Author Archives: Steve @ Atcherley.org.uk

A fraudster Down Under: Robert Atcherley Taylor – Part 3

< Back to Part 2.  The post office department was in an exceedingly primitive condition in those days. Mr. James Mitchell was postmaster at Hobart Town. A weekly messenger carried letters to Coal River and Pittwater, but no further. In October, 1816, a vast stride was made in this branch of the public service by the appointment of Robert A…. Read more »

A fraudster Down Under: Robert Atcherley Taylor – Part 2

< Back to Part 1. As a result of his conviction for fraud, Robert Atcherley Taylor [] was sentenced to seven years transportation or, as one commentator gleefully expressed it, “ordered to Botany Bay!” What a shock this must have been for Robert’s family, and what shame they must have felt when the story of his misdeeds hit the press. Robert… Read more »

A fraudster Down Under: Robert Atcherley Taylor – Part 1

Robert Atcherley Taylor [], a tall man nearly six feet in height with brown hair and hazel eyes, made his way towards Major Cartwright. He introduced himself and proffered his letter of introduction from Sir Francis Burdett. Robert desired a private audience with the Major, a request which was granted. The outcome of the meeting was just what Robert wanted:… Read more »

Faith, hope and charity – Fanny Rose, nee Atcherley

The Rev. Dr. Brown said they had come on a solemn errand, and were assembled to render the last office of respect and affection to the sacred dust of one who had passed from their midst, and gone home to be with God. … Speaking for himself, he could remember when the parents of Mrs. Rose belonged to the congregation… Read more »

James Roger Atcherley’s American Civil War – Part 1

By the end of 1860, tensions between the northern and southern United States regarding the issue of slavery had reached breaking point. On 20 December, South Carolina adopted an ordinance of secession, becoming the first state to secede from the Union. Six more states followed and on 4 February 1861 the Confederate States of America was established. The stage was… Read more »

Richard Atcherley in pre-WW2 Germany – Part 2

< Back to Part 1 Germany does not want to fight England, but the spirit of the new Germany will brook no interference from any Power which attempts to hinder the attainment of what the Germans consider to be their lawful and rightful aims. The advent of air power has placed a weapon in their hands by which they can… Read more »