GA Robinson on 10th February 1841 asked Jim Crow, Mickey and Joe Mole.ler.nin.ner (Merriman’s brother in law) to identify three constables of their own choosing.
GA Robinson thought highly of Joe writing he was a gentleman and was well thought after. Rev Docker of Bontherambo agreed with this saying much the same.
On the same day, 10th February GA Robinson wrote that Jim Crow chose three constables among whom was Merriman. I thought it best to leave the choice to themselves.
Merriman’s appointment as with Jim Crow, Joe and Mickey were not officially recognised and their names are not recorded in Fels native police list.
When LaTrobe arrived in Melbourne in 1839 GA Robinson proposed selecting 5 indigenous men from each tribe to act as domestic police.
Robinson said ‘…the act should appear an Aboriginal act and thus the people would conform more readily to police instruction.’ (Robinson to Col Sec 12 June 1839)
Shortly afterwards James Dredge wrote he feared the principal inducement in becoming policemen would be in the hope of obtaining firearms to render these constables a terror to their enemies.
Yet there was only even a couple of instances where guns were used this way.
In January 1840 the protectors issued equipment to their police – clothes, tin dishes, clothes brushes, ammunition canisters and guns. -Fels.
It was one year later, Feb 1841 that GA Robinson wrote of Merriman being appointed a constable.
The three constables belonging to Badgerbowenny, alias Jem Crow, of Goulburn were;
- Per.re.go.min.nun alias Larry (No 39 in list)
- Teer.rap alias Darby Murry (No30 in list Yarrenilum, son to Out.nort)
- Al.low.wer.row alias Merriman
I have not found any other reference to Merriman in the role of a constable but there must be a mention somewhere waiting to be discovered.
Dr George Mackay, George Faithful and Bill Thomas (the bullock driver working for Faithful who was among the men who tried to burn Merriman and Harlequin in a hut) among many others must have been outraged that Merriman had been made a constable.
