Blind man busking, 1823

Life would have been precarious for someone with a serious disability such as blindness, in an era when welfare services were rudimentary. Joseph Love was born in the Colony in c. 1792, and was described as an ‘object of charity’ in 1821, when he was listed as receiving food from the government stores. These would have been meagre rations, and being allowed to play the violin gave him at least some opportunity to supplement what the government provided. His occupation was given as ‘blind man’ in the 1828 Census, when he was noted as living in Princes Street Sydney.

Colonial Secretary’s Office
8^th April 1823
Sir
With every disposition to
forward the innocent recreation of
the Inhabitants of this Town, the
Governor has commanded me to
submit to the consideration of the
Sydney Bench, whether the enclosed
Application from Joseph Love a
blind man to play the violin until
Nine O Clock every Night for the
support of himself and his family
can be admitted consistently with
good police (policing)
I have the Honor to be
Sir
Your Obed^t H^ble Serv^t
F. Goulburn
Darcy Wentworth Esq
Sup^t of Police
Sydney