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.”
Tag Archives: Moreton Bay Convict Settlement
The barefoot overseer, the razor, the lash and some pork
Thomas O’Meara’s story. Thomas O’Meara thought Overseer John Bluer was a bit mad. Bluer wore no shoes – except on Sundays – and scurried around a lot, giving incomprehensible orders to the men. Bluer had been relieved of Overseer duties a couple of times – once for leaving two men out in the field whenContinue reading “The barefoot overseer, the razor, the lash and some pork”
