ARCH 2002
Historical Archaeology
Archives Assignment
Morgan Disspain
Aims
The aim of this report is to document the research process concerning the history of a person,
Alexander Tolmer, who once lived in Adelaide. It includes researching aspects of his life such as
where he lived, when and who he married, what house he built, or what jobs he may have done.
Primary sources are the focus of the research, but secondary sources are used as comparison or
supporting documentation where necessary. Some material remains which are associated with
him, including his headstone and other personal artefacts are traced where possible. The actual
research process concerning Alexander Tolmer is documented and discussed and the limitations
and complications that were encountered throughout the process are identified. The question of
whether the story that is told about Tolmer is different based on the documentary evidence in
comparison to if it was based on the archaeological evidence is discussed. The research process
itself is discussed, including the complications which were encountered throughout the exercise,
and the benefits and disadvantages of archival research in comparison to archaeological
excavation.
Methods
The fist step in the research process for this report was deciding on who the subject of the
research would be. Permanent Addresses, Australians Down Under (Brasch 1987, pp 80-2), a
book about unique headstones and people buried in Australian graveyards was consulted. The
subject, Alexander Tolmer, who lived from 1815-1890 was selected. He was chosen due to the
fact that he was reportedly buried in the Mitcham General Cemetery, which means that material
remains associated with him, his headstone and cemetery plot, may be able to be traced and
recorded. He was also chosen because he lived in Adelaide for a great part of his life, and
substantial documentation concerning him may exist as he was employed as a police
commissioner in the mid 1800s.
Once the subject of the report was selected, the internet was searched in order to find any general
information about Alexander Tolmer or the location of any archives concerning him. An internet
search uncovered a web page, The Australian Dictionary of Biography - Online Edition; Tolmer,
Alexander (Mayo 2006). This page gave a brief outline of his life and career as well as listing
some possible sources where primary evidence may be obtained. Some of the sources cited on
the web page included The State Library of South Australia, the Observer (Adelaide) 8, 15
March 1890, and Police Records at the State Records Office of South Australia. These citations
assist with the research process by suggesting places where primary sources may be found.
The State Library of South Australia’s online archival database was searched for any documents
concerning Alexander Tolmer. Five items were found which related to him, including
correspondence regarding his position as Commissioner of Police, a manuscript of his book
entitled Reminiscences of an adventurous and chequered career at home and at the Antipodes’,
samples of paper made from Lapidasperma Gladiata, and a letter written by Tolmer to his
daughter in 1889 (State Library of SA). After carrying out this archival database search, the State
Library was contacted via telephone, and the four items listed were requested for viewing. The
State Library, North Terrace, Adelaide, was visited and these documents, along with a few
others, were viewed.
The items viewed included:
PRG 1050/1/1. General Order, issued by G.F. Dashwood, Commissioner of Police,
concerning the appointment of A. Tolmer as Commissioner and of Captain Berkeley as
Inspector of Police, and expressing his regret at the termination of his appointment as
Commissioner. Adelaide. 15th August 1849.
PRG 1050/1/2. Col. Sec. to A. Tolmer, enclosing copy of a letter to J. Dwyer in reply to
complaints made against Tolmer. Adelaide. 2nd October 1850.
PRG 1050/1/3. Col. Sec. to J. Dwyer replying to complaints made by him against A. Tolmer.
Adelaide. 2nd October 1850.
PRG 1050/1/4. Col. Sec. to A. Tolmer, notifying him of the reappointment of G.F..
Dashwood as Police Commissioner and requesting Tolmer to return to the office of
Inspector. Adelaide. 28th October 1850.
PRG 1050/1/5. Col. Sec. to A. Tolmer, thanking him for a design for a bridge over the
Torrens. Adelaide. 9th August 1851.
PRG 1050/1/6. Warrant appointing A. Tolmer a Special Magistrate to preside over a Court
of Full Jurisdiction at Clare, with covering letter from the Col. Sec. Adelaide. 17th
September 1851.
PRG 1050/1/7. Col. Sec. to A. Tolmer, replying that his request for the appointment of
Police Commissioner will be considered when a vacancy occurs. Adelaide. 20th December
1851.
PRG 1050/1/8. Col. Sec. to A. Tolmer, notifying him of his appointment as Commissioner
of Police and Police Magistrate. Adelaide. 3rd January 1852.
