, items of part of school culture. As early as 1854, clothing, useful trinkets, books, raffles to the Rules and Regulations of the win luxury homes, cars and holidays … Tasmanian Board of Education stated that The ideas are endless, it seems. And the inhabitants of any community seeking don’t forget the humble hamburger/- to receive public funding for the erection sausage sizzles, social functions and or renting of a building to be used as a trivia nights. school house or teacher’s residence must This article aims to give readers a contribute at least one third of the cost 2 snapshot of school fundraising motivators involved from their own local resources. and methods of the past. It is interesting to note that some of the ideas used then 1 Launceston Examiner, 11 January 1867 are still popular today. And who knows, 2 Government Notice No.17, Colonial some readers may even be reminded of a Secretary’s Office, Government Gazette, good idea that they can take to their next 7 February 1854

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 9 fundraising committee meeting for Town Hall, which had been in the hands consideration. of builders for some time. An additional The building fund fourteen feet had been added to its length, By April 1878, community members of and a spacious supper room had been Penguin Creek were raising money built. A special feature of the evening towards the erection of a new public was a display of dumb-bell drill and club school and teacher’s residence. To that swinging, which reflected great credit on end, a bazaar was held in the large hall at the children and their teacher. The Jenkins’ Hotel, realising £30. A wide children, with coloured streamers, formed range of useful and fancy articles were a pretty sight, which delighted the arranged on three stalls presided over by audience. After the concert, dancing was Misses PATON, CLERKE, RAYMOND, kept up till daylight. The proceeds of the COCKER, MAXEY and LODDER. concert went towards the cost of end-of- year prizes to be presented to the school Misses PARSONS and HALES and Mrs 5 JOHNSON took charge of the refresh- children. ments stall. The following evening, a A successful euchre tournament was held concert was held in the Temperance Hall.3 in the Ormley State School in December Senior scholars from Burnie State School 1914 to provide funds for prizes for the held a bazaar in December 1887 to school children. A good supper was provide funds for improving the handed round, and the singing of ‘Sons of the Sea’ and the National Anthem playground, supply gymnasium, swings, 6 croquet lawn and other means of brought a pleasant evening to a close. recreation for children attending the Euchre evenings remained popular as a school. A total of £19/1/- was raised.4 fundraiser in many schools throughout What grand dreams some of those were the State for decades, and were frequently for a school playground during that era! held in conjunction with a dance. Needless to say, the ideas did not all The piano fund mature to reality, but no doubt the money As singing and music became a more raised was put to useful purpose. established part of the curriculum, school End-of-year prizes communities responded to requests from The awarding of prizes to scholars as a teachers to purchase a piano, or means of recognising hard work and sometimes an organ. The costs involved reinforcing appropriate conduct has been were considerable, and fund raising over a long-established practice in schools. a lengthy period of time usually was Funds were raised to pay for such awards required to meet the debt. through a variety of means, the school The Deloraine State School held a Fair in concert being one of the most popular. December 1906 to raise money towards At Ouse in 1904, the King’s birthday was the piano fund. Entertainments included kept up by a large picnic given for the chip carving exhibits by the scholars, pupils of the school by parents and picture gallery, electric battery, guessing leading residents. A concert was held in peas, guessing dolly’s name, art gallery, the evening at the recently re-opened fancy goods, patriotic stall for boys, cakes, books, confectionery, produce,

3 Launceston Examiner, 29 April 1878 5 The Mercury, 15 November 1904 4 The Mercury, 17 December 1887 6 The Examiner, 8 December 1914

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flowers, fairy bower, cordials, plum product, just in case of unforseen puddings, post office, messengers, lolly accidents! 7 box weight guessing, and afternoon tea. There was usually a grand march for A successful juvenile fancy dress ball which the children had been trained, was staged in the Moorina Town Hall in sometimes for several weeks in the lead- August 1905 in aid of that school’s piano up to the event. On the night, proud fund.8 Fancy dress balls were often parents jostled for a vantage position on remembered fondly by former pupils as the sidelines, the whole of the space one of the highlights of their school provided for spectators crowded as each years. It seems that children and adults onlooker speculated about the merits of alike have always liked to dress up and the individual costumes. At Bream Creek indulge in make-believe for one night, at State School’s Ball in 1908, it was least. reported that all shades of society were represented, ranging from the King and A quick perusal of the newspapers print- 9 ed after the turn of the twentieth century his courtiers, to the butcher and his boy. across the State Sewing machines provides detailed des- For well over one cription of this hundred years, the popular means of teaching of sewing raising funds, and to girls from the frequently includes the youngest ages up names of participants was an accepted part and the characters they of the school represented. The balls curriculum in were enjoyed at all Tasmania. Plain economic levels, but it hand needlework was seems that home-made the most widely taught costumes were the norm. but, as the decades For example, sometimes unfolded, consid- there was a competitive eration was given to section for best paper the incorporation of costume. Crepe paper was cheap and more modern techniques as well. used extensively to add form and colour Learning to use a treadle sewing machine to outfits. It could be glued, pinned, thus became a requirement of Education taped or sewn, and deft hands would Department courses for older girls. stretch and shape it with finesse. Parents Teachers looked to their local community hoped that it did not rain on the night of members to assist with the provision of sallying forth their young folk, as the the machines. paper would stain if it became wet. It A largely attended and successful dance was also advisable to wear respectable was held in Fitzgerald public hall in 1929 undergarments when dressed in the in aid of the State School sewing machine fund. The promoters were the members of the Parents’ and Friends’ Association. 7 The North Western Advocate, Music was provided by Mrs J O 26 December 1906 8 The Mercury, 24 August 1905 9 The Mercury, 2 November 1908

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 11 GOURLAY and Messrs C WILLIAMS driving for the ladies, and the races for and W and R MARRIOTT. The net the children.13 10 proceeds were about £7. In 1932, the Stanley State School An enjoyable social was conducted in the Parents’ Association held a pedlars’ Triabunna Hall in 1924 in aid of the local parade in the Town Hall to raise funds for State School’s sewing machine fund. The library books. This followed their pre- sum of £5/5- was taken clear of expenses, vious efforts to bolster such funds which amounted to 15 shillings. The first through holding a euchre tournament and items were those of Miss GARRITY, also a street stall.14 Edith HOWELLS and Dudley LUT- Wider general funds TRELL. A selection was given on the A range of school causes, including fife by Master Jack KEOGH and other playground and gardening equipment, school boys. Mrs CAHILL’s music wireless sets, film projectors, tape pupils gave items, and the school children recorders, cameras and other such gave three patriotic choruses, which were 11 technology, were identified for fund rendered heartily. raising as the years progressed. Some- Library books times the goal of such activities was Past annual Inspectors’ Reports on simply identified as being for general individual schools sometimes are useful school funds. for studying trends and ideas that A touching purpose for the raising of received emphasis at different times in school funds was noted in a newspaper the development of the Tasmanian report in 1935, when it was stated that the education system. By the beginning of members of the newly formed Mothers’ the twentieth century, it was common for Club at Campbell Street State School in inspectors to record in such reports the Hobart were focussing their efforts on number of books contained in a school’s 12 feeding and clothing malnourished and library collection. This, of course, needy children in their school. Up to that placed pressure on teachers to try to time, the mothers had held two dances to increase the size of the library, and find the money necessary to provide soup fundraising efforts sometimes daily during the winter months. It was concentrated on that target. also the intent of Club members to buy The quiet village of Alberton was the sufficient flannel material to make and scene of a large gathering of parents and provide each of the fifty-three nominated visitors from Ringarooma and New needy children on their list with two new River, Alberton in 1923 on the occasion warm undergarments.15 of a sports program organised by the Ideas for seeking financial donations school committee to raise funds for a seem never ending, including differing school library. Much interest was shown forms of beauty parades that were in the wood chopping contest, the nail popular fundraisers, particularly prior to society’s more recent attention to gender equity and political correctness. For

10 The Mercury, 13 August 1929 11 The Mercury, 5 June 1924 13 The Examiner, 6 June 1923 12 See Tasmanian Archive and Heritage 14 The Advocate, 24 September 1932 Office: ED31 series 15 The Mercury, 6 August 1935

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example, a queen carnival was staged by Adam ELPHINSTONE, Mr LAWSON, the Glenorchy Parents’ Association in Mr J S MASLIN, Mr TAYLOR and Mr 1929 to raise funds for the school, the HARDMAN. Following a properly result realising £109/9/-. The event was scrutinised count of votes, Mr Maslin, the brought to a conclusion in the Lyric Hall, school’s Head Teacher, was crowned Glenorchy with the crowning of the king of the ugly men and presented with a Queen of Progress, June WICKS, who pocket wallet.17 was responsible for raising approximately Yet another aspect of the people pageant £40. The Queen of Lavender, Mary was the baby competition. This could STOWE, who raised about £30, also took take the form of real babies being part in the ceremony. The queens sponsored by committees to raise money paraded round the hall accompanied by through a variety of means, or the more several ‘princesses’ and attendants, the common way of photographs of beautiful Queen of Queens being attired in white babies being used to attract a and gold, and the Queen of vote by payment result. Lavender and her entourage Today, the competition is in white and lavender. They usually based on guessing marched to the stage where who can identify the queens were correctly well-known enthroned. A crown was figures (such as placed on the school staff) from a winner’s head, and selection of baby both girls were photos. In 1945, presented with a the East Devonport gold bangle from State School Parents’ the Parents’ Association raised Association. The £342/14/4 towards school queens and their funds when four attendants were then committees gave support rewarded with boxes of to four babies: Pamela chocolates. The training of ROBINSON, Esme the children for the ceremony was carried ATKINSON, Brenda JEFFREY and out by Mrs MARTIN and Miss 16 Beverley IVORY. On the finals night, MCGUIRE. the four mothers and their babies entered Another twist to the beauty contest theme a crowded hall where they were presented also used to boost school coffers is with posies and gifts. Following the exemplified as follows: A very successful announcement of baby Robinson as the Fair and ugly man’s contest was held in winner, a concert was provided by local 1927 to raise funds for the Myalla State artists. After supper, a dance was held.18 School Parents’ and Friends’ Association. Events based on the provision of food The six stalls of the fair each ran an ugly have always been crowd-pleasers, and man and so healthy competition was many have been mentioned previously in aroused among the stallholders. The this article. One more seems worth a participants were Neil ELPHINSTONE,

17 The Advocate, 10 March 1927 16 The Mercury, 11 June 1929 18 The Advocate, 2 July 1945

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 13 mention. The Lilydale Parents’ Associa- tion held a successful American tea in the Druids’ Hall, Lilydale in 1932 for the A Photographic index to purpose of augmenting their funds.19 American teas enjoyed popularity for a The Tasmanian Mail number of decades in Tasmanian fundraising circles, and references to their This series covers the photographs success usually included mention of the which appeared in different stall holders at such events. The Tasmanian Mail from 1894-1935 In Conclusion Fundraising for school causes is a long- Now available— established practice, its results, over the Volume 1, 1894-1904—$27.00 years, providing scholars with many Volume 2, 1905-1908—$27.00 additional and often essential resources Volume 3, 1909-1912—$27.00 and support. It is interesting to reflect Volume 4, 1913-1916—$27.00 Volume 5, 1917-1920—$27.00 that a number of the ideas used to raise Volume 6, 1921-1922—$27.00 money have been based on providing Volume 7, 1923-1924—$27.00 social occasions and public entertain- Volume 8, 1925-1926—$27.00 ments within communities. In our Volume 9, 1927-1928—$27.00 ancestors’ times, when people were often Volume 10, 1929-1930—$30.00 NEW!!...Volume 11, 1931—$25.00 more geographically isolated, having a worthwhile, enjoyable reason to come Available from together was an important motivator for TFHS Inc. Launceston Branch participation. Today, in times when PO B ox 1290 people are more connected geo- Launceston TAS 7250 Plus $10.50 pack 1-4 graphically, but sometimes still exist in a TFHS Inc. Members less 10% discount, social vacuum, fundraising events can plus $10.50 p&p continue to provide a sense of community. Many money making activities involving children and adults, as ever, include an element of fun or excitement, and it is no wonder that we remember our Scottish participation in such events so Post Office Directories favourably. Tasmanian schools and their Online pupils still benefit greatly from the generosity shown through community As well as an alphabetical list of fundraising efforts, and we all remain people, these books contain street indebted to the organisers and helpers, and trades directories, and often include other listings. Go to: past and present, who have made or make http://www.nls.uk/family- such functions possible.  history/directories/post-office

Previously published in QFHS 'SNIPPETS' NEWSLETTER" April 2012 Vol.12 No.4

19 The Mercury, 15 September 1932

14 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012

VOICES FROM THE ORPHAN SCHOOLS: ‘A BOY NAMED HENRY OSBORNE’ Dianne Snowden (Member No.910)

ETWEEN 1828 and 1879, more Henry was three when he arrived with his than 400 children died in the mother from England, and old enough to BOrphan Schools at New Town. be admitted to the Orphan Schools. Many of the children died from infectious Martha’s convict indent records the name diseases, exacerbated by crowded of Henry’s father, and adds that she had a conditions in the institution. Others died brother, Henry, at her native place. accidentally. Henry died on 16 September 1860, aged One of the most haunting deaths was that eleven, after eight years in the Orphan of Henry OSBORNE, son of convict Schools.3 He was buried two days later Martha Osborne, who arrived with his in the St John’s Burial Ground at New mother on the Sir Robert Seppings. Town, with nothing to indicate his place Henry was admitted to the Orphan School of burial. was he was four on 19 July 1854. His An inquest was held into Henry’s death mother, Martha, was tried at Wells and its findings were published in The Quarter Sessions on 25 March 1851 and Mercury: was transported for seven years for An inquest was hold at the Queen’s larceny (stealing brass). A dairymaid Orphan School, on the 18th instant, to from Somerset aged 34, Martha was enquire into the death of a boy named single, with one child, when she arrived 1 Henry Osborne, 11 years of age, an in Van Diemen’s Land on 8 July 1852. inmate of the institution, who died on the Shortly after she arrived, Martha was at previous Sunday, it was supposed from the hospital and sent from there to the the effects of eating stearine candles, House of Correction where she was containing a small quantity of arsenic. assigned to G. D. GALBRAITH at Her After a careful investigation before A. B. Majesty’s Colonial Hospital. In JONES, Esq., and an intelligent jury, a November 1853, she was assigned to verdict was returned of died from natural STRUTT in Bathurst Street.2 Martha had causes, namely, pleuro-pneumonia. This no colonial offences and she was granted decision was based on the evidence was a ticket-of-leave on 6 June 1852 and based on the evidence of Drs. recommended for a conditional pardon on CROWTHER and BENSON, the former 24 October 1854. This was approved the of whom made a post-mortem exam- following year, on 14 August 1855; this ination and discovered the marks of is the last record of her. inflammation in the lungs, with consequent congestion in the brain. The case excited considerable interest from 1 TAHO, CON41/1/34 Martha Osborne Sir the fact of forty-five boys being affected Robert Seppings 1852 No.130 Image 152; with similar symptoms with the deceased, CON15/1/7 pp.281-281 Image 284-285l although in a milder form. CON19/1/10 Image 142 2 ‘Strutt’s Cottage’ still exists in Bathurst 3 RGD 25 Hobart 2417/1860 (16 September Street, Hobart. 1869): Henry Osborne

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 15 We may add, that no blame was attached By a Juror—The boy had previously to the officers of the institution.4 enjoyed good health. An account of Henry’s death was con- Jas. M. QUINN stated that he had sent sidered sufficiently unusual to be some boys to the hospital; they complained of pain in the head and published in at least two intercolonial stomach, and were sick. The moment a newspapers, the Empire and the South 5 boy was ill he was sent to the matron, Australian Advertiser. The latter who had him removed immediately to the recorded: hospital, where he remained until he was SINGULAR DEATH IN VAN discharged by the medical officer. DIEMEN’S LAND. Witness had charge of the keys of No. 2 The Hobart Town Mercury of the 19th of dormitory at night. The candles burnt September contains the following strange were composition candles. report of a coroner’s inquest: Mrs. Ann BOURNE, sub-Matron of An inquest was held yesterday the Establishment, said—I sent the afternoon at the Queen’s Orphan School, deceased to the hospital on the evening of New Town, before A. B. Jones, Esq., the 14th, about tea time at 5 o’clock. He Coroner, to enquire into the death of was not discharged thence before the Henry Osborne, aged 11 years and 2 doctor saw him. Boys were never months, an inmate of the establishment, discharged before the doctor saw them. who died on the 16th instant. The boy died on Sunday last. Dr. Benson The Coroner explained the nature of saw the deceased the same evening. The the case to the Jury, to the effect that it candles were placed in the dormitory had been reported to him that the lanterns by the housemaid. The lanterns deceased had died under somewhat were then locked, and the keys were strange circumstances, and that 23 of the handed to the masters. The lanterns were children were similarly affected. It had cleaned by the housemaid not by the been supposed that the illness had arisen boys. from the boys eating the ends of Sarah ROLLINSON, nurse in the composition candles. hospital at the Orphan School, deposed to William Pennefather LATHAM, head the deceased coming into the hospital on schoolmaster, having been sworn, and Friday evening. He said he was sick and deposed to a view of the body of the had a pain in his chest. Witness asked deceased, said—The deceased had been him if he had been eating candles, and he in the establishment ever since I have said yes. He held up the first joint of his been here. The deceased has partaken of forefinger, and said he had eaten about the same food as the other children. He half the size of that. Several other boys was admitted into the hospital before tea had been admitted into the hospital, all on the 14th, and died on the morning of but three said they had been eating pieces the 16th. He complained of headache. of candles. Some told witness without There were lights burnt in the asking, and the others she asked. Some dormitory—composition candles or of the boys said they got the pieces of stearine. I kept the key of the dormitory. candle out of the yard, and others said Forty-five boys had been ill, of whom they picked the bits which they had stuck twenty-six were in No. 2 dormitory. to the lanterns. There are lanterns used in the hospital, and witness cleaned them in her own room. The deceased had a cold

4 The Mercury 21 September 1860 p.3 and cough about two months ago. He 5 Empire 26 September 1860 p.3 had been employed as an assistant in the

16 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012

hospital, and was so employed from post mortem examination, but I saw that Monday to Friday. the brain was vascular and the lungs Dr. W. Benson, Superintendent of the congested. I should say that this was the Queen’s Orphan Schools, stated—I find cause of death. Such appearances are from the books that the deceased had sometimes compatible with death from been in the establishment since the 19th arsenic. I do not speak from experience, July, 1853. He was admitted into the but from reports of cases. The symptoms hospital on Friday evening, and com- of the deceased were also compatible plained of headache, in the stomach, and with pneumonia, which would produce sickness. He was vomiting. His pulse congestion of the lungs. T he dormitory is was small, sharp, and quick. There was ventilated by fans, and by openings in the great drowsiness, with coldness of the walls. In my opinion the dormitories are extremities. I directed the use, both ex- not sufficiently ventilated. There are ternally and internally, of stimulants, and three candles in each dormitory which are I saw that these remedies were applied. kept alight all night. These means were used, but without Dr. TURNLEY said—At the request of rousing the boy from the state of stupor, Dr. Crowther I made an analysis of the checking the vomiting, or increasing the stomach of the deceased for the detection vital power. About 4 o’clock in the of arsenic. I am of opinion that no arsenic afternoon of the l5th, titanic muscular was present in the tissues of that organ. I action (spasms and cramp) first appeared also analyzed a portion of the stearine and convulsions ensued, and continued candles, manufactured by Howard & Co., till midnight, when they ceased, and the of London, and in these I was unable to boy died. I omitted to mention that from detect the presence of arsenic. I firmly the first he had a peculiar tallowy believe that those candles do not contain appearance of countenance, with an arsenic. The candles were the same which unnaturally brilliant appearance of the Dr. Crowther received from Dr. Benson. eyes, whenever he opened them, which The jury, after a short consultation, was seldom. He was not conscious at all returned a verdict:—Died from natural times. He told me he had been eating causes, namely, Pleuro-pneumonio. The candles, and said he had eaten a piece the jury attached a rider to the verdict— previous Saturday. He did not say what calling the attention of the Government to kind of candle. He must have known that the insufficient ventilation of the other boys had eaten candles. He said it dormitories.6 was the burnt end of the candle that he Details between the newspaper reports ate—about an inch in length. Eighteen vary, particularly in regard to the com- boys had been previously affected, and in position of the candles. None consider, all 45 had been attacked. All had head- however, why the boys were eating aches, and the greater number sickness. All had been partaking of the same food, candles: was it for a mischievous dare? and of water from the same source, and Were they simply hungry? The answer so have the rest of the establishment, will probably never be known. The including the officers, but no symptoms circumstances surrounding young of a similar character had yet appeared Henry’s brief life and shocking death either on the girls’ or infants’ side, or highlight the vulnerability of those in the among the officers or their servants. The Orphan Schools.  piece of candle now produced was of the

same kind as those used in the 6 South Australian Advertiser 3 October establishment. I was not present at the 1860 p.3

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 17 A Memorial Garden acknow- ledging the children who died in the Orphan Schools was officially opened by Aileen ASHFORD, Commissioner for Children, on Sunday 26 February 2012. A com- memorative plaque was unveiled by Orphan School descendant, Mrs Shirley KERIN. A presentation was made to Joyce PURTSCHER, in recognition of her meticulous research over many years on the lives of the orphans The Memorial Garden was established by the Friends of the Orphan Schools, St John’s Park Precinct, a community group formed under the umbrella of the National Trust of Australia (Tasmanian). Plaques naming the children who died at the Orphan Schools will be progressively added. Contributions are welcome. www.orphanschool.org.au

top Shirley Kerin and Aileen Ashford at the unveiling ceremony

right The plaque and section of the Memorial Garden

Photographs © Friends of the Orphan Schools

18 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012

MY GRANDFATHER HENRY WATSON’S ANGLO-INDIAN FAMILY Paul Edwards (Member No.6425)

Y grandfather Henry Claye Boughrood Castle, Radnorshire, had Watson’s family links with migrated to Braidwood, New South India go back to the 17th and Wales in 1866 with his daughter Matilda Mth 18 centuries. He was born in Calcutta in and son Edward. His sister Elizabeth 1870 and came to Tasmania as a two- BELL had moved there in 1840 with her year-old orphan. Proud of his family husband Thomas, previously surgeon- links to British India, he named his superintendent to the convict ships Eliza, Nabowla properties Calcuttaville and Portsea and Prince George.2 Fowkestone. However it appears that he It seems that both Charles Furlonge and was largely unaware of his connection to Charles Fowke had fallen on lean times the FOWKE, MASKELYNE, WALSH and had migrated to the colonies in order and CLIVE family members who played th to better their financial circumstances. significant roles in 18 century India. Charles Furlonge wrote an account of his Watson and Furlonge Family experiences as an emigrant which was Emigration to Tasmania first published under the title Emigration My grandfather, Henry Watson, was born to Tasmania and later as A settler in in Fort William, Calcutta. His parents Tasmania.3 were Lieutenant Colonel William Watson th The Furlonges initially settled on a ninety of the 9 Bengal Native Infantry, and acre property at Myrtle Bank, adjacent to Isabella Fowke, the impoverished grand- properties later taken up by the SKEMP daughter of a second generation nabob. and BULMAN brothers.4 Skemp refers He arrived in Tasmania from England in to Charles Furlonge as ‘a retired civil 1873 as an orphan with his adoptive servant from Ireland—one of the Dublin parents, his cousin Laura Furlonge (née Castle gentry’ and goes on to write that he RYVES) and her husband Charles lost all he had, including his commuted FURLONGE. His father, William Claye pension, in a wild cat mining venture, and Watson, an officer in the Bengal Army, had died in Calcutta in 1869 aged 53, of

‘febris Intmt with Agonic decline of the 2 Eileen and Harry Green, The Fowkes of heart & kidneys’, and had been buried in Boughrood Castle: A study in social Fort William. His mother Isabella mobility, Tenby, 1973, pp.27–9 returned to England where she died of 3 Charles Furlonge, A Settler in Tasmania tuberculosis two years later aged only 1873-1879, Sullivan’s Cove, Tasmania, 32.1 Her father, Charles Fowke, the son 1982. First published anonymously in of wealthy nabob, Francis Fowke of 1879 under the title Emigration to Tasmania. 4 J R Skemp, Memories of Myrtle Bank, 1 Frances Parsons, ‘The Making of One Melbourne, 1952; Julian Burgess, The Tasmanian’, Hobart, 2006, p.12; Veda M Outcome of Enterprise, Launceston’s Veale, private communication; James Waverley Woollen Mills, Friends of the Moore, private communication. Library, Launceston, 2010

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 19 the Myrtle Bank property passed into the The Watsons in 19th century India hands of a trading bank. My grandfather first became aware of his However he would have retained the parentage, Indian birth and adoption carriage of Henry Claye Watson’s Bengal rather late in his youth when he applied to military orphan’s pension, initially £24, join the police force and was obliged to rising to 44 guineas annually.5 The produce a birth certificate. He apparently boundaries of his old property, now a only then discovered that his deceased timber plantation, are still intact. The parents were Lieutenant Colonel William Furlonges then moved down the hill to Claye Watson of the Bengal Army and the Lisle goldfields and later settled Isabella Henrietta Fowke, daughter of closer to Nabowla after the Lisle gold Charles Fowke who had himself migrated rush ended. to Braidwood a few years before the death of his daughter Henry Watson served and son-in-law. in the police force until 1897. During that time My great-grandfather, he selected land at William Claye Watson, Nabowla following the was born in 1817. end of the gold rush, Like his son Henry, he married Ada Grace was born in Fort WADLEY of Brack- William, Calcutta. He nell in 1894 and built was 21 years older his first home Calcut- than Isabella Fowke, taville south of the who presumably had railway line, between travelled to India, like Lisle Creek and the many other young Little Forester River. English women before The nearby railway and after her, to seek a siding came to be husband, a practice known as ‘Calcutta that continued into the th Siding’ or ‘Little Cal- 20 century. They cutta’. He purchased married in 1861. He his second home, had entered the Bengal Army as an ensign in Bankton, from George Ada Grace Watson (née PEDDLE, of ‘Peddle Wadley) and Henry Claye 1839 and followed in Chair’ fame. He nam- Watson (1894) the Indian Army ed his third and last Nabowla home footsteps of his father Lieutenant Colonel Fowkestone after his maternal family, Richard Augustus Clay Watson, two where he and Ada raised a family of uncles, and a grandfather, Major)William twelve and which he farmed until his Watson, who had joined the East India death in 1943. He was evidently proud of company army in 1768 following service his Indian connections although his in the British army in the West Indies. knowledge of them would have been William Watson married Catherine rather limited. Clay(e) in 1780, probably in Calcutta and fought in the Mahratta Wars, apparently with distinction, being formally presented

5 with ‘a highly caparisoned white charger’ Parsons, p.16

20 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012

by the colonel of his regiment.6 The East India Company, Bengal, and Indian armies generally had a better structured promotion system than the British Army, where commissions were for sale to the highest bidder.7 Despite the lower professional and social status, this would presumably have made Indian Army service attractive to minor gentry like the Nottinghamshire Watsons.

Lieutenant-Colonel William Claye Watson at left and Isabella Henriette Watson, née Fowke above daughter of ‘a Portuguese gentleman and a native of Bombay’, sired four children, became a trader in diamonds, and rose to become second in council to the Gover- nor of Bengal.9 His three surviving sons, Edward, Joseph and Francis, were all born in Fort St George, entered the service of the Honorable East India Company and traded privately on their Passages to India: The Fowke, Walsh, own accounts. Joseph was sent to Maskelyne and Clive families in India England and privately tutored at the The earliest mention of the Fowke family family’s Brewood estate by Dr Samuel in India is of Randall Fowke (1673–1745) JOHNSON, with whom he maintained who was in the Honourable East India contact throughout Johnson’s lifetime.10 Company’s service in the ‘gunroom Joseph returned to Madras in 1736 where crew’ of Fort St George, Madras, in 8 he traded in opium and diamonds, 1701. He married Anna MAY, the together with the younger John Walsh, a member of another old Honourable East India Company family who in 1750 was 6 Parsons, p.15; Veda M Veale, private communication. to become his brother-in-law. 7 Byron Farwell, Armies of the Raj, W W Norton, New York, 1991, p. 46 9 Love, p.187 8 H D Love, Vestiges of old Madras, vol. 2, 10 Raymond Fowke, ‘Fowke family tree’, p.138. Papamoa NZ, 2005, Book 1, p.474

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 21 John Walsh’s father Joseph, previously travelled to Bengal and south India in deputy Governor of Bencoolen, Sumatra, search of suitable husbands from the had been dismissed for maladministration letters of Eliza Walsh who followed her and returned to England in 1726 under a brother John to Fort St David. In 1749 cloud. He was appointed a Free Merchant she wrote to her aunts, Jane and Sarah by the Honourable East India Company Maskelyne, in England that she enjoyed in Madras and became secretary to Gov- being carried about on a palanquin by four ernor Thomas PITT but again apparently servants with an armed soldier in front & a blotted his copybook by financial boy on hand to smooth her petticoats. malfeasance and died suddenly in 1731. In the following year she added His widow Elizabeth (née Maskelyne) [it is]just like living in a country town in died shortly after, leaving her surviving 13 children, John and Elizabeth, in com- England but in a much grander manner. fortable circumstances from the residue In 1750, Eliza Walsh married the much of their father’s estate. John Walsh returned older Joseph Fowke, thus becoming nd to Madras as a Writer in 1742.11 grandfather Watson’s 2 (2X) great grandmother. Her brother John Walsh Two years later, his 17-year-old cousin th Edmund (‘Mun’) Maskelyne, also arrived became my 4 great-granduncle and his in Madras as a Writer for the Honourable cousins Mun, Peggy and Nevil Maske- East India Company, just a few months lyne became my first cousins—six before another young Writer arrived, the generations removed. 19-year-old Robert CLIVE. Walsh, In 1752 Eliza Walsh, now Eliza Fowke, Maskelyne, Clive and the older Joseph and her cousin Edmund, now Captain Fowke formed a close association which Maskelyne, persuaded his orphaned sister was to last all their lives and which was Margaret (Peggy) to come out to Madras consolidated by two marriages between from England. Eliza Fowke wrote Mun: their families. had laid out a husband for Peggy if she In one of the ‘ripping yarns’ of the early chooses to take so long a voyage for one, Raj, Clive, with Mun Maskelyne, Jack that I approve of extremely, but then she Walsh and two others, disguised them- must make haste, as he is in such a marrying mood that I believe the first selves as Muslim labourers and escaped 14 from Fort St George shortly after Madras comer will marry him. fell to the French in 1746. They managed Clive had apparently been much taken to reach Fort St David unscathed after with her portrait on a locket belonging to 15 skirting French-occupied Pondicherry and her brother Edmund. several days of ‘boys’ own’ adventures. Margaret Maskelyne arrived in 1752 in a Maskelyne and Clive then enlisted in the party of hopeful young women which Honourable East India Company army as ensigns. This was the beginning of Clive’s 13 Ormathwaite Collection, Vol ii, Letters meteoric military and political career.12 from Eliza Walsh, 1749, 1750: Mss Eur D546, India Office Select Materials, Three years later, we get a picture of the British Library, London. Anglo-Indian life of the English girls who 14 Ormathwaite Collection, Vol ii, Letter from Eliza Walsh, 1752: Mss Eur D546, 11 Green, p.5 India Office Select Materials, British 12 Mark Bence-Jones, Clive of India, Book Library, London. Club Associates, London 1974, p.20 15 Bence-Jones, p.34.

22 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012

included Philadelphia AUSTEN, Jane year and was won by guile rather than by Austen’s aunt.16 Margaret married military force. Colonel Clive, his pay- Robert Clive the following year and master John Walsh, now Lieutenant returned with him to England several Colonel, the Honorable Company, its days later, despite her allegedly ‘being victorious army and navy all benefitted prevented from being beautiful by her too enormously from the ensuing financial large nose and too thick eyebrows’.17 settlement and distribution of the defeated Clive had by this time made a reputation Nawab’s rupees, jewels, gold and silver as a bold and successful military leader in plate. Mir Jafar, the Nawab’s comman- the battles of Arcot, der, who had been Arni, Kaveripak and persuaded to withhold Trichonopoly, as well as his support from the already having accumu- Nawab during the battle, lated a considerable became the new Nawab fortune—a far cry from as part of the arrange- his starting salary of £10 ment with Clive. Clive a year (plus free board) acquired a controversial offered by the Honour- annuity ‘Jagir’ of able East India £27,000 (around half a Company seven years million dollars equiv- previously. alent today) from Mir Jafar and in addition In 1750 Clive, now 29 collected a similar years of age and pro- amount as a lump sum. moted to Lieutenant All together it is Colonel, returned to Margaret (Peggy), Lady Clive estimated that some 125 India as deputy (née Maskelyne) (1735–1817), nabobs repatriated an governor of Fort St c.1760 average of £145,000 David together with 18 each after the Battle of Plassey. Margaret and several young cousins including Jane KELSALL who was later The Return to England to marry another lifelong Clive supporter, Robert Clive returned to England in 1760 Henry STRACHEY. War with France had in poor health but with a fortune in been resumed and in 1756 Calcutta fell to addition to his annuity. The plundering Suraja Dowla, the French-allied Nawab of Bengal by the British after Plassey led of Bengal, responsible for the so-called to great hardship among the Indian ‘Black Hole of Calcutta’. Clive and population, to corruption and to abuse of Admiral WATSON (no relation) office by both Honourable East India recaptured Calcutta early in the following Company and native Bengal officials. It year, 1757. also contributed to Clive’s political difficulties, his subsequent fall from The Battle of Plassey, for which Clive is grace on his return to England and to best remembered, followed in the same dissension inside the Honourable East

16 Bence-Jones, p.86 17 Derek Howse, Nevil Maskelyne, The 18 Charles Kindleburger, A financial history seaman’s astronomer, Cambridge of Western Europe, Taylor & Francis, University Press, Cambridge, 1989, p.7. 2006, p.236

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 23 India Company between the HASTINGS More candidly perhaps, he was later and Clive camps. Popular reaction again- described as ‘a man of great courage, st the perceived greed of ‘John Company’ gross appetites, abrasive manners and and its nabobs fuelled tension between high intelligence’.20 the Company and the English parliament, Walsh’s experiments anticipated the led directly to William PITT’s India Act better known work of Galvani and Volta of 1784 and finally to the end of the and he has been nominated by science Company’s rule and the official historians as one of the forgotten beginning of the British Raj in 1858. founding fathers of modern neuro- John Walsh had become Clive’s private physiology and biophysics. Unfor- secretary and army paymaster in the tunately, he neglected to publish his 1750s. After the Battle of Plassey he too crowning achievement, which was to retired to England in 1759 with a consid- draw a spark (in the manner of his erable fortune, equivalent to about $10 acquaintance, fellow gentleman scientist, million in today’s money. He became MP and Fellow of the Royal Society, for Worcester in Clive’s interest.19 Walsh Benjamin FRANKLIN) from an electric never married but kept a succession of eel, thus demonstrating its electrical mistresses. He supported the radical character beyond all doubt. He had, politics of the European enlight- however, demonstrated the effect to enment, the French and Joseph BANKS and other Royal American revolutions and Society colleagues, no doubt befriended free speech thinking this to be advocate and libertine sufficient unto the day.21 John WILKES. Walsh remained a close He also pursued scientific advisor and confidante to Clive interests with distinction. He until Clive’s death in 1774. was elected a Fellow of the Edmund Maskelyne died in Royal Society (FRS) in 1770 England a year later, at the and won its prestigious age of only 47. He had Copley Medal in 1773 for accompanied his brother- his pioneering experimental in-law as Clive’s aide- work in France on electric de-camp on his third and fish, a sea change from his last Indian tour of duty as adventurous and roistering Governor of Bengal from days with Clive and 1764–67. friends in India. His sister Peggy Clive Walsh’s certificate of Colonel John Walsh MP FRS lived another 43 years, (1726–1795) election to the Society until 1817. She renewed described him as a childhood interest in astronomy, a gentleman well acquainted with assisted by her brother the Rev. Nevil philosophical and polite literature, and particularly versed in the natural history 20 Green, p.5 and antiquities of India. 21 M Piccolino & M Bresadola, ‘Drawing a spark from darkness, John Walsh & electric fish’, Trends in Neurosciences, 19 Green, p.5 vol. 25, pp.1–7, 2002.

24 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012

Maskelyne FRS, ‘The Seaman’s The island of St Helena, administered by Astronomer’, who had become the Fifth the East India Company as a convenient Astronomer Royal in 1765. port for home bound East Indiaman clip- Maskelyne opposed the premature pers, attained transient astronomical introduction of the marine chronometer importance as a result of HALLEY’s and and developed the alternative lunar Maskelyne’s observations there. It be- method of longitude came one of the first determination for East southern hemisphere India Company and observatory sites for Royal Navy ships, observing and cata- founded the Nautical loguing bright stars for Almanac & Astronom- navigational purposes. ical Ephemeris (still Last years in Bengal used today) and, like his In 1755, Joseph Fowke, cousin John Walsh, won is reported to have the Society’s prestigious provided an eye witness Copley Medal. Maske- account of the Great lyne’s medal was Lisbon Earthquake in a awarded for astro- letter to his brother: nomical observations of Everywhere candles were the deflection of a being lit to mark All plumb bob by Rev. Dr Nevil Maskelyne FRS Saints Day. The churches Schiehallion, a Scottish (1732–1811) were full of worshippers. mountain. He is said to Everything was normal have ‘weighed the earth’ by this means.22 and the bells rang out just after 9am. Then, there followed a rising roar, the Maskelyne took the side of the ‘men of 24 science’ against the ‘fly-catching ground shook abruptly. Macaronis’—typified in the popular The quake levelled two thirds of the city, satirical press of the day by SOLANDER killing 50,000, inspired Voltaire’s and President Joseph BANKS—in the satirical novel Candide, and is believed to politics of the Royal Society, prefacing have accelerated the enlightenment and what was to become a longstanding anti-clericalism which swept Europe in division between mathematicians, astron- the latter half of the 18th century. omers and physicists on the one hand and My 4th great grandfather Joseph Fowke, 23 natural scientists on the other. He one of the more colourful 18th century played a major part in the astronomical Fowke family members, whose own and navigational planning of COOK’s first grandfather was in fact Portuguese, had Pacific voyage to observe the transit of returned to England after the Battle of Venus, and his second and third voyages Plassey with his third wife, Walsh’s sister to test marine chronometers for the Eliza, and their three children, Francis, determination of longitude.

24 English trader Joseph Fowke describing 22 Edwin Danson, Drawing The Line, John his breakfast with merchant José Alves e Wiley, 2001, p.199. Francisco in Lisbon on November 1, 1755, 23 Edward Smith, The life of Sir Joseph according to an article in The Algarve Banks, Cambridge University Press, 2011. Resident, November 17, 2005.

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 25 Margaret and Arthur. Until recently it The children appear to have been cared had been believed that either he or his for in England by their uncle Jack Walsh brother had witnessed the Great Earth- and aunt Peggy Clive. Joseph’s son quake as suggested by the newspaper Francis returned to Bengal in 1773 at the report cited above. However, recent age of 18 as a Writer, followed three research has now established that the years later by Margaret, presumably in author of the graphic eye-witness account search of a husband. Joseph and other of the quake published in London25 was traders opposed Governor Hastings’ probably a Mr Lawrence Fowkes (not reforms and Joseph, encouraged by Fowke), an Irish resident of Lisbon.26 Francis, attempted to impeach him for This attribution also serves to simplify corruption. Hastings retaliated by putting our retrospective view of my great Joseph and Francis on trial for conspiracy grandfather Joseph Fowke’s somewhat in 1775. During the trial Hastings complicated domestic arrangements. expressed his own view of Fowke: Following the early death of Eliza in [he has] a violent and morose temper; 1760, Joseph Fowke went back to and, while under that influence, too apt to Calcutta in 1771 in an attempt to recoup a insinuate actions … to base and bad 28 fortune lost in high living and gambling, motives in others having refused the Governorships of both Eliza had written of her husband: Madras and Bengal because they carried He has a good humour and is not ext- no emoluments. Dr Johnson, his former remely apt to fall into passion, but when tutor, said of him: he does so, it is to a degree of madness.29 He was a scholar and agreeable man and Father and son were acquitted but a lived very prettily in London until his prominent Indian, Maharajar Nuncomar, wife [Eliza] died. After her death he took was found guilty and summarily hung. to dissipation and gaming and lost all he 27 This was regarded as judicial murder by had. influential figures in England and led to Hastings’ seven-year-long trial (and eventual acquittal) by the English 25 Fowke(s), ‘A genuine letter to Mr Joseph Parliament. Fowke(s), from his brother near Lisbon, dated November 1755. In which is given A Joseph was an enthusiastic amateur very minute and striking Description of violinist with conservative musical tastes. the late Earthquake’, printed for M. He loathed the newly invented clarinet: Collyer n.d., London; ‘A letter from Mr Joseph Fowke to Mr Collyer, Dec 15 1755’; The Lisbon earthquake of 1755,: some British eyewitness accounts, Judite Nozes (ed), The British Historical Society 28 Joseph Fowke, The Trial of Joseph Fowke, of Portugal, Lisbon, 1990. Francis Fowke, Maha Rajah Nundocomar, 26 Private correspondence between the and Roy Rada Churn, for a conspiracy author and Edward Paice, author of Wrath against Warren Hastings, Esq. etc, T of God, The Great Lisbon earthquake of Cadell, London, 1776, p.13. (Governor 1775, Quercus, London, 2008. Warren Hastings, at the trial, 1775). 27 Dr Samuel Johnson, (Joseph Fowke’s 29 Ormathwaite Collection, Vol ii, Letter childhood tutor), as reported in Boswell’s from Eliza Walsh to her aunts: Mss Eur Life of Samuel Johnson LL.D, 1840, D546, India Office Select Materials, footnote 2, p.500. British Library, London.

26 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012

This Clarinet D’Amor [is] a coarse number of occasions despite repeated instrument, worse to my ears than the dismissals by Hastings. Armed with his grunting of Hogs. wife’s inheritance, John Benn accepted He also inveighed against the ‘noisy the offer of a baronetcy and Margaret modern music’ of Haydn—‘the Prince of Fowke became Lady Benn-Walsh, adopt- Coxcombs’, preferring the earlier music ing her benefactor uncle’s name. Their of Corelli, Geminiani and Handel.30 son John Benn-Walsh became the first Francis and Margaret (Tippey) shared Lord Ormathwaite in 1868. He contri- their father’s musical interests and were buted an unpublished memoir of his 34 prominent in the musical life of Bengal mother to the British Library. This, until their return to England in 1786.31 together with the extensive corres- They also appear to have inherited an pondence between her father Joseph, her interest in languages and mathematics, mother Eliza, their children, and other probably from their mother’s side of the members of the Fowke, Benn, Walsh and family. Francis invented a form of Maskelyne families contributed to the shorthand, was fluent in Persian and Library by Capt. Fowke’s son, Frank published a number of papers on the Rede Fowke, one time Assistant Secretary of State for Science, constitute structure of language. One of his 35 grandsons, Colonel Francis Fowke RE, a an invaluable archival resource. distinguished military engineer and Francis was also offered a Tory baronetcy inventor, designed the Royal Albert Hall at the end of the century, but is reported rotunda, the Natural History Museum and as saying that he would rather have a 36 other notable public buildings.32 good string quartet. He built Boughrood Margaret herself developed a late interest Castle, a Georgian manor house, on land in mathematics, particularly celestial bought from John Walsh in Radnorshire mechanics, when she was in her thirties near the Welsh border and lavished encouraged by her uncle Nevil Maske- money on ‘quartet parties’ and other lyne, the Astronomer Royal.33 musical pursuits, leaving little (but John Walsh bequeathed his considerable sufficient) for his fifteen children to estate to his niece, Tippey, who in 1787 quarrel bitterly over. His son Charles, my married John BENN, her brother Francis’ great-great-grandfather vainly contested former assistant in Benares. Francis had his father’s will before migrating in been the British Resident there on a reduced circumstances to Braidwood, NSW, with two of his children to join his sister Elizabeth Bell in 1866. 30 Quoted by William Dalrymple in White Mughals: love and betrayal in eighteenth- His daughter Isabella, my grandfather’s century India, Harper Collins, 2002, p.412. mother, had been obliged to enter 31 Ian Woodfield, Music of the Raj, Oxford domestic service in Wales before she University Press, Oxford, 2000, pp.12-14; travelled to Bengal and married William 76-128. Watson in 1861. Sadly, her short married 32 Green, p.23. 33 John Benn-Walsh, ‘Memoir of Margaret Elizabeth Benn-Walsh (nee Fowke)’, by 34 John Benn-Walsh. her son John Benn-Walsh, 1st Baron 35 Fowke Family, Ormathwaite Collection, Ormathwaite, 1758–1836, Mss Eur 032, Mss Eur D546, India Select Materials, India Office Select Materials, British British Library, London. Library, London. 36 Green, p.1.

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 27

life in Bengal was followed by an even shorter widowhood following A GATHERING ON THE her return to England in 1872. Her NORFOLK PLAINS 2013 orphaned son, my grandfather, Irene Schaffer apparently remained largely ignorant of the colourful history of DESCENDANTS’ DAY his mother’s family.  venue in Longford TBA Saturday 2 March 2013

ASMANIA’S Norfolk Plains were named T to acknowledge the Norfolk Islanders who resettled in this part of Tasmania on arrival from Norfolk Island in 1813. The area comprises the towns of, and rural properties around Longford, Cressy, Bishopsbourne, Illawarra and Perth. The feature event will be a Descendants’ Day on Saturday, 2 March 2013. Families descended from one of the original Norfolk Islanders are invited to set up family history displays and across the day, interact with other Henry Claye Watson (1870–1943), families and community members, share their 1917 family history, network, buy and sell family books, scan and exchange articles, photos etc. Acknowledgements The venue for the Descendants Day will be My particular thanks to my mother selected once we know the number and size of Veda Veale and my cousin Frances the displays to be accommodated. Parsons for their encouragement and School students’ work will be displayed in assistance in this research. Thanks ‘Discovering the Norfolk Plains’ the outcome also to Fowke family descendants: of a year’s study of the area and people. nephew James Moore (London); cousin Honary Kingston (NSW); Those wishing to participate can contact Fiona Raymond Fowke (NZ) and Baroness Dewar, the Northern Midlands Council’s Camilla von Massenbach (London) Tourist Officer, phone (03) 6397 7321 or email for their assistance. [email protected] My website will be used to pass on inform- Paul Edwards, Mars, Mammon and ation—please feel free to contact me at Venus in British India: Tasmanian http://www.tasfamily.net.au/~schafferi or Family Connections. Papers & (03) 6272 2124 Proceedings, Annual Symposium, Many will remember the Descendants Day in April 16 2011. “The Indian Hobart at the City Hall in 2008, when we Connection with Tasmania”, celebrated the arrival of the first passengers to Launceston Historical Society, arrive from Norfolk Island 1807–08 and it is Launceston, Tasmania, April 2012. hoped that they will join in with the north- erners to help them celebrate their day. 

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NEW MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

NAME PLACE/AREA TIME M'SHIP NO. ALLEN TAS AUS 1800 7280 ALLWRIGHT Hobart TAS AUS 1820+ 7265 ARILAT Leopold Prussia/St Mary's TAS AUS 1863–1958 7261 ATKINSON William Burnie TAS AUS 1870–1948 7262 BAKER W ? Huon & West Coast TAS AUS 1890–1930 7262 BASS Albert NSW, SA or other States 1924+ 7255 BATES Charles WAR ENG. Launceston TAS AUS 1812–1898 7261 BENT Andrew Hobart TAS AUS 1800–1880 7240 BRIGGS STS ENG 1800+ 7282 BROMLEY Edward Foord Hobart TAS AUS 1800–1880 7240 BROUGHTON Bartholomew Hobart TAS AUS 1800–1830 7240 CAMPBELL Agnes Devonport East TAS AUS Any 7251 CHORLEY Matthew Falmouth TAS AUS 1860 7250 COLLINGS John Clifton? NSW AUS 1860–1880 7241 CONIBEAR/REID Hobart TAS AUS 1845+ 7265 CORNFORD Lismore NSW AUS pre 1920 7258 COTTON Any Any 7242 COX Catherine Kingston TAS Aus m.1876 7243 CRAWFORD Robert Bombay INDIA 1857–1875 7247 CRAWFORD Robert Evandale TAS AUS 1875–1899 7247 DALY Isabella Falmouth & Ringarooma TAS AUS 1865 7250 DELANEY Agnes Kingston TAS AUS b.1880 7243 DELANEY Agnes Sydney NSW AUS d.1954 7243 DELANEY Fenton & Margaret Hobart m.1854 7243 DELANEY Michael Hobart TAS AUS b.1854 7243 DELANEY Michael Kingston TAS AUS m.1876 7243 DEVOY Elizabeth Dublin IRL 1854–1885 7255 DONNELLY Catherine Hobart TAS AUS c.1859 7283 EDWARDS Cyril St Clair Devonport TAS AUS Any 7256 ELLIOTT Herbert Burnie TAS AUS 1870–1950 7262 ELLSTON Henry Richard Hobart TAS AUS 1864–1936 7283 ELMS Daniel (ELMES) Abinger SRY ENG 1740+ 7255 FAULKNER Amy Any 7242 FLYNN Peter Co. Wexford IRL 1700–1920 7252 FLYNN Peter Co. Offaly IRL 1700–1920 7252 FLYNNE Susan Emily Hobart TAS AUS 1866–1936 7283 FOREX Walton-on-Thames ENG 1700–1900 7265 FORREST Cobar, Lidcombe, Wellington NSW AUS Any 7239 FORWARD Jane B Launceston TAS AUS 1870–1953 7262 FREEMAN James Barlestone LEI ENG 1798–1866 7261 FROGGATT-TYLDESLEY James Tallis IOM ENG 1915–1925 7241 GILLIE DEV ENG Any 7277 GODWIN STS ENG 1800+ 7282 GREGORY Hobart TAS AUS 1700–1900 7265 GRINLY James Port Chalmers NZ 1873–1879 7247 HERRON Ann Port Sorell district TAS AUS Any 7251 HILL Any Any 7242 HOCKLEY Julius S Takeley ESS ENG 1842–1860 7255 HOSKIN Alexander Launceston TAS AUS 1873–1953 7281

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 29 NEW MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

NAME PLACE/AREA TIME M'SHIP NO. HOSKIN Ann Adelaide Hobart/Evandale/Launceston TAS AUS 1840–1915 7281 HUME Richard SCT/TAS AUS 1812–1887 7261 HUNT James Norwich NFK ENG 1808+ 7255 IRONSIDE John Edinburgh SCT 1700–1920 7252 IZARD George TAS AUS 1845–1940 7261 JENNER William Pelgreen Wadhurst SSX ENG 1845–1916 7253 JONES TAS AUS 1800 7280 KEMP John Biddenden KEN ENG 1833–1889 7253 KEMP Martha SSX ENG 1850–1882 7253 KEMP Naomi SSX ENG 1824–1897 7253 KILLINGBACK Zenna Geeveston TAS AUS Any 7251 LOHREY Maria Ringarooms & Goulds Country TAS AUS 1877 7250 LUTTRELL Malvina Hobart TAS AUS 1800–1880 7240 MARSHALL Any Any 7242 MARTIN Ellen Sayer Marshall Nhill VIC AUS/Smithton TAS AUS 1902–1950 7241 MAUGHAN/MORGAN Peter TAS AUS c.1859–1896 7283 MAY Sydney NSW AUS pr1945 7258 McBAIN Any Any 7242 McCORMACK H T Franklin TAS AUS 1866 7277 McDEVITT Alexander TAS AUS 1863+ 7270 McKISSACK Robert Maxwell Bendigo/Tungamah VIC AUS 1899–1946 7247 MORTIMER Henry William South Arm & Battery Point TAS AUS 1825–1850 7245 MORTIMER Henry William Hobart TAS AUS 1825–1850 7245 MORTIMER Henry William Mortimer Bay TAS AUS 1825–1850 7245 NIMMO Agnes TAS AUS 1854–1925 7270 PALMER John TAS AUS c.1849–1893 7270 PARKER Michael Bombay INDIA 1850–1875 7247 PARKER Michael Evandale TAS AUS 1875–1903 7247 PERKINS NSW AUS pre 1930 7258 ROBB Alexander SCT b.1811 7241 ROBB Francis Sydney NSW AUS 1877 7241 RONAN Philip IRE/NZ/St Mary’s TAS AUS 1845–1913 7261 SAVIGNY ? Mary St, Launceston TAS AUS 1890–1950 7262 Sheffield & Kentish districts Pioneers TAS AUS Any 7257 SMITH Thomas d New Town Infirmary TAS AUS 1850–1912 7281 SMITH Thomas b IRL 1824 1824–1912 7281 SMITH William b Pipers River TAS AUS 1873–1953 7281 STINGEL Henry Ringarooma TAS AUS 1897 7250 TAYLOR James Devonport East TAS AUS Any 7251 TEMPLETON Alexander Campbell Town TAS AUS 1860 7250 THOMAS Eveline Hobart TAS AUS Any 7251 TOWNSEND David Ringarooma TAS AUS 1889 7250 TRIPP Caroline New Brunswick & Wodstock North Oxford 1816–1855 7241 ONT CAN WEEDING TAS AUS 1820+ 7265 WOOD Michael Port Sorell district TAS AUS Any 7251 YOUNG Montague A Sheffield & Ridgley TAS AUS 1870–1954 7262

30 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012

NEW MEMBERS

A warm welcome is extended to the following new members 7239 FORREST Ms Kerry 2/5 North Terrace BURNIE TAS 7320 [email protected] 7241 FULLER Mrs Lisa Jane 5 Batman Avenue WEST LAUNCESTON TAS 7250 [email protected] 7242 LING Mrs Donna Louise 29 Reservoir Road ROCHERLEA TAS 7248 donnalouiseling&gmail.com 7243 SUPRAIN Mr David George 40 Camorta Close KINGS PARK NSW 2148 [email protected] 7244 FINLAYSON Mrs Cecily Ruth Not for publication 7245 MORTIMER Mr Phillip Russell 15 Orchard Street BRIGHTON VIC 3186 [email protected] 7246 GLUSKIE Mrs Mary 7 View Street BELLERIVE TAS 7018 7247 GAVIN Mrs Christine 8 Waugh Street GRIFFITH NSW 2680 [email protected] 7248 JONES Mrs Margaret Ann Not for publication 7249 JONES Mr David Andrew Not for publication 7250 HOPKINS Mrs Kerry Patricia PO Box 339 NICHOLSON VIC 3882 [email protected] 7251 WOOD Mrs Carol 26 Manuka Drive ROMAINE TAS 7320 7252 BURTON Ms Meg (Margaret) 3 Hampson Street PENGUIN TAS 7316 [email protected] 7253 McCUE Mrs Geraldine Frances 19 Linton Street BURNIE TAS 7320 7254 BUSH Mr Nathan Not for publication 7255 HAHN Mrs Linda Marie 85 Deviot Road ROBIGANA TAS 7275 [email protected] 7256 FRENCH Mrs Helen Kaye 24 Arden Avenue DEVONPORT TAS 7310 [email protected] 7257 DYER Mr Alan Francis U411 Karingal Community DEVONPORT TAS 7310 32–36 Lovett Street [email protected] 7258 HOBBINS Miss Tabitha 4/164 Oldaker Street DEVONPORT TAS 7310 7259 ARMOUR Mr Andrew Edmund 2154 Frankford Road FRANKFORD TAS 7275 [email protected] 7260 ARMOUR Mrs Margaret Rae 2154 Frankford Road FRANKFORD TAS 7275 [email protected] 7261 FREEMAN Mrs Amy Louise 25 Longmore Parade KALGOORLIE WA 6430 [email protected] 7262 ATKINSON Mr Frank Montague PO Box 574 DEVONPORT TAS 7310 [email protected] 7263 FERGUSON Mr Michael Darrel J PO Box 537 LAUNCESTON TAS 7250 [email protected] 7264 SCHRADER Bruce 85 River Road AMBLESIDE TAS 7310 7265 REID Mr Robert George 21 Haig Street LENAH VALLEY TAS 7008 [email protected] 7267 PEARSON Mrs Leigh PO Box 146 ESK QLD 4312 [email protected] 7268 PEARSON Mr Eric PO Box 146 ESK QLD 4312 [email protected] 7270 FRIEDRICH Mrs Wendy Gay 103 Norma Street HOWRAH TAS 7018 [email protected] 7271 FRANK Miss Leeanne Not for publication

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 31

NEW MEMBERS

A warm welcome is extended to the following new members 7272 FISHER Mrs Lorraine J Not for publication 7273 WILLIAMS Dr Murray Gowan 97 Burnett Street NORTH HOBART TAS 7000 [email protected] 7274 GLOVER Miss Sharon Louise Not for publication 7275 Mrs Sandra Henwood 2 Edward Street PORT SORELL TAS 7307 7276 KERR Mr Garry William Not for publication 7277 TURNER Mrs Yvonne Dorothy 185 William Street DEVONPORT TAS 7310 7278 COSS Mr Russell 103 High Street SHEFFIELD TAS 7306 7279 LYONS Ms Lesley Ruth PO Box 371 FORTH TAS 7310 [email protected] 7280 MEDWIN Mrs Evelyn Joan 1 Ritchie Avenue BURNIE TAS 7320 7281 PASCOE Mrs Patricia Mary 729 Wollombi Road BISHOPS BRIDGE NSW 2326 [email protected] 7282 LOVATT Mrs Marilyn Joan 49 Shoreline Drive HOWRAH TAS 7018 7283 BLIGH Ms Christine Barbara 2A Watkin Avenue WOY WOY NSW 2256 [email protected]

All names remain the property of the Tasmanian Family History Society Inc. and will not be sold on in a database. If you find a name in which you are interested, please note the membership number and check the New Members’ listing for the appropriate name and address. Please enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope and don’t forget to reply if you receive a SSAE.

