James Colbeck
Encyclopedia
James Colbeck was the lead stonemason on the Ross Bridge
, Ross, Tasmania
. Both he and Daniel Herbert (convict)
received full pardons for their work on the bridge.
Born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire in 1801, Colbeck worked as a stonemason in London on Buckingham Palace
from 1822 to 1825. Newly married and with a young son, Colbeck grew tired of living apart from his wife and child, and returned to Dewsbury.
Unable to find work in the area and desperate to feed his starving family, Colbeck, John Blezzard and George May broke into a house in Huddersfield stealing food, clothing and money. Having succeeded once, they repeated their rash act again in a home in Saddleworth and were caught.
Sentenced at the York Assizes on March 22, 1828 to transportation for life for burglary, Colbeck was shipped from London to Van Diemen's Land
(Tasmania) aboard the Manlius.
In 1830 and 1831, Colbeck worked on the construction of the New Orphan School in Hobart
. In May 1831, he was sent to Ross with an army of men to repair the bridge. Since it was made of timbers, there was no work for him. However, he worked for William Kermode who was busy building a house in the neighbourhood, the first 'Mona Vale.' Colbeck's earnings were to be banked by Kermode, whose son Robert Quale was going to arrange passage for Colbeck's wife and his son, as soon as he got to England.
In March 1833, Colbeck was recommended to superintend the construction of the Ross Bridge but it was not until May 1835 that Colbeck became the overseer. Although given detailed instructions from the government appointed architect, Charles Atkinson, Colbeck ignored them. Atkinson stated: 'Is it possible for an ignorant unlettered plodding scion of his class to understand the construction of the most difficult and scientific structures invented by man?'
Colbeck and Daniel Herbert received their emancipation on the completion of the bridge. Colbeck received a Free Pardon on 28 October 1841.
Colbeck appeared in the 1843 Tasmania census as living at Long Plains, West Tamar. The date or route of his return to England is unknown.
Colbeck remarried in June 1850 at Wakefield (District), Yorkshire, England and is recorded as residing in Dewsbury in the UK 1851 census. His death is registered on 17 February 1852 and he was buried in St. Matthews burial ground, Dewsbury.
Ross Bridge
Ross Bridge is an historic bridge in the town of Ross in central Tasmania, Australia, completed in July 1836. It crosses the Macquarie River.The sandstone bridge was constructed by convict labour, and is the third oldest bridge still in use in Australia...
, Ross, Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
. Both he and Daniel Herbert (convict)
Daniel Herbert (convict)
Daniel Herbert , a Tasmanian convict, was a skilled stonemason who, with co-convict James Colbeck, oversaw the building of the Ross Bridge and embellished it with interesting carvings....
received full pardons for their work on the bridge.
Born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire in 1801, Colbeck worked as a stonemason in London on Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
from 1822 to 1825. Newly married and with a young son, Colbeck grew tired of living apart from his wife and child, and returned to Dewsbury.
Unable to find work in the area and desperate to feed his starving family, Colbeck, John Blezzard and George May broke into a house in Huddersfield stealing food, clothing and money. Having succeeded once, they repeated their rash act again in a home in Saddleworth and were caught.
Sentenced at the York Assizes on March 22, 1828 to transportation for life for burglary, Colbeck was shipped from London to Van Diemen's Land
Van Diemen's Land
Van Diemen's Land was the original name used by most Europeans for the island of Tasmania, now part of Australia. The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to land on the shores of Tasmania...
(Tasmania) aboard the Manlius.
In 1830 and 1831, Colbeck worked on the construction of the New Orphan School in Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
. In May 1831, he was sent to Ross with an army of men to repair the bridge. Since it was made of timbers, there was no work for him. However, he worked for William Kermode who was busy building a house in the neighbourhood, the first 'Mona Vale.' Colbeck's earnings were to be banked by Kermode, whose son Robert Quale was going to arrange passage for Colbeck's wife and his son, as soon as he got to England.
In March 1833, Colbeck was recommended to superintend the construction of the Ross Bridge but it was not until May 1835 that Colbeck became the overseer. Although given detailed instructions from the government appointed architect, Charles Atkinson, Colbeck ignored them. Atkinson stated: 'Is it possible for an ignorant unlettered plodding scion of his class to understand the construction of the most difficult and scientific structures invented by man?'
Colbeck and Daniel Herbert received their emancipation on the completion of the bridge. Colbeck received a Free Pardon on 28 October 1841.
Colbeck appeared in the 1843 Tasmania census as living at Long Plains, West Tamar. The date or route of his return to England is unknown.
Colbeck remarried in June 1850 at Wakefield (District), Yorkshire, England and is recorded as residing in Dewsbury in the UK 1851 census. His death is registered on 17 February 1852 and he was buried in St. Matthews burial ground, Dewsbury.
Further reading
- Ross Bridge and the Sculpture of Daniel Herbert" Leslie Greener & Norman Laird, Hobart, 1971
- Ross Bridge, Tasmania. Maureen Byrne. Studies in Historical Archaeology, Number 3. 2006