Adam Smith - 1815-1876

Adam Smith

Adam Smith was born at Oxnam, near Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, Scotland in 1815 to John Smith and his wife Mary Hay - see Family Smith for more information about Adam's family and genealogy.

The following are accounts of Adam Smith as gleaned from various publicly available articles, books and magazines (Editor's Note: not all references were noted at the time [mid 1970s] and so apologies are extended to their authors):

Adam, Jane and their young son Robert arrived in Sydney in 1839. The Port Phillip Settlement attracted him and he joined a party who were overlanding to this new country, making the long journey in a spring cart, where he took up a portion with Mr Ryrie at Deep Creek, a few miles from Melbourne.

In primitive times the run was known as "Broad Meadows" and was held by Messrs Oliver and Brown and ultimately came into the possession of Mr Adam Smith. The run consisted of 64 square miles, at a rental of 15 shillings per mile. Mr Smith came from near Jedburgh, Scotland, landing at Sydney in 1839. Anxious to reach Port Phillip (Victoria) and for protection from the blacks, he joined a party travelling with cattle. The long journey was taken in a cart. For a time he settled at Port Phillip and then came over the Border to South Australia in 1846. He travelled through the bush to "Broad Meadows" now called "Hynam" and became a partner in the firm of Oliver and Brown. Here let me bring to the surface a buried and tragic incident, showing of the dangers to which the South-Eastern pioneers were exposed. Only nine years after the Province was founded one of the owners of "Broad Meadows Run" was killed by the blacks. A number of strange aborigines had built their wurlies on the run. Mr Brown went to see them, having with him a double-barrelled gun. He was stooping down to get a stick to light his pipe, when one of the blacks struck him on the head with a waddy. They seized his gun, and killed him. About a mile distant one of his shepherds was minding sheep. The blacks went for the shepherd, but he escaped. They took possession of the sheep, many of which were afterwards recovered. The whites decided to take the law into their own hands. A call to arms was made. The whites were armed with flint-lock muskets and pistols of the same kind. They overtook the blacks and rounded them up near, I think, what is now called "Mount Light" a few miles from where the town of Narracoorte now stands. It is said that the whites saw one of the aborigines carrying Mr Brown's gun, and a lubra wearing his coat. Retribution, whether justly dispensed or not, overtook the blacks. The whites opened fore and many of the natives fell. They fled in all directions. Many years after, when the Narracoorte caves were explored, a mummified aborigine was found. Possibly one of the natives, shot by the whites and mortally wounded, had taken refuge in the caves. The body was stolen from the caves and transported across the ocean, I think, to some museum.

In 1845 Adam took up pastoral pursuits on his own account; by entering into partnership with John Oliver and William Brown. They acquired land on the present Victoria - South Australia Border, then known as Broad Meadows and now known as Hynam. When Brown was murdered by the blacks, Oliver and Smith bought out his share in 1846. Nine years later Smith bought out Oliver so that the latter could take up Morambo. Hence at 40 years of age after 16 years in Australia, Adam was in residence and sole owner of Hynam Estate (350,000 acres, running 20,000 sheep).

Subsequently Adam Smith also acquired; Tallageira, 37,120 acres, 25 miles north of Apsley in Victoria (April 1865 to March 1879); Kadnook, near Harrow in Victoria from 1868 to 1973 and Eremeran, Dine Dine and Booberoi, all stations in the Lachlan district of New South Wales.

HOPE stemmata: from Ancrum to Apsley

After Adam Smith's death, the properties were put up for auction realising over 250,000 pounds, with Hynam being purchased by his sons, Adam, William and John. The three New South Wales stations were purchased by his other sons Robert, Thomas and Andrew.

Adam Smith was active in the founding of Naracoorte and of the St Andrews Presbyterian Church (built in 1856). He also officiated as magistrate for many years.

He was described as one of the best managers in the area and his wife as a remarkable woman. She kept the station books, classed wool and supervised the early education of her children as well as being a very convivial hostess. Adam Smith was extremely interested in improving the quality of his herds and in this manner he worked closely with John Thomas Edgar, the eldest son of David Edgar and Sarah O'Meara of Pine Hills, Victoria. In the mid 1860's he was a member of the Melbourne Committee which inaugurated what was called "A Universal Exhibition of Merino Wool Open to the Whole World", held in London. The Port Phillips wools, especially those from the Western District gained most prizes at this show in London with the result that France became a buyer of our wools to weave with silk. The wool produced at Hynam was shipped overseas from Robe, South Australia.

