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Australia / Alfred CLUNEY b. London abt 1831, d. Sydney 1873
« on: Sunday 11 March 12 10:37 GMT (UK) »
I am interested in Alfred Cluney
Alfred Cluney was supposedly born around 1831 in London, England,
having died in Sydney in 1873 aged about 42. He had a father
and brother, both called Francis. There is no obvious record
of him visible in the 1841 or 1851 English census.
It is my opinion that the following newspaper references in
Australia and New Zealand between 1857 and 1874 all refer
to the same individual.
From the "South Australian Register", Thursday, 22 October 1857 :
"Port Adelaide: Wednesday, October 21.
[before Mr R.F. Newland.]
Cluney v. Harper
Allen Harper, master of the Burra Burra, appeared to a summons by
Alfred Cluney, cook, for 14 pounds 8s. wages due.
The defendant pleaded the drunkenness and inattention of plaintiff,
and his having damaged certain steam-pipes connected with the vessel's
galley. Plaintiff whilst in port had several times refused to cook the
dinner for the crew, and had taken articles belonging to the ship.
By Mr Beykett - Plaintiff has been 10 trips in the vessel, at the
rate of 6 pounds a month. He suited me until the matter occured of
which I complain. Had about 60 persons on board last time, but
plaintiff had a soldier and another person to assist him.
A. Vincent, steward, deposed that plaintiff had been drunk on
several occaisions which incapacitated him from doing his duty.
A steam-pipe is missing from the galley, which it would cost one
pound to replace.
Jedgment for 8 pounds 10s. wages and costs, plaintiff having
received on account 4 pounds 10s. and one pound deducted for damage
done, with 8 shillings forfeiture for incapacity to perform his
duty through drunkenness.
From the "South Australian Register", Saturday, 24 November 1860 :
"Port Adelaide: Friday, November 23
[before Mr G.W Hawkes SM]
Disorderlies.- Alfred Cluney was fined 10s. for being drunk and using
obscene language - James Stewart seaman, was charged with being drunk
and disturbing the peace; also with assaulting Police-constrable Stewart
in the execution of his duty. He as fined 10s.
An account appears in the Brisbane Courier of 29 February, 1864.
This account or almost identical ones also appears in
multiple New Zealand newspapers of the same month.
An Otago paper of the 19th of this month, the latest received, says:-
Alfred Cluney, chief cook of the Queen, steamer, was last evening
released from custody. It will be remembered that he was arrested
on suspicion of being concerned in the death of John Craig, late
chief engineer of the boat, and that the resident magistrate
remanded him, pending the verdict of the coroner's jury. He was
present during the inquest on Saturday, and again yesterday, and
at the request of the jury the coroner accepted his own
reconissances for his appearance before the resident magistrate
this forenoon, when he will, no doubt, be formally discharged.
At the sitting yesterday captains Francis and Davidson gave evidence
which showed that if poor Craig was murdered, robbery was not the
inciting cause. It was suspicious that Craig having received
34 points on the Saturday preceding the Monday when his body was
found, only 4 pounds 10s. remained in his purse, and that a watch,
which he was known to possess, was not in his pocked. Captain
Francis proved that a silver watch and 17 pounds in notes was left
in the deceased's berth ; while Davidson stated that the watch
was the only one he had known Craig to possess, and that the
deceased told him on Saturday night that he had length 10 pounds
to a friend. But the verdict of the jury was an open one - that
the deceased died from fractures of the skull, there being no
evidence to show how those fractures were caused. The coroner
told Cluney that, so far as the court was concerned, he left it
without the slightest stain, and we have no doubt that the
magistrate will, today, show that he believes what Cluney said
when first brought up, 'You'll find me innocent, sir'.
Craig's body was found in the bay on the first of February.
Alfred Cluney died in Sydney around 13 December 1873. His funeral was
held in Sydney two days later on Monday 15 December 1873.
A death announcment for Alfred Cluney appeared in the
Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday 13 December 1873:
Cluney - December 13, at his late residence, 711 George-street,
Sydney, after a short and painful illness, Alfred Blackley Cluney,
native of London, in the 42nd year of his age, and dearly beloved
son of the late Francis Cluney, Excise Officer of London, and brother
of Francis Cluney, band-master, leaving an affectionate wife and
large circle of friends to mourn their loss.
Another death notice appeared on Saturday 21st February 1874 in the
Sydney Morning Herald ( 2 months after his funeral ):
Cluney - Dec 13, 1873, Alfred Blackley CLuney, native of London,
aged 42.
