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Coffee urn presented to Amelia Campbell after the 'Battle of Goimbla' in 1863

Object type
Covered urns

Object number
1988.0058.0003

Description
Ornate pear-shaped, silver-plated, three-legged urn. It has a domed lid and a small tap. It stands on its own silver-plated drip tray. "The ladies of Upper & Middle Adelong / present this token of esteem / To Mrs Campbell as an appreciation of her heroic conduct displayed during the attack at GOIMBLA by bushrangers on 19th Nov. 1863." is engraved on the left side of the urn.

Collection name
Veda Hope collection

Collection statement of significance
The Veda Hope collection consists of an ornate pear-shaped, silver-plated, three-legged tea urn with domed lid and a small tap on a silver-plated drip tray. The urn is inscribed, “The ladies of Upper & Middle Adelong / present this token of esteem / To Mrs Campbell as an appreciation of her heroic conduct displayed during the attack at GOIMBLA by bushrangers on 19th Nov. 1863.". The collection also contains a stitched silk cloth bearing a testament to the Campbell’s bravery and a letter of sympathy from the ‘inhabitants of Forbes’ to Mr and Mrs Campbell.

The objects in this collection commemorate and bear witness to the bravery displayed by David Henry Campbell and his wife, Emelia, during an attack on their station, Goimbla, near Forbes, NSW, by bushrangers, John Gilbert, Ben Hall and John O’Meally. On 19 November 1863, the three bushrangers rode to Goimbla to give warning to Mr Campbell who had made no secret of his negative feelings toward bushrangers, and had previously participated in their pursuit. After being confronted by the men on the verandah, Campbell fired on the gang who then set fire to the barn and stables. Emelia fetched another gun and ammunition to assist her husband who sought cover outside and fired at the gang, killing O’Meally. The heroic efforts of the Campbells inspired the people of Forbes to raise £1,000 to compensate them for the loss of their property and livestock, and in recognition of the part played by Emelia in the death of O’Meally. The collection was presented to the NHC by Mr and Mrs Campbell’s granddaughters, Mrs V A Hope and Mrs R G Hanmer.

Source
Mr H.S. Clarke

Recipient
Amelia Campbell

Associated person
David H. Campbell

Associated person
John O'Meally

Bushranger
Ben Hall
Involved in the event referred to in the letter

Bushranger
John Gilbert
Involved in the event referred to in the letter

Source
Mr H.S. Clarke
Jeweller who supplied coffee urn

Place of event
Goimbla Station, Eugowra, New South Wales, Australia

Date of event
19/11/1863
Date of the attack on Goimbla Station

Materials
Silver-plated brass

Dimensions
Width: 250mm
Height: 490mm
Depth: 350mm

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