david coombe history
Lieutenant John Napier Magill (1819-1848), an officer of the 96th Regiment of Foot, was posted to South Australia from 1842 to 1846. Magill was a flautist and watercolour artist. National Library of Australia (NLA) has two views Magill painted of Flinders Street military barracks. Two Gill watercolours can be identified as being for Magill from reverse inscriptions. Others are added to the Magill catalogue group on the basis of an uncommon vertical centre fold, a characteristic shared with Magill's own paintings. Further works are added through the common owner/collector "EJ".
This article also identifies a connection in Captain W.D. Chard who sailed Magill's convict escort in 1844 and purchased Gill's "Frome Bridge".
Article type: NARRATIVE, ANALYSIS & CATALOGUE
In this article ...
John Napier Magill (also McGill / MacGill) was an officer in the 96th Regiment of Foot, the first regiment to be posted to South Australia. He was born in Cape Town on 13 March 1819. It was possibly in his South African birthplace where he joined the army, as he purchased an ensign's commission in September 1840 1 while a contingent of the 96th was in Cape Town en route to Sydney escorting convicts.2 It doesn't appear Magill joined the 96th's Sydney voyage2; perhaps he made his way first to England. He definitely came out to the Australian colonies a year later when the regiment's headquarters escorted 245 male convicts on the barque Layton from England, delivering them to Hobart.3
Ensign Magill immediately shipped to Sydney with the Headquarters 96th regiment4 and a contingent was sent to Windsor.
WINDSOR... A draft of the 96th regiment arrived here on Wednesday afternoon, and have taken up head quarters at the barracks. The few of the 80th who were stationed here, marched for Parramatta on Thursday morning.5
In February 1842 Magill arrived in Adelaide to supplement the 96th 7 for what would be a four year posting. The military barracks in Grenfell Street was a repurposed store and Magill resided there until they were relocated in October. Gill's view of the Grenfell Street barracks was possibly for Magill (see below).
We only know snippets about Magill. He was a flautist, performing at several amateur or charity concerts.8 He obtained a lieutenant's commission by purchase from 22 July 1842.1 A week later he wrote to his beloved, Elise Palmer, sending her his sketch of the Windsor officers' quarters.
A rare glimpse of the man is gained from the report of his toast at a Masonic dinner on New Year's day 1844.
Lieut. Magill was an Irishman to the backbone, and he loved the ladies, though, poor red-coat as he was, he was married to his sword, who made but a poor wife after all; still, she was one who would help him to cut his way through the world upon which he was flung, and he owned himself an admirer of the fair sex, and loyally and devotedly was he attached to his Queen the head of her sex. He honoured Odd Fellows; he thought them more honourable than eccentric; and he liked Adelaide; he had been in two other Colonies, and had been told that this was "no place"–that you might put it on the table; and he was disgusted with the description, but he had altered his opinion since he arrived here, and felt most proud in being allowed to return thanks for the ladies–God bless them.
"Here's a health to all good lasses."9
Around this time Magill paid twelve shillings to Gill for the Bushrangers picture and inscribed the back to "Elizabeth with John's best and dearest love" – are Elizabeth and Elise the same person?
In March 1844, Magill had a go at painting his second Adelaide accommodation, the Flinders Street barracks, executing internal and external views. Of historical interest are the detailed notes he made on the reverse identifying the uses of individual buildings.
On 11 September 1844 Magill and five soldiers escorted two prisoners of the crown aboard the Eliza to Hobart. This "beautiful new Government-built yacht schooner" 10 was captained by W.D. Chard.11 William Chard returned the military men to Adelaide in November, the officer and captain having spent about two months in each others' company. What topics of conversation passed the time? Two subjects are apparent – the prisoners and S.T. Gill.
Chard remained in port for a week that November 1844. It was in this week (or one of two other short stays 12) that Chard bought Gill's watercolour "Frome Bridge" (see below). It is signed "STG/44". It is a peculiarly funny scene, for instead of fetching water in the Torrens, the colonist is washing his pig!
Chard's name is also possibly inscribed on Government House which emphasises disordered garden tools – possibly a topical reference to the tender for same in December 1844.
One watercolour by Magill, "Portion of Hindley St. and Rundle St., Adelaide" (NLA R9647), has characteristic Gill devices and suggests Gill taught him or at least helped him with that picture.
