Merriman
Events
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12 Apr 1838 — killingMerryman is said to have been one of the party concerned in the murder of Mr Faithful's men some years earlier.
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29 May 1840 – 30 May 1840 — pursuitAboriginal group, armed with guns, raid Mackay's station. Horses killed, hut burned down and wheat destroyed in a 2 day siege. According to news reports the group included 'Jacky, Winberri and Billy Hamilton'. According to Dr Mackay's statement to Chief Protector Robinson, the leader was Merriman.Sources
- PORT PHILLIP NEWS. Southern Australian (Adelaide, SA : 1838 - 1844), Tuesday 8 December 1840, page 4 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71620462
- ERRORS OF THE PRESS. (1840, June 24). The Colonist (Sydney, NSW : 1835 - 1840), p. 3. Retrieved August 10, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31725175
- COUNTRY NEWS. (1840, July 7). The Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 - 1848), p. 3. Retrieved August 10, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36852259
- LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (1840, August 20). Port Phillip Patriot and Melbourne Advertiser (Vic. : 1839 - 1845), p. 2. Retrieved August 10, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article228130498
- SYDNEY. (1840, September 18). Southern Australian (Adelaide, SA : 1838 - 1844), p. 3. Retrieved August 10, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71620018
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28 Feb 1851 – 30 Aug 1851 — assault; attempted rape; woundingMerryman visited the races at Albury. He was on good terms with whites and greeted many but became aggressive after drinking too much.
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2 Apr 1851 – 2 Oct 1851 — sexual violence; assault; woundingAfter drinking at the races Merryman assualted a white woman in a hut on the outskirts of Albury. The location is not precise as there is no indication of which direction outside Albury, etc.Sources
- No title Tasmanian Colonist (Hobart Town, Tas. : 1851 - 1855), Thursday 2 October 1851, page 3 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/226527023
- (THE MURRAY.) Melbourne Daily News (Vic. : 1848 - 1851), Tuesday 29 July 1851, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/226914296
- Colonial News. Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal (NSW : 1851 - 1862; 1872; 1882; 1885 - 1897; 1899 - 1904), Saturday 30 August 1851, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/62519809
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2 Apr 1851 – 2 Oct 1851 — killingAfter drinking at the races, Merryman returned to his camp and killed his wife with a tomahawk. Location is not precise as there is no indication of where or in what direction the camp was.Sources
- No title Tasmanian Colonist (Hobart Town, Tas. : 1851 - 1855), Thursday 2 October 1851, page 3 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/226527023
- (THE MURRAY.) Melbourne Daily News (Vic. : 1848 - 1851), Tuesday 29 July 1851, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/226914296
- Colonial News. Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal (NSW : 1851 - 1862; 1872; 1882; 1885 - 1897; 1899 - 1904), Saturday 30 August 1851, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/62519809
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2 Apr 1851 – 2 Oct 1851 — pursuitMerryman eluded the police but was eventually captured. Location unknown, but in the vicinity of Albury.
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2 Apr 1851 – 2 Oct 1851 — Goulbourn — arrest; imprisonment; trialMerryman was captured and forwarded to Goulbourn to await his trial.Sources
- No title Tasmanian Colonist (Hobart Town, Tas. : 1851 - 1855), Thursday 2 October 1851, page 3 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/226527023
- (THE MURRAY.) Melbourne Daily News (Vic. : 1848 - 1851), Tuesday 29 July 1851, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/226914296
- Colonial News. Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal (NSW : 1851 - 1862; 1872; 1882; 1885 - 1897; 1899 - 1904), Saturday 30 August 1851, page 2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/62519809
Mentions of person in sources
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Merryman
29 Jan 1851“Merryman attempted to violate the person of this woman who successfully resisted his brutal attempt though at the expense of some most severe injuries.”
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Merryman
29 Jan 1851“He got the unfortunate down and trampled on her in the most cowardly manner, breaking some of her ribs and otherwise so severely wounding her that she has not even yet completely recovered.”
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Merryman
28 Feb 1851“Being rather a well-known character, he was on such an occasion of hilarity, ' hailfellow-well-met' with many of the whites on the race ground, by the working hands especially, by many of whom he was treated to sundry nobblers until he was na fou, but just had plenty.”
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Merryman
28 Feb 1851“He took to his heels on the approach of some men, and went to his camp, where, without the slightest warning, or I believe cause, he coolly walked up to his ' gin' and brained her 'with his tomahawk.”
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Merryman
28 Feb 1851“He was at length captured, and has been 'forwarded to Goulburn, there to await his trial at the Criminal Sessions next ensuing.”
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Merryman
2 Apr 1851“This Merryman, it would seem, is an Ovens blackfellow, but was present at the Albury races, accompanied by others of his tribe.”
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Merryman
2 Apr 1851“He got the woman down and trampled on her in the most dastardly manner, breaking some of her ribs, and otherwise so severely wounding her that she has not as yet completely recovered.”
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Merryman
2 Apr 1851“He then made off, and until a late period was successful in eluding the vigilance of the police, although a hot pursuit was made.”
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Merryman
2 Apr 1851“He was at length captured, and has been forwarded to Goulbourn, there to await his trial at . the Criminal Sessions next ensuing.”
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Merryman
9 Jul 1851“He was at length captured, and has been forwarded to Goulburn, there to await his trial at the Criminal Sessions next ensuing.”
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Merryman
23 Aug 1858“The notorious Merryman appears to be Prime Minister of the tribe. This individual, it will be remembered, was one of the party of blacks concerned in the murder of Mr Faithful's men some years ago, and only escaped well merited retribution from the impossibility of directly connecting him with the crime.”