Anlaby

The Great Overland Gamble: How Anlaby Began

Katharine Crane — Fri, 16 May 2025 07:01:22 +0000

In South Australia’s early years, the colony’s hunger for opportunity was matched by a pressing need for food. With livestock in short supply, ambitious pastoralists looked to the untamed lands between Sydney and Adelaide. Among them were Frederick and William Dutton, who, with commercial partner Captain John Finnis, financed one of the era’s boldest overlanding ventures. This article follows the remarkable 1839 expedition, led by Alexander Buchanan, who helped drive thousands of sheep across a harsh and unpredictable landscape. From treacherous river crossings to relentless drought, Buchanan’s journey captures the risk and resilience behind Anlaby’s uncertain beginnings—what started as a daring commercial gamble would quietly establish one of Australia’s most enduring sheep stations.

Frederick Hansborough Dutton was born in April 1812 in Colne, Lancashire, a market town known for its woollen industry and canal links. His father, Frederick Hugh Hampden Dutton, a shopkeeper, became British Vice-Consul at Ritzebüttel near Hamburg in 1816, prompting the family’s move to Germany. There, young Frederick likely learned German, as did his brothers Francis and William. William even studied at the German Agricultural Academy in Möglin, founded by leading agronomist Albrecht Thaer. Thaer’s progressive ideas on Merino sheep—focusing on skin quality, nutrition, and genetic traits—would later influence the Duttons’ pastoral success in Australia.

Frederick’s education remains unclear but likely took place in Switzerland and Germany, possibly including Möglin. At 17, he sailed to Sydney aboard the Lady Blackwood in March 1830 to join William. Over the next nine years, the brothers developed pastoral runs across New South Wales, including the Yass Plains, Mullengendra, and Monaro. In 1837, they overlanded 560 cattle to Portland Bay—a major feat. William, the elder, likely mentored Frederick using his Australian Agricultural Company experience. In 1839, he purchased a 4,000-acre Special Survey in the Adelaide Hills and shipped 19 rams from Sydney to Adelaide, selling them for £200—marking the start of the Duttons’ move to South Australia.

This foundational experience in livestock husbandry and pastoral enterprise laid the groundwork for Frederick’s eventual move to South Australia and the founding of Anlaby Station.

Established in 1836, one of the first tasks in the new colony of South Australia was to secure food supplies. Large numbers of livestock were needed to kick-start agricultural production. Sensing a commercial opportunity arising from the threat of famine in Adelaide, John Hawdon and Charles Bonney became the first to overland livestock from interstate when they drove 300 cattle from Goulburn to Adelaide, arriving there on 3 April 1838. Their pioneering journey filled the bellies of meat-starved Adelaidians and proved that walking cattle overland could be done.

Overlanding sheep, however, remained a live issue in 1838, especially the concern about the sheep’s condition on arrival. Convinced of its practicability, famed explorer Edward John Eyre overlanded 1000 sheep from NSW, becoming the first to do so. He arrived in Adelaide in March 1839, and proudly announced that stock losses on the route did not exceed 1%. To ease doubts about the condition of the sheep upon their arrival, Eyre gifted a freshly slaughtered saddle of mutton to Governor George Gawler, who replied the meat “could not be surpassed in appearance by any in a London butcher’s shop at Christmas.” In July 1839, the second importation of sheep, commandeered by the younger brother of Charles Sturt, brought a further 5,000 sheep to the colony. This second overland trek assuaged the concerns of many and catalysed a steady stream of livestock from Victoria and New South Wales. The stakes were high, and the game was on. Who would risk it all to drive their flocks across unfamiliar country? Who would face the wilderness to claim a fortune in South Australia?

Into this heady atmosphere of fortune-chasing stepped Alexander Buchanan. Born in Glasgow as the son of a coffee plantation owner, Buchanan was educated in Scotland before gaining mercantile experience in England and Canada. In 1838, after returning to Scotland from Canada, he determined to sail for Adelaide aboard the Welcome, which arrived on 3 April 1839.

Two months later, on 3 June 1839, Alexander Buchanan boarded the Resource bound for Sydney. He was part of a company of seven other young men who sought to find work by walking sheep from New South Wales to South Australia as a speculative gamble. During the voyage to Sydney, Buchanan travelled steerage for the first time to save money, about which he wrote in his diary, “I shall never do so again.”

The group arrived in Sydney on 17 June 1839. In the following weeks, Buchanan met with Frederick Dutton to confirm arrangements for the overland expedition, including provisions and where to collect livestock. According to Buchanan’s diary, the party departed Sydney on 11 July 1839. They reached Liverpool the following day – which Buchanan described as a “very nice little village” – and Campbelltown on 13 July. Berrima was reached on 16 July, Goulburn on 19 July, and Yass on 26 July.

On 29 July, they arrived at Mr. Howe’s station to the west of Yass. This is where Buchanan and his team of men, consisting of 2 bullock drivers, 1 carter, 1 cook, 4 shepherds, and 4 others, collected 4,000 sheep purchased by William and Frederick Dutton, along with their commercial partner and relation, Captain John Finnis. Buchanan’s party had to check the sheep for disease, draught the sheep to check for sex and age, and feed and rest the horses for the onward journey. Buchanan only left Mr. Howe’s station on 17 August, explaining they “spent the time we were staying at Howe’s principally shooting ducks and watermoles (platypuses)…”

On 18 August, the sheep were walked in three droves to ensure efficient feeding and travel. Just two days later, they encountered a mob of sheep belonging to Captain King whose 200 wethers accidentally mixed with the flock. The entire flock under Buchanan’s charge had to be redraughted and counted, leading to a delay of two days, which was made all the more difficult by needing to move the draughting away from a grogshop which Buchanan feared would intoxicate the shepherds and stockmen.

On 23 August, Buchanan and several men travelled to a Mr. Stuckie’s station, based near Gundagai, to collect 900 sheep that Dutton and Finnis had purchased for the overland trek. It was a trial to walk them to the main flock. Though the specific waterway is not mentioned, Buchanan describes having to cross the 900 sheep over water on a small square punt about 2.5m by 1.5m in size and held 25 sheep at once. The waterway was likely an offshoot of the Murrumbidgee, which they regularly followed west after Yass. Crossing rivers was a tough task: after crossing these 900 sheep, they pulled out a bogged dray and in doing so one of the mares drowned. “So much for profit and loss,” wrote Alexander Buchanan.

During late August and into September, it was not unusual for the nearly 5500-strong flock to only walk between 4.8km and 6.5km a day as many of the ewes were in lamb. Many of the observations in Buchanan’s diary relate to the quality of feed for the sheep, buying provisions for the men, and walking in tandem with the supply drays. Writing on 21 September, Buchanan expressed relief at having enough provisions for 12 men for 12 weeks until arrival in Adelaide. On the same day, Buchanan wrote “the rest of our party have remained behind to bring on the other two flocks – in all about 13,000 more.” The origin of these sheep is unknown, but it becomes clear that the entire flock being walked was 18-18,500 sheep, and that Buchanan was part of a much larger operation.

While trekking west, Buchanan intersperses his diary with a number of intriguing reflections. On 30 September he describes the excitement of chasing emus. “They ran like the very wind,” he complained, which made it hard to keep up, but one of his fellow stockmen, Mr. Cunningham, somehow managed to avoid injury while doing a complete somersault on the horse! Buchanan refers to dry conditions on the northern side of the Murrumbidgee, describing the area around the Hay Plains, NSW, as “parched up with drought.” He refers to First Nations people on several occasions, including seeing them on the riverbanks, coming upon huts with fires burning, and waving green boughs. There were times when members of Buchanan’s team wanted to “break them” but he firmly decided the best policy was to “let abe for let abe” (‘abe’ is a Scottish word meaning ‘leave undisturbed’ or ‘let be’).

