"Jugyong" Gilmore
Thomas (1st) BOYD - 1798 - 1885.Property Details:
Thomas BOYD was born in Dublin, Ireland
Robert BOYD, a Blacksmith, & Ellen QUINN.
1885 - The family's story is quite intriguing, so make this page one of your stops.
Thomas died on the 27th of June 1885 at 'Windowie', in a bark hut not far from Tumut itself in the Tumut Valley. He was 86 years of age having lived almost 10 years longer than his wife Ellen who died on the 6th of September 1885 at Gilmore, NSW.
1885 - Death of Boyd, The Explorer. - (BY TELEGRAPH. FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.) TUMUT, Mondav. - Thomas Boyd, the first white man who crossed the Murray, and the last surviving member of Hume and Hovell's exploring party, died on Friday night. The deceased, who was a native of Dublin, was once a prosperous grazier, but through unavoidable misfortunes he lost everything. Sometime ago he received a gratuity of £50 from the New South Wales Government, but never received the amount promised by tbe Victorian Minister at the Albury banquet on the occasion of the opening of the intercolonial railway. Boyd died in a miserable bark hut, attended by a married daughter, and a friend here guaranteed his funeral expenses. Boyd was an honorable man, and a good specimen of the old Australian pioneer. He had resided at Gilmore, in this neighbourhood, for the last 57 years, and at the time of his death was in his 88th year. - (Ref- Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW : 1870 - 1907)(about) Previous issue Saturday 4 July 1885).
1885 - OLD TOM BOYD. - - Old Tom Boyd, of whom a portrait appeal's on the first page of the BULLETIN, died the other day at Tumut, wretchedly poor. He was the first white man who crossed the Murray with Hume and Hovell's expedition, in 1824, of which he was the last survivor. He was a native of Dublin, and was once a prosperous grazier, but through unavoidable misfortunes, lost everything. Some time ago, he received a gratuity of £50 from the N.S.W. Government, but he never got the amount promised by the Victorian "Minister at the Albury railway opening celebration, in June, 1883. His last hours were passed in a miserable bark hut, under the care of his married daughter ; his funeral expenses were paid by a kind-hearted Tumut friend. The poor fellow was an honourable man, and a good specimen of the old Australian pioneer. He had resided at Gilmore for the last 57 years, and at the time of his death was in his 88th year. His appearance at the Albury railway festival was thus described at the time in these columns;
1935 - FIFTY YEARS AGO - (From the 'Courier,' Friday, June 29, 1885.)
Thomas Boyd, who was the first man who crossed the Murray River, and the last surviving member of Hume and Holt's exploring party, died near Tumut on Friday night at the age of 87. He was poverty-stricken in his declining days. - (Ref- The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. 1933 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Monday 1 July 1935).
Thomas and Ellen are buried in the Tumut Pioneer Cemetery, Adelong Road, Tumut, NSW.
In the 1920s the Tumut Council decided to erect a Memorial Headtsone to Thomas BOYD at the Tumut Pioneer Cemetery at the place where Thomas was buried. It was erected in gratitude to Thomas, for it was he who helped blaze the trail through the unknown that opened up the area to where Tumut now lies.
At the centenary celebrations In Tumut on Monday a monument erected over the grave of Thomas Boyd, who formed one of the party of the Hume-Hovell expedition, which arrived at Tumut on November 1, 1824, was unveiled In the local cemetery, where the remains of Boyd were interred in August, 1885. Amongst the speakers at the function were several who had lived for many years close beside Boyd in the Gilmore Valley, near Tumut. One of whom, Mr. R. J. Benson, read some stories told by Boyd in reference to the famous tour.
One was that when they reached the Murray River, close to where Albury now stands, it was at once seen that great difficulty would be experienced in crossing the great stream. Mr. Boyd, being an exceptionally strong swimmer, pulled off his clothes and swam the river to test the strength of the current, and thus gained the honour of being the first white man to swim the Murray. - (Ref- The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Thursday 6 November 1924).
In Thomas' youth, Catholics were oppressed, consequently, able bodied men formed bands to retaliate. They way laid the Authorities where and when they could, stripped them of their possessions and drove off the horses.
It appears, that on one of these raids, Thomas BOYD was taken and was subsequently sentenced to death for 'Highway Treason',although years later he told family members that he was merely returning home from Church when he was captured.
Through the influence of relatives this sentence was reduced to a 'LIFE' sentence of Transportation to the Australian Penal Colony of New South Wales.
His 'Convict Indent' states that Thomas was convicted on the 16th of July 1821 in the County of Dublin, that being his native place. He was a 'Ploughman' by calling and aged 22 years. He was 5'9"tall, freckled complexion with light brown hair, hazel eyes and a stout build.
1822 - Thomas came to Australia aboard the 'Isabella' (2) which embarked from Cork on the 4th of November 1821 and arrived 4 months and 4 days later in Sydney Cove on the 14th of March 1822.
Upon arrival in Australia he was assigned to his kinsman, John KENNEDY, and then to KENNEDY's sister, Mrs.BROUGHTON of George's Plains.
1824 - Through Hamilton HUME, Thomas was given a place in the 'Hume & Hovell Expedition' to Port Philip bay in 1824 as one of HOVELL's men. It was said that next to HUME himself, Thomas BOYD was the most valuable member of the expedition.
