Matthew REID
| Town/City | Marayong 2148 |
|---|---|
| First name | Matthew |
| Last name | REID |
| Country of Origin | Ireland |
| Date of Birth | c1785 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1834 |
| Submitted by | Leslie de Belin |
Story
Matthew REID, was born in Newry, County Down, Ireland about 1785. He was a builder/architect. Not much is known of his life in Ireland apart that he married Maria (surname unknown), and had 3 children born in Newry.
Matthew REID and his family probably sailed to Tasmania on board the ship “Othello”. Inquiries revealed that the “Othello” sailed from England on 27/8/1833, and arrived in Hobart Town, Tasmania, on 18/2/1834. The passenger list indicates on board were “Matthew REID and wife, with three children”. Two days after its arrival in Hobart, the Courier newspaper printed, that among the passengers were “one mason and two builders”. We know Matthew was a builder, so was he one of the two?
As it is presumed that the “Othello”, was the ship that brought the REID family to Australia, it is of some interest that the actual voyage was recorded by the ship’s surgeon, Thomas MITCHELL, and some of those details follow.
The “Othello” was a 111ft barque, with Captain J.LEGETT at the helm, a crew of 24, and 117 passengers. The fare was 18 pounds 20 shillings for adults, and half price for children. It sailed from England 27/8/1833, its route being via Cape Frio, Brazil. On 19/9/1833, the ship was hit by lightening, breaking a mast. On 30/9/1833, a suspicious schooner was sighted. Fearing pirates, the “Othello” loaded its cannons with shot, and dropped their ports. The crew armed themselves with small arms, boarding pikes, tomahawks and cutlasses, while the passengers armed themselves with fowling pieces and muskets. Females were dressed as men to deter any attack, which apparently worked, as the threatening boat left them alone. A baby was born on board 7/10/1883, however died the following week. Two days later, the “Othello” crossed the Equator. To celebrate, someone dressed up as “King Neptune”, and covered the children with powder and shaving cream. Another child died on 2/11/1833, and the following day whilst in port, a number of passengers were robbed of watches and money. Three passengers were even robbed of their clothes. The voyage took the passengers into the New Year, and they celebrated by banging kettles. Within a week, the passengers were praying due to the roughness of the seas, however, they finally made it to Hobart, but the journey had taken 3145 miles instead of the normal 2424 miles due to the dismasting of the ship.
Matthew REID’s family history in Tasmania is very scant . His two daughters were married in Hobart in 1835 and 1837. On 26/3/1838, Matthew died, and was buried in St.Andrew’s Cemetery, Hobart, where his headstone still survives with basic details. His wife Maria then moved to NSW with one of the daughters and son-in-law. Maria d.1843 in Appin, NSW, and her headstone describes her as “Relict of the late Mr Matthew Reid, for many years architect and builder County Down”.
(Children’s details recorded with mother’s information – Maria REID)