This important document is one of the first official reports to the authorities of the atrocity in June 1838 that later became known as the Myall Creek Massacre, in which 28 Aboriginal people were killed.
In October 1836, William Hobbs became an overseer of Mr Henry Dangar’s three cattle stations on the Big River, one of which was on the Myall Creek (near Inverell). As the first person encountering evidence of the incident and formally reporting it, he became one of the main Crown witnesses in the subsequent murder trials in Sydney. Seven men were eventually convicted and executed for their involvement in the massacre. It was the first time a group of white men were hanged for the murder of Aboriginal people, although the murder of the Chief of the Newcastle tribe in 1820 had resulted in the execution of an individual (the convict John Kirby).
Hobbs subsequently had difficulty finding employment in the pastoral industry, but he was appointed Chief Constable, Wollombi and McDonald River from 1847-50, Chief Constable Windsor, 1850-64, Gaoler at Windsor 1864-65; and Gaoler at Wollongong from 6 September 1865 until his death on 8 April 1871.
Hobbs subsequently had difficulty finding employment in the pastoral industry, but he was appointed Chief Constable, Wollombi and McDonald River from 1847-50, Chief Constable Windsor, 1850-64, Gaoler at Windsor 1864-65; and Gaoler at Wollongong from 6 September 1865 until his death on 8 April 1871.
Source: NRS 19437 Invermein Court of Petty Sessions: Letter from William Hobbs to Police Magistrate Invermein concerning the Myall Creek Massacre [SZ1053]
TRANSCRIPT
Peels River July 9th 1838
Sir
I beg to acquaint you that about
a month since I had occasion to leave Mr Dangars
Station on the Big River for a few days On my
return I saw near the Hut the remains of about
thirty Blacks principally women and children
I recognised them as part of a Tribe that had
been at the Station for some time and who
had since they first came conducted themselves
in a quiet and proper manner, on making
enquiry I was informed that a party of White
men had come to the Station who after securing
them had taken them a short distance from my
Hut and destroyed nearly the whole of them
I should have given information
earlier but circumstances having prevented
My sooner coming down the country
I am
Sir
Your obt Servant
W Hobbs
ED Day Esq
Police Magistrate
Invermein
Sir
I beg to acquaint you that about
a month since I had occasion to leave Mr Dangars
Station on the Big River for a few days On my
return I saw near the Hut the remains of about
thirty Blacks principally women and children
I recognised them as part of a Tribe that had
been at the Station for some time and who
had since they first came conducted themselves
in a quiet and proper manner, on making
enquiry I was informed that a party of White
men had come to the Station who after securing
them had taken them a short distance from my
Hut and destroyed nearly the whole of them
I should have given information
earlier but circumstances having prevented
My sooner coming down the country
I am
Sir
Your obt Servant
W Hobbs
ED Day Esq
Police Magistrate
Invermein
