Monday, September 30, 2024

SCULLY'S HOTEL

Location of Scully's Hotel on Mayne Street
Source: HLRV charting map


JOHN SCULLY was born in London England in about 1824 to Thomas Scully, a soap maker, and Theresa Devine. He arrived in New South Wales around 1870 (having previously spent 3 years in Victoria).
He married Mary Ann Robinson in Victoria in 1858 (VIC BDM 4081/1858). Their children included:
  • FRANCIS - born 1867?
  • JOHN - born 1867?
  • WILLIAM - born 1869?
  • EMANUEL - born 1871?
  • MARY A T - born 1875 (NSW BDM 15134/1875) in Gulgong
  • JEMIMA S ("SOPHIA") - born 1877 (NSW BDM 15952/1877) in Gulgong
  • SARAH ANN H ("HENRIETTA") - born 1879  (NSW BDM 18164/1879) in Gulgong
  • EDWARD P -  born 1882 (NSW BDM 22184/1882) in Gulgong
  • VIOLET V - born 1886 (NSW BDM 27317/1886) in Gulgong
  • 1M, IF DECD at the time of John Scully's death.
John Scully purchased Allot 5 Sec 1 on Mayne Street, Gulgong, in 1872 (see map above). This was referred to as "Scully's Rooms" and later "Scully's Hotel" and was frequently used for town meetings.
Source: New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 - 1900) Fri 21 Jun 1872 [Issue No.172] Page 1596

John Scully died at Gulgong Hospital on 16 January 1903 at the age of 79 from "athenia, cancer of the bowel) of 12 months duration. He was buried at Gulgong Cemetery (RC). (NSW BDM 1589/1903)

NEWS ITEMS

1873 - [STOLEN]
Stolen, on the morning of the 20th ultimo, from the “Post Office Hotel,” Home Rule, Gulgong, the property of James Hewison,—Two £5 notes on the Joint Stock Bank, three £1 notes, Bank and numbers unknown, and a cheque on the Joint Stock Bank, signed John Scully, an ink-blot on one corner. Cheque identifiable.
Source: New South Wales Police Gazette and Weekly Record of Crime (Sydney : 1860 - 1930) Wed 5 Feb 1873 [Issue No.6] Page 40

1873 - [CANDIDATE]
John Scully, formerly a baker, but now a successful mining speculator, and a public spirited man, has issued an address to the electors of Mudgee. Strenuous efforts will be made for his return. 
The petition for the Municipality, unanimously signed, is forwarded to Sydney today.

1873 - [CRUSHING MACHINE]
On the Cooyal Creek the quartz crushing machine owned by Mr. John Scully (formerly Mr Blackman's)
will shortly be getting up steam, having undergone thorough repairs. The situation promises to be a good one should quartz reefing be carried on vigorously, as it is on all sides surrounded by gold-bearing reefs.

1873 - POLITICAL.
Last evening, Mr. John Scully addressed the Electors at Home Rule. The public at first looked upon it as a joke, but he was unanimously voted as a fit and proper person to represent them. Messrs. Walter Church, J. G. O'Connor, R. Wisdom, A. A. O'Connor, J. B. Wilson, and George Stott are, or are said to be, in the field.

