Lawrence Ormond Butler (1812-1856)- The adventurous life of the son of an Irish convict in NSW: Lawrence Ormond Butler- Ch. 1: education and apprenticeship as compositor

Education of Lawrence Ormond Butler and siblings

Following instructions in their father Laurence Butler's will (dated 1820) re his children’s continued education, Walter, Lawrence and Mary Ann Butler were enrolled in the Higgins and Muldoon RC School Sydney in its first term (April 1822) [1]. Andrew Higgins, a convict and a surveyor who had been assigned to Father Therry after arriving on the “Daphne” in 1819, set up the school for Roman Catholic children, with encouragement from Fr. John Joseph Therry. Higgins came from County Meath and was born in 1791. He was given a life sentence at his trial in County Kildare, and was described on the convict indent as a ‘land surveyor, overseer of road works’. Fr Therry petitioned Governor Brisbane on 3^rd April 1822 for assistance to enable Higgins to maintain the school:

“Sir, Permit me to recommend to the favourable consideration of His Excellency Sir Thomas Brisbane, Andrew Higgins, Schoolmaster of Kent Street, who teaches sixty children, half of which number are instructed gratis as he is a sober, attentive and moral young man, to solicit for him the usual weekly allowance or provisions from His Majesty’s stores.”

(SRNSW Reel 6055 4/1769 p8)

Although the Memorial stated there were 60 pupils, by the time the claim was submitted in August of that year, there were 106 pupils, including Walter, Lawrence and Ann (Mary Ann) Butler, and the children of close family friend Michael Hayes- Eliza, Richard and Eleanor- and the children of other Irish rebels. The exact location of the Kent Street address is unknown but may have been near the house of James Dempsey at 35 Kent Street near Erskine Street, and Laurence Butler's No. 32 Kent Street property.

In reply, the Colonial Secretary wrote, rather condescendingly, on behalf of Governor Brisbane:

“… for the encouragement of education among children of lower orders, (he) will allow you out of Colonial Funds, a penny a week for every child regular in attendance on Andrew Higgins Schoolmaster in Kent Street, and such attendance from daily class rolls open to public inspection during the hours of instruction in his schoolroom.”

(SRNSW Reel6055 4/1760 p8 and 6009 4/3505 p189)

By February 1823 the Higgins School had moved from Kent Street to King Street, where it remained until it moved to Fr. Therry’s new building on the St Mary’s site in 1824. The St Mary’s school continues today.

Sydney 1820 by James Taylor

Career as a printer/compositor, and absconding from employer

Lawrence Ormond Butler became a printer/compositor by trade and was listed as a 'printer' in the 1828 Census,[2] when he was 16, and had signed on for a seven year apprenticeship. He was then living in Hunter Street, with Catherine Clarkson. Clarkson, aged 50 in 1828, had arrived as a free settler from England in 1805. She was listed as a publican and printer, and also possessed 900 acres of land. Her establishment also housed a brewer, two servants, a cook, one adult lodger and four children listed as lodgers (with no apparent parents), as well as her own three children.

On initial inspection of the 1828 Census, which was taken in September of that year, it would appear that Lawrence was working for Clarkson, as she was a printer. However, an advertisement placed in “The Sydney Monitor” newspaper, reveals that Lawrence was apprenticed to a printer named Arthur Hill by September of that year. The following advertisement appeared in

The Sydney Monitor Sat 4 October 1828 p7:

RUNAWAY APPRENTICE

LAWRENCE BUTLER, an Apprentice to the Undersigned, having absented himself from his Master’s Service since the 6^th Inst. (viz. September) without permission, all persons who after this Notice, countenance, or harbor the said Apprentice will be prosecuted.

A.HILL

He had not returned by November when a further advertisement revealed where he was hiding.

The Sydney Monitor, on November 8^th and 10^th 1828:

RUNAWAY APPRENTICE.

LAWRENCE BUTLER, an Apprentice to the Undersigned, having absented himself from his Master’s Service since the 6^th Inst . without permission, all persons who after this Notice, countenance, or harbour the said Apprentice, will be prosecuted. He is in Argyle in the Neighbourhood of Lake George.

