Charlotte Phillis 1829-1907

Charlotte Phillis is the eldest daughter of James Phillis and wife Susannah nee Chapman, born in 1829 in Eastry, Kent. She arrived in 1839 aboard the ship DUCHESS OF NORTHUMBERLAND with her parents and siblings. Soon after arrival her mother died, with her father James taking a position as a Waterman at Port Adelaide. Charlotte Bushell nee Phillis, sister of James, soon afterwards came to Port Adelaide with her husband Henry Bushell and son John Phillis Bushell, so that Charlotte could assist in the care of the young and growing family. The Bushell family had arrived in South Australia in 1836 aboard the Africaine and had spent two years living on Kangaroo Island, with Henry Bushell building boats.

Both the Bushell and Phillis families moved to the Mount Pleasant district during 1842, and established a home in the area. 

John Bushell and Charlotte Phillis married in 1849 at Holy Trinity Church, Adelaide.

John Bushell was born in 1828 at Dover, in Kent, England. During the early 1840s he farmed with his cousin & brother-in-law George Phillis. George had married John's sister, Caroline who had been a shepherdess in the area.

During the 1850s John and wife Charlotte took up land on Section 403, Hundred of South Rhine, on one of the tributaries of Reedy Creek. John's successful farming led him to achieve great success in the annual ploughing matches which were held in the district between 1856 and the 1870s. He also farmed at Two Wells and then kept hotels before retirement to Kent House at Nw Parkside. John Phillis Bushell died 8 March 1899. 

Charlotte died 1 February 1907.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Friday 17 March 1899, page 3

THE LATE MR. J. P. BUSHELL.

Mr. John Phillis Bushell,who died a few days ago at his residence, Kent House, Victoria-terrace, New Parkside, at the age of 71 years, was a colonist of 63 years standing, having arrived in the Africaine on November 5, 1836. The deceased gentleman was born at Deal, one of the principal fishing ports in Kent, and came out with his parents at the age 8 years. His father (Mr. Henry Bushell) was by trade a boat builder, and he entered the service of the S.A. Whaling Company in that capacity, taking up his residence at first on Kangaroo Island, and subsequently, when Port Adelaide was opened, he removed to a house built on piles over the spot where the Birkenhead Hotel now stands. Thence the domicile of the family was transferred to Woodville, and later on to Mount Pleasant, where the son, John Bushell, took to the cultivation of the land, in which his energy and patience met with their reward. He soon became an expert in farming pursuits, as he had been at his father's trade. He also showed a great aptitude for veterinary work, and was often able to extend valuable aid to his neighbors whose stock were indisposed. He was a Freemason, and was also a member of the Mount Pleasant lodges of the Oddfellows, M.U., and Ancient Order of Foresters, and was for many years secretary of the former. Upon relinquishing farming he became the licensee of the Two Wells Hotel, and later on of the Nelson's Victory Hotel, at Edwardstown, after which he retired from business and took up his residence with his family at New Parkside. While at Mount Pleasant the deceased gentleman entered the matrimonial state, chosing as his partner in life the daughter of his father's esteemed friend, Mr. James Phillis, of Updown Park, Mount Pleasant, and his wife survives him. He also leaves five sons, five daughters, and eight grandchildren. One of the sons is Senior-Constable Bushell, who is stationed at Eudunda and who, as the result of his skill as a bushman and tracker, rendered such conspicuous service in the recent murder investigation at Mount Mary.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Thursday 7 February 1907, page 6 

Mrs. Charlotte Bushell, relict of Mr. John Phillis Bushell, who died at her residence, Kent House, Victoria-terrace, New Parkside, this week, was an old and highly respected colonist. Mrs. Bushell was born at Eastry, in the county of Kent, England, and was at the time of her death 77 years old. She landed here with her parents in the ship Duchess of Northumberland on December 19,1839. She lost her mother two weeks after landing. She resided in Adelaide at first, and then she moved to the old Port Adelaide. In 1843 she went to Mount Pleasant. Her husband arrived in the State before her, in the ship Africaine. The late Mrs. George Phillis was her sister in-law, and she named a small hill "Mount Pleasant." From that the township derived its name. After living for 30 years at Mount Pleasant Mrs. Bushell moved to Two Wells, and later in her life she went to live at Unley, where she resided for 22 years. She left four sons, four daughters, 14 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.