Bendigo Goldfields Petition

Diggers Flag of 1853, 2013, From Bendigo Monument in Rosalind Park.

Background

Once thought to be lost, the Bendigo Goldfields Petition was discovered by chance lying in a pile of papers on a rubbish tip. Some 13 metres in length and bound in green silk, it’s a milestone document in the state’s history.

The petition was signed by over 5000 diggers on the Victorian goldfields in mid-1853. At the time, the signatures represented about one in 12 diggers.

In June 1853 an anti-gold licence association was formed at Bendigo to give voice to the diggers' many grievances about their conditions. The diggers were angry about the mining licence fees imposed by the government and the system by which they were collected.

The petition was signed by miners across the state’s major goldfields and was brought to Melbourne and presented to Lieutenant-Governor Charles La Trobe on 01 August 1853. Most of its demands, including the reduction in the licence fee, were rejected. Eventually the diggers' dissatisfaction erupted, culminating in the Eureka Stockade uprising at Ballarat on 3 December 1854.

Dr John Chapman, a Melbourne collector, purchased the petition from its discoverer and presented it to the State Library of Victoria in 1988. Its discovery is particularly valuable for historians and genealogists investigating the history of social and political events during the gold rushes in Victoria.

Alphabetical Listings

1853 Petition Signatures - A

1853 Petition Signatures - B

1853 Petition Signatures - C

1853 Petition Signatures - D

1853 Petition Signatures - E

1853 Petition Signatures - F

1853 Petition Signatures - G

1853 Petition Signatures - H

1853 Petition Signatures - I

1853 Petition Signatures - J

1853 Petition Signatures - K

1853 Petition Signatures - L

1853 Petition Signatures - M

1853 Petition Signatures - N

1853 Petition Signatures - O

1853 Petition Signatures - P

1853 Petition Signatures - Q

1853 Petition Signatures - R

1853 Petition Signatures - S

1853 Petition Signatures - T

1853 Petition Signatures - U

1853 Petition Signatures - V

1853 Petition Signatures - W

1853 Petition Signatures - X

1853 Petition Signatures - Y

1853 Petition Signatures - Z

s

John sab J. Or t. Sabley or sibley W. E. Safse or sasse peg leg digger John sage John sage or page J. Or i. D. Sagemuller Charles james sainington John sais John sais Andrew salberg or salbery Edward salmon Edward salmon - sampson W. Sampson M. Samuel storekeeper Jonas samuels digger Sam samut or samuel James sander Edwin sanderson Edwin sanderson W. Sandorff Richard sandors John l. Sannford John sansom W. Sargeant B. Sargent - sarkes John sauegison gold miner Fred. Saunders George saunders Samuel saunders Samuel saunders digger George saunders Richard saunders gold digger William sauser gold digger James savage John savage Francis savage or lavsder Frank e. Sawyer Frank e. Sawyer Thomas sayle Thomas sayner or fayner Henry martyn scammell W. H. Scears C. H. Schlatter C. B. E. Schmidt Gold digger schmidt c. B. E. Jn. Gold digger schmitz Christian schneed John schultz Christian schulze Friedrich schulze C. W. Md. Schulzen C. W. M.d. schulzen Char. Schulzen Wm. C. Scierker James scorder Charles scorer Donald scott Donald scott James scott John scott John scott John scott Walter scott William scott John scullein John seagrove Samuel seales or scales nil Chas. Searle digger C. H. Seblatler Frederick sedgwick digger H. Sedley H. T. Seers Oscar