Profiles of an Aboriginal person, a convict, a marine and a settler who lived in the penal settlement at Sydney Cove
Bennelong
Sources: Various
Links: See subheadings
Source type: Primary sources
Useful for: The experiences of men, women and children in the penal settlement at Sydney Cove
Why Bennelong is Important
1. Early Contact With the British
In 1789, Governor Arthur Phillip ordered Bennelong to be captured so the British could learn about Aboriginal language and culture.
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Bennelong was taken to the settlement
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He learned English
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He began communicating between the British and Aboriginal groups
Eventually Bennelong escaped, but later returned voluntarily, forming a relationship with Governor Phillip.
Overview - Bennelong
Bennelong (c. 1764–1813) was a Wangal man of the Eora Nation, whose Country was around Sydney Cove and the Parramatta River. He became one of the most important Aboriginal figures in early Australian history because he acted as a cultural intermediary between Aboriginal peoples and the British during the First Fleet period.
"Native name Ben-nel-long, as painted when angry after Botany Bay Colebee was wounded". Artist: Port Jackson Painter c. 1790. Collection: Watling Collection, Natural History Museum, London.
2. Bennelong and Governor Phillip
Bennelong and Arthur Phillip developed a remarkable friendship. Phillip built Bennelong a hut at Bennelong Point, shared meals with him, and tried to learn Aboriginal customs. This relationship helped reduce conflict, encourage communication, and support cultural exchange.
3. Bennelong travels to Britain
In 1792, Bennelong travelled to London with Governor Phillip. There he met British society, learned more English, and was presented to British officials.
Bennelong became the first known Aboriginal Australian to travel to Britain. He returned to Sydney in 1795.
4. Bennelong's later life
After returning, Bennelong lived between Aboriginal and European worlds, maintaining cultural ties to his people. He died in 1813 near the Parramatta River and was buried at Kissing Point.
Why Historians Study Bennelong
Bennelong helps historians understand:
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Early Aboriginal-European contact
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Cultural exchange
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Conflict and cooperation
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Life in early Sydney
He is often seen as:
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A diplomat
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Cultural intermediary
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Survivor of early colonisation
Profiles
Selected excerpts
𝑁𝐴𝑇𝐼𝑉𝐸𝑆
On the road between Parramatta and Prospect a meeting took place on Monday last for the purpose of 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 on a native well known at the above settlements by the name of 𝐺𝑜𝑔𝑢𝑒𝑦, whose mischance it had been to hasten one of his opponents departure for the shades on a similar occasion... Perceiving an unusual degree of rancour in the menaces of his 𝑗𝑢𝑑𝑔𝑒𝑠, he endeavoured for a short time to avoid them by 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 ; but being closely pursued he formed his resolution, and made a stand, with two adherents near him. The spears of his adversaries were barbed and rough‐glazed, and three at once advancing upon him until within ten or twelve feet, he
caught the first thrown on his target, but the second, discharged by 𝐵𝑒𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔, entered above the hip, and passed through the side, so as to be afterwards extracted ; but the third thrown by 𝑁𝑎𝑛𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑦 as he wheeled to defend himself from the former, entered the back below the loins ... The last spear he received was attempted to be drawn by two Europeans indued from motives of humanity to tender their assistance ; but their combined strength was ineffectual, and the unfortunate creature was on Thursday night last still numbered with the living, but the spear continuing immoveable.
𝑃𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑠.—Last Tuesday the natives resumed their 𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑠 at Farm Cove; and Bennelong and Coleby were matched in single combat. The former, incensed at his opponent’s bearing off the widow of the deceased 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦, determined to appease his 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑠 by dispatching the violator for the 𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑡 of 𝑀𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑠; but half‐a‐dozen spears flying responsively without effect, their numerous 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑠 interposed, and here ended the affray.
The different tribes of natives met yesterday fe’nnight at the Brickfields for the 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 of two 𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠, of whom 𝐵𝑒𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 was the principal. He withstood innumerable flights of spears with his accustomed 𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑖𝑑 ; but narrowly escaped 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖e𝑛, as seldom less than three were thrown at once, and most of his adversaries peculiarly skilled in the 𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑙𝑦 𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑠. 𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑔 𝑇𝑒𝑑𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑦 was afterwards wounded through the thigh by a visitor from Botany Bay ; who in turn submitted to a similar destiny ; when a cessation of arms took place 𝑑𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑠.
