One event dominated the news on 20 March 1847 – the recent wreck of the steamer Sovereign, and the loss of 44 lives. The murders of Andrew Gregor and Mary Shannon six months earlier still haunted the Courier and its readers. Page 1 The front page was, as usual, the place for advertising. First, MrContinue reading “The Latest News for March 20 (1847)”
Tag Archives: Indigenous deaths
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”
February 4, 1862: Kipper Billy and Billy Horton sentenced to death
In January 1862, near Ipswich, a woman named Mrs Jane Rae was assaulted, probably sexually, on the banks of the river, as she did the family wash. When her grown son came to her aid, she stated that a number of indigenous men had been responsible, although none were about when he found her. SheContinue reading “February 4, 1862: Kipper Billy and Billy Horton sentenced to death”
Death on the Pine River – September 11, 1847
On 11 September 1847, three men working as sawyers on the Pine River came under attack from a group of indigenous people who were armed with spears and waddies. William Waller and William Boller died, and James Smith was injured, but survived to give evidence to the Coroner. James Smith was working a two-man sawContinue reading “Death on the Pine River – September 11, 1847”
Murder at Mount Lindesay – the trial of Merridio and Nengavil.
On June 15 1840 Dr Ballow gave his report on oath to Commandant Gorman, and a week later, having reviewed the evidence thus far, Gorman issued an order to apprehend the men believed to be responsible for the deaths of Stapylton and Tuck, and the attempted murder of Dunlop. Colony of New South Wales, toContinue reading “Murder at Mount Lindesay – the trial of Merridio and Nengavil.”
From the Trial Book of Moreton Bay – Indigenous people
For millennia, the indigenous people of Moreton Bay lived in and travelled about their country without external disruption. There had been the occasional sighting of ships in the distance, a surveying boat now and then, and a few brief sightings of Europeans, but they had not had their lands entirely taken over. The establishment ofContinue reading “From the Trial Book of Moreton Bay – Indigenous people”
From the Trial Book of Moreton Bay: Inquests.
The Book of Trials Held at Moreton Bay is an invaluable document, covering the final years of the convict settlement, and recording each action held before the Commandant sitting as Magistrate. Recorded in flowing longhand, every type of crime was dealt with – from the seemingly endless cases of “Refusing to do Work” to CommittalContinue reading “From the Trial Book of Moreton Bay: Inquests.”
Moreton Bay and More 