Grateful thanks to David Wilson and the Kangaroo Island Pioneer Association for assistance with information of passengers on this ship
ALFORD, Henry 12 February 1816 - 20 February 1892 at Kent Town, SA
SLSA B 8235/1/12L
Buried West Terrace Cemetery Road 3 Path 19 E 33
THE FIRST POLICE CONSTABLE. Mr. Henry Alford, a hale and hearty old gentleman, now residing in Kent Town, relates his arrival and subsequent adventures in the colony with a considerable amount of gusto. He says-- "I arrived here by the schooner John Pirie, 110 tons, Captain Martin, in the latter end of the year 1836. At least I did not land in South Australia proper, but on Kangaroo Island, at Nepean Bay. There were two vessels that arrived two days before us. These were the Lady Mary Pelham and the Duke of York, but our ship was the first to start from London for the new land of South Australia. I and others came out in the employ of the South Australian Company. What had we to do? Well, we simply had to do what we were told. On landing there was nothing for it but to make the best of matters, and we had to camp under bushes or whatever other shelter there was to be found.
Two days after we landed there arrived the Rapid with Colonel Light and Admiral Pullen on board. I remember I also saw Dr. Woodforde, Mr. Hiram Mildred (who was then a lad), Mr. Barker, Mr. A. Hodges, Mr. Jacob and some others on the Rapid. Mr. Samuel Stephens, who came out for the South Australian Company, had arrived two days before our vessel. Well, we found that there were some white people already living on Kangaroo Island, but we did not know who they were. Certainly they did not come out with the expedition to colonise South Australia, and we understood that they had come over from Tasmania. These men came down to us, one at a time, and we became a little alarmed, because we did not know how many there were. About seven or eight put in an appearance altogether. Our great object was to find fresh water, because although we had some on the ships that would not last very long. Mr. Stephens asked these men to show us where we could get water, but they declined. After some solicitation, however, they relented and pointed out where the very requisite fluid was to be obtained. It was some distance across the gulf, whether on the island or on the mainland I cannot now say, but it took four of us the best part of a day to pull there. Then we worked during the night in filling a large cask, and started back on the following morning towing the cask behind the boat; but we had a head wind, and we were the whole day in getting back. These people who were on the island had small holdings, and I think they did a little cultivation.
The John Pirie, I may say, never returned to England, but afterwards traded about the colonies. Well, I was engaged by the company for 12 months, and after helping to discharge cargo I and some others went in the John Pirie to Tasmania, and we brought back two horses and two bullocks—the first stock that were landed in South Australia. We called at the island on the way back, leaving some cargo there, and then we came on to the mainland.
I finished my 12 months with the company, and then I went into the service of Mr. J. B. Hack, and remained with him until a lot of desperate bush-ranging broke out around Adelaide. I and two others volunteered, in response to a call from the Governor, and there were also several special constables. We were ordered to arrest the des- peradoes, of whom there were three. They used to stick people up all about the place. We took two of them in town, and the other one, named Morgan, bolted to Encounter Bay. I and the other two volunteers were sent after him, and we caught him too, but he would not walk, and the result was that we had to handcuff him around a tree at Currency Creek while we sent in for a cart to fetch him along. Our orders were to bring him in dead or alive. One of these ruffians named Yeates was hung. This was in 1838.
On coming in for the cart the Governor summoned his colleagues in the management of the settlement, and it was thereupon decided that they must establish a police force. Captain Inman was selected as superintendent, and was entrusted with the duty of forming the force. First, however, he went back with us for Morgan, and as soon as we brought him in Captain Inman was sworn in as superintendent, and I and one of my mates were sworn in as constables on police pay. Now that was the absolute foundation of the police force in South Australia. Captain Inman subsequently went home, and is now, I believe, a clergyman in charge of a parish somewhere in Kent.
