Where was Merrendee?
Merrendee was located at the junction of the Meroo and Cudgegong Rivers in New South Wales, and it was sometimes also referred to as Merinda. Apparently the small settlement was often confused by the postal service with Menindee in far west New South Wales, leading to the name of the settlement being changed to Yarrabin early in the 20th century. Burrendong Dam, which was built during the 20th century, flooded the junction of the nearby Meroo Creek and Cudgegong River. Few remnants of the town may still be found at water's edge.
On modern maps, the location may be found about half way between the towns of Mudgee and Wellington but, because of the dam, access is usually from the Mudgee direction.
The Sydney Mail newspaper of 5 September 1863 reported that James West Martin, Richard Kingsman, John George Cortoyes, Thomas Farrell, John Shrewsbury, Stephen Cassidy and J. M. Jones were charged at Mudgee police court with robbery of Mr. Symes at Merrendee on 15 August 1863. http://whiskershill.dynamite.com.au/m.htm
The Sydney Mail of 22 April 1865 reported that "Last Friday night, between 8 and 9 o'clock, Mr. John Canning, publican, of Leaning Oak Creek, Merrendee, rode into Mudgee, and informed the police that an attempt had been made by a man named Thomas Ryan to stick-up and rob the house, and that they had secured him. The police went out immediately and brought in the man on Saturday last and lodged him in the lock-up. It appeared that, the prisoner's demands not being complied with, he raised a single barrelled gun he had in his hand and fired at Mrs. Canning, but the ball fortunately missed, struck the plaster only, and rebounded. A man who was present, named McLachlan, attempted to seize Ryan, but he struck him on the head with the butt-end of the gun; another man then rushed on Ryan, threw him down and secured him." http://whiskershill.dynamite.com.au/r.htm