The sheep crossed the Lachlan River near Oxley on 16 October, before deviating northward. Buchanan missed the meeting of the Murrumbidgee and Murray rivers near Balranald, instead joining the Murray near its intersection with the Darling River at Wentworth in early November. The crossing of the Darling was complicated by a rogue heifer scattering the flock. The animal was slaughtered, which pleased Buchanan as it saved killing up to 8 sheep for rations. While crossing the Darling in specially constructed punts, the party of men encountered a Mr. Tooth with a herd of 550 cattle bound for Adelaide; this only highlighted the rush of overland expeditions itching to reach Adelaide. It was also while floating provisions across the Darling that one of the most tragic events of the expedition took place: a group of First Nations people, likely members of the Barkindji people, attacked Buchanan’s men, which he attributed to their desire for supplies. The men’s muskets killed 6 Barkindji people, and once the rest of them fled, their canoes and nets were destroyed. Encounters like were sadly all too common during overland expeditions, and it would not be the last musket fired in anger during this trek.

The sheep continued west, averaging between 8km and 24km per day, which meant the sheep reached Lake Victoria on 23 November and Lake Bonney nearly a week later. Buchanan criticised the country around the two lakes as scrubby, sandy, and dusty and appearing “to be nothing but a desert.” By the first week of December the expedition would have been in the area of Waikerie and Morgan. The stockmen and shepherds kept the sheep close to the river, which afforded the opportunity to hunt ducks and kangaroos and water the sheep as summer set in.

On 9 December 1839, Buchanan departed from the main group to ride ahead to Adelaide to prepare for the flock’s arrival. On the way, he encountered a surveying team that had departed Adelaide only ten days prior. The surveyors explained Governor George Gawler and Captain Charles Sturt were sailing upriver from Lake Alexandrina. Buchanan changed course to meet them. He relayed information regarding conditions upstream, particularly the behaviour of First Nations people, and provided Governor Gawler and Captain Sturt with additional provisions.

On the way to Adelaide, Buchanan rode to a squatting station formerly occupied by Edward John Eyre. The site is described as being in the River Light Valley and is possibly where modern-day Anlaby sits. Alexander referred to the area as a “gentleman’s park [of] fine plains and thinly studded with trees.” He said it was exceedingly better than Kilkerran Park (a possible reference to Kilkerran House in Ayrshire, Scotland) and Eaton Hall, the residence of the Earl of Grosvenor.

From here the story becomes murky. Buchanan’s diary fails to mention the handover of sheep to representatives of Frederick and William Dutton and Captain John Finnis. It seems Captain Finnis was overlanding stock on a large scale at the time. A report in the South Australian Register from 5 October 1839, details the anticipated arrival of “Captain Finniss’s Overland Party,” and announced he had purchased an extra 4,000 sheep to be overlanded, bringing his entire overlanding gamble to 25,000 sheep and 7,000 cattle. This ‘Overland Party’ likely refers in part to the sheep under Buchanan’s care.

On 14 December, the same newspaper proudly announced the safe arrival of 6500 sheep into South Australia, which were part of the “extensive flocks now on their way hither, belonging to Mr. [William] Hampden Dutton and Captain Finnis.” This is very likely the flock that Buchanan walked across. The report goes on to detail that another flock of 8,000 had crossed the Darling and a third was further off, with the numbers coming to about 25,000.

On 28 December 1839, the South Australian Register advertised the importation of seven thousand more sheep belonging to Messrs. Finnis, Dutton & Co. The sheep, it is stated, arrived under the charge of Mr. Cameron who reported “a most successful trip and very few losses.” The report also details that six thousand more were expected in January 1840. This report corroborates our understanding of Anlaby’s founding that 18,000 sheep were walked overland under the chief charge of Buchanan: Buchanan walked 5,000, Cameron brought the second flock of 7,000, and 6,000 followed in January 1840, making 18,000. However, other estimates range between 16,000 and 25,000 sheep. Despite the uncertainty over exact numbers, the fact remains that the passage of thousands of sheep overland, with relatively few losses, was extraordinary.

With the sheep successfully driven overland—through the finances of William and Frederick Dutton, along with John Finnis – and now arrived in Adelaide, the next course of action was to bring them to market. Unfortunately, the realisation quickly dawned that the sheep had arrived in a glutted Adelaide market. The rush to overland livestock to South Australia had created an oversupply of sheep and cattle.

The next part of the story is harder to piece together. Newspapers from March 1840 feature ads for large sheep sales by Dutton and Finnis, the first on 7 March offering 12,000 sheep. follow-up ad describes them as recently shorn, disease-free, and from “the flocks of the most celebrated breeders in New South Wales.” Interested buyers were directed to John Finnis in North Adelaide or Frederick Dutton at Miss Bathgate’s boarding house on Rundle Street. Dutton may have just arrived in Adelaide – o ne brief notice places him with Finnis and selling cigars, tobacco, and brandy from the recently arrived aboard the Mary Ridgway.

In 27 March 1840, Adelaide auctioneers, V. & E. Solomon sold 4800 wethers and ewes for Dutton and Finnis. This success, however, was short lived. Advertisement offering thousands of sheep persisted until July 1840. By July, Frederick was still boarding at Miss Bathgate’s eager to sell sheep. In fact, several notices state “Mr Dutton, having business of importance requiring his attendance in Sydney, is anxious to dispose of the whole of his stock in one lot.” The lot consisted of 4750 ewes of various ages, 6000 wethers, 26 bullocks, and 14 mares, in addition to a block of land in Hindmarsh and a wool press.

It seems by 4 August 1840, after dozens of newspaper advertisements, Frederick’s patience could endure no longer. On this date, mention is first made of Mr Dutton’s station, from where 12 rams had recently been received in Adelaide for sale. Directly underneath is a ‘Wanted’ notice looking for six good shepherds to whom 15 shillings a week and rations would be supplied. The hiring of shepherds, brought about by desperation and a glutted Adelaide market, heralded the earliest beginnings of Anlaby Station.

What began as a bold commercial venture by Frederick and William Dutton and John Finnis became a defining moment in South Australia’s pastoral history. The overlanding of thousands of sheep across harsh and unfamiliar terrain was a feat of endurance, organisation, and frontier negotiation. Yet it was the collapse of market expectations in Adelaide that forced a lasting decision: to settle. In doing so, Frederick Dutton inaugurated a pastoral property that would shape South Australia’s rural identity. The founding of Anlaby was not just a response to market forces – it was the beginning of a new chapter in the South Australia’s agricultural and economic development.

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Fêtes of Anlaby Past

Katharine Crane — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 09:57:09 +0000

Admiring the Legacy of Anlaby’s Garden Fêtes: A Journey Through South Australian History

The 10-acre garden at Anlaby Station, one of the most historic gardens in South Australia, has, for more than a century, opened its enormous iron gates, allowing visitors to indulge in the captivating scents, sounds, and sights on offer.

One of the earliest garden fêtes was held on 24 October 1906. The garden was opened to members of the public to raise funds for the construction of the St Matthew’s Parish Room in Hamilton. The proceedings were inaugurated by Governor Sir George Le Hunte, who paid tribute to the hard-working members of the St. Matthew’s congregation. Visitors were entertained by a variety of attractions, including gramophone concerts, a shooting gallery, games of ‘Aunt Sally’ (a traditional English game where players throw batons at a ball balanced on top of a stick, often fashioned to look like an old woman’s head), and more.

Two white marquees were erected on the tennis lawn for afternoon tea, which proved hugely popular. One report exclaimed that crowds constantly besieged the tables, giving the ‘afternoon tea ladies’ an arduous time! A musical program presented by the Kapunda Brass Band delighted visitors. They were also invited to tour the Clydesdale stables, dog kennels, and conservatories. The fête coincided with the annual shearing season, and several visitors availed themselves of the opportunity to not only marvel at the Woolshed but also witness machine shearing, as it was the first time machine shearing was undertaken at Anlaby.

