Aaron Sherritt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aaron Sherritt
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| Born | 1855 |
| Died | 26 June 1880 Sebastopol, Victoria
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| Cause of death | Murdered |
Aaron Sherritt (born 1855 – died 26 June 1880) was a close friend of Joe Byrne. He also knew Ned Kelly. His death in 1880 was a key event. It led to the famous final fight of the Kelly Gang. This happened with the police at Glenrowan.
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Who Was Aaron Sherritt?
Aaron Sherritt lived in the Woolshed Valley. This area was near Beechworth, Victoria. His home was about three miles from Joe Byrne's. They went to school together.
Early Life and Friends
In 1876, Aaron and Joe got into trouble. They were sent to prison for a short time. Soon after, they faced more problems. They had a fight with a Chinese man. He tried to stop them from swimming in his dam. This led to them being sent back to prison.
By 1878, Joe Byrne was reportedly engaged to Aaron's sister. Aaron was known for being tough. He would sometimes sleep outside at night.
Helping the Police
After the Kelly Gang robbed a bank, they disappeared. This was in Jerilderie, New South Wales. They stayed hidden for about 18 months. In January 1879, Aaron Sherritt went to the police. He visited the police station in Benalla.
Aaron gave the police information. He told them where the Kelly Gang might be hiding. He also shared what they might do next. The police paid him £2 for this help. Aaron even helped the police find a cave. From this cave, they could watch Joe Byrne's mother's house.
The police told Aaron they would not harm Joe Byrne. Aaron was interested in Joe's sister, Kate. When the police in the cave were discovered, Aaron tried to get close to Ned Kelly's younger sister, Kate Kelly. He showed the police another spot. This was a place to watch the Kelly house. But this spot was also soon found out.
Aaron sold Kate Kelly a horse. He had taken this horse from Kate Byrne. Ned Kelly's older sister, Maggie Skillion, found out. She told the police about it. The case went to court. But the charges against Aaron were dropped. The police said the Byrnes and Kellys were criminals. They said they could not be trusted. Joe Byrne's mother thought it was a police trick. She believed it was a plan to make the Kelly Gang come out of hiding.
The Night He Died
Late at night on 26 June 1880, something terrible happened. Joe Byrne and Dan Kelly went to Aaron Sherritt's house. Aaron and his family were being protected. Four policemen were staying at the house.
Aaron opened the door. Joe Byrne shot him, and Aaron died. The policemen inside did not come out. They stayed in the house until the next day. Joe Byrne and Dan Kelly then left Sebastopol. They rode across the country to Glenrowan.
They knew the police would send a large group. The police would travel by train to Beechworth. Their goal was to catch the gang. Ned Kelly and Steve Hart had gone to Glenrowan earlier. They had pulled up the train tracks. The gang had planned for the police train to arrive at night. But their plan failed. The police at Aaron's house did not report the murder until midday. This delay changed everything.
Images for kids
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Portrait of Sherritt wearing his hat in the "Greta mob" fashion with the chin strap resting under his nose.
