James Cameron

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Signature of James Cameron from the 1853 Bendigo Goldfields Petition

Background

James Cameron signed the 1853 Bendigo Goldfields Petition as Jas Cameron. Agitation of the Victorian goldfields started with the Forest Creek Monster Meeting in 1851, but what became known as the Red Ribbon Movement was centred around the Bendigo goldfields in 1853. The Anti-Gold License Association was formed at Bendigo in June 1853, led by George Thomson, Dr D.G. Jones and 'Captain' Edward Browne. The association focused its attention on the 30 shillings monthly licence fee miners were required to pay to the government. They drew up a petition outlining digger grievances and called for a reduced licence fee, improved law and order, the right to vote and the right to buy land. The petition was signed by diggers at Bendigo, Ballarat, Castlemaine, McIvor (Heathcote), Mount Alexander (Harcourt) and other diggings. The 13 metre long petition was presented to Lieutenant-Governor Charles La Trobe in Melbourne on the 01 August 1853, but their call for a reduction in monthly licence fees and land reform for diggers was rejected. The diggers dissatisfaction erupted into the Red Ribbon Rebellion where agitators wore red ribbons on their hats symbolising their defiance of the law and prohibitive licence fees.[1]

Goldfields Involvement, 1854

Post 1854 Experiences

Cameron was residing at Ballarat when he signed the Benden Hassell Petition in 1856. [2]

Obituary

Death of Mr. James Cameron.
By the death of Mr. James Cameron, senr., of East Maitland, after a very short illness, from gastric influenza and bronchitis, in his 77th year, there has passed away a widely-known and highly respected colonist of nearly 70 years standing. Coming to New South Wales with his parents in the ship "Brilliant" in 1830, his early years were spent in farming occupations in the vicinity of Hexham. On the discovery of gold in 1851 he went to the Turon, thence to Bendigo, and later to the Ballarat diggings, doing fairly well at either digging, storekeeping or carrying. When the railway from Newcastle to Maitland was in course of construction he returned to Newcastle and opened a butchering business at what is now Tarro, marrying in 1856, Miss Mary Buchanan, of Ash Island, both living to celebrate their golden wedding in July 1906. In 1860 the deceased built the Queen's Arms Hotel at Hamilton, then Borehole, conducting it in conjunction with an extensive carting business and bus proprietary for over 35 years. During this period his pioneering work, his knowledge of horses and his love of sport made him known to large numbers of people, Cameron-street and Cameron's Hill being named after him, besides being one of the aldermen of the first Municipal Council of Hamilton. The deceased was also one of the oldest members of the Newcastle Jockey Club, of which several years ago he was out of compliment to his long membership elected honorary member for life, and he was also one of the oldest members of the Oddfellows' and Druids' Lodges. The deceased gentleman's wife predeceased him 13 months ago, the family left being Mr. J. C. Cameron of Newcastle, Mrs. C. Baker of Waratah, Mrs. R. A. and T. W. Sharp of Hamilton and Islington respectively, and Miss S. Cameron of East Maitland. Mr. John Cameron of Moree, Messrs. Hugh and Dugald Cameron of Newcastle, and Daniel Cameron of Queensland are brothers of deceased, who was also for many years an elder or trustee of the Presbyterian Church at Hamilton.[3]

See also

Benden Sherritt Hassell Compensation Case

Further Reading

Wickham, Dorothy, Shot in the Dark: Being the Petition for the Compensation Case of Benden S. Hassell, Ballarat Heritage Services, 1998.

References

  1. 1853 Goldfields Petition
  2. Wickham, Dorothy, Shot in the Dark: Being the Petition for the Compensation Case of Benden S. Hassell, Ballarat Heritage Services, 1998.
  3. The Maitland Daily Mercury, 30 August 1907.

External links