Lindersfarne - Episode 2

‘Lindersfarne.’

By

Robert W. Bell.

This is the story of a pioneers journey to live in Buninyong. 1840 to 1914.

Although placed in an historic context, the central character, his background, his property name and his family are all fictitious.

Part 2 of a series.

In Paisley, Scotland, disaster was to strike, with the dreadful accident that befell John Stuart’s father. It was on a gloomy day in late winter 1840, when fog and misty rain obscured James Stuart’s vision and the express coach from Glasgow ran him down, catching him unawares and crushing both his legs and causing internal injuries.

James Stuart lingered for days, before gangrene set in and death came quickly, as at this time this was an untreatable condition. Of great concern was what was John and his mother going to do, they knew that the cottage was owned by the Mill, and were unsure what provision James Stuart had made for them?

After visiting James Stuart’s solicitor in Glasgow, a wonderful surprise was revealed. It was shown that James was not only the Mill Manager, but he was also a shareholder in the mill, and had left a considerable amount of money and assets to John. Because John’s mother was to be welcome at her sister’s house as a live in companion, even though she had both means and a regular endowment payment from the shares, it was only for John to decide what he should do. After dealing with the loss of his father, liaising with their solicitors and banks, and the settling of the many other arrangements, the months had rolled on and it was now August.

Taking board and lodgings in Glasgow to give himself time to consider his situation; the eighteen year old took to exploring his surrounds. He again visited the Tontine where coaches left Glasgow for all parts of the country. He found that in 1758, 274 subscribers, each contributed £25 (on the plan of the Neapolitan, Lorenzo Tonti, whereby the survivor fell heir to the property), and built the Tontine Assembly Rooms. Now that Glasgow largely controlled the tobacco trade, the magnates met daily in an open space in front of the rooms. [Even in 2004 the Tontine Hotel still stands on this site. Auth.]

Walking past Mein’s Hotel John could hardly believe his eyes, there stood Mr. Dennistoun, who was associated with the Clyde Company, and John’s travelling companion from two years earlier. Mr. Dennistoun recognised John and introduced him to Mrs. William Williams (nee Jane Reid) and her travelling companion Miss Patterson.

After exchanging information John expressed a keen desire to travel to Australia and seek his fortune in the newly emerging colony. After consultation with his mother, and the withdrawing of £450.00, John visited many manufacturers, wholesalers and merchants buying up goods suitable for re-sale in the colony. [Prices of household goods in Australia were often three times more than the price in Britain. Auth.] Thus, armed with goods for sale and letters of introduction to various people in the Port Phillip District, John sought passage from Scotland to Australia.

Carefully he examined the shipping reports. Studiously he sought information on the shipping lines, the ships’ Masters and the comfort of the vessels. The end result was his paying £10 for a ticket for himself and his goods to travel on a coastal vessel leaving Greenock on the Clyde for London, where he trans-shipped to the ‘Argyle’.

To be continued …

© Copyright. Robert W. Bell. Buninyong. 2004.