Thursday, January 26, 2023

THOMAS BOWMAN SCURRAH

Thomas Scurrah's hairdressing saloon, Gulgong
Source: Mitchell Library, SLNSW

Thomas Bowman Scurrah, known as the 'singing hairdresser of Gulgong', located in Mayne Street between Sippel Bros the tobacconists, and White Bros Cordial Factory. 
Source: Information supplied by Baldwin & Davis, Research Gulgong (July 2006)

Thomas Scurrah married Emily Mary Ann Gurton in Walgett in 1866 (NSW BDM 3258/1866). Emily had taken over the licence of Mooribee Inn after her husband, George died at teh age of 43. After her marriage to Thomas Scurrah, he took over the licence of the Mooribee Inn. They later move to Gulgong where Thomas had a hairdressing saloon and interests in gold mines.

Thomas and Emily's children included:

  • ALICE M - born 1867 (NSW BDM 17156/1867) Walgett
  • GEORGE B - born 1868 (NSW BDM 17442/1868) Walgett
  • EMILY MARY - born 1870 (NSW BDM 13317/1870) Murrurundi; died 1871 Gulgong.
  • THOMAS WILLIAM - born 1872 (NSW BDM 13532/1872) Gulgong; died 1872
  • ERNEST ALBERT - born 1873 (NSW BDM 14448/1873) Gulgong
  • ELIZABETH C - born 1875 (NSW BDM 15185/1875) Gulgong
  • WALTER T - born 1877 (NSW BDM 15826/1877) Mudgee
  • ETHEL MAY - born 1879 (NSW BDM 17954/1879) Mudgee
  • PERCY EDWARD - born 1882 (NSW BDM 21978/1882) Mudgee
  • HERBERT CHARLES - born 1884 (NSW BDM 25383/1884) Mudgee
  • HILDA - born 1885 (NSW BDM 9479/1885) Paddington

NEWS ITEMS

1866 - NOTICE.
IF this should meet the eye of GEORGE SCURRAH, last heard of at Buningyong, near Ballarat, Port Phillip, he is earnestly requested to COMMUNICATE with his Brother,
THOMAS B. SCURRAH, Mooraby, Near Walgett, N. S. W.
Source:  The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 - 1893) Tue 13 Nov 1866 Page 1

1867 - PUBLICAN'S LICENCE
From July 1867 to 30th June, 1868, Thomas Scurrah had a publican's licence for the Moraby Inn, Walgett, in the Wee Waa District:


Source: New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 - 1900) Tue 13 Aug 1867 [Issue No.136 (SUPPLEMENT)] Page 1903

1867 - BIRTHS.
At her residence, Mooribee, upon the 4th ultimo, the wife of Thomas B. Scurrah, of a daughter.
Source:  The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 - 1893) Tue 15 Oct 1867 Page 1

1868 - POISONING
An aboriginal named "Mibea Billy [sic, Milray]" has this week been arrested at Mooribie, by constable Robinson, charged with having poisoned by strychnine an old blackfellow named Magool, an inoffensive old fellow, working about the place. The poison is alleged to have been administered in a glass of grog which "Mibea Billy" tendered the old man, who shortly after expressed his concern that he bad been dealt unfairly with, by the pain which he experienced after drinking the spirits. However, his doubts were soon converted into a certainty by the terrible convulsions he was thrown into, and after three-quarters of an hour he died in most dreadful pain. 
Mr. T. B. Scurrah gave chase to the blackfellow Billy, and coming up with him four miles away, at Ulah Station, he procured assistance, and searched him. The darkie was ordered to strip, and was nearly successful in deceiving his searchers, by keeping his arm close to his body, but upon it being grasped suddenly a small bottle was observed to fall from the hollow of his arm, which, upon being examined, was found to be labelled "Strychnine," and to contain a quantity of that deadly poison. It was with some difficulty that the blacks in the neighbourhood were restrained from executing summary judgment upon him, but he ultimately was safely lodged in durance vile [a long prison sentence].
Source: The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954) Sat 15 Feb 1868 Page 4

