A note on Structure
Aboriginal people on the Hawkesbury 1817-1831
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- 1824: Drought and the Putty killing
- 2 nd of June, 1825: trackers
- 25 th of March, 1825: trackers
- 22 nd of October, 1825
- Sometime in 1825
- 2 nd of September, 1826
- 1828 Census
- 29 th August 1833: The Hawkesbury Races
Aboriginal people on the Hawkesbury 1817-18311819-22: Aboriginal sailorsThe youth of the Thomas Chaseland who found fame in New Zealand is largely unknown. During his life he appears to have been known variously as Thomas Chaseling, Thomas Chaselin and Thomas Chaseland. This confusion well illustrates the difficulties of working with primary sources in attempting to untangle the complexities of relations between Aboriginal people and settlers on the Hawkesbury. I am of the opinion that the only document that connects the adult Thomas Chaseland with the Hawkesbury can be found on page 31 of the Ship Musters 1816-21.405 The sixth crew member ot the brig “Jupiter of Calcutta” “bound for the Derwent in V D Land” on the 5th of August 1817 was “Thos Chaseling son of a settler at Windsor by a native woman”. His father would appear to have been Thomas Chaseland, who was transported in 1791 and received in 1803 a land grant at Mud Island, Portland Reach. By 1816 he had changed his name to Thomas Chaseling.406 The phrasing of Tom’s parentage in the muster suggests that his mother was an Aboriginal woman of the Hawkesbury. Thereafter, the historical record is clouded by several men of the same name. The Sydney Gazette, 20th December 1817, recorded that Mr. and Mrs. Scully, accompanied by their servant, Thomas Chaseland, were leaving the colony on the ship Frederick, indicating that at least two Thomas Chaselands left the colony in 1817. Another Thomas Chaseland/Chaselin appeared in 1819. The Sydney Gazette, 7th of August 1819, identified “Thomas Chaseland” as being a crewman on the Governor Macquarie. On page 172 of the Ship Muster 1816-21, “Thos. Chaselin free by birth in N S Wales” was recorded on the 10th of August 1819 as the ninth crew member of the brig “Governor Macquarie … bound for New Zealand and Otahiti”. It is highly unlikey that the Thomas Chaseland/Chaselin, “free by birth in N S Wales” who sailed on the Governor Macquarie on the 20th of August 1819 for New Zealand and Otahiti was the Tom – “from the Branch” who was on the Glory of Richmond,in September 1819.407 On 27th September 1819, the brig Glory of Richmond, built and captained by Jonathon Griffith left Richmond on her maiden voyage for Sydney, Tasmania and Kangaroo Island. On board were three Aboriginal men, Colebee, Tom – “from the Branch” and Jack Richmond. I have included a photograph of that part of the Ship’s Muster because of a claim that the Ship’s Muster shows that Jack Richmond came from the Branch. The fact that the names of the three men are numbered clearly shows that it was “Tom” who was “from the Branch”.408 Whether “Tom” who was “from the Branch” was Thomas Chaseling/Chaseland is another matter. 
