Sir John Morphett (4 May 1809 – 7 November 1892) was a South Australian pioneer, landowner and politician. His younger brother George Morphett was also an early settler in South Australia.
Sir John Morphett | |
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![]() John Morphett, c. 1885 | |
President of the South Australian Legislative Council | |
In office 31 March 1865 – 2 April 1873 | |
Preceded by | James Hurtle Fisher |
Succeeded by | Sir William Milne |
Chief Secretary of South Australia | |
In office 4 February 1861 – 8 October 1861 | |
Preceded by | George Waterhouse |
Succeeded by | George Waterhouse |
Member of the South Australian Legislative Council | |
In office 15 June 1843 – 30 October 1855 | |
In office 9 March 1857 – 2 April 1873 | |
Personal details | |
Born | London, England | 4 May 1809
Died | 7 November 1892 Cummins, Novar Gardens, South Australia | (aged 83)
Nationality | Australian |
Spouse | Elizabeth nee Fisher |
Occupation | landowner; politician |
Known for | settler |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/John_Morphett.jpg/220px-John_Morphett.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fe/John_Morphett_1866_engraving.jpg/220px-John_Morphett_1866_engraving.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/John_Morphett_c1880.jpg/220px-John_Morphett_c1880.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/Sir_John_Morphett_gravestone.jpg/220px-Sir_John_Morphett_gravestone.jpg)
Early life
editMorphett was born in London, the second son of Nathaniel Morphett, a solicitor, and his wife Mary, née Gliddon, of Cummins, Ide, Devon.[1] When very young he was sent to a boarding school with Mme Pasquier in Wandsworth, and then to Webber's school in Teignmouth, Devon with his younger brother George. At 14 he went to the Manor House Academy, a school run by the mathematics writer Daniel Dowling at the top of Highgate Hill, London. It offered "a broad liberal education, with social accomplishments and a choice of vocational and scientific courses". He walked three miles there and back from Camden Town.[2][3] At 16 he started as an office boy in the employ of a ship broker, Henry Blanshard.[2] He then obtained a position in the counting house of Wilson & Blanshard.[citation needed]
At 21 he left for Egypt and worked in the counting-house of Harris & Co in Alexandria. It was here that he met Colonel William Light. He returned to London in 1834, became interested in the South Australian colonisation schemes, and was an early investor in the South Australian Company; he was one of the first who paid £81 for a preliminary land order of 134 acres.[4] With his younger brother George, he set up an agency business and published a pamphlet declaring his intention of migrating to South Australia and his readiness to act for purchasers of land. He also advertised in similar terms in the Globe and Traveller, 30 July 1835.[5] In September 1834 he joined the South Australian Literary Association, and around the end of 1835 he attended the dinner given to honour Captain Hindmarsh's appointment as governor of South Australia.[6]
Arrival in South Australia
editOn 20 March 1836, Morphett sailed for South Australia in the Cygnet, which arrived at Kangaroo Island on 11 September 1836. On 5 November 1836, the Cygnet arrived at Holdfast Bay. Next day, with Lieutenant Field and George Strickland Kingston, he explored the River Torrens. With others on the Cygnet, he also identified the mouth of the Port River, identified the suitability of Port Adelaide, and visited Port Lincoln with Light. At the crucial meeting on 10 February 1837, he played a decisive role in confirming the choice of Adelaide for a settlement.
On 15 August 1838 he married Elizabeth Hurtle Fisher, the eldest daughter of James Hurtle Fisher (later Sir James), whom he had first met at the meetings of the South Australian Literary Association in London. They were married at Trinity Church, South Australia's first Anglican Church.