List continued:
PRG 1050/1/9. Governor Young to A. Tolmer, congratulating him on his appointment as
Commissioner of Police. Adelaide. 30th August 1852.
PRG 1050/1/10. Col. Sec. to A. Tolmer, notifying him of 1 pound 10 shillings due to Col.
Treasury for expenses of issuing Letters Patent to him as Commissioner of Police.
Adelaide. 30th December 1852.
PRG 1050/1/11. Col. Sec. to A. Tolmer, accompanying Letters Patent. Adelaide. 8th January
1853.
These actual records were viewed kept in clear plastic sleeves inside a folder. Some of them
were very difficult to read due to the fact that they were hand-written in ink. As well as the style
of writing, the language used within the documents was very different to that which is used
today. Certain phrases and words are no longer, or very rarely, used in the Australian language
today, and the meanings of them would need to be deciphered if the reader is not familiar with
the terms. An example of the language used within these documents is a section from the warrant
appointing Tolmer as Special Magistrate on 17th September 1851, ‘I, the Lieutenant Governor
aforesaid in the name and on behalf of Her Majesty do hereby nominate and appoint Alexander
Tolmer Esq. being a Justice of the Peace as and to be a Special Magistrate and to preside at the
next ensuing District Court at Clare”. These documents were able to be scanned and printed, but
due to the cost associated with this service, it was unable to be done. However, all of the
documents were read and information concerning the career of Tolmer was gathered. Another
item which was viewed at the State Library was a large hand-written Manuscript of a printed
work by Alexander Tolmer entitled 'Reminiscences of an adventurous and chequered career at
home and at the Antipodes' which dates to 1884. Again, this item was hand-written in ink and as
such, is very difficult to read, however, the contents of Chapter One were able to be deciphered
and include, “Parentage, Early Life, Educated in France, Leave France, Experiences at an
English School, Quit Plymouth, Residence in the Netherlands, A Stitch in Time, Return to
France and Enter MIlitary School, Rejoin my Father at Maidstone, Kent, Schoolmates, and A
Well Known Man of Kent”. The manuscript consists of 477 pages detailing Tolmer’s life and has
many corrections and words crossed out or underlined. Once transcribed, or if a printed copy was
to be obtained, this document would provide a unique insight into the personal life of Alexander
Tolmer. Inside the large book, between pages 176 and 177, there was a small package of dried,
pressed flowers. This could have been placed there by Tolmer or possibly by someone in later
years who used the book as a flower press due to its large size. The history of the possession of
the book could be researched in order to reveal this, or perhaps a transcript on the surrounding
pages may mention something of it in Tolmer’s writings.
The State Records of South Australia’s website was searched for any information relating to
Alexander Tolmer. Two records were found, Correspondence to the Surveyor General’s Office
concerning the straying of survey horses, and Gold Receipts given by Inspector Tolmer at Mount
Alexander for the first gold escorts (State Records of SA). The State Records Office, Leigh
Street, Adelaide, was visited and this information, along with some other relevant documents,
was viewed. The folder, Index to Ships Arrivals from Overseas 1836 - 1900, Special List GRG
56/68/1, was searched for the details of the Branken Moor, the ship that Alexander Tolmer
travelled to Australia on (Mayo 2006). Tolmer’s name, along with that of his wife and child,
Alex, were located in the list of the names of passengers who arrived with that ship on the 8th
February 1840. This record was viewed on the microfilm, Manifests of incoming ships at Port
Adelaide with lists of passengers and crew 1838 - 1842, GRG 14/8, Vol. 1-3 and a copy was
obtained (See Appendix). Other information concerning this voyage, such as the ship’s cargo and
its departure date were also included in the document. Two difficulties encountered when
viewing this document were that because it is hand written, it was quite difficult to read and also
that Alexander Tolmer's last name was spelt Toulmer. Because of these two issues, it took a
while to find him and his family on the list. The folder, Gold receipts given by Inspector Tolmer
at Mount Alexander for the first gold escorts, GRG 45/43, was then viewed. This contained ten
pages of lists of the names of people to who Tolmer gave receipts in exchange for gold that was
being mined in Victoria. These documents can be ordered and viewed if desired. A copy of one
of these receipts was found in the book Ancestors in Archives (State records SA 2000 pp 90-1)
and includes the name of the miner, the weight of the gold presented, the name and signature or
mark of the consignee, and the address of the consignee (See Appendix). Next, the folders
Correspondence of the Police Department 1844-1855, GRG 5/2, and 1856-1862 as well as
Correspondence Files - Surveyor General’s Office 1836-1856 were browsed through in order to
find any documents relating to Tolmer while he was the Commissioner of Police (Mayo 2006).
