Mary Ann Rainbird & Her ChildrenPrint Page 
The plaque commemorates Mrs. Mary Ann Rainbird and her children who were allegedly killed by Aborigines in 1861.
Her body and those of her two small children, were found pushed into a wombat hole near their Hamilton farm.
Mrs Rainbird and husband and some children came to South Australia in the 1850's, and settled in the mid-north of the state and lost some children and had some more. In 1861, when Mr Robert Rainbird came home from work, Mrs Rainbird and the children were nowhere to be found. and they were last seen by him early that morning.
24 hours later, they were found murdered, and 6 Aborigines were arrested. Public outcry from nearby towns saw the Police hurry an investigation, which ultimately saw one of the Aborigines, suggest it was four of the others who committed the crime.
There were calls for a public hanging in Kapunda, and the Aborigines were transferred to Adelaide Gaol, where after a quick trial, where a number of facts were omitted, the four Aborigines were executed.
Rainbird Murders 1861Location
| Address: | Caroline Street, St Matthew's Anglican Church, Hamilton, 5373 |
|---|---|
| State: | SA |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -34.221888 Long: 138.879732 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Plaque |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Crime |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 16-March-1861 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 16-March-1861 |
Dedication
In memory of Mrs. Rainbird and children
Massacred by natives in 1861
