Thomas Hunt

From Hotels of Ballarat
Thomas Redshaw Hunt
Born c.1820
Died 28 May 1874
Horsham, Victoria
Occupation Publican
Brewer
Years active 1858-1872
Known for Prince of Wales Hotel
Eastern Station Hotel
Globe Hotel
Home town Ballarat
Spouse(s) Anna Maria Browne
Children Caroline (1848)
Charlotte Elizabeth (1856)
Anna Maria
Parent(s)
  • John Hunt (father)

Thomas Redshaw Hunt was a publican in Ballarat, Victoria, <1858-1872>.

History[edit | edit source]

Thomas Redshaw Hunt was born c.1820 at Polebrook, Northhampton, the son of John Hunt.[1] In 1851 he was running a small farm in Wisbech St. Mary, Cambridgeshire. He married Anna Maria Browne, the daughter of John and Charlotte Browne, born c.1819[2], and they had a daughter, Caroline, christened on 15 October 1848.[3][4]

The family arrived in Melbourne on 22 June 1853, on the Ganges, from London.[5] A daughter, Charlotte, was born at Eastern Hill in 1856.[6]

In June 1858, Thomas Hunt applied for the license for the Prince of Wales Hotel in Humffray Street. However he had not arranged his sureties and so his application was postponed for one week.[7] It was granted one week later.[8]

His license was renewed in June 1859[9], May 1860, June 1861 and 1862.[10][11][12]

His daughter Charlotte died, aged four, in 1860.[13]

In December 1862, Hunt was called as witness for the trial of Ah Sang, who had been dressing up as a police detective:

Mr T. R. Hunt, of the Prince of Wales Hotel deposed that he one day went into a public house adjacent to his own. He there found the prisoner with another Chinese. The former was very flash with his money and shouted for the Chinese and another man. He then asked witness to have a drink, which, he did not refuse, as he never took a shingle off another man's house (laughter). The accused told witness that he was a detective, and that he was going to Little Bendigo to take a man into custody. Mr Lewis said that his client did not.[14]

By 1863 he had the license for the Eastern Station Hotel. He hosted a lodge meeting for the Court Pride of the East, No.3817, A.O.F., in July 1863. It was their half-yearly meeting and he was elected as treasurer. the meeting also passed a vote of thanks, recognising his past service.[15]

Hunt was a keen shooter, and member of the Ballarat Pigeon Shooting Club:

On Friday a series of pigeon shooting matches took place on the Copenhagen Grounds, under the auspices of the Pigeon Shooting Club. The first event was the match between Messrs Coxon and Hunt for the silver challenge cup, valued at £25, and held by the former. Mr Coxon shot ten birds out of ten, Mr Hunt ten birds out of ten, and tied. It was next resolved that the competitors should fire at three birds each. Both killed their three birds, when they again resolved to shoot at three birds each. Mr Coxon killed his three birds, making a total of sixteen out of sixteen, and Mr Hunt having missed one of his last three birds, lost his chance for the cup...The next event was a sweep of 10s each, for which Messrs Whitehouse, Hunt, Nicholls, Bignell, and Smith entered. Messrs Hunt, Smith, and Nicholls shot one bird each out of two, and retired ; and Messrs Whitehouse and Bignell having shot three birds out of three, divided the stakes. The next event was a sweep of 10s each, for which Messrs Whitehouse, Hunt, and Bignell entered. Whitehouse and Bignell shot a bird each out of two, and Hunt three birds out of three, and won the stakes. This concluded the days' sport...On Friday evening the annual dinner of the Pigeon Shooting Club was held in the Fountain Head Hotel. About thirty gentlemen were present. The chair was occupied by Mr Tuckett, the President of the club, and the vice-chair by Mr Whitehouse. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts the chairman proposed "Success to the Ballarat Pigeon Shooting Club," which was received with every demonstration of applause. Mr Hunt, on behalf of the club, responded in a few pithy remarks. Mr Whitehouse proposed the health of Mr Coxon, the winner of the cup that day. Mr Coxon, he was happy to say, was a member of the Ballarat Pigeon Shooting Club. Mr Coxon responded, and said that pigeon shooting was his hobby, and should Mr Hunt ever meet him again, he should only say that he wished no meaner adversary, as he considered that Mr Hunt was an excellent shot. But if Mr Hunt should meet him again, he would certainly strive to defeat him, as he had done that day. Several other toasts and sentiments followed, and after spending a very pleasant evening the company separated.[15]

