Neil McKinnon's Robert Burns Hotel, 1872
Source: SLNSW
Detail, showing family with little boy dressed in Scottish tartan kilt
Source: SLNSW
[NB: A miner named George Nielsen, born in Denmark, died 8 January 1872 in Gulgong from a "low fever". He was aged 23. No spouse or child was listed in the death record.].
- William George Neilson - born ca 1869 in Hawhaw, West Coast NZ; died 17 Feb 1873 at Gulgong aged 6 years, 6 months from "Hydrocephalus since birth" (NSW BDM xx/1873)
Neil McKinnon and Dorothea had the following children in NSW:
- Neil McLeod McKinnon - born 1873 in Gulgong (NSW BDM 14273/1873); died 5 Jan 1874, aged 10 months, from "inflammation, membranes of brain, teething". Mother listed as Dora Neilson.
- Ernest Charles G McKinnon - born 1876 in Coonabarabran (NSW BDM 10448/1876)
- William James - born 1877 in Coonabarabran (NSW BDM 10709/1877)
- May Elizabeth - born 1879 in Coonabarabran (NSW BDM 12041/1879)
1871 - Gulgong Markets
House property - Sold by Auction in Herbert Street a new public-house, the Robert Burns, at a satisfactory price;
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 40, 18 November 1871
1872 - Tenders
Will be received up to Saturday November 2nd, for the erection of a Hotel on the site of the present AJS Bank. Application to Mr. Kelleher at O’Neill Bros., Queen Street. Tenders to be addressed to Mr. McKinnon, Robert Burns Hotel, Herbert Street.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 126, 30 October 1872
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 153, 1 February 1873
POSITIVE SALE - House and Allotment - PLUNKETT AND CO., Have been instructed by Neil McKinnon to Sell by Auction on the Ground, ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST At half past 2 o’clock. THE PREMISES and LAND lately occupied by Mr McKinnon , situate in Lower Herbert Street, and known as the “Robert Burns Hotel.” Terms Cash
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 153, 1 February 1873
February 4th, at the Robert Burns Hotel, Gulgong the wife of Neil McKinnon a son [Neil McLeod McKinnon]. Both well.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 153, 1 February 1873
1873 - Death
William George Neilson eldest son [sic, stepson] of Neil McKinnon aged 5 [aged 6½ years] at the Robert Burns Hotel on 7th March. J. A. COURTIS, Undertaker.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 163, 8 March 1873
1873 - POLICE COURT
Robbery - Richard Jones alias Cohratt stole from Jacob Hocking, [Mining Manager of the Black Lead Amalgamated Claims] nine pounds. Hocking went to Mr. Green at Hill’s Hotel. Previously Hocking had slept at McKinnon’s Robert Burns Hotel. Bessy Clift sworn; said she lived with her mother at Angove’s Hotel, said Mr. Hocking had been boarding at the hotel.
Walter Mills aged 12, son of John Mills gave evidence, also Neil McKinnon, Louisa Palmer barmaid at the All Nation’s Hotel, Thomas Edward Mills, Mrs. Sarah Green. Constable Forster was given some money as evidence. Committed to trial at Mudgee.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 180, 7 May 1873
1874 - [LOST PROPERTY]
Lost a Gold Earring with a Crystal drop, reward to finder.
MRS. McKINNON, Robert Burns Hotel.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, 3 September 1874
1874 - POLICE COURT
Robbery - John Ward charged with stealing the dray of Christopher Dalton. They were mates and their temporary abode was Robert Burns Hotel. Sgt. O’Donnell and Constable Forester mention, case dismissed.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, 17 November 1874
1874 - ADVERTISEMENT
Wanted - A Respectable Female Servant. - Apply to MRS. McKINNON, Robert Burns Hotel.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, 17 November 1874
1874 - POLICE COURT
A Dangerous Neighbour - Neil McKinnon, proprietor of the Robert Burns Hotel, Herbert Street appeared under warrant charged with firing a gun into the store of Redmond and Driscoll, Little Queen Street, with the intent of doing some grievous bodily harm to some person therein.
Snr. Sgt. O’Donnell, sworn: At 5.45 p.m. last evening I arrested the prisoner at his residence in Herbert Street, when arrested the prisoner said he had bought the gun off an old man and was trying it; the gun was given him by his wife; the gun had upon the nipple two unexploded caps; I examined the Redmond and Driscoll Store and found on the ironside several holes, which had been made by a shot or slugs. At the request of Mr. Cory, the information was read and he contended that it was bad, because the law laid down that to do some grievous bodily harm, in all summons or warrants a person must be named.