One of the most recent additions at Anlaby that year was a flagstaff, erected north-east of the main house. It was richly decorated with bunting and allowed those brave enough to ascend around 20 meters a magnificent view of the estate. One correspondent noted that “one’s nerves [were] tested by the strong wind, which flapped the flags and shook the staff, giving an uncanny feeling to many.” An unnamed photographer braved the ascent and captured the day superbly:

The immense success of the 1906 fête laid the foundation for future events. Anlaby’s garden was opened annually to support local causes, and Henry Dutton was able to entertain guests in his personal garden utopia.

For the 1907 fête, Henry Dutton once again threw his support behind St Matthew’s Parish Room, Hamilton. He personally drove guests up and down the mile-long eucalyptus avenue to raise funds for the cause. Riding in a car was such a novelty that guests lined up for nearly three hours to experience the sensation! For those not keen on riding in a car, wagon trips were available between the homestead and the woolshed, and, of course, there was the extensive garden to explore.

A newspaper correspondent who attended the 1908 fête provides a fantastic insight into how these fêtes operated: “The motor-car trips with the three cars were an immense attraction. The excursions were under the direction of Mr. Harry Dutton and Mr. Claude de Neufville Lucas, assisted by the two Anlaby chauffeurs, and there was a constant stream of fares for the two hours or more that the cars ran. Mr. Henry Dutton was busy in his genial way in seeing that the visitors were being entertained. Saloon-rifle-shooting and Aunt Sally found many who were prepared to try their skill in the use of a steady eye and straight aim. The conservatories were largely patronised, the orchid house, ferneries, and grotto receiving a continuous visitation. The cinerarias are a lovely sight, but the pelargoniums are only just in the bud stage, the season being rather late. The cucumber house, where appetising fruit hung from the trellis in numbers, was also an attraction. In the vine house, where the luscious berry is grown under artificial temperature, there are large bunches of fruit, which will be in the ripening stage in a few weeks’ time…On the eastern side of the residence, the beautiful trellis of Wistaria is still in flower, and the huge clusters of heliotrope bloom were greatly admired.”

In 1909, the Governor of South Australia, Admiral Sir Day Hort Bosanquet, opened the Anlaby Fête. Having toured the countryside surrounding Anlaby, he paid tribute to the intense agricultural efforts visible all around, noting the work done by the able hands of many local farmers. The 1910 and 1911 fêtes followed a similar pattern: the garden was opened for guests from far and wide, and there was much positive commentary on Mr. Dutton’s geniality and generosity.

An account from 1912 gives us an idea of the rich botanical offerings on view during a fête at Anlaby: “The terraced garden is an ideal place to hold a fête, with its wonderful variety of plants and shrubs. The hot-houses proved to be a great attraction, with their ripe cucumbers and bunches of luscious grapes, peeping from their green setting of leaves and tendrils. The cucumbers especially proved such a novelty that the price of one shilling set upon each did not in the least retard their sale. The amusements provided for the visitors included motor car rides, a shooting gallery, ‘Aunt Sally’ and a string band, while sweets and refreshments were retailed by the ladies. The three cars (one of which Mr Dutton drove) were kept busy.” For the first time, visitors also had the chance to ascend the recently completed water tower.

No garden fête was held in 1913, likely because the cost of building St Matthew’s Parish Room had finally been covered. This brought an end to the annual run of garden fêtes that had started so auspiciously in 1906. Nevertheless, on 1 November 1915, Anlaby once again hosted members of the public from near and far. This time, the fête raised over £500 for the Wounded Soldier’s Fund and the Kapunda branch of the Red Cross Society. Raising funds to aid wounded soldiers was important to the local community, as many men and women had answered the call to serve, and some had already paid the ultimate sacrifice. At Anlaby alone, 17 men joined the cause, and six never returned. The fête was opened by Lady Marie Galway, wife of the Governor of South Australia, a dedicated charity worker and women’s rights advocate. She was also the first president of the Red Cross Society in South Australia. This momentum to raise funds for war-related causes continued into 1916 when a Red Cross fête was held to support various war efforts.

In 1924, the gates at Anlaby were once again opened to aid a local fundraiser—this time for the Kapunda Hospital. The day was opened by Lady Bridges, wife of the Governor of South Australia. She stood at the top of the stairwell on the recently constructed Italianate façade on Anlaby’s southern side, making it the first time members of the public could admire this imposing and elegant addition.

In 1935, a garden fête was held at Anlaby to raise funds for St Matthew’s Church and Parish Room, Hamilton. Cars arrived from all directions to view the garden. ““Just after entering the gate, a mass of ranunculi, antirrhiniums, and other flowers met the eye, while beautiful forget-me-nots were in profusion as the main garden was entered. Wistaria, clematis, roses, beds of iris, lilac, and many other beautiful shrubs, trees and flowers were seen as the inspection of the garden proceeded, and expressions of admiration were heard on every side.” On the oval, a cricket match took place between the Eudunda and Hamilton clubs. Afternoon tea was offered, along with flowers, ice cream, cool drinks, sweets, cakes, bran dip, games, and produce. That evening, a dance was held in the Woolshed, which was well attended. Over £90 was raised during the day.

On 19 October 1936, the garden gates opened again to support a local resident, Miss Violet Poole, with her entry into the Miss Centenary competition as part of South Australia’s centenary celebrations. Two years later, in 1938, the garden was opened to the public -this time by Sir Stanton Hicks, a distinguished professor of pharmacology – to raise funds for St. Matthew’s Church in Hamilton.

In October 1946, the garden at Anlaby hosted another Garden Fête. A wide variety of stalls, games, food, and beverages were offered, including afternoon tea, which was ably overseen by ladies from the Hamilton district. This fête had a particular aim: to raise funds for the Kapunda and District War Memorial. The districts surrounding Kapunda had been asked to raise funds for the memorial, and Hamilton used this garden fête as an opportunity to reach their fundraising target.

Fêtes at Anlaby were an important feature on the annual calendar. They provided opportunities to raise funds for local causes, whether for a parish room, a war memorial, or war relief efforts. The community could come together for a day of frivolity and delight to enjoy a garden utopia par excellence. The fêtes were also an opportunity for Henry Dutton, his successor Harry Dutton, and his wife Emily Dutton to demonstrate the latest addition to the garden or house and display the most creative aspects of garden design. This included the construction of the water tower, the erection of the flagstaff, or the redesign of the homestead’s Italianate façade in 1924. The Dutton family’s engagement in these events highlighted their close connection to the local community, avoiding the image of aloof aristocracy.

In 1946, Anlaby hosted its last great fêtes before a very long gap. As it became increasingly difficult to maintain the extensive garden through the 1950s and beyond, parts of the garden succumbed to neglect. The property passed through several owners during this time, none of whom had the resources to fully restore it.

However, in 2012, the idea of opening Anlaby’s garden to the public was resurrected by the current owners, Andrew Morphett and Peter Hayward. Their ongoing aim has been to showcase the rejuvenated heritage garden and celebrate the rich history of unique garden design on the estate. The opening of the gardens presented an opportunity to raise awareness of Anlaby—its significance had faded over the years—and generate much-needed funds for ongoing restoration work. Though the purpose of the festivities has changed from the original 1906 fête – from supporting a charitable cause to raising funds for restoration – the garden has remained at centre stage: open for all to come and admire the beauty and bold vision on display.

During our upcoming Spring Festival, we are excited to unveil the newest addition to Anlaby’s grounds: a stunning Oriental-inspired garden, created to celebrate Anlaby’s 185th anniversary. This garden gift to the property features intricate dry stone creek beds, delicate bridges, and a tranquil atmosphere that recalls the serene beauty of Monet’s garden. The official opening of this beautiful new space will be one of the highlights of the festival, and we invite you to join in celebrating this exciting milestone for Anlaby.

