RootsChat.Com

General => The Common Room => Topic started by: rickeyh on Thursday 12 May 22 22:14 BST (UK)

Title: What is a 'Money-Maker'
Post by: rickeyh on Thursday 12 May 22 22:14 BST (UK)

In 1836 Henry Hobbins arrived in Tasmania from Birmingham, England. The ship's captain, in a report stated that Hobbins gave his occupation as that of 'Smith in general' but the captain stated the Hobbins is 'very generally believed to be a Birmingham Money-Maker'.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what is meant by this.  I get the impression it wasn't complimentary.

Link to the report https://stors.tas.gov.au/GO33-1-21_770

Thanks

Rickey

Title: Re: What is a 'Money-Maker'
Post by: Erato on Thursday 12 May 22 23:00 BST (UK)

I think it's old slang for a counterfeiter.

Title: Re: What is a 'Money-Maker'
Post by: maddys52 on Friday 13 May 22 07:35 BST (UK)

I agree, a counterfeiter. 

There is a Henry HOBBINS convicted of burglary in 1823 at the Warwick assizes - is this the same man?

Title: Re: What is a 'Money-Maker'
Post by: rickeyh on Friday 13 May 22 07:44 BST (UK)

Thank you both for your suggestion.  No Maddys52, I don't think that is the same Henry Hobbins. Mine came out as a free man to Australia but died a tragic death in 1848 in the Geelong watch-house die to intemperance and the cold.

Title: Re: What is a 'Money-Maker'
Post by: Ray T on Friday 13 May 22 08:58 BST (UK)

Could he have worked here? - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham_Mint

Title: Re: What is a 'Money-Maker'
Post by: Viktoria on Friday 13 May 22 13:52 BST (UK)

Just by the way, there is a tomato ,good cropper name Moneymaker !
Just thought I would throw that in !

Wonder if it meant he worked in a mint, counterfeiting is illegal with heavy penalties,don’t  see anyone admitting to that.
Unless it is his criminal record that is being noted.
Viktoria.

P.S. two previous posts sent as I was typing mine ,did not see them ‘til I posted.V

Title: Re: What is a 'Money-Maker'
Post by: Rena on Friday 13 May 22 17:18 BST (UK)

Birmingham, England, is well known for its silversmiths.  All work by a Birmingham silversmith carries the official Hallmark of an Anchor.

In the days when the UK had several Mints that turned out official silver coins, the Birmingham Mint was one of the official mints that produced coins for countries around the world..

There's a basic outline on this Wikipedia webpage:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham_Mint

Title: Re: What is a 'Money-Maker'
Post by: rickeyh on Friday 13 May 22 22:21 BST (UK)

Thanks for the suggestions. I suppose it is possible that he worked at the mint but given his character I very much doubt it. And why be elusive about it if he did? I was wondering whether it was being used as a general term for someone who would do anything to make money.

Title: Re: What is a 'Money-Maker'
Post by: sallyyorks on Saturday 14 May 22 01:24 BST (UK)

Birmingham was known for counterfeiting. Coins, jewellery, guns, allsorts