George Phillis 1827-1909

George Phillis

son of James Phillis, one of the first settlers in the region.

George Phillis was born 1827 at Eastry, Kent, England and came to South Australia with his parents and siblings on the ship Duchess of Northumberland in December 1839, at the age of 12 years. Soon after arrival his mother died, and his father, James, was assisted by Charlotte (nee Phillis) and Henry Bushel in the care of his large family, at Port Adelaide. The family moved to the Mount Pleasant district in 1843, settling initially where Kent Farm is now situated.

George initially worked with boat builder Mr Snoswell at Encounter Bay. When his father and family moved to Mount Pleasant George and his sister Emma, aged 9 years, walked from First Creek in Adelaide to Mount Pleasant to reside with their father and family.

For a time George was a shepherd for the Bakers at Terlinga Station. He and his brother William carted copper ore from the Burra to Port Adelaide with bullock teams.

He married his cousin, Caroline Elizabeth Bushell, daughter of Henry and Charlotte Bushell in 1850 at Gawler; there being no church at Mount Pleasant. They had 10 children.

George farmed land in partnership with his cousin and brother-in-law, John Bushell, before purchasing a section of land which became Spring Vale, adjoining Rosebank on the Cookes Hill Road (now Angas Valley Road).

He was a founder, and later President of the Show Society, Chairman of the local Agricultural Bureau, and held several ploughing matches on his property.  He was a member of the Institute Committee, and belonged to the Freemasons and Oddfellows Lodges.  He was a keen sportsperson, playing cricket and hosting many of the meets for the Springton Coursing Club. He was also a member of the South Rhine District Council.

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954) Saturday 17 December 1904 p 40 Article

MOUNT PLEASANT.

December 7.— After a long and painful illness, Mrs. George Philiis, of Spring Vale, passed away at the age of 70 years. She was a very old colonist. The funeral took place today at the Church of England Cemetery, the Rev. R. A. Adams officiating at the grave.

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954) Saturday 17 December 1904 p 37 Article

AN OLD COLONIST DEAD.

Mount Pleasant. December 10.

An old and highly-respected pioneer—Mrs. George Phillis, of Spring Vale— has died at the age, of 70 years. The deceased, who was born in Kent on January 1, 1831 and came out with her parents in the Africaine, landed on Kangaroo Island in November, 1836. After staying there three years she came with her parents to South Australia, and landed at the old Port on October 15, 1839. The family removed to Alberton, where they stayed four years before coming to Mount Pleasant in March, 1843, in a bullock dray. They settled on Kent Farm, and Mrs Philis spent her early days minding sheep.  She was married to Mr. George Phillis in March, 1850, and he survives her at the age of 77 years.  She also left three sons—:Messrs. George Phillis (Baroota), John Phillis (Walker’s Plat), and Thomas Phillis (Spring Vale)— and four daughters Mrs. Smith, Mount Pleasant; Mrs Roy, Devon Downs; and Misses E. and F. Phillis, Spring Vale, and 16 grandchildren.

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954) Saturday 7 August 1909 p 44 Article

MOUNT PLEASANT. July 28.— Mr.  George Phillis, one of the oldest residents of Springvale, died on Thursday. He was a native of Kent and arrived in South Australia in the ship Duchess of Northumberland at the age of 12. At Port Adelaide he worked for 2/6 a week, finding himself. Later he assisted in boatbuilding under Mr. Snoswell at the old whaling-station at Encounter Bay. With his father, Mr. James Phillis, he settled on what was afterwards known as Kent Farm, near Mount Pleasant. He was engaged in shepherding for some time for the late Hon. John Baker in the South Rhine district, and afterwards with his brother William carted copper ore with bullock teams from the Burra mines to Port Adelaide. In 1850 he married a daughter of the late Mr. Henry  Bushell and started farming operations in conjunction with his brother-in-law, the late John Bushell, on the River Torrens. Subsequently the land east of Mount Pleasant was offered for sale and in 1855 he purchased the Spring Vale property, where he lived until his death. He was a founder of the A. H. and F. Society, was chairman of the Agricultural Bureau for many years, and councillor for the South Rhine district for 32 years, being also chairman. He was also one of the founders of the Oddfellows’ Lodge at Mount Pleasant, a Forrester, a Freemason, a member of the committee of the institute, president of the cricket club, and supporter of the Mount Pleasant and Springton Coursing Clubs. Mr. Phillis left three sons— Mr. G. Phillis, of Baroota; Mr. J. B. Phillis, of Walker’s Flat; and Mr. T. C. Phillis, Springvale—and four daughters— Mrs. W. Kay, of Devon Downs; Mrs. E. Smith, of Mount Pleasant; and Misses S. C. and F. A. Phillis, of Springvale; 17 grandchildren,  and three great-grandchildren.

 Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 – 1931) Saturday 7 August 1909 p 23 Detailed Lists, Results, Guides

COURSING NOTES…

The death of Mr. George Phillis, at Mount Pleasant last week, removes another of the old brigade. who took part in the early meetings at Springton, and though we saw little of him in later years as an owner, he will long be remembered by those who made Mount Pleasant their coursing meeting place. Whether it was for the local or S.A. Club, his paddocks were always thrown open, and adjoining the Messrs. Melrose’s Rosebank Estate, these two provided grounds where many historical battles took place.  Until its disbandonment Mr. Phillis was President for the local -club, and I do not think he ever missed a meeting, or failed to preside at a settling. …

The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser (SA : 1880 – 1954) Friday 27 August 1909 p 3 Article

The will of the late Mr. George Phillis, of Spring Vale, near Mount Pleasant, farmer, has been filed for probate. The estate is sworn not to exceed in value £15,000, and is bequeathed to members of the family.

George Phillis died 1909.