Kadnook Station (sub-division of original Kadnook which was a sub-division of Kout Narin)

August 1868 to July 1873 Adam Smith

July 1873 to May 1878 David Edgar

May 1878 to 1882 John Thomas Edgar, cancelled 1882

also

Tallageira (25 miles north of Apsley) April 1865 to March 1879 Adam Smith

No record is available of Occupation Licences issued prior to the taking up of land under Waste Lands of the Crown (Pastoral) Leases in 1851 but extracts from the S.A. Government Gazettes of the dates quoted hereafter indicate that Occupation Licences were issued to Henry Jones, Lake Gadnite 19.2.1846, D.O. Jones, South East District 26.11.1846, Edward Townsend, Cadnite Creek, 11.3.1847, A. Smith, South East District 22.7.1847.

Snippets from the Naracoorte Herald:

N.H. 26.2.1878 - BIRTH

Birth - Smith: On the 19th inst. the wife of Adam Smith, of Hynam, of a son.

N.H. 16.4.1877 - MARRIAGE - Robertson-Smith, at Hynam on the 11 inst., by the Rev. D. McCalman, John Robertson, son of the late Duncan Robertson, esq., of Englefield, Victoria to Mary Jane, daughter of the late Adam Smith, esq., of Hynam.

N.H. 26.2.1878 - BIRTH - On the 19th inst. the wife of Adam Smith, Hynam, of a son.

N.H. 20.1.1880 - BIRTH- Smith - At Binnum on the 16th inst., the wife of Gideon Smith, of a son.

N.H. 20.2.1880 - BIRTH - Smith - On the 6th inst., at Hynam, the wife of Adam Smith, of a daughter.

Adam Smith's Profile

One of the earliest and at the same time one of the most successful pioneers of the south-east was Mr Adam Smith, founder of the well known Hynam Station, near Naracoorte. Fate tried to conceal him by naming him Smith, but in his own line of business he achieved distinction more than enough to satisfy the average man. Born at Swinside, near Jedburgh, Scotland on August 15 1816, Mr Smith married young, and at the age of 23 years decided to settle in Australia.

In 1839 he landed in Sydney with his wife and eldest son, the ship having called en route at Rio Janeiro. Either at the end of 1839 or the beginning of 1840 a move was made to Melbourne. The long journey was made in a spring cart. The primitive mode of transportation must have been trying enough, and the discomfort was accentuated by fear of attack from wild black fellows. For additional protection the little Scots party undertook the trek in the company of a hand of drovers who were driving a mob of cattle from one colony to the other.

Mr Smith took a position with Mr Ryrie at Deep Creek, a few miles from Melbourne. Then he decided to set up as a Pastoralist in South Australia and he entered into a partnership with John Oliver and William Brown. The trio took up the Hynam country which was designated Broadmeadows originally, the present name having been suggested by Scottish associations. Messrs Oliver and Brown preceded their partner to the Naracoorte district, but a drastic change in plans was rendered necessary by the tragic death of William Brown on July 31, 1845.

In the older settled parts of South Australia little was known at the time about the South eastern portion and the situation of "Messrs Brown & Oliver's Station" was described vaguely as being "about 50 miles west of the Glenelg River. 50 miles north of Mount Gambier and within South Australian territory."

A fortnight elapsed before news of the tragedy reached Adelaide, and then, lumped together in a column of paragraphs headed "Local Intelligence" the following appeared in "The Register":

"Authentic accounts have been received of the murder of Mr Brown, of Brown & Oliver, settlers, by a small tribe of strange blacks. The blacks, consisting of four men and five Lubra's had loitered about the station for several days. Mr Brown was very kind to the natives and had been splitting timber in their neighborhood without the least suspicion. One day about a month ago he took a stroll to their neighborhood, and had been smoking his pipe without attending to them. The natives came about him, and one of them took the opportunity to give him a stunning blow on the back of the head. Another instantly snatched his gun from under his arm, and the rest of the men and women fell on him and killed him. They then stripped him and afterwards proceeded to the shepherd, who was with 1,000 sheep a mile off and by presenting the gun at him intimidated him, so that they managed to get clear off with 500 sheep. Most of them, however, were recovered. The blacks are known and can be identified."

Another account says that poor Brown was in the act of stooping down at the nigger's camp fire to get a light for his pipe when he was struck over the head with a waddy and killed instantly.

