Whitehead, John (?-1814), was sentenced to transportation for life at the York Assizes in England in 1801 for stealing two pairs of breeches (trousers). He later became one of the best-known bushrangers (escaped convicts and other outlaws living in the bush) of Australia’s early history. The date of his arrival in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) is unknown. But by 1810, he was the leader of the largest bushranging gang formed in the colony.
Whitehead and his gang were infamous for committing murder, rape, and other acts of cruelty. Whitehead punished one gang member by filling moccasins with bull ants and tying them to his feet, leaving the man to die in agony. Unable to capture the gang, the authorities offered Whitehead and his gang a pardon in 1814. They refused the offer.
In October 1814, Whitehead was shot dead by soldiers during an encounter with the military. Before he died, Whitehead asked gang member Michael Howe to cut off his head to stop the soldiers from claiming the reward. Howe carried out his request.
