Harry Brown 1819 - 17th June 1854

Harry was born circa 1819 in the Lake Macquarie/ Newcastle region, New South Wales. His early years from around the age of 5 “1825” were influenced by the aboriginal missionary Reverend Lancelot Threlkeld. Harry’s family were members of the “Newcastle Tribe” or Awabakal and Worimi tribe where camp life was at the fringe of colonial society. In 1826 +/- Threlkeld set up a mission on the shores of Lake Macquarie to impose the fear of God and remove the “flock” from being close to the prisoner heathen and vice from Newcastle district however by 1828 for Harry and his family the temptations of alcohol, tobacco and riotous behaviour took them away from Threlkeld to where labour could be exchanged for an endless supply of alcohol, food and adventure. By the age of 17 on the 6th November 1837, Harry had to front the local magistrate for drunkenness and disorderly conduct, found guilty of riotous, drunken behaviour receiving a five shilling fine or six hours in the stocks.

Apart from this minor blemish it would seem Brown was a popular young man who had adapted into colonial society. The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser reported on 21 June 1854 that as a youth Brown was ‘a favourite among the public at Newcastle’ and ‘no fishing, boating, shooting or oystering party was complete without him’. (Harry Brown (c. 1819–1854): Contribution of an Aboriginal guide in Australian exploration Greg Blyton)

Harry in his early 20’s likely met Leichhardt likely via the prominent Newcastle land owner Alexander Walker Scott, during the early 1840’s Leichhardt conducted a number of exploratory field trips in the Hunter Valley Region although not mentioned by Leichhardt at the time a connection was made and Harry Brown accompanied Leichhardt on the 1844 - 1846 Port Essington expedition. Harry’s skills as a hunter gatherer and navigator to water became invaluable to Leichhardt and the Essington members their very survival entirely depended on Harry and his aboriginal accomplice Charley.

The details of the 1844 - 1846 Port Essington expedition can be found here.

Again in December 1846 after significant recognition and fanfare of the Leichhardt Port Essington expedition Harry was again invited to accompany Leichhardt on the Trans Australia Expedition attempting to cross Australia from east to west. This expedition ended due to a number of complex issues described in Leichhardt 1.02, it was a planning, health, environment and logistical disaster where again Harry and Charlies skills saved all the members returning to the Darling downs.

The passing of Harry Brown.

Surname:Brown (Indigenous)

First Name: - Harry

Date: 21 June 1854

Place: Newcastle

Source: Maitland Mercury

Details: NEWCASTLE. The Last of the Newcastle Tribe. Brown, the aboriginal who accompanied the lamented Leichardt in his overland expedition to Port Essington, and who subsequently formed one of Heley s party despatched by Government to endeavour to ascertain the fate of Leichardt in his attempt to reach Swan River, died at Newcastle on Saturday, 17th inst. About eight weeks ago the deceased, being very much intoxicated, got burnt in the most frightful manner in the Black s camp on the beach. From that time till his death his Sufferings were most intense. The deceased was a general favourite with the public at Newcastle, especially with those who, like myself, knew him from boy hood 20 years ago. No fishing, boating, shooting or oystering party was complete unless poor Brown formed one. Brown was also in some respects a public character. It will then, I am sure, be satisfactory to the public to know that during his illness he was attended by Mr. and Mrs. Rinker with as much tenderness as if he was their own son. It was at one time thought that good nursing would bring him through, but he fretted and pined very much for the company of some of his sable brethren. He was however the last of his race at Newcastle, and unfortunately during his illness no blackfellows visited the city. Next to the approval of our own conscience, the good opinion of our neighbours and fellow-citizens is generally the most valued by all right minded men. It will therefore no doubt be a pleasing satisfaction to Mr. and Mrs. Rinker to know that their charitable and humane attention to this poor aboriginal is duly appreciated by the public at Newcastle.