William Buckley – Escapee – Port Phillip – (b. c 1776 – d. 30 Jan 1856)

Ever wondered where the expression “You’ve got Buckley’s . . . “ comes from ???

The answer is the miraculous tale of William Buckley’s survival following his escape from the failing Sullivan Bay (near modern day Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula) settlement as recorded in the “Journal of the Reverend Robert Knopwood, A.M.  [24th April 1803 to 31st December 1804.]:

(A Journal of the Proceedings of His Majesty’s ship “Calcutta”, olim “Worley Castle”, commanded by Dan. Woodriff, Esqr., Capt., between the 24th April 1803 to the arrival in Port Phillip Harbour, New South Wales, Sunday, October the 9th 1803. This log is kept from 1 a.m. to 12 p.m., by the Reverend Robert Knopwood, A.M., Chaplain to the Settlement.)

[December 1803]

” . . . Saturday, 24. a.m.—At ½-past 9 Mr. Collins, in a large boat, and the Francis saild to Port Dalrymple, Vandiemens Land. I went a fishing and caught 8 very fine crayfish, one mullet, and two dotterel I shot. I may with truth say I went out for birds and fish for my dinner, not having any to dress but a few peas. At 10 very fine weather. I sent the Governor crayfish, and the gentlemen of the mess and other friends.

Sunday, Xms. day, 25. a.m.—The weather very fine. At ½-past 10 the military assembled. At 11 civil military setlers and convicts, with the Governor, attended divine service; Xms. sermon. After service I publickly baptizd Sarjent Thorn’s child. The Governor, Lieut. Johnson, Mrs. Powers, and Mrs. Whitehead stood for the child, the first born in the colony; the Gov. namd it Hobert. The Governor invited me to dine, but was engaged prior. At 1 p.m., the thermomiter in the shade 82, I dind with the gentlemen of the mess at Port Phillip. Last night a most daring robbery was committed by some person or persons, in the Commissary’s marque. While he was in bed they stole a gun which was hung up near the side of the bed, and took a pair of boots which were at the bed side. The sentry saw a man come from it, but thought he was his servant. The hospital tent was likewise robbd.

Monday, 26. a.m.—I walkd to the S. side of the island to see the surf, which was very great. I dind with the Lieut. Governor at 4. At 10 smokd a pipe with Mr. J’anson.[1] ½-past ajornd to the Commissary’s marquees. 11 the drum beat to arms by reason of some of the convicts had made their escape. The pigeons set.

[[1] Properly, J’Anson.]

Tuesday, 27. a.m.—At 9 Lieut. Lord, of the Royal Marines, and self walkd to the south side of the shore with our guns. At 3 p.m. we returnd. The eve a party came and smokd their pipes. At 9, 6 convicts endeavourd to make their escape; they were beset by a look-out party and one man shot, very much wounded. At 10 much lightning and rain.

Wed., 28. a.m.—At 1 Corporal Sutton returnd with the information of 1 man, by name Charles Shore, was shot and much hurt; a cart and men were sent to bring him to the camp. Mr. Bowden went for the man and one taken prisoner. At ½-past 11 I examind the prisoners, and carried the report to the Governor. At ½-past 8 Anchors was detaind by the order of the Governor and taken to the gard house.

Thursday, 29. a.m.—At 9 rain and the weather very cold. The people getting off stores to load the Ocean. At 4 I dind with the Lieut. Governor, who communicated to me the purport of a letter of the necessity that the civil establishment should form themselves into a patrol of a nigh in case of an insurrection. The thermomiter 63 at 3.

Friday, 30. a.m.—The morn much finer than for some days. The people employ’d in getting off the guns from the warf. At 7 p.m. a party returnd from searching all round by Arthers Seat and across to Shank Point after some prisoners that escap’d when the man was shot. Rain in the morn. One of the soldiers of the signal tent was shot at by the deserters from the camp, convicts.

