Servicing Travellers
Inns were an “integral part of the inland transport infrastructure” (EMM 2016: 63) in early colonial NSW — they provided workers and travellers with food and accommodation, stabling for horses, and storage for goods during the long journeys between relatively isolated towns. Inns like the White Hart also provided a safe-haven from the attacks of bushrangers, who were aggressively active in the wild lands between settlements up until the 1840s. The White Hart Inn was one of many wayside refuges which may have protected travellers from bushrangers like the infamous Jack Donohoe, who terrorised Windsor Road — the street where the White Hart is located — from 1827, until his death in 1830.
'Punch' Comic (1856)
This comic was produced for "the first Australian magazine", known as the 'Melbourne Punch' in 1856 (The University of Melbourne 2008). The scene was drawn by Nicholas Chevalier, then drafted in ink and engraved by Frederick Grosse, and details the theft of a traveller (The University of Melbourne 2015). Thievery was a rampant issue during Australia's early colonial period, with many instances of highway robbery by bush-rangers reported during this time (Kottaras 2016: 3).
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Hover over the image to reveal the rest of the comic.
1853 Penny (WHI0115)
This Victorian penny dates to 1853 and features a portrait of the Roman goddess Britannia on its reverse side, with a bust of Queen Victoria on the obverse (Museums Victoria Collections 2019; All Coins Value n.d.). It is made of copper and was produced by a steam-powered minting press (Depeyrot, Marcher 2015: 223). The introduction of foreign currency in Australia was employed during New South Wales’ colonial period (1788-1901) (Australian War Memorial n.d.). This coin was likely brought into the country by brokers and then distributed throughout New South Wales’ penal colonies (Newell, Kottaras 2015, cited in Butlin 1968: 11-12).
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Hover over the image to reveal the obverse.
Horseshoe (WHI0492)
This horseshoe dates to the 19th century and was likely manufactured by a blacksmith or farrier (Kottaras 2016: 74). The typical U-shape was achieved by melting and manipulating a rod of iron by hand, or with the help of a machine (Swank 2011: 144). This horseshoe was likely fitted to one of the horses used to steer a coach or transport travellers (Kottaras 2016: 63).