1869 - MURDER.
Milray Billy, an aboriginal, was indicted for having, at Moorabie, on the 18th January, 1868, murdered Moogi, or Bogiwang Jimmy. He pleaded not guilty, and at his Honor's request, was defended by Mr. Wisdom, assisted by Mr. Abbott.
Constable Robinson, stationed at Walgett, knew the prisoner, also the township of Moorabie, which was twenty five miles on the other side of Walgett. The prisoner was given into his custody at Moorabie on a charge of murdering another black. It was alleged that the murder was effected by administering strychnine. The prisoner told this witness while he was in his custody that he gave him a little bit. The prisoner told him this on seeing him wrap up a bottle supposed to contain the poison named, and which he had received from the innkeeper who gave the black into his custody; the prisoner said the cause of his giving Bogiwang Jimmy the poison was, that he had been told Bogiwang intended to kill him; prisoner said that a shepherd called old Steeve gave him the poison to destroy dingoes with; witness saw the dead body of Bogiwang Jimmy in the blacks' camp.
Thomas Bowman Scurrah, late an innkeeper at Moorabie, said that on the day of the murder several blacks were camped near his inn; in the middle of the day his wife informed him that Bogiwang Jimmy was very bad; he went to see him, and found him sitting down with his hands clasped round a stump, and frightfully convulsed; the other blacks gave him to understand that he bad been poisoned by another black called Milray Billy; upon this witness administered mustard and warm water to him, and
also other remedies, neither, however, gave him relief; a short time before Milray Billy had left the house of witness in company with his master, a Mr. Murray, who had stopped at the inn for a time, and ordered two glasses of gin, one of sherry, and one of rum; witness said the rum had been left on the counter, and he never knew what became of it; Milray Billy being charged with the murder by the blacks, witness rode after him to take him into custody; he found him at Ular, three or four miles away; he told Mr. Murray what had happened, accused Milray of poisoning Jimmy, and told him he would take him into custody; he took the black into a room to search him, and while the search was proceeding he noticed the black attempt to conceal something in his left arm-pit; witness seized the object, and found it wae a small drug bottle containing a white powder; this bottle he afterwards handed
to Robinson, the constable; Mr. Murray said to the black 'Did you give the blackfellow poison?;' he answered, 'Only gave him little bit;' Mr. Murray then said, 'Why did you give it to him?;' he answered that he had been told that Moogi had said he would kill him; Mr. Murray then asked him how he gave it to him? he answered he put it along of colli, meaning drink; Milray, the prisoner, in accounting for the way he came by the stuff, said old Steeve gave it to him, and then said 'why white fellow give blackfellow poison?' witness took the prisoner to his house in custody; on his return the poisoned blackfellow was dead; witness had known him for a long period, during which he was his servant; in describing the blackfellow's symptoms he said be was alternately relaxed and rigid, the face was frightfully distorted with pain, and he kept up a constant noise like barking; he had a great craving for water; the black's health appeared, before he was poisoned, to be generally good, but he had weak eyes, which obtained for him the name of Bogiwang; Stephen Jervis, the man called by the prisoner old Steeve, was a shepherd in the employ of Murray and Lewis; it was believed that he was now dead.
James John Horsley and Gustavus Ard Murray were called on their subpoenas, but did not appear. 
Dr. Spasshatt deposed that he had submitted some of the contents of a small bottle which he held in his hand to certain recognised chemical tests, and from the results he was disposed to say that the powder was strychnine. He admitted that he did not regard the tests as infallible, and these were not so complete as they might have been if he had more time. He thought the symptoms described by the last witness to be those that would occur from poisoning by strychnine.
Dr. Bedford deposed that there was a test of Dr. Guy's not used by the last witness, which was considered by chemists the most reliable. One of the tests used by Dr. Spasshatt was not to decide whether an ingredient was strychnine, but to ascertain whether it was combined with another poison. As for the small quantity of powder contained in the bottle from merely seeing it, he could give it no name.
Mr. Wisdom having addressed the jury on the case as it favoured the innocence of the prisoner, his Honor said the points for the consideration of the jury were— 1st. Did the blackfellow die from any poison? 2ndly, If he did, did the prisoner administer it? And, 3rdly, Did he intend to murder him, or only do him a large amount of mischief? If they were satisfied on these points they would be entitled to find him guilty of murder; but if they considered that the prisoner only intended to do Bogiwang a small amount of mischief, they might find him guilty of manslaughter. The jury retired at 10 minutes to 2, and at half-past 3 returned a verdict of guilty of murder; and on Friday the prisoner was sentenced to death without hope.