1873 - TO THE ELECTORS OF THE MUDGEE DISTRICT.
Gentlemen,—In consequence of the resignation of your late member, tho Hon J. G. L. Innes, Solicitor-General, I have been invited by a large number of influential electors to represent your very important electorate. In responding to the invitation, I am fully aware of the very great responsibility that devolves upon a representative for a constituency, which, for wealth, intelligence, and importance, is second to none in the colony.
In the first place, I may state I am a supporter of the present ministry, and as long as that ministry brings forward measures for the good of the colony, I shall, if elected, continue to support it. In my opinion, the present highly prosperous state of the country, in a social and financial point of view, is in a great measure attributable to its exertions; and it is for that reason I consider, at the present time, they are worthy of support.
Having been twenty-two years engaged in gold-mining pursuits, I am fully alive to the requirements of the miners. I believe the present mining bill and regulations unsuitable, and proper legilslation in this branch of industry is urgently demanded; in fact, it can be put off no longer, and at any cost, a bill providing for just rights of the mining population must be immediately introduced.
Then, our present Land Bill requires re-modelling. I am most decidedly averse to any bill that will enable the rich man to secure his thousands of acres for a mere nominal sum, while his poorer neighbours, the conditional purchasers, have to pay nothing less than one pound per acre, and so hampered with arbitrary conditions that they are never secure.
As far as the squatters are concerned, measures should be adopted to induce them to improve the waste lands of the colony, and this can only be done, in my opinion, by an extension of their leases; but, in all cases, the Crown should get a fair but not exorbitant rental for the ground.
As far as the postal arrangements are concerned, I am fully prepared to support the present Premier, and I believe he has acted most decidedly for the benefit of the country at large.
Such gentlemen, are my views on the important measures above stated, and if these views are in unison with yours I trust I shall be favoured with your support, so as to secure my return.
I am, Gentlemen, Yours faithfully, JOHN SCULLY.
11.50 a.m. Mr. John Scully addressed 1500 people from the front of Hunter's Hotel, after Mr. A. O'Connor closed his speech on Selff's balcony. Patrick Macnamara, formerly publisher of the Guardian, presided, and introduced Mr. Scully as a fit and proper person to become a candidate for the suffrages of the electors. Both meetings declared enthusiastically in favour of the candidates.
Previous to these meetings the miners assembled for the consideration of Mr. D. Buchanan's Mining Bill. Certain amendments were proposed and were unanimously adopted. It had been pre-arranged first, that the assemblage should first consider the amendments to the bill, secondly, to hear O'Connor, and thirdly to listen to Scully. The utmost order and decorum prevailed.

1873 - MUDGEE ELECTION.—THE NOMINATION.
(From the Mudgee Times.)
THE nominations of candidates to represent the Mudgee electorate in the Legislative Assembly took place at Mudgee on Monday morning. The candidates were Messrs. John Scully, Walter Church, Alfred Arthur O'Connor, and Joseph Graham O'Connor. The returning-officer, Dr. Wilson Ramsay, opened the proceedings in the usual manner by reading the writ, after which Mr. Gerald Spring proposed Mr. John Scully. Mr. J. Gillies, of the Canadian, proposed Mr. A. A. O'Connor. The Hon. G. H. Cox nominated Mr. Walter Church. Mr. John Healy nominated Mr. J. G. O'Connor.
Mr. Scully came forward and was received with great applause, amidst some slight opposition. He thanked the electors for the support he had received, and said he would deserve still greater thanks when he carried out what he promised them. He pledged himself to do all in his power to obtain increased facilities for the opening up of the resources of the district by improving the roads, erecting bridges, improving the public buildings, and upholding the agricultural and mining interests. His desire to become their representative was based not upon the prospect of improving his circumstances, but upon tho honest ambition of serving his fellow-men. He would support the present Administration so long as it introduced measures of publio benefit. He was in favour of free education, and of increased representation in Parliament. He thought the Upper House should be elective, and would advocate the repeal of the newspaper postal tax; and was in favour of the extension of railways.
He thought it necessary that they should have improved legislation with regard to mining on private property, by which the landowners should be fairly compensated, and the miners protected from monopoly and imposition. With regard to the payment of Members of Parliament, he thought it better to pay an honest man than to let a rogue pay himself. (Laughter.) He would support the present Education Bill until a better one was introduced. On the question of free selection, he thought that the bona-fide settler and cultivator should be induced to improve the waste lands of the country on the easiest possible terms. In conclusion, he returned his sincere thanks to the electors of Mudgee for the hearty reception they had accorded him...

