Author Archives: Karen B

Amateur historian and writer.

Mug Shots – Problems at Sea

In the 19th century, at least until rail freight came into popular use, shipping was the only way to transport large amounts of goods between towns and cities worldwide. Sometimes, onboard discipline was flouted, making for some exceptionally well-travelled new prisoners at Brisbane Gaol. PETER CLASSEN AND JOHN B BENNETT OF THE E.J. SPENCE, 1876Continue reading “Mug Shots – Problems at Sea”

A long, strange trip (Part 1)

I was going to write a quick post about the Moreton Bay prisoners who were born far from the United Kingdom, and found their way to the settlement. I’ve decided to make this Part 1, because of the sheer number of extraordinary stories that I came across. AFRICA Francis Andrews, born about 1796 in Africa,Continue reading “A long, strange trip (Part 1)”

Convict Runaways – Samuel Derrington.

Samuel Derrington LOCAL NEWS. DEATH OF MR. SAMUEL DERRINGTON. A very old resident of East Maitland, Mr Samuel Derrington, died on Sunday, from decay of nature, after a long life which had contained an uncommon experience. Mr. Derrington was, in his young manhood, brought by circumstances into the bush on the coast of Queensland, andContinue reading “Convict Runaways – Samuel Derrington.”

Mug Shots – The Snob, the Violent Pretty Boy and the American Sailor.

19th century and early 20th century “mug shots” are often extraordinary, capturing the spirit and story of the accused in a quite poignant way. Our modern digital photographs, taken as a matter of routine in the blink of an eye, usually portray the accused in the dishevelled state that offending, arrest and questioning will cause,Continue reading “Mug Shots – The Snob, the Violent Pretty Boy and the American Sailor.”

Frog’s Hollow

Brisbane’s “Frog’s Hollow” district was a low, flood-prone and poorly drained neighbourhood around Albert Street, running from Elizabeth Street to Alice Street and the Botanical Gardens. It remained a famous nuisance throughout the 19th century, defying repeated attempts to fill in and drain the streets. Stagnant rainwater pooled there and turned a bright algal green,Continue reading “Frog’s Hollow”

Minor Offences

There are few historical resources as compelling as old newspapers. The contemporary accounts of the criminal courts are by turns hilarious and thought-provoking. Hilarious in accounts of the drunken, bumbling criminals whose court cases provided entertainment to the public gallery. (I’ve been unable to resist quoting a couple of the dafter ones in this post.)Continue reading “Minor Offences”

The First Criminal in Australia (no, really)

The first ever court case in Australia was R -v- Barsby, on 11 February 1788, barely a fortnight after the Colony was founded. A convict named Samuel Barsby was charged with on 06 February personally abusing Benjamin Cook, Drum Major of the detachment, quarreling together “with high words passing between them”, and striking John West,Continue reading “The First Criminal in Australia (no, really)”