The Origins of Private Colonization in Australia

The early 19th century was a period of ambitious colonial expansion for Britain, with settlers seeking new opportunities in distant lands. Among these adventurers were the Henty family and John Batman, whose efforts would shape the future of Victoria.

The Hentys, originally farmers from Sussex, England, were inspired by Thomas Peel’s promises of fertile land near Swan River in Western Australia. In 1829, Thomas Henty, then seventy years old, sold his Sussex estate and relocated his family to Australia with £10,000, hoping to secure a prosperous future for his seven sons. However, the reality of Swan River proved harsh—land was scarce, and the family soon redirected their ambitions to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania).

Meanwhile, John Batman, an enterprising explorer, became fascinated with the untapped potential of Port Phillip Bay. In 1835, he formed the Port Phillip Association with fifteen investors from Launceston, Tasmania, and embarked on an expedition to survey the region. His journey would lead to one of Australia’s most controversial land deals.

The Hentys’ Settlement at Portland Bay

While Batman was exploring Port Phillip, Edward Henty, one of Thomas Henty’s sons, stumbled upon Portland Bay during a coastal voyage in 1834. Struck by its lush pastures and absence of government oversight, he convinced his family to establish a settlement there. By November 1834, the Hentys chartered the schooner Thistle, loaded it with livestock, tools, and laborers, and set sail for Portland Bay.

The Henty brothers—Edward, Francis, Stephen, and John—quickly built a thriving pastoral enterprise, raising sheep, cattle, and even dabbling in whaling. Their success went unnoticed by Sydney’s colonial government for years, marking one of Australia’s earliest instances of unauthorized settlement, or “squatting.”

John Batman’s Controversial Treaty

Batman’s expedition in 1835 took a dramatic turn when he encountered the Wurundjeri people, the traditional owners of the land around Port Phillip. In a move that remains contentious to this day, Batman negotiated a “treaty” with eight Aboriginal leaders, exchanging goods like knives, blankets, and mirrors for 600,000 acres of land—an area larger than Warwickshire.

Batman documented the agreement on parchment, complete with marks he claimed were the chiefs’ signatures. He insisted the Wurundjeri understood the transaction, though modern historians argue the concept of land ownership was foreign to Indigenous Australians. Governor Richard Bourke swiftly invalidated the treaty, declaring the land Crown property and warning against private colonization.

The Founding of Melbourne

Undeterred by official opposition, Batman identified a strategic location along the Yarra River, noting its freshwater supply and potential for a settlement. He wrote in his journal: “This will be the place for a village.” Though he was not the first European to explore the area, his vision laid the groundwork for Melbourne.

Batman’s rivals, including John Pascoe Fawkner, soon arrived, sparking disputes over land rights. Fawkner’s party, despite being warned by Batman’s men, settled near the Yarra’s northern bank, further complicating the territorial scramble.

Governor Bourke’s Intervention

By 1836, the British government could no longer ignore the unauthorized settlements. Governor Bourke dispatched Captain William Lonsdale to assert control. Lonsdale established a government presence, surveyed the land, and laid the foundations for Melbourne’s grid-like street plan. In 1837, Bourke visited and renamed the settlement “Williamstown” (later changed to Melbourne), honoring King William IV.

The Legacy of the Hentys and Batman

The Henty brothers’ Portland Bay settlement and Batman’s Port Phillip venture were pivotal in Victoria’s colonization, though neither received full recognition from the Crown. The Hentys were eventually granted compensation land, while Batman died in 1839, his treaty dismissed and his claims unresolved.

Despite their controversial methods, these pioneers demonstrated extraordinary resilience. Batman’s treaty, though legally void, remains a symbol of early cross-cultural engagement—flawed yet historically significant. Meanwhile, the Hentys’ pastoral success paved the way for Victoria’s wool industry.

Modern Reflections

Today, Melbourne stands as Australia’s second-largest city, a testament to the audacity of its founders. The Hentys and Batman exemplify the complex legacy of colonization: ambition and opportunity clashing with Indigenous dispossession. Their stories remind us of the enduring tensions between private enterprise and government authority, a theme still relevant in discussions of land rights and historical justice.

In the end, neither Batman’s treaty nor the Hentys’ squatting achieved official endorsement, but their efforts undeniably shaped the nation. As historians continue to reassess this era, their narratives offer a window into the bold, often contentious spirit of Australia’s early settlers.