1824 - Thomas has a claim to fame of being accepted as the first white man to swim accross the Murray River onto Victorian soil which occurred when he swam the Murray with a piece of rope between his teeth which was then used to transport the gear over the River. Thomas was reknowned for being a very good swimmer.
1848 - Boyd Thomas. Name of run, "Jujyong", in Gilmore. Estimated area, twelve thousand four hundred acres. Estimated grazing capabilities, eight hundred cattle or five thousand sheep. Bounded on the north-east by the Gilmore Creek, extending along that creek one mile and a half from Mr Robert Broughton's fence, on the north west a line from Mr Broughton's fence to the Adelong Creek about four miles to the Windelga Range, on the south west by the Adelong Creek from the Windelga Range six miles up the creek, on the south east by a line from the upper end of the mile and a half over to the Adelong, being about south five miles.- (Ref- The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Thursday 12 October 1848).
1839 - UNCLAIMED LETTERS. - LIST of unclaimed Letters-for the month of December, 1839 :– Thomas Boyd, Tumut River; - (Ref- The Colonist (Sydney, NSW : 1835 - 1840)(about) Previous issue Saturday 1 February 1840).
1857TUESDAY, MARCH 31. (Before his Honor, Mr. Justice Dickinson.) Broughton v. Boyd.
The parties are holders of neighbouring stations in the Murrumbidgee district, and this notion was brought to recover damages for trespass by defendant out lands in the occupation of the plaintiff,
The Solicitor-General and Mr. Faucett (Spain Young, attorneys) appeared for the plaintiff; Messrs. Isaacs and Huller (instructed by Mr. C Allman) for the defendant.
The declaration stated that on the lst of July, and on other days and times between tim rind the commencement of this suit, the defenendant entered into and entered certain lands of the plaintiff; Cadarra, and depastured the same with sheep, cattle and horses, and consumed the water and grass there and thereby the cattle, etc, of the plaintiff, being the said land, were greatly dispersed, and scattered, impoverished, and diminished in value, and plaintiff was prevented from having the full enjoyment his land, &c. Damages were laid at £000. .
The defendant' paid £30 into court; as full compenstion for all injuries sustained by the plaintiff with rOj to the trespasses in the declaration mentioned.
Mr Broughton deposed that defendant was in his service as stockman at different periods. With is owner of a ran, "Catinrra,' in the Murrumbidgee district, which is estimated to carry 1OO0 cattle. The defendant occupions an adjoining run, called Jugiong; calculated to carry only 200 head. The pasaos complained of were on a portion of Gerdi Forest, the Pigs' Swamps, Long Gully Creek, Flat, the grass and cultivation paddock, &o. From 23rd of July, 1885, to July, 1850, witness had Been cattle trespassing continually, in mobs of forty, fifty, sometimes as many as sixty. Witness had very cattle until November, 18">5, when he brou 840 hood, which were disturbed during the time were being tailed by defendant's stock. Was with defendant's son on Cadarra about the 15th November, 1853 ; together they found between 200 and 300 beac defendant's cattle whioh they drove on defendant's had it not been for defendant's trespasses, with oould have depastured 150 more cattle on the run. In between July, 1855, and 1850, fat cattle wore £5 10s £0 10s. Had his run been fully stocked, he would he had one hundred head of fat stock worth £5 10s.
Defendant's run through being overstocked was eaten out and plaintiff's was well grassed and watered. Crass-exàmincd by Mr. Isaacs. The area of Cada was 27,000 acres, and defendant's run was originally portion thereof. There were other circumstances sidos the encroachments of defendant that preven any increase of witness's stock. From July, 1855, July, 1850, some persons occupied by permission a portion of the Cadarra run.
A man named Cleavo was pay £50, and put up paddocks, sheds, &; and the otl Moore, £40, and to put up a good dwelling-house, Both had cattle. Witness had very few cattle in 18 In 1853 he offered to give defendant £1 for his cattle. In 1854 found defendant's cattle trespassing. An act was brought again.it defendant in 1854, but compromise by payment of £27. Other actions have been brong before this. Had sent defendant's cattle to pound numerous occasions, but had never received more than the driving charges. Those charges laid on several occasions been ruled by the Bench to be excessive, I witness did not think so. He had usually charged 2s. Od. per head, but on one occasion 5s. for 124.
James Stanford corroborated the evidence of plaint as to trespasses by defendant's cattle. Went to Cadai on the 1st April, 1850. Cross-examined: From that time to July none Boyd's cattle were impounded. During April and he saw Boyd's cattle daily on Mr. Broughton's run to the number of 120.
Thomas Davies, a servant of Mr. Broughton's, saw two or three cattle about the cultivation paddock, but wouldn't say to whom they belonged.
James Edward Clayton was at Cadarra from April to June, 1850. Was out daily on the run during the greater part of May. Had several times seen mobs of Boyd's cattle, on some occasions as many as two hundred together, on Mr. Broughton's land.
Evidence as to damage done to cultivation paddock was objected to, and withdrawn.
Mr. C. N. Lockhart, Commissioner of Crown Land deposed that the Cadarra run was capable of carrying 1000 head of cattle, to "do them justice." The defendant claimed the right of run over the boundary marked by witness as that between the stations.