Saturday, 31. a.m.—Moderate breezes and clear. At 6 p.m. the thermomiter 75. No information respecting the deserters from the camp. At 7 Capt. Merthew, of theOcean transport, calld upon me. Great fires made at a distance from the camp; supposed set on fire by the party that escaped from the camp. At 10 we see a native fire across the bay, on the N.W. side of it, towards the lagoon; the natives were very distinctly observed by the fire. The people employd loading the Ocean transport. Two soldiers of the R. Marines taken up and carried to the guard house accus’d of mutany. Deserters from the camp, convicts—Mac Allennan, George Pye, Pritchard, M. Warner, Wm. Buckley; Charles Shaw, wounded and brought to the camp; Page, taken same time when Shaw was shot, G. Lee, and Wm. Gibson . . . “

Source:  Excerpt – “Historical Records of Port Phillip: The First Annals of the Colony of Victoria” – Edited by John J. Shillinglaw – published 1879

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The following extract was noted in the “General and Garrison Orders by David Collins, ESQ., LIEUT.-COL. Royal Marines, Lieut.-Governor of Port Phillip – (From 16th October 1803, to 20th February 1804)”:

” . . . Sullivan Bay, 10th November 1803.

General Orders.
Parole—Ellenborough. C. Sign—Law.

The Lieut.-Governor is concerned to learn that six men have been so blind to their own welfare, as to absent themselves from the settlement, and proceed in the desperate undertaking of travelling round to Port Jackson.  If such is actually the motive of their absenting themselves, they must inevitably be lost in the attempt, and nothing more will ever be heard of them, for, independent of the risk they run of being killed by the natives, it is impossible for them with any quantity of provisions they could carry, to endure the fatigue of penetrating a thousand miles through the woods of this country, for such would be the distance, which by rounding the heads of the different harbours that present themselves in their route, they would have to travel.  Although caution to them is now useless, yet it may not prove so to those who remain.  He therefore takes this occasion of informing them, that while admitting the probability of their succeeding and reaching Port Jackson alive, they would instantly be apprehended, and sent back to this settlement by the Governor, here to meet the punishment justly due to their rashness and offence.  Samuel Lightfoot is appointed and assistant in the general hospital.  A watch bell being erected, it will ring at the following hours, viz.:—At six o’clock in the morning, when the convicts will turn out for work; at eight, when they will leave off for half an hour; at twelve, when they will again leave off work; at one, when they will again return to work; again at four, and at seven when they will leave off work.  The bell will ring for the last time at eight o’clock at night.

Garrison Orders.

The quarter-drum will beat for the retreat until further orders, in the evening at half-past six o’clock.

Detail for duty . . . “

Source:  Excerpt – “Historical Records of Port Phillip:  The First Annals of the Colony of Victoria” – Edited by John J. Shillinglaw – published 1879

It was by sheer luck that William Buckley was able to befriend, and be accepted by the Aboriginal tribes of the Port Phillip / southern Victorian coast, with whom he lived – learning their language and cultures . . .

– for some THIRTY TWO years !!!

Childhood & Buckley’s Journey to Australia.

William Buckley – was born at Marton, near Macclesfield, in Cheshire, England, c 1776 – the son of a Eliza Buckley and brother to two sisters and one brother.  At approximately six years of age he was taken to his maternal grandfather, who from this point raised him, sent him to school and later apprenticed him to bricklayer, Mr Robert Wyatt.

He soon “ran away” from this apprenticeship to join the King’s Foot Regiment where his great height of some 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) to 6 ft 8 ins (2.03 m), saw him become the pivot man of his company.  By 1799 he had joined the King’s Own Royal Regiment under the command of the Duke of York, where he served in the Napoleonic Wars, was wounded in action, and returned to England.

” . . . On my return I met with the misfortune which resulted in me being sent out a prisoner to New South Wales.  One day crossing the Barrack Yard where my Regiment had quartered a woman whom I did not know requested me to carry a piece of cloth to a woman of the Garrison to be made up.  I was stopped with it in my possession, the property had been stolen.  I was considered a thief and though innocent sentenced to transportation for life – In the year 1804, I believe, arrived here in the Calcutta where it was proposed to form a colony upon some part of the coast though this design was afterwards abandoned.  Dissatisfied with my condition as a prisoner of the Crown and finding that the ship was about to sail for Van Diemen’s Land I resolved to make my escape and if possible find my way overland to Port Jackson . . . ”  

– Source:  Excerpt – Reminiscences of James Buckley communicated by him to Reverend George Langhorne (Missionary), c 1837

William Buckley was convicted at the Sussex Assizes on the 2nd August 1802.  He was transported to Port Phillip in the April of 1803 in the ‘Calcutta’ under Lieutenant-Governor David Collins.