Note: The location above referred to as Mooraby, Moraby, Mooribee, Mooribie, and Moorabie is most likely connected to today's "Mourabie homestead", near Walgett NSW. It was a private property witg an Inn. Milrae was another property nearby and can be seen as the origin of the name "Milray Billy" (above).

Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 52,  February 10, 1872


1871 - DEATH
On the 16 inst., at the residence of her parents, Queen Street, Gulgong, Emily Mary Ann, the beloved daughter of Thomas B. and Emily Mary Ann Scurrah, aged 12 months. [Cause of death "dentition"].
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 36, October 21. 1871

1872 - DEATH
Edward Thomas Gurton step-son of Mr. T. B Scurrah, Queen Street aged 8 years 7 months on the 24th April of diphtheria.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 73, April 27, 1872

1872 - DEATH
August 26, 1871 Thomas William, infant son of Thomas B. Scurrah of Queen Street, Gulgong aged 11 weeks. [Cause of death "bronchitis"].
Source:  Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 109, August 31, 1872

1873 - Sunday Closing
The undersigned begs to notify his customers that in future he will be closing on Sundays, his two hair-dressing saloons. T. B. Scurrah.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 154, February 5, 1872

1873 - Mr. Kinchela's Benefit.
On Monday evening last Mr Kinchela, the talented scenic artist, took a goodbye benefit at the Prince. Owing to the unsettled weather the attendance was lim-ited. The bill consisted of "Jack Robinson and his Monkey" - the leading part being taken by Messrs Holloway, Thompson and Kinchela, in a most effective manner. The interlude comprised dancing by Miss Amy Chambers, singing by Alan Cameron, and solos by Messrs Scurrah and Cogdon. The performance concluded with the eccentricity of "The Ghost in the Pawnshop," which sent the audience home in good humour. We are sorry that a greater measure of success did not reward Mr Kinchela on his farewell appeal.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 178, April 30, 1873

