Michael Tuohy

Obituary

EUREKA STOCKADE REVOLT. DEATH OF MICHAEL TUOHY.

Michael Tuohy, the last of the State prisoners who stood their trial in the Criminal Court at Melbourne in connection with the revolt at the Eureka Stockade on Sunday morning, December 3, 1854. died at the Ballarat Hospital on Friday last from pneumonia and senile decay (says the Ballarat correspondent of "The Age"). The deceased pioneer, who was a widower, 85 years of age, arrived in Sydney from County Clare, Ireland, in 1847. In the early fifties he reached Ballarat and worked on the Eureka, and other diggings. Trouble subsequently arose on the field in respect to the licenses of the diggers, who determined on armed resistance against constituted authority, under the leadership of Peter Lalor. About 40 of the insurgents were killed in the fight with the British troops at the stockade, while Captain Wise, of the 40th Regiment, and five privates belonging to the Imperial forces lost their lives in the combat. Tuohy and 12 other diggers who fought with him inside the stockade were captured by the troops and all were taken to Melbourne and arraigned on charges of high treason. The prisoners were gratuitously defended by. Messrs. R. D. Ireland and B. C. Aspinall, eminent criminal counsel, and all were acquitted. Tuohy, after the trials, continued his search for gold at the Ballarat and other diggings in Victoria, but in later years he followed the rushes in New Zealand. He met with success, and on settling down to farming pursuits in the Ballan district he was worth about £10.000. While he was awaiting trial in 1854-55 a party of adventurers jumped his rich claim on the Eureka, and on-his acquittal he spent a good deal of money in an unsuccessful endeavor to eject them. For many years, Tuohy, who was almost blind, resided on a small farm abutting on the Daylesford-road, which was recently destroyed by fire. The re mains of the old digger, who leaves one son, were interred in the Ballan Cemetery on Monday.

In the News

Eureka Stockade Survivor - GOVERNMENT AID SOUGHT. When the Treasurer's estimates were being discussed in the Assembly on Thurs day night Mr. Hogan brought under the notice of the House the case of Michael Toohey (sic), one of the Eureka rioters. Mr. Hogan read a letter from Toohey, who described the murder of Scobie and the burning of Bentley's hotel. Mr. Hogan said that Toohey was the only survivor of 13 who were found not guilty on a charge of high treason in 1855. He was now old and very poor, and was living at Ballan. Mr. Toohey(sic) considered that he was entitled to compensation because at the time of his arrest he was working a paying claim at Ballarat. He estimated his loss at £1000. He was 82 years of age and had never drawn a pension. Mr. Watt said that Mr. Hogan had made out a good case. He would not discuss the Eureka riots, but would say that time had softened the heart of many regarding the rioters. He would be glad to discuss the case with Mr. Hogan or the lines of helping one of the pioneers of the State.

See also

Butler Aspinall

Richard Ireland

Prisoners

Treason Trials

Further Reading

Corfield, J.,Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004.

External links

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Caption, Reference.