Festival-goers will also have the chance to sample a smorgasbord of delights—from our famed Devonshire Tea and French champagne to the best lamb pies around and a crisp Gin & Tonic. Carriage rides through the grounds—including some exclusive behind-the-scenes areas—will be available, and market stalls will provide an opportunity for some early Christmas shopping. We’ll also feature a line-up of fantastic speakers in the Sundial Garden, along with kids’ activities, plenty of coffee, and guided tours to explore the magnificent gardens first established more than 160 years ago.

Whether you’re a lover of South Australian history, a fan of unique heritage gardens, or simply looking for a relaxing day out, the Anlaby Spring Festival has something for everyone. Come for the gardens, stay for the food, and enjoy a glimpse into the past while helping secure the future of one of the region’s most iconic estates.

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A major discovery: Overturning Anlaby’s story

Katharine Crane — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 05:13:55 +0000

Anlaby benefits from an enormous wealth of documents detailing the turbulent life of the property; at the State Library of South Australia, there are 42 metres of shelves with records relating to Anlaby, with more material located at the National Library of Australia and in the private Dutton family collection. The challenge is finding the proverbial needle in a haystack. Such a trove of material inevitably turns up new information that completely redefines our understanding of Anlaby. A major discovery has been made regarding the construction of the main homestead, which was the home of the Dutton family for four generations and originally constructed as a manager’s residence. What new information has come to light?

For decades, the true nature of the construction of the main homestead at Anlaby has been shrouded in mystery. Historical sources have differed widely as to when it was built. Some have vaguely hinted at extensions and modifications to the first house built for the second manager, Alexander Buchanan, while others have broadly suggested the 1850s or 1860s as the most likely date of construction.

Until now, it was understood that the main residence was constructed in 1861, owing to an architectural plan supposedly dated to that year.

The truth, as it turns out, it far more intriguing and exciting!

This story of discovery starts with an architectural plan of Anlaby that exists at the National Library of Australia. It is titled ‘Plans for the Residence of Alexr. Buchanan Anlaby,’ and details the eastern and principal elevations of the house. It is a photographic copy of the original plan, captured by the architectural historian, Wes Stacey,around 1970. In Stacey’s photograph, the fine handwriting at the bottom right is obscured; it reads ‘English and Brown Adelaide ……’ before petering out.

Despite petering out, one detail – the identity of the architectural firm – can be determined. The partnership, English & Brown, was established around 1850 by Thomas English and Henry Brown. English was a trained architect, while Brown was a builder contractor by trade, so the two went hand in hand. They started trading on Carrington Street, Adelaide, and acquired a sandstone quarry at Tea Tree Gully around 1852. Operating during a boom time in South Australia’s early years, the firm received several high-profile contracts: Parliament House (1854), extensions to Government House (1855/6), Scots Church (1858), the South Australian Institute (1860), and parts of Adelaide Gaol (1862). The partnership lasted until 1865, owing to the fact that Thomas English had become a Member of the Legislative Council and the Minister for Works, which barred him from simultaneously serving as an architect. Henry Brown formed a new partnership and continued working for decades thereafter. This small detail from Stacey’s photograph confirms that Anlaby was designed by English & Brown between 1850 and 1865.

The next step in the story occurred in December 2022, when several copies of architectural plans were received at Anlaby, copies of which were hung in the onsite accommodation, like the Gardener’s Cottage or Coachman’s Cottage. The scans were taken from original plans privately held by the Dutton family. One of the scans looked identical to the one held at the National Library, but the quality was far better. It also included a very important detail: the handwriting at the bottom right was unobscured. It read, ‘English & Brown, Adelaide, April 1857.’ Excitingly, a date had been identified, but it raised a multitude of questions. Whilst it’s not unusual for architectural plans to be drawn up in advance, could the house be older than believed? How long did it really take to construct the house? What additional evidence could be found to shed light on the construction of the house?

In an attempt to resolve the mystery surrounding the homestead’s construction, it was necessary to travel to the State Library of South Australia in search of answers. The first step was to start leafing through hefty, leather-bound ledger books from the year 1857. The ledger books record all income and expenses – from worker’s wages and the sale of wool to the purchase of rations and the auctioning of livestock. Thankfully, most of the ledgers contain an alphabetical index – sometimes located at the front, sometimes neatly pasted to the back page – but it was hardly needed here: while looking for an index at the front of the ledger, the fourth page opened up, and at the top, in large, cursive handwriting, was written ‘House Account.’ Eureka!

Here, in remarkable detail, was the beginning of an itemised account, starting in February 1857, that recorded all expenses incurred to construct the main house. On 20 February, the first item details the payment of £120 for 8000 slates, at a rate of £15 per 1000. A week later, John Craig, a settler along the River Light, received payment for carting slates to Anlaby, at a rate of £2 per ton, and over the next month he carted around eleven tons of slates to Anlaby. Craig was helped by John Mungo, a settler at Sower Flats; William Coombes, a resident from the River Light, John Williams of Allen’s Creek; and William Wrigley, an employee at Anlaby. Over the following months they carted tons of timber and slates, as well as white lead, cedar wood, carpenter’s tools, door hinges, and locks.

Thomas English and Henry Brown of English & Brown were the ideal choice for Anlaby: they not only designed the house but also provided building material. In June they provided timber to the tune of £271 9s 5d, which equates to $48,000 in 2023. They continued to supply timber throughout construction.

Scaffolding was being erected by July 1857, thanks to the work of James Rusher, who was already employed at Anlaby as a fencer and hut builder. Quarrying was also taking place: Nicholas Pascoe, Samuel Potter, and Thomas Hodges were all paid for weeks of hard labour in July. It is very likely they used a local quarry to source the necessary stone, for if it were quarried at the English & Brown quarry at Tea Tree Gully, the carting charges would be considerably higher.

The following month, Richard Dooley, William Ireson, Robert Anderson, Henry Jones, and Thomas Hodges were paid for cutting stone. This work carried on for several months, though the account book is interspersed with expenses such as the cartage of thousands of bricks and tons of cement by Isaac Parfit; more timber delivered by Thomas Shannon (who normally carted wool at Anlaby during shearing); sundry goods received from Cossins & Brewster (storekeepers in Kapunda); rail freight to Gawler followed by carting to Kapunda, and much more.

Thomas Costello, who regularly transported wool for Anlaby, was engaged carting sand and lime for mortar, and two blacksmiths – Matthew Blackwell and Edward Moyle – forged a variety of metal wares to assist building work.

In December 1857, the expenses started to mount quickly: Robert Anderson was paid £400 for building 2000 yards of wall (presumably calculated by courses of stone), Nicholas Pascoe was paid £133 for quarrying 2000 yards of stone, and the Adelaide-based business, Simon C. Lohrmann & Son, was paid £127 for 35 weeks of carpentry work. The final account for the year was for Patrick Hartney, a carter, who had been engaged continuously since September at 18 shillings a week. The total expenditure for 1857 stood at £2146.

In February 1858, Richard Dooley, Henry Bruce, Frederick Sanders, and a Mr. Baker, were engaged in stonecutting. A Mr. Wilson was kept busy procuring sand, while Isaac Parfit transported 3 tons and 14 hundredweight of timber and glass to the house. Robert Anderson, the master mason, was kept busy from March to September building walls, with help from his assistants Auguste Gepperte and Michael Devitt. Thomas Thorpe and Bernarde Goode also received payment for carpentry work rendered. (It seems Thorpe and Goode were employed by English & Brown to undertake work at Anlaby.)