The native conflict that took place yesterday se'nnight had nearly proved fatal to Bennelong, who in flying from an otherwise inevitable destiny received a spear in the hip. The RENCONTRE was for the purpose of inflicting punishment on Blewit the murderer of Musquito, and on little Pigeon like wise, who had taken an active part against the deceased. The other ------ assailants were Bennelong, Cathai Coleby, Nanbury, Wilhamanan, and old White; a spear from in ------ of whom striking the upper arc of Blewit's shield carried away the wood, and penetrated in a descending direction, nearly about an inch below the left eye through the nose, occasioning a ghastly wound. Nearly at the same instant PIGEON received a spear through the leg. Their party being powerful, several weapons were returned upon the assailants; and Colinjong, not less known than esteemed for his --------shion (aggression)? towards his European aquaintances, shipped a spear against BENNELONG with a steeleye determination; and only
reserving the jetteau until he approached near enough to accomplish his design without possible disappointment, at the instant he was about to throw received a barbed weapon in the breast from Nanbury, who was then concealed in a thicket and in a few seconds expired, the spear being torn forth at his own desire, but leaving the whole of its barb behind. Nanbury and Coleby immediately fled, and Bennelong pursuing the same course, was overtaken by two of his adversaries, two others pressing him in the rear. Those in front at length obliged him to stand, and he had scarcely
warded off their spears, when turning with surprising agility, he caught (those)? also of the two (hindmost). Numbers were now prepared to assault him ; flight was his only hope of security ; and how he contrived to escape with a single wound was a matter of astonishment to all present. The remainder of the evening was devoted to the funeral rites of poor Colinjong, who next morning interred in one of the bays near Woollamoolla.
Bennelong died on Sunday morning last at Kissing Point. Of this veteran champion of the native tribe little favourable can be said. His voyage to, and benevolent treatment in Great Britain produced no change whatever in his manners and inclinations, which were naturally barbarous and ferocious. The principal Officers of Government had for many years endeavoured, by the kindest of usage to wean him from his original habits, and draw him into a relish for civilized life ; but every effort was in vain exerted, and for the last few has been little noticed. His propensity to drunkenness was inordinate ; and when in that state he was insolent, menacing and overbearing. In fact, he was a thorough savage, not to be warped from the form and character that nature gave him, by all the efforts that mankind could use.
To the Printer of the Sydney Gazette.
SIR, As I have as high a respect for learning as any classical amateur can possibly have, it will not be surprising that I should feel, an inclination of going back to the primitive ages, when the heroic virtues were chiefly respected, for the purpose of indulging in comparisons between some of the heroes of antiquity, and those of modern times...
...From a want of sufficient knowledge of the mythology or pagan principles of our Aborigines, it is clear I cannot design to take into the scale against my moderns any of the fabulous narrative connected with the ancients... (I) begin my series by the comparison of Bennelong to Theseus ...All authorities agree that Theseus was born out of wedlock ; and Bennelong was so likewise ... Theseus in his 20th year made the travel from Trezone to Athens, which was then considered as fully difficult and dangerous as Bennelong's voyage to England in his twentieth year ... Upon the arrival of Theseus in Athens his person was very much admired, and gazed upon by all orders of persons; and who will deny that Bennelong, equally a stranger to London as Thesius to Athens, was gazed at also ? ... Soon after Theseus arrived in Athens, which was the country of his real father, Ægeus, he became chief of the commonwealth, an incident which has its parallel in the superiority which Bennelong assumed over his countrymen upon his return to the country of his father Goorah-goorah, who had separated from his mother Ga-gulh, and was then living with Yahanua ... The arms of Bennelong were a spear and waddy ...the battles of Theseus were, numerous and fortunate ; those of Bennelong were also numerous, and he had generally the good fortune to come off conqueror ... and many a skull has been broken by the waddy of Bennelong ... In their deaths there appears little subject of remark, that of Theseus being from a fall from a rock ; and that of Bennelong being in present uncertainty, though he has only been
dead 5 years, at about the age of 45. He was much addicted to spirit-drinking, and for the last five months of his life was seldom sober ; so that his death might have also been occasioned by a fall from a rock is undeniable...
