Toowong Cemetery, one of Brisbane’s historic resting places, holds the remains of Susan McGowan, whose short and turbulent life reflects the harsh realities of 19th-century Australia.
A Troubled Life Remembered
Susan McGowan, who lived from 1862 to 1891, endured an extraordinary series of misfortunes, spending much of her life on the streets of Brisbane.
Born in New South Wales, she moved to Brisbane as a young adult and found herself navigating a world that offered few protections for women in her position. Without steady work or a stable home, she turned to prostitution and became a familiar figure in Brisbane’s police courts.
Throughout 1885, Susan’s name appeared in court records at least five times as a victim of assault. She was subjected to violent attacks in public streets by both men and women.
In January of that same year, Joshua Stead assaulted her, knocking her down and kicking her, resulting in a two-month sentence of hard labour for him. Months later, Patrick Brittain and Margaret Corkery also attacked Susan in separate incidents, each leading to convictions but offering her little reprieve from danger.
By mid-year, Susan had been assaulted in public repeatedly, including an incident in July where James Feeney knocked her down multiple times on Albert Street.
The Streets of Brisbane
Brisbane’s central streets in the late 1800s were notorious for petty crime and public disorder. Areas like Queen Street and North Quay were frequented by street urchins, thieves, and drunkards.
Women like Susan faced an even harsher reality, as their perceived social status often left them vulnerable to both violence and harsher judgment in the legal system. Historian Anastasia Dukova noted that women in Susan’s situation were often policed more strictly than men, with little chance for reform.
By 1890, Susan’s health had deteriorated severely. She lived in Lower Albert Street’s “Nine Holes” in an area known as Frog’s Hollow, a low-lying neighbourhood notorious for its poor sanitation and frequent flooding.
Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland
Medical reports from the time described it as a hazardous place, rife with disease. Living in such conditions took a toll on Susan, who appeared less frequently in court as her health declined.
A Tragic End
Susan died at the age of 28 in April 1891 while en route to a hospital. The official cause of death was listed as phthisis, or tuberculosis, and exhaustion. Her final resting place at Toowong Cemetery is marked by the simplicity of the grave, reflecting the hard life she endured. Despite her struggles, her burial in one of Brisbane’s most historic cemeteries underscores the connection between her life and the city’s complex early settlement past.
Susan McGowan’s story, while tragic, is a window into the lives of many marginalised women in Australia at that time. Today, her grave at Toowong Cemetery serves as a silent witness to a life shaped by resilience in the face of relentless adversity.
Published 3-Jan-2025