The military began a rotation on 4 May 1846 when the ship Brankenmoor brought a detachment of the 11th Regiment. It was replacing the 96th which had been ordered back to Van Diemen's Land.13 One of the four arriving officers was Ensign John Roe, for whom Gill would later paint The Seasons and The Months.
The 96th left South Australia on Brankenmoor a fortnight later, Magill of course included.14
Magill was part of a company of the 96th assigned to Perth in February 1847. In May 1848 he was reported missing, having left Perth alone on foot.15 A search was unsuccessful. His remains were found in August 16 and an inquest concluded he died from a gunshot wound and there was "no reason to suppose that such wound was inflicted by the hand of any other person." John Magill's funeral was conducted "with full military honours, and followed by a large number of the residents of the town".17
Magill's army record noted no marriage or children.
Australian readers can find support is available from the Australian government's healthDirect | Mental health helplines.
NLA has two watercolours by Magill of the Flinders Street barracks (NK2037) and both have a vertical centre fold. Another (R9647) I attribute to Magill has horizontal and vertical folds.
Magill's name is on the back of Gill's Bushrangers and Government House pictures. These also have a vertical centre fold. So does Gill's Grenfell Street barracks.
This may seem to be clutching at evidentiary straws, however this characteristic fold is very rare among Gill's works. The crease cracks the paint. It's hard to imagine Magill himself folding them. Perhaps they were folded after his death.
Six other pictures are known to have this fold. Watercolours NLA NK2041 and NK2042 are numbered in the Nan Kivell collection close to Magill's own paintings (NK2037). Does this suggest they were obtained by Nan Kivell around the same time from the same source? These two pictures are water damaged. Another four wash drawings share the same condition, that is, a vertical fold and water damage. The evidence for adding these six to the Magill catalogue group is circumstantial but not unreasonable.
One picture in this group does not have a centre fold: Barracks west front (NLA NK2038/31). However Magill is a one of a few likely customers for this scene and in NLA catalogue group NK2038, it is adjacent in Nan Kivell's numbering to Magill's own paintings (NK2037).
Two of Magill's pictures feature subjects from J.F. Bennett's book – see S.T. Gill's Set of South Australian Scenes – Bennett.
Elise (or Mary) Palmer / Elizabeth are addressed on the back of four works having connection to Magill (listed here):
LEFT: Elise Palmer, Eleanor, EJ monogram – detail from reverse of NLA NK2036.The most obvious explanation seems to be that Elise Palmer was John Napier Magill's (distant) beloved. Are "Elizabeth" and "Elizabeth Eleanor" the same person as Elise Palmer? How does Mary Palmer fit in? Are the Palmers related to John Palmer the early colonist settler in Windsor?18 How is EJ related?
The EJ monogram on the reverse of Magill's Windsor picture (NLA NK2036) also appears on Gill works:
In April 2024, I came to a pretty good theory regarding Magill, Elise Palmer and EJ, based on the following observations:
I theorise this links all the EJ works to Magill through Elise Palmer:
Note, there were still other works in Magill's possession when he died and these were obtained by a person unknown and were not in EJ's collection.
Bennett, J. F. (James F.) "Historical and descriptive account of South Australia : founded on the experience of a three years' residence in that colony / by J.F. Bennett". Rex Nan Kivell Collection. 1843.
Read online at Trove Digital Library.
Harris, Anthony F. Lieutenant John Napier Magill, 96th Regiment of Foot [Paper presented at the Military Historical Society of Australia. Conference (2008: Perth)] [online]. Sabretache, Vol. 49, No. 3, Sept 2008: 15-20. Availability: ISSN: 0048-8933. [cited 09 Jan 2019].
1. WO 76. 96th Foot (The Manchester Regiment). Cat. WO 76/209. Reference: WO 76/209/66. UK National Archives. <https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C178229> Accessed 7 November 2021.
2. The Colonist (Sydney, NSW) 7 November 1840: 2. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31725872>. Listed among the officers is Ensign Rooney, not Ensign Magill.
3. Van Diemen's Land Chronicle (Hobart, Tas.) 3 September 1841: 2. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article163593902>
4. The Sydney Herald, 23 September 1841: 2. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28651830>. Sydney Free Press, 23 September 1841: 2. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226358404>
5. The Australian, 5 October 1841: 2. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36851938>
6. The Sydney Herald, 7 February 1842: 2. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12873568>
7. Southern Australian, 22 February 1842: 2. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71620868>
8. South Australian Register, 11 November 1843: 3. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27445887>
9. South Australian Register, 6 January 1844: 3. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27446307>
10. Southern Australian, 6 September 1844: 2. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71629948>
11. Southern Australian, 13 September 1844: 2. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71630033>
12. Chard was in Adelaide's port on three occasions, each for a week: September 1844, November 1844 and January 1845.
13. Adelaide Observer, 9 May 1846: 4. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158922463>
14. South Australian Register, 20 May 1846: 3. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27452869>
15. The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News, 20 May 1848: 2. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3169892>
16. Inquirer 30 August 1848: 3. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65770325>
17. The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News, 2 September 1848: 3. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3170100>
18. Hawkesbury People & Places: Palmer Street <https://www.hawkesbury.org/name/palmer-street.html> Accessed 19 May 2022.
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.
Officers' Quarters, north front detached altogether from the main barrack, Windsor, New South Wales, July 29, 1842 | National Library of Australia NK2036
Artist: Magill, J.N. | Date: 1841-10~/1842-01~ | 8.4(H) x 13.7(W) cm
Main listing: S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill
A sketch of the north front of the Windsor NSW military barracks which was used by Ensign Magill's 96th Regiment. The reverse has a basic plan of the barracks with its two wings - north and east.
The building is the Macquarie Arms Hotel, corner of George Street and Thompson Square, Windsor, NSW. "The hotel was occupied in the late 1830s by army officers stationed at Windsor and it became known as the Mess House and referred to as such in Armstrong's map of the town (1842)."
Reference: Macquarie Arms Hotel, Heritage NSW, <https://apps.environment.nsw.gov.au/dpcheritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=5045146> Accessed 23 May 2022.
The reverse is inscribed with "Officers' Quarters North front detached altogether from the Main Barrack / Windsor / New South Wales / July 29 1842", "Elise Palmer" and "The [poor?] little [fresh?] [Lieutenant?] / to his soul's best ...".
Previously attributed to Elise Palmer (as her only work), my research revealed this sketch to be by Magill. It's likely he drew it between October 1841 and January 1842 while posted at Windsor. The date 29 July 1842 is a week after Magill was promoted to Lieutenant (while at his new posting of Adelaide), so it is not the date of sketching in Windsor. The other context suggests this was actually the date Magill sent the sketch to Elise Palmer on the occasion of his promotion.
Also on reverse (seemingly in another hand): "Elizabeth Eleanor my soul's Darling / Eleanor was my mother's name / EJ [monogram]". Reverse has EJ monogram. The monogram also appears on Gill works: S.T. Gill's Series of Adelaide Views and others.
Provenance (likely): Magill artist → Elise Palmer July 1842 → ... → EJ.
591
Former barracks in Grenfell Street, Adelaide, S.A., also the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Gawler Place | National Library of Australia NK2038/30
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1841-10~/1842-10~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 12(H) x 19.1(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill
The view is to the northwest from Grenfell Street (foreground) near the intersection with Gawler Place (leading up to the right). At left are the double storey buildings in Grenfell Street (acre 106) used as military barracks in 1841-1842. These buildings were previously August and Cooke's stores, the store to barracks conversion being completed in October 1841 for the just arrived 96th Regiment. At right is the Wesleyan Chapel (southern wall) in Gawler Place (acre 106). The row of cottages between may have been officers' quarters.
It looks like Montefiore's buildings (acre 108 on the corner of King William Street) are just visible (red wall) at far left.
These barracks were only used for twelve months. Replacement barracks in Flinders Street were reported nearly ready for occupation in October 1842. The "former barracks" caption implies this work was labelled after the regiment moved to Flinders Street. Yet the presence of two guards at the front suggests the work was painted while the barracks was still occupied, giving a likely date of October 1841 to October 1842.
Gill likely painted this for an army officer who was stationed at these barracks. There are only a few such men.