Privacy Statement Unless specifically denied by members when joining the Society, or upon renewing their membership, contact details and member’s interests may be published in Tasmanian Ancestry and other publications of the Society. A copy of the ‘Privacy Policy’ of the Society is available on request at Branch Libraries or from State or Branch Secretaries. The ‘Privacy Policy’ document sets out the obligations of the Society in compliance with the Privacy Act of 1988 and the amendments to that Act.

HELP WANTED queries are published free for members of the Tasmanian Family History Society Inc. (provided their membership number is quoted) and at a cost of $10.00 per query to non-members. Special Interest Groups are subject to advertising rates. Members are entitled to three free entries per year. All additional queries will be published at a cost of $10.00. Only one query per member per issue will be published unless space permits otherwise. Queries should be limited to 100 words and forwarded to [email protected] or The Editor, Tasmanian Ancestry, PO Box 191 Launceston TAS 7250

32 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012

HELP WANTED

CONROY, Rebecca née LAMBERT McARDLE. Can you help? Contact Rebecca was born c1823, Dublin Ireland, Carol Rodway  (03) 6248 6639 parents shown as C Lambert and Mary Ann Lambert (RYAN). She married HEWITT Richard CONROY/CONNERY, born Would like to make contact with any c1823 at Loughlin, Limerick Ireland, at descendants of Thomas Elmslie HEWITT St Josephs Hobarton on 29 November 1832–1911 married 1873 Ada Jane 1849. Witnesses were Jane Lambert and WHITE who died 1909. Contact Carol Rodway  (03) 6248 6639 Thomas STUART. Richard arrived as a convict on Ratcliffe 1 in 1845. Both ILES John, born 15 October 1851 (godmother Jane, born circa 1823, married George Jane Lambert) and Mary Ann 16 May WATKINS 1840 Clarence Plains. Jane’s 1852, were born in Hobart. They moved surname also spelt HYLES, EYLES, to Williamstown, Victoria, late—Richard ISLES. Do you have her name in your became a senior sergeant in the police family tree? Contact Carol Rodway  force. They subsequently had more (03) 6248 6639 children including Elizabeth Jane, born 1859. Richard died in 1858 and Rebecca PARTRIDGE ISLAND married John FLYNN/FINN in Williams- John LAUGHTON settled on Partridge town 1861. Mary Ann and Elizabeth Island at the southern end of Bruny Island went to New Zealand however it is not in D’Entrecasteaux Channel in 1825. His known when, why or with whom. son Thomas Laughton continued the Seeking any information of Rebecca prior association until 1849 when the island to 1853 and Richard’s time in Van passed to Richard CLEBURNE. His son, Diemen’s Land. Also any information second William Percy Cleburne lived on concerning Mary Ann and Elizabeth after the island about 1860–1874, when a their mother’s death and time in New series of leaseholders took over. Names Zealand. Please contact Yvonne Grant at such as Arthur TURNER, Louis RAPP, [email protected] Lewis BELTZ, Thomas ROBERTS, WALKER & Co, Arthur DAVIS, Arthur CUNNINGHAM BLYTH, Charles STANLEY, I W Pike Alexander born 1822 arrived per William were all associated with the island Jardine 1850 m. Mary HOGAN 1854 between 1874–1937 when Cleburne's Clarence Plains. I know where Mary executors sold the island to William died but not where Alexander died. Do KEOGH. Keogh’s executors then sold to you? Contact Carol Rodway  (03) Herbert Leslie CLARKE in 1944. Well- 6248 6639 known yachtsman George DIBBERN

DAWSON bought the island in 1951 and Dr Richard Benjamin arrived per Lady Kennaway HAM bought it from the executors of his 1835, m. Elizabeth BROAD 1846. will in 1974. Any information on any or Known children Betsey (Elizabeth) all of the above would be appreciated! married Joseph WARD, Emma m. Henry Please contact Erika Shankley [email protected] MOORE and Emily m. William

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 33

WILLIAM STANLEY SHARLAND Rosemary Davidson (Member No.870)

ILLIAM SHARLAND (1801– William often visited Government House 1877), second son of John during the years of FRANKLIN, W Sharland and his wife Jane, DENISON and YOUNG. He formed an was born in Ellesmere, Shropshire, especially close bond with Denison which England where his family settled after his continued long after his departure. father’s retirement from service in India. He became a member of the Legislative John had purchased landed properties in Council in 1848, then in 1857 member Shropshire and Sussex, but due to a for Cumberland in the Upper House. He depression caused by the corn laws, he represented New Norfolk in the House of fell on difficult times. Along with many Assembly between1861–72. of his contempories he decided to William Sharland married Frances Sarah emigrate to Van Diemen’s Land. SCHAW, daughter of Major Charles William, his brother John Frederic and Schaw, in 1835 and they produced a large their father, John, arrived on the family of six sons and eight daughters. Elizabeth in July 1823. John settled on a Sarah died in 1859 and William married land grant of 1800 acres near Hamilton Margaret FYFE at Longford in 1861. and in 1825 was joined by his wife and On 23 October 1877, W Stanley Sharland daughter, Anne Jane. died at home in Davey Street, Hobart It was not long before William, at the age aged 76 and was buried at New Norfolk. of 23, entered the Survey Department as a The deceased, though naturally of a very copying clerk under George EVANS. quiet and unobtrusive disposition, took an Soon after, he was receiving a salary of active interest in all the principal £100 as assistant surveyor and in questions that agitated the Parliament and February 1827, under Edward colony those early times, and in all that DUMARESQ, was given even greater he did he was ever animated by a desire responsibility. to forward the best interests of the Among William’s work was a survey and country. He lived a long and busy life, and plan of Launceston, plans of streets and has passed away amid the mournings of a areas in Hobart Town and he laid out the very large circle of friends and the gen- towns of Oatlands, Bothwell, Hamilton, eral regret of the poor, to whom for half a New Norfolk and Brighton. He was century he was a considerate friend. credited with the discovery of Lake St A feature of Sharland’s work is the Clair in 1827. detailed drawing of a ‘logo’ or ‘signature’ During this time he became a depicting some of the tools of his trade— considerable land owner with several ‘Compass, divider and quill’—see cover. grants totalling nearly 3000 acres plus the lease of another 2200 by 1831. He was References: The Mercury, Thursday 25 October 1877 p.2. among the hop-growing pioneers and Australian Dictionary of Biography, Online imported hops from Kent in 1847. edition

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THE EMMA EUGENIA (4) 1846: A DISAGREEABLE VOYAGE Anne McMahon (Member No.6463)

HE Emma Eugenia (4) sailed from Edward CALDWELL of the East London Portsmouth on 10 February 1846 (1843).3 In still other situations gaol T on her third voyage to Van officers contrived to get rid of such Diemen’s Land. She conveyed 170 chronically ill women. English female convicts accompanied by Some of the prisoners who were some of their children who were reported embarked on the Emma Eugenia (4) had to be in a sickly state at embarkation. suffered dreadfully while inmates of Two were dying and one infant expired 1 Millbank prison which, by 1840, had between the Downs and Portsmouth. been designated the depot for female The surgeon superintendent on the transportees. One such woman who died passage was John WILSON who had during the voyage with chronic diarrhoea served on her former voyage without loss was in the habit of saying that she had of life. For this journey he reported that been bent double with pain at the he had received letters on Service from washtubs while in Millbank. Another Woolwich, Portsmouth and Tenerife that prisoner died of disease of the uterus of a number of the women sent on board long duration. A third woman succumb- were aged, infirm and unlikely to be able ed to diarrhoea. She was the mother of a to undergo the wear and tear of so long a blind child who had been brought on voyage. Many had broken down con- board from Millbank in a dying state. stitutions arising from dissipated lives. For the first four weeks of the voyage of Eight were named as prostitutes on the the Emma Eugenia (4) the weather was Sick List. One woman who suffered wet and foggy. Beds and bedding could from confirmed phthisis readily acknow- not be aired. Seasickness afflicted most ledged that she had worked on the streets. on board and there was the utmost This prisoner died during the voyage and difficulty in attempting to keep the prison surgeon Wilson remarked bitterly clean. This was exacerbated by those It is not easy to get at the motive for prisoners who were disorderly and sending a patient of this description so far careless of their persons. They despoiled 2 for the purpose of being buried. the decks and at night surgeon Wilson Consumptive prisoners however were found it necessary to inspect the prison frequently sent on board the convict with a police lantern. Initially he transports. In some cases it was thought considered that his efforts to maintain that their health might be improved by the cleanliness were utterly hopeless but he sea voyage. In other instances their persisted and some progress was grievous illness was incorrectly achieved. diagnosed, for instance, by surgeon After two weeks at sea, on 28 February 1846, a commotion broke out in the

1 AJCP PRO 3195, Emma Eugenia (4) 1846 2 Ibid. 3 AJCP PRO 3193 East London (1843)

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prison with frantic women yelling ‘fire, included pilfering from others in the fire’. The uproar was caused by one prison at night. Surgeon Wilson woman waking suddenly from sleep and wondered whether their acts were due to seeing flashing lights. She thought the malice, mischief or merely a desire to vessel was on fire and her screams were keep their ‘hands in’. He lamented the taken up by almost all the 164 women. deficiency of competent mess women Pandemonium ensued. The surgeon whose task it would have been to rushed down to the prison to quieten the maintain order at night. prisoners and identify the reason for the During the last weeks of the voyage as panic. It was a false alarm caused by the transport sailed deep into the flashes of lightening on tin pots hanging Southern Ocean the weather deteriorated. on pegs in the hospital. Some women The wet, cold and rough days made it became ill as a result of their terror impossible to wash or dry clothes. As including the well-behaved prisoner who parts of the deck were also leaky some had initiated the disturbance. She died berths in the prison were almost three days later. constantly wet in spite of the use of One young woman on the voyage was swinging stoves. Chills resulted and reported to have been the servant of a fever spread rapidly caused by body lice. merciless mistress. She fretted through- The ailing women were unable to leave out the passage and brooded over her their beds. fate. She complained of constant head- Finally on 5 June 1846 the Emma aches and in her distress contracted Eugenia (4) sailed up the Derwent River diarrhoea and died three weeks before to drop anchor at Settlement Cove. It had arrival. Her illness and death were attrib- been a passage of 125 days during which uted to ‘nostalgia’ by surgeon Wilson.4 there were six deaths of prisoners. While in the tropics the clumsy wooden Eleven women suffering a range of fittings which had been erected to diseases including scurvy were sent to the barricade the prison impeded the colonial Hospital.  circulation of air. The sweltering heat caused a further disturbance. Some women went into fits, others began The Gold Coast Family History gasping while still others fainted. The Society in Queensland, surgeon went from one mess to the other Australia, launched a trying to calm the prisoners. The Members’ Interest List last year following day he had the whole upper that can be accessed by any part of these fittings knocked away by the researcher, worldwide. ship’s carpenter. A strategy adopted by ill-disposed The list can be found on the women was to feign illness to avoid website at punishment. They regularly presented www.goldcoastfhs.org.au . themselves at the hospital door for All enquiries are secure and are medicines. Typical offences for which passed on to the relevant they had been due to be punished member via the facilitators.

4 J Wilson to Sir W Burnett, 14 July 1846, AJCP ADM 4604

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AGNES HUNTER (née THOMPSON) LOCATED Leonie Mickleborough (Member No.20)

N December 2005 I sought Correction at South Hobart where she and information on Agnes (or Nanny) three children were in the ‘most pitiable I THOMPSON/THOMSON convict situation’. When Agnes arrived at the per Lord Sidmouth who arrived in Hobart Factory she was possessed of ‘some little Town on 10 February 1823.1 Convicted property’, but during her imprisonment it of assault as Agnes HUNTER at Jedburg had been ‘squandered in various ways’.3 Court of Justiciary Scotland on 22 April What later became of the three children is 1822, the 20 year-old was sentenced to unknown, and a search of the indexes to seven years’ transportation. Her husband the Queen’s Orphan Schools has, so far, Robert Hunter remained at Kelso, not linked any children to Agnes Hunter Roxburghshire and there were two or Thompson. 2 children ‘there’ and ‘one with him’. In response to Tattersall’s application, Although not my forebear, my interest in Principal Superintendent of Convicts Agnes was because, in 1827, in an John LAKELAND was critical of Agnes, application to Lieutenant-Governor who he thought was a ‘scheming George ARTHUR, my ancestor John woman’. Across the corner of his report, TATTERSALL of Accrington Lancashire dated 21 December 1827 Lakeland wrote: (convict per Maria 1820) claimed he and ‘Agnes Hunter being unable to prove that Agnes Thompson had formed a ‘Mutual her former husband is dead. JC 28 affection’ and were ‘desirous to be joined Feby’.4 The following August Agnes in the Holy State of Matrimony’. Thompson was employed at the Male According to John Tattersall, he had Orphan School, and two months later earlier rented a house for Agnes, but after Chief Constable CAPON found her guilty he left town (presumably to work in the of being drunk at the Scotch Thistle country as a constable in the Field Police) public house (on the south-east corner of she was charged with being ‘on her own Barrack and Liverpool Streets). As hands’ and was ‘most unfortunately’ punishment she was confined to a cell on ordered to the Female House of bread and water for seven days. On 16 May 1829 Agnes was again admonished, 1 TAHO CON 40/1 online image 162 of this time for obstructing Constable 374; see also ‘Is Agnes your ancestor?’ YOUNG in the execution of his duty, and Tasmanian Ancestry 26.3 (December on 30 May, on the expiry of her sentence, 2005), pp.170–71. her certificate of freedom was issued.5 2 National Archives of Scotland AD14/22/96 ‘precognition against Agnes Hunter for the crime of Assault’ 1822; 3 TAHO CSO 1/379/8600 Humphrey’s TAHO CSO 1/247/5960 Evidence of evidence; CSO 379/8611/1 Tattersall to Police Magistrate Adolarius William Arthur, November 1827. Henry Humphrey 28 November 1827; in 4 CSO 1/247/5960, 21 December 1827. her VDL convict record Agnes is 5 Scotch Thistle licensed 1823–41, see documented as Thompson. David J Bryce, Pubs in Hobart from 1807,

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No marriage took place between John maiden name’.9 Similarly, his mother is Tattersall and Agnes, and despite earlier recorded as ‘Agnes Love MN Thompson’ stating he had a wife and children in on the entry in the Death Register for Lancashire, in 1833 at Green Ponds (now their son Richard, who died 7 September Kempton), John married Sarah WATERS 1893. His age is given as 63 years and convict per Harmony.6 Further details the cause of his death, ‘Malignant tumour about Agnes remained a mystery, but of Liver (&) Exhaustion’. The informant now several years after submitting Agnes was Richard’s brother John.10 Thomson for inclusion in the Female Agnes only lived another two years after Factory Research Group database Laura 7 John’s birth in 1833. During the evening McDUFF made contact. of Thursday 31 April 1835 she was Sometime after 1829 Agnes married ‘thrown out of a boat … at Old Beach, James LOVE. Details of James’ arrival and unhappily drowned’. An inquest was in Van Diemen’s Land have not been held at the Star and Garter public house traced, although family legend has it that at Compton Ferry (Brighton) in early he was a Scottish whaler and arrived May before Frederick ROPER Esquire, about 1822. James and Agnes Love had but unfortunately no record of the inquest three sons, all born in Hobart Town, the appears to have survived.11 Agnes (noted first was Thomas about 1830. According as 42 years-old, but who, according to her to St Davids Church baptism register, convict record, would have been about Richard James was born in September 33) whose abode was Old Beach where 1832 and John Darke on 20 March 1833, James was a farmer, was buried on 3 May although with only five months between 1835 in Hobart Town,12 having not seen these dates, there seems to be an error. her three children in Scotland since she Both Richard and John were baptised on left in 1822. 26 May 1833 by the Reverend William Left with three young boys aged between Bedford. The church baptism notes that 8 two and five years-old, within seventeen at the time James was a ‘boatman’. No months, on 31 October 1836 at St Davids birth or baptism details have been located Church Hobart Town, James Love for Thomas. married Isabella (Bell) DUFF (née Although no marriage record has been PRYDE) who had arrived aboard the located for James and Agnes, it is implied Mellish on 22 September 1830.13 Isabella on the Marriage Register in 1854 for their son, 24 year-old Thomas Love in which

his mother is noted as ‘Agnes Thomson 9 Cathedral Church of St James Melbourne, marriage register 1854/1075 Thomas Love to Mary Ann Quested 25 April 1854. Davadia Publishing (Rosny Park, 1997), 10 County of Bourke Victoria 1893/162. p.143; CON 40/1/9 image 162. 11 Hobart Town Courier 6 May 1835, p.2 the 6 TAHO NS 356/3, Parish of Cluny, District inquest was on Monday 4 May, according of Green Ponds, 29 April 1833. to Colonial Times Vol 20, no.992, 5 May 7 Laura is a descendant of Isabella Duff and 1835, p. 143 it was on Saturday 2 May. Lynda Grierson is a descendant of Richard 12 RGD 34 Hobart burials 3907/1835 St and Sophia Love. David’s Church, Rev William Bedford. 8 TAHO NS 282/8/11–4 St Davids Church 13 RGD 36 Hobart Town marriages baptism register, p.85; RGD 32 Hobart 3197/1836; NS 282/10/1/1–4 St Davids Town 4757/1833 and 4758/1833. Church marriages 1836 no.114, signed

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had been sentenced to seven years’ region. Sophia died at the age of 54, and transportation on 15 July 1829 at Richard on 7 September 1893.17 Edinburgh for ‘Vending Base Coin’. It seems that following James’ death, This was not her first conviction. She Isabella moved to Brandy Bottom.18 It is had previously been imprisoned for ‘2 also likely that Isabella married Daniel months – 3 months each time’ for WEIR on 25 May 1853 in St Andrews ‘Uttering base Coin’ four or five times. Church of Scotland in Hobart Town. In Similar to Agnes, Isabella had left her the Church register Daniel is listed as a husband and three children in Scotland 14 labourer, and both Daniel and Isabella when she was transported. signed with a cross. Daniel, a convict It can be assumed that James and the from London on the Prince Regent had three boys remained in the area around arrived on 10 January 1830.19 Daniel and Brighton, as it was at Tea Tree Brush in Isabella moved to Melbourne, where the January 1843 that James Love was a Isabella later died. Thomas also moved householder, the gender and ages of other to Melbourne and on 25 April 1854 household members matching those of married Mary Ann QUESTED and died Isabella and the three boys.15 James died at Northcote, a Melbourne suburb, in at Richmond on 4 November 1849 from 1918 at the age of 88 years.20 John died disease of the liver at the age of 56 years, at Warrambool, a Victorian coastal town at which time he was listed as a ‘farmer’. in 1899. The informant was his son Thomas, who Through searching and much help from signed with an ‘X’, and was living at family descendants, especially Laura ‘Brandy Bottom’ Jerusalem (now 16 McDuff, the puzzle of Agnes Thomson Colebrook). has been solved. She had not Richard moved to Victoria about 1853, ‘disappeared’ after all, but was simply worked as an Ostler at the West Meadows ‘hiding’ in various records under different Hotel, and at the age of twenty-four surnames.  married 14 year-old Sophia COWELL who was born at Castle Camps Cambridgeshire, daughter of Mary Cowell and Amos LUCAS. Sophia also used the surname of ‘Rook’, being that of her step-father Francis. After their marriage Sophia and Richard lived around Romsey/Lancefield and had seventeen children, fourteen of whom had descendants, many still living in the

17 RGD Deaths in District of Romsey ‘Bell Duff’; The Mellish left Spithead on County of Bourke 1893/162. 6 June 1830. 18 CEN 1/1/115 Richmond 1851, p.125. 14 TAHO CON 40/1/3 image 65 on which 19 RGD 35 Hobart Town marriages the alternate names are shown. 621/1853; CON 31/1/46 online image 335. 15 CEN 1/1/46 Brighton 1843, p.97. 20 RGD Deaths Northcote Victoria 16 RGD 35 Richmond deaths 68/1849. 14212/1918.

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HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES IN THE HOBART AREA c.1925 Compiled by Laurie Moody (Member No. )

Town Hotel/Boarding House Per Day Per Week Proprietor Bellerive Clarence Hotel 8/- 55/- E. T. Connolly Bellerive Place 10/- 60/- Mrs S. Lucas Brown’s River Burwood 10/- 56/- Mrs. W. H. Wise Australasian Hotel 12/- 70/- E. Preuss Northampton House 8/6 45/- Miss Thompson Mt. Royal 10/- 63/- Mrs. E. Bouchard Bridgewater Derwent Hotel 8/- 42/- W. H. Maloney Railway Hotel 8/- 56/- Ellen Webster Collinsvale Hilldrop 8/- 45/- A. M. Kingston Hobart Carlton Club Hotel 12/-+ ― ― Freemason’s Hotel 12/- 70/- Miss Kelly Arcadia Hotel 9/- 50/- G. Rometch Hotel Alexandra 8/- 40/- M. J. Donnellan Beach House 12/-+ 77/-+ M. T. Heathorn Imperial 13/6 90/- The Imperial Ltd. Goulburn Hotel 8/- 50/- J. P. Knowles Tattersall’s Hotel 10/-+ ― The Manager Customs House 10/- 63/- T. H. Sullivan Man-at-the-Wheel 6/- 37/6 W. W. Wickins Lenna By arrangement Miss Kremmer Dunloe 8/- 42/- Mrs Walker Gallipoli 8/- 50/- Mrs Dennis Asmoor 8/- 42/- Mrs W. J. Eiszele Lalla Rookh 8/- 56/- Mrs Wells Hollydene 8/6 ― A. E. Anderson Ingomar 11/- 63/-+ Miss Besier Woodbourne 7/- 42/- Mrs L. V. Jones Malunna 6/- 35/- Mrs E. Hill Pressland House 10/- 63/- Miss Dawson Aberfeldie 10/- 63/- R. A. Craw Eltham 9/- 63/- Misses Coleman The Astor 10/- 63/- Miss Hildyard Toogooloowa 10/- 63/- Mrs Moses Ward

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Town Hotel/Boarding House Per Day Per Week Proprietor Winsome 5/- ― Mrs Elliott Hobart cont; G.F.S. Hostel 6/- 30/-+ Matron Wellington House 6/- 35/- Mrs Coker Coraleigh 6/- 35/- Mrs Goscomb East View 4/- 25/- Miss Stump Marieville 10/- 60/- Miss Gaul Y.W.C.A. Hostel 7/- 35/-+ Matron Hawthorn 8/- 35/- Misses Propsting Bangor 6/- 35/- E. A. Barwick Mayfield 4/- 30/- Miss Newman Hampden Villa 6/- 35/- Miss Fox Anglesea Furnished Flats 42/- Miss Hinds Nurses’ Club 6/6 42/- Miss Pitt-Hammond Arne 7/6 26/- Miss Newman Ranelagh 8/- 42/- Mr H. Faulkner Trevor Terrace B&B 25/- Miss Cavanagh Queenborough 10/- 63/- P. G. Fahlborg Hurstville 6/- 35/- Mrs M.E. Hurst Fern Tree Hotel 10/- 63/- A.Totenhofer Mountside 10/- 63/- T. J. Smith Fern Tree villa 10/- 60/- Miss Smith Leslie Farm 8/- 45/- C. Saunders Claremont House 8/6 42/- M. Evans Roxburgh House 10/- 63/- Mrs B. Mellor Westella 10/- 63/- Mrs M. E. Page Monatteh ― 42/- Mrs Edwards Edgehill 7/- 42/- Mrs V. A. Worth Surrey House By arrangement A. Tillack Conara By arrangement Miss Hull Lindisfarne Croydon 10/- 42/- Miss McLean Mt. Wellington Springs Hotel 12/- 70/- E. W. Lacey

The above information was provided by Laurie Moody sourced from the Tasmanian Government Tourist Bureau booklet Guide to Tasmania produced circa 1925. Unfortunately, the booklet has no cover and it can only be assumed the production date is around 1925. The booklet contains 187 pages and was printed by John Vail, Government Printer. 

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THE SQUATTERS’ JOY Shirley Foster

The Corrick Cars © Author’s collection

HE CORRICK Family of Entertainers ‘The Girls’, however, soon became very T helped put ‘T’ model cars on the proficient drivers and accustomed to map. These durable, incredibly tough but cranking cars, opening gates, following fragile looking cars were first imported camel drivers’ and drovers’ routes as well into Australia in 1908. By 1909 only 348 as doing road-side repairs. Some were had been sold, but a year or so later done with fencing wire. Golden haired, nearly 800 were shipped in. Albert brown eyed Ruby, they said, was an Corrick, the entrepreneur, bought four, a ‘inspired mechanic’. The rugged reliable single seater, tourer, and two ‘lorries’, in cars with their huge ground clearance of Adelaide. He planned that his son and six 25cm enabled them to be driven through lady-like daughters would drive (without water and over very rugged terrain. The licence or instruction) from Adelaide to cars gave exceptional performance even Perth Western Australia where they when grossly overloaded with the would give concerts. But much to their Company’s luggage, stage props and amusement, on their first ‘tryout trip’, movie equipment. they discovered they could not carry Country people came to stare. And T enough water so Albert was forced to put model Fords became known as ‘The his fleet of cars on the train. Squatters’ Joy’. 

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ALBERT EDWARD BIRD A FLAWED CHAMPION John Bird (Member No.5995)

Part One EARLY LIFE Albert Edward Bird was born on 15 EARING THE END August 1846 at Court 26 Pea Croft, The old pedestrian, Albert Sheffield, Yorkshire, the only child of NEdward Bird, whose destitution William Bird and Sarah MOSLEY. and physical breakdown have been the subject of a good deal of comment at the William, an etcher and engraver, and local court lately, was yesterday sent to the Sarah had lived in Pea Croft since May Benevolent Asylum. 1843. They previously He had been committed resided at 56 Ward to the gaol hospital for Street, a home they had treatment, but the occupied since their Mayor obtained his marriage on 28 January admission into the 1828. It is surprising institute named.1 that the family moved to I immediately thought the Croft’s district which this is my great grand- was one of the most father. How did he fall notorious in Sheffield, on such hard times? especially in the early Why was he called a 1800s. Families living pedestrian? What story there seemed to suffer an did Albert Edward unusually high number BIRD have to tell? of deaths, the most Since then, tracing his likely cause being the unsanitary conditions. life story has been a Pond Street Sheffield journey of highs and In June 1849 the family lows, one of many, many emotions— moved a mile south east to Arundel Lane. pride, surprise, empathy, humour, In March 1856 the family again relocated, confusion, wastefulness, excitement and moving north to 43 Pond Street. even a little disappointment. Albert was fortunate his parents were The story commences at Pea Croft, a poor able to pay to send him to a local private area of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Dame school, which appeared to offer the England and ends in an unidentified best elementary education for working pauper’s grave on the outskirts of class children until they were about ten or Bendigo in central Victoria Australia. eleven years old. The fees were about 3d Much of the story of Albert relates to his per week and the quality of education the time in Tasmania. children received varied enormously, although the curriculum included basic reading and writing. From the age of 1 Port Melbourne Standard, 22 February eleven until fourteen Albert went to Park 1908 County School in Duke Street. Luckily

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for Albert, his education gave him the position. Albert settled into a mid-field ability to read and write. position, his easy running style greatly Upon turning fourteen, Albert left school admired by many of the spectators. By to follow his father’s trade, commencing the mid way mark Albert was running in an apprenticeship to be an etcher. How- sixth position thirty yards behind the ever he was a very gifted athlete, and leading group of runners. keen to pursue an athletic career. En- At the eight mile post, two runners broke couraged by his parents, Albert began to away from the rest, and shortly after they take his running seriously in his late teens. had 100 yards lead. Albert sought to AMATEUR CAREER limit the distance and from then onwards, Albert’s amateur career began at a sports displayed outstanding running skills, meeting at Hyde Park, Sheffield, on 8 went to the lead and was soon twenty July 1867 in a one mile handicap race. yards ahead, a distance he kept to the Starting from scratch, Albert won easily finish. from a field of nineteen pedestrians. He TURNING PROFESSIONAL ran the first two laps in the middle of the First Year as a ‘Ped’ field, moving forward during lap three to Over the next few weeks Albert contem- be running fifth with one lap to go. He plated becoming a professional ‘ped’. continued to pass the other competitors, Pedestrianism was a nineteenth century taking the lead with thirty yards to go, form of competitive walking and running, eventually winning by three yards. Later often professional and funded by wager- that day he won the 880 yards handicap, ing. During the 1860s Pedestrianism was starting off ten yards. In an exciting race at its peak. It was a massive spectator with a field of twenty-four, Albert show- sport and attracted thousands of spectators. ed a great turn of speed to win his second The idea of a person from a working- race of the day, this time by five yards. class family having the rare opportunity On 22 August at nearby Rotherham in a of achieving success and making money one mile race, Albert competing against for doing something he enjoyed, greatly another thirteen ‘peds’, ran second to the appealed to Albert. His parents were very experienced John SNOW of Manchester. supportive particularly as Albert had com- Although putting in a strong finish, pleted his apprenticeship as an etcher. Albert was unable to catch Snow. Albert’ first race as a professional pedes- Two days later Albert competed in a three trian was in cold and windy conditions at mile race at Barnsley. It was a physical, Royal Oak Park Grounds Manchester on and at times, rough race, not helped by an 28 December 1867. It was a sensational uneven track. Albert was always among heat of the 880 yards handicap race the leading pedestrians and managing to involving twenty-one competitors, most stay out of any trouble, beat the other experienced pedestrians. The race was twelve starters, winning by fifteen yards. very physical, with much pushing and Albert, in his first attempt at a long jostling. Albert, who was off fifty-four distance event, won a ten mile cup from yards, ran a close second, despite giving scratch at a sports day held in Bramley, a the winner Robert MANSELL a seven- suburb of Leeds in Yorkshire on 8 Sept- teen yard start. ember. The race commenced at a quick At some time in January-February 1868 pace with the runners jostling for Albert ran in an 880 yard handicap race at

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Manchester, finishing second to John was off thirty-five yards, and who RIDLEY of Gateshead. dropped exhausted at the finish. Top Albert’s third appearance as a profes- Scottish runners Robert McINSTRAY sional was on 22 February at the City and Robert Hindle, both experienced Grounds Manchester in an 880 yards pedestrians, and expected to vie for first handicap event, worth ₤100. Albert, place, finished behind Albert. Many in starting from thirty-five yards, won his the large vociferous crowd thought Albert heat, beating John FLEET off twelve had won, Bell’s Life mentioning a yards and Bob ROGERS, off twenty- two considerable dissatisfaction was expressed. yards. Two days later in the final, Albert The referee had to be given protection as he won in a time of one minute fifty-five left the course followed by an angry throng seconds, beating Bob HINDLE of Paisley of spectators incensed at his decision. and John Ridley. Albert was running mid Albert was back at Hyde Park on 6 June, field at the halfway mark, about twenty running the fastest one mile time in yards behind the leading runner. With a England that year of four minutes thirty marked increase in his tempo, he quickly seconds, easily defeating the ex English caught up with the leading pedestrians to champion Jemmy NUTTALL. Although be level with 100 yards to the finish. Nuttall was expected to win, Albert With a great spurt that was to be a started strongly and was ahead by twenty trademark of many of his races, Albert yards at the half way mark. Nuttall then won by two yards. His backers were endeavoured to assert his superiority, and ecstatic, winning over ₤3,000. by the end of the third lap was just behind The Norfolk Football Club conducted an Albert. athletics sports day on 10 April at Bram- Many people in a raucous crowd of about mall Lane Stadium, Sheffield. Albert 5,000 seemed to sense Nuttall would entered the 700 yards Long Steeplechase shortly overtake Albert and win comfort- over twelve hurdles and two water jumps. ably. However, Albert seemed to find a Butterey took the lead which he held until second wind and quickly extended his going down Brammall side, when Bird, … lead to ten yards. It appears that the took command and held the same to the effort to catch up with Albert during lap water, but not being fast enough out of the three was telling on Nuttall, as Albert was water J. P Donovan, who had fifty five beginning to draw away to win by thirty- yards was the winner; A. E Bird scratch a five yards. It was the best running effort close second. Time one minute 54½ sec.2 of Albert’s short career. On 25 April Albert ran second to Frank Albert had a number of other successes HEWITT, in a one mile handicap sweep- over the next few months at smaller meet- stakes for the Champion Mile Cup at ings, including a one mile victory in Royal Oak Park Ground Manchester. It Sheffield at the South Yorkshire was the first of many races between the championships. two pedestrians over the next five years. In October Albert was offered, for £10 a Commencing off twenty yards, Albert side, to race credentialed sprinter STANEY lost by less than one foot to Hewitt, who of Gorton, over 140 yards at the Queens Ground Sheffield. The race was held on

2 22 November, Albert winning by five The Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 14 April yards in a time of fifteen seconds. 1868

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A crowd of 3,000 people attended the Hindle had won several 1,000 yard Royal Oak Park Grounds on 12 December handicap races. Prior to the race Hindle to witness a match race between John had been training in Manchester for three Fleet, and Albert for the English 1½-mile weeks, staying at the Grapes Inn, Salford, Championship. Fleet started a short priced familiarising himself with the Hyde Park favourite. Albert took the lead and held it course. Albert was also frequently at the until the third lap when Fleet went ahead oval, every inch being familiar to him and made the running at an increased since boyhood. pace. In the last lap, Albert again caught up and for the next 200 yards they ran together, before Fleet again went forward. Fleet powered ahead and Albert was unlikely to catch him. The winning time was seven minutes ten seconds. Bird ran with gameness but, in our opinion, with bad judgement as it was evident the somewhat slow pace during the first half of the journey was all in Fleet’s 3 favour. Hyde Park Sheffield 1860s Albert’s first year as a professional pedestrian was a great success. Bells Life commented Albert was ‘now one of the most renowned long-distance runners Sheffield has ever produced’. Second Year as a ‘Ped’ On 2 January Albert ran in the 1869 New Year Pedestrian Gala held at the Royal Patent Gymnasium Grounds. According to Powderball and Pedestrianism, Bramall Lane Cricket Ground Sheffield a crowd of 15,000 were present and the Rain fell heavily on Sunday night and at surrounding heights offered a free sight to intervals during the day; consequently, almost 3,000 more. the course was anything but good going. The one mile handicap was framed from There were over 1,600 spectators, despite Albert, off scratch, with the veteran Bob the inclement, windy weather. McInstay given twenty-five yards start. Albert showed superior pace to lead early The winner was ROSS of Edinburgh and maintained a lead for over three laps. from seventy-five yards, in a good time Hindle, the firm favourite, who appeared of four minutes thirty-seven seconds, to be playing a waiting game, drew up to with McInstay second and Albert third. Albert and they ran side by side until Back at Hyde Park Sheffield on Monday about 250 yards from the finishing post. 1 February Albert competed in an 880 Hindle’s supporters, confident he was yards match race, for £50, against Robert running a great tactical race, shouted Hindle of Scotland. In recent times “Hindle will win!” However Albert, showing great stamina and rallying to the 3 Sheffield Daily Telegraph,14 December call of his friends, raced to the lead and 1868

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looked the winner half way down the a certain winner, but Hewitt, who had straight. At this stage Hindle pulled up been waiting on him, made up ground beaten, as Albert was putting on another and when they rounded the turn into the spurt. Without turning his head to see straight, with the finishing line 200 yards where Hindle was, Albert ran in a winner away, Hewitt was only six yards behind. by forty yards in a time of two minutes. Both groups of supporters thought their both men though so young, have been of runner was going to win. The Sheffield no mean order ... Hindle stands 5ft 7½ Daily Telegraph on 23 March reported; and weighs 10st, and is a fine well-made Bird from this point put on the steam and young fellow. Bird strips lighter, his came away and won by six yards. The weight being 9st 4 lbs and his height 5ft winning time was four minutes twenty 6½, but a more beautiful stepper we have nine seconds. rarely seen. He is an inch less than his Bell’s Life commented, ‘... a finer race opponent, but his stride is fully as long. has never been witnessed in Sheffield.’ ... Bird was hailed with loud applause by The Sheffield Daily Telegraph on 25 his friends as he left the enclosure.4 March reported; A crowd of over 7,000 gathered at Hyde Last evening Albert Bird, the pedestrian Park Manchester on 22 March. A one and may we say the champion of England mile rematch race, for £50, with Frank for this distance, viz., one mile celebrated Hewitt was scheduled. It was almost his victory at the house of Mr Thomas twelve months since they last raced each Payton, mine host of the Prince of Wales other, on that occasion Hewitt winning by Sycamore-street, in honour of his defeat- less than a foot. Since their last meeting ing well-known Frank Hewitt last Hewitt had continued his extremely Monday. Upwards of 50 sat down to an successful career, winning nine races and excellent repast. The evening was enjoyed only losing one in the last four months. by all present, and kept up until a late hour. Both runners had many admirers who The largest crowd to witness an athletics took great interest in the build up to the meeting in Sheffield travelled to Bramall race, often watching them train. Lane Cricket Ground on Easter Monday, 22 March. Albert won the one mile cup, At 5:50 pm Albert and his trainer valued at ₤50, starting from scratch and ‘Laddie’ LEDGER entered the enclosure. beating fifty-eight others. Like many Albert was looking in ‘rare fettle’. His races at this time, it was a very rough appearance was the signal for a burst of affair with much bumping, elbowing and applause from his family and friends. shoving occurring going unpunished by Hewitt quickly followed, attended to by the officials. Albert was in the leading his trainer ‘Flash’ HALL. To complete group at the half way mark when he was the distance, three and a half laps of the pushed forcefully in the back, stumbling ground had to be covered. The starter and almost falling. It took a short time sent the runners off and Albert, better for him to get back into stride but he anticipating the report of the starter’s gun, quickly made up the lost ground and had quickly jumped into a two-yard lead with a short lead with about 150 yards to go. instructions to make all the running. Again he was subject to some unsports- Increasing his pace, Albert was twenty manlike like actions, once more being yards ahead after two laps. Albert looked pushed in the back. However, Albert

4 Bell’s Life, 2 February 1869

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 47

kept his feet, quickened his pace and won defeat, immediately asked for a re-match comfortably by ten yards. that was agreed to by Albert. The next race against Frank Hewitt was The re-match three days later, provoked on 28 June at Hyde Park, this time in an much excitement in Sheffield and over 880 yards handicap race. Albert was 5,000 persons were in attendance. Albert given ten yards start. The Sheffield Daily led early and then both athletes ran side Telegraph reported, by side for a further 100 yards, at which It will be remembered that the same met time Albert again took the lead. He in March last ... Bird winning in a well maintained his lead until within sixty contested race. Bird setting out the work yards of the finish, when Fleet overtook at a fast speed ... after 500 yards Hewitt him to win by a yard in a very fast one came on even terms. They raced locked minute 59.2 seconds; Bell’s Life observed together for 200 yards but when passing ‘Bird though beaten, is anything but the skeleton tent Hewitt had his man disgraced, as the time will show’. beaten winning in a time of one minute fifty eight seconds, AN OFFER OF A LIFETIME Albert attended his cousin Elizabeth’s one of the fastest times ever run in marriage to Joseph FLETCHER in England. Albert’s time was two minutes Wolverhampton on 23 August 1869. On and one second. his return home to Sheffield a letter was Eight months after their race for the 1½ waiting. Its contents were to offer Albert mile championship of England, another a once in a life time opportunity. match race was arranged for August 1869 In order to provide the Australian public between Albert and John Fleet. Fleet an opportunity to see, and compete, who, until twelve months ago had, for against sportsmen from England, several several years, been one of English sporting teams visited Australia in the champion runners over 1½ miles was 1860s. It was hoped to bring a cricket seeking to atone for last year’s team from England in December 1869, unexpected loss to Albert at the Royal but the arrangements were cancelled. It Oaks Ground Manchester. was decided England’s premier pedest- On 9 August in front of a crowd of over rians should replace the cricket team and 2,000 spectators, Albert won an 880 yard compete against Australian pedestrians. race for ₤100 in a time of two minutes 2.5 Albert was chosen as one of three runners seconds. Albert, who liked to lead early, offered the chance to travel to Australia. was again slow off the mark and Fleet In September, George COPPIN brought took an early lead, which he maintained Albert, promoted as the Champion Long for the next 400 yards. Then Albert had Distance Runner of England and two what was described by Bell’s Life as ‘a other ‘English Champions’, Frank change of gear’ and quickly sprinted Hewitt, the English champion short away from Fleet leading by ten yards distance runner and George TOPLEY, the with 200 yards to go. Despite Fleet English champion long distance walker, making up ground late in the race, to Australia for a 100 day professional Albert’s break was too much and he won running program.  by three yards. The Sheffield Daily

Telegraph on 10 August had extensive To be continued. coverage of the event. Fleet, upset by his

48 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012

JOHN PYNER INTRIGUING ‘BIT PLAYER’ IN A FAMILY SAGA Don Bradmore (Member No.6756)

MONG the many joys of family years and 8 months and then ran from history research is the occasional ‘Ganymede’. S [single] or M [married]: Adiscovery of an intriguing story Not stated.3 about someone who played only a minor Just what is meant by this is unclear in a role in the lives of the central characters. number of respects, but a likely One such person in the sorry saga of the interpretation is that, at some time before BROMLEY family was a convict by the he was sent to Van Diemen’s Land, Pyner name of John PYNER or PINER). had been serving with the British Army As many readers will know, Dr Edward or Navy in France. (His convict docu- Foord Bromley, a former British Navy ments show his trade or calling as surgeon, was Colonial Treasurer of Van ‘seaman’.) While in France, he had been Diemen’s Land from 1820 to 1824 but charged with theft from a supply convoy. his term of office ended in disgrace when Sent back to Britain for trial, he had been he was accused of embezzlement from found guilty and sentenced to transport- the public purse of the staggering sum (at ation for seven years. While awaiting that time) of more than £8,000.1 transportation, he was imprisoned on the John Pyner arrived at Hobart Town hulk Ganymede but had escaped after two aboard Richmond on 30 April 1822. On years and eight months there. Recap- 15 August 1821, he had been convicted tured, he was charged with some new of a felony at the Leicestershire Boro’ felony (or was his escape the felony?) and Assizes and sentenced to transportation sentenced to transportation again, this for life. Twenty-six years of age, he was time to Van Diemen’s Land, for life. five feet three inches tall, with dark But the really intriguing part of his story brown hair and a scar on the left side of lies in what happened after he reached his upper lip. He told the authorities he Hobart Town … 2 was also known as John POWNELL. Upon arrival, he was assigned as a His Conduct Record is interesting. It servant to Dr Bromley who had arrived in reads in full: the colony two years earlier and was Transported for Felony. Gaol report: already one of Hobart Town’s most 4 Transported before & escaped from the prominent citizens. ‘Ganymede’ hulk. Stated convicted in Bromley’s official title was ‘Naval France from the Waggon Train for theft – Officer, Hobart’ and, as such, he was transported for seven years, served 2 responsible for the collection of all

1 See P R Eldershaw’s short biography of Bromley in Australian Dictionary of 3 TAHO CON31/1/34, Image No. 80 Biography at http://adb.anu.edu.au/ Pyner’s Conduct Record biography/bromley-edward-foord-1829 4 TAHO HO 10, Piece 45. Bromley arrived 2 TAHO CON23/1/3, Pyner’s ‘Description at Hobart aboard Castle Forbes on 1 List’ March 1820

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 49

shipping fees in the harbour as well as the pardon had been hastily arranged, was duties payable on the importation of with them. A short time later, he was alcohol and certain other restricted goods. back in England again, a free man. Within weeks of his arrival, he had also Among the first pieces of news he might been appointed Treasurer of the Police have received from Van Diemen’s Land Fund, established by Governor Macquarie after reaching London was that his former in 1810 to provide for the creation of a master, Bromley, the man who was police force. In addition to the payment chiefly responsible for giving him back of salaries and expenses of other locally his freedom, was in serious trouble. appointed officers, this account was used At about the time Guildford had left for the purchase and provision of a Hobart, Lieutenant-Governor Arthur had diverse range of other items including been informed that a very large amount of straw and firewood for the gaol, shoes, money was missing from the Treasury candles, nails, wire sieves for the coffers. Enraged, he had called Bromley government mill, blacksmith’s work, in and demanded an explanation. school masters’ salaries, rewards for apprehending escapees, firewood for Unable to account for the losses except to Government House and compensation to say that he thought some or all of it might the chief constables in lieu of the have been stolen from the Treasury Chest provision of jackets and shoes. In these (a strong-box which he kept under his bed roles, Bromley was, in effect, the at his home) by one or more of his Colonial Treasurer and often signed household servants, the good-natured himself as such.5 Bromley became the subject of what has been referred to since as ‘a wide and An affable, kindly and popular man, he pitiless exposure and denunciation’ by had friends in high places. One of his Arthur.6 closest friends was William SORELL, Lieutenant-Governor of the colony since Although it soon became clear that April 1817 and who, in early 1824, was Bromley himself had not taken any of the making preparations to return to England money, he was held responsible for its following the announcement of George loss because, by his own admission to a ARTHUR as his replacement. When Commission of Information which Arthur Sorell made it known he was looking for had established, his guardianship of it had 7 a suitable servant to assist him and his been careless in the extreme. family on the long ocean voyage, Bromley seems to have had no hesitation 6 in recommending Pyner, despite the fact Robson, Lloyd. (1983): A History of that he had served only two years and two Tasmania, Vol.1, Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, p.289 months of his life sentence. 7 The Commission of Information, one of And so, when Sorell and his family several formal enquiries into the matter, boarded Guildford bound for London on met in Hobart in early November 1824. 13 June 1824, Pyner, for whom a full Although it found that Bromley owes to the Crown the sum of £8,269.0.8d, it recommended that he be given the most 5 Hobart Town Gazette and VDL favourable treatment by the Government Advertiser, 23 April 1824, p.1 for because of the plundering of the strong- Bromley’s use of the title ‘Colonial box by his servants. He was never Treasurer’ formally charged with theft or

50 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012

By the time Guildford had reached be disposed of amongst such of the London, Bromley had been stripped of all Convicts, as he deemed most deserving his property and assets so that they could of this favour, and that John Pyner was be sold to the highest bidder in order to one of the persons whom he had so recoup the losses. That this would leave selected. As much inconvenience may him, his young wife and children arise from this indiscriminate system of penniless and homeless did not seem to granting pardons, I have to convey to you bother Arthur at all.8 His Majesty's commands that, on no future occasion of a similar kind, should Would Pyner have felt sorry for this practice be repeated.10 Bromley? That is difficult to say. But, even if he had, he did not have long to Then, on 10 August 1827, the Colonial dwell on it. Within weeks of his arrival Times (Hobart) carried the news that a back in England, he himself was in man by the name of John PINER (sic), a trouble with the law again. former convict who had worked in the Bromley household at Hobart, had been On 24 January 1825, Earl BATHURST, executed in England for a crime Britain’s Secretary of State for the committed there after he had returned Colonies, wrote to Sir Thomas from Van Diemen’s Land. The paper BRISBANE, the Governor of New South gave no details of the new crime. Nor did Wales, informing him that Pyner had it say where and when the execution had been arrested again and expressing been carried out.11 bewilderment and displeasure that he had been granted a pardon and allowed to What the newspaper did reveal, however, return to England.9 was that, before he was hanged, Pyner had confessed to the gaol authorities that In part, Lord Bathurst’s letter read: he and other servants of the Bromley A Prisoner named John Pyner, who was household had ‘repeatedly plundered the transported to Van Diemen's Land for a Treasury Chest’. This statement, the second offence, having been found at report continued, was ‘fully borne out by large in this Country, the late Lieut. the testimony of a female now in the Governor [Sorell] has been called upon colony, who was present at the time’. for an explanation of the circumstances, The woman was not named in the under which a free pardon had been 12 report. granted to the Individual in question, and it appears by his answer that, on the occasion of his quitting the Colony to 10 Colonial Times, 10 August 1827 return to Europe, you had placed at his 11 Ibid. disposal a certain number of Pardons to 12 Recent research suggests the unnamed woman might have been Elizabeth embezzlement. See Hobart Gazette and WICKS, another of Bromley’s convict Van Diemen’s Land Advertiser, 19 servants. On 20 November 1824, she was November 1824 charged in the Supreme Court of Van 8 Lists of the confiscated Bromley Diemen’s Land with the theft from the properties and other assets were published Bromley residence of several items of in newspapers at the time. See, for women’s clothing. However, because instance, Hobart Town Gazette and Van Bromley did not appear at court to press Diemen’s Land Advertiser, 20 May 1825 charges, the case was dismissed. See 9 Bathurst to Brisbane, 24 January 1825, Hobart Town Gazette and Van Diemen’s Historical Records of Australia, NLA Land Advertiser, 12 November 1824.

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Although Bromley had imagined at first ted to the Marine Infirmary at Woolwich. that Pyner’s death-bed confession would He died there on 29 June 1836.16 exonerate him, he was soon to discover it As far as Pyner is concerned, nothing made no difference whatsoever to his more is known. To date, efforts to circumstances. By the time news of it discover the nature of his new crime (if had reached Hobart, the fact that his there was one) in England, as well as the servants had broken into the strong-box date and place of his execution, have under his bed was already well-accepted. been unsuccessful. Bromley’s crime, it had been established, For the family historian, the antithesis of had not been theft or embezzlement but the joy of making the incidental dis- gross carelessness and negligence. Thus, covery of a story of this kind is the pain what Pyner had admitted only served to of not being able to follow it through. In underline the laxity and inadequacy of his the case of Pyner, it seems likely that the former master’s supervision. rest of his story could be unearthed in By June 1829, despite the seizure and England but that would require a time- sale of all he owned, Bromley still owed consuming and costly search, one prob- 13 the government over £4,000. At that ably not justified by the importance of his time, the authorities allowed him—most place in the Bromley family saga.  reluctantly—to return to England where he hoped to be able to raise the money to clear his liability. However, finding Index to himself unable to do so, he had no option but to go back to sea. The Weekly Courier

For the next five years he served as Index to photographs, BDM notices and surgeon-superintendent on ships carrying personal items of interest to Family convicts to the colonies. Under an Historians which appeared in agreement between the British Admiralty The Weekly Courier from 1901–1935 and the authorities at Hobart, part of his salary was to be deducted regularly and Now available— forwarded to Hobart in restitution of the Volume 1, 1901–1903—$30.00 Treasury losses.14 Volume 2, 1904–1905—$30.00 Volume 3, 1906–1907—$30.00 In February 1834, after disembarking a Volume 4, 1908–1909—$30.00 cargo of convicts at Port Jackson, he Volume 5, 1910–1911—$30.00 made one last brief visit to his wife and Volume 6, 1912–1913—$30.00 children in Van Diemen’s Land.15 By Volume 7, 1914–1915—$33.00 now a sick and broken man, he soon Volume 8, 1916—$30.00 Volume 9, 1917—$30.00 returned to England where he was admit- NEW!! Volume 10, 1918—$30.00

Available from TFHS Inc. Launceston Branch PO Box 1290 Launceston TAS 7250 Plus $10.50 pack 1–4 13 As for Note 1, above 14 TFHS Inc. Members less 10% discount, Ibid. For further details, see Bromley’s plus $10.50 p&p service record at British Admiralty, ADM 104/12/f.37 15 Bromley returned to Port Jackson in 1835 on the convict ships Numa 16 See Notes 1 and 12, above

52 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012

SOPHIA HOPWOOD ‘HARBOURER OF PROSTITUTES’ Margaret Nichols (Member No.3225)

N the 21st century a single mother has Henry and Sophia separated sometime many safety nets. For example, she between 1865 and 1872. During these I can apply for government assistance, years Henry began a relationship with the legal system will ensure that mainten- Jane PATTON in Spring Bay. They had ance is paid or she can use her education four children who were born between and experience to work. This was not the 1872 and 1882. th case in 19 century Australia. There was The most obvious and public sign that all no government assistance, few charitable was not well was the advertisement organisations, attitudes towards single Henry placed in The Mercury three times mothers in a male-dominated society in August 1869: were unsympathetic and jobs were scarce I hereby caution the public, especially for illiterate and uneducated women who auctioneers, from buying, receiving from often had a large family to support. or selling for my wife Sophia Hopwood, Here is a brief outline of one woman’s any goods, household furniture, etc., the experience in late 19th century Hobart. same belonging to me without my written Sophia HOPWOOD was born Sophia authority. Henry Hopwood, Constitution LUCAS in 1830 in Hobart, Tasmania, the Dock, Hobart. daughter of Thomas Lucas and Sophia Oh dear, things were declining rapidly. SHERBURD. As is common with nine- Sophia was on her own from 1872 on- teenth century women, nothing is known wards and possibly earlier. She was 42 about her life until 1853 when she years old and had seven children, five married Henry William Hopwood in girls and two boys, aged between 19 and Kingston, south of Hobart. Henry and 7. On the 18 and 20 May 1872 the death Sophia were first cousins as their respect- and funeral notices for Sarah Sophia ive mothers were Sherburd sisters. Hopwood, aged 17 appeared in The Sophia was pregnant when they married Mercury. Sarah was described as the in March 1853 and their first child Louisa second daughter of Captain Henry Ann was born in August 1853. Six more Hopwood of the Kingston. There is no children were born to the couple at mention of her mother in either notice. regular two-year intervals. Their last Sophia was not doing well in 1872. On child, Henry Tasman was born in 1865. 17 September she was tried for larceny, Their father was a mariner and the found guilty and spent two months in gaol. childrens’ birth places reflect this— In July of 1875 Sophia brought a Kingston, Hobart, Battery Point and maintenance case against Henry. It was Swansea. Henry’s chosen profession reported in the Mercury as a case in the kept him at sea for most of the year, City Police Court, particularly from the 1860s as he became more successful. This would have placed Sophia Hopwood summoned William a great strain on the marriage. Hopwood, her husband, to show cause why he should not support her.

