Thomas Triggell (1813–1887) was an English immigrant who arrived in Australia in 1834 aboard the ship James alongside his wife, Henrietta Spencer, and their daughter. Settling initially in the Monaro District under the employment of Captain Francis Nicholas Rossi, Thomas established himself as a dairyman, carrier, and farmer. His life in the region was marked by both quiet industry and notable public drama, most famously a complicated 1855 legal dispute involving the alleged theft of a bullock named “Yellow Boy.” Although the case caused him significant expense and frustration, it was ultimately dismissed in his favour.
Following the death of Henrietta, Thomas married a widow named Mary Ann Murphy in 1857, and together they resided in the Tuross area near Cooma. He remained in the region until his death in 1887 at Cooma Hospital. Today, his life is the subject of ongoing genealogical research, with descendants and historians collaborating to clarify details about his origins in Bramshaw, England, and to resolve historical discrepancies regarding his family’s early years in New South Wales.
Life in England
Thomas Triggell and Henrietta Spencer were married by banns (in the church, as opposed to national registratoin) at St Lawrence Church, Downton, Wiltshire, on October 7 1832. Both signed with a mark and witnesses to the marriage were Charles Sleave (Sleane?) and William Pope.
They came to Australia in 1834 on board the Ship “James” with their daughter, Ellen (although she is named “Ann” on the Shipping Records. They left from London on June 29, and travelled via the Cape of Good Hope to Port Jackson, Australia, arriving here on November 17, 1834.
They were met at Port Jackson by Captain Francis Nicholas Rossi who employed them on his property Micalagao (now in the Monaro District, just outside the 19 county official settlement limits).
On, Saturday 8 December 1855, The Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser reported the following.
CHARGE OF CATTLE-STEALING.–Be it re-membered that a few weeks ago, to wit, on the 26th of October, one Thomas Triggell was charged with stealing a bullock. It chanced that, as an elderly gentleman in raggetty garments, bearing a singular resemblance to a sick monkey, named Thomas Carolan, noticed Triggell driving his team along the road, near Tourang, when his little twinkling eyes distinguished a certain bullock called “Yellow boy,” branded W.B., which he claimed as his property, and he forthwith gave Triggell in to lock and key, and the bullock a holiday in the police-office yard. On the next day Triggell was released, on conditions of finding the person from whom he had purchased the beast. Yesterday, a respectable-looking man named William Bell, attended before the bench pursuant to summons, being the party from whom Triggell alleged that he had purchased it. Mr. Walsh appeared for the defendant.
Thomas Triggell was placed in the box, and informed their worships that “he be a fyar-mur’s sarvant; he was driving past defendant’s place, and as one of his bullocks was knocked up, he swopped it for one of defendant’s. On returning whoam (from some outlandish named place) he bargained with defendant, and gave him one of his own, and £3 to boot, for the bullock which he had got in exchange. In describing the bullock, Triggell gave the Court to understand that it was a yellow bullock, thick in the horns, (and head), blind of one eye, and squinted with the other, branded W.B. on one side, and an invisible brand on the other. Triggell had delivered it up to Carolan on condition of his bringing it to Court yesterday, but the old gent was too shrewd for that, acting upon the popular axiom that “possession is nine points of the law.”
Mr. Walsh, for the defence, called a young man named John Lenner, a resident at the Cowpastures; he deposed that he was present when Bell bought the bullock amongst others, a dray, and harness; witness was attesting witness to the sale. [While this witness was undergoing examination as to the color of the bullock, old Carolan exclaimed that “it was red one week and yellow another.”]
Mr. Walsh said, that he had a declaration from Minahan taken before Mr. M. E. Murnin, J.P., in Sydney, admitting having sold the bullock to Bell, and asserting that he had bought it off one McEvoy. In reply to a question from the bench, as to who McEvoy is, old Carolan sang out, that there were two warrants out against him. Mr. Walsh said that if it was deemed necessary, he could produce two persons from Queanbeyan, named Naylor and Bryan, who were prepared to swear that old Tom Carolan had lent that bullock to McEvoy.
The bench discharged Mr. Bell, and ordered Carolan to deliver the bullock up to Triggell. The old fellow vowed that he wouldn’t do any such thing until the thief was caught, and he was paid £2 for keeping the beast. Mr. Walsh pointed out to the bench what a hardship his client had been subjected to, through this unjust proceeding, his client having been put to an expense of upwards of 20 pounds.
On December 11, 1855, the Sydney Morning Herald reported the following…
Mr. Walsh showed to the satisfaction of the Bench that his client, Bell, had purchased the bullock from a person named Minehan, then dangerously ill in Sydney, who in turn had bought it from one McEvoy, supposed to be the actual thief. Two warrants are out against the latter individual, but he has hitherto evaded the police. The case as against Mr. Bell was, of course, dismissed. Mr. Bell has been put to the expense of £21 in bringing himself and witnesses to Goulburn, and is naturally indignant at the treatment he has received. He therefore, threatens Carolan with an action. An amusing disputation occurred at the end of the case between Triggell and the prosecutor, as to whom the further charge of the bullock by right belonged, until the final charge of robbery should be substantiated or dismissed. The Bench ordered the animal to be given up to Triggell on fair payment of pasturage. Carolan wanted £2, but the Court only awarded 10s. Carolan grumbled a bit, but, under threat of a warrant, promised to give up the bullock after all.