Well, I remained in the force for 16 years, and as inspector I brought over the gold escort from Victoria in 1853 and 1854. In one escort we brought over 33,763 ounces of gold, and in another 42,119 ounces. Of course in my time I had a lot of desperadoes to deal with and I arrested a good many. There were a lot of them who used to take work as splitters in the Tiers, but they would retire from the avocation of sawyers and take to the profession of bushrangers whenever the opportunity offered. Then they would get together a lot of money and actually come into town and knock it down. Sometimes they would put on masks and make a raid on that part of the Adelaide plains which is now Kensington. I was nearly forgetting to tell you about proclamation of the colony. It took place on the day after I had come back from the trip to Tasmania. There was great fun. They had one fife, an old tambourine, and some other instrument they had made themselves, and that was the band. There was a regular spree that day."
The South Australian Advertiser 27 December 1886 page 6
We regret to announce the death at Kent Town, at 2.30 a.m. on Saturday from stricture of the throat, after a lingering illness of six months, of Mr. Henry Alford, who was one of South Australia's most popular old identities, genial and hearty always. He was a first-rate example of the early pioneer— hardy, enduring, active, and possessed of indomitable pluck; he was ready to tackle any kind of work or danger— from felling trees to arresting desperate bushrangers — and he always entered into any undertaking with an amount of energy only equalled by his old chief, the late Mr. Tolmer, with whom he was associated in many a daring adventure and risky encounter with the colonial outlaws of the times. He was born at Acton, Middlesex, England, on February 12, 1816, and came out to South Australia in the JohnPirie, schooner, 105 tons, Captain G. Martin, which arrived at Kangaroo Island on August 16, 1836. Mr. Alford was always in the habit of celebrating the anniversary of his arrival by coming into the city and entertaining as many of his old shipmates and early pioneers as he could find. On the occasion of his fiftieth anniversary, in speaking of his experiences on the voyage, and on arrival, he said: — 'The JohnPirie left London before the other vessels bound for South Australia, and we had a spell of very bad weather, and had to put into Falmouth and Dartmouth for fresh supplies and repairs. After that the voyage was a good one, and towards the evening of August 15, 1836, we sighted the bold coast of Kangaroo Island, and there was great jubilation, but the captain put back to sea and waited till day light. The second mate, Mr. Simpson (afterwards the well - known Portonian Captain Simpson) went up aloft and saw two ships anchored close in shore, so we were not the first. Those were the Duke of York and the Lady Mary Pelham. We were very glad of the run ashore, and to fraternize with those who had already arrived, who gave us hearty cheers of welcome. They never thought we would arrive, as we were a washing tub steered with a tiller. All the ships hoisted their bunting, and their people gave us every assistance to land. We saw some of the islanders, who reminded us much of Robinson Crusoe. The passengers in the JohnPirie were — myself, Joseph Jones and his brother, Mr. Neville and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Chandler and family, and others to the number of twenty-eight all told. I believe tho Chandler family are living; baby Chandler, who was a great pet on board— her mother died on the voyage out— is now a fine matron, and mother of a family. We thought we should never see South Australia, as when crossing the Bay of Biscay we had very stormy weather, and had to batten down hatchways, the seas coming right over her. She was only 105 tons, but she made the run in good time. Mr. Alford, then a young and singularly active man, was quickly enrolled in tho Police Force of South Australia under the late Major O'Halloran, then Commissioner. He was distinguished for his intrepidity and zeal, and was successfully engaged in the capture of over fifty criminals in three years, so that his promotion was speedy, and in 1849 became Inspector of Police on the death of Inspector Gordon. Mr. Alford was one of the famous gold escort, but in 1852 he gave up his official position and settled down to business. He afterwards kept the well-known Glynde Hotel for some years, and interested himself in the pursuit of a dyer. He acquired property, and has lived a retired life for a good many years, chiefly devoting himself to amateur gardening. He was very much liked by all classes, being thoroughly good-hearted and generous. Of remarkably robust constitution and active habits, when over seventy years of age he was as brisk and lively as an average man of forty. Mr. Alford took a very prominent and plucky part with Mr. Tolmer in the capture of the outlaws who were hidden in the deep gullies at tho back of Mount Lofty, and soon after wards he assisted to hunt down what were known as the "black face robbers;" then came the clever capture of the Black Forest cattle stealers, followed by the arrest of Gofton, for the subsequent murder of whom Stagg was executed, to which episode hangs a most romantic story. Mr. Alford was associated with Mr. Tolmer and others in the hot pursuit and dangerous task of tracking down the out laws in the thickly wooded country known as Gawler Belt when they found the murdered body of Gofton in the Mangrove Swamp. Stagg, it will be remembered, was arrested in the bar of that old time hotel the Black Bull by a trooper who years afterwards accused himself of the crime Stagg suffered for. The late Inspector was a member of Major Warburton's Expedition, sent out to the Rufus on the occasion when the natives murdered several of Mr. Langhorne's overland cattle party. The late Mr. Tolmer appeared to have the greatest confidence in Mr. Alford, of whom ho speaks frequently in his "Reminiscences." He was one of the party sent out to capture the notorious burglar Dyer, a powerful black man, whom Trooper Dewson secured in a waterhole after a most desperate struggle. Mr. Alford could speak of affrays with the natives, strategy with bushrangers and their kin, and stirring experiences on the gold escort. He was a smart and zealous officer, prompt and fearless in the discharge of his duties, and he richly earned his promotion and subsequent competence. He has left a widow and one son and several grand and great-grand-children. The funeral takes place at West-terrace Cemetery at 2.30 this afternoon.
South Australian Register Monday 22 February 1892 page 6
BROWN, John Died 02 March 1842
Born Durham, England
DIED.—On the 2nd of March, Mr John Brown, a native of Shields, in the county of Durham, who left England in the first ship bound for South Australia—being the only cabin-passenger on board the John Pirie, with the late Captain Martin.
Southern Australian Tuesday 29 March 1842 page 2
Mr Horrocks, who has just arrived by the Hero, Capt. Hart, from Port Lincoln, brings the melancholy intelligence that Mr John Brown, a large sheepholder there, and his hutkeeper, a boy, have been speared by the natives. Mr. Brown was one of the oldest colonists, and came out as storekeeper under the South Australian Company.
The Register Saturday 26 March 1842 page 2
BY the Hero just arrived from Port Lincoln, we have received the melancholy intelligence of the murder of Mr JohnBrown, a large sheep holder at that settlement, and his hut-keeper, a boy of the name of Lovelock, by the natives, on the 2nd instant. At the commencement of the affray, in which this melancholy occurrence took place. Mr Brown, we understand, knocked one of the natives down with the butt-end of his gun, but, as the party was numerous, he was soon overpowered, and fell wounded in many places. On reaching the ground he got upon his knees, and placed himself in the attitude of prayer, in which position, we are informed, he was despatched. An inquest was held, on his body, and a verdict of " wilful murder against some native or natives unknown," was returned. A letter has been received from a correspondent upon this subject, and will be found in another column, but we do not hold ourselves responsible for much of what it contains. Our impresssion generally is, that the letter is premature, the whole case having been laid before his Excellency the Governor, by Mr Driver, with a view to his Excellency's decision upon it.
