James Watt

Born 1839 Glasgow, Scotland

James left Glasgow on 9 December 1865 on the ship "Light of Age" arriving in Brisbane on 25 March 1866, age 27 years. Died: 21 July 1901 Brisbane hospital aged 62 years Cause of death: Arterio Sclerosis, Cystitis and Ureamia Buried: 22 July 1901 Lutwyche Cemetary, Brisbane

Professions: Drayman in 1883(from son's death certificate), Labourer 1881 - 1885 (from school records), Canefarmer in 1901(from his own death certificate) and a Prospector

It is of James the Prospector that I now write. The family tells of James having a hidden gold mine, in an area north of Brisbane, just where nobody really knew. Off he'd go to his mine, giving anyone wo'd try to follow him the slip. He'd stay at the mine for months, leaving Sarah at home to look after the children. When he did go home, with his gold in a bottle, he would convert it to cash, and go off to the pub and drink it. Once the money was gone, he'd return to the mine, but not before leaving Sarah pregnant again with another child. She had to take in washing and act as a midwife to earn some money to feed the family. The story continues that he was a drunk and was found murdered by the side of the road, his gold gone. The fact is, Brisbane hospital records show, that he was admitted from Nambour on 18 July 1901, and died three days later. As the cause of death is not consistent with any sort of assault, it is therefore quite possible that his mine was in the Nambour area and he took sick up there.

JAMES WATT FUNERAL NOTICES

FUNERAL NOTICE - The friends of Mrs James Watt are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of her deceased husband, to move from his late residence, 126 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, this (Monday) afternoon, 22 July at 3 o'clock to the Lutwyche Cemetary. CANNON & CRIPPS, Undertakers: 131 George Street and Stanley Street South Brisbane.

FUNERAL NOTICE - The friends of Messrs Edwin and William and Misses Elisa and Elizabeth Watt, Mrs W Martin and Mrs W Rodwell, are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of their deceased Father, James Watt, to move from his late residence, 126 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, this(Monday) af.ternoon, 22 July, at 3 o'clock, to the Lutwyche Cemetary. CANNON & CRIPPS Undertakers.

Funeral notices from Brisbane Courier Mail 22/7/1901

(James died leaving 9 surviving issue, yet only 6 are mentioned in the notice. Edwin, William, Sarah(Mrs Martin), Adelaide(Mrs Rodwell), Eliza and Elizabeth. the other 3, Annie, Duncan and George whose ages were 14, 10 and 9 respectively, weren't mentioned. In those days I wonder if the children had to be a certain age before they were worthy of being mentioned in Funeral Notices.)

JAMES WATT - LAND RECORDS There is no way of being absolutely sure that it is our James who made this selection. But it is possible die to the fact that he was supposed to have had his mine sonewhere in the Gympie/Nambour area.

Land for : James Watt Date of Application to select: 9 October 1882 Dae of licence to occupy: Deed grant: County: March Parish: Curra Portion No: 1559 Land No: 1559 Land Agents district: Gympie Farm: Area: 500 acres Comments: Failed to pay rent for 1884, 1885, 1886.

                                                  Forfeited 5th February 1887.