A. Hill 13^th Sep 1828.

The Lake George area, including Bungandore, was a young settlement after being discovered by Charles Throsby in 1820. In 1828 there were 126 persons living in the area, including Capt. Richard Brooks’ ‘Bungandow’ property employing 18 people. Capt. Murray and his two sons set out to investigate the land around Lake George in early 1828 and an application for 1280 acres was quickly granted to young Terence Murray. Michael Dwyer’s son John Dwyer was living in Bungadore in 1838, and was granted a licence for ‘The Harp Inn’ situated near the main gate of ‘Ashby’, which he later bought. Other members of the family later moved there.

Why the young Lawrence Butler chose to hide out near Lake George, about 40 kms SW of Goulburn is unknown.

Having returned, Lawrence absconded again in 1830.

Sydney Monitor Sat 24 April 1830 p3

RUNAWAY APPRENTICE

LAWRENCE BUTLER

All constables (and others who feel the propriety of supporting masters in their due authority over their servants) are requested to apprehend or cause to be apprehend,

Lawrence Butler

Apprentice to Mr Arthur Hill, and to forward him to one of the watch-houses in George-street, as he stands charged with misdemeanor.

Monitor Office.

He was soon arrested and was given a harsh penalty:
Wednesday 28 April 1830; Laurence Butler; Charges brought by Arthur Hill for Absconding; 7 days in a solitary cell on bread and water:

SRNSW: Bench of Magistrates, Sydney; Punishment Book 1830,

Series No 3403, Reel 2648, No. 139

Sydney Monitor Sat 29 May 1830 p3

RUNAWAY APPRENTICE

LAWRENCE BUTLER having again absconded form the Sydney Monitor Office, all Constables are hereby informed, that a reward of TWO POUNDS will be paid to anyone who will be the means of his apprehension.

E.S. Hall

At some point Lawrence was apprehended and the following records show his punishment:

Thurs 7 October 1830, Laurence Butler and Richard Oldfield, charges brought by Mr O'Neil, Absent from their Indented Service without leave; 7 days each to House of Correction:

SRNSW: Bench of Magistrates, Sydney; Punishment Book 1830,

Series No. 3403, Reel 2648, No. 35

This was followed with their discharge on the 14th October:

NSW Gaol Description and Entrance Books 1818-1830 [3]:

Lawrence Butler, native, date 14 Oct 1830,

Admission, Gaol: Sydney, Absconding from his Master,

Labour 7 days, Discharged.

The two boys were obviously very angry and recalcitrant about their punishment and with their employers because they were re-arrested on the same day for refusing to work. The judge had had enough and gave them a harsher penalty:
Thurs 14 October 1830; Laurence Butler and Richard Oldfield, charges brought by John Lowry (overseer); Refusing to Work; One Calendar month each to the Gaol as House of Correction:

SRNSW: Bench of Magistrates, Sydney; Punishment Book 1830,

Series No. 3403, Reel 2648, No. 69

Whether Arthur Hill was associated with Catherine Clarkson in the business of printing is unknown. In 1826, Arthur Hill partnered Edward Smith Hall in establishing the newspaper “The Sydney Monitor”, Hill as printer, and Hall as editor. Hill left the partnership in 1827, [4] according to the Australian Dictionary of Biography. However, he was a shareholder of the newspaper and continued his association according to his obituary-his death was reported in the “Sydney Gazette’ Tues 25 March 1834, which stated:

The funeral of the late Arthur Hill will take place this day. The death of this gentleman, is much lamented among all the typos in Sydney. Few men had kinder hearts than poor old Arthur. It may be well said of him, that he was the greatest enemy to himself, for his disposition exposed him to the cunning, who often participated in the bounty, when he, poor man, expected that his beneficence was extended to relieve the really worthy and distressed.

Mr Hill was a shareholder in the materials of the “Monitor” printing office. He was the proprietor of a Journal entitled “Hill’s Life in New South Wales”, which his infirm state of health a year ago, obliged him to abandon. Infirmities gathering fast around him, “old Arthur” ceased to take any active share in the business of the “Monitor” office long ago. But an idle life to a man who like him had been accustomed to bustle and activity, became intolerable;- and in order to beguile his leisure hours, he joined the “corps dramatique” of the Sydney Theatre, where his tact as an Irishman, has not been eclipsed by any actor on these boards, since he was obliged by precarious health to “lay himself on the shelf”. Alas! Poor Arthur!”

Life’s but a walking shadow

A Poor player that frets and struts his time upon the stage,

And then is heard no more.”

But this will not be the case with poor Arthur. He will long live in the remembrance of every typo in Sydney.

