Merriman was said to be one of the leaders of the massacre of WP Faithful’s shepherds on 11th April 1838 where eight shepherds were killed and 10 escaped including their overseer, James Crossley. (1)
The cause of the attack was believed to be over the theft of sheep or the desire to plunder the drays. However, In 1883, Historian George Rusden wrote, ‘The men with the sheep quarrelled with the natives at the Broken River. The cause was the usual one. The convict men had trafficked with the women.’ (2)
The earliest reference I have found to Merriman being present at the Faithful massacre is from Dr George Mackay in November 1840. (3)
REFERENCES;
(1) The Border Post, 7th August 1875
(2) History of Australia, vol. 2 pages 228. 1883. George Rusden.
(3) Dr George Mackay named Merriman as being present at the Faithful massacre. Tuesday 3rd November 1840. The Journal of George Augustus Robinson, Chief protector, port Phillip Aboriginal Protectorate. Dr Ian D Clark. pg 227.