On the 12th of last month died, at the residence of Mr. James Squire, Kissing-point, Andrew Sneap Hammond Douglass White, a black native of this Colony. He was about 37 years old, and was taken from the woods in a few months after the first establishment in 1788, by Dr. White, after whom he was named. His mother died just before of the small pox,which raged horribly among the poor natives at that time, and was buried by Mr. Squire. Up to the
period of his kind protector's departure for Europe, he was employed as gamekeeper; when he voluntarily entered himself on board of His Majesty's ship Reliance, Captain Waterhouse, and was much esteemed for his strict attention to the duties of a seaman. Subsequently he went on a voyage in the Investigator with Captain Flinders, the crew of which ship were also much delighted with his orderly behaviour, and uncommon alertness. Upon his return, however, he betook himself to his native wilds, which were mostly in the vicinity of Kissing-point. From the woods he only occasionally emerged, for a number of years, in order to return with renewed avidity and satisfaction. Mr. Squire, we have every reason to believe, treated him with particular tenderness, and had recourse to many stratagems to rescue him from wretchedness; and, with this view, occasionally gave him amusing employment, accompanied with plenty of indulgence, but all proved unavailing - ancestral habits being too indelibly engendered ever to be eradicated by human effort, however strained in its benevolent design. He lies interred in the same grave with Bennelong and his wife, in Mr. Squire's garden.
Bennelong's Point
Bennlong's Stairs
Bennelong Battery
Fort Bennelong
Town of Bennelong - 1851
26 Jan 1861 - No title - Trove - Summary of First Fleet
On Sunday evening, the 8th instant, a very interesting ceremony was performed in the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Parramatta. The Rev. Wm. WALKER, Wesleyan Missionary to the Aborigines of this Colony, publicly baptized the son of Bennelong, of notorious memory; and named him, THOMAS WALKER COKE... The Rev. Gentleman took occasion to enlarge on the character of his young disciple; and his remarks, which were judiciously guarded, pleasingly shewed how qualified the young person was, to be initiated into the visible Church of Christ. The aboriginal displayed considerable feeling during the ceremony, and wept much. Many of his brethren were present on the occasion...
Sydney, FEB. 6.—On Friday night last, Thomas Walker Coke, an aboriginal native, and son to the renowned Bennelong, departed this life, at the Wesleyan Aboriginal Mission-house, in the vicinity of Parramatta, after a rather short illness. It is an especial duty, we conceive, to record the demise of this interesting youth : his
age was somewhere about 20. When the the Rev. Mr. Walker first came to the Colony, he adopted the deceased as his own son, in the benign view not only of feeding and cloathing him, but also to instil into his mind the saving principles of Christianity. A single aberration excepted, the once poor friendless black-boy amply compensated his master—friend—and brother, for the sedulous attention that was paid to his interests. Three or four months
since, he was publicly baptized, being honored with the distinguished and humanizing name of the immortal Dr. Coke. A few weeks since, he was married to a native girl, who had been some considerable time previous maternally treated in the family of Mrs. Hassall, of Parramatta : her name is Maria. Up to the period of his death he gave satisfactory evidence of his acceptance with his Maker, leaving his Pastor a firm hope of his eternal happiness. He ever seemed greatly interested in the present unenviable condition of his hapless race, and often fervently prayed that their case should never be allowed to droop. Did our limits permit the pleasure, we would publish a letter, the production of the above youth, which would speak volumes ; and could satisfy the Reader that nought but circumscribed effort, arising from the absence of pecuniary resources, precludes the poor aborigine from the sweet
enjoyments of civilization, and deprives him of the Heaven-born rights of Christianity.
THURSDAY.--The fair took place this day ... there was an inconsiderable shew of Horses and Sheep. The prizes for the former were awarded to Sir John Jamison's horse " Bennelong," Mr. Lethbridges filly, 'Queen Bungaree"
28 Oct 1828 ~ EQUESTRIANISM.
Parramatta was all alive again on Friday, with s to have a peep at the racing match between Sir John Jamison's horse Bennelong and Mr. Icely's Lawyer, on the Parramatta course. There were pretty heavy sums pending on the issue
of this match — stakes 100 sovereigns a-side,
THE ABORIGINES OF NEW SOUTH WALES.
To the Editor of the Sydney Gazette.
SIR, I was much gratified when I learned from your paper that His Majesty's Government was about to furnish the means by which a fair attempt may be made to civilize the aborigines of New South Wales, and to im- part to them the knowledge of the Christian religion. As you have requested the public to communicate their views of the abori-
genes, and to suggest any thoughts which may lead to promote this important object, I take the liberty to transmit the following observations relative to them... I consider the attempt to civilize the aborigines of New South Wales, will be found a far more difficult undertaking than any mission hitherto formed for the civilization of the aborigines in the different islands scattered over the South Sea, and for reasons which I will state. As far as my observations have extended, I consider the aborigines of New South Wales to be in a far more degraded state than any other savage nation with whom we are acquainted. In all my interviews with them, I could never discover that they had any idea
whatever of a Supreme Being, and consequently no notion of any religion, whether false or true. No religious superstition has at any time manifested itself in any of their customs or manners that I am acquainted with, excepting on some particular occasions they have shown some apprehensions relative to death. Their destitution of all religious ideas has always appeared to me to oppose the greatest impediment to their civilization and moral improvement. Amongst the other savage nations in the South Sea Islands, their religious superstitions are strongly interwoven into all their systems of government, and into all their transactions with each other; they regulate,
in a great measure, their whole conduct by them, and in many cases they have the same force as the criminal laws in England.
