Warrulan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Warrulan
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| Born | circa 1835 South Australia  |
| Died | 23 October 1855 Birmingham |
| Resting place | Warstone Lane Cemetery |
| Alma mater |
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| Occupation | Saddler |
| Parent(s) |
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Warrulan (also known as Edward Warrulan in England) was an Aboriginal Australian boy born around 1835. He traveled to England when he was young. There, he learned about farming and later became a saddlemaker. Sadly, he passed away in 1855, before he could return to his home country.
Warrulan's Early Life
Warrulan was the son of Tenberry. Tenberry was a leader of the Ngaiawang people. They lived near Moorundie on the Murray River in South Australia. Warrulan's exact birthdate is not known. However, he was thought to be about ten years old in late 1845.
Journey to England
Edward John Eyre suggested that Warrulan and another Aboriginal boy travel to England. Warrulan's parents trusted Eyre to care for their son. On December 16, 1844, they boarded a ship called the Symmetry at Port Adelaide.
Warrulan's father, Tenberry, and about 200 other Aboriginal people came to the Port. They wanted to see the ship and say goodbye to Warrulan. Another Aboriginal boy, Pangkerin, also made the journey. The ship sailed to England, stopping in Cape Town along the way.
The Symmetry arrived in England on May 11, 1845. On January 26, 1846, Warrulan and Pangkerin met Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. This special meeting happened at Buckingham Palace. A newspaper called The Illustrated London News wrote about it.
Education and Work
When Edward John Eyre moved to New Zealand, Thomas Hodgkin became Warrulan's new guardian. Hodgkin was a doctor and a Quaker.
In 1847, Warrulan moved to Banbury. He went to Sibford School, a boarding school for Quaker families. He started school on August 2, 1847. At school, he learned about farming and Christian beliefs.
Warrulan found that farming was not the right job for him. His teachers helped him explore other skills, like carpentry. They wanted him to find a good job when he returned to Australia. Eventually, he decided to learn saddle-making.
In February 1852, Warrulan began training with Thomas Dumbleton in Banbury. He finished his training on March 17, 1855. After that, he moved to Birmingham to work for a company called J. Middlemore, which made saddles.
Warrulan's Death
In September 1855, Warrulan became very ill. A surgeon named Edwin Chesshire cared for him in Birmingham. Thomas Hodgkin also visited to help with his treatment. Sadly, Warrulan died from pneumonia on October 23, 1855.
He was buried on October 27 at Warstone Lane Cemetery in Birmingham. This cemetery was for members of the Church of England. His grave was a public one and did not have a headstone.
A newspaper called Aborigines' Friend and the Colonial Intelligencer published a story about Warrulan after he died. His friends and his teacher from Sibford School shared their memories. They wrote about his Christian faith. They also mentioned his wish to share his new beliefs with his family in Australia. Warrulan had always hoped to return home.
Warrulan's father, Tenberry, and other family members had passed away before him. News of their deaths reached England while Warrulan was sick. His friends decided not to tell him, to protect him during his illness.