South Australian Tuesday 29 March 1842 page 2
PORT LINCOLN.-OUTRAGES AND MURDER BY THE NATIVES. TO THE EDITORS OF THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN REGISTER. Adelaide, March 31, 1842. GENTLEMEN—No account having as yet appeared of the outrage committed at Port Lincoln by the natives, I beg to hand you a statement of what had occurred previous to my departure, to cause the whole of this small settlement to be thrown into a state of commotion. About two months before the melancholy deaths of Mr JohnBrown and his hut-keeper, Lovelock, the natives had become exceedingly troublesome to the settlers—stealing everything they could get at, spearing sheep and cattle, burning fences, and committing various acts of aggression. The great forbearance of the settlers towards them in overlooking repeated outrages is, I imagine, the cause of their becoming so daring, as a general impression had arisen amongst them that we were afraid to retaliate. One man (Mopa) now in the jail at Port Lincoln, I took in custody at my station, for firing the fence, and there are other charges against him. The day previous to the murder Mr White's hut-keeper, Cartwright, at the Gawler Pond station, was attacked by the natives, but he avoided their spears by dodging amongst the trees and having the presence of mind to break them as fast as they threw them at him; their supply became exhausted, and he fortunately escaped. Two days after the murders two natives came into town and gave information to Mr Schurmann, the Missionary. The statement made by them is as follows:—-The tribe had watched Mr Brown away from the hut, and had then murdered the hut-keeper, for the purpose of robbing the place, and that Mr Brown, returning immediately after they had effected their barbarous purpose, fell a victim also to these ruthless savages, in spite of a desperate resistance against numbers, for having discharged his rifle without effect, he had used the butt end, one of the murderers having been taken away for dead. Mr Brown had evidently struggled for his life like a brave man; he was found lying on his back, with the stock and barrel of his rifle shattered to pieces, lying by his side. The state of both victims when found was shocking in the extreme. Mr Brown had seven spear wounds; one had passed through a thick leather belt which he wove round his waist; the back part of his head was knocked in, and his hands were cut to pieces. Lovelock was also awfully mutilated, and they had both evidently struggled to the last. Some days after the melancholy occurrence the same tribe also attempted to attack my station, at Pilliwerter, about sixteen miles above Mr Brown's; and I took one of the suspected murderers (Namdeloa) in the act of pointing a spear at me and he is now keeping Mopa company in the jail. I am, Gentlemen. Your obedient servant, C. C. Dutton. [Since receiving the above we have seen two letters from Port Lincoln, stating that the station of Mr McElliston, two miles from the town, had been attacked by about forty natives, and after driving off two masons who were building a house, with the hut-keeper from the hut, robbed it of pork, flour, tea, sugar, and other articles. By the Governor Gawler there have arrived in Adelaide from Port Lincoln Mr Macdonald, Mr Barnard, and four natives. Two of the latter are prisoners, one supposed to be of the tribe that murdered Mr Brown, the other for firing Mr Dutton's fence and trying to spear him. Mr Macdonald has brought up the other two to let them see how friendly the blacks and whites live together in Adelaide.
The Register Saturday 02 April 1842 page 3
CANTILLION, James Crew, disemb Dartmouth
CHANDLER, Charles, Ann Elizabeth NEWELL (d@sea), Elizabeth, William Henry, Sarah Eleanor, Harriet
CHANDLER, Charles 13 October 1804 - 20 August 1878 at Happy Valley, SA Born Shinfield, Berkshire, England Occupation of Farmer residing at Clarendon, Chandlers Hill and Happy Valley Married 3 times - Elizabeth - Harriett nee CLARK - Mrs. Sarah HICKMAN Buried Happy Valley Cemetery
CHANDLER.—On the 20th August, at Happy Valley, CharlesChandler,aged 74 years; a pioneer of 1836
South Australian Advertiser Thursday 22 August 1878 page 4
Mr. CharlesChandler died at Happy Valley August 20 aged 74 years. He arrived in the colony in 1836 in the John Pirie, and has left a widow, one son, three daughters, 44 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. Only one other of the passengers by the John Pirie now survives.
Register Thursday 05 September 1878 page 6
CHANDLER, Ann Elizabeth nee NEWELL Died at sea on the voyage to Australia 01 July 1836
CHANDLER, Elizabeth 28 June 1826 - 05 October 1907 at Paddington, SA
Resided Wattle Hill near Delamere, SA Married James COLLINS
COLLINS.—THE FRIENDS of the late Mrs. ELIZABETHCOLLINS arc respectfully in formed that her Funeral will leave her late residence, Charles-street, Paddington, on TUESDAY, at 2 p.m., for the Hindmarsh Cemetery.
The Express and Telegraph Monday 07 October 1907 page 1
CHANDLER, William Henry 1831 - 07 March 1902 at Happy Valley, SA
The death is announced of Mr. William Chandler, of Hurtle Vale. He came to South Australia with his father, the late Mr. Charles Chandler, of Chandler's Hill, in the ship JohnPirie in 1836. He leaves a widow and family of 10 children, 23 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.
