The Early History of the McLarans of Dalby

  • Website progress
    • Executive Summary
  • OVERVIEW
    • Introduction >
      • Family Names
      • Family Trees
      • Clan McLaren
      • Oral History
    • Scottish Roots
    • Cambridgeshire Roots
    • Contact
  • Malcolm McLaran's Family
    • Malcolm McLaran >
      • The America
      • World War 1 Soldiers
    • Jane McLaran
    • Catherine McLaren >
      • James Milford
      • Walter Goodman Jnr
    • Donald McLaran - 1833 - 1879 >
      • 1857 Dalby Town Allotment Sales
      • McLaran v Wuth
      • Frogmore
      • Kilkevan & Cockatoo Point
      • Why Squatters don't marry
      • Bronzewing
      • 1874 Police Assault cases
      • Donald McLaran's Lost Watch
    • Duncan McLaran
    • Margaret McLaren >
      • Denis Sullivan
      • Ellen (Helen) Sullivan
      • Margaret Sullivan
      • Agnes Sullivan
      • Daniel James McLaren
      • The Sullivans in court
    • Alexander McLaren >
      • Alexander's selections
  • The Dockrill Family
    • William Dockrill >
      • Tartha
    • Martha Goss >
      • Death of Amos Slight
    • Edwin Gransden
  • The Eversden Family
    • Lewis James Eversden >
      • Laura Eversden
      • The Flying Cloud
    • Clara Eversden - pre marriage
    • Lewis and Jane Eversden >
      • Cambridge House >
        • Hammerchewer Visits Cambridge House
  • The Brown Family
    • Thomas Huntley Brown
    • Jane Rider >
      • The Murder of Jasper Salter
    • The Children of Thomas Brown >
      • William Joseph Brown
  • 1879 - 1956 Donald McLaran's Family
    • Haran
    • The McLaran Cordial Factory
    • 1900 McLennan - McLaran Wedding
    • Kupunn
    • 1912 Death of Donald McLaran
    • Post Kupunn to 1956
    • 1956 Death of Clara Eversden
    • Malcolm Lewis McLaran
    • Post 1956
  • Queensland History
    • Ipswich History
    • Dalby History >
      • Ludwig Riethmuller
    • IMAGE UPLOAD PAGE
  • Website progress
    • Executive Summary
  • OVERVIEW
    • Introduction >
      • Family Names
      • Family Trees
      • Clan McLaren
      • Oral History
    • Scottish Roots
    • Cambridgeshire Roots
    • Contact
  • Malcolm McLaran's Family
    • Malcolm McLaran >
      • The America
      • World War 1 Soldiers
    • Jane McLaran
    • Catherine McLaren >
      • James Milford
      • Walter Goodman Jnr
    • Donald McLaran - 1833 - 1879 >
      • 1857 Dalby Town Allotment Sales
      • McLaran v Wuth
      • Frogmore
      • Kilkevan & Cockatoo Point
      • Why Squatters don't marry
      • Bronzewing
      • 1874 Police Assault cases
      • Donald McLaran's Lost Watch
    • Duncan McLaran
    • Margaret McLaren >
      • Denis Sullivan
      • Ellen (Helen) Sullivan
      • Margaret Sullivan
      • Agnes Sullivan
      • Daniel James McLaren
      • The Sullivans in court
    • Alexander McLaren >
      • Alexander's selections
  • The Dockrill Family
    • William Dockrill >
      • Tartha
    • Martha Goss >
      • Death of Amos Slight
    • Edwin Gransden
  • The Eversden Family
    • Lewis James Eversden >
      • Laura Eversden
      • The Flying Cloud
    • Clara Eversden - pre marriage
    • Lewis and Jane Eversden >
      • Cambridge House >
        • Hammerchewer Visits Cambridge House
  • The Brown Family
    • Thomas Huntley Brown
    • Jane Rider >
      • The Murder of Jasper Salter
    • The Children of Thomas Brown >
      • William Joseph Brown
  • 1879 - 1956 Donald McLaran's Family
    • Haran
    • The McLaran Cordial Factory
    • 1900 McLennan - McLaran Wedding
    • Kupunn
    • 1912 Death of Donald McLaran
    • Post Kupunn to 1956
    • 1956 Death of Clara Eversden
    • Malcolm Lewis McLaran
    • Post 1956
  • Queensland History
    • Ipswich History
    • Dalby History >
      • Ludwig Riethmuller
    • IMAGE UPLOAD PAGE
Picture

The America under full sail.                                                                                                        

1853 The arrival of the America and the McLeoran family from Southend


Picture
11 Jan 1853
The America arrived in Moreton Bay after a long and arduous voyage beginning at Liverpool on 27 Aug 1852. 13 births and 14 deaths were recorded, the latter comprised of 9 children and 5 adults.

