Daniel Herbert (convict)
Encyclopedia
Daniel Herbert a Tasmanian convict, was a skilled stonemason
who, with co-convict James Colbeck
, oversaw the building of the Ross Bridge
and embellished it with interesting carvings.
His father had been a corporal in the army; Daniel worked as a stonemason and signboard writer. Sentenced to death for highway robbery in 1827, his sentence was commuted to transportation for life.
He worked on government projects for the Engineer's Department for seven years. By 1835 he was employed as overseer of stonemasons on the construction of the new customs house, a service for which he was paid one shilling a day, and was then one of two stonemasons assigned to oversee the completion of a replacement bridge across the Macquarie river at Ross
.
The bridge was designed by John Lee Archer
, while Herbert oversaw construction with James Colbeck, the other convict stonemason chosen for the job. The bridge was completed in July 1836. It contained 186 keystones or voussoirs carved by Herbert, or completed under his supervision, in fifty-six weeks between May 1835 and July 1836. Various interpretations of their curious motifs have been put forward, including claims that the many carved heads were portraits of Herbert and his wife, eccentric Norwegion convict and explorer Jorgen Jorgenson, Lieutenant-Governor (Sir) George Arthur and other colonial officials and local personalities.
Despite being promised a conditional pardon for successfully completing the task, Herbert asked to be allowed to remain three weeks longer in Hobart to marry Mary Witherington, which he did on 1 July 1835. Herbert was granted a free pardon in February 1842 and continued to live at Ross, where he worked as an ornamental stonemason. He was credited with carving a number of motifs for other buildings in Tasmania, including St Luke's Presbyterian Church, Bothwell, Tasmania
. Daniel Herbert died of bronchitis on 28 February 1868 at Campbell Town, survived by his wife; they had three children. Reputedly, he designed and carved his own tomb in the old burial ground at Ross.
Stonemasonry
The craft of stonemasonry has existed since the dawn of civilization - creating buildings, structures, and sculpture using stone from the earth. These materials have been used to construct many of the long-lasting, ancient monuments, artifacts, cathedrals, and cities in a wide variety of cultures...
who, with co-convict James Colbeck
James Colbeck
James Colbeck was the lead stonemason on the Ross Bridge, Ross, Tasmania. Both he and Daniel Herbert received full pardons for their work on the bridge....
, oversaw the building of the Ross Bridge
Ross Bridge
Ross Bridge is an historic bridge in the town of Ross in central Tasmania, Australia, completed in July 1836. It crosses the Macquarie River.The sandstone bridge was constructed by convict labour, and is the third oldest bridge still in use in Australia...
and embellished it with interesting carvings.
His father had been a corporal in the army; Daniel worked as a stonemason and signboard writer. Sentenced to death for highway robbery in 1827, his sentence was commuted to transportation for life.
He worked on government projects for the Engineer's Department for seven years. By 1835 he was employed as overseer of stonemasons on the construction of the new customs house, a service for which he was paid one shilling a day, and was then one of two stonemasons assigned to oversee the completion of a replacement bridge across the Macquarie river at Ross
Ross, Tasmania
Ross is a historic town in the Midlands of the state of Tasmania in Australia. Situated on the Macquarie River, Ross is located 78 km south of Launceston and 117 km north of Hobart...
.
The bridge was designed by John Lee Archer
John Lee Archer
John Lee Archer , architect and engineer, was born in Ireland and emigrated to Tasmania in 1827.- Personal life :John Lee Archer, born 26 April 1791 near Thurles, Ireland, was an important factor in the development of the townships of Tasmania during early settlement...
, while Herbert oversaw construction with James Colbeck, the other convict stonemason chosen for the job. The bridge was completed in July 1836. It contained 186 keystones or voussoirs carved by Herbert, or completed under his supervision, in fifty-six weeks between May 1835 and July 1836. Various interpretations of their curious motifs have been put forward, including claims that the many carved heads were portraits of Herbert and his wife, eccentric Norwegion convict and explorer Jorgen Jorgenson, Lieutenant-Governor (Sir) George Arthur and other colonial officials and local personalities.
Despite being promised a conditional pardon for successfully completing the task, Herbert asked to be allowed to remain three weeks longer in Hobart to marry Mary Witherington, which he did on 1 July 1835. Herbert was granted a free pardon in February 1842 and continued to live at Ross, where he worked as an ornamental stonemason. He was credited with carving a number of motifs for other buildings in Tasmania, including St Luke's Presbyterian Church, Bothwell, Tasmania
Bothwell
Bothwell is a small town in the South Lanarkshire council area of Scotland. It lies on the north bank of the River Clyde, adjacent to Uddingston and Hamilton, nine miles east-south-east of Glasgow city centre....
. Daniel Herbert died of bronchitis on 28 February 1868 at Campbell Town, survived by his wife; they had three children. Reputedly, he designed and carved his own tomb in the old burial ground at Ross.
Further reading about the Bridge
- R Smith, Early Tasmanian bridges, Launceston, 1969;
- L Newitt, Convicts & carriageways, Hobart, 1988.