Massacre at Grantham, Moreton Bay Pastoral District

Date: 1 Oct 1841
Place: Grantham, Moreton Bay Pastoral District
Event type: massacre
Direct violence: Yes
On 1 October 1841 at Grantham on the Darling Downs, a man called Rogers reported a 'standup' battle in which '...two whites were speared and several Aborigines���severely wounded' (Evans, 2007, p 53). Another report by an ex-convict, Brown, however, said the Yugara camp 'was stormed before dawn' by the horsemen and that the firing continued for about half an hour but the number of Yugara [Yuggera] killed is unknown (Evans, 2007, p 53). This 'battle' was in response to the Yugara killing of shepherds at Mocatta's and Somerville's stations and attacks on James Balfour's station at Colinton. The attack was carried out by James 'Cocky' Rogers, superintendent of George Mocatta's station, George Somerville from Tent Hill and their servants, heavily armed with muskets and on horseback (Evans, 2007, p 53).
Notes:
CorroborationRating: ***
LanguageGroup: Yugara or Giabal
Victims: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
VictimsDead: 6

People involved

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Sources

  • Evans, 2007, p 53; A. Hodgson, Report on Aboriginal Outrage, October 27, 1841, SRNSW Col. Sec. 41/9744, CSL micro 12; Moreton Bay Book of Trials, January 13, 1842, OML.

Event mentions

  • Massacre at Grantham, Moreton Bay Pastoral District
    1 Oct 1841 — Grantham, Moreton Bay Pastoral District — massacre
    On 1 October 1841 at Grantham on the Darling Downs, a man called Rogers reported a 'standup' battle in which '...two whites were speared and several Aborigines���severely wounded' (Evans, 2007, p 53). Another report by an ex-convict, Brown, however, said the Yugara camp 'was stormed before dawn' by the horsemen and that the firing continued for about half an hour but the number of Yugara [Yuggera] killed is unknown (Evans, 2007, p 53). This 'battle' was in response to the Yugara killing of shepherds at Mocatta's and Somerville's stations and attacks on James Balfour's station at Colinton. The attack was carried out by James 'Cocky' Rogers, superintendent of George Mocatta's station, George Somerville from Tent Hill and their servants, heavily armed with muskets and on horseback (Evans, 2007, p 53).
    Source: Evans, 2007, p 53; A. Hodgson, Report on Aboriginal Outrage, October 27, 1841, SRNSW Col. Sec. 41/9744, CSL micro 12; Moreton Bay Book of Trials, January 13, 1842, OML.