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Thomas Woodward Hill

31 December 1816 — 31 January 1892

Thomas Woodward Hill (13‑42‑22)

Thomas Woodward Hill, born in Bedford, England on 31 December 1816 to Joseph Hill (printer) & Susanna (née Woodward), was already a compositor when he embarked for Australia aboard the Mary in 1839. He worked on newspapers in Sydney, Melbourne and Nelson, New Zealand, before arriving in Queensland on 23 December 1859. Thomas became father to three children when he married widow Agnes Caroline Rains in the Wharf Street Baptist Church, Brisbane on 29 November 1861.

In 1867 Thomas became the official printer and publisher of The Brisbane Courier and The Queenslander. In 1884 Thomas was charged with libelling members of the Legislative Assembly. He won this landmark court case for freedom of the press. Ill health caused Thomas’ retirement on his 74th birthday. He died in his Petrie Terrace home on 31 January 1892.

Thomas Woodward Hill and Agnes Caroline Rains' headstone Thomas and Agnes Hill

Thomas Woodward Hill and Agnes Caroline Rains' headstone - © Cameron Davidson. Used with permission.
Thomas and Agnes Hill - Used with the permission of Tom Kirkby and Robina Laughlin Rains. Tom is a great grandson of Agnes Caroline Rains.

To the memory of
Thomas Woodward Hill
Born at Bedford 31st December 1816
Died 31st January 1892
It is not exile rest on high
It is not sadness peace from strife
To fall asleep is not to die
To dwell with Christ is better life

Also his wife
Agnes Caroline Hill
Died 9th August 1904
Aged 86 years

Acknowledgement

Information provided by Jenny Davidson, Thomas Woodward Hill's wife's great-great-granddaughter.

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