Pemulwuy the Aboriginal Warrior
Pemulwuy was labelled an Aboriginal warrior who resisted the incursion of the European’s onto his people’s traditional land. He was born around 1750 and died just prior to the 2nd of June in 1802 due to a bullet wound. Pemulwuy was a Bidjigal man from Botany Bay and his country stretched from as far as Botany Bay to the South of Bankstown.
He was featured significantly in the ongoing struggle against colonisation and led a series of raids from 1792. The most significant of these raids was the Battle of Parramatta in which 100 indigenous warriors streamed into Parramatta and threatened to spear anyone who got in their way. Many European soldiers opened fire and killed various indigenous men. Pemulwuy received severe injuries to his head and body by a buckshot however he escaped only enhancing his warrior reputation. On May the 1st in 1801, Governor King released an order that Aborigines near Prospect, Georges River and Parramatta would be shot on sight. In November a declaration outlawed Pemulwuy and offered a bounty for his death or capture. However, it wasn’t until 1802 when Pemulwuy was shot dead and had his head cut off and sent to Sir Joseph Banks for his collection. |
Proclamation Outlawing Pemulwuy"To a prisoner for life or 14 years, a conditional emancipation. To a person already conditionally emancipated, a free pardon and a recommendation for a free passage to England. To a settler, the labour of a prisoner for 12 months. To any other descriptions of persons, 20 gallons of spirits and two suits of slops."
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