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| employees_stores [2024/03/21 22:19] – [Employees at Bromelton Station 1850-1851] judith | employees_stores [2024/06/21 21:15] – judith |
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| All remote property owners, like TLM-P, had to act as store keepers, having supplies of essential goods carted in to be used by the household but also on-sold to employees and travellers. \\ | All remote property owners, like TLM-P, had to act as store keepers, having supplies of essential goods carted in to be used by the household but also on-sold to employees and travellers. \\ |
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| The following is a list of good which were kept at Hawkwood and the price at which they were sold. Unfortunately there is no record of the original cost of the goods nor of the considerable cost of transporting the goods. {{:hawkwood_prices_trimmed_page_20231019_164237.jpg?250|}}\\ | The following is a list of good which were kept at //Hawkwood// and the price at which they were sold. Unfortunately there is no record of the original cost of the goods nor of the considerable cost of transporting the goods. {{:hawkwood_prices_trimmed_page_20231019_164237.jpg?250|}}\\ |
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| While at Rosewood, TLM-P regularly purchased supplies from G.F. Bennet & Co. of Brisbane with the goods carted to the property by George Bennett. Bennett presumably had others to help with the necessary paperwork as he was illiterate, signing with his mark.((pp.18-21)). In 1855, he did business with 'John Conolly store keeper Gayndar'. [[wp>|Gayndah]] is in the North Burnett region. Later at Maroon, many of the goods were purchased from G.H. Wilson of Ipswich. The following is one of the pages is an example: {{:wilson_account_mlmss_3117_box_820231019_150818.jpg?350|}} \\ | While at //Rosewood//, TLM-P regularly purchased supplies from G.F. Bennet & Co. of Brisbane with the goods carted to the property by George Bennett. Bennett presumably had others to help with the necessary paperwork as he was illiterate, signing with his mark.((pp.18-21)). In 1855, he did business with 'John Conolly store keeper Gayndar'. [[wp>|Gayndah]] is in the North Burnett region. Later at //Maroon//, many of the goods were purchased from G.H. Wilson of Ipswich. The following is one of the pages is an example: {{:wilson_account_mlmss_3117_box_820231019_150818.jpg?350|}} \\ |
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| The ledgers follow the social conventions re ethnicity and gender. Neither Indigenous workers nor the wife of an employed couple are named. When a couple was employed, the wage mentioned was for their combined labour. Interestingly, couples had a disadvantage in the labour market as their combined wage tended to be low compared to individual employees. Translated names clearly caused problems especially when it was likely those involved were not literate in English, and TLM-P probably only literate in English and French. If a fellow squatter was mentioned, he was referred to as 'Esq' (esquire).\\ | The ledgers follow the social conventions re ethnicity and gender. Neither Indigenous workers nor the wife of an employed couple are named. When a couple was employed, the wage mentioned was for their combined labour. Interestingly, couples had a disadvantage in the labour market as their combined wage tended to be low compared to individual employees. Translated names clearly caused problems especially when it was likely those involved were not literate in English, and TLM-P probably only literate in English and French. If a fellow squatter was mentioned, he was referred to as 'Esq' (esquire).\\ |
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| The ledgers also showed the dependency of those who were able to select land on or near Maroon. Ezra Harvey was one such who appears heavily reliant on Maroon's stores as the following pages show:{{:ezra_harvey_20231019_133928.jpg?350|}} {{:ezra_harvey_ledger_p.jpg?350|}}\\ | The ledgers also showed the dependency of those who were able to select land on or near //Maroon//. Ezra Harvey was one such who appears heavily reliant on //Maroon//'s stores as the following pages show:{{:ezra_harvey_20231019_133928.jpg?350|}} {{:ezra_harvey_ledger_p.jpg?350|}}\\ |
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| ===== Indigenous workers ===== | ===== Indigenous workers ===== |