1873 - Hospital Benefit Entertainment.
On Monday evening one of the most successful "nigger" entertainments we have yet seen on Gulgong, took place at the Prince of Wales Opera House, which was kindly given free of charge by Mr Cogdon, the proprietor, on the occasion. The house was well filled, the front seat especially being crowded. Much credit is due to the whole of the gentlemen who took part in the entertainment, both for their kindness in rendering their services gratuitously and for the care they must have taken to make the performance the complete success it undoubtedly was. Special thanks are due to Mr Cogdon as the originator of the concert, and the three cheers he received from the public in acknowledgement of his generous services amply testified the public approval of his conduct. It is gratifying to know that the Hospital will receive a handsome sum as the result of this benefit, as the expenses are nearly nominal.
The performance commenced with an operatic overture by the company, followed by an opening chorus, "Racoon Track," both of which were received with marked approval. Mr A.C. Cameron, the veteran amateur, then sang in his usual happy manner "Kiss Me Good Night," for which the was applauded. Mr Billy Nutts followed, in his usual good style, with "Ring de Banjo." Mr W Sayers then sang effectively, in a sweet and well cultivated voice, "When the Corn is Waving," which was well received by the audience. Mr J H Cogdon afterwards gave in his best comic style "Old Grimes' Cellar Door," which caused a good deal of laughter. Mr T. B. Scurrah followed with "Kitty Clyde," which was rendered in a very nice and pleasing style. Mr Billy Nutts again came to the fore with "Julietta Bell," of which he made the most. Mr W Kinchela then sang sweetly the beautiful sentimental song "Driven from Home," for the rendition of which he was deservedly applauded. Unfortunately at this juncture, and during the progress of the song, a baby with lusty lungs took it into its head to drive the compass of its voice, which, though strong, did not increase the harmony of the proceedings. It was evidently so much affected by the plaintive notes of Mr Kinchela's song, and demonstrated its feelings by crying with so much vigour, that the lady who rejoiced in its ownership thought it best to "put it in its little bed." And with that object in view left the theatre. Mr Cogdon then favoured the audience with "Bubblin' Waters." Which was harmoniously and successfully rendered. Mr H J Woods, in a good voice, sang "I'm Lonely since my Mother Died," in a style that elicited applause. This was followed by the "Phantom Chorus," with supernatural effects, and brought the first part of the performance to a close. After an interval of ten minutes the second part of the entertainment was proceeded with, which was opened by Mr Scurrah with a flutina solo - "Blue Bells of Scotland," with variations - which he rendered very cleverly and perfectly, and proved himself to be a finished performer, as was shown by the audience heartily encoring him. He then gave "Home Sweet Home," with variations, very effectively and sweetly. Mr Billy Nutts again made his appearance, and sang a comic song entitled "Australian Barmaids," which created some amusement from the beginning to the finish, and for which he had again to come to the curtain. He then gave "Chinese Immigration" very humourously, and retired amidst vociferous cheering. Then followed Mr Kinchela with the pretty song of "Darling Jenny" with banjo accompaniment, which he sang excellently, and was well received. Mr H J Woods next appeared in a dance - an American Break-down - and went through a numerous lot of graceful and intricate steps, keeping time with the heel and toe in an admirable way, and exhibiting considerable ability as a dancer. A local stump oration, given by Mr Cogdon in his inimitably laughable style, and which had reference to the present necessitous condition of the Hospital and the importance of the public liberally contributing to its support, concluded the second part of the performance. Mr Cogdon, after amusing the audience with the drollaries of his speech, succeeded in doing a real practical benefit for the Hospital by requesting those present to throw any spare coin they had into what he modestly called a "saucer" - a very capacious tin dish - which he brought with him on the stage. His call was liberally responded to, and for a few minutes a silvery shower of coins varying from a shilling to half-a-crown, interspersed with a few half sovereigns, varied the proceedings, and was a pleasing episode in the entertainment. When this particular kind of sport had ceased, Mr Cogdon made a further requisition on the audience by introducing his dish among them, when another lively shower of small coins set in. The result of this impromptu collection was that £15 were added to the evenings receipts, a very handsome and most acceptable addition. Upon the conclusion of his monetary canvas, Mr Cogdon was favoured with three hearty and well-merited cheers, another valuable addition to the success of the evening's entertainment was the discoursing and most excellent music by the orchestra during the intervals by Mr W Sayers (first violin and leader), Mr T Woods (second violin), Mr R McEwen (Cornet), Mr F Sharp (Flautist), Mr J McEwen (violincello), Mr F Trotter (Pianist), Mr F Bogis (kettle-drum) - who played sweetly and perfectly, and are deserving of the highest commendation for their valuable assistance. The performance was brought to a close at twelve o'clock, after the amusing 'nigger' operetta of "Oh, Hush!" had been gone through in first rate style. The characters in this piece (which were all sustained with good ability) were played by the following persons:- Sam Johnson (a retired boot-black, in love with Miss Rosa), Mr H Woods; Cuff (a "boss" boot-black, also in love with Miss Rosa), Mr J H Coghlan; Miss Rosa (a fascinating wench), Master Alan Cameron, who played his part very successfully; Colonel Ben (an old polisher), Mr T B Scurrah; Pete (Cuff's foreman), Mr Billy Nutts. We understand that there will be a surplus of over £50 to go to the Hospital funds.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 194, June 25, 1873

1873 - GULGONG HOSPITAL BENEFIT.
At the Royal Shamrock Theatre which was kindly placed by the proprietor, Mr. Sawbridge, at the disposal of the committee gratuitously, the Gulgong minstrels, consisting of Messrs. Cameron, Sayers, Cogden, Scurrah, H Woods, T. Woods, Billy Nutts, and Master Cameron gave an entertainment on behalf of the funds of the Hospital. The house was well filled on the occasion, and everything passed off in a creditable manner. Upwards of £24 after defraying the expenses of printing etc, was handed over to the Institution. The Home Rulers proposes shortly following suit by giving an entertainment for the same good cause.

