Woretemoeteryenner facts for kids

Woretemoeteryenner (born around 1795 – died 13 October 1847) was an Aboriginal Tasmanian woman. She was also known by names like "Bung," "Pung," and "Margaret." She had children with George Briggs, an English convict. Woretemoeteryenner was a skilled sealer and kangaroo hunter. Her life, and the lives of her sisters, show how Aboriginal people lived both before and after Europeans arrived in Tasmania.

Early Life in Tasmania

Woretemoeteryenner was born in the Cape Portland area of Van Diemen's Land (which is now Tasmania). She belonged to the Cape Portland Tasmanian tribe. This was one of the nine Aboriginal nations living in Tasmania.

Her father, Mannalargenna, was an important leader of the Cape Portland Tasmanians. Woretemoeteryenner had three sisters: Wapperty, Wottecowidyer, and Teekoolterme. Their lives are important because they connect the ancient ways of the Palawa people with the changes that came after Europeans arrived.

European Arrival and Changes

The lives of the Palawa people changed a lot after Europeans came to Tasmania. In 1797, a shipwrecked boat called the Sydney Cove showed Europeans that many seals lived off the coast.

About 200 European men, mostly sealers, lived on the Bass Strait islands. Sadly, some of these men forced Aboriginal women to live with them and work. In 1803 and 1804, the first European settlements were built at Risdon Cove and Port Dalrymple.

Family Life and Relationships

Woretemoeteryenner and George Briggs

George Briggs was born in England. He came to Australia in 1805 when he was 14 years old. Briggs became a sealer, hunting seals for their fur and oil.

He met Woretemoeteryenner, and they likely started living together around 1810. It is thought that Woretemoeteryenner's father, Mannalargenna, approved of their relationship. Briggs and Mannalargenna were on good terms. Colonial officials and her death certificate referred to her as "Mrs. Briggs."

Woretemoeteryenner had her children on the Bass Strait islands. Her daughter Dalrymple (Dolly) was born around 1812. She had three more daughters: Eliza (born 1817), Mary (born 1818), and an unnamed daughter (born 1819). These three daughters died when they were young. Her unnamed daughter was killed during an attack by another group of Aboriginal people. A son named John was born in 1820.

Later Years and Journeys

Woretemoeteryenner first worked as a sealer. By 1820, most of the seals in the Furneaux Group of the Bass Strait islands had been hunted. This meant sealers had to travel much farther to find them.

Woretemoeteryenner and others boarded boats to travel to distant islands in the Indian Ocean, like Île Amsterdam and Île Saint-Paul. Due to bad weather, the ship's captain left Aboriginal women and children at Rodrigues island. The group was left alone, but they managed to reach the nearby island of Mauritius. Woretemoeteryenner was one of only three women who survived this difficult journey and was able to return home.

In 1832, she lived at the Wybalenna Aboriginal Settlement. She continued to hunt kangaroo there until 1841. Woretemoeteryenner passed away in Perth on 13 October 1847.