Outrages of this kind were fairly common in the pioneering days and nobody in authority in Adelaide appears to have troubled mush about this one. We turn for the sequel to J. C. Hamilton's chatty book "Pioneering Days in western Victoria". That writer says that it was necessary to teach the aborigines a lesson, and the station people met and decided to take the law into their own hands. A call to arms was made, and a party of footmen went out one way and a party of horsemen another way. All were armed with pistols and flintlock muskets - heavy and clumsy, but effective enough weapons.

The mounted men came up with the natives in the ranges behind Naracoorte and saw one of them carrying Brown's gun and a lubra wearing his coat. They opened fire and many of the blacks went under. They made no show of resistance but scattered and ran for their lives. Mr Hamilton adds: "There is not a white man or a black alive who was an actor on the scene. One black, wounded, made his way into the caves and died. He was found years afterwards sitting upright and petrified and was one of the sights of these wonderful caves until he was stolen and taken to England, where he was exhibited."

The lesson was a salutary one and there is no record of any further serious trouble with the aborigines.

Adam Smith took up his residence at Broadmeadows in the year following the tragedy. He and John Oliver bought out Brown's share from those who were entitled to it and carried on the station until 1855, when the partnership was dissolved. Mr Oliver took up the Morambro run and Mr Smith continued in sole occupation of Hynam, as we may now call it, until his death from apoplexy on March 17, 1876. Mr Smith was a Pastoralist to his finger tips.

By frugality and good management he gradually acquired a leading position in the district. He was keenly devoted to the task of improving the breed of his sheep and was very successful in producing a payable class of wool of the character most suitable to the capabilities of the country. He was able to convert the greater part of his holding (about 35,000 acres) into freehold.

The original area of Hynam was 68 square miles, the rental and assessment of which amounted to 199 pounds 10 shillings a year. The traffic on the leading line of road from Naracoorte to Casterton passed over the run, on which 20,000 sheep, 170 cattle and 30 horses were de pastured. The wool was shipped at Guichen Bay, 85 miles distant.

When Goyder came on the scene he put the valuation up to 872 pounds per annum, deducting improvements worth 1,890 pounds. In Clarence McIvor's work entitled "The History and Development of Sheep Farming." the Hynam Station is dealt with among "the great Merino stud flocks of Australasia." The author says that the originals of the Hynam stud flock were pure Camden sheep, which were kept without any mixture of foreign blood until 1862. At that date Adam Smith, with a view to increase the density and weight of fleece, purchased three imported Steiger rams. These were used with ewes specially selected to mate with them, and the progeny was again mated with pure Camden sheep. The cross had the desired effect of giving density and covering, at the same time retaining the brightness and length of staple. From that time until 1876 there was no infusion of foreign blood, the sires being bred in the stud. In 1876 a ram named King Tom (by Woolly Tom by Sir Thomas) was purchased from the Hon. James Gibson of Belle Vue, Tasmania. He was a sheep of beautiful quality, good length of staple and very bright soft wool. The cross was a great success and his stock won distinction in the show pen and left a beneficial influence in stud and flock. In 1881 a high-priced ram was purchased on one of the other colonies, but his stock did not come up to expectations and were all discarded from the stud. In 1885 a ram called Sir George (by Elector by Erl King by Sir Robert), bred by G. Parramore, Tasmania, was introduced. he nicked wonderfully well with the Hynam sheep. He was a ram noted for length of staple, good quality and splendidly covered, added to a good constitution and beautiful symmetry, very deep in body and short legs (weight 180 lb). His progeny had notable show pen successes. In 1889 a ram named Jumbo (by Prince Albert II) sold in Melbourne for 700 guineas and bred by Messrs W. Gibson & Son, Scone, Tasmania, was secured for Hynam. He had a strain of Rambouillet blood in him, being a five-eighths Scone and a three-eighths Rambouillet. Jumbo was a very large sheep (live weight 200 lb) and cut a heavy fleece of strong combing wool. He was used to 94 ewes and cut at shearing 21 1/2 pounds of wool. The whole of his season's get averaged as 4 tooth's within a trifle of 12 lb per head, having barely 12 months' growth of wool and being purely grass-fed. Hynam wool always commanded a high price in the London Market and the average of 20,000 sheep and 6,000 lambs was about 5 lbs 6 oz - sheep about 6 1/2 lbs and lambs 1 1/2 to 2 lbs.

