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John Gilmour
John Gilmour
was born in 1816 at Alloa, Clackmanshire, Scotland, the son of Alexander and Janet (nee Miller). He arrived in South Australia on the ship LYSANDER IN 1839, aged 23 years. He was a SA Company tenant farmer near Chain of Ponds before moving to the Glen Devon property and married Mary Ann Wheaton in 1850 with his first two children being born at Chain of Ponds in 1852 and 1854 and the remainder of the 10 children being born in the Mount Pleasant district.
In 1851, whilst at Chain of Ponds, he first grew wheat which he entered in the 1851 Crystal Palace Great Exhibition held in London’s Hyde Park. In a letter written in 1886 as a Letter to the Editor in reply to a statement made with regard to wheat from the Mount Barker region achieving success in London, John wrote an explanation … At the second Show held in connection with the Adelaide Agricultural Society my partner (Mr. Innes) and myself were the successful competitors for the prize offered for wheat. The exhibit, which was grown on our farm at Chain of Ponds, attracted the attention of a gentleman, a certain Mr. Biggins, and he suggested that the parcel should be sent to England for competition at a Show to be held in London. With our consent it was forwarded immediately afterwards, and the sample was meritorious enough to secure first honours. Now all who remember the second Adelaide Show will know that it was held some years before the great Exhibition of 1851, so that our wheat really obtained an award in London before that sent from the Mount Barker district. In mentioning these facts I merely desire to remove the general impression that no South Australian wheat received honours in England previous to 1851.
In the newspaper of the day it reported the purchase of Section 7, Hd Para Wirra in 1857 sold to J Gilmour 206 acres for £206/5/0. This land was about 4 miles north of Mount Pleasant.
Also reported in the newspapers of the day was that Gilmour was a Judge for the Mount Pleasant Ploughing matches in 1857 and 1858.
John Gilmour purchased what was to become ‘Glen Devon’ in 1873, from James Phillis. The property was named by John and it could be assumed that it was named after the valley of the Devon River, which flowed near his home in Scotland. He was a great supporter of the Ploughing matches, which began in 1856 and were the precursor to the Show, which is still one of the largest country shows in SA. John was in fact a member of the committee which established this show in 1863.
He is regularly reported in the newspapers as applying to the Talunga Council for works to be done on roads and in fact built the first bridge in the district which happened to be over the R. Torrens to his home. He never lost an opportunity to urge the appropriate authorities for a dedicated main road between Adelaide and Mount Pleasant.
During the mid 1860s the property became a sheep-raising one and John was successful in the shows with his stud stock and wool.
In our district record ‘The Quiet Waters By’ by Reg Butler describes John had an avid interest in the Presbyterian Church, carefully dealing out his regular contributions from a chamois leather money bag. In later years he apparently connived with his grandchildren to pour whiskey on his breakfast porridge when the women of the household were not looking!
John Gilmour died at his son’s residence in Unley, in 1890, aged 74 years. His funeral however left his home, Glen Devon, and he is buried in the Mount Pleasant Public Cemetery of the day, now called McBean Cemetery, adjacent to the Golf Club.
Of his children, two died as youngsters of diptheria, a third drowned at age 22 years, in the River Murray, a daughter went to New Zealand, a son to Queensland, and several moved to New South Wales.
In 1894 the Glen Devon property of some 3409 acres together with Devon Downs which was some 7723 acres and situated on the River Murray, between Mannum and Blanchetown was auctioned with the assistance of Henry Arthur Giles of Mount Pleasant. Lachlan McBean purchased ‘Glen Devon’ and continued the profitable operation of the estate.
Bunyip (Gawler, SA : 1863 – 1954) Friday 9 November 1877 p 4 Article
Mr. Gilmour instructed to get work done near Glen Devon.
The South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858 – 1889) Monday 22 January 1877 p 3 Article
…Messrs. Gilmour and Murray reported the following works required on Glen Devon-road:—About 13 chains of cutting and filling in various places and one log culvert. …
The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser (SA : 1880 – 1954) Friday 23 July 1886 p 3 Article
Mr. John Gilmour, of Glen Devon, Mount Pleasant informs the Register that wheat grown by him at Chain of Ponds won first honors in London before 1851.
South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Thursday 22 July 1886, page 3
THE FIRST ENGLISH AWARD FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIAN WHEAT.
TO THE EDITOR.
Sir — Kindly permit me to make a few remarks with reference to your reply to ' F. W. Russack,' dealing with the first South Australian wheat to receive an award in England. Although your answer expresses the general impression it is not altogether consistent with fact, and therefore somewhat misleading. In a country so. celebrated for its wheat as ours it is of interest if not of importance to know the actual facts, At the second Show held in connection with the Adelaide Agricultural Society my partner (Mr. Innes) and myself were the successful competitors for the prize offered for wheat. The exhibit, which was grown on our farm at Chain of Ponds, attracted the attention of a gentleman, a certain Mr. Higgins, and he suggested that the parcel should be sent to England for competition at a Show to be held in London. With our consent it was forwarded immediately afterwards, and the sample was meritorious enough to secure first honours. Now all who remember the second Adelaide Show will know that it was held some years before the great Exhibition of 1851, so that our wheat really obtained an award in London before that sent from the Mount Barker district. In mentioning these facts I merely desire to remove the general impression that no South Australian wheat received honours in England previous to 1851. I am, Sir, &c, JOHN GILMOUR. Glen Devon, Mount Pleasant.
Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 – 1904) Saturday 24 July 1886 p 38 Article
THE FIRST ENGLISH AWARD FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIAN WHEAT.
TO THE EDITOR.
Sir—Kindly permit me to make a few remarks with reference to your reply to “F. W. Bussack,” dealing with the first South Australian wheat to receive an award in England. Although your answer expresses the general impression it is not altogether consistent with fact, and therefore somewhat misleading. In a country so celebrated for its wheat as ours it is of interest if not of importance to know the actual facts.
I am, Sir.&c.
JOHN GILMOUR.
Glen Devon, Mount Pleasant.
South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 – 1900) Thursday 30 April 1868 p 2 Family Notices
DEATHS.
GILMOUR.-On the 22nd April. Janet Sophia, aged 12 years and 8 months eldest daughter; and on the 28th April, Edward Wheaton, aged nine years and seven months, both of diphtheria—beloved children of John and Mary Ann Gilmour, of Glen Devon, Mount Pleasant.
South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1868 – 1881) Saturday 22 November 1879 p 3 Detailed Lists, Results, Guides
On October 14, at Kapunda (the Kapunda and Light Agricultural Society’s show day), 39 pure merino rams, for Mr. John Gilmour, Glen Devon, Mount Pleasant, as follows— 5, at £3 6s. ; 5, at £3 13s. 6d.; 5, at £3 3s.; 6, at £2 13s. 6d. ; 13, at £2 12s. 6d.; 5, at £1 13s. 6d., averaging a little over £3 3s. each. The rams were exceedingly well woolled, but very low in condition.
1879 Mount Crawford East Ward – Mr J Gilmour, Glen Devon
South Australian Weekly Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1881 – 1889) Saturday 25 March 1882 p 16 Article
On Sunday last the anniversary services of the Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Sabbath school were celebrated, when the Rev. Thos. Gray preached two impressive sermons to large congregations. On Monday evening a service of song entitled ‘ Sayings of Jesus’ was rendered by the Sabbath scholars and church choir, under the leadership of Mr. G. B. Sketheway, the Rev. T. Gray giving the connective readings. The annual picnic was held the following day at Glen Devon, a beautifully wooded spot situated about two miles from Mount Pleasant, and kindly lent by Mr. J. Gilmour for the occasion. Despite the intense heat all appeared to enjoy themselves.
South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 – 1900) Friday 12 September 1890 p 3 Article
COUNTRY CORRESPONDENCE.
MOUNT PLEASANT, SEPTEMBER 10
The funeral of Mr. John Gilmour, who died at his son’s residence at Unley, aged seventy-four, on Sunday, 8th inst., was largely attended, over thirty traps and a number of horsemen and people on foot being present. The deceased gentleman was a colonist of fifty-one years, arriving in the colony in the year 1839. He settled at near Kersbrook, and afterwards moved up to Glen Devon. He leaves four sons and four daughters.
Another old colonist was buried here to-day in the person of Mr. James P. Vivian, who had reached the ripe age of eighty-five years. He came out to Sydney, New South Wales, before this colony was founded, and subsequently moved here. He had been a great sufferer for the last year or two. His descendants are numerous.
Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 – 1912) Saturday 6 September 1890 p 4 Family Notice
THE Friends of the late Mr. JOHN GILMOUR are respectfully informed that his REMAINS will be removed from his late Residence, Glen Devon, Mount Pleasant, To-morrow (Sunday), at 1 p.m., for Interment in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 – 1912) Monday 17 August 1891 p 2 Family Notices
GILMOUR.—On the 16th August, at the Private Hospital, North Adelaide, Edward Carter, youngest son of the late John Gilmour, Glen Devon, Mount Pleasant, aged 22 years.
PENGELLEY & KNABE, Undertakers.
The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser (SA : 1880 – 1954) Friday 16 February 1894 p 2 Article
Pastoral Estates for Sale.—Messrs. Barker & Chambers, with Mr. H. A. Giles, will sell by auction on Friday, 23rd inst., the ” Glen Devon ” and ” Devon Downs ” estates, the property of Messrs. J. E. M. Gilmour and Co. The former (3409 acres) is situated near Mount Pleasant and the latter (7723 acres) on the River Murray, between Mannum and Blanchetown. At the same time will be offered the famous flock of ” Glen Devon’ sheep, 2149 in number, which have pedigrees traceable for 30 years and have taken over 250 prizes at agricultural shows.
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