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Pioneers Association of South Australia

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Pioneers Association of South Australia

The Pioneers Association of SA Inc is a non-profit incorporated organisation, managed by volunteers. Perpetuating South Australian Colonial History.
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For over 85 years we have gathered wonderful stories of the lives of the early pioneers of South Australia. We have an extensive historical collection, in multiple formats, of the early years and we aim to preserve and share this unique history for future generations. Membership to the Association is open to any person whose ancestor arrived in the colony, now the State of South Australia, on or

before 28 December, 1846. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. To contact us outside office hours, Mobile: 0490 043 264 Mon to Fri 9am-5pm
Please leave a message outside these times.

14/06/2026

Sunday Funday.......
😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

13/06/2026

🗞"SEA-MOUTH OF THE MURRAY.

—The South Australian, like Mr. Solomon in the play, has its
"correspondents in all parts of the world."

The following is from Melbourne, and is published, we suppose, because it repeats the old story of Capt. Gill having taken his boat out to sea at the mouth of the Murray River. He says nothing about where the mail of the Fairy was taken to.

Captain Gill's assurance that there is no danger in passing from the Murray to Encounter Bay, can only he taken by those who know the spot as proof that the worthy skipper's assurance has not decreased since his first visit to South Australia.

Unfortunately for all purposes of navigation, the impracticability of the sea-enrtrance to the Murray has long been positively ascertained. Between the Goolwa, at the lower end of the Lake, and the anchorage at Encounter Bay, nine miles distant, there is an easy road, which, should the traffic become sufficiently great, may be easiiy made available :—
I was much astonished at following along the coast of that, extensive piece of water. which is parallel with the coast tor about forty miles (separated from it by the belt of sand hammocks) called the Coorong. which enters Lake Alexandrina, into which lake the Murray—the finest river hitherto discovered in Australia —disembogues itself. This was a very striking object of consideration to me ; and I felt assured that it,was enterprise alone that was wanting to make this fine river accessible; Fortunately, the other day, I met with Captain Gill, who came here in the Scotia brig-, from Hobart Town. This gentleman was wrecked, I think in 1838, in the schooner F***y, on the coast directly opposite the Coorong.

He drew his jolly-boat over the sand hummocks—near the commencement of the Coorong - and navigated the who'e length of it, taking soundings as he went, and passed through Lake Alexandiiua over the bar, through the entrance into Encounter Bay. Captain Gill assured me that there is two fathoms water, at low water Leap tides. on the bar, and that vessels drawirg tweive feet water can enter Lake Alexandrina a considerable distance, where they could take in a cargo of wool, &c . which I hope soon to learn can be conveyed down the Murray by proper-constructed vessels for that purpose, and that this main artery may be made available as it ought to be.

I mentioned to Captain Gill that the opinion was current that the navigation over the bar at the entrance into Lake Alexandria was very dangerous, and that Judge Jeffcott and some others were drowned in crossing the bar, in consequence of the dangerous surf, some years since. He assured me that the accident happened from the boat being overladen with whaler bone, and from her being brought broadside, to the swell she upset.

Captain Gill is a mariner well known in this part of the world : at one time he was master of the schooner Sir John Franklin, trading here : afterwards Harbour Master of Auckland. New Zealand. four years since, when I was there. He assures me that there is no danger in passing over the above bar, or navigating the channel. "🗞

South Australian Gazette and Colonial Register (Adelaide, SA : 1845 - 1847), Saturday 13 June 1846, page 2

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/195933859 #

More on Sir John Jeffcott and Captain Blenkinsopp drowning in the mouth here -
https://adelaideaz.com/articles/south-australian-company-and-captain-john-blenkinsopp-stage-dangerous-whaling-rivalry-in-encounter-bay-in-1837

📷"Two men, one looking through a telescope, are standing under a flagstaff which is situated on a sand dune at the water's edge. They are looking out at two paddle steamers which are entering the sea mouth of the Murray River. Pelicans and other seabirds can be seen, and what appears to be a partly submerged rib cage of a whale. [On front of photograph] 'The sea mouth of the Murray' (Another hand) 'Probably in the eighteen fifties'. Sea mouth of the Murray." SLSA

12/06/2026

A sad tale of a horse being taken away by the Torrens in flood....180 years ago.

🗞"Local News.

We are sorry to record a most unfortunate accident, occasioned by a sudden flood in the Torrens on Friday last.

A person, named Humphreys, in the employment of Mr W. W. G. Nicholls, of Hindley-street, was driving a horse and cart belonging to the latter, with sand across the river, when the flood came, and carried them along with it.

The horse was drowned, and the man with difficulty saved. Parts of the cart, in a damaged state, have been recovered.

The public, on a former occasion, generously subscribed for a horse for Mr Nicholls, and we understand that many parties are equally willing to exercise towards him now the same substantial benevolence. We trust this may be so ; for having renounced his former prin-ciples, he is now more worthy of the sympathy of this community."🗞

South Australian (Adelaide, SA : 1844 - 1851), Friday 12 June 1846, page 3

📷"Adelaide from the north bank of the river Torrens." Circa 1843. Robert Davenport. Art Gallery of South Australia.