| The ledger books that have survived from TLM-P's various properties indicate the lack of power and oppression experienced by Indigenous workers like 'Charlie'. It appears that they were not employed on a regular basis but rather paid on an occasional and casual basis, perhaps fitting in with their obligations as much as TLM-P's needs. Typically, Indigenous workers are not named (and certainly not given their Indigenous name) and any payments are very low. //Hawkwood//'s ledger simply refers to 'Black Boys' giving no names. In //Maroon//'s ledger for 1867-68, for example, an entry under Tom de M. M-P, simply notes that in May 1860 he paid 'Blackboy' 5 shillings.((MLMSS 3117/box 8)) Similarly there is a reference in 1879 of one of the employed stockman paying 'Hughie Black Boy’ 17 shillings.((MLMSS 3117 Box 10, Item 2, pp.6-7)) Note that these payments were made in cash, the only option as it is unlikely a irregularly paid Indigenous worker would be able to open a bank account.\\ | The ledger books that have survived from TLM-P's various properties indicate the lack of power and oppression experienced by Indigenous workers like 'Charlie'. It appears that they were not employed on a regular basis but rather paid on an occasional and casual basis, perhaps fitting in with their obligations as much as TLM-P's needs. Typically, Indigenous workers are not named (and certainly not given their Indigenous name) and any payments are very low. //Hawkwood//'s ledger simply refers to 'Black Boys' giving no names. In //Maroon//'s ledger for 1867-68, for example, an entry under Tom de M. M-P, simply notes that in May 1860 he paid 'Blackboy' 5 shillings.((MLMSS 3117/box 8)) Similarly there is a reference in 1879 of one of the employed stockman paying 'Hughie Black Boy’ 17 shillings.((MLMSS 3117 Box 10, Item 2, pp.6-7)) Note that these payments were made in cash, the only option as it is unlikely a irregularly paid Indigenous worker would be able to open a bank account.\\ |
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| The same pattern is evident when the ledgers list goods sold. Some examples: a page from 1857 listing basic goods sold at Hawkwood's store (clothing and boots etc) lists individuals then simply what was sold to 'Black Boys'((MLMSS 3117/box7x)). Note that calling Indigenous male employees 'boys' persisted well into the late twentieth century. Note too that this page also includes an entry for goods sold to someone just listed as 'Chinaman'. Another example is from //Melcombe// (later called //Maroon//'s) store: white individuals are named (Timothy Daly, James Hooper, John Nalty, Harry McGarvy) then ‘John Black fellow’.((MLMSS 3117/box 8)) Ethnicity was so important that, like class and gender, it had to be made obvious even in a mundane list of goods sold.\\ | The same pattern is evident when the ledgers list goods sold. Some examples: a page from 1857 listing basic goods sold at //Hawkwood//'s store (clothing and boots etc) lists individuals then simply what was sold to 'Black Boys'((MLMSS 3117/box7x)). Note that calling Indigenous male employees 'boys' persisted well into the late twentieth century. Note too that this page also includes an entry for goods sold to someone just listed as 'Chinaman'. Another example is from //Melcombe// (later called //Maroon//'s) store: white individuals are named (Timothy Daly, James Hooper, John Nalty, Harry McGarvy) then ‘John Black fellow’.((MLMSS 3117/box 8)) Ethnicity was so important that, like class and gender, it had to be made obvious even in a mundane list of goods sold.\\ |
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| This pattern of collectively referring to 'blacks' was repeated in Rosa Praed's writings. In her //Australian Life: Black and White// (1885) she describes 'the Blacks... clearing the dead gum-trees' and their camp 'the other side of the creek', with old gunyahs, piccaninnies and card games around camp fires. She also recalls the 'the cracking of a black boy's stock whip' as well the sound of cows being brought in for milking and 'sheep's bells are tinkling'. \\ | This pattern of collectively referring to 'blacks' was repeated in Rosa Praed's writings. In her //Australian Life: Black and White// (1885) she describes 'the Blacks... clearing the dead gum-trees' and their camp 'the other side of the creek', with old gunyahs, piccaninnies and card games around camp fires. She also recalls the 'the cracking of a black boy's stock whip' as well the sound of cows being brought in for milking and 'sheep's bells are tinkling'. \\ |
| This incomplete sample shows that 25 Chinese men were employed from 1848. It is possible that Do Ri, the man assaulted by Dhookee/Dho Ree was also an employee.\\ | This incomplete sample shows that 25 Chinese men were employed from 1848. It is possible that Do Ri, the man assaulted by Dhookee/Dho Ree was also an employee.\\ |
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| The following is a sample page from the Bugrooperia ledger for one of the indentured labourers on Maxine Darnell's list. In addition to his wages, it lists the stores Lye bought. These stores were all basic necessities (soap, mole[skin] trousers, boots, shirts, rice, blanket and a knife): {{:lye_20231019_163058.jpg?400|}}\\ | The following is a sample page from the Hawkwood ledger for a Chinese labourer called Boon. In addition to his wages, it lists the stores Boon bought. These stores were all basic necessities. {{:1856_boon_enhanced_20231019_163122.jpg?500|}}\\ |
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| ==== Rosewood Station 1843-44 ==== | ==== Rosewood Station 1843-44 ==== |
| 8 **Lye** see above under Chinese indentured labourers (Darnell list)\\ | 8 **Lye** see above under Chinese indentured labourers (Darnell list)\\ |
