Site NameAppin
Aboriginal Place Name
Language GroupGundungurra
Present State/TerritoryNSW
Colony/State/Territory at the timeNSW
Police DistrictParramatta
Latitude-34.23
Longitude150.742
Date17 Apr 1816
Attack TimeNight
VictimsAboriginal People
Victim DescriptionsAboriginal
Victims Killed14
Victims Killed NotesKilled: M 14, F; Probable: M F; Possible: M F; Wounded: M F
AttackersColonists
Attacker DescriptionsFoot Soldier(s)
Attackers Killed0
Attackers Killed NotesKilled: M F; Wounded: M F
TransportFoot
MotiveOpportunity
Weapons UsedFirearm(s), Musket(s), Sword(s), Blade(s)
NarrativeAt 1:00 am on 17 April 1816, a party of the 46th Regiment led by Captain James Wallis came across an Aboriginal camp on the cliffs above a creek. According to military historian, John Connor, 'Wallis ordered his troops into a line and advanced into the camp in the moonlight, killing seven Aborigines…. Wallis did not send any men around the camp to cut off people fleeing the advancing line and according to Wallis a further seven “met their fate by rushing in despair over the precipice”.' (Connor 2002, p.51) According to Connor, 'Two women and three men were captured.' 'The bodies of two men, Durelle and Kanabygal, who were allegedly Aboriginal chiefs, were hauled from the creek and hanged on McGee’s Hill near Boughton’s farm’ (Connor 2002, p 51).
SourcesWallis to Macquarie, May 4, June 4, 1816, in Connor 2002, p 51; Elder 2003, p 25. (Sources PDF)
Corroboration Rating***