The Rajah Quilt

The Rajah Quilt

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Campbell Town Convict Brick Trail

Campbell Town is an historic town in central Tasmania.  It was named by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1821, for his wife Elizabeth nee Campbell.  The river that flows through Campbell Town is named the Elizabeth River.  Campbell Town is situated between Hobart and Launceston, and was a garrison post on the route between the two major towns. 

Charles was living near Campbell Town when he was involved in the capture of the bushrangers that earned him his emancipation in 1834.  Charles Dewhurst and Elizabeth Banks were married on 7th May 1836 at Campbell Town, by Chaplain William Bedford Jr, in the school house.  Charles and Elizabeth had several properties in Campbell Town, before moving to the north west coast after their 5th child David was born.

Grace and Charles Blight were also married in Campbell Town, on 5th February 1844. 

The Campbell Town Convict Brick Trail was a project started for the Bicentenary of Tasmania, in 2003.  A commercial project, the idea was that the bricks were sponsored by descendants of the convicts, or if you did not have, or know of, a convict ancestor, you could adopt a convict who did not have any listed descendants.  Each brick cost $35 to sponsor, so not every convict is represented, and the information displayed depends on the sponsor's connection to the brick - so, as you can see below, Grace has a brick that was sponsored by someone with Dewhurst connections, not Blight connections.  There is no brick for Charles Blight, that I'm aware of.  Unfortunately the project never became as big as the originator envisaged.







5 comments:

  1. hello Bernadette,
    I was interested to find your blog. My husband and consequently children descend from Charles Dewhurst and Elizabeth Banks. Thanks for posting this information.
    Tracy

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    Replies
    1. Hi Tracy,
      Sorry for the delay, which of Charles and Elizabeth's children is your husband descended from? I don't have much info about the other families but possibly have marriages, births etc
      Bernadette

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  2. Hi, I found your blog as I was searching for the originators of the Convict Brick Trail in Campbell Town, Tasmania.
    I don't suppose by any chance, that you know where the bricks were made and inscribed for this project? One of my ancestors is represented therein and the information is incorrect, so I am endeavouring to have the brick replaced.I need to have a new one inscribed but of course it must be the same colour and dimensions as the originals.
    If you have any knowledge that could assist, I would be very grateful. My email is
    Many thanks,
    AEnone McRae-Clift.

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  3. Hi AEnone,
    Thanks for your message.
    I also can't determine where the original bricks were made, but the Northern Midlands Council might know.
    The original project was nearly 15 years ago and I believe the man who initiated it has long ago left the area. I doubt that any replacements or corrections could be made now.
    http://www.northernmidlands.tas.gov.au/Page/Page.aspx?Page_Id=345
    Amendments may be possible to the database held by the council so that others searching can find your new or corrected info.
    Bernadette

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  4. Thank you for your reply, Bernadette. I have since discovered that Austral Bricks of Longford supplied the pavers (bricks) and I have permission from the Northern Midlands Council to have another made to replace the incorrect one. However, I am now having trouble finding out who did the inscriptions! Such is life, but I am a very persistent person and I will press on until I finish the project! Thanks again
    AEnone.

    ReplyDelete