1873 - [TOUR OF ELECTORATE]
The old veteran digger Mr. John Scully is on a tour in the electorate and not leaving a stone unturned to make his political principles known. On next Monday, at 4 p.m., the winning horse will be declared.
Source:  Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875) Mon 8 Sep 1873 Page 4

1873 - THE MUDGEE ELECTION—DECLARATION OF THE POLL
(From the Western Post.)
ON Tuesday last the official declaration of the poll for the electorate of Mudgee was made by the Returning-officer (Dr. Wilson Ramsay). Mr. Joseph Graham O'Connor was declared a duly elected member to serve the electoral district of Mudgee in the Parliament of New South Wales...
Mr. W. Wall, in a few appropriate remarks, returned thanks for Mr. John Scully to all who had voted for him, and also against him...

1873 - [SCHOOL OF ARTS]
Well directed efforts are being made to raise funds for the purpose of erecting an elegant structure for the library and reading-room in Upper Herbert-street, adjoining the Joint Stock Bank, and opposite the Court House. The allotments have already been secured through the liberality of Mr. John Scully, recently a candidate for Parliamentary honours.
Source: Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875) Sat 15 Nov 1873 Page 4

1873 - [MISSING]
LOST, from Mr. Rouse's Paddock, Biraganbil,—One bay horse, hind feet white, branded ιM over 2 near shoulder.
JOHN SCULLY, Gulgong. 24th November, 1873.

1874 - [SPORTS DAY]
The Anniversary Day sports, in aid of the School of Arts building fund, were initiated and carried out by the committee of this institution in a manner deserving great credit, for the purpose of trying to raise sufficient funds to build a new school of arts. John Scully, Esq., with his usual liberality, offered a short time since to give £100 towards this object, provided the sum of £100 were raised by the members, or through their exertions. It was decided, therefore, by the committee to hold sports, and through the kindness I believe of the proprietors of this land, Mr. Homer, his paddock, situated close to the town, was placed at their disposal. The heavy rains, no doubt, which had fallen consecutively for three days, and only ceased on the morning of the sports, deterred many from them who otherwise would have been present.
By 3 o'clook, however, the people were flocking to the gate. Johnson, who had purchased the two publicans booths, kept his countenance cheerful while he administered, the various beverages to his thirsty customers, which, at 4 o'clock, must have been fully 400. The lunch provided by our host was excellent, and very well patronised, under all circumstances. A swinging boat was also provided for the amusement of the young folks. There were three fruit stands and a slight sprinkling of the gambling fraternity, whose avocations, I am happy to say, were soon stopped by the energetic Stewards...

1874 - [MINING]
The machines of John Scully on Cooyal Creek are busily engaged washing from those well known claims 19 and 20 Lowe's, about 2000 loads of dirt which are not yielding, on an average, sufficient gold to pay. These two claims were very rich a few months ago, but now are looked upon as being worked out.

