Solomon Brown

221

D Wong on 12th October 2019

Solomon Brown was listed as being born C1823 and 21 years old on arrival. Native Place: Bedfordshire, England. Solomon was illiterate, 5'4" tall, sallow complexion, brown hair, grey eyes, scar on right side corner of mouth. 9/4/1855: Married Mary Maylan (Midlothian 1853) at St Johns, Richmond, Tas. 21/3/1854: TOL 8/7/1856: CP 6/8/1868 The Mercury, Hobart: Ordered to pay £5 7s 4d., to the Sorell Road Trust. 26/11/1870: Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Brown at the Petty Sessions, Sorell. 1/4/1885 Tasmanian News, Hobart: ALL PERSONS are hereby CAUTIONED not to use insulting language either towards my wife or myself by calling us out of our proper names. I intend to take proceedings against any one so offending after this date. SOLOMON BROWN, Bream Creek. 31st March, 1885. 10/1/1898 The Mercury, Hobart: **This is an excerpt from the report of bush fires in the area: A most pitiable case was that of the poor old settler Solomon Brown and his wife, an aged couple, who, by dint of much labour and perseverance, had made a clearing on the rise above Coppington post office, and had created a rude hut and some little score of years. In that spirit of independence which is the secret of British colonisation, they said, No more we'll pay rent and work for a wage, But depend on the blessings of God - And our wiry muscles, to win in old age Sweet peace, and content from the sod. Now they are bereft of almost everything, and the world has once more become full of briars to them in their old age. They had cleared enough to be able to keep a couple of cows, and some pigs, grow a few potatoes, a little hay, and corn for their own use, and were content with their lot ; but on New Year's Eve the fire came straight towards them, driven, by the north-west wind, from Hazlewood, and completely surrounded them. A cowhouse, piggery, and shed stood together about 100yds. from the house, and these were soon in flames. Some neighbours, at considerable personal risk, rushed up the hill to the assistance of the old couple. Soon the blaze was raging very fiercely all around them for many miles, cutting all off from any chance of escape. It was horrible time for them all for an hour or two. Twice the awe-stricken old woman's dress caught fire in trying to open the pig's cot door to let the pigs out of the burning stys. She had just succeeded in doing it when the rescuers came, and who at once set about trying to save the little dwelling. They just managed to do it after a desperate effort. It was then discovered that the cow had been burnt about the feet and udder, and the pigs badly singed. The little crop of grain had been housed and of course went with the outbuildings in the flames, together with the old man's few implements. A patch of potatoes was also spoiled. When visited on Friday last the poor old couple looked the picture of distress and misery. Both burst out crying and asked what could they do now? The old man, much bent, with sunken eyes and a pale look, raised his hands and said, I have been struggling with a sickly wife for over 40 years, and now, just when we had got this little place together, we have lost all but the little house." The old woman meanwhile shed tears of woe and wrung her hands. The neighbours are at present seeing that they shall not starve, but the venerable couple sadly need some outside assistance. They bear a very good name in the district as industrious, honest old people. But for the timely assistance which they received they would inevitably have perished in the flames. The pigs were evidently in pain still and the poor cow's udder bleeding. 1905: Solomon Brown's death was registered at Port Sorell, Tas. **Not to be confused with the Solomon Brown, also from Bedfordshire, who died at the Ballarat Benevolent Asylum on 21/12/1874.