Mr. G. H. Barber deposed that in his opinion the plaintiff's run could carry 2000 head of cattle. Cross-examined: Arrived at this conclusion from an intimate knowledge of the capabilities of the run know it better than plaintiff. Defendant's run was capable of carrying only 200 to 250 head.
Mr. Isaacs addressed the jury in a long and able speech for the defence. The defendant was describe as one of the " Great Pionocrn," who, in company with Hume and Hovell, discovered the Murray.
Thomas Boyd deposed he occupied a run adjoining Mr Broughton's run. He had had disputes with Mr Broughton about cattle. In January, 1850, removed 10 head from Cadarra, as he could not keep them from trespassing, and hold them to Mr Huon, on the Hume River. Those were the only cattle, to witness knowlodge, that trespassed on Mr. Broughton's run. About 12 or 20 stragglers of that herd remained. The her sold near Albury were not feeding continuously on Mr Broughton's run. They could not be kept off Cadara though they fenced as much on his side of the boundary as on Mr. Broughton's. There is no natural boundary between the runs. In the end of 1855, the plaintiff had stock on his station; it was not fully stocked in July, 1855 His run was five miles across and eight miles long; it was capable of carrying about 500 or 600 head. The plaintiff had offered him 15s. a head for his cattle, at a time when they were worth £3 6s. to £3 10s. without this station. Did not recollect any impounding of his cattle between July, 1855, and July, 1850. Witness's was for some weeks paid £2 per week for the trespassing of about 50 head of milking cattle.
From his experience as a stookman, he was of opinion that damage done to the plaintiff by the trespass of defendants cattle, from July, 1855, to July, 1850, was about £15.
Cross-examined: After the 100 head of cattle behind between 400 to 600 head.
Robert Wilson deposed that he was pound keeper at Tumut, and that the plaintiff, on many occasions, impounded several head of defendant's cattle between July, 1855, and July, 1856; no other fees than those so for driving were charged.
The Solicitor-General replied, and the Judge having Summed Up, - The Jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff on the principal issue; damages £90, in addition to the £20 paid into Court. - (Ref- Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875)(about) Previous issue Saturday 4 April 1857). - (Ref- Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875)(about) Previous issue Saturday 4 April 1857).
We have been informed by two gentlemen from Upper Adelong that on Sunday night a son of Mr. Thomas Boyd, of Gilmore, was ordered by four bushrangers to " bail up." This occurred at the foot of Reilly's Gap; Young Boyd, however, not relishing this oominnnd, put spurs to his horse and galloped away. A shot was fired after him, but without effect. On arriving at Reilly's public-house he informed the persons there of the affair, who seemed rather unbelieving, no doubt thinking that they were being hoaxed.
Some of the men then accompanied the youth to the scene of his encounter, and there distinctly saw the four men. On Tuesday night George Richardson, a carrier, well known in this neighbourhood, when returning from Mr. Abraham Watson's, was stuok up by two men. They took from him £20 in notes, which he had concealed in a part of his under-clothing, not so carefully put that the misoreants sprung the plant and obtained possession. He was informed that he was not the individual they (the robbers) were on the look out for, as they expected one of a different stamp, and likely to have proved a richer prize. This robbery took place at Watson's fence, between Carter's and Reilly's. The police started from Tumut yesterday evening in search of the scoundrels. Wynyard Times, October 21). - (Ref-The Courier (Brisbane, Qld. : 1861 - 1864)(about) Previous issue Friday 6 November 1863).
Sometime ago (says the Adelong Times), we recorded the fact of a pack of dingoes attacking a cow on Mr Thomas Boyd's run at the Gilmore. We have now to chronicle an attack on a man. Last Friday afternoon a minor on the main Adelong, named John Devilin, called at Boyd's, and obtained a piece of fresh beef. As he was proceeding homewards on foot, about a hundred native dogs, howling frightfully, were seen approaching rapidly. Devilin made towards a tree, and was just in the act of climbing it when he was seized by the leg by some of the brutes, severely lacerating the flesh from the knee to the ankle. Having climbed beyond their reach, they watched him all night, so that he was unable to descend, consequently he had to sit in a tree until early next morning, when his mates becoming alarmed at his long absence, were going to Boyd's to inquire about him, and discovered him surrounded by dingoes. His mates made a rush on the animals and scattered them, but not before two of their dogs had been killed, when Devilin was released from his uncomfortable position. These animals are so numerous that it is dangerous to travel on foot on that road, and not withstanding that Mr Boyd has destroyed a great many, of their number appears not to decrease their numbers. - Ref- The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Saturday 21 January 1865).
1879 - Mr Thomas BOYD, senr., who resides at the Gilmore, in the Tumut district, is the last survivor of Messrs. Hovell and Hume's exploring party. He is a hale old man of 80 years and still able to follow the plough. The Gundagai Times states that he is not in comfortable circumstances. Some years ago; Mr. Boyd was one of the largest owners of horse stock in the district, but since then, though through no blame to him, he has met misfortunes. It is suggested that Boyd is a fitting subject for a small Government , pension. - (Ref- The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956)(about) Previous issue Monday 5 May 1879).
1882 - Mr Richard Mackay, a resident of Tumut, has taken Thomas Boyd, a veteran 85 years of age and one of the two survivors of Hovell and Hume exploring party, to the opening of the railway to Hay. Boyd was the first white man to cross the Murray, and Hovell and Hume swam over after him Boyd is a hale man, but in needy circumstances. - (Ref- The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956)(about) Previous issue Monday 3 July 1882).