In July 1858, A. L. Elder of London was paid £40 for 210 yards of water pipe; local resident, James Hanlin, was engaged to cart it to Anlaby. Several tanks arrived in October, and John Foreman and Thomas Humphries were paid for sawing wood on site. A man called ‘Thomson’ was also paid for painting services, though his identity is obscure. The prominent Kapunda identity, Doctor Blood, was also paid for medical services rendered.

Across October and November, Samuel Potter was paid for 220 yards of flagging, while more cedar arrived on site, and English & Brown again supplied timber for the house. In December, Robert Dodgeson, a plumber by trade, was paid for installing pipework in the house. He continued to work into 1859.

As the year came to an end, several accounts were settled. On 31 December, Peter McLaren of Kapunda was paid £119 for plastering and slating the house. Nicholas Pascoe was paid £100 for quarrying 3112 yards of stone. Simon Lohrmann’s annual wage for carpentry was listed as £187 at year’s end.

In January 1859, Isaac Parfit carted 4.5 tons of timber to Anlaby, as well as 3 tons of cement, for which he received £9. Expenses started to peter out throughout 1859. There were relatively few accounts to pay: to Thomas Humphries for the sawing of wood; to English & Brown for cement; to Edward Jennings of Kapunda for log pine; to Simon C. Lohrmann & Son for locks; and Cossins & Brewster for sundry goods.

In July 1859, English & Brown were paid £18 for ‘preparing plans, drawings, specifications, agents, supplying tracings, and copies for res. at Anlaby.’ In addition, they were also paid £38 10s for ‘Mr. English expenses and time visiting and inspecting the building for the purpose of measurement. 7 journeys.’

Though the architect and builder had left the site – which indicates the house was virtually finished – Andrew Casanova was kept busy completing plumbing inside the house. Robert Anderson, the master mason, was also engaged to lay concrete to the tune of £4. A few months later, in October, Peter McLaren was engaged to lay cement at the front of the house, and Simon C. Lohrmann, the German-born carpenter, received final payment of £156 12s for 43 weeks of work.

The final entry relating to the House Account dates to 31 December 1859 and covered sundry goods. The total cost came to £5020 17s 1d, which equates to $984,000 in 2023. The entire house was paid for by Frederick Dutton: the expense is listed in his private account in the ledger book for 1859. After two years of construction, Alexander Buchanan finally had a residence to befit his status as manager of Anlaby.

The ‘House Account’, which continues over three successive ledgers, describes the construction of the house in fantastic detail. We know what supplies were ordered and often when they arrived, the rates of pay, the timing of construction, and even the names of the men who expended blood, sweat, and tears to make the building a reality.

The ledger books also confirm construction of the main homestead at Anlaby commenced earlier than first thought. While scaffolding was being erected in June 1857, construction had likely already commenced given that several rooms are located below ground level. Construction was virtually complete by July 1859, with the remaining work concentrating on plumbing, carpentry, and exterior cementing. To have built such a large home in two years – and one that is so far removed from the commercial networks of town life – is an extraordinary feat. On a broader level, Anlaby is now strongly linked to a number of heritage icons in South Australia, including Government House and Parliament House.

This significant discovery concerning the house’s construction may also come to redefine our understanding of the early development of the garden. Anlaby may gain further recognition in terms of botanical significance in the years to come.

Unearthing Anlaby’s genesis breathes life into the early history of the property, as well as the workers involved in creating a sturdy legacy of stone and mortar. Together they created a home for two dedicated managers, four generations of the Dutton family, and three succeeding families determined to keep the house alive and upright. While 2024 marks 185 years since the property’s foundation, the homestead at Anlaby has been a lived-in piece of history for 165 years and counting.

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The life of Henry Dutton: the man who transformed Anlaby

Katharine Crane — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 03:13:42 +0000

Anlaby as we see it today is mostly thanks to the vision of Henry Dutton, the second generation of the family to own the property. Thanks to him, the house was modified, the gardens extended and beautified, and many of the stables and outbuildings were constructed. Who was Henry, and how did he come to be at Anlaby?

Henry Dutton was born in March 1844 in Melbourne, Victoria. His father, William Hampden Dutton, was a pioneering pastoralist based in Victoria and New South Wales and later in South Australia. In 1839, he purchased 15,000 acres in the Mount Barker Special Survey, one of the first special land surveys in the young colony, which was later sold to German migrants settling in Hahndorf. Henry’s mother, Charlotte da Silva Cameron, had Scottish/Portuguese ancestry. William and Charlotte’s family prospered; however, in 1845 after several poor business decisions, William was declared insolvent, and he died in reduced circumstances in Melbourne in 1849. Henry was only five years old.

Following William’s death, the family moved to Adelaide. Henry was educated at St Peter’s College, Adelaide, starting around 1850. He received a Certificate of Honors in June 1852, demonstrating his academic qualities from a young age. It may have been at St Peter’s, with its strong Anglican bent, that Henry became strongly devoted to the Christian faith, which he carried with pious devotion throughout his life.

Before the age of 25, Henry experienced further heartbreak: four of his seven siblings died: the eldest brother and head of the fatherless family, William; Mary, who died a married woman in Sussex, England; Luduvina, who left four young children behind; and the youngest sibling, Ewin, who died at age 16 at Glenelg. Henry’s young life was marred by grief, and tragically, there was more to come later.

After so many tragic deaths, a glimmer of happiness appeared. On 10 May 1873, Henry married Helen Thomas of Geelong in the St. George’s Anglican Church, Queenscliff, Victoria. On his marriage certificate, it records he was living at Palmer Place, North Adelaide. In the meantime, he had been working as a teller and clerk for the Bank of South Australia. Initially, he worked at Yankalilla, then moved to Brighton in 1872. While working at Brighton, Henry became involved in St Jude’s Anglican Church, where he served as a warden and organist. Upon his marriage in 1873, the congregation presented him with a silver plaque, which read, “Presented by the Congregation and friends of S. JUDE’S, BRIGHTON, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, to Henry Dutton, on his wedding day, in grateful recognition of his untiring and devoted services to MOTHER CHURCH. 10 May 1873.”

Before long, Henry and Helen started a family. Together, they had two children: a daughter, Ethel da Silva Dutton, born on 3 February 1876, and three years later, on 13 February 1879, their second child, a son, Henry (Harry) Hampden Dutton. The young family moved to Mount Pleasant in 1880, where Henry served as the Manager of the local branch of the Bank of South Australia. Over the next ten years, the family became accustomed to the rhythm of life there: Ethel and Harry attended the local school, Helen became accustomed to domestic life, and Henry managed the local bank while also serving on the local School Advisory Board and at St. John’s Anglican Church, Mount Pleasant.

While at Mount Pleasant, Henry’s passion for gardening blossomed. He grew pelargoniums, begonias, bulbous dahlias, ferns, and much more for the annual shows held by the Mount Pleasant Agricultural, Horticultural, and Floricultural Society in the 1880s, winning several prizes in the process. Even Ethel and Harry were involved during the local show, entering dressed doll and handwriting competitions respectively. Henry read up-to-date literature on garden practice and design and constantly sought to improve and expand his private collection.

In 1890, Henry’s life changed dramatically. On 22 April, his uncle and founder of Anlaby, Frederick Dutton, died aged 78 in London. In his will, Frederick left most of his South Australian assets to Henry, which included, among others, Anlaby Station. Henry inherited the modern-day equivalent of over one hundred million dollars. As a result, he left his job as a bank manager and moved to Anlaby in mid-1890. At a farewell banquet held at the Talunga Hotel, Mount Pleasant, in June, members of the community paid tribute to his service: “his friends could not allow him to depart without showing the esteem and regard in which he was held…his departure would be a distinct loss.” Other speakers went on to describe him as “kind and gentlemanly in his conduct,” “courteous,” and “ready and willing to lend assistance.” Henry was presented with a gold chain as a memorial of friendship.

