William Jubb

Pioneering spirit … the hardship and endeavour of an early Australian settler.

William Jubb’s 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 Jubb’s hardship and endeavour paints a graphic picture of the success and eventual decline of a pioneer settler in Australia during the 1800’s.