1871: Thomas Kingsford’s Annus Horribilis

Three letters, recently found within the Tarong Station records and reproduced below, tell a tragic story of the struggles of Thomas Kingsford and his family in Thomas’s final year of life.

In 1871, Thomas Kingsford left his long-time position at Glenhaughton Station under what sounds like contentious circumstances. Kingsford’s letters to Tarong Station owner, George Clapperton do not reveal what caused Kingsford’s boss Charles (‘C.R’) Haly to cast out his long-time employee. What can be said is that Kingsford and Haly had had a working relationship of over a decade prior to 1871; Kingsford was a declared supporter of Haly’s (successful) nomination as a local candidate for Burnett in 1860. Clapperton, too, was Haly’s declared supporter. At that time, in 1860, Kingsford and Clapperton worked at Haly’s Glenhaughton and Taabinga stations.

Unlike Kingsford, who has no known obituary, Clapperton and Haly had notices published after their deaths. Clapperton’s describes him as a ‘really good and earnest man’; Haly was apparently ‘brusque in manner, but never offensive.’ It was Clapperton to whom Kingsford appealed when he had no prospects and no one else to turn to. Clapperton sends £10 – the equivalent of about 50 days’ wages for a skilled tradesman in 1871 – and Kingsford writes his final letter to Clapperton, expressing his gratitude while lamenting his still-desperate position. Tragically, and by cause unknown, Thomas Kingsford dies on the eighth of November, 1871. Kingsford was survived by his 34-year-old wife Dorothea and their eight living children. Dorothea would outlive her husband by 50 years, living until 1921.

1871 letters written by Thomas Kingsford to George Clapperton:

Letter 1 - Glenhaughton, 16th March, 1871

Dear Clapperton,

As you are already probably aware, I am leaving this, -- in fact will start in a few days. I have no doubt Mr Haly has told you his version of the why and the wherefore. I would like you to have my version too, and may in my travels call at Tarong some day, and tell you all about it; In the meantime I intend taking my family to Warwick, where I will leave them and strike out to look for something to do. I may mention that as I have no means, and a large family to support, it is necessary I [must ?] get [some?] thing to do without loss of time. As you are an old friend, I have naturally turned my thoughts to you in the first place, and now write to ask you if you can give me a Billet, or if you know of anything that would suit me, if not, perhaps you would kindly keep me in remembrance should anything turn up in the way of a situation. Consider Mr Haly has not treated me well, and it would afford me the utmost satisfaction to be able to get some situation shortly, without having recourse to him in any way. [… … …] do for so long a [… … …] you would not […] refrain [?] to recommend me should opportunity offer. I would take it very kind of you if you would write me care of my father in Warwick so that I may get your letter on my arrival there, which I expect will be in about a months time. Granting that you may have some favourable news for me. Believe me.

Yours very truly,

Thomas Kingsford

Letter 2 - Warwick, 28th July, 1871

Dear Clapperton,

I hope you will excuse my troubling you but […] necessity compels me to do so. Since I came to Warwick, I can truly say the Doctor has hardly ever been out of the house, Mrs K. and all my children have been sick, 2 of them nearly to death. The consequence is I have a heavy Doctors Bill to meet, and at present without the means of meeting it. I now write to ask you if you would lend me £15 for a little while. I have to get a payment from […] in departure, and I have a Buggy and […] Horses I wish to Sell but cannot find a Purchaser just at present when I want one. As soon as I Sell the Buggy and horses I will repay you, should you oblige me in this matter. I am sorry to say my own friends here are not in a position to assist me. And my poor old father had his arm broken the other day by his horse falling and rolling over him. Please reply by […] of […] if possible and should you lend me the money it will verily be the action of a friend in the time of need. Believe me.

Yours very truly,

Thomas Kingsford

Letter 3 - Warwick, 5th August, 1871

Dear Clapperton,

I am in receipt of your enclosing Chq.: for £10. I am very much obliged to you indeed for your prompt kindness. I am sorry to say that my expectations of Warwick being a healthy place for children have not yet been realized in my experiences, - since I wrote you another of my children has been very ill indeed from inflammation of the lungs brought on by cold – the child is still under the Doctors hands, but […] now gives hopes of him [… …] grow up [… … …] lately from […]. I think I mentioned in my [letter] that my father has broken his arm, he is getting on pretty nicely considering his age. Please do not forget me should you hear of any billet turning up that you think would suit me. I am tired of an idle life. Believe me Dear Clapperton,

Yours very sincerely

Thomas Kingsford

P.S. “A friend in need is a friend indeed” – TK

This story was discovered by State Library's small but expert team of volunteers who are identifying content relating to First Nations people buried within the records of pastoral stations and family papers held at the State Library of Queensland. 

These records are principally financial records and have been traditionally collected and archived through the pastoralist eyes. Some, however, contain references to employees of Aboriginal, Chinese, and South Sea Islander heritage. By investing time in reviewing their content, much can be revealed.

Tara Burns, SLQ Volunteer