THE GOVERNOR PECIAKING THE LINE OPEN. - THE BANQUET. - The opening of the line from Sydney to Hay, on the Murrumbidgee, which is now the longest line in Australia, took place on July 4, and was celebrated with great formalities and rejoicings at Hay.
Importance was given to the event by the great influence the railway is expected to have in transferring to Sydney a large portion of the Riverina trade, which has hitherto gone to Melbourne. Measures, were accordingly taken to give irlat to the celebration' in every possible way.. Amongst those present at it was a man named Thomas Boyd. He was the first white man who swam across the River Murray, being at that time one of the Hovell and Hume exploring party. He is now 85 years of age, yet he enjoyed his trip from Tumut to the opening ceremony, and must have been much impressed with the changes in the condition of the district since he first saw it. The vice-regal train, which, as well as four others, had been decorated with boughs and flags, reached within a few yards of the terminus shortly before 1 o'clock. Here it was found that the Mayor of Hay, a body of Foresters and Good Templars, and a large number of residents of the district, had assembled to receive the vice-regal party. His Excellency was met by the mayor and aldermen of the town, and escorted to the platform where the opening of the line waste be declared. The may or then read an address of welcome, to which His Excellency suitably responded. After a brief interval, directions were given for one of the trains to complete its journey by proceeding to the terminus, and at the same time the Governor addressed the concourse, which now numbered upwards of 2,000 persons, saying:— Mr Mayor, ladies, and gentlemen, — It has given me great pleasure to appear here to open this important railway. I am extremely proud to be here on this occasion, the first time I have visited the district, and I thank you for your kind reception and for the cordial welcome you have given me, which I expect is not personal to myself, but a token of your loyalty and affection to Her Majesty the Queen. I consider the work I have, to do to-day as one of great importance, and I congratulate you sincerely on your being brought into direct communication with the metropolis by the opening of this railway to your town, which, from its position, is destined to have a most important commercial stake in the colony, and from which wool and other produce from the northern and other parts will now be sent to reach Sydney by a more direct and economical route than hitherto. I now declare this railwav open to public traffic, and in doing so I wish prosperity and happiness to the district of Riverina.
At the conclusion of these remarks the train passed up to the terminus amidst prolonged applause. Cheers having been given for the Governor and for the Queen, the people were invited by His Excellency to give three cheers for Hay.
The banquet and the other inaugural proceedings were subsequently resumed in a spacious goods-shed situated at the terminus of the line. The shed was decorated with flags and evergreens, and presented a most attractive appearance. The banquet took place soon after 2 o'clock. There were between 500 and 600 ladies and gentlemen present. The mayor presided, and the Governor was amongst the guests.
There were also present Sir Alfred Stephen, Lieutenant-Governor; Sir John Hay, President of the Legislative Council; Sir John Robertson, Acting Colonial Secretary; the Hon. John Lackey, Secretary for Public Works; the Hon. F. B. Suttor, Minister for Public Instruction; the Hon. Robert Wisdom, Attorney General; the Hon. J. B. Watt, President of the Chamber of Commerce; the Hon. S. A. Joseph; the Bishop of Goulburn; some officers of the Permanent Force; Mr. Wilkinson, Government geologist; and Mr. W. V. Read, traffic manager. A band was stationed inside the building, and performed an admirable programme of music. After the repast had been disposed of, the chairman proposed the usual loyal toasts, which were drunk amid cheers, the band playing the National Anthem.
In responding to the toast of 'The Governor,' His Excellency, having thanked the company for the manner in which they had drunk it, again dwelt upon the importance of the line that had just been opened, and quoted statistics showing the progress made in railway construction. Other suitable toasts followed. Our illustrations, for which we are partly indebted to two excellent photographs kindly supplied by Mr. Wood, George street, Sydney, depict the formal opening of the line by the Governor, and the banquet which followed. - (Ref- The Australasian Sketcher with Pen and Pencil (Melbourne, Vic. : 1873 - 1889)(about) Previous issue Saturday 29 July 1882).
1885 - OUR MELBOURNE LETTER,- (FROM OUR OWN CORRESONDENT.) The Victorian treasury has just saved the sum of £52 to the country, and poor old Thomas Boyd, who shoubld havo been the recipient of the munificent amount, has just died miserably in a wretched bark hut at that euphoniously named place Tumut, in which locality he drew the final breath of tihe first white man who crossed The river Murray.
On the decease of this aged colonist becoming known, it was discovered that a promise of compensation had been made to him at one of the junketings of a ministry, which took place at Albury on the opening of the intercolonial railway; but although the compact entered into was so far completed that a sum of money was voted to the pioneer, it seems that the poor old fellow himself was forgotten, and no one thought it worth while to invade his poverty by communicating to him the fact that the cash was available for him at the treasury.
