david coombe history
SUMMARY: S.T. Gill produced simple postcard sized wash drawings, labelled on the back "Series of Adelaide Views", illustrating the built environment of Adelaide and the Port. They probably found a market as mementoes to be sent back to England – a likely modest income stream for the artist. This series features one of Gill's earliest colonial pictures.
Article type: ANALYSIS & CATALOGUE
In this article ...
There are 27 wash drawings by S.T. Gill, all about postcard size, each of which has on the back "S.o.A" or "S.o.A.V." and Roman numerals. They are in the collection of the National Library of Australia (NLA) with call numbers in the NK2038 group. The meaning of the initialism is unlocked by the note on the back of No. 1 – Trinity Church NK2038/21 – which reads: "S.eries O.f A.Adelaide Australian Views".
The pictures are numbered between 1 and 60, with many gaps but no duplicates. All the views are of Adelaide buildings (bar one of Port Adelaide); there are no rural or bush scenes. I think it's likely, but not certain, that Gill himself labelled the backs. A further two wash drawings in NLA NK2038 are included in this Series although they lack an SoAV inscription.
The pictures are on several types of paper, exhibit variations in caption and painting style and would have been painted over several years.
Front, Methodist Chapel, Gawler Place | National Library of Australia NK2038/08 One of the earliest in this series is the Wesleyan Methodist chapel in Gawler Place. The view is almost identical to a print that went on sale in December 1841.
Wesleyan Chapel, Gawler Place, Adelaide | State Library of South Australia B 4500 The print shows an iron fence at the front and side. Gill's picture has no front fence and a basic paling side fence – suggesting Gill's scene is earlier. In addition Gill's characters appear less animated than those of his later (1845) renown.
One of Gill's Earliest. This wash drawing may have been one of Gill's first efforts after establishing his studio in Gawler Place in March 1840. Perhaps Gill developed this series as early as 1840.
Is there any significance in the series numbering? No. 1 Trinity Church can be dated by the spire to after mid-1845, while No. 11 Methodist Chapel seems to be before 1842. Clearly the pictures are not in chronological order of painting.
The different papers, styles and dates are hints of this series' purpose. A reasonable explanation is that Gill made these sketches available for purchase and replaced sold ones as needed. As "the military place of worship", Trinity Church may have been very popular not only with locals, but also with posted regiments and Gill may have replaced it several times. Trinity Church was probably always No. 1 in the series and we only have a later version of it.
I think all the views date before July 1846 when Gill departed on Horrocks' expedition; this is based on both comparative style and Gill's artistic workload after then.
Straight after Gill left with Horrocks – for three consecutive weeks in August 1846 – the bookseller and stationer C.S. Platts advertised for sale "sketches of the colony by Gill".1 It would have been prudent for Gill to have some works on sale while he was away on that unfunded adventure. Perhaps Platts was selling Series of Adelaide Views.
Nine works in this series bear the monogram "EJ" on the reverse. The same monogram also appears on a sketch by John Napier Magill and two sketches (that are not part of this series) of bush scenes dated 1845 by Gill. The monogram is very likely that of the one time owner of these works; however the identity of EJ remains unknown. In April 2024 I theorised a Magill-Palmer-EJ provenance, see S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill | "EJ" Monogram.
To see the works, with accompanying notes, just scroll down or jump to the List of Works.
You can use the interactive map (below) to see the views as Gill saw them. (Click "Open map in full screen".)
1. South Australian Gazette and Colonial Register, 8 August 1846: 1. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article195934035>
You can scroll down to see all pictures along with detailed notes or click a link to jump to a specific work from the list.
Trinity Church, rebuilt, North Terrace, the military place of worship | National Library of Australia NK2038/21
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1845-08/1846-05~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
This is Trinity Church (acre 9) (after it was rebuilt in mid-1845) and the parsonage (left). (It was originally built in 1838.) The view is to the southeast, with North Terrace to the left and Morphett Street away to the right. The rebuilding work was sufficiently complete for services to restart on 10 August 1845. (Adelaide Observer, 16 August 1845: 5. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158920669>)
Reverse has "Trinity church & parsonage", "S.eries O.f A.Adelaide Australian Views (S.o.A.V)" and "No. 1", making this the key to unlocking the meaning of the "S.o.A" initialism on the backs of other works.
Series of Adelaide Views 1 (from reverse inscription).
Catalogue: Reverse has EJ monogram. Likely Magill-Palmer-EJ provenance.
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
67
St. John's Church, East Terrace | National Library of Australia NK2038/25
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1844~/1846-05~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
St. John's Church (acre 581) Halifax-street near East Terrace looking south-east with the hills in the background. St. John's was opened for public worship with a service on Sunday 24 October 1841. For some reason - possibly aesthetic - Gill has shown five, not six, side windows in all his pictures of St John's. See Gill's NLA NK2038/25, NLA R110 (1845) and SLNSW PXC 284 18b (1849) and F.R. Nixon's six-windowed NLA S1161 (1845).
Series of Adelaide Views 7 (from reverse inscription).
Catalogue: Reverse has EJ monogram. Likely Magill-Palmer-EJ provenance.
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
71
Front, Methodist Chapel, Gawler Place | National Library of Australia NK2038/08
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1840~/1841~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
The newly built Wesleyan (Methodist) Chapel opened in July 1839 in (acre 106) Gawler Place (which then ran only between Rundle and Grenfell Streets). In the background are other buildings in the city, including an industrial chimney stack.
The H. C. Jervis engraving of this building (SLSA B 4500) shows it surrounded by a neat iron fence and, if that is an accurate portrayal, suggests Gill's scene is earlier. Gill advertised his artist's rooms in Gawler Place in March 1840 so this could be one of his earliest colonial works.
Series of Adelaide Views 11 (from reverse inscription).
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
54
Court House, South Australia | National Library of Australia NK2038/22
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1842~/1844~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
These are the buildings (acre 176) modified in 1843 for use as courts and incorporating the Queen's Theatre. They were used from about September 1843 to 1850 after which the courts moved to Victoria Square. The view is from the south on Waymouth Street.
Series of Adelaide Views 14 (from reverse inscription).
Catalogue: Reverse has EJ monogram. Likely Magill-Palmer-EJ provenance.
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
68
Gaol, one view, side next the Torrens | National Library of Australia NK2038/04
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1841~/1844~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
This is a view of the gaol looking to the southwest from the river. The two towers at left are on the east wall. Behind is the Gaol Governor's house. The gaol was progressively built and occupied from late 1840. The original designated "Aborigines Location" was here and was relocated across the river when the gaol was built.
Series of Adelaide Views 15 (from reverse inscription).
Gill labels this "one view" and NLA NK2038/05 "two views".
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
50
Adelaide gaol, park lands facing south, guards marching to relief, not militarily correct | National Library of Australia NK2038/05
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1845~/1846-06~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
This is a view of the gaol looking to the north from the end of the track that ran from North Terrace near Morphett Street. The title is confusing - it's the gaol that faces south. The gaol was completed in 1841, as was the deep ditch at right which ran to the river and drained the marshy ground. At left is the Gaol Governor's house. The two towers (right) are on the east wall. Unlike other gaol drawings, there is no leftover stonework in the foreground. Soldiers march to relieve guards at the gaol. The first military detachment - the 96th Regiment - arrived in September 1841.
The note about the guards' marching shows Gill's military awareness. His note about correctness could refer to their guns being carried over their right shoulder. Contrast the left shoulder slope arms in Gill's NLA R374 and Nixon's NLA NK232.
Series of Adelaide Views 16 (from reverse inscription).
Gill labels NLA NK2038/04 "one view" and this "two views".
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
51
Government House, front view facing east [...] | National Library of Australia NK2038/23
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1844~/1846-06~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
Government House is on the Park Land above North Terrace and to the east of King William Street. Here it is viewed from the south-east from within the grounds. This is the same view as AGSA 0.34.
Series of Adelaide Views 19 (from reverse inscription).
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
69
N. Terrace, General Post Office, King Wm. [i.e. William] St. Adelaide, residence of Capt. Watts of Co. Kildare | National Library of Australia NK2038/18
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1845~/1846-05~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
This is the General Post Office (acre 17) on the corner of King William Street (leading away to the right) and North Terrace (to the left). It was also the residence of Captain John Watts, Postmaster-General. The Post Office is also prominent in "North Terrace looking south-east" (AGSA 0.939). Gill shows all sorts of citizens visiting the Post Office: a man from "the bush", a top hatted gentleman, a bonnetted woman and an Aboriginal person.
Series of Adelaide Views 26 (from reverse inscription).
Catalogue: Reverse has EJ monogram. Likely Magill-Palmer-EJ provenance.
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
64
Government offices facing south, old [...] background | National Library of Australia NK2038/13
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1845~/1846-06~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
This is a view of the Government Offices (acre 236) from across Flinders Street. At left is a street sign on the corner where King William Street leads (away) to the north. Background (right) has the old military barracks on Grenfell Street (acre 106). This picture shares all these features in common with the 1841/1842 H.C. Jervis print and the 1845 Nixon lithograph - the latter drawings differ by showing more of King William Street and the government flagstaff at the end.
In the 1842 Kingston map, the Public Offices include the Colonial Secretary's Office, Treasury, Assistant Commissar's Office, Surveyor General's Office, Registrar's Office, Auditor Generals Office, Judge's Office and the Bankrupt Court.
The caption reads "Government Offices [facing?] south [over north?], old [Bks?] background". The artist faces north and the building faces south, so this may explain Gill's correction. So the likely intended caption is: "Government Offices facing south, old Bks [Barracks] background". The regiment moved from the "old" barracks in Grenfell Street (acre 106) to Flinders Street (acre 234) in October 1842.
Series of Adelaide Views 27 (from reverse inscription).
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
59
Auction Mart, Adelaide, So. [i.e. South] Australia, 1846 | National Library of Australia NK2038/12
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1846-01/1846-06 | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
This drawing is of Bentham Neale's Auction Mart (acre 47) facing Hindley Street on the corner of King William Street.
Following completion of a new white stone front, Neales went on to add an eastern collonade / portico, which was reported as being well progressed at the end of 1845. To the left is Payne's Auction Mart Tavern.
The drawing is dated 1846 from a reverse inscription likely added by Gill.
This picture is included in "Series of Adelaide Views" – despite lacking a reverse inscription to that effect – due to subject matter, date, size and being in the NLA NK2038 collection.
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
58
Government office, side view from Barrack gate | National Library of Australia NK2038/28
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1845~/1846-06~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
The Government Offices at corner of King William Street and Flinders Street (acre 236) as viewed from the east from the gate of the Flinders Street miitary barracks (acre 234). In the foreground the land between (acre 235) is vacant but well utilised.
Series of Adelaide Views 28 (from reverse inscription).
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
74
Catholic Chapel | National Library of Australia NK2038/24
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1845-10~/1846-05~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
This is the Catholic Chapel (acre 320) on the north corner of Grote Street and West Terrace. Services commenced in "The New Catholic School House and Temporary Chapel" on 5 October 1845.
Series of Adelaide Views 29 (from reverse inscription).
Catalogue: Reverse has EJ monogram. Likely Magill-Palmer-EJ provenance.
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
70
Capt. Fromes & Engineers Barracks | National Library of Australia NK2038/01
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1844~/1845-07~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
Captain E.C. Frome (1802-1890) commanded a detachment of Royal Engineers ("Sappers and Miners") that arrived in Adelaide in September 1839. They had barracks above North Terrace (north of acre 21) and on the east side of the Government domain.
There is a two-storey building in the background which is likely Government House. At right of picture is an open four-wheel carriage and pair - likely intended by Gill to be the Governor.
The Sappers and Miners moved to the old Aborigines Location in North Adelaide behind Matthew Moorhouse's residence (acre 750) in July 1845 and the barracks became the Native School, so this work is likely to date before then.
Series of Adelaide Views 30 (from reverse inscription).
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
47
Mounted Police Barracks | National Library of Australia NK2038/06
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1845~/1846-06~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
The (Mounted) Police barracks was above North Terrace (north of acre 22 and acre 23) and just to the east of the Sappers and Miners barracks. The barracks entrance is likely on the side facing North Terrace which would make this a view to the north.
Series of Adelaide Views 31 (from reverse inscription).
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
52
Foot police station house | National Library of Australia NK2038/02
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1845~/1846-06~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
The foot police station house was on the north side of North Terrace. The sign reads "Police Office". This building also appears in AGSA 0.648.
Dogs needed to be licensed from 1845 and it was to this Police Station House that citizens had to apply. The street dog is 1845 irony.
Series of Adelaide Views 32 (from reverse inscription).
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
48
Captain Butler's new house, South Adelaide | National Library of Australia NK2038/09
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1841~/1844~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
This is Captain Buter's house (acre 31) from the corner of North Terrace (in picture from bottom left to middle right) and East Terrace (perhaps glimpsed at left).
Captain Gerald Villiers Butler (c.1801-1854) arrived in Adelaide in October 1841 in command of a 96th Regiment detachment. He arrived with his wife and four children. Butler departed with the 96th in May 1846 and left the army to take up government appointments in South Australia until 1853 and then later in Victoria.
The 1842 Kingston map has Captain Butler on the corner of North Terrace and East Terrace (acre 31).
In this picture the open four-wheel carriage and pair belongs to the Governor. The reverse caption reads "Captain Butler's, South Adelaide" with "new house" added as an afterthought above - the sense probably being that it was built for Butler after his arrival.
An August 1844 advertisement alludes to Butler living in North Adelaide and his residence is there in the 1845 almanack. This suggests this picture dates before August 1844.
Series of Adelaide Views 33 (from reverse inscription).
Catalogue: Reverse has EJ monogram. Likely Magill-Palmer-EJ provenance.
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
55
Colonial hospital | National Library of Australia NK2038/17
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1841~/1844~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
The then "new" Adelaide hospital was built about ENE from the corner of North Terrace and East Terrace. It commenced operation in February 1841.
Interestingly Dr. A.C. Kelly, who was also an amateur artist, worked at the hospital from May 1841. Kelly left in February 1846 to visit Scotland, before returning in October 1847.
Series of Adelaide Views 34 (from reverse inscription).
Catalogue: Reverse has EJ monogram. Likely Magill-Palmer-EJ provenance.
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
63
Scotch Kirk | National Library of Australia NK2038/14
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1845-03/1846-06 | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
A view to the SSW of the Scotch Church of St. Andrew on Acre 142 on the south side of Grenfell Street. It was opened in July 1844 and had a bell (visible in picture) of Burra copper finished in March 1845 and hung later that year.
The bell of Burra Burra copper was made by William Pybus, embellished with three thistles and marked: "Pybus, March 5th, 1845." (The Advertiser, 6 May 1929: 11 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article35727277)
The buildings in the background would be on King William Street, one of them seeming to have a front light - likely the "City Arms" (acre 171).
This picture is included in "Series of Adelaide Views" – despite lacking a reverse inscription to that effect – due to subject matter, date, size and being in the NLA NK2038 collection.
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
60
Company's buildings, Tavistock Street corner | National Library of Australia NK2038/19
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1842~/1844~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
The Tavistock Buildings (acre 35) front onto Rundle Street (leading away from the viewer to East Terrace) and are on the corner of Tavistock Street (modern Frome Street) (heading to left of picture). They were erected in 1840 by James Frew, & Co. and are marked on the 1842 Kingston map. They are not to be confused with the SA Company's buildings (acre 44) which are almost always hightened with white by Gill.
Series of Adelaide Views 36 (from reverse inscription).
Catalogue: Reverse has EJ monogram. Likely Magill-Palmer-EJ provenance.
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
65
Company buildings, Rundle Street | National Library of Australia NK2038/20
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1842~/1844~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
These are the South Australian Company (SAC) buldings on acre 44 on the corner of Rundle Street (north side) and Stephens Place (west side) - erected in 1841. The 1842 Kingston map identifies them as "South Australian Co's, Commercial Offices". When painting these buildings Gill almost always hightens them with white allowing them to stand out even when in the background. On the corner is the Auction Mart run variously by John Bentham Neales, Emanuel Solomon or Messrs Lambert.
Series of Adelaide Views 37 (from reverse inscription).
Catalogue: Reverse has EJ monogram. Likely Magill-Palmer-EJ provenance.
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
66
The Youngs' cottage, old one, Pulteney Street | National Library of Australia NK2038/03
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1841~/1844~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 10.8(H) x 13.6(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
The painting's subject is uncertain, but is likely the house of James Young of the Royal Sappers and Miners - later draughtsman in the Survey Office. E.L. Montefiore painted (probably) the same house in NLA NK2038/32.
Series of Adelaide Views 38 (from reverse inscription).
The Youngs are mentioned in connection with two other pictures.
Gill's NLA NK2038/32 has a reverse inscription: "Mrs Ch(arles?) (Amis?) | Mrs James Young | Ivy Cottage | Pulteney St." And this could be the same house in both pictures.
J.N. Magill's 1843 NLA NK2037/A includes a reverse inscription: "From the side next to Mrs. Young's house while I stood in a field adjoining the premises outside the wall". However further research has not determined where in Pulteney Street that house was located.
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
49
Custom House Wharf, Capt Lipson's R.N., east view, Collector's Office, R. Torrens esqr. | National Library of Australia NK2038/07
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1845~/1846-06~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
The Customs House in the Government Reserve at Port Adelaide. At right is Queen's Wharf and the "canal" (foreground). This short canal ran off the Port River in the line of Commercial Road.
Series of Adelaide Views 46 (from reverse inscription).
Map | S. T. Gill - Port Adelaide
53
Magistrates Court, old house, Currie St. | National Library of Australia NK2038/26
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1843-03~/1846-06~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
This building in Currie Street (acre 110) was once the house of Captain Thomas Lipson, Harbour-Master, who leased it to the Government as the Resident Magistrate's Court House from about 1841 to February 1843.
Series of Adelaide Views 47 (from reverse inscription).
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
72
Miss Bathgate's family boarding house, Rundle & Pulteney Streets, south Adelaide east | National Library of Australia NK2038/15
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1845~/1846-06~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
Miss Bathgate's boarding house was on the corner (Acre 87) of Rundle Street and Pulteney Street. A street sign stands on the corner out the front.
The Misses Bathgate – Jane and Margaret – arrived in South Australia in January 1839 and had built and ran, from at least February 1840, this well-known boarding house. It had a reputation for servicing a wealthier clientele. Margaret died on 20 May 1840 and the establishment continued to be run by Miss Jane Bathgate until it became John Hornabrook's "York Hotel" in 1849.
Series of Adelaide Views 50 (from reverse inscription). "Boarding House | Miss Bathgates | from Mr Maturins corner".
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
61
Former Register Office, now the chief mert. [i.e. merchant] tailor, King William & Rundle St., Adelaide | National Library of Australia NK2038/11
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1845-09/1845-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
This building on the northeast corner of King William Street and Rundle Street (acre 46) was the office of James Allen's "South Australian Register" newspaper. (The corner later became known as the Beehive.) Allen offered the business and premises for sale in May 1845. The business was bought the following month by John Stephens of the "Adelaide Observer" and in July Stephens moved the Register office to Hindley Street almost diagonally opposite this site. The corner was taken in September and October by A. Collins, clothes retailer (merchant tailor) and this work probably dates from then. George White, tailor, remained next door to the corner.
