Margaret McIntyre

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The husband of Margaret McIntyre, Andrew McIntyre, [1]

Background

Margaret Kerr married Andrew McIntyre on 19 May 1850 at Gorbals, Lanarkshire, Scotland.[2]

The 1851 Census of Scotland places Andrew and Margaret McIntyre, both aged 19 years, as living at 80 Eglington St, Glasgow. They were living with Jean Kerr aged 47 who was born 29 December 1803 to James Kerr and Jean Muir. Jean Kerr had married Bryce Kerr on 27 April 1822 at Dairy, Aryshire, Scotland. Also living with them in 1851 were Bryce Kerr aged 10 years, James Kerr aged 6, William Kerr aged 4 and an infant McIntyre aged one month.

Their daughter, Margaret Eureka McIntyre was born in a tent on 22 February 1855. The family returned to Scotland by September 1859.[3] There is a record of Margaret MacIntyre (sic) returning from Victoria, Australia on the vessel White Star in January 1859. Her destination was Liverpool. The ship's master was Thomas C. Kerr.[4]

Goldfields Involvement, 1854

By 1854 Andrew McIntyre was a miner at Ballarat. He was arrested for the burning of the Eureka Hotel. On 29 March 1855 he wrote a letter to his brother-in-law, Mr A.C. Kerr, describing the Eureka Stockade events.[5] In the letter he describes how he helped douse the flames (unsuccessfully) to the fire at Bentley's Eureka Hotel. He spoke at the time to Robert Rede, but was arrested soon afterwards, taken to Geelong and then to Melbourne for trial where he was given three months in gaol.

McIntyre was associated with Peter Lalor. He was arrested with Thomas Fletcher on 21 October 1854 and committed for trial at Geelong on 6 November 1854.[6]

The men accused of destroying the Eureka Hotel, Henry Westerby, Thomas Fletcher and Andrew McIntyre, were convicted and sentenced to gaol on 20 November 1854. J.B. Humffray, Black and Kennedy, representing the Ballarat Reform League demanded the release of these prisoners on 27 November. It was a fatal mistake, as the use of the word “demand” strengthened Governor Hotham’s resolve for control.[7]

McIntyre was imprisoned for three months in Melbourne goal for riotous behaviour prior to the Eureka Stockade battle, namely for his part in the burning of Bentley’s Eureka Hotel. The Argus newspaper concluded that by sentencing the men, the law had been upheld, but the Government had been disgraced.[8]

It was said that McIntyre did his best to restrain the diggers at Bentley’s. Gilbert Amos spoke on Mcintyre’s behalf, but McIntyre was sentenced to three months imprisonment. Amos testified that McIntyre had done all he could to save property in the hotel.[9]


Names of persons arrested in connection of having been connected in the riot at Eureka (being the burning I'd Bentley's Hotel).
Date of Arrest Name How disposed of
Oct 21, Andrew McIntyre , Committed for trial Geelong 26 Nov.
Oct 21, Thomas Fletcher, Committed for trial Geelong, 26 Nov.
Oct 26, Henry Westerby, Committed for trial Melbourne, 15th Nov.
Oct 26, Manestra Flatow, discharged
Oct 26, Samuel Butler, discharged
Oct 26, Albert Hurd, Committed for trial Melbourne 15th Nov. On bail
Oct 27, John Balderston, discharged
Oct 27, George McIntosh, discharged
Oct 27, Charles Stewart, discharged
Oct 27, John van Der Byl, discharged[10]

References

  1. BHS, Eureka Research Directory 1998
  2. Corfield, J.,Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004.
  3. Corfield, J.,Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004.
  4. https://www.prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/explore-topic/passenger-records-and-immigration
  5. Corfield, J.,Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004.
  6. Wickham, D., Gervasoni, C. & Phillipson, W., Eureka Research Directory, Ballarat Heritage Services, 1999.
  7. Wickham, D., Gervasoni, C. & Phillipson, W., Eureka Research Directory, Ballarat Heritage Services, 1999.
  8. Wickham, D., Gervasoni, C. & Phillipson, W., Eureka Research Directory, Ballarat Heritage Services, 1999.
  9. Wickham, D., Gervasoni, C. & Phillipson, W., Eureka Research Directory, Ballarat Heritage Services, 1999.
  10. PROV, VPRS 1189, Unit 153, File J54 12-469.