Chronicle Saturday 15 March 1902 page 36
CLARENDON, March 10.-Mr. William Chandler, of Hurtle Vale, who came to this state in 1836 with his father, the late Mr. Charles Chandler, of Chandler's Hill, died suddenly on March 7. He arrived in the ship John Pirie, in the interest's of the South Australian Company. Deceased has left a widow and 10, children, 23 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He spent the whole of his colonial life in South Australia.
The Register Tuesday 11 March 1902 page 9
CHANDLER, Sarah Eleanor 1833 - 08 April 1902 at Edithburgh, SA Married William H HICKMAN
DEATH OF A PIONEER. Edithburgh, April 12. - On Tuesday last the death occurred of Mrs. Sarah Eleanor Hickman, relict of Mr. William Henry Hickman. The deceased lady came to this State with her parents in the ship John Pirie in 1836, when she was a child nearly 3 years of age. She resided at Clarendon for some years. When she married she removed with her husband to Rapid Bay, and in 1872 came with her family to Yorke's Peninsula, settling near Edithburgh. The funeral took place on Wednesday last, and was attended by a large number of old residents. The deceased lady leaves 4 sons, 7 daughters, 59 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.
The Advertiser Tuesday 15 April 1902 page 7
CHANDLER, Harriet 14 April 1835 - 03 April 1885 at Yankalilla, SA Married James WALLER 11 May 1852 Married George A F BOWMAN 17 June 1875
CLARK, George Baker Crew
DAVIS, Thomas Crew
GRANSMORE, John Crew, disemb Dartmouth
JONES, James 1812 -
JONES, Joseph 1815 - died by 1865
Born Acton, London, England Occupation of Labourer and Teamster residing at Adelaide, Kensington, Meadows Joseph Jones, a labourer, was born in about 1815 in Acton, England, and travelled to South Australia with his brother James on the John Pirie. We know little about the brothers, although records indicate that Joseph married Harriet Wallace in 1836 – but not whether she was also aboard the John Pirie. Joseph and Harriet went on to settle in South Australia and have nine children, the first of whom was born in 1837. Harriet remarried after the death of Joseph to J DIX
MARTIN, Capt George, son Robert Terance (crew)
MARTIN, Captain George 1778 - 24 February 1842 at Adelaide, SA
Master Mariner, Agent Resided Adelaide Buried West Terrace Cemetery LIST of SUBSCRIPTIONS received for the purpose of raisins funds for the Expenses of the Funeral of the late Mr. GEORGE MARTIN and for the support of his numerous Family, left entirely desolate by his unfortunate death 24th February, 1842.
South Australian Tuesday 19 April 1842 page 1
LAMENTABLE SUICIDE.-Thursday morning, we regret to hear, that Captain Martin, one of the earliest colonists of South Australia, put an end to his existence, at the rooms he lately occupied in Currie-street, as a store for agricultural produce. The dreadful deed was accomplished by means of a pistol, the bullet from which entered below the chin, and passed out at the back of the head. The first person on the spot, after the fatal event, was Mr. Solomon, who was rending at the next door, but who found the victim all but dead at the time he reached the spot. The awful deed is attributed to depression of spirits, under which Mr Martin has been labouring for some time past, occasioned by a reverse of fortune, and more immediately to a verdict for £20, which had been obtained against him in the Resident Magistrate Court on the previous day. His widow and large family are left totally unprovided for, and without any present means of support. An Inquest was held last evening : verdict- Temporary Insanity." A subscription for the widow and children is being got up, with the view of enabling them to commence some little business.
South Australian Friday 25 February 1842 page 3
MARTIN, Robert Terance 1824 - 02 January 1850 in Adelaide, SA Crew Born Hobart, Tas.
