Michael Pollard (1836 - 1876)

Born 22 Feb 1836 in Ballingarry, County Tipperary, Ireland

Husband of Elizabeth (McGuire) Pollard — married 1860 in Victoria, Australia

Descendants

Died 28 Aug 1876 at age 40 in Lethbridge, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

Michael was born in 1836.

Emigrated initially to the US and then on to Australia.

Birth

^[1] Diocese of Ballingarry Page 54

Michael Pollard

Date 22 Feb 1836

Father Mick Pollard

Mother Cath Prout

Witnesses John Pollard and Mary Prout

Marriage

Party 1 POLLARD Michael

Party 2 MCGUIRE, Elizabeth

2547/1860 Victoria

Politician

^[2] The Star Ballarat, Vic. Sat 5 Nov 1859 Page 2 THE MINISTERIAL NOMINATIONS. SANDRIDGE

There were only about 100 persons present. Mr Nicholson was opposed by Mr Michael Pollard, a bricklayer. On a show of hands being taken, it was declared to be in favor of Mr Nicholson. A poll was then demanded on behalf of Pollard

^[3] Hamilton Spectator Tue 10 Oct 1893 Page 4 ECHOES

One of the most talkative of village politicians I ever met was Michael Pollard, who once opposed Sir George Verdon, and being defeated, proceeded to Lethbridge and opened a small store there. He was also a bush-lawyer, and on once occasion was sued in the Geelong County Court. That the action would go against him everybody felt certain; but he was so wonderfully confident that he declined to avail himself of the services of a solicitor. Meeting him a day before the trial, I commented upon this, and jokingly remarked," You know the saying : A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for his client." He laughed, and replied, "Shure, I can't be baiten: you'll see I ring the changes on them all ; I'll give you the kaye to the mystery when it comes off." And he did. He objected to the jurisdiction of the Court, as Lethbridge, be maintained, was nearer tc Steiglitz, where County Court sittings were held, than to Geelong. Topographical books were quoted and maps examined, but Pollard would have none of them. " Shore your Honor," said he. 44 I know better than any book or map. " How so?" queried the judge— the late Judge Brewer if l recollect alright. Well it's just this way your Honor. The wheel of my trap is 12 feet in circumference. To the wheel I fixed a kaye and for every turn of the wheel the kaye slapped up against a bit of a bar just above it. I drove from Lethbridge to Steiglitz and counted the turns. Then I drove from Lethbridge to Geelong and counted thee turns,". I forget the exact numbers, but he made it a few turns less to Steiglitz than to Geelong, and I think secured the desired change of venue. Surely he was a man of patience and research !

^[4] The Ballarat Star Wed 8 Dec 1869 Page 3 Advertising NOTICE

I, MICHAEL POLLARD, holder of a Publican's License, now residing at Lethbridge, do hereby give NOTICE of my intention to APPLY to the Justices presiding in Putty Sessions, to be holden at the Leigh Road, on the 16th day of December, 1869, for leave to TRANSFER the Publican's License I now hold for the Moderate Charge Hotel, to MARY M'GUIRE.

Shop Owner and Grog Seller

^[5] Geelong Advertiser (Vic. : 1859 - 1929) Fri 23 Nov 1866 Page 3 LEIGH ROAD PETTY SESSIONS.

Ann Campion v. Michael Pollard—For alleged ill-treatment. Plaintiff lives at Lethbridge; came there from St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage, at Emerald Hill. Was apprenticed on 8th December, 1863, to the defendant, for a term of five years. Left his premises six weeks ago. Plaintiff complained of being frequently beaten, not being supplied with proper clothing, nor with a proper place to sleep, and was some times stinted in her food. Did not complain to Mrs Pollard, as she beat her in the same manner.......He called Elizabeth Pollard, wife of Michael Pollard, who stated that she never chastised the girl unnecessarily.............Michael Pollard, landlord of the Moderate Charges Hotel, Lethbridge

^[6] Geelong Advertiser Wed 6 Apr 1870 Page 3 MEREDITH THE RECENT FIRE AT MR. POLLARDS

