William Warren was born in New Orleans in 1830 and arrived in Australia in 1853 aboard a ship (also) called the New Orleans. While his family and past friends experienced the war between the States, William was in Northern Queensland, eking out a living as a miner, occasionally coming to the attention of theContinue reading “Mug Shots: The Miner from New Orleans”
Mug Shots: Two larcenous lads.
Another sailor on shore in Brisbane in August 1875 was John E. Fincham, aged 20. He was however without a ship and working at a city club as a boot-black. Given that his offence was stealing a coat, it seems appropriate that the unhappy young man is virtually swallowed by the prison jacket. Stealing aContinue reading “Mug Shots: Two larcenous lads.”
Mug Shots: The larcenous clerk.
The photo taken in Brisbane Gaol on 24 May 1875 shows a well-built, slightly perplexed young man with a truly impressive set of whiskers. What could Joseph Arthur Viccars have done to bring him to Boggo Road? Turned up on the doorstep of an old acquaintance from England, claiming to have been shipwrecked, and left with nothing but a cheque forContinue reading “Mug Shots: The larcenous clerk.”
Mr Woodward and the Married Women’s Property Act.
In the 1890, the fifty-fourth year of Queen Victoria’s reign, the Legislative Assembly of the Colony of Queensland passed the Married Women’s Property Act. Similar legislation had already been enacted in the United Kingdom and other Australian Colonies. Prior to this Act, married women did not have the kind of property rights as single women,Continue reading “Mr Woodward and the Married Women’s Property Act.”
Convict Runaways: The life of David Bracewell (Wandi).
In my recent posts on James “Duramboi” Davis, I have referred in passing to David Bracewell (sometimes called Bracefell or Bracefield), known as “Wandi” to the indigenous people of Eumundi. I think now is perhaps a good time to fill in the details. David Bracewell was born in Shadwell, London in 1805 and worked asContinue reading “Convict Runaways: The life of David Bracewell (Wandi).”
Convict Runaways – “Duramboi” Davis Returns.
1842 Several factors combined to bring Duramboi back to Moreton Bay in 1842. His life amongst the indigenous people of the Fraser Coast would have become known to Europeans soon, due to the setting up of sheep stations near his family’s traditional lands. Explorers were mapping the Colony. And the times were changing. 1842 wasContinue reading “Convict Runaways – “Duramboi” Davis Returns.”
Convict Runaways. James “Duramboi” Davis.
This is the first in a series of posts on the life of James Davis or “Duramboi”. The best-known convict absconder from Moreton Bay, he was considered a very bad character in his teens but after 14 years with the indigenous people of the Wide Bay area, went on to be an Interpreter for indigenousContinue reading “Convict Runaways. James “Duramboi” Davis.”
Minor Offences – from the Trial Book of Moreton Bay.
They committed serious crimes and ended up in the Colonies. They reoffended and were sent to Moreton Bay. The prisoners who inhabited the Penal Colony at Moreton Bay between 1824 and 1839 still committed crimes. There were the murderers, who went to Sydney to be tried and almost inevitably found guilty and executed. There wereContinue reading “Minor Offences – from the Trial Book of Moreton Bay.”
The Story of Sedin – murder and riots in the far North.
Two men were executed at Brisbane Gaol on 12 November 1888. They were both foreign-born men trying to make a living in far north Queensland at the time of the northern gold rush. Both had become killers. Edmund Duhamel, a Frenchman working in the gold mine at Croydon, killed his young de facto wife andContinue reading “The Story of Sedin – murder and riots in the far North.”
Snippets: A Remarkable Statement.
Like James Gardner, George Blanton killed the girl he loved. Like James Gardner, George Blanton had been a heavy drinker and this contributed to his violence and his end. Unlike James Gardner, George Blantern confessed immediately, and was deeply remorseful from the instant he had committed the crime. The following is his statement at his sentencing. Continue reading “Snippets: A Remarkable Statement.”
Moreton Bay and More 