19th Century News
Newspaper articles and advertisements that offer insights into life in Bothwell during the 1800s.
Sources Used: TROVE. Images. National Library of Australia. https://trove.nla.gov.au; FamilySearch: Australia, Tasmania, Government Gazette, 1833-1925. Images. https://www.familysearch.org.
TO BLACKSMITHS - 11 February 1826
A FREE BLACKSMITH, of good Character, who understands his Business, particularly Shoeing of Horses, and making and repairing Agricultural Implements, will find sufficient Employment by establishing himself in the Township of the Upper Clyde, where he will be entitled to a Location. He will receive the support of the Settlers in general, who will assist him in erecting a House, and otherwise afford him facilities to enable him to carry on his Trade to advantage. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/879145
FROM A CORRESPONDENT - 15 December 1826
The cart of G. Thompson, Esq. J.P. was robbed last week, within five feet of Mr Reid's window, at Bothwell. Mr Scott's house was attacked on the 30th of November. The windows having been forced, the villains endeavoured to take away several trunks and cases, but on Messrs McRra and Campbell coming to the window, two shots were fired at them, and the robbers retreated, probably fearing that the sentries, who were within 500 yards, would hear them. On Sunday, the 3d of December, the house of Mr Reid, at Bothwell, was robbed of two bags of sugar (Government property), one firkin of butter, a case of spirits, a large quantity of Edinburgh ale, and a variety of other articles. What is very extraordinary is that the Magistrates of the district, although a clue to one of the robberies was afforded, took no information upon oath, and it is generally supposed that the security of these robbers, in a great measure, exists in the inefficiency of the Constabulary of the neighbourhood. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2449090
BOTHWELL - 2 February 1828
We have now a very neat gaol built here, and very good barracks, and we are about to build a chapel. An inn is also about commencing in the township, which is very rapidly increasing in size and importance. We have mechanics of all kinds in it, and we want only a good road to be made between this and the Green Ponds. If the government would give us a small gang to put on it, we would all join in assisting, but without the help of government it is too much for us to attempt. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4224708
UPPER CLYDE - 1 March 1828
February 21. The thermometer was this day at 83 degrees of Fahrenheit, in the shade. We had a visit last week from the Rev. Mr Robinson, in his official capacity. He delivered a very impressive sermon at Bothwell, to a congregation of about 130. We learn he will continue his visits quarterly until a clergyman for the district be appointed. We are very much at a loss for a resident surgeon, and look to every Gazette for the appointment of one for this district. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4223882
THE COUNTRY POST - 18 May 1828
The Venerable Archdeacon preached at the Clyde on Sunday and marked out the site for a chapel to be built in Bothwell. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4222453
SLY GROG SELLING - 23 May 1828
Mr Axford (late District Constable), was convicted at Bothwell, Upper Clyde, on Wednesday the 14th instant, by the Magistrate, Lieut. Williams and Capt. Clark, of sly grog selling, on his own confession, and fined the full penalty of £50. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/233095593
BOTHWELL - 4 July 1828
On the evening of the 11th ult., the men's hut, belonging to Mr McDowall, Upper Clyde, was feloniously entered, while the men were at supper, and robbed of two boxes containing the men's best clothes, a few pairs corded trousers, several handkerchiefs, jackets, hats, and a number of other articles. A person is now in custody at Bothwell on suspicion of being concerned in the robbery.
On Saturday the 21st ult., the house of Mr Nicholas, Upper Clyde, was entered by a window, in the night, and robbed of a mahogany brass mounted writing desk, and a silver watch. The desk contained a number of papers of importance to the owner, although of no use to any other person.
On Wednesday the 18th ult., Mr Axford of the Upper Clyde, was convicted before Lieut. Williams and Capt. Clark, the Magistrates at Bothwell, for illegally retailing wine, and fined in the mitigated penalty of £26 and costs. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/233095664
PLOUGH & HARROW INN - 3 August 1828
The Magistrates, we understand, intend to license at the approaching day, an inn at Bothwell, to be the Plough and Harrow, from which the visitors may roll home in the evening. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4221493
NORWOOD INN - 11 October 1828
CLYDE, BOTHWELL. John Vincent begs most respectfully to inform his friends and the public generally, that having obtained a license he has opened the above Inn, for the accommodation of Travellers, with a choice selection of the best Spirits, Wines, Porter, &c., and trusts by strict attention, cleanliness and punctuality to business, to merit a share of the public patronage. Stabling and Stock Yards, with every other accommodation for travellers. Likewise, J. V. has opened a Store, where the public may be supplied with Tea, Sugar, Tobacco, Slops of every description, Prints, Calicoes, &c., &c. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4220595
THE COUNTRY POST - 28 March 1829
CLYDE. In making a tour through the country last week I visited the Upper Clyde, Bothwell, on my return home, and was struck with the improvements in that settlement since my last visit there. Mr Vincent, who keeps the inn at Norwood, has built a good brick house, forty feet by forty-two for an inn. The house contains ten rooms, with out-buildings, and is two stories high. In my travels from Hobart town to Launceston, I found no house to equal it, for I find that other settlers at Bothwell are about erecting brick buildings, seeing such a pattern in for them. Doctor Sharland has been appointed District Surgeon, and government is about to erect a brick building for his reception. Many large buildings are now going on. Mr Axford has commenced a brick building close to his flour mill. Mr Garrett preaches regularly at Bothwell every Sunday. Mr Sharland, the Assistant Surveyor is still at Bothwell, busily employed in measuring grants. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4217505
BOTHWELL - 9 May 1829
May 1. It affords me much satisfaction to learn that in consequence of a Memorial presented by the inhabitants of the Clyde district, to His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, praying that the Rev. James Garrett be their clergyman at Bothwell, he has been pleased to express his concurrence, and to recommend to the Home Government that the usual salary allowed to Presbyterian clergymen be allowed to him, the inhabitants there having already agreed to subscribe a similar amount.
We likewise understand that His Excellency has expressed himself very favourably on the subject, and has promised to do all in his power in furtherance of so desirable an object, as respects the erection of a place of worship and parsonage for Mr Garrett, who proposes devoting a portion of his leisure hours in superintending the education of a limited number of gentlemen, so soon as he has sufficient accommodation to receive them. In the meantime, the reverend gentleman enters upon the discharge of his official duties at Bothwell on Sunday the 17th of May. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4216614/642017
PROOF OF FERTILITY - 23 May 1829
As a proof of the fertility of the soil of this island, there were grown this season on the farm of Mr McDowall, upper Clyde, field turnips of the white globe species, weighing 30 to 40 lb. One of these in particular weighed 55 lbs, and measured four-feet five inches in circumference. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4216434