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”
Category Archives: Tom Dowse
Strange Trick of the Imagination
(From our Windmill Reporter.) On Wednesday last, the Tide Surveyor of Customs* happened to be strolling down Queen Street, pondering probably on the great degeneracy of the present age, so far as regards the desire to drink grog without paying the duty, and whistling to himself the popular air of “Will Watch, the bold smuggler,Continue reading “Strange Trick of the Imagination”
Stories Behind the Corner
Memorable Characters from Old Tom’s Story of the Old Times Some of Old Tom’s friends and acquaintances – Tom O’Neil and Johnny Hamilton – passed through the Colony without making much impact on the news of the day. No doubt they were great friends and unique characters, but their activities did not incur much publicContinue reading “Stories Behind the Corner”
Old Tom’s Reminiscences – The Corner
First published in the Brisbane Courier, Saturday 21 August 1869. As I have before remarked, the settlement, as regards house accommodation, consisted entirely of the various buildings erected under the authority and inspection of the Government officials during the penal times. But it was naturally anticipated that the purchasers of the land sold at theContinue reading “Old Tom’s Reminiscences – The Corner”
Old Tom’s Reminiscences
Part 1 of Tom Dowse’s Memories of Old Brisbane (Originally published in the Queenslander on 24 July 1869. IN those days—happily long since passed away—when the parent colony of the Australian group enjoyed the unenviable distinction of being the only penal settlement on the shores of New Holland, it was found from time to timeContinue reading “Old Tom’s Reminiscences”
The Windmill Reporter Predicts a Flood, 1848.
TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCH. (From our Windmill Reporter.) The Flood. I am happy to inform you that my elevated position has given me an opportunity of reporting to you the intended proceedings of the flood which has been for the last six years expected in Brisbane. The right wing of the flood will land at South Brisbane,Continue reading “The Windmill Reporter Predicts a Flood, 1848.”
Christmas at Moreton Bay: from the Convict Era to Separation
CHRISTMAS IN THE CONVICT ERA. Christmas 1828 occurred on a Thursday, and the indefatigable Peter Spicer did not record it in his diary (Return of Works Performed), however the entry for Friday 26 December 1828 records: Perhaps not feeling what little Christmas spirit was to be had in the settlement were the 131 patients inContinue reading “Christmas at Moreton Bay: from the Convict Era to Separation”
Old Tom journeys through Brisbane – September 18, 1870.
A DAY AMONGST THE DOUGHBOYS. (BY OLD TOM.) On 18 September, 1870, the Brisbane Courier published a guide to Doughboy Creek (now called Bulimba Creek). Old Tom was the nom de plume of Tom Dowse, a former convict, who arrived in Brisbane Town at the time of free settlement and who went on to aContinue reading “Old Tom journeys through Brisbane – September 18, 1870.”
Moreton Bay and More 