On 27th May 1840 Dr George MacKay was away from his Whorouly run when Merriman and others of his clan surrounded the hut and made demands. The occupants of the hut were John MacKay, Benjamin Reed and his wife Mary, a bullock driver named Richins and the overseer of their neighbour, Mr McDonnell. (the neighbour referred to was Mr Charles Cropper). This made five persons in the hut. According to John Mackay about 20 aborigines, led by Merriman and with Harlequin among them spent several days terrorising the occupants. (1)
Benjamin Reed was newly married and according to Rev Josepth Docker, the raid was due to a feud between Merriman and Ben Reed. (2) David Reid (no relation to Benjamin Reed) said Merriman came close to the hut and called out, “Turn out white gin along with black fellow, black fellow then all gone coolar.” Meaning by ‘coolar’ then all anger is gone. (3)
The siege ended with the ritual killing of the watchman. (1)
REFERENCES;
(1) Brit Parli papers, pg 111, 112, 113. Statement of John Scobie Anderson Mackay to GA Robinson, 14th Feb 1841. Enc in No.25
(2) Rev Joseph Docker, The Two Lives Joseph Docker,J.M. McMillan
(3) Ogiers reminiscences of David Reid
