Cudgegong Valley History Project

Youngest of the family was Henry (Harry) who was born in 1841. He achieved a lasting fame by an intricate cattle robbery. The cattle were stolen from "Mount Cornish" station in central Queensland, and their brands were altered. Then Henry andhis associates drove the cattle to market and Adelaide. Henry was eventually apprehended in Gulgong, having married Elizabeth Jane Skuthorpe in the meantime. The only child, Jemima Mary, was born in 1872. Henry was extradited to Queensland, andhis trial took place at Roma. Astonishingly, the jury acquitted him. He is credited with opening up the cattle country to the north, and with founding "Brunette Downs" station. He drowned at Corella Downs, Northern Territory, in 1901.

Harry's claim to be "Captain Starlight" in Rolf Boldrewood's novel, Robbery Under Arms. Rolf Boldrewood was the pen name of T A Browne, who was a magistrate in Mudgee and Gold Commissioner for the area from 1871. The misdeeds of "CaptainStarlight" do not parallel those of Harry Readford, but it seems reasonable is to suppose that Harry's ability to charm and the effrontery of his crime gave Browne a model for the "Captain Starlight" character. Harry has also been the subject ofa number of books. (Over Cherry Tree Hill, p. 203).

Death of Mr. E. Readford, Sen.

It is with regret we record the death of Mr. E. Readford, sen., which occurred at his residence, West End, on Saturday morning, from heart failure. Deceased, who was 76 years of age, was in the act of sawing a piece of timber, and a momentbefore his death had been talking to his daughter. Miss Readford, who is blind, heard a groan immediately after he had spoken to her, and spoke to him again but got no aNew South Waleser. She then called in several neighbors, who at once found that life wasextinct. Dr. Nickoll was summoned and pronounced death to be due to heart failure. At one time Mr. Readford followed pastoral pursuits both in Queensland and New South Wales, and for many years lived at Warren. During the past twelve months hehas made Mudgee his home. He leaves five daughters - Mesdames R. H. Smith, W. Bardsley, J. Groat and J. Nevell, and Miss Readford, and also and two sons. Two brothers, Mr. James Readford, of Westwood, Ilford, and Mr. William Readford, ofCudgegong, the latter being 84 years of age, survive. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon at Carwell cemetery, near Rylstone, where his wife was buried about 30 years ago. (Mudgee Guardian and North Western Representative, Monday 19 March1906, p. 2).

DEATH OF MR. READFORD.

The death is announced of Mr. James Readford, which sad event occurred at his residence, Westwood, near Ilford. Deceased, who was 73 years of age, was widely known in this and the Rylstone districts. He resided at Woodlawn, near Rylstone, for years, and was part owner of the well-known stallion Holbrook. He took a keen interest in breeding blood horses and stud cattle, and was an authority on both enterprises. He was a generous, hospitable man, and an interesting conversationalist, one of the good old stock of pioneers. A grown-up family survives him. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 2 December 1909, p. 17. Obituary James Readford

IN MEMORIAM. READFORD. - In remembrance of our beloved father, James Readford, who departed this life on November 20, 1909. Inserted by his loving children. Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 19 November 1910, p. 12. In Memoriam James Readford