A year later, on 3rd of October 1820 the Glory of Richmond sailed for Port Dalrymple. One of the crew was: “5 Thos Chaseland free by birth in NS Wales age 23”. Which Thomas Chaseland was on board is uncertain, but the descriptor would suggest it was the sailor from the Governor Macquarie; not the “son of a settler at Windsor by a native woman”.409 Thomas Chaseland, “son of a Settler at Windsor by a native Woman”, went on to found a dynasty in New Zealand, marrying twice into Maori families. Keith Vincent Smith identified “Captain” or “Black Captain” as “Corriangee, Corriangii, Karingy, Kurringy Kurrigan, Carbone Jack” and “Cobbon Jack” (this is a matter which I will explore at a later date). Captain (Karingy Jack) from Cattai went sealing on John Grono’s brig Elizabeth 1821-22.410 In 1831 John Grono who had known Captain since his childhood was responsible for a petition to the Governor for a boat for Captain. ‘To His Excellency Sir George Gipps Knight Captain General Governor and Commander in Chief of the Territory of New South Wales &c &c &c The humble Petition of Captain, Native Chief of the Caddie Tribe, most humbly setteth forth Your Petitioner begs with humble submission to state that he was in the Reign of His Excellency the late Governor Macquarie made a Chief of the Caddie Tribe and as such has ever since remained. Your Petitioner begs also to state he has being two Voyages at sea in the Brig Elizabeth John Grono Master for the purpose of obtaining seal skins but in consequence of the difference of climate did not agree with him and was obliged to relinquish it. Your Petitioner begs further to state that he has been chiefly employed by the inhabitants of Pitt Town but their (sic) being no employment for him at the present moment is under the necessity of obtaining a very scanty livelihood in the best manner possible in an honest manner. Your Petitioner on hearing of your Excellency’s bountiful goodness in giving Boats to those Aborigines whose intentions are to gain their living in an honest and upright manner. Your Petitioner most fervently prays your Excellency will take his case into your humane consideration and to grant him the same indulgence and as a proof of his Character the House and Land holders have on the other side recommended him to your Excellency’s consideration. And your Petitioner Will in duty bound Ever pray Captain Chief of the Caddie Tribe [Page 100] We the undersigned Land and House holders of the District of Pitt Town have known Petitioner many years as an honest and Industrious Character and humbly beg to recommend him to your Excellency’s favourable consideration. Petitioner has been known to me from his childhood and I have always considered him to be honest and rather more industrious than the generality of his fellow countrymen. He labours hard during the harvest and I have known him in times past to act as a Shepherd. He was at sea three years in my employ during which time he conducted himself with propriety and submission and in one instance at New Zealand when a white Man was washed from the rocks by a surf and twelve Europeans standing by afraid or unable to render any assistance to the drowning man, Petitioner at the risk of his own life, plunged into the sea and rescued him from a watery grave. John Grono. Petitioner I have known for twenty years and always found him an honest an industrious man Caddie June 23rd Thos. Arndell Petitioner I have known for Twenty years and always considered him a well Behaved Man. Pitt Town June 24 William Hall I beg lief to State that Petitioner as been none (known) to me for a number of years and believe him to be worthy of anything with regard to an indulgence that his Excellency the Governor may [Page 101] be please to be stow on him. Joseph Smith, Jnr. Petitioner I have known for twenty years and always found him a most worthy man. Caddie 26 June. David Roberts Richard Roberts Memorilist. - Black Captain, as been known to me Twenty Years and upwards, and at one time he had charge of a Flock of Sheep, he was considered our best and carefulest shepherd. I believe him to be honest and industrious, and well worthy of the Prayer in the Petition. Pitt Town, 26th June 1839. [indecipherable] McDonald’411 John Harris, 1754-1838, first came to New South Wales in 1790 as a surgeon. He left in 1809 and returned as a free settler in 1814. Harris had extensive land holdings, reflected in the suburbs of Ultimo, Harris Park and ` Park. Shane Park was an extensive land grant on the east bank of South Creek. Harris resumed his duties as a magistrate in 1819. The following extract is from a letter to Frederick Goulbourn, 1788-1838, the Colonial Secretary. The extract is a request by Harris to replace Coleby, as a “Black Constable” with Simeon. It is not difficult to see through Harris’ rising anger the unrealistic nature of relations between Aboriginal people and settlers. Harris wanted Coleby on the Native Institution site (at the junction of what is now the Blacktown Road and Rooty Hill Road North). No doubt Harris and “House the Head Constable”, wanted Coleby there as an intermediary and supervisor. Harris’ complaints that Coleby was “constantly away with the Natives” and prone to “drunkenness and violent conduct “reveal the archetypical characteristics of survivor guilt as an eyewitness to the destruction of his world. Harris’ reference to Simeon as “a much more intelligent fellow”, rather than as a man, suggests that Harris, like many of his contemporaries saw Aboriginal people as being still at the level of brute creation. The rest of the letter, which I have not included deals with a request for firearms, the threat coming not from Aboriginal people but “Bush Rangers”. ‘Shanes Park South Creek June 24th 1822 I beg to state for your information that House the Head Constable yesterday complained to me that Coleby, the Black Constable is seldom or never seen at the Black Town, but constantly away with the Natives and is of no use there as a constable – I have had frequent complaints of him before from Windsor for drunkenness and violent conduct and did before write to the Revd Mr Hill on the subject. Indeed it is a Robbery on Government keeping him in that situation if he is wished to be of use. I never see him – should you think that a Black Constable should be retained for tracing delinquents Simeon is a much more intelligent fellow and would suit better in my opinion. I will feel thankful for your advice on this matter.-‘412 1824: Drought and the Putty killingAs well as George Bowman's account, we know about the killing of Mr. Greig's cousin and a convict servant on his Hunter property in October 1825 through Peter Cunningham. After the killing the killers visited the Hawkesbury and returned via the Bulgar road, chasing some mounted settlers and stopped at a hut at Putty where there were three men known to them. One of the men was killed and the other badly beaten and the third escaped to Richmond. An armed party was sent out after them, and fell upon the camp of a “friendly tribe” which was scattered.413 The three accounts suggest that Carr was the man killed at Putty. 2nd of June, 1825: trackersThe Australian 22nd September 1825 reported that “some native blacks” assisted the district constable William Douglass, in investigating a robbery at Elizabeth Fleming's shop on the 2nd of June 1825.414 25th of March, 1825: trackersThe following extract from an account of the capture of three bushrangers near Richmond is important for several reasons. It shows the threat posed by runaway convicts, that settlers were armed and ready to work together when threatened and the co-operation of Aboriginal men in tracking offenders. Richmond may have been the same “John Richmond, a black native of the Colony” who received an 1816 land grant.415 Mrs Crawley, “wife of Mr. John Crawley, a settler of Richmond, was returning from Sydney market with a cart, containing little sundries for domestic purposes, she was accosted by three men on the Richmond-road, about 4 miles from the town of Windsor. They stopped the cart, and demanded her money--- one placed himself at the horse's head, a second stood on the side of the cart, and the third leaped into the cart, who handed out the property to him that was nearest. Mrs. Crawley had only one of her children with her at the time, a boy of years old (sic). As soon as they rifled the cart of its contents, Mrs. C. drove off at full speed, exclaiming she would have them yet; when one of the villains replied in the usual blasphemous manner. She reached home about sun-set, and informed her husband of all the circumstances attending the robbery. Upon a conference with some of the neighbours, they agreed to go in quest of the plunderers, with Crawley, and proceeded to arm themselves accordingly. At the hour of 3 on the following morning (Saturday), Crawley, Asbury, two Australians (the young Eatons), and a black native, named Richmond, set out; and, on their way, called on another settler, named Robert Hall, who also equipped himself with arms, and joined the party.”416 22nd of October, 1825Despite Magistrate Harris’s 1822 complaint , Colebee replaced Yurramoroo as a constable in 1825. “In the District of Windsor -.Colebee, a Black Native, to be a Constable, from the 15th Instant, in the Room of Yurramoroo, absent without Leave.”417 Sometime in 1825The following extract well illustrates the continuity of Aboriginal life despite the impact of settlement. As well it shows that there was ongoing communication between different groups. The ritual punishment was not held and Threlkeld speculated that it may have