Postcards from Australia - part 5

Farm in Highfields, Queensland, Australia

April 1912

Highfields, Queensland, Australia

Dear Sister,

It is with regret that I write to inform you of the passing of your brother James earlier this month.  

As you know James bought a small farm only twelve miles from Toowoomba in the town of Highfields after his retirement.  The land, known to be perfect for agriculture, dairying, pig raising, vegetable and fruit growing and grazing, kept James busy these past twelve years. 

By my reckoning, James was seventy-two years old, a fine age.  His obituary reads ... many friends of Mr James Warner of Highfields will regret to learn of his death ... the deceased ... leaves a grown family of five sons and six daughters to mourn this sad event.  Except for a paralytic strike, his general health was good up till lately.

Your loving sister-in-law, Isabella Warner

Miss Warner

Mitchelstown, Cork, Ireland

Postcards from Australia - part 4

Queensland Police Christmas card celebrating Federation

August 1901

Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

Dear Mamma and Pa,

I am now sixty and write to tell you I have retired from the Queensland Police Force on a full pensin.  Most years in the service have been good to me.  But for the past five my health has not been good due to my time in the north.  Indeed I received a report I was unfit for duty from the Government Medical Officer some years back and have for some time been unable to ride adequately.  

It has largely been the children Isabella and I have been blessed with that have kept me in the force.  We have now eleven children with the addition of Ethel, Maude, Thomas and Linda. 

I remain, your loving son, James

Mr and Mrs John Warner

Mitchelstown, Cork, Ireland

Postcards from Australia - part 3

Railway, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

May 1889

Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

Dear Mamma and Pa,

I write with a heart that is both joyous and heavy. Firstly, you have a new grandson, John, born just three months ago.  He is dark haired and quite a lively one.  Secondly, I regret to inform you the two next youngest, Jane and George, succumbed to the  dreaded diphtheria and died this month.  Their poor little bodies were carried off in quick succession and we are all in a state of grief even as I write this.  

Isabella, my beloved wife of thirteen years now, is stoically looking after the remaining children.  We were nine until recently and Stephen, Catherine, Isabella, James, Caroline and William are helping as best that young children can. 

Hoping my next card brings more joyful news.

Your loving son, James

Mr and Mrs John Warner

Mitchelstown, Cork, Ireland

Postcards from Australia - part 2

Early Queensland Police Uniform

August 1871

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Dear Mamma and Pa,

I have so much to tell you and have seen so many places.  The life of a mounted policeman is truly the life for me and with the exception of a momentary lapse in judgment when I was absent for two hours and found drunk in Ann Street, I am told I have a promising career ahead of me.  I was fined one pound for the lark which was a real rub.  

In future I am likely to be stations at country towns such as Condamine, Dalby, Leyborn, Chinchilla, Charleville and Rosewood. 

The police officer in such towns often performs more than just police work and I am just as likely to be the Clerk of Petty Sessions, Land Agent, Inspector of Houses and Assistant District Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.  I am also going to be promoted to Sergeants soon.  Sergeant Warner - can you believe it Pa?

Your loving son, James

Mr and Mrs John Warner

Mitchelstown, Cork, Ireland

Portcards from Australia - part 1

Northern Gold Escort, Cape York, Queensland, Australia

December 1868

Cape York Queensland, Australia

Dear Mamma and Pa,

Firstly, Merry Christmas to you all.  Secondly, please note my new address as I am now in Queensland. 

Having made and lost my fortune threefold I have decided mining is not for me.  After three years mining I have moved to one of the hottest and wettest places on earth (Queensland) and become a copper to boot.  Mamma you would hardly recognise me, I look so handsome in my uniform. 

But looking good is little consolation for the work.  Conditions are arduous, we work a minimum nine hour day and often seven day week.  We are entitled to every second Sunday free but rarely benefit from this arrangement, leave is infrequent.  My first post is to Somerset, Cape York on the Northern Gold Escort.  It is a dangerous and rewarding post.

Your loving son, James

Mr and Mrs John Warner

Mitchelstown, Cork, Ireland

Postcards in transit - part 3

Gold Miners in Daylesford, Victoria, Australia

December 1864

Daylesford, Victoria, Australia

Dear Mamma and Pa,

I hope my card arrived telling you of my safe arrival in Victoria, last month.  I sent it as soon as I dis-embarked.  I continue to see how everything is so different here as I mentioned in my card.

I am now settled in Daylesford about 71 miles north west of Melbourne.  The town is full of immigrants - French, German, Italian, English, Scot, Welsh, Cornish and Irish - all seeking their fortunes like me, as gold miners. 

The town has postal and telegraph services but no railway.  The Chinese immigrants have well established market gardening so we have a rich supply of fresh food.  The Court House is like a home away from home as many of the magistrates and lawyers are from Ireland.  I have spent many an evening there listening to tales of home and recounting my own.   

Your loving son, James. 

Mr and Mrs John Warner

Mitchelstown, Cork, Ireland

Postcards in transit - part 2

Champion of the Seas

August 1864

Liverpool, England

Dear Mamma and Pa,

This is the last card I am likely to write until I arrive in Australia.  I hope it finds you well.