Catalogue Group: I think this work was for Lieut. John Magill. Then Ensign Magill arrived in Adelaide to supplement the 96th Regiment in February 1842. He was promoted to Lieutenant from July. He was based at these Grenfell Street barracks until the military moved to Flinders Street at the end of that year. In NLA catalogue group NK2038, it is adjacent in Nan Kivell's numbering to Magill's own paintings. This watercolour has a centre fold in common with two of Magill's own pictures of the Flinders Street barracks.
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
76
Lake Albert mounted police chasing bushrangers ... overland from Port Phillip to South Australia | National Library of Australia NK2043
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1843~/1844~ | Appleyard cat. 18 | 25.3(H) x 34.7(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill
Three mounted police chase bushrangers who have come to South Australia from Port Phillip. The chase is along a ridge and below can be seen a plain, lake and distant hills or mountains. Two bushrangers are clearly seen and there seem to be two others beyond them to the left of picture. The vegetation here is less Australian in appearance than Gill's usual.
The title is based on a pencilled caption below the image: "[illeg.] to Lake Albert/ South Australia/ Mounted Police chasing Bushrangers [illeg.] overland from Port Philip [sic.]".
Historically this picture corresponds with a group of four prisoners who escaped from Melbourne Goal, together with their guard, in March 1843. They were reportedly making their way to Adelaide. One was captured at the Murray crossing near Wellington. The South Australian Government Gazette, No 17, 27 April 1843, gave descriptions of the men: William Rafter, William McDonald (in custody at Adelaide), James McGuire (presumed drowned at the Murray crossing), William Duncan, William Beecroft (80th Regiment deserter).
Geographically it's difficult to reconcile a location (near?) Lake Albert (the Coorong) with the background ranges in the picture. In subject matter and approximate date this picture seems related to "Scene near the Missunga Plains" (NLA R34).
The reverse is inscribed "Lieut. McGill 12/- 'Elizabeth with John's best and dearest love.'" Clearly this picture was bought by Lieut. John Napier Magill (for 12 shillings) as a gift for Elizabeth (whose identity is unknown but may be Elise Palmer). Perhaps Gill painted this to display for sale in his studio rather than as a commission.
Catalogue Group: This watercolour has a centre vertical fold in common with two of Magill's own pictures of the Flinders Street barracks. (It also has further vertical folds and a horizontal fold.)
Gill uses this signature style around late 1844 / early 1845.
Map | S. T. Gill - South eastern South Australia
79
Flinders St. military barracks, Adelaide, S.A. by Lieut. John Napier Magill | National Library of Australia NK2037/B
Artist: Magill, J.N. | Date: 1844-03-18 | 12.2(H) x 17.2(W) cm
Main listing: S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill
Inside the Flinders Street military barracks on Freeman Street (acre 234) by Lieut. John Napier Magill of the 96th Regiment. The regiment moved from the former barracks in Grenfell Street (acre 106) to Flinders Street (acre 234) in October 1842.
Reverse inscriptions in black ink:
* Top left: Taken from the Mess Room (my sitting room)
* Left to right (right to left in picture): Guard Room | Mens Quarters | Orderly Room / Head [Sergt? / Serf'h?] Room / (Married)
* Front lower left: ?? Magill/ March 18 1844
This watercolour has a centre fold. There is a lower caption in red ink.
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
353
Flinders St. military barracks, Adelaide, S.A. by Lieut. John Napier Magill | National Library of Australia NK2037/A
Artist: Magill, J.N. | Date: 1844-03-23 | 12.2(H) x 17.2(W) cm
Main listing: S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill
The Flinders Street military barracks (acre 234) showing the wall on Freeman Street by Lieut. John Napier Magill of the 96th Regiment. (Freeman Street was renamed as part of an extended Gawler Place in 1904.) The view is to the NNW. Gill painted an easterly view of the same barracks (NLA NK2038/31).
The regiment moved from the former barracks in Grenfell Street (acre 106) to Flinders Street (acre 234) in October 1842. (The double storey white building at right is the former barracks.) In the background the Congregational Chapel (acre 205) is second from left and partially obscured.
Reverse inscriptions in black ink in columns left to right corresponding to right to left in picture.
Barracks ... Flinders St [some damage obscures two layers of transcription] ... From the S.E. ... from the side next Mrs [Young's?] house while I stood in a field adjoining the premises outside the wall. [This suggests Mrs Young's house is in Freeman Street.]
Left column of writing: Men's Quarters/ Cook house/Old Barracks/(Grenfell St in the distance)/ a tradesman's/ cottage near Gawler Place
Centre column of writing: Officers Messroom [&c?] & Married Men's Quarters
Right column of writing: Doctor De Lisle's/and Congregational Chapel
Lower right: March 23 1844/J.N.Magill to his sweet souls loved [?]. "S [down arrow] Easterly" on front centre bottom edge
This watercolour has a centre fold. There is a lower caption in red ink.
There seem to be initials "JNM" (lower left) which may also appear on the reverse of NLA NK6897/F.
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
352
Native women fishing on the Murray for crayfish [...] from Mr Hamilton's sketch | National Library of Australia NK2041
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1844-05~ | Appleyard cat. 36 | 14.5(H) x 20.2(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill
Aboriginal women work together in line to catch crayfish (eukodko/ukodko) in the flood waters of the Murray River. The river flats have been inundated, as have the colonists' post and rail fence. The foreground reclining figure appears to be the luxuriating indolent male of Eyre's description.
Captioned by Gill: "Native women fishing – on the Murray" to which has been added "for Cray-fish 'Eukodko'"."Eukodko" / "Ukodko" is the name given for crayfish in Eyre's book. Signed "S.T.G. from Mr Hamilton's sketch". Gill's painting is based on an (unknown) original sketch by George Hamilton.
This is another version of SLNSW PX*D 73 f.6 for Eyre. This subject is treated in Eyre's book. For more detail, see the description of that work.
George French Angas' 1846 London exhibition included a work of a similar description: No. 159.21 "Women on back waters of Murray fishing for cray-fish". The scene also appears as a small vignette in plate 51 of Angas's "South Australia Illustrated".
Catalogue Group: This watercolour has a vertical centre fold in common with two of Magill's own pictures of the Flinders Street barracks. Its catalogue number is also close to Nan Kivell's numbering for Magill's own paintings (NK2037). It also appears to be water damaged.
40
Mount Crawford, S.A. | National Library of Australia NK2042
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1844~ | Appleyard cat. 20.1 | 12.6(H) x 20.5(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill
The view is just off a track before it bends and drops on approach to the hill, Mount Crawford, about 30 miles northeast of Adelaide. A bullock cart and people are on the road. There is a prominent gum tree at right, and of interest are the honeysuckle trees at left. Gill identifes this tree in his captioning of "Honeysuckle tree & native dog" (NLA NK7073/4). It is Banksia marginata which occurs in the Mount Crawford area, although Gill's renditions are more artistic than botanical.
It's possible Gill may have sketched this while out for J.H. Angas in October 1844.
The view is almost identical to Approach to Mount Crawford (AGSA 744HP4). James White (or Whyte) and Robert Rankine were dairy and agricultural farmers at Mount Crawford.
This work matches the description of a Gill entry in the Adelaide February 1847 exhibition: "163. Mt. Crawford, Vignette". (However if this work was for J.N. Magill, he had left by then and it would not be this example that was exhibited.)
Catalogue Group: This watercolour has a vertical centre fold in common with two of Magill's own pictures of the Flinders Street barracks. Its catalogue number is also close to Nan Kivell's numbering for Magill's own paintings (NK2037). It also appears to be water damaged.
Map | S. T. Gill - South eastern South Australia
42
Kangaroo coursing | National Library of Australia NK7063/15
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1844~/1845~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 13.6(H) x 20.6(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill
The scene is of kangaroo coursing with two mounted riders and three hounds chasing two kangaroos through the bush. Gill's kangaroos were not a strong point and their motion here looks unrealistic.
"The kangaroo is the largest quadruped found in the country. This singular animal has already been so often described, that is that it is unnecessary here to give a particular account of it. Kangaroos are found in great numbers in most of the districts of South Australia; although they gradually seem to retire into the interior as civilisation advances. A kind of hound, something like the Scotch stag-hound, is common in the country, for hunting them. The kangaroo is very shy, and it is seldom the hunter can get one within rifle range. Most of them are therefore taken with the hounds." Bennett (1843) 44-45.
This wash is a predecessor to an almost identical one for James Allen (NLA R117).
This scene was incorporated in plate 19, "Kangaroo Hunting, near Port Lincoln. Albert Park in the distance" of George French Angas's "South Australia Illustrated".
