Newspaper references to Baird 1840 - 1851

The following extracts are taken from the Port Phillip Herald.
Background History: By 1840, when George Cavenagh founded the paper, two waves of migration had swollen the small settlement. NSW pastoralists had followed Major Thomas Mitchell's homeward track, and crossed the Murray from the north; and John Batman and John Pascoe Fawkner had brought settlers across Bass Strait from Van Diemen's Land. It was not long before Melbourne was a fast-growing shipping, supply and banking centre, with more than 4000 inhabitants. Professional men occupied offices on Eastern Hill and tradesmen the central streets, Elizabeth and Swanston. By the early 1840s the wealthy, seeking seclusion, and wage-earners hounded by high rents, had begun the so-called "suburban lands" beyond the central town. Villas and cottages sprang up in what are now Richmond and Collingwood. Similar buildings went up south of the river in Toorak and Prahran.

Into this burgeoning mixture came Cavenagh and his newspaper. It was not the first in the town. That honour went to the Melbourne Advertiser, a hand-written weekly of 30 copies produced by Fawkner on January 1, 1838. Two more publications followed before Cavenagh became principal founder of The Port Phillip Herald. It was challenged by the two existing papers, The Gazette and The Patriot, but by 1841 was outselling them. The first edition was free. Later editions sold for sixpence. The three papers each produced three editions a week, becoming dailies in 1849, when the Herald changed its name to The Melbourne Morning Herald and General Daily Advertiser. In 1855 it was The Melbourne Herald for a week, before settling on the name it held proudly for the next 135 years, The Herald. In 1869 it became the evening daily Melburnians cherished – it had a circulation of more than 520,000 at its peak 100 years later – and stayed so until it merged with its sister paper, The Sun News-Pictorial, in 1990, to form the Herald Sun.
This is an ongoing project, more references will be added in due course.

Port Phillip Herald Tuesday September 29th 1840
Rats and Garlic:- Mr Baird of Greenbank Pollockshaws having heard often that rats have a great aversion to garlic, has taken the pains during these past two seasons to test the truth of it. In the spring of 1838 he sowed a small plot of garlic in his garden and when the grain was deposited in his stack yard a little of the garlic was strewn on the ground, and it was found when the stacks were put in, in the following spring that they were entirely free from the inroads of the rat Glasgow Herald

Port Phillip Herald Tuesday November 10th 1840
Shipping Intelligence:- Arrived: November 8th Perfect ship 658 tons, Snell Master from Greenoch, 24th June. Passengers Mrs Major Frazer, two Missis Frazers, Misses S and J Montgomery, Mr and Mrs McDonald of Glengary, two Misses McDonald, Master McDonald, Miss Baird and Mr and Mrs Richards.

Port Phillip Herald November 26th, 1841
Victoria, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen Defender of the Faith....To the next of kin of James R Baird late passenger per the Thomas Arbuthnot, from Glasgow deceased. Greetings:- Whereas it Hath been represented unto our Supreme Court of New South Wales, for the district of Port Phillip, by the proctor James Dawson a creditor of the deceased, that the said James R. Baird, late a passenger per the Thomas Arbuthnot, from Glasgow departed this life on or about the eighteenth day of September last past (leaving at the time of his death goods, chattels and credits in the colony aforesaid) intestate we do therefore hereby peremptorily cite you and each of you to appear personally, or by your proctor duly constituted before our said court, at the court house in King Street, Melbourne, on the 23rd day of November, instant, at the hour of ten o'clock in the forenoon of the same day and there to abide if occasion shall require, during the sitting of the said court and then and there show sufficient cause (if you or either of you have or know any letters of administration of all and singular, the goods and chattels, and credits of the said deceased, should not be committed to the said James Dawson, a creditor of the said deceased, on giving sufficient security and further to do and to receive as to law and justice shall appertain under pain of such letters of administration being granted to the said James Dawson as a creditor of the said deceased. The Hon John Walpole Willis, Resident Judge Court of Melbourne 9th day November 1841.

Port Phillip Herald August 25th 1842
List of unclaimed letters lying in the Post Office, Melbourne: Mr Frank Baird, and Francis J Baird

Port Phillip Herald September 9th 1842
A Court of Petty Sessions was held at the police office on Wednesday last and the following transfer of Licenses were granted: Robinson Bell The Prince Albert Hotel Swanston Street, Melbourne, transferred from Moses Baird.