Henrietta Spencer died sometime before 1857, with some confusion about when and where this occured.
Thomas then married Mary Ann Murphy, daughter of William Morton and Mary Murphy, on 19 August 1857 at Greenland, Cooma, Maneroo, New South Wales, Australia; Described as Mary Ann HOLMES, Widow, aged 39 years, of Kybean (near Nimmitabel) NSW They had several children together. When Thomas married Mary Ann, his place of residence was Doolondondoo a property near to Kybean, between Nimmitabel and Numeralla, about the Tuross area. At the time of their marriage, Thomas was a dairyman
Thomas also worked as a carrier and farmer.
The Bega Gazette of 21 October, 1865 reported
COURT OF PETTY SESSIONS.
Tuesday, Oct. 17th.
(Before R. Ritchie, and J. D’Arcy, Esqrs., J.P.’s.)
Thomas Triggel appeared on bail, for being drunk, and using fowl language in the public streets. Being (he first time before the court, was dismissed with a caution.
Thanks to researcher, Steve Wilson, it can be confirmed Thomas was a witness at the marriage of Samuel Lucas and Elizabeth Hill in 1866 at Cooma.
Thomas died 10 January 1887 at Cooma Hospital NSW (with the cause being old age and general weakness) and was buried the following day.
Notes:
* There is no known death record for a Henrietta Triggell. Unfortunately the search for the death record in 1857 (1180/1857) in Sydney for Henrietta Spencer whose parents are listed as Henry and Agnes has come to nothing. Alan Triggell has confirmed this was a 20 month old baby, so the search continues.
Children
* Ellen was born about 1833 in England. She married Robert Higgins at Greenland near Cooma NSW on on June 11 1848 in (V1848364 33B/1848). Ellen died 3 February 1874 at Towamba NSW (7025/1874). Confusingly, the NSW BDM record lists her as Helen (a misheard version of Ellen, presumably), but the father is named Thomas.
* John was born at Michelago NSW on 21 September 1836 (V1836 1270 23A). He married Ellen Holmes at Nimitybelle NSW on 20 November 1864 (1895/1864). He died at Bemboka on 8 August 1914 (11337/1914). There’s an article in the Sydney Morning Herald Friday 2 May 1862 that “Before Alfred Checke, Esq , Judge. Mr. Templeton, as Crown Prosecutor, conducted the
following cases : Charles Alexander and Joseph Blaxter was indicted for stealing from the person of John Triggle in the ” Carrier’s Arms,” Eden, in the month of October last, sundry cheques ; the second count charged them with receiving the same, knowing them to have been stolen. Verdict, guilty. Sentence. twelve months each imprisonment in Parramatta gaol”. Although I can’t be sure it’s the same John Triggell or Triggle, it’s a reasonably uncommon name, so perhaps there’s a connection?
Acknowledgements/References:
* Thomas was baptised on 26 September 1813. His parents were John and Jane, with the International Genealogical Index also confirming the birth of twins John and George on 25 January 1811, and Jane about 1819 all at Bramshaw. A daughter Mary was born 1808 in Wiltshire. All were presumably his siblings. (a couple of notes correct in the next point)
* The 1851 and 1861 Census for Fordingbridge Hampshire confirms Thomas’ father, John was alive and living at Frogham, Fordingbridge, Hampshire. He is listed on all as a widower and head of his house, occupation boot & shoe maker. Fellow researcher, Kerob, believes he was
Born at Gussage Dorset in 1784. I think I found his death on the free UK BDM in March quarter 1864 reg. at Fordingbridge. 1841 census Frogham, Fordingbridge Hampshire John Trigell (as Frigell), aged 55, shoemaker, not born Hampshire. His wife Jane is not listed with him so I suspect she died pre 1841. John’s parents are John & Jane (just to confuse matters); a sister Hannah was bapt at Gussage 29.4.1791. John was bapt 13.4.1784.
* UPDATE UPDATE: Thanks to researcher, Kerrie Beers, Thomas Triggell did have brothers John & George but they were not twins. John was baptised 25.1.1811 Bramshaw & George was born 23.1.1815 & baptised 19.2.1815 Bramshaw. Thomas’ parents were John & Jane Ann but his grandmother was Ann not Jane as I mistakenly quoted earlier.
* 1841 and 1851 Census: An online discussion about Thomas’ parents.
* Wiltshire & Swindon Record Office confirms Thomas Triggell and Henrietta Spencer were married by banns, 7th October 1832, both signed with a mark and the witnesses were Charles Sleave (Sleane?) and William Pope Parents names are not given. The name of the church is St Lawrence.
* On the Shippng Records their daughter Ellen is listed as Ann.
Researcher, Lyn Venn, notes they were met at Port Jackson by Captain Francis Nicholas Rossi who employed them on his property Micalagao. The Australian Dictionary of Biography notes that after retirement in November 1834 Rossi lived on his property Rossiville in the Goulburn district
* The death notices for Eliza Myers (Triggell) and George Triggell who were the children of Thomas and Mary Ann confirm Thomas and Mary Ann resided at Tuross, near Numeralla, which is about a 30 minute drive from Cooma. The notices associate the property name “Mountain View” with the Triggell family. This website also has photographs of Eliza.
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