George Brown was one of the most flagrant absconders from Moreton Bay. And, like his namesake Sheik Brown, his story is extraordinary. George Brown was said to have born in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) around 1800, and was a seaman and servant by trade. Like Sheik Brown, he was an indigenous Sri Lankan or possiblyContinue reading “Convict Runaways – George Brown, escapee, draftsman, constable and trouble-maker.”
Category Archives: Convict Trials
From the Trial Book of Moreton Bay: Bushrangers
In early 1839, the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement was about to be “broken up”. Aside from a basic staff and 39 convicts to maintain the place, the inmates and their Regimental masters were preparing to be sent to Sydney. Doubtless there was a great deal of relief on all sides. Before the breaking-up, a groupContinue reading “From the Trial Book of Moreton Bay: Bushrangers”
The barefoot overseer, the razor, the lash and some pork
Thomas O’Meara’s story. Thomas O’Meara thought Overseer John Bluer was a bit mad. Bluer wore no shoes – except on Sundays – and scurried around a lot, giving incomprehensible orders to the men. Bluer had been relieved of Overseer duties a couple of times – once for leaving two men out in the field whenContinue reading “The barefoot overseer, the razor, the lash and some pork”
Murder at Moreton Bay – Bhinge Multo
In late January 1828, Samuel Myers, overseer, Michael Malone and Francis Reynolds were guarding a field of maize on the South Bank of the Brisbane River. There had been problems with the local indigenous people raiding the crops there for six months. In the last bad incident, an indigenous man had been killed, and aContinue reading “Murder at Moreton Bay – Bhinge Multo”
Murder at Moreton Bay – “But for one oppressed man to kill another oppressed man, is matchless in infamy.”
On a rainy morning in April 1830, two convicts from Moreton Bay were taken to the Gallows at Sydney gaol. The usual crowd of spectators gathered to watch the events of the morning. Some were morbidly curious to see the condemned men hanged, others to see if there would be any drama before the hangingContinue reading “Murder at Moreton Bay – “But for one oppressed man to kill another oppressed man, is matchless in infamy.””
Murder at Moreton Bay – I am tired of this life.
Patrick Maguire was 30, and he was tired of life. It was the 6th of January 1832, and he was working in the sun with a young Scot, Matthew Gallagher, getting gravel from the pit to repair the roads. It was humid, it was hot, the sun blazed overhead. The only relief might come inContinue reading “Murder at Moreton Bay – I am tired of this life.”
Murder at Moreton Bay – The Awful Entries in Spicer’s Diary.
Spicer’s Diary is the name given to the Book of Monthly Returns of Prisoners Maintained at Moreton Bay. Peter Spicer was Superintendent of Convicts from 23 August 1826 – 8 May 1839. The diary records the number of prisoners assigned to every form of work in the Colony, from clerical workers to bullock drivers. ThereContinue reading “Murder at Moreton Bay – The Awful Entries in Spicer’s Diary.”
Murder at Moreton Bay – Henry Muggleton
“Be Quick” Sometime between 3 and 4 in the morning of 19 February 1830, in the Prisoners’ Barracks at Moreton Bay, a voice whispered, “be quick”. It was a bright moonlit night, nearing dawn. Some of the prisoners were awake, others oblivious. The Barracks were quite full – almost 100 men – and prisoners bunkedContinue reading “Murder at Moreton Bay – Henry Muggleton”
Moreton Bay and More 