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The outcome was not reported. £5 in January 1889 for ‘keeping a How was Sophia to live? She and Henry brothel’. However, later that month she were estranged and he was supporting a was not so lucky and spent three months new family in Spring Bay. Sophia in gaol and was discharged on 22 April. became an independent business woman Louisa gave birth to two children during and opened a brothel. This move was not the period when the brothel was active, in without its adverse consequences. From 1883 and 1888. In both cases, the 1884 to1892 Sophia was in front of the father’s name was unknown on the birth court on various charges—‘keeping a certificates. If Louisa was a working girl, disorderly house’, ‘allowing prostitutes to then pregnancy was an unfortunate assemble on her premises in Argyle occupational hazard. Street’ and ‘harbouring prostitutes’. In However, Sophia did not have a head for most cases a fine was levied and paid. business and did not make any money. However in June 1886 she was unable to She died in the New Town Charitable pay the fine for keeping a disorderly Institute in Hobart in 1911. At the time house and spent six months in gaol from of her death six of her children were alive 8 June until 6 December. In August 1892 and living in Hobart. Perhaps they were she spent another month in gaol on the ashamed of their mother and left her to same charge. her own devices. This is how Sophia’s case in the City It is not possible to know whether Henry Police Court of May 1887 was reported: left his wife because he had found An old offender named Sophia Hopwood another woman or whether Sophia’s was charged with keeping a disorderly conduct drove him away. Nevertheless, it house in Brisbane street. Police Constable is a sad story which illustrates the vulner- CARPENTER gave evidence as to ability of women in 19th century Hobart disorderly conduct there on Sunday (and elsewhere) where officially there morning, and on other occasions. The was no provision for women who separ- house was a brothel, frequented by ated and who were unlikely to attract women of bad character. Corroborative much sympathy from the religious- evidence was given by another constable oriented charitable operations. The as to the character of the house. For the position of a man in such circumstances defence a married woman named was undeniably much better.  Catherine ANSON, and a male witness

named Alfred POVEY, said that three men attempted to force an entrance into the house on the night in question, and Sources when they were being repelled the police Registrar-General Births, Deaths and arrived. The defendant was in bed at the Marriages time. There were no women of bad National Library of Australia, Trove, Digitised character in the house. Their Worships Newspapers. decided to dismiss the case. http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper?q= Archives Office of Tasmania, SC243/1 Perhaps their Worships had personal know- Registers of Prisoners received into and ledge of the house in Brisbane Street? discharged from Gaol, Hobart.]

Sophia’s daughter Louisa Ann Hopwood appeared to have aided her mother in Previously published in The Ancestral their chosen profession. Louisa was fined Searcher, December 2011.

54 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012

KEEPING MEMORIES ALIVE Allison Carins (Member No.668)

UR university student grand- for carrying mail and passengers to the daughter interviewed my husband various centres from Branxholm, which OPeter and me for a Health Science was as far as the train travelled then. On project on ‘Ageing’—asking about our 11 November 1918, Armistice Day, attitude to growing old—how we Peter’s parents moved from Nabowla to remembered the past etc. Winnaleah. Tom brought some house- Peter told her how his father kept diaries hold goods, including the fowls, with the for thirty years till he died and which he horse and buggy, while Agnes and three himself continued to do until the present small children came by train. Furniture time. He showed how memories stored also arrived by rail. Agnes hadn’t even in the mind needed to be brought out of been to the new property. She bravely the ‘storehouse’ from time to time to keep and trustingly left a beautiful house, them fresh. He also advised her not to fill ‘Rocklyn’, which Tom had built. the ‘storehouse’ with rubbish! (Note: Mr Muckridge met the train and first took Don’t get irritated by grandfather telling them to Winnaleah to a hut that Tom had the same stories over and over—that’s his used earlier, the only place he knew of way of keeping them alive. Listen, write owned by Tom. Agnes refused to get out or record them—they will otherwise be of the car. “Tom said there was a house”. lost.) So Mr Muckridge said, “Well you can Peter gave Sara an illustration of the stay in the car and come with me on my value of some stories told to him and rounds to Moorina and we’ll find the stored away, of things that happened right place”. Eventually they arrived at ‘Fernbank’. There was a modest before he was born in 1924! These 1 concerned Mr MUCKRIDGE who lived cottage—but it was a house. in Derby in North East Tasmania. The second story concerned the Not long ago, a friend of ours was in the CANNELL family. He was a blacksmith cafe in Derby when a man and his friends at Herrick. Two families went for a day’s stopped there. The visitor asked around shooting picnic out on the Boobyalla if anyone knew of Mr Muckridge, his Road towards the NE Coast. During grandfather, who had had a shop there lunch, Mr Cannell leaned his gun against many years ago. My friend replied, I’ve a tree. His young daughter, Velda, went only lived here for thirty years, but I to touch it; he grabbed it and it went off, know someone who may be able to help. badly shattering his arm and shoulder. A phone call to us and the party drove the They were about thirty kilometres out in five kilometres to visit us. Peter said to the bush from Herrick. Mrs Cannell tore him, “Mr Muckridge was at Derby before up her petticoat to stem the bleeding and I was born, but I can tell you three stories drove him with the horse and jinker to about him.” Derby, a further eight kilometres, to see First, Mr Muckridge not only had a shop, but also a Model T Ford which he used 1 Previously published in My Father Told Me, by Peter Carins.

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 55

Dr Von SEE. In those days EARLY BURIALS AT THE the only ambulance was a special rail car but the train WESLEYAN CHAPEL had gone. So Mr Muckridge O’BRIEN’S BRIDGE, and his Model T were enlisted to take the injured GLENORCHY man to Scottsdale from where he was sent by train to 1832 William Harding aged 32 yrs, 28 May the hospital in Launceston. 1832 Master Chapman of Hobarttown, 6 yrs 4 mths. Mr Cannell recovered. Velda 1833 Jany 10 Susannah Risby aged 78 herself told us the story when 1833 March 20 James Davis’, female child 5 weeks old 1 she was 90 years old. 1833 June 19 Elizabeth Bumpstead female child, 12 The third story was this. Mr mths. Muckridge took a party in his 1833 August 10 Robert Clarck 31 years of age Model T Ford to Anson’s 1833 Aug 28 John Oakley 24 years old. Bay to catch bream. The 1833 December 8 Mr Chapman’s daughter of account handed down and Hobarttown. often told with amusement 1834 Feby 24 John Oakley son of deceased and scepticism, was, “Mr Muckridge said, ‘You can’t 1835 April 23 Mary Waddle daughter ? Waddle. catch bream unless you have 1835 Oct 9 Mary Ann Nash wife of Jo? aged 46 yrs. porcelain rings on your 1835 Dec 19 George Oakley Junior 24 yrs of age. fishing rod’,”. As Peter 1836 Jany 14 Dorothy Oakley wife of George Oakley, finished telling this, the aged 44 yrs visitor exclaimed, “I have 1836 Apr 4 Mary A Berresford wife of Joseph Berresford that fishing rod with the aged 46 porcelain rings, it was my 1836 June 16 Ann Rodman wife of Jonas Rodman, 26 grandfather’s!” 1836 Aug 16 John Rosendale son of Geo Rosendale, So Peter, out of his aged 15 yrs. ‘storehouse of memories’ 1836 July 13 wife of John Webber aged 31 yrs. was able to pass on all this 1843 Nov 1 George Oakley aged 52 information—this man could well have passed through 1857 Sept 29 John Johnson aged 78 Derby that day none the ? A. Manton aged 2 yrs. wiser, except for the Jane Warrender Watchorn daughter William Watchorn of encounter with our friend at Hobarttown aged 20 yrs. the cafe. He also bought the two books containing the This list from Irene Schaffer’s website at www. stories and much background tasfamily.net.au/~schafferi was sent to her by about the district—so it was Cheryl Macfarlane who found it among family rewarding visit.  papers. Cheryl thinks it may have been copied by Elizabeth Oakley, daughter of George and Dorothy Oakley, before she and her siblings left Tasmania for Melbourne in 1843 after the death of her father. 1 Story told in Neika a History Check Irene’s website for further information.  of Herrick, by Peter Carins.

56 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012

WHAT IS THAT PUBLICATION ABOUT? Maurice Appleyard (Member No.4093)

UMEROUS publications are It ‘contains the history of three Taylor named in the Acquisition Lists of ancestors and their families; William Nthe various Branches of our Henry Nichols, his parents Thomas Society but on some occasions the title Nichols and Mary Ann Vincent and her does not give a clear indication of the parents, John Vincent and Susannah subject matter. The following details of a Rivers. few in the Hobart Branch Library may William Nichol’s daughter Adelaide help to describe some of the more Matilda Nichols was to marry George obscure titles and deserve a look. Taylor and become part of the Taylor Perhaps the publication may also be ancestors. held in your local library? The Vincent and Nichols families were

early settlers in Van Diemen’s Land

(Tasmania) and as time passed the BALMAIN CEMETERY REVISITED families spread throughout the colonies of This CD was published by the Central Australia and New Zealand’. Coast Family History Society in 2011.

The old Balmain Cemetery closed in TAYLOR ANCESTORS 2: William 1912. In 1941, the area was dedicated as Foster & Elizabeth RUSSELL; a public park and ultimately developed William Foster & Maria THOMPSON; into the Leichhardt Pioneers Memorial William Thompson & Maria Park. Relatives were advised, but few HAMILTON. headstones were relocated. Conversion This book was published in 2010 by Pat began in 1942 to remove the headstones Taylor. and level the area. Headstones were used This book tells the stories of three more for the retaining wall surrounding the 11 Taylor ancestors and their families. It acres of the site. details the foundation of the Taylor Whilst the CD does not contain headstone family in Australia, dating from the First transcriptions of the 10,608 pioneers Fleet in 1788. interred there between 1868 and 1912, it William Foster and Elizabeth Russell does contain death, burial details, and were the parents of Louisa Foster whose other family information gleaned from story can be found in Taylor Ancestors. public records.

TAYLOR ANCESTORS: William Henry NICHOLS and Louisa FOSTER; Thomas Lewis Nichols and Mary Ann VINCENT; John Vincent and Susannah RIVERS. This book was published in 2009 by Pat Taylor.

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 57

LIBRARY NOTES

Former circulating microfiche Now permanently at: Burnie National Probate Calendars 1853–1943 and AGCI Hobart 1891 Census Indexes for Scotland Huon GRO Consular Records Index Launceston Griffith’s Valuation for Ireland Series Old Parochial Records, Scotland GRO BDMs Index 1943–1950

Lilian Watson Family History Award 2010 entries 21/05/2012 Launceston 20/08/2012 Mersey

Lilian Watson Family History Award 2011 entries 21/05/2012 Launceston 20/08/2012 Burnie 19/11/2012 Hobart 18/02/2013 Huon 23/05/2013 Mersey

Society Sales

Tasmanian Family History Society Inc. Publications Payment by Visa or MasterCard—now available (mail order only) Mail orders (including postage) should be forwarded to: Society Sales Officer, TFHS Inc., PO Box 191 Launceston TAS 7250

Books Van Diemens Land Heritage Index, Vol. 3 (p&p $5.50) ...... $11.00 Van Diemens Land Heritage Index, Vol. 4 (p&p $5.50) ...... $11.00 Van Diemens Land Heritage Index, Vol. 5 (p&p $8.00) ** ...... $25.00 Tasmanian Ancestry Index Volumes 1–20 (p&p $5.50) ** ...... $22.50 Tasmanian Ancestry Index Volumes 21–25 (p&p $4.50) **...... $15.00 Tasmanian Ancestry Index Volumes 26–30 (p&p $2.80) **...... $25.00 (p&p $10.50 for 2-3 books)

CD-Rom Tasmanian Federation Index (p&p $2.50)...... $231.00 CD-Rom TAMIOT (p&p $5.00) ...... $50.00

Microfiche TAMIOT (p&p $2.00) ...... $50.00

** members discount applies

58 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012

LIBRARY ACQUISITIONS HOBART BRANCH

Accessions—Books *Baker, D; The People of Hope Island, Port Esperance. [Q 994.652 BAK] Bissett, M & B; The Weekly Courier—Index to Photographs, Birth, Death & Marriage Notices and Personal items of interest to Family Historians: Vol. 8, 1916 *Fripp, J B; The Antecedents of Beatrice Catherine May. [Q 929.2 MAY] *Gregory’s Publishing Co.; Sydney & Blue Mountains 2004 Street Directory. [912.9441 GRE] Hobart City Council; Women’s Sites & Lives in Hobart. [Q 919.464 SCR] *MacDonald, W; Memoirs of a Hobart Boy. [Q 929.2 MCD] *McDonald, J; A short history of Crofting in Skye. [994.1 MAC] Morley, A J; Memories of Tasmania’s West Coast. [Q 380.9946 MOR] *Taylor, Pat; Taylor Ancestors *Taylor, Pat; Taylor Ancestors 2 *The Mercury; VP Day—50th Anniversary, 1945–1995. [Q 994.6 VPD] Toowoomba & Darling Downs FHS; Darling Downs Biographical Register to 1900: Part 2, L–Z Toowoomba & Darling Downs FHS; Darling Downs Biographical Register to 1920

Accessions—Computer Disks *Archive CD Books; Pastoral Possessions of New South Wales *Archives CD Books; Police Gazette—NSW Compendium 1921–1925 *Archives CD Books; Police Gazette—Queensland Compendium 1921–1925 *Central Coast FHS; Balmain Cemetery Revisited Toowoomba & Darling Downs FHS; Darling Downs Biographical Register to 1900: Part 1, A–K *Denotes complimentary or donated item

MERSEY BRANCH

Accessions—Books *Bigwood, Chris; A Biography of Frederick Russell Yates Bellchambers - An Everyday Tasmanian Bissett, Muriel & Betty, [Comp]; The Weekly Courier Index to Photographs, Birth, Death & Marriage Notices and Personal items of interest to Family Historians Vol. 9 1917 *Cole, Jean & Church, Rosemary; In and Around Record Repositories in Great Britain and Ireland *Conghail, Maire & Gorry, Paul; Tracing Irish Ancestors Female Factory Research Group; Convict Lives at the Ross Female Factory Hookway, Eileen; A Horseride to Church - The Story of St Paul’s Anglican Church, Springfield, near Scottsdale and its Congregation *Jones, Edward F; Matthew Flinders The Discoverer of Coochie Mudlo Island

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 59

TFHS Inc. Mersey Branch; A Transcription of the Latrobe Cemetery, Tasmania Thomas, Bertram (ed); Henry Hellyer’s Observations - Journals of Life in the Tasmanian Bush 1826–27 *Indicates donated item

1788–1868

Any person who has convict ancestors, or who has an interest in convict life during the early history of European settlement in Australia, is welcome to join the above group. Those interested may find out more about the group and receive an application form by writing to:

The Secretary Descendants of Convicts’ Group PO Box 115 Flinders Lane VIC 8009

http://home.vicnet.net.au/~dcginc/

60 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012 BRANCH LIBRARY ADDRESSES, TIMES AND MEETING DETAILS

BURNIE Phone: Branch Librarian (03) 6435 4103 Library 2 Spring Street Burnie Tuesday 11:00 am–3:00 pm Saturday 1:00 pm–4:00 pm The library is open at 7:00 pm prior to meetings. Meeting Branch Library, 2 Spring Street Burnie 7:30 pm on 3rd Tuesday of each month, except January and December. Day Meeting 1st Monday of the month at 10:30 am except January and February.

MERSEY Phone: Branch Secretary (03) 6428 6328 Library (03) 6426 2257 Library ‘Old police residence’ 117 Gilbert Street Latrobe (behind State Library) Tuesday & Friday 11:00 am–3:00 pm Saturday opening has ceased and is now by advance appointment only. Meeting Our meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month at or Branch Library in Latrobe at 1:00 pm. Please check the website at www.tfhsdev.com for updates and any changes or contact our Secretary.

HOBART Phone: Enquiries (03) 6244 4527 Library 19 Cambridge Road Bellerive Tuesday 12:30 pm–3:30 pm Wednesday 9:30 am–12:30 pm Saturday 1:30 pm–4:30 pm Meeting Sunday School, St Johns Park, New Town, at 7:30 pm on 3rd Tuesday of each month, except January and December.

HUON Phone: Branch Secretary (03) 6239 6529 Library Soldiers Memorial Hall Marguerite Street Ranelagh Saturday 1:30 pm–4:00 pm Other times: Library visits by appointment with Secretary, 48 hours notice required Meeting Branch Library, Ranelagh, at 4:00 pm on 1st Saturday of each month, except January. Please check Branch Report for any changes.

LAUNCESTON Phone: Branch Secretary (03) 6344 4034 Library 45–55 Tamar Street Launceston (next door to Albert Hall) Tuesday 10:00 am–3:00 pm Saturday by appointment only (03) 6344 4034 Meeting Generally held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, except January and December. Check the Branch News and the website http://www.launceston.tasfhs.org for locations and times. MEMBERSHIP OF THE TASMANIAN FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY INC.

Membership of the TFHS Inc. is open to all individuals interested in genealogy and family history, whether or not resident in Tasmania. Assistance is given to help trace overseas ancestry as well as Tasmanian.

Dues are payable annually by 1 April. Membership Subscriptions for 2012–13:- Individual member $40.00 Joint members (2 people at one address) $50.00 Australian Concession $28.00 Australian Joint Concession $38.00 Overseas: Individual member: A$40.00: Joint members: A$50.00 (inc. airmail postage). Organisations: Journal subscription $40.00—apply to the Society Treasurer.

Membership Entitlements: All members receive copies of the society’s journal Tasmanian Ancestry, published quarterly in June, September, December and March. Members are entitled to free access to the society’s libraries. Access to libraries of some other societies has been arranged on a reciprocal basis.

Application for Membership: Application forms may be downloaded from www.tasfhs.org or obtained from the TFHS Inc. Society Secretary, or any branch and be returned with appropriate dues to a branch treasurer. Interstate and overseas applications should be mailed to the TFHS Inc. Society Treasurer, PO Box 191, Launceston Tasmania 7250. Dues are also accepted at libraries and at branch meetings.

Donations: Donations to the Library Fund ($2.00 and over) are tax deductible. Gifts of family records, maps, photographs, etc. are most welcome.

Research Queries: Research is handled on a voluntary basis in each branch for members and non- members. Rates for research are available from each branch and a stamped, self addressed, business size envelope should accompany all queries. Members should quote their membership number.

Reciprocal Rights: TFHS Inc. policy is that our branches offer reciprocal rights to any interstate or overseas visitor who is a member of another Family History Society and produce their membership card.

Advertising: Advertising for Tasmanian Ancestry is accepted with pre-payment of $27.50 per quarter page in one issue or $82.50 for four issues. Further information can be obtained by writing to the journal editor at PO Box 191, Launceston Tasmania 7250.

ISSN—0159 0677 Printed by Mark Media—Moonah Tasmania

Supplement to

Journal of the Tasmanian Family History Society Inc.

Volume 33 No. 1—June 2012

Home page: hhtp://www.tasfhs.org State email: [email protected] Journal email: [email protected]

Postal address: PO Box 191 Launceston Tasmania 7250

Branch postal addresses for correspondence Burnie: PO Box 748 Burnie Tasmania 7320 Hobart: PO Box 326 Rosny Park Tasmania 7018 Huon: PO Box 117 Huonville Tasmania 7109 Launceston: PO Box 1290 Launceston Tasmania 7250 Mersey: PO Box 267 Latrobe Tasmania 7307

Branch Library Addresses Burnie: 58 Bass Highway Cooee Tasmania 7320 Mersey: Old police residence 113 Gilbert Street Latrobe Tasmania 7307 Hobart: 19 Cambridge Road Bellerive Tasmania 7018 Huon: Soldiers Memorial Hall Marguerite Street Ranelagh Tasmania 7109 Launceston: 45 Tamar Street Launceston Tasmania 7250

Deadline dates for contributions: by 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY Supplement June 2012 i

Branch Committee Members for 2012–2013

Burnie Launceston President Peter Cocker (03) 6435 4103 President Russell Watson (03) 6334 4412 Secretary Ann Bailey (03) 6431 5058 Secretary Muriel Bissett (03) 6344 4034 Branch addresses Branch address email: [email protected] [email protected] PO Box 748 Burnie Tasmania 7320 PO Box 1290 Launceston TAS 7250 http://www.clients.tas.webnet.com.au/ http://www.launceston.tasfhs.org geneal/burnbranch.htm

President President Peter Cocker 6435 4103 Russell Watson 6344 4412 [email protected] [email protected] Vice President Vice President Geoff Dean 6433 0076 Helen Stuart 6331 9175 Correspondence Secretary Secretary Ann Bailey 6431 5058 Muriel Bissett 6344 4034 [email protected] Minute Secretary Doug Forrest 6431 1882 Treasurer Betty Bissett 6344 4034 Librarian Judy Cocker 6435 4103 Committee Members Lucille Gee 6344 7650 Librarian/Committee Member Dorothy Rodgers 6334 2459 Colleen Williams 6443 0443 Barrie Robinson 6328 1349 Research Officer Terese Binns 6391 2751 Sybil Russell 6433 0245 State Delegates Committee Lucille Gee Geoff Daniels 6431 5058 Betty Bissett 6344 4034 Helen Hislop 6433 1747 Alternative Delegate Edie McArthur 6433 1491 Muriel Bissett 6344 4034 State Delegates Peter Cocker 6435 4103 Judy Cocker 6435 4103

ii TASMANIAN ANCESTRY Supplement June 2012

Branch Committee Members for 2012–2013

Hobart Huon President Robert Tanner (03) 6231 0794 President Betty Fletcher (03) 6264 1546 Secretary Howard Reeves Secretary Libby Gillham (03) 6239 6529 Branch addresses Fax (03) 6239 6824 [email protected] Branch addresses PO Box Rosny Park [email protected] Tasmania 7018 PO Box 117 Huonville Tasmania 7109 http://www.hobart.tasfhs.org Library email All telephone enquiries to (03) 6244 4527 [email protected]

President President Robert Tanner 6231 0794 Shirley (Betty) Fletcher 6264 1546 [email protected] Vice President Vice President To be advised Colleen Read 6244 4527 Secretary Secretary Libby Gillham 6239 6529 Howard Reeves Treasurer [email protected] John Gillham 6239 6823 Treasurer [email protected] Vanessa Blair 6247 9441 Librarian [email protected] Amanda Cavenett 6264 1948 Committee Research Officer Maurice Appleyard 6248 4229 Amanda Cavenett 6264 1948 Ian Cooper Public Relations Charles Hunt Libby Gillham 6239 6529 Julie Kapeller 6278 7849 Michele Lee Delegates Louise Rainbow John Gillham 6239 6529 Beverley Richardson Libby Gillham 6239 6529 State Delegates Alternate Delegate Vanessa Blair 6247 9441 Shirley (Betty) Fletcher 6264 1546 Colleen Read 6244 4527

Alternate Delegate

Julie Kapeller

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY Supplement June 2012 iii

Branch Committee Members for 2012–2013

Mersey NEWS FROM FFHS President Roslyn Coss (03) 6428 2288 Secretary Sue-Ellen McCreghan report received from Lady Teviot, (03) 6428 6328 AFederation Family History Societies Branch addresses representative at the Probate Stake email: [email protected] Holders Meeting held in London on 17 PO Box 267 Latrobe Tasmania 7307 April 2012, included news of Soldiers http://www.tfhsdev.com Wills.

SOLDIERS WILLS The discovery of 300,000 Soldiers Wills in boxes which have never been entered in the Calendars will become available online by the end of the year is of great interest. They cover the Crimean War, the WWI and WWII. No mention was made of the President Boer War. The records apply to non Roslyn Coss 6491 1141 commissioned officers. Vice-President The order of which it is thought wills and Peter Marlow 6426 1969 administrations will come online is: [email protected] Probate 2006 to current Secretary 1996 to 2005 Sue-Ellen McCreghan 6428 6328 [email protected] 1940 to 1995 Treasurer 1858 to 1900 Helen Anderson 6427 8997 1901 to 1939 Committee There was some discussion as to whether Pam Bartlett 6428 7003 the last two were in the correct order of Neville Bingham 6492 3222 availability.  Anne Kiely 6424 5716 Rosie Marshall 6426 7334 Jim Rouse 0423 974 479 Dale Smith 6428 6286 June Stones 6429 3241 State Delegates Dale Smith 6428 6286 Helen Anderson 6427 8997 Information received by email from Beryl Evans, FFHS Archives Liaison Officer, Alternate Delgate [email protected] on 20 April Sue-Ellen McCreghan 6428 6328 2012.

iv TASMANIAN ANCESTRY June 2012

TASMANIAN FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY INC.

Volume 33 Number 2—September 2012 TASMANIAN FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY INC. PO Box 326 Rosny Park Tasmania 7018

Society Secretary: [email protected] Journal Editor: [email protected] Home Page: http://www.tasfhs.org

Patron: Dr Alison Alexander Fellows: Dr Neil Chick and Mr David Harris

Executive: President Maurice Appleyard (03) 6248 4229 Vice President Robert Tanner (03) 6231 0794 Vice President Pam Bartlett (03) 6428 7003 Secretary Colleen Read (03) 6244 4527 Treasurer Peter Cocker (03) 6435 4103

Committee: Helen Anderson Judith Cocker Libby Gillham Betty Bissett Lucille Gee Julie Kapeller Vanessa Blair John Gillham Dale Smith

Volume 33 Number 2 September 2012 ISSN 0159 0677

Contents From the editor ...... 62 President’s Report 2011/2012 ...... 63 Lilian Watson Family History Award 2011 ...... 64 Tasmanian Family History Society Inc Awards ...... 65 Auditor’s Report ...... 66 Branch Reports ...... 69 Julia Heffernan, Pauline Bygraves ...... 74 Book Reviews ...... 77 The First Subsidised Schools, Betty Jones ...... 79 Looking for Great Grandma’s Parents, Jeanette Brunton ...... 86 Voices from the Orphan Schools :Isabella Jones formerly Forbes, Dianne Snowden 87 Reunions ...... 90 New Members’ Interests ...... 91 New Members ...... 93 Help Wanted ...... 95 William Bryan (1800–1865) : An Irish Settler in Van Diemen’s Land, Anne McMahon ...... 97 Calling for Missing Data in Penguin General Cemetery’s 1800+ burial records, Ross Hartley ...... 99 Hotels and Boarding Houses in the Launceston Area c.1925, Laurie Moody ...... 106 The Generosity of Uncle George : The Good Fortune of James and Mary Ann Salter, Don Bradmore ...... 108 Spike Island—Cork Harbour, Did Your Ancestor Spend Time There?, Kerrie Blyth ...... 111 Albert Edward Bird, A Flawed Champion, Part Two, John Bird ...... 113 What is that Publication About?, Maurice Appleyard ...... 119 Library Notes, Society Sales ...... 120 Library Acquisitions ...... 121

Deadline dates for contributions by 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October

From the editor Journal address

PO Box 326 Rosny Park TAS 7018 email [email protected]

A much travelled issue of Tasmanian Articles are welcomed in any format— Ancestry—it was mainly compiled in handwritten, word processed, on disk or by Devonport but completed in Hobart. This email. Please ensure images are of good resulted from my decision to move back quality. to my origins on the north-west coast and consequently I have been busy hunting Deadline dates are: for a new home and selling the old one. 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October The next issue should be produced in Devonport all going well. If you wish to contact the author of an article in Tasmanian Ancestry please email Happily we have an excellent fund of the editor, or write care of the editor, articles but unfortunately not enough enclosing a stamped envelope and your space to use them all in this issue. My correspondence will be forwarded. apologies to those who have not been included this time, but nil desperandum. The opinions expressed in this journal are Thank you to all contributors and keep up not necessarily those of the journal the excellent work. committee, nor of the Tasmanian Family This morning I realized an article which History Society Inc. Responsibility rests with the author of a submitted article, we do appears in this issue has already appeared not intentionally print inaccurate inform- in an earlier volume of Tasmanian ation. The society cannot vouch for the Ancestry in an abbreviated form. Could accuracy of offers for services or goods that contributors please advise if they have appear in the journal, or be responsible for previously submitted articles concerning the outcome of any contract entered into the same topic so readers may be referred with an advertiser. The editor reserves the to them? I should make more use of my right to edit, abridge or reject material. index to Tasmanian Ancestry! Please make note of the new postal © The contents of Tasmanian Ancestry are address for the Society following the subject to the provisions of the Copyright Annual General Meeting in June. It is Act and may not be reproduced without now PO Box 326 Rosny Park Tasmania written permission of the editor and author.

7018. The email for submitting articles remains the same, [email protected]

Cover: Illustration supplied by Betty Jones for her article, ‘The First Subsidised Rosemary Davidson Schools’, see page 79.

62 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012

PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2011/2012

HIS report marks the completion published at least seven new index books of my third year in the role of and Mersey Branch has published at least T President of our Society. another eight. During the same period, Membership, as at 31 March 2012 is the Society published the third index to down 1% on the previous year; an our journal Tasmanian Ancestry; improvement on last year’s 5.5% covering volumes 26–30. decrease. A total of 1240 financial mem- Branches continue to expend funds to bers were recorded, suggesting the trend upgrade their computers and/or reader/ of dwindling numbers may be slowing printer equipment in order to provide up. Whilst most membership areas are relevant access to the numerous records down—Branches, Interstate, Overseas— held in-house and on-line. The Society’s the percentage decrease is half that of the registration, with the DonorTec organ- previous year. The exceptions were ization has enabled us to purchase Burnie and Hobart Branches with slight software and occasionally hardware at increases. Hopefully this trend will very generous prices from donor continue. Membership fees provide our companies. largest source of income. The Society continues to maintain a Visitor numbers to our Libraries appear presence and contributes to the efforts of to have increased. This was especially a number of organizations during the noted at Hobart Branch when free entry year. We were represented on the board was granted during periods such as of the Australasian Federation of Family Heritage Month, Seniors Week or Family History Organisations, the Joint Tasman- History Week. New memberships received ian Archive Consultative Forum, and the during these periods out-weighed the Digital Information Group [Tasmanian slight loss of entrance fees. organizations involved in the collection Branch Annual Reports suggest that of historical data]. income from sale of publications and paid The life of our Society depends on the research have been much lower over the volunteers who give of their time in so 2011/2012 year. It is not clear whether many areas of our organization. Without this trend is due to the presence of so them, none of our services and achieve- much ‘on-line’ material available to ments would exist. On your behalf, I thank family history researchers or economic them for their efforts over the 2011/2012 reasons. Certainly regular sales to membership year and their willingness to various Libraries, Family History continue into the next period. Societies and book suppliers have I should particularly like to acknowledge decreased markedly. Rosemary Davidson who has consented During the year, the Branches continued to continue in the role of Editor for producing and publishing indexes and Tasmanian Ancestry and Dr Alison other reference material for the benefit of Alexander who is willing to act as Patron all researchers and to raise funds. As of our Society for another term. reported in Tasmanian Ancestry at Finally, I wish to formally acknowledge various times, Launceston Branch has the retirement of Muriel Bissett as

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012 63

Secretary and Betty Bissett as Treasurer LILIAN WATSON FAMILY of our Society with the close of this AGM. Most of you would be fully aware HISTORY AWARD of the hours of dedicated service they have given in these roles for more than a HE Award was established in 1983 decade. So much of the current fabric of T and first awarded in 1984. In 1996 our Society can be directly attributed to it was renamed the Lilian Watson Family their efforts. Their endeavours have been History Award to honour the memory and appreciated by so many members over the contributions to genealogy and family those years in office.  history of Mrs Lilian Watson who died in March 1996. She was the Foundation Maurice Appleyard Chairman of the Society in 1980 and the Society President first Fellow of the Society, elected in 1995. There were seven entries for the 2011 Award—listed in alphabetical order by

Entries for the author with the branch where they are to Tasmanian Family History Society Inc. be deposited. Henry Hinsby :A Distinguished 2012 Apothecary of Hobart Town, Lilian Watson Terese Binns—Hobart Branch Family History Award Barnard born & bred : Tasmanian branches and Norfolk roots, Close 1 December 2012 Jacquie Drohan—Launceston Branch

Viv & Hilda : meeting the Robeys of For a book, however produced or Maria Island, Kathy Gatenby— published on paper, dealing with Launceston Branch family history and having significant Tasmanian content. Boat People of the Empire—(revised edition), Donald Grey-Smith— Hobart Branch

Further information and entry forms For Many Years a Boat Builder : The Life available from and Life’s Work of Jacob Bayly TFHS Inc. Branch Libraries or Chandler, Nicole Mays—Hobart Branch email [email protected] The Bells of Old Bailey : from the cobbled streets of Victorian London to the dusty streets of Hobart Town, Lynne

CIRCULATION OF 2011 Christison Rhodes—Launceston Branch ENTRIES The Sea Shall Not Have Them : Narrative of Stephen and Margaret White, who Launceston Branch June-August 2012 were shipwrecked near Tristan da Cunha Burnie Branch August 2012 on the Blenden Hall in 1821, and their Mersey Branch November 2012 arrival in Van Diemen’s Land 1832, Irene Schaffer—Hobart Branch Hobart Branch February 2013 Huon Branch May 2013 WINNER OF THE 2011 AWARD Launceston Branch August 2013 Jacquie Drohan, Barnard born & bred : Distributed to gifted branch November 2013 Tasmanian branches and Norfolk roots.

64 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012

TASMANIAN FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY INC. AWARDS

The two Awards—The Meritorious Service Award and the Fellowship Award were instituted in 1995.

The Fellowship Award was discontinued in June 2002.

Fellows: TFHS Inc. Awards (name change): Lilian Watson, Hobart, 1995 Margaret Strempel, Burnie, 2003 Neil Chick, Hobart, 1999 Suzanne Loughran, Burnie, 2003 David Harris, Devonport, 2000 John Dare, Devonport, 2003 Denise McNeice, Hobart, 2000 Audrey Trebilco, Devonport, 2003 Rosemary Davidson, Hobart, 2003 Meritorious Service Award: Glenn Burt, Launceston, 2003 Joyce O'Shea, Hobart, 1996 Shirley (Betty) Fletcher, Huon, 2005 Frank O'Shea, Hobart, 1996 R Alan Leighton, Launceston, 2005 Pat Harris, Launceston, 1996 Anne Hay, Hobart, 2006 Merle Fitzmaurice, Devonport, 1997 Leonie Mickleborough, Hobart, 2006 Audrey Hudspeth, Hobart, 1997 Cynthia O'Neill, Hobart, 2006 Theo Sharples, Hobart, 1997 Colleen Read, Hobart, 2006 John Grunnell, Launceston, 1997 Beverley Richardson, Hobart, 2006 Thelma Grunnell, Launceston, 1997 Bryce Ward, Hobart, 2006 Anne Bartlett, Launceston, 1997 Marjorie Jacklyn, Hobart, 2007 Vernice Dudman, Burnie 1998 Vee Maddock, Hobart, 2007 Irene Schaffer, Hobart, 1998 Joyce Purtscher, Hobart, 2007 Jean McKenzie, Hobart, 1998 Maurice Appleyard, Hobart, 2007 Bet Wood, Launceston, 1998 Leo Prior, Hobart, 2008 Dawn Collins, Burnie, 1999 Kathy Bluhm, Hobart, 2008 P V (Villy) Scott, Burnie, 1999 Werner Bluhm, Hobart, 2008 Morris Lansdell, Hobart, 1999 Coralie Mesecke, Huon, 2008 Thelma McKay, Hobart, 1999 Judith De Jong, Launceston, 2008 James Wall, Hobart, 1999 Barrie Robinson, Launceston, 2008 Alma Ranson, Launceston, 1999 Helen Stuart, Launceston, 2008 Betty Calverley, Launceston, 1999 Elaine Garwood, Devonport, presented 8/6/09 Doug Forrest, Burnie, 2000 Anita Swan, Launceston, 2009 Isobel Harris, Devonport, 2000 Judith Cocker, Burnie, 2010 Allen Wilson, Hobart, 2000 Helen Anderson, Devonport, 2010—Award for Sandra Duck, Launceston, 2000 Continuous Meritorious Service Betty Bissett, Launceston, 2000 Glenice Brauman, Devonport, 2010 Muriel Bissett, Launceston, 2000 Rosie Marshall, Devonport, 2010 Helen Anderson, Devonport, 2001 Brenda Richardson Hobart, 2010 Louise Richardson, Devonport, 2001 Judith Whish-Wilson, Launceston, 2010 Maree Ring, Hobart, 2001 Julie Kapeller, Hobart, 2012 Jenny Gill, Launceston, 2001 Dr Dianne Snowden, Hobart, 2012  Geoff Rapley, Launceston, 2001

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012 65

66 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012

TFHS Inc. Society Executive—General Account Statement of Receipts & Payments for the Year 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012

2010 / 11 2011 / 12 $12,966.12 Balance as per Cash Book 1 April 2011 $14,943.06 Receipts 12,645.00 Membership Subscriptions - Interstate 11,761.00 12,444.60 Membership Subscriptions - Branch 12,111.30 23,872.30 763.00 Donations 783.00 2,757.75 State Sales - TFI CD-Rom 1,472.17 426.05 - Books, CD's, Fiche 293.10 4,764.50 - TAMIOT 1,368.50 3,133.77 44.67 Bank Interest - Cheque Account 32.52 327.36 Sundries - Insurance Reimbursement 130.56 918.00 AGM Registrations 216.00 356.50 Journal Receipts - Advertising & Sales 214.00 1,880.00 - Subscriptions 1,740.00 1,954.00 4,014.71 Funds Collected for Branches – Membership 2,865.00 334.00 Funds Collected for Branches – Donations 241.00 1566.00 Funds Collected for Branches – Royalty 892.83 3,998.83 - Funds ex TPT At Call Account tfr to Branches 3,600.00 43,242.14 Total Receipts 37,720.98

$56208.26 Total Funds Available $52,664.04 Payments 3,415.18 Insurance 4,062.07 1,848.00 Cost of Sales - TFI CD-Rom 2,217.60 - - Books, CD's, Fiche payments 1,808.16 500.35 - TAMIOT Payments 203.50 4,229.26 680.45 Bank Charges - Merchant Cards 560.48 17,991.37 Journal Payments 18,403.40 Administration Payments - - Advertising 296.94 2,000.38 - AGM Expenses 500.00 203.20 - Audit Fees/ Corporate Affairs 204.40 5,268.80 - Executive Travel 4,880.80 368.46 - Lilian Watson and Other Awards 200.00 1,034.02 - Membership Expenses 793.90 626.66 - Postage/Boxes & Telephone - Internet 536.99 74.54 - Printing and Stationery 1,305.91 397.90 - Room Hire 460.70 230.55 - Subscriptions (AFFHO) 256.78 9,436.42 4,084.34 Funds collected for Branches – Membership 2,956.00 975.00 Funds collected for Branches – Donations 1,048.00 1,566.00 Funds allocated to Branches – Royalty 892.83 41,265.20 Total Payments 41,588.46

$14,943.06 Balance as per Cash Book 31 March 2012 $11,075.58 Represented by: Balance as per Westpac Cheque Account 31/03/2012 11,075.58

$5,310.01 Reserve Funds - Tasmanian Perpetual Trustees At Call $5,505.98 195.97 Interest received 12 months ending 31 March 2012 214.53 - Less withdrawal -3,600.00 -3,385.47 $5,505.98 Total Investment Funds $2,120.51

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012 67

Tasmanian Family History Society Inc. Statement of Consolidated Cash Flow for the year ended 31 March 2012

Consolidated Bur Hob Huon L’ton Mersey Society Totals Opening Balance 1/4/2011 6,796 5,078 2,455 1,858 4,924 14,943 36,055

Add Receipts Membership Subscriptions 2,916 14,451 543 4,613 3,691 26,737 38,338 Donations 438 609 281 569 958 1,024 2,831 Fund Raising 451 200 246 260 1,827 0 2,984 Research 91 1,009 20 3,120 310 0 4,549 Sales 4,410 5,556 204 6,248 5,009 4,027 21,146 Interest 24 14 9 11 86 33 176 Library Revenue 1,120 2,074 14 836 1,079 0 5,123 Sundries 3 1,245 0 227 3,983 347 5,173 Journal (Tas Ancestry) 0 0 0 0 0 1,954 1,954 Total Receipts 9,453 25,158 1,316 15,884 16,943 34,122 82,274 Tfrs from term loan a/c 0 1,833 0 3 16,884 3,600 22,320 Total Funds Available 16,249 32,068 3,771 17,744 38,750 52,664 140,648

Less Payments Membership Subscriptions 1,246 6,436 155 2,248 1,573 0 0 Insurance 0 98 0 33 0 4,062 4,062 Fund Raising 150 0 0 129 375 0 653 Research 0 0 0 200 8 0 208 Items for re-sale 3,538 2,445 0 3,420 2,503 4,229 12,722 Bank Fees 0 37 0 0 4 560 602 Library Payments 1,407 8,050 792 4,709 4,924 0 19,882 Sundries 14 818 0 233 2,774 2,441 3,838 Journal (Tas Ancestry) 0 0 0 0 0 18,403 18,403 Assets/Capital 2,075 4,835 254 1,684 3,513 0 12,362 Administration Payments 185 4,031 133 877 1,347 11,892 15,511 Total Payments 8,615 26,750 1,334 13,533 17,021 41,588 88,243 Transfers to term loan a/c 0 0 0 0 15,000 0 15,000

Balance as at 31/3/2012 $7,634 $5,318 $2,437 $4,211 $6,729 $11,076 $37,404

Term Investments, Float etc. $11,177 $15,000 $2,154 $7,969 $15,220 $2,121 $53,641

Total Cash Reserves $18,811 $20,318 $4,591 $12,180 $21,949 $13,196 $91,045

68 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012

BRANCH REPORTS

Burnie Volunteers continue to support our activities of indexing and other projects, http://www.clients.tas.webnet.com.au/ geneal/burnbranch.htm but we still welcome any member who President Peter Cocker (03) 6435 4103 would like to offer some time to help. Secretary Ann Bailey (03) 6431 5058 There is always plenty to do. PO Box 748 Burnie Tasmania 7320 Peter Cocker Branch President email: [email protected]

The last three months Hobart have seen a continual http://www.hobart.tasfhs.org regular appearance of a President Robert Tanner (03) 6231 0794 core diehard group of email: [email protected] our members. It is Secretary Howard Reeves amazing just how many PO Box 326 Rosny Park Tasmania 7018 ‘finds’ these regulars uncover with their email: [email protected] consistent perseverance. How often do All telephone enquiries to (03) 6244 4527 we hear the story of somebody who has The branch would like found the birth date of that elusive three to congratulate Maurice times great aunt back in some isolated Appleyard on being re- island off the coast of Scotland. I guess elected as President of the message is never give up, keep trying the Society, to Colleen and researching and one day the answer Read on being elected to your questions will be found. as Secretary and to Ian Cooper who was By popular choice we have decided we subsequently appointed Minute Secretary. will not hold night meetings at our branch Hobart Branch would also like to record for July and August. Our Day Meetings, our appreciation of the work done over which have been well attended, will still many years by Betty and Muriel Bissett occur as usual on the first Monday of who did not seek re-election. They will each month. If you haven’t been to one be missed. yet, come down and join in. Our day We are busy setting up a new computer meetings start at 10:30 with a brief purchased very cheaply through overview of recent accessions to the DonorTec. Moving everything from Branch Library plus a brief synopsis of Windows XP to Windows 7 is proving to interesting articles in recent magazines. be quite a task! This is followed by the main topic for the meeting. In recent meetings this has Indexing and checking continues to taken the form of a podcast or video of occupy the Monday Group, and we are either a research topic or some general planning a morning tea for the Mayor of interest area such as historical houses or Clarence, Doug Chipman, to demonstrate similar. As our day meetings are in the the cameras and other equipment morning and conclude with a soup and purchased with a grant from the Clarence sandwich luncheon, a small fee is City Council, and Sister Carmel Hall of expected. the Catholic Archives, in appreciation of

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012 69

her generosity in granting access to the messages to the St John’s Park precinct, Burial Registers as a branch indexing the venue of our meetings. project. Prof. Hunn’s first association with the The guest speaker at the Annual General Royal Society of Tasmania was, when as Meeting in April was Sacred Heart a student, he attended a lecture presented College Principal and Military Historian by Howard Florey (penicillin). Using a th Craig Deayton on the topic ‘The 47 PowerPoint presentation which included Battalion’. Craig is the author of the a wonderful collection of portraits of acclaimed book Battle Scarred, the story significant scientific figures, Prof. Hunn th of the 47 Battalion, which was largely a presented a detailed background of Queensland battalion, but with remnants scientific method and developments from of other battalions, and included a Tas- 100AD to the formation of the Royal manian company. He took on the writing Society in London in 1660. The Society role because so little had previously been promoted and espoused a philosophy of written about the battalion. Most other experiment; and encouraged teamwork, battalion histories have been sponsored religious tolerance, and the use of plain by the Australian War Memorial, written language in writing. Because there was by ex-servicemen and family members value, at the time, in King Charles IIs and tend to be uncritical of leadership and favour—including access to the bodies of decision-making. He provided interesting the executed for medical research—and details of the research and writing the personal interest he took in science process, his access to family diaries and and scientific development, the society of photographs, some of which he included scientists became known as the Royal in his presentation. While figures relating Society and established itself as a to battles and casualties were included in powerful institution between 1660 and Craig’s talk, he also presented interesting 1670. John Franklin arrived in VDL in details relating to the social history of the 1837 and became involved in intellectual period and insights into battalion th activity, including many scientific, structures. The 47 Battalion existed for agricultural, botanical and historical just seven months and suffered heavy organisations and held meetings at casualties on the Western Front. At the Government House. Franklin was res- conclusion of the meeting Craig presented the Branch Library with a copy ponsible for the groundwork which led to of his book and a number of members the establishment of the Royal Society of took advantage of his generous Tasmania in 1843, although it was discounted book price. Governor Eardley Wilmot who signed the documents. The Royal Society of Twenty-seven members and visitors Tasmania is the third oldest Royal attended this meeting. Society, preceded only by London and The guest speaker at the May meeting Edinburgh. was Professor John Hunn, who addressed the meeting on the topic of the Royal Twenty-three members and visitors Society of Tasmania—‘Why Royal? - attended this meeting. The Genesis of the Royal Society of The guest speaker at the June meeting Tasmania’. In his introduction, Prof. was Craig Joel, an honorary research Hunn reminisced about his time as a associate in the Department of History messenger boy in the 1940s delivering and Classics at the University of

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Tasmania. He addressed the meeting on General Meetings the conflict between Sir John Franklin Members are reminded that all general and his Colonial Secretary John Montagu. meetings are held at ‘The Sunday This is the theme of Craig Joel’s book School’, St Johns Park, New Town, on ‘Sir John Franklin and John Montagu - A the third Tuesday in the month at 7:30pm. tale of ambition and unrealised hope.’ Visitors are always welcome at these In the early years of convict arrivals in meetings. Van Diemen’s Land there was little Speakers planned for the next few supervision of convicts under the meetings are: assignment system. Convicts were Tuesday 18 September: Tony Hope— largely used as free labour—in 1832 ten ‘A Quarry Speaks of the Kennedy, government officials employed 105 Elliott, Wells and Peacock families from convict servants—in the care of land- early days.’ owners and in the view of some, this was Tuesday 16 October: Ros Escott—‘The akin to slavery. A review by John Biggs Convict, the Surgeon and the Prima indicated transportation needed to be seen Donna.’ as a harsh punishment for crimes com- Tuesday 20 November: TBA. mitted while paying its own way and Family History Computer Users Group attempting to reform convicts. Governor Arthur was sent to VDL to implement the This large and enthusiastic group meets at details of the assignment system set out the Branch Library on the second in the Biggs Report. Arthur was recalled Wednesday of the month at 7:30 pm in 1836 to be replaced by John Franklin, under the expert leadership of Vee inexperienced in convict management, Maddock. and needing to rely on Montagu and Details of these meetings and other Forster. From the late 1830s there were activities may be found on our website at moves to change to a probation system. http://www.hobart.tasfhs.org Tensions between Franklin and the Robert Tanner Branch President ‘faction’ led by Arthur’s nephew Montagu and Police Chief Mathew Launceston Forster erupted, with the probation http://www.launceston.tasfhs.org system gradually being adopted. Franklin President Russell Watson (03) 6334 4412 found himself in a position where he was Secretary Muriel Bissett not supported by his Colonial Secretary Phone (03) 6344 4034 and Forster, Montagu’s brother-in-law PO Box 1290 Launceston Tasmania 7250 became responsible for the probation secretary: [email protected] system which floundered through to 1847. In the view of Joel, the public The Branch workshop dispute between Franklin and the held on 20 June attracted ‘faction’ profoundly affected the a capacity number and development of the colony. although there were some teething problems Thirty-one members and visitors attended with the change-over of this meeting. computers at the AEC, members, My thanks go to our secretary, Howard particularly those not familiar with the Reeves, for the notes on guest speakers. program, gained much from the time spent

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on ‘Researching on FamilySearch’. Check the website for more detail of Thanks to Helen and her team of helpers! meetings/workshops and for a list of The branch newsletter is now mailed out publications now available from as well as appearing on the webpage and Launceston Branch. it was pleasing to get positive response to the advertising for the June workshop. Mersey Again, we mention research requests: if www.tfhsdev.com any local member has time to spare, their President Ros Coss help with research as well as typing Secretary Sue-Ellen McCreghan indexes, etc, would be much appreciated. (03) 6428 6328 Work is continuing on The Tasmanian Library (03) 6426 2257 Mail and the Weekly Courier indexing. PO Box 267 Latrobe Tasmania 7307 email: [email protected] The next volume of Weekly Courier (1919) will be available in September, The Branch’s recent and work on 1920–1921 is well on the publication Latrobe way. The next volume of Tasmanian Cemetery has been very Mail will cover 1932. popular. There was a VALE: We were saddened to see the small write-up in the death notice for Mrs Lena Kimpton, local newspaper which (née Begent) member No.630, who joined has brought many new the Society late in 1983. Lena was a people into our Library. Of course there WWII widow, and a few years ago, after were some who didn’t know we existed. she had helped at Anzac Hostel and Another publication is the The Kentish attended the Anzac Day service, she District with a companion disk. By the returned to her car and was knocked time this journal is out Deloraine and down, injured and robbed. Prior to this District Cemeteries, two volumes should Lena participated in all aspects of the be released. Numbers have been down branch activities and was a regular when we hold our meetings so we volunteer for library duty. Her cheerful decided to hold a ‘Meet and Greet’ on the presence will be missed. last Saturday June. This proved to be Athol Saunders: Athol passed away on popular as we had twenty people attend, 30 June at the age of 97 years. Up until a including new members and one who is few years ago, Athol and his wife were very interested in being able to start her regulars at the library, and will be missed. family tree. One of our members, Dale, has been busy helping several members Library: Tuesday, 10am-3pm—phone (03) to make a family tree chart. This is then 6344 4034. Other days (except Saturday professionally produced and the finished and Sunday), by appointment only. product is amazing. Wednesday 19 September: 2pm Branch, On the 29 August we are having a trip to Computer Room, Adult Education Burnie Branch with a light lunch. Centre, York Street—Shipping and Immigration records. In September we will have a Members Day on the 22 so as not to interfere with Wednesday 17 October: 2pm BIG, the AFL Grand Final. We will have and Computer Room, Adult Education informative discussion on Legacy a free Centre, York Street

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program for collating your family tree. This will be a BYO lunch. In October we propose a visit to Historical Deloraine for a guided tour of the town. In December we will have a Christmas Lunch (venue to be advised) and our annual Christmas raffle will be drawn. Our closing date for our Library will be Friday the 7 Decem- ber and reopen on 8 January 2013. More will be available on our website, at the Branch Library or by phoning the secretary.

Huon President Shirley Fletcher (03) 6264 1546 Secretary Libby Gillham (03) 6239 6529 PO Box 117 Huonville Tasmania 7109 email: [email protected]

Index to The Weekly Courier

Index to photographs, BDM notices and personal items of interest to Family Historians which appeared in The Weekly Courier from 1901–1935

Now available— Volume 1, 1901–1903—$30.00 Volume 2, 1904–1905—$30.00 Volume 3, 1906–1907—$30.00 Volume 4, 1908–1909—$30.00 Volume 5, 1910–1911—$30.00 Volume 6, 1912–1913—$30.00 Volume 7, 1914–1915—$33.00 Volume 8, 1916—$30.00 Volume 9, 1917—$30.00 Volume 10, 1918—$30.00 NEW! Volume 11, 1919—$30.00

Available from TFHS Inc. Launceston Branch PO Box 1290 Launceston TAS 7250 Plus $10.50 pack 1-4 TFHS Inc. Members less 10% discount, plus $10.50 p&p

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012 73

JULIA HEFFERNAN Pauline Bygraves (Member No.5113)

T first glance there appeared to Amy Isabella Jane Read born 9 July be no link between Julia 1872.10 A HEFFERNAN, my ancestor, and While the birth records for the Read Judith HEFFERNAN (sometimes spelt children spell Julia’s maiden surname in HEFFERMAN), a convict transported to various ways (Heffernan, HEFFRON, Van Diemen’s Land for larceny in 1848. HEFRON and HAFFRON), the details Julia was reputedly born in England, for the father are consistently given as whereas Judith was born in Ireland. Julia Charles Read, occupation cabinet maker. was the wife of Charles READ, a cabinet No marriage record has been found for maker, while Judith married Charles Julia Heffernan and Charles Read. Julia HART, a shoemaker. While delving into Read died at Lansdowne Crescent, the records for further information about Hobart on 2 July 1889, aged 55. 11 Her Julia and how she arrived in Van death record indicates that she was born Diemen’s Land, it turned out Julia and in England. Since Charles Read (junior) Judith had a great deal in common. was born at Hobart in March 1855 and Julia Heffernan and Charles Read are Julia is named as his mother, she must recorded as the parents of the following have arrived in Van Diemen’s Land children born at Hobart between 1855 before then, but when and how? Her and 1872: name does not show up on any of the Charles Read born 22 March 18551 immigration lists, either assisted or unassisted. Mary Ann Read born 20 February 18572 William Joseph Read born 21 March On the other hand, Judith Heffernan’s 18593 arrival in Van Diemen’s Land is well documented. She landed at Hobart per Henry James Read born 11 April 18614 5 the Lord Auckland on 10 January 1849 Albert Bernard Read born 17 May 1863 from Dublin, Ireland, aged 16 years. Francis Edward Read born 19 December 6 According to her convict conduct 1864 record,12 Judith Heffernan was from 7 Bernard Read born 13 August 1866 County Tipperary, Ireland. She was tried Alfred Ernest Read born 12 March 18688 at the Thurles Quarter Sessions, Catherine Read born 16 August 18699 Tipperary, on 3 May 1848 and found guilty of stealing a gown and shoes, the property of John MULLINS, Tipperary. 1 With two previous convictions (six AOT RGD33 Hobart births 1984/1855 months for stealing a gown and three 2 AOT RGD33 Hobart births 243/1857 3 AOT RGD33 Hobart births 2374/1859 months for stealing geese), she was 4 AOT RGD33 Hobart births 4278/1861 5 AOT RGD33 Hobart births 6121/1863 6 AOT RGD33 Hobart births 7427/1865 10 AOT RGD33 Hobart births 2696/1872 7 AOT RGD33 Hobart births 8740/1866 11 AOT RGD35 Hobart deaths 638/1889 8 AOT RGD33 Hobart births 9962/1868 12 AOT CON41/1/20 image 96 (Judith 9 AOT RGD33 Hobart births 582/1869 Hefferman)

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sentenced to transportation for seven occupation bootmaker, was tried for years. stealing pork from a storehouse in Her convict indent13 lists Judith’s trade or Hertford, England. He was found guilty occupation as nurse girl and her religion of larceny and transported to Van Diemen’s Land where he arrived on 9 as Roman Catholic. She was single and 17 could read (but not write). Her relatives August 1850. are named as John (brother) and Cath, Judith and Charles Hart’s son, Charles Peggy, Mary and Bridget (sisters) living (junior), was born at Hobart on 20 Feb- in County Tipperary. ruary 1852,18 and died on 13 June 1852.19 Physically, she is described as being 4 For both events, the informant was his feet 8½ inches tall, with a fair mother, living at Argyle Street. Charles complexion, large head, sandy brown Hart was in the service of Mr SERJEANT, Argyle Street when, on 11 hair, round visage, low forehead, brown 20 eyebrows, grey eyes, small nose and April 1852, he absconded. (Apart from mouth, with a round chin. She had a scar an entry on Hart’s conduct record on her nose.14 revoking his Ticket of Leave on 4 Oct- ober 1853 for misconduct, nothing further The list of offences and sentences on 21 is known about him.) Judith’s convict conduct record include gross insolence and disobeying of orders, On the birth registration of Charles for which she received six months’ hard (junior), his mother’s name is recorded as labour (May 1850), and using indecent Julia Hart (née Hafron), rather than language as well as refusing to give her Judith. Julia Hart is also named as the name when asked, for which she received mother on Charles’ death record. In his three months’ hard labour (January 1901 guidewritten to assist government 1853). Her Ticket of Leave, which was officials and others to identify the various granted in December 1851, was revoked forms and spelling of Irish names, Robert in February 1853 but restored in October E MATHESON, Registrar-General in 1853. She received a Conditional Pardon Dublin, provided ‘Judith’ and ‘Julia’ as in January 1854. examples of given names used inter- changeably. 22 Judith Hefferman, Ticket of Leave, Lord Auckland and Charles Hart, Ticket of Leave, Maria Somes, both residing in 17 AOT CON33/1/96 image 101 (Charles Hobart, received permission to marry in Hart) December 1851.15 They wed at St 18 AOT RGD33 Hobart births 1171/1852 Georges Church, Battery Point, Hobart, 19 AOT RGD35 Hobart deaths 1489/1852 20 on 2 February 1852.16 Judith was aged The Hobart Town Gazette, Tuesday, 20 20 and Charles was 23. Charles Hart, April 1852, p.338 21 AOT CON33/1/96 image 101 (Charles Hart) 13 AOT CON15/1/5 image 93 (Judith 22 www.archive.com Varieties and Heffernan) Synonymes of Surnames and Christian 14 AOT CON14/1/20 image 96 (Judith Names in Ireland for the Guidance of Hefferman) Registration Officers and the Public in 15 The Hobart Town Gazette, Tuesday, 23 Searching the Indexes of Births, Deaths December 1851, p.1051 and Marriages, Sir Robert E Matheson, 16 AOT RGD37 Hobart marriages 226/1852 HM Stationery Office, Dublin, 2nd Edition, (Hart—Heffernan) 1901, 94p.

