The Australian Stock Saddle
and the Saddlers that made them
JOHN R HUMPHREYS 1856 - 1940
John Richard Humphreys (Snr) was born at born on April 09, 1856 at Rosevale via Ipswich. His father was a shepherd at John Brewster Estates at the time.
His parents were John Humphreys and Charlotte Ann Warburton (nee Wilkinson). His father, John Humphreys, was born in Whitechapel in East London. He was employed as a Currier- responsible for preparing animal hides for latter tanning and leather working. John was most likely transported to Australia in 1850 aboard the “Bangalore”. He had been convicted for “Coining” (forging coins) and sentenced to seven years transportation. The “Bangalore” was the last ship to bring convicts to Brisbane. His wife (Jane) was also transported for the same crime, but sent to Tasmania.
Much of John Richard’s childhood would have been spent in the Toowoomba area, with his father employed on Westbrook station from about 1858 to 1868. During this time six siblings were born. John may have been with the family when they moved to Blaxlands boiling down via Dalby in 1871. His brother James Thomas was born here on February 1871. John would have been 15 at this stage and possibly was working elsewhere at the time. Over the next few years, he no doubt worked on a number of properties, acquiring skills along the way. It is known that his youngest brother, James worked as a “horse and cowboy” at Nive Junction (35 miles from Charleville) from about 1880-1883 and possibly John was also still in this area. His mother Charlotte was most likely living in Charleville at the time.
On November 23 1886, he married Sarah Elizabeth Patterson (nee Plumb) in Jericho. A daughter Annie Elizabeth was born at Jericho in August 1887. Four more children were born in Barcaldine, a son John Richard Junior and three daughters, Ethel May, Amy and Ethel Sarah.
In 1891 John Humphreys commenced a saddlery shop in Ilfracombe and this shop was sold to W. Stephenson in 1892. It is not known where he may have learned the trade. The family then moved to Barcaldine in 1891 where another saddle shop was opened and this business carried on until the very early 1900’s. Also in this timeframe the Humphreys had removed themselves to Emerald where he resumed his old occupation of whip-maker. Around 1903 they moved to Rockhampton to commence a new saddle and harness maker’s store. He built up quite a large and lucrative business and retired from this shop in 1935.
Advert above 1891 and the Barcaldine saddlery
During the Boer War Mr. Humphreys was endeavouring to improve upon the ordinary saddle, his idea being that with moveable pads, a saddle could be made to do dual duty—as a rough riding saddle and as a poley. He was so far successful that when Mafeking in Africa was relieved the "Mafeking" saddle was placed upon the market. He continually made improvements in his saddles and now he claims he has patented the best saddle in the Commonwealth. Judging from the encomiums passed upon the beautiful hogskin saddle exhibited in 1913 at Longreach, and the number of orders secured, Mr. Humphreys had devised something which horsemen must acknowledge to be the “perfectness of ingenuity and workmanship”, so reported in the Champion newspaper.
Capricornian (Rockhampton, Qld.), Saturday 4 February 1922, advertising his patent saddle
J. R. Humphreys Railway Poster distributed in Queensland and Northern N.S.W. c1921
In 1913 the “Champion Newspaper” invited Mr. Humphreys to give a demonstration of the utilities and possibilities of his saddle. The report reads: “and on Monday morning he came along, and we have pleasure in stating that the "Improved Australian Saddle" about fills the bill, as the show people would say. Mr. Humphreys claims that his saddle all on weighs under 20lbs., or 8lbs. lighter than the ordinary rough-riding saddle. It has adjustable knee and thigh pads, which can be unscrewed at will, and when the pads are not in use a brass screw button takes their place, and the natty appearance of the saddle is preserved. Five different saddles can be transformed in as many minutes. Another attachment is a flap, which is intended for ladies sitting astride, and protects the dress. This flap is adjusted in a few seconds by clips, all straps (as in ordinary saddles) being done away with. In a saddle with all on, it is claimed, that a horseman sits as firmly as in an armchair, and he can ride the roughest beast without being thrown. When the horse quietens down he can unscrew the pads and put them in his coat pocket—if he wears one. Extra horn pads can he supplied at the cost of a few shillings. Several of these saddles have been supplied for professional buck-jumpers, and several testimonials demonstrate that the saddle is all that is claimed for it. Pat. O'Sullivan, a noted rough-rider, says that 'I can safely say it is the best saddle I have ever ridden a rough horse with.' Very little more need be said.”
In 1911 it has to be mentioned that J.R. crossed paths with Edward Bates (connected with L Uhl & Sons) the co-inventor of the “American Stock Saddle”. The talk around town prompted Mr Humphreys to place an advertisement in the Morning Bulletin and it read: A MISUNDERSTANDING. To the Editor: Sir, Will you kindly allow me space in your valuable paper, to clear up what seems to me to be a misunderstanding in the minds of a great many people? Professor Bates had a patent saddle on exhibition at the show grounds, and many people mistook it for my improved Australian saddle. Permit me to say that my saddle was not on exhibition, but was ridden by the winner of the buckjumping contest. I would like to say also that my saddle was not a Mexican saddle, but is purely a Rockhampton production. Thanking you in anticipation. I am, J. R. Humphreys. Rockhampton, 12th June, 1911.
Over the years John Humphreys had built up such a reputation with his saddle manufacturing that he had a maker’s mark made with only the letters J.R.H., secure in the knowledge that patrons would know who had made the saddles.
1935 saw the closing down of his lucrative store for his retirement and his in-store stock, including new and second hand saddles, was auctioned off in Mt Morgan.
Sadly John Richard Humphreys only enjoyed five years of retirement, however his obituary proved that he had been a valued member of the Rockhampton district. The paper read:
OBITUARY MR J. R. HUMPHREYS. ROCKHAMPTON. June 20, 1940.
There passed away at the General Hospital on Tuesday morning an old and highly respected citizen of Rockhampton in the person of Mr J. R. Humphreys, Snr. The late Mr Humphreys, who was 84 years of age, was born at Ipswich and had lived in Rockhampton for upwards of 50 years. For a long time he carried on business as saddler and whip maker. He was the patentee of a special saddle that was in great favour with horsemen in the pre-motor era. Mr Humphreys was a keen supporter of agricultural shows, and frequently exhibited at the Rockhampton Carnival Show and the Brisbane Exhibition.
He was a good citizen of Rockhampton and gave active and financial support to all movements for the advancement of the city and its interests. He was a member of the Masonic craft and an adherent of the Methodist Church.
Some information drawn from Lynne Humphreys' research