Life at Port Phillip – 1803 to 1835

William Buckley

William Buckley

He and two others absconded from the camp on the 30th December 1803.  Fearful, weary and hungry, they sent signals of distress to the ‘Calcutta’ from the other side of Port Phillip Bay – but these were not noticed.  His two companions turned back – never to be heard of again . . .  Buckley made his way around Port Phillip Bay.  He barely survived the bush, where, without fire, he ate raw shellfish and was constantly in search of fresh water.

Struggling to survive in an unfamiliar environment – where the animals, plants, terrain and sounds were bewildering and unknown to him – he stumbled upon the Wathaurong people who, thankfully believed he was a recently deceased Wathaurong warrior, Murrangurk, returning from the spirit world . . .  They accepted him as a member of their clan and he would spend the next 32 years with them.  During this time he learned their language, how to hunt and fish, their social customs and their cultural values.

It is rumoured that he spent much of his time at the area at the base of the cliff in Portarlington, where the historic Mill still stands.  The cliff offered the Aborigines shelter from the ghastly southerly winds and was an extremely important Corroboree site.  Settlers wrote of the absolute shock, sadness and dismay of the Aborigines – as they watched their sacred site being carved up for the making of bricks and the establishment of buildings.

In the June of 1835, John Batman left 3 men:  William Todd, James Gumm and Alexander Thomson together with 5 Sydney Aborigines:  Pigeon, Joe the Marine, Bullet, Bungett and Old Bull, on “Indenture Head”:

“Tuesday 9th June 1835 – We are now under way with a light wind for Indenture Head where I hope to land all the things with the men – … – made Indenture Head and commenced landing the goods immediately as the Port was very rough and the wind increasing, we landed all in from boats …  I pointed out the spot where Gumm is to commence a Garden, Hut … home … the whole of my natives, at last wanted to stop however Bullet, Pigeon and Joe the Marine … with the other three natives already mentioned making in all eight persons.  They have got now three months supply or more, with a large quantity of potatoes to plant in the ground and all kinds of other garden seeds as well as pips and stone fruits.  I left apples and oranges with them, also the 6 dogs and gave Gumm written authority to put off any person or persons that may trespass on the land I have purchased from the Natives.  They got everything landed in an hour and we shook hands with them and off we came to the Heads which we got clear of by eight o’clock with a fair wind . . . “

 – Source:  Excerpt – John Batman’s hand-written Journal, 9th June 1835

From this point William Todd kept a journal until the 6th August 1835, when the Rebecca returned:

” . . . Jim Gumm goes kangarooing.  At about 10 o’clock he saw the Rebecca sailing into the bay, which was a happy sight for us, not having expected a vessel for the next month.”

     – Source:  Excerpt – William Todd’s hand-written Journal, 6th August 1835

On the 6th July 1835, William Buckley arrived at the Batman Camp and was reunited with his origins:

” . . . About 2 o’clock a white man came walking up to the native huts, a most surprising height clad the same as the natives.  He seemed highly pleased to see us.  We brought him a piece of bread which he ate very heartily and told us immediately what it was.  He also informed us that he has been above 20 years in the country, during which time he has been with the natives.  Jim Gumm measured his height, which was 6ft. 7in. or 8in.  He then told us that his name was William Buckley, having the following marks on his arm: Buckley's Tattoo– W.B. and marks like a crab, half-moon, and small man.  Being a long time with the natives he has nearly forgot the English language, but the native language he can speak fluently.  We then brought him to our tent, clothed him with the best we had, and made him share the same as we.  After he had got his dinner he informed us that he was a soldier in the King’s Own, and a native of Macklesfield, in Cheshire, and was wrecked off Port Phillip Heads.  The vessel’s name he has forgot, but she had come from England with transports, and was bound to Van Diemen’s Land, being the first vessel that brought prisoners out for there.  She struck on a rock and all hands perished with the exception of him and three others, who swam ashore, one of which was the Captain of the vessel, who could not swim.  Buckley carried him on his shoulders and swam ashore with him.  He was 24 hours swimming before he reached the shore.  When they got to the shore they were completely exhausted, with the exception of the Captain, whose life Buckley saved.  Shortly after the Captain left them, and proceeded where we cannot tell, not having seen or heard of him ever since.  The other two died after a few days, and Buckley was left to himself to the mercy of those savages, expecting every hour to meet with them and be put to death.  He travelled along the beach, living on mussels and roots for 40 days, and, to his surprise, at last fell in with them.  They immediately gave him some kangaroo, etc. to eat.  He then joined their mob, and has remained with them ever since, never having seen a white man, and has only seen two vessels since he has been here.  He is quite rejoiced to see his own native people once more, never having expected to meet with any.  The way he found out we were here was through those two men that left this on the 2nd of June.  As soon as he heard we were here he came and joined us immediately.  He is determined to remain with us until the vessel comes down.

