Daniel Moowattin facts for kids

Daniel Moowattin (born around 1791, died 1816) was an Aboriginal Australian man. He belonged to the Darug people from the Parramatta area in New South Wales. Daniel is remembered for helping George Caley, a person who collected plants. He was also the third Aboriginal person known to have visited England. His name can be spelled in a few ways, like Mow-watty, Mowwatting, Moowatting and Moowattye.

Daniel's Early Life

Daniel Moowattin was born near Parramatta around the year 1791. He was a member of the Darug tribe. His name, Moowattin, means "bush path".

Working as a Guide

By 1805, Daniel became a guide and helper for George Caley. George Caley was a botanist, which means he collected plant specimens. He collected these plants for Joseph Banks in the Colony of New South Wales. Many of the plants George Caley collected have notes saying "got by Dan". This shows Daniel's important help.

Some places on old maps are named after Daniel. For example, there is 'Moowattin Creek'. George Caley wrote about a time in 1807 when Daniel helped him. They were looking for a koala. Daniel heard a sound like ocean waves. He then found a waterfall flowing into a river.

Daniel's Trip to London

In 1810, George Caley was ready to go back home to England. He asked Joseph Banks if Daniel could come with him. Daniel and George sailed to England on a ship called HMS Hindostan.

Daniel Moowattin was the third Aboriginal Australian person to visit England. Before him, Bennelong and Yemmerrawanne had visited in 1792. Daniel enjoyed his time in England. However, he really wanted to come back home. He once said, "I am anxious to return to my own country, I find more pleasure under a gum tree sitting with my tribe than I do here."

In 1811, Daniel went to a party in London. An English woman sang a song there. Daniel then sang an Aboriginal song in response. Someone who was there wrote about it. They said Daniel seemed happy and attentive. When he was asked to sing, he smiled and agreed. He sang a song that changed its tune sometimes. When asked what the song meant in English, he said, "first we take fish, next take kangaroo, then take wife."

Daniel returned to the Colony of New South Wales in May 1812. He sailed on a ship called the Mary of London. After returning, he spent time in the bush with his tribe. He also worked as a farm helper near Parramatta.

Daniel's Later Years

Daniel Moowattin passed away on 1 November 1816. He was the first Aboriginal person in the colony of New South Wales to be tried by a higher court.