James Francis Plunkett: Autobiography, 1893

Component identifier:

File 82: 130

Content Summary:

Birth at Southampton, 18 Aug 1831; history of his family; childhood memories; school; death of father (1838); removal to Tixall; school at Sedgley Park - learning to serve mass and joined choir, dramatic performances, religious education; marriage of mother to William Furlong; school holidays; attendance at St Mary's College, Oscott, Sutton Coldfield (1846); Jenico Preston (Lord Gormanston, Governor of Tasmania, 1893), fellow pupil, runs away from College; poetry submitted to College magazine, Academia; leaves Oscott - Bishop Ullathorne tells him he has no vocation for priesthood; London; anti papal riots; employment as clerk, Messrs Shoolbred Co., Tottenham Court Road; return to Sedgley Park as a master (1857); enters religious order - College of St Mary Rugby (1852); returns to family who have decided to emigrate; passage on British Isles, Mr Furlong fleeing creditors; voyage to Port Phillip, sea sickness, playing chess, suicide of apprentice, becomes editor of ship's newspaper, crossing the line; arrival Port Phillip (4 Feb 1853); excitement of sailors over Great Britain; living in tent and then cottage at Collingwood Flat - dysentery; employment at Bendigo store - journey on foot; description of Bendigo; "discomforts of a life on the diggings"; robbery of escort; life at McIvor - buying gold; attitude of police to diggers - incidents observed by Plunket; situation of women at the diggings; return to Melbourne; employment on Armchair; mother living at Canvas Town; connection with St Vincent of Paul Brotherhood; opening of Hobson's Bay Railway, 12 Sept 1854. (Faint in parts).

Processing information:

M2503

Access and use