At about 8 o’clock all the natives came running down to our hut, and told us that there was a mob of blacks coming down to kill both us and them.  Prayed for our protection, and made signals for us to shoot them if they came.  We told them we should not let one of them be hunted, and Buckley cried out, “We shoot them, we shoot them.”  He has explained everything to them.  It was most astonishing to see how amazed and pleased they were.  The report they made, we learn, was no more than to frighten us but they found it was all in vain, and returned to their huts for the night, well contented . . .”         

     – Source:  Excerpt – William Todd’s hand-written Journal, 6th July 1835

William Buckley was an incredible help to the camp as the Aborigines descended upon them:

” . . . Natives still with us.  Find it very difficult to get them to leave us, they having taken such a particular liking to the bread.  We are obliged to use none ourselves, on account of their distressing us, they being of such a greedy disposition that they would take it all from us.  Stopped all night.  Watching as usual.”

– Source:  Excerpt – William Todd’s hand-written Journal, 29th June 1835

” . . . About 3 o’clock in the afternoon Buckley overheard one of them saying, in their language, that they should wait for an opportunity to get one of us going for water, so that they should spear us.  He desired us to be on our guard, and keep sentry day and night.  We told him we should act according to his wish.  He then exclaimed, “I shall lose my own life before I see one of you hunted.” . . . ”   

 – Source:  Excerpt – William Todd’s hand-written Journal, 13th July 1835

Buckley claimed that there had been occasional white visitors to Port Phillip prior to the arrival of John Batman, but he was afraid to give himself up until the July of 1835, when it is said he overheard the Aborigines plotting to rob a visiting ship and murder the white intruders.  He entered the encampment which was located on Indented Head (now known as the Bellarine Peninsula), at first struggling to remember his original language, he identified himself by the tattoo on his arm, and the initials ‘W.B.’

The following article describes the event as reported in the Hobart newspaper:

“A most extraordinary discovery has taken place at Port Phillip.  Some of Mr Batman’s men were, one fine morning, much frightened by the approach of a white man of immense size, covered with an enormous opossum skin rug, and his hair and beard spread out as large as a bushel measure.  He advanced with a number of spears in one hand, and a waddy in the other.  The impressions of Mr Batman’s men was that the giant would put one of them under each arm and walk away with them.

The man showing sign and speech, their fears subsided, and they spoke to him.  At first he could not understand one word that was said, and it took a few days before he could make them understand who he was, and what he had been.

By all accounts he is a model for a Hercules.  He is more active than any of the blacks, and can throw a spear to an astounding distance.  He refused to leave the natives.  The man may be made most useful by the new settlement, and we trust every precaution will be taken to conciliate the blacks, and bring them by degrees to industrious habits through the medium of this man.

William Robertson, Esq. of Colac, has supplied us with a very characteristic anecdote of Buckley.  When that gentleman came over, as one of the founders of the colony, to inspect the country with Mr. Gellibrand, the giant rode around with him.  Showing him the celebrated cave in which he passed so many years of his life, Mr. Robinson remarked on a stone rising up in the place where the wild white man had been accustomed to spread his sleeping rug, and exclaimed, “Why did you never remove that stone from under you?” “O,” said the quiet lover of repose, “what’s the good of it.”  So lazy, so inert, so devoid of energy was the man who had lived thirty-three years without attempting to raise the natives one step in European civilisation.  Buckley on that occasion gave Barrabool Hills to Mr. Robertson for a consideration, that part having been conceded to him by the tribe.  Of course such a title could not be made good.”

 – Source:  Excerpt – ‘Colonial Times’ (Hobart Town, Tas) – published 23 July 1835

John Helder Wedge, who departed for Port Phillip on behalf of the Association, soon after the return of John Batman, thought Buckley would be a valuable intermediary and commenced proceedings to obtain a pardon for Buckley from Lieutenant-Governor (Sir) George Arthur.