NASH, John 1814 -
NEVILLE, Samuel, Harriet MASTERS
NEVILLE, Samuel 1804 - 16 September 1871 at Tam O'Shanter Belt, SA
Buried Dudley Park Cemetery Occupation of Gardener, Land Steward. Resided North Adelaide, Adelaide and Hindmarsh NEVILLE.— On the 16th September, at his residence, Tam O'Shanter Belt, Samuel Neville, aged 67 years. He arrived in this colony in 1836 in the JohnPirie, and leaves a wife and six children and a sister here. Essex papers please copy.
South Australian Register Saturday 23 September 1871 page 4
NEVILLE, Harriet 1807 - 11 November 1895 at Highbury, SA
NEVILLE.—On the 11th November, at her residence, Highbury, Harriett, widow of the late Samuel Neville, in her 89th year. A colonist of 59 years, having arrived in the John Pirie, August 1836.
The Advertiser Tuesday 12 November 1895 page 4
Mrs Samuel Neville, who left England with her husband in the first emigrant ship for South Australia, justly deserves to be listed among ourpioneer women. After a six months' journey in the John Perry, Mrs. Neville landed at Kingscote on August 15, 1836; where she and her husband lived for six months before coming to the mainland .to start farming at Tam o' Shanter Belt. After the family had been living there for 15 years their land was bought for a Government scheme, and they made a new home at Hope Valley where their farming met with success. Mrs. Neville was a studious woman and was well able to teach her seven children. Her youngest daughter, Mrs. Clara Burden, of Magill who is 85, is the only one of .the children now living. Her twin sister, Mrs. James MacPherson, of Tomsey street, Adelaide died a month ago. Mrs. Burden is remarkably active for her age, and thoroughly enjoys a little trip into "town." Mrs. Neville's girlhdood-home was in Romford, Essex, where she was born in 1807, but Mrs. Burden said that she never heard her mention anything about homesickness. She loved her adopted country, and her life was spent in a continuous effort to make her children as interested in its welfare as she was. She died in 1895 at the age of 88.
News Thursday 12 March 1936 page 17
POWELL, Charles
POWELL, James
POWELL, Mary Ann 1821 -
Married William C STAPLE (fellow Passenger on the voyage) aboard the 'John Pirie' at Nepean Bay, Kangaroo Island 28 August 1836
SESSIONS, Stephen 1816 -
SIMPSON, Henry 1815 - 26 April 1884 at Glen Osmond, SA Crew - Second Mate
Arrived aged 21 years
Captain Henry Simpson He may be regarded as one of our earliest South Australian colonists, arrived here in August 1836, as second officer of the 'John Pirie,' of which vessel he subsequently became master. He was a native of Hull, England, and was born in 1815. From the time of his first connection with the colony, up to the day of his death, he was well known as one of our most enterprising shipowners, and his name is still a 'household word ' at Port Adelaide, which was for so many years the scene of his labours and his successes. To enumerate all the vessels with which he was connected would occupy more space than we can here afford, but it may be stated that on leaving the 'John Pirie' he took chargeof the barque ' Lord Hobart' He next purchased a cutter, and established a trade between Port Adelaide, King George's Sound, and Fremantle, W. A. He was subsequently appointed wharfinger at the old port under the South Australian Company. From this position Captain Simpson was at a later date transferred to the newport, when the road from Alberton to the Flagstaff was constructed by the S.A. Company. He was associated with Messrs. Phillips and DeHome in the formation of a shipping and agency company, which, however, collapsed at the time of the goldfever in Victoria, and Captain Simpson, affected by the prevailing disorder which led so many South Australians to leave for Victoria, went thither, and workedas a digger for six months. On his return to Port Adelaide he engaged in the coaling trade. For a long time the traffic between this colony and Newcastle was carried on by means of sailing vessels, and Captain Simpson decided to introduce steamers for the coal trade, and imported the 'Birksgate,' 'Tenterden,' and other vessels for the Port Adelaide trade. From the commencement of the WallarooSmelting Works he was the contractor for the coal supply, in which employment he had many ships engaged. During recent years he was greatly assisted by his sonin the work of the firm with which he was connected, and was thereby to an extent relieved of business cares. He always manifested deep interest in local matters at Port Adelaide, where the news of his death, on April 26, 1884, from a paralytic fit, caused the most profound regret. Kind and benevolent in disposition, a gentleman in every sense of the word, the decease of Captain Simpson may beregarded as somewhat of a national calamity. He had nearly reached his seventieth year, and the greater part of his life was spent in South Australia, but he paid a visit to England with his family in 1875, and remained there two years. Few men have done more to advance the interests of this colony than he; few of hiscontemporary pioneers have accomplished so much good in a long and useful lifetime. The firm of Messrs. H. Simpson & Sons is still extant ; the sons of CaptainSimpson being now the managing partners and representative heads.
