William Irwin

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William Irwin

Background

William Irwin was born in September 1832 at County Tyrone, Ireland. He emigrated to Sydney, New South Wales, on 9 February 1850. Irwin was engaged as a teacher at St. James’ school, Elizabeth St. for 6 months before moving to King’s school, Parramatta. Irwin worked on the Turon gold field for 12 months in 1851 before returning to Sydney, and then with four others came to Victoria on the brig Faugh-a-ballagh. [1]

Irwin died on 22 January 1893 and was buried on 24 January at the Ballaarat Old Cemetery. [2]

Goldfields Involvement, 1854

Irwin and his party arrived at Geelong then moved onto Ballarat where they commenced digging for gold at Little Bendigo on 30th August. They continued working until August 1854, when in conjunction with McCrae & Eva the Star Hotel was built on Main Road. This hotel is well known for its connection with the Eureka Stockade. [3]

Post 1854 Experiences

The Star Hotel burned down in June 1861, and Irwin lost all his property. After occupying the John O’Groats Hotel for 18 months he built the Provincial Hotel in Lydiard Street, Ballarat. This was sold in 1872 to allow the railway to extend. Irwin then purchased a house and land from John Cornish and called this the Provincial Hotel. Irwin was one of the oldest hotelkeepers in Australia having held a license continually for 34 years. Irwin was appointed a Justice of the Peace at Ballarat. [4]

See also

Further Reading

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


References

  1. Wickham, D., Gervasoni, C. & Phillipson, W., Eureka Research Directory, Ballarat Heritage Services, 1999.
  2. Corfield, J.,Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004.
  3. Wickham, D., Gervasoni, C. & Phillipson, W., Eureka Research Directory, Ballarat Heritage Services, 1999.
  4. Wickham, D., Gervasoni, C. & Phillipson, W., Eureka Research Directory, Ballarat Heritage Services, 1999.

External links