1874 - Masonic
Yesterday the brethren of the mystic tie met in their lodge rooms a the Hotel de France to celebrate the festival of St. John. the Lodge having been opened in due form by the R. W. M. Bro. L. S. Donaldson, J. P., assisted by his wardens Bro. C. Bird, S W. and T. Scurrah, J. W., and the other office bearers.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, June 25, 1874

1874 - Gulgong Mining Report
William Joyce, P. Joyce, Thomas Smith and Rachel Elliott have given notice of their intention to apply for 1 acre of alluvial ground on the Happy Valley. This ground is situated not very far from the Cavern claim. William Craigen, Samuel Phillips, William Huxley and Thomas B. Scurrah have given notice of their intention to apply for a lease of 6 acres of alluvial ground situated on the Happy Valley.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, August 18, 1874

1874 - Gulgong Mining Report
There seems to be something like a manus for leasing large blocks of auriferous alluvial ground on this goldfield.
During the past fortnight an unusual degree of attention has been attached to the on the Moonlight Lead, below No. 6 and something like 50 acres have been applied for. On Tuesday last Messrs. G. L Durham, E. H. Codrington, J. J. Hutchinson, M. Erling, W. Grant, J. Morrison. T. B. Scurrah, R. Hannan [detective] and W. Craigen, the last-named gentleman 4 shares, have applied for a lease of 13 acres on the Moonlight.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, September 24, 1874

1874 - Baths 
Mr. Scurrah, the hairdresser of Queen Street, located in Queen Street opposite O’Neill Brothers, announces the opening of his Bath-rooms for the season on Saturday morning next. The rooms have been refitted and varnished and are really comfortable. Both plunge and shower baths are provided and with hot or cold water as may be required. The season is now on that baths will be found very necessary for health and comfort, and it is cheaper to speculate in a quarterly ticket with Mr. Scurrah than to erect a bath room.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, October 15, 1874

1874 - Omission
In our report of the proceedings at the laying of the foundation stone of the new Church of England we unintentionally omitted the name of Mr. Thomas Scurrah, the junior warden of the Gulgong Masonic Lodge. The stone was laid by Mrs. Rouse, squared by the master of the Masonic Lodge [Mr. Donaldson], levelled by Senior Warden, Mr. Bird, and plumbed by Junior Warden Scurrah. The crowd was so dense around the stone that neither of our reporters could work his way to the front, hence they had to depend upon hearsay for the particulars of this part of ceremony.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, November 10, 1874

1874 - ADVERTISEMENT

Wanted

A Good General Servant.

Apply to Mrs. Scurrah,  

Queen Street.

Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, November 21, 1874

1874 - Education League
Last night members of the Gulgong branch of the Education League met in the Temperance Hall and a considerable number of additional numbers were enrolled. Mr. Lang in the chair, the object of the Society was the reasons the advocacy of compulsory, secular and free education. The secretary, John McLachlan, read the list of members, about a hundred.
The committee of management was appointed as follows:- Robert Robinson, John McDonald, Mark Smith, Mathew Homer, T. B. Scurrah, Edward Thomas and G. D. Lang.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, November 26, 1874

1875 - Gulgong Mining Report
It is gratifying to be informed that progress is being made in regard to mining enterprises. We have reference of the opening of Mr Rouse’s woolshed paddock at Guntawang. It has long been surmised that gold in payable quantities would ultimately be traced into this ground and the fact has now been established. Messrs Thomas B Scurrah, John Hicks, Thomas Saunders, William Selff and Alexander Taylor have made arrangements with Mr Rouse to work the ground and the contract is that the party shall allow one fifth of the gold to Mr Rouse as a royalty. This is the same amount allowed by miners in other private ground belonging to the same gentleman. But the party is to secure the ground by suitable fences, to prevent the sheep from falling into the excavation. It is estimated that the fencing may be done for about 20 pounds...
We may also mention that there are about 20 claims on payable gold in a continuation of Frazer’s Lead through the private ground of Mr Rouse, and it is thought that it will be traced all the way to the claim of Scurrah and party...
Some of the capitalists of Gulgong are now turning their eyes towards the rich copper lodes in Napier county, parish of Narrangra, this is situated about 22 miles from Gulgong on the Wellington Road. John Hill, William Craigen, William Selff, T B Scurrah and John Foster have taken out a 20 acre lease and we learn that preliminary works have already been commenced. The exact location is about one quarter of a mile south of the Bong Bond Springs.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, March 9 1875

