An extraordinary tale of murder and cannibalism!

Part One.

William Broughton, for whom Broughton Pass at Appin is named, came to New South Wales on the First Fleet, as a servant to Surgeon John White. In 1789 he was appointed as storekeeper at Parramatta, and then in 1800 he was appointed storekeeper and acting Deputy Commissary at Norfolk Island. Between the years of 1792 and 1805 he fathered five children with Ann Glossop, who had been transported for 7 years. This story is about the youngest of these children, Elizabeth Isabella Broughton, who was born on Norfolk Island on December 14^th, 1807. The Broughton family returned to Sydney from Norfolk Island, and in November 1809, Ann and Elizabeth, known as Betsy, sailed from Port Jackson on board the General Boyd for England, possibly to visit Ann's eldest daughter Mary Ann, who was at school in England.

The first port of call for the General Boyd was in Whangaroa, New Zealand, where they were to load Kauri Pine timbers. It was there that the ship was attacked by the natives, and all the crew and most of the passengers were murdered, and eaten.

Apparently the captain of the General Boyd had insulted the Maoris, flogging the son of a Whangaroan chief on flimsy charges, and as a result, horrific retribution was taken. All on board except a woman named Mrs Morley and her infant child, a young man named Davison, and the young Elizabeth Broughton were slaughtered.

Meanwhile, a friend of the Broughton family, Alexander Berry, was aboard his cargo ship “City of Edinburgh” which was anchored in the Bay of Islands. He began to hear the rumours of a ship being taken by the Maoris, so he decided to investigate and see if there were any survivors.

Alexander Berry made his way to Whangaroa with three armed boats and a Maori Chief who had agreed to help. When they arrived, they saw the wreck of the burnt out General Boyd lying in shallow water. With the help of the Chief, and under threat of reprisals, the Maoris produced three of the survivors. Berry learned from them that another survivor was still being held. He bravely demanded her return.  

To be continued...

The "General Boyd" burns

The Clayton Sisters – Part 2

Further to the previous blog “The Clayton Sisters”, more information has come to light about this endearing pair.

Miss Margaret Jane Clayton was born in 1851 at Gunning, and her sister Miss Ultima Clayton in 1853, (also probably at Gunning), New South Wales. They were the youngest daughters of Dr Benjamin Clayton and Frances Broughton, and the grand-daughters of Commissary General William Broughton, First Fleeter and one time governor of Tasmania, who had a grant of a thousand acres at Appin.

Their father, Dr Benjamin Clayton, was for many years the only doctor between Yass and Goulburn. He had built a beautiful two storey home in Gunning, which he named “Baltinglass” after the town he came from in Ireland.  He established flocks and herds, experimented in grape growing and wine making, kept bees, and bred racehorses.  In 1853 he suddenly decided to leave Gunning, and it was sold for 5,500 pounds. He purchased a farm at Appin called “Rockwood” near William Broughton’s property. Sadly, Dr Clayton died in 1854. The girls and other members of the family went to live permanently at Appin. Frances was now a wealthy widow, and lived until the age of 79.

It is here the trail runs cold, but we pick the sisters’ story up again at the end of the World War I.

It is reported that they traveled the world for two years, and on their return, engaged a suite of private rooms at the Campbelltown Club Hotel. The Electoral Roll describes them as being of “independent means”.  The sisters were known for their kindness and generosity, giving charitable assistance to anyone that might need it. They quietly went about making contributions and giving monetary assistance to friends and relatives, assisting those in need. They actively sought out people needing help. They were true philanthropists. 

They lived at the hotel until Margaret died in 1932 in Milby Hospital. Ultima then moved to Minto to her brother Bland’s residence - “Weerona”. After Bland passed away in February of 1936, Ultima collapsed with grief, and passed away shortly after. Both sisters were laid to rest in St Peter’s Church. 

Written by Claire Lynch

Sources

Trove

Chronicles of Appin, NSW - Syd Percival 1992

William Broughton and the Kennedy Connection – Margaret Carty 1987