Series of Adelaide Views 51 (from reverse inscription).
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
57
House at the cemetery | National Library of Australia NK2038/16
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1844-06/1846-06~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
The sign at front reads "Public Cemetry" in the problematic spelling of either Gill or the sign writer. Inscribed on the reverse "House at the cemetery". This is the "three-roomed cottage for the sexton" constructed by the trustees of the Public Cemetery at West Terrace. It was the house of John Monck, who was clerk at Trinity Church, sexton and cemetery caretaker / keeper. Coronial inquests were sometimes held there. In the picture a man leans over the post and rail fence looking towards the cemetery. This helps date this picture because in May 1844 the Government tendered for post and rail fencing for the cemetery to replace the former mound and ditch.
The building is on West Terrace near the end of Wright Street.
Series of Adelaide Views 53 (from reverse inscription).
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
62
Matthw [i.e. Matthew] Moorhouse's, Aboriginal Protector's residence, North Adelaide | National Library of Australia NK2038/10
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1844~/1846-06~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
The 1842 Kingston map of Adelaide shows "M. Moorehouse Esq'r. Protector of Aborigines" in acre 750 (Jeffcott Street) North Adelaide near the then "Aborigines Location". The buildings in the left background are likely part of the "Aborigines Location". The "Aborigines Location" was moved here from its previous site around 1840-41 when the gaol was being built.
Matthew Moorhouse bought acre 750's "public house" and adjoining cottages from Giles Abbott, jun. and took possession around September 1839 (South Australian Record and Australasian Chronicle, 4 April 1840: 6 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article245655957>).
Series of Adelaide Views 56 (from reverse inscription).
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
56
Aboriginal location, new one, west view | National Library of Australia NK2038/29
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1845-07~/1846-06~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
The new "Aborigines Location" was established around July 1845 with the building of a school room and chapel at the (former) Sappers and Miners Barracks (above North Terrace to the east of Government House and north of acre 21).
The Sappers and Miners moved to the old Aborigines Location in North Adelaide behind Matthew Moorhouse's residence (acre 750).
"There is a school for the natives on the Park lands. At this school there were in 1847, thirty-five boys and twenty-nine girls. The establishment being entirely under the superintendence of the Government, is kept in the very best order; the apartments are neat and clean ..." (Sturt's Narrative, 198-199).
Series of Adelaide Views 58 (from reverse inscription).
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
75
Mill at North Adelaide on the Torrens | National Library of Australia NK2038/27
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1842-07~/1844-09~ | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views
This is the South Australian Company's steam flour mill on the River Torrens. The mill was completed around July 1842 on SA Company land (acre 256) growing wheat. It was let by SAC to John Ridley who also had a steam flour mill at Hindmarsh. Although reasonably described at the time as in "North Adelaide", the mill was on the south bank of the river. At background left is a residence - possibly Park Cottage - which predated the mill - and was near the location for several baptisms including by Samuel Gill senior in 1841.
SAC commenced building a bridge here in October 1844 and although the absence of a bridge in this picture does not imply its non-existence, it suggests that possibility, especially in the light of F.R. Nixon's March 1845 picture of the mill and bridge.
The buildings are of fine appearance and considerable extent. The main building is three stories high, and about 40 feet by 30 feet, the engine house is 21 feet by 48 feet; the chimney is 70 feet high and two feet in diameter inside. There are four pairs of stones, three of which are kept in work, and the power is found sufficient to drive these stones and the dressing machine, and possibly the smut machine at the same time ... (Southern Australian, 14 April 1843: 2. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71616646>)
Series of Adelaide Views 60 (from reverse inscription).
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
73
David Coombe, June 2021 | Updated 12 August 2025. | text copyright (except where indicated)
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