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With this information, it seems very permission to marry in May 1844.27 They likely that Julia Heffernan, wife of married on 14 August 1844 at St Davids Charles Read, and Judith Heffernan are Church, Hobart Town.28 The marriage the same person. This hypothesis is record states that Charles Read, aged 24, supported by the burial recordfor Julia was a cabinet maker, and Jemima Read which states that she was born in Clements, aged 24, was a ‘convict per Ireland (as opposed to her death record Garland Grove 2nd’. 23 which says England). Julia Read was Jemima Clements was convicted at the reputedly aged 55 when she died in July Central Criminal Court in London on 9 1889, which means that she was born May 1842. She faced two charges of about 1834. Judith Heffernan was larceny. The first was for stealing a jug, supposedly 16 when she arrived in Van valued at threepence, the goods of Diemen’s Land in January 1848, making William SHEPHERD, a china-dealer in her birth year about 1832. While the two Goldsmith Row, Hackney Road. The birth years do not match exactly, they are second for stealing 3 lbs weight of veal, close enough together not to exclude the value one shilling, the goods of George theory that Julia and Judith Heffernan are SUTTON, in Goldsmith Row, Hackney one and the same person. Road. She was found guilty in both Charles Read, aged 17, chair and sofa instances, and sentenced to seven years’ maker, was convicted at Warminster, transportation.29 She arrived in Van Wiltshire, England on 27 June 1837. His Diemen’s Land on 20 January 1843. crime was stealing a handkerchief. He Jemima’s conduct recordshows she was was deemed to be of bad character, had often in trouble with the authorities.30 been in prison before, and was sentenced She had stints in solitary confinement for to seven years’ transportation. He arrived misconduct and was sentenced to several in Van Diemen’s Land per the Lord 24 periods of hard labour. On 13 May 1844, William Bentinck on 25 August 1838. she received three months’ hard labour In December 1843, a recommendation for being absent, which may explain why was made on behalf of Charles Read, she did not marry until August 1844 Lord William Bentinck, to the Queen for a when permission had been received three Conditional Pardon.25 This was approved months earlier. Then, in 1846 she was in February 1844. In any event, his given nine months’ hard labour for sentence expired in July 1844,26 so by the assisting another convict (Maria time he married he was ‘free’. Goldsmith) to abscond from the Colony. Charles Read, ‘free’, and Jemima CLEMENTS, Garland Grove, in private service, Hobart Town received 27 The Hobart Town Gazette, 28 June 1844, p.616 23 Alex Clark & Son Funeral Records, 1885– 28 AOT RGD37 Hobart marriages 1100/1844 1909 Vol II, Ref 3/89 (Read—Clements) 24 AOT CON31/1/36 image 158 (Charles 29 Old Bailey Proceedings Online Read) (www.oldbaileyonline.org), May 1842, 25 Colonial Times, Tuesday, 12 December trial of Jemima Clements (t18420509– 1843 p.4 1611–1612), accessed 30 January 2012 26 The Hobart Town Gazette, 28 June 1844 30 AOT CON40/1/2 image 241 (Jemima p.728 Clements)

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No children have been identified from the Read-Clements marriage. It may have BOOK REVIEWS been a marriage in name only, given Jemima’s troubles. Only a week after her Tasmania over Five Generations: marriage, on 22 August 1844, she was Return to Van Diemen’s Land? John sentenced to two months’ hard labour for Biggs, Forty Degrees South Publishing being absent. (Hobart, 2011). Hardcover pp.379. With Julia Heffernan and Charles Read both having previously married and without any evidence of their respective spouses being deceased, they would not have been free to marry each other. It is therefore not surprising that no marriage record has been found for them. Julia was also Catholic. Nevertheless, their relationship lasted for more than thirty years—from at least 1855 (and probably earlier) until Julia’s death in 1889. Charles Read (senior) died in 1895.31 They are buried in the Roman Catholic Section of Cornelian Bay Cemetery, where there are two large headstones The narrative of five generations of the recording their names and those of Biggs family in Tasmania is the subject of this book. Organised as a chronological several of their children.  study of the state’s history, commencing with the arrival, from Bedford, of John’s g-g-g-grandparents, Abraham Biggs (son HELP WANTED queries are published free of John and Susannah), his wife Eliza for members of the Tasmanian Family History Society Inc. (provided their membership (née Coleman) and their five children to number is quoted) and at a cost of $10.00 per the convict colony of Van Diemen’s Land query to non-members. in 1833, each generation is detailed, Special Interest Groups are subject to concluding with the author and his family advertising rates. in 2011. The main source of information Members are entitled to three free entries per was a substantial collection of letters, year. All additional queries will be published many of which were written by Abraham. at a cost of $10.00. Only one query per The fifty-two chapters are divided into member per issue will be published unless seven parts. The first five parts concen- space permits otherwise. trate on the life of one generation, Queries should be limited to 100 words and Abraham (1799–1875), Alfred (1825– forwarded to [email protected] or The Editor, Tasmanian Ancestry, PO Box 191 1900), Walter (1865–1958), Oscar Launceston TAS 7250 (1904–1968) and the author, John. The final two chapters focus on the period See page 35 HELP WANTED from 1957 when John left the state to live overseas, and the final section details his response after returning forty years later. 31 AOT RGD35 Hobart deaths 209/1895

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The quality of the book and illustrations options other than theft and prostitution. are outstanding, and the family tree in the They hailed from the squalid tenements front is clear and easy to follow. This of Glasgow and Edinburgh and were publication covers many regions of the convicted of crimes ranging from state’s political, religious, education and prostitution and petty theft to arson to forestry background as seen mainly assisting a murderer. through the eyes of the Biggs family Remarkably, there was only one death members. Although I would have during the four-month sea journey, preferred the whole book to have been largely due to the program of regular written in the first person, rather than food, exercise and cleanliness instigated some in the third person, this does not by the surgeon superintendent. It was a detract from the publication which views different story on arrival in Hobart, when the emerging colony from its early most of the children were separated from colonial days to its present status set their mothers and entered the nursery at against the social and political life in the Female Factory at Cascades. The which they lived, and would be a women were then free to go out on welcome addition to the bookcase of assignment. The impact of separation on anyone interested in the life of the colony mothers and children was profound. during almost 180 years.  Infants died in the putrid conditions of the nursery; children older than three Abandoned Women: Scottish Convicts years were sent to the Orphan Schools Exiled Beyond the Seas, Lucy Frost, where discipline was strict but at least Published by Allen & Unwin, 2012, Soft they were taught a trade and learned to cover, pp.240. read and write. Some died during their time there but of those who survived most were reunited with their mothers. The stories of the subsequent lives of these women and their children make enthralling reading. For some women transportation was a second chance, for others it was a tragedy—it brought opportunities as well as punishment. Some women made good marriages and became worthy citizens. Others remained intractable, their lives ruled by their unwillingness or inability to conform to the social mores of the time. Lucy Frost writes sympathetically about Abandoned Women tells the stories of the the trials and tribulations of these women. lives of seventy-eight female convicts and Superbly researched, they come to life in their fourteen children transported from the gripping stories through which we Scotland to Van Diemen’s Land in 1838 learn their fate. The convict women and on the Atwick. These women—single and their children transported on the Atwick in married mothers, widows and orphan 1838 have received a measure of justice girls—struggled to survive and had few in the form of this fine book. 

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THE FIRST SUBSIDISED SCHOOLS, 1912 Betty Jones (Member No.6032)

LOSING schools has always been was as much a factor in school closures in an emotive and difficult pro- Tasmania one hundred years ago as it is C cedure, as recorded in news- today. A big difference, however, was papers, both past and present. In 1920, that around 1912, close to 73% of the 376 for example, when the Education schools listed by the Education Depart- Department decided to close the school at ment each had fewer than fifty pupils Lower Wattle Grove because it had an enrolled in them, and nearly 40% of that enrolment of only fifteen pupils, mix individually catered for less than members of the local council expressed twenty children.2 Another difference was their wrath. Among the points raised, that there was no organised form of Councillor WELLING asserted that the transport such as today’s bus systems that move was unfair. He reasoned that the could take pupils to another school Department could fine parents for relatively close by. keeping their child home to pick The main purpose of this article is to step blackberries, but, on the other hand, the back one hundred years to look at how Department could take a school away the Education Department responded to from children for months without 1 community angst when schools had to be apparent consequence. closed, and how it provided for the A review of any education system shows that school closures have always been a reality in both the private and public settings, and that economic viability frequently underpins decision-making. Quite understandably, most community members become alarmed when there is talk about the loss of their local educational facilities. There are many factors, separate from simply shutting the doors of the school building and transporting children to another institution along the road, that need to be considered as valid arguments to keep a school in operation. These include important economic and social issues within communities. It is interesting to be aware that consideration of the economics of providing and maintaining buildings and teachers for small numbers of pupils

2 The Educational Record, List of Schools, 1 The Mercury, 7 April 1920 15 January 1911

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displaced students. In so doing, thirteen A D COWIE advertised the position, to very small schools are identified, along be filled immediately, at the subsidised with their teachers and pupils in 1912. school at Flowery Gully.3 The choice of that year is not just because From 1912, whenever the Department it was a century ago; it was also the year decided to close a State school because the Education Department introduced the enrolments had dropped below about idea of subsidised schools, a system that fifteen, it provided the local community remained in place, with modifications, for members with an application form for more than thirty years. seeking allowances in relation to com- Considered a rung below Provisional mencing a subsidised school. At the same schools in the hierarchy of size, time, it was made clear that it was up to subsidised schools were situated in the community to decide if it wanted to country areas which were most likely pursue the idea. In the eyes of the Depart- isolated and, initially, had very small ment, those schools were viewed in most pupil enrolments of between eight and respects as private ones assisted by the twelve. They were parent-subsidised but, Government. For financial accountability for each pupil enrolled, the Government reasons, however, State school inspectors provided a grant to the community visited regularly to see that basic stand- towards the provision of a teacher. The ards were being met, and to determine teacher in charge, ‘found’ and employed whether subsidies should be continued. by the community, did not receive a According to Departmental records, direct salary from the Education towards the end of 1912 there were Department, payment instead depending thirteen schools receiving Government on decisions made by the local Education subsidies under the new system.4 Board. By 1926, the Government paid £6 Chester Subsidised School per pupil per annum up to a maximum of (West Coast, Tullah district) ten enrolments, and it was stipulated that Mrs May PERRY was appointed to the at least two families had to be represented newly-opened school on 17 August 1912. in the enrolments. The subsidy was Born 23 February 1881, Buckingham, increased to £8 per pupil in late 1927. Kent, daughter of George and Maria (née The parents of children attending the NIGHTINGALE) GALLOWAY, she school were required to provide a arrived in Tasmania as a child in 1888 building for a classroom, as well as a with her parents and seven siblings. Miss suitable residence for the teacher at a very Galloway started her teaching career with nominal charge. Young beginners who the Department at Devonport in 1900, had passed Class 6 were encouraged to and from there had appointments at apply for vacant situations in such Central Castra, Ulverstone and Lower schools and be on probation while Wilmot State Schools. She married qualifying for higher positions. Teachers Charles Henry Perry on 9 September could be as young as 15 years (though at 1905 at Sheffield, and continued least 16 was more common) with no teaching. Her position at Chester was training when they took up their first preceded by one at Guildford Junction. positions. In later years, parents often Mrs Perry later lived in a variety of placed advertisements in local newspapers in the hope of attracting a 3 The Examiner, 1 May 1920 subsidised teacher. In 1920, for example, 4 TAHO: ED250/1

80 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012

locations, including Elliott, Upper Sigma Nicholas, Albert PALMER, Jane Burnie, Preston, Mengha and Stanley Palmer, Leonard Palmer, Mary Palmer, prior to being widowed in 1948, but did Stanley Palmer, Sydney Palmer, Thomas not return to teaching. She died at Palmer, Amy SHEARING, Ethel Caulfield, Victoria in 1958. Shearing, Lucy Shearing, Stella Shearing, Carleena WATSON, Gladys Watson, Pupils: Gilbert ADAMTHWAITE, Maurice 6 Adamthwaite, Charles BEUTHIN, Jean Phyllis Watson, Walter Watson Beuthin, Marion Beuthin, Nelly Beuthin, Garden Island Creek Subsidised Frank DAVIS, Frank HEARPS, Norah School (Huon district) Hearps, Doris PERRY, Lillian A POWE, Miss Maud Emily HARRIS was the Charles ROUGH, Dorothy Rough, Henry subsidised teacher from 1912–1914. Rough, John Rough, Lilla Rough, Ada Born 28 February 1885 at Hobart, SMITH, Elsie Smith, Harry Smith5 youngest daughter of James and Eliza Clifton Vale Subsidised School (Dysart (née SMITH) HARRIS, Miss Harris had district) attended Garden Island Creek State It was in September 1912 that Miss Ruby School herself, having spent four years in Irene HARREX took up her position as the sixth class. She married Roy Lyndon its subsidised teacher, that being her first CLENNETT on 11 December 1915 at teaching role. Born 20 September 1890, Garden Island Creek, and they had five New Norfolk, third daughter of Alfred children. Mrs Clennett was widowed in William Edward and Florence Jane 1951, and died in 1971. Catherine (née ALOMES) Harrex, Miss Pupils: Pauline BEECH, Agnes BRIT- Harrex was educated at Osterley and TAIN, Alice Brittain, Dorothy Brittain, Jericho State Schools. Edward Brittain, George Brittain, Following her time at Clifton Hazel Brittain, Leslie Brittain, Vale, which ended in 1914, Mary Brittain, May Brittain, Miss Harrex undertook a Myrtle Brittain, Olive Brittain, short teacher training Richard Brittain, Rose Brit- course at the East tain, Stanley Brittain, Albert Launceston Practising COULSON, William Coul- School, and was then son, Stella HARRIS, Jack appointed as a HAWSON, Edward HAY- Provisional Teacher to NES, Stanley Haynes, Glen Fern State Sydney Haynes, School. She married May MILLHOUSE, Cecil Norman WILLIAMS at New Thomas Millhouse, Robert TURNER, Norfolk on 26 April 1916, and continued Raymond WOOD7 teaching at Glen Fern for a short period. Goshen Subsidised School (St Helens Mrs Williams was widowed in 1961, and district) died at New Town in August 1973. John Charles BROWN was born on 5 Pupils: Benjamin BENNETT, Ellen February 1887 at Latrobe, son of George Bennett, Sydney Bennett, Amy HAWES, and Martha Sophia (née PARISH) Gwen JESSOP, Ethel NICHOLAS,

6 ibid 5 TAHO: ED54/1 7 TAHO: ED54/1

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012 81

BROWN, and was educated at Lefroy Kelso Subsidised School (West Tamar State School. In 1910 he married Lilian district) Mary Dorcas POLDEN at Kindred. Miss Jean SKELLY was the teacher from When Mr Brown applied for the position October 1912 to February 1913. at Goshen in October 1912, he indicated Pupils: Annie BREWARD, Edie that he was a married man with one child Breward, Edith Breward, Ivey Breward, and, unless he could have free use of the Madeline Breward, Mary Breward, Willie residence, he would not be able to afford Breward, Jack JACKSON, Phyllis to accept. In October 1913, his youngest JONES, Richard Jones, Victor Jones, son contracted Scarlet Fever and the Cyrill MARSTON, Ella Marston, Ernest school had to be closed for six weeks. In Marston, Olive Marston, Phillis Marston, November 1913, Mr Brown wrote to the Ivan SLATER, Trevor Slater, Wanda Department, angered at having had pay Slater, Adelaide SQUIRES10 deducted from his subsidy during the Leprena Subsidised School (Esperance time that the school was closed. In district) response, the Department declared that, Teresa Eileen WALDIE was born on 19 since he was not a teacher of the January 1894 at Brighton, the daughter of Government in the proper sense of that William Joshua and Amy Catherine (née term, but a teacher of a private school BASS) Waldie. She was educated at the which was assisted by the Government, Convent schools at Pontville and Mr Brown was not entitled to such Deloraine. Miss Waldie started her payment and that no exception could be teaching career with the Education made. Mr Brown tendered his resign- 8 Department as a monitor at Hastings ation in March 1914, and turned his State School from 1910 to 1912. On 4 efforts to becoming a Minister of November 1912, aged 18, she became the Religion. He served in a number of subsidised teacher at Leprena. By 1924, circuits in Tasmania before transferring to Miss Waldie was nursing at New Victoria in 1934. Reverend Brown was Norfolk.11 She died in Victoria in 1948. widowed in 1940, and remarried at Willaura, Victoria in 1943 to Myrtle Pupils: Arthur BELBIN, Nora Belbin, Anne SHALDERS. He died at Preston, Thelma Belbin, Alex BLACKNEY, Victoria in February 1952. Violet Blackney, George CLARKE, Percy Clarke, Olive DAVIDSON, Roland Pupils: Alice FOWLER, Allan LE FEVRE, Davidson, John DENT, Beryl DILLON, Linda Le Fevre, Leslie LEHNER, Hazel Esma Dillon, Jack Dillon, Ada McAULIFFE, Jessie McAuliffe, Fred DONOHUE, John Donohue, Madge NISBET, W F J Nisbet, Gifford C Donohue, Coralie DOUBLE, Edyth POLDEN, Vernon ROBINSON, Eric Double, John Double, Rita Double, Grace SINGLINE, Henry Singline, Reginald GRUNDY, Thomas Grundy, Madge Singline, Dulcie TRELOGGEN, Eileen HANLON, James HEATHER, Myra Treloggen, Ina Treloggen, Ira Treloggen, Heather, Richard Heather, Colin Jean Treloggen, Roy Treloggen, Vera 9 JOHNSTON, Keith Johnston, Mervyn Treloggen, Algy WHITTAKER Johnston, Nita Johnston, Eric KNIGHT,

8 TAHO: ED10/ 01016/1917 10 ibid 9 TAHO: ED54/1 11 Examiner, 9 February 1924

82 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012

Marjorie MURRAY, Algernon SMITH, Pupils: Michael CONROY, Edward Cassie Smith, Charlie Smith, Doris DIPROSE, Florence Diprose, Grace Smith, Jamie Smith, Harold WATTS, Diprose, Ruby FORSYTH, Alfred Harry Watts, Thomas Watts12 HAAS, Tasman Haas, Dorothy HEATH- Maurice Subsidised School (North East ORN, Ida Heathorn, Irenie Heathorn, John Heathorn, Margaret McDOUGALL, district) 14 Mrs Maud Madge Walgrave Margaret Richard McDougall, Thomas McDougall HEATHORN was subsidised teacher Mt Lloyd Subsidised School (New from December 1912 to May 1913. Born Norfolk district) 22 November 1874, Launceston, the Mrs Ellen Mary Victoria LEESON had daughter of Charles and Louisa (née had previous teaching experience at BRICKNELL) LESLIE, she was Queenstown, Barton, Mt Lloyd and educated at a State School in Melbourne, Crotty when she took up the position of a Ladies’ College in Sydney, and at Miss subsidised teacher in November 1912. Hoff’s private school in Launceston. For Born 24 May 1890 at Hobart, daughter of some considerable time she was George John and Mary Victoria (née employed as governess to Miss Scott of PROBIN) LEE, she started her teaching Ringarooma. Miss Leslie taught with the career in 1907. Miss Lee married Lance Department briefly in the late 1890s, and Henry Leeson at Hobart on 17 April also conducted a private school at Dairy 1911, and they had six children. Mrs Plains in 1900. She married William Leeson died at Mt Lloyd on 23 October Marshall Heathorn at Launceston in July 1950. 1903, and they had three children. When Pupils: Ella CLARK, Ellen Clark, George Mrs Heathorn applied for a school to be Clark, Henry CRANFIELD, James established at Mt Maurice in 1912, her Cranfield, Edgar EISZELE, Nita Eiszele, address was ‘Summer Ville’, Maurice. Russell Eiszele, Ivy FEIL, Nelly Feil, She was willing to find a room for the Rita Feil, Jessie GILBERT, Maurice school and offered her own services as a Gilbert, Mavel Gilbert, Clara LEESON15 certified teacher.13 Mrs Heathorn died at Nietta Subsidised School (Ulverstone Ringarooma on 4 February 1944. district) Born 19 July 1881, London, daughter of Harry and Martha ((née BLACKWELL) WINTER, Nora Pattie Winter arrived in Tasmania in 1885. Miss Winter was educated at Deloraine State School. Her parents ran the general store and post office at Railton before moving to Needles and later to a farm at Nietta. Miss Winter briefly took up the position of Paid Monitor at Dairy Plains State School in 1903.16

14 TAHO: ED54/1 12 TAHO: ED54/1 15 TAHO: ED54/1 13 TAHO: ED9/929/1912 16 TAHO: ED2/11958; file 2211

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012 83

Having passed the State School Albert William Frederick and Mary Edith Examination for Licensed Teachers some Jean (née MacARTHUR) Mortyn. Mr years prior, Miss Winter became the first Mortyn passed the Junior Public teacher at Nietta, working in a building Examination in 1908. After his short constructed on her parents’ property in time at Riversdale School from Septem- 1910.17 The school became a subsidised ber 1912 to February 1913, Mr Mortyn one from 18 November 1912. She was a studied to become a Clerk of Holy Orders dedicated teacher of ballet and music and and subsequently served in various was described by those who knew her as locations throughout the State. He a ‘fine lady’. Miss Winter also perform- married Emma Elizabeth Mary RITCHIE ed at many coastal concerts. She died on in 1935. Reverend Mortyn died in 10 May 1983 at Ulverstone. Hobart in 1974. Pupils: Bertie ASHTON, Harriet M Pupils: Marjorie ADAMS, Esta BING- COX, Eric Cox, Daniel J HARRING- HAM, Dorothy COTTON, Francis TON, Mary M Harrington, Robert J Cotton, Margaret Cotton, William Cotton, Harrington, Doris E THOMAS18 Eileen DOWNS, Beatrice FARRELL, Priory Subsidised School (St Helens Joshua FERGUSON, A C KEAN, Bertha district) KEAN, Mabel Kean, Sydney Kean, Agnes LYNE, Brewis Lyne, Iris Lyne, Mavis This school provided Miss Annie Crossly 20 REID with her first teaching experience Lyne, Beryl WILSON, Stella Wilson when she took its charge in September Sandford Subsidised School (South 1912. Born 17 March 1882, Ringarooma, Arm district) daughter of Henry Thomas and Mary Mrs Caroline MORRISBY taught at Leese (née UNWIN) REID, she was Sandford from 1906–1909, prior to her educated at St Helens State School. Miss marriage. Born 11 June 1877, Basalt Reid passed the Provisional Teachers’ Hill, Daylesford, Victoria, daughter of Examination in 1915 and continued her Charles and Caroline (née HANCOCK) long career into the 1940s. Miss Reid MOODY, she came to Tasmania in 1896, was buried at St Helens in 1977. and joined the Department in 1899. Miss Pupils: Eileen BECKITT, Winnie Moody married Thomas William Morris- Beckitt, Lachlan CAMPBELL, Lillian by at Launceston in 1910, and the couple Campbell, Claude CHAPPLE, Elsie had at least six children. She returned to Chapple, Hilda Chapple, Ivy Chapple, the Sandford school when it became Beatrice CLELAND, Vincent Cleland, subsidised in November 1912. Mrs Morris- Ida CLIFFORD, Mervyn Clifford, Stella by was buried at Sandford in October 1966. Clifford, Vera Clifford, Alex REID, Ivion Pupils: Earle H D BOWDEN, Martha G Reid, Geoffrey RICHARDS19 Bowden, Roy W G Bowden, Willie J Riversdale Subsidised School (Rich- HAYNES, Edward HUXLEY, Gordon mond district) Huxley, Rita Huxley, Raymond MOR- Stuart MacArthur MORTYN was born on RISBY, Henry A REARDON, Elvie B 27 January 1889 at Hobart, the son of RICHARDSON, Francis J Richardson, Lucy J Richardson, Stanley SPAULD- 21 ING, Alan B STEEL 17 TAHO: ED9/1561/1909 18 TAHO: ED54/1 20 ibid 19 TAHO: ED54/1 21 ibid

84 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012

Scopus Subsidised School (Circular Head district) Born 8 January 1889, Deloraine, daughter of James and Sarah Ann (née HUGHES) NEW RELEASE EVERETT, Emily Adeline Everett attended Rubicon Bridge State School for nine years. Miss Everett had no teaching experience prior to taking up the position at Scopus in 1912, but she went on to have a very long career with the Depart- ment, one which extended into the 1950s.

Pupils: May BUTTERWORTH, Dorothy Index to Clark Bros CHEQUER, George Chequer, Herbert Chequer, Nellie Chequer, Amy CUN- Funeral Records Vol. III NINGHAM, Hannah Cunningham, Roy Part 3 A–K Cunningham, Willie Cunningham, July 1945 – June 1979 Clemeth CURE, Maud Cure, Pearl Cure, and Roy Cure, Ruben Cure, Horace Index to Clark Bros DAVISON, Alfred GREEN, Clarence Funeral Records Vol. III GRIFFITHS, John Griffiths, Rachel Griffiths.22 Part 3 L–Z July 1945 – June 1979 The records kept by the Education Department from 1912–1943 identify more than 260 schools as part of the These two A4 books complete subsidised schools scheme.23 It is not the valuable records available for hard to appreciate, therefore, that Clark Bros Funeral Directors thousands of our ancestors throughout the in Hobart State had associations with that form of and follow on from education as promoters, pupils or teachers. It is easy to identify the Part 1 March 1910 – February negative features apparent in the 1928 and operation of those very small schools, and Part II February 1928 – July 1945. there are many interesting tales contained in the records. It seems more important to complete this article however, simply Write to Resource Manager by emphasising that subsidised schools TFHS Inc. Hobart Branch played a significant role in the history of PO Box 326 Tasmania’s education system. They ROSNY PARK TAS 7018 provided an opportunity for small groups or of pupils living in isolated areas to email [email protected] receive face-to face-teaching in a semi- traditional school setting when there was little alternative available to them.  Price on application

22 TAHO: ED54/1 23 TAHO: ED250/1

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012 85

LOOKING FOR GREAT GRANDMA’S PARENTS Jeanette Brunton

am searching for a couple of convicts If these two are my great-grandmother’s who I think are my great-great parents, they left her in New Zealand I grandparents. The search so far has when they returned to Tasmania. Seems been intriguing, but with a rather sad part. odd, but there is a Police Gazette notice My great-grandmother Ellen SMITH that an Ellen Smith was charged under knew nothing of her parents. She told her the Criminal and Neglected Children’s children late in her life that she had spent Act and sentenced in January 1871 to five time in an orphanage and had begun years in an industrial school in Dunedin, employment as a domestic aged 10. She Otago. She was five at the time, and thought she had been born in a small perhaps had been found wandering the town in Southland, New Zealand, but the street. Not just odd, but very sad. only person with her name in Southland By the way, my mother said she was the in 1864 was born in Invercargill, the sweetest, gentlest and kindest of largest city in Southland, with a birth grandmothers, a superb gardener and certificate naming Henry Smith, painter, cook. and Maria CARR as parents. Does anyone know of Australian Convicts with these names and trade descendants of Henry and Mary/Maria? received permission to marry in 1853, The other children were Isaac, Elizabeth and were married on 5 September 1853 in married John HICKS, William, Mary and the parish church, Oatlands. Maria, on Emily, married William Albert HARDY. marriage, had decided to change her Maybe I am just fantasizing, but I would name from Mary, which is the name on be grateful for any guidance. Next year her convict record. my husband and I will be visiting Henry was transported from England in Tasmania and would love to make 1851, and Mary from Dublin in 1852. contact with any descendants. They had two children born between I am a member, number 20625, of the New 1854 and 1862, and three born in Port Zealand Genealogical Society.  Sorell between 1871 and 1877. In late 1863, Mary was sentenced to three Yours sincerely months hard labour for ‘feloniously stealing’ in Hobart. I wonder if they Jeanette Brunton 97 Calcutta Street thought, on her release in December, that Khandallah leaving Tasmania for New Zealand might Wellington 6035 be a good idea? I have not been able to phone 04 4 977 5157 find any shipping records yet which mob 021 259 9942 would provide evidence of any Smith [email protected] family trans-Tasman travel.

86 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012

VOICES FROM THE ORPHAN SCHOOLS ISABELLA JONES FORMERLY FORBES Dianne Snowden (Member No.910

SABELLA JONES was living at the marriage record, Isabella was 18 but she Old Wharf in Hobart in 1870 when is more likely to have been 16. Witnesses I she asked that her three young sons, to the marriage were Jesse and Anne George, James and Thomas, be admitted Fisher, both of whom signed their mark. to the Orphan Schools in New Town (by Cain was a convict who arrived on the then known as the Queen’s Asylum for Equestrian (1) ten years earlier in 1844.5 Destitute Children). Between 1855 and 1869, Isabella and Isabella was familiar with the Orphan Cain had seven children: Elizabeth Ann School: as Isabella FORBES, she had (born August 1855);6 William John (born been admitted there on 31 October 1850, Port Esperance May 1857);7 Robert (born along with sixteen other children (aged Esperance November 1860);8 male child between 2½ and 13) who had arrived free (born Esperance November 1862);9 male on 27 October 1850 with their convict child (born Esperance October 1864);10 mothers on the Irish convict ship Duke of male child (born Esperance March Cornwall. On Isabella’s admission 1867);11 and an unnamed female child application, her parents were named as (born Esperance April 1869).12 From the Ann and William Forbes. Her mother, Ann Forbes alias EAKIN(G), also 5 brought her son William.1 TAHO, CON33/1/54 No.12825: Cain Jones [Image 149] In July 1852, Isabella was discharged 6 RGD32 4597/1855 Hobart: Elizabeth Ann from the Orphan School and sent to her Jones. She was born 2 August 1855 and mother who had married Jesse FISHER baptised in St Davids, Hobart, 12 August Maitland in August 1851.2 Ann Fisher, 1855. Her parents were living in Melville wife of Jesse, died in May 1871 at the age Street and her father was a ‘surveyor’. 7 of 50 on the Tasman Peninsula.3 RGD32 5024/1857 Hobart: William John Jones. William was born on 21 May 1857 Two years after leaving the Orphan and was baptised in St Davids Hobart on School, in 1854, Isabella married Cain 12 July 1857. JONES, a sawyer aged 25, in St Davids 8 RGD33 970/1860 Esperance: Robert Cathedral Hobart.4 According to her Jones (15 November 1860) 9 RGD33 431/1862 Esperance: male Jones (21 November 1862). This may have been 1 TAHO, CON15/1/6 pp.244–5 Image 248–9 Henry, who died in 1870, aged 10. 2 TAHO, SWD28; RGD 37 147/1852 10 RGD33 638/1864 Esperance: male Jones Hobart: Ann Forbes & Jesse Fisher. Anne’s (4 October 1864). His father, Cain, was a age was recorded as 30 and Jesse was 27. sawyer living at Folkestone. 3 RGD35 500/1871 Tasman Peninsula: Ann 11 RGD33 380/1867 Esperance: male Jones Fisher. Ann, aged 50, died of cancer of the (15 November 1860). The birth was womb on 23 May 1871. She was the wife of registered by C. Pulfer, friend, Esperance. Jesse Fisher, of an attendant at Port Arthur. Father’s name recorded as Cane Jones. 4 TAHO, RGD37 1854 215 Hobart: Isabella 12 RGD33 355/1869 Esperance: female Forbes & Cain Jones Jones (23 April 1869). The birth was

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012 87

time they were living in Esperance, Cain On 28 February 1870, an inquest was was consistently recorded as a sawyer held on the body of Henry Jones, young and Isabella as ‘Isabella Jones formerly son of Cain and Isabella: Forbes’. Cain was the informant for all An inquest was held at the General but the last two birth registrations. Hospital, Hobart Town, on the 28th In March 1870, tragedy struck the young February, by Mr. A. B. Jones, district family and the incident was reported coroner, on the body of Henry Jones, a widely. The Sydney Morning Herald, for lad ten years old, who died there from the result of injuries caused by the explosion example, carried the following: of a boiler ... The coroner’s jury returned A tragical occurrence happened at the a verdict of “accidental death.” Another Drysdale Saw Mills, Port Esperance, on brother was also severely scalded, but is the 25th ultimo. Shortly after 12 o’clock, recovering. Cain Jones, the father of the whilst the engineer to the works (Cain lads, and the engineer at the mills, was so Jones) and his two sons, boys aged about severely injured that he died four hours 10 and 13 years respectively, were after the explosion. The accident is engaged in the engine-shed, the boiler, it attributed to the supply of water in the is supposed through not being supplied boiler having been allowed to fall too low sufficiently with water, burst. The man before refilling.16 was blown a distance of twenty-four feet, The inquest stated that Henry Jones was and so severely injured that that he expired in about four hours after the employed in the engine room of a steam explosion. The two boys were also very sawmill at Esperance when it exploded. seriously injured by the shock, and He was covered with scalding water and scalded, and one of them, the youngest, steam over his head, face, and body, has since died.13 ‘mortal scalds’ which led to his death two 17 Isabella’s son, Henry Jones, aged ten, days later. died on 27 February 1870 in Hobart.14 After Cain’s death, Isabella received The inquest for Cain Jones was held at government financial assistance of 2/6 the Dover Hotel on 26 February 1870. It per week from 1 April 1870. She had determined that he ‘came by his death’ on four children under 12 but by December 25 February 1870 at Walter Drysdale’s 1870 had only one to care for, the other three were admitted to the Queen’s sawmill at Port Esperance. He was in 18 charge of the boiler attached to the engine Asylum on 4 May 1870. at the mill but allowed the water to get George W EDWARDS19 recommended too low, the fire became red hot, and that Isabella’s three children be admitted caused the boiler to explode at 12 to the Asylum: o’clock, Cain Jones was ‘so burned and scalded that he did linger for four hours, and so lingering did die’.15 16 The Mercury 26 March 1870 p.3 17 TAHO, SC195/1/53 Inquest No.6714 18 I Schaffer & J Purtscher, The Sick and the registered by Thomas Connolly, constable, Poor in Tasmania 1870. Persons in Port Esperance. Receipt of Public aid [HAP 1871], New 13 Sydney Morning Herald 14 March 1870 town 1994, p.32: Allowance case No.899. p.3 (from the Examiner) 19 Probably George Wild Edwards, 14 RGD35 9193/1870 Hobart: Henry Jones appointed bailiff to the Sheriff (formerly 15 TAHO, SC195/1/53 Inquest No.6704; Superintendent of Police at Richmond): RGD35 1870/130 Esperance: Cane Jones The Mercury 4 October 1870 p.2

88 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012

This is a most pitiable case, the applicant By the time that George was discharged, is already in receipt of aid, but she is his younger brother Robert Jones had quite incompetent to have charge of her been admitted to the Male Orphan own children. At first when she applied School: he entered on 20 August 1870, for aid on her removal from country to when he was 11. He was discharged in Hobart I observed something peculiar in May 1874 when he was apprenticed her manner and looks, but thought that to Henry LAIRD at Emu Plains, the sudden death of her husband might 22 have been the cause, and that she would Westbury. soon recover the shock. I have since had James Jones, aged 5, was also admitted to opportunities of observing her, and from the Orphan School on 4 May 1870. He my own judgement, and from information was discharged to Thomas O’REILLY at received from other persons, I am con- Port Cygnet on 5 June 1874.23 In October vinced that it is important that these 1879, James absconded from O’Reilly. children should be removed from her, she is a poor helpless creature, cannot wash He was described as 16 years and 5’3” or do needlework ... Two of her children with brown hair, dark complexion, has recently burned by accident whilst sitting large wart on tip of his tongue; wore light near the fire. I visited applicant on billy-cock hat, blue jumper and dark Saturday night at 9 pm when I first saved trousers.24 one of her children from being burned. According to the Register of Applications Two were lying quite naked on a few rags for Admission Margaret Jones was on the floor. This person has one boy admitted to the Orphan School on 26 now in hospital and a young one in arms. August 1872. 25 Other evidence suggests Tracing the Jones children in the Orphan she was admitted on 19 May 1879 and School admission records is complicated discharged on 15 May 1886. She may by their common surname. However, the also have been admitted to the Girls Register of Applications for Admission Industrial School under the name of contains the following: No.15 George, James and Thomas Jones [www.orphanschool.org.au] Orphan Admitted on Colonial Fund 4 May 1870 No.2898: George Jones. See also Joyce Allowance case no.899 Purtscher (compiler), Apprentices and No.30 Robert Jones Absconders from Queen’s Orphanage Admitted on Colonial Fund 8 August 1870 Hobart Town 1860–1883 (New Town, Allowance case no.899, same family as 1994), np: Isabella’s name was recorded No.15 as Mary Ann. 22 No.35 Margaret Jones TAHO, SWD27, 32/1, 53, 54, HAP1871/63. Friends of the Orphan Admitted on Colonial Fund 26 August 1872 Schools [www.orphanschool.org.au] Allowance case no.89920 Orphan No.2926: Robert Jones In May 1870, George Jones, aged 12, was 23 TAHO, SWD27 (p.102); TAHO, admitted to the Male Orphan School. His SWD26/13, 32/1, 52/2, 54; Friends of the stay was brief: he was discharged on 30 Orphan Schools August 1870, when he was apprenticed to [www.orphanschool.org.au] Orphan his mother.21 No.2903: James Jones 24 Joyce Purtscher (compiler), Apprentices and Absconders from Queen’s Orphanage 20 TAHO, SWD 27/1/1 p.102 Hobart Town 1860–1883 (New Town, 21 TAHO, SWD27, HAP1871/63. Friends of 1994), np the Orphan Schools 25 TAHO, SWD 27/1/1 p.102

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Sarah. Margaret Jones, aged 14, was REUNIONS transferred to the New Norfolk Asylum from the General Hospital on 15 March 26 1886. BUTLER REUNION On 18 July 1870, William John Jones was admitted under the Colonial fund ‘for the A reunion for the descendants of purpose of being apprenticed out’.27 He ALFRED ALEXANDER was apprenticed to James SHORT down BUTLER the Huon. His apprenticeship expired in will be held at the 1875 but he is recorded as absconding in SHENE Property at Pontville on 1878.28 This is likely to be Isabella’s son. Sunday 25 November 2012 In November 1872, Isabella gave birth to a daughter, Eliza Jones, in Hobart.29 The ALFRED was born on the 5/07/1826, the birth was registered by Mr R ATKINS, first son of GAMALIEL BUTLER & SARAH PAINE to be born in Van Diemen’s Land Superintendent, Cascades. By this time, (Tasmania). He married Isabella Logan and they there were a number of different had 12 children. institutions on the site of what was Shene was at one time a residence formerly the Cascades Female Factory, of Gamaliel & Sarah. including a female pauper institution and David and Anne Kernke, who are undertaking an the Gaol and ‘House of Correction for enormous conservation project of the property, Females.’ It is not clear which institution now own it. Isabella was in and this may be the last To assist in obtaining an idea of numbers and to record of her. The life of Isabella Jones receive further information of the reunion, interested descendants should contact either of formerly Forbes—orphan school child the following by the and orphan school mother—was 25 August 2012 characterised by deep sadness and tragic Ashton & Jill Butler circumstances.  email [email protected] or phone (03) 6229 7707 mobile 0438 348 881 Friends of the Orphan Schools, Ross & Margaret Butler St John’s Park Precinct: phone (03) 6243 6862 www.orphanschool.org.au

26 A reunion to celebrate 160 years since Friends of the Orphan Schools the arrival of the Zes Gezusters [www.orphanschool.org.au] Orphan No.2929: Sarah or Margaret Jones aka Six Sisters emigrant ship 27 TAHO, SWD27 (p.102); Friends of the Will be held on Orphan Schools SUNDAY 13 JANUARY 2013 [www.orphanschool.org.au] Orphan AT GEELONG, VICTORIA, No.2938: William John Jones 28 Joyce Purtscher (compiler), Apprentices AUSTRALIA.

and Absconders from Queen’s Orphanage For more information, please contact Hobart Town 1860–1883 (New Town, reunion organizer, Rob Newland at 7008), np 29 [email protected] TAHO, RGD33 1872/2932 Hobart: Eliza

Jones (9 November 1872)

90 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012

NEW MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

NAME PLACE/AREA TIME M’SHIP NO. ALTMANN Johann Gottlieb GERMANY 1800–1850 7297 BAILEY John Oatlands TAS AUS 1840–1900s? 7290 BAINES Rosetta Gravesend KEN ENG c.1815 7306 BARNARD Devonport TAS AUS 1850+ 7310 BARNARD Ernest & Charlotte Mole Creek/Launceston TAS AUS 1868–1953 7326 BARNARD Lews Mole Creek/Launceston TAS AUS 1904–1941 7326 BARNARD Walter & Leah Launceston/Westbury/Deloraine TAS AUS 1857–1901 7326 BARNES William Spreyton/Port Sorell TAS AUS –1860 7325 BARRY Michael Port Fairy VIC AUS c.1830–1900 7308 BARRY Sydney Sylvester Port Fairy VIC AUS c.1878–1930 7308 BECKER William NZ c.1904–1953 7313 BECKER William Augustus b.Fingal TAS AUS 1871 7313 BLACKABY William HRT ENG 1823–1900s 7309 BLANEY Thomas Any 1883–1952 7309 BLOMQUEST Mary Gladys Hobart TAS AUS 1896–1948 7307 BROWN John Launceston (occ. baker) TAS AUS 1821–1885 7326 BYRES Cruden ABD SCT/TAS & NZ c.1700 7287 CASTRAY Luke Richard Launceston & Hobart TAS AUS 1800–1900 7293 CASTRAY Luke ? Wynberg Western Cape Province SAfrica 1750–1850 7293 CASTRAY Luke Randolph Hobart TAS AUS 1850–1950 7293 CASTRAY Luke Richard Fort Beaufort SAfrica 1850–1950 7293 CASTRAY Wilfred Albert Hobart TAS AUS 1850–1950 7293 CHAMBERS Any Any 7322 CHISHOLM Colin TAS AUS 1862–1931 7318 CLARK Ada Mary New Norfolk TAS AUS 1890–1980 7323 CLARK Alexander Launceston & Hobart TAS AUS 1806+ 7288 CLARK Alexander James Launceston & Hobart TAS AUS 1844+ 7288 CLARK, Elizabeth Mann Launceston & Hobart TAS AUS 1821+ 7288 COLEMAN UK to Sheffield TAS AUS prior to 2012 7287 COOK ENG Any 7312 COOPER TAS AUS Any 7287 CORNISH Oatlands & Parattah TAS AUS 1830s+ 7294 DALWOOD Winifred Reefton NZ 1844–1916 7323 DISHER Ethel Hobart TAS AUS 1890 7321 DORLOFF Olga Adventure Bay Bruny Is TAS AUS 1885–1900 7305 DUCIE Patrick Evandale TAS AUS 1830–1912 7318 DUMONT Emma VIC AUS 1875–1910 7297 DUNCAN Inverbervie SCT 1750–1900 7324 DWYER Patrick Sorell TAS AUS 1840–1890 7290 EASTLEY DEV ENG Any 7303 EMERY Oatlands & Parattah TAS AUS 1830s + 7294 FAHEY Jeramiah Co Clare IRL c.1800 7306 FITTON Charles ENG 1852+ 7292 FLETCHER Mimosa Louise Glen Huon TAS AUS c.1881–1970 7308 FOSTER TAS AUS & NBL ENG 1800–1920 7310 GARTH Amy Longley & Hobart TAS AUS 1900–1975 7321 GARTH Leonard George Hobart TAS AUS 1900–1975 7321 GAZE Redruth CON ENG/TAS AUS Any 7287 GUEST George Hobart TAS AUS 1767–1841 7305

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NEW MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

NAME PLACE/AREA TIME M’SHIP NO. GUY Leila Kathleen Hobart TAS AUS 1900–1970 7321 HANLON Richard IRL 1852+ 7292 HARDING Cookham BRK ENG Any 7316 HARRIS Thomas Calder & Wynyard TAS AUS –1924 7325 HARRIS William Hereford HEF ENG 1800–1950 7315 HAYES WIL ENG/TAS AUS 1800+ 7310 HENDERSON Any Any 7289 HILL Devonport TAS AUS 1820+ 7310 HOUSE Elizabeth TAS AUS 1857 7314 HOUSE Joseph TAS AUS 1850–1856 7314 HUDSON Longford TAS AUS Any 7316 JUDGE Bridget CON Launceston TAS AUS 1814–1846 7302 KNOWLES George Edward Hobart TAS AUS 1871–1948 7307 KNOWLES Mary Gladys Hobart TAS AUS 1917–1997 7307 LAMB John Mayne St Invermay TAS AUS 1900s 7291 LANGTON Patrick CON Launceston TAS AUS 1804–1823 7302 LEARY Daniel CON Hobart & Launceston TAS AUS 1817–1829 7302 LEESON Herbert New Norfolk TAS AUS 1878–1936 7323 LEWIS John Allen QLD AUS 1880–1963 7297 LOCKETT ENG Any 7312 LOWE Richard NTT England 1810–1876 7307 LOWE Roland George Gretna TAS AUS d.1901 7307 LOWE Leslie Rex Hobart TAS AUS 1913–1942 7307 MACLEAN John Evandale TAS AUS 1859–1943 7318 MAHER Catherine Oatlands TAS AUS 1800–1891 7290 MAHER Denis Oatlands TAS AUS 1800–1889 7290 McBEAN Donald Inverness SCT 1800–1850 7297 McCREA Maud TAS AUS 1916–1980 7297 McNAIR Jane TAS AUS 1856 7314 MOODY John CON Launceston TAS AUS 1833–1865 7302 MORRIS SCT Any 7303 MORRIS William prior 1712 PEM WLS/TAS AUS 1700s. 1700s 7287 NASH Lily Bristol ENG 1880–1900 7297 PARKER NFK ENG/TAS AUS 1800+ 7310 PEPPER George Franklin TAS AUS 1863–1936 7308 PEPPER John CON transported to TAS AUS c1845–1870 7308 PERRY John South Weald ESS ENG 1760–1840 7315 PERRY Lewis South Weald TAS AUS Any 7315 PERRY William South Weald ESS ENG c.1782 7306 PLUNKETT Co FIR IRL prior 1855 7299 PLUNKETT New Norfolk TAS AUS 1856–1950 7299 POLLEY Franklin Mathinna TAS AUS 1811–1875 7318 POLLEY Harry Mathinna TAS AUS 1865–1958 7318 PULLENS UK/TAS AUS Any 7287 REED Samuel Kirk Smealton STH YKS ENG c.1730 7306 RODD William John CON Launceston TAS AUS 1817–1846 7302 ROGERS Joseph Launceston TAS AUS 1824+ 7292 RYAN Johanna Rosary Triabunna TAS AUS c.1894–1970 7308 SATTLER family Germany 1800+ 7322

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NEW MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

NAME PLACE/AREA TIME M’SHIP NO. SCOTT James Eric Launceston TAS AUS 1900s 7291 SHORT John Blackburn LAN ENG 1790–1850 7315 SIMPSON Harriet SCT 1824+ 7292 SMITH Percy Smithton TAS AUS Any 7316 SMITH Percy Melbourne VIC AUS Any 7316 STARK Kilkintilloch SCT 1750–1900 7324 STOCKS Mark Leeds YKS ENG 1800+ 7315 TAYLOR James Playford Reefton NZ 1843–1900 7323 TAYOR William George Reefton NZ/VIC AUS 1875–1937 7323 THOMAS Bagdad TAS AUS 1839+ 7322 TIPPER James Norfolk Island & TAS AUS 1844–1900 7326 TIPPER John Deloraine & Launceston TAS AUS 1844–1874 7326 TUCK Samuel Evandale TAS AUS 1868–1934 7318 TUSCAN Ann Sorell TAS AUS 1840–1890 7290 WALTERS Henry Deloraine & Mole Creek TAS AUS –1887 7325 WHITFORD Joseph John CON Sorell TAS AUS 1830–1850 7302 YATES Alice ENG 1852+ 7292

NEW MEMBERS

A warm welcome is extended to the following new members 7284 MARTIN Ms Gwendoline Zilpha PO Box 2 LATROBE TAS 7307 [email protected] 7285 METTAM Mrs Sandra Not for publication 7286 PERRY Mrs Diana Mary Bowen 30 Tranmere Road HOWRAH TAS 7018 7287 MORRIS Mr David William Not for publication 7288 CLARK Mr Michael Anthony Not for publication 7289 HENDERSON Mr David John 4 Mawson Place MAYFIELD TAS 7248 7290 MAJORS Mrs Shirley Margaret 30 Harris Road CAVERSHAM WA 6055 [email protected] 7291 LAMB Mrs Joanne Lesley 12 Atlantic Place PROSPECT VALE TAS 7250 [email protected] 7292 ANDERSON Mr Glen Circular Ponds Mayberry MOLE CREEK TAS 7304 7293 CASTRAY Mr Brian Albert 66 Wentworth Street OAK FLATS NSW 2529 [email protected] 7294 BECK Ms Lynne Marie 9 Norla Street TRANMERE TAS 7018 [email protected] 7295 CASWELL Fay Therese Not for publication 7296 LORING Mrs Christine Laurel 145 Flagtstaff Road LINDISFARNE TAS 7015 [email protected] 7297 WRATTEN Mr Neil 106 Norma Street HOWRAH TAS 7018 [email protected] 7298 JOHNSON Mr Robin Alwyn 1 Venice Street HOWRAH TAS 7018 [email protected] 7299 PLUNKETT Ms Lise 3/180 Strickland Avenue SOUTH HOBART TAS 7004 [email protected] 7300 WINZENBERG Ms Tania 3/180 Strickland Avenue SOUTH HOBART TAS 7004 7301 GREENSTREET Miss Barbara Patricia 19 North Huon Road RANELAGH TAS 7109

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012 93

NEW MEMBERS

A warm welcome is extended to the following new members 7302 McGUIRK Mr William Ronald 12 Finney Street OLD TOONGABBIE NSW 2146 [email protected] 7303 SPEED Miss Joan Mary U2/ 18 Mylan Crescent SHOREWELL PARK TAS 7320 7304 ARTHUR Mrs Althea PO BOX 1122 BURNIE TAS 7320 [email protected] 7305 GUEST Mr Roger Bruce PO Box 2272 REDCLIFFE NORTH QLD 4020 [email protected] 7306 PERRY Mr Denis Roland 65 North Road WARRAGUL VIC 3820 [email protected] 7307 LOWE Mr Brian Rex 29 Morcom Avenue RINGWOOD EAST VIC 3135 7308 LOWE Mrs Rosary Lenore 29 Morcom Avenue RINGWOOD EAST VIC 3135 7309 BLACKABY Mr Edney Thomas Not for publication 7310 PACKER Mrs Dianne 21 Rochester Drive SALISBURY HEIGHTS SA 5109 [email protected] 7312 COOK Mr Neville John 32 Futuna Avenue BURNIE TAS 7320 [email protected] 7313 BECKER Mr Kevin Gordon 54 Simpson Street SOMERSET TAS 7322 7314 BECKER Mrs Joan Lilliam 54 Simpson Street SOMERSET TAS 7322 7315 SHORT Mrs Nolene Marjorie 275 Mount Street BURNIE TAS 7320 7316 SHORT Mrs Carmen Laura 275 Mount Street BURNIE TAS 7320 7317 DYER Mrs Ellen Jane 25 Wiena Crescent MIANDETTA TAS 7310 7318 POLLEY Ms Kim PO Box 84 LONGFORD TAS 7301 [email protected] 7319 BENNETT The Hon John Myles PO Box 10 ROSS TAS 7209 [email protected] 7320 BENNETT Mrs Bronwyn Jeanne PO Box 10 ROSS TAS 7209 7321 GUY Mr Ralph Leonard 16 Whelan Road KARDINYA WA 6163 [email protected] 7322 CHAMBERS Mrs Maxine Anne Not for publication 7323 CANTRELL Miss Rebecca 78 Main Road SORELL TAS 7172 7324 DUNCAN Mr David 18 Old Summerleas Road KINGSTON TAS 7050 [email protected] 7325 McKENNA Mrs Beverley Dawn 50 Belton Street BURNIE TAS 7320 [email protected] 7326 DROHAN Mrs Jacquie [email protected]

All names remain the property of the Tasmanian Family History Society Inc. and will not be sold on in a database. If you find a name in which you are interested, please note the membership number and check the New Members’ listing for the appropriate name and address. Please enclose a stamped self–addressed envelope and don’t forget to reply if you receive a SSAE.

