Early Australian bushrangers
McFarlane & Erskine, Gold escort attacked by bushrangers, 187-, print: lithograph. Image courtesy of the : nla.pic-an8420450. Bushranging - living off the land and being supported by or stealing from free settlers - was either chosen as a preferred way of life by escaped or was a result of the lack of supplies in the early settlements. Australia's bushranging period spanned nearly 100 years, from the first convict bushrangers active from 1790 to the 1860s, through the of the 1860s and 1870s who were able to be shot on sight, to the shooting of the in 1880. While many bushrangers had populist reputations for being 'Robin Hood' figures; some bushrangers were brutal and others harassed the and diggers returning from the goldfields. The popularity of bushrangers and their ethos of 'fight before surrender' was commemorated in and . Escaped convicts Bushranging began soon after the . The first bushrangers, 1790s - 1820s Martin Cash - 'The only bushranger to die in his own bed', 1820 - 1840s 1. 2.
Bushrangers
Irish bushrangers and beyond The true story of the Irish in Australia would not be complete without a look at Ned Kelly and his gang of bushrangers. Kelly was well-known for his anti-British sentiment, something he shared with the Irish 'rebels' transported to the colonies years before. The Irish were generally well behaved when they arrived but several bushrangers had Irish roots, including Kelly and Martin Cash. The National Museum collection includes material relating to Kelly and bushrangers including Ben Hall, Frank Gardiner, Johnny Gilbert and Jimmy Governor. An 1873 prison portrait of Ned Kelly, from the National Museum's collection. The Kelly gang Australia's most famous bushranger is Ned Kelly. Kelly's mother, Ellen, was a free Irish immigrant. Ned Kelly described Irish convicts as a 'credit to Paddy's land', since they had died in chains rather than submit to English rule. Edward 'Ned' Kelly was born in 1854. Outlawed More on the Jerilderie letter The siege at Glenrowan
The Australian Bushrangers
The Australian Bushrangers Who, What, When, Where Why? The term “Bushranger” has definitely changed over the years. In the very early years, it simply referred to good bush men who possessed the horsemanship, hunting, and survival skills needed for living in the Australian bush, or wild, after they fled Australia’s prison colonies. It’s impossible to say just how many bushrangers walked Australia’s bush, although there had to be hundreds. Australia was originally colonized largely by English criminals. Gold Rush The second major contributing factor to bushranging was the Victorian Gold rush that occurred in the 1850s and 1860s. Dress Bushrangers typically dressed in very cheap, rough clothes. Famous Bushrangers Other resources: Activities: Different Australian history and activities, including bushwalker activities. Related Categories
Ben Hall (bushranger)
Ben Hall (9 May 1837 – 5 May 1865) was an Australian bushranger of the 19th century. He and his various companions roamed an area of NSW from Bathurst to Forbes, south to Gundagai and east to Goulburn. He was known as "Brave Ben Hall" and has become part of Australian folklore. Ben Hall carried out many audacious raids, some of which were intended to taunt the police.[2] Unlike many bushrangers of the era, he was not directly responsible for any deaths, although several of his companions certainly were [2] He was shot dead by police in May 1865 at the Billabong Creek. The police claimed that they were acting under the protection of the Felons Apprehension Act 1865 which allowed any bushrangers who had been specifically named in under the terms of the Act to be shot and killed by anyone at any time without warning. Unfortunately, at the time of Hall's death, the Felons Act had not come into force, resulting in considerable controversy over the legality his killing.[3] Death of Ben Hall.
Ben Hall
Ben Hall (1837-1865), bushranger, is believed to have been born on 9 May 1837 at Maitland, New South Wales, son of Benjamin Hall and his wife Elizabeth; both parents were ex-convicts. He became a stockman and with John Macguire leased a run, Sandy Creek, near Wheogo. On 29 February 1856 at Bathurst he married according to Roman Catholic rites Bridget Walsh of Wheogo. Her sister became Frank Gardiner's mistress. On the orders of Sir Frederick Pottinger, Hall was arrested in April 1862 at a race meeting for armed robbery but was acquitted. Hall was probably the most efficient of the bushranger leaders. Citation details Edgar F.
Australian Bushrangers: Were Australia's bushrangers worse felons than the UK's highwaymen and the USA's wild west outlaws?