Adam Smith also had large pastoral interests on the Lachlan River, New South Wales. In July, 1877, the year following his death, his estate was submitted to auction in Melbourne and realised over a quarter of a million pounds Stirling. Messrs. Hepburn, Leonard and Rowe in conjunction with the Australasian Agency and Banking Corporation Company Ltd offered Hynam, consisting of 35,859 acres of freehold and 22,100 pure Merino sheep, whose wool had realised 1/8 1/2 a pound in the grease at the previous London sales, 82 cattle and 20 horses. There was a very large attendance of buyers and the bidding was brisk. Hynam was purchased by Messrs Adam, William and John Smith sons of the original proprietor for 3 pounds one shilling per acre, the stock given in. Messrs Dal Campbell, Hepburn and Co. auctioned Eremeran and Dine Dine stations in the Lachlan district, consisting of 420,000 acres and 60,000 sheep and also Booberoy Station, adjoining the above, consisting of 180,000 acres and 5,500 well bred cattle. These properties were sold on the basis of 35 shillings a head for the sheep and 6 pounds 15 shillings a head for the cattle, and the buyers were Robert, Thomas and Andrew Smith, three more sons of the founder of Hynam. A brother of the last named, Gideon Smith, had a considerable holding at Binnum. It was a fine achievement that Adam Smith laid to his credit. The "Naracoorte herald" said of him when he died: "As a man perhaps he had no equal in the district for sound sense and his judgment was always looked up to with respect. he had read well and had a large fund of information on all ordinary subjects. ...Taking him for all in all we shall find few men who, having been eminently successful in business, have left behind them descendants so well qualified in time to fill the position of him who has gone before." Mr Smith was a lay magistrate for many years and was buried a few hundred yards in front of the house at Hynam. There is a fine granite memorial column over the grave.[1]

Inscription on Adam and Jane's tombstone:

"Sacred to the memory of Jane, the beloved wife of Adam Smith of Hynam, who departed this life 10 June 1875 aged 58 years.

Also of Adam Smith, died March 18, 1876, aged 60 years."

Snippets From The Naracoorte Herald:

5.9.1876

In the matter of the estate of Adam Smith, late of Hynam, near Narracoorte, in the province of South Australia, sheep owner, Deceased, pursuant to the Act of Parliament of South Australia, Number 6 of 1860, notice is hereby given that all creditors and other persons having any claims or demands against or upon the estate of the above named Adam Smith, who died on the seventeenth day of March 1876 are requested to send to the undersigned at their offices, Number 92, King William Street, Adelaide, in the said province, the Solicitors of Gideon Smith and Harry James Goodricke Cattanach, two of the Executors of the said Adam Smith, who have duly proved his will on or before the twenty-first day of October 1876, their christian and surnames, addresses and descriptions and the full particulars of their claims; and that after the said twenty-first day of October 1876 the executors of the said Adam Smith will be at liberty of distribute his assets, or any part thereof, amongst the parties entitled thereto, having regard only to the claims of which the undersigned shall then have had notice; and that the executors of the said Adam Smith will not after that time be liable for the assets so distributed or any part thereof, to any person of whose claim the undersigned shall not then have had notice.

Dated this thirtieth day of August, 1876.

Knox and Gwynne

92 King William Street

Adelaide

Solicitors to the Executors

21.3.1876

DEATH: SMITH: At Hynam, on the seventeenth inst., Adam Smith, JP., aged 60 years.

Death of Adam Smith, Esquire, JP. - we regret to have to record the death of the gentleman just named, which took place at Hynam some time during Thursday night or early on Friday last; the cause being apoplexy, of which the Deceased had an attack about two years ago from which he appeared to fully recover. On Friday morning Mr Smith did not appear at the breakfast table consequently one of his sons went to the bedroom and found him lying on the bed cold and stiff. Before retiring he had wound up his watch and a Testament and volume of Menzies' sermons were upon the toilet table, suggesting that the Deceased gentleman had been aware of the approaching dissolution that was to take place. The earliest event in connection with his career in the colonies was his arrival in New South Wales in the year 1838, shortly after which he became proprietor of a sheep station in conjunction with Messrs Oliver and Brown, at Deep Creek, near Melbourne, which they left in the year 1842 to take up the property which is now the Hynam Estate. Mr Brown having been killed by the natives shortly after their occupation of the country. Messrs Smith and Oliver remained in partnership for some time and having separated Mr Oliver took the Morambro Station and for nearly 30 years Mr Smith had lived at Hynam steadily pursuing his occupation of sheep farming and by frugality and good management gradually acquired a leading position in the district. His attention had long been directed towards improving the breed of sheep in which he had been very successful, not so much perhaps in producing the finest class of wool as in producing a paying fleece and of a character most suitable to the capabilities of the country.

