THE YEARS 1853-1854:

Walter lived relatively quietly for the first couple of years living in Hobart.

Newspaper Reports:

The Colonial Times Sat 13 Aug 1853 p4

Wanted: A Respectable Female as a general Servant, to whom liberal wages will be given. Apply to Mrs Walter Butler, New Town Road.

A further advertisement advertised Walter’s schooner the 'Red Rover', which was repeated several times and was sold shortly after:

Colonial Times Tues 28 Feb 1854 p1

FOR SALE, FREIGHT, or CHARTER- the well-known schooner RED ROVER, 90 tons burthen.

Apply to Walter Butler. Colonial Times Office.

On 15 June 1854, Walter served on a jury. (Colonial Times, Thurs 15 June 1854 p2)

Walter Butler, New Town Road, merchant, was one of hundreds of signatories to a petition addressed to the Queen, objecting to the appointment of the new Chief Justice, and requesting the appointment of Mr Justice Horne who had held his office as Puisne Judge for six years with great integrity, and pointing out that the position of Chief Justice was usually filled by the Puisne Judge. (Colonial Times, Wed 6 Sept 1854, pp.1,2.3)

The birth of Walter and Frances’s last child was reported in The Colonial Times (Sat 4 March 1854 p2):

BIRTH- On the 5^th ultimo, at Newbury House, New Town Road, Mrs Walter Butler of a son.

THE YEAR 1855:

Newspaper Reports:

The first newspaper report is in ‘The Courier’ 20 March 1855, which reported on the St Patrick’s Day Anniversary Dinner, during which there were many speeches extolling the memories of Ireland and its exiled heroes through the centuries, such as ‘Butler’ and Sarsfield (relating to the Battle of the Boyne in 1691). For one of the toasts, the health of the visitors was acknowledged “on his own and in their behalf by Walter Butler, Esq., who, during a short sojourn of two years in the colony, had witnessed such a development of good feeling amongst many of those whom he saw around him, and was withal so pleased with the country generally, that it was with extreme satisfaction he has been present at the entertainment.”

This was followed a few days later in the ‘Hobarton Mercury’ on 23 March 1855, with a curious entry in the real estate market that appears to have been an error:

Commercial Intelligence:

The last week has been comparatively a busy one with the auctioneers and a considerable amount of property has been brought to the hammer. The same apathy or want of means, which we noticed a fortnight ago, still prevails with respect to large properties, which have been bought in (ie passed in).

The following account of the sales of one firm, Messrs Worley and Frodham, will plainly show this:

Windsor Park, the property of Mr Walter Butler, New Town, bought in at £2,700.

This property was a magnificent property four miles north of Hobart on 36 acres of land. However, it does not appear to have belonged to Walter. Several large adverts for Windsor Park appear in the newspaper from February onwards in 1855, and when passed in, re-appear in the 1857 papers, all naming the owner as 'Edward Butler Esq'. Whether this was the Edward Butler who may have been in partnership with Walter in Launceston in 1833 is unknown. It is a strange mistake for a newspaper to make, and there was no correction made in follow-up newspapers.

(NB a painting of Windsor Park c.1855 can be viewed in the Photo Archives at the State Library of Tasmania website)

The Hobarton Mercury 16 May 1855 has a report on the Commissioners Report re Claims to Grants of Land in the Suburbs of Hobart Town. When describing one block, it describes that is bounded “N westerly along part of Audly-place occupied by or belonged to Walter Butler”. This gives us the exact location of the property.

A few months earlier, in the ‘Hobarton Mercury’ 2 January 1855, a burglary was reported at the residence of Mrs M. A. Macdougall (Walter’s sister Mary Ann), in Audley-street, New Town Road, “stealing therefrom a silver sugar basin, some silver forks, spoons, and other articles. A son of Mrs Macdougall’s proved the burglarious entry and the loss of the property, and a person named Carroll, residing in Collins-street, stated that the prisoner (James Taylor) left the things in a bundle at his house, for a man named Trout; when Carroll discovered the miscellaneous character of the contents, he delivered them to the police, and gave such information as led to the apprehension of the prisoner.”

The fact that Mary Ann was also living in Audley-street, a month before her remarriage to Kenric Brodribb in Melbourne, suggests she was living at Walter’s property.

The Colonial Times Fri 7 Dec 1855 p2

Court of Requests Thurs Dec 6

Before Joseph H…, Esq., Commissioner

Fletcher V Butler

A claim of ₤3. 3s. for a quarter’s instruction to Miss Butler by Mrs Fletcher of the New Town Road.

Mr Fletcher offered himself as a witness.

Mr Butler said he removed his daughter from the school through gross inattention, as only 2 hours instruction from ten to twelve daily.

Plaintiff was non suited.

The Colonial Times Thurs 27 Dec 1855 p1; and Fri 13 June 1856 p3

Masonic Lodge Room Argyle Street

The Anniversary of St John The Evangelist (2^nd- The Festival of St John the Baptist) will be celebrated by the Brethren of Tasmanian Operative Lodge No. 3,4,5, in the usual manner. Tickers can be obtained of the Secretary and the following Brethren who have been appointed Stewards on the occasion viz. Brother Walter Butler etc.

On 25 July 1855, Walter Butler served on a jury again.

(Colonial Times Wed 25 July 1855 p3)

contact butler1802 @hotmail.com (no spaces)

Link back to Introduction chapter:http://butlerfamilyhistoryaus.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/walter-butler-introduction.html

Walter Butler (c.1807-1870)- the life of a 'currency' lad born in the colony of NSW

Wednesday 22 August 2012

Walter Butler- Ch. 15: Hobart- Years 1853-1855

THE YEARS 1853-1854:

Newspaper Reports:

THE YEAR 1855:

Newspaper Reports: