Pioneers of the Reynella / Morphett Vale Area

Thomas Anderson,

son of the late Mr. Alexander Anderson formerly of Scotland, who embarked for South Australia by the vessel “Surrey” in 1838. This gentleman purchased property at Morphett Vale, and was identified with the farming industry in this district, until the time of his death in 1884.

Samuel Gottlieb Klose,

born at Lowenberg, a town in Silesia in 1802, was a German Missionary sent out by the Dresden Missionary Society arriving in the spring of 1840. Contributed to the establishment of the Trinity Church in Angas Street, Adelaide. In 1844, Samuel married Elizabeth Holbrook and had four daughters. The two later retired in Happy Valley where Samuel helped with the Congregational Church Sunday Service, until at least the age of eighty-two. He died aged eighty-seven.

Douglas John Byard,

born in England, arriving in the district in 1883, was Principal of Hahndorf College, where, under his direction it achieved a large share of academic success. Byard along with Good, were responsible for the construction of the Glenloth Winery. Douglas was married and had four sons and two daughters.

Major Thomas O'Halloran,

was the son of Major-General Sir J. O'Halloran, and was born in 1797. Before coming to the new Province of South Australia in 1838, he had seen active service in India, before retiring from the Army and receiving a medal for his services. He was offered the position of Commissioner of Police not long after his arrival, and accepted. He resigned from this position after four years in 1843. Major O'Halloran went on to found the Christ Church, O'Halloran Hill. He passed away aged seventy-three years.

John Reynell,

was born in Ilfracombe, Devon, in 1809 and spent his youth travelling, mainly through Egypt. After some years in Europe and America as a commercial agent for English merchants, John returned to England where an advertisement in the Strand lured him to purchase several 80 acre lots for 12 shillings each in South Australia. Once on his land, John set about raising sheep and cattle. Then in 1838, reasoning that both soil and climate were suitable for vines, began producing wine in 1843. One day in 1850 another young man from Devon got his first job working for John is his winery. That man was Thomas Hardy, founder of Hardy's Reynella Winery, which is believed to be the oldest operating winery in Australia's history.

Robert Bain,

born here in South Australia in 1839, later moved to the Morphett Vale district in 1857. Robert married Sarah (maiden name unknown) and had seven children, only two sons and three daughters surviving. Robert was involved in the Agricultural Industry and Bains Road was named after him.

Sir John Morphett,

was born in London in 1809, and left for Egypt for the warmer climate at age twenty-one, where he met Colonel William Light. John came to South Australia sometime around 1836 and was heavily involved in its founding. John held numerous political positions over his working life. He was a member of the Aboriginal Protection Board and later knighted for his services to South Australia. The suburb of Morphettville and Morphett Vale were named after him. He passed away in the spring of 1892.

John Gleed,

was a blacksmith by trade who lived on Kenihans Rd, near the junction with Byards Rd. He was an early pioneer who was also involved in the building of the Happy Valley Reservoir.

Vin Kenihan,

was a dwarf who built a cottage on Kenihans Rd which was still standing in 1981. He was just over 4 ft. tall but was immensely strong.

Alec Pocock,

owned quarries west of the Reynella Hotel. These quarries supplied rock for cement works at Brighton.

Richard Sampson,

owned the land south of Glenloth Winery on Reynell Rd. He has been buried locally.

Richard Henley,

was one of the first four people to settle in the area. Richard came over on a ship called RAJA SHAN. He was a builder who built the Church of England, Mostyn and Horndale Wineries, among other things.

Richard Appleton,

was an early educator in the area. Paid the South Australian Government for the privilege of teaching local children.

 

Thanks to Kirsty Allen, Richard Webster, Andrew Sjoberg & Dud Nicol for part research of this information.