The result of this is that the vote has lapsed by efluxion of time, and the first white man who crossed the Murray has passed from a condition of penury to a pauper's grave, in the helpless unconseiousness that a grateful country was holding fifty-two notes in trust for him, and would pay it over if he were only clever enough to discover the fact by guesswork. I do not know from which bank the late Mr Boyd started when he performed the feat of crossing the Murray, but if he left the New South Wales border on the other side when he landed, I cannot help thinking that he must ere his death have regretted that he did not remain where he was before trusting to the generosity of that local officialdom which has kept the matter of his reward so scrupulously dark until the claimant has closed his earthly career. I would mildly suggest that, if there is a potter's field within reasonable adjacency of the treasury gardens, that wretched £52 should be buried therein forthwith. It can surely never expect companionship with the innocent balance of sixpence, which, as a soleoc. cupant of the State Exchequer, once had suds historic renown.
Since writing the foregoing I observe that a reference was made in the House to the matter of the grant to Mr Thos. lloyd, and amidst cheers, on Tuesday evening, the Premier announced, that the money would be paid to the explorer's widow. This is a retribution of some sort, though it is tardy, but there is surely at strong word of blame for those who are answerable for not having communicated the aeounccmlant of the vote to the unfortunate old man while there was yet remaining a chance of its being the means of saving him from dying in misery and with the painful consciousness of complete neglect.
The reasonable probability is that had Mr Boyd's sad end not been the subject of newspaper comment the vote would have found its way into one of those pecuniary lumber recesses, the secrets of which are never made known to the world which is unconnected with the ways of state craft. There was all immllensc amount of hInknl observable in the Assembly on Tuesday evening, and valuable time was wasted in a manmer which quite revived reminiscences of old times. In the reports it will be observed that the interpolated word (laughter) appears about every second sentence, a fact which shows that hon. members owen in a mood more playful than earnest. This is a bad beginning to the session, noid as we know that when tile baby cries on Monday morning, it cries all the rest of the week, one is fearful that the big infants of Parliament mean to keep up babyish tricks right through until the dissolution. - (Ref- Gippsland Times (Vic. : 1861 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Wednesday 8 July 1885).
At this juncture of the palaver old Thomas Boyd, the only survivor of the Hume and Hovel party who crossed the Murray in 1824, appeared on the scene. Now for about thirty years, Old Tom, in a brown hat and sore eyes, had been roaming the country in poverty ; but, at the banquet, Sir John Hay referred to him as 'my old friend Tom Boyd.' This was honour for the old man. But what he had been kept alive for all this time was now to come.
His reward now being unpacked - with care, this side up. Tom was introduced to Lord Augustus Loftus, Governor of New South Wales, and the Governor actually gave him his hand !! Tom's surprise, when he found nothing in it, can be better imagined than described. This was the overwhelming honour reserved for Tom Boyd. They didn't even ask Tom to take a drink. By the way, here are two little unauthenticated narratives about Tom and the banqueters that haven't yet got into print. Old Tom, when he first went into the banquet hall, was put away in section two, among some upstart chronic guzzlers. The waiters guyed him, and kept asking him: ' What did he do with the old woman ?' ' Would he sell his coat ? ' 'What did he want there with his gravy eyes' 'S'pose yer came through the boards, eh, Noah? or through the skylights.' Tom couldn't understand them 'Latin dishes;' and, as no one could explain, he cleared; and when the universal voice went up for 'Tom Boyd,' the said Thomas was found half a mile away, discussing a circus-posters, on a street hoarding.
The other anecdote consists of two fyttes. It is said that, on Tom going up to the Governor, a subscription was started for him, and £'2 15s. 9d. scooped in the space of half an hour. Handing the money to him, the while looking suspiciously around, Lord Augustus whispered 'Here's two-fifteen nine. If you'll take my advice, you'll quietly slip out; if you don't, they'll probably borrow it back." The other statement, which is probably the correct one, is that Tom offered a subscription himself, putting a crown in bis old hat to start the affair, and then when the hat came back it was empty."-S. BULLETIN. - (Ref- North Australian (Darwin, NT : 1883 - 1889)(about) Previous issue Friday 7 August 1885).
1885 - Thomas Boyd, the first man who crossed the Murray River, and the last surviving member of Hume and Hovell's exploring party, died near Tumut on Friday night, at Tumut. The deceased was once a prosperous grazier but through unavoidable misfortunes lost everything. He received £50 from tbe Government some time since, but never received the amount promised by the Victorian Ministry at a banquet at Albury on thc occasion of opening the Intercolonial railway. Boyd died in a miserable bark hut attended by a married daughter. He was an honourable man and a good specimen of tho old Australian pioneer. He had resided in tee neighbourhood of Tumut for fifty-seven years and was in his 88th year when he died. - (Ref- Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1878 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Tuesday 30 June 1885).
1885 - VICTORIA. MELBOURNE, TUESDAY. - With regard to the telegram from Sydney that Thomas Boyd, the first white man who crossed the Murray, had died, in a miserable bark hut near Tumut, and that he was never paid the amount which was promised by tho Victorian. Government at the banquet at Albury on tho completion of tho intercolonial railway, the Premier states that the Goverumont are not guilty of any breach of promise. The sun of £52 which was placed on tho Estimates last year, and was voted to Boyd, has remained in the hands of the Under-Treasurer over since, awaiting an application from Boyd or his representatives. The money would have been paid to anyone who was authorised to obtain it for Boyd, but tho vote will expire to-day, as this is the last day of tho financial year. It is not usual to send intimations to person to whom money has been voted. - (Ref- The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Wednesday 1 July 1885).
