Lot 2873

Description

Handwritten Bill of Exchange, the first, issued at Augusta August 1st 1832 by J.G. Bussell for £72.3.1 payable to Captain Molloy, adressed to Captain Swanston, Director Derwent Bank, Van Diemens Land, endorsed on back by Molloy, Received payment p p, via W.M. Orr, Alexander Orr. An important historical item linking the settlement in Western Australia with Van Diemens Land. Piece missing from right edge otherwise on large piece of paper, showing cross of crown on Britannia in cartouche, very fine and extremely rare.

Ex W.J.D. Mira Collection. John Molloy 1780-1867, fought with the 95th Regiment in the Peninsular War and later at Waterloo where he was badly wounded. For these services he received the Military General Service Medal with 8 bars and the Waterloo Medal. In 1830 he and his wife Georgianna migrated to the Swan River Settlement disembarking from the 'Warrior' at Fremantle in March 1830. On board he became friendly with the Bussel and the Turner families. Available land grants had been given to the earlier settlers with the result that the Molloys, Turners and Bussels had to accept holdings further south at Augusta. Molloy, with adequate workers improved his property and soon became a Justice of the Peace and the local resident Magistrate. During a visit to London for a Waterloo Veterans Reunion in 1850 he was gazetted a lieutenant Colonel. [Australian Dictionary of Biography]