Musquito facts for kids
Musquito (born around 1780 near Sydney, Australia – died February 25, 1825, in Hobart) was an important Indigenous Australian leader. He became known for resisting British settlements, first in New South Wales and later in Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania).
Early Life and Exile
Musquito belonged to the Gai-Mariagal clan. His home was in the Hawkesbury and Broken Bay areas, near Sydney.
In 1805, Musquito was involved in conflicts with British settlers in the Hawkesbury and Georges River areas. The Sydney Gazette newspaper reported that he spoke about continuing these actions. On June 9, 1805, the colony's leaders decided he should be arrested.
Local Aboriginal people captured Musquito in July 1805. He was held in Parramatta. Governor Philip Gidley King then sent him and another leader, "Bull Dog," to the convict colony on Norfolk Island.
In January 1813, Musquito was moved from Norfolk Island. He traveled on the ship Minstrel with other convicts to Port Dalrymple in what was then called Van Diemen's Land.
Life in Van Diemen's Land
In 1814, Musquito's brother Philip asked Governor Lachlan Macquarie if Musquito could return to Sydney. However, Musquito stayed in Van Diemen's Land.
Musquito worked as an Aboriginal tracker. This meant he helped find bushrangers, who were people who lived outside the law. For his help, Lieutenant-Governor William Sorell promised in 1817 that Musquito could return to Sydney. But this promise was not kept.
By February 1818, Musquito was working for Edward Lord, a wealthy settler. Some reports say that in October 1818, Musquito helped track down the bushranger Michael Howe.
Musquito felt left out by the convicts. He was also disappointed that Sorell had not kept his promise to send him back to Sydney. Because of this, Musquito decided to leave the settlement and live in the bush.
Conflicts and Capture
Musquito formed a group of 20 to 30 companions, sometimes called the "tame gang." They joined the Oyster Bay tribe. In November 1823 and again in 1824, Musquito and his group were involved in conflicts. They raided farms on the east coast of Tasmania. Several stockmen, who looked after livestock, were killed during these events. In August 1824, an Aboriginal boy named Tegg captured Musquito, who was wounded.
Musquito was accused of being involved in the deaths of a Tahitian farm worker named Mammoa and settler George Meredith's servant, William Hollyoak. These events happened at Grindstone Bay. He was tried in December 1824 with a friend named "Black Jack." Musquito was found guilty of Hollyoak's death but not Mammoa's. He was sentenced to death. The sentence was carried out in Hobart on February 25, 1825.
Historian Naomi Parry has said that the evidence against Musquito was "dubious." She noted that even after his death, it was "unclear whether Musquito committed any murders." Henry Melville, who lived at the same time as Musquito, called the decision a "most extraordinary precedent." Gilbert Robertson said it led to more violence.
See also
- Pemulwuy a warrior and resistance leader of the Bidjigal clan of the Eora people, in the area around Sydney
- Tarenorerer, also known as Walyer, Waloa or Walloa was a rebel leader of the Indigenous Australians in Tasmania
- Tunnerminnerwait was an Australian aboriginal resistance fighter and Parperloihener clansman from Tasmania
- Australian frontier wars
- Barangaroo historian
