John Racker Medley papers, 1863-1881

MLMSS 9289/Box 1
MLMSS 9289/Box 2X

fonds

1863-1881

900273

1 metre of textual material (1 box and 1 outsize box)

John Racker Medley was born on 15 December 1828 to George Bowley and Hester Medley at Keynsham, Manchester, Jamaica and baptized at the Look Out, Manchester, Jamaica on 27 January 1830.

In 1841 he is living with his parents, brother and sister at Park Place, Lambeth, London. In 1849, he was a semi-finalist, with his brother George Webb Medley who defeated him, in the knockout competition at Simpson's Grand Divan Tavern in the Strand, then the home of chess in England - a competition which, by 1851, had international standing. His brother was a well-known London amateur in chess, and John also became well-known in Sydney as a chess player. In 1851 John was working as a clerk to his brother George, who was a member of the Stock Exchange and dealer in railway shares. He served in the Army in Turkey with the Land Transport Corps, 1855-56. He was Sub-Inspector of Police in New South Wales for Bourke, Mudgee and the Gulgong Goldfields, 1862-81. In 1901 he is living in Norris Street London and died at Grantham, 17 December 1902.

BOX 1
FOLDER 1

To J.R. Medley, Court House Bourke, December 11th, 1863 from the Justices of the Court of Petty Sessions upon Mr. Medley leaving the district.

Police Department, Inspectors General's Office, Sydney 4 March 1864. No. 779. Letter of appointment as Sub-inspector of Police for Mr. John R. Medley, signed by John McLerie.

To J.R. Medley, Police Officer Mudgee 14 August 1874 from the magistrates of the Mudgee area upon Mr. Medley leaving the district.

Police Department, Inspectors General's Office, Sydney 7th September 1874. No. 74/375. Permission given to Mr. John R. Medley of Mudgee, from the Acting Inspector General of Police Mr. Edmund Fosbery for 12 months leave on half pay.

Police Department, Inspectors General's Office, Sydney 21st May 1881. Letter of acceptance of resignation of J.R. Medley, signed by Edmund Fosbery.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, New South Wales, 1st July 1881 to the Agent General for New South Wales, London. A reference for Mr. John R. Medley.

FOLDER 2

Newspaper clipping from the Wagga Wagga Advertiser, Saturday, June 4, 1881, page 2. 'Items of news'. Details of farewell given to Mr. John Medley.

BOX 2X

Testimony from St. John's Lodge, Mudgee, No. 1451 to Mr. John Racker Medley upon his departure from Mudgee to Europe, dated 29 August 1874.

Memorial from the Gulgong Gold Field, known as the 'Model Gold Field of New South Wales' to John R. Medley, dated Gulgong September 1874.

Memorial from the Residents in the District of Mudgee to John R. Medley, dated Mudgee August 1874.

Memorial from the Clergymen, Magistrates and other Residents of the Mudgee District, undated.

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