1875 - MINING
Scurrah and party on the Star of the South, continue to get good prospects and a great many claims have been taken up. We learn that two dwts. were got from one dish yesterday. The distance from Gulgong to this lead is less than half-a-mile and the country around it presents every appearance of being gold bearing.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, April 20 1875

1875 - Red Hill 
Messrs Scurrah, Saunders and party have made arrangements with the manager of the Red Hill Company to work the ground on tribute. During the week the party came upon a lode two inches thick and some of specimens were excellent. Following this a few feet, it widened out to more than a foot in thickness, carrying good gold. The shaft of Scurrah and party is about midway between the deep shaft and whim of the company and the Club House Hotel. And is now only about 10 feet deep. It is just possible that this party have succeeded in finding the fountain head of the gold, from which was deposited aged ago the riches of the Black Lead and Happy Valley, and, if so, they will no doubt realise a very handsome thing.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, May 22 1875

1875 - Mining Under Roads 
It is notified that the following applications have been received in the Department of Mines for permission to mine under roads etc., under the Mining Act, 1874, section 28—
... J F Gilbert, T B Scurrah, T Saunders, R Wilson, D Keshin and T George, Gulgong, 600 feet, under White Street, Gulgong;...
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, June 3, 1875

1875 - RED HILL
There was a report earlier in the week that Scurrah and party had washed up a lot of dirt from the Red Hill claim, upon tribute, and that the proprietors made a very good thing out of it.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, June 29, 1875

1875 - Hawker’s Licence 
Henry Billington, of Gulgong was granted a hawker’s licence by the Bench on Wednesday, and entered into the required bonds, Messrs Mathew Homer and T B Scurrah became bondsmen.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, July 8, 1875

1875 - The Orange Celebration
The members of the Miners’ Own Lodge No 75, held their annual celebrations at Mrs Powell’s Hotel at Gulgong on Thursday evening. The was a great attendance from the locals and from around the district. ...
The entertainment was supplied by Mrs Curtis on the piano, Master Allen Cameron, who sang most beautifully, Mr Milton sang an appropriate song, Mr T B Scurrah sang and was encored so gave another excellent song...
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, July 17, 1875

1875 - GULGONG. - TWELFTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS
The Miners' Own Loyal. Orange Lodge, No. 75, and Goold's True Blues, No. 107, combined in holding the annual celebration in Mrs. Powell's Star Hotel, Gulgong, on Thursday evening, July 15th, by a tea meeting succeeded by a soiree...
Brother T. B. Scurrah, of Goold's True Blues, then sang an excellent song, entitled, "Sunny New South Wales," and receiving an encore, rendered another song in an equally effective manner.

1875 - Warden’s Court 
This court was held on Thursday before Warden Browne: Francis Hunter and party applied for ground held by Scurrah and party at Happy Valley, that was to be cancelled on account of non fulfilment of the labour conditions. Scurrah and party acknowledged that they had abandoned the claim. The application of Hunter and party will be forwarded to Sydney.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, September 18 1875

1875 - ADVERTISEMENT
No. 75, Miners' Own,
MEETS in the Lodge Room, Gulgong, on the Second MONDAY in each month, at 7.30 p.m.
T, B. SCURRAH, W.M.

