Convict at Moreton Bay 1827-1833. The Cordwainer’s stolen pillow-case. In Hull Packet of 24 October 1809, Messrs Croudace and Stork proudly announced the opening of the Hull Coffee-Roasting Office. No longer would the flavour of Hull’s coffee be injured by London Traders’ careless stowage, or by moisture damage through carriage by sea. It would beContinue reading “The Incredible Life of Anthony Best.”
Author Archives: Karen B
Amateur historian and writer.
An Honest, Persevering, Sober and Vigilant Man – at Moreton Bay?
I have known Robert Harvey for some time and believe him to be a sober, honest and industrious character and as such recommend him. Henry Cowper. I do hereby certify that Robert Harvey has conducted himself much to my satisfaction, and I received from Lt. Miller a most excellent character of his behaviour at theContinue reading “An Honest, Persevering, Sober and Vigilant Man – at Moreton Bay?”
The Life and Death of Caleb Atkins.
The wonderfully named Royal Cornwall Gazette, Falmouth Packet, and General Advertiser of Saturday 30 March 1816 contained a peculiar mix of news. There was the death of the “Indian Juggler,” whose sword-swallowing act had gone horribly wrong. A servant had words with his master, and killed the man with a dung-prong. A trunk of clothesContinue reading “The Life and Death of Caleb Atkins.”
The Humble Petition of John Norman.
The petition was written in an elegant hand, with exquisite flourishes in the lines addressing it to His Excellency, Lieutenant-General Ralph Darling, Governor in Chief of New South Wales. A few, but not too many, flourishes adorned the body of the petition. Enough to be respectful and formal, not enough to be overly ornate. TheContinue reading “The Humble Petition of John Norman.”
Theft, Transportation, Repeated Absconding and Mutiny.
Or, how John Stewart occupied himself between the ages of 18 and 25. The bare facts of John Stewart’s convict career in Australia can be summed up fairly easily – he was transported in 1823, absconded from a few settlements, and received a Certificate of Freedom in 1829. What he actually got up to isContinue reading “Theft, Transportation, Repeated Absconding and Mutiny.”
An Eventful Year for Thargomindah – 1888.
Floods, Droughts, Captain Starlight and a Plague of Cats. Things were looking up in Thargomindah in 1888. Bores were being drilled, camels were being mooted, and telephones were impending. A legendary bushranger passed through. And so did thousands of cats. January: Terrific Heat. In January 1888, Thargomindah experienced an intense heatwave. Daytime temperatures were recordedContinue reading “An Eventful Year for Thargomindah – 1888.”
Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?
This rhetorical question asked by King Henry II was taken literally by some of his more brutish knights, who proceeded to Canterbury to take the life of Archbishop Thomas à Becket. Moreton Bay Commandant Patrick Logan must have mused on that statement in 1829, when the Church of England decided to extend its chaplaincy toContinue reading “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?”
The Early History of Maryborough in Photos.
The 1860s and 1870s. Few Queensland towns have had their infancy as carefully recorded in photographs as Maryborough. The State Library of Queensland’s digital collection has included a wealth of historical photographs from the Fraser Coast Regional Libraries, and we can now see Maryborough grow over the years in pictures. Early Homes. The contrast betweenContinue reading “The Early History of Maryborough in Photos.”
The Amity Convicts: James Turner.
Prisoner No. 36. Bristol and Shadwell. James Turner was destined for a life on the water – he was born in the harbour town of Bristol around 1799. At the age of nineteen, he stood nearly five feet six inches, had light brown hair and blue eyes. He had tattoos on his right arm –Continue reading “The Amity Convicts: James Turner.”
The Amity Convicts: Henry Allen.
Prisoner No 501, Moreton Bay. Henry Allen was a carpenter by trade, a native of Warwickshire, and was born around 1798. With the foolishness of youth, he tried his hand at burglary in 1817, which brought him before the Warwick Lenten Assizes in April 1817. He was found guilty (death recorded) and sentenced to 14Continue reading “The Amity Convicts: Henry Allen.”
Moreton Bay and More 