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HELP WANTED

BRUNY ISLAND QUARANTINE 30 April 1872. Help wanted with death STATION PHOTOS notices and/or obituaries for William Did you have a Tasmanian ancestor in (died 5 December 1929) and Mary (died WW1? In 1919 the flu pandemic killed 1935). Also names and birth dates of more than the war worldwide, and all children born to this marriage and any southern Tasmanian soldiers, had to other information. James Charles spend a week in quarantine, on Bruny Pointon (born 24 May 1871) did he Island before they were reunited with marry, names of children and years of their loved ones. If you have any old birth? Death notices and obituaries for photos or letters referring to the James (died 8 December 1942). Please Quarantine Station FOBIQS [Friends of contact Julie Gough, PO Box 450 Bruny Island Quarantine Station] would Mowbray Tasmania 7248 or phone (03) love to hear from you. Please phone 6346 5325 Kathy Duncombe on (03) 6260 6287 or email [email protected] SPENCER, William Alger On 9 May 1864, William Alger SPENCER, EVANS, Henry Tudor ex-convict per Maria Somes 2, aged 44, Seeking information of any kind on the married Frances HOGG at the church of life circumstances and activities in Holy Trinity in Launceston. I don’t Tasmania (VDL) of Henry Tudor believe they had any children. I know EVANS, born 1830 at Tea Tree, the third William died 5 May 1878 but I know son of James and Elizabeth Evans (née nothing of his wife. I would be pleased HALLEN), who arrived in Hobart Town, to hear from anybody in Tasmania who is 30 December 1822 and settled on a grant researching a Spencer or Hogg family of land at Tea Tree in 1823. There is no and who might have more information. official information yet discovered of the Contact R Spencer, Everton Cottage, Old life achievements of Henry while living Christchurch Road, Everton, Lymington, in Tasmania, or the date on which he Hampshire UK SO41 0JJ. moved to Victoria, apart from the fact of his marriage at the age of 41 years to WHERRETT Alice FIELD in 1870, their union Would like to make contact with any producing seven children (four girls and descendants of John Thomas three boys) by 1895 while living at WHERRETT 1796–1876, wife Mary ? Echuca but no record of vocation there 1793–1847. Can you help? Contact has yet emerged. Any information of any Carol Rodway  (03) 6248 6639 kind of Henry Tudor Evans’ life in VDL will be welcomed by John Evans, phone WILKES (03) 6243 9789 or by mail to 8 Begonia Information sought regarding Watkin Street, Lindisfarne Tasmania 7015. William WILKES who arrived on the

POINTON Ambrosine in 1857. Contact Eric Hearn, William POINTON (born 1848) married [email protected] or 305 Redwood Mary Margaret RITTER, (born 1852) on Road, Kingston Tasmania 7050 

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012 95

WILLIAM BRYAN (1800–1865) AN IRISH SETTLER IN VAN DIEMEN’S LAND Anne McMahon (Member No.6463)

ILLIAM BRYAN an Irish herdsmen, Samuel ARNOLD, whom he landholder in the Westbury had recently punished for cruelty, was W district was a member of a charged with cattle stealing and sentenced gentry family who came well credentialed to death by a military jury. The police to the Colony in 1824. He had been magistrate who presided was William recommended to the colonial office by LYTTLETON. On leaving the court Colonel TALBOT of Malahide castle and Lyttleton told some men including Mr assisted by his brother Robert at the Irish Richard DRY that another person ought Bar. Another brother, Samuel, had emig- to have been standing in the dock rated to Van Diemen’s Land during 1822 (meaning Bryan). His remark caused and been granted 2000 acres on the South William Bryan to send a friend, Thomas Esk river. Early in 1833 William Bryan LEWIS, to demand an explanation also sponsored an Irish family friend, whereupon Lyttleton reported Lewis to Samuel WINTER, to emigrate to the the attorney general. He was charged Launceston district. The Winters later with provoking a duel.3 became prominent settlers in the western 1 During his trial Lewis had an altercation district of Victoria. with judge Algernon MONTAGU known Initially William Bryan was granted 500 for his reprehensible language towards acres at Glenore near Carrick. With the prisoners from the bench. Lewis de- assistance of his brother Robert he manded compensation for the abuse by received a further grant at Clarence Plains the judge. This could not be denied as on the West Tamar. By 1830 he had there was no court of appeal so the amassed 11,000 acres at Cluan, White- executive government was obliged to more and Carrick worked by thirty investigate. Arthur denied Lewis’ right assigned servants. He built a flour mill of appeal thus rendering the court on Penny Royal Creek to serve the wheat proceedings unconstitutional. Lewis was farmers of Norfolk Plains together with a fined £150 and sent to jail for 18 months.4 2 wharf to transport their produce. Following the trial William Lyttleton was In 1833 William Bryan ran foul of persuaded by his neighbour Richard Dry Lieutenant-Governor ARTHUR which that he had sworn falsely. He attempted a brought his enterprise in the colony to an retraction but without any result. The end. In that year one of Bryan’s convict aggrieved Bryan tended his resignation as a justice of the peace but Arthur, who had 1 Margaret Kiddle, Men of Yesterday: a social history of the Western district of 3 John West, The History of Tasmania, Vol. Victoria 1834-1890. Melbourne 1, Launceston, Henry Dowling, 1852, University Press, 1961, p.26 p.167 facsimile 2 ‘William Bryan’, Australian Dictionary of 4 Lloyd Robson, A History of Tasmania, Biography, Vol. 1, Melbourne University Vol. 1, Melbourne University Press, 1983, Press, 1966, pp.172–173 p.298

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been annoyed by Bryan’s direct dealings stealing. Lady FRANKLIN saw him at with the colonial office, struck Bryan’s Port Arthur in March 1837. She wrote name from the commission of the peace ‘Bryan, the cattle stealer was watchman, and recalled his twenty-two assigned good looking, rather handsome and servants. The action was taken in the gentlemany – behaves well’.6 middle of harvest so that Brian incurred Within the community disputes about the substantial financial loss. Bryan then fairness of the trial of Robert arose went to Hobart Town to seek a supreme among correspondents to the Colonial court hearing from a civil jury which was Times. The editor, Henry MELVILLE, refused. In 1835 he departed for London was found guilty of contempt and jailed to seek redress from the Crown. for 18 months for his trial report which By the end of 1834 William’s brother was critical of Arthur. It was commonly Samuel Bryan had been drawn into the asserted according to John WEST that conflict with Arthur. He had complained Robert Bryan had been sacrificed ‘if not that he was being denied a supply of by the contrivance then by the assigned servants. He also advised concurrence of government’.7 Arthur that he would hand them back In London William Bryan launched an rather than risk the treatment accorded to elaborate attack on Arthur’s adminis- William. Thereupon Samuel was tration claiming, among other issues, that informed that instructions had already he had increased his personal wealth by been given to reassign them to ‘the 5 executive projects. His allegations were service of respectable settlers’. supported by a damning report by Jorgen The next clash involved the nephew of JORGENSON who had served as a William Bryan namely Robert Bryan his constable at Ross. It revealed corruption overseer. He too was charged with cattle by officials through theft of government stealing. The convict constables whose property during the building of Ross evidence was used against him were open bridge which reflected badly on Arthur’s to suspicion as the practise of snaring a administration. targeted settler was well known at the Back in Hobart Arthur intercepted time. The method adopted was to Bryan’s mail to a sympathiser, James slaughter a branded beast and throw the HACKETT, in which he had been critical hide onto the property of the settler who of the English officials HAY and was chosen to be ‘done’. Their rewards STEPHEN. He had also portrayed Old were reduced sentences. The constables England awakening after sleeping in alleged that Robert Bryan had driven a slavery for 700 years. Arthur duly sent branded beast home and the next day they the correspondence to Hay and Stephen at discovered the hide in the scrub on his the colonial office while he set about land. Robert Bryan was sentenced to refuting each of Bryan’s charges.8 death by a military jury. This was later At the end of January 1836 Lord commuted to life imprisonment under the GLENELG, Secretary for War and 1836 act (6 William IV no. 17) which abolished capital punishment for sheep 6 Lady Franklin, Diary, 24 March 1837. 5 C.M.H. Clark, A History of Australia, TAHO MS 248/156. Vol. 2, Melbourne University Press, 1968, 7 John West, op.cit. p.168 p.283 8 Lloyd Robson, op.cit. p.298

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012 97

Colonies, signed Arthur’s recall at the end of his 12 year term. Arthur was unhappy. He protested to Glenelg that A Photographic index to Bryan had escaped from the hands of justice. He was suspicious that the The Tasmanian Mail charges Bryan had made may have This series covers the photographs influenced the decision. He wrote in which appeared in protest: The Tasmanian Mail from 1894–1935 So sudden a recall when, under the scheming of a small party of discontented Now available— persons, statements as false as they are Volume 1, 1894–1904—$27.00 malicious against my government and Volume 2, 1905–1908—$27.00 myself personally are before Your Volume 3, 1909–1912—$27.00 Lordship.9 Volume 4, 1913–1916—$27.00 Glenelg offered Arthur reassurance that Volume 5, 1917–1920—$27.00 Volume 6, 1921–1922—$27.00 the events were unconnected but it was Volume 7, 1923–1924—$27.00 time for him to go. Volume 8, 1925–1926—$27.00 William Bryan was said to have come Volume 9, 1927–1928—$27.00 back to Van Diemen’s Land in 1844 but Volume 10, 1929–1930—$30.00 returned to Ireland and resided at Volume 11, 1931—$25.00 Rathony near Dublin. He joined the Irish

Confederation and served on its council 10 Available from during 1847. He died at Cork on 18 TFHS Inc. August 1865. Bryan’s colonial lands Launceston Branch were not sold on his departure. Instead PO Box 1290 his 11,410 acres were leased to twenty- Launceston TAS 7250 nine tenants. Robert Bryan had returned Plus $10.50 pack 1–4 to his 408 acre farm at Glenore following the issue of his conditional pardon in July TFHS Inc. Members less 10% discount, 1845.11 He remained there with his plus $10.50 p&p family until his death on 1 February

1881. 

PLEASE NOTE

Tasmanian Family History 9 Craig Joel, A Tale of Ambition and Society Inc. Unrealised Hope: John Montagu and Sir change of address John Franklin. Melbourne, Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2011, p.19 PO 326 Rosny Park TAS 7018 10 Richard Davis, Irish Traces on Tasmanian History 1803-2004. Hobart, Sassafras Books, 2005, p.64 11 TAHO CON 35/1

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CALLING FOR MISSING DATA IN PENGUIN GENERAL CEMETERY’S 1800+ BURIAL RECORDS Ross Hartley (Member No.6949)

PENED in the late 1860s,  Best practice in assessing deterioration Penguin General Cemetery in historic cemetery monuments. O closed decades back though still Against this backdrop, and in order to sees the occasional burial. Heritage- respect and honour the cemetery’s listed in 2007, it is unique within Central heritage-listing to better promote interest Coast Council, and the only heritage- in its tourism marketability, it is recom- listed cemetery between Devonport and mended that a number of matters need Stanley. It is largely ignored as an asset tackling, as soon as possible. Simple and apart from the Penguin History Group inexpensive as these are, all they require erecting an onsite map, installing num- is the will to make them happen. bered grave markers, and repairing Thinking strategically historical cemetery gate-entry posts. The Realistically, what’s needed is: Group also publishes a paper-based 1 Decision on a single, dynamic, up-to- version of cemetery records, more date copy of burial records available, recently transcribed to spreadsheet for both as hard copies via the Penguin easier manipulation and research. History Group and on the Central Coast Council is credited with completing some Council website, with a protocol for much-needed landscaping earlier this continually updating records. At year, as well. present there are too many versions The cemetery, and its historical value, is available. already being promoted nationally and 2 Erection of a heritage sign pole, near the internationally through published iconic Big Penguin in the centre of town research, including papers on: opposite the Information Centre, pointing to each of the handful of  Discovery of century-old pauper burials Penguin’s heritage-listed assets, show- including the 1915 ‘John Doe’, ing distances. resulting in naming and honouring these pioneers with headstones 3 Placement of a large sign, onsite, naming the cemetery as ‘Penguin  Statistical overview of cemetery burials General Cemetery’. The current sign, with a process for reconciling conflict- on the gate post, is tiny and illegible. ing recorded data sources 4 Installation of interpretive signage on-  Archival information on Penguin’s site, showcasing the cemetery’s history ‘John Doe’ in the hope of locating and heritage value to the community. relatives in Ireland, an ongoing pursuit 5 Building a comfortable bench-seat  Transcribing the Penguin History within the existing small circular Group’s paper-based burial records to landscaped garden, possibly dedicating spreadsheet, updating records in the the garden to the cemetery’s 80+ process unnamed babies.

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6 Researching missing data to provide a Whether it is relatives or just interested more comprehensive burial record. researchers, in publishing we open the Open, perhaps, to school history records to scrutiny and feedback. For this students, under an ‘adopt-a-grave’ result to be realised, however, we must strategy. first place the information in the public 7 Resealing the circular roadway within domain, for the widest possible audience the cemetery grounds. reach. At present, audience reach may be 8 Devising documentation and account- somewhat limited. abilities for ongoing management of the Having said this, certain caveats need to asset. be flagged upfront. First, there is no In many ways, it’s the last point, Point 8, intended criticism of the record’s in- which underpins execution of the other completeness. The extent to which it is seven. At present, decisions are basically complete is an achievement, indeed; its ad hoc. Best-practice management of the very existence largely attributable to the asset, which the cemetery warrants, Penguin History Group. Second, the requires a structured approach; a record may well contain errors, whether management plan, in other words. It all these are factual, the result of trans- begins with this; everything else then cription iterations, or a consequence of follows. And part of that plan, with its issues attributable to version control. objectives, milestones, timelines and Third, there is no intention to embarrass accountabilities is to decide on a single, relatives of the families cited. current, dynamic version of the burial And now to look at the dataset under records, always working from the most scrutiny, for which a response is invited. recently updated, hence the need for Forty-five burials, all in the old section of version control. And finally, to work out the cemetery and without headstones, a protocol by which the public can record surnames only (Table 1). research and contribute meaningfully to An additional twenty-five burials record the dataset. This is of paramount Christian name initials only (Table 2). importance. By far the largest missing dataset, apart Incomplete burial records from the previously mentioned age of What follows are three tables, detailing death, is the date on which death occur- the missing burial data, specifically red, some 107 in fact (Table 3). This focussing on Christian names and death table may duplicate a handful of records dates only. What is not published is the form tables 1 and 2. 501-long list of records missing age of death, and the handful of burials for which plot numbers are, surprisingly, unknown. In publishing these records housing the missing data, the rationale is simply to invite a response towards creating a more accurate, dynamic, and complete record of burials in Penguin General Cemetery. By not publishing, we deny the public an See following pages: opportunity to interact with the dataset.

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Table 1 Burials at Penguin General Cemetery for which there are no Christian names Surname Death date Plot no. Surname Death date Plot no. Brown 769 Penfold 8 Jan 1907 324 Buckingham 40 Phillips 641 Clark 727 Roe 46 Clerke 126 Rowden 255 Cole 500 Russell 4 Jan1914 737 Darrell 47 Russell 737 Drew 657 Short 295 Dyke 18 Jul 1903 290 Short 969 Evans 12 Smith 215 Evans 240 Smith 217 Gordon 122 Smith 726 Hales 10 Aug1911 361 Smith 726 Hardy 465 Spinks 480 Hayes 46 Spinks 688 Hayes 46 Stocks 23 Jan 1908 373 Herd 639 Stott 16 Dec 1913 307 Howard 150 Stott 24 Aug1910 360 Jenkins 18 Dec 1903 189 Sushames 487 Kidd 651 Sushames 714 Ling 739 Tatlow 736 McCarthy 11 Nov 1903 282 Titley 663 Monson 667 Viney 29 Jun 1907 268 Paton 238 Wilson 41

Table 2 Burials at Penguin General Cemetery for which initials only appear in lieu of Christian names Surname Christian name Middle name Death date Age Plot no. Alder W 513 Barker T W 15 June 1900 25 252 Blight (Son) 17 March 1885 14 655 Cameron I 8 August 1905 230 Campbell D 19 September 1955 S Dale J W C 4 August 1907 62 329 Davis A H 10 September 1946 830 Davis R W 19 August 1955 74 T Dobson M W 29 August 1918 21 499 Evans E 243

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Table 2 continued Burials at Penguin General Cemetery for which initials only appear in lieu of Christian names Surname Christian name Middle name Death date Age Plot no. Hawkins A E Ira 25 December 1961 56 109 Herd/Hurd? J W V 3 June 1906 314 Knight H A 18 August 1953 445 Lawler* Margaret 30 May 1936 963 Nicholas J 812 Radford J 493 Smith J H 21 June 1908 343 Sushames J 8 May 1907 714 Sushames M J 00 January 1946 43 605 Townsend E J 29 August 1952 1141 Walker A W 49 Walton W H Rev 3 April 1910 77 734 Wilkins H 501 Wilson J N General 1 May 1918 82 683 * Christian name located on the headstone in researching this article

Table 3 Burials at Penguin General Cemetery for which death dates are not recorded Surname Christian name Middle name Age Plot no. Alder W 513 Archer Elizabeth 705 Barker Elijah 653 Barker Sarah Lapham 662 Barker William 662 Bennett Anne 340 Benneworth Albert Neil 162 Billings Nellie 458 Brown 769 Buckingham 40 Burns 3 758 Burns Robert C Alder 756 Cameron Alexander (jnr) 228 Clark 727 Clarke Matilda 822 Clerke 126 Close Ellen 7 490 Cole 500

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Burials at Penguin General Cemetery for which death dates are not recorded continued Surname Christian name Middle name Age Plot no. Conroy Colin Gregory N14 Darrell 47 Deverell Neil 15 Deverell Maria 262 Dick Bessie 752 Dick Harvey S 860 Dobson William 383 Donoghue Ethel May 968 Drew William 657 Drew 657 Dyke Nina 35 847 Edwards Dick 1001 Emmerton Kenneth William 384 Evans 12 Evans James 240 Evans 240 Evans E 243 Gillard Daughter 641 Gillard Sarah 967 Gordon 122 Greenhill Charles 752 Groom Cecil Edward 171 Groom Frank 496 Hall George 492 Hardy 465 Hayes 46 Hayes 46 Hensley John 715 Herd 639 Howard 150 Howell Monie Eva 1 664 Keogh Margaret Ann 376 Keogh Louise Maud 457 Kidd William 651 Kidd 651 Ling Mervyn 10 Ling James 363 Ling Eliza 638

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Burials at Penguin General Cemetery for which death dates are not recorded continued Surname Christian name Middle name Age Plot no. Ling George 739 Ling 739 Mainwaring Florence 724 Mather Margaret 753 Monson Daniel Snr 667 Monson 667 Mumford Mary 137 Murfett Olive Emily 12 472 Nicholas J 812 Ockerby* Mary Alice 24 754 Panton Margaret 294 Parsons James 665 Paton 238 Phillips 641 Powe William Snr 220 Radford J 493 Randall Val F4 Robinson Ivy 182 Roe 46 Rook Dellis 789 Rowden 255 Russell 737 Russell Robert 737 Short 295 Short 969 Smith Charles 37 Smith Albert 191 Smith 215 Smith 217 Smith 726 Smith 726 Snooks Rosemary 18 514 Spinks 688 Spinks 480 Spinks Benjamin 648 Stingel Marjory 523 Stone John Snr 183 Stone June 183

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Burials at Penguin General Cemetery for which death dates are not recorded continued Surname Christian name Middle name Age Plot no. Stone Ida Adelaide 833 Sushames 487 Sushames 714 Tatlow 736 Titley 663 Truscott John Henry 484 Walker A W 49 Wilkins H 501 Wilson 41 Wilson John 700 Woods Jessie 149 Wright Ann 88 233 * Christian names located on the headstone along with a death date of 27 November 1899

Conclusion The aim, to build a dynamic record of burials at Penguin General Cemetery, is a laudable undertaking. The cemetery, after all, is heritage-listed, and thus worthy of dedicated research. Such research can be as simple as locating and reading the headstone, where these exist, as was demonstrated above, in two cases. Other research resources include the Tasmanian Federation Index—Deaths, The Advocate and its predecessor— Obituaries, Central Coast Council records, and other online records. The challenge lays in having the man- power to contribute, of course and this is where the new Tasmanian history curriculum for high schools students could play a part. With each student ‘adopting a grave’, not only would a galore of missing data likely be found, but perhaps also those graves with headstones could be inspected and assessed for deterioration, cared for, photographed, and uploaded to the national online One of the more unusual headstones in the Penguin General Cemetery cemetery database of headstones. So much could come to pass. If only … Photograph Ross Hartley

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HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES IN THE LAUNCESTON AREA c.1925

Town Hotel/Boarding House Per Day Per Week Proprietor Launceston Launceston Hotel 17/6+ ― Mrs. Huston Brisbane Hotel 18/-+ ― J. W. Quigley Racecourse Hotel 8/- ― W. J. Neeson Volunteer Hotel 8/- ― J. F. Schadel Bridge Hotel 8/- ― A. Grimes Metropole 12/- 84/- G. T. Gladman Criterion Hotel 12/- ― M. H. Biggins Cornwall Hotel 12/-+ ― F. Ansell Newstead Hotel 8/- ― W. J. Southerwood Royal Hotel 8/- 44/- Mrs Hiscutt Central Hotel 8/6 ― J. T. Smith Commercial Hotel 8/- ― J. J. Sheehan Courthouse Hotel 8/- ― D. W. Rainbird Imperial Hotel 8/- 50/- Mrs Hardesty National Hotel 8/- 45/- J. H. Edwards Orient Hotel 7/- 30/- O. E. Kennedy Globe Hotel 8/- 42/- Mrs. Cunningham Enfield Hotel 10/- ― A.G.Wildman Retreat Hotel 8/- 45/- H. J. Luck Royal Tasman Hotel 8/- 35/- F. Heerey The Pines 10/- 63/- Mrs. Jack Cliveden 10/- 63/- Mrs. Clark The International 6/6+ 39/-+ George Perry Aorangi 8/- 42/- Misses Hammond The Towers 10/-+ 63/-+ Mrs. Glenn Rialannah 8/6 50/- Misses Heathorn Cressy House 7/- 35/- Mrs. Patman Selby House 7/- 30/- Mrs. J. Thompson Commonwealth Coffee Palace 7/-+ 40/-+ S. Luck Russell’s Dining Rooms 6/- 35/- Mrs. A. Russell ― 6/- 35/- Mrs. Foot ― 7/- 35/- Mrs. Keats Pinenest 7/- 50/- Mrs. Peck

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Town Hotel/Boarding House Per Day Per Week Proprietor ― 6/- 35/- Miss Long Wentland 8/- 42/- Mrs. G. W. Plank Moreton House 10/6 63/- Mrs. Eddy G.F.S. Lodge 6/-+ 27/6+ The Matron Nairana 8/- 42/- Mrs. Cumming ― 7/- 35/- Mrs. Thomas Athlone 6/- 30/- Mrs. Bonner

The above information was provided by Laurie Moody and sourced from the Tasmanian Government Tourist Bureau booklet Guide to Tasmania produced circa 1925. Unfortunately, the booklet has no cover and it can only be assumed the production date is around 1925. The booklet contains 187 pages and was printed by John Vail, the Government Printer. 

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THE GENEROSITY OF UNCLE GEORGE THE GOOD FORTUNE OF JAMES AND MARY ANN SALTER Don Bradmore (Member No.6756)

T one time or another in our And his largesse didn’t stop there; later, lives, many of us have needed a he gave James 700 acres of land! A little financial assistance and So, who was this George Salter, and how have wished that we had a rich uncle who was it that he had been able to could help out. For most, that has been a accumulate the wealth that allowed him vain wish; wealthy and generous uncles to act so generously? seem to be in short supply these days! On 8 November 1787, England’s Exeter In 1825 however, when James and Mary Flying Post published a description of ‘a Ann (née HANNABUS) SALTER made terrible affray’ that had taken place at it known that they were migrating with Roncombe’s Gate, Devon, a few days their three children to Van Diemen’s Land, earlier. The fight had involved three Uncle George Salter, an ex-convict, child- Officers of Excise and a gang of less and about sixty years of age, was smugglers. Two of the excise-men, JEN- only too pleased to be able to help them. KINS and SCOTT, had been killed and a Before their departure, George wrote to number of the smugglers ‘much hurt’.3 the young couple to advise them that A week later, the same newspaper one hundred and fifty head of horned reported a reward of £200, an immense Cattle, five breeding mares, one hundred sum in those days, was being offered to Sheep, Pigs and Poultry, also all kinds of any member of the gang—except the Implements of Husbandry for Agricul- leader, William VOISEY—who could tural Pursuits provide information leading to the arrest would be waiting for them when they and conviction of the others. arrived.1 On 27 December, the paper published a Moreover, in preparation for their arrival, ‘Wanted’ notice which included good George had ‘sown for their Sole Use and physical descriptions of Voisey and gang Benefit’ ten acres of wheat on his own members Thomas GODDARD, Daniel land and guaranteed to provide ‘all the GOSLING, William Salter and his son food, drink and clothing they and their Peter Salter. servants would need for twelve months … and more, if necessary’. He promised This, and the earlier reward notice, had as well ‘to render their every assistance’ the desired effect. Within days, several with ‘Carts, Bullocks and Servants if they members of the gang had been captured. required it’.2 Among them was ‘uncle’ George Salter. At the Exeter Assizes, on 17 March 1788, George and his fellow smugglers were 1 Quotations and details of George Salter’s convicted of the murders of the excise- life in VDL are taken with permission from the research notes of Beverley Pykett, of Devon, UK, a member of the Salter family 2 Ibid. 3 Exeter Flying Post, 16 November 1787

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men.4 In sentencing them, the judge had twenty with maize.53 He owned a said: horse—there were still only very few of Let them be severally hanged by the them in the colony and they were very Neck until they are dead on the 22nd expensive to buy—and a pig. He had March ... and let their bodies be delivered also found romance with an Irish convict, to Robert PATCH, surgeon, to be Winifred (Winnie) MARSH, who had dissected & anatomised & and let the arrived on the Royal Admiral in 1792. Gaoler, until the time of their execution By 1802, however, he had leased out his as aforesaid, confine them in cells or places separate & apart from other farm and moved to Sydney. While he Prisoners & no person whomsoever was still officially on the Government except the Gaoler or his servants have payroll as Superintendent of Horned access to them without a licence from the Cattle, he had set himself up as a dealer Judge, the Sheriff or his Under Sheriff, & in all sorts of commodities, including until the time of their Execution let them land, livestock, grain and liquor. In the be fed with bread & water only, except next few years his name was often in the they should be desirous of receiving the newspapers, usually in connection with Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. court cases over business dealings, most On 31 March 1788, William Salter, 59, of which he seems to have won. Peter Salter, 26 and Daniel Gosling, 29, Because he was becoming quite wealthy, were hanged at Heavitree Gallows, near many were surprised when he announced Exeter. in 1810 that he was planning to leave the George Salter, then about 23, had been colony. But, for some reason he changed granted a last-minute reprieve and his mind. He remained in Sydney for the sentenced to seven years’ transportation next several years. to Van Diemen’s Land. Just why he had announced that he was On 8 May 1788, he was taken aboard the leaving is not clear, but it is possible that prison hulk Dunkirk moored at Plymouth he wanted to get away from Winnie. to await transportation. In late 1789, he There had been no children of the was transferred to the Neptune which, as relationship and it was not always a part of the Second Fleet, set sail on 19 happy one. By 1814, Winnie was living January 1790 and reached Port Jackson alone at the Parramatta farm. on 26 June. As early as 1812, George had started a Upon arrival, he was put in charge of relationship with Mary PICKETT née ‘horned cattle’ and quickly won the trust THOMPSON, the wife of Samuel and respect of Governor PHILLIP. When Pickett, a man with whom he had had his sentence expired in 1795, Governor business dealings—and quarrels, some of HUNTER, who had taken over from Phillip, granted him thirty acres on the 5 Parramatta Creek and, by 1800, his farm On this land, which soon became widely was in a flourishing state—fully cleared, known as ‘Salter’s Farm’, George constructed a small wooden dwelling. Still with ten acres sown with wheat and standing, this house is believed to be one of only three surviving eighteenth century buildings in Australia and the earliest to be associated with a convict. See 4 George’s trial: Exeter, Devon, England, 17 http://camwest.pps.com.au/heritage/rou March 1788 te_sites/index.html

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which had ended up in court. Around As a consequence, when his nephew this time, too, he made a number of trips James wrote from Devon, England, to say to Van Diemen’s Land where he had that he was bringing his family to Van purchased farming land at River Styx, Diemen’s Land, George was well placed west of Hobart. to be able to assist them to settle in. In early 1813, Lachlan MACQUARIE, James, Mary Ann and the children— who had been appointed Governor of James Henry (born 1815), Elizabeth New South Wales in 1810, wrote to (1819) and Mary Mayne (1823) arrived at Lieutenant-Governor DAVEY in Hobart, Hobart aboard Harvey on 3 May 1825.6 to inform him George was leaving New In the colony, they were granted South Wales to reside in Tasmania and additional land by the Government and that he warmly recommended he be given prospered in the years which followed. the job of Superintendent of Government They had four more children, the first of Herds there. Referring to George as a whom, born in 1828, they very under- ‘very honest sober man’, Macquarie standably named George.7 suggested that ‘a Salary of Fifty Pounds However, Uncle George lived for only seven Per annum’ would be appropriate. years after the young family’s arrival. He In a dispatch to Macquarie later that year, died at the age of 71 in 1832.8 Davey remarked how ‘very useful and Strangely, perhaps, he left the use of all active’ George had been ‘in recovering so the land and buildings at his River Styx many of the Government cattle that had property to two of his servants, Charles been lost or run wild through the shameful FENTON and Matilda RANSLEY—both neglect of former Superintendents’. of whom had been in his service for some In 1818, George built a two-story house at years—for the term of their natural lives. Lot 10, Macquarie Street, Hobart, a valu- His Will stipulated, however, that, after able piece of land in one of the main the deaths of Charles and Matilda, the streets of the central business district. At property was to pass to four year-old Lot 9 in the same street was the ‘Hope George, the son of his nephew James, the Inn’. A year or two later, the first Bank of first of Salter family to be born in Van Van Diemen’s Land was constructed on Diemen’s Land.9 Lot 11. Young George did eventually inherit the On 28 March 1824, Mary Pickett, who property but not until 1882, fifty years had accompanied George to Van later! He was then 54 years of age. His Diemen’s Land, passed away. Records father had died in 1859, his mother in suggest that George sold or mortgaged 1862, both undoubtedly grateful for the some of his property in Hobart to ensure help they had been given by a generous that Mary’s two children, who had man.10  sometimes lived with them, received an inheritance. 6 See http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ The following year, George was granted ~austashs/immig/imgships_h.htm 300 acres in the Sorell district of 7 George Salter, son of James and Mary Tasmania. The land was ‘bounded on the Ann: birth, 1826/2062/32, Hobart North by the River Derwent, on the East 8 Death: 2601/1832, New Norfolk. by the Broad River, and on the South and 9 TAHO, AD960/1/1 p.99, Will No. 61 West by unallocated land’. 10 James, death, 624/1859/35, and Mary Ann: death, 343/1862/35, New Norfolk

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SPIKE ISLAND—CORK HARBOUR DID YOUR ANCESTOR SPEND TIME THERE? Kerrie Blyth (Member No.414)

PIKE ISLAND is situated directly streets perched on the hills overlooking inside the great harbour which Spike Island. Our room was in the attic S services Cork City in Ireland and is of a three story house which provided a place I became aware of many years magnificent views of the town, the ago through my family history research. cathedral spire, the harbour and Spike During a visit to the Archives Office of Island. From the dormer windows we Tasmania (now TAHO), I located two watched the comings and goings of pas- convict records containing information senger ferries from France, Netherlands about my paternal great great grandfather and England, merchant ships, fishing Jeremiah CORKERY. I discovered he boats and the local bird life. A peregrine spent 18 months on Spike Island prior to falcon was of particular interest as it had being shipped to VDL to complete his 10 made a nest on the nearby cathedral spire year sentence. This sentence had been at eye level with us which allowed us a handed down on 2 January 1849 for the ‘birds eye’ view of her daily routines. theft of two sheep from Mr Agnew. Cork Arriving on Good Friday we were thrilled Harbour was of the two main embark- to discover that guided tours to Spike ation points for Irish convicts being sent Island were commencing for the season to Australia. After the convicts had been the very next day at 2pm. I considered tried, they were marched to Cork or this to be one of those very lucky holiday Dublin to be held in gaols or hulks until incidents! After some initial concerns the ships were ready to transport them. In that there were not enough people to Jeremiah’s case he was marched to Cork warrant making the boat trip, we set off Harbour and subsequently Spike Island. and motored to the island, passing by the The name of the island and the part it docks where the Irish navy are based and played in Jeremiah’s life has always the terminal where the great cruising intrigued me and during Easter 2011 I liners of the world offload their had the good fortune to visit Spike Island passengers. It was from this harbour the and discover its fascinating history. My Titanic sailed in 1912. partner Jim and I were on a self-drive The tour to Spike Island was organized holiday and during the month of April and conducted by Irish historian and had covered some 4,000km around the author Michael Martin and once we land- highways, country lanes and sheep tracks ed on the island he spent the next ninety of both Northern Ireland and the minutes showing us points of interest and Republic. During Easter we booked in to entertaining us with his insightful know- a bed and breakfast hotel in the fishing ledge of the land, buildings, history and village of Cobh (known as Queenstown the people. Michael conveyed the story from 1849–1921). of the true plight of the Irish during the Cobh is a delightful place with quaint famine years with great passion and houses, a stunning cathedral and steep explained how so many thousands of

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people, just like Jeremiah, had been cise and punishment. A school is kept forced to steal food to provide for their where for two hours in rotation all who families. By law they were not allowed to are of suitable age, and cannot read and beg for food or aid in public places. In write, are taught these branches. The his book, Spike Island: saints, felons and teacher remarked, when pointing to three famine Michael noted that the Vagrancy hundred pupils, "these persons are docile, Act, (which made it an offence for every and I believe honest; their only crime person wandering abroad and begging or being taking food when starving". Some of these young men and boys had thrown placing themselves in any public place, a stone into a bread-shop, some had highway, public court or passage), stolen a turnip, and some a sheep; but criminalized people who were victims of everyone was induced by extreme hunger the famine. to do the deed. But we are gravely told in However, Spike Island has a rich and Ireland that property must be protected, deep history which covers periods far though life should be squandered. The earlier than when it was being used for teacher added “I cannot look on these the incarceration of convicts. Its earliest men and boys as criminals”. origins saw the foundation of a monastery Jeremiah Corkery lived and worked on by St Carthage in the seventh century, Spike Island during his long wait to be followed by a period in the late 18th and placed aboard the ship Hyderabad 3 19th centuries of a military fort. This which eventually took him to VDL in a disused fort is now known as the John trip lasting three months. He arrived in Mitchell Fort, named after the ‘Young Hobart on 13 December 1850 and after Irelander’ whose name is familiar in serving a relatively short sentence, with Tasmanian history. The gun emplace- few misdemeanours against his name, he ment has a commanding view of the gained his Ticket of Leave in February entrance to Cork Harbour and still has in 1854 and a Conditional Pardon in Dec- place the massive gun which protected ember of the same year. He married an the harbour from any ships trying to Irish woman called Judith O’CONNOR. enter. Guns were also located on the Together they raised eleven children, headlands on either side of the entrance many of whom were named after Jere- for extra security. miah’s siblings and parents whom he was A visitor to Spike Island in 1848 forced to leave behind in County Cork. commented; Jeremiah lived to the ripe old age of 81 The island is rough in its appearance, and died at his home in Prosser’s Forest containing some one hundred and eighty (Northern Tasmania) from influenza on acres and has been a fortified island from Christmas Day 1899. On his death about 1791–2. Here we found convicts certificate he was listed as an 81 year-old from every part of Ireland who were farmer who was born in England. I don’t deemed worthy of an exile from home for imagine he would have been pleased to the space of seven years. The number of be called English!  these victims was about eight hundred and forty; some employed in digging out Spike island: saints, felons and famine by rocks and leveling rough places, some in Michael Martin, published 2007 by making mats of cocoa-nut bark, some Nonsuch Publishing, Dublin knitting, and some marching round a A Visit to Spike Island Prison, http://www. circle made up on the pavement for exer- ucc.ie/ucc/depts/history/famine9.htm

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ALBERT EDWARD BIRD A FLAWED CHAMPION John Bird (Member No.5995)

Part Two Neptune and his entourage arrived, and over the next few hours handed out OYAGE TO AUSTRALIA ‘punishments’ to those members of the The Pedestrians sailed on the crew who had not previously crossed the Lincolnshire, a three-mast clipper V Equator. After several hours of great of 1,025 tons, built and launched in 1858. amusement, King Neptune said farewell. She had a length of 207.5 ft with a beam of 32.8 ft and depth of 20.5 ft operating Continuing south it became cooler. By exclusively on the Gravesend to Port the sixtieth day of sailing, the ship reach- Phillip run during 1858–79, making a ed the Cape of Good Hope and was total of twenty-eight voyages. She de- heading east in the Great Southern Ocean. parted Gravesend on 20 September 1869. The ship was now subject to the strong There were 125 adults and twenty-one winds and currents of the Roaring children travelling to Australia. Forties, the seas much rougher but the ship was accompanied by thousands of flying fish, whales and porpoises. After a spell of fine weather it was subject to more very heavy conditions when, after running before a gale for a few days, the ship was compelled to heave to. All passengers were confined below decks, the main hatchway secured, and the ship was brought to the wind until the Clipper Lincolnshire violence of the gale moderated. At the commencement of their trip they After seventy-five days the coastline of experienced the full force of the heavy Australia was seen on the port side. As gales that prevailed. The ship had to pull they sailed past many passengers were into Portsmouth on 28 September after surprised they could not see any signs of beating about the English Channel for life on the coast line. eight days. Albert’s fears of sea travel Everyone woke early on the morning of surfaced, and the ship was not outside 16 December. There was a great sense of English waters. Six weeks after sailing, excitement as eighty-eight days after on 2 November, the ship crossed the leaving England they would arrive in equator near the St Peter and St Paul Melbourne. However, looking at the Archipelago. According to custom, the coastline the passengers could only see day was observed as a half holiday and rugged mountains and trees—it looked highlighted by the presence of ‘King most desolate, uninhabited and uninhabi- Neptune’. A stage was erected on the table. The first sign of life was at Cape Quarter deck and passengers gathered to Otway which the ship passed at 7:00 am, watch proceedings. At 10’oclock King and that was only a lighthouse and two

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houses. About noon they came to the judge at the Fitzroy Magistrates Court small bay at Queenscliff. The ship dismissed the charge but asked Albert to moored close to shore and a Health wear more clothing next time he had to Officer came aboard to check the well appear in public for training or racing being of the passengers. Gradually they purposes. Merri Park is within 400 approached Melbourne which first metres of where Albert’s son William, showed itself in the shape of long lines of and later his descendants lived from 1918 white houses on the coast—Brighton, St until 2002. Kilda and Williamstown successively The pedestrians’ first appearance was on coming into view. In the background the 8 January at the MCG, a crowd of 10,000 passengers could see the city of in attendance. Their performances were Melbourne, its tall buildings standing out below expectations. Albert finished sec- against the sky. ond in the 880 yard handicap race and The ship reached the roadstead at failed to place in the one mile event. Hobson’s Bay, a partly sheltered area for Although unsuccessful, Albert’s running anchored vessels at 4:00 pm. A steam tug style created a very favourable impres- came out and escorted the ship to her sion with the crowd who frequently berth at Sandridge wharf. At last Albert loudly applauded him. and the passengers were once more on The champions’ second athletics meeting terra firma. on Saturday, 12 February, was also at the 100 DAY CONTRACT IN VICTORIA MCG, the crowd in excess of 11,000. The arrival of the English pedestrians was Albert, from scratch, beat eleven com- promoted throughout all the Australian petitors in a one mile handicap race colonies. running the fastest one mile time ever in the colony, four minutes thirty-five seconds. The Argus, Monday 14 February reported Bird defeated them with the greatest of ease ... The crowd got so excited over Bird’s performance that before he reached the winning post they broke through the bounds that separated them from the course, and rushed from all quarters to Melbourne Cricket Ground 1870s the pavilion gate, causing much Albert, Frank and George had their first excitement. look at the Melbourne Cricket Ground Country Victoria (MCG) on Boxing Day and went through Albert was continually successful at a their training routines in the intervals number of athletics meets in Victorian between races. Albert’s running style provincial towns over the next two was greatly admired, many spectators months. Having travelled to Ballarat, his cheering as he ran past the main section time of four minutes 30½ seconds for his of the ground. run on 14 February was nearly five Somewhat amusingly, on 7 January 1870 seconds faster than his run at the MCG. Albert was arrested at Merri Park in Two days later at Maryborough the locals Northcote, an inner Melbourne suburb, were treated to another fine performance for ‘racing in a scanty costume’. The by Albert, who easily won the one mile

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race, albeit nearly seven seconds slower NEW SOUTH WALES than in Ballarat, a time of four minutes Such was the public excitement about the thirty eight seconds being recorded. English Champions that at the completion On 19 February Albert appeared at of the 100-day contract they decided to Eastern Oval Geelong where a crowd of extend their stay and travelled to New 4,000 witnessed the sports. The Argus, South Wales. The 5 April saw Albert, 21 February reported HEWITT and TOPLEY board the 460 ton ss Rangatira at Port Melbourne for Bird displayed a wonderful fleetness of the trip to Sydney. Favourable weather foot, winning the one mile handicap race … great excitement and interest were made for a pleasant trip and the evinced by the public … on Bird’s Rangatira arrived in Sydney on 9 April. appearance there was quite a furore of Sydney cheering … Bird was most enthusias- Albert ran second in a one mile handicap tically cheered on winning. event in Sydney on 18 April, losing by That night Albert travelled to Bendigo less than twenty yards to the winner, where he won the one mile handicap Wheeler who was off 215 yards. Albert’s giving starts of up to 140 yards. time was four minutes thirty-one seconds. Wheeler ran a time of four minutes 17½ seconds. The crowd, although disappointed Albert had not won, applauded him loudly at the completion of the race. The Sydney Morning Herald of 20 April indicated Albert’s failure to win to be attributed to the handicap given ‘put him at such a disadvantage the chance of coming ahead of all competitors was a very faint case’.

Bendigo 1870 It was not his only loss that day as, unbeknown to him, Albert’s father Albert’s time was four minutes thirty- William died in Sheffield. seven seconds. The Sheffield Daily Tele- graph on 26 April wrote ‘Bird won easily Country New South Wales and was chaired into the pavilion by the Albert then competed at a number of crowd.’ provincial athletic meetings. In Ballarat on 24 March Albert put in a Spectators at Bathurst witnessed another poor performance in a one mile handicap race between Albert and Frank Hewitt on race at the Western Cricket Reserve, the 7 May, this time over 800 yards. In yet Brisbane Courier commenting, ‘Bird was another race almost too close to call, Booed and hissed’ running second in a Hewitt was announced the winner. A very slow time of four minutes forty- time of two minutes four seconds was seven seconds. recorded. Three days later at Easter Oval Lake The annual New South Wales seven Wendouree on the outskirts of Ballarat, in hundred yards steeplechase race was held a complete reversal of form, Albert ran a in Bathurst on 14 May. It attracted a solo one mile in a time of four minutes large number of cross-country runners. 30½ seconds. Unfortunately, heavy overnight rain made

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the course water logged. Bell’s Life in Whilst in Newcastle Albert stayed at the Sydney and Sporting Chronicle reported City Arms Hotel, where he met Alice, that the runners daughter of Joseph WALMSLEY, the were cheered when they went onto the proprietor of the hotel. course ... Brennan kept the lead until the At Maitland on 12 June Albert was fourth hurdle, Bird went up to and passed entered in an 880-yard handicap race in him and led over the fifth ... came in a which he was starting from scratch, all winner by several yards. other runners having an advantage of at Brennan’s jumping of the fences was least forty yards. The Maitland Mercury admired by the crowd—he cleared them and Hunter Valley Gazette, 14 June better than Albert. There was an excuse. reported This was his first attempt to jump fences. Coming to the finish line the second time Albert’s superior running made the around Albert slackened his pace and difference. When asked how he thought took it easy running beside Grant who he handled the hurdles Albert replied, ‘I was leading at the finish post when by somehow just flopped over them’. some mistake, an official come onto the On 28 May, Albert entered an 880-yard track and put out the winning tape, one race against several colonial pedestrians, lap early. Albert continued and ran a giving up a start of ninety yards. Albert very fast final lap as he believed the race was not over and claimed the first prize never put on full speed until the race was money ... After much heated discussion it half over, too late to catch Campbell who was decided to re-run the race in an won by eight yards. hour’s time, with Albert giving all Three days later on 1 June he won a one runners a further twenty yards start. mile handicap race from scratch in a time Determined there would no further con- of four minutes twenty-eight seconds, the troversy Albert started out a very fast fastest time recorded in New South Wales. pace and kept up this speed for the entire The Empire, on 2 June reported ‘if he had race. The crowd were soon cheering given his opponents quarter mile start it loudly as Albert’s beautiful running style might have been an even race’. was on full display, and although Grant A week after his previous 880-yard race again ran well, Albert overtook him on he competed in another race of the same the final lap winning easily. distance this time giving starts of up to Returning to Newcastle, and after a short 150 yards. Continuing with his excellent courtship Albert and Alice were married form Albert won a very tight finish by at the Registry Office on Saturday 10 less than a yard in a time of two minutes December. Alice was fifteen, a month four seconds. shy of her sixteenth birthday, her father giving his consent to the marriage. QUEENSLAND Albert and Alice travelled north to Bris- bane where he competed in a three mile race handicap race on 14 December. Giving a start of 275 yards, Albert got within 100 yards of the leader but suc- cumbed to cramp and had to withdraw. The City Arms Hotel Newcastle The Brisbane Courier commented that if

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Bird could have held out a short time KINS was fifty yards ahead of him. The longer (the leader) Ford would have had Daily Southern Cross of 11 April stated to give in. people began to think that the great NEW ZEALAND champion was not the man he had been During January an offer was made to represented to be ... but then about 300 Albert and Hewitt to travel to New Zeal- yards from winning-post a cry was raised and to compete against the local pedes- “There he goes” and sure enough he was trians, an offer they readily accepted. going, … at apace which was truly Albert, Sarah and Hewitt sailed from astonishing, considering the distance he had already travelled. On arriving at the Sydney on the ss Duke of Edinburgh, winning post he was greatly cheered. arriving in Auckland New Zealand on 2 March 1871. His time was four minutes thirty-two seconds. Auckland On 12 April Albert was in a two mile handicap race giving his competitors 250 yards start. The Southern Cross, 13 April reported He won easily and passed them with the rapidity of a deer. Throughout the race he was frequently cheered, and at the finish received a perfect ovation. On 17 April Albert and Sarah were passengers on the ss Phoebe travelling to City of Auckland 1871 Canterbury and Christchurch. As part of their trip to New Zealand, Christchurch Albert and Frank Hewitt agreed to In late April the Canterbury Press support a number of charities helping the announced underprivileged. Albert appeared at the Auckland Theatre Royal on 23 March in Mr Bird has accepted a bet of £200 to £50 that he does not run 30 miles in 3 aid of the Home for Destitute Children, consecutive hours ... a feat nothing The Daily Southern Cross, 24 March approaching to which has ever been commenting witnessed on this side of the line ... The in ‘Rough Diamond’, Bird impersonated race to be run before the 5th of August. the character of Cousin Joe in a most On 10 May Albert was to run in a one excellent manner, and throughout the mile event but to the disappointment of piece was enthusiastically applauded. some spectators, ran off the course after In a charity event at the Albert Barracks, two laps. Albert complained about the on 7 April, Albert playing with Press X1 unfair handicapping but did not help his against the Theatre Royal displayed his empathy with the crowd by affronting the all-round sporting prowess, top scoring handicappers in public. with thirty nine runs and taking twelve Dunedin wickets. Travelling to Dunedin, Albert won a one On 10 April Albert competed in a one mile handicap race at the Queen’s Birth- mile handicap race at the Albert Barracks. day meeting on 24 May. An excellent All competitors had at least a 100 yards time of four minutes and thirty one start. At the end of the fourth lap HOP- seconds was recorded.

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Canterbury The time record was thirty-two minutes Saturday, 3 June, saw Albert run against one second. the clock endeavouring to run one mile in under four minutes and twenty five seconds. The roads to be run on were in very bad disrepair, to the extent many locals did not expect Albert to run. Despite this handicap Albert ran a time of four minutes forty two seconds. It was the common view that if the course had been better prepared, the target time would have been easily achieved. Wellington New Zealand 1871 Christchurch again Two weeks later saw Albert at his best Back in Christchurch Albert made good and his worse. On 17 July he started a his earlier declaration he would run thirty run, trying to complete eleven miles in miles in three hours. Commencing at the less than one hour, but after one mile he village Hororata he reached the finish in suddenly disappeared off the course. The Christchurch in two hours fifty nine crowd in attendance expressed their minutes. displeasure at Albert’s action and he was Albert and Sarah left Wellington in early loudly booed and derided. October 1871, sailing for Melbourne. In an effort to placate the crowd, Albert BACK TO VICTORIA later agreed to a five mile race. Albert, After almost two years of continual giving starts of up to 800 yards, won travelling Albert and Sarah decided to easily providing further examples of his remain in Melbourne and rest for a while. wonderful running style at top speed. A In February 1872, Albert and Alice time of thirty minutes fifty-five seconds journeyed to Ballarat, travelling on a was recorded. Cobb and Co. coach. Albert had agreed Wellington to run in a five mile race at the Back Albert then travelled to Wellington where Creek Ground in Ballarat on 17 February on 7 August he competed in the one mile, against two other competitors, each two mile and five mile events on one day. running half the distance. Although In greasy conditions he fell early in the defeating the first runner comfortably, one mile event and had to retire. He was there were doubts as to his performance declared the winner of the two mile race, against the second runner, only winning although losing by the distance of one by five yards when well ahead with less foot it was found that the winner KELLY, 200 yards to go. had been under-handicapped by twenty They then travelled north, stopping at yards. Albert’s running prowess was Castlemaine, a country town in central shown to its best in the five mile event, Victoria, where Alice gave birth to their the Canterbury Press, 26 April stating first child, a daughter Sarah born 3 June he gave evidence of what he really could 1872.  do. About the need of the third mile he put on several spurts … His strides seem more like the bounds of a deer than those To be continued of a man.

118 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012

WHAT IS THAT PUBLICATION ABOUT? Maurice Appleyard (Member No.4093)

UMEROUS publications are only the loss of their battalion, but named in the Acquisition Lists of disgrace and heartbreak as well. …’ N the various Branches of our Society but on some occasions the title does not give a clear indication of the HILL END & TAMBAROORA subject matter. The following details of a PIONEER REGISTER TO 1920: few in the Hobart Branch Library may A record of our ancestors who lived help to describe some of the more and worked in the area from early obscure titles and deserve a look. days until 1920. Perhaps the publication may also be This first edition CD was published in held in your local library? 2006 by the Hill End & Tambaroora Gathering Group.

Hill End is a village situated on the BATTLE SCARRED: The 47th Central Tablelands of NSW, 80 kms Battalion in the First World War. north of Bathurst and 70 kms south of This hard cover book, by Craig Deayton, Mudgee. It is all that remains of the once was published in 2011. famous Tambaroora Goldfields. It tells the story of the life and death of The Gathering Group have compiled the Australian battalion from their information about those attracted to the formation in 1916 to disbandment in May area by ‘The Glint of Gold’, about their 1918. life on the goldfield and after when the gold ran out. ‘… The 47th Battalion fought in some of the First World War’s bloodiest battles. Details are provided about births, From their first calamitous experience of marriages deaths, and places of burial; if war under the shell fire at Poziers, to the known. The later occupation of the costly and futile attacks on Mouquet pioneers are recorded in most cases and Farm and the frigid winters on the details pertaining to at least the next Somme they suffered through the fighting generation are generally shown as well. on the Western Front in 1916. … Finally, As with any gold-rush, prospectors at the Battle of Dernacourt they fought in ‘flooded in’ from all directions. A good the 4th Division’s titanic struggle to save place to look for a missing ancestor or Amiens from the great German offensive just more details about one that returned of 1918. It was at Dernacourt that the home after a period of absence.  47th Battalion found itself squarely in the path of the heaviest attack ever faced by Australians in this or any war. Fatally weakened by their losses, and under a cloud after the formal inquiry into the battle, the 47th Battalion was broken up. For the Queenslanders and Tasmanians of the 47th Battalion, disbandment meant not

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012 119

LIBRARY NOTES

Lilian Watson Family History Award 2011 entries Burnie 20/08/2012 Hobart 19/11/2012 Huon 18/02/2013 Mersey 23/05/2013

Society Sales Tasmanian Family History Society Inc. Publications Payment by Visa or MasterCard—now available (mail order only) Mail orders (including postage) should be forwarded to: Society Sales Officer, TFHS Inc., PO Box 326 Rosny Park Tasmania 7018

Microfiche TAMIOT (p&p $2.00) ...... $50.00

** members discount applies

Please note Society’s change of address: TFHS Inc., PO Box 326 Rosny Park Tasmania 7018

120 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012

LIBRARY ACQUISITIONS BURNIE BRANCH

Accessions—Books Bissett, Muriel & Betty, The Weekly Courier Index to Photographs, Birth Death & Marriage Notices Volume 9 1917 Bissett, Muriel & Betty, The Weekly Courier Index to Photographs, Birth Death & Marriage Notices and Personal items of interest to Family Historians Volume 8 1916 Bissett, Muriel & Betty, The Weekly Courier Index to Photographs, Birth Death & Marriage Notices Volume 10 1918 Blatchford, Robert & Elizabeth, The Irish Family and Local History Handbook Frost, Lucy, Convict Lives at the Ross Female Factory Hicks, Shauna, Resource Directory for Victoria *Hodgson, Alice Meredith, Prospecting the Pieman *Hookway, Eileen, A Horseride for a Church *Hyland, Raymond John, The Family of John and Eleanor Johns Jaunay, Grahame, Family History research in South Australia *North Meols Family History Society, Christ Church Baptisms 1821–1838 *North Meols Family History Society, Leyland Road Wesleyan Chapel Marriages 1882–1939 *North Meols Family History Society, One named extract of the Family Johnson 1595–1837 *North Meols Family History Society, Churchtown (Ind.) Congregational Church Baptisms 1806–1825 Paton, Chris, Irish Family History Resources Online Paton, Chris, Getting the most out of findmypast.com.au Paton, Chris, Tracing Your Family History on the Internet Paton, Chris, Researching Scottish Family History Paton, Chris, Discover Scottish Church Records Pederson, Tania L, Beyond The Basics, A Guide for advanced users of FTM 2012 Royden, Tracing your Liverpool ancestors TFHS Inc. Launceston Branch, Index to Walch’s Almanacs Medical 1863–1979/80 TFHS Inc. Launceston Branch, The Tasmanian Mail A Photograpic Index Volume 10 1929–1930 TFHS Inc. Launceston Branch, The Tasmanian Mail A Photograpic Index Volume 11 1931 TFHS Inc. Launceston Branch, Index to Walch’s Almanacs CWA 1937–1980 TFHS Inc. Launceston Branch, Index to Walch’s Road Trusts 1863–1907, and Surveyors 1863–1979/80 TFHS Inc. Mersey Branch, Latrobe Cemetery, Inscriptions from North-West Tasmania TFHS Inc. Mersey Branch, An Index to ‘The Advocate’ Personal Announcements 2003 TFHS Inc. Mersey Branch, An Index to ‘The Advocate’ Personal Announcements 2004 TFHS Inc. Mersey Branch, An Index to ‘The Advocate’ Personal Announcements 2005 TFHS Inc. Mersey Branch, Kentish Cemeteries, Inscriptions from North-West Tasmania

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012 121

TFHS Inc. Mersey Branch, Cemeteries of Railton, Tasmania Unlock The Past, History & Genealogy 2011, Aust & NZ

HOBART BRANCH

Accessions—Books *Australian Bureau of Statistics: Tasmanian Year Book No. 20—1986. [R 919.46 TAS 1986] Tasmanian Year Book No. 21—1988. [R 919.46 TAS 1988] *Baker, A; Index to The Mercury Deaths 1979. [Q 929.38 BAK] *Bradmore, D J; Dr Edward Foord Bromley, R.N. (1776–1836): Surgeon, Civil Servant and Magistrate, V.D.L. [Q 994.602092 BRA] *Branagan, J G; Bush Tramways & Private Railways of Tasmania. [385.09946 BRA] *Commonwealth Bureau of Census & Statistics; Tasmanian Year Book No.1—1967. [R 919.46 TAS 1967] *Crowncontent; Who’s Who In Australia, 2002. [R 920 WHO.A 2002] *Deayton, C; Battle Scarred: The 47th Battalion in the First World War. *Debrett’s Peerage Ltd; Debrett’s Handbook of Australia & New Zealand. [R 920c DEB] *Debrett’s Peerage (Australasia) Pty Ltd: Debrett’s Handbook of Australia, 4th Edition. [R 920c DEB 4th Ed] Debrett’s Handbook of Australia, 5th Edition. [R 920c DEB 5th Ed] *Howard, R; A Forger’s Tale: Henry Savery, Australia’s First Novelist. [Q 823.1 HOW] *Information Aus. Group P/L: Who’s Who In Australia, 2000. [R 920 WHO.A 2000] Who’s Who In Australia, 2001. [R 920 WHO.A 2001] Joel, Craig R; A Tale of Ambition and Unrealised Hope. *MacFie, Peter and Steve & Marjorie Gadd; On The Fiddle From Scotland To Tasmania 1815–1863. *McHugh, E; Bushrangers: Australia’s Greatest Self-made Heroes. [Q 994.03 MCH] *Rickards, Elizabeth (Ed.); The Heritage of Huon Football. TFHS Inc. Mersey: An Index to The Advocate Personal Announcements, 2004. [Q 929.38 IND] An Index to The Advocate Personal Announcements, 2005. [Q 929.38 IND] Kentish Cemeteries: Monumental Inscriptions of Kentish District Cemeteries. [Q 929.32099465 INL] Mersey; Latrobe Cemetery: Monumental Inscriptions of Latrobe Cemetery. [Q 929.32099465 INL]

Accessions—Computer Disks *Archive CD Books; Police Gazette N.S.W. Compendium, 1911–1915. *Hill End & Tambaroora Gathering Group; Hill End & Tambaroora Pioneer Register to 1920.

