The Powell Family of Bilpin covers the period 1792 to recent times starting with Edward Powell, one of the group of five first free settlers in the colony of New South Wales and follows the authors branch of the family. Edward Powell achieved dubious fame during his life but at the same time made an unconscious contribution to the history of the Colony by being charged with murdering two indigenous criminals. His subsequent trial and pardon are covered extensively in the first part of this record. At this time it is unconfirmed but family history states that this was the first time in the history of the colony where indigenous people were recognised as human beings at law.