One of Brisbane’s notable early townsfolk was a man who set up a thriving business and raised a well-known family. He bought and sold a fortune in property, and when he passed away he was remembered as a pioneer of Old Brisbane. And he wasn’t English or Irish. His name was Dabee Singh, and heContinue reading “A true Brisbane pioneer.”
Category Archives: Notable Brisbane Pioneers
Other “E” stories from old Brisbane – from Electric Light to Elections.
The Visit of the Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness paid a visit to the Colony of Queensland. We fed him, feted him and sang at him. With varying levels of success, although HRH was unfailingly polite. At least no-one tried to assassinate him… Original post here: https://moretonbayandmore.com/2022/02/26/the-grub-train-and-the-emu-hunt-that-never-was/ George Edmondstone. George Edmondstone (1809-1883) was aContinue reading “Other “E” stories from old Brisbane – from Electric Light to Elections.”
The Man Behind the Watercolour.
The Painting. It is the earliest image of Brisbane that isn’t an architectural drawing. I’ve used it extensively, and it’s beloved by local historians. It’s May 1835, the 3rd to be precise, and a civil servant named Henry Bowerman is standing on the south bank of the Brisbane River, sketching the convict settlement on theContinue reading “The Man Behind the Watercolour.”
On this day, 8 November 1885: the Death of Old Tom
The Late Mr. Dowse. BY AN OLD FRIEND “Yesterday, in early morning, at his residence, Milton, there quietly passed away from amongst us, at the ripe age of 76, Mr. Thomas Dowse. When the present Queensland was Moreton Bay, he was always in the front of every political movement, and indefatigable in co-operating to achieveContinue reading “On this day, 8 November 1885: the Death of Old Tom”
Just Call Him “Lord”
NOTABLE BRISBANE PIONEERS – ARTHUR BULGIN “The emigrants per the Chaseley resemble in character and views those per the Fortitude. They consist, first, of respectable families, going out to settle on small farms, under the auspices of the Company, and to grow cotton and other tropical productions, in addition to those of Europe; second, ofContinue reading “Just Call Him “Lord””
Ratcliffe Pring: the Attorney-General who was arrested.
NOTABLE BRISBANE PIONEERS On Monday 22 January 1872, a plainclothes police officer from Brisbane was spotted on the streets of Dalby. He loitered about all day, making himself conspicuous, although the residents of that town weren’t sure what he was looking for. That is, until he enquired about the time a certain coach would arriveContinue reading “Ratcliffe Pring: the Attorney-General who was arrested.”
Harry Shepperson: the stationer who ran away with the actress.
NOTABLE BRISBANE PIONEERS Henry William Shepperson was a well-known and respectable book-seller and stationer in Brisbane in the 1860s and 1870s. He produced beautiful calendars and religious pamphlets for St John’s Anglican Cathedral. Harry was active in the Masons, and was married with children, two of whom sadly died in infancy. He was an enthusiasticContinue reading “Harry Shepperson: the stationer who ran away with the actress.”
Thomas Warry
Notable Brisbane Pioneers Old Brisbane throws up some unusual characters, not least the distinguished Thomas Symes Warry. In his relatively short life, he was a prize-winning chemist, a Member of the Legislative Assembly, Magistrate and, briefly, the centre of a peculiar scandal involving the possession of a severed head. Thomas S Warry was born inContinue reading “Thomas Warry”
Moreton Bay and More 