He organised an event for the Ballarat Pigeon Shooting Club in December 1863:

Several matches by members of the Ballarat Pigeon Shooting Club came off on Thursday, on the Brown Hill road, near the Native Youth Hotel. The birds were supplied by Mr Hunt, of the Eastern Station Hotel, at whose house also the dinner was provided, which formed one of the subjects of contest during the day. It chanced that there was a deficiency of birds, and on that account one of the matches could not be shot off...After the shooting was over the club adjourned to Hunt's Eastern Station Hotel, where an ample spread was provided, to which justice was done, the company keeping up the hilarity of the evening till a late hour.[16]

In July 1867 he was asked to nominate for the Ballarat East Town Council:

TO MR THOMAS REDSHAW HUNT.— Sir,—We, the undersigned ratepayers and electors of the Borough of Ballarat East, request you to come forward as a candidate for one of the vacant seats in the municipal council, and in the event of your complying with our request, we promise to do our utmost to secure your return. We have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servants, James Eddy, Henry Fortune, R. U. Nichols, John Ferguson, John Fletcher, Thos Hughes, Dugald Main, C. Frantz, John Brudenell, John R. Grundy, Robert Sim, Timothy Dwyer, Alexander Ross, and two hundred and thirty-four others. Ballarat East, 30th July, 1867. Eastern Station Hotel, 30th July, 1867. Gentlemen,—I have great pleasure in complying with your request as a candidate for a seat in the Borough Council of Ballarat East, and should I be returned, will endeavor to do what lays in my power for the future welfare and benefit of the town, I am, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, THOMAS REDSHAW HUNT.[17]

His wife died in November 1871:

THE Friends of Mr THOMAS REDSHAW HUNT are respectfully invited to follow the remains of his late wife to the place of interment, The Ballarat Cemetery. The funeral procession to move from his residence, the Eastern Station Hotel, Humffray street, on Tuesday, the 28th instant, at 4 o'clock p.m. F. ATKINS, Undertaker, Main road, next Yarrowee Hotel; and Bridge street, next Limerick Castle Hotel.[18]

In January 1872 Hunt was granted the publican's license for the Globe Hotel in Melbourne Road, later Victoria Street.[19][20]

He was elected to the Town Council (Ballarat East) in May 1871, when an election was called following the resignation of the sitting councillors.[21] He resigned from the council at the end of 1872[22]:

In consequence of the retirement from the Ballarat Town Council of Mr Thomas Redshaw Hunt, nominations for the vacancy must, be made at the Town-hall not later than four o’clock on Monday next. Should there be more than one nomination, a poll will be held on 15th January, 1873.[23]

He died on 28 May 1874:

HUNT.—On the 28th of May, at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr William Carter, North Brighton Station, Horsham, Mr Thomas Redshaw Hunt, aged 54 years.[24]
THE Friends of the late Mr THOMAS REDSHAW HUNT, late of the Eastern Station Hotel, Humffray street, are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the place of interment, the Ballarat Old Cemetery. The funeral procession will more from Stone’s Half-way House, Burrumbeet road, on Sunday, the 31st instant, at One o’clock. CHAS. MORRIS, Undertaker, Grenville street, near Alfred Hall, Ballarat.[25]
The burial of the remains of the late Mr Thomas Redshaw Hunt, who died at Horsham, took place on Sunday in the Old Ballarat Cemetery. The deceased was an old resident of Ballarat, and, at one time, had the Eastern Station Hotel, and the hotel now held by Mr Fussell in Sturt street. He was at one time also a member of the Town Council, and several members of that body attended the funeral on Sunday.[26][27]