Catalogue Group: This watercolour has a vertical centre fold in common with two of Magill's own pictures of the Flinders Street barracks. It also appears to be water damaged.
101
Emu stalking | National Library of Australia NK7063/13
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1844~/1845~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 13.4(H) x 19.7(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill
Two colonists are stalking (or "crouching for") and shooting emu.
Dissolving view 7 for James Allen's lecture 3 is titled "Crouching for, and shooting, the Emu, or Australian ostrich". So the Allen commission would likely have included a wash drawing very similar to this one. However I am still working on whether this particular work was for Allen or another.
Catalogue Group: This watercolour has a vertical centre fold in common with two of Magill's own pictures of the Flinders Street barracks. It also appears to be water damaged.
99
[Mounted stockman talking to natives] | National Library of Australia NK7063/14
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1844~/1845~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 13(H) x 21(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill
This is Gill's oft-repeated pipe light theme. In this scene a colonist – probably a stockman – on horseback obtains a light for his pipe from an Aboriginal man. An Aborginal woman is seated on the ground. Prominent are a grass tree and a honeysuckle tree (Banksia) - a botanical combination favoured by Gill.
The honeysuckle is very similar to the one in NLA NK7073/4 which is dated 1845 by Gill.
Catalogue Group: This watercolour has a vertical centre fold in common with two of Magill's own pictures of the Flinders Street barracks. It also appears to be water damaged.
100
[Horsemen resting and horses tethered] | National Library of Australia NK7063/16
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1844~/1845~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 14.6(H) x 18.1(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill
The scene is around sunrise or sunset and two men, wrapped in blackets, are beside a small camp fire. One appears to be asleep; the other sits up with pipe in one hand and gun in the other, watching over a clearing with their two tethered horses. A grass tree is in the foreground.
Bennett describes stockmen riding for days searching for stray cattle. "When night comes, the horse is unsaddled and turned out to graze; and the bushman, having made tea for himself in a tin mug or 'pannikin,' covers himself with his blanket, and with his saddle for a pillow, he takes himself to sleep under the nearest tree. He continues this course from day to day, until he has succeeded in fulfilling the purpose for which he set out, when he returns to the station." Bennett (1843) 100-101.
This work is captioned "Such I've thought on thee in the lone bush", perhaps by Magill to his beloved Elise Palmer.
This is a forerunner to Gill's "Night Camp" in "The Australian Sketchbook".
The content, format, size and style suggest this to be notionally part of the series NLA R372 to R379.
Catalogue Group: This watercolour has a vertical centre fold in common with two of Magill's own pictures of the Flinders Street barracks. It also appears to be water damaged.
102
Portion of Hindley St. and Rundle St., Adelaide | National Library of Australia R9647
Artist: Magill, J.N. (attr.) | Date: 1844-11~ | 27.4(H) x 49.1(W) cm
Main listing: S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill
Looking east along Hindley Street with the Mount Lofty Ranges in the background. The ranges appear too close to the city and inaccurately shows parts of the city as unbuilt.
I estimate this scene was painted November 1844. The scene is after several dates: July 1842 (Lowe's chemist - labelled left foreround), October 1842 (Robert Stuckey's shop - labelled right middle), November 1842 (James Allen's white "Register" building - centre) and May 1844 (Stocks' warehouse improvements - two storey building right foreground). It likely dates before the new front of the two storey Auction Mart (December 1844). Fauldings (May 1845) was not yet built. The view may be from the top of the two storey Drapery and Silk Mercery Establishment of Robert Sanders (finished November 1844).
The artist may be the 17 year-old J.B. Austin junior. Austin later produced a lithograph of a scene similar to this: "Adelaide, South Australia, from west end of Hindley Street - November 1849" (NLA S1183). However the lithograph view is from further west and shows many more buildings, especially to the left (north), and including Trinity Church.
The water cart is just as Gill would paint one, but is out of proportion with the bullock cart beside it. The rider moving away from the viewer is a common device used by Gill. However this may not be by Gill, but a student of Gill.
Another possible artist is Lieut. John Napier Magill. This work has horizontal and vertical folds - a common feature among Magill related works. The colour palette of this work is similar to Magill's "Flinders St. military barracks, Adelaide, S.A." (NLA NK2037/A). A date of November 1844 is consistent with Magill's timeline.
