Merriman

Merriman

Merriman was a Pallanganmiddang man of the Waywurru or Waveroo people. His father was Hone.ne.ap, a respected Waywurru Elder, known as King Billy of the Barwidgee. GA Robinson recorded Merriman’s real name as Min.nup and noted in his journal that he was born in 1823...
William Bowman

William Bowman

Oil Painting by Alfred William Eustace, possibly near Beechworth or Bright c1880 In 1837 William Bowman took up Sutton Grange Station at Mount Alexander close to present-day Castlemaine and had as his neighbour, William Henry Yaldwin of Barfold station near Kyneton....
James Crossley

James Crossley

James Crossley was the overseer in charge of WP Faithful’s shepherds when they were attacked by Indigenous people at the Broken River near present-day Benalla in April 1838. There is reason to believe his men had acted in a way that required payback as spear...
Benjamin Reed

Benjamin Reed

Benjamin Reed was a convict stockman assigned to William Bowman. He became a known killer of aboriginal people and according to Rev Joe Docker, of Bontherambo station, Benjamin Reed was in a feud with Merriman. 1830 Feb 18th convict Benjamin Reed (later in life spelt...
Joseph Hawdon

Joseph Hawdon

Hawdon was born at Wackerfield, Durham, England and sailed to Australia, arriving in November 1834 at the suggestion of his elder brother who was already settled in NSW with property at Cowpastures and Batemans Bay. (1) In October 1836 Joseph Hawdon mustered a mob of...
William Pitt Faithful

William Pitt Faithful

Merriman was said to be one of the ring leaders of the attack on William Pitt Faithful’s shepherds at the Broken River in April 1838 where 8 shepherds were killed. The killings caused great alarm among overlanders and halted settlement along the Sydney road for...