The aborigines of New South Wales, having no religion, no inherent moral principle sufficiently powerful to
operate upon their minds by its secret influences, so far as to excite them to do what is good, or to restrain them from evil, hence they are under the government, not of reason, but of momentary passions, in which they are liable to commit offences. I may further observe, that their minds appear not only destitute of all religious impressions, but also of any serious reflection; they never think of to-morrow; they have neither store-house nor barn, any more
than the fowls of the air, or the beasts of the fields, nor do they appear to have any more wants. Hunger and cold they suffer in common with the irrational part of the creation, and their wishes go no further than to satisfy the momentary calls of nature; it is a matter of little moment to them what kind of food they meet with, whether it is a rat, a serpent, a grub, or wild fowl, or any other animal; if it only removes the cravings of nature, this is all they require. This is not the case with other savage nations in the islands situated in the South Seas; their aborigines provide storehouses, in which they deposit their food for future use, according to the different seasons of the year,
whether they depend upon yams, potatoes, fern-root, or fish. Hence their native character is very opposite to the aborigines of New South Wales.
I may further remark, though each tribe in New South Wales have certain districts where they principally reside, yet they have no certain residence in any part of them. In the evening they lie down in the woods in any part wherever night happens to overtake them, as the beasts of the fields - if it rains, they creep under a little bark, or into
the holes of the rocks for shelter, but never make any provision for cold or stormy weather before it comes, and then only such as will answer them for protection for the moment. On the other islands the inhabitants build houses and live in villages, in social intercourse one with another, which tends much to improve their minds, and prepares
them for instruction.
The aborigines of New South Wales put no value upon the simple arts of civil life. There are none that I know of who wish to become mechanics, or shew any inclination to acquire useful knowledge of any kind... There is also another difficulty which a Missionary to the aborigines of New South Wales will have to contend with. Experience has shewn that those people cannot be attached to any one place or person for any length of time, but they form associations with the natives in the woods, who will induce them to adopt their former habits. I will give you an instance or two about thirty years ago, a native, known by the name of Harry, lived with me, and promised for a time to improve in civilization, but at length he got tired, and no inducements would prevail upon him to remain in my
family; he returned to his native habits, in which he has continued up to the present time. Another native, named Muskitoe, about twenty-five years ago, committed murder upon the banks of the Hawkesbury River, for which crime he was transported to Norfolk Island, where he remained for several years.
When that settlement was removed to Van Dieman's Land, Muskitoe accompanied the settlers. Shortly after his arrival, he took to the woods, joined the savage tribes in that colony, and was at last executed for murder.
Another aboriginal youth, a native of Parramatta, named Daniel, lived with the late botanist, Mr. Kelly, some years; went with him to England, where he remained for a considerable time in good society; when he returned to Parramatta he took to the woods, and the first time I saw him he was perfectly naked, sitting upon the stump of a tree. I asked him how he could live in the bush after living for years with Europeans? He replied, he liked the
bush best; he afterwards committed a capital crime, for which he was tried and executed.
Benelong was one of the first natives that was introduced to Governor Phillips' table. When the Governor retired from the colony, in the year 1792, Benelong accompanied him to England, and remained in London until 1795. In that year he returned to the colony with Governor Hunter, and was constantly admitted to his table. At that time he
generally wore the Windsor uniform. At length he threw off all his European clothes, and took to the bush, where he remained until death.
