Category Archive

Erskine – the greatest Advocate of all, Thomas Erskine (1750-1823), was the youngest son of the Earl of Buchan. He was educated at Edinburgh High School and St. Andrew’s University, and after some years in the Navy and Army, he took up law, was admitted to the English Bar in 1771 and soon won renown. When his speech as Junior Counsel for the defence in his first libel suit won a verdict of “Not Guilty”, he was flooded with briefs and never looked back. His defence of John Stockdale, a bookseller charged with selling a libellous pamphlet, is regarded as a monument in the literature of English freedom. His conduct of the case against Lord George Gordon, accused of instigating the Gordon riots (1780), substantially destroyed the doctrine of constructive treason in English Law. His prominent role in Brougham’s defence of Queen Caroline, in the divorce suit brought against her by George IV, also gained him wide acclaim. He appeared in the most important cases on the disruption of commerce caused by war with France and did much to mould English commercial law. For 20 years he reigned as leading defender of popular liberties and constitutional rights, with matchless skill in …

Robert Fleming was born in 1804 in Edinburgh, Scotland to parents Thomas and Janet Fleming. Robert and his wife sailed on board the ship Dunmmore and arrived in Hobart early in 1831 (1) with child. Robert resigned from the Tasmanian Police Force 19th April 1836. (2) The Fleming’s lived in the Launceston area of Tasmania and had 3 more children before they left Tasmania and came to Melbourne around 1836/7. Robert and Janet Fleming gave birth to their next child at Campbellfield just north of Melbourne in 1837 and an additional 5 more children afterwards as they settled in the new colony. Robert Fleming was a paid subscriber to the Scots Church of Melbourne in 1841.(3) PIONEER BUTCHER  Robert “Bob” Fleming, one of the first colonists, seeing that there was sufficient of the Flat available for grazing, fattening and slaughtering stock, settled down there and began the business of retailing meat for the early Melbournian’s table. As a compliment to this pioneer butcher, the hamlet and the road leading to it were called “Flemington”. It was only some years later that the name was extended to the racecourse.(4) Robert Fleming is buried with wife Janet, both of whom were early …

Hugh Gracie, a native of Glen Luce, one of the prettiest villages in Galloway on the west coast of Scotland. After working for a as a journeyman joiner in Liverpool, England, he came out to Brisbane in 1851. Finding wages little, if any, better than at home, he moved into New South Wales, working for 12s.6d. ($1.25) a day. Hearing that he could do better for himself in Victoria, he came to North Melbourne in January 1853. For a year he worked on wages, 20s. ($2) to 35s. ($3.50) a day. Then he began as a building contractor in a small way. The lure of gold took him off to the diggings, but he had no luck. He settled in Beechworth for a short time, and then returned to North Melbourne. In 1860 he caught the “yellow fever” again and joined the rush to the New Zealand goldfields, where he struggled on for two years without luck. He returned to North Melbourne, to remain there for the rest of his life. His contracting business prospered so well that, in 1870, he was able to buy Lee’s timber yard on the corner of Victoria and Chetwvnd streets, North Melbourne. It was …

William Clark Haines [first Chief secretary (Premier) of Victoria] was born at Hampstead, England, graduated at Cambridge, and practiced surgery in England for some years. He came to Victoria in 1841 and took up land in the Barrabool Hills near Geelong. In 1850 he left the land, dividing his 2849 acres into 49 farms. He was a government nominee in the first Legislative Council, Governor Hotham praised him highly for his loyal and dedicated service as a senior official. He became a member of the first Legislative Assembly under the constitution of 1855, and was twice, Premier of Victoria. Haines always resisted the hold of the squatters on crown lands; opposed the secret ballot claiming it would mask, rather than prevent bribery, reluctantly yielded to the demand for manhood suffrage, encourage assisted immigration, advocated a national bank and held that education should be the work of the people themselves, financed by local rates, and government grants and preferably dominated by the churches. One journal of the day said he was a patient, affable, jovial man, of no brilliant talents, but because of his undoubted integrity, a man of immense weight of character, lacking however, decisiveness and originality. Haines was a …