been because of the song that the Hawkesbury Aboriginal people brought with them. ‘It was on a Lord's day 1825 that delegates were sent to the different tribes from our tribe, requesting them to meet in order to punish a black who had killed another one some time before. The flat, in which we resided near Newcastle, was the spot chosen for the place of punishment being a plain clear of trees. The tribes from the Hawkesbury had delivered up the culprit to our tribe, who was in his parole of honour, until the appointed time. The messengers accompan(y)ing him brought a new song as a present from the muses, to enchant the hearts of the judges and soften their rigor in regard to the criminal.’418 It is difficult to determine exactly the nature of the gathering described in the following article from the Sydney Gazette. However, the article is important in identifying Aboriginal people around the Hawkesbury. The presence of “Crodjie Jack, the Doctor” indicates that traditional culture was still being maintained. The article clearly demonstrated that racist humour had a long history in New South Wales. 2nd of September, 1826‘To The Editor of the Sydney Gazette SIR, A Meeting was this day convened, by the Magistrates of these districts, for the purpose of ascertaining to what beneficial effect the Aborigines could be employed in the Police Department, and for other motives on the bent of good order and amicable feeling: if you conceive it will amuse give it publicity. I am, Sir, your faithful CORRESPONDENT. PUBLIC MEETING.—One of the most useful and truly interesting Meetings ever recorded in New South Wales, was held at the Court-house, Windsor, on Monday last, August 28th, 1826. It was a truly awful assemblage convened for the most profound purposes. Notice had not been published in the Gazette, and a veil of darkness covered the whole; nevertheless the OBJECTS OF THE MEETING shone with a resplendence, which made clear the truly MUNIFICENT INTENTIONS of the FOUNDER!— Present.-- COLEBY, IN THE CHAIR :--- Stewards. MILES, Chief of Richmond Tribe. MIRANGI, or Creek Jemmy, a Chief. BILL JEBINGE, a Chief of Portland Head Tribe. GILL-MA-BOO JACK, a Chief. And,
Coleby (a-rose before the Meeting) and opened the business of the day ; he hoped the cloud which had so long been visible in the horizon, would pass away, never to shroud the visage of day from this period; he came prepared at once to read the intentions of the Meeting, and to return thanks to his friend "EMERY, the lawyer;" but should the experience of "CRODJIE JACK, the doctor," lead him to propose any altercation, that he would speak from the impulse of the moment: — Resolved --- That the dark deeds of mankind be looked into by men of spotless character. Resolved - That the stranger of the desert be taken in. Resolved --- That cruelty to animals be prevented by the strictest watchfulness o'er the flocks and herds in these districts. Resolved --- That these districts embrace Black Town and the Blue Mountains. Resolved --- That breaches of the peace be subdued by men of choler. Resolved---That the company of good men he courted, and that men of solitude shall be always acceptable. Resolved-That the rivers be protected to the most insignificant jet. Resolved---That the constabulary be aided on the darkest night, Resolved---That the sable tribes be not deemed more estimable in our eyes, than those we should esteem for our comforts. Resolved---That all trespasses be represented in the fairest manner.
Resolved---That ardent spirits be conducive to disorder; and that no Member of this Meeting covet his neighbour's gin! Resolved---That strangulation be considered an obstinate disease; and that its Symptoms are an altered countenance and loss of appetite. Resolved---That the Curry-Jong Brush be hereafter considered an exotic! Resolved---That "black" beer, or "pale" ale, be drank in future in lieu of rum, without choice or distinction. The Court adjourned till the next Full Moon, to enable all mankind to embrace one object by the light of heaven!’422 The 1828 census was the first official record of Aboriginal numbers in the County of Cumberland. The tribes referred to were a western construct. The 1828 census contains to the best of my current knowledge the first and the last reference to the “Mangroo Tribe”. It was probably a transcription error for Mangrove Creek. Nothing in the census distinguished Maria Lock’s Aboriginal ancestry. 1828 Census‘Abstract showing the Number of Aborigines, who have been recommended by the magistrates of the several Districts in which they reside, to receive Blankets and slops: - distinguishing the several Tribes, and the Number of Men, Women, and Children, belonging to each tribe respectively – As requested by the Colonial Secretary’s Circular Letter dated 31st March 1827, No 19.