*Denotes complimentary or donated item.

122 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012

LAUNCESTON BRANCH

Accessions—Books Bissett, Muriel & Betty, The Weekly Courier : Index to Photographs, Birth, Death & Marriage Notices & Personal items of interest to Family Historians, Volume 9, 1917 Bissett, Muriel & Betty—The Weekly Courier : Index to Photographs, Birth, Death & Marriage Notices & Personal items of interest to Family Historians, Volume 10,1918 *Crocker, Henry—Crocker Families : John & Mary Crocker (nee Giles), Henry & Sarah Crocker (nee Coleman) and their descendants—from Devon to Australia, New Zealand & South Africa. *Frost, Lucy (editor), Convict Lives at the Ross Female Factory *Heaton, J H—The Bedside Book of Colonial Doings *Launceston Historical Society Inc.—2011 Papers and Proceedings : Volume Twenty-Three *Legerwood Hall & Reserves Committee, (compiled by Cindy Walsh & Patricia Champion)—Legerwood Memorial Park : A living remembrance for the young people of the Legerwood district who we loved and lost *National Trust of Australia (Tasmania)—The Three Cities : Hobart-Glenorchy-Launceston *Norfolk Island Historical Society, Government House *Plomley, N J B—The Tasmanian Aborigines. *Progress Association of Underwood—A History of Underwood : to commemorate the Celebration of the Centenary of Underwood. February 14, 1849- February 14, 1959. *Rackman, Sally, Compiler, Index to Volumes 26–30 of Tasmanian Ancestry *Readers Digest—Heart of England TFHS Inc. Mersey Branch—Kentish Cemeteries : Monumental Inscriptions of Kentish District Cemeteries North-West Tasmania TFHS Inc. Mersey Branch—Latrobe Cemetery : Monumental Inscriptions of Latrobe Cemetery North-West Tasmania TFHS Inc. Mersey Branch—An Index to The Advocate Personal Announcements 2004 Covering the North West Coast of Tasmania TFHS Inc. Mersey Branch—An Index to The Advocate Personal Announcements 2005 Covering the North West Coast of Tasmania TFHS Inc. Launceston Branch—The Tasmanian Mail : A Photographic Index, Volume 11, 1931 *von Stieglitz, K R, OBE—A History of New Norfolk and the Derwent Valley

Accessions—CD-Roms Archive CD Books, Reports of Crime; Tasmania Compendium 1861–1865 Reports of Crime; Tasmania Compendium 1866–1870 *Donohoe, James Hugh, BA, Dip. FHS—The Paracensus of Australia 1788–1828

*Denotes donated item

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012 123

MERSEY BRANCH

Accessions—Books Binns, Terese; Henry Hinsby A Distinguished Apothecary of Hobart Town Bissett, Muriel & Betty, [Comp]; The Weekly Courier Index to Photographs, Birth, Death & Marriage Notices and Personal items of interest to Family Historians Vol. 10 1918 *Brauman, Glenice & Oakley, Marilyn; Index of St Joseph Catholic Church Records Baptisms 1857-1911, Marriages 1838-1853 St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral Hobart Baptisms 1868-1911 *Cassidy, Jill; The Dairy Heritage of Northern Tasmania - A Survey of the Butter and Cheese Industry Crocker, Henry; Crocker Families - From Devon to Australia, NZ & South Africa *Nickols, Elizabeth [Comp]; Footprints of Faith - History of the Catholic Community in Pengiun *RSL Tasmania; Our Heroes: Tasmania’s Victoria Cross Recipients *Stones, June; St Andrew’s Anglican Church Sprent 1890–1998 TFHS Inc. Mersey Branch; An Index to The Advocate Personal Announcements 2005 *TFHS Inc. Mersey Branch; An Index to The Advocate Personal Announcements 1996–2000 *TFHS Inc. Mersey Branch; An Index to The Advocate Personal Announcements 2001–2005 TFHS Inc. Launceston Branch; The Tasmanian Mail A Photographic Index Vol. 11 1931 TFHS Inc. Mersey Branch; Kentish Cemeteries – Monumental Inscriptions of Kentish District Cemeteries North-West Tasmania

*Indicates donated items

1788–1868

The Secretary Descendants of Convicts’ Group PO Box 115 Flinders Lane VIC 8009

http://home.vicnet.net.au/~dcginc/

124 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY September 2012 BRANCH LIBRARY ADDRESSES, TIMES AND MEETING DETAILS

HOBART Phone: Enquiries (03) 6244 4527 Library 19 Cambridge Road Bellerive Tuesday 12:30 pm–3:30 pm Wednesday 9:30 am–12:30 pm Meeting Sunday School, St Johns Park, New Town, at 7:30 pm on 3rd Tuesday of each month, except January and December.

LAUNCESTON Phone: Branch Secretary (03) 6344 4034 Library 45–55 Tamar Street Launceston (next door to Albert Hall) Tuesday 10:00 am–3:00 pm Monday to Friday by appointment only (03) 6344 4034 Meeting Generally held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, except January and December. Check the Branch News and the website http://www.launceston.tasfhs.org for locations and times.

MERSEY Phone: Branch Secretary (03) 6428 6328 Library (03) 6426 2257 Library ‘Old police residence’ 117 Gilbert Street Latrobe (behind State Library) Tuesday & Friday 11:00 am–3:00 pm Saturday opening has ceased and is now by advance appointment only. Meeting Generally held on the 4th Saturday of the month at Branch Library in Latrobe at 1:00 pm or sometimes for lunch at 12:00. Please check the website at www.tfhsdev.com or contact the Secretary for updates. MEMBERSHIP OF THE TASMANIAN FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY INC.

Application for Membership: Application forms may be downloaded from www.tasfhs.org or obtained from the TFHS Inc. Society Secretary, or any branch and be returned with appropriate dues to a branch treasurer. Interstate and overseas applications should be mailed to the TFHS Inc. Society Treasurer, PO Box 326 Rosny Park Tasmania 7018. Dues are also accepted at libraries and at branch meetings.

Donations: Donations to the Library Fund ($2.00 and over) are tax deductible. Gifts of family records, maps, photographs, etc. are most welcome.

ISSN—0159 0677 Printed by Mark Media—Moonah Tasmania

TASMANIAN FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY INC.

Volume 33 Number 3—December 2012 TASMANIAN FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY INC. PO Box 326 Rosny Park Tasmania 7018

Society Secretary: [email protected] Journal Editor: [email protected] Home Page: http://www.tasfhs.org

Patron: Dr Alison Alexander Fellows: Dr Neil Chick and Mr David Harris

Committee: Helen Anderson Judith Cocker Libby Gillham Betty Bissett Lucille Gee Julie Kapeller Vanessa Blair John Gillham Dale Smith

Volume 33 Number 3 December 2012 ISSN 0159 0677

Contents From the editor ...... 126 President’s Message ...... 127 Branch Reports ...... 128 William Owen (Ow-En), My Chinese Ancestor, Janine Hunt ...... 133 Voices from the Orphan Schools : Susan Chickley’s Children, Dianne Snowden .... 135 Tracing the Lives of Irish Convicts before Transportation, David Coad ...... 137 Never give up—found at last! One missing great grandfather, Hilary Martin ...... 142 Educating the Poor, the Murray Street Free School, 1872–1896, Betty Jones ...... 145 Henry Tingley ‘I am doing well’, Assigned to William Lyne, Leonie Mickleborough ...... 152 Ryerson Index ...... 155 Help Wanted ...... 155 New Members’ Interests ...... 156 New Members ...... 157 The ‘Gilbert Henderson’ (1839–1840), a Timely Rescue, Anne McMahon ...... 159 The Professional Misfortunes of the Doctors of the Penal Colony of Sarah Island, Van Diemen’s Land two hundred years ago: Are international graduates better supported in rural and remote communities today?, Anita Pierantozzi with Dr Peter Stride ...... 161 Albert Edward Bird, A Flawed Champion, Part Three, John Bird ...... 173 Genes on Screen, Vee Maddock ...... 181 What is that Publication About?, Maurice Appleyard ...... 183 Library Notes, Society Sales ...... 185 Library Acquisitions ...... 186

Deadline dates for contributions by 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October

From the editor Journal address

After spending the past three months PO Box 191 Launceston TAS 7250 packing and unpacking it was a bit of a email [email protected] struggle to get back to the computer. I have been pulled in several directions— Articles are welcomed in any format— being a person easily sidetracked—by handwritten, word processed, on disk or by grandchildren and gardening, public- email. Please ensure images are of good ations and plaques, but the journal is quality. almost ready to send to the publisher! Irene Schaffer has submitted an article for Deadline dates are: our next issue of Tasmanian Ancestry on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October the settlers from Norfolk Island. A gathering at Norfolk Plains is being If you wish to contact the author of an organized for March 2013 to celebrate article in Tasmanian Ancestry please email their arrival from Norfolk Island 200 the editor, or write care of the editor, years ago. There are thousands of enclosing a stamped envelope and your descendants of these settlers and I am correspondence will be forwarded. sure many will be interested in attending. The opinions expressed in this journal are For information see page 132 for details. not necessarily those of the journal Among articles in this issue there are committee, nor of the Tasmanian Family success stories of ancestors who were lost History Society Inc. Responsibility rests but found, including Janine’s Chinese with the author of a submitted article, we do great great grandfather. We can all learn not intentionally print inaccurate inform- from her persistence. Good luck to ation. The society cannot vouch for the Hilary in her search for another of her accuracy of offers for services or goods that great grandfathers. appear in the journal, or be responsible for the outcome of any contract entered into David Coad’s well-researched article on with an advertiser. The editor reserves the tracing Irish ancestors will be read with right to edit, abridge or reject material. interest by many members. Thanks to Leonie Mickleborough and © The contents of Tasmanian Ancestry are Cindy O’Neill who have assisted and subject to the provisions of the Copyright supported me so magnificently. Act and may not be reproduced without written permission of the editor and author. Enjoy the festive season—and the articles in this journal.

Rosemary Davidson Cover: Illustration supplied by Betty Jones for her article, ‘Educating the Poor, the Murray Street Free School, 1872-1896’, see page 145.

126 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

T the time of writing Maurice produced by Hobart Branch in May 1993. was holidaying with his daughter Since then, both the society and branches A in Scotland so it was my job as have published a very large number of Acting President to produce this message. other indexes to BDMs, photographs and I would like to thank our secretary, other items of personal interest found in Colleen, who drafted it for me. Tasmanian newspapers. In his last report, Maurice made special With advances in our technical skills, the mention of the volunteers who give so society, after huge input by many many hours to our society. Whether it is members state-wide, published the index as a regular library assistant offering to Tombstone and Memorial Inscriptions guidance to members and visitors; pre- of Tasmania (TAMIOT), firstly in 1999 paring and assisting at workshops and on microfiche and later in CD format. open days; giving talks to other organ- Meanwhile, branch members have com- isations; uploading data to and maintain- piled and published indexes to many ing the many computers now in operation other local resources central to research- at branches; serving on a committee at ing family history: undertakers’ funeral branch level or for the society; or work- records; owners and occupiers listed in ing on the many indexes now offered for assessment rolls; church burial records; purchase, each and everybody’s contrib- cemetery headstone and/or burial records; ution is of immeasurable value. passengers arrivals and departures from I would like to look at the evolution of early newspapers; dignitaries listed in the many publications we now have Walch’s Almanacs; Lower Court records available for purchase and pay a special etc. Three indexes to our journal, tribute to those involved. As family Tasmanian Ancestry, have also been historians we all recognise the immense compiled for the society thanks to the value of indexes to original records yet generosity of members Kate Ramsay and many would be unaware of the in- Sally Rackham. Lists of all these public- numerable hours spent entering data, and ations can be found on the society the time taken in checking and re- website and on branch websites. checking before publication. Other valuable indexes listed are those Prior to 1993, the society’s only pub- that have been donated by generous lications for sale were the first three vol- individual members. All these indexes umes of Van Diemen’s Land Heritage: have played a vital role in the growth and Biographical and Genealogical Indexes development of our five branches. Over to Families of Tasmania 1803–1978, the last twenty years, the income derived edited by founding member, Neil Chick. from sales has been essential for the He later compiled and edited another two purchase of many new resources and volumes in the series. updating of expensive equipment for the It is now nearly twenty years since the benefit of us all. And the camaraderie very first indexes were published at and long-lasting friendships engendered branch level. These were the three amongst members working with a volumes of Whitton’s Indexes to The common goal continues to enrich our Mercury Birth, Death and Marriage society.  Notices 1858–1899, compiled and Robert Tanner Acting President

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 127 BRANCH REPORTS

Burnie open back at Cooee was Tuesday 25 September. Big thanks to our Librarian http://www.clients.tas.webnet.com.au/ geneal/burnbranch.htm Judy for coordinating the move and President Peter Cocker (03) 6435 4103 thanks to all those who were able to offer Secretary Ann Bailey (03) 6431 5058 assistance with the move. PO Box 748 Burnie Tasmania 7320 We have now settled back in and due to email: [email protected] the fact that some of the walls and other items have been removed during our The Burnie Branch absence it is much friendlier. Due to our Library has moved move we have not had as many meetings again! When we moved as we normally have. Our first day into the Burnie City meeting in our new/old premises was a Council owned building showing of one of the Royal Upstairs at 2 Spring Street we Downstairs episodes. Our major final were advised that it was to be only a year function will be a Dinner meeting on temporary home until the joint venture, at the third Tuesday in November (20). the old Acton Primary School, between Our Branch Library will close on the State Government and Council came Tuesday 11 December and reopen on into effect. This joint project was to Tuesday 15 January. The Committee and provide facilities for not-for-profit and branch members of Burnie wish all the community organisations in the Burnie best for the coming festive season and the region. Unfortunately this did not New Year. eventuate and we were advised in August that the Cradle Coast Authority was Peter Cocker Branch President moving into 2 Spring Street and needed 60% occupancy of the building. The only Hobart rooms available for us were upstairs with http://www.hobart.tasfhs.org no kitchen facilities or after hours toilet President Robert Tanner (03) 6231 0794 use. This was not acceptable and so we email: [email protected] decided to return to our old location at 58 Secretary Howard Reeves Bass Highway Cooee. PO Box 326 Rosny Park Tasmania 7018 The previous tenant had removed the email: [email protected] floor covering so we had to purchase All telephone enquiries to (03) 6244 4527 carpet, have it laid before we could properly move in. With some careful On 2 August the branch planning and the use of professional held a morning tea to movers we got 45 metres of broadloom thank the Clarence City carpet laid, moved our entire library of Council for a grant books, computers and furniture etc. and which enabled us to didn’t have close the library for our purchase new cameras and associated members for even one day. The last day equipment, and to thank the Catholic our Library was open at Spring Street was Archives for allowing us to index some Saturday 22 September and the first day of their records. The Mayor of Clarence,

128 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 Doug Chipman, attended on behalf of the Howard worked for the public service in council, and Sister Carmel and Ros Tasmania, then in Western Australia and Guidici represented the Catholic NSW in remote areas as an outreach Archives. The on-going projects associ- social worker and in the Department of ated with these items were demonstrated Native Affairs in New Guinea. Years and discussed. This proved to be a most after graduating from the University of enjoyable social occasion and a great Tasmania he undertook further studies at public relations event. the Curtin University to develop his Recently, Colleen Read and I went to research and writing skills. His first Millingtons at Mornington to present published book, To Hell or to Hobart, Peter Fuglsang, one of the directors, with was about his family history which he a copy of our latest publication, the Index researched for four and a half years to Clark Bros 1945–1979 Undertakers including extensive research in Ireland Records. Whilst there we collected a few and Britain. more Clark Bros record books so a start Since retiring in 1999, he has published can be made on the next volume in the books on the West Coast and particularly series covering 1950–1970. The Monday the mining history of the Zeehan area Group was anxiously waiting for more so which he spoke about in considerable they could start photographing and detail, based on his personal and indexing. They are also looking forward extensive research area. Two books on to their annual Christmas BBQ in early this theme have been published: The December to celebrate another successful Zeehan El Dorado and Farewell Heems- year. kirk, Goodbye Dundas. I continue to be amazed at the amount of Twenty-seven members and visitors volunteer work done at the branch. attended this meeting. Looking through a few of the secretary’s The guest speaker at the August meeting monthly reports I noticed 160 volunteers was John Morse, presenting a talk signed the book in June, 174 in July and ‘Tracing my ancestors into China’. John 185 in August. Whilst some of these spoke briefly about his paternal line were people signing in several times, it including his grandfather, a pioneer of still indicates a very healthy amount of Preolenna near Wynyard. The main part volunteer activity in the branch. of his talk focused on his mother’s The guest speaker at the July meeting was parents Nellie Pearson (born 1886 in Patrick Howard, Burnie born but he spent Victoria) and Charlie Jamison (an English his early years in Zeehan on the West missionary in China) who met and Coast. In his presentation—Early West married while working as Three Self Coast Pioneering Families—he spoke Church missionaries in China in 1915. about his early years in Zeehan, including John spoke about the history of Christian- his school years travelling to St Virgil’s ity in China, the extent of the under- College in Hobart; his Reynolds and ground churches and the opening up of Howard pioneering and convict China to the rest of the world in the early ancestors; and working alongside family 1970s. members in the family sawmilling, retail When Nellie Pearson applied to become a and hardware businesses in Zeehan. missionary she was just 22 and working After leaving the family businesses Mr as a housemaid in Melbourne. In pre-

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 129 paration for their trip to China, John and years there was no coordination or Jane Morse visited the Mission’s sensible leadership and little participation headquarters in Boronia (Victoria) and by the police. Premises displayed found Nellie’s original handwritten June insurance company markers and the 1908 application. Nellie undertook 18 insurance company brigades fought fires months of training before travelling to at premises displaying the insurance China. The missionaries worked in five company’s own marker (ignoring cities in China—Anshun, Kunming, others’), and fought over fires at premises Guiyang, Zunyr and Xingyi. John’s with no marker. mother was born in China as were her Olof Hilmer Hedburg, a Swedish whaler, two older sisters. His mother and her settled in Hobart in late 1844 and set up a parents returned to Australia in February merchant business. He became very 1928 leaving the two older girls in China prominent as a fire fighter and served as to continue their schooling. The intention superintendent of the fire service for was to return when the political situation thirteen years. improved. After three years the older Two major fires occurred in Hobart in sisters returned to Australia. 1854: a major bushfire in the northern Twenty-seven members and visitors region of Hobart, and a ‘city’ fire which attended this meeting. razed all buildings in the area bounded by The guest speaker at the September Argyle and Harrington Streets and meeting was Roger McNeice OAM Collins and Liverpool Streets. This fire speaking on the topic ‘Colonial Fire was caused by rats eating matches near Fighting 1803 to 1883’. Roger McNeice stores of explosives. The government has written a number of books relating to introduced legislation in 1883 to form the the history of the present-day Tasmanian Hobart and Launceston brigades. Fire Service. His latest publication, Fight At the conclusion of the meeting Roger the Fiery Fiend deals with colonial fire donated a copy of Fight the Fiery Fiend fighting during the period 1803 to 1883. to the Branch Library. The book contains Roger pointed out that the colonial press histories of the formation of brigades referred to outbreaks of fires as ‘visits by elsewhere in the state and, as with other the fiery fiend’. In his talk he described books by the author, it contains lists of the fear of fires arising from highly names of fire fighters and describes some combustible houses built of wood and of the social history of the brigades, shingle, straw interiors, wood fires for making the books of interest to family cooking and heating, candles for lighting historians. and often co-joined. He described the Twenty-two members and visitors formation of fire brigades initially by attended this meeting. insurance companies (Tamar Fire and Marine Insurance Company, Derwent and My thanks go to our secretary, Howard Tamar Fire and Marine Insurance Reeves, for the notes on guest speakers. Company) and the purchase of the first General Meetings fire fighting equipment—the pumper (the Members are reminded that all general first in 1827), hand filled using buckets meetings are held at ‘The Sunday and operated by six men to produce a jet School’, St Johns Park, New Town, on of water. All colonial fire fighting was the third Tuesday in the month at 7:30pm. conducted by volunteers, and in the early

130 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 Visitors are always welcome at these indexing: the next volume of Weekly meetings. Courier (1920–1921) will be available in Speakers planned for the next few late November, and work on 1922–1923 meetings are: is well on the way. Volume 12, 1932, of Tuesday 19 February: Mary Ramsay— Tasmanian Mail was released in October ‘Researching Eliza Forlong, an Australian and Volume 13, 1933 will follow in the Pioneer.’ New Year. Tuesday 19 March: Sue Newitt— Seniors’ Week 2012: The Open Day on ‘Aboriginal children at the orphanage.’ Wednesday 3 October proved to be very Tuesday 16 April: Doug Wyatt and well worth while and we were delighted Keith Glyde—‘Artillery in Tasmania with the number who pre-booked and 1901–2011.’ took advantage of the help offered and Family History Computer Users Group the branch library facilities. This large and enthusiastic group meets at Library: Tuesday, 10am-3pm—phone the branch library on the second (03) 6344 4034. Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm under Other days (except Saturday and the expert leadership of Vee Maddock. Sunday), by appointment only. Details of these meetings and other Wednesday 11 December: 2pm: activities may be found on our website at Afternoon tea for the volunteers. http://www.hobart.tasfhs.org Wednesday 11 December: 3pm: Library closes for the Christmas break. Robert Tanner Branch President Monday 21 January: 9:30am: Working

Bee. Launceston Tuesday 22 January: 10am: Library re- http://www.launceston.tasfhs.org opens. President Russell Watson (03) 6334 4412 Check the website for more detail of Secretary Muriel Bissett (03) 6344 4034 meetings/workshops and list of public- PO Box 1290 Launceston Tasmania 7250 ations now available from Launceston secretary: [email protected] Branch.

The Branch workshop Mersey held on 19 September www.tfhsdev.com attracted a good number President Ros Coss and those who attended Secretary Sue-Ellen McCreghan were much helped with (03) 6428 6328 the time spent on Library (03) 6426 2257 Shipping and Immigration records. PO Box 267 Latrobe Tasmania 7307 email: [email protected] Thanks to Helen and her team of helpers!

Again, we mention research requests: if In August we had any local member has time to spare, their arranged a visit to help with research as well as typing Burnie Branch which indexes, etc., would be much appreciated. we had to cancel. We This is a very good source of income for propose to visit in the the branch. Work is continuing on The New Year. Tasmanian Mail and Weekly Courier

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 131 At our September ‘Meet and Greet’ we had seventeen members and four visitors; of these two signed up to become members there and then. Over the past several weeks we have had five new members which is great news. Visitor numbers to the library are also on the rise. The publications committee members are working well towards adding to our list. Our Christmas Luncheon will be held at the Lucas Hotel in Latrobe on the 2 December where our annual fundraiser raffle will be drawn. If you are interested in joining us please phone the secretary. We reopen on 8 January and will be holding our annual BBQ on 19 January. On Australia Day we have been invited back to Sherwood Hall which was the home of Thomas Johnston and Dolly Dalrymple to showcase our library. Keep a check on our website for any updates or phone the Secretary. We wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a safe New Year for 2013.

Huon President Shirley Fletcher (03) 6264 1546 Secretary Libby Gillham (03) 6239 6529 PO Box 117 Huonville Tasmania 7109 email: [email protected]

STOP PRESS A Gathering on the Norfolk Plains in March next year will celebrate 200 years since the first settlers arrived from Norfolk Island in 1813. The program will run from Friday 1 March until Sunday 3 March at Longford. Descendants are reminded to register in participation of Descendants Day 2 March by contacting Northern Midlands Council’s Tourism Officer, Fiona Dewar, on email [email protected] or phone 03 6397 7321

132 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 WILLIAM OWEN (OW-EN) MY CHINESE ANCESTOR Janine Hunt (Member No.743)

OR many years I had been trying to proper name was ‘OW-EN’ which he find information to prove that my later changed to become his surname of ancestor William OWEN was ‘OWEN’ and made ‘William’ his first F 2 Chinese. My great-grandmother, Flo- name. I still had to prove this was my rence May Owen was born 22 February ancestor, and after many years I finally 1892 in Launceston to Susan STEVENS found confirmation by accident, while and William Owen. going through the According to Flo- Tasmania Police rence’s birth certif- Gazette (Archives icate, William was a Office of Tasmania) cook and steward on while on another the ship SS Linda.1 mission. In 1893 a This was all the warrant was issued in information I had on the Municipality of William. Florence was Launceston, and at brought down from the George Town Launceston to Hobart Police Court: and left with a family William Owen is when she was young, charged on warrant and did not see her issued on the 21st mother and father instant, by E. Whitfeld, again. As she grew Esquire, J.P., with older Florence wanted disobeying a summons to know about her to appear at the Police parents, and having Office, Launceston, to heard about Florence’s answer a charge of having, on and since background from both st my mother and grand- the 21 day of mother, I became determined to find out February, 1893, left his female child by more about her family tree. the one Susan Stevens, at Launceston, without any means of support. Judging by her appearance, family Description. A Chinaman. See P.G. members had always said Florence may 1893, page 31, Prisoners discharged. have been of Pacific Islander descent. So Now supposed to be a steward on the s.s. I looked for any ‘William Owens’ in Yolla.3 Tasmania, and I found one. This William Owen was naturalized in 1886 and was What a find! I finally found my ancestor! born in Canton in China 1860 and his Then I found out about Trove. What a

2 AOT CSO 13/1/90/2039 1 RGD35 Launceston 154/1892 3 AOT POL 709/1/24 Z641, Z639–40

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 133 great way of finding information through They didn’t have any photo records for newspapers! So, I put William Owen’s the year I was after, but then I remem– name in and focussing on just the bered that on one of my visits to the Tasmanian results, I was lucky to find Campbell Street Penitentiary Chapel and him mentioned in the Launceston Criminal Courts there were images of Examiner on Thursday, 25 August 1892. some prisoners on a screen. I asked the SLY GROG SELLING Curator, Brian RIEUSSET, if he would William Owen (Chinese) was charged look to see if there was any record of my with having on the 5th inst, at Flinders William Owen. William Owen was there Island, sold liquor, he not being the and I was rapt to get a phone call to say holder of a licence under the Licensing Brian had found William’s records and Act 1859. there was even a photograph of William! The defendant pleaded not guilty.4 His record reads:8 According to the witness Thomas Name: William Owen MANSELL, William Owen was not a Reg No: 437 resident of any Bass Strait island. He had This photo taken 30/8/92 – Photo Rego. rented Mansell’s cutter ‘Dream’ in July, No. 181 and as well as food supplies, he also Native Place: Hong Kong China loaded ‘5 gallons of rum, gin, and Year of Birth: 1860 whisky’ and during stops at Barren, Religion: Protestant Green and Prince Seal Islands, he sold Education: Cannot Read supplies without holding a licence.5 Height: 5.0 Build: thin ‘Sly grog selling’ had been active in the Weight: 8st 8lbs Straits, and after obtaining a search Complexion: Sallow warrant, the police constable, Percy Hair: Black NAPPER, had taken William Owen, ‘late Eyes: Hazel steward on the ss Linda’ to George Town Trade: Cook in a police boat.6 Particular Marks: Married, Chinaman William Owen was found guilty, and in When Convicted: 22.8.92 sentencing him to a fine of ‘£20 and Where: P.O. George Town Offence: Breach of Licenses Act costs, in default, six months’ Imprison– Sentence: Six (6) Months Discharged ment’, Magistrate H GLOVER condem– 21.2.93 ned the ‘practice of taking spirits for sale amongst the half-castes at the islands’, Now, not only did I find my ancestor was and hoped Owen’s fine would be a Chinese, I had a photo of him too, and I ‘warning to others’.7 know now never to give up looking for your ancestors. Try Trove, Naturalization Armed with this information, I tried the and Gaol records—it may surprise you Archives Office of Tasmania for gaol what you find.  records as I knew some photographs existed of prisoners starting in the 1890s.

4 Launceston Examiner, 25 August 1892, p.3 5 Launceston Examiner, 25 August 1892, p.3 6 Launceston Examiner, 26 August 1892, p.3 8 Penitentiary Chapel and Criminal Court, 7 Launceston Examiner, 25 August 1892, p.3 Campbell Street Hobart

134 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 VOICES FROM THE ORPHAN SCHOOLS SUSAN CHICKLEY’S CHILDREN Dianne Snowden (Member No.910)

USAN CHICKLEY, a country ser- Initially, Susan was reasonably settled in vant from County Cork, was trans- the Asylum but her behaviour deter- S ported to life for burning a house.1 iorated by August: On her arrival in Van Diemen’s Land in After quarrelling with other patients in September 1849, on the Australasia, the washhouse [she] came into the Susan stated: “I committed the offence Building and excited another patient … to 2 for the purpose being transported”. In violence. Was herself also very violent – March 1850, Susan was admitted to the threatened Mrs. Bentick[?] with the Colonial Hospital in Hobart and the fol- broom.5 lowing month, she was transferred to the In October, Susan was found by another ‘Asylum for the Insane at New Norfolk’ patient ‘in the privy’ in the act of cutting because she was ‘subject to paroxysms of 3 her arm with a piece of glass: maniacal excitement’. While she was in This attempt at suicide appears to have the Colonial Hospital, it was reported that been made because she was not brought her conduct in that period has afforded before a board head yesterday. Today decided proof of insanity. At times she is she expresses her regret.6 quiet, at other times extremely excited Susan was discharged, to the Cascade and irritable. She threatens violence and Factory, in April 1851.7 A month later, in attempts to strike other patients without May, she was readmitted to the Asylum the least provocation. She is generally 8 very restless and fancies at times that she from the hospital for ‘mania’. Susan has got a Bee buzzing in her head. She was again discharged to the Cascades has made several attempts to go over the Female Factory, then assigned to William Hospital Wall and will not bear to be Henry ELLIS at Green Ponds and later to spoken to or submit to the regulations.4 C BONNEY at Bridgewater. It was during this time she met her future husband, a Scottish hairdresser from Edinburgh 1 Dianne Snowden ‘A White Rag Burning’: named Hugh FAIRLEY; tried for stealing Irish Women who committed arson in a jacket at Glasgow Court of Justiciary in order to be transported to Van Diemen's 1846, was transported for 10 years and Land’, University of Tasmania, PhD 9 Thesis, 2005. See also T M Cowley A arrived in 1850 on the Blenheim II. drift of ‘Derwent ducks’: lives of the 200 Susan and Hugh married at Green Ponds female Irish convicts transported on the in May 1852.10 In October 1852, a preg- Australasia from Dublin to Hobart in 1849, self-published 2005. 2 TAHO, CON 41/1/24 No.1007 image 34 5 TAHO, HSD 246/8/Folio 139 (Susan Chickley); TAHO, CON 19/1/8 6 TAHO, HSD 246/8/Folio 139 image 10 (Susan Chickley); TAHO, CON 7 TAHO, HSD 254/1 15/1/6 No.29 image 12 (Susan Chickley); 8 TAHO, HSD 254/1 NAI, Prisons 1/9/4 No.1852 (Susan 9 TAHO, CON 33/1/95 No.22140 image 90 Checkley) (Hugh Fairley) 3 TAHO, HSD 246/8/Folio 139 10 TAHO, RGD 37/1/11 1852/34 Brighton 4 TAHO, HSD 246/8/Folio 139 (Hugh Fairley & Susan Chickley)

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 135 nant Sarah was sent to the Cascades Susan was granted a conditional pardon, Female Factory to wait for the birth of her her three children—Sarah aged five; child. At the time, Hugh was serving a Edward (or Edmond), aged three, and twelve-month sentence for stealing from Charles, aged two—were admitted to William Henry Ellis at Green Ponds. In Orphan Schools at New Town.19 February 1853, Susan gave birth to a Five-year-old Sarah Fairley died in the 11 daughter, Sarah, in the Factory. Although Female Orphan School on 23 July 1861 her birth was legitimate, Susan’s daughter from typhoid pneumonia after measles.20 was registered as Sarah Chickley and her Charles Fairley died of ‘pulmonary father’s details were not recorded. She consumption’ at Oatlands; he was was baptised, however, as Sarah Fairley described as a cooper’s son aged 17.21 12 in St Josephs Catholic Church Hobart. Edward Fairley, a labourer, remained in In May 1855, Susan’s second child, Tasmania, marrying Eugenia WALKER 13 Edward, was born at Coal River. His at Christ Church, Cullenswood in 1877. father, Hugh Fairley, a labourer, register- The day after the marriage, Eugenia gave ed the birth. He was baptised in St Johns birth to a daughter, the first of ten 14 Church at Richmond. In September children (registered as FURLEY), many 1856, a son, Charles, was born at Lower of whom were born in the Fingal Valley 15 Jerusalem. Charles was also baptised in and St Helen’s area. 16 St Johns Church at Richmond. In May 1863, Susan (described as a In 1858, Hugh was the occupier of a hut widowed laundress) married Thomas and two acres at Jerusalem (now Cole- MERRICK, a cooper, in Oatlands.22 Her 17 brook). This appears to be the last sons were discharged to her from the record of him in the colony; he may be Orphan Schools two years later. Susan one of many who simply left for a fresh died on 6 June 1908, of a ‘cerebral 18 start in another colony. This may have haemmorrhage’.23 been a factor in the admission of the The story of Susan Chickley and her Fairley children to the Queen’s Orphan children highlights the close links Schools. In January 1859, just after between three colonial institutions: the Female Factory, the Queen’s Orphan

11 Schools and the ‘Asylum for the Insane at TAHO, RGD 33/1/4 1853/2103 Hobart New Norfolk’.  (Sarah Chickley) 12 TAHO, NS 1052/1/8 p.188 (Sarah Friends of the Orphan Schools, St John’s Farrelly) Park Precinct: www.orphanschool.org.au 13 TAHO, RGD 33/1/33 1855/1375 Richmond (Edward Fairley) 14 TAHO, NS 1052/1/2 p.498 (Edward 19 TAHO, SWD 6/1/1 p.19 (Charles & Farrelly) Edmond Fairly); TAHO, SWD 27/1/1 15 TAHO, RGD 33/1/34 1856/1461 pp.43 & 47 (Edmund & Sarah Fairley) Richmond (Charles Fairley) 20 TAHO, RGD 35/1/6 1861/2880 Hobart 16 TAHO, NS 1052/1/3 p.4 (Charles Farrell) (Sarah Fairley) 17 Hobart Town Gazette 25 May 1858 p.763 21 TAHO, RGD 35/1/42 1873/410 Oatlands (Hugh Farley) (Charles Hurley) 18 Hugh may have died in NSW in 1892: 22 TAHO, RGD 37/1/22 1863/607 (Susan Sydney Morning Herald 26 April 1892 Fareley & Thomas Merrick) p.7 (High Fairly); NSW Death Record 23 TAHO, RGD 27/1/1 1908/329 Oatlands 1892/643 (Hugh Fairlie) (Susan Merrick)

136 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 TRACING THE LIVES OF IRISH CONVICTS BEFORE TRANSPORTATION David Coad

RACING the lives of Irish con– parishes. Not knowing the name of the victs after they were transported to place of birth hinders the search for T Tasmania is not that difficult given surviving baptism records. As convicts the existence of records from the Convict were also asked to provide the first name Department (now mostly accessible of their parents and siblings, this can online), census material, birth, baptism, sometimes help in the search for a marriage and death records, court records, baptism record. Convicts were mostly as well as other miscellaneous archive born in the 1820s and 1830s; some earlier material. What is more problematic is in the first two decades of the nineteenth trying to discover information about Irish century. The date at which baptism convicts and their families prior to trans– records survive for each of the hundreds portation. This article examines various of parishes in Ireland varies. Some possibilities available to the researcher parishes go back to the eighteenth who wants to trace the lives of Irish century; others survive from the 1830s convicts before they arrived in Hobart. only or even much later. Surviving The civil registration of births began in baptism records have been microfilmed England and Wales on 1 July 1837. In from the original parish registers and are Scotland it started 1 January 1855 available for consultation at the National whereas in Ireland it began 1 January Library of Ireland in Dublin. If the parish 1864 (marriages for non-Catholics were the convict comes from is not known, the recorded after 1845). These dates mean it multiplicity of parishes in a given county is impossible to find birth certificates for means that searching all parishes on convicts as they were born before civil microfilm is not feasible. registration began. The only way of Helped by the parents’ names listed in finding a date of birth is to locate a Tasmanian convict registers and the baptism record which may or may not names of towns sometimes contained in also give a date of birth. When convicts newspaper coverage of trials, there is a arrived in Australia they were asked to possibility of finding the baptism of a provide the name of their native place. convict (or that of one of the children of a Irish convicts were only required to give convict born in Ireland) on the the name of the county in which they ‘rootsireland’ website where over nine– were born, not the parish or place. The teen million Irish vital records are records of English convicts taken on searchable. The search engine allows the arrival in Australia usually provide the user to put the name of a parent or two name of a place and a county. Scots gave parents and restrict the search to a the name of the city where they came particular county or to enlarge it to from. This means it is extremely difficult encompass all of Ireland. Surviving to locate baptism records for Irish baptism records can be found that provide convicts. Each county was divided into a the name of the baptised child, a date, the large number of Catholic and civil names of the parents, the name of the

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 137 parish where the baptism took place Scottish, one newspaper contained in the and the names of the sponsors. Rather database, the Freeman’s Journal which than provide the date of baptism for was published in Dublin, does contain convicts (such records tend not to have reports on trials that took place in Dublin survived), the site is more useful for and elsewhere in Ireland. obtaining information about the names Apart from newspapers, there can be and dates of the children of convicts born another means of localising Irish before transportation. If the parish in convicts. Hoping to obtain a commut– which an Irish convict was born is ation of their sentence, some Irish known, there is a way of finding out the convicts petitioned the Lord Lieutenant of extent of surviving vital records from this Ireland by outlining the reasons why they parish. The website ‘irishtimes.com’ lists should not be transported. The Lord every Roman Catholic in Ireland and Lieutenant was the main representative of provides the exact dates for which the English Crown in Ireland. Before baptism and marriage records survive. 1836 these applications for clemency are The most helpful source for finding known as Prisoners’ Petitions and Cases information concerning the background (PPC) and after that date Convict of a trial which resulted in a sentence of Reference Files (CRF). The number of transportation is local newspaper cover– petitions is considerable: more than 7,500 age. The amount of coverage one is petitions from male convicts exist and likely to expect depends on the nature of almost 1,000 from female convicts. the offence. The more unusual the off– These ‘memorials’ have survived and are ence, the more text it tended to generate held by the National Archives of Ireland in a newspaper column. Theft of sheep, in Dublin. The petitions have been cows or clothes (usually called ‘wearing microfilmed and copies sent to libraries apparel’ at the time) did not inspire in Australia as part of the Australia Joint editors. If the offence was attended by Copying Project (AJCP), a venture that violence, then this factor meant an article began in 1945 between libraries in describing the circumstances surrounding Australia and depositories of records in the trial was more likely to be written. the United Kingdom and Ireland. The When a convict acted in concert with a Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office group of offenders faced with what was (TAHO) received a copy. Convict petit– perceived to be social injustice then ions are extremely useful for many newspaper interest could be quite reasons; one being to localise where a considerable. A violent collective crime convict came from in a particular county. fuelled by victimisation sparked off pages It might seem logical to expect that trial of newspaper comment. Irish newspapers records for Irish convicts would provide from the nineteenth century have been details of where an offender was born. microfilmed and may be consulted either Unlike the trials of English, Welsh and at the National Library of Ireland in Scottish convicts, almost nothing has Dublin or the British Library in London. survived from Irish trials. The main LINC Tasmania offers online access for element from Ireland is the Trans– its members to the newspaper archive portation Register (TR). This centralised ‘British Newspapers 1600–1900’. While register of criminals lists scarce the vast majority of newspapers information: the name of the convict, the searchable on this database are English or age of the offender, the nature of the

138 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 crime, the name of county in which the accrued by prisoners. Most convicts trial took place and the date of the trial. made the journey to Dublin where they Sometimes the name of the prison in awaited transportation in prison for which the convict was placed awaiting months. Male convicts were sent to transportation was noted. The TR has Kilmainham Gaol or Newgate Prison near been indexed and can be consulted online Smithfield. Mountjoy Prison, opened in at the website of the National Archives of 1850, also took male convicts, some of Ireland. Only registers dating from after whom then proceeded to Spike Island 1836 exist. All the earlier ones were near Cork. Female prisoners made the destroyed in a fire at Dublin in 1922. The journey from their local county gaol to TR is particularly useful since it acts as Grangegorman Female Penitentiary in an index for Convict Reference Files. No Dublin (opened in 1836) where they were separate index exists of convict petitions taught domestic skills that would make for clemency. However, if a petition them more easily employable in Aust– exists, the letters CRF (and a reference) ralia. Prisoners from some southern will be included in the TR record of a counties went to Cork Gaol instead of convict. The Family History section of Dublin and left Ireland at Cork. Registers the Hobart Reading Room has a guide from these temporary convict depots, which allows the user to locate the correct where they survive, are kept at the microfilm once a CRF reference number National Archives of Ireland. Those is known. dating from after 1790 have been indexed When researching convicts who lived in by the ‘findmypast.ie’ website. The only England and Wales, finding evidence of drawback of the Irish Prison Registers previous convictions is relatively easy by database on this website is that it is not using the Criminal Registers database on possible to know the National Archives the ‘ancestry’ website. Finding traces of of Ireland reference for the information previous convictions for Irish convicts is displayed. Physical descriptions of all not so easy. The ‘findmypast.ie’ website prisoners who arrived in these depots is gradually providing access to an were taken down upon arrival (and increasing number of Petty Sessions sometimes even the hour of arrival is Court records in Ireland. However, these noted). The number of previous con– records only begin in the early 1850s. victions was noted and at times the exact The site offers chunks of Petty Session place of the trial. Female convicts with records for a limited number of courts children took them to Grangegorman covering year periods between 1851 and where they were placed in a cell with 1910. Generally these records tend to be their mother. Convicts were discharged too late to locate information about the from these depots a matter of days before previous convictions of Irish convicts. they left Ireland. Vessels departed from the port of Kingston (now known as Dun After convicts were sentenced to trans– Laoghaire) near Dublin or from Queens– portation they were kept for some time in town (now known as Cobh) in Co. Cork. the local county prison. Registers from some of these prisons still exist and can In the absence of comprehensive trial be useful in gleaning information about records in Ireland, census records may be convictions. In Limerick, for example, a means of tracing where a convict lived the register of the Limerick County previous to transportation. The popu– Prison kept a record of the sentences lation of Ireland was the object of a

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 139 national census taken every ten years was listed where they occupied land. It is after 1821. The vast majority of Irish possible to look for the names of the convicts would have been listed on the father of a convict in a particular county census of 1821, 1831, 1841 or 1851, and see if this name occurs in the depending on their age. In some cases Applotment Books. At times, there is they would have been listed on more than only one person listed in the Applotment one census. Unfortunately almost the Books who corresponds to the name of entire census records of Ireland for the the father of a convict. In this case, a years listed above were destroyed in the townland and a parish can be potentially same fire that eliminated Transportation linked to the family of a convict. Other Registers dating from before 1836. These times, a multiplicity of names prevents records were held at the Four Courts in such a correspondence. Dublin. The Irish Public Records Office A later land survey known as Griffith’s was situated in this building that Valuation can also be consulted. exploded during the Civil War opposing Valuations list all occupiers of land in supporters of the Irish Free State and the Ireland. They date from 1848 until 1864. Irish Republican Army. Censuses taken These land records allow us to see the from 1861 to 1891 were deliberately number of landholders with a particular destroyed by the Irish Government before surname in each county. For each person 1922. The first Irish census to survive in listed on the Valuation we are able to its totality dates from 1901. The website know the name of the townland where of the National Archives of Ireland they occupied land, a description of the provides a searchable version of the 1901 tenement is given (whether there was just and 1911 Irish census. The only Irish land or a house as well, gardens and convicts, details of whom were included ‘offices’, that is, other buildings on the in a census, are the ones who happened to site), the total area of the holding, the be living in England, Scotland or Wales rateable annual valuation (land and at the time of a census. houses are given separately) and finally Given the scarcity of records providing the total annual valuation of rateable information on Ireland’s offenders in the property (the addition of the previous two first half of the nineteenth century (no categories). The date at which the Irish trial records, a register of sparse details convicts examined in this book were and destroyed census material) we have transported usually means they left to look elsewhere for traces of their lives. Ireland too early to be included in In an attempt to investigate the surnames Griffith’s Valuation. It is not impossible, of convicts in a particular county, it is however, to find a likely record for the possible to refer to the Tithe Applotment spouse some of them left behind or male Books which date from 1823 until 1837. members of the family (brothers or a These books are the results of land father). We can also see how preponder- surveys taken in order to determine how ant a particular surname was in a specific much tax each landholder was forced to county at the time of the Valuation. This pay to the Irish Church, the established can vary from one of two families to Church of Ireland at the time. The Tithe hundreds with the same surname. Applotment Books are useful for The National Archives of Ireland holds providing a geographic location for the papers from the Chief Secretary’s Office names of landholders as the townland (CSO) which can be a potential aid for

140 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 researchers. The Chief Secretary was the We can obtain an idea of what conditions head of the secretariat for the Lord were like on board the vessels which Lieutenant. The CSO papers are made up brought convicts to Australia from the of letters, reports and official returns. medical journals kept by the doctors This correspondence is vast. Indexes to it (called surgeons at the time) who were take up 337 volumes which refer to about responsible for the health of all 3,770 cartons of archive material. One passengers (crewmen, guards, prisoners component of the CSO papers is known and a small number of immigrants who as ‘Outrage Reports’. Written by chief usually accompanied the floating prison). constables, these reports on ‘outrages’, Most of these journals still exist and are that is, incidents worthy of police held at The National Archives in Kew. attention, tend to survive and can be of The website of the Archives provides potential help for discovering circum– transcriptions of the journals where the stances surrounding a crime committed names of all patients who reported sick by a convict who was transported to during a voyage are listed. The medical Australia. A project is underway to journals from convict vessels are in two provide public online access to the parts: a comprehensive list of the name of registered papers of the CSO. For the every passenger who reported sick, the moment only the first five years (1818– date an illness was reported, the nature of 1822) have been made available. For the illness and the date the patient was records dating from after 1822, it is cured. As well, surgeons wrote a number necessary to carry out a search in Dublin. of case studies of protracted illnesses Some male Irish convicts, while carrying declared on board, some of which ended out their sentence in the colonies, applied in the death of the sufferer. to the administration in order to have The resources listed above have all been members of their families brought to exploited in my book Port Cygnet Irish Australia. These official applications, Convicts (2012). The bibliography available at TAHO (MM71/1/4 and provides an extensive list of resources MM71/1/5), usually provide the name of available for the researcher intent on the parish or townland in Ireland where locating information on Irish convicts the family lived. Such information is before and after transportation.  helpful in exploiting Irish records when trying to pin down the native place of a convict whose family emigrated. Arrival A SNAKE ADVENTURE. records of family members in Hobart A little girl had a sensational Town provide the following details of experience at Don Heads yesterday each person: age, occupation, religion, morning. She went to sleep near the literacy, the name of the county where old pier, and was awakened by a black they were born. Another useful source snake crawling over her neck. for finding information on family Fortunately the reptile did not bite her, members who came to Tasmania is the but the shock from the close contact Register of Applications for Passages to with it was so severe that it was fully the Colonies for Convicts’ Families held half-an-hour before she recovered her at The National Archives in Kew speech. (CO386/154). A copy of this register is The North Western Advocate, 3 February 1911 available on microfilm at TAHO.

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 141 NEVER GIVE UP—FOUND AT LAST! ONE MISSING GREAT GRANDFATHER Hilary Martin (Member No.3734)

HE early part of William HALL’s another colliery, and baptised much later life was relatively easy to establish on 2 August 1869, at All Saints Church, Talmost twenty years ago. He was Robertown. On her initial registration born at Robertown, part of Dewsbury, she was ‘a boy named Monder’. This Yorkshire, where he lived his early years, was subsequently changed by Statutory as part of a large mining family. Declaration of William and Ann Hall, 20 William followed in August 1875. the family tradition of Next was Selina Jane, coal mining. He had born 18 January 1866, married Betty ROE- at Littletown, and BUCK, born 1834 at buried, aged 1, on 9 Kirkheaton, Hudders- November 1867 at All field—not far across Saints Church, Rober- the fields from Rober- town. town—at All Saints Rachel Ann was born Church, Liversedge in 15 May 1868, at 1856. Betty died Robertown, and bap- shortly after the birth tised 2 July at All Saints of their daughter, Mary, and was buried Church. She married at All Saints Church, Walter MITCHELL, a Robertown, on 21 woollier, on 28 August January 1857. Wil- 1893 at Earlsheaton liam married Ann Parish Church. The only son, Allen, HEMINGWAY (my William Hall great grandmother), of was born 1 October Littletown on 12 November 1860, and 1870 at Upper Carr, Liversedge but died Mary lived with William and Ann (her aged 7 months of bronchitis and step-mother), until the 1870s. convulsions 4 May 1871 at Street Side, I can’t find William in the 1851 or 1861 Chickenley Heath, Earlsheaton, Soothill. Census. Perhaps because following their By March 1871 the family was living at marriage William and Ann moved around Chickenly Heath in Earlsheaton, Soothill. from pit to pit as shown by the birth and William (39) coalminer, Ann (34), death records of children and on census Amanda (8), Rachel Ann (2), Allen (6 returns. They went from Robertown, to months), plus a boarder Mary HEMING- Rothwell, Earlsheaton, Gawthorpe cum WAY, aged 15, Ann’s niece, daughter of Osset and Soothill Nether. her brother, Joseph Hemingway. The first daughter, Amanda, was born 1 The family continued to grow. August 1862, at Rothwell engine house,

142 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 Charlotte and Sarah, twins, were born at their family: Amanda (18) a millhand, Spring Gardens, Earlsheaton on 14 March Rachel A (12), scholar, Charlotte and 1872 and baptised at All Saints Church, Sarah (9), scholars, Lilian (3) and Robertown—perhaps on their home visit to Elizabeth (1) at 178 Royd’s Lane, Ossett celebrate Christmas. cum Gawthorpe. Martha was born 24 April, baptised 20 Martha Ann (or Jane) was born 7 October 1874 and died 20 October 1874 of August 1881 at Ossett and christened 19 diarrhoea at Spring Gardens, Earlsheaton. August 1889. Lilian was born on 1 June 1877, and died My great grandmother, Ann of Syke Lane aged 20, a domestic servant, on 7 Novem- End, Soothill Nether died of scirrhus of ber 1897, at The General Infirmary of acute stomach, on 18 October 1886. Amanda’s croupons, pneumonia and exhaustion. husband, Charles Crosby, was Informant. Elizabeth Emmeline Hemingway Hall, my With young children it was inevitable that grandmother, was born 19 January and William, a coal miner, aged 55, should baptised 19 August 1880 at Ossett cum re-marry. So, on 31 December 1887 at Gawthorpe, Dewsbury. the Register Office, Dewsbury he married Richard Bell in his book Around Old Sarah Elizabeth SPENCER, age 58, of Ossett, describes Ossett in the early 1800s. Dublin, Ireland, his housekeeper, a The market place was a sea of mud, widow with adult children. Their address sewage ran down the roads in open drains was Syke Lane End, Soothill Nether. in front of houses, cellars were undrained By 1891 Census William, now a ‘deputy and often served as receptacles of evil in coalmine’, was living with Sarah Eliza- smelling liquid a couple of feet deep. beth (64) at Syke Lane End, Soothill, Wells were the only source of an Nether, with his family—Rachel Ann (22) imperfect and tainted water supply. There were no street lights. No wonder carder machine feeder, Lillian (13) rag there was a high death rate. sorter, Elizabeth Elvin (Emmeline) (12) and Martha Jane (Ann) (11), both scholars. I doubt if Robertown was much different. Bell continues, Regarding the position of deputy in a coalmine. Maureen, an Internet contact, said Although the Public Health Act was My Dad was a deputy in the West Riding passed in 1848, and neighbouring towns of Yorks. They were an overseer or a acted upon it, setting up a Board of foreman. They had to ensure that any Health and putting things to right would area where their men were going to work mean paying higher rates, so the was safe and free from gas. townspeople of Ossett did nothing. Not until 1875, nearly 40 years later, was an At the 1891 Census, Amanda, born Act passed enabling the Ossett Local Rothwell and aged 28, was living at 37 Board to borrow and spend the money on Lawrence Street, Leeds, with her street repairs, sewage works and a piper husband, Charles Albert CROSBY, aged water supply. Better late than never. 30, born Leeds, a miner, and their son, Well, this was just in time for William John William aged 7, born Leeds, a scholar. and Ann and their family to move to Rachel Ann married Walter MITCHELL, a Ossett shortly before the birth of my local coal miner in 1893. His parents grandmother, Elizabeth. worked in the wool trade. In 1911 Rachel At the 1881 Census, William (47), a coal Ann, a widow, was working as a scribble miner, and Ann (43), were living with minder still at Earlsheaton.

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 143 Sarah, aged 19, was working as a domes- William’s eldest daughter. So I had tic servant to George PARKER, a found him at last. solicitor’s managing clerk, and his family William spent the latter part of his life at in Hebden Bridge. Wakefield Lunatic Asylum, where he was Charlotte may have died in 1888. recorded as a patient, a coal miner, born Selina, Allen and Martha died in infancy. in 1833 in the United Kingdom. During the early 1890s his behaviour had become Lillian, a rag sorter, died aged 20, in more difficult. He was depressed, had 1897, of lung problems and pneumonia. tried to hang himself and threatened to In the 1891 Census, living just next door knock Amanda’s head off. This was but one to William and Sarah Elizabeth probably only the tip of the iceberg. The and his family were John and Sarah Ann cause appears to have stemmed from HAZLEHURST and their family. Sarah alcoholism. Between 1893–97 he was Ann was Sarah Elizabeth’s elder daughter. admitted to Leeds Union Infirmary, the By 1901, Sarah Elizabeth Hall, single, old workhouse from where he was (74), was visiting her daughter, Sarah transferred to the Wakefield Lunatic Ann Hazlehurst and family, still in Syke Asylum on 29 July 1897. Lane End, Soothill Nether. On 6 April In 1905 he was reported to be suffering 1902, Sarah Elizabeth Hall, aged 75, of from dementia and depression. He was Syke Lane End, Soothill died of senile an old, small man, occasionally noisy and decay and bronchitis. Her daughter, confused but generally a decent man in Sarah A Hazelwood, was the Informant. fair health—a good worker. However, towards 1910 the deterioration in his In 1902 my grandparents married listing mental health was evident though his his father as deceased so I stopped general health remained reasonable until looking for him after 1902. shortly before his death in 1913. During the earlier part of this year I Like many he had a difficult life— decided to again look for any William working in the atrocious conditions of Hall born about 1833 in the Dewsbury coal mining, left on the death of his first area. I found one death in 1913 that wife with a baby, then the deaths of half could fit—but after buying the death the children to his second wife before her certificate, the details didn’t really match. own death. After his third marriage his This William was a coal hewer, married, own health and temper appears to have and from Leeds—and when alive had gradually worsened until the family fell been living in the Wakefield Asylum. apart. After all this time I don’t know I sent to the Wakefield Lunatic Asylum whether I am pleased to have found out Archives for his details, where the staff what happened or saddened to learn he were most helpful and £18 pounds later I had spent his final sixteen years in a received the records of the Leeds Union lunatic asylum, estranged from his family transfer, Admission records, a summary and living in fairly basic conditions until reception of Pauper Lunatic records, his death at age 80. regular reports of health and mental Now I just have one more great grand- wellbeing of his time at the Asylum and a father, John WARDLE to find—his death photo. It took me four days to be brave is equally baffling. Well documented enough to open the envelope and there it until 1871, with Alice, his second wife, a was—admitted by Amanda Crosby, widow, in 1881. I’ll keep you posted. 