segerberg gold miner Peter sekbatter Wm. Selff J. Selway Da. Semmens John semmens John H. Semmens, Digger Richard Semmens Stephen Semmens. digger Thomas Semmens James S. Sequeira John serpell George serullon Frederick Sewell T. J. E. M.d. seydel George seymore Robert seymour James shadbolt Joseph shadbolt John shahan [[Michael Shanahan]] John shane William shannad John shannan John shannock D. Sharp Gold miner sharp. Edwd. O. Greivece shaw Alexander shaw Charles shaw Francies shaw Cornelius shea Cornelius shea digger John shea John shea digger Thomas shea Thomas shea George sheaner M. & a. Shears John sheath Wm. Shedd John sheedy John this is a different signature from above sheedy John sheehan gold digger George sheepway George sheepway Richard shelton Robert shenatch G. Shephard no occ. Given James shepherd James shepherd John shepherd John shepherd Thomas shepherd Hendon shepiard Richd. Wm. Sheppard Sheridan sheridan Sheridan sheridan Charles sherres John sherwood John sherwood John sherwood Edward shieds digger W. H. Shiles John shimink or shinnock gold digger myers flat John shimpin digger George shipton Charles shleiger Wright shonelto John shopshire John shopshire Thomas short John shorter John shorter George shotten Wright shovelton John shrees John shrees Storekeeper shum & co. Daniel shurmur William shy John sibolding John sibolding Charles siddall W. H. Siears G. Siestes G. H. Sightman Paul silier William silvesta J. Sim & son James(esquire) sim James esq. Sim Joseph simmons digger Robt. Simmons digger Simon s. Simmons nil Thomas simmons William simms L. Simon L. Simon Or allison simon Thomas simon - John simondile Andrew simpise James simpn B. Simpson George simpson James simpson James simpson Jno. Alfd. Simpson storekeeper N. - p. Simpson N. P. Simpson P. Simpson Samuel simpson Thos. Simpson W. Simpson Lein simpson G. W. Sims George sims gold digger Thomas sims Thomas sims A. Sinclair A. Sinclair Angus sinclair D. Sinclair George sinclair Lawrence sinclair George sinclar William sitches or titches F. Sitsare George skeaner William skelhavan George skelton Richard skelton Henry skewis James skewis James skewis William skilton J. Skimer William sky Mich slack T. Slater T. Slater Thomas sleep Thomas sleep Robert slienahl John j. Sloan digger W. W. Slocombe J. Slocombe - William slone Wm. Slonie W. Slough digger Fred. L. Small George small John smart John smart John smart Joseph smart Rd. Smart Thomas smart William smart William smart Wm. Smart Peter smedley Jeo. Smeeton - smig or smith Laurence smit gold digger F. F. Smith O. J. Smith T. Or j. H. Smith Walkin smith thomas Alexd. Smith gold digger Andrew smith B. Smith Charles smith Charles smith Charles smith Chas j. Smith D. Smith butcher Daniel smith David smith E. Smith E. Smith digger F. Smith G. Smith G. Smith G. Smith Geo. Smith George smith George smith George smith George smith George smith Henry smith Henry smith Henry smith Henry joseph smith Hugh smith Hugh m.d. smith J. E. Smith J. R smith J. R. Smith James smith James smith James smith James smith James smith James smith James smith James smith gold digger James C.C. Smith Jas. Smith Jas. Smith John smith John smith John smith John smith John smith John smith John smith John smith John smith John smith digger John james smith Joseph smith Joseph smith Joseph smith d.d or g. Digger Major. Wm smith Patk. Smith Peter smith R. Smith Richard smith (by his marksman) Richard smith digger Robert smith Samuel smith