It's most likely that Magill painted this watercolour and was helped by Gill at the time.
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
495
Frome Bridge | Private collection
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1844 | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill
Frome Bridge on the Torrens River opened on 18 August 1842. It was located on a bend opposite Pulteney Street. In the foreground is the rocky ford below the bridge, near which is a distinctive log from flood debris.
This was Adelaide's main watering place. At left a water cart departs and a colonist is at the edge of the river with a jug and washing a pig (!) at the fording place.
Dated 1844 in the signature.
Family provenance given as William Chard, ship captain. Captain William D. Chard visited Adelaide in September 1844, November 1844 and January 1845. Between the first two visits Chard's schooner Emma took Lieutenant Magill's prisoner escort to Van Diemen's Land.
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
564
Govt. House Front View from Park Lands nearly opposite Bank of Australasia | Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales PX*D 383 f.01
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1844 | Appleyard cat. 41 | 20(H) x 31.3(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill
The front of Government House (viewed from the ENE). The Governor's four-wheeled carriage is at the entrance. At left is the Government flagstaff and in the background is the Bank of South Australia (left), North Terrace. Also visible is a windmill – probably Phillips and Horne (acre 186) on the corner of Waymouth Street and West Terrace. This was converted to steam after being struck by lightning in early 1845. The view is from the Park Lands nearly opposite the Bank of Australasia which was on the NW corner of acre 21.
The view is identical to F.R. Nixon's contemporaneous print "Government House & part of N. Terrace, E. View".
However there is disorder in Gill's scene: an overturned wheelbarrow, a bent spade and collapsing tree guards. On 6 December 1844 the South Australian newspaper noted "Tenders are wanted tor Venetian blinds for the Government House, and for gardening tools." (South Australian, 6 December 1844: 3. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71613563>.) Nixon the straight man; Gill the funny man.
The title is from the faint reverse inscription which also includes "Mr MacGill". It would seem Gill painted this for Lieutenant John Napier Magill then with the 96th Regiment in Adelaide. As a senior officer Magill was in regular attendance at Government House functions. On the front mount appears another name, "Mr. [S?] Ch--d", which could be related to Captain Chard (see Frome Bridge picture).
Signed STG/44.
Catalogue Group: This watercolour has a centre fold in common with two of Magill's own pictures of the Flinders Street barracks.
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
35
Barracks west front | National Library of Australia NK2038/31
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1842-10~/1844~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 20(H) x 27.2(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill
The Flinders Street military barracks (Acre 234) looking east with the Mount Lofty Ranges in the background and viewed from Acre 235 near the Government Offices. This shows the barracks' side gate. The wall appears to be topped by broken glass.
The barracks were formerly in Grenfell Street. The Flinders Street barracks were nearly ready for occupation in October 1842 and were in use until 1851 when the army moved to Waymouth Street.
Gill likely painted this for an army officer who was stationed at these barracks. There are only a few such men. I think this watercolour was likely for Lieutenant John Napier Magill. Magill painted another view of the barracks in March 1844 (NLA NK2037/A). Gill's scene lacks the distinctive liveliness of his 1845 paintings for Allen and likely predates them.
The view is similar to Duryea's c.1865 photo SLSA B 2125.
Catalogue Group: I think this watercolour was likely for Lieutenant John Napier Magill. In NLA catalogue group NK2038, it is adjacent in Nan Kivell's numbering to Magill's own paintings. (Although there is no centre fold in common with other works linked to Magill.)
Map | S. T. Gill - Adelaide
77
Mode of burial on parts of the Murray River, S. Australia | National Library of Australia NK6897/F
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1844 | Appleyard cat. n/a | 11.7(H) x 13.5(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill
The scene is an Aboriginal elevated mortuary platform near a stream, with birds descending and a pair of dingoes below. Sparsely treed hills are in the background. A grass tree is featured (right).
Captioned below (in ink of another colour): "Mode of Burial on parts of the Murray River, S. Australia". The "Murray River" location in the caption is confusing for here is a small stream – not the mighty Murray. This appears to be a scene near Myponga, not Lake Alexandrina. It is uncertain how this picture got its caption, but it may have been connected with Eyre's plate which was also captioned as being at the Lower Murray.
