Edward Spicer (1817 - 1906)

Born 1817 in London

Died 7 May 1906 at about age 89 in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

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Biography

Arrived in South Australia in September 1838 on board the ship the "Winchester". Merchant, pastoralist, philanthropist.

133 Cannon Street, London, and of Adelaide, South Australia, merchant

Sources

DEATH OF MR. EDWARD SPICER. A SOUTH AUSTRALIAN PIONEER. Mr. Edward Spicer died at His residence, 'Rose Park, on Monday morning, at the advanced age of 89 years. Born in London in 1817. Mr. Spicer arrived in South Australia in 1838, being attracted hither by a glowing article in The London Times, which dealt with sheep-farming in New South Wales, and which represented in roseate colours what might be accomplished by an energetic individual with 1,000 ewes in a single decade. Shortly before sailing from England Mr. Spicer entered into an arrangement with the South Australian Company to take up a section of land in the colony. Very fair weather was experienced on the voyage out, and at the end of September, 1838, the vessel was guided into a small cutting in the bank of what was known as the Old Port. Among his fellow-passengers were the late Mr. Henry Waterhouse and his brother. They walked to Adelaide, and received their first disappointment in find ing the Torrens but a small stream instead of a fine river. At that time the business part of the capital was at the junction of Morphett and Hindley streets, though the shops in the latter thoroughfare did not exceed a dozen, and were of the most primitive construction, being chiefly built of broad palings and 'pise walls.' The settlers were located on the park lands, where they lived either in reed huts or tents. Dr. Everard had a cottage built at the intersection of Morphett and Hindley streets, but at the period referred to, Rundle street was being cleared of tim ber. Meat was then from 9d. to 1/ per lb., whilst a 4-lb. loaf cost 5/. After hav ing inspected land at the Sturt along the Torrens and in the Mount Barker district, Mr. Spicer decided to settle at the Black Forest, where he had the advantages of the sea on one side, the hills on the other, and the Sturt River hard by for watering pur oses. The first year was spent in improv ing the land by the erection of stockyards and a "villa" of one room, and this hav ing been done, he, with four others, pro ceeded to Sydney for the purpose of pur chasing the necessary sheep to stock the place. The beautiful harbour of Port Jack son was reached 14 days after sailing from Adelaide, and despite innumerable and al most insuperable difficulties. Mr. Spicer and his companions successfully brought overland to South Australia the first flock of sheep by way of the North-West Bend. The sufferings encountered during this hazardous journey may well be imagined when it is stated that at one stage, so keen were the pangs of thirst, several of the sheep had to be killed for their blood. All the dogs died, and, as the party had been without water for two days, they re luctantly decided to abandon the flock and follow the tracks of the drays, which had been sent forward in search of water. Mr. Spicer was the first to come upon them, and returning, he picked up the remainder of the party. Half an hour later a terrific thunderstorm occurred, which flooded the country. The sheep made for the Murray, and several hundreds were lost. In cooler weather the party reached the River Light with the remain der of the flock, part of which formed the or iginal stock of the Anlaby Estate. Before di viding their sheep, the membersof this brief partnership sold 1,000 ewes at £2 per head. Mr. Spicer took his stock to the Black Forest, where he resided for another year, at the end of which time he married and removed to the neighbourhood of Maria Creek, now known as Kingston. Here his stay was short, as the country contained poisonous herbage, which soon materially diminished his stock. Thereupon he removed about 20 miles along the banks of the Murray, above Wellington. At this time Mr. Spicer also owned another pasto ral run at the back of the Bremer Ranges. and others in the vicinity of Port Lincoln, including the Poonindie Run, which he sold to Archdeacon Hale as a mission sta tion for the blacks. In 1851 he sold his sheep, and returned to England, in order to see his parents. Whilst in the old coun try he was attacked with illness, and ac cordingly returned to South Australia, accompanied by his brother (Dr. Spi cer). For a whole year following he was incapacitated from labour of any kind. He speculated in agricultural lands, and conjointly with another brother in England, who purchased the goods, he commenced importing on a large scale, al ways exercising the utmost care not to work upon artificial capital. After 14 years his brother retired, and his place in the partnership was filled by another brother, Dr. George Spicer, who had been practising in India. Mr. Edward Spicer retired from the business some years ago in favour of his son. For many years Mr. Spicer was a mem- ber of the Kent Town Wesleyan Church, and was one of the most liberal Methodists in the colony. He was a member of the managing committee of Prince Alfred Col- lege, and in 1893 he gave £1.000 to found a scholarship for a Prince Alfred boy at the Adelaide University, its value being £50 for three years. He founded three homes in East Adelaide for Methodist wi- dows and supernumerary ministers, and was a liberal supporter of the Wesleyan Home Mission Fund; while his philan- thropy found scope in many other direc tions. Mr. Spicer's family was of seven - five daughters and two sons. His daugh ters are- Lady Smith. Mrs. H. D. Cook. Mrs. E. Peterswald. Mrs. Symons, and Mrs. W. Haigh. His son. Mr. E. H. Spi- cer, resides in North Adelaide; while Mr. Fred Spicer, the other son, died some years ago.