| 9 **Boon** see above under Chinese indentured labourers (Darnell list)\\ | 9 **Boon** see above under Chinese indentured labourers (Darnell list)\\ |
| 10 **? Davies** The entry is unclear but he was the likely person employed at £50 pa.\\ | 10 **H.? Davies** The entry is unclear but he was the likely person employed at £50 pa.\\ |
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| ==== Employees at Bromelton Station 1852-1854 ==== | ==== Employees at Bromelton Station 1852-1854 ==== |
| As usual the ledger also records other transactions, such as buying cattle from James Glennie Esq in 1857. There is also a list of stores purchased in 1855 with a note that the account was settled when Mr Chauvel left Hawkwood.((MLMSS 3117/Box 8)) The index page lists him as A.B.J. Chauvel. The Chauvels had a property //Tabulam// on the Clarence River in northern NSW - see [[wp>Tabulam]]. Charles H. Chauvel from 1883 he lived at Canning Downs South in Queensland and at some unknown stage became 'well-known as a breeder of pure Shorthorns'.((The Brisbane Courier, 18 May 1896, p.4)) TTLM-P's later property //Maroon// also became known for its shorthorns.\\ | As usual the ledger also records other transactions, such as buying cattle from James Glennie Esq in 1857. There is also a list of stores purchased in 1855 with a note that the account was settled when Mr Chauvel left Hawkwood.((MLMSS 3117/Box 8)) The index page lists him as A.B.J. Chauvel. The Chauvels had a property //Tabulam// on the Clarence River in northern NSW - see [[wp>Tabulam]]. Charles H. Chauvel from 1883 he lived at Canning Downs South in Queensland and at some unknown stage became 'well-known as a breeder of pure Shorthorns'.((The Brisbane Courier, 18 May 1896, p.4)) TTLM-P's later property //Maroon// also became known for its shorthorns.\\ |
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| Some of the employees listed are: | Some of the employees listed are: \\ |
| 1 **John Martin**\\ | 1 **John Martin**\\ |
| 2 **Spencer Lambert**\\ | 2 **Spencer Lambert**\\ |
| These ledgers start on 16 August 1864. They (especially the head station //Maroon//) are quite intensive and include information about stores, employees and stock (musters of cattle and horses, list of brands etc) and the large amount of fencing undertaken (including on Tununbah). There are also lists of stores bought from G. H Wilson & Co of Ipswich, an account with Hugh Campbell a blacksmith at Ipswich, and various business transactions with neighbouring stations.((MLMSS Box 8 and 9)) \\ | These ledgers start on 16 August 1864. They (especially the head station //Maroon//) are quite intensive and include information about stores, employees and stock (musters of cattle and horses, list of brands etc) and the large amount of fencing undertaken (including on Tununbah). There are also lists of stores bought from G. H Wilson & Co of Ipswich, an account with Hugh Campbell a blacksmith at Ipswich, and various business transactions with neighbouring stations.((MLMSS Box 8 and 9)) \\ |
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| Employees/contractors mentioned: | Employees/contractors mentioned include the following: |
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| 1 **Henry (Harry) McGeary** Stockman had been employed by the Bank of Australasia when it took over the property at 26/6 per month until 11 March 1865. He was re-employed as a stockman in June 1865. By January 1866 he was employed as a stockman at £1 per week.\\ | 1 **Henry (Harry) McGeary** Stockman had been employed by the Bank of Australasia when it took over the property at 26/6 per month until 11 March 1865. He was re-employed as a stockman in June 1865. By January 1866 he was employed as a stockman at £1 per week.\\ |
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| ==== Maroon/Rathdowney/[and Brisbane] ledger from 1865 ==== | ==== Maroon/Rathdowney/[and Brisbane] ledger from 1865 ==== |
| The following information is from a different and tatty-looking ledger though the dates appear to overlap. The cover is shown here: {{:20231030_140913_1_.jpg?250|}}((MLMSS3117/Box 9)) There is the usual amount of information including details of employees, dealings with other stations and payments made to local businesses. Blacksmiths were vital and a number used, e.g Mr James Toohey, in April 1866; Messrs W.A. Mclean in August 1866 and Hugh Campbell in October 1866.)\ | The following information is from a different and tatty-looking ledger though the dates appear to overlap. The cover is shown here: {{:20231030_140913_1_.jpg?250|}}((MLMSS3117/Box 9))\\ |
| | There is the usual amount of information including details of employees, dealings with other stations and payments made to local businesses. Blacksmiths were vital and a number used, e.g Mr James Toohey, in April 1866; Messrs W.A. Mclean in August 1866 and Hugh Campbell in October 1866.)\\ |
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| | Some of the people listed are:\\ |
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| 1 **James Harper** (check if employee or stores)\\ | 1 **James Harper** (check if employee or stores)\\ |