Virtual Sourcebook for Aboriginal Studies in the Hunter Region Guide:  1820-1829

1820-1829 : Sources for Aboriginal Studies

1820

• Monthly Returns of Punishments, Newcastle, CSIL Special Bundles 4/1718. (Oct 1820): 115.(127 KB PDF) Includes convicts punished for harming Aborigines.
• Morisset to Campbell. CSIL 4/1807 (31st Oct 1820): 135-137. (369 KB PDF) Respecting the convicts John Kirby and James Thompson, and the wounding of Jack, Chief of the Newcastle Tribe.
• Morisset to Campbell. CSIL 4/1807 (16th Nov 1820): 143. (260 KB PDF) Respecting the the death of King Burrigan (aka Jack, Chief of the Newcastle Tribe).
• A view of King's Town. (c.1820/1828) Artist Unknown. Photographed by Bruce Turnbull [Courtesy Newcastle Region Art Gallery]

1821

• Monthly Returns of Punishments, Newcastle, CSIL Special Bundles 4/1718. (Aug 1821): 127.(135 KB PDF) Reference to Aboriginal man known as Flathead.
• Transcript of Lachlan Macquarie: A Voyage – and Tour of Inspection – from Port Jackson – to the Settlements of Port Macquarie, and Newcastle: – In November 1821. [Macquarie University have created transcriptions of the Journals of Elizabeth and Lachlan Macquarie through the magnificent project entitled Journeys in Time 1809 - 1822.] Mentions meeting with Bungaree, Chief of the Boan Native Tribe, with all his own Family, and 30 more of his Tribe at Wallis' Plains.

1822

• Morisset to Goulburn. 28th July 1822. Colonial Secretary: Letters Received, 1822. SRNSW 4/1808. (1.58 MB PDF) Concerning the settlement further up the Hunter River and the need to protect settlers from Aborigines and bushrangers.
• Bigge, John T. excerpt relating to blacktracking and how Aborgines show considerable skill in tracking escaped convicts from Report of the Commissioner of Inquiry into the State of the Colony of New South Wales 19th June 1822. 1:117 (126 KB PDF)
• Wylde to Goulburn. CSIL 4/1758 (20th Dec 1822): 145. (135 KB PDF) Regarding Aborigines tried for the murder of MacDonald at Newcastle.
• Wylde to Brisbane. CSIL 4/1758 (26th Dec 1822): 146. (93.6 KB PDF) Regarding Aborigines tried for the murder of MacDonald at Newcastle.

1824

• R. v. Fitzpatrick and Colville. Supreme Court of New South Wales. Forbes C.J., 21 June 1824. Source: Sydney Gazette, 24 June 1824. Bulwaddy, a black native, was present at some part of the transactions and provided some testimony to the events.[Decisions of the Superior Courts of New South Wales, 1788-1899. Published by the Division of Law Macquarie University]
• Platt to Goulburn. CSIL 4/1811 (11th Dec 1824): 199. (504 KB PDF) Mention of crops of maize swept off by the Blacks and the "severe" example made of them at Ironbark Hill, Hunters River. (Steel River site formerly the Murray Dwyer Orphanage, Mayfield).
• Joseph Lycett (c1774/75 - 1828) The Sugarloaf Mountain, near Newcastle, New South Wales. 1824. Photographed by Bruce Turnbull [Courtesy Newcastle Region Art Gallery]

1826

• 4th February 1826 Mr. Dawson states that he derived great assistance from them (i.e. Natives) in the First Settlement (formation of) at Port Stephens. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B81)
• 24th April 1826 Mr. Dawson states that he derived great assistance from them (i.e. Natives) in the First Settlement (formation of) at Port Stephens. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B129)
• R. v. Ridgway, Chip, Colthurst and Stanly. Supreme Court of New South Wales. Forbes C.J., 20 September 1826. Source: Sydney Gazette, 23 September 1826. John Ridgway, Samuel Chip, Edward Colthurst, and one Stanly, not before the Court, were indicted for the wilful murder of an aboriginal native youth, called Tommy, at Miau River, near Port Stephens, on the 8th day of May 1826. [Decisions of the Superior Courts of New South Wales, 1788-1899. Published by the Division of Law Macquarie University].
• Article dated 1st September 1826 from The Monitor regarding the shooting of three blacks at Hunter's River. (229 KB PDF)
• 15th September 1826 The Col. (Committee) informed the Directors that one Black was shot accidentally by a man named “Byron”, he was committed for Trial to appease the Tribe but was acquitted. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B163)
• 12th November 1826 They are fearful when they approach Strange Tribes who are always hostile to Native Strangers from feelings of jealousy. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B223)
• 13th November 1826 Mr. Dawson’s Account of the Natives he came in contact with at Davis’ Hills (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B224 - B226)
• Ebsworth, H.T. Extracts from H.T. Ebsworth's A Letterbook or Journal in the Form of a Letter Book, Kept …At Sydney and Port Stephens 1826. (502 KB PDF) [Typescript of M.L. B852-2: John Turner Papers, Courtesy Rosemary Melville]

1827

• R. v. Tommy. Supreme Court of New South Wales. Forbes C.J., 24 November 1827. Source: Monitor, 26 November 1827. An aboriginal Native by the name of ";Tommy, alias Jackey, Jackey," was tried for the wilful murder of Jeoffrey Connell, near George's Plains, on the 20th of June 1827. The Rev. Mr. Threlkeld and Bungaree, the Chief of the Sydney Blacks, attended as interpreters for him. [Decisions of the Superior Courts of New South Wales, 1788-1899. Published by the Division of Law Macquarie University]
• 30th November 1827 Col. Dumaresq appeared before the Directors and informed them that he considered W. Dawson’s treatment of them (i.e. the Natives) most excellent about 600 around him (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches A408)
• 1st December 1827 Mr. Dawson reports that those around Port Stephens continue peaceful and useful. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B447)
• 7th December 1827 Acc(ount) of the Exploring Party to the Manning River under Mr Alexander. McLeod Jnr was speared near that River by a hostile Tribe. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B435)