George Harker was born at Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire. Trained as a chemist, he was dispenser to a surgeon in Leeds for a while, and then set up his own pharmacy in Prescot near Liverpool, where he was also treasurer of the Anti-Corn-Law League. He came to Victoria in 1846 and until 1850 had a farm on the Heidelberg Road. He gave up farming to join his brother Thomas in a grain and produce business in Melbourne. He did so well that by 1856 he was able to leave the business and devote himself to public work. Collingwood elected him to the first Legislative Assembly (1856), and he was Treasurer in the 1858-59 ministry. He followed an independent course in politics, voting Liberal at one time and Conservative at another. The results was that he was in and out Parliament, Collingwood sending him back twice. Harker was violently opposed to State aid to religion, protection and to the latter involving him in many sectarian squabbles. He worked hard, but without success, for the payment of members. He served on several Royal Commissions and was a member of the Board of Education. Harker was active in promoting and developing local companies, one …

Sir Charles Hotham hailed from Suffolk, England. His record of naval and diplomatic achievements made his appointment as Lt. Governor in 1853 an impressive one. He was welcomed with great popular acclaim but it did not last. His heart was in the navy, though he did not let this affect the performance of what he considered his vice-regal duties. The trouble was that he never understood his position as governor of a colony on the eve of responsible government. He did much to reform government finance; but his democratic tendencies, upset the propertied classes. His high-handed treatment of the Executive Council, and his unwillingness to delegate affairs to officials even openly disparaging some of the more capable of them, awakened deep resentment. Obstinate and secretive with it all, his popularity waned. What was left of it collapsed with his inept handling of the goldfield troubles. Exhausted by hard work, much of which he could and should have spared himself, his health failed. He caught a chill while opening the Melbourne Gasworks on December 17, 1855 and died a fortnight later.(2) Hotham Place North Melbourne was named in his honor. (3) Source. (1) Lithograph by James Henry Lynch, printed by Day …

Born in 1794 at Southhampton England to parents Richard and Sarah Howard. In 1839 Charles Howard was assistant commissary general of the new colony of Port Phillip. His job was to superintend the supply of rations. On November 6 the same year the foundation stone of St. James’ Church was laid on the south-west corner of Collins and William Streets — Howard was treasurer of the building committee. It was a bold venture for Melbourne’s Anglican pioneers. Robert Russell’s plan was “on an almost visionary scale”. Money was hard to get and skilled tradesmen were few. Unknown and untried materials had to be used, and many laughed the plan to scorn. Tension between architect and committee set in early and mounted quickly. The building was not completed until 1851. Two years later large sums had to be found for repairs and additions, making the total cost £10,415 ($20.830). A huge sum in those days. Howard had many headaches, but the result was worth it – “one of Melbourne’s proudest possessions. Its finest example of Colonial Georgian architecture” (Freeland). After many trials the church was remoed to King Street, where it stands in dignity and respect, flanking the Flagstaff Gardens. In 1852, …

Granville George Leveson-Gower was born in London, the eldest son of Granville Leveson-Gower, 1st Earl Granville, and Lady Harriet Cavendish, daughter of William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire. The Great Exhibition of 1851 in London was suggested by Prince Consort Albert in 1849. Its promotion was undertaken by George Leveson-Gower, Earl Granville. The success he made of it won him a seat in the Cabinet. He became the Queen’s favorite Liberal minister and the brilliant intermediary between her and Gladstone. His name was loudly applauded overseas. When certain blocks of land were sold in Hotham early in September, 1852, the street running South to North between them was called Leveson Street North Melbourne, it was the only street of that name in Greater Melbourne.(1) Source. (1) Northern Advertiser, 27/7/1972. Blanchard collection, “What’s in a Name” at North Melbourne Library.

Thomas Bahington Macaulay was of Hebridean stock. For seven years he represented Edinburgh in the House of Commons, where he sat in Lord Melbourne’s Cabinet. He was a prolific contributor to the Edinburgh Review, which was widely read in the colonies. His History of England, a classic in spite of defects and a phenomenal best seller, was an invigorating tonic for battling colonists. It did what Macaulay said it would do —inspired hope. Macaulay Road North Melbourne was named in his honor. Source. (1) Northern Advertiser, May 10, 1973. Blanchard collection, “What’s in a Name” at North Melbourne Library.