Lawrence began his apprenticeship at the age of only 16 years of age and must have found the restrictions as an apprentice difficult to adapt to, despite having a reportedly kindly and elderly Irish employer. Apprenticeships usually lasted for seven years.

The terms of employment under apprenticeships in those days were legally binding and strictly enforced by their masters:

“In England, apprenticeships could last up to seven years duration and during this period, apprentices could not marry, nor enter into any illicit connection, nor should he play cards, nor dice, nor ‘games’, nor indulge himself in spirituous liquors. He was bound to apply himself solely with learning his trade. These were the standard conditions imposed in England on trade or craft apprentices. The exact extent to which they were enforced in New South Wales cannot be determined.”

“Under the administration of Governor Darling, Colonial apprentices were protected, to a certain extent, by the terms of the indentures and by the payment of an indentures fee, which could be reclaimed if it were proved that the master had neglected his obligations. Parental or guardian consent in writing was a pre-requisite for the legality of the indentures. As it was the parent or guardian who paid the indentures fee, it could be assumed that concern for the welfare and progress of the boy would continue. The indentures could be broken legally if the boy absconded; the master was then entitled to retain the indentures fee. They could be broken by mutual agreement, although this involved the apprentice in expense because he was obliged to reimburse his master for out-of-pocket expenses for food, clothing, lodging and training. If the indentures were cancelled at the request of the apprentice the master was entitled to retain the indentures fee. It is probable that the knowledge of the expense and difficulties involved in cancelling apprenticeships when the apprentice was legally indentured prompted dissatisfied apprentices to abscond.” [5]

If the above conditions were being imposed on young Lawrence, it is understandable that he may have found them very restrictive following at least four years of relative freedom, after the death of his mother four years previously and his father when he was just eight years of age. Since 1824/5 Lawrence had been under the guardianship of his elder brother Walter. It was probably Walter who had signed his indenture and paid the indenture fee. These incidents would set the pattern of behavior with regards to absconding from his place of employment, for the rest of his working life.

However, Lawrence’s association with Arthur Hill and Edward Hall would continue, as the following incident will attest.

Assault Charge and Lawrence's association with Edward Smith Hall of 'The Monitor’

In 1831, at the age of 19 years, Lawrence Butler was charged with assault on a William White, a carter, at the Race Course. [6] White stated that his cart contained some persons who had hired it and a lame man was there who had no right to be there. When he refused to get out when told to, the lame man attempted to strike him. Lawrence Butler then took the man’s crutch and struck the carter on the elbow and wrist and broke the crutch, which was given as evidence. A witness named Barwell, corroborated the statement, and Lawrence was sent to trial. His bail was paid by Lawrence £40, and £20 each from two friends named as printers, Arthur Hill and Thomas Armstrong. Lawrence was described as an apprentice for Mr E.S. Hall, editor (viz. Edward Smith Hall of the “Sydney Monitor”).

At his subsequent trial, contradictory evidence was produced that stated that the lame man had been invited to have refreshments with the people in the cart. White had thrown him out and denied they had invited him. White had then produced a knife and “went for Butler and swore he’d cut any man’s guts out”. A witness stated that White was drunk and that Barwell had been there 5 minutes after the event and had “extracted money” from White. Both Butler and the lame man lodged at the residence of the people in the cart, Mr and Mrs Pine in Pitt Street.

Lawrence Butler was found Not Guilty.

The case was reported in the “Sydney Gazette” Thurs 21 July 1831 page 3, and stated that the Jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict of Acquittal:

SYDNEY QUARTER SESSIONS

Tuesday July 19^th

A Court of General and Quarter Sessions of the Peace, for the district of Sydney, assembled this day in the Supreme Court-house. Mr Commissioner Therry officiated as Chairman; Mr Foster being engaged in the Insolvent Court the greater part of the day. A jury having been empanelled, the following prisoners were put on their trials:

Laurence Butler was indicted for an assault on the person of William White in May last.

Witnesses were examined both in support of the prosecution and for the defence, but their evidence was so utterly opposed to each other, that it was evident, as the Court observed, that gross perjury was committed on the one side or the other. As far however as could be elicited with probability, it appeared, that on the last day of the Sydney races, the prosecutor, who is a carter, was hired, together with his cart, to convey a party to and from the races. While on the course, the defendant and a lame man named Grady, were invited by a Mrs Pine, one of the party hiring the cart, to partake of the refreshment brought with them; they did so, and were desired to come back and help themselves again at any future part of the day they might feel inclined. They did return, and on Grady’s getting into the cart, he was refused by White, who ordered him to get out, which not being complied with, he knocked him over the side of the cart, the man falling under the wheel. The defendant then interfered, and reproached him for behaving in so unmanly a manner to a cripple, to which White replied that he would serve him the same, and (if one of the witnesses may be credited) ran at him with a case knife, to avoid the consequences of which the defendant, Butler, seized Grady’s crutch, and struck him several times with it. This was the assault complained of.

