1780 -1867
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Known early on as Handsome Jack the Aborigines called Molloy King Kandarung (long tailed goanna)
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John Molloy was born in London September 5th 1780. (One source quotes Molloy as being born in 1789 but we cannot find any other source that confirms this, most seem to quote 1780.) His background is shrouded in mystery and it seems certain that he was the illegitimate son of someone very highly placed in British society. (It is thought that his father may have been the Prince Frederick Duke of York - King George III's brother - second in line to the throne.)
Molloy was educated at Oxford and received 200 pounds a year 'pocket money' and when the time came for him to make his way in the world, a commission was purchased for him in the navy for the huge sum of 20,000 pounds. When war with the French broke, out another commission was purchased for him in the army. He joined the 2nd battalion of the 95th rifles - an elite force.
One source says that Molloy and his detachment were aboard HMS Brazen during the American War of Independence. If this is true then it is likely he initially met James Stirling at that time.
He fought with great bravery at the battle of Waterloo and was decorated for his services. One source states that Molloy was severely wounded during this battle.
From 1820 to 1824 he was stationed in Ireland which endured a series of riots and disturbances due to the terrible living conditions of the great majority of the Irish people at the time.
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In 1830-1 Molloy
- along with other settlers - chartered a ship (the Emily) and brought a party of settlers
including the Turners and
Bussells, to the Hardy Inlet from Perth.
Molloy was made Resident Magistrate which provided him with a steady income but
also made it difficult for him to move away once the settlement started to
decline.
Molloy’s young wife, Georgina , was brought up in upper class English society and had no experience of cooking, cleaning, mending, milking cows and the other ‘menial tasks’ that she was now responsible for. The Bussells and Molloy’s were natural allies, as both families had the same background. The Turners were from the trade class and therefore not ‘good enough’ to mix socially with ‘their betters’. Despite the fact that Turner was wealthy, in fact initially better off than the Bussells, he was never accepted as an equal.
In 1839 the Molloys finally had to abandon their dream and got no compensation for the loss of time and materials they had put in over the years.
As Resident Magistrate, Molloy had problems when he wanted to follow the
Bussells north to Vasse. Governor Hutt insisted initially that Molloy visit
Augusta to carry out his duties at least once a quarter. This was then changed
to twice a month before the Governor relented and put the visits back to once a
quarter again.
Captain John Molloy and his wife finally abandoned Augusta and joined the Bussells building a property he called Fair Lawn near the Vasse River. Sadly his young wife (now only in her 30s) died in April 1843 some few months after giving birth to the couple’s last daughter.
Captain Molloy later took time to return to England for a while. During his time there he visited his old Commander from the war days and the Duke of Wellington is reported to have received him warmly. Molloy also visited the now retired Governor Stirling before returning to Fair Lawn. Eventually Molloy was raised to the rank of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel. At the age of 87 he died on October 8 1867. (October 6th is sometimes quoted but the headstone on his grave clearly states October 8th.)
John Molloy's grave at St. Mary's Church Busselton.
