Thomas Cowley

GEDCOM Source

@R-1681550982@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.

GEDCOM Source

Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=25281118&pid...

---

GEDCOM Note

<p style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr">Migrates to SA in 1840 in the "Charles Kerr" with his parents</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr">after marriage, settled at Edwardstown where Thomas worked on "Watty" Thompsons farm and drove one of the first experimental Ridley reaping machines</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr">Thomas rented 8 hectares near teh "Heart and Hand" on South Road for 10 pounds per annum,</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr">After 3 years, moved to Reynella and in 1850 farms on rented land for the next 40 years raising and educating 6 sons, 7 daughters plus 2 died in infancy</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr">1852 went to Bendigo for 16 weeks with 3 others. Sold the bullocks, bought a horse and came home with 2.3kg of gold. Used it to buy a cart and more land becomingthe first owner of a horse and cart in the area.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr">Opened Cowley Quarry for bluestone. Built a wagon from timber on his property and help of a blacksmith.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr">Built a home and became foundation members of Happy Valley Congregational Church</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr">1885, left Reynella with 3 youngest surviving daughters to take up land 5km from Kadina near his sons.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr"> Sons has farms at South Hummocks and Wintanerta. Here at their homestead "Alabama" they celevrated their Golden and Diamond wedding anniversary</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr">Thomas and Rebecca retired in 1906 to a house he built in Kadina where they eventually died</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr">Reputation as honest people whod didn't drink, smoke,gamble or swear and went to church</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">Adelaide Paper </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">DEATH OF AN OLD PIONEER</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">The death of occurred at Kadina on Sunday of Mr Thomas Cowley, in the 91^st year of his age. The deceased, who was born at Whitchester, Gloucestershire, arrived in South Australia in the ship Charles Kerr in 1840, was a fine type of the early settler, and had retired from farming pursuits some years ago. Several years after his arrival in South Australia he married Miss Rebecca B

---

, who came to South Australia in the ship Petonje Bomanjee in 1838. Among the stirring incidents inthe early history of the State which the old gentlemen liked to recall was the first election of members of the Legislative Council in 1851, which resulted in the return of Mr W Peacock, who defeatedMajor O’Halloran. Mr Cowley used to claim that one of the proudest moments of his life was when led a procession on horseback carrying a banner bearing the device, “Vote for Peacock” from Reynella to the polling place at Noarlinga. Closely following the standard bearer was a six-horse drag accompanied by two horsemen also carrying flags. The election aroused intense interest, and much enthusiasm was manifested when it was made known that the champion of the Anti State Aid to Religion Party had defeated his opponent. Mr Cowley had been a member of the Congregational or Independent Church for about 60 years. Mr Cowley, after spending a few years at Edwardstown, removed to Reynella, and about 30 years ago he came to the Kadina district, where he selected land. He has left awidow, six sons, and seven daughters. His grandchildren total 55, and his great-children 24, making in all 92 descendants. The remains were taken to Happy Valley, where the internment took place on Tuesday. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr"> </p>