James Gumm

James Gumm was a member of John Batman's party that was involved in the foundation of the city that became Melbourne.[1] While travelling up Salt Water River as part of Batman's party Gumm obtained fresh water by making "a hole with a stick which He did about 2 feet deep and in less then [sic] One hour we had a plentiful supply of good soft water". The place was named Gumm's Well in his honour. [2] A bend of the Maribyrnong River near Keilor was also named after him, but this name is no longer in use.[3]

Gumm was left at Indented Head while John Batman returned to Launceston to prepare a larger expedition. He was left with three months' worth supplies with five other men named Dodd; Thompson; and three Sydney Aboriginals Bullet, Bungett, and Old Bull.[4] Batman put Gumm in charge of setting up the small settlement and gardens.[5] While waiting for Batman to return on 6 July 1835 William Buckley appeared at the camp site of John Batman's Port Phillip Association with a party of aboriginals wearing kangaroo skins and carrying Aboriginal weapons.[6]

References
  1. John Batman's Journal "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 September 2009. Retrieved 21 September 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. from Batman's Journal http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/portphillip/0/0/1/tdoc/pp0016-055-0.shtml Archived 1 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  3. from Batman's Journal http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/portphillip/0/0/1/tdoc/pp0016-058-0.shtml Archived 1 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  4. a description of the party left at Port Phillip in Batman's journal http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/portphillip/0/0/1/tdoc/pp0016-073-0.shtml Archived 1 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  5. from Batman's Journal http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/portphillip/0/0/1/tdoc/pp0016-075-0.shtml Archived 1 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  6. Reminisces of James Buckley "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 24 November 2007. Retrieved 16 December 2007.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.