George Fife Angas (1789 - 1879)

Born 1 May 1789 in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England

Ancestors

Husband of Rosetta (French) Angas — married 12 Apr 1812 in Hutton, Essex, England

Descendants

Died 15 May 1879 at age 90 in Angaston, South Australia, Australia

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Biography

George Angas is Notable.

An English businessman and banker who, from England, played a significant part in the formation and establishment of the Colony of South Australia.

Angas was born at Newcastle upon Tyne, England, fifth son of Caleb Angas of Newcastle (1743–1831) and his second wife Sarah Angas née Lindsay (1749–1802). Caleb was a successful coach builder and ship owner.

On 12 April 1812 in Hutton, Essex, he married Rosetta French (1793–1867), daughter of John French (1761–1829), "Gentleman of Hutton, Essex", and Rosetta French née Rayner (1756–1836). They had three sons and four daughters.

Angas was involved in the anti-slavery movement, particularly concerned about slaves in the West Indies, where his family's businesses had interests. On 12 June 1834, he was delegate number 196, one of eight representing Newcastle on Tyne, at the convention of the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society.^[1]

He argued passionately at the Select Committee enquiry into South Australia, in March 1841, in favour of Indigenous rights to the land. He vehemently attacked the notion of what was later referred to as "terra nullius" and attempted to point out the flaws in the South Australian Act of the British Parliament which established the colony. He wrote: "With respect to the Act, I conceive that those words in the preamble, which declare that South Australia consists of waste and unoccupied lands, clearly exclude the aborigines from any advantage whatever arising from the land; it does not even recognise their existence." (British Parliamentary Papers, Vol. 2, 1841: 210). Angas argued further that some of the best land, up to 10% of all unsold land, should be set aside in perpetuity for the benefit of Aboriginal people (British Parliamentary Papers, 1841: 217-218)^[2].

Despite having been involved in the establishment of South Australia since the 1830s, George Fife Angas did not go there himself until 1851 by which time he was 62 years old. He, his wife and youngest son (William) arrived in January 1851 as passengers on the Ascendant,^[3] and joined two other sons and a daughter who had already established themselves in South Australia.

Angas was a member of the South Australian Legislative Council. In 1851 he was elected to the partially-appointed council to represent the Barossa District, and again in 1855.^[4] He was then elected for the entire Province in 1857 at the first election for the fully-elected upper house and re-elected in 1865 but resigned in August 1866.^[5] He also managed property at Angaston.

He died on 15 May 1879 at 90 years of age. He was survived by three sons, notably John Howard Angas and George French Angas, and three daughters. ^[6]

• Bound for South Australia Obituary^[7]

Wakefield Scheme - History Tree

Birth

England Births and Christenings

George Fife Angas

Gender Male

Christening Date 01 May 1789

Christening Place SAINT JOHN,NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE,NORTHUMBERLAND,ENGLAND

Birth Date 01 May 1789

Father's Name Caleb Angas

Mother's Name Sarah Lindsay^[8]

Marriage

Death

George Fife ANGAS

Death Date: 15 May 1879

Gender: M

Age: 90y Approx. Birth Year: 1789

Residence: Lindsay House

Death Place: Lindsay House District: Angaston

Symbol: Book/Page: 95/163^[9]

Obituaries

^[10]

• 90th Birthday^[11]

Founder of South Australia^[12]

Sources

1. ↑ The British and Foreign Anti-slavery Reporter, Volumes 1-3. 17 June 1840. p. 130.
2. ↑ kaurna-ebook-10-10-17.pdf, p62 by Bob Amery https://www.adelaide.edu.au/press/titles/kaurna
3. ↑ SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. (1851, January 16). South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), p. 2. Retrieved November 24, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38453511
4. ↑ Statistical Record of the Legislature 1836 to 2009 page 16 (page 21 of the PDF)
5. ↑ Statistical Record, page 18 (p23 of the PDF)
6. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Fife_Angas
7. ↑ http://boundforsouthaustralia.com.au/journey-content/george-fife-angas.html
8. ↑ https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JWVD-RBM
9. ↑ https://www.genealogysa.org.au/
10. ↑ http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/124878190?searchTerm=George%20Fife%20Angas&searchLimits=
11. ↑ http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/197711833?searchTerm=George%20Fife%20Angas&searchLimits=
12. ↑ http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13881179?searchTerm=George%20Fife%20Angas&searchLimits=

• Amery, Bob, 2016. Warraparna Kaurna! Reclaiming an Australian language. The University of Adelaide, University of Adelaide Press.
• Encylopedia of Exploration 1800-1850, Howgego

• Wikidata: Item Q1507341