Yesterday I was very excited as I booked my passage to Australia.  I am to leave by the high tide on August 9th.  

Today as I enclose for you, the photograph I had taken in Cork, I am a little anxious as I realise I may never see you again.  My dear parents, I shall try to do you proud. 

Let me tell you about the vessel on which I am to travel. She is called the Champion of the Seas, a ship of some 2,2025 tonnes, of the Black Ball Lines.  She is said to be one of the fastest clippers and we (all 600 passengers) should make Australia in record time. 

By mid November I should be back on land and able to write you again.

Your loving son, James. 

Mr and Mrs John Warner

Mitchelstown, Cork

Postcards in transit - part 1

Liverpool, England

August 1864

Liverpool, England

Dear Mama and Pa, 

Well I arrived safely in Liverpool yesterday.  The crossing was a little rough but largely uneventful.  

I enjoyed the sights of Dublin for a few hours as the boat to Liverpool was delayed on account of the inclement weather.  But in the usual fashion the weather soon cleared and we were able to set off and with a nice wind to help us through the cross.  We soon made good time and arrived in Liverpool before nightfall.

Thank you Pa for suggesting I ask Reverend John Bolster for a reference.  Last night I opened the envelope in which he had sealed the paper.  You can imagine my joy to read his words describing ... a parishioners of mine whom I hold in high esteem, his family are most respectful and I really do not know a better conducted or more acceptable you man ...  I am sure to do nothing but good with this reference.

Your loving son, James. 

Mr and Mrs John Warner

Mitchelstown, Cork

Cousins Lunch

Well cousins - well done for this years lunch.  I hope everyone had a great time.  I noticed plenty of conversations and catch-ups.  Welcome to our newest members Marie, Arianna, Harrison, Ethan and Riley. As promised here are some photos.  Please feel free to add your own.

Warner Cousins

Annette and James

Carmel-Joan and Marie

Anissa, Peta and Kayleen

Luchia and Linette

Anissa and Arianna

Patrice and Arianna

James, Arianna and Anastasia

Kathleen, Luchia and Jodi

Postcards from Ireland - part 3

Gates of Mitchelstown Workhouse, Cork, Ireland

May 1864

Mitchelstown, Cork

Dear Grannie and Pa, 

I hope this card sees you both well. 

I have made up my mind, I am going to Australia.  Mama, of course, is wailing. 

Mitchelstown continues to recover from the famine but it is 12 years since and there is nothing for me here.  The workhouse continues to house as many as it will hold and there is little hope of finding work that will sustain all but the most meager of lifestyles.

I have heard reports of wealth aplenty from across the world, extravagant stories of gold discoveries in and around Ballarat in Victoria, Australia.  It is said to be the world's richest goldfield where you can simply pick the gold up on the streets. 

So to Australia I must go and seek my fortune.  Please help mama to understand and give my love to all. 

Your loving grandson, James. 

Mr and Mrs John Williams

Drishane, Cork

Postcards from Ireland - part 2

Galtee Mountains from Market Square, Mitchelstown, Cork, Ireland

May 1848

Mitchelstown, Cork

Mr Dear Ma, 

I hope this card sees you and papa well.

James Henry turned seven this month.  I am sad to day it wasn't much of a celebration.  My poor son has seen more than half his life in this wretched famine, but we needs do our best.

I should be grateful, Mitchelstown has not experienced the effects of the famine as early as other towns due to our diet being mainly from dairy (butter, milk and grain).  But it is inevitable and our town grows poorer and poorer each coming month.

I hears talk in town that we are soon to be regarded as one of the new Poor Law Unions and I fear for our family in these wretched conditions. 

I am sending a small parcel of food.  I know you are doing it worse than we. Give me love to all.

Your loving daughter, Catherine.

Mr and Mrs John Williams

Drishane, Cork

Portcards from Ireland - part 1

The next few posts will feature some postcards that tell James' life.  I must say I had a lot of fun preparing these posts (they're not real of course) but how I think some of the events of James' life may have been reported.  The postcard pictures show relevant detail about the writing.

The first set are postcards that might have been written whilst James was in Ireland.

King Street, Mitchelstown, Cork, Ireland

May 1841

Mitchelstown, Cork

My dear Ma, 

I hope this card sees you and papa well. 

Our little family is one more with the safe arrival of James Henry Warner earlier this month. John is overjoyed with another son and I am overjoyed to be through my time.  The baby is settling well and although tired I am doing fine. 

Life in Mitchelstown is the same as you would remember.  We have been fortunately with the local rivers this year and have feasted on a plentiful supply of fresh games and fish.  The cheese making is proving successful with many of the local families supplying milk from their own cattle.

I believe our town is gaining a fair reputation for the cheese which is helping to keep many of the families fed. 

Please give me love to my sisters and brothers. I shall be writing them shortly. 

Your loving daughter, Catherine.

Mr and Mrs John Williams

Drishane, Cork