Billy Blue

In this article, we will explore Billy Blue from different perspectives, analyzing its importance, impact and relevance in various contexts. From its origin to its evolution today, Billy Blue has been the subject of interest and debate among experts, academics and hobbyists. Through a detailed analysis, we aim to shed light on the lesser-known aspects of Billy Blue, as well as highlight its influence in fields as varied as science, culture, technology or society in general. With a multidisciplinary approach, we will address the multiple facets of Billy Blue to provide a comprehensive and enriching vision on this topic.

This article is about the convict. For the tree, see Acacia sclerosperma. For the school, see Billy Blue College of Design. For the British admiral nicknamed Billy Blue, see William Cornwallis.

Billy Blue
1834 portrait of William Blue, by J. B. East
Born
William Blue

c. 1740/67
Jamaica, New York or Colony of Jamaica
Died(1834-05-07)7 May 1834[1]
Sydney, Australia
Occupation(s)Sailor, boatman
SpouseElizabeth Williams (1805–1824, her death)
Children6

William Blue (c. 1767 – 7 May 1834) was an Australian convict who, after completing his sentence, became a boatman providing one of the first services to take people across Sydney Harbour. He was also made a water bailiff and watched boat traffic on Port Jackson from a special tower.

Although Billy Blue's place and date of birth are uncertain, convict records suggest he was born in Jamaica, New York, around 1740 or 1767.[2] Other people reading his records believe him to have been from Jamaica, West Indies.

In 1817, Governor Macquarie granted Billy Blue 80 acres (320,000 m2) at what is now Blues Point, which was named after him.[3]

Early life

Physically imposing, he was described as a "strapping Jamaican Negro 'a very Hercules in proportion' with a bright eye and a jocular wit".[3] Blue said he had served in the British Army in America and Europe before arriving in Australia, and that he had served during the American Revolutionary War.[4]

On 4 October 1796, Blue was convicted, at Maidstone, in Kent, of stealing raw sugar and sentenced to seven years' transportation. After serving over four years in a factory, he was transported to Botany Bay, Australia, in the convict ship Minorca.[2]

Blue arrived in Sydney in 1801 and served out the remaining two years of his sentence. In 1804, records show him living in The Rocks, then a slum. There he met Elizabeth Williams,[2] a 30-year-old convict from Hampshire, England, who had arrived in June 1804. On 27 April 1805, they were married at the old St. Philip's Anglican church in Sydney, where five of their six children were later christened.[5]

Career

Blue later became a boatman, ferrying passengers across Sydney Harbour.

In 1807, Blue was the only person licensed to ply a ferry across the harbour.[3] He was also made a water bailiff and watched boat traffic on Port Jackson from a special tower. Governor Macquarie named him "The Old Commodore" and he ran his ferry dressed in a blue naval officers coat and top hat. His ferry service grew to a fleet of 11 vessels,[2] and in 1817, Governor Macquarie granted Billy Blue 80 acres (320,000 m2) at what is now Blues Point.[3]

It was said that Blue's law infringements were frequent, but due to his colourful personality, they were looked upon with a "benevolent air" by the authorities.[2]

He died in 1834 at his North Sydney home.[3]

Legacy

Plaque for Billy Blue and family, St Thomas Rest Park, Crows Nest, Sydney

Billy Blue's name has been preserved in place names such as Blues Point on Sydney Harbour, Blue Street and Blues Point Road in North Sydney, as well as commercial names like the Billy Blue College of Design and Blues Point Tower.[2] His nickname 'The Old Commodore' is used in the name of the Commodore Hotel in Blues Point Road.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ Park, Margret. "Blue, William (Billy) (1767–1834)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Freedom Is Mine Official (5 October 2021). Billy Blue: The Extraordinary Black Australian Convict. Retrieved 15 March 2025 – via YouTube.
  3. ^ a b c d e Warne, Catherine (1984). Pictorial History, Lower North Shore. Kingsclear Books Pty Ltd. ISBN 0-908272-83-9.
  4. ^ Brady, N. (2017). A New Version of the Psalms of David Fitted to the Tunes Used in Churches. ISBN 978-3-7447-8488-7. OCLC 1189580929.
  5. ^ "BILLY BLUE BORN 1760S DIED 1834". Archived from the original on 1 January 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  6. ^ Gunter, John (1978). Across the harbour : the story of Sydney's ferries. Rigby. p. 11. ISBN 0727007157.