Massacre at Ballangarra, Wilson River

Date: 1 Jan 1824 – 31 Jul 1824
Place: Ballangarra, Wilson River
Event type: massacre
Direct violence: Yes
In 1824, Mr Wilson took a whale boat on what is now known as the Wilson River. After the massacre of Biripi at present day Telegraph Point, the party rowed upstream to present day Ballangarra, 'where another party of blacks were encountered, and they disputed the right of these soldiers to pass. Mr Wilson and his party tried to make the natives understand what they wanted, but all to no purpose. Being loath to fire bullets at them, only as a last resort, Mr Wilson gave instructions to use small shot, but this only infuriated the blacks. However, after this encounter the tribe gave little or no trouble.' R. Wilson, 'Early Days of Port Macquarie', in The Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Observer, September 16, 1941, p4. It remains unclear whether the Mr Wilson referred to was the father of Henry Wilson, Mr William Wilson, Overseer of Public Works at Port Macquarie, or Lieutenant William Earle Bulwer Wilson who was Engineer and Inspector of Public Works. They were both in Port Macquarie at the time (pp17-28, Morris, 2005).
Notes:
CorroborationRating: *
LanguageGroup: Biripi
Victims: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
VictimsDead: 6

People involved

This data has not yet been gathered. Research work is ongoing. To help, please consider donating or contact us to volunteer or about setting up research projects in your area.

Sources

Event mentions

  • Massacre at Ballangarra, Wilson River
    1 Jan 1824 – 31 Jul 1824 — Ballangarra, Wilson River — massacre
    In 1824, Mr Wilson took a whale boat on what is now known as the Wilson River. After the massacre of Biripi at present day Telegraph Point, the party rowed upstream to present day Ballangarra, 'where another party of blacks were encountered, and they disputed the right of these soldiers to pass. Mr Wilson and his party tried to make the natives understand what they wanted, but all to no purpose. Being loath to fire bullets at them, only as a last resort, Mr Wilson gave instructions to use small shot, but this only infuriated the blacks. However, after this encounter the tribe gave little or no trouble.' R. Wilson, 'Early Days of Port Macquarie', in The Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Observer, September 16, 1941, p4. It remains unclear whether the Mr Wilson referred to was the father of Henry Wilson, Mr William Wilson, Overseer of Public Works at Port Macquarie, or Lieutenant William Earle Bulwer Wilson who was Engineer and Inspector of Public Works. They were both in Port Macquarie at the time (pp17-28, Morris, 2005).
    Source: R. Wilson, 'Early Days of Port Macquarie', in The Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Observer, September 16, 1941, p4 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article168515594; Morris, Graham P Son of Caledon Kilsyth: Graham P Morris, 2005. .