The reverse is inscribed "Mary Palmer from her Heart loving Brother in Hope", signed "John" (or "JNM") and dated 16 December 1844. The initials "JNM" also appear on NLA NK2037/A by Magill. The sentimental poem "Lights and Shades" by Felicia Hemans is pasted on the back over the top of some brush strokes.
On this date there was a gala occasion at Port Adelaide for the passengers departing on the barque Symmetry for England, the most prominent being E.J. Eyre. The identity of Mary Palmer is unknown. She was not a named passenger on Symmetry, though there were four unnamed servants for Captain (and Mrs) Elder, Robert Gouger and Dr Knott. Of course Mary Palmer may not even have sailed on the Symmetry – perhaps Mary was in England and this item was mailed. But given the significant event that day it's a fair chance this little gift went aboard.
86
Turning out the sheep from the hurdle yard, early sunrise, shepherd leaving the hut | National Library of Australia NK6897/A
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1844-12~/1845-01-05 | Appleyard cat. n/a | 9.6(H) x 15.9(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill
The scene is of a shepherd and his dog sending the flock of sheep out from their hurdle yard in the early morning down to a plain or valley below.
The picture is signed and captioned below by the artist.
Sheep farming is described in Bennett (1843) 96-98.
"The sheep are always driven at night into the pens, which are formed of movable hurdles, and the shepherd or hut-keeper, with his dog, sleeps in a movable box placed close to the fold. At sunrise the flock is counted out of the pens and sent out to graze, the shepherd attending them constantly until they return in the evening." Bennett (1843) 97-98.
The same scene is shown in the set of eight drawings for J.F. Bennett: "Shepherd, hut and pens" (NLA R376).
Inscribed on reverse: "Elise Palmer with ... John's much heart(ed?) love ... (hopelessly?) attached / Elizabeth E---- / Jany 5th 1845".
264
Australian warfare, native skirmish | National Library of Australia NK6897/D
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1845 | Appleyard cat. 38
Catalogue: S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill
A fight between Aboriginal groups with spears flying between them.
This is the same subject as "Native Fight" (SLNSW PX*D 73 f.8) painted for Eyre. This is a slightly later work, dated 1845 by Gill. Also related in subject matter to "[Native speared in a skirmish]" (NLA NK6897/E) and Eyre's "Manners and Customs of the Aborigines of Australia" chapter 4.
This may relate to a report ("Communicated"): "In the early part of January, the natives of the Murray and Encounter Bay met in mortal combat at the Angas. The loss on the part of the Murray tribe we have not assertained; but the Encounter Bay tribe left one dead on the field, two died of their wounds while their relatives were taking them to the Bay for medical assistance, and there is another not expected to live, a spear (barbed) having entered beneath his eye, and run on to the base of the skull." Adelaide Observer, 1 February 1845: 5. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158919680.
Catalogue: Reverse has EJ monogram. Likely Magill-Palmer-EJ provenance. This has a caption below in red ink, a feature shared by only NLA NK2038/30 among Gill works.
85
Honeysuckle tree & native dog | National Library of Australia NK7073/4
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1845 | Appleyard cat. n/a
Catalogue: S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill
A honeysuckle tree (Banksia) and a dingo.
See also Wild dogs devouring sheep (NLA R373).
"The only animal found in Australia which is in any way troublesome, is a kind of jackall, called the native or wild dog; an animal very similar both in appearance and habits to the English Fox. Its attacks are always directed against the sheep and, and a considerable degree of vigilance is necessary to preserve them from its wiles. But there is no animal in South Australia which will attack a man - in fact the wild dog is the only animal against which the Settlers have in any way to guard. There is a pack of hounds in the colony, which the sporting gentleman at times amuse themselves with, in hunting the wild dog." Bennett (1843) 44.
Catalogue: Reverse has EJ monogram. Likely Magill-Palmer-EJ provenance.
106
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
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
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
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
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
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
David Coombe, Original November 2021. Updated 26 September 2025. | text copyright (except where indicated)
CITE THIS: David Coombe, 2021-2025, S.T. Gill and John Napier Magill, accessed dd mmm yyyy, <https://coombe.id.au/S_T_Gill/S_T_Gill_and_John_Napier_Magill.htm>