In his will, he directed his executors, William James Carter, son-in-law, of Ledcourt Bridge, Little Wimmera, and Robert Uriah Nicholls, a seedsman of Ballarat, to divide his estate between his two daughters, Caroline and Anna Maria. A later change removed Nicholls, and replace him with John Carter, a squatter of Ararat.[28] Hunt's occupation was described as a publican and brewer, with his estate valued at £2199 14s 4d.[28]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Australian Death Index, Victoria, 1874, Ref. No. 4969
  2. Australian Death Index, Victoria, 1871, Ref. No. 7756
  3. England Census, 1851, Class: HO107; Piece: 1766; Folio: 161; Page: 23
  4. Engalnd and Wales Christening Index, 1530-1980, Genealogical Society of Utah. British Isles Vital Records Index, 2nd Edition. Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, copyright 2002. Used by permission.
  5. Series: VPRS 7666; Series Title: Inward Overseas Passenger Lists (British Ports) [Microfiche Copy of VPRS 947]
  6. Australian Birth Index, Victoria, 1856, Ref. No. 1139.
  7. 1858 'EASTERN POLICE COURT.', The Star (Ballarat, Vic. : 1855 - 1864), 16 June, p. 2. , viewed 08 Nov 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66048685
  8. 1858 'EASTERN POLICE COURT.', The Star (Ballarat, Vic. : 1855 - 1864), 23 June, p. 2. , viewed 05 Dec 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66048810
  9. 1859 'AFTERNOON SITTINGS.', The Star (Ballarat, Vic. : 1855 - 1864), 14 June, p. 3. , viewed 25 Aug 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66053609
  10. 1860 'LICENSING BENCH.', The Star (Ballarat, Vic. : 1855 - 1864), 23 May, p. 2. , viewed 06 Dec 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72466933
  11. 1861 'EASTERN POLICE COURT.', The Star (Ballarat, Vic. : 1855 - 1864), 27 June, p. 1. (SUPPLEMENT TO THE STAR.), viewed 01 Jun 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66340216
  12. "Licencing Court for Publicans," The Star, Thursday 19 June 1862, pg. 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66324943, (accessed January 19, 2014)
  13. Australian Death Index, Victoria, 1860, Ref. No. 8020
  14. 1862 'EASTERN POLICE COURT.', The Star (Ballarat, Vic. : 1855 - 1864), 4 December, p. 4. , viewed 08 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66329184
  15. 15.0 15.1 1863 'NEWS AND NOTES.', The Star (Ballarat, Vic. : 1855 - 1864), 11 July, p. 2. , viewed 08 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72515659
  16. 1863 'PIGEON SHOOTING MATCHES.', The Star (Ballarat, Vic. : 1855 - 1864), 11 December, p. 2. , viewed 06 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72512082
  17. 1867 'Advertising', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 31 July, p. 3. , viewed 05 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article112876840
  18. 1871 'Family Notices', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 27 November, p. 3. , viewed 04 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197574429
  19. 1872 'BALLARAT EAST COURT.', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 13 January, p. 3. , viewed 27 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197626009
  20. 1872 'BALLARAT EAST LICENSING BENCH.', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 19 March, p. 4. , viewed 16 Jul 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197627472
  21. 1871 'NEWS AND NOTES.', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 23 May, p. 2. , viewed 05 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197562922
  22. 1873 'PERSONAL.', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 1 January, p. 4. , viewed 05 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article219197095
  23. 1872 'NEWS AND NOTES.', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 24 December, p. 2. , viewed 05 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article219196921
  24. 1874 'Family Notices', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 2 June, p. 2. , viewed 05 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article201973951
  25. 1874 'Family Notices', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 30 May, p. 2. , viewed 05 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article201973904
  26. 1924 'FIFTY YEARS AGO.', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 14 June, p. 9. , viewed 04 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214258681
  27. 1874 'DEATHS AND DISASTERS.', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 13 June, p. 4. , viewed 04 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article201974228
  28. 28.0 28.1 Public Record Office Victoria; North Melbourne, Victoria; Victorian Wills, Probate and Administration Records 1841-1925; Series: VPRS 7591


External links[edit | edit source]