George Gunningham – stonemason. George Gunningham was a tall, fair-haired stonemason from Taunton, born at the turn of the 19th century. George made two mistakes in his life. Both earned him transportation to a penal colony. At the Somerset Lent Assizes of 1823, George Gunningham was convicted of larceny, and given fourteen years’ transportation toContinue reading “The Amity Convicts: Some Useful Trades for the Settlement.”
The Amity Convicts – “a Radically Bad and Infamous Character.”
William Saunders or Sanders was born in Birmingham around 1795, and was a seaman and smith by trade. At the Surrey Quarter Sessions of March 1817, Saunders was convicted of “robbing Bleachgreen”, and sentenced to be transported for fourteen years. Thief. Saunders arrived in Sydney on the Larkins on 22 November 1817. He was 5Continue reading “The Amity Convicts – “a Radically Bad and Infamous Character.””
The Amity Convicts – the Runaways and Incorrigibles. Part 2.
A repost of an earlier account of a convict absconder, to mark the anniversary of the Amity’s landing. John Welsh Forbidden from Society. John Welsh was born in the historic port and garrison city of Waterford around 1799. Unsurprisingly, he became a sailor. How he got to Nottingham, and committed a robbery, is unclear, butContinue reading “The Amity Convicts – the Runaways and Incorrigibles. Part 2.”
The Amity Convicts – The Runaways and Incorrigibles. Part 1.
A re-issue of a previous post, dealing with the group of convicts who ran from Moreton Bay in 1825. Thomas Mills Robbing the Vicar of Stepney St Dunstan’s Anglican Church, Stepney, known as the “Mother Church of the East End,” had been a place of Christian worship for more than 900 years when Thomas Mills,Continue reading “The Amity Convicts – The Runaways and Incorrigibles. Part 1.”
The Amity Convicts – Regency Crimes
William Grady A Regency crime in Hanover Square. William Grady was a Londoner, born just after the turn of the 19th century. This was the Regency period, and William Grady committed the most Regency crime in the most Regency place in 1821. Two contemporary views of Hanover Square. Pickpockets not pictured. William Grady was chargedContinue reading “The Amity Convicts – Regency Crimes”
The Discerning Shopper’s Guide to Gympie.
1871 Edition. The go-to man for oyster parties. J Hampson sold fruit, coffee and hot pies, but above all, he sold OYSTERS!!! Bottled oysters, stewed oysters (an acquired taste, presumably), collapsed oysters (what?). Oh, and fresh ones in the shell. That’s a relief. J Hampson was also prepared to cater for Oyster Parties. Whatever thatContinue reading “The Discerning Shopper’s Guide to Gympie.”
The Mystery of the First Convict at Moreton Bay.
Who was John Anderson? The very first entry in the Chronological Register of Convicts at Moreton Bay is that of John Anderson, per Baring 2, making him (technically) the first Moreton Bay convict. John Anderson was described in the Moreton Bay records as being 23 years old, a sailor and sailmaker who hailed from Leeds.Continue reading “The Mystery of the First Convict at Moreton Bay.”
The Meaning of Hard Work.
1880, Gympie, Queensland. A group of 35 men are photographed just before going below ground at the No. 1 North Phoenix mine. Some are quite young, others raw-boned, haggard from years of hard work. The men gaze at the camera warily, wearily. They know that accidents are common in their line of work. If theyContinue reading “The Meaning of Hard Work.”
Moreton Bay elects Colonel Snodgrass.
On this day – 22 August 1848. On 22 August 1848, Colonel Kenneth Snodgrass was elected to represent Moreton Bay in the New South Wales Legislative Council. He was our second ever elected representative after free settlement in 1842. Brisbane turned out to vote in numbers. Small numbers. There were 32 votes for Colonel Snodgrass,Continue reading “Moreton Bay elects Colonel Snodgrass.”
Death at Twelve-Mile Reach.
Before railways and paved roads, the best way to travel between Ipswich and Brisbane was by river. Steamers plied the river, carrying passengers and cargo at what would be to modern eyes, a rather stately pace. Class divides were inescapable. Steamers offered saloons for the better-off, and steerage for the working class. Formal dinners andContinue reading “Death at Twelve-Mile Reach.”
Moreton Bay and More 