Loyau, G.E., 1885, 'Notable South Australians; Or, Colonists, Past and Present'
H. SIMPSON AND SONS, Coal Merchants and Ship Owners, Adelaide. This firm was founded in 185o by Capt. H. Simpson, who was one of the very first arrivals in the colony, in 1836, as second officer of the "John Pirie." He was born at Hull, England, 1815. From the time of his arrival in the colony to the day of his death,- in 1884, he has always been very prominently connected with shipping interests. He had not been long in South Australia before he purchased a cutter, and established a trade between Port Adelaide, King George's Sound, and Freemantle, W.A., being one of the first, if not the very first, to open up trade with West Australia. He was subsequently appointed wharfinger at Port Adelaide by the South Australian colony. At the time of the gold discovery in Victoria, Capt. Simpson, like most others afflicted by the fever, visited the diggings, and returned about nine months afterwards, having met with a fair amount of success. He then established himself in the coal trade, and also as a general merchant, having large bonded stores at Port Adelaide, and for a long time carried on the coal traffic between Newcastle and the colony by means of sailing vessels, when decided to introduce steamers, and for that purpose procured the "Birksgate" and "Tenterden," having previously built the " Ridgepark " for the Wallaroo trade. From the commencement of the Wallaroo Smelting Works he was contractor for the coal supply, which is still an important portion of the business, as now carried on by his sons. He was largely identified with the construction of the wharves at Port Adelaide, and always manifested the most lively interest in local matters, although not taking any personal share in municipal government. He was a member of the first Harbor Trust, and was a justice of the Peace. Few men have done more to advance the interests of the colony than Captain Simpson, without making any ostentatious display, and his death at the time was considered a national calamity. He was of a very kind and benevolent disposition, and leaves behind him only kindly recollections. The business is now carried on by his two sons; James Liddon and William Amos Simpson, who conduct and keep up the connections with all its original vigor. The firm own a number of sailing vessels, besides having an interest in various steamers. The business was the first of its class established in the colony, and has a larger output of coal than any other firm existing now in South Australia.
Aldine History of South Australia
Capt. Henry Simpson, bought Ridge Park, Glen Osmond, from Mr. R. Barr Smith and Sir Thomas Elder, and lived there for some years after he handed the control of his business to his sons, James Liddon* Simpson and William Amos Simpson. He died at Ridge Park homestead in the ~ early 1880's. The executors of Capt. Simpson's estate sold Ridge' Park to the Frasers, who lived there for many years until Miss Edith Fraser died not long ago. Capt. Simpson was an early arrival in South Australia, for his grandson has his copy of 'Plutarch's Lives,' bearing his autograph on the fly leaf— 'Henry Simpson, Kingscote, 1837.' He was a merchant seaman who founded and owned the Black Diamond line of ships trading on the Australian coast and to Mauritius, South Africa and Great Britain, Black Diamond Corner is a wellknown landmark at Port Adelaide. Capt. Simpson's Woodville property was mainly divided between James Liddon Simpson, sen., and his sisters, but before the division some portions had been alienated by gift for certain public purposes; the remainder was sold by his executors. Mrs. D. L. Sweeting, at 40 Esplanade, Semaphore until she leaves for England this week, and who has been living in Perth for many years, is a granddaughter of Capt. Simpson. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Connor, of Silveracre, Woodville, a property Capt. Simpson gave his daughter.