Henry Giles

was born in 1812 at Farrington-Gurney, Somerset, England and came to South Australia on the ship Buffalo in 1836, listed as a Labourer. …He had been recommended for government service, particularly in agriculture. … He firstly settled at the Tiers (near present-day Crafers) and then moved to the Mount Pleasant district, where he first bought land in 1842.

Further detail with regard to the ship Buffalo can be found here

Henry married Mary Ann Tippett in early 1843. She had arrived in the colony on the ship Duchess of Northamberland in 1839. Henry was an entrepreneur for the town – providing businesses in farming, milling, storekeeping and carrying which provided employment for the local community. Housing was provided for many of these employees. During 1851 Henry joined the Victorian goldrush, as did many from the area. He surveyed the eastern section of the town in 1856 which was called Totness, after the district in England, from which his wife had come. Whilst not greatly interested in public affairs, Henry was a member of the Talunga District Council, served as a Warden of the St John Anglican Church, became a judge for the Mount Pleasant races, and was a founder for the Mount Pleasant Agricultural Society, providing the first area for the showgrounds, and then donating land for the establishment of the grounds on Showground road. He was the first Treasurer of the Society. He campaigned vigorously for a better Torrens Valley road to Adelaide and established the flour mill at Mount Pleasant in 1863.

Mary Ann Giles died in 1873, aged 55 years. She and Henry did not have any children.

Henry’s nephew, Henry Arthur Giles, settled at Mount Pleasant in the late 1860s and assisted his uncle in his farming and business pursuits in partnership.

South Australian Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1895) Saturday 10 December 1892 p 12 Article

Mount Pleasant, November 30 Through the death of Mr. Henry Giles the district has lost another old and respected resident. Mr. Giles, who was in his 81st year, came to the colony in the ship Buffalo in 1836, and ultimately settled at Mount Pleasant, where for the last 50 years he has resided. Mr. Giles was the senior partner in the firm of Messrs. H. and H. A. Giles, and in addition carried on agricultural and sheepfarming pursuits on his landed property in this district The deceased gentleman was the eldest son of Mr. Thomas Giles, of Farrington Gurney, Somerset, England. He was married, but was a widower for the last 20 years and leaves no family. He was of a retiring and amiable disposition, and with the exception of some years service as a district councillor took little active interest in public pursuits. A large number of friends from Adelaide and all parts of the district followed the remains of the deceased gentleman to their last resting place in St. John’s cemetery. The Rev. J. S. Wayland officiated. Among some of those who attended -were Messrs. B. A. Moulden, M.P., G. Melrose, P. Hynes, G. Phillis, P. Miller, W. M. Vigar J.P., F. Thomson J.P., E. Brice J.P., G. B. Sketheway, C. E. de Wyater, C. W. Hamilton, and Dr. R. H. Hamilton.