George Scobie
Contents
Background
George Scobie was born in 1829 at Auchterarder, a small market town about 24 kilometres from Perth, Scotland. He sailed to Australia with his brother James Scobie on the Moselle in late 1852. When George left Scotland his parents entrusted him to his younger brother's welfare. At the time of James Scobie's murder George was in Geelong on business. In 1860 he married Phoebe Emmerson and they had eight children, three of whom died.[1]
George Scobie died in 1874 after being badly crushed near Wheeler's Bridge, Newlyn He was attempting to shut off a water valve after a storm. He died later in hospital as a result of those injuries.[2]
Goldfields Involvement, 1854
George Scobie was a man who was very conscious of his responsibilities. He had charge of his younger brother, James Scobie, and was attempting to set up a successful transportation between Ballarat and Geelong that business they could run together. He felt he was responsible for James Scobie's death as he was not with him when he was murdered. He was very supportive of the miners and their cause. He fought on the side of the diggers and successfully escaped after the battle. He hid out for a brief time at Phoebe Emmerson's store on the diggings. He remained in hiding until a general amnesty was proclaimed for all participants.[3]
Post 1854 Experiences
George wrote to his parents before the Eureka Rebellion about the death of James Scobie. Unfortunately the letter took a very long time to reach them. When it finally did they had sent word to George that he had failed them and was no longer their son. After the amnesty George Scobie continued to operate his transportation business until 1856, when he started working as a stonemason. He was involved in the building of many bridges and reservoirs around Ballarat and surrounding areas. He later became the maintenance-caretaker for the Clunes Reservoir.[4]
See also
Further Reading
Corfield, J.,Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004.
References
- ↑ Gervasoni, Clare and Ford, Tina, Eureka Stockade centre Hall of Debate Kit, 1998.
- ↑ Gervasoni, Clare and Ford, Tina, Eureka Stockade centre Hall of Debate Kit, 1998.
- ↑ Gervasoni, Clare and Ford, Tina, Eureka Stockade centre Hall of Debate Kit, 1998.
- ↑ Gervasoni, Clare and Ford, Tina, Eureka Stockade centre Hall of Debate Kit, 1998.
