Karen B

A Review of Gentlemen’s Hair Styles 1875

For men in the late 19th Century, beards were the order of the day. If a man couldn’t grow a healthy, bristling beard, a moustache of distinction was an alternative. The very few fresh-faced individuals found in Brisbane Gaol’s description book are invariable quite young. The Fresh-Faced Look David W Barr was a 22Continue reading “A Review of Gentlemen’s Hair Styles 1875”

Mug Shots: what shall we do with a drunken sailor?

Irish sailor John McConnell had a very big night ashore in Brisbane in August 1875. His Brisbane Gaol photo has him dishevelled, sporting a bristling moustache and an unkempt, towering coiffure. It’s unlikely that anyone was game to come near him with a comb, given the circumstances of his arrival. The contemporaneous report is priceless,Continue reading “Mug Shots: what shall we do with a drunken sailor?”

Mug Shots: The Miner from New Orleans

William Warren was born in New Orleans in 1830 and arrived in Australia in 1853 aboard a ship (also) called the New Orleans. While his family and past friends experienced the war between the States, William was in Northern Queensland, eking out a living as a miner, occasionally coming to the attention of theContinue reading “Mug Shots: The Miner from New Orleans”

Mug Shots: Two larcenous lads.

Another sailor on shore in Brisbane in August 1875 was John E. Fincham, aged 20. He was however without a ship and working at a city club as a boot-black. Given that his offence was stealing a coat, it seems appropriate that the unhappy young man is virtually swallowed by the prison jacket. Stealing aContinue reading “Mug Shots: Two larcenous lads.”

Mug Shots: The larcenous clerk.

The photo taken in Brisbane Gaol on 24 May 1875 shows a well-built, slightly perplexed young man with a truly impressive set of whiskers. What could Joseph Arthur Viccars have done to bring him to Boggo Road? Turned up on the doorstep of an old acquaintance from England, claiming to have been shipwrecked, and left with nothing but a cheque forContinue reading “Mug Shots: The larcenous clerk.”

Mr Woodward and the Married Women’s Property Act.

In the 1890, the fifty-fourth year of Queen Victoria’s reign, the Legislative Assembly of the Colony of Queensland passed the Married Women’s Property Act. Similar legislation had already been enacted in the United Kingdom and other Australian Colonies. Prior to this Act, married women did not have the kind of property rights as single women,Continue reading “Mr Woodward and the Married Women’s Property Act.”

Convict Runaways: The life of David Bracewell (Wandi).

In my recent posts on James “Duramboi” Davis, I have referred in passing to David Bracewell (sometimes called Bracefell or Bracefield), known as “Wandi” to the indigenous people of Eumundi. I think now is perhaps a good time to fill in the details. David Bracewell was born in Shadwell, London in 1805 and worked asContinue reading “Convict Runaways: The life of David Bracewell (Wandi).”

Convict Runaways – “Duramboi” Davis Returns.

1842 Several factors combined to bring Duramboi back to Moreton Bay in 1842. His life amongst the indigenous people of the Fraser Coast would have become known to Europeans soon, due to the setting up of sheep stations near his family’s traditional lands. Explorers were mapping the Colony. And the times were changing. 1842 wasContinue reading “Convict Runaways – “Duramboi” Davis Returns.”

Convict Runaways. James “Duramboi” Davis.

This is the first in a series of posts on the life of James Davis or “Duramboi”. The best-known convict absconder from Moreton Bay, he was considered a very bad character in his teens but after 14 years with the indigenous people of the Wide Bay area, went on to be an Interpreter for indigenousContinue reading “Convict Runaways. James “Duramboi” Davis.”

Minor Offences – from the Trial Book of Moreton Bay.

They committed serious crimes and ended up in the Colonies. They reoffended and were sent to Moreton Bay. The prisoners who inhabited the Penal Colony at Moreton Bay between 1824 and 1839 still committed crimes. There were the murderers, who went to Sydney to be tried and almost inevitably found guilty and executed. There wereContinue reading “Minor Offences – from the Trial Book of Moreton Bay.”