1903 - Here's a singular collection of interesting Federal data, out of which quite an effective, historically picturesque sketch will perhaps be made by some future Macaulay. Videlicet : The first white man to pitch a tent on the site chosen (by the Federal Commissioners) for the Federal Capital, at Tumut, was old Thomas Boyd. Boyd crossed the Murrumbidgee, with Hume and Howell, just where Tumut stands, and piloted a dray over the Murray just where Albury stands when the explorers were on their West urn Port expedition in 1824. Boyd was present at Albury when the N.S.W.-Victorian Railways were joined in 1883. In his later years he was befriended by old "Bob" McKay, of Tumut, whose son, an officer of the N.S.W. Public Works Department, was Secretary to the Premiers' Conferences on Murray Waters question, held a few months ago. - (Ref- Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal (NSW : 1851 - 1904)(about) Previous issue Saturday 1 August 1903).
At the monthly meeting of the Australian Historical Society hold last evening, at the Royal Society's House, Elizabeth Street, Mr. J.Gormly, M.L.C, read a paper on "The Exploration and Settlement of the Murrumbidgee and Murray River Districts." Mr. Gormly stated that the contents of the paper chiefly related to what had come under his own observation, and to what he had heard from early explorers and old pioneers. His memory carried him back 66 years. He was well acquainted with Hamilton Hume and three others of the party who went overland from Appin to Port Phillip in 1824 - Henry Angel, James Fitzpatrick, and Thomas Boyd. He had only a slight personal knowledge of Captain Hovell, another of the party. No doubt, Hamilton Hume was in his youth the best bushman in Australia at that time, and a man of great determination and energy. Hume was fortunate in the expedition of 1824 to have three such men as Boyd, Angel, and Fitzpatrick, each being hardy, abstemious, and reliable.
Mr. Gormly went on to state that the last time he met Boyd was in 1883 at Albury, where the demonstration and banquet were held to commemorate the connection of the New South Wales and Victorian railway systems. On that occasion Boyd had the satisfaction of seeing a train cross the river that he and Hume had swum over 59 years before. Boyd died at Tumut in 1887.
The paper dealt briefly with Captain Sturt's expedition down the Murrumbidgee and Murray to Lake Alexandria, in the years 1829-30. Mr. Gormly paid a high tribute to Major Mitchell (whom he had known) as an explorer, and referred at some length to his explorations in 1836, when he with a strong party went down the Lachlan, Murrumbidgee, and Murray to the junction of the Darling, and his further exploration over a considerable part of the Port Phillip district, which he named Australia Felix.
In the paper reference was made to the massacre of Faithfull's men in 1838 on the Broken River, nine out of party of fourteen being killed by the blacks; and to David Reid, who only died in May last, having assisted to bury one of the bodies.
The names of most of those who first forged stations on the Murrumbidgee were given. They included:
Henry O'Brien, who took up a station at Jugiong;
Frank Taaffe, who settled at Muttama;
Ben Warby had settled down opposite the junction of the Tumut in 1829,
and Peter Stuckey had formed Willie Ploma at South Gundagai,
the same year, while his brother Henry settled next to him.
Further down on the same side of the river came Robert Jenkins at Nangus,
then John Vardy at Gillengrove
with Hillis at Yabtree.
Alexander M'Leay at Borambola,
William Guise at Cuningdroo,
Best at Wagga Wagga, and
Mrs Bourke at Gumly Gumly.
On the north bank of the river below Gundagai the Tompson family first took up a station at Mickey's Corner, near Kimo Hill.
This was in 1830. - The same family afterwards took up Oura and Eunonyhareenyah.
James and William McArthur, of Camden Park, took up Nangus.
James Thorn stocked Wantabadgery,
while his brothor put cattle on Gobbagumbalin.
Jenkins, of Berrima, took up Tooyal,
and his sons, John and Frank, settled at Buckingbong and Gillenbah.
The settlement referred to that took place below Gundagai occurred in 1830-31-32, and 33. Mr. Gormly referred to being able to ride a horse and assist to drive stock to the Murrumbidgee in 1844, when his father settled near Gundagai, which was the only town on the river at that time, it being on the overland track from Sydney to Port Phillip and being where a punt had been established.
The flood of 1852 swept the town of Gundagai away and drowned about one hundred of the inhabitants; besides Gundagai, the whole valley was devastated. Flocks and herds perished in thousands. All the stations along the river bank suffered, some of the people being left destitute. Mr. Gormly slightly referred to his own sufferings. When his father's home was swept away be had to swim a long distance, then to take refuge in the branches of a tree, where he had to remain the whole of a long winter's night and part of the next day. The cold was so intense that strong persons who had climbed trees for safety fell off during the night and were drowned. Mr. Gormly referred to having taken horses for sale to the goldfields at Bendigo in the spring of 1852, and of crossing the Edward River, where the town of Deniliquin is now situated; on the journey so difficult was it to procure food that he gave nine shillings for 3lb of flour. This was brought about by the floods. On that journey he crossed the Murray at Hopwood's punt, three miles below the junction of the Campaspie River. Hopwood soon after shifted three miles up the river to where the town of Echuca was after- wards built. There Hopwood placed a pontoon bridge on the river. The horses Mr. Gormly took over he sold at high prices on the goldfields at Bendigo. - (Ref- The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Wednesday 25 July 1906).