Samuel smith Thomas smith Thomas smith Thomas smith Thomas smith Thomas smith Thomas smith Thomas smith digger Thos. S. Smith digger W. R. Smith W. S. Smith Walter smith Will smith William smith William smith William smith William smith William smith William smith digger William j. Smith William r. Smith Wm. C. Smith Wm. C. Smith Wm. T. Smith storekeeper S. Smith Jas. Smith Charles smithson Charles smolt P. Smyth P. Smyth Richard smyth Seth smyth digger Henry smythe digger James snatt do Wm. Snell gold digger peg leg gully Gohlajo sniyder F. G. Snooks Levi snow W. S. Snowdons gold digger Thomas somers - Marshall somes Arthur sonnerville Thomas south or southor Edwin southcombe Richard m.d. southern John (senior) southiard John jr.(junior) southiard Adolphus souzean William spargo L. T. Sparrow James speal Richd. Spear digger John speer John spellings Magnus spence James spence Magnus spence William reid spence H. Spencer James spencer James spencer James spencer Wm. Spencer digger Wm. Spicer George spink George spink James spinks John spirvey J. W. Spivey G. Splatt John spragg - spring Robert sprole Robert sprole Mathew spur Mathew spur Henry spurner gold digger James sruiry no occ. Given S. A. St. John Edward l. Stack or stark digger Huy stacker Th stacker John stafford Henry stagg Robert stains Herbert stanley William stanley Henry stannard James stanton John starbridge Jhon (sic) stead Edw. L. Sted Edward stedman Fredk. J. B. Steele Fredk d. B. Steele Richd. Steele - Wm. Steele Wm. Steele Henry steinkoff B. Stephen Albert stephens Anthony stephens John s. Stephens Richard stephens Richard stephens Sampson dy stephens Stephen stephens William stephens William stephens William stephens William stephens William stephens digger S. - stephens Robert stergeon digger James sterle no occ. Given James sterling no occ. Given Benj. S. Stevens David stevens Edward stevens James stevens James stevens gold digger John stevens John stevens Joseph stevens Thomas stevens Tomas stevens gold digger Wm. Stevens James stevenson John stevenson John stevenson gold digger Peter stevenson Peter stevenson Thomas stevenson digger Wm. Stevenson I. B. Steward Alexander stewart Charles stewart Francis stewart George stewart George stewart James stewart John stewart John f. Or h. Stewart Malcolm stewart Phillip stewart W. C. Stewart J. H. Stewart James stewart William stewart Robert stingter J. Stokes Stanley stokes Stanley stokes Stanley stokes B. Stone Jacob stone James stone gold digger Robt. Stone Robt. Stone Escort strange William straton James strong James strong Alexander stuart C. B. Stuart Henry burton stubbs digger John s. Stubbs digger Jas. I. Stubbs Moss or ross sturguen Ross sturguen James styles H. Subritzky H. Subritzky T. L. Subritzky T. L. Subritzky M. Sullivan John sullivan John sullivan storekeeper Matthew sullivan Robert summers C. M. Sutcliffe digger Wm. Sutcliffe B. F. Sutherland B. F sutherland Charles t. Sutherland George sutherland James sutherland Wm. Sutherland Henry sutton John sutton John sutton William sutton Alfred swan George swan Joseph swansear gold digger Benjamin swanson John sweeney James sweeny James sweeny James Swenson Phineas a. Swift Wilham swinden William swinden Thomas swords Thomas swords Allan swy---- Allan swym no occ. Given Edward sydem--- H. Symmons Nicholas symonds Francis symons John symons John symons John symons John symons Joseph symons Richard symons Alfred symons or symonds Patrick symth John symth E. Szumrak