The following items were included in the folder Correspondence of the Police Department 18441855, GRG 5/2:
File number 221, 15th December 1848. Calling for a report on seizures by Mr Tolmer (under
Distillation Act). From Adv. Gen. (p29).
File number 7, 3rd January 1854. Authority for Inspector Tolmer to refer copy of Board
enquiry to Secretary of State. from Colonial Secretary (p34).
File number 30, 13th January 1854. Rejecting offer of Mr Tolmer’s services as an explorer
with Commr’s, letter to Colonial Secretary of 9 Jan. from Colonial Secretary (p36).
File number 532, 4th December 1854. Inspector Tolmer authorised to drill Corps of
Mounted Rifles. From Various (p55).
In the folder Correspondence of the Police Department 1856-1862, GRG 5/2:
25/3 Commissioner of Police to Alex Tolmer and other re return of departmental property
1856.
15/4 Colonial Secretary Pay for Mr Tolmer 1856.
In the Correspondence Files - Surveyor General’s Office 1836-1856 folder:
Unit Id 16. Straying of Survey Horses. Writer - Alexander Tolmer 1852.
All of these documents are able to be ordered for viewing if desired.
The South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society was visited, and a large amount of
information concerning Tolmer's family and career was uncovered. First, the computer was used
to search various databases for information about births, deaths and marriages within the Tolmer
family. The databases searched included Digger - South Australian Births 1842-1906, Digger South Australian Deaths Registration 1842-1915, Digger - South Australian Deaths Registration
1916-1972, Digger - South Australian Marriages Registrations 1842-1916, Digger - South
Australian Marriages, Registrations 1842-1916, and Digger - Pioneer Index Victoria 1836 1888. Most of Tolmer’s family was traced down to his grandchildren, and in one case, his greatgrandchild. The record of Alexander Tolmer’s own second marriage to Jane Douglas was traced,
as was that of many of his children. The difficulties encountered while searching the databases
included the misspelling of names, Jane Douglas’ name was often spelt Jennie, or Jeannie. In
order to overcome this issue, records were searched by entering only the first few letters of the
names of people, instead of their full names. This ensured that incorrectly spelt records were
revealed as well as those which were spelt correctly. The record of Jane’s death could not be
found but it was determined that she was alive at the time of Alexander’s death in 1890 from the
information in other records such as his obituary. The microfiche files were used to view copies
of Alexander and Jane’s wedding certificate (District Grey Marriages 1869-70 4/10),
Alexander’s death certificate (District Adelaide Deaths 1890 Feb-March 5/15), and Mary
Tolmer’s death certificate (District Robe Deaths 1867 No. 198). Unfortunately, copies of these
documents were unable to be obtained. By piecing together all of this information, a partial
Tolmer family tree was constructed.
The burial register for Mitcham and the Mitcham Cemetery Index were searched for any
information relating to the Tolmer family, as it was known that Alexander Tolmer was buried in
the Mitcham General Cemetery (Brasch 1987 p80). This search revealed that Sarah Gardner
Tolmer is buried alongside Alexander (SAGHS 1999 p53) and that she was supposedly his
granddaughter. This contradicts with other documentary and archaeological evidence, including
the births register and Sarah’s headstone, which state that that she was in fact his daughter. The
Abbott Index, an early newspaper index, was searched which revealed records of the births and
deaths notices of numerous members of the Tolmer family. Alexander Tolmer’s own obituary
was found in the Adelaide Observer (15th March 1890) and contains a long and detailed account
of his life, his achievements and the proceedings of his funeral. A copy of this document is
included in the Appendix of this report. The 8th March 1890 edition of the same newspaper
contained a small article informing the public of Tolmer’s death.
Various other documents which relate to Alexander Tolmer were found, but these were not
primary sources.
They include:
The Advertiser. Monday February 6th, 1984. Police hero honored at a barbecue.
Sunday Mail. July 20th, 1980. The sacking of a police chief. 125 years before Salisbury.
Turner, R. 1977. Sand on the Roof; The Story of Wellington on murray. Wellington
Progress Association, Wellington.
Norman, W. 1953. History of the City of Mitcham. Corporation of the City of Mitcham,
Mitcham.
The Mitcham General Cemetery was searched for the grave of Alexander Tolmer. It was located,
recorded, and photographed. One issue encountered while searching for the cemetery plot was
that as it was in the Anglican section, where there was a lot of overgrown bushes and long, dry
grass, snakes were present, especially on a hot sunny morning. After previously being warned of
the abundance of snakes in the overgrown section of the cemetery, extra care was taken while
searching. Luckily none were encountered, although a few rustles were heard in the bushes.
The barbeque that was dedicated to Alexander Tolmer in 1983 (The Advertiser 1984) was also
located in the Mitcham Reserve, Mitcham. Upon leaving the reserve, it was noted that close by
was a street named Tolmer Court. It is possible that this is where Tolmer lived, as it was
mentioned on the barbecue plaque that he lived nearby. The precise location of his house can be
researched using the resources available at the Lands Title Office.
Results
From the information gathered using the primary sources relating to Alexander Tolmer, a picture
of his life can be put together. Tolmer was born in England in 1815, and grew up in France with
relatives until he was eight years old. He then rejoined his widowed father in Plymouth, England
where he went to school. He once ran away to sea and upon his return, he enlisted in the British
legion in support of Donna Maria’s cause in Portugal. During his adventurous career in the
legion, he became corporal and was awarded the Order of the Tower and Sword, but upon being
denied a further promotion, he sailed to Adelaide on the ship Branken Moor, arriving on the 8th
February 1840. Tolmer brought with him his wife, Mary, and their infant son, Alexander Henry
Dunning. Tolmer became sub-inspector of police on the 19th February, in which position he
revealed his zeal and efficiency for his work. Many of Tolmer's adventures and achievements are
mentioned in his obituary (See Appendix). Tolmer succeeded George Dashwood as
commissioner of police on 3 January 1852, after a time as acting commissioner and police
magistrate in 1849-50. During his time as Commissioner, he suggested the establishment of an
overland gold escort service to bring wealth back to Adelaide from the gold fields in Victoria.
Many people from South Australia had left their families and had gone in search of gold, which
they found, but were unable to return to their families. As a result, the state of South Australia
faced economic ruin. Tolmer’s idea was to provide a police escort service which would ride to
Victoria, pick up the gold, and bring it back to Adelaide. The many gold receipts that were
distributed by Tolmer during this exercise are evidence of the success of his enterprise which
was initially viewed as madness. Eighteen escorts were conducted, bringing back a total of over
1,500,000 pounds worth of gold. Captain Tolmer was controversially reduced to the position of
Police Inspector in July 1853 due to dissatisfaction with his conduct. It was suggested that the
internal issues of the police force at that time were the fault of the people in charge while he was
out with the gold escort, and not Tolmer himself. In 1856 Tolmer’s position of Police Inspector
was dissolved, and he was forced to retire. After retirement, Tolmer attempted various
enterprises, such as exploration and sheep farming, which both ended disastrously. In 1862
Tolmer accepted the position of Crown Lands Ranger, a position which he held until 1885 when
he retired on the grounds of ill health. He lived the remainder of his life at Mitcham, apart from a
visit to England where he published his book, Reminiscences of an Adventurous and Chequered
Career at Home and at the Antipodes. Tolmer died aged 74, on the 7th March 1890. The cause
of death was recorded as inflammation of the brain. He was buried in the Anglican section of the
Mitcham General Cemetery on the 9th March 1890. The funeral was a very large affair, with
many notable people in attendance. The service, procession, and burial are outlined in great
detail in his obituary (See Appendix).
The cemetery plot of Alexander Tolmer is located in the Anglican Section of the Mitcham
General Cemetery. It is adorned with a large white marble cross, is surrounded by a wrought iron
fence (Figure 1.1, 1.2), and bears the inscription:
In Memoriam
My Beloved Husband
Alexander Tolmer K.T.S
Who Died 7 March 1890
Aged 74 Years
A small plaque is attached to the headstone which reads:
South Australian Police
Alexander Tolmer
A member of the South Australian Police Force
1840-1856
The left hand side of the headstone indicates that Alexander Tolmer's daughter, Sarah Gardner, is
buried alongside him (Figure 1.3). The inscription reads:
In Loving memory of
Sarah G. Tolmer
Beloved Daughter of
Alexander and Jane Tolmer
Who Died 7 July 1881
Aged 7 Months
On the right hand side of the headstone, within the wrought iron fence, is another small slab
(Figure 1.4), bearing the inscription:
William James Hughes
Died 7th June 1956
This is the grave of Tolmer’s son in law, the husband of Isabella Jane. It is interesting that he is
buried along side Alexander, while his none of his own sons or wives are. It should also be noted
that there is no mention of Tolmer’s outstanding career or achievements on the headstone. The
inscription is a personal message from his wife and indicates nothing of his notable position
within society, apart from the initials K.T.S which refer to his award, the Order of the Tower and
Sword.
Figure 1.1
Figure 1.2
Figure 1.3
Figure 1.4
The barbeque which was dedicated to Alexander Tolmer was found in the Mitcham Reserve on
Old Belair Road (Figure 2). The plaque on the barbeque reads:
Alexander Tolmer Barbeque
A Rotary Club of Brownhill Creek project to serve the community. This Barbeque
commemorates Alexander Tolmer (1816-1890) who was Commissioner of Police
(1852-53). Tolmer lived a life of adventure and excitement and saved South Australia
from economic ruin when he organised the famous gold escort service. He lived
nearby and is buried at the Mitcham Cemetery.
This plaque donated by
South Australia Police Historical Society
Mitcham Village Historical Society
December 1983
Figure 2
Table 1: Tolmer Genealogy, is the result of combining all of the information gathered while
searching the births, deaths and marriages databases at the South Australian Genealogy and
Heraldry Society.
Table 1: Tolmer Genealogy
Discussion
Alexander Tolmer was a person who was well known throughout South Australia. It was not
known that he had led such a notable life at the beginning of this research, Tolmer was merely
chosen as a subject for this report due to the fact that he was buried in the Mitcham Cemetery. A
result of his having led such a life and having been employed in such positions as the
Commissioner of Police and the Inspector of Police, is that there is a large amount of
documentary evidence relating to Tolmer’s life, career and family. A person who was not as well
known within society or who was employed in a more mundane or ‘lower class’ profession may
not have the same large amount of documentary evidence surrounding them, unless of course
they were a criminal. Due to the abundance of documents available for viewing, only a selection
was chosen, otherwise the research could have become overwhelming for the purpose of this
report. The main documents such as birth, death and marriage certificates were examined, along
with Tolmer’s Obituary and some correspondence between himself and various other people.
The information revealed was mostly limited to documents about Tolmer’s career, there were
minor references to his character in some of the documents, but this information could be biased
depending on the views of the author. No information was gathered about Tolmer’s relationships
with his wives or family, there was not much mention of his family at all throughout the
research, even in his obituary. This may be due to the fact that Tolmer was such a noted and
respected person of his time that his wife and family were not important in comparison. Or it
could be due to the fact that many old documents which survive and are kept in repositories are
related to financial and employment records kept by government agencies or businesses.
Generally, personal correspondence is kept by the intended recipient of the document and later
may be discarded or lost. It would be very interesting to read a document of this sort relating to
Alexander Tolmer as he is often displayed as an unagreeable character and personal
correspondence may reveal another side to him. Tolmer’s book may contain information
concerning his family, and further research could be done here in order to determine a more
personal view of him. The existence of a personal diary would be ideal as it may reveal Tolmer’s
private thoughts and ideas relating to many of the issues mentioned in the official documents and
letters. It would also be very interesting to trace the houses that Tolmer owned during his
lifetime through the Lands Titles Office. This information would indicate where the Tolmer
family lived, and may reveal some buildings which still exist today. These houses could then be
archaeologically surveyed, enabling even further information about the Tolmer family to be
revealed.
If an archaeological site relating to Alexander Tolmer was to be excavated, depending on what
was found, the information gathered my be different to that which was determined through the
use of documents. Documents tend to record the milestones which occur throughout people’s
lives, while an archaeological excavation of a house in which the Tolmer family lived could
reveal the day to day aspects of their lives which are often not recorded in official documents.
