John Adams

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Red Ribbon Movement Monument in Rosalind Park, Bendigo [detail], 2013. Ballarat Heritage Services Picture Collection

Background

Goldfields Involvement, 1853-1854

Signed the 1853 Bendigo Goldfields Petition. 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.

Post 1854 Experiences

There was a John Adams who died 25 May 1860.[1] There was also the old identity, John Adams who died in 1884.[2]

Obituary

DEATHS OF OLD RESIDENTS

Bendigo Advertiser, Thursday 24 January 1884 p 2

The death of another old identity in the person of Mr. John Adams, of Adams' road, at the age of 63 years, is also announced. He had been ailing for about six months past from asthma, but his death was quite unexpected. On Tuesday evening he was in excellent spirits, but was suddenly taken ill, and died at 10 p.m. Dr. Penfold had been his medical attendant. Mr. Adams was an old Bendigonian, having arrived on the diggings in 1851. He was born at Edinburgh, and arrived in Tasmania in 1850 under engagement to a coal company. He had previously been an experienced coal miner in the old country. After some time he left the company, having advised the discontinuance of operations in consequence of non-success.

On coming to Sandhurst he started puddling at Golden-square, which was in those days exceedingly rich. He was fairly successful and subsequently in company with three others worked a very rich claim at Sheepshead. From this claim large yields were obtained, equal to 50 ounces to the ton, and Mr. Adams being the principal partner reaped rich benefits. The company was subsequently known as the Red, White and Blue. Mr. Adams has also been the manager of various mining companies. Since his early successes he met with many reverses, and has not been so well off latterly.

He was one of the St. Andrew's Society's oldest members, and he took a deep interest in its affairs. He was also connected with St. Andrew's Church. He possessed a truly genial disposition, was everywhere a favorite, and his long residence in the district secured for him troops of friends. His unexpected death creates but one more gap in the rapidly thinning ranks of the pioneers of the goldfield. He left no family, but the children of his sister-in-law, whom he brought up, are all grown. The funeral is announced to move from his late residence at 3.30 p.m. today. The members of the Order of St. Andrew are invited to attend. John Adams was buried at Bendigo Cemetery.[3]

See also

Bendigo Goldfields Petition

Ballarat Reform League Inc. Monuments Project

Further Reading

References

  1. https://www.bendigofamilyhistory.org/Freesearch/Lost%20Miners%20Index%20Dates%20.pdf
  2. Bendigo Advertiser, Thursday 24 January 1884 p 2
  3. Bendigo Advertiser, Thursday 24 January 1884 p 2

External links

https://blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/family-matters/collections/did-you-ancestor-sign-the-bendigo-goldfields-petition/


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