The Chairman, in putting the case to the Jury, observed upon the very contradictory evidence brought forward, which left no doubt whatever of gross perjury having been committed either on the one side or on the other. Assuming, however, that the testimony in support of the prosecution should be credited- although there was a very great discrepancy between the statements of the two witnesses- and they should be of opinion that an assault had been committed by the defendant, still there was another question, namely, under what circumstances was it committed? Now there were several cases in which an assault might be justified:- a husband in defence of his wife, a parent of his child, a master of his servant, or a servant of his master, were held to be justified in interfering; and upon principle, his Worship would hold, in this case, that if the defendant, upon the impulse of the moment, and instigated by a feeling of humanity, when he saw an offence committed on a cripple, who was not able to defend himself, interfered in his behalf, and used no more violence that was absolutely necessary to protect him, that he was justified in doing so. If the Jury believed the evidence on the part of the defendant, he was justified in protecting himself from a meditated assault by the prosecutor; if, on the other hand, they believed the witnesses for the prosecution, and were of opinion that an assault had been committed by the defendant, the next point of enquiry was, under what circumstances was it committed? An did he use any more force than was absolutely necessary in defence of the helpless cripple who had been thrown out of the cart?

The Jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict of Acquittal, and the defendant was discharged accordingly.

The gentlemen who put up the bond money for Lawrence are of interest. Lawrence's employer was named as Edward Smith Hall. Lawrence put up a £40 bond. A further £20 bond was put up by Arthur Hill, and another £20 posted by printer Thomas Armstrong who may have worked for Hall.

The Australian Dictionary of Biography gives us some interesting information on these two men:

Edward Smith Hall, [7] born 1786 London was engaged in religious and social work before deciding to migrate to the Colony in 1811.

Edward Smith Hall (1786-1860)

Attributed to Augustus Earle c.1820

National Library of Australia

nla.pic-an2310341

His application was supported by recommendations from the philanthropist and abolitionist (ie. of the slave trade) William Wilberforce. He initially was granted land and after failing at farming, turned to trading to New Zealand with Simeon Lord, and was also involved in the establishment of the Bank of NSW. He continued his religious and social work in the Colony.

“In May 1826 he and Arthur Hill published the first issue of the “Monitor”. In this newspaper Hall took up the cause of the poor and ‘espoused the cause of any convict who should he be ever so vile, was punished contrary to law’. The “Monitor” influenced public opinion by its advocacy of a representative assembly and trial by common jury. It was vigorous in condemning Governor Sir Ralph Darling for oppressive rule. When Hill left the partnership in 1827 Hall continued the paper’s critical policy, which goaded the governor into describing Hall as ‘a fellow without principles, an apostate missionary’. Darling attempted to restrain Hall and other attackers, such as Wentworth and Wardell of “The Australian” newspaper, by introducing bills for the licensing of newspapers, resulting in the Newspaper Regulating Act. Undeterred, Hall continued his fierce criticisms, sometimes resorting to statements that were factually incorrect with the result that he was seven times prosecuted for criminal libel. In 1829 Hall was convicted of libel and sentenced to 15 months in gaol, whence he continued to conduct the ‘Monitor’ and prepare further libels. For these, he had his sentence extended to not less than three years. In November 1830, in honour of the accession of William IV, Hall was released from prison. Hall continued to criticize the administration and on 1^st October 1831 had the satisfaction of announcing that the Governor was to be relieved of his command. Darling blamed Hall for his removal, although this was denied by the Colonial Office. In 1838 he sold the “Monitor”. Until 1848 he conducted the “Australian”, after which he formed an association with Sir Henry Parkes’ “Empire”. Hall died in 1860.”

Dr Robert Wardell and William C. Wentworth had begun “The Australian” newspaper in 1824, with similar ideals. They also attacked Governor Darling’s regime and were also charged with similar libel offences in 1829. Wentworth relinquished his shares in the newspaper at this time to act as counsel during the ensuing court cases.