His funeral was announced in 4 separate funeral notices
in the Sydney Morning Herald of Monday 15 December 1873.
Alfred Cluney was supposedly born around 1831 in London, England,
having died in Sydney in 1873 aged about 42. He had a father
and brother, both called Francis. There is no obvious record
of him visible in the 1841 or 1851 English census.
It is my opinion that the following newspaper references in
Australia and New Zealand between 1857 and 1874 all refer
to the same individual.
From the "South Australian Register", Thursday, 22 October 1857 :
"Port Adelaide: Wednesday, October 21.
[before Mr R.F. Newland.]
Cluney v. Harper
Allen Harper, master of the Burra Burra, appeared to a summons by
Alfred Cluney, cook, for 14 pounds 8s. wages due.
The defendant pleaded the drunkenness and inattention of plaintiff,
and his having damaged certain steam-pipes connected with the vessel's
galley. Plaintiff whilst in port had several times refused to cook the
dinner for the crew, and had taken articles belonging to the ship.
By Mr Beykett - Plaintiff has been 10 trips in the vessel, at the
rate of 6 pounds a month. He suited me until the matter occured of
which I complain. Had about 60 persons on board last time, but
plaintiff had a soldier and another person to assist him.
A. Vincent, steward, deposed that plaintiff had been drunk on
several occaisions which incapacitated him from doing his duty.
A steam-pipe is missing from the galley, which it would cost one
pound to replace.
Jedgment for 8 pounds 10s. wages and costs, plaintiff having
received on account 4 pounds 10s. and one pound deducted for damage
done, with 8 shillings forfeiture for incapacity to perform his
duty through drunkenness.
From the "South Australian Register", Saturday, 24 November 1860 :
"Port Adelaide: Friday, November 23
[before Mr G.W Hawkes SM]
Disorderlies.- Alfred Cluney was fined 10s. for being drunk and using
obscene language - James Stewart seaman, was charged with being drunk
and disturbing the peace; also with assaulting Police-constrable Stewart
in the execution of his duty. He as fined 10s.
An account appears in the Brisbane Courier of 29 February, 1864.
This account or almost identical ones also appears in
multiple New Zealand newspapers of the same month.
An Otago paper of the 19th of this month, the latest received, says:-
Alfred Cluney, chief cook of the Queen, steamer, was last evening
released from custody. It will be remembered that he was arrested
on suspicion of being concerned in the death of John Craig, late
chief engineer of the boat, and that the resident magistrate
remanded him, pending the verdict of the coroner's jury. He was
present during the inquest on Saturday, and again yesterday, and
at the request of the jury the coroner accepted his own
reconissances for his appearance before the resident magistrate
this forenoon, when he will, no doubt, be formally discharged.
At the sitting yesterday captains Francis and Davidson gave evidence
which showed that if poor Craig was murdered, robbery was not the
inciting cause. It was suspicious that Craig having received
34 points on the Saturday preceding the Monday when his body was
found, only 4 pounds 10s. remained in his purse, and that a watch,
which he was known to possess, was not in his pocked. Captain
Francis proved that a silver watch and 17 pounds in notes was left
in the deceased's berth ; while Davidson stated that the watch
was the only one he had known Craig to possess, and that the
deceased told him on Saturday night that he had length 10 pounds
to a friend. But the verdict of the jury was an open one - that
the deceased died from fractures of the skull, there being no
evidence to show how those fractures were caused. The coroner
told Cluney that, so far as the court was concerned, he left it
without the slightest stain, and we have no doubt that the
magistrate will, today, show that he believes what Cluney said
when first brought up, 'You'll find me innocent, sir'.
Craig's body was found in the bay on the first of February.
Alfred Cluney died in Sydney around 13 December 1873. His funeral was
held in Sydney two days later on Monday 15 December 1873.
A death announcment for Alfred Cluney appeared in the
Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday 13 December 1873:
Cluney - December 13, at his late residence, 711 George-street,
Sydney, after a short and painful illness, Alfred Blackley Cluney,
native of London, in the 42nd year of his age, and dearly beloved
son of the late Francis Cluney, Excise Officer of London, and brother
of Francis Cluney, band-master, leaving an affectionate wife and
large circle of friends to mourn their loss.
Another death notice appeared on Saturday 21st February 1874 in the
Sydney Morning Herald ( 2 months after his funeral ):
Cluney - Dec 13, 1873, Alfred Blackley CLuney, native of London,
aged 42.
His funeral was announced in 4 separate funeral notices
in the Sydney Morning Herald of Monday 15 December 1873.