The Sketch Map of Brisbane Town in 1844, and the stories behind it. A rough, sketched map of Brisbane town in 1844 reposes in the John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. It is attributed to Carl Friedrich Gerler, who arrived in Brisbane as a missionary to the Zion Hill establishment in 1844. The buildingsContinue reading “Who Lives in a Place Like This? Part 1.”
Tag Archives: Moreton Bay
Census Time in Colonial Brisbane
Imagine being a Census collector in the 19th century – particularly in the vast but sparsely populated Colony of Queensland. Travelling by road and river to remote hamlets, shepherd’s huts and stations in all weathers and probably at some personal risk, in order to determine who lived where, who did what, and what were theirContinue reading “Census Time in Colonial Brisbane”
Pioneer Life in the 1870s – the William Boag Photographs
In 1871, a photographer named William Boag arrived in the Colony of Queensland, and took his camera and portable darkroom on the road, exploring Brisbane and surrounds, then venturing south-west to Stanthorpe in 1872. Boag had previous experience in studio photography in Sydney, but it was out on the road, capturing people and places thatContinue reading “Pioneer Life in the 1870s – the William Boag Photographs”
Classifieds in Old Brisbane Town
Newspaper classified advertisements can provide an invaluable insight into the wants and needs of a time and place. Some are utterly inexplicable to modern readers. Here’s a selection from various decades. THE EARLY YEARS Wants and needs were pretty basic in the first decade of free settlement. Trade, buildings, getting the mail. The Experiment wasContinue reading “Classifieds in Old Brisbane Town”
From Kangaroo Point to the Mountstuart Elphinstone
As seen by the Windmill Reporter, 3 November 1849. Our Windmill Reporter was a regular feature in the early days of the Moreton Bay Courier. Claiming to reside in the Old Windmill in Spring Hill, the writer observed local growth and progress. In this dispatch, the author notes the first signs of civilisation at KangarooContinue reading “From Kangaroo Point to the Mountstuart Elphinstone”
The Convict Pirates of Norfolk Island Seize the Barque Lady Franklin.
A Piratical seizure, a journey to the south seas, a court martial and a decades-long international manhunt. In December 1853, the last of the Norfolk Island Pirates, already under sentence for their misdeeds in Moreton Bay, faced the Court at Hobart Town and pleaded guilty to stealing the launch at Norfolk Island. Property of HerContinue reading “The Convict Pirates of Norfolk Island Seize the Barque Lady Franklin.”
February 15, 1851 – Patagonia survivors reach Brisbane
The Patagonia, a British Brig of 323 tons was on a routine cargo run from Sydney to Manilla in what was then the Spanish East Indies. There was a small crew and a cargo of coal on board. On February 05 1851, the vessel struck Bond’s Reef just off New Caledonia and could not beContinue reading “February 15, 1851 – Patagonia survivors reach Brisbane”
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”
“Eels very large.” Major Lockyer arrives in Moreton Bay – 06 September 1825
THE BRISBANE RIVER. Major Lockyer returned to Headquarters, on the Mermaid cutter, on Sunday last, from his arduous survey of the above valuable River at Moreton bay. This Gentleman very kindly put into our hands an Extract of his Official Report that evening, after our Paper was completed, but a detention of course took place,Continue reading ““Eels very large.” Major Lockyer arrives in Moreton Bay – 06 September 1825″
Oxley returns to the Bay- 02 September 1824
1824: Oxley establishes a settlement at Redcliffe MORETON BAY. It will be remembered that the brig Amity left this port on the 2d September for the purpose of forming an establishment, under the command of Lieutenant Miller, 40th Regt. in Moreton Bay, at which place she arrived on the 12th. It is intended to haveContinue reading “Oxley returns to the Bay- 02 September 1824”
Moreton Bay and More 