I could mention a number of the natives to whom every attention was paid by individuals without their receiving any apparent benefit; nor did those natives shew any particular attachment to those who studied to serve them. What change may hereafter be made in the habits and dispositions of the aborigines, it is impossible to say. In the space of the last 42 years many of the old natives in the neighbourhood have died off. Those of their children who live amongst us are much more corrupt and immoral than their parents were. Their conduct in the public streets is
extremely disgusting, as well as offensive to common decency and public morals. Their confirmed habits of idleness, and their thirst for ardent spirits and tobacco, and their intimate connection with the profligate Europeans, would render ineffectual every attempt which any Missionary might make for their improvement in the neighbourhood of any of our settlements. If any thing can be done, I am of opinion it must be in the interior of the country, remote from the example of the Europeans, and where ardent spirits cannot be obtained. Though the prospect of imparting to the aborigines the blessings of civilization, and the knowledge of the Christian religion is very dark, yet it is an incumbent duty of the Christian world to do all that can be done to promote this object. The difficulties which will oppose their improvement, as I have already hinted, are their inherent love of freedom—their contempt for the habits of civil life—their extreme idleness— their want of reflection and attachment—their thirst for spirituous liquors, and their destitution of every idea of the Supreme Being, or even of any false god...
I remain, Sir, your obedient humble servant, A FRIEND TO MISSIONS. Parramatta, Feb. 9, 1831.
MOO-WAT-TIN AND BE-NE-LONG.
Two instances have occurred of the aborigines of New South Wales having been brought by a gentleman to England — one, whose name was Be-ne-long, in 1793, another in 1811, whose name was Moo-wat-tin. The general conduct of these men was so similar, that the particulars relating to the last-mentioned individual may be sufficient to show the character and disposition of both, perhaps of all.
Moo-wat-tin was a chief, and, though acting occasionally as a servant while in England, never forgot a seeming consciousness of importance. Moo-wat-tin spoke English so well as to excite surprise at the power with which he would use the monosyllables. He became an object of great curiosity to many, and was closely observed during several visits he made with the gentleman who brought him to England. ... His articulation seemed indistinct, the sounds having great similarity to each other, as, ra-ra tah, wha-rah rah, bah-hah tah-rah hah ,,. On being requested to put this song into English, he replied, " Not well to do ; but first we take fish, next take kangaroo, then take wife;" the particulars he declined translating... He expressed great surprise at the extent of London; thought there were too many houses ; trees were much wanted ; could not imagine how all the people goot food ; thought the weather was
" sower cold" clouds too near the ground ; horses fine, the men strong, the women beautiful; said none of his tribe would believe him when he told of what he had seen ; that it would be of no use to take any thing to them unless they could eat it; declared he would spear a native who had hurt a woman— this was expressed with powerfully-marked ferocity ... after a pause he started, saying, "I must spear him, he hurt my mother." This was found to be a painful subject...
The gentleman with whom Moo-wat-tin came to England had been a free settler under the auspices of the late Sir
Joseph Banks... As in the case of his predecessor, Be-ne-long, Moo-wat-in, for some time after his return to New South Wales, retained the manners of a European. He treated those of his tribe with the greatest disdain, and seemed to cultivate a friendly intercourse with the free settlers; but he possessed no habits of industry, and nature could not be subdued. Liberty amongst his native woods and wilds had charms that rendered irksome the kindness of
strangers, and dulled every sense of the superior enjoyments of civilization. He returned to his original pursuits, to a state of nakedness and of precarious existence, and has rarely been seen since by any of the settlers in the colony. — Chambers' Journal.
In December 1792 Governor Arthur Phillip returned to England accompanied by Bennelong and Yemmerawanne. Following a six-month voyage, they landed in Falmouth, England on 19 May 1793. Bennelong and Yemmerawanne stepped ashore into an alien world where they were cast as both colonial exhibits and Eora diplomats.
"Governor Phillip signified a determination of quitting his government, and returning to England in the Atlantic. To this he was induced by perceiving that his health hourly grew worse, and hoping that a change of air might contribute to his recovery."
- Judge Advocate David Collins, An account of the English colony in New South Wales, Volume 1, (October 1792) 1802
With the governor there embarked, voluntarily and cheerfully, two natives of this country, Bennillong and Yem-mer-ra-wan-nie, two men who were much attached to this person; and who withstood at the moment of their departure the united distress of their wives, and the dismal lamentations of their friends, to accompany him to England, a place that they well knew was at a great distance from them.
- Judge Advocate David Collins, An account of the English colony in New South Wales, Volume 1, (December 1792) 1802
29 September 1793, The Observer
The two natives of New South Wales at present in this metropolis, are in appearance scarcely human; they continue to reside in Mount Street, Berkley square, in the neighbourhood of which they are to be seen daily; they cannot walk without the support of sticks, and appear to have lost all that agility they are said formerly to have possessed; one of them appears much emaciated; notwithstanding they are indulged in every inclination, they seem constantly dejected, and every effort to make them laugh has for many months past been ineffectual. The Observer, 29 September 1793
- The Observer, 29 September 1793