William Jubb: From Promise to Disaster

Pioneering spirit ... the hardship and endeavour of an early Australian settler.William Jubbs life as a settler on the Darling Downs Queensland (1845 -1878) is best described as volatile and unpredictable. Examining the life of a colourful yet ordinary Australian rather than a well-known historical figure illustrates the role played by small cog early settlers in Australian history. Chiefly known as an innkeeper he was also a blacksmith held building licences and owned a working bullock team. Jubb had a bitter legal battle over the ownership of Woolpack Inn was charged with murder became entangled in regrettable alcohol-fuelled incidents lost his first wife in a dray accident was accused of cattle stealing by his second and even spent time in an asylum.This historical account of William Jubbs hardship and endeavour paints a graphic picture of the success and eventual decline of a pioneer settler in Australia during the 1800s.