1924 - TUMUT CENTENARY. EXPLORERS HONOURED. TUMUT, Monday. - The contenary celebrations were continued to-day in delightful weather. The town is crowded with visitors including a large number of former residents. The main street is decorated with flags, and imposing arches, laden with all the products of the district, have been erected across the main street, opposite the Post-office, and at other places. At 2 o'clock the Mayor, Alderman J, Elphick, standing on tho Post-office steps, tendered a civic reception to the visitors, a large number of whom signed the visitors' book. The Mayor recalled tho great event when 100 years ago the explorers Hume and Howell stood in Tumut. With them was Thomas Boyd, who returned to Tumut later. At the centenary there was a large assemblage.
The residents had recovered the grave of Thomas Boyd with granite, and had erected a monument, on which was Inscribed a brief description of what Boyd had done as an explorer and later as a resident. After the unveiling ceremony several of those who had known Mr. Boyd personally addressed the gathering. Later at the Church of England portion of the old cemetery a number of trees were dedicated to the memory of old pioneers by Rev.T. A. Gair.- (Ref- The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Tuesday 4 November 1924).
1924 - HUME-HOVELL THE CENTENARY. MONUMENT TO BOYD. - At the centenary celebrations in Tumut on Monday a monument erected over the grave of Thomas Boyd, who formed one of the party of the Hume-Hovell expedition, which arrived at Tumut on November 1, 1824, was unveiled in the local cemetery, where the remains of Boyd were interred in August, 1885. Amongst the speakers at the function were several who had lived for many years close beside Boyd in the Gilmore Valley, near Tumut. One of whom, Mr. R. J. Benson, read some stories told by Boyd in reference to the famous tour. One was that when they reached the Murray River, close to where Albury now stands, it was at once seen that great difficulty would be experienced in crossing the great stream. Mr. Boyd, being an exceptionally strong swimmer, pulled off his clothes and swam the river to test the strength of the current, and thus gained the honour of being the first white man to swim the Murray. - (Ref- The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Thursday 6 November 1924). - To Hume & Hovell
ALBURY OBSERVANCES. Spectacular Display. ALBURY (N.S.W.), Tuesday. - The Hume and Hovell centenary celebrations were continued today, when there were remarkably large crowds in the town to witness some of the principal features of the programme. In the morning there was a gathering of pioneers at Dean Square, where they were welcomed by the mayor (Alderman C. H. Burt) and presented to the public. One of thc most striking figures was Mr. Thomas Boyd, of Adelong, a son of the first white man to cross the Murray.
He was with Hume and Hovell when the Murray was first sighted on November,16 1824 swimming across to the opposite side with a rope which was attached to a raft he pulled the explorers across the stream. Mr. Boyd, sen., in the thirties settled in the Tumut district, where he died many years ago. Recently a monument to his memory was unveiled in the Tumut Cemetery. Mr. Angel, of Wagga, the son of a member of the exploration party, was also present, in addition to the following descendants of Captain Hovell: Mr. William Hilton Hovell, of Petersham (Sydney), grandson; Albert Ross Hovell, great-grandson; and Mrs. Wray, grand-daughter.
The pageant and procession to the Hovell tree this afternoon was the finest spectacular display ever made in the town, and was witnessed by 10,000 persons. In the procession were 300 decorated motor cars. In the forefront of the great procession were Chinese residents of Melbourne, Ballarat, Geelong, Bendigo, and other places, who, at their own expense, appeared in Chinese costumes. Ceremony at Hovell Tree.
Around the Hovell tree there gathered the largest crowd, ever seen in Albury. An inspiring address was given by Mr. A. A. Holman, K.C. Mr. Holman said that the purpose of thc extraordinary demonstration was to commemorate the heroic work of two great men, by whose, achievements this great nation of Australia had been built up. (Applause.) One hundred years ago, almost on the very spot where they had assembled that day, rested those men who had wandered into the wilderness, their journed culminating in the discovery and crossing of the greatest river in Australia. lt was largely from the young men born in the colony that the impulse to investigate came. One of these men was Wentworth, another was Hume.
"Let us consider the degree of knowledge that existed when Hume and Hovell set forth." said Mr. Holman. "Hume and Hovel set but on October 17, 1824, from near Campbelltown, which was at the moment the last outpost of settlement and civilisation on the south. They crossed over to the south-western side of the Murrumbidgee and pursued a course which must have, taken them close to the spot where Gundagai now stands. It must be definitely understood that they were not searching for any river, although the discovery of the Murrumbidgee had proved to a certain extent that Oxley's views were wrong. lt was still considered that the Murrumbidgee, was probably but a trifling stream, and it was believed that no other river, of any consequence lay between it and the south coast of the continent."
History of Expedition. - "The history of the expedition is interesting. The party left Campbelltown on October 17, 1824, and reached what is now known as Geelong on December 17. On January 17, 1825, they recrossed the Murrumbidgee, where they crossed it on the outward journey three months previously. The people looked back with pride upon the achievements of the men who made the great development of Australia possible. - (Ref- The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956)(about) Previous issue Wednesday 19 November 1924).
Thomas married Eleanor "Ellen" HICKEY, the daughter of Maurice HICKEY & Bridget QUINN of Gundaroo, NSW on the 5th of March, the marriage was registered at Goulburn. Ellen, as she was known, was born around 1820 in Parramatta, her parents were both convicts(see HICKEY surname).