1875 - IN INSOLVENCY.
In the Supreme Court of New South Wales. (12,552)
In the Insolvent Estate of Thomas Bowman Scurrah, of Gulgong, late of the Barwon River, barber.
FIRST AND ONLY MEETING.
WHEREAS the estate of the abovenamed insolvent was, on the 15th day of September, A.D. 1875, placed under sequestration by order under my hand, I hereby appoint a First Meeting of the creditors of the said insolvent, to be holden before the District Commissioner of Insolvent Estates, at the Court House, Mudgee, on Monday, the 1st day of November, A.D. 1875, to commence at 11 o'clock in the forenoon, or as soon afterwards as the course of business will permit, for the proof of debts against the said estate, and for the collection, administration, and distribution of the same; that the Insolvent mayaccount for his insolvency; for directing the Official Assignee whether the insolvent will be allowed to retain for his own use his household furniture, wearing apparel, beds, bedding, and tools of trade, or any part thereof respectively: And as it now appears that the goods and effects of the insolvent, available for the payment of his debts, are less in value than £100, notice is hereby given, that unless it be shown at said First Meeting that these goods and effects exceed the value of £100, the said Commissioner will summarily proceed to rank the debts which, shall then be proved, and will direct the proceeds of the estate to be forthwith distributed by the Official Assignee accordingly.
—Dated at Sydney, the 23rd day of September, A.D. 1875.
GEORGE HIBBERT DEFFELL, Chief Commissioner of Insolvent Estates.
ARTHUR HENRY, Registrar in Insolvency.
Official Assignee—John Piper Mackenzie.

1876 - Progress Committee
An adjourned meeting of this Committee was held at Selff’s Hotel on Wednesday last, William Self in the chair...
New members enrolled were: Messrs Rossiter, Scurrah, Spring, Arrowsmith, T Ryan, W Ward, Farr, Daveron, Ellis and Langdon.
Petition Committee were Messrs Scully, Bird, O’Neill, Plunket, McDonough, Scurrah, Rossiter Tuxford and Zimmler, fifty copies to be printed.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, February 12, 1876

1876 - Gulgong Band of Hope 
At the evening tea meeting held in the Temperance Hall about 120 person sat down to tea, Mr Swan provided the eatables. The following ladies presided at the tables, Mrs Courts, Misses Tompkins, Mitchell, Bennett, Bray and Mills. Mr Bell in the chair, stated they were now 160 members even though many had left Gulgong and they had been in existence little more than a year. ‘Annie of the Vale was rendered by the company assisted by Messrs Scurrah and Diehn as instrumentalists. Others who entertained were; Mrs Brewer, the Misses Mills and Bennett, Messrs French, White, Morrow, Holden and Master Cassel aged 6. The Rev W S Newton addressed the meeting. Messrs Mathews and Weekly also mentioned.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, March 18, 1876

1876 - Leaving 
Another of our oldest townsmen, Mr Scurrah, the well known hairdresser, is giving up business here to enter in a similar undertaking in Mudgee. Mr Scurrah during his residence in Gulgong has secured many friends in Gulgong, while regretting his departure hope the change may prove of permanent benefit to him. Mr Scurrah’s late assistant will we understand carry on the business in Gulgong.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, July 12, 1876

1876 - ADVERTISEMENT
Cogdon’s Hair Cutting, Shaving & Shampooing Saloon in front of the Prince of Wales’ Theatre—Gulgong - J. H. C. having secured the services of Mr GEORGE CARTER [late of T B Scurrah’s] hopes is friends will pay him a visit.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, September 2, 1876

1905 - [ILLNESS]
Word comes from Sydney, in a private note, that Mrs. T. B. Scurrah, formerly of Mudgee, is lying dangerously ill, and not expected to recover.

1907 - [DEATH - MRS SCURRAH]
Old Mudgee residents will remember Mr. T. Scurrah, who nearly 20 years ago conducted a barber's shop in Church-street, and previous to that, was a resident of Gulgong in the old gold-mining days. Those, who know Mr. and Mrs. Scurrah will regret to hear that the latter breathed her last in Sydney on Saturday last at the age of 66 years.

1924 - Death of Old Mudgee Man.
The death took place at his residence, English Street, Camperdown, of Thomas Bowman Scurrah, formerly of Mudgee. The late Mr. Scurrah was a prominent citizen here some 40 years ago. He was a barber by trade and took a big interest, in the public life of the town. Up to the time of his death he retained an affectionate regard for his old friends, which was reciprocated. He was one of the old hands who came back to Mudgee at centenary time, and spent an enjoyable few days. He was a wonderful old man, and up to the time of his death, was as well preserved mentally and physically as many young men. His passing severs another link with old-time Mudgee. He leaves a daughter, Mrs. W. Fortington, of Randwick.
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