JAMES MORRISON'S GRAVE

76 CHILTERN VALLEY ROAD RUTHERGLEN, INDIGO SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

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  • History

    JAMES MORRISON'S GRAVE - History

    In 1850 an argument at the Black Dog Inn (see above) between two shepherds (John Morrison and Matthew Madden) from the Ullina Run. Police report states that a fight broke out when returning to their huts and shearing blades used whereby one man John Morrison was mortally wounded and died before the doctor could come from Albury. The man is buried at a farm on the Rutherglen Road and is marked by a plaque. The nearby Creek - Brown's Creek (may also be Blind Creek) was renamed 'The Murdering Hut Creek'. Matthew Madden charged with manslaughter and served 7 years hard labour on the roads.

    The original house on the property is no longer extant but there used to be a separate house and kitchen near the base of the hill facing Murdering Hut Creek. This was destroyed by fire in the 1930s. In addition there was a bakery, a butcher operated by the present owners' grandmother to cater to the miners in the area. This has been dismantled but a well and brick scatter is visible. The shepherds hut associated with the murder of James Morrison was extant prior to the 1930s but the timber was removed and reused for construction of sheep pens that were subsequently destroyed by a bushfire in the 1930s (pers comm. Mr John Terrill). In addition, a miners subdivision was located on the property to the north of the grave site several allotments were sold but the area is abandoned but the subdivision boundaries are occasionally visible depending on the crop. Some surface artefactual material is also sometimes identified but could not be inspected during this site visit (pers comm. Mr John Terrill).

    Interpretation of Site

    JAMES MORRISON'S GRAVE - Interpretation of Site

    One episode of activity; the burial of James Morrison. The grandfather of John Terrill (current land owner)  erected the concrete plaque over the original site which was marked by an old tree stump.

    Archaeological Significance

    JAMES MORRISON'S GRAVE - Archaeological Significance

    The origination of the body may indicate if it was buried in traditional Christian practices. The body may contribute forensic information on the circumstances of death and the condition of mid nineteenth century settlers.

    Historical Significance

    JAMES MORRISON'S GRAVE - Historical Significance

    The grave is an important marker of early pastoral activity in this region when shepherds were commonly used for maintaining sheep flocks. The death of the man in illustrates the remoteness of the district from medical services and that lack of formalised burial locations in the 1850s.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    JAMES MORRISON'S GRAVE - Heritage Inventory Description

    Lone grave, stone, located in a paddock at 76 Chiltern Valley Road, Rutherglen.
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    Victorian Heritage Register H1650
  • JAMES MORRISON'S GRAVE

    

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