Miscellaneous

Lot 3909    SESSION 19 (4.30PM FRIDAY 1ST APRIL)    Miscellaneous

Estimate $250
Bid at live.noble.com.au

COLONIAL DOCUMENTS, mostly for Tasmania and Victoria 1850s-1890s, includes many invoices for purchases and written orders, noted several for the Launceston firm of William Johnstone, also noted a letter written on board the Black Swan on 10 July 1863 and an invitation dated 6th July 1870 in Launceston to attend the Annual Meeting of I.V.F. Brigade No.1 (Red), beautifully handwritten by John Brickhill, Secretary of the above volunteer fire brigade, with his signature. Stored in individual pages in a small album, mostly fine - very fine. (59)

The following was published in The Cornwall Chronicle, Launceston, Friday 15 May 1874, page 4.

'Mr John Brickhill, eldest son of Mr John Brickhill of the Launceston Post Office Department, died at his residence York-street west, on the 6th inst., at the early age of 32 years. The deceased young man has been for more than half the period of his life clerk in the office of Messrs. Douglas and Collins, and prior to that firm being in existence he was clerk to Mr Douglas. He has been secretary to the Fire Brigade No. 1 (red), for many years a member of the Cornwall Lodge of Odd Fellows, and latterly a member of the order of Good Templars. He was an active, intelligent, useful young man, highly respected by the community in which he resided all his life. His remains were interred on the 10th inst., in the Mulgrave Square Cemetery, and the funeral cortege was one of the largest we have seen in Launceston.'

The following was published in the Launceston Examiner, Thursday 30 April 1874, page 2.

'DEATH OF WILLIAM JOHNSTONE, ESQ.
We regret to have to record the death of William Johnstone, Esq., at his residence Beulah, High-street, yesterday morning, aged 53 years. The sad event will no doubt take many by surprise, for only a week before the deceased gentleman was going about his business as usual. It seems he got a chill whilst travelling by rail to the Westbury Show on Wednesday, 22nd instant, and by the time he reached home he was evidently - very unwell.

Congestion of the liver and lungs set in, but no serious apprehensions were entertained until Sunday. From that time he grew rapidly worse, and expired at a quarter to one o'clock yesterday morning. Mr Johnstone was for many years a resident of Launceston. We believe he arrived here in the year 1841, and after acquiring the necessary local knowledge he started on his own account as a merchant in 1844. He was a shrewd man of business, honorable and liberal in his transactions, and was esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Though never taking any very prominent part in political or social matters, he ever evinced considerable interest in any thing likely to promote the welfare of the colony, and there were few movements tending to that end which he did not aid in a quiet and unostentatious manner, while his benevolence partook of the same characteristics. There is no doubt he will be greatly missed in this community. Mr Johnstone has acted for many years as one of the Auditors of the Launceston Municipality. He leaves a widow and a large family to mourn his untimely loss.

The esteem in which the deceased gentleman was held by his fellow townsmen was exhibited yesterday by many of the shops and other business establishments in town partially closing their shutters; the flags at the Town Hall and the vessels now in harbor were also hoisted halfmast. The funeral takes place to-morrow (Friday) afternoon.'