An inquiry into tho subject of this fire took place yesterday, before Dr. Leihy, district coroner, and a jury of twelve, at Meredith. On the 4th November, 1869, Michael Pollard, of Meredith, insured a building with the Goelong agency of the Imperial Insurance Company, for £200, on behalf of Miss Mary M'Guire, his sister-in-law. On the 17th December, Miss M'Guire gave notice in writing, by endorsement on the policy, that for a valuable consideration of the policy had been transferred to Michael Pollard. This transfer, however, was not acceded to. The fire took place on the 24th December, seven, days after the application was made. Several letters were written to the Company by Mr Price, solicitor, requesting the payment of the amount insured. In the proposal for the transfer. It was stated that John M'Guire was the occupant of the store, and afterwards declarations were made by M'Guire and Pollard as to the particulars claimed. In the declaration by M'Guire, dated 4th February, the words " I sustained" were Blured out. The claim by Mr Pollard was to the effect that the Ioss amounted to £255 on the building only. Mr Pollard claimed the insurance money. Under these circumstances, and suspecting some fraud, the present inquiry was instituted by the Imperial Insurance Mrs Elizabeth Pollard stated that she was in the house on the 24th December. The baby awoke her, and she heard a crackling. On getting up she saw flames. It was about half-past 3 a.m.The shop was all on fire. She took the children, one under each arm, screamed, and ran to Mr Gosling's and made an alarm, but no one heard her. Then ran to the school house, crying out " fire." No one else but her and her two children were in the house. Did not remember seeing any fire in the house on going to bed. Did not return after the house was burnt. All that was in the house was burnt. Lived about a month in the house. There was no furniture unpacked in the house. There were several iron single and double bedsteads and other articles, but did not know how many. They were brought from Melbourne. The place was to have been used as a public house after Christmas. There was not much furniture downstairs. It was used as a grocery. Don't know how much stock there was in it. Never took stock. Had an iron case of kerosene; do not know how much was in it. "When she got out the kitchen and store were all on fire. "Went to bed about half-past ton or eleven o'clock. "Went into the kitchen only once after tea. There was no sign of fire when she went to bed. Had a narrow escape with life. There were matches in the house among the stock. The lamp was burning all night. Michael Pollard, of Lethbridge, who gave his evidence in a very loth way, deposed That he knew Miss Mary M'Guire. She was his wife's sister. Miss Mary M'Guire gave him instruction to purchase land for her at Meredith. The burnt house was built on this land with his assistance. The land cost something over £20. Cannot say if he got the money from Miss M'Guire. Cannot, say if Miss M'Guire gave instructions to put the house up. It was composed both of old and new timber. Bought the old timber from the government. Paid something between £5 and £S for it. The declaration sworn to by him showed that the amount paid was £27. The materials were valued at £60. Would not have parted with the building for £50. Did not use the whole of the old materials. Put up two cottages with the remaining stuff. Paid £24 for the cartage of the timber. Paid a carpenter and his labourer named Fabey, more then £21 in provisions, &c„ for their work done at the house. Fahey was a boy in his employ at 7s 6d per week. The horses and conveyances for conveying the timber belonged to witness. They took over four weeks in the carting. It was over eleven weeks. It was over three months. The goods named in the declaration were not purchased in Miss M'Guire's name. Will not say tho property was his. Neither stock nor furniture were insured. Witness sent his wife up to take charge of the store. This was two or three months before the fire. Declined to say who lived there previous to his wife living there. Know a person named John M'Guire. As agent for Miss M'Gbire, witness put in a proposition for insurance. Will swear that the proposal has been altered since he saw it last. The proposal was filled in in A. C. Macdouald's office, in Geelong. The name of John M'Guire was not inserted by witness directions. Witness insured the house for Miss M'Guire, and she applied for a beer license for the promises on tho 17th November. Was at the house the day before tho fire. Had about £150 worth of stock and furniture in the house when it was burnt. .Mr Stovoley.— Applied for an inquest' Was on the road from Geelong to Letlibridge when he first heard of the fire. Witness bad created enemies by his opening the house. A man named Farrelly was locked up for threatening witness. Requested the company to rebuild the promises in preference to receiving tho money. The company declined to do so or to pay the amount, and an action was pending in the Supreme Court in reference to it. Mary M'Guire, sister-in-law of Mr Pollard, deposed that she gave Pollard instructions to insure the premises for £200. Mr Pollard paid the bills for the building of the house. Authorized some " boys" to go into the premises. They paid rent for it. "Witness authorized Pollard to spend her money to the best advantage as her agent. Was not near the fire when it took place, and knew nothing about.it. Constable Hulcahy, stationed at Leigh Road, received £6 from Pollard for some Government buildings at Lethbridge. This was in full payment. M. Fahey, Wm. Sparrow, and Constable Hadfield, gave some unimportant evidence. H. O'Neil, surveyor, saw the premises in question. The first floor consisted of timber ten or twelve years' old. The studs were completely rotten. The floor was so rotten that he could put his heel through it anywhere. The lining was composed of old tea chests, and such like materials. The upper story was built of hardwood, and the upper floor of old boards. The roof was an old paling one. A number of tho palings were off. He had taken hold of the studs and shaken the building for three inches either way. A gale of wind would blow it over. Some beams were placed by Mr Pollard at the back to keep it from tumbling over. He valued it at £60, and would not give "more. Was asked to give evidence only half-an-hour ago. Had no animus against Pollard. Laid information against a man named Malone for sly grog selling. A servant of Pollard's got witness fined £10 for a breach of the Publicans' Statute. Was a tenant; of Pollard's. Applied for a license for the house he rented, and Pollard opposed it. The evidence he has giving was purely voluntary. Wm. Dickmac, butcher, remembered the 24th December. At 3 a.m. ho saw no sign of fire. About a quarter to 4 he heard a cry of fire, and on looking out saw it was at Pollard's. All the back was on fire. Mrs Pollard was coming back from the school when ho reached there. The lower floor consisted of gin cases, &c. Valued the place at £75 or £80. Witness would not feel justified in giving £50 for it. " Did not recollect signing a petition against a license for, the house. Allan Kobertson, surveyor to the Meredith Road Board, knew the house which was burned down. He corroborated the evidence given by O'Neil as to the state of the building. Considered from £80 to £100 the value of the house at the very outside. The verandah was a good one, and appeared to be of new corrugated iron. James Bell, architect and contractor Knew the promises. The beams under the floor were all perfectly new. The counter, shelves, and doors were all new. Some of the doors were half glass. The top story was all composed of new timber. Considered it would cost about £170 in building. Witness considered that gin cases were as expensive to put on the "floor as other timber.would be, on account of the number of the joists required. The Coroner summed up, and the jury, having considered, returned the following verdict. That there is no evidence as to how the fire originated.