Though Henry was already economically comfortable, his change in circumstances in 1890 cannot be understated. He went from working a day job as a bank manager to becoming one of the most extensive landowners in the country. His responsibilities quickly mounted: there was an estate to become acquainted with, a business to run, staff to manage and pay, work to be done redecorating the house, the re-establishment of his family, and familiarisation with the local community. It was no small feat.

Once the initial phase passed, Henry started turning his eye to his passion: gardening. One of his first projects was the construction of an enormous conservatory designed and built by A. Simpson & Son, based in Adelaide. The conservatory was the first of several additions – from a pelargonium house and rockery to a cucumber house and vinery – to be added to the gardens. In addition, he established roseries, planted a wide variety of imported trees, laid pipelines, erected vast trellis systems, marked out a tennis court, and much more. Frederick’s inheritance allowed him the freedom to invest in his passion.

This tranquil and exciting time was cruelly shattered in February 1892. Henry and his wife and children were holidaying at Victor Harbor. Ethel, her brother Harry, and another young girl were climbing around the rocks on the western point of Granite Island. Ethel dropped her penknife and, thinking nothing of it, climbed around a rock to fetch it. In doing so, she lost her footing and fell 25 metres into the water below. Reports indicate that Ethel was dashed on the rocks before landing in the water, death being instantaneous. Harry attempted to rescue his elder sister to no avail; her body was retrieved by boat a short time later. Ethel was only 16 years old. As is often the case with the death of a young person, Ethel’s funeral was enormous. The service was held at Christ Church, Palmer Place, which was only a few doors down from Henry’s Adelaide residence, and the committal was at the North Road Cemetery, Nailsworth.

Though Henry’s diaries from this time do not exist, the death of his only daughter must have been soul-crushing. After a period of mourning, Henry started to formulate the idea of building a grand church in Ethel’s memory. The result was St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Hamilton, which commenced in 1896 and was finally finished in 1907. It resembles a cathedral, for it is fitted with the finest silverware, needlework, stained glass, and woodwork imaginable. It remains a moving, awe-inspiring response to a tragedy of shocking proportions.

Henry’s wife, Helen, was certainly affected by the loss: she practically withdrew from social life, focusing on her talent for embroidery. Following her own death on 8 October 1901, one correspondent wrote, “Ever since the tragic death of her daughter [she] has been practically an invalid, suffering from heart disease.” Poignantly, Ethel was exhumed and reburied with her mother at Hamilton, near Anlaby.

Helen Dutton c.1890. Source: Source: SLSA PRG 396/227/7. With permission from the Dutton family.

With the death of his wife in 1901, Henry’s life seemed to be at a low point. In response he went travelling and invested more in his hobby for sailing. It was only in 1900 that Henry had turned to sailing: in September of that year, he purchased a pilot schooner called ‘Mavis’ from a florist in Melbourne. The British-built vessel was 27 metres long and just over 5 metres wide, and was used primarily around Robe, where Henry had taken up a lease on a holiday house, Karrata House. He went on cruises across the South Australian coastline, and further afield, before upgrading to a larger yacht, called ‘Vera.’ Henry’s second yacht only lasted a few months: she arrived in Port Adelaide in January 1906, only to be sold in April. The reason was that Henry had placed an order for a third yacht to be built by Hawthorn & Co., based in Leith, Scotland. Named the ‘Adele’, after Henry’s only surviving sibling, the yacht was 44 metres long, and nearly 7 metres wide, with five bedrooms – plus crew accommodation – as well as a richly furnished smoking room and dining saloon, electricity throughout, and refrigeration. In recognition of his yachting pursuits, Henry was named as a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron in 1910.

Henry was an admired and respected employer. He paid his staff fairly, and through his work in building local bridges, improving roads, and supporting local causes by opening his gardens for fundraising efforts, he earned the respect of many. He was often referred to as ‘Squire Dutton;’ the title ‘Squire’ indicating a man of high social standing.

This social standing extended to Gawler, where in 1907, Henry purchased the flailing company, James Martin & Co., to ensure no local jobs would be lost. Thanks to his elevated position and network, he secured new manufacturing contracts for the firm, which kept dozens of men in a job, and ensured the continuing prosperity of Gawler. Henry furthered his pastoral interests by going into partnership with John Melrose on the North Booborowie Station, and even acquired the vineyard and orchard called Koonowla, at Auburn, which operates as a winery today.

By 1914, Henry had outlived his siblings, and had buried his wife and daughter. In January he cruised around Kangaroo Island on the Adele, and in April along the eastern Eyre Peninsula, but his health soon declined, and in August, a medical examination determined he had a blood clot on the brain. Following his death on 25 August 1914, Adelaide-based paper, The Journal, wrote, “No one spoke more highly of him than his employees, and when he was stricken on Sunday evening, August 16, the little community at Anlaby was deeply concerned. Mr Dutton had been ailing for some time, and the fact he was too unwell to attend service [on] Sunday afternoon – the first time in their knowledge he had missed while he was at home – somewhat prepared them for bad news.” At the time of his death, his son, Harry – along with his wife and children – were in England. He was buried at St. Matthew’s, Hamilton, following a quiet, private service in the church he built to honour his daughter.

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Clip, clip of the shears: Anlaby’s magnificent Woolshed

Katharine Crane — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 13:36:55 +0000

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Clip, clip of the shears: Anlaby’s magnificent Woolshed

Katharine Crane — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 13:35:10 +0000

Over the hill from the main homestead sits the Anlaby Woolshed. Imposing and sturdy, millions of fleeces of wool have been shorn inside over the last 150 years. What is its story?

The first woolshed at Anlaby would have been constructed around the early 1840s. From later descriptions we know it was a wooden-slab structure, possibly with a shingle roof, and would have been one of the earliest structures built at Anlaby, after all, shearing sheep was integral to the financial wellbeing of the property. Like Bungaree Station near Clare, the woolshed came before all else – stone-built cottages, a manager’s residence, or stables – so important was the production of wool.

An account from 1869 captures shearing time in detail: “Time, 6 a.m. The pens full of sheep. Fifty men standing in front of the pens, each eagerly scanning the various animals before them with a view of seizing at the given time the particular sheep which he deems most suited to his purpose. At the first stroke of the 6 o’clock bell there is a simultaneous dart into the flock, a grab at the hind legs, a light scuffle, and in less than a minute nothing is heard save the clip, clip of the shears.”

The correspondent goes on: “As the fleeces fall they are picked up by boys, who throw them on the tables, where they are rolled up by sable Venuses [i.e. women] and carried to the sorter, who divides them into two sorts, viz. – the best for combing, and the other for clothing. The fleeces then pass into the hands of the pressmen, of whom there are nine. They manage three presses – two ordinary presses worked by the screw, which forces the wool together in the bale in such a manner as to enable the top to be sewn on; from these the bales are placed in the hydraulic machine, which squeezes them tight, and in this the iron hoops are fastened by an iron stud, which is a great improvement on the old plan of rivetting [sic]. Having been rolled out, weighed, and branded, they are loaded and sent to Kapunda, to travel by train to Port Adelaide for shipment.”

After thirty years of use, the time came for the erection of a new woolshed to keep pace with technological advancements and match the flourishing state of the property. In May 1871, advertisements started to appear in newspapers across South Australia calling for tenders to build a stone woolshed at Anlaby. Architectural plans were drawn up and the manager of Anlaby, Henry Morris, placed them at the Sir John Franklin Hotel, Kapunda, for perusal.