As a land agent for the South Australian Company, he secured valuable land for his family and clients; he was energetic, enthusiastic sensible and lucky, and profited greatly from a multitude of land transactions. A Secondary Towns Association was formed in England in 1838, and Morphett became the local Colonial Representative for that Association. In this capacity he often engaged the services of John Hill in exploring for survey sites, while also exploring himself. In May 1839 he paid £4,000 for a Special Survey of 4,000 acres (1,600 ha) of land along the Hutt River, and in November 1939 he bought 8,000 acres on the River Murray which became the Wood's Point Estate. During November 1841, as one of the trustees for Lt. Col. George Gawler, Morphett selected land in sections 1553 and 1554 to the south of the Barossa South Survey.
In December 1839, Morphett was elected Director of the South Australian Railway Company. In 1842, he became one of four members appointed by the Crown to assist the Governor, and was also elected Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce. Morphett was one of the originators of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society, presiding over the introductory meeting on 24 April 1844. In April 1846, he became a member of the Committee of management of the English Railway Company which proposed to lay a railway along Port Road. He was a director of the Adelaide Mining Company, and also a director of the South Australian Mining Association which owned the Burra mine. When the Adelaide Cricket Club was formed in 1853, Morphett became its vice-president and his father-in-law, J.H. Fisher, its president.[4][5][7]
Political life
editMorphett was appointed treasurer to the town corporation on 5 December 1840, and on 15 June 1843 was nominated as one of four non-official members of the expanded South Australian Legislative Council. In January 1845 he chaired the meeting called to protest the British government's proposal to send Parkhurst prison boys to South Australia. In September 1846, as a protest against the mining royalty bill being passed by the casting vote of Governor Robe, Morphett and the three other non-official council members left the chamber – in consequence the council was left without a quorum. In August 1851 Morphett became Speaker of the enlarged Legislative Council, and on 9 March 1857 he was elected a member of the legislative council at the first election under responsible government. He was chief secretary in the Thomas Reynolds ministry from February to October 1861, and on 31 March 1865 was elected President of the South Australian Legislative Council, a position he held until his retirement.[8] He was knighted on 16 February 1870 for his services to South Australia. In February 1873 he retired from politics and public life. His sons Hurtle and John Cummins took over the running of his properties along the Murray.[4][5]
Personal life
editFreemasonry filled a great part of Morphett's personal life. He was elected as a member and initiated into the Craft on 27 November 1834 in London when The Lodge of Friendship, a Lodge especially founded to become South Australia's first Lodge, held its very first meeting. Later he rose in position within the Lodge, (which is still in operation), ultimately to become its Master.
He returned to England twice: alone in 1846, leaving Mrs. Morphett at home with four daughters and a son; then in December 1855 with his wife, ten children and two servants.[9]
Death
editMorphett died at his home, Cummins House, Novar Gardens, on 7 November 1892. He was survived by his wife Elizabeth, six daughters and four of his five sons.[5]
Legacy
editMorphett had faith in the colony from the beginning: although he realized that for a period South Australia would be regarded as a pastoral colony, depending chiefly on its export of wool, as early as 1838 he had hopes of raising wine, olive oil, figs, maize, flax, silk, rice, indigo and tobacco.[10]
Morphett supported Fisher and Gouger in their quarrels with Hindmarsh, later becoming a force in the Legislative Council, and he worked hard for responsible government. He took an active part in the formation of the Literary Association and the Mechanics Institute, and was an early supporter of St Peter's College. He was one of the earliest men to take an interest in horse racing in South Australia, and Morphettville Racecourse was named after him. Also named after him were the suburbs of Morphettville and Morphett Vale, Morphett Street in the Adelaide city centre, Morphett Road in the city's western suburbs and the state electoral district of Morphett.
Family
editParents
editJohn was born on 4 May 1809 in London, England, the second son of Nathaniel and Mary, née Gliddon.[1]
Siblings
editHis siblings included:
- George Morphett (1811–1893).
- Nathaniel Morphett (1807–1828)
- Mary Morphett (1813–1830)
Children
editJohn Morphett (1809–1892) married Elizabeth Hurtle Fisher (1815–1905) on 15 August 1838 at Holy Trinity Church, Adelaide.