As a man perhaps he had no equal in the district for sound sense, and his judgment was always looked up to with respect. He had read well and had a large fund of information on all ordinary subjects and the valuable assistance of the late Mrs Smith, whose death only preceded his by about nine months, they had brought up a large family and while their education was not neglected, they were trained specially to fit them for the occupation their father had so successfully carried on; and he has had the satisfaction of living enough to see them all fully established on different stations or otherwise provided for. As a Magistrate he had fully discharged his share of the duties of the Bench for many years with the strictest impartiality, and at his home the visitor was always greeted with the most cordial hospitality.

Taking him for all in all we shall find few men who having been eminently successful in business have left behind them descendants so well qualified in time to fill the position of him who has gone before. Altogether his death creates a gap which it will take some years to fill.

The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon at half past two o'clock, when relatives and friends of the deceased, to the number of about three hundred assembled and followed the hearse to the place of interment, situated a few hundred yards in front of the Deceased's residence. The Rev. D. McCalman conducted the funeral service

20.7.1877

At Menzies Hotel, at half past two o'clock p.m. For positive and reserved, unreserved sale, the highly improved estate, known as HYNAM, with the sheep, cattle and horses, the property of the late Adam Smith Esq., situate within six miles of Naracoorte, Mosquito Plains, South Australia.

Hepburn, Leonard and Rowe (in conjunction with the Australasian Agency and Banking Corporation Company Limited) have received instructions from the trustees in the estate of the late Adam Smith Esq., to submit to public competition at the above time and place, the magnificent estate, Hynam, consisting of 35,859 acres of Freehold land, situate within six miles of the township of Narracoorte, South Australia, together with; 22,300 sheep, plant, stores, etc., to be taken at valuation. The improvements are of the most substantial character, consisting of a splendid stone Mansion, stone woolshed for 16 shearers and every requisite for the efficient working of the property. The estate is securely fenced with post-and-rail and wire, and subdivided into numerous paddocks, which are all well and permanently watered.

Note: The auctioneers beg to call the attention of intending purchasers to this magnificent property, it being second to none either in Victoria or South Australia in soundness of country and for cattle & sheep breeding purposes. The name of Mr Adam Smith as one of the most successful breeders of high class stock for the past quarter of a century is well known all over the colonies. All the sheep are pure bred merinos and their wool realised at the late London sales up to 1s. 8 1/2d. per pound in the grease.

Narracoorte has now a railway station and in direct communication with the seaboard.

31.7.1877

SALE OF STATION PROPERTIES - The late Mr Adam Smith's properties were sold in Melbourne on Friday 23 by order of the Executors; and realised over a quarter of a million sterling. The Deceased gentleman's sons bought the properties between them - Messrs Robert, Thomas and Andrew Smith purchasing the station in the Riverina District and Messrs Adam, William and John Smith purchasing Hynam. The "Argus" reports the sales as Follows:- "Messrs Dal. Campbell, Hepburn and Co. report having sold by auction at Menzies Hotel, the Eremeron and Dine Dine stations, in the Lachlan District of New South Wales, containing 420,000 acres, with 60,000 sheep at 35s. per head; also the Booboroy station, comprising 180,000 acres, adjoining the above with 5,500 head of well bred cattle at 6 pounds 15s., per head, usual term. Messrs Hepburn, Leonard and Rowe report having sold by auction (in conjunction with the Australasian Agency and Banking Corporation Ltd.) at Menzies Hotel, by order of the executors of the late Mr Adam Smith, the Hynam freehold estate, near Naracoorte, South Australia, comprising 35,859 acres (with 22,100 sheep, 82 cattle and 20 horses given in) at 3 pounds 1s., per acre. There was a very large attendance of buyers at the above sales and biddings were brisk, the prices being extremely satisfactory, especially taking into account the last very unfavorable season. The sums realised for the three properties amount to over a quarter of a million sterling.

Family Smith

Family Armstrong

HOPE stemmata

[1]The Adelaide Stock and Station Journal-Pastoral Pioneers