In the same census there were 4454 settlers living in “Windsor Town and District”.423 29th August 1833: The Hawkesbury RacesToby Ryan's memory was at fault in some details of his account of the Hawkesbury races. His younger sister, Eliza Jane was born in 1829. While there was a Hawkesbury race on 29th of August 1833, it was not the first Hawkesbury race, nor is there any record of “Bennelong, Chancellor” or “Black Lock” having raced at the Hawkesbury on that date. However, “Scratch”, on which Toby won money, did win a race on September 1831.424 Despite these confusions in an old man's memory, the chapter is of value for showing that relations between settlers and Aboriginal people were often founded upon individual and complex dynamics, such as with Mulgoa Joe. “Black Simon playing the tambourine” was probably the Simeon who escorted Backhouse and Walker from Marsden's South Creek property in 1835. Ryan uses the phrase “native-born” to describe settlers. The extract is also important for its description of the men who would become known as “cornstalks”. Ryan was correct in his recollection that Kable was there in 1833. The Sydney Herald 22nd August 1833425 reported that “Kable, intends coming to the scratch during the Windsor Races, with a slashing fighter from Pitt-town”. However, Kable and Chalker did not fight on the 29th, as Chalker was seconding his brother in a fight near Parramatta on that date.426 Kable and Chalker did fight together, but it was for £100 somewhere on the Hawkesbury Road in 1832. ‘The first Killarney Races took place on the 29th day of August, 1833, and are remembered well by us from the fact of having a sister born that morning before leaving for the races. It was a lovely spring morning as George whose name has been frequently mentioned in these pages, and "Toby" wended their way from South Creek, near Dunheved to Killarney, two miles east of Windsor, via South Creek, through Shane's Park,427 Clydesdale,428 and Jericho,429 and along the creek where the wild duck flapped its wings on our approach, and the curlew and spurwing plover were to be seen in myriads. On the way they pulled up at Marsden's old estate (the tumble‑down barn) now belonging to Mr. B. Richards, where their grandfather and mother, uncles and aunts resided at the time of the great August flood, and who were rescued from the barn loft, where they had taken refuge for three days and nights, by that heroine, Margaret Catchpole.430 They then crossed the bush via Mulgrave, and arrived at the racecourse about eleven o'clock.431 This was the first race meeting of any importance outside the metropolis, and so received much patronage from all classes. There were about twelve booths, a grand-stand and a weighing yard, also a military band. The sporting aristocracy of the day were present. The booths consisted of every kind of shelter, bushes, bark and tarpaulin, and were filled with people. Blind Loftus, a very ugly man was dancing, and Black Simon playing the tambourine, at G. Freeman's booth. Every kind of amusement imaginable was going on, nine pins, poppet shows, the devil among the tailors, with lollypop and cake stalls in the front at the back, skittles and gambling of every description, with an occasional fight through the day. The racehorses were scattered about under the shady clumps of trees. “Black Scratch," with his master, John White, and the jockey, Johnnie Price, of Parramatta, was the first they saw. Price said he would win the two big races, and as they knew him they placed confidence in what he said. The first race was a Maiden Plate, and was won by Otto Baldwin's “Betsy," by "Hector." Then the Town Plate, two mile heats, for which five fine animals started, viz., "Scratch" (Price up), "Bennilong," Iceley's "Chancellor," Lawson's "Spring Gun," and Minchen's “Black Lock." After a great race between “Scratch," Bennilong" and “Chancellor," it was won by “Scratch," “Bennilong" being second. Only two started for the second heat, which was won by "Scratch." The rest of the day was made up with a District Purse and hack races. This was the first opportunity they had of seeing any of their countrymen about Windsor ‑ men who constituted the first generation of native‑born colonists. On that day the match was made between Cable and Chalker for two hundred pounds aside and the championship. There could be seen the three Chalker's, the Cosgrove's, the Meglin's, of South Creek, the Dargan's, the Dight's, the Doyle's, the Norris's, and others, of