The Parsee arrived at virtually the same date - it had given the America a month's start!

Amongst the 336 immigrants were Malcolm McLaran and his family from Argyle, Scotland. 


Above : Part of the America manifesto showing the McLeoran (McLaran / McLaren) family.

Note the following:
  • the family name was spelt "McLeoran" on the original 1853 lists - flood-damaged QSA lists transcribed in 1912 spell the name as "McLaren"
  • Malcolm's age was recorded as 43, 10 years younger than his actual age; only he could read and write
  • Jane's age is also recorded 10 years younger than her actual age​
  • Catherine's age is correctly recorded (for once); "parents on board"
  • Donald was 19 not 18 at the time
  • Duncan was almost 17 years of age, not 13
  • Margaret "10" would turn 15 later in 1853 
  • Alexander's age is correctly recorded
  • Malcolm's parents were named "Malcolm and Margaret, both dead" - correct
  • Jane's parents were named "Donald & Barbara McShamock, both dead" - correct
  • Only Malcolm could both read and write, the others could only read and of course Alexander was too young to read or write
  • Malcolm's occupation was listed as a "shepherd".

The immigrants who arrived in Moreton Bay in Jan 1853 were quickly employed:

29 Jan 1853 Moreton Bay Courier
THE IMMIGRANTS - More than five hundred, out of the eight hundred immigrants by the Parsee and America, have already been engaged. The German immigrants brought to Brisbane this week by the Brothers and Sydney Packet consist of 41 single men, 36 married couples, and 15 children, the whole of them being engaged. About six hundred and thirty men, women and children have thus been disposed of here within the last twelve days.

The tortuous voyage of the America was recalled in the Truth newspaper in 1915  :

23 May 1915 Truth
THE EARLY HISTORY OF QUEENSLAND.

​The Immigration Board was frequently called upon to investigate such charges as that in which the surgeon-superintendent of the ship America was charged with neglect and incapability of at tending to duty. In the case named the charge was substantiated, and the Surgeon-superintendent fined half his salary. The forfeiture, amounted to £80. The owners of the America had chartered her to convey immigrants to Brisbane at £17 per head, or, as the immigration chronicles so quaintly put it, per "soul."

​The ship was unseaworthy, the provisions bad and scarce, the doctor old and feeble, mentally and physically. The boat was supposed to be victualled for 22 weeks, but the 300 persons on board had to make miserable shifts for food after a mast was shattered and the ship delayed in her passage.

Another description of the voyage of the America may be found here: 
https://www.brisbanehistory.com/pre-separation_history_16.html​  :

1853 opened up well in the matter of immigration, no fewer than two vessels, the Parsee and America, adding 818 souls to the population in one day - 10th January. It must be confessed, however, that the fact of only thirty-eight unmarried adults being among this large number said very little for the selection of the people if that selection was intended to meet the requirements of the district.
Very serious charges were made against the owners of the America, which hailed from Liverpool, and at the inquiry which followed it was conclusively proved that not only was the vessel unseaworthy but the immigrants had been half starved. As a result the owners were heavily fined. The same state of affairs existed in the forecastle. Indeed things were so bad that two of the sailors a few days before the vessel's arrival in Moreton Bay constructed a raft of a ladder, two casks, and some poles, and cast themselves adrift at midnight during a heavy squall.
​

When men face the elements on a rudely constructed raft rather than remain in comparative security under the rule of a captain it may be taken for granted that things were really bad. The two men succeeded in making Fishermen's Island, and were then brought on to town. Their names were Robert Williams and Edward Edwards.


​1 Jan 1853 The Moreton Bay Courier
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

The steamer Jack came up from the bay yesterday morning and there were no arrivals then in sight.  The America, with emigrants, is considerably overdue.   

12 January 1853 The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser 
(A close encounter with disaster) PORT MACQUARIE.


​The ship America, 670 tons, Captain W. Gilks, from Liverpool to Moreton Bay, out 127 days, with 336 emigrants, all well, called here on Saturday, January 1, for provisions, having no meat, sugar, or flour.

Captain Gilks sent his own boat on shore, with five seamen, in charge of the chief officer, Mr. Williams, and was supplied with what was required by Messrs. Cohen and Co. On the chief officer going to the boat to go off to the ship, three of the seamen had deserted; he was therefore obliged to leave with the two men he had, which was about half-past five in the evening, the ship being about nine miles off. On the next morning (Sunday) the ship came into the bay and hoisted her colours, when Messrs. Cohen went to her in their whaleboat, and were surprised to learn that the boat, with provisions and men, had not been seen or heard of by Captain Gilks.