1874 - [TEBBUTT'S CASE]
Partof Henry Tebbutt's testimony:
"John Scully is a miner on the Black Lead. It is his opinion I am influenced by bribery, but he does not cite a single case.
John Scully.—This witness accuses me of receiving bribes directly by overcharging for printing. The case is as follows:—Mr. Truman came to our office and saw Mr. Shettle, my partner, and asked him what he would charge to print five hundred copies of David Buchanan's speech. Mr. Shettle named a price to him at the time which I did not know till afterwards. The pamphlets were printed and delivered. After they were delivered Mr. A. Brown called upon my partner for another 500, and agreed for a certain price. Whether the pamphlets were worth £50 or £5 I do not know, as I am entirely ignorant of their value. I do the writing portion, and have no knowledge of printing affairs. The witness says the opinion abroad is that I am corrupt, and he would be very sorry for me to sit on a case of his. He then states he subscribed £5 5s. to my testimonial, but would not do it now. I may here remark we were on terms of intimacy until very lately. Mr. Scully, at the late election, asked me to support him in our paper as member of Parliament for Mudgee. To this we consented. I then wrote out his election address, and my partner printed several thousands of these addresses for general circulation. I was appointed chairman to his committee, and made myself very active in endeavouring to secure his election; in fact, I asked several electors to vote for him, and did all I possibly could to secure his return—this I did for his own sake. But he professed to be in favour of the Ministry then in office, and I did all in my power to secure them a supporter, believing their notions were beneficial to the colony at large. I also acted as his scrutineer for Mudgee, at the earnest solicitation of his committee. The election came off, and I believe Mr. Scully received the fewest votes of any candidate. I cannot now say this positively, but such is my belief. After his defeat he found the expenses much more than he contemplated, believing, as it appeared to me, that he should have been returned at the head of the poll, almost free of charge. In addition to this he found our printing account exceeded his expectations. The committee, however, paid the account, after due examination, and Mr. Scully exhibited a coolness for some time after, doubtless, in my mind, owing to this defeat. This coolness wore away, and we were again on friendly terms. Very recently he had a dispute with Mr. Kelleher, a builder, as to some contracts. Mr. Scully told me he was not in Kelleher's debt, and asked my advice how he should act. I suggested he should refer the case to arbitration. He consented to do so, and asked me to act as his referee. To this I consented. Mr. Scully then appointed Louis Severen his arbitrator, and Kelleher appointed Job Edwards as his. After measuring and valuing the work, we came to the unanimous conclusion that somewhere about £80 or so was due to Kelleher, and signed a document to that effect. Upon our decision being made known, Scully abused the arbitrators and referee in no measured terms, and accused us of robbing him, his own arbitrator coming in for his share of the very general abuse. Since that period I have held no intercourse with him. I believe the above facts will explain his animus to me, and his willingness to tender evidence against me at this inquiry. He appears to me to be a very vindictive man."


1876 - [MEETING]
On Tuesday evening a public meeting was held at Scully's Hotel, for the purpose of forming a co-operative company factory and flour-mill at Gulgong —3000 shares, at £1 each; 970 were taken in the room.

1878 - [STONE AND BRICK]
Since the termination of the holidays business of every description has been very quiet; the dulness not affecting any particular trade, but rather depressing all alike.
From some cause or other, during the whole time this gold-field has been open, but few stone and brick buildings have been erected. In fact, up to the present time there are but five —
the English Church, Scully's large hotel, which is an extensive building, but hidden by a small wooden structure in front, the shop of Mr. R. Robinson, bookseller; that of Mr. O'Neill, baker, and R. S. Ross, coachbuilder's, premises. The late fire, however, seems to have altered the idea of building of inflammable materials...
Source: The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912) Sat 19 Jan 1878 Page 79

1880 - [DELEGATE]
Alderman John Scully, who aspired to legislative honours some years back, has been chosen delegate from the Gulgong Borough Council to the Municipal Conference at Sydney.
Source: Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Sat 28 Aug 1880 Page 39

1885 - [JURY FOREMAN]
The inquest on the body of Thomas Angel alias Hobson was commenced at Gulgong Hospital on Monday, April 13, before Mr. P. Snape (coroner) and a jury of 12, Mr. John Scully, Mayor, being appointed foreman.

1889 - [FALL IN MINE]
On Tuesday a man named John Scully fell down the shaft of the Black Lead Mine, Gulgong, a distance of 200ft, into 12ft of water. When rescued it was found that he was only suffering slightly from shock.