The woolshed at Anlaby was designed by the prolific architect, William Gore. Gore arrived in South Australia in the 1850s and spent much of his early career in the state’s south-east, where his architectural talent included a broad variety of structures. He designed impressive homesteads and two-storied hotels, warehouses and general stores, banking chambers and riding stables, schoolhouses and soaring churches, and, of course, woolsheds. Some of the woolsheds he designed include Glencoe, Katnook, Wrattenbullie, and Glenroy (now Bellwether Wines). His impressive array of work can still be found in Penola, Naracoorte, Mount Gambier, and elsewhere across the south-east.

On 8 May 1871, Gore was paid £20 ($3,725 in 2023) for his services. Just over two months later, on 11 July 1871, construction started. Henry Morris placed £1 on the foundation stone to mark the occasion. The task of building the woolshed fell to Johann Friedrich Schramm of Kapunda. Schramm was a German-born immigrant who travelled to South Australia in 1850. He worked as a storekeeper in Kapunda – selling everything from German wine and Cuban cigars to chaff and cornflour – and served as a local councillor. He later turned to selling building materials, including timber, galvanised iron, and ironmongery. Exactly how Schramm won the tender is unclear, for it seems he had no direct experience with masonry.

Concurrent with the construction of the woolshed, the Shearer’s Kitchen was built a short distance away. This building, it seems, was not architect-designed, though Henry Morris still placed 10 shillings on the foundation stone. Peter Mclaren, a plasterer and contractor at Kapunda, won the tender to construct the building and on 14 October 1871, he was paid £307 ($57,000 in 2023) for services rendered. Basic accommodation was fitted out in the large room upstairs, while on the ground floor, hefty ovens, furnaces, and boilers were installed in the kitchen to cook food for the hungry shearers. They would be sorely needed: in 1871, the shearers consumed copious amounts of bread, the carcases of eight to nine sheep, and between 60 and 70 gallons (272-318 litres) of tea per day! It was like feeding a small army every day!

Despite this, construction was rapid, for the shed had to be completed in readiness for shearing, which was due to commence on 15 September 1871. Schramm and his workers were busy erecting structural beams, constructing stone walls, installing heavy wool presses, fitting out battened floors and wooden gates, and pointing stonework with lampblack (a type of soot used as a pigment). This work was overseen by a prominent civil engineering firm, English & Rees, who inspected the building four times to ensure its structural stability. Thomas English and Rowland Rees were civil engineers and architects based on Currie Street, Adelaide. Following these inspections, Schramm was paid on 6 October, the total coming to £817 12s 7d (equivalent to $152,000 in 2023).

An article from the Adelaide Observer of 28 October 1871 mentioned “the new woolshed is admirably situated on a hill, and shows to advantage from every side.” The correspondent also described the shed, which measured 85ft. by 46ft, as having a holding capacity of 500 sheep, and that 3000 sheep could be shorn in the shed every day. “All the arrangements show great forethought,” the correspondent commented later.

Now that the new shed was up and running, the old woolshed was demolished. It was, in fact, sold off for materials, all except for the battened floor. Presumably, this was put to use in the new woolshed.

Since construction, Anlaby’s woolshed has echoed with the click of handheld shears, the straining of wool presses, the curses muttered at misbehaved sheep, and the gentle rustle of fleeces passed from one pair of hands to the next.

In 1871, shearing commenced on 15 September. Throughout the next eight weeks, 40 shearers worked in the woolshed shearing around 52,000 sheep, though the average number of shearers working at any time was about 30. The average number of sheep shorn per individual was about 1285, but a few soared above the pack. One shearer, called Edward Hams, managed 2,779 during the season, and Ernst Blesing wasn’t far behind him at 2,717. At the other end of the scale, August Mader only managed 16 sheep, which leads one to believe he was merely having a go at the blades for an afternoon.

Shearing time was a prime opportunity for farmers and farmer’s sons from near and far to come together and earn good money before the rush of the grain harvest season. Some shearers went from woolshed to woolshed throughout the season, starting on the northern pastoral runs before working their way south. At Anlaby, shearers were paid 15 shillings per hundred sheep shorn (roughly $140 in 2023), which provided a great opportunity to earn money quickly. For example, one shepherd at Anlaby, William Hams, earned £35 per annum, but for the shearing season he picked up the blades and shore 1,924 sheep, earning £14 – or around 40% of his annual income – in eight weeks.

In addition to the shearers cutting the fleece, there were roustabouts, boys who picked up fleeces, wool classers, wool winders (who packed the fleece into the bales), pressers, and waggoners. Waggoners took the bales directly from the woolshed to the nearest railway station, or in the earlier years, directly to port. As soon as a load was full, it from the loading bay at the front of the woolshed. Normally around 1500 bales could be produced in a single season – even in 1904, when the flock had been reduced to 41,000, 1043 bales were sold on the market. Altogether, the number of workers involved in the annual shearing season hovered around 70.

First Nation workers – called ‘Blackfellow’ or ‘Blackwoman’ in wage books, as per the language of the time – also took part in various jobs at shearing time. They were involved in rounding sheep up, sorting wool, and shearing sheep. (We hope to feature more of Anlaby’s First Nations history as we learn more about this important chapter.)

In 1904, it became necessary to extend the shed. Adam Munro, a local contractor based at Kapunda, was commissioned to erect a galvanised iron extension, following the same form as the original, for undercover yards at the rear of the shed. Munro also modified the front of the shed by reinforcing the loading bay and adding decorative fascia boards. The woolshed witnessed the introduction of new technologies, from stationary engines and driving wheels to the Koerstz wool press, which is still operational to this day. Koerstz wool presses transformed the efficiency of packing and transporting wool, following its invention in the 1890s. Instead of employing several men to press the bales, it could be operated by one man, not to mention it squeezed more fleeces into a single bale and occupied less floorspace.

Despite changing practices, Anlaby’s woolshed also bore witness to the gradual decline of the estate as tranches of land were sold to pay for property elsewhere, lavish holidays, or house extensions. By the late 1950s, the Merino flock numbered less than 10,000. The woolshed served the Dutton family for almost a century.

During a land auction held at Anlaby on 18 April 1968, two graziers from Robertstown, Frank and Donald Mosey, purchased the woolshed and surrounding property. Two generations of the Mosey family operated a sheep breeding enterprise both at Anlaby and east of Burra on a property called Euravale. Though the woolshed was still used for its original purpose, it was disconnected from the main homestead to the south.

The woolshed became part of the main property again in 2009, when Andrew Morphett and Peter Hayward, the present owners, purchased the shed and surrounding property. More than 150 years after it was built, Anlaby’s Woolshed continues to hum with activity – from bleating sheep and whirring handpieces to the heave of hydraulic presses and the slurping of coffee at morning smoko.

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The Charming Folly at the bottom of Anlaby’s Garden

Katharine Crane — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 02:56:57 +0000

At the very bottom of the garden, on the south side of the Anlaby homestead, sits an enormous square tower. It soars above the canopy of elms and pears, proudly displaying its robust stone and brick walls and attractive terracotta tile roof. Why was this extravagant tower ever built?

Between 1890 and 1914, when Henry Dutton owned Anlaby, he completely transformed the heart of the estate. He augmented the size and grandeur of the house, expanded the gardens to 10 acres, and constructed dozens of buildings – from stables to conservatories – leaving behind an impressive built legacy. One such Henry-era building is the Tower, built in 1912.

During Henry’s time at Anlaby, any work undertaken to alter or add to the estate was meticulously recorded in wage books and cash books. Wage books, for example, are fantastic at identifying who worked at Anlaby, when, and how much they earned. In many cases, it even lists the type of work done: splitting fence posts, catching rabbits, laying pipes, cooking for shearers, and more. Unfortunately, wage books and cash books from around 1912 have not survived, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly when the tower was built.