The following is an excerpt from a letter from John Batman to Major Gray, a friend and neighbour of John Batman, about William Buckley.  :

July 1835

” . . . I have received a long letter from Port Phillip.  A white man has joined my men, who has been with the natives 32 years.  This is a most extraordinary circumstance.  He ran away from Colonel Collins in 1803, and was a prisoner for life.  Wedge sent up his petition to the Governor for a pardon.  I took it to him, and he gave the pardon at once. I have sent it down to him by a vessel. His name is William Buckley.”

 – Source:  This letter from John Batman to Major Gray, was given to author, James Bonwick, by Mr. Basil Gray, of Pascoevale in 1867

Reintegrating into British Society

The following excerpts of Gellibrand’s Memorandum of the expedition to Port Phillip in the months of January and February of 1836, provide a frank description of Buckley’s relationship with the Aborigines and the land he had called home for so long.  It is interesting to note Gellibrand’s impression of Buckley when they first met whilst at “The Settlement”.  Gellibrand described

. . . Buckley appears to be of a nervous and irritable disposition, and a little thing will annoy him much . . .

However, once they had travelled to Geelong:

. . . I may here mention that so soon as Buckley crossed the Saltwater River, and obtained a view of his own country, his countenance was much changed, and when we reached Geelong, he took the lead, and kept us upon a trot.  He seemed quite delighted and proud of his horse . . .

“1st February 1836

I had, this morning, a long conversation with Buckley, and explained to him very fully the desire of the Association, in every respect, to meet his views, and to make him superintendent over the native tribes, for the purpose of protecting them from aggressions, and also of acting as an interpreter in imparting to them not only the habits of civilization, but also of communicating religious knowledge . . . “

“February 5th, 1836

 . . . We started very early this morning, under the expectation that we should see the natives, and in order that they should not be frightened, I directed Buckley to advance, and we would follow him at the distance of a quarter of a mile.  Buckley made towards a native well, and after he had ridden about eight miles we heard a cooey, and when we arrived at the spot I witnessed one of the most pleasing and affecting sights.  There were three men, five women, and about twelve children.  Buckley had dismounted, and they were all clinging round him, and tears of joy and delight running down their cheeks.  It was truly an affecting sight, and proved the affection which these people entertained for Buckley.  I felt much affected at the sight myself, and considered it a convincing proof of the happy results which will follow our exertions, if properly directed . . .”  

 – Source:  Excerpts – Transcript of Gellibrand’s Memorandum re Port Phillip Expedition c Jan to Feb 1836

John Batman employed Buckley as an interpreter at a salary of £50.

Buckley was pronounced a free man on the 12th September 1836.

He later became the government interpreter.  However, as the Association buckled under the domination of the British governance and the influx of settlers, the relations with the Aborigines deteriorated . . .  They were becoming less and less welcome in Melbourne.  Though Batman did all he could to maintain the terms of the Treaty, he himself was dying and being effectively ousted.  Buckley struggled with all he was witnessing, powerless to help . . .  He began to feel that neither the Aborigines, nor the whites trusted him entirely.  Unhappy and disillusioned, he left for Hobart in the December 1837.

He became the assistant store-keeper at the Immigrants’ Home.

On the 27 January 1840, he married Julia Eagers (also known as Higgins), widow, at St John’s Church of England, New Town.  She bore two daughters.

From 1841 to 1850 Buckley was employed as the gate-keeper at the Female Factory.  He retired on a pension of £12 to which the Victorian government added £40 a year.

William Buckley died in Hobart on the 30th January 1856.  Sadly, he was generally represented as a person of low intelligence.  He may have been illiterate, however, his apparent easy adaption and assimilation into the unfamiliar tribal way of life may also suggest that he may have been intelligent, shrewd and courageous?  Having experienced the loss of his family in his childhood years, the Napoleonic war in his youth and then a wrongful conviction upon his return from war – then suddenly thrown into a tribal way of life for a period of 32 years . . .

. . . then returning to European ‘values’ whilst watching the Aborigines he had loved and lived with for so long, be robbed of their land, their way of life, succumb to disease and massacres – it is no wonder he was a man of conflict and most probably burdened with an overwhelming sense of hopelessness and helplessness . . .

 

View other important events in Central Victoria’s History . . .

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