t

William tabb H. G. Taft H. G. Taft Henry tagget William taggures Wm. Tagzarts James tainsh Fredk. Talbot John talbot Seth talbott digger Soaes tange James tank Henry tanner Henry tanner Richard tanner W. Tarant Frances tatteria James tatteria Francis tattersall James tattersall Thomas taubman George tay J tayler

- 	taylor	

Charles taylor H. Taylor James taylor James taylor John taylor John taylor digger Rich. Taylor Robert taylor Robert taylor Robert taylor digger Samuel taylor Thos. Taylor digger W. Taylor W. Alfred taylor W. T. Taylor James taylor James taylor Don or dom. M. Taylor or tayln S. Teagle B. G. Teasdale B. G. Teasdale George teasdale George teasdale G. Tedeeland digger Thomas teeder A. Teer or feez Tegain N. Tempevley William temple William temple gold digger Henry templemann N. Tenepevley William ternuset Charles terny John terrell John terrell Thomas terrell Thomas terrell Thomas terrill Thomas terrill Charles tevny Charles thacker G. Tharley G. Tharley T. Thembourn or kembourn William thenson or thurson William theyton William theyton or thexton Richard thimbleby A. Thom George thom--- Thos. H. Thomas - thomas G. Thomas N. T. Thomas S. Thomas Barry thomas Charles thomas Chas thomas David thomas - Edwin thomas Henry thomas John thomas John thomas John thomas John thomas John thomas John thomas John thomas digger Malcolm thomas Rd harvey thomas Robert thomas Thomas thomas William thomas William thomas digger William c. Thomas Wm. Thomas Wm. H. Thomas Wm. H. Thomas John thomas Thomas & kay J. Thommis William thomps Delegate mr. Thompson A. Thompson E. Thompson E. Thompson Edwd thompson George thompson digger Henry thompson digger Henry s. Thompson digger James thompson James thompson John thompson John thompson John thompson John thompson John thompson Joseph thompson Richard thompson Thomas thompson digger W. Thompson William thompson William thompson William thompson William thompson William thompson William thompson William thompson William thompson William thompson digger William different signature from the previous one thompson Wm. Thompson Wm. Thompson gold digger William thompson George thompson James thompson Patk. B. Thoms Patk. B. Thoms John thoms blacksmith Michl. Thomsen Alexr. Thomson David thomson Geo. Edwd. Thomson Geo. Edwd. Thomson Geo. Edwd. Thomson James thomson digger Josep thomson M. Thomson William thomson John thomson James thopson Thomas thoriaan Edward thorman Nanken thornhill newspaper agent Geor. Thornton George thorpe Richard thorpe digger W. A. Thorpe Thos thosbody William thoy--- Thomas thyrm Thomas thyts Wm. Tibbald Charles tibbs John tibes or isbes J. & son tien Thomas tiffany W. B. Tilling Richard timing Fredk. Tingle or pingle - h. Tinkler Wm. Tippy Alfred tivey Joseph tivey Joseph tivey William tlalirson Larance toben C. Tobin Michael tobin Michael tobin Henry todd Matthew todd digger Thomas todd Emil tohl Benjm toiyne gold digger Wm. Toll Henrny (sic) tomlinson - tomlinson Joseph tomlinson Jesse tompkins James tompson Wm. J. Tonan Joseph tonilinon Francis tonseng digger - toogood digger Revd. D. T. Toohey Peter toomey Peter toomey Edward topliss Samuel torbey Andrew tormahill Jas torpey William torryman Robert torventy Robert torventy William tounson William tovey James towell James towers Robert town John townsen or townsend John townsend John toy Wm. Trace Wm. Trace Stephen tracey Stephen tracey Chas tracy George w. Tracy James tracy John tracy Thomas tracy Thomas tracy A. Tragerays George train George train Wren or wreie transtovik Richard tranturn Carl. Wm trapmann E. Trapmann Henry traunce or trounce Thomas treble Joseph tree George treesm--- William treganic digger John tregeagu Joseph trelbie Edwin tremethick Samuel trengove John trenowth John trenowth Joseph jns trescut John trevail Thomas trevan Henry trevaskis Henry trevaskis Richard trevenn Henry trevillion Henry trevillion Frederick trewis Thomas tripet Thomas triplet Thoms. Triplet William triplet William triplet Gottfried trobitsch John troffer John troffer or trosser Jack trofta E. Tronchet Acheson trotter James trotter John trough Thomas troughton Henry trounce George truscott Thomas try Alfred tucker Benjn. Tucker George tucker Richard n. Tucker Richard n. Tucker Richard n. Tucker William tuckfield Edward tuey Martin tully Michael tully digger Patt. Tully Michl. Tuohy digger Wm. Tupper Wm. H. Tupper Thomas turfford Andrew turnbull Henry turnbull gold digger Charles turner Elijah turner H. R. Turner It. R. Turner James turner John turner John turner John turner Robert turner digger Saml. Turner Thomas turner Thos. Turner William turner digger George turner Horace walpole turner Jas. Turner John turner no occ. Given Eliel turton Edward tury M. Tuslover John tweed digger Peter tweed Peter tweed Samuel tweedale John twentyman John tyler no occ. Given Thos. Tyley or taylor James tyreit Thos tyrie

u

Thomas underwood Unknown markett Unknown digger Unknown digger Unknown digger Alexander. Unknown storekeeper John unknown gold buyer R. W. Updke William uphill Harris uphun digger John upton John upton Robert urwin digger John usher John jnr usher

