Daniel Herbert was a trained stonemason transported for life to Van Diemen’s Land in 1827. Government departments used his skill on Hobart projects before sending him to Ross to help complete a replacement bridge over the Macquarie River.

Skilled work under sentence

Herbert worked in the Engineer’s Department and became an overseer of stonemasons. His responsibility did not make convict labour free: reward, punishment and promised pardon shaped the work.

Ross Bridge spanning the Macquarie River
Convict stonemasons completed the working bridge in 1836.JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Carved stones make the bridge exceptional

The bridge contains 186 carved voussoirs, completed by Herbert or under his supervision in 1835 and 1836. Faces, animals and motifs have prompted many interpretations, but not every claimed portrait can be proved.

Aerial view of Ross and the river crossing
The bridge helped establish Ross on the main colonial road.Edoddridge, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A life continued in the Midlands

Herbert received a free pardon in 1842 and remained an ornamental stonemason. He died at Campbell Town in 1868 and is associated with a carved tomb at Ross.

Historic buildings in Ross
Herbert remained connected with the Midlands after completing the bridge.Gary Houston, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Visit through the Ross guide and Ross Bridge page, keeping clear of traffic on the working crossing.