Debunking the myth of Amelia Fowler

 There is a curious story that has been perpetuated over the years, about the ghost that haunts Eschol Park House, that of Amelia Fowler. Amelia purportedly fell down the stairs of the house and died, (see our blog on Eschol Park House). 

Further investigations show that in fact Amelia did not die in Eschol Park House, but in Queensland. She had married her first cousin William John Graham at Inkerman Downs Station in January 1865 but tragically died 5 months later on the station. 

Inkerman Downs Head Station (State Library of Queensland)

Interestingly, another first cousin of Amelia’s, John Graham Macdonald, married another first cousin, Adelaide Anne Graham. All of them, Amelia, William, John and Adelaide were grandchildren of John Warby through Warby’s daughters Sarah, Eliza and Mary.

John Graham MacDonald took up farming in Victoria joining his brother Alexander in Geelong. Alexander was a well-known explorer, surveyor, accountant, and authority on Aboriginal place names and languages. John learnt surveying from his brother. 

He returned to Campbelltown at 21 and married Anne Amelia Graham there. He subsequently began farming in the Bellarine district, but at 25 he sold his interests in Victoria and rode north with a mob of horses to explore the Peak Downs region of Queensland in search of pastoral lands. Both of them took up large areas, and in 1862 took up the lease to occupy Inkerman Downs. I suspect that John encouraged his cousin William to come north to Inkerman Downs where they were until 1866. 

The final resting place of Amelia Fowler is not known. She has a memorial in St Peter’s Cemetery, but there is no burial record for her in the Church Register. It is unlikely she was returned to Campbelltown for burial from North Queensland. There are burials on Inkerman Downs station, but there is no record of Amelia’s death or burial. Her death is announced in the newspaper only. Either way, Amelia’s death at such a young age, a mere 5 months after her marriage was a tragedy, and may she Rest in Peace, wherever she lies.

Written by Claire Lynch

Sources - Trove, Ancestry, Burdekin Library, various internet articles

Budbury

Described by William Macarthur as a fine warrior , 'a brave man and a quiet one too', Budbury was also highly respected for his efforts to maintain peaceful relations between the early settlers and the aborigines in the early part of the 1800s. He is remembered with pride among the descendants of the local Dharawal people.

Budbury and his wife Mary were part of a group whom Macquarie met in the Cowpastures in 1810. He was one of the guides who accompanied John Warby in search of outlawed aborigines in 1814. Budbury was to develop a strong friendship with Warby.

It was in 1814 as a guide for John Warby that he succeeded in capturing one of the colony's most feared bushrangers, Patrick Collins. This stunned officials who were determined to bring Collins to justice. Budbury was warmly praised for his efforts and immediately won respect from the white population.

Budbury acted as both a peacemaker and interpreter between the white settlers and blacks. Although he was friendly towards the settlers, he was in danger as not all of them could identify him. An example of this hostility from a terrified settler prompted Charles Throsby to write a letter to the Sydney Gazette expressing his concerns for Budbury.

Budbury acted as one of the guides for Captain John Wallis on his punitive expedition to the district of Airds and Appin in 1816. This was on the orders of Governor Macquarie. Budbury was an unwilling guide as was John Warby, who also acted as a guide. Warby secretly let Budbury and his other guide Bundle escape, to the fury of Captain Wallis.

By 1821, Budbury was regarded as the leader of the Cowpasture people. He was always linked with the Macarthurs and Camden estate and also lived there. A paddock on the estate was known as Budbury's.

Records mention his name throughout the 1830s and 1840s and even as late as 1859, where he is listed in the electoral rolls as a labourer on Camden estate. A 'John Budberry' is recorded as being baptised at Camden in 1842. It's believed he lived until about 1860.

Written by Andrew Allen

Sources:

Liston, Carol 1988
The Dharawal and Gandangara in Colonial Campbelltown, New South Wales, 1788-1830
In Aboriginal History Vol 12, No.1

McGill, Jeff 1993
Campbelltown Clippings