Unknown Thos. --ashall digger Henry -ainhard Charles -einz Damas -orlier

Unknown 7 or 8 chinese names

v

John valkevean or walkerman Henry vallis Valentine vallis Arthur vally Bn. Vally C. Vally David van pelt John vance Or mandeville vandeville Ed vanhorn Albert varley H. S. Varney digger John vaughan James vaux Thomas vaux William vaux William vazey simons gold miner John smith verrall James veyney Wm. Vince digger James p. Vincent John vine or pine Thomas vine or pine John vinecoumbe V. S. Vivian Hry. Vivian Charles voight Fred voight C. Vorburn Dalgette de voste digger

w

John w-lins or whinis Thomas c. Waddell Henery wade Henery wade W. M. Wade John waey Stephen waghorn Charles wainright John waite by his marksman Robert waite Wm. Wake Robert wakefield Wm. B. Wakley or wickley digger - walker H. Walker D. Walker Danl. Walker David walker John walker John walker John walker John walker Robert walker John walker H. Walkinghorn Patrick wall James egan wall or mall or nall James wallace Thomas wallace William wallace Willias wallace Willios wallaer John a. Wallage K. Walle George walleth Richard wallis Francis walls W. T. Walls H. D. Walpole Ja. Walsh Jm walsh Marm walsh Edmond walsh George walsh (by his marksman) George walsh by his marksman John walsh Michael walsh Patrick walsh Peter walsh Peter walsh Thomas walsh digger George walsh - walter - J. F. Walter digger Jno. Walter John walter digger Saml. Walter Saml. Walter Wm. W. Walter C. T. Walters digger A. S. Walton R. S. Walton Will stanley wanen C. G. Wannill C. H. Ward C. H. Ward Charles ward digger Geo. Ward John ward John ward John ward John ward Robt. Ward Robt. Ward F. Ward or white Thomas warden John ware John ware John warhurst shoemaker John warhurst shoe maker T. Or j. Warn J. W. Warren John l. Warren Richard warren Thos. Matthews warren J. Water Joseph waterman William waters H. B. Waterson Charles watkins David watkins Wm. H. Watkins Saml watson David watson James watson John watson Joseph watson Robert watson William watson Wm. Watson Robert watson Robert watson digger John watson or hatson digger C. Watt & co. Wm. S. Watt C. Wattele John wattie W. Wattle or nattle Fredk. Watts Henry s. Watts Jas. Watts W. T. Watts no occ. Wm. Watts Wm. Watts William waurby Edward way James way James way James webb digger Jn. R. Webb John webb John webb L. Webb digger George webb digger Wm. Webb digger George webber Jas. Webber William webber George webber or webster William webden John webester David webster Francis b. Webster digger George webster George webster digger James webster miner M. B. Webster Thomas webster William webster William webster F. H. Wedgwood digger C. C. Wedrac or wedrae J. G. Weekes Thomas weekes Thomas weekes E. Welchman E. Welchman William welford Henry wellis Aseal wells gold digger Henry wells James wells Nicholas wells Francis wells or walls James welsh Charles west Edmond west Edwin west James west John weston John westrop brick maker Robert westrop brick maker John wetherell Thos. Weynall or wignall Patrick whalen John whatly digger David whea--- James wheatby James wheatby William wheatby William wheatby Aaron wheeler peg leg John wheeler T. Whelan Thomas whensmouth Juner whiry Sen. Whiry G. V. Whitbread The. White Abraham white Benjamin white Charles white Henry white Henry white Henry white James white James white James white James white James white James white gold miner John white John white Martin white Robart white Robt. White Robt. White Thomas white William white William white digger James whitee Robert whitehead Robert whitehead Edward whitehood Wm. Whitehorn licensed digger W. T. Whitehouse digger John whiteman Jas whitfield digger W. Whitford - - whithead digger John whiting digger Joseph junior whiting blacksmith Joseph senior whiting digger Ri. Whiting Ri. Whiting Thomas whitsaides Daniel faber whittaker Philip whittaker F. Whittenberg William whittington James whyllia Thos wignall Henry wilde Henry wilde J. H. Wiles J. H. Wiles Henry wiley Henry wiley Jn. H. Wilgus Edmund wilken Richard wilkinson David wilkinson Henry wilkinson Henry wilkinson Henry wilkinson Henry