Abraham Hopkins Davis

Anthony Hopkins Davis (ca.1796 – 4 June 1866) was a businessman and horticulturist in the early days of the Colony of South Australia.

History

Davis, his wife Mary and four children arrived in Adelaide aboard the Lord Goderich from London on 15 October 1837.

He immediately set about establishing Moore Farm Garden at the Reedbeds. He did more to advance farming in the infant colony than any other person, with the exception of George Stevenson. For many years, he was one of the most successful exhibitors at the Agricultural and Horticultural shows.

He was a conspicuous critic of Governor Gawler's spending policy. He abandoned his business with the subsequent financial setbacks of 1841–1842 in which he lost a considerable part of his fortune.

He was elected an alderman on the first Adelaide City Council, which was disbanded in 1843 as unaffordable.[1]

In 1846, he took part in the protests against state-sponsored religion and was one of four secretaries to the Anti-State Aid League, the other three being Chief Justice R. D. Hanson, John Baker and William Bakewell.

He was a member of the Central Road Board during the fierce agitation against the dray and land taxes in 1849-50, both of which the Government was forced to abandon.

He was appointed Justice of the Peace.

In 1849, he supported representative government, and denounced attempts to establish a peerage, whether life or hereditary. He stood for West Torrens at the first elections, but was defeated by Charles Simeon Hare, by a majority of two. He never again stood for public office, but was for some years Chairman of the District Council of West Torrens. His political views then changed remarkably – in 1953 he supported, in letters under the signature of "Vigil", the conservative view of an upper house appointed for life. He expounded these views in the journal Thursday Review he edited in 1859. He frequently aired his views in "Letters to the Editor". His obituary noted that "... though in his writings he displayed some want of respect for the opinions of others, and although many complained of a bitterness of manner in dealing with political questions and political men, all acknowledged his sincerity, and respected his never-failing moral courage ... and who, in his various public positions, displayed the qualities of an able man and a good citizen."[1]

He suffered ill-health through the last years of his life and died at Moore Farm, Reedbeds.

Family

Abraham Hopkins Davis was married to Mary (ca. 1794 – 3 April 1846), then married a second time to Harriet Williams (ca. 1803 – 17 September 1866) on 8 May 1848. His family included:

References

  1. 1 2 "The Late Mr. A. H. Davis". The South Australian Advertiser. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 5 June 1866. p. 2. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
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