1893 - SCULLY V. MURN.
Dr. Sly for the appellant; Mr. Rolin for the respondent. This was a special case stated by Judge Docker for the decision of the Full Court. On April 4, 1892, one John Murn, holder of a miner's right, pegged out for residential purposes, under the Mining Act and regulations, a certain allotment of Crown land situated in the town of Gulgong, and on the same day applied to the mining registrar to be registered as the holder of the land as a residence area. Next day one John Scully, who claimed to be in occupation by virtue of a business license under the Mining Act, filed with the warden at Gulgong an objection to the registration of Murn as the holder of the allotment — the warden had previously decided in his favor in the case of Scully v. Fletcher. The objection was up held by the warden. Murn thereupon appealed to the Court of Mining Appeal, held at Mudgee, and presided over by Judge Docker. It was stated in evidence that the land was enclosed, but there was no residence, although there was a bark shelter for horses. Murn was not the holder of any other residence area or business license, and he was now mining on a claim, working for wages. John Scully's evidence was that he purchased the allotment with a hut thereon from the previous holder of it as a business area for £10, in 1872. The transfer was registered. He produced his business licenses up to 1881, but admitted that he had not held any since, though he had taken out a miner's right every year. His attorney proposed to prove that he had applied to the Government to purchase the land by virtue of improvements in 1873, but this was disallowed, and, moreover, held to be immaterial, as the respondent was claiming the land, not under the freehold title, but under the Mining Act. 
In cross-examination Scully admitted that he had been trying for 20 years to obtain a grant of the allotment, but had not succeeded. The judge held that the sole question was whether Scully had a good prior title. He found that Scully had not, as he had not renewed his business license, by virtue of which he claimed possession of the land, and the decision of the registrar was therefore reversed. Scully therefore appealed.
The Full Court had referred the case back to Judge Docker for him to say whether the estate was or was not over £50 in value, as the case stated by the judge had omitted to set out that material fact. If the statement was not amended in the manner required, the case was to be struck out upon being called on again. Through some misunder standing the value still remained unstated. The case was accordingly struck out, with costs.

1894 - [ALDERMAN]
Many of the old residents of Gulgong and neighbourhood will (says the Mudgee Independent) be pleased to see the name of Mr. John Scully again figuring as an alderman of the Gulgong municipality, in which, in times past, he was a very energetic and progressive member.

1899 - [VETERAN]
Veteran John Scully, who was one of the kings of Gulgong in his day, still possesses that vitality which characterised him in the palmy times. No one would begrudge a return of the tide of fortune to the large-hearted identity of the better days of the Gulgong field.

1903 - [FUNERAL]
The funeral of Mr. John Scully, who died at the hospital from cancer, took place yesterday. The Oddfellows attended. Deceased was one of the oldest miners and business men on the goldfields. He was one of the first aldermen and twice was a candidate for Parliament.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Tue 20 Jan 1903 Page 3

1903 - [TED SCULLY]
Young Ted. Scully, youngest son of the late Mr. John Scully, of gold fame, was on a short visit to the town of his birth last week.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 16 Apr 1903 Page 10

1903 - [INTESTATE ESTATE]
In the Intestate Estate of John Scully, late of Gulgong, miner, deceased.
ALL persons having claims against the above estate are requested to forward the same, verified by affidavit, to the undersigned, on or before the 12th day of June, 1903.
T. W. GARRETT, Curator of the above Estate.
Chancery-square, Sydney, 22nd May, 1903.
Source: Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001) Tue 26 May 1903 [Issue No.269] Page 3887

1936 - 19 HOURS DAILY - GULGONG'S EARLY DAYS - Miner's Double Shift
A SON sued a father in 1888—48 years ago— in Gulgong, according to the following extracts from a district paper.
FATHER AND SON
At the Gulgong Police Court on Wednesday, John Scully. jun., sued his rather for £9 wages, alleged to be due for driving an engine on the Black Lead. Verdict for plaintiff £8 and £1/1/6. Plaintiff gave evidence that he had been on double shifts for a fortnight and had worked as long as 19 hours a day. The Bench stated that such long hours were culpable and illegal, and any manager of a claim who allowed it was liable to be punished, as it was physically impossible for anyone under such conditions to perform his duties with safety to the limbs and lives of those entrusted to his charge.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 4 Jun 1936 Page 12
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