Windsor. They were immense men standing from six to six feet four inches high, from fifteen to seventeen stone in weight, without any superfluous flesh, and as straight as a whip. But they, like our native singing birds, are nearly ‑ all gone. George and “Toby" took three to one on Scratch," and this put them in possession of more money than they ever before possessed. They arranged to escort Ikey Moses and Joe Levy a short cut home to Penrith after the races were over for thirty shillings; they then retraced their steps home, to tell all about what they had seen and heard, returning on the third day ‑ to fulfil their engagement with Moses and Levy. The weather was fine and all that could be desired, so that a great number of people were present. The Colonel of the Regiment432 was at Windsor, and a ball was to be given in honour of his presence that night, and great preparations had been made for his reception. The races commenced at the usual time, and Scratch," as was expected, won the head prize. Iceley's horses "Chancellor" and "Councillor" each won a prize, the prizes being pretty evenly ‑ distributed, and a good day's sport was enjoyed. After arranging with Moses and Levy as to the time of starting next morning, they went to Windsor, as they knew Mr. Lovel, a horsedealer, of that town, who invited them to spend the night; and a great night it was for the little sporting town of Windsor. There was a bonfire at the "Bell Post," a lovely spot, looking down on the Hawkesbury River. The town was alive with music. The band played for the ball, which took place in the large barracks in the square, and was a very imposing sight. In fact, Windsor was in a blaze the whole night. It commenced to rain at five o'clock, and at six they started for the racecourse, half past seven being the time appointed for starting homewards. The rain came down heavily for half an hour, but it was only the pride of the morning, and all looked well for a fine day before the sun rose. As they crossed the course the busy scene and hilarity of the previous evening had changed, and all was silent as the grave. The booths were all demolished, the embers of the black's camp fires throwing up a curl of smoke, and scattered here and there were parts of a soldier's coat, empty and broken bottles, old boots and broken sticks, giving indications that a fight had taken place the night before. They made over to the teams which they were to escort home, and found them all loaded up and ready, for a start. On interrogating one of the blacks, Mulgoa Joe, the king of the tribe, who was travelling with the dray, he described the cobborn fight thus:‑" Drunken soldier come down and marn him gin; blackfellow fight him and take him gin back; believe him kill two soldiers, nother fellow's soldier take him home." This was the graphic description by Mulgoa Joe.433 They made a start, numbering about twenty whites and the same number of blacks, the former being composed of fiddlers, actors, old hangers ‑ on from Penrith and "Yarra Monday's Lagoon." They wended their way through Windsor, and as the cattle were facing homewards they travelled via the Chain of Ponds, and reached Pat Harper's, of Allen Water, on the Richmond and Penrith road about noon. There they unyoked and watered the cattle, made tea, and the whole of the broken tucker was pulled out and distributed between blacks and whites. Trunks of turkeys and geese, portions of sucking, pigs and ham bones were all cleared up, and every bottle and keg was drained. The blacks gave a corroboree and the fiddlers played and sang “Killarney," after which they yoked up again and started on the straight road. The guides left them after being paid, and wended their way home to South Creek.’434 Directory: docs docs -> Application for acem docs -> Observational Assessment of Teaching Practices Teaching Assessment Initiative Proposal Submitted to The Teachers for a New Era project docs -> Traditional British values docs -> From Warfighters to Crimefighters: The Origins of Domestic Police Militarization docs -> Borzoi Club of America Register of Merit Program I. What is a Register Of Merit docs -> Protecting the rights of the child in the context of migration docs -> United Nations E/C. 12/Esp/5 docs -> 9th May 1950 the schuman declaration docs -> Getting To Outcomes® in Services for Homeless Veterans 10 Steps for Achieving Accountability Download 3.05 Mb. Share with your friends:
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