There was a renowned watchmaker & jeweller who 158 years ago went down with a Dalby curse. I told a version of this story live on Darling Downs radio 4AK.

From the mid-nineteenth century, Mr. Thomas Given was a colonial jeweller and watchmaker of the highest order.

Given was born in County Derry, Ireland, in 1828. His father was a well-known architect, and Given came to the colonies in 1854, two years later setting-up business for the first time in Ipswich, Queensland. His pieces were quickly considered fine examples of colonial design including original jewellery and handsome clock cases that unusually for the time were made locally in Queensland.

In 1862, Given gained historical significance when he helped launch Australia’s cotton exports. He displayed in the window of his shop a pair of lady’s cotton gloves. The gloves were the object of great interest, and visitors from all over enthusiastically discussed the virtues of the product.

They were made from the local cotton crop sent in four bales to London, England. This was the first cotton export in Australian history. Today Australia exports over $3 billion worth of cotton every year, which makes it the sixth biggest cotton exporter in the world with major growers on the Darling Downs. It all began with those lady’s gloves in Thomas Given’s jewellery shop window.

In 1863, Given grew his fame when he erected Ipswich’s very first town clock above his shop. His shop burnt down, but Given re-erected the clock, this time with a powerful kerosene lamp which lit up its face, so that even on the darkest night it could be seen from a great distance. This was before electricity, so Given’s town clock was quite significant.

In the lead-up to Queensland’s separation from New South Wales in 1859, Ipswich was a serious contender to become the capital of Queensland. It was seen as a gateway to the pastoral riches of the Darling Downs.

It was those riches which prompted Given’s next move. Although this may have been hastened when he employed at his home a drover who was later known to have kept company with notorious bushrangers. Therse included John Lynch, Frank Gardiner, and Captain Thunderbolt, although the drover claimed his Thunderbolt acquaintance was only through one or two duels on horseback.

In 1868, Given chased the Darling Downs riches and moved his business to Drayton Street in Dalby. This signalled the start of a Dalby curse and Given’s downfall. Shortly after arriving, the renowned jeweller began advertising, although his products were at discount prices for the first time. It was then in Dalby that his business went broke.

In 1869 he relocated to Ruthven Street in Toowoomba but he was never able to regain his previous heights. Given went to work for the notable jewellers Flavelle Brothers & Roberts in Brisbane where he headed-up their watchmaking department.

Given then set up business again, this time in Townsville, but that never really worked either.  He retired to Southport where in 1889 the Dalby curse re-emerged and he was severely injured when thrown from a horse. He never recovered and died at his home the following year. Given was buried back in Ipswich, the location of his greatest achievements which all happened before incurring the Dalby curse.

But the Dalby curse didn’t end there. His nephew who had been apprenticed to him, but hoping to avoid the curse he left the jewellery trade to become a brick layer. In 1895 the nephew was killed in dubious circumstances while laying bricks at the Marrickville police station in Sydney.

It was Dalby that effectively ended the career of Thomas Given, one of Australia’s most talented early watchmakers who helped launch Australia’s cotton export industry.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO A VERSION OF THIS STORY TOLD ON RADIO 4AK.

Photo credits:
Representation of the Cursed Dalby Jeweller story – Copilot image.
Thomas Given Ipswich Shop c1863 – Copilot image and Brisbane Clock and Watches website.
Thomas Given advertisement – Dalby Herald and Western Queensland Advertiser, 5th December 1868, page 1.
18ct gold hunter pocket watch Flavelle Bros and Roberts c1877 purchased 1977 Southport Antique Fair – Carters Price Guide to Antiques website.