​The ship remained off and on during the day, in the hope of picking up the lost men and boat; but up to sundown had not succeeded, when Mr. Cohen left the ship, having taken off some beef, etc, for the ship's use. It is supposed, as it was blowing fresh from north-east all day Sunday, that Mr. Williams will beach the boat and make for here again. He had a compass and chart in the boat with him, so that there is no doubt as to their safety, the boat being a very large life boat. The three seamen that deserted were apprehended six miles away, and sent on board the ship. It is now blowing from the north-east, and no doubt the ship will be to leeward of this port, and that she will again call here to look after the missing boat and men.
​
Comment: the sailors deserted the America because of the lack of food and the unseaworthiness of the ship.

15 Jan 1853 The Moreton Bay Courier
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.​

Jan 11,  America, ship, 690 tons, W. Gilks, from Liverpool, 27th August. Passengers - Dr. Hector, Surgeon Superintendent, Mrs. Hector and two children, and 325 immigrants.

Imports
America : 350 tons steam coal, 134 water casks, Wattenbach & Co.

The America left Liverpool on the 27th August, and has made a tedious passage of 135 days, during the latter part of which period she has been short of provisions. She had head winds during the first part of the passage, and since making this coast. She was supplied with provisions by the barque Cape Horn on the 21st inst, and subsequently by the schooner Primus. The Captain also sent into Port Macquarie for a supply, and here some of the seamen deserted, but were subsequently apprehended on the road to New England. She brings 325 immigrants, of whom 63 couples are married, 20 male and 70  female adults are single, 96 are boys and girls between one and fourteen, and 13 are children under one year.

​There were 12 births and 14 deaths on the passage, the latter consisting of five adults and 9 children. There had been several cases of diarrhea and of scarlatina on board, the last of the latter being three or four weeks ago. The Surgeon reports that there are no infectious or contagious cases of sickness now on board, and, considering that the provisions have been short, the passengers appear to be generally healthy and strong. It appears, however, that some of them have been very insubordinate towards the Captain of the ship. The Surgeon-Superintendent of this vessel has been suffering from indisposition, increased by the scarcity of provisions. 

29 Jan 1853 The Moreton Bay Courier
The America. A Board of Survey having inspected this ship, we understand that her foremast has been condemned, and that she will have to go to Sydney, to get it replaced. Mr. Duncan, as Comptroller of Customs at this port, has preferred an information against the Captain, for not having been provided with sufficient provisions for his passengers, as required by the Passengers' Act, by which neglect he is liable to a penalty of not more than £50 nor less than £5. The hearing of the case stands postponed until Tuesday next, for the production of witnesses from the ship.

29 Jan 1853 The Moreton Bay Courier
WE, the emigrants from the ship America, desire to express our sincere thanks to Captain William Gilks, for doing all in his power to supply our wants; having been short of provisions; and also endeavouring to obtain a quick and prosperous voyage to Moreton Bay. We who have prefixed our names are thoroughly satisfied with the conduct of the Captain, and believe he did all he could for our comfort. 'Tis true that there were some on board who were dissatisfied, but this arose entirely from the impossibility of the Captain's being enabled to supply their wants.
​
William Roberts        John Iseton                Martin Dowling
John Hannah              John Fogarty             Joseph Houston
Daniel McComb       John McRae              James Cowen
Roderick McRae       Duncan McRae          James Ryan
William Smith             John Smith                 Henry Buxton
Joseph Thompson   Lydia West                Jane McNaughton
Mary Ann Bert           Johanna Condon      Margaret McRae
Cristina McRae


Comment: some hardy passengers supported Captain Gilks, but only a small number (22) of the 325 on board. The loss of 14 including 9 children on the voyage was an indictment of the conditions and rations.

5 Mar 1853 Moreton Bay Courier
To the Editor of the Moreton Bay Courier. THE SHIP AMERICA.


Sir, (log extracts) The particulars of our treatment in the ship America were so many that to give a correct account of all the cases of cruelty that were indured would be impossible.

A Mr Hugh Mahoney, who is now with his children in the depot, had his bed and bedclothes taken away by the Doctor as soon as he came on board the ship. The doctor put them into the hospital. Other clothes for the births were in the births before he came and had been slept in for about a week. These beds were afterwards found to be in a filthy condition. They were thrown overboard. Mr Mahoney had an altercation with the Captain about these beds, and ever aftwards on the passage Mahoney suffered from an odium he did not deserve. About Sept 17th Mrs Mahoney was taken in childbirth. She informed the Doctor that she expected to be immediately confined, when the Doctor told her that if she was not confined in ten minutes after her admission she should be locked up until morning. She was not delivered, but was locked up - no one to attend her. The husband walked the deck all night - could not render her any assistance. The child was born, and lived a few hours. When it was dying, the doctor came & bathed it; but alas it was dead, as everyone knew. Through the ill effects of her confinement, this poor unfortunate woman, died of pure want. The medical comforts were denied her. The husband, now a widower with 7 children, is left to make his way as best he can in a strange country. In consequence of the loss of the bed, which was thrown overboard, he had to sleep 11 weeks on a bed 11 inches wide, from which he fell several times owing to the pitching of the vessel.