Port Phillip Herald Friday February 16th 1844
Monthly list of person who have taken out licenses to de-pasture stock, for County of Grant, M. H. Baird and J.H. Learmonth

Port Phillip Herald Tuesday September 17th 1844
Petition to Henry Moor Esquire Councillor for Burke Ward, Melbourne: signed Mayne and Baird.

Port Phillip Herald Thursday November 20th 1845
Supreme Court Melbourne: his honor took his seat at the usual hour, when the following jury was impaneled- James Brown, Francis Baird

Port Phillip Herald February 1846
List of unclaimed letters lying in the Post Office, Melbourne: Mr Frank Baird, and Francis J Baird

Port Phillip Herald September 3rd 1846
A public meeting was convened by his worship the Mayor. His worship then proceeded to open the business of the meeting at 2 o'clock for the purpose of devising means to rescue the two unfortunate females who are suppose to be at present detained by a tribe of natives in the district of Gippsland. Alderman Greeves proposed a resolution. He alluded to the fact of at least five colonial trading vessels having been lost and never heard of between this place and Van Dieman's Land or Sydney, at the early period of this settlement, on board of which were females; the Australian, Britannia, Brittomart, Sarah and Yarra. Then there was the fact of a white woman having been repeatedly seen amongst the Gippsland tribes by respectable persons in the locality. Then there was a civilized black boy living with a settler in Gippsland who described the woman and her children that she had borne to the black chief by whom she was detained, and the lad pointed out the spot where he had played with them when younger. Then there was the circumstance which was attested by respectable evidence. The name of a white female carved upon a tree in a place where no white had ever been known to have penetrated, and that the name was that of a female on board one of those vessels. Inquiry was made at Melbourne and deemed quite enough to establish the facts. To fulfill the duty of seeking out and rescuing her, means must be provided. The parties willing to undertake the expedition, were six in number, and did not volunteer for pay. Greeves moved the resolution "That a public general subscription be entered into for the purpose of defraying the expenses necessary to be incurred in so onerous an undertaking." Mr Baird seconded the resolution. -carried.

Port Phillip Herald December 8th 1846
At the risk of the former purchaser, Mr F Baird. Bear & Son will sell by auction at the shop of Mr Hamilton, saddler (Collins Street), This day at 12 o'clock, Three superior glass cases for harness, and a lot of saddlery.

Port Phillip Herald Thursday March 18th 1847
Shipping Intelligence:- Arrived March the 17th Fama barque 322 tons, William Baird, Captain, from Leith. Will depart in fourteen days for Sydney, for freight only apply to Alexander Broadfoot agent Flinders Lane.

Port Phillip Herald Thursday August 12th 1847
New Auctioneer:- On Saturday Mr F.J Baird of Melbourne obtained his auctioneers license.

Port Phillip Herald December 23rd 1847
Miscellaneous:- From our European Journals. The Glasgow reformers, resolving that the monument to Baird and Hardie, executed at Stirling in 1820 for high treason, should not be a cenotaph, made arrangements on Tuesday last for the exhumation of their remains, which accordingly was done with great privacy, and they now rest at Sighthill Cemetery.

Port Phillip Herald Tuesday March 14th 1848
List of unclaimed letters lying in the Post Office, Melbourne: John Baird.

Port Phillip Herald Tuesday May 23rd 1848
Adelaide Shipping:- Arrival Orbono, 300 tons, Baird, master from Leith, via the Cape of Good Hope, with general merchandise- Passengers Mrs Munisty and child, Mrs Henderson and daughters, Gunn, Baird, and McFarlane, Harper and Nisbett.