144 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 EDUCATING THE POOR THE MURRAY STREET FREE SCHOOL, 1872–1896 Betty Jones (Member No.6032)

OR twenty-four years, from 1872 overview of its operation, and learn more to 1896, the Murray Street Free about some of the teachers employed FSchool, designated exclusively for there. children whose parents or guardians The context in the early 1870s could not afford to pay their fees,  The colony was still recovering from operated in Hobart. Situated in the block the economic depression of the late between Patrick and Brisbane Streets, in 1850s and 1860s. There were many the street after which it was named, the unemployed married men, often with school was located opposite the site large families to provide for, living in currently occupied by the Harvey Hobart; Norman store.  four Ragged Schools were operating From a modern perspective, one may in the town: Watchorn Street, Lower wonder why a decision would have been Collins Street, Cascade Road, and St made to set up a Government school that Luke’s. Those schools catered for so publicly identified its pupils as the about 450 of Hobart’s poor children children of paupers and excluded them by 1872, but they were not part of the from enrolment at the other Hobart public Board of Education. The Orphan schools. Indeed, such obvious discrim- Schools had been in existence for ination would not be tolerated today. The over forty years; object of this article is to acquaint readers  all children attending Government with the reasoning behind the schools in Tasmania had been subject establishment of the school, provide an to the payment of weekly school fees

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 145 since the establishment of the Board standard, which was more commonly of Education in 1839 (with the attained by six year olds;2 practice continuing until 1908).  despair resulted on the part of senior Families who believed they were Board of Education members, who unable to pay fees could make felt that the current system was not application to their school’s Local having enough positive influence on Board to have the amount reduced or, the control and education of Hobart’s in special cases, entirely remitted; poor, neglected and destitute children.  an increasing number of children in The concept public schools were being classified It was deemed by those in authority that as free scholars, many with parents some change had to be made on the who apparently would not, rather than provision of free admission to arrest the could not, pay fees. In 1871, there extravagant and alarming dimensions it were reported to be 633 free scholars had reached in the Hobart city schools. attending the five Board of Education That change needed to secure two schools in Hobart—Trinity Hill, objectives: Battery Point, Goulburn Street, 1. to excite and stimulate in the minds of Macquarie Street and Central 1 as many parents as possible the desire (Bathurst Street); and effort to keep their children above  there was a growing cost for the level of pauper schooling; Government as a result of the above. 2. to provide a single free school for the The Government paid three pence per reception, and the educating up to a free scholar to schools since fees certain point, of those children whose formed part of the Head Teacher’s parents or friends could or would pay salary; absolutely nothing.3  school authorities thought that many Plans for the school were in place at least free scholars’ parents were not twelve months before it officially came showing sufficient interest in their into existence. children’s education, reinforcing a In 1871, rules and regulations were perception that what came free was released for such an establishment, the not always valued; following being adopted:  irregular attendance by many free scholars contributed to their educ- 1. ‘In order to make better provision for ational underachievement and the education of neglected children, perceived lack of moral development. the Board have resolved to establish a In 1871, Chief Inspector Thomas free school in the building known as STEPHENS revealed that of the 633 the Infant School, Murray Street, for free scholars aged between 4 and 15 the reception of children for whom no in Hobart schools, only thirty-nine fees are paid by their parents or had progressed past the third class— guardians, such children to be most achieved only second class admitted upon the order of any Local School Board in Hobart Town, or of

2 Journal of House of Assembly, 1876, Paper 106 1 Journal of House of Assembly, 1876, 3 The Mercury, Editorial, 20 December Paper 106 1873

146 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 any officer appointed by the Board of enrolled. Many parents of children in Education for the purpose. those schools, who had previously been 2. ‘On and after the 31st March 1871, the excused from paying fees, now strained Board will discontinue payment of to contribute three half-pence per week or capitation fees for children in the sixpence a month for each child, with the public schools in Hobart Town, same amount being matched by the Board except upon a certificate from the of Education, in order to save their children from being sent to the free Local Board to the effect that a sum 5 equal to one- school. Statistics half of the cost indicated that of their instruc- between 300 and tion, calculated 400 children were at 3d per week thus rescued from for each child, being openly class- has been paid to ified as paupers: the teacher by  in one school, the parents or out of forty guardians of hitherto certified such children, as too poor to or from other sources. pay, twenty-four were at once paid 3. ‘No teachers in any free school shall for; be allowed to receive school fees for  in a second, out of nearly 100, only or on account of any children three were removed to Murray Street; attending such school, but their fixed  iIn a third, out of seventy-six non- salaries will be supplemented by such paying, sixty-three began to pay; allowances as the Board may from  in a fourth, out of 145 certified as too time to time direct. poor to pay, forty-five were removed 6 4. ‘Any children who shall have reached and 100 paid. a standard of proficiency qualifying The above figures suggest that the them for class IV, as defined by the Board’s Objective Number 1 for forming program of instruction, may, with the the school was achieved quickly. An approval of the Board of Education, improved regularity of attendance never be transferred from a free school to known before in those same ‘saved’ any ordinary public school.’4 children was also noted, and it was The scholars concluded that the children themselves The school opened on 6 May 1872 for and their parents seemed to appreciate more highly the schooling for which they twenty infants and thirty boys and girls of 7 more advanced ages. That intake was paid. made up of free scholars from the From the beginning, the school was recently defunct Macquarie Street School capable of catering for 198 scholars, but and those from the local neighborhood. during the 1870s and 1880s it operated At the time of opening, no scholars from the other four public schools had been 5 The Mercury, 7 May 1872 6 The Mercury, Editorial, 20 December 1873 4 The Mercury, 2 March 1871 7 ibid

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 147 below that capacity. From the early concerning boarded out children who had 1890s however, when economic con- not passed the third class being refused ditions worsened again in Tasmania, issue of copy books. Mr Hall stated that numbers started to grow. There were 253 some children had been at school for on the books in 1891, and attendance had years and thus not yet used a pen. It increased to 304 by 1894.8 appears that the regulation was changed 11 Some insight into what was taught and soon after. valued at the school can be gleaned from ‘Boarding out’ was the term used to newspaper reports of the time. The Head describe the placement of children in Teacher, Mr HALL, was said to excel in foster care in private homes. It seems the teaching of singing, his own voice likely that most of those in such well-trained and able to go up and down situations in Hobart from 1872 to 1896 the scales with ease. In 1874, it was would have attended the school. reported that the singing of the scholars 9 The Teachers was soft, melodious and well sustained. When the school opened in 1872, Mr and At the breaking up of the school for the Mrs Hall were in charge of the main Christmas recess in 1880, a prize was section, while Miss PEGUS was awarded for knowledge of Scripture responsible for the infants. The staffing History. Other prizes took the form of of the school became somewhat of a wearing apparel, books and work-boxes, family affair for the Halls, who were later etc. Each scholar was given a large bun assisted by their two daughters, Jessie as they exited. Discipline at the school and Elizabeth. Their niece, Mary was described as of the superior kind, and 10 SMELLIE, also taught at the school for the teachers were given due praise. about fifteen years in all. A report in the Tasmanian Mail at the end The list of teachers included: Mr Charles of 1881 noted that Mr Hall had described Hall (1872–1896), Mrs Jane Hall (1872– the education given as of a plain, 1890), Miss Henrietta PEGUS (1872– substantial and efficient character. The 1875), Miss Jessie Ann Hall (1872– school was reaching up to 178 pupils at 1888), Miss Harriet Ann FULLER that time, many of them being boarded (1875–1878), Miss Mary Elizabeth out by the Government. At the end of Smellie (1878–1885 and 1888–1896), year break-up, upwards of ninety articles Miss Elizabeth Mary Hall (1880–1886), of wearing apparel, made in school, were Miss Ruth Matilda WARLAND (1885– distributed, along with prizes from the 1896), Miss Margaret IRVINE (1886– Local Board for writing, arithmetic, 1887), Miss Sarah Bennett CLARK Scripture knowledge and regular (1887–1890), Miss Sarah Edith MOWAT attendance. (1891–1896), Miss Susanna Mary It is interesting to note that, even in the JONES (1893–1896) Free School, inequities still existed. Mr Charles Eadie Hall was the school’s Hall wrote to the Board in 1876 Head Teacher throughout its operation. expressing his dismay at the restriction He was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1821, the son of tailor, Robert Hall and his wife, Janet (née CAIRNS). Mr Hall 8 TAHO: ED31/1/3 9 The Mercury, 19 December 1874 10 The Mercury, 22 December 1880 11 The Mercury, 5 December 1876

148 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 trained at the Glasgow Free School and compensation for his loss of service.15 partially at the British and Foreign He died at Flowerpot in 1910. 12 Training School in England. (TAHO: Mrs Jane Hall was born in London, ED13/1/30) He married Jane CREASY England in 1818, the daughter of excise at St Hellieres, Jersey, Channel Islands, officer, Edmund Creasy and his wife, England in 1847. He was listed in the Ann (née YARDLEY). The Halls had 1861 Scottish Census as living in three daughters in Dumfries, Scotland Dumfries, his occupation being a teacher between 1855 and 1862, the eldest of at the Ragged and Reformatory School. whom died at sea in January 1864. In the By 1864, he was in Australia, living in 1861 Scottish Census, Mrs Hall was Ballarat, Victoria, where he was listed as a school matron. The Halls also Superintendent of a Ragged School. That assumed responsibility for rearing from a year, Mr Hall joined the Tasmanian young age Mary Smellie (1852–1897), a Board of Education. He taught at niece of Mrs Hall, and took her with their Hamilton Public School from 1864 to family to Australia. In September 1890, 1869 before being transferred to Mrs Hall was granted twelve months’ Macquarie Street School from 1870 to leave to take effect from the date 1871. of expiration of three months’ Mr Hall became very well leave already granted.16 She respected for his Free School died at North Hobart in 1892. work, and in 1883 the pupils Miss Henrietta Sophia Pegus presented him with a writing 13 was born in 1842 at Oatlands, desk. However, by 1891, daughter of Captain Peter and the Inspector noted that Mr Mary Sophia (née Hall’s age (then 70) seemed SKARDON) Pegus, and to be telling on his energy in joined the Board of Education general management. The as a Pupil Teacher at Trinity circumstances required Hill Public School in 1859. exceptional vigor in the Head 14 After nearly six years there, Teacher. At that time, Mrs Miss Pegus spent six months Hall had become unwell, and teaching at the Frederick Street Mr Hall was widowed in 1892. Kindergarten in Launceston, In March 1896, the Department and was then appointed as advised him that his services at Head Teacher to the Murray Murray Street would no longer Street Infant School in Hobart be required after 30 June 1896 in 1866. When the new Free when the school was to cease School was established, Miss operation. Mr Hall was granted Pegus was placed in charge leave on full pay to December 1896 in of its infant children. She married consideration of the length of his service, Hungarian-born widower and Art teacher, and was paid an additional £50 as Charles George Boyeslav (William) SCHUETZ, in 1875 at Hobart. After retiring from teaching for the next twenty 12 TAHO: ED31/1/3 13 The Mercury, 22 December 1883 15 TAHO: ED13/1/57 14 TAHO: ED31/1/3 16 TAHO: ED13/1/45

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 149 years, Mrs Schuetz resumed her career at percolating through the soil below. In Invermay State School in 1895. She died 1876, the Board was ordered to supply in Hobart in 1924, her last address being plans and estimates for outbuildings to ‘Wroughton Cottage’ in Elizabeth Street, the Government, and £89 was approved the former home of her deceased parents. for the construction of such facilities.19 The site The cottage adjoining the school, Erected by subscription in 1834, and originally used as the Infant school conducted as an Infant School from then master’s family residence from 1834, was up till the end of 1871, the building was pulled down in 1875.20 No residence was ornamented with two Doric columns. provided for the teachers at the free Originally set up and administered by school during its time of operation. members of the Hobart Town Infant In 1884, the building was described as School Society, the school was placed in still consisting of two rooms, the larger of the hands of the Board of Education from which was kept warm by two fires; the the mid-1850s. In 1871, it catered for smaller one, occupied by the infants, was sixty pupils between the ages of two and 21 17 becoming overcrowded. At least one ten. teacher claimed to suffer from health In preparation for the opening of the free problems related to the condition of the school, some modifications were carried Infant room. Miss Smellie, when apply- out to the building. The gallery from the ing to rejoin the Department in 1896, main room was fixed up in a reduced explained that for some time she had form in what had been the Committee- suffered with hearing problems. The bad room, and desks and seats were brought ventilation and constant exposure to from the recently defunct Macquarie draught in the old Infant room had Street School for the use of the older brought on chronic inflammation in her pupils. Trifling repairs were undertaken, right ear, and for a time Miss Smellie was and all the walls were whitewashed. The obliged to place herself under a specialist path leading to the street was levelled and in Melbourne.22 covered with gravel. Similar attention Approval was given for the Education was given to the drainage of the 60 by 40 Department to purchase the land yards of playground that had hitherto 18 adjoining the school in Murray Street been defective. from William WALTON in 1885 at a cost In 1874, concerns were aired about the of £350.23 In 1887, Ebenezer Chapel, unsatisfactory ventilation in both school- erected in front of the school in 1870, was rooms, particularly the Infant room. The purchased by the Government at the low floors were said to be on a level with the cost of £1050.24 It was reported in 1888 ground outside, and in one part below, that LEE & TUCKER had been causing dampness to the walls. In sum- contracted to repair and alter the Chapel mer, an unwholesome smell apparently rose through the floor as a consequence of the contents of two great toilet closets, 19 The Mercury, 4 May 1876 catering for over one hundred children, 20 The Mercury, 24 April 1875 21 The Tasmanian Mail, 31 May 1884 22 TAHO: ED2/1/1565; file 1802 17 The Mercury, 22 December 1871 23 The Mercury, 21 July 1885 18 The Mercury, 4 May 1872 24 The Mercury, 6 July, 1887

150 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 into a State School,25 and it was ready for its new purpose two months later.26 By 1891, the former 1834 school building was described as going to decay and an 27 NEW RELEASE eyesore. The closure In January 1896, the Premier, Sir Edward BRADDON, addressed a memo to the Director of Education giving reasons for the proposed closure of the Free School. Economic and social considerations were foremost. There was evidence that the average cost of maintaining the Murray Index to Clark Bros Street School during the previous three Funeral Records Vol. III years had been £393. A saving of a Part 3 A–K further £260 per annum in Government July 1945 – June 1979 fees could be made by placing the current and scholars in standard State schools. The Index to Clark Bros move was also to help relieve the Free School children from the stigma of Funeral Records Vol. III pauperism.28 Part 3 L–Z The Department announced that the July 1945 – June 1979 school was to close on 30 June 1896, and the Government advised that, in future, These two A4 books complete no State schools would be continued as the valuable records available for free schools.29 A month after the closure, Clark Bros Funeral Directors Premier Braddon noted that, of the 300 in Hobart children who had been attending Murray and follow on from Street, 233 were now going to State schools, and sixty-two were being 30 Part 1 March 1910 – February educated elsewhere. 1928 and It seems ironic that the school, set up on Part II February 1928 – July 1945. economic and social grounds, closed for virtually identical reasons twenty-four Write to Resource Manager years later.  TFHS Inc. Hobart Branch PO Box 326| ROSNY PARK TAS 7018 or email [email protected] 25 The Mercury, 3 July1888 26 Launceston Examiner, 5 September 1888 Price on application 27 TAHO: ED31/1/3 28 The Mercury, 9 January 1896 29 TAHO: ED13/1/57 30 The Mercury, 30 July 1896

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 151 HENRY TINGLEY ‘I am doing well’ ASSIGNED TO WILLIAM LYNE Leonie Mickleborough (Member No.20)

OUND guilty at Sussex Assizes on meat, 10 pounds and a half of flour, two 26 July 1834 of horse stealing and ounces of tobacco’, while annually, the F sentenced to transportation for life, government supplied ‘three pair of shoes, both 19 year-old Henry TINGLEY from two suits of clothes, four shirts’. Tingley Uckfield and 20 year-old Henry explained to his parents how he only had CARTER from Kirkfield, arrived in Van to ‘keep a still tongue’ in his head and do Diemen’s Land on 2 March 1835 aboard what his master wanted, and he was the Waterloo. The voyage from Ports- treated ‘as if he were at home’. He was mouth had taken 103 days. Both men already able to make a ‘few shillings’ by were single, were ploughmen, had hunting or shooting kangaroos, ‘ducks or previous offences and had body marks. swans, tigers, tiger-cats or native cats’ Tingley’s right arm was decorated with a and he had ‘dogs and gun of my own’. bird and tree, a sailor flag and ‘T.H.’. A He already knew he could only be injured woman and a fish marked his left arm. by snakes which were ‘about five or six Carter’s inside left arm had a ship’s feet long’, and which would ‘get away if anchor, and they both had a ‘cross’ they can’. He hoped his parents would between the finger and thumb on their left not ‘fret’ about him as he was ‘doing hands.1 well’. As evidence of his agricultural In Van Diemen’s Land their experiences interest—or perhaps because he wanted differed, and no evidence has been to make home brew—he asked for instructions ‘to farm hops from the located to suggest they maintained 2 contact. Carter was sent to the public beginning to the ending’. works, had numerous offences, and spent Tingley was grateful he was away from time on the Cleveland Road Party, while ‘beer-shops’ and there was ‘ne’er a one Tingley was assigned to William LYNE within 20 miles’. There was another at Great Swan Port on the east coast, convict at Apsley who, he explained, was where he served his sentence. ‘a shoemaker, and he is learning me to Just three months after arriving, when make shoes’, and he thought that in two writing to his father Thomas and his years he would be able to make a pair for mother at Newick, near Uckfield Sussex, himself. Even though he was doing ‘a Tingley was full of praise for his ‘good great deal better than ever’ at home, his master’. Tingley was ‘very comfortable only ‘uncomfortableness’ was being indeed’ and had ‘plenty to eat and drink’.

Each week he was allowed ‘two ounces 2 of tea, one pound of sugar, 12 pounds of ‘Experiences of a Convict. 1835.’ (Copy of a letter from Henry Tingley to Thomas Tingley, Newick, near Uckfield, Sussex’) in C M H Clark, Select Documents in 1 CON31/1/43 00153; CON31/1/7 00308 Australian History 1788–1850, pp.131–33

152 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 away from his family. His feeling of of produce precluded the possibility of ‘wanting’ his family with him would be improvement at the time. Lyne had built removed if they were able to join him. his hut on the ‘most heavily timbered and He suggested this could be achieved if his worst part’ of his farm. He was ‘very parents could have the parish pay their industrious and honest’, but could not passage and also give them £60. His ‘bear to part with a shilling’.5 parents would then be able to take him Henry Tingley remained at Apsley. He off the ‘Government for £1 for eight had no recorded offences, and in April years to work’ for them until the end of 1843 received his ticket-of-leave and his his sentence. conditional pardon in November 1847. To his brothers and sisters he had a In March 1847 he successfully applied to message. He hoped they would ‘never marry convict Barbara GORDON. They give your poor mother and father so much married in Launceston on 19 May 1847. trouble as I have’. He also relayed that Barbara, who had two previous he had enquired about Henry HART and convictions and had twice been the NEWMANs from Uckfield, but had 3 imprisoned for stealing wool, was a not heard ‘anything about them’. house servant from Inverness. In April William Lyne (c.1782–1854), to whom 1841, after being found guilty of stealing Henry Tingley was assigned, had arrived two handkerchiefs, she was sentenced to with his wife Sarah (née Bishop) (1786– seven years’ transportation and arrived at 1873) and five children in October 1826 the River Derwent aboard the Garland aboard the Hugh Crawford. Lyne Grove on 10 October. She was assigned received a 1,500 acre land-grant which he soon after arrival, and the punishment for selected at Moulting Lagoon, Great Swan her offences, which were mainly for Port which he named Apsley.4 being absent without leave, disturbing the In December 1828 the land commis- peace, obscene language and drunken- sioners described the grant as ‘the largest ness, ranged from fines of 5s 0d to six months in the Launceston Female Swamp’ they had seen in the colony. 6 Maybe in time the land might ‘become a Factory. valuable property’, but for many years it The marriage produced at least four would be ‘a dead loss’. It was ‘only fit children, all born in the Launceston area: for Cattle’ during summer when the Thomas (1848–1926), Catherine (b1851), Apsley River from the north ran into the Henry (1854–1939) and Alexander swamp, while in winter, it was ‘one vast (1857–1923). Barbara died 4 November sheet of Water’. 1891 at Ringarooma, and it is possible To the commissioners, the only solution Henry died in October 1901. was to form a channel to the bay and Three of William and Sarah Lyne’s five build a ‘strong embankment’, but the children married into the families of two price of labour and the fluctuating value brothers Adam (1774–1845) and John AMOS (1776–1848). Adam and John

3 ‘Experiences of a Convict. 1835’ 4 Cunneen, Chris, ‘Lyne, Sir William John 5 A McKay, Journal of the Land (1844–1913)’, ADB, http://adb.anu.edu Commissioners for VDL 1826–28, pp.97– .au/biography/lyne-sir-william-john- 98, 141. 7274/text12609 6 CON40/1/4 00195; CON19/1/3 00020

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 153 who were born at Melrose, Scotland, REFERENCES arrived in the colony in 1821 on the Bateson, Charles, The Convict Ships 1787– Emerald, and Adam’s capital of £1,500 1868 (Sydney, 1988). entitled him to a grant of 1,000 acres. He Clark, C M H, Select Documents in selected a location on the Swan River at Australian History 1788–1850 Sydney: Cranbrook, which he named Gala.7 Angus and Robertson Ltd, 1968, pp.131–33 John and Hannah (née HARDY) Amos’ ‘Experiences of a Convict. 1835’. (Copy of daughter Caroline (1820–70) married a letter from Henry Tingley to Thomas William Gladwin Lyne (1811–89) in Tingley, Newick, near Uckfield, Sussex. Printed in App. to Report of Select 1841, and after Caroline’s death, William Committee on Transportation, pp.354–55. married her younger sister Martha (1819– P.P. 1837, XIX, 517.). 1907). Adam (1807–34), son of Adam and Mary (née TATE) Amos married Cunneen, Chris, ‘Lyne, Sir William John Susannah Lyne (1821–94), and his sister (1844–1913)’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Mary (1814–76) married Susannah’s Australian National University, brother Henry Richard Lyne (1819–75). http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/ The other two Lyne children also lyne-sir-william-john-7274/text12609, married. Elizabeth (1818–95) married accessed 24 May 2012. William WILSON and John (1810–1900) McKay Anne (ed), Journal of the Land married Lillian Cross CARMICHAEL Commissioners for Van Diemen’s Land (née HUME) in 1843, and in 1891 he 1826–1828 (Hobart, 1962). married Martha MURRAY. Rand, A, ‘Amos, Adam (1774–1845)’, Although Henry Tingley admitted having Australian Dictionary of Biography, caused his parents ‘much trouble’, the National Centre of Biography, Australian experience he gained while assigned to National University, http://adb.anu.edu. his ‘good master’ meant that he was able au/biography/amos-adam-1703/text1847 to start a new life and family in the accessed 24 May 2012. colony. It seems unlikely that other CON40/1/4 image 195 Gordon. family members managed ‘to come to this country’ which, Tingley described as CON31/1/43 image153 Tingley. being ‘far before England’. CON19/1/3 image 020 Gordon. Henry Tingley was an assigned convict CON31/1/7 image 308 Carter. who took advantage of his situation. He CON52/1/2/ p.206 Application to marry. started a new life far from home after http://www.justd.com/lyne/ 24 May 2012. being transported under the British Hobart Town Courier 14 April 1843. convict system and it is indeed fortunate that a copy of the letter he wrote to his Mercury, 29 October 1901. parents on 15 June 1835 has survived.  North Western Advocate and Emu Bay Times, 29 October 1901.

7 Rand, A, ‘Amos, Adam (1774–1845)’, ADB, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/ amos-adam-1703/text1847

154 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 RYERSON INDEX HELP WANTED

HE Ryerson Index is the com- AIKEN T prehensive index to death notices and I would like to make contact with des- obituaries in Australian newspapers. cendents of James AIKEN who arrived at Hobart aboard the Cape Clear in October This is to advise that the Ryerson Index 1883. The Aiken family originated from now has a presence on Facebook at Earlston in County Berwickshire. With www.facebook.com/RyersonIndex James was his wife Mary, sons Charles and wife Mary née STUART, Murray Our aim is to provide regular updates and wife Elizabeth née HOPE, John, and about what’s happening with the Index. their sister Johanna. All were skilled in To that end, we would be pleased if you wool manufacturing and cloth finishing. would inform your members about this Among the Tasmanian-born family is new development. Facebook users can Murray William AIKEN (1890–1958) ‘Like’ us to receive up-to-date inform- who married a Victorian, Pearl (Perl) ation. HEATLY (1899–1949), in 1919. Please The Index remains the same with access contact Meredith Hodgson on 0400 241 via the website www.ryersonindex.org 066 or PO Box 447 Sandy Bay TAS 7006. and there is now a link to Facebook on the homepage. BISHOP Looking for descendants of Edmund Jo Marsh Promotions Officer, Ryerson Index BISHOP, born 15 June 1856 and his wife Elizabeth née HARRISON born approximately 1858, of Oatlands Tasmania. As I am currently researching the Bishop HELP WANTED queries are Family Tree I would very much like to published free for members of the make contact with living descendants of Tasmanian Family History Society Edmund and Elizabeth. Please contact Inc. (provided their membership Kerry Bishop at PO Box 41408 CASUA- number is quoted) and at a cost of RINA NT 0811, phone (08) 8927 3451 $10.00 per query to non-members. or email: [email protected] Special Interest Groups are subject to

advertising rates. Members are entitled to three free Index to entries per year. All additional The Weekly Courier

queries will be published at a cost of Index to photographs, BDM notices and $10.00. Only one query per member personal items of interest to per issue will be published unless Family Historians which appeared in space permits otherwise. The Weekly Courier from 1901–1935

Queries should be limited to 100 words Now available— NEW! Volume 12, 1920–21—$30.00 and forwarded to plus p&p [email protected] or Available from The Editor, Tasmanian Ancestry, PO TFHS Inc. Launceston Branch Box 191 Launceston TAS 7250 PO Box 1290 Launceston TAS 7250

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 155 NEW MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

NAME PLACE/AREA TIME M'SHIP NO. ARCHER Caroline ENG or AUS 1880+ 7340 ARCHER Rose ENG or AUS 1880+ 7340 BAIKWILL Isaac Thornbury DEV ENG 1820–1880 7335 BARRY Michael Port Fairy VIC AUS c.1830–1900 7331 BARRY Sydney S Port Fairy VIC AUS c.1878–1930 7331 BARRY William S Beachport SA AUS Any 7331 BISHOP Thomas Bothwell TAS AUS 1837–1849 7355 BISHOP Thomas ex Crawley OXF ENG 1837+ 7355 BUTLER Alfred Alexander TAS 1826-1902 7333 BUTLER Ralph TAS AUS c.1860 7333 CLARK William, Capt Any 1700–1820 7347 COLLINS Mary Anne Limerick IRL Any 7360 COUPE John Southwal NOTTS ENG c.1850 or pre 7353 CROSSIN Patrick William b.Oatlands TAS AUS 1830–1931 7345 CRUMP Queenie May Geraldton WA AUS 1900s 7340 CRUMP William Geraldton WA AUS 1900s 7340 DARK Leonard James Hobart TAS AUS 1796+ 7359 DART Leonard James Hobart TAS/Sydney NSW AUS 1796+ 7359 DEAKES Hobart TAS AUS 1800–1960 7348 DERMODY Peter Loughreg IRL 1790 7332 DERMODY Richard Galway IRL 1820 7332 DOOLIN Patrick Kings IRL c.1798–1868 7359 DUNIAM Hubert d.Emu Bay TAS AUS 1801–1885 7345 FYFE SCOTLAND 1700–1890 7341 FYFE Melbourne VIC AUS 1750–1880 7341 GIFFARD William London ENG 1830+ 7356 GLEN John Dunedin NZ 1860–1940 7335 HALLY Aucherterada SCT 1760–1860 7330 HALLY NZ 1862–1960 7330 HEFFERNAN Patrick Tipperary IRL c.1825–1903 7359 HOLMES Mary UK Census 1901 7338 HOOPER George Ross/Sutton HEF ENG c.1800 or pre 7353 HOPWOOD Elizabeth Launceston TAS AUS 1861 or pre 7353 JOHNSTON Any Any 7351 KELLY Tunnack TAS AUS 1800 7348 KENNEDY Tunnack TAS AUS 1800 7348 LAWRENCE Tasman Longford TAS AUS 1876 or pre 7353 LEESON IRL 1770–1900 7350 LYALL Alexander Glasgow SCT 1800 7332 MANSFIELD Franklin TAS AUS 1850+ 7356 MARSDEN Daniel Worksop NOTTS ENG 1730s or pre 7353 MOORE John Leece Tapanui NZ 1865–1920 7335 MORRIS Emma Georgina Dunedin NZ 1870–1920 7335 NEWBURY Mary HRT ENG 1780 7332 NIMMO Agnes Southport TAS AUS 1817–1882 7354 OAKES Courtland Hobart TAS AUS 1890+ 7356

156 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 NEW MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

NAME PLACE/AREA TIME M'SHIP NO. OMANT John HRT ENG 1780 7332 PEGLER Charles Any Any 7360 RATCLIFFE James Port Arthur & Hobart TAS AUS 1796–1837 7354 READER Edward Charles b.Macquarie Plains TAS AUS 1876–1930 7345 SCHMIGOTZ Martin b.AUS 13 Sep 1881 1881 7334 SCHMIGOTZ Martin TAS AUS 1903+ 7334 SIDNEY Thomas ENG 1800 7332 SLATER John William Manchester ENG 1820–1900 7338 SPICER Melbourne VIC AUS 1770–1860 7341 STIVEN Thomas Melbourne VIC AUS 1850–1870 7335 THOMAS Mary Elizabeth Hobart TAS AUS 1830–1901 7359 WAKJER Any Any 7338 WARNE Hettie M DEV ENG 1895–1979 7335 WESTON William Pritchard & family Any 1804–1950 7347 WHITE James Hobart TAS AUS 1832–c.1860 7359 WHITES + DALY IRL 1700–1890 7341 WHITES + DALY Hobart TAS AUS 1700–1885 7341 YOUNG Christchurch NZ 1750–1858 7341

NEW MEMBERS

A warm welcome is extended to the following new members 7327 SIMS Mr Colin Andrew Not for publication 7328 BELL Mr Linley Albert Not for publication 7329 CAZALY Mrs Geraldine Joyce 1 Lisa Court LENAH VALLEY TAS 7008 7330 BOGUS Mrs Dianne 21 Derwent Avenue LINDISFARNE TAS 7015 [email protected] 7331 BARRY Mr Rodney John 8 Danval Place WEST HOBART TAS 7000 [email protected] 7332 SIDNEY Mrs Peta Suzanne 16 Richardson Avenue DYNNYRNE TAS 7005 [email protected] 7333 BUTLER Mr Ashton 24 Tingira Road BLACKMANS BAY TAS 7052 [email protected] 7334 BUTLER Mrs Jillian 24 Tingira Road BLACKMANS BAY TAS 7052 [email protected] 7335 HUMPHREYS Mrs Janice Violet 5 Oates Street MONTELLO TAS 7320 [email protected] 7336 WILLIAMS Mrs Robin Not for publication 7337 RAYNER Mr Daryl James Not for publication 7338 CHRISTIAN Mrs Cynthia Elizabeth 456 Pass Road CAMBRIDGE TAS 7170 [email protected] 7339 SURTEES Ms Glenyce 643 Forth Road FORTH TAS 7310 7340 CAMPBELL Mrs Chrisa Emily PO BOX 161 SHEFFIELD TAS 7306 [email protected]

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 157 NEW MEMBERS

A warm welcome is extended to the following new members 7341 WILKINS Mrs Veronica 122 George Town Road NEWNHAM TAS 7248 7342 GIBSON Ms Robyn Ruth PO Box 12 PERTH TAS 7300 7343 WYNTER Ms Margaret Ann 4 Bland Court ROKEBY TAS 7019 [email protected] 7344 McALPINE Mrs Colette Frances 2 Heathcombe Crescent SANDY BAY TAS 7005 [email protected] 7345 CROSSIN Mrs Judith Anne 14 Wendy Avenue CLARENDON VALE TAS 7019 [email protected] 7346 GILL Mrs Doreen Not for publication 7347 SYMS Mrs Maggie 52 Bain Terrace TREVALLYN TAS 7250 [email protected] 7348 GREEN Mr John 45 Baker’s Creek Road LUCASTON TAS 7109 [email protected] 7350 LEESON Mr Edward Allan Arthur 691 Ridgley Highway RIDGLEY TAS 7321 7351 PALMER Mrs Beverley Joyce PO Box 312 BURNIE TAS 7320 7352 RUSSELL Ms Susan Anne 33 Spencer Street BROOKLYN TAS 7320 [email protected] 7353 PATCHETT Mr John Laurence 8 Hellyer Avenue BURNIE TAS 7320 [email protected] 7354 RATCLIFFE Mr Ian Justin Not for publication 7355 BISHOP Mrs Kerry Lyn PO Box 41408 CASUARINA NT 0811 [email protected] 7356 JONES Mrs Eileen Joan 13 Beach Road SANDY BAY TAS 7005 [email protected] 7357 EVANS Dr Caroline 10 Lansdowne Crescent WEST HOBART TAS 7000 [email protected] 7358 GIBSON Mr Ian Douglas Not for publication 7359 HALLAM Mrs Lyn 190 Stormlea Road NUBEENA TAS 7184 [email protected] 7360 BIRD Mrs Margaret Josephine PO Box 145 RICHMOND TAS 7025 [email protected] 7361 ELLIS Ms Suzanne Maree (Jacqui) 7 South Terrace LAUDERDALE TAS 7021

All names remain the property of the Tasmanian Family History Society Inc. and will not be sold on in a database. If you find a name in which you are interested, please note the membership number and check the New Members’ listing for the appropriate name and address. Please enclose a stamped self–addressed envelope and don’t forget to reply if you receive a SSAE.

158 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 THE GILBERT HENDERSON (1839–1840) A TIMELY RESCUE Anne McMahon (Member No.6463)

HE Gilbert Henderson (1839– There were nine prisoners in advanced 1840)1 was chartered as an Eng- stages of pregnancy who had suffered T lish female convict transport late from the sea sickness so surgeon Ham- in 1839. Sir John HAMMETT, MD was mett decided it was necessary to call at engaged as surgeon superintendent and Teneriffe for fresh vegetables. All nine Mr J TWEEDIE as master. The female women were delivered of their infants convicts were collected from a number of during the passage of which two were English and Scottish prisons namely stillborn. Millbank, Liverpool, Exeter, Ilchester, As the water supply was diminishing Leith, Dundee and Aberdeen, amounting rapidly it was found necessary to call at to 185 women with twenty-four of their the Cape of Good Hope. Table Bay was children. Among them were twenty-four chosen as the anchorage rather than the Irish prisoners who had been convicted in safer port, Simons Bay, to enable the England where they had lived lives of lighters to ship the water which occupied petty crime. Twenty-three were trans- a period of eleven days. Meat and fresh ported for larceny and one for uttering vegetables were obtained. counterfeit coin for which she had been During the remainder of the voyage the convicted twice previously. The embark- prisoners suffered the usual ship board ations included a free woman, six passen- accidents, namely bruises and sprains, gers and two free girls. while several were scalded by boiling Sailing from Deptford during February liquid from saucepans being overturned. 1839 was a winter departure so the An apprentice seaman was also injured weather was cold and wet. Upon getting while closing a ventilator. His right down the English Channel and entering finger required amputation to the first the Bay of Biscay the winds became joint. adverse and the weather stormy with a Ten cases of hysteria were recorded on high sea running. These unfavourable the voyage. This condition was viewed conditions persisted for three weeks. as the female affliction during the nine- At first the women were afflicted with sea teenth century. It was known as a disease sickness from the rolling of the ship. at the time but its treatment was not well This was followed by constipation caused understood by the surgeons on the trans- by the change of diet to salt and dried ports. It lay somewhere in the vacuum rations. Surgeon Hammett found it neces- between a real and imagined illness. sary to administer laxatives to almost Certainly for the sufferers it caused every woman on board. These included extensive physical discomfort through copious doses of castor oil. convulsions, griping spasms and vomiting. At times it was confused with epilepsy. One of the women diagnosed 11 AJCP PRO 3196 Gilbert Henderson with hysteria described herself as suffer- (1839–1840).

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 159 ing fits for as long as she could had been restless at night so the mother remember. She also said that her father was unable to get sufficient sleep. was subject to ‘the falling sickness’. Surgeon Hammett concluded that the As the Gilbert Henderson sailed into the administration of the drug, although Southern Ocean during April 1840, the injudicious, was done innocently and child of the convict Julia LECKY fell had not been intended to destroy Emma’s overboard. Master Tweedie instantly life. The body of the infant was taken on ordered the ship to be brought to. He shore for burial and no further action leapt overboard from the poop deck and ensued.  swam towards the child by then a considerable distance away. On reaching the child astern of the transport he held her head aloft until a boat was launched and they were taken on board. Sir John Ham- A Photographic index to mett reported the timely rescue by the master to Lieutenant Governor FRANK- The Tasmanian Mail 2 LIN on arrival. This series covers the photographs Of the twenty-four children who accom- which appeared in The Tasmanian Mail panied their mothers, twelve were vac- from 1894–1935 cinated against smallpox with lymph supplied by the Admiralty. The proced- Now available— ure failed in all cases. The lymph had Volume 1, 1894–1904—$27.00 been stored between glass plates but the Volume 2, 1905–1908—$27.00 paraffin seal had broken in the medicine Volume 3, 1909–1912—$27.00 chest during rough weather. The failure Volume 4, 1913–1916—$27.00 of vaccination was common during the Volume 5, 1917–1920—$27.00 Volume 6, 1921–1922—$27.00 voyages. Apart from the defective seals Volume 7, 1923–1924—$27.00 it could have been caused by exposure to Volume 8, 1925–1926—$27.00 heat within the tropics or by long keeping Volume 9, 1927–1928—$27.00 as the lymph had an effective life of Volume 10, 1929–1930—$30.00 approximately six weeks. Volume 11, 1931—$25.00 Towards the end of the voyage the tragic NEW! Volume 12, 1932—$27.00 death of an infant took place. In fact, on the day before arrival at Hobart town, on Available from 26 April 1840, the mother of a four- TFHS Inc. month old infant obtained four drops of Launceston Branch tincture of opium from a nurse under the PO Box 1290 pretext of curing her headache. The Launceston TAS 7250 mother administered this to her daughter, Plus $10.50 pack 1–4 Emma MARTIN, who died the following morning. The mother stated that Emma, TFHS Inc. Members less 10% discount, who was born on board in December plus $10.50 p&p

1839, remained in a weakly state. She

2 TAHO CSO 5/237

160 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 THE PROFESSIONAL MISFORTUNES OF THE DOCTORS OF THE PENAL COLONY OF SARAH ISLAND, VAN DIEMEN’S LAND* Anita Pierantozzi with Dr Peter Stride

*The professional misfortunes of the doctors character of the island and its inhabitants of the penal colony of Sarah Island, Van are reviewed, followed by individual details Diemen’s Land two hundred years ago: Are of the doctors. international graduates better supported in rural and remote communities today? ARAH ISLAND: The site and its history Abstract Sarah Island lies at 42o 14’ S longi- The penal colony on Sarah Island, the S o tude, 145 10’ latitude, twenty-two miles harshest in Australian history, was estab- down Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania’s lished in Macquarie Harbour on the isolated west coast. Discovered by James KELLY Tasmanian west coast in 1822 by Lieut-Gov William SORELL to imprison recidivist in 1815 while circumnavigating VDL, the convicts. The overseas trained doctors island was named after the wife of posted there, often recently arrived in Van Thomas William BIRCH, a local doctor and Diemen’s Land (VDL), experienced entrepreneur, who financed Kelly’s voy- misfortunes related to the brutal enviro- age. Birch’s primary motivation for fin- nment and the professional isolation with ancing the trip was to source commercial current parallels. The island’s history, opportunities such as Huon pine (Lagar- including the doctors’ involvement, retains ostrobos franklinii), which Kelly observ- a macabre fascination and residual tragic ed in abundance on Sarah Island. Dis- aura, which has inspired historical novelists covery of immense open deposits of coal on and historians over nearly two centuries. the harbour’s north shore was also made Introduction eighteen months later. However, it was The occupation of Australia by Britain in Kelly’s discovery of Huon pine, an ideal the 18th century was partially motivated by ship building timber resistant to termites, the requirement for a new penal settlement. malleable but durable and water-resistant,71 English justice, long perceived as barbaric that was the most profitable and influen- in Europe, in the 18th century still sentenced tial in the establishment of the Sarah Island malefactors to being hanged, drawn and penal settlement seven years later. quartered. Many of the foulest offenders of British justice who escaped the gallows The convict population of VDL increased were sent to VDL. Here, many re-offended, rapidly and with no secure prison for the necessitating a harsh escape-proof environ- violent malefactors, the free inhabitants ment believed essential to reform vicious felt vulnerable and harsh punishment was characters. The remote Macquarie Harbour hard to deliver. Lt-Gov William Sorell was ideal, but the penal colony’s brutality considered Macquarie Harbour an ideal promoted malevolence in convict and remote rugged escape-proof environment, gaoler alike, and appeared partially responsible for the doctors’ professional misadventures. The circumstances and 71 K M Bowden, Captain James Kelly of Hobart Town (Melbourne, 1964)

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 161 where convict labour could harvest coal Sarah Island was described as a 72 and Huon pine. Despite escape being colonial benchmark, the nadir of punish- difficult and hazardous, a considerable ment and as the most wretched outpost in number of attempts were made. the British Empire, hated by convicts, 76 Sailing from Hobart Town to Macquarie military and civilian settlers alike. Harbour was equally as dangerous. The The island, with its overgrown ruins, is journey through the Roaring Forties with quiet and deserted today, apart from fifty metre high waves, adverse weather visiting tourists. As Butler states conditions and prevailing northwest 73 there was a brooding silence, a sense of winds, made sailing slow and difficult. profound sadness, a feeling that the Sailing there could take weeks, with ships human misery that had been endured here navigating anticlockwise around VDL to has been absorbed in sweat and blood the west coast in severe winter weather, into the very soil.77 while the return journey took only days. Settlement Access to Sarah Island and Macquarie The initial settlement group sailed from Harbour was made by the difficult Hobart Town for Sarah Island in Decem- passage through Hell’s Gates, the ber 1821 but encountered problems even seventy-five metre wide harbour entry before disembarkation. The Sophia where millions of tons of tidal water flow carrying forty-four male convicts of through the gap every minute at a maxi- reputed ‘bad character and incorrigible mum of ten knots.74 Many ships entering behaviour’, eleven male convicts with without concurrence of wind and tide good character and trade skill, eleven were wrecked with total fatalities on the male convicts with useful skills, eight north shore. female convicts, seventeen soldiers The remote site and the cruel nature of accompanied by three wives and eleven convict and gaoler negated any obser- children, all controlled by Commandant vation and moderation by the limited CUTHBERTSON. Assistant Surgeon contemporaneous humanitarian concepts SPENCE, the pilot and the superintendent of Hobart Town. The only extant con- of convicts, arrived on Sarah Island on 3 temporary written convict account, the January 1822. However, off the South Davis’ memorandum, describes the first Cape, the Prince Leopold, carrying the Commandant, Cuthbertson, as ‘the most skilled carpenters and important supplies, inhuman Tyrant the world has ever was blown off course in a gale and 75 produced since the Reign of Nero’. arrived several weeks later, thus delaying construction of accommodation.78 72 L C Mickleborough, William Sorell in Van The surgeon’s quarters took three months Diemen’s Land: Lieutenant-Governor, 1817–24: A Golden Age?(Hobart, 2004 73 H Maxwell-Stewart, Closing Hell’s Gates. 76 Hughes, The Fatal Shore (NSW, 2008) 77 R Butler, The Men that God Forgot 74 Bowden, Captain James Kelly of Hobart (Richmond, 1975) Town; R Hughes, The Fatal Shore 78 H Julen, The Penal Settlement of (Sydney, 1987) Macquarie Harbour (Launceston, 1976); 75 Davis Memorandum by Convict Davis T Lempriere, The Penal Settlements of Servant to Mr Foster, Superintt of Van Diemen’s Land 1839 ( Sydney) Convicts, Norfolk Island —1843 – Mitchell Library. Facsimile Royal Society relating principally to Macquarie Harbour of Tasmania, 1954, pp.10, 12, 37, 42.

162 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 to complete, and the hospital opened after the settlement 82 Financially successful five months. Although the first crop of outsourcing generating disproportionate wheat and potatoes was sown on cleared profits is not a new concept. land by July, food shortages had already Lempriere wrote, probably between caused scurvy and sickness, predomin- 79 1828–1830, that fertility finally improved antly dysentery. However the govern- with blended mainland topsoil, compost, ment soon sent a further sixty-seven wood ashes and clay such that: convicts, including more females, deposit- The gardens however, finally produced ing convicts on Sarah Island, before peas, cauliflowers, cabbages, beans, hearing feedback on the settlement’s onions, carrots, turnips, radishes, celery, progress or on its maximum convict 80 lettuces, etc of a quality and size which capacity. The ships returned loaded would not have disgraced the stalls of with Huon pine, and some of the Covent Garden.83 abundant, but poor quality coal. In Dec- Protein, vitamin and calorie deficient ember 1823, Lt WRIGHT was appointed diets led to an array of health problems. the second settlement commandant, The convicts’ optimum daily caloric arriving a few days after his unfortunate intake reached 3,000, adequate for twenty predecessor, Cuthbertson drowned, prob- 81 hour’s hard labour weekly. The actual ably by accident. forty or more hour’s weekly labour was Surviving Sarah Island: fuelled by body stores of fat, causing Food, Disease and Death progressive malnutrition and disease.84 Soon after Wright’s arrival in January Meat for convicts was often two or three 1824, an overdue supply ship caused a years old and fresh meat was rare.85 food shortage. This was further com- Scurvy was almost inevitable as crops pounded by the settlement never failed, supplies arrived infrequently and achieving self-sufficiency due to the poor convicts’ punishment included restricted quality soil and the wet weather. rations. Lieut-Gov George ARTHUR Macquarie Harbour, one of Australia’s banned days without employment, the wettest places, receives 200cm rainfall current Australian ‘sicky’, stating and has 300 wet days annually. the sick and weak prisoners (exempted by Although wheat crops failed, potatoes the Assistant Surgeon from hard labour) grew on the island. Near the harbour are kept on the Island sawing Firewood, entrance, assisted by free convict labour, hoeing Potatoes, spreading Lime, piling 86 the pilot, James LUCAS, cultivated and Boards etc. managed a large crop of potatoes which were sold to the settlement. Lucas also 82 Lempriere, The Penal Settlements, pp.10, had administrative approval to sell whale 12, 37, 42 oil, obtained with convict labour help, to 83 Lempriere, The Penal Settlements, pp.10, 12, 37, 42 84 H Maxwell-Stewart, Convict Workers, 79 I Brand, Sarah Island (Tasmania, 1984). ‘Penal Labour’ and Sarah Island: Life at 80 P Collins, Hell’s Gates: The Terrible Macquarie Harbour, 1822-1834, in J Journey of Alexander Pearce, Van Bradley and I Duffield, Representing Diemen’s Land Cannibal (Australia, Convicts: New perspectives on convict 2002) forced labour migration (London, 2000) 81 Lempriere, The Penal Settlements of Van 85 Hughes, The Fatal Shore Diemen’s Land 1839, pp.10, 12, 37, 42 86 I Brand, Sarah Island

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 163 Convicts also suffered health problems Thirty percent of flogging sentences were related to the damage caused by repeated for attempted escapes. Recaptured escap- flogging and working chest deep in the ees were sentenced to 100 lashes and six cold water, summer or winter, making months in leg irons, which were painful, Huon pine rafts and transporting them to caused leg ulcers in water-macerated skin, the Sarah Island shipyard. Although and prevented escape by swimming. doctors’ duties included cancellation of Homosexual acts, consensual or coerced, this work if water temperature was below described as ‘unnatural acts’, were common 100C, this was infrequently applied. and punished with seventy five lashes.91 In spite of the violence and deprivations, The Sarah Island cat o’ nine tails was the most common causes of recorded particularly brutal, even by contemporary deaths were escapes and drowning. Royal Naval standards. Sharp lead in- Seventy-four perished escaping, the serts were woven into the double majority drowned.87 Six however were whipcord with metal capping at the end.92 eaten by fellow escapee Alexander This commonly used lash ripped away, PEARCE, Sarah Island’s cannibal, who not just skin and fat but underlying was executed in Hobart in July 1824.88 muscle. The convicts walked away from the triangles with their blood and flayed Discipline 93 The Commandant had jurisdiction as mag- flesh squelching in their boots. The istrate and Justice of the Peace. He heard flagellator, and surgeons mate applying charges and imposed punishment without hogs lard, competed to alternately destroy and heal the flogged convict’s back, appeals. The maximum imposable sent- 94 ence was fourteen days solitary con- described as ‘like of Bullocks liver’. finement or 100 lashes. Recorded During a flogging, the doctor monitored minutes of charges and punishments were the victim’s health to ensure ‘safe’ consent to the deputy judge advocate three tinued punishment. The Davis letter monthly.89 described one victim, William HOLIDAY, An average of 167 prisoners per year who died while being lashed. Butler’s received a total of 33,273 lashes between fictional ‘The Men God Forgot’ took this 1822 and 1826.90 The number of lashes account almost verbatim from Davis, varied with status, from twenty for clerks though named him John OLLERY, a convict sentenced to fifty lashes for and thirty six for skilled ship construction 95 workers, to seventy or more for unskilled minor insolence. Ollery fainted after field or textile factory labourers. Failure thirty lashes over two hours amid heart- to work the day after a lashing resulted in rending screams and cries for mercy, but another flogging. was revived with water thrown over him. After five further lashes he was found to be dead, having suffered the last lashes as 87 Julen, The Penal Settlement of Macquarie Harbour; W Hirst, Great Convict Escapes (NSW, 1999) 91 Brand, Sarah Island 88 N Shakespeare, In Tasmania (Australia, 92 Hughes, The Fatal Shore 2004; D Sprod, Alexandra Pearce of 93 Hughes, The Fatal Shore Macquarie Harbour (Hobart, 1977) 94 Davis Memorandum by Convict Davis 89 P Collins, Hell’s Gates Servant to Mr. Foster 90 Julen, The Penal Settlement of Macquarie 95 R Butler, The Men that God Forgot. Harbour (Richmond, 1975)

164 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 a corpse. Primary sources state that John Only Dr William DERMER was uni- Ollery was sentenced to twenty-five versity qualified with an MD. lashes in April 1823 for work refusal and Dr Thomas JAMISON, initially a surgeon disobedience. After ten strokes, Surgeon on Norfolk Island and subsequently New Spence, declared Ollery unfit for further 96 South Wales Surgeon-General from 1802, punishment, but he died five days later. advised Governor KING in 1805 about Lt Gov George Arthur’s 1824 communi- the required competency for doctors in cation to Commandant Wright clarifies isolated settlements as follows: his intent: Only those should be entrusted whose Nothing ... is more likely to lead to the intimate acquaintance with physical Moral improvement of the most aban- application and competent experience in doned Characters ... than a rigid course of the symptoms and progress of disease discipline, … the constant employment of shall enable them to act on their own every individual convict in very hard unassisted decision with safety to their labour is the grand and main design. patients.100 Banishment to Macquarie Harbour … However, a spell on Sarah Island was not must be … considered by the … Convicts conducive to promotion, and those sent a place of such strict discipline that they usually lacked ability. ... dread the very idea of being sent there.97 Unceasing labour, total deprivation of The doctor was the second most senior Spirits, Tobacco and Comforts of every officer after the Commandant. He could kind, the sameness of occupation, the return patients with chronic diseases, dreariness of situation, ... will, reform the accidents and old age, plus sick convicts vicious characters who are sent to you … needing treatment to Hobart Town. This You must find work and labour, even if it was the only professional support consists of opening cavities and filling available. Sorell requested a resident them up again.98 chaplain, but the initial lack of an Doctors on Sarah Island available, suitable chaplain meant the Seven surgeons served on Sarah Island doctor, perceived to be placed second on between 1822 and 1833.99 Two others were the moral high ground, performed as sent, Dr Charles CONSTANTINI in 1833 locum vicar. The doctor’s duties as a convict transported to Australia for included taking the church services, theft, and Dr Walter WILLIAMSON who delivering a sermon and readings from 101 was captured en route in 1829 by the Anglican prayer book. escaping convicts on the brig Cyprus. The brief orientation to the VDL colonial medical service was followed by the moral disintegration of many of the 96 Butler, The Men that God Forgot; L Frost doctors who served on Sarah Island. The and H Maxwell-Stewart, Chain Letter length of time spent in the colony by each (Melbourne, 2001) doctor before landing on Sarah Island is 97 Historical Records of Australia (HRA)Series III, vol v (1824), p.631 listed and contrasted to his career 98 Brand, Sarah Island outcome in Table 1. 99 Maxwell-Stewart, Closing Hell’s Gates; Australian Medical Pioneers Index, Geelong Hospital Library, Barwon Health 100 HRA I, vol v, (1805), p.480 http://www.medicalpioneers.com/ 101 Mickleborough, William Sorell in Van (accessed 13 April 2012) Diemen’s Land

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 165

Table 1 Name Duration of time in VDL before arrival on Sarah Island Problems Charles CONSTANTINI Immediate Convicted convict Henry CROCKETT Six months Child abuse ? Sale of Pearce’s skull William DERMER 85 days Reduced to half pay, complaints, disputes James SPENCE 124 days Deregistered for sexual intercourse with a patient Robert GARRETT One year, eight months Alcoholic, deceased ruptured aortic aneurysm prior to disciplinary action with deregulation John BARNES Three years, eight months Fabrication of evidence. No adverse effect on career DANIELLS Months Theft of government stores Walter WILLIAMS nil Captured on Cyprus De LITTLE Months Absence from duty

JAMES SPENCE witnesses. Torr, who always appeared to Dr James Spence qualified LRCS in 1818 have plenty of money and new clothes, in UK and arrived in Australia on the reluctantly admitted spending nights with Mary in September 1821. Within four Spence. Spence offered no defence. months he was appointed to the new According to the published trial trans- settlement on Sarah Island where he cript, John AYTON, the overseer, had arrived in January 1822 as second officer been seen bringing men and drink into the to the commandant. Spence was the women’s hospital, which a patient island surgeon when the infamous described as ‘more like a bawdy house’. Alexander Pearce escaped. Spence com- Once Ayton was seen bringing four or five plained about the poor annual remun- Chinamen into the hospital, where, one at a eration, then £162.17.6, when he served time went into the women’s ward. in the Maria Island penal colony for six Spence’s involvement in these other months in 1827. irregular activities was uncertain but his Spence went overseas to India and known activities were incriminating.2 London for ten months from 1829–30. The Colonial Secretary’s Office letter to His only professional problem thus far Spence stated: was the minor complaint about remun- I am directed to inform you, that it is with eration. However Dr Spence was subject very great pain, His Excellency has found to an enquiry chaired by Edward your conduct to have been so irregular ABBOTT, Civil Commandant ‘by order of and improper, as well as discreditable to His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor the service. He deems it necessary you into matters relating to the Colonial should be suspended from the situation of Hospital at Launceston, on Thursday Assistant Colonial Surgeon, until the th 1 April 7 1831’. Spence admitted a con- pleasure of the Secretary of State shall be vict, Jane TORR, to Launceston Hospital known; and your immediate removal with purported epilepsy, a diagnosis from the Hospital at Launceston, is unsubstantiated by other medical staff or therefore, indispensable.

