Name/TitleJames Kirby (1828-1904) : newspaper correspondence and reminiscences
MakerClark, Ian D., 1958-
Maker RoleEditor
MakerKirby, James, 1828-1904
Maker RoleAuthor
About this objectBorn in 1828 in Blakesley, Northhamptonshire, England, he emigrated to Australia with his family per the barque 'China', arriving in Melbourne on 2 May 1840. In 1885 he published 'A treatise on Cattle', and in 1895 'Old Times in the Bush of Australia'. In 1894/5 he published ten articles in the Leader, entitled 'Old Time Reminiscences. A True Record of Early Adventures'. These articles are reproduced in this work. Before retiring to Melbourne in 1900, he led a varied life, occupying Tyntynder station on the Murray River near present-day Swan Hill, with Andrew and Peter Beveridge in 1845; operating a postal service at the Glenelg River Crossing Place (later Casterton) in 1847; operating a store at Casterton with his brother, Edmund, from 1848; in 1854 he renewed his Inn-keeper's license for the 'Glenelg Inn' at Casterton; in 1861 he was at 'The Avenue' station, near Penola, in South Australia. He was inn-keeper of the 'Gate Hotel' near Naracoorte, South Australia, in 1868. From 1875 until 1900 he was sheep farming at 'Hillcroft' near Minyip, in the Wimmera district. In the late 1890s he sought a pension from the State, as one of the pioneers 'who had opened up the natural resources of the colony at the risk of their lives in the early days'. In 1900 the State Cabinet agreed that he should receive 20 shillings a week. He died in September 1904 and was buried in the Kew Cemetery. His reminiscences contain extensive discussion of his interaction with the Watti Watti people of the Swan Hill district.
PublisherThe Editor
Publication Date2022
Subject and Association KeywordsAboriginal Australians
Subject and Association KeywordsSwan Hill (Vic.)
Subject and Association KeywordsTyntynder Homestead (Swan Hill, Vic.)
Subject and Association KeywordsCattle and meat industries
Subject and Association KeywordsMinyip (Vic.)
Subject and Association KeywordsWadi Wadi people (D4)
Subject and Association KeywordsLetters (Correspondence)
Subject and Association KeywordsPersonal narratives
Subject and Association KeywordsYarra River (Vic.)
Object TypeBook
ISBN/ISSN9798449076304
Object numberLIB 00064129
Spine Label305.89915 KIR
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved