Peter McCauley

17 April 1826 — 5 January 1832

Peter McCauley (13‑10‑4)

Peter McCauley was born in Sydney on the 17^th of April 1826, the son of Private Peter McCauley, a member of the 17^th Regiment. His mother, Mary, was appointed as matron of the Brisbane Town Female Factory in June 1831. On the 5^th of January 1832, young Peter wandered away from his brothers on an outing and drowned in the Brisbane River near the present Botanical Gardens. The family returned to Sydney in 1832.

Inscription

To the memory of Peter, son of Peter Macauley, private in H.M. 17^th Regiment of Foot,
who was accidentally drowned on 5th January, 1832, aged 15 years and 8 months.
A lovely boy, possessed of every charm,
Could not thy tyrant's fatal dart disarm.
Engaging sweetness met the destined foe,
And bid farewell to every human woe.
His spotless soul now to his God restored,
Bliss inconceivable his rich reward.
Then, happy child, my soul no more
Shall, lost in poignant grief, thy life deplore,
But, humbly hopeful, through an Almighty grace.
One day to fold thee in a sweet embrace.

Learn more

• Commandants of Moreton Bay. (1923, September 8). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 19.

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