Patrick Smyth
Contents
Background
Father Patrick Smyth was a 30 year old Catholic Priest when he was transferred to St Alipius, Ballarat East in June 1854, [1] after previously serving on the Beechworth goldfields. He stayed in Ballarat East until 1856 when her was transferred to St Mary's, Castlemaine. [2]
Father Patrick Smyth died of consumption on 14 October 1865, aged 41. [3]
Goldfields Involvement, 1854
Father Patrick Smyth, the Catholic priest at St. Alipius, attended many of the meetings leading up to 03 December 1854.
Fr Patrick Smyth, J.B. Humffray, Goold and Downing called for peaceful resistance to the harsh attitudes of the authorities. [4]
In a letter to Bishop Goold on 27 November 1854 he appeared on the edge of dispair: I really don't know how to act ... What am I to do? ... My impression is that everything tends to an insurrection.[5]
He visited the Eureka Stockade on the night of Saturday 02 December 1854 to pass on details of the strength of the Military and Police forces. He pleaded with them to return to their homes and to attend Mass the following morning. [6]
Early on the morning of 03 December 1854 Father Smyth woke to the sounds of gunfire and made his way to the Eureka Stockade on horseback.He was greeted by a scene of death and destruction. He began to give the Lat Rite to those who lay dying around him.[7]
In a letter written on 13 December 1854 to William Henry Archer, he passionately admonishes how he was not allowed to tend the sick and dying after the battle as they lay on the ground. "What do you think of this that I was not allowed to see the wounded among the soldiers tho' I applied myself to that first; again on my way to the stockade, an armed man with a pistol in his extended hand rode round me; and while on the stockade, looking after the dead and dying I was told politely indeed, to take myself away, tho' all was as quiet then as now. Would not this make a granite rock imbedded in polar ice turn to fire and much more one of my temperament and disposition who stakes his life for peace and would stake it doubly for the weal of the dying. But this feeling of anger - for I was angry - has passed away. But better times I hope are dawning. We are full of confidence in the good intentions of His Excellency. May we have the good and just things that our people look for." Father Patrick Smyth showed courage and commitment to his calling. Many of his parishioners included men from both sides.
Post 1854 Experiences
See also
Further Reading
Corfield, J.,Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004.
References
- ↑ Supplement to the Ballarat Courier, 27 March 1998, p. 3.
- ↑ Supplement to the Ballarat Courier, 27 March 1998, p.9.
- ↑ Supplement to the Ballarat Courier, 27 March 1998, p.9.
- ↑ Wickham, Dorothy, Goldfields tension leads t battle IN Ballarat Courier, 28 November 2009.
- ↑ Supplement to the Ballarat Courier, 27 March 1998, p.9.
- ↑ Supplement to the Ballarat Courier, 27 March 1998, p.9.
- ↑ Supplement to the Ballarat Courier, 27 March 1998, p.9.
External links
