On the Fiddle from Scotland to Tasmania 1815 – 1863

The Life and Music of Alexander Laing (1792-1868). Convict, Constable, Fiddler and Composer. 65 Original Melodies Drawn from a Rare Manuscript with Historical Commentary.

Drawing on a rare music manuscript recently discovered by Peter MacFie, On the Fiddle from Scotland to Tasmania 1815-1868 makes available the previously hidden musical legacy of Alexander Laing, Scottish-born soldier, convict, fiddler, composer and constable.

After being transported to New South Wales in 1813, Laing arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania). He died there in 1868, leaving many descendants.

In the context of folk music traditions, the authors examine the musical, historical and cultural significance of Laing’s manuscript in 19th Century Tasmania and Australian history, and reproduce 65 of Laing’s original tunes.

The book consists of two sections: A history by Peter MacFie of Alexander Laing’s life and times in colonial Tasmania seen through the title dedications of the tunes; and a re-transcription of the 65 tunes with added chord accompaniment by musicians Steve Gadd and Marjorie Gadd, who comment on the broader musical significance of the Laing’s work.

Details

Authors	Peter MacFie and Steve & Marjorie Gadd
ISBN	978-0-646-56618-4

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Order online (as below) or if you are in the Hobart area, you might try contact via this website to save postage.

Stock Thieves and Golfers

A History of Kangaroo Bay and Rosny Farm, Tasmania 1803 – 1998

Stock Thieves and Golfers by Peter MacFie

“Stock Thieves & Golfers” explores the social history of Kangaroo Bay & Bellerive in the Clarence Municipality. Starting with stock theft clans and black-markets led by the family of Richard Morgan, other topics include Norfolk Island settlers, Derwent River ferrymen, while the development of Rosny Farm by Judge Montague is followed by emancipist farmer Walter Pedder. During World War I the farm was acquired by the Royal Hobart Golf Club, and the lives of the Club’s greenkeepers are documented, including those of World War I soldier Roy Hankin during the 1930s, followed by Ted Lane post World War II.
Surveyed also is the evolution of the eastern shore from a district of rural farms to beachside shacks and finally to suburban residential locality. This change followed construction of the floating bridge over the Derwent River in 1944 giving access by Clarence residents to Hobart and western shore.

Citation

Stock Thieves and Golfers: a History of Kangaroo Bay and Rosny Farm Tasmania 1803-1998. Peter MacFie, 2002. Published by Clarence City Council.

Details

72 A4 pages. Maps, photographs, plus footnotes, bibliography and detailed index.

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Index

Index for “Stock Thieves and Golfers”

Libraries Tasmania

Libraries Tasmania Catalogue – Stock Thieves and Golfers

Reviews

‘an exemplary local history…’ Chris Bantick, Sunday Tasmanian

Centred on the Kangaroo Point district on the Derwent River where ferries crossed to Hobart until 1944, STOCK THIEVES & GOLFERS traces the evolution of a community from European settlement in 1804 to 2000. The first settlers in the area were mainly former Norfolk Islanders who arrived originally with the First & Second Fleets.

The book focuses initially on the extended family of Richard Morgan, a Norfolk Islanders transferred to VDL c 1806, and with others, were given grants around Kangaroo Bay, now known as Bellerive. Here Morgan built a large stone barn and cottage which survive on a later golf course – hence the title.

Using a network of bushrangers and highly placed officials in the colonial government, Morgan and his relatives became involved in the systematic theft of sheep and cattle in the first 20 years of settlement. The author has identified these and other stock theft ‘clans’ who combined to rob fellow settlers, including other former Norfolk Islanders such as Stanfield and Kimberley. The attraction in livestock theft was due to the guaranteed market offered by the set prices of the Commissariat.

As there was no senior court in VDL until 1823, the most detailed archival records for serious crimes in this period are held in NSW Archives Office. Peter has used these records extensively to uncover the extent of the stock theft industry in the island colony. During this period, both the accused, prosecutor and witness for both sides sailed to Sydney for trial, sometimes on the same ship, which must have made the voyages tension filled. The evidence of witnesses reveal much about early colonial life.

One of Morgan’s adult children, William, was tried and sentenced to death in Sydney’s Court of Criminal Jurisdiction. However, he was reprieved by the arrival of Governor Brisbane, returning to VDL to continue ‘farming.’ Others stock thieves, such as Bentley and Brown, were not so ‘lucky’ and were sentenced to 14 years at the Newcastle Coal Mines.

The early chapters of STOCK THIEVES & GOLFERS covers the inter-relationship of settlement in NSW, Norfolk Is and VDL. Names of other former Norfolk Is and Sydney based settlers recur, and include Ballance, Fisk, Belbin, Wade, Hibbens, Potaskie, Plyer and many others. RW Loane, a merchant with property in NSW and VDL was also implicated in Morgan’s nefarious trade, as was the Rev Robert Knopwood, the colonies first parson.

The last half of the book traces the evolution of the area from farming to recreational retreat seen through the development of Rosny Farm as a Golf Course. The reminiscences of children of former green-keepers are recounted stretching to the early years of the 20th century. This change is also set against the gradual urbanisation of the Eastern Shore, which still retains a distinct identity.

Peter argues that succeeding generations cover the past with ‘masks’ to disguise their family members, and the role of the historian is to unmask the past. The author succeeds ‘admirably.’

STOCK THIEVES & GOLFERS features over 90 illustrations in 77 pages set in large format. There is an detailed index covering names and subjects. Cover, Book Content Design and Production for Stock Thieves and Golfers by Christopher Cowles © 2002.

Port Arthur and Point Puer

Port Arthur, Point Puer and the Wesleyans

From 1824 the Calvinistic Lt Gov George Arthur attempted to reform the convict-centred culture, introducing a nine tiered system of graduated reformation. Architect /engineer John Lee Archer over-saw a wide ranging building program , with churches and schools established in rural Van Diemen’s Land. Arthur introduced a system of nine police districts to control the unruly community, which became the basis for later municipal government. In conjunction with these he established a convict record system to manage his charges – which has become a boon to historians and genealogists.

The British HO was persuaded by George Arthur that the task work system was abolished; in fact it was alive and well at pre-Port Arthur sawing stations.

Government Sawing Establishments of Van Diemen’s Land, 1817-1832

In 1830, Port Arthur Penal Settlement established on Tasman Peninsula replaced the two remote stations- and abolished finally the task work system – only to see a drop in production.

Religion at Port Arthur

As frontier clergy, the Wesleyans attempted to ameliorate the violence of the prison stations. From working class backgrounds like many of the prisoners , the Wesleyans were resented by the established Anglican church which from 1840 began evicting the Wesleyans’ from their “domain” on the Tasman Peninsula. By the end of 1843, the last of the Wesleyans were gone.

The Wesleyans of Port Arthur