Details such as who lived in the house, whether it was extended family or just immediate or the
routine and daily lives of the two wives of Tolmer, both Mary and Jane could be revealed. The
prosperity of the family throughout different periods of Tolmer’s life and career would also be
evident upon the excavation of the houses he lived in during those times. The house that he lived
in after his position as Police Inspector was abolished may be a lot more simple and indicative of
a poorer lifestyle than that which he lived in at the peak of his career, even though the two eras
were only a few years apart. If a site, such as the house that Tolmer lived in when he was forced
to retire, is excavated and taken out of context, or no background information is known about the
site, then an inaccurate view of Tolmer may be deduced. Upon excavating his poorer residence,
it may be ascertained that Tolmer was a poor man who struggled to make a living through a
failed attempt at sheep farming. This may have been true for a small time, but a lot of Tolmer’s
life may be overlooked because there is perhaps no physical evidence present at the site which
relates to the more prosperous times of his life and career. This is an example of why archival
research is important in the field of historical archaeology. The data gathered from each source,
archival and archaeological, should be compared and analysed. Either source may reveal
inaccuracies, and these issues should be further analysed and researched. Documentary sources
may not always be accurate, as was revealed in this report. The Mitcham Cemetery Index states
that Sarah Tolmer, who is buried alongside Alexander is his granddaughter. Upon further
archival research and inspection of the headstone, it was revealed that she was in fact his
daughter.
This report has revealed that archival research is very important in the field of historical
archaeology as documents can provide alternative information concerning a site. They may assist
with putting archaeological sites into context, or may provide information which cannot by
revealed through material remains alone. However, documents may also be biased dependant on
the author’s views or intentions, and should therefore be carefully analysed before taking them
for absolute truth. Human error, such as spelling mistakes or the overlooking of small pieces of
information, may cause some members of a family to be difficult to trace or some information to
be inaccurate. Both the archaeological and documentary sources and data should be compared
and analysed in order to gain unbiased views of people, places or events.
Reference List
Adelaide Observer. 8th March 1890. General News. Adelaide.
Adelaide Observer. 15th March 1890. Obituary of Alexander Tolmer. Adelaide.
Brasch, R. 1987. Permanent Addresses, Australians Down Under. Fontana, Sydney.
Mayo, J. 2006. Tolmer, Alexander (1815 - 1890), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Online
Edition [Online]. Available: http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A060302b.htm
[25th October 2007]. Australian National University.
Norman, W. 1953. History of the City of Mitcham. Corporation of the City of Mitcham,
Mitcham.
South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society. 1999. Mitcham Burial Register. SAGHS,
Adelaide.
South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society. Digger - South Australian Births 1842-1906.
South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society. Digger - South Australian Deaths
Registration 1842-1915.
South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society. Digger - South Australian Deaths
Registration 1916-1972.
South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society. Digger - South Australian Marriages
Registrations 1842-1916.
South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society. Digger - South Australian Marriages,
Registrations 1842-1916.
South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society. Digger - Pioneer Index Victoria 1836 - 1888.
South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society. District Grey Marriages 1869-70 4/10.
South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society. District Adelaide Deaths 1890 Feb-March
5/15
South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society. District Robe Deaths 1867 No. 198
State Library of SA, Archival Database, Tolmer Alexander [Online]. Available:
http://www.catalog.slsa.sa.gov.au:1083/search/a?SEARCH=Tolmer%2C+Alexander
[25th October 2007].
State Library of SA. 15th August 1849. PRG 1050/1/1. General Order, issued by G.F.
Dashwood, Commissioner of Police, concerning the appointment of A. Tolmer as
at
Commissioner and of Captain Berkeley as Inspector of Police, and expressing his regret
the termination of his appointment as Commissioner. Adelaide.
State Library of SA. 2nd October 1850. PRG 1050/1/2. Col. Sec. to A. Tolmer, enclosing copy
of
a letter to J. Dwyer in reply to complaints made against Tolmer. Adelaide.
State Library of SA. 2nd October 1850. PRG 1050/1/3. Col. Sec. to J. Dwyer replying to
complaints made by him against A. Tolmer. Adelaide.
State Library of SA. 28th October 1850. PRG 1050/1/4. Col. Sec. to A. Tolmer, notifying him of
the reappointment of G.F.. Dashwood as Police Commissioner and requesting Tolmer to
return to the office of Inspector. Adelaide.