wilkinson Henry wilkinson Henry wilkinson - Rob. Wilkinson Thomas wilkinson Thos. Wilkinson W. B. Wilkinson W. B. Wilkinson George wilks digger William willcock Henry willcocks digger Richd. Willcocks Edward willett Edward willett Williams (sic) william I. Or j. Williams Alexr. Williams J. Williams baker Jos. Williams T. Williams Thomm williams Alfred williams Edw. Williams Edward williams F. Williams Foster williams Francis williams - George williams George williams George williams gold digger George b.peg leg williams digger Gorge williams Gorge williams gold miner H. J. Williams H. J. Williams Henry williams Henry williams Henry williams Henry williams digger Isaac s. Williams James williams James williams James williams James williams James williams James williams licensed digger James b. Williams Jas williams John williams John williams John williams John williams John williams John williams John williams John williams John williams Ramsey williams d. D. Richard williams Richd. Williams Saml. Williams gold digger Thomas williams Thomas williams Thomas williams Thos. Williams W. Williams W. Williams licensed digger W. S. Williams W. C. Williams W. D. Williams William Williams William s. Or t. Williams William a. Williams digger Wm. Williams James williams Richard williams Seth williams - williamson digger Henry williamson A. Williamson A. Williamson Arch williamson George williamson Sarah williamson S.f. williamson Williamson & co. N. H. Willigas storekeeper James willimas or williams Walter willis digger Willmam - Mw. Willock Mw willock Geo. Willoughby Henry willoughby digger Henery willson Robt. Willson Thomas bardley wilmot George wilsdon H. B. Wilson Andre wilson Andrew wilson Charles wilson Enock wilson digger Geo. Wilson George wilson storekeeper George wilson digger George wilson storekeeper George fredk. Wilson digger Isaac wilson James wilson James wilson James wilson James wilson James wilson James wilson James wilson James wilson James wilson James wilson James wilson James wilson James wilson storekeeper Jno. Wilson John wilson John wilson John wilson digger Robert wilson digger Robt. Wilson Saml. J. Wilson digger Samuel wilson Tho wilson Tho. Wilson Thomas wilson Thomas wilson Thos. Wilson William wilson Wilson Wilson James wilson Henry wimmel Thomas windus - wines William winspers William winspers J. H. Winstone John winter James wintle carrier Morris wiseberg John wiseman Robert wiseman Samuel withecombe digger John wither George witheram Charles witherby Danl. Witlewis digger August wobul C. S. Wolff M. B. Wolland smith Wm. Wonson Wm. Wonson Charles wood George wood George r. Wood digger Henery wood J. Wood John wood John wood John wood John wood Joseph wood Richard wood Thos. Loftus wood Wm. Wood Joseph woodcroft Thomas woodfine J. S. Woodhouse J. S. Woodhouse John woodhouse James woodlock William woodr--- Rufus woodruff Henry woods Henry woods James woods no occ. Given John woods John woodward John woofe Loftus wooll W. Or m. B. Woolland W. B. Woolland blacksmith James woolock--- Arthur woolon - wright Alex wright Henery (sic) wright digger Henry wright Henry wright James wright James wright James wright John wright John wright John wright John wright digger William wright Wm. Wright digger Robert or john c. C. Wright Alan wright James wuthers John by his marksman wyatt digger John wybrands Charles wyne or wynd digger Geo. Wythe

y

Edward yandel or yanden Edward yandell Benjamin yanes storekeeper Thomas yarrall Frederick yates gold miner G. Yates W. Yates W. Yates Wm. Yellen Martin van york storekeeper H. Yorke Wm younes Frank young G. Young James young digger James william young John young John young John saml. Young Robert young Thos. Young Thos. E. Young - young John young Robert young Thomas Yuile William yule

z

Anbroney Zanone Wm. Zanpheir Wm. Zanpsiur Cepar Zeigler digger H. Zimmerman

See also

Anti-Gold Licence Association

Bendigo

Red Ribbon Rebellion

External links

http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/our-collections/treasures-curios/bendigo-goldfields-petition

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