John and Elizabeth had 12 children with their first child stillborn.[11][12]
Married | Lived | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
0. | Stillborn male | |||
1. | Mary | William Mair | 1840- | |
2. | Amy Gawler | Charles William May JP[13] (1831–1873)[14] married 1861[15] |
1841–1922 | Seven children[16][17][18] Buried with her husband in St. Judes Cemetery, Brighton[19] |
3. | Ada Fisher | Harry Lockett Ayers (1844–1905)[20] Married 1866 |
1843–1939 | [21] Harry was the second son of Sir Henry Ayers |
4. | John Cummins | Mary Frances married 1875 |
1844–1936 | [22] – 2nd owner of "Cummins"[7] Mary was youngest daughter of William Sanders |
5. | Adelaide Sturt | George Henderson (1841–1886)[23] married 1864 St Peter's Church Glenelg SA[24] |
1846–1940 | [25] Lived (and died) in New Zealand |
6. | George Cooper | unmarried | 1849–1868 | Died aged 19[11][12] |
7. | Violet | 1) Reginald Cobb 2) Robert Alfred Stock[12] |
1850–1927 | |
8. | Charles Edward | 1852–1926[12] | ||
9. | James Hurtle | 1854–1919 | [12][26] | |
10. | Hurtle Willoughby | unmarried | 1855–1938 | [27] |
11. | Marian Fisher Georgina | 1) Edward Mammatt Colley 2) Frederick Goldsmid Levi (–1934)[12][28] |
1859–1931 |
-
Amy, Ada and Mary
ca. 1855 -
Mary, Amy, Adelaide
Marian, Violet, Ada
ca. 1880 -
Harry Lockett Ayers
ca. 1880 -
John Cummins Morphett 1890
-
Harry Lockett Ayers
ca. 1900 -
John Cummins Morphett 1902
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Hurtle Willoughby Morphett 1920
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John Cummings Morphett (seated, left), 1927
Grandchildren
editChild | Lived | Father | Mother | Born | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
George Cummins | 1876–1963 | John Cummins | Mary Frances SANDERS | Adelaide | 3rd owner of "Cummins"[7] |
Arthur Hurtle | 1877–1916 | John Cummins | Mary Frances SANDERS | Adelaide | [22] |
Annie Elizabeth | 1879 | John Cummins | Mary Frances SANDERS | Adelaide | |
Bessey | 1880 | John Cummins | Mary Frances SANDERS | New Glenelg | |
Mary Eleanor | 1882 | John Cummins | Mary Frances SANDERS | Glenelg | |
Lucy | 1883 | John Cummins | Mary Frances SANDERS | Glenelg | |
Amy Mabel MAY | 1866–1953[citation needed] | Charles William May | Amy Gawler | Married George Walpole Leake (1825–1895) in 1893.[18] |
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Mr & Mrs George Cummins Morphett on the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary, 1951
Fourth generation
editChild | Birthdate | Father | Mother | Where | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audrey Cummins OBE | 27 May 1902 | George Cummins | Violet Alice ANDERSON | Mount Gambier | Awarded Queen Elizabeth II's coronation medal in 1953, OBE in 1960. She never married, died 8 October 1983[29] |
Hurtle Cummins | 31 March 1906 | George Cummins | Violet Alice ANDERSON | Corowa, NSW | Married Joan, daughter of Sir William Goodman on 16 March 1937, 4th owner of "Cummins", he sold the property to the State Government for ~$200,000 in 1977. |
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Hurtle Cummins Morphett 1951 (right)
Fifth generation
edit- John Cummins Morphett (1943-), last generation to live in Cummins, is the son of Hurtle Cummins Morphett
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John Cummins Morphett, 1951 (front left)
References
edit- ^ a b Jennings, Reece. "John and George Morphett" (PDF). West Torrens Historical Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2011.
- ^ a b Gliddon, Anne (2000). Norman, Wendy (ed.). The Gliddons in London, 1760-1850: a Family Record. New Zealand: Steele Roberts. pp. 41–43. ISBN 978-1877228605.
- ^ "Hornsey, including Highgate: Education: Private schools". Retrieved 5 October 2018.
- ^ a b c John Morphett, www.southaustralianhistory.com.au
- ^ a b c d "Morphett, Sir John (1809 - 1892)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 2. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. 1967. pp. 261–262. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
- ^ Serle, Percival (1949). "Morphett, John". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Sydney: Angus & Robertson.
- ^ a b c "Information about "Cummins" and its first owner" (PDF). West Torrens Historical Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2011.
- ^ "John Morphett". Former members of the Parliament of South Australia. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
- ^ Perry, Dulcie. Sir John Morphett : a South Australian colonist of distinction Cummins Society, Nover Gardens South Australia, 1992. ISBN 0646123262
- ^ J. Stephens, The Land of Promise, p. 49
- ^ a b George Morphett (1848–1868), kindredkonnections.com
- ^ a b c d e f http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/25971803 – needs password to access [user-generated source]
- ^ "Appointments". South Australian Register. 1 February 1868 – via Trove.
"Thomas Burgoyne. Esq., of Port Augusta; Charles William May, Esq., of Adelaide; and Pierce Rogers Warren, Esq., of Port Augusta, to be three of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the Province." - ^ "Death Notices". The South Australian Advertiser. 18 February 1873 – via Trove.
MAY.—On the 17th February, Charles William May, second Master of St. Peter's College, aged 42. - ^ "Marriage notices". South Australian Register. 25 June 1861 – via Trove.
MAY-MORPHETT.-On the 24th June, at St. Peter's, Glenelg, by the Right Rev. the Bishop of Adelaide, assisted by the Rev. J. Stuart Jackson, Charles William May, Esq., of St. Peter's Collegiate School, Adelaide, to Amy Gawler, second daughter of the Hon. John Morpnett, of Cummins, Chief Secretary of the Province of South Australia, and grand-daughter of the Hon. Sir J. H. Fisher, President of the Legislative Council. - ^ Amy Gawler Morphett, Dictionary of Australian Artists Online
- ^ "Birth notices". South Australian Register. 8 April 1873 – via Trove.
MAY.— On the 7th April, at Cummins, the widow of the late Charles William May, of a daughter. - ^ a b "Marriage Notice". The West Australian. 9 January 1893 – via Trove.
LEAKE-MAY.-On Saturday the 7th inst., at St. George's Cathedral, by the Right Reverend the Bishop of Perth, the Honourable George Walpole Leake, Q.C.. M.L.C., to Amy Mabel, second daughter of the late Charles William May, of St. Peters College, Adelaide, S.A. - ^ List of headstones, St. Judes Cemetery, Brighton, australiancemeteries.com
- ^ Henry Lockett Ayers, familysearch.org
- ^ Ada Fisher Morphett, familysearch.org
- ^ a b Arthur Hurtle Morphett, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- ^ George HENDERSON, familysearch.org
- ^ Adelaide Sturt MORPHETT, familysearch.org
- ^ Adelaide Sturt Morphett, familysearch.org This reference gives her birthdate as 23 May 1856. Elsewhere "Adelaide Sturt Morphett" is given as the name of George Morphett's daughter born on the Enmore 7 January 1846.
- ^ James Morphett, kindredkonnections.com
- ^ "Death of notable pastoralist". The Advertiser. 19 October 1938 – via Trove.
- ^ "Family Notices". The News. 6 April 1934. p. 3. Retrieved 24 March 2016 – via Trove.
- ^ Howell, P. A. (2012). "Morphett, Audrey Cummins (1902–1983)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
Further reading
edit- Charles Alexander Harris (1894). Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 39. London: Smith, Elder & Co. . In
- Richards, Eric. "Morphett, Sir John (1809–1892)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/19294. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
External links
edit- John Morphett, familysearch.org
- Elizabeth Hurtle Fisher, familysearch.org