1. 1845 Thomas (2nd) BOYD was born to parents Thomas & Ellen in Tumut, NSW - (Ref NSW BDM No.V18451962 62)
2. 1846 James BOYD born to parents THOMAS & ELLEN - (Ref- NSW BDM V18463660 64/1846).
3. Tristram J BOYD born to parents THOMAS & ELLEN - (Ref- NSW BDM V18511504 37A/1851). In 8449/1920 Tristram J died in WINDSOR, NSW.
4. Mary A BOYD born to parents THOMAS & ELLEN - V18501914 67/1850
5. BOYD BRIDGET born to parents THOMAS & ELEANOR - V18553288 72/1855
6. (FEMALE) BOYD born parents THOMAS & ELLEN in TUMUT - (Ref- 12519/1858) - It shows 5504/1858 Female BOYD died in TUMUT.
7. (FEMALE) BOYD born parents THOMAS ELLEN TUMUT - 12520/1858 - Then 5503/1858 Female BOYD died in TUMUT.
8. Edward BOYD born to parents THOMAS & ELLEN in TUMUT
9. Robert P BOYD born to parents THOMAS & ELLEN in TUMUT - 15340/1864
10. Mary A S BOYD born to parents Thomas & ELLEN TUMUT - 21545/1877
11. John E BOYD born to THOMAS & ELLEN in NEWCASTLE - 23254/1881 - 9614/1881 John E BOYD died in NEWCASTLE, NSW
12. Thomas BOYD (Jnr) born to parents THOMAS & ELLEN.- V1826601 128/1826 Then in 7504/1931 Thomas BOYD (Jnr) died in ADELONG
5479/1900 BOYD ALICE THOMAS & ELLEN in GOULBURN
3291/1906 BOYD BRIDGET THOMAS ELLEN in TUMUT
11615/1908 BOYD JOHN THOMAS ELLEN in TUMUT
6918/1872 BOYD MARY THOMAS ELLEN in TWEED RIVER
30826/1961 BOYD ARNOLD JOHN CHARLES THOMAS ELLEN in ORANGE
36945/1968 BOYD EVELYN BEATRICE THOMAS ELLEN in LITHGOW
2402/1916 BOYD JAMES THOMAS ELLEN in TUMUT
14466/1935 BOYD EDWIN THOMAS ELLEN in ADELONG
Marriages for the and Bride's last name Boyd in the years 1788 to 1962 registered in the District of Tumut. 10 of 10 matches found.
2703/1857 CROUCH ROBERT married BOYD MARGARET in TUMUT
4534/1877 CLEE ARCHIBALD married BOYD ELLEN in TUMUT
7151/1890 HARRIS JAMES married BOYD MARY in TUMUT
4481/1899 WHITING CHARLES H married BOYD ANN in TUMUT
5034/1904 HICKS WILLIAM married BOYD ELLEN E M in TUMUT
1127/1919 HARRIS WILFRED L married BOYD NELLIE D in TUMUT
9983/1935 PATTON HENRY T married BOYD ELIZABETH M in TUMUT
17979/1927 BRIDLE THOMAS A married BOYD EDITH B in TUMUT
5560/1939 BANWELL LEO ERNEST married BOYD LAURA JEAN in TUMUT
5046/1940 CRIBB WALTER CHARLES married BOYD ELSIE EDITH in TUMUT
Marriages for the Groom's last name Boyd in the years 1788 to 1962 registered in the District of Tumut. 5 of 5 matches found.
7286/1887 BOYD WILLIAM married Miss BURKE, MARY J in TUMUT
8279/1896 BOYD ALBERT E married Miss WEBB EDITH R in TUMUT
5629/1945 BOYD ALBERT THOMAS married Miss HETHERINGTON LILIAN DAISY in TUMUT
13628/1951 BOYD RUSSELL mArried Miss ANDERSON DEAN LILAH TUMUT
27628/1951 BOYD ERNEST WILLIAM married BASSMANN MURIEL EDITH in TUMUT
I shall never forget the bellowing of those beasts the whole night long while the general muster was on. It was a time when the cattle had to be rounded up, and a sort of revision of the stock roil took place. Trespass ers were cut out and taken to their rightful holdings, calves were brand ed and otherwise attended to, and quite a lot of things came in for attention at that busy time. "Black Springs" was owned by the late "Robert Downing, the homestead being in the vicinity of "The Gap," about eleven miles south of Tumut, beside the yellow waters (now crystal clear) of the famous old Adelong Creek whose banks had yielded plenty of alluvial gold in the early digging days.
Among the station stockmen taking active pan in those musters there was a fine horseman whom I remember very clearly. He spoke deliberately and with the drawl so common then. On his left arm a fine stockwhip was coiled whose purple silken lash made me feel covetous. How he could crack that whip, too, and round up a rampageous beast on the bolt back down the steeps. His name was Tommy Boyd, son of Thomas Boyd, the explorer, who was a member of the Hume and Hovell party, and the first white man to cross the Murrumbidgee River on the way south to Port Phillip over a century ago. The old pioneer, his father, had settled at Windowie, on the Tumut side of The Gap, and lived to a ripe age. It is only recently that his son, Tommy, passed over the Great Divide. - (Ref- Camperdown Chronicle (Vic. : 1877 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Thursday 28 April 1932).