1828

• 8th January 1828 Mr. J Macarthur requires from Mr Dawson a Return of the amount of sundry issues made to the Blacks(Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B457)
• Article from The Sydney Gazette 18th January 1828 by L.E. Threlkeld.(206 KB PDF)
• 13th March 1828 Mr.James Macarthur states that his enquiry of the 8th January on this head is quite un noticed by Mr. Dawson he, however, thinks that great unnecessary expense is incurred in Issues to them. Most disgraceful familiarities countenanced and encouraged by Mr. Dawson. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B530-B531)
• Article from The Sydney Gazette 14th March 1828 relating to Nisimachus and L.E. Threlkeld. (149 KB PDF)
• Article from The Monitor 9th April 1828 regarding volcanic hill on verge of Liverpool Plains p.1086. (203 KB PDF)
• Article from The Sydney Gazette 18th April 1828 relating to L.E. Threlkeld.(146 KB PDF)
• 29th April 1828 The Colonial Committee are requested in a letter from N.S.W. Col. Govt. to furnish a Return of the number and description of those on the Comp's Grant. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B907)
• 10th May 1828 Mr. James Macarthur states to the Directors that the disordered Native Women have been removed and the intercourse between Native Women and Convicts disallowed and other arrangements made to effect a diminution of the Venereal Disease. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B873-B874, see also B855-B856 26th May 1828 below)
• 17th May 1828 Mr. Bowman states that this disease (i.e. Venereal Disease) had been contracted to a great extent by the convicts having had connection with the Native Women (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B823)
• 26th May 1828 Venereal Disease contracted by the Company’s servants in consequence of their having intercourse with the Native Women. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B832)
• 26th May 1828 Mr.James Macarthur states that he has been called upon by the Coll Govt. to report upon the State and condition of the Blacks on the Estates – thinks they may be made very useful in the preservation of Flocks at distant stations. He restorded the most influential use among them from Banishment impeded upon him by Mr. Dawson. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B855)
• 26th May 1828 Mr. James Macarthur states to the Directors that the disordered Native Women have been removed and the intercourse between Native Women and Convicts disallowed and other arrangements made to effect a diminution of the Venereal Disease. (Australian Agricultural Company Despatches B855-B856 see also B873-B874 10th May 1828 above)
• May 1828 Dr Nisbet reports that those not attached to the Settlement are in a state of great wretchedness, many labouring under the effects of a baneful disease. Those attached to the Company have made some advancement towards civilisation and have a clean and orderly appearance. He thinks that not much dependence can be placed upon them – The Black Constables only useful for specific purposes. (Agricultural Company Despatches B905-B906)
• Article from The Monitor 28th June 1828 regarding clothing provided to Aboriginals at Newcastle p.1238. (260 KB PDF)
• Article from The Monitor 4th August 1828 regarding the shooting of six Aboriginals at Hunter's River p.1280. (237 KB PDF)
• Article from The Sydney Gazette 19th September 1828 relating to L.E. Threlkeld and J.D. Lang. (417 KB PDF)
• A View of King's Town (Late Newcastle) 1828 Engraver: Joseph Cross Published in:
  Author: Dangar, H. (Henry), 1796-1861
  Title: Index and directory to map of the country bordering upon the River Hunter ; the lands of the Australian-Agricultural Company, with the ground plan and allotments of King's Town, New South Wales : containing a detail of the annual quit rent and amount of the redemption of the same ; also historical notes upon the tenure and principle of granting lands in the colony since 1810 ; also for the guidance of emigrant settlers, a description of the unlocated country in the vicinity of Hunter's River ; useful geographical notes on Liverpool Plains ; the present regulations and conditions upon which grants and sales of land are made by government, with observations thereon, with a view of the present state of agriculture in the colony, price of land, advice to settlers, & c. the whole forming with regard to land affairs in that colony, a complete emigrant';s guide / by H. Dangar
  • Full Version (1MB)
  • Small Version (181KB)
  • Detail (354KB)
  • Detail2 (171KB)
    Published: London : Joseph Cross, 1828. (University of Newcastle Rare Book Collection)
• Threlkeld, L.E. (Lancelot Edward), 1788-1859. [Manuscript] A Journal Kept By Lancelot Edward Threlkeld. Missionary.[87 MB PDF].
  This original manuscript Journal of the Reverend Lancelot Threlkeld covers the period from December 1828 to circa February 1846 and is now lost. As it begins on page 63, it presumably formed part of a series of Journal diaries. It originally was in the possession of an owner in Cattai. Prior to his death, the manuscript was lent to Mrs Raven, who then lent it to the Mitchell Library who digitised it. The Journal was then returned to the owner. After his death the manuscript disappeared and every avenue of locating it pursued by Mrs Raven has come to no avail causing great concern for the fate of such an important historical document to Hunter Region and Australian history.
  We sincerely thank Mrs Marjorie Raven, great grand daughter of the late Reverend Threlkeld for her permission to publish this important Journal.

[September 2008 Update] Mrs Raven recently located a number of missing leaves from the manuscript which she copied and sent to us to incorporate into into the online manuscript. The missing pages are 154-161 and 267-268. There are an additional two pages placed at the end of the manuscript.

Support our digitisation programs by donating to the Vera Deacon Regional History Fund

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