State Library of SA. 9th August 1850. PRG 1050/1/5. Col. Sec. to A. Tolmer, thanking him for a
design for a bridge over the Torrens. Adelaide.
State Library of SA. 17th September 1851. PRG 1050/1/6. Warrant appointing A. Tolmer a
Special Magistrate to preside over a Court of Full Jurisdiction at Clare, with covering
letter from the Col. Sec. Adelaide.
State Library of SA. 20th December 1851. PRG 1050/1/7. Col. Sec. to A. Tolmer, replying that
his request for the appointment of Police Commissioner will be considered when a
vacancy occurs. Adelaide.
State Library of SA. 3rd January 1852. PRG 1050/1/8. Col. Sec. to A. Tolmer, notifying him of
his appointment as Commissioner of Police and Police Magistrate. Adelaide.
State Library of SA. 30th August 1852. PRG 1050/1/9. Governor Young to A. Tolmer,
congratulating him on his appointment as Commissioner of Police. Adelaide.
State Library of SA. 30th December 1852. PRG 1050/1/10. Col. Sec. to A. Tolmer, notifying
him of 1 pound 10 shillings due to Col. Treasury for expenses of issuing Letters Patent to him
as Commissioner of Police. Adelaide.
State Library of SA. 8th January 1853. PRG 1050/1/11. Col. Sec. to A. Tolmer, accompanying
Letters Patent. Adelaide.
State Records of South Australia. 2000. Ancestors in Archives. Department for Administration
and Information resources, Netley.
State Records of South Australia, Archive Search Results [Online].
Available: http://143.216.32.39/archivessrsa/t1tbmain.asp?MainURL=t1tbdui.asp&
FunctionName= $SASABKWDSCH [5th November 2007].
State Records of SA. Index to Ships Arrivals from Overseas 1836 - 1900, Special List GRG
56/68/1
State Records of SA. Manifests of incoming ships at Port Adelaide with lists of passengers and
crew 1838 - 1842, GRG 14/8, Vol. 1-3
State Records of SA. Gold receipts given by Inspector Tolmer at Mount Alexander for the first
gold escorts, GRG 45/43,
State records of SA. Correspondence of the Police Department 1844-1855, GRG 5/2.
State records of SA. Correspondence of the Police Department 1856-1862, GRG 5/2.
State records of SA. Correspondence Files - Surveyor General’s Office 1836-1856.
Sunday Mail. July 20th, 1980. The sacking of a police chief. 125 years before Salisbury.
The Advertiser. Monday February 6th, 1984. Police hero honored at a barbecue. Adelaide.
Tolmer, A. 1884. Reminiscences of an adventurous and chequered career at home and at the
Antipodes'. Adelaide.
Turner, R. 1977. Sand on the Roof; The Story of Wellington on murray. Wellington Progress
Association, Wellington.
Appendix
Contents
Ships Manifest. Branken Moor. 8th February 1840.
From: State Records of SA. Manifests of incoming ships at Port Adelaide with lists of passengers
and crew 1838 - 1842, GRG 14/8, Vol. 1-3
Copy of a Gold Receipt given by Alexander Tolmer to Frederick Goddard. 3rd March 1852.
From: State Records of South Australia. 2000. Ancestors in Archives. Department for
Administration and Information resources, Netley.
Search results for Tolmer births.
South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society. Digger - South Australian Births 1842-1906.
Search results for Tolmer deaths.
South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society. Digger - South Australian Deaths
Registration 1842-1915.
Search results for Tolmer deaths.
South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society. Digger - South Australian Deaths
Registration 1916-1972.
Search results for Tolmer marriages (Bride).
South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society. Digger - South Australian Marriages
Registrations 1842-1916.
Search results for Tolmer marriages (Groom).
South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society. Digger - South Australian Marriages,
Registrations 1842-1916.
Search results for Victorian database query.
South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society. Digger - Pioneer Index Victoria 1836 - 1888.
Record of Alexander Tolmer and Jane Douglas’ Marriage.
From: South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society. Digger - South Australian Marriages,
Registrations 1842-1916.
Newspaper clipping informing the public of Alexander Tolmer’s death.
From: Adelaide Observer. 8th March 1890. General News. Adelaide.
Alexander Tolmer’s obituary.
From: Adelaide Observer. 15th March 1890. Obituary of Alexander Tolmer. Adelaide.