1 Archives Office of Tasmania (AOT), Spence. 1831. PD. p.605. 2 AOT Spence. 1832. ID 821. p.233.

166 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 Spence’s permanent dismissal from the in April 1822 on the Medway to take up a colonial service was confirmed in 1832.3 post as Second Assistant Colonial HENRY CROCKETT Surgeon. He was reputedly a competent Crockett, assistant surgeon on Sarah doctor, but had two character defects, Island in 1823, graduated in 1822 and some related to his Scottish origins, arrived in Tasmania aboard the Prince of alcohol and ‘attitude’, which antagonised Orange in July the same year. Two officers and convicts alike. In 1823, now female convicts received minor con- married to Martha, the illegitimate victions for dealings with Crockett, one daughter of Lt John BOWEN RN, for disobedience, the other for abuse in founder of the original settlement in VDL, he was posted to Macquarie June and November 1823. He assisted in 6 the post mortem examination of Pearce Harbour. and is believed to have sold the skull to His initial relations with the settlement Dr Samuel MORTON, an American staff appeared convivial, but they soon scientist.4 This act may not have been deteriorated. A convict gardener paraded acceptable even by the medical ethics of through the doctor’s yard wearing the day. underpants at the most, upsetting Martha. Crockett’s next problem appears in Garrett suspected a conspiracy between Hobart Town Gazette of 10 October the gardener and Wright’s servants, and 1825, when he marries an Emily VAR- wanted an enquiry with appropriate DON, then age 14, possibly in response justice to include these soldiers. Wright to rumours of underage sexual intercourse felt this would damage the small and pregnancy. Whatever the truth, and community and refused. Garrett was there is no recorded child from the offended and became increasingly difficult. His relationships with the other marriage, the day after the wedding he 7 resigned his position, claiming to be the officers deteriorated. victim of a deep-laid and infamous plot. Douglas, the settlement secretary, was Three days later he wrote to the Lt Gov. once charged with insolence and drunk- seeking to withdraw his resignation enness. Garrett defended him, saying that claiming to have been forced into a at the alleged time of the offence, marriage. His second request was denied Douglas was with him and had not been and he departed from VDL in April 1826 drinking. The case was initially dismiss- aboard the Caudry, perhaps to commence ed, but subsequently generated animosity. practice in India.5 Emily subsequently Garrett’s regular protestations of limited married a Gavin RALSTON in 1832, drinking were doubted.8 having borne him a child the previous More trouble followed shortly after when year, though it is not clear if she was Garrett was involved in the most famous widowed, divorced or a bigamist. escape from Sarah Island. In June 1824, ROBERT STOCKER GARRETT Matthew Brady and fourteen convicts Robert Garrett, born in Galloway Scotland in 1798, arrived in Hobart Town 6 J Boyce, Van Diemen’s Land (Melbourne, 2008); Wright Family History, http://members.trump.net.au/ahvem/Famil 3 AOT Spence. 1832. ID 821. p.233. y/Wright/Life at Sarah Island.html 4 Sprod, Alexander Pearce (Hobart, 1977) 7 Wright Family History 5 Australian Medical Pioneers Index 8 Wright Family History

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 167 seized a boat and captured Garrett. Some dined well, he argued publically with escapees favoured flogging him as a Wright repeatedly shouting that he was reprisal against Garrett and the no gentleman. Wright’s diary described authorities. Despite Garrett’s arguments Garrett as vulgar, abusive and offensive. and ‘trembling lips’, a cat of nine tails Following more disputes, Wright ordered was prepared and the doctor’s coat Garrett to return to Hobart with letters to removed. Fortunately for Garrett, the Lt Gov detailing their dispute and Matthew Brady, a beneficiary of Garrett’s Garrett’s behaviour.11 kindly hospital treatment, arrived and Garrett’s alcohol consumption was de- prevented a flogging. Brady said Garrett bated by both men before and during an was a good doctor who was kindly enquiry. Garrett’s letter to Lt Gov. Arthur disposed to the convicts hence Brady was strongly denied an alcohol problem. released. Lempriere states ‘It is easier to In regard to my being in an apparent state conceive than describe the delight which of intoxication I beg leave to state that his escape caused the worthy doctor’. this is so palpably erroneous that I have The episode reveals an unusual but only to refer your Honour to any cogent reason for courtesy to all 9 individual then at Macquarie Harbour ... patients! as to my habits of temperance and Garrett’s behaviour deteriorated, perhaps sobriety. I can safely say the charge is because of the primitive housing, the most untrue. harsh climate with more rainy days than The enquiry asked Parsons, the store- Scotland, or the stresses of caring for the keeper, if he had ever seen Garrett intoxi- unpleasant convicts, perhaps the detritus cated at Macquarie Harbour, to which of the British Empire. Wright wrote to his Parsons answered ‘I have, frequently so.’ rd colleague, Captain COTTON, 3 Regi- KINGHORN, the Captain of supply ment Adjutant: vessel Waterloo returning Wright to Months ago this redoubtable man (he Hobart, replied to the same question ‘I calls himself ‘the Doctor’!) quarreled have frequently seen him in a state of with the Detachment collectively and intoxication.’12 almost individually! Misfortune, controversy, inquests and Wright distanced himself from Garrett hints of incompetence continued to which follow Garrett. In 1828 his professional irritated than soothed the feelings of this competence was questioned over a mid- 13 pugnacious gentleman and his regular wifery case. Later that year, a coronial system of petty annoyances was pursued enquiry examined the death of a patient more rigorously.10 following a minor gunshot injury. The jury Garrett criticised the commandant’s dog, was encouraged to attribute death to alco- his substandard accommodation, the holic cirrhosis and ‘a visitation of God’, chimneys smoking, and dirty water accumulating behind his house. Later in January when Garrett had wined and

11 Wright Family History 9 Lempriere, The Penal Settlements of Van 12 Wright Family History Diemen’s Land 1839, pp.10, 12, 37, 42 13 Hobart Town Courier (HTC), 17 May 10 Wright Family History 1828

168 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 but Garrett may have missed infection in of a ruptured aneurysm on 12 December the leg spreading to the abdomen.14 1834 before receiving the communi- Collins notes Garrett treated the Rev. cation. The Courier described his death KNOPWOOD when suffering from as ‘the visitation of God. Some disagree- painful bladder stones. Garrett catheter- able, unexpected intelligence, acting on a sensitive mind, is assigned as the primary ised him to relieve retention, bled him 15 and prescribed laudanum. Following this cause.’ therapy Knopwood passed a stone with JOHN BARNES relief of pain. John Barnes qualified MRCS in England Garrett had a second term on Sarah Island and arrived in Australia as surgeon and then returned to Launceston. Alco- superintendent of the vessel Deveron in holic problems continued, coming to 1822. He commenced his appointment at public attention in 1831 when Assistant Sarah Island in 1826 after four years in Surgeon James Spence was suspended. VDL, and was the only surgeon to leave Commandant FAIRWHETHER’s report with his reputation enhanced. Some to Arthur stated that Garrett’s authorities believed Barnes to be the most competent doctor to serve there. Barnes habits of intemperance are notorious and noted the frequency of rheumatism, well known to most of the respectable people of Launceston. ... When in that scurvy, dysentery, all manner of lung infections and local inflammations. He state [Garrett] is not permitted to [be] 16 seen by any persons but those of his left the colony in January 1828. family and servants. Barnes gave evidence to the Select Arthur knew Garrett had not controlled Committee on Transportation of the 17 his drinking as advised in 1825. Another British Parliament in 1839. Barnes Board of Enquiry found he was described the geography of the harbour, frequently incapable of performing the offences of the convicts and their diet, medical duties while under the influence. plus the number of escapes and their By December 1834 Arthur’s patience outcomes. He reported that the Comman- expired. He regretted that Garrett had not dant was usually the oldest officer of grasped the ‘opportunity afforded since sufficient rank, and implied that some 1825 of redeeming his character’ and lacked competence. He reported that the suspended him from his duties. Arthur worst behaved convicts were detained in considered a penitentiary on Small Island. Although deemed a minor punishment by the his vice ruinous to any gentleman but more particularly so to an officer Commandant, Barnes noted they were entrusted with the lives of his fellow usually soaked in water when embarking creatures.

Arthur asked Scott to inform Garrett of 15 Peter Stride, ‘Robert Garrett, Tasmanian his suspension, but Garrett died suddenly Penal Colony Surgeon: Alcoholism, medical misadventure and the penal colony of Sarah Island,’ Journal of the 14 HTC, 27 September 1828; William Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh, Crowther, ‘Some aspects of Medical 2011; 41: 256–62 Practice in Van Diemen’s Land 1825– 16 Australian Medical Pioneers Index 1839,’ Medical Journal of Australia, 17 Brand, Sarah Island no.17(1935): 518 Maxwell-Stewart, Closing Hell’s Gates

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 169 and disembarking from boats rowed Daniells was reprimanded and ordered to between Small and Sarah Islands. When pay restitution.20 locked in at night, they usually slept in WALTER WILLIAMS wet clothing as fires were extinguished at 18 Dr Williams never reached Sarah Island. 8:00 p.m. While sailing on board the Government Barnes detailed the number of floggings brig Cyprus for Macquarie Harbour with from official records. He related his thirty-one convicts, they encountered a belief that floggings failed to reform severe westerly gale and high seas. The convicts. They appeared more desperate Captain ran for shelter to Recherche Bay subsequently. One convict stated to Barnes where William SWALLOW, one of the that his next offence would be murder to hardened criminals, led a mutiny and took ensure execution rather than the lash control of the Cyprus. Forty-four men, again. Barnes said he had never seen a women and children were left on the convict suffering illness following a flog- shore of Recherche Bay with minimal ging. Some required brief hospitalisation, supplies. Two of the group, POBJOY but men’s backs usually healed rapidly. and MORGAN, sailed out of the bay in a Barnes outlined the exploits of Alexander rickety coracle and some twenty miles Pearce obtained from the ‘Black books of back to Hobart Town before being res- the settlement’ which are now lost. Lord cued at sea by the barque Orelia. Details of his feats and the voyage of the Cyprus HOWICK asked if the convicts 21 frequently attempted escape, to which are part of early Tasmania’s folklore. Barnes replied, Swallow, after many adventures and I believe that was their constant desire. A escapes, was finally captured and tried for great number of convicts did escape from mutiny at the Old Bailey in October Macquarie Harbour, and whenever they 1830. He claimed he was compelled to had an opportunity to escape, they join the mutiny and that Dr Williams certainly took [it]. would corroborate his evidence. Curious- Barnes also claimed to be present on the ly Williams had just arrived in London island when Constable George REX was and did support this evidence. Dr Williams murdered and when Alexander Pearce sought compensation for what today we was arrested. These statements are best would call post-traumatic stress disorder seen as lapses of memory, but could be caused by the episode. Lords Com- seen as false self-aggrandisement under missioners of the Treasury pronounced: oath.19 Their Lordships were pleased to sanction J DANIELLS the grant by the Colonial Agent of 90 Dr Daniells commenced duties on Sarah pounds which together with the 60 pounds paid to Dr Williams in the Island in May 1827, a few months after Colony, completed the extent of the arrival in VDL. He was accused of remuneration to which the council embezzling rations, which he may have considered him entitled fed to his chickens. After some very acrimonious hearings, a bad-tempered Much of William’s subsequent career in

20 R Davey, The Sarah Island Conspiracies. 18 Julen, The Penal Settlement of Macquarie Australia: The Round Earth Company, Harbour 2002. 19 Maxwell-Stewart, Closing Hell’s Gates 21 Hirst, Great Convict Escapes

170 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 Tasmania was as a JP and magistrate. ible.24 Eighty-two deaths among 914 Such dual employment was common cases was recorded, double the usual amongst the few educated professionals death rate. Dr Robert OFFICER, Princi- in VDL.22 pal Medical Officer, and Dermer reported WILLIAM DERMER that the fever was: William Dermer, born in 1803, studied confined almost exclusively to the lower medicine at Cambridge, and obtained his classes due to the fact that they showed MD in 1825 from the University of so little stamina. They [convicts] lack a Edinburgh for his thesis ‘De Synocho’. determined resolution … to look forward He arrived in Hobart on the Duckenfield … to any improvement. This view is in June 1831, with his pregnant wife confirmed by the little anxiety they show about their recovery and the indifference Catherine. Their son, George, was born 25 five weeks later. Dermer was appointed with which they meet their death. Surgeon at Macquarie Harbour, commen- Poor response to the doctors’ treatment cing work eleven weeks after arriving in was clearly the patients’ fault as early as VDL. 1839. Controversy followed his career. A scan- Dermer was appointed for two years as dal occurred when his cook, Sarah Colonial Assistant Surgeon to Port Arthur SIMMONS, received a convict named in 1845, and was promoted to Colonial LAWS into Dermer’s kitchen where Surgeon 1846. In 1849 an inquiry Laws remained till five in the morning for reviewed the death of one of his patients uncertain purposes. Dermer, a devout while at Port Arthur. A boy prisoner at Scot, filed charges against Sarah, though Port Arthur died while Dermer was she was effectively defended by the clerk, having a brief meal break after hours of John DOUGLAS, himself in love with attendance. Dermer was reduced to half Sarah in spite of her probable promiscuity. pay, a precedent that today may equally Sarah Simmons was sentenced to ten days’ appal clinicians and appeal to medical solitary confinement for ‘leaving her administrators. The main criticism at the master Dr Dermer’s premises without time was inadequate medical records, a permission and harbouring a prisoner at persisting medical defence problem unseasonable hours’.23 Back in Hobart today. The verdict went against Dermer, Town Dermer complained to the Convict perhaps the unwitting scapegoat in a Department that the inmates of the medical power struggle, though he was Female House of Correction at Cascades denied a copy of the report. Sub- in Hobart under his care were dirty and sequently he complained of injustice to lice ridden. He also complained to the the Lt Gov. of Tasmania, Sir William 26 Colonial Office that settlers were tardy Denison, and was reinstated. Dr Dermer about paying his fees. left the Colonial service in 1851 after 20 The Courier recorded a ‘typhoid like fever’ outbreak in Hobart in 1840 for which Dr Dermer was partially respons- 24 W Rimmer, Portrait of a Hospital. Hobart: The Royal Hobart, Mercury Walch Printers, 1981 25 Hobart Town Courier and Van Diemen’s 22 Hirst, Great Convict Escapes Land Gazette, Friday 6 March 1840 23 Davey, The Sarah Island Conspiracies 26 AOT Dermer. GO33/59/495–819.

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 171 years of service, returning to England.27 perjury, alcoholism, sexual relations— WILLIAM DE LITTLE one with a child, one with a patient, Dr De Little qualified LRCS in 1829 and experienced enquiries alleging profes- arrived in Australia on the Cleopatra in sional incompetence and poor docu- 1832. His year’s service as Assistant mentation, and suffered disqualification or received half pay. Parallels with Surgeon on Sarah Island commenced 30 soon afterwards, though the island was Australia today are not too obscure. now predominantly for ship building, Bundaberg’s recent cause célèbre rather than for subjugating brutal according to a former Federal Health Minister ‘walked into an environment criminals. His uneventful stay attracted 31 little publicity, though he abandoned his tailor-made for disaster to occur’.  hospital on alternate days to take Gould painting, and fought the other officers over the ethics of hunting.28 CHARLES CONSTANTINI Corresponding Author: Constantini arrived on Sarah Island in Anita Pierantozzi MPH (Nut); Grad Cert Ed. (Higher December 1827. Born in Paris in 1803, Education); BHSc. he was a qualified surgeon and a compet- Senior Medical Education Officer, ent artist. He was convicted of theft at Redcliffe Hospital (Queensland Health) & London’s Old Bailey and transported on Adjunct Lecturer, University of Queensland the Ocean in 1822. He arrived in NSW in 1823, and was assigned to service in Contributing Author: Bathurst. Gov. Brisbane’s last free Assoc Prof Peter Stride pardon was granted to Constantini for MB BS (Lond) FRACP FRCP Edin FRCP saving the life of a child bitten by a Academic Head, Redcliffe Hospital snake.29 University of Queensland School of Subsequently Constantini was employed Medicine in VDL as Hospital Superintendent and Assistant Surgeon. However he was sentenced to seven years gaol for recurrent theft in 1833. He was initially [Readers may be interested to read ‘A on Sarah Island where he produced Young Englishman’s Observations of the sketches which with Lempriere’s and Aboriginals During Five Years in Van Gould’s still persist today as the best Diemen’s Land’, edited by Dr Ian Gregg, depictions of the penal colony. which appeared in Tasmanian Ancestry, Conclusion Vol. 21 No. 1, pp.19–21, June 2000 and Overseas trained doctors sent to a remote ‘Who was Dr John Barnes?’ by Michael and brutal environment with no mentor- Ritchie which appeared in the same issue, ing or supervision, lapsed into theft pp.25–33. —Ed.] including sale of body parts, possible

30 J Dunbar, P Reddy, S May, Deadly 27 AOT Dermer. 1852. CO/280/256, Healthcare ( Australia, 2011) GO/75/765–768. 31 Carolyn M de Costa, ‘Bundaberg 28 Davey, The Sarah Island Conspiracies. revisited’, Medical Journal Of Australia. 29 Maxwell-Stewart, Closing Hell’s Gates 2012; 196: 79

172 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 ALBERT EDWARD BIRD A FLAWED CHAMPION John Bird (Member No.5995)

Part Three Travelling to Moonta, on 25 September, Albert performed the remarkable feat of OUTH AUSTRALIA running the eleven miles in fifty-six min- In July the family travelled by utes thirty seconds. The Adelaide Register S horse and buggy to South reported on 26 September that Albert ‘ran Australia. The trip took eight days and 11-miles in 3-minutes under the hour’. was very tiring for Alice and baby Sarah. The South Australian Register stated, Adelaide the champion’s style was greatly admir- Albert declared he could run eleven miles ed, and in his great feat was praised as a in an under one hour. wonderful exhibition of speed and The South Australia Advertiser, Wednes- endurance ... and he came in at double day, 27 August wrote, quick time amid loud cheering. The race was of 52 laps of 370 yards and This was the third time he had run this 120 yards added, so that the Champion distance in two weeks. Two days later he had to pass the winning post fifty three attempted to run six miles in under thirty times ... he displayed a wonderful minutes and completed the journey in running style which many in the crowd twenty-nine minutes thirty-seven seconds. continually commented upon. The race Again, the Wallaroo Times reported Bird was run so closely to the hour, however, set off with that remarkable pace for this slight failure did not occasion much which he is famous ... making strides disappointment and there was general which have not inaptly been compared to conviction, that the Champion could have that of an emu. won the race with ease, if he laid himself In Adelaide on 5 October Albert raced out for it a little earlier. Frank Hewitt for the last time in a one Country South Australia mile event, losing by less than a yard. Over the next few months Albert compet- Albert then travelled to other provincial ed successfully at a number of provision- centres, having success in a six mile event al towns in South Australia. On the 11 at Strathalbyn and a three mile race at September at Gawler he again ran eleven Goolwa. At Glenelg he won a ten mile miles against the clock, finishing one race against ten other runners, each minute one second over time, despite competing one mile. having to put up with rain, a dust storm On 14 October the South Australian and a very poor running surface. Advertiser wrote that the Amalgamated On 18 September in the mining town of Picnic held at Strathalbyn on Tuesday 8 Kapunda on the York Peninsula he again October appeared to have been ran this distance, the time being sixty-one a thorough success—Mr Bird was minutes ten seconds. In the local press announced to run his great feat of eleven- it was considered by many, that having miles in an hour in which he will allow 6 undertaken the same task only a week young men to compete with him for first ago, to be a quite remarkable feat. 6-miles. On the 47th lap the Champion

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 173 complained of his knee giving way and individual to challenge six strong looking on the 49th lap, with 4 laps unfinished, he fellows. At 4.15 pm the first native took had to retire. He had run for 59 minutes his start, and 50 yards from the winning and 35-minutes, having beaten each of 6 post Bird quickly passed him and won runners easily. It was readily agreed on a easily. The second man ran ahead for a good ground he could easily have while when Bird overtook him and he fell accomplished the feat. back when the winning post was to the The Goolwa Show was next on Albert’s fore. No 3 quickly overtook Bird until 60 agenda. On 12 October the South yards from the winning post when Bird Australian Advertiser reported: put on a spurt and won by 2 yards. In race 4, Bird just got ahead at the finish. One attraction of the show was for Bird The fifth man shot out like an arrow, but to run against 3 whites and 3 aborigines Bird picked up again and won by 10 alternating each ½-mile. The distance of yards. Bird beat the last aboriginal by 8 3½-miles was run in 17 minutes. In each yards amidst a general rush into the area instance, Albert with one of his great to embrace the champion the man who spurts was able to outrun his opponent beat 6 blacks. although in one instance one of the aboriginals showed excellent speed. On Monday 10 November at athletic When Bird put on a spurt expecting to meeting at Gawler Albert was entered in quickly run pass his opponent, but found a one mile race and a five mile handicap he had his work to do. For his opponent race in which he would run against ten likewise made a spurt and on completing local runners, each to run half a mile. He his distance was only beaten by a few disappointed in the one mile handicap yards. race failing to catch the leading runners. On 23 October 1872 Albert appeared in In the five mile race Albert was beaten by Adelaide Law Courts, charged for alleged Harvey and Manson. From all accounts it non payment of Agent fees. He was sent- appears he seemed to play with his enced to 21-days for an unsatisfied judge- opponents and did not run to win. As ment obtained by late agent. However such, it was a major disappointment. Albert petitioned to be declared insolvent A public holiday was held on the 28 for in forma pauperis and it appears his December in celebration of the 36th imprisonment was deferred pending and anniversary of the foundation of South outcome of his petition. At a hearing in Australia. The South Australian January 1873 the judge intimated he Advertiser, 31 December reported: could not entertain the charge which the As was customary on this day, Glenelg opposing creditors had made, and award- received the chief share of public atten- ed the insolvent a second class certificate. tion. Of course the main interest was felt The Oddfellows Picnic was held at in the race of the day in which Bird the Milang on 24 October. The South Aus- champion pedestrian was to run against tralian Advertiser, 28 October reported: nine competitors each running a mile. Albert easily defeated the first 5 runners. The great event of the day was left to 4- o’clock where there was great excitement He was leading Carter, the sixth compet- to witness the champion runner A. E. itor near the finish line, but suddenly Bird to go against the six best natives to collapsed. The Champion was carried be found around the districts, to run each into an adjoining house, and after a short man a ½-mile ... He seemed a small time revived. The cause assigned for his

174 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 sinking was not so much exhaustion as any stage of the race, and crossed the slight sunstroke, he having run the whole finishing line at the Post Office in fifty- distance without any covering on his head. nine minute ten seconds. Over the next three weeks Albert travel- Travelling to Burra on 8 February Albert, led to many regions in South Australia. in his best ever performance, completed He arrived in Angaston 15 January 1873, the eleven miles in fifty-seven minutes and was to run from Angaston to fifteen seconds, some two minutes forty- Tanunda, a distance of seven miles, in five seconds under the hour. less than forty minutes. In front of a Later in the month Albert travelled to large crowd, he commenced his run at the Mount Gambier announcing he would Angaston Hotel, arriving at the Tanunda again run eleven miles in one hour. On Post Office, in thirty-nine minutes twenty 24 February he completed 7¼ miles in seconds. forty-three minutes and fifty seconds and then retired from the race, which he attributed to a toe injury. Albert, Alice and Sarah returned to Melbourne and sailed for Tasmania, arriving in Hobart in early August 1873. TASMANIA Hobart Albert’s arrival in Hobart had an immediate impact in the community. The Tanunda 1873 Hobart Mercury, 14 August commented The next day in nearby Greenock, Albert The lovers of pedestrianism will doubt- was backed to run from Greenock to less be interested in knowing that Mr A. Angaston, a distance of eight miles in E. Bird, the champion long distance runner, has arrived in Hobart, and pur- under forty-five minutes. The race poses getting up some matches shortly. commenced at 3:00 pm from outside the Saddlers Shop. He arrived at the Albert immediately hired out the military Angaston Hotel at 3:44 pm, one minute barracks for a series of races in Hobart on under the 45 minutes. 25 August, including a parade for the neat- est costume. His every move seemed to The next morning Albert was to run from attract attention., The Mercury, 23 August Angaston to Truro, a distance of ten miles reporting ‘This afternoon at 4 o’clock Bird in under an hour. At 4:30 pm on 19 takes a breather in the domain’. January the Mayor of Angaston flagged Albert on his way. Shortly before the end The weather on Saturday afternoon, 30 of the race Albert was advised that in August, was not conducive to pedestrian order to reach the finish line by 5:30 pm events. The main race of the day was to he would need to increase his speed. be Albert’s solo attempt to run eleven About 800 yards from the finish line miles in one hour against eleven runners Albert seemed to find a second wind. each completing a mile. However Albert Coming into the main street, to the did not compete due to being intoxicated. disbelief to many people Albert, put on The Mercury, 1 September was very one of his spurts, running faster than at critical of Albert:

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 175 no man after such a short residence in it, There was another disappointment on 10 ever left without so much contempt as A. November when Albert, after stating he E. Bird, the champion of the world. would run twenty miles in under two Albert redeemed himself on 2 September hours at Rosny, gave up after ten miles in by running the distance in six minutes one hour. over the hour, although he had to contend On 22 November Albert attempted with about one and a half miles of rough another race against the clock. He was to newly laid metal. He attempted the same run on the Cascade Road again starting feat again on 9 September but just failed. the Fern Tree Hotel and finishing at the The Hobart Mercury giving the following Steam Hammer Inn in Upper Macquarie account of the race. Street Hobart. This was a distance of 200 He ran pluckily throughout and took no yards less than five miles, and to be run refreshment on his journey, 7 miles in less than twenty-four minutes. Albert accomplished in 38 minutes 50 seconds began his run at 3:30 pm and ran past the and 10 miles in 59 minutes later took his door of the Steam Hammer Inn in twenty seat on a vehicle back to town and was two minutes and fifty five seconds, loudly cheered on all sides. It should be completing a feat considered by many as mentioned that 2 miles had to be tra- almost impossible. He was one minute versed on newly metalled road and all and five seconds within the target time. things considered, it must be allowed he showed himself to considerable advantage. On 7 December Albert raced another local pedestrian, EVANS, in a four mile On 30 September Albert was to run four race. Albert completed the distance in miles from Walkers Brewery in Collins nineteen minutes twenty-five seconds. Street to Scott’s Hotel under twenty Evans, who tired visibly towards the end minutes. He completed the race with five of the course, took twenty-seven minutes seconds to spare in spite of several hills three seconds. along the course and a dust storm. In December, Albert, his wife Alice and a In a race billed as ‘the great race, England man named James SOUTHALL were vs. Tasmania’ on 11 October, Albert charged with assault after an altercation raced against the Tasmanian champion with John PAGE, publican of the Lemon TINKER over the same course as on the Springs Coach and Horses Hotel. They 30 September. Despite giving Tinker were summoned to appear in Oatlands on thirty seconds start and having injured his 6 January 1874, but failed to attend. foot in training he won easily. The They were arrested on 9 January but the Mercury 13 October commented his case was dismissed at the Oatlands Court ‘steady leaping strides and beautiful form on 23 January. drew forth an expression of common On 1 January 1874 at the Cascades, the admiration’. first great (five miles) cross-country On 1 November Albert offered to run six steeplechase in Tasmania was held. Start- minutes under thirty minutes, but failed ing from scratch Albert won on a course to show up, his agent blaming the poor involving running up hills, down dells state of the road. However three days and over fences. He completed the course later he completed the six mile run in in twenty-four minutes. Later, on 19 twenty-nine minutes and fifty seconds January he raced two locals, giving them from Fern Tree Hotel Huon Road to the a minute and a half start over a two and a Globe Hotel in Davey Street. quarter mile course and winning easily.

176 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 Launceston With less than two miles to go Albert ran In February Albert and his family moved through Brookville, past St Lukes, to Westcombe Street, Launceston. This Campbelltown with the finish line only was to remain their family home. 200 yards away. It appeared almost On 17 March Albert was backed to run every one of the 1,000 residents of Camp- eleven miles from Russell’s Hotel Perth bell Town were in the Main Street as he to the International Hotel in Brisbane crossed the finishing line at Powell’s Hotel. Street Launceston. He completed the Albert was immediately swamped by the distance one minute and fifteen seconds crowd, lifted on the shoulders of several under the hour, running eleven miles in men and paraded along Main Street to a fifty eight minutes and forty-five seconds. cheering boisterous crowd. The coach The Launceston Examiner of 17 March arrived some three minutes later. was full of praise: Albert returned to competitive running on it is something really wonderful for any 11 August. He was backed to run from man to perform, particularly when it is Perth to the weighbridge at the foot of the considered that the road traversed is ex- Sandhill Launceston, a distance of ten ceedingly hilly and in some parts very miles within one hour. Albert reached rough ... After a bath, he made his appear- the Sandhill toll-bar completing the race ance to the public, apparently as fresh as in fifty-six minutes. The Hobart Mercury ever. observed On 3 June Albert raced Samuel Page’s the speed and grace of his movements as mail coach between Perth and Campbell he bounded along the road, exhorted the Town, a distance of thirty-two miles, admiration of all who witnessed the running along the main Launceston to performance. Hobart road. This race generated a lot of interest in Launceston and especially Early on the morning of 26 August 1874, Perth and Campbell Town where the race Albert and Alice’s second daughter, was to start and finish. After four miles Florence, was born. Later that day Albert Albert arrived at a place named ‘Poor was backed to run from Snakes Banks to Man’s Corner’. Here there was a bend in the Wellington Inn Launceston, a distance the road which also involved a slight of twenty one miles in under two hours climb which permitted Albert to stretch and fifteen minutes. his lead. The Powranna railway crossing The Hobart Mercury reported was reached after nine miles. At the By three-o’clock a large number of township of Epping Albert was able to people were outside The Eagle’s Return gain a further lead on the mail coach as hotel to watch Albert depart and a crowd the quite unexpected twists in the road estimated to be in excess of 2,000 had made it slow going for any coach. already congregated at the winning post outside the Wellington Inn. At precisely At the half way mark, Albert arrived at St two minutes past three o’clock Bird Andrew’s Inn on the outskirts of bounded away on his journey followed by Cleveland. He was leading by 250 yards three or four well horsed buggies. He and soon reached Conara. He was eight proceeded on with a wonderful springing miles from the finish. Shortly afterwards stride ... reaching the Perth railway gates Albert gained further advantage as the —the first ten-miles-in four minutes road undulated up and down for a short under the hour. Passing through Perth a distance. considerable crowd had collected, and as

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 177 he left the village the number of horse- At the end of the court hearing on 17 men and vehicles in his wake had greatly October the Judge reviewed case in increased. He continued to run strongly relation to each defendant. In regards to and reached Breadalbane at twenty Albert he said minutes past four, the distance accomplished being thirteen miles in one-hour it was sworn by Bird ... there was an agree- and eighteen minutes. ment and he found it hard to see how a On arriving at Young Town the severe man could say at a court of law there was exertion was beginning to tell on Bird, such an agreement but went onto say that who began to exhibit some symptoms of he had not kept to the agreement inas- distress. He, however, soon gathered much as he had purposely won the race. himself together with wonderful deter- Why then he did not go to Harris and say mination, and raced on to the toll-gate, I have gone back on the arrangement, I about one and half miles from home. will not run unfairly? There was just this Shortly after 5:00 pm a cloud of dust was with Bird, did he enter into the con- observed at the furthermost turn of spiracy or did he merely propose that the Sandhill Road and “here he comes” was race be lost without agreeing to it. He the cry of the crowd accompanied by may have repented on the road, but the cheers. In a few moments a figure was jury must say whether it was so. seen coming, at a good pace down the The jury found all three guilty. Albert hill, and ... passing the winning post at was sentenced to six months’ gaol and exactly fourteen minutes past five—three minutes under the stipulated time. transported to the Launceston Gaol. He was to remain in gaol until his release on He achieved the feat running the distance 25 March 1875. three minutes faster than the stipulated time. Albert returned to public prominence on 15 April 1876 when he again appeared at That night Albert appeared as Cousin Joe the Theatre Royal with The Launceston in the play ‘Rough Diamond’. At the end Examiner announcing of the first act, he received a valuable gold pin for his feat. a complimentary benefit to A. E. Bird is arranged for Monday evening at the Unfortunately, Albert’s feats were at Theatre Royal when Bird will appear as times accompanied by questionable Cousin Joe in Rough Diamond. dealings and accusations of fixing and The next day Albert announced that on stake money not produced. On 3 Sept- Easter Monday he would run from Camp- ember Albert brought a case against bell Town to Launceston, a distance of Robert KEENE the Younger who he forty-one miles in less than five hours. alleged was given £20 stakes money in Albert set out from Engelbert’s Hotel regards his run from Snakes Banks to Campbell Town at 12:30 pm. When he Launceston on 26 August, and who arrived at Cleveland, the first ten miles refused to give them up. Keene appeared had been covered in just under an hour. in the Recorder’s Court on 25 September, and as a consequence of his acquittal, he Albert, still running at a good pace, charged Albert with perjury. At the court entered the Epping Forest. He passed hearing on 8 October, the Attorney many gateways on his run, several with General decided to place Albert, Keene family members shouting encouragement and another person, HARRIS on trial for and providing a diversion to this mono- conspiring to defraud the public. tonous stage of the race. Leaving the forest, Albert crossed the Hawkridge

178 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 Bridge near Powranna and arrived at Family Tragedy Snakes Banks at 2:35 pm. It was then on On 14 October 1876 William, my grand- through Symonds Plains. Shortly after father, was born. Another child, an un- Albert crossed the Perth Bridge and named boy born on the 8 November 1878 arrived at the township at 3.40 pm. He sadly died four days later. stopped at the Perth Hotel for fifteen Albert’s occupation on the birth minutes for a wash, a rub-down and a cup certificates of William, Lilian, Alexander of tea. He headed north at 4:00 pm going and the un-named son, was a porter. On up Gibbet Hill. The road then dipped the 18 November 1876 he acquired a down through Bread- licence to act as a albane where patrons porter at the Laun- of the Wool Pack Inn ceston wharf. shouted support. Lillian, Albert and Albert came to the Alice’s third daughter Cocked Hat Hotel was born on the 9 about two miles north, October 1880 and at 4:43 pm. By this their third son, time the crowd around Alexander born on 16 All-The-Year-Round April 1883. Tragedy Inn at the Sandhill befell the family on Launceston, the the 10 September finishing post, had 1883 when Alice, at become very dense, the young age of totalling over 4,000 twenty-eight died after persons. contracting tuber- At 5:24 pm people culosis. Worse was to waiting at the follow when on the finishing area could 4 December, Alexan- see a cloud of dust and der also died from the sudden appearance Alice Bird and son William 1880 tuberculosis. of a crowd at the road These deaths, and the higher up, giving an indication of fact that Albert had fallen on hard times Albert’s imminent arrival. Then down and was without regular employment, the hill came Albert, crossing the finish- were to prove devastating blows. On 25 ing line at 5:26 pm amid deafening cheers March 1884 Albert pleaded guilty in from the crowd who nearly suffocated court to failing to pay one pound five Albert in their eagerness to pat him on the shillings for the support of his children. back. Albert had run from Campbell He was given two opportunities pay the Town to Launceston, a distance of forty- money. Reappearing in court on 31 one miles in four hours eleven minutes. March Albert stated he still could not The Launceston Examiner, in its account, pay, as he was still to be paid wages for finished by saying, ‘it is a marvellous his current job. He was sentenced to six performance’, while the Hobart Mercury months’ hard labour. of the 13 May mentioned, ‘this speed, ... During Albert’s stay in gaol his daughters is unprecedented in this colony.’ Sarah and Florence were placed in the

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 179 Launceston Industrial School for Girls, he was remanded for seven days for remaining there until they turned sixteen medical treatment. At the hearing on 20 years of age. William was placed into February, the South Melbourne Bench care and later ‘adopted’ by Thomas and ordered ‘Albert E. Bird ... a champion Rosa HUGHES. It is probable Albert had pedestrian of former days, to be sent gaol very little, if any, further contact with them. for six-months ... unfortunately there was After completing his sentence, Albert no other place than gaol to send him to.’ endeavoured to resurrect his running He was admitted to the Benevolent Soc- career. On the 20 November 1884 he iety on 22 February but apparently entered a one-mile race discharged himself on in Hobart but collapsed the 15 April. He after one lap. travelled to Bendigo It appears that soon where, in June 1908 he after Albert moved to was placed in the Bene- New South Wales. It is volent Asylum remain- likely he took his ing there until 1914. daughter Lilian with Other interstate news- him, as she is known to papers commented on have been in a Albert’s plight. The Newcastle Catholic con- South Australian Adver- vent in the late 1880s tiser on 8 February 1908 and later married in and The Tasmanian Mail Sydney. It would seem of 22 February 1908 Albert’s involvement reported ‘Albert Edward with Lilian after 1884 Bird who 40 years ago was minimal as on her was champion long marriage certificate his christian names distance runner of England has fallen on were given as Alfred John. evil times in his old age …’ Controversy followed Albert to Sydney. Albert died in Bendigo on 14 February He competed successfully in a number of 1916 and was buried two days later in a races in and around Sydney, culminating paupers’ grave at White Hills Cemetery in another disappointment when on 2 on the outskirts of Bendigo. April 1887 in a race to celebrate St Albert was a man of many parts, an out- Patrick’s Day he suddenly dropped out of standing athlete, a brilliant runner who the race for no apparent reason. The could dazzle the crowds, an actor and Tasmanian Mail of 2 April reported, well-known identity, particularly in Albert was in Sydney. By all accounts Tasmania in the 1870s. Unfortunately the whilom crack has much difficulty in keeping body and soul together as he had Alfred’s life involved much controversy. in playing many parts in Tasmania. He was such a flawed character, a life with so many highs and lows.  Nothing is known about Albert from that time until 31 January 1908 when he was Albert’s career has been documented in a found destitute, wandering the streets of book written by Glenn Piper, ‘Peds of the Port Melbourne, an inner southern suburb Past 1837–1920–Famous athletes and of Melbourne and arrested for his own pedestrians with particular reference to protection. At the Port Melbourne Court Sheffield.’

180 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 GENES ON SCREEN Vee Maddock (Member No.1875)

O man is an island, and likewise, narrow field of visible records, then it no person should research alone. must be the one they are after. Without N As more and more resources knowledge of the many other resources become available via the internet it seems not online or only produced locally, it is greater numbers of people are chasing possible to waste many hours chasing the relatives, locked in solitude in their wrong people. Recently I had the horrible houses. The need to visit libraries, family experience of having to tell a cousin, who history centres or even cemeteries is had been working online on the other side being lessened daily. Or so it appears to of the country, that he had spent hours many. deciphering records and creating individ- The truth is that as researchers, now it is ual timelines of two convicts, neither of even more important that we support our whom were members of our tree. In one internet finds with visits to local case Joyce Purtscher’s book of Deaths in repositories or, if we aren’t in the location the General Hospital clearly showed the we are researching, with contact with ex convict as arriving on a ship that locals and other researchers themselves. contained a Wm Leman, not the Wm Personally, I can credit some of my Lemon that had been assumed from the greatest breakthroughs to friends I’ve other records. The other was not our con- made during the researching. Last week I vict at all, which was evident when you got an email from my grade three teacher compared her illegitimate son’s birth (always be nice to your teachers) asking, registration with the legitimate birth of “Is this one of yours?” The attached our lady’s daughter—only three months information was a Benevolent Society’s apart. No way could they be the same report on the state of my grandfather’s woman. Again local knowledge filled the family, (my father the 4-month old infant gaps. listed at the end of the eight children) Local knowledge and experience research- who, since he had been committed, were ing an area cannot be beaten and we are now dependant on the income of the elder so lucky in Tasmania that many two children. Apart from all the confirm- experienced people volunteer in the ations of events we had assumed or society’s libraries. (Can I add, volun- surmised, this document lists the name of teering in a family history library is one grandfather’s previous employer, so now of the easiest ways to learn about I have a chance to follow up on some available resources.) family stories of the painting jobs he was If you don’t live in the area you are supposedly involved in during his career. researching, apart from joining the local All this because she noticed the Maddock family history group, the best way to name while going through an unindexed make ‘friends’ is by joining an email list book. such as Rootsweb. I have mentioned People researching alone can easily fall Rootsweb many times in here, and into the trap of ‘see a name—claim a joining is largely self explanatory (and name,’ when a name appears within the free), but if you haven’t signed up for at

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 181 least two lists (a surname group and an supporting evidence or breaking down area group) then you’re not really walls. researching to the best of your ability. One of the reasons I don’t post a huge list The majority of these lists are manned by of URLs each journal is that so many of several experienced researchers, often the sites I come across are very specific— locals who often not only have access to baptisms in a single parish church, trans- resources but are willing to do look ups. cription of a single building’s memorial Others are often willing to walk the plaques, a collection of medieval records cemeteries or photograph houses, while or an obscure book title scanned online. others will simply pull you up on your Very interesting to a select few, but not to mistakes. These are all useful traits. The the many and since TFHS Inc. does not knowledge we’ve assumed something only focus on Tasmanian research but that isn’t possible, or missed a name, or supports its members in researching married off the wrong brother, or even worldwide, it is impossible to even begin missed a census entry because we didn’t to post sites for everyone. Often too it is think laterally enough helps strengthen easier to google the type of site you want the tree. than try to retype the long URL printed. Dedicated research of a single line is Not to mention the fact that sites tend to another case where isolation can lead to move and disappear frequently rendering errors. A single child, who has but one the address useless. child and only one grandchild, etc., is a So, despite the fact I may have a few sites rarity not the rule. Often in chasing the listed here, don’t forget to keep checking brothers, sisters, aunts, step siblings, with google or your search of choice to great uncles etc., you can come across the see what else may have turned up. Try most wonderful family information, and your search several ways, for example even stumble on your individual—a ‘births Surrey’, ‘early church records witness at a wedding, an executor of a Surrey’, ‘Surrey historical births’, ‘where will, present in a family photo, registering can I find old Surrey birth records?’ If a relative’s child and more. you still can’t find what you want, post a When I’m on Rootsweb lists I’m cons- query on Rootsweb. tantly bombarded with links to sites or For some newspapers and other records other resources relevant to my research. that are not included in Trove, browse the If you become active in the groups (and State Library of Tasmania’s digitised have your surnames listed in your email content—http://www.linc.tas.gov.au/ signatures especially) people will become Tasmaniasheritage/browse/digitaltasm familiar with your families too and you’ll ania/digitisedgroup#news start getting messages like ‘Did you know Ever useful old occupations there are four Maddocks listed on a park http://www.familyresearcher.co.uk/glo bench just down the road from me?’ Or ssary/Dictionary-of-Old-Occupations- even, ‘Hey I was looking through this Index.html library book and I saw ... are they yours?’ UK & Irish library catalogue search So don’t just rely on the databases online, http://copac.ac.uk/ get in touch with the people. You don’t need to send them your entire research, Early Modern English sources—http:// but they are invaluable for helping find www.quelle.org/emes/research.html 

182 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 WHAT IS THAT PUBLICATION ABOUT? Maurice Appleyard (Member No.4093)

UMEROUS publications are Arthur and how it is reflected throughout named in the Acquisition Lists of his novel. Nthe various Branches of our Society but on some occasions the title ON THE FIDDLE FROM SCOTLAND does not give a clear indication of the TO TASMANIA 1815–1863 The Life subject matter. The following details of a and Music of Alexander Laing (1792– few in the Hobart Branch Library may 1868) Convict, Constable, Fiddler and help to describe some of the more Composer. obscure titles and deserve a look. A4 book published in 2009 by Peter Perhaps the publication may also be MacFie, Steve and Marjorie Gadd held in your local library? contains sixty-five original melodies, drawn from a rare manuscript; with historical commentary. Although its A FORGERS TALE: The extraordin- ‘spiral binding’ is not a popular style for ary story of Henry Savery, Australia’s library shelves, it is on this occasion, first novelist. ideal for the work. When fully laid open, This small paperback by Rod Howard the music can be easily read by those who was published in 2011; winner of the may wish to play the tunes. Walter Stone Award for Life Writing. As a convict, Alexander Laing was Henry Savery (1791–1842); business assigned in the Pittwater district in 1817 man, forger, convict and author. Born 4 to T A Lascelles at his grant Nonsuch. In August 1791, Somerset, England. Died 6 this district, by 1821, Laing was Gaoler February 1842, Port Arthur, Tasmania. and Chief District Constable in the new Transported in 1825 to VDL for forgery. village of Sorell. Here he seems to have Released in 1840 and his novel Quintus written some of his earliest melodies; e.g: Servinton was published. Arrested again Sorell Wind Mill; Gordon Street Sorell; in 1840 for forgery and sent to Port James Gordon, Forcett Tasmania; Iron Arthur and died; possibly from a stroke. Creek Pittwater; Lady Franklin’s Reel. ‘Born to fortune but spurned by fate, a From 1851 to 1860, he was at New single act of folly launches young Henry Norfolk in the Derwent Valley, first as into an extraordinary spiral of calamity. town Gaoler and then Wardsman at the Banished to the end of the earth, bankrupt Asylum. He continued composing and and betrayed, denied even the sanctuary dedicating them to people and places in of death, he surveys the gothic ruins of the district with the names given to the his past from an empty Hobart Town gaol melodies; e.g: Lady Elizabeth Macquarie cell and begins pouring out the story of at New Norfolk; Mrs W A B Jameison his tortured journey—conjuring a thinly Glen Leith VDLand; Quick Step Derwent veiled autobiography that will become Rifles, New Norfok; Miss L Price’s Australia’s fist published novel.’ Wedding at New Norfolk. Rod Howard writes about the life of This work shows the much maligned, Henry, his journey from Bristol to Port Alexander Laing in a totally different

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 183 light, revealing a ‘sensitive side of his Magistrate. He was elected Foundation nature’ despite his long battle with President of the newly created Bank of alcoholism. The life and times of Laing Van Diemen’s Land and inaugural Vice- are recorded and ‘A unique aspect of the President of the Agricultural Society of Alexander Laing Manuscript, uncovered Van Diemen’s Land. He was granted following detailed research, is the ability land and had made wise investments in to associate particular melodies to the property. But, in 1824, after only four localities in which he lived and worked, years in Van Diemen’s Land, things went and the people with whom he socialised.’ terribly wrong! In 1829, he returned to The background behind the people and England in disgrace. Seven years later, places featured are provided to enhance he died there, a sick and broken man. an appreciation of the melodies recorded. The story of his rise to prominence and his spectacular fall from grace makes DR EDWARD FOORD BROMLEY, fascinating reading.’ R.N. (1776–1836): Surgeon, Civil Servant and Magistrate, V.D.L. A TALE OF AMBITION AND This A4 book was first published in 2012 UNREALISED HOPE: John Montagu by D J Bradmore. and Sir John Franklin ‘The story of Dr Edward Foord Bromley This large paperback by Craig R Joel was is a tragic one. Born into a well-to-do first published in 2011 and already English family in 1776, he trained as a reprinted for 2012. surgeon and served with distinction in the ‘When Sir John Franklin, polar hero and British Navy during the long war against explorer, succeeded George Arthur as the France, 1793–1815. During a brief lull in governor of Van Diemen’s Land in the war in 1803, he visited the Australian January 1837, there was an expectation colonies as surgeon aboard HMS among some of the colonists that the old, Calcutta, which carried 300 convicts to autocratic bureaucracy would be replaced Sullivan Bay, near present day Sorrento, by a more liberal regime. Victoria, to establish a penal colony. Franklin was, however, inexperienced in When the war was finally over, he penal and colonial affairs; he could not transferred to the convict service. As easily evade the advice of Arthur’s close surgeon-superintendent on Ocean (1816), officials, the ‘action’ to their critics. A Almorah (1817) and Lord Wellington ‘change of men and measures’ was not (1819), which brought convicts to Port forthcoming, and Franklin relied on Jackson, he was much admired not only Arthur’s favourites to administer the for his medical skill but also his kindness. penal establishment. During these visits to Sydney, he Against a ‘backdrop which ranges from expressed interest in a colonial appoint- London to Hobart, from the imperial ment and, in 1819, was offered the post metropolis to the colonial frontier, from of ‘Naval Officer’ at Hobart Town. He the empire’s hub to its rim’, Craig Joel took up the appointment in March 1820. tells how a civil servant came to usurp For the first three and a half years, all Franklin’s authority in his desire to curry went extremely well. Good-natured, favour with British ministers, and in the generous and fun-loving, he was soon a process profoundly affected the political popular figure in colonial society. He development of the colony.’  was made a Justice of the Peace and a

184 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 LIBRARY NOTES

Former circulating microfiche Now permanently at: Burnie National Probate Calendars 1853–1943 and AGCI Hobart Old Parochial Records, Scotland Huon GRO Consular Records Index Launceston 1891 Census Indexes for Scotland Griffith’s Valuation for Ireland Series 1788–1868 Lilian Watson Family History Award 2011 entries Hobart 19/11/2012 Huon 18/02/2013 Any person who has Mersey 20/05/2013 Burnie 19/08/2012 convict ancestors, or who has an interest in convict life during the early history SOCIETY SALES of European settlement in Tasmanian Family History Society Inc. Publications Australia, is welcome to Payment by Visa or MasterCard join the above group. now available (mail order only) Mail orders (including postage) should be forwarded to: Those interested may find Society Sales Officer, TFHS Inc., PO Box 326 Rosny Park out more about the group Tasmania 7018 and receive an application Books form by writing to: Van Diemens Land Heritage Index, Vol. 3 (p&p $5.50) $11.00 Van Diemens Land Heritage Index, Vol. 4 (p&p $5.50) $11.00 Van Diemens Land Heritage Index, Vol. 5 (p&p $8.00)** $25.00 Tasmanian Ancestry Index Volumes 1–20 (p&p $5.50)**$ 22.50 Tasmanian Ancestry Index Volumes 21–25 (p&p $4.50)** $15.00 Tasmanian Ancestry Index Volumes 26–30 (p&p $2.80)** $25.00 The Secretary (p&p $10.50 for 2–3 books) Descendants of CD-Rom Convicts’ Group Tasmanian Federation Index (p&p $2.50) $231.00 PO Box 115 TAMIOT (p&p $5.00) $50.00 Flinders Lane Victoria 8009 Microfiche TAMIOT (p&p $2.00) $50.00

** members discount applies

http://home.vicnet.net.au/~ Please note Society’s change of address: dcginc/ TFHS Inc.,

PO Box 326 Rosny Park

Tasmania 7018

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 185 LIBRARY ACQUISITIONS HOBART BRANCH

Accessions—Books *Biggs, J; Tasmania Over Five Generations—Return to Van Diemen’s Land. [994.6 BIG] Bissett, M & B; The Weekly Courier—Index to photographs, etc, Vol. 10, 1918. [Q 929.39 BIS] *Clark, J; People, Places & Plants *Clegg, J; Carcoar Historic Village *Daringhurst Gaol Entrance Book, 1850–1854 *Footsteps & voices—A historical look into the Cascades Female Factory *Glimpses of Glenorchy *Ginnidera—Forerunner to Canberra *History of Wedderburn. *Johnson, J; Franklin History: ‘The Bowmont’—A story of three era. Frost, L; Abandoned Women–Scottish Convicts Exiled Beyond the Seas. [364.3709946] *TFHS Inc. Hobart; Undertakers of Hobart, Vol. III,—Index to Clark Bros. Funeral Records, Part 3, July 1945–June1979, A–K. [Q 929.31099461 UND] Part 3, July 1945–June1979, L–Z. [Q 929.31099461 UND] TFHS Inc. Launceston; The Tasmanian Mail—A photographic index, Vol. 11, 1931. [Q 929.38 TAS] *Tasmanian Inventions & Inovations

*Denotes complimentary or donated item.

LAUNCESTON BRANCH

Accessions—Books Bissett, Muriel & Betty: The Weekly Courier : Index to Photographs, Birth, Death & Marriage Notices & Personal items of interest to Family Historians Vol. 11, 1919 Bissett, Muriel & Betty: The Weekly Courier : Index to Photographs, Birth, Death & Marriage Notices & Personal items of interest to Family Historians Vol. 12, 1920–21 TFHS Inc. Launceston Branch: Tasmanian Mail A Photographic Index Vol. 12 1932

Accessions—CD-Roms *ABM Publishing and S & N Genealogy, 1851 Census, Conisford, Norfolk 1861 Census, Dorchester, Dorset 1871 Census, Oxford, Oxfordshire 1871 Census, Leicester – Part 1871 Census, Edmonton, Middlesex – Part

186 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 Parish Records, Leicestershire, Vol. 1. – Marriages Parish Records, Essex, Vol. 1 – Marriages Parish Records, Dorset, Vol. 1 – Marriages Parish Records, Hertfordshire, Vol. 1 – Marriages Parish Records, Lincolnshire, Vol. 1 - Marriages Universal British Directory, Vol. 1, Part 2 – London Universal British Directory, Vol. 2, Part 1, A-B Universal British Directory, 1793–1798, Vol. 3, Part 1, E-K Universal British Directory, 1793–1798, Vol. 4, Part 1, N-S 8 Irish County Index Maps—3 sets *ABM Publishing and S & N Genealogy, Parish Records, Leicestershire, Vol. 1 – Marriages *Diamond Publishing The Norfolk Poll Book The Treble Almanac and Dublin Directory 1783 Newcastle Calendar The National Roll of the Great War, 1914–1918 London Marriage Licences, 1821–1869 Surnames of the United Kingdom, A-Z The Universal Directory of Great Britain, 1791. Vol. 1. London Section The Universal Directory of Great Britain, 1791. Vol. 2. Abbotsford to Dudley *Future Publishing Ltd Oxford Listings – Sample Surrey Listings – Sample – Guilford, Farnham & Mickleham Surrey 1851 Post Office Directory 1821 Hendon Census - Samples Nottingham Names – Sample – 19th Century

*Denotes donated item

MERSEY BRANCH

Accessions—Books Badcock, Josephene; Significant Buildings of Kentish Bissett, Muriel & Betty, [Comp]; The Weekly Courier Index to Photographs, Birth, Death & Marriage Notices and Personal items of interest to Family Historians Vol. 11 1919 Knolle, Wendy K [Comp]; Index to News Items & Obituaries of WWI Servicemen & Women in Tasmania Weekly Magazines Volume 1 Tasmanian Mail Knolle, Wendy K [Comp]; Index to News Items & Obituaries of WWI Servicemen & Women in Tasmania Weekly Magazines Volume 2 The Weekly Courier

TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 187 Knolle, Wendy K; [Comp]; Index to News Items, Obituaries & Photographs of World War 11 Tasmanian Servicemen & Women published in the Launceston, Tasmania, newspaper The Examiner from 1 January 1942 to 30 June 1943 Lyons, Peter; Lasting Legacies TFHS Inc. Hobart Branch; Undertakers of Hobart, Vol. III - Index to Clark Bros Funeral Records Part 3 A-K July 1945 - June 1979 TFHS Inc. Hobart Branch; Undertakers of Hobart, Vol. III - Index to Clark Bros Funeral Records Part 3 L-Z July 1945 - June 1979 TFHS Inc Mersey Branch; An Index to The Advocate Personal Announcements 1986–1990 Part 1 Aarden to Jansen TFHS Inc Mersey Branch; An Index to The Advocate Personal Announcements 1986–1990 Part 2 Jardine to Zolyniak TFHS Inc Mersey Branch; An Index to The Advocate Personal Announcements 1991–1995 Part 1 Aalders to Kalweit TFHS Inc Mersey Branch; An Index to The Advocate Personal Announcements 1991–1995 Part 2 Kamphuis to Zylstra

*Indicates donated items

188 TASMANIAN ANCESTRY December 2012 BRANCH LIBRARY ADDRESSES, TIMES AND MEETING DETAILS

MERSEY Phone: Branch Secretary (03) 6428 6328 Library (03) 6426 2257 Library ‘Old police residence’ 117 Gilbert Street Latrobe (behind State Library) Tuesday & Friday 11:00 am–3:00 pm Saturday opening has ceased and is now by advance appointment only. Meeting Generally held on the 4th Saturday of the month at Branch Library in Latrobe at 1:00 pm or sometimes for lunch at 12:00. Please check the website at www.tfhsdev.com or contact the Secretary for updates. MEMBERSHIP OF THE TASMANIAN FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY INC.

Application for Membership: Application forms may be downloaded from www.tasfhs.org or obtained from the TFHS Inc. Society Secretary, or any branch and be returned with appropriate dues to a branch treasurer. Interstate and overseas applications should be mailed to the TFHS Inc. Society Treasurer, PO Box 326 Rosny Park Tasmania 7018. Dues are also accepted at libraries and at branch meetings.

Donations: Donations to the Library Fund ($2.00 and over) are tax deductible. Gifts of family records, maps, photographs, etc. are most welcome.

ISSN—0159 0677 Printed by Mark Media—Moonah Tasmania