Carbon (“Hobby”) and Maitland Paddy

Story of Carbon (“Hobby”) and Maitland Paddy (Carbon c1813 – post-1837) During the robberies that take place in the Brisbane Water region during 1834, a young Aboriginal man called Carbon (Hobby) and his two brothers (one called Molly Morgan) are identified by Magistrate Warner as “active leaders” in these attacks. Carbon is apprehended and sent to Sydney Gaol in early June 1835. Court records not only describe “Hobby” as “quite a young lad [and] one of the most adventurous”, but also as involved in the rape of a white servant girl at Sugar Loaf Creek. Carbon together with Little Dick, Whip-em-up, Monkey, Charley Muscle, Little Freeman, Leggamy, Major, Currinbong Jemmy, and Tom Jones appear as defendants in the first trial relating to the attack on the dwelling of Jacques. Carbon and Maitland Paddy are defendants in the second trial later that year relating to the robbery at Jacques’s house, and also for “putting in fear” Jacques and convict, William Rust. Jacques states that a party of 50 to 60 Aborigines approached his house and demanded meat in a hostile manner. He and Rust close the house and barricade themselves inside. During the attack, Rust is hit in the side by a spear. Jacques alleges that Hobby boasts that “black fellow was best fellow” or most powerful before ransacking the house. Jacques also claims that the Aborigines told him that they come from different tribes and had gathered together to commit robberies. Rust said that Carbon stated that the reason for the robbery is: “Black fellow master now rob every body – white fellow eat bandicoots and black snakes now”. While the court finds Maitland Paddy not guilty, it deems Carbon guilty and sentences him to “death recorded”. Carbon returns to the Brisbane Water area and is one Aboriginal man to receive blankets in June 1837. He is estimated to be about 24 years and has a wife. (Blair, 2003, p64-65).