Wine license 1871 [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Sold Fruit at the Train Station

^[7] Geelong Advertiser Wed 16 Aug 1871 Page 3 THE MOORABOOL PLOUGHING MATCH

not forgetting Mr Michael Pollard, who for the nonce deserted the Lethbridge Station, and left passengers to miss his well-known cry of " fine luscious oranges, gentlemen," to sell "all sorts," on the ploughing match field.

^[8] Geelong Advertiser Tue 29 Aug 1876 Page 2 TOWN TALK

It will be seen by a notice elsewhere that Mr Michael Pollard, well known at the Lethbridge Railway Station, where he has sold fruit "ripe and fresh from the orchard" for a number of years, died at his residence yesterday.

Property Owner

^[9]Geelong Advertiser (Vic. : 1859 - 1929) Sat 11 Oct 1890 Page 3

Advertising SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18th. FOR POSITIVE SALE BY AUCTION In the Estate of Michael Pollard, late of Lethbridge, deceased. VALUABLE FREEHOLD PROPERTIES, situated at Lethbridge; Elaine; Meredith ' , and Wabdallah. V P CARR bus received instructions from Mr P. M'Guire, executor in the above estate, to sell by auction, in the rooms, at 12 o'clock, as follows. Lot 1. 80 acres 2 roods and 18 perches, being allot 144, parish of Wabdallah; splendid chocolate soil, rich grazing ground, cleared and enclosed with stone wall, and occupied by Mr Dillon. Lot 2.19 acres 2 roods and 20 perches, splendid grazing land, being a lot 132 b Wabdallah, and occupied by Airs Bourke, enclosed with stone wall; waterholes. Lot 3. 53 acres 3 roods and 9 perches, being allot 130 A. parish of Wabdallah, occupied by Air Connelly, fine grazing land, cleared and enclosed by fences and stone walls. Lot 4. Crown allot 1, section 13, township of Meredith, containing 32 perches,and situate Lethbridge Post Office and Mr O'Brien's land and opposite the Royal Hotel. Lot 5. Crown allot 7, section 1, containing half an acre in the township of Elaine, upon which is a weatherboard cottage, large tank, etc., situated next to Crowe's Hotel and opposite railway station. Lot 6. The Old Railway Hotel and store at Lethbridge, the best site in township, weatherboard, and containing' 10 rooms, in good order: underground brick cemented tank, stables and outhouses, all fenced and otherwise improved, situated immediately opposite the station, and containing nearly 2 acres of land. Lot 7. Crown allotment 9, of section 15, town ship of Lethbridge, containing 1 rood 37 perches, opposite railway gates. Lot 8. Crown allot 2, section 14, ' township " of Lethbridge, containing 2 roods on the opposite side of the railway.

Death

POLLARD Michael

Birth TIPPERARY IRELAND

Death LETHBRIDGE

Spouse MCGUIRE, Elizabeth

Age 40

9403/1876 Victoria

^[10]Geelong Advertiser Tue 29 Aug 1876 Page 2 Family Notices DEATH

Pollard.—On the 28th August, at Lethbridge, Michael Pollard, aged 40 years. The funeral will leave his late residence on Wednesday, 30th inst., at 3 p.m., for the Lethbridge Cemetery. Friends are respectfully invited. JENKINS & BENNETT, Undertakers, 115, Moorabool-street.

^{[11] [12]} He was buried at Lethbridge Cemetery

Sources

1. ↑ https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000632642#page/54/mode/1up
2. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/72462973?searchTerm=%22Michael%20Pollard%22
3. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/225778953?searchTerm=Michael%20Pollard%20Lethbridge
4. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/112856698?searchTerm=%22Michael%20Pollard%22%20wedding
5. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/148785285?searchTerm=%22Elizabeth%20Pollard%20%22
6. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/148794548?searchTerm=Michael%20Pollard%20Lethbridge
7. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/148766275?searchTerm=Michael%20Pollard%20Lethbridge
8. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150634422?searchTerm=michael%20pollard
9. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150706258?searchTerm=melbourne%20mayor%20%22michael%20pollard%22
10. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150634410?searchTerm=michael%20pollard
11. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156874415/michael-pollard
12. ↑ https://billiongraves.com/grave/MICHAEL-POLLARD/8364965

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