10/06/2026

180 years ago....
🗞"PARK LANDS AND PUBLIC SQUARES.

On Saturday last we threatened our readers with the infliction of a few remarks on the subject of enclosing these reserved spots of land, and as they may perhaps anticipate a longer and more prosy sermon than we mean to preach, we will generously put them out of their misery by delivering it at once.

Adelaide was perhaps laid out at first on too large a scale. Could the plan be completed— all the streets built along—the roads and footpaths made good—the squares and parks enclosed and ornamented, a more beautiful city would hardly be found in the world; but it would be sanguine to expect anything of this sort for centuries to come.

Meanwhile, the buildings, which collectively would form a very nice little town, are, from its extent, scattered here and there, so that the whole rather resembles a few neighbouring villages than a compact city. This is bad enough; but the evil is greatly increased by the reserves for squares and parks. these make the town look worse than it really is (a very needless task, by the-way) for a stranger walking over Lightsquare, or the immense piece of land reserved fur Victoria-square is only surprised to see so much space vacant and unimproved ; and let him walk to the borders of the town, especially southward, westward, or north-westward, and he will hardly believe that the country districts are settled and cultivated—little guessing that South Australians had so desired for their capital the name of an oasis as to have established a desert around it, as a qualification.

We sincerely hope that our suggestion may not pass unheeded ; we throw it out only from a desire to see the most made of Adelaide, both as regards its appearance and its comfort. It is this—that the whole of the squares and public reserves as well as the parks around the town, should be put up to tender on lease for a term, the tenant being bound to allow some officer appointed for the purpose to enter at all reasonable times for the planting and tending of such trees as might become in a few years ornamental objects, to leave broad paths in the parks, with park stiles for the use of the public, under proper restrictions, and such carriage roads through them as might! be deemed necessary.

We might then see; Adelaide surrounded with wheat and barley fields, or with market and flower gardens, instead of as now, with a miserable waste, encumbered with logs and leafless trees. And the squares within its boundaries instead ot neglected patches of land, would present the smiling appearance of green paddocks or pleasure grounds.

They would mark out the disposition of the town—give it a more finished appearance, and most likely promote building in their vicinities—besides which, as Washington Irving says, in speaking of an old family mansion surrounded with venerable trees,
"You may build a house, but you cannot build an avenue of elms."

Had trees been planted and protected in our parks and squares seven years ago (we do not say that this would have been practicable) they would now, according to their several kinds, be advancing to full growth. Let us therefore hope that we may be allowed to begin by planting our avenue—the trees may be growing while we are saving money to build the house—for of course we hope in time (perhaps when the trees are at maturity) that all the parks and squares will be handsomely enclosed and tastefully laid out.

But if the leasing of these lands be objected to, we would fain hope that the Government would fence them in and offer them from year to year. As to the squares, each one would be gladly taken by the nearest livery stablekeeper, tor the growth of green food, and the parks would be as quickly tenanted as farms.

We feel certain that should the Governor adopt either mode it might be carried into effect, and that, in such a way as rather to be a source of profit than of loss—in such a way as to promote the real convenience of those who took the land—as to add to the beauty, comfort, and salubrity of the town, and as to prepare for the further enclosure and the laying out of the public reserves."🗞

South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Wednesday 10 June 1846, page 3
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/27453038

📷"Distant view of the city of Adelaide in 1845 from the north-west; a photographic copy of the sketch by F.R. Nixon." SLSA

09/06/2026

List of court cases and crime of 180 years ago......
*Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following post contains information about people gone to the dreaming. It also contains archaic language and potential distressing content, to some readers, please read with caution.

🗞"SUPREME COURT - CRIMINAL SIDE.

BEFORE HIS HONOR JUDGE COOPER.

Tuesday, June 8th, 1846.

THE Court sat yesterday morning at half past nine o'c'ock.

The following is the list of prisoners for
trial....

William Dixon-Stealing three sovereigns and a gold locket, the property of James Tingey, on March 13, 1846,at Adelaide.

William Lord-Stealing a-coat, value £1, the property of Charles Wilson, on March 18, 1846, at Adelaide.

Thomas Colley--Stealing a purse, six Shillings, and other articles, the property of Mary Foott, in Feb., 1846, at the Little Para.

John Keefe-Stealing a purse containing six shillings and sixpence, the property of Edward Alonzo Thomas, on March 27, 1846, at Adelaide.

Isaac Clark-Stealing a quantity of whalebone, the property of Messrs Wilde, Howard; and Johnston; in March, 1846, at Encounter Bay.

John Carney-Feloniously did assault Martha Price, on the 8th April, 1846, with intent to commit a r**e.

Wilhelmee Meyer, alias Krieger- Embezzling twelve sovereigns from Henreich Meyer, his property, at Adelaide.

John Gallienne-Stealing a pocket-book, containing £13 in notes, from James Cross, on the 22nd April, 1846, at Adelaide.

Wm. Pollard-Feloniously did cut and wound Margaret Norman, on 1st May, 1846, at Adelaide.

Charles Mylne -Stealing two shirts and other articles, the property of William Dale, on the 5th May, 1846. at Adelaide.

Wm. Chapman - Stealing two planes, the property of Niels Bidstrup, on 12th May. 1846, at Adelaide.

Wm. Freeman-Burglariously did enter the shop of Frederic William Haussen, and steal there from £2, and various other articles ; also, stealing two lbs. of bacon, value 1s. 6d., the property of the said F. W. Haussen, on the 17th May, 1846, at Adelaide.

Thomas Gardiner, alias Black Tom-Unlawfully did obtain three loaves of bread, value 9d., with intent to cheat and defraud Mary Ann Penfold, on the 19th May, 1846, at Adelaide.

William Nixon, Joseph Richardson, and Benj. Lewis, Stealing from the person of Thomas Fuller £3 in money and two cheques, on the 26th May, 1846, at Adelaide.

Patrick Carthy, alias Lankey.-Stealing a watch, the property of Joseph Edward Phillips, on the 8th April, 1846; also, for burglariously entering the.house of.

Joseph Clewer, and stealing therefrom a box containing £7 19s., on May 22nd, 1846. at Adelaide.

Mantyeuda, alias Bob [sic]- Feloniously did assault, with intent to murder, Andrew Mulheran and Wm. Rose, on the 10th May 1847, at the Angas.

Mary Jane Mars-Stealing two pieces of print and other articles,the property of Bridget Joyce, in May, 1846, at Adelaide.

John White, alias Field, John Whitehouse, and Robert Williams, alias Humpy- Uttering certain forged orders, with intent to defraud William Bennett and others, in May, 1846, at Adelaide.

Edward Shepherd-Stealing a plough, the property ol John Harvey, of the Little Para Inn. in May, 1846.

Of the above, fourteen are from the other colonies, five are emigrants, one a discharged soldier, two sailors, and one
native. [Sic]

The following gentlemen were called and sworn in as a grand jury:-'

Joseph Johnson, foreman.
Alex. Lang Elder
Alex. Anderson
Charles George Everard
Patrick Auld
Wm. Blyth
John Brown
James Bunce
Benjamin Mendez Dacosta
Charles Flaxman
Joseph Addison
William Allen
Benjamin John Graham
George Strickland Kingston
John Wild DeHorne
John Disher
Charles.Berkeley
James Coutts
G. A. Anstey.
*Esquires. "🗞

South Australian (Adelaide, SA : 1844 - 1851), Tuesday 9 June 1846, page 3

More on the early Court system here -
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71604905 #
...and here -
https://adelaideaz.com/justice

https://adelaideaz.com/articles/henry-wigley-the-first-resident-magistrate-in-adelaide-from-1837--courts-housed-in-queen-s-theatre-1843-50-

📷"Lithographed sketch of Queen's Theatre, Adelaide, located at the corner of Gilles Arcade and Playhouse Lane. Drawn by C.W.C.; engraved, printed & published by H. C. Jervis, Adelaide." Circa 1842 SLSA.

07/06/2026

Sunday Funday! 🤣🤣

06/06/2026

Cattle and horses overland from Inverary 180 years ago...

🗞"We have learnt through a gentleman recently arrived from the South East District, that Mr Francis Hunt is now on his way hither, from Inverary, near Mount Gambier, with the remainder of his very choice and well known herd of bullock and steers, cows, and calves, mares, foals, and geldings; in all reckoned about 130 head.

Our informant states that the cows seems to be a remarkably quiet as well as otherwise valuable lot; evidently possessing a mixture of Durham, Lancashire, and Devon blood. In short, we should imagine the whole to be a more than usually valuable secession to the stock of this portion of the colony. As Mr. Hunt must by this time have reached the Murray, and may possibly have already crossed it, he may be expected here in a few days."🗞

South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Saturday 6 June 1846, page 3

*Inverary was a Station near the shores of Lake Leake, South Australia near Mount Gambier.

📷"A watercolour painting entitled 'Overlanders crossing cattle over the River Murray in the Year 1839. Drawn by G. Hamilton an overlander'. The painting shows men, both on horses and foot, together with dogs and recalcitrant cattle at the bottom of one of river's cliff; another part of the mob is visible at the top of the cliff. Hamilton made sketches throughout the trip, which is described in his 'Experiences of a Colonist Forty Years Ago and a Journey from Port Phillip to South Australia in 1939 by an Old Hand'; this painting may have been done en route or after he arrived in Adelaide using his sketches." Circa 1839. SLSA. Enhanced by PASA for easier online viewing.

05/06/2026

Happy Donut Day! What better way to celebrate with a little history on South Australia's own.....

Address

Suite 4, Level 2, Stafford House, 25 Leigh Street
Adelaide, SA
5000

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 2pm
Thursday	10am - 2pm

Telephone

+61882315055

Website

http://www.pioneerssa.org.au/

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