Search the collections
John Batman, Pastoralist & Melbourne Pioneer (1801-1839)
Image: Tin - Phoenix Biscuit Co, Centenary of Melbourne, 1935
Source: Museum Victoria
John Batman is considered one of Melbourne's pioneers. He was born in 1801 in New South Wales, son of a convict cutler and grinder from Middlesex; his mother was a free settler. John, the second son, attended John Tull's elementary school and was apprenticed to a blacksmith at Sydney in 1816. Within a few months, however, his evidence led to his master's execution for burglary, and during the next five years he apparently worked as a jack-of-all-trades farmer.
In 1821, at the age of 20, John Batman and his brother Henry moved to Van Diemen's Land. John Batman worked as a leasehold grazier, and within two years was contracted to supply the government meat stores at George Town. Just one year later, in 1824, he had enough capital to obtain a grant of 600 acres (243 ha).
In 1828 he married Eliza Thompson, a convict. Liaisons such as these were not uncommon, and he was not ostracised. Instead he developed associations with men above his social standing, showing persistent vigour, logic, and bold sensibility. Amongst his efforts at this time was the first conciliation campaign amongst the Tasmanian Aboriginals.
In 1834 Batman was instrumental in the formation of the Port Phillip Association with John Helder Wedge, seeing an opportunity for expanding their interests into a new region.
In May 1835 the syndicate explored Port Phillip Bay, looking for suitable sites for a settlement. Batman claimed to have signed a 'treaty' or deed with Aboriginal leaders, giving him ownership of almost 250,000 hectares of land, in return for some blankets, axes, flour and other goods, and a promise of annual rent. Three months later, another syndicate of farmers, led by John Pascoe Fawkner, entered the Yarra River aboard the Enterprize, establishing the first permanent settlement.
New South Wales Governor Richard Bourke declared Batman's treaty illegal and the settlers to be trespassers. But within two years, more than 350 people and 55 000 sheep had landed, and the squatters were establishing large wool-growing properties in the district. Bourke was forced to accept the rapidly growing township.
Batman brought his wife and seven daughters to the new settlement in in April 1836, and they settled at Batman's Hill. Their only son, John Charles, was born a year later. Batman by then had improved about 20 acres (8 ha), including buildings, garden and an orchard, west of the town boundary, with the aid of about 30 servants. Caroline Newcomb was his children's governess.
But syphilis disabled Batman; he borrowed too much and lent without security. He died on 6 May 1839, aged 38.
Releated Stories
The Founding of Melbourne
Museum Victoria website http://www.museum.vic.gov.au/marvellous/early/index.asp, accessed 15 March 2004.
Australian Dictionary of Biography website http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/adbonline.htm
Items per page: 10 50 (showing 1 - 10) 16 items
-
Print - The Batman Deed, circa 1966
Framed print of the Batman Deed, dated 1835. This is a printed copy of the Batman Deed, made in 1966 from the 'original' once held by Dame Mabel Brookes and now held by the National Mus ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 2 -
Cheque - John Batman, Melbourne, Tamar Bank, Derwent Branch, Victoria, Australia, 27 Apr 1 ...
Cheque for 4 pounds issued by John Batman, Derwent Bank, and made payable to himself, 27 April 1838. Signed by John Batman.
Images: 1 -
Cheque - John Batman, Tamar Bank, Derwent Branch, Victoria, Australia, 7 Apr 1838
Cheque for fifty pounds issued to Mr Hollins or bearer, 7 April 1838. Signed by John Batman.
Images: 1 -
Cheque - John Batman, Tamar Bank, Derwent Branch, Victoria, Australia, 9 Apr 1838
Cheque for thirty seven pounds ten shillings issued by John Batman, for Derwent Bank, made payable to Mr Hodson or Bearer, 9 April 1838. Signed by John Batman.
Images: 1 -
Cheque - John Batman, Tamar Bank, Derwent Branch, Victoria, Australia, 25 Apr 1838
Cheque for three pounds five shillings issued to Laft Lancy or bearer, 25 April 1838. Signed by John Batman.
Images: 1 -
Cheque - John Batman, The Derwent Bank Agency, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 24 Jul 1838
Cheque for ninety four pounds issued to Mr W.F.A. Rucker or bearer, 24 July 1838. Signed by John Batman.
Images: 1 -
Cheque - John Batman, The Derwent Bank Agency, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 28 Jun 1838
Cheque for one hundred and twenty five pounds, four shillings and four pence issued to Mr. C.L.J de [illeg] lliers or bearer, 28 June 1838. Signed by John Batman.
Images: 1 -
Cheque - John Batman to William Willoby (Willoughby), Victoria, Australia, 27 Jul 1838
Cheque for fifty three pounds ten shillings issued by John Batman and made payable to William Willoby [sic], 27 July 1838. Signed by John Batman. Willoughby is spelled "Willoby" on the ...
Images: 1 -
Cheque - 12 Pounds 2 Shillings 4 Pence, John Batman, Derwent Bank, Australia, 7 Aug 1838
Cheque for 12 pound 2 shillings and 4 pence issued by John Batman, Derwent Bank, and made payable to [name illeg.] or the Bearer, 7 August 1838. Signed by John Batman. Written on printe ...
Images: 1 -
Promissory Note - John Batman to W.J.A. Rucker, Victoria, Australia, 25 Jul 1838
Promissory note for one hundred and sixty two pounds issued to W.J.A. Rucker, Melbourne, by John Batman 25th July 1838. The note shows Batman promising to pay Rucker the said amount no ...
Images: 1