Robert Hughes in his book “The Fatal Shore” wrote about the harsh regime of Governor Darling and his appointed commandant of the Moreton Bay settlement, Captain Patrick Logan of the 57^th Regiment. [8] Of all the Australian commandants of the various penal colonies, Logan had the worst reputation for cruelty, condoned by Darling. (Notably Logan was murdered by aborigines in October 1830, after five years.) It was people with a voice like Hall and his “Monitor” and William Wentworth with his “Australian” newspaper, “that began to question what was going on at Moreton Bay and through editorials in the ‘Monitor’ and a series of open letters to the colonial secretary in England, Hall accused Darling of negligence, unconstitutional disregard for the “ancient mild laws of England”, graft, favouritism to rich colonists, jury packing, indifference to “proven cases of official torture, and “prostituting his Authority and influence as Governor to feelings of private resentment.”[9] "

When Darling was recalled in 1831, there was wild jubilation from the Emancipists.

“Hall’s ‘Monitor’ announced that an “illumination” would rise over its editorial office the night Darling sailed, bearing the incandescent phrase “He’s off”. “THANK GOD- We have shaken off the incubus at last!” Wentworth exclaimed in the “Australian”, and held open house for every Emancipist and Currency in the colony on the grounds of his estate at Vaucluse, over looking Sydney Harbour, the perimeter of which had been surrounded by a shallow trench filled with Irish earth to keep the Australian snakes out. (Vaucluse was originally built by convict Sir Henry B. Hayes in 1803. Being troubled by snakes entering his house, he adopted a measure for defending the house against snakes. According to old legend, St Patrick had banished all snakes from Ireland and it was said that the smell of the peat from Irish bogs would drive away snakes anywhere. So Hayes imported 500 barrels of Irish peat with which he filled a trench dug around the house and for double insurance, the work was done on St. Patrick’s Day by a gang of Irish convicts).[10]

Some four thousand people converged on Vaucluse House by gig, horse, donkey and Shank’s pony, and hoed into a feast involving a whole roast ox, twelve sheep, thousands of loaves of bread and incalculable quantities of ale and spirits.” [11]

A description of this joyous occasion was described in “The Australian” 21^st October 1831:

“REJOICINGS FOR GENERAL DARLING”S DEPARTURE.

FETE AT VAUCLUSE.

BRILLIANT ILLUMINATIONS- JOYOUS FESTIVITIES.

On Wednesday, upward of 4,000 persons assembled at Vaucluse to partake of Mr Wentworth’s hospitality and to evince joy at the approaching departure.

The scene of the fete was on the lawn in front of Mr. Wentworth’s villa, which was thrown open for the reception of all respectable visitants, while a marquee filled with piles of loaves and casks of Cooper’s gin and Wright’s strong beer, was pitched a short way off.

On an immense spit a bullock was roasted entire. Twelve sheep were also roasted in succession; and 4,000 loaves completed the enormous banquet.

By 7 p.m. two immense bonfires were lighted on the highest hill. The blaze might be seen from Sydney; and the illuminations had the most brilliant and imposing effect.

Rustic sports, speeches, etc. etc., whiled away the night; and morning dawned before the hospitable mansion was quitted by all its guests.”

As Lawrence was an apprentice to this very strongly opinionated, moralistic and courageous man, Edward Smith Hall, one would expect that Hall must have been a great influence on the developing mind of this young man.

However, Lawrence once again absconded from his employers, Hill and Hall, and went to Van Diemen’s Land the following year.

Sydney Monitor, Wed 7 December 1831 p2:

One wonders, where and who owned the "house of ill fame" where he was hiding.

Lawrence was named as the sponsor at his nephew's baptism in Sydney in November 1831 (viz. Thomas Lawrence son of brother Walter Butler and wife Margaret Dunn). Within about seven months, Walter had left his wife and two young sons and run off to Launceston with his mistress, Eliza Bodecin nee Dwyer. A 'Mr and Mrs Butler' travelled from Sydney to Tasmania on the 'Nerius' in June 1832, and on 13 October 1832, Eliza's husband Peter Bodecin placed an advert in the 'Launceston Independant' cautioning that he would not be answerable for any debts she may contract, as "she had left him and her two children, and is supposed to be living with a man named Walter Butler, a cabinet maker in Launceston".

It would appear that Lawrence may have travelled with his brother to Tasmania.

Lawrence's employers placed the following advertisements in the Sydney Monitor.

Sydney Monitor Wed 2 May 1832 p3

LAWRENCE BUTLER

A RUN-A-WAY APPRENTICE

Lawrence Butler, an Apprentice at the Sydney Monitor Office, having again absconded, any persons harbouring him after this notice, will be prosecuted according to the Act of Parliament in such case made and provided, he being well known to be a Minor, and an Apprentice to us

E.S.Hall

A. Hill

Sydney Monitor Sat 30 June 1832 p4

RUN-A-WAY APPRENTICE

LAWRENCE BUTLER

Whereas, Lawrence Butler, our Apprentice, about 20 Years of Age, son of the late Mr Butler, of Pitt-street, Cabinet maker, has run away from our service, and is supposed to be now in V. D. Land, employing this time either as a Compositor or a Settler; this is to Caution all Persons in Van Diemen's Land from employing the said Lawrence Butler, either now, or after he shall have become of age, as he will, according to Act of Council, be compelled to serve us after his minority, for a period of time equal to the time of his absconding during his Apprenticeship. By Act of Parliament, all Persons harbouring Apprentices are liable to an action at law, and to pay heavy damages, and for the sake of public example, the Act of Council and the Act of Parliament will be by us strictly enforced against the said Apprentice and his aiders and abettors.

A. Hill

B. E.S. Hall

The following month Hall had discovered that Henry Melville, proprietor of the Colonial Times in Hobart, had employed Lawrence Butler. Hall wrote an open letter to Melville. (Notably in 1838, Melville would sell his newspaper to Lawrence’s brother-in-law, John C MacDougall).

Sydney Monitor Wed 25 July 1832 p3

TO HENRY MELVILLE Esq. Proprietor of the Colonial Times, Hobart Town.

Sydney 25^th July 1832

SIR- A friend of mine from Hobart Town, informs me, that you have kindly inserted in your paper an Advertisement describing my run-away Apprentice Lawrence Butler; but at the same time he informs me, that you employ Butler at this moment in your Office. As you cannot be aware of the dishonor as well as illegality of such conduct, I feel confident that the lad has hired himself to you as a Compositor under a fictitious name. I therefore beg leave to apprise you of the danger which you run in harbouring a run-a-way Apprentice

I remain, Sir

Your most obedient humble Servant

E.S.Hall.

This advert was repeated on 15 August, and the original advert on 1 December 1832.

The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 29 July 1833 p.2 Shipping Intelligence, reported that the passenger ship 'Warrior' left Hobart Town on the 21st July, arriving in Sydney on the 26th, passengers including 'Mr Lawrence Butler and Mr Walter Butler'.

Sydney Morning Herald Mon 29 July 1833 p.2

It would appear that Hill and Hall were unable to enforce their threat. After a short period of trying a different career as a publican, by 1835 Lawrence was back in employment as a compositor with the “Sydney Gazette”.

[1] Frank Murray, 1820’s NSW- Early Education of the Irish Emancipists’ Currency Lads and Lasses, Descent Journal, SAG, June 2008, Vol 38 Part 2, pages78-82

[2] M Sainty & K Johnson, Census of NSW 1828, revised ed, Library of Australian History, Nth Sydney 2008

[3] Ancestry.com

[4] M.J.B. Kenny “Hall, Edward Smith 1786-1860” Australian Dictionary of Biography Volume I Melbourne University Press 1966 pp500-502

[5] Portia Robins, The Hatch and Brood of Time, Volume 1, Oxford University Press, Melbourne, 1985, p136-137

[6] SRNSW: Clerk of the Peace- Quarter Sessions 1824-37; [4/8453, No 32]; Butler, Laurence; July 1831; Sydney

[7] M.J.B. Kenny “Hall, Edward Smith 1786-1860” Australian Dictionary of Biography Volume I Melbourne University Press 1966 pp500-502

[9] Ibid, Hughes’ reference: E.S.Hall to Murray, May 1830, Enclosure I in Darling to Murray HRA xv628ff’ (Hughes p448)

[10] Vaucluse House, pub by Vaucluse House Park Trust 1959

[11] Robert Hughes, The Fatal Shore, op.cit, p452

Saturday, 1 September 2012

Lawrence Ormond Butler- Ch. 1: education and apprenticeship as compositor

Education of Lawrence Ormond Butler and siblings

Career as a printer/compositor, and absconding from employer