John Darrell, sworn: I am a sawyer residing on Gulgong, I was passing the Redmond and Driscoll store, when I saw the prisoner with a double-barrel gun; defendant was about 20 feet from the store; the first shot he deliberately fired into the store; the second shot was into the air; he appeared to be in liquor.
Henry Walters, sworn; I am in the employ of Redmond and Driscoll as storeman; I was in the store and heard the report of three shots, there were several torn holes in the iron; and one bottle of port had been broken in the boxes; I was standing about 12 feet from the iron and in the line of fire.
By Mr. Cory: Between the second and third shots there was a lapse of 20 minutes.
The Bench said, that the act of firing the gun was evidently that of an intoxicated person or a madman without any intent of doing any harm to any person. The practice was a dangerous one and he would warn the defendant not to repeat the offence.
The defendant was then discharged.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, 19 November 1874
1875 - ADVERTISEMENT
Wanted - A good General Servant. Apply to MRS. McKINNON, Robert Burns Hotel.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, 7 January 1875
1875 - POLICE COURT
Threatening Language - Neil McKinnon proprietor of the Robert Burns Hotel charged with threatening the take the life of Edward James Cory, solicitor. Mr Brough appeared for McKinnon.
Constable Robert Forster made the arrest; at the time the accused said he meant no harm to Mr Cory who was trying to get him to sign some papers and they had words.
Edward James Cory sworn: The information read is true. I was at the Robert Burns Hotel having a glass of grog when the defendant came into the room and threatened to kill me and knock my head off; I believe him to be a lunatic and to be at large; I bore him no malice; on Wednesday 5th the accused in the presence of Angus McIntosh requested me to prepare a deed of separation between himself and his wife; I prepared a draft of the said agreement, the accused took a pen and put some scratches upon it; next day I prepared another, took to the accused and he refused to sign it.
Mr Brough: It was true that the accused had in a joke told Mr Cory he might draw up a deed of separation and Mr Cory thinking him serious prepared the deed, transferring all the property the accused possessed, license, stock in trade to himself as trustee; he would ask the Bench to hear the accused statement.
Mr McKinnon said that Mr Cory had been in the habit of frequently coming to his house bothering him to sign a deed of separation from his wife and transfer the property he owned to him, thus depriving his wife and children of whatever he possessed; he had no wish to separate from his wife and all he wished was that Mr Cory would keep from his house.
The Bench said there was no evidence of lunacy and bound the accused over to keep the peace himself in 50 pounds and two securities of 10 pounds each or one month’s imprisonment.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, 9 January 1875
1875 - Improvements
It is gratifying to witness improvements being effected in different parts of the town. The narrow street running past Mr Dennis’ Tattersall and the Robert Burns Hotel are being thoroughly repaired and gravelled. Drains have also been cut to carry off the rain water. In a sanatory point of view, this is a great improvement. Under a municipality these works would be more systematically carried forward.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, 1 July 1875
1875 - Auction Sale
Plunkett and Co will offer for sale today the Robert Burns Hotel, with licence and stock in trade.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, 2 Octrober 1875
1875 - Lease, Public House & LICENSE
C L Morris Has received instructions from Mrs Neil McKinnon to sell on November 22 at 2pm - All the Household Furniture, Kitchen Utensils etc, etc, etc, of the Robert Burns Hotel - Also, immediately after the sale of the Furniture, will be sold the LEASE of the ROBERT BURNS HOTEL for 12 months with the License having 7 months to run from the 1st December. The Hotel has 4 bedrooms. Dining Room, Sitting Room, Parlour, Bar and Kitchen
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, 20 November 1875
1876 - Police Court before the PM
False Pretences - Michael Ryan, on remand charged with uttering a valueless cheque to obtain money. Constable Stapleton made the arrest.
Elizabeth Langbein: I am the wife of Peter Langbein and keep the Robert Burns Hotel in Herbert Street; I know the prisoner; in company with a man named Knowling ordered four drinks and gave me the cheque; I went back to On Hing’s and got change, gave prisoner 18/-, he said cheque was for 4 pounds; went back to On Hing’s and got 3 pounds more; the same evening On Hing brought the cheque back saying it was not good. When I gave it back to prisoner he said it was done for a lark.
Peter Langbein: Knowling when asked by me said ‘You know well that it was got for a swindle and you receive half the money.’
Prisoner committed for trial.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, 10 June 1876