Port Phillip Herald Newspaper supplement Saturday August 5th 1848
Claims of leases of Crown Land:- No 7. Baird and Hodgkinson Lockhart 56,080 acres 9000 sheepBounded on the North by a low wet unoccupied country, being a line bearing east 9 miles, on the east by the stations of Mr McKinlay and Mr Jones, being a line bearing south 8 miles, on the south by flat unoccupied country, being a line bearing east 9 miles and on the west by the South Australia boundary line being also a line bearing north 8 miles to commencing point.
No 10 Birmingham & Riley Mullagh 39,568 acres 400 head of cattle, 10,000 sheep. From junction of sheep wash and Salt Creek a line S.W 80 degrees 430 chains, bounded by Thomas Hamilton, thence a line west 186 chains bounded by A Donaldson, thence a line N.W 40 degrees 556 chains, bounded by Stringy Bark, thence a line E 996 chains, bounded by C.P. Cooke, thence a line N.W 16 degrees 160 chains, bounded by C.P. Cooke, thence a line S.E 36 degrees 360 chains bounded by Messrs Baird and Hodgkinson, thence by a line S.E 8 degrees 102 chains, bounded by Messrs Baird and Hodgkinson, thence a line on Salt Creek N.W 86 degrees 131 chains bounded by Thomas Hamilton to starting point.

Port Phillip Herald Thursday November 23rd 1848
Supreme Court:- Hamilton vs Baird, Mr Barry moved for a rule nisi to show cause why a non suit should not be entered or a new trial granted, on the grounds that the verdict was contrary to law, and not supported by evidence, on a point reserved. and that the damages were excessive- rule granted on point reserved.

Port Phillip Herald Thursday December 14th 1848
List of unclaimed letters lying in the Post Office, Melbourne: Thomas Baird (2)

The Melbourne Morning Herald Thursday December 13th 1849
List of unclaimed letters lying in the Post Office, Melbourne: W.C Baird

The Melbourne Morning Herald Thursday January 24th 1850
Transfer of Runs:- It is hereby notified, that the interest of the former Licenses, in the under mentioned Runs of Crown Land, has been transferred with the sanction of the Government C.J. La Trobe. Wimmera District No 68 Former Licensee Baird and Hodgkinson. Name of Run Lingmer has been transferred to Robert Officer.

The Melbourne Morning Herald Tuesday February 19th 1850
Miscellaneous:- From our European Journals. A Crying Preacher- Dr Chalmers was asked by Wilkie, the painter, whether Principle Baird would preach before the king. (Now, Principle Baird has a sad habit of crying in the pulpit.) "Why" says Chalmers, "If he does it will be George Baird to George Rex, greeting!" (To greet means to cry, in Scotland.)

The Melbourne Morning Herald Friday August 9th 1850
List of unclaimed letters lying in the Post Office, Melbourne: Margaret Baird

The Melbourne Morning Herald Friday August 9th 1850
A comfortable little home, with three rooms, outhouses, two stall stable, piggery. On 9 acres all fenced in and cropped with wheat, barley, oats and potatoes. All on Sydney Road. Particulars of the title can be obtained by application to the office of Francis Baird Esq., Land Agent, Swanston Street, next to Holloways shoe depot.

The Melbourne Morning Herald Tuesday September 3rd 1850
Sydney Shipping:- Cleared out- August 26th Eleanor Lancaster, for San Francisco via Honolulu, passengers Mrs Baird and child.

The Melbourne Morning Herald Wednesday October 9th 1850
Shipping Intelligence:- Arrivals October 8th Admiral, ship 796 tons, Frayer commander, from Glasgow and Rothsay Bay. Passengers J Baird and wife

The Melbourne Morning Herald Friday January 17th 1851
Latest from Adelaide:- The Yatala had arrived from Port Lincoln, bringing two black prisoners- one Palyalta, on a committal for murdering Mr Henry Baird on the 2nd of November: the other Mypulta, a rather old man, for stealing some of Mr Baird's sheep, they being found in his possession and for being concerned in the murder of Mr Beever some time ago. While in pursuit the party lost three horses, two being bogged, and one getting burnt in a bush fire. The prisoners were captured after a fight with a large body of natives about 100 miles from Port Lincoln.

The Melbourne Morning Herald Thursday February 20th 1851
The Census:- Mr Ballingall has resigned his appointment as one of the census collectors for Lonsdale Ward, in the City of Melbourne and is succeeded by Mr Baird.

The Melbourne Morning Herald Friday March 7th 1851
List of unclaimed letters lying in the Post Office, Melbourne: John Baird

The Melbourne Morning Herald Friday October 10th 1851
Odds and Ends from Late European papers:- The splendid estate of Closeburn has just been purchased by Douglas Baird Esq., Gartsherrie for the sum of £180,000. This with his previous purchase of the Shaws estate, at £45,000 (being originally a part of Closeburn) will form one of the most princely estates in Scotland.