Licensee
1859-1860 – Abraham Lawley
Location
Mudmelong
In the News
In July 1859, the Empire details ‘At Mudmelong claims continue to turn out well. The new premises intended for an inn, between Merricumbene and Mudmelong, are progressing towards completion, and will be ready by next transfer day. Mr. Burt is putting up a house immediately opposite, and, no doubt, both Mr. Lawley and Mr. Burt will receive a due share of patronage.’1Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850-1875), Saturday 30 July 1859, p 3.
Mudmelong building activity was detailed by the Empire in August 1859 as ‘Below “the Pack-saddle” we noticed the erection of two new public houses, or rather; buildings intended for such-: one is designated the “Doncaster” already noticed, the other the “Diggers’ Retreat” which is being put up by Mr. Burt.’ 2Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850-1875), Saturday 13 August 1859, p 10.
In September 1859 Abraham Lawley placed an advertisement in the Braidwood Observer 3Braidwood Observer Braidwood Observer and Miner’s Advocate (NSW: 1859 – 1862), page 1 offering a five pound reward for information to help convict the ‘evil disposed person or persons’ who allegedly, and not for the first time, maliciously set fire to his house, on 28 August 1859. The advertisement was signed and ‘Dated from the House [which is] intended for the Doncaster Tavern, one mile below Mudmelong, Lower Araluen.’
In October 1859, the Goulburn Herald details a licensing application4Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser (NSW : 1848-1859), Saturday 1 October 1859, p 2. ‘Before J. H. Griffin, Esq., J.P.—Abraham Lawley, Doncaster Tavern, Araluen, the consideration of whose license was adjourned for a fortnight, again attended at the police office this morning, and his application, was granted.’
The Goulburn Herald reporting on the floods of February 1860 detailed that5Goulburn Herald (NSW: 1860-1864), Saturday 18 February 1860, p 2. ‘Mr. and Mrs. Carney and family, of the Cottage of Content, house and property were all swept away by this terrible flood, only one son, a lad, being left. Mr. D. Barrett had a narrow escape, all his property being swept off, and nothing left but the mere shell of his house. Fifteen persons had been missed up to yesterday morning … Too great praise cannot be bestowed upon Mr. Lawley, for his most benevolent and liberal conduct to the distressed diggers.’ The Empire adds 6The Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850-1875), Tuesday 21 February 1860, p 3. ‘Mr. A. Lawley opened his house to us all, prepared food for us, and furnished us with blankets and beds, and no one could be more kind and obliging.’
By September 1860, the Empire reported on the Braidwood Goldfields that7Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850-1875), Tuesday 4 September 1860, p 2. ‘… at the bottom of Mr. Lawley’s garden, and on the spot where Mr. Burt’s public-house formerly stood, some most encouraging prospects have lately been obtained’. Lower down the report it states that ‘[W]Gaddell’s party are doing well‘.
An attempted ‘sticking up’ was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald in September 1861 noting8Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954), Tuesday 10 September 1861, p 2. ‘… as Mr Edward Smith postmaster at Nerrigundah (Gulf Diggings), was on his way home from Braidwood, where he had come to deposit a quantity of gold in the Oriental Bank, when after passing Mudmelong, and near Mr Abraham Lawley’s place, a tall fellow, armed with two pistols, rushed out and attempted to catch the bridle of Mr Smith’s horse, luckily, however, he was unsuccessful, and Mr Smith made his escape‘. The suspect, who later gave his name as James Thompson, was sighted a few days later, captured and handed over to the custody of the Moruya police. Based on the description given, he was believed to be the party who visited Mr Dransfield’s house at Jembaicumbene a few weeks earlier.
In April 1860, the NSW Government Gazette published details of9New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832-1900), Tuesday 10 April 1860 (No.67), p 691. the Insolvent Estate of Abraham Lawley, of Lower Araluen, in the District of Braidwood, innkeeper.