Oct 22. Myself and 3 others went to tho doctor and said that Mr Wilson desired us to ask if he could be admitted into the hospital, as he was very sick and his wife was suspicious of his being in a fever. Doctor said "How does she know? I am not going to be imposed upon by such dirty, filthy“ etc etc. “But,” says Brown, (one of the party), “he is very sick and feverish.” Doctor - “Who says he is sick? He has no fever, none whatever. He shall not come into the hospital, or if he does he shall be put on bread and water (hospital diet).” After a pause, the Doctor tells us the hospital is not for such as him, but for those who had fever, malignant fever. “I am much worse than he is just now,” says the Doctor. We go away and report to Wilson the Doctor’s decision, blessing our stars for being out of his hands. Wilson’s tongue was at that time very brown and dry; his pulse beat quickly and he had a hot and dry skin and every symptom of fever.

24th. A man named Millar had 2 children taken sick. They were next berth to Wilson’s. When the doctor attended he said “I blame that Wilson for all this” and that he had to pronounce a case of typhoid fever. Doctor says “The girl is in a dangerous state - doubtful.” In the evening she is dead! What we thought about the doctor’s skill in Wilson’s case was strengthened now, and only confirms us in the opinion that all who come under his hands will go over the side, as 11 have already done.

Dec 24th. Wilson’s wife was taken into the hospital in a state of insanity, brought about with weakness and want. A corded network was made over her berth, in order to let her have air in her confinement, as well as to keep her in. I was present, and assisted in making this cage as the Doctor named it.  The poor imbecile rose in her berth; the doctor then thrust in his hand, seized the poor woman by the throat, and so unmercifully. Pressed her down upon the pillow that by ruffling his hand about her face he burst the gums, and the blood started from her nostrils.

The Captain had the remaining butter taken into the cabin on the Friday the 12 weeks out. I helped others to take into the cabin 20 cans of preserved meat, which were carefully used for the cabin. The Captain regarded us as paupers, and in fact told us we were now better fed than we were before in our lives.

In this particular noted as he believed. As a substitute for butter, he (27th Dec) ordered some suet that was very raw to be boiled down, and with it was put quantities of "slush" - the fat that was destined for tallow merchant. This mixture we took and, with dry biscuit put into the oven and warmed, was for a long time the best meal emigrants partook of - save when we saw a ship, bark, brig, or cobble, that we could beg anything of: for we were now on this coast. The captain oft said we were too well treated, and that if he were the Doctor we should not be so well off as we were. The last honourable deed the Captain ordered and executed was the taking away from us the mess utensils, namely - baking dishes, coffee pots buckets, water barrels, and butter dishes  (the most of them no worse for the wear). He said it was his order when he left Liverpool, but we knew it was specified on the sheets placed between decks, that they would be given to us at the end of the passage, if good behaved. About this there was no complaint so that we considered ourselves fairly done.

These are a few of the particulars, which others might furnish you with as well as I, that live within this paper's circulation. 

19 Mar 1853 The Moreton Bay Courier

DIED, At South Brisbane; on the 13th inst, aged 62 years, Dr. Robert Hector, late Surgeon-Superintendent of the ship America. ​

Comment: It is remarkable that the McLeoran family of 7, with ages between 3 and 53, all survived the lack of nutrition and the arrogant attitude of Captain Gilks. 




​Who else was aboard the America?

This article in the Darling Downs Gazette records some of the passengers who lived in the Dalby area:
  • Jeremiah and Sarah Amos and their 6 year old daughter, Emily
  • Donald McLaran (name spelt correctly)
  • Catherine Milford (nee McLaren)
  • John and Catherine Yule and their 3 year old son, John

It also mentions Mrs Amos's nephew, Mr Elijah Starling. Elijah became the proprietor of the business that was once the McLaran Cordial Factory. He took over the business around 1900 when the property on the corner of Cunningham and Patrick Streets "changed hands" from Donald McLaran to William Boyd McLennan, Donald's son-in-law.

Comment: It is yet to be determined, but it is highly likely that Denis Sullivan was amongst the crew of the America.
​
Picture
Picture
The Amos family on the America passenger list.
Picture
The Yule family on the America passenger list.

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