Two newspaper articles unlock the key to the tower’s genesis. The first, published in the Kapunda Herald on 1 November 1912, details the search for underground water around the estate. A bore was sunk on the top of Mount Waterloo, located two kilometres north of the homestead, while a well was dug in the garden, “close to where the new water tower has been erected.” A second newspaper article, published in the Daily Herald on 19 November 1912, also mentions a well has been dug “adjacent to the water tower.” These are the first mentions of the tower in print.

Both newspaper articles explain that the search for water was so desperate because the gardens suffered through want of water in autumn 1912, and even sheep feed was diminishing. An article from 6 November 1912 published in The Register adds that the surface water supply – presumably meaning dams – was utterly exhausted. Underground water was discovered by Mr W. Kinter of Eudunda, who used divining rods to divine plentiful water supplies. Following Kinter’s visit to Anlaby on 9 September 1912, Henry referred to him as ‘The Divining Rod Man” in his diary. Over several visits to Anlaby in late 1912, he identified nine locations where he believed water would be found – including the Tower Well, established by November that year.

A water analysis 1912 undertaken by the South Australian School of Mines and Industries reveals the water quality in the Tower Well. The analysis tested the water for Sodium, Magnesium, and Calcium and advised the water could “be used for general irrigation without ill effects.” It added: “It would be advisable to apply the water in large quantities at a time….” This was good news for Henry and his head gardener, Thomas Leslie, for it provided the garden with a buffer against future droughts.

To give some context to the water shortage, from January to May 1912, Anlaby suffered from a serious lack of rainfall. In January, only 2.6mm fell when the average was 20.1mm. In February, only 7.1mm fell, though the average was 20.6mm. In March, 14.3mm fell, which was short of the average of 23.6mm. In April, 17.7mm fell – an increase, certainly – though still below the average of 37.5mm. The worst came in May 1912, when only 6.1mm fell: a long way short of the average of 53.5mm. The severe lack of rainfall between January and May 1912 – coming to only 30.7% of the expected average rainfall – wreaked havoc on the gardens and countryside at Anlaby. The dry spell, however, was more protracted than this. 1911 was a below-average year: 375mm fell, as opposed to the average of 500mm, with rainfall totals taking a steep dive toward year’s end. A report on weather and crops in the Adelaide-based paper, Chronicle, published on 1 June 1912, described the ground around Anlaby as being “devoid of herbage, and the colour is an even greyish black.” It went on: “Sheep farmers are having a very bad time. The lambing is at hand, but many lambs are dying for want of feed…a good rain would revolutionise the appearance of the country.”

Rainfall records and accounts from the time make it clear why the tower was built, though after a reliable water source had been found next to the tower, how did it help water to the gardens? A water pump was installed in the shed built around the well to pump water up to the top of the tower, where four large water tanks, six feet deep, had been installed. From there, the water would be gravity-fed downwards into the garden. Much of the original machinery is still in place, though the tank is hidden behind structural beams and the tiled roof.

Though the tower was built primarily to bring water to the gardens, it was used by family, friends, and visitors in a number of different ways.

The first mention of the tower in Henry Dutton’s diary comes from 20th October 1912. He described the pleasant weather, recorded his attendance at church at 11am, then ended his entry with, “We all had tea in the Tower.” Whether this means afternoon tea or an evening meal is not clear, but it does show the tower was a place to gather, eat and enjoy. Ten days later, on 30 October – the same day a Garden Fete was held at Anlaby to raise funds for the St. Matthew’s Church Parish Hall at Hamilton – he describes having tea in the Tower with his daughter-in-law, Emily; his grandchildren, Richard and John; the Manager, Claude; and others. More mentions were made over the next few months.

Though no direct reference has yet been found, it is likely that onlookers stood on the balcony to watch tennis being played on the grass court below. Refreshments, too, may have been served to onlookers (not unlikely given that tea could be served there). In November 1917, the committee of the Kapunda Floral Society visited Anlaby to view the extensive gardens there. They marvelled at the famed pelargoniums, carnations, fuschias, azalias, and clematis flowers before ascending the stairs to the balcony of the water tower. One report said the view “gave the visitors a better idea of the extent and beauty of the place than can be gained from the ground level,” going on to remark that Emily Dutton’s skill at floriculture, and Harry’s passion for arboriculture, was distinctly visible from the higher position. Visitors to garden fetes, and even groups travelling to marvel at the gardens, would often ascend the stairs to stare in awe at the 10-acre garden.

During the 1920s and 1930s, Geoffrey Dutton remembers his mother, Emily, practicing piano and violin on the ground floor of the tower. An American-made piano was installed there for her to play! Geoffrey, too, used the tower as a place to write. In his autobiography – in which he calls the tower ‘Grandfather’s Folly’ – he commented that even on a hot summer’s day, it was always cool inside thanks to the water tanks on the top storey. As a young boy, Geoffrey had been introduced to watercolour painting, so he spent many hours capturing the view of the tower from the drawing room at the front of the house.

The tower at Anlaby has, more recently, taken on the name ‘Folly’ – though the origin of the name is not clear. It may have been first coined by Geoffrey and slipped into common knowledge as the building’s origins were forgotten. Traditionally, a folly structure is an extravagant building found in large gardens or parks, often with no practical purpose. Some were built deliberately to look like ruins – at great cost – to create an air of ancient aesthetic beauty. The term ‘folly’ could also be seen, in this case, as an example of the wildly extravagant vision Henry Dutton realised at Anlaby between his arrival in 1890 and his death in 1914. Either way, it is a commanding structure offering perspective and inspiration.

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ANLABY’S LOST CONSERVATORY

Katharine Crane — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 05:45:53 +0000

REDISCOVERING HENRY DUTTON’S MONUMENTAL GARDENING OBSESSION

On the north side of the Anlaby homestead sits a series of low walls, partly covered in ivy, and overgrown with creeping fig and succulents. The walls are dotted with ornate circular vents and the floors are covered in imported encaustic tiles. The walls once formed the base of a grand, enormous conservatory built in the 1890s by A. Simpson & Son of Adelaide. As memories of the structure faded following its demise, its true origin became an enigma. In the coming months, stone masons will come to Anlaby to begin restoring the walls. In light of this, what can new research tell us about the genesis of this majestic house of glass and iron?

In mid-1890, Henry Dutton inherited Anlaby from his uncle, Frederick, who died at the Buckingham Palace Hotel, London. Henry’s circumstances changed dramatically: he resigned from his day job as a bank manager in Mt Pleasant to assume the role at the head of a vast pastoral estate.

Following the resolution of legacies, trusts and assets relating to Frederick’s will, Henry set about improving Anlaby by landscaping the gardens, constructing a new manager’s residence, and redesigning the main residence to befit his new status. He hired Frank Naish – the often-overlooked architect who designed Elder Hall on North Terrace – to assess the Anlaby homestead and design additions and alterations.

Adam Munro, a builder based at Kapunda, was contracted to make the many improvements a reality. From January 1891, his work consisted of building a fowl house as well as a lean-to at the back of the house kitchen, reinforcing creepers in the garden, digging a duck pond, installing marble steps, laying pipes and tiles, constructing a hay shed, erecting tank stands, repairing the stables, painting, cementing, and other sundry work. The improvements cost Henry £2,225 in 1891, or around $400,000 in 2022. The air hummed with activity.

In 1891, Henry committed to building a grand conservatory on the north side of the house. It is likely early design conversations with A. Simpson & Son, an Adelaide based firm, started within the first few months of the year. Founded in 1852, A. Simpson & Son was the largest metal manufactory in Australia by 1890. They fabricated tinware, ironware, and enamelware products, including safes, gates, ovens, saucepans and other general wares. The variety of goods fabricated by the men on site allowed the firm to accept creative, ambitious projects, such as Henry’s grand conservatory.

A. Simpson & Son collected hundreds of catalogues from around the world, probably to keep abreast of competitors and adapt to changing tastes and designs. In the company’s archives at the State Library of South Australia, the catalogue collection features manufