Peevay (Tunnerminnerwait)

Aboriginal Life Stories - Robinson's Clan Guides

Also known as Tunnerminnerwait, Jack of Cape Grim, and renamed Napoleon by Robinson, (Plomley, 1966: 997). His country was in the North West nation as a Pairelehoinner clansman from Cape Grim. When Robinson met him he was a young man about 17 years old (he was about 24 years old in 1836 (Plomley, 1987: 831)) and had been living with a group of Straitsmen on Hunter Island for a few weeks. At the request of the Straitsmen he joined Robinson's expedition on 21 June 1830. Peevay spoke English well and, according to Robinson, was a teasing and 'good natured' young man of 'stout build' and 5 '8"[171 cm] tall.

Peevay married Plorenernoopperner, who was also known by her other names Jock and Fanny (Plomley, 1966: 993 & 1987: 858). He was one of Robinson's guides on the expeditions around the island from 1830 to 1835, after which time he entered the establishment at Wybalenna and joined the clanspeople who were living in exile. He accompanied Robinson to Victoria where he left Robinson's care for the freedom of the bush. Peevay was reported as being one of several Trouwunnan clanspeople who went on a murderous venture in the Victorian bush causing fear among the white population in the southeast of the state. He and his fellow clansman Timme were caught and charged with the killing of the two whalers at Cape Paterson in October 1841. The two young clansmen were found guilty of the murders and were both hanged on 20 January 1842 (Plomley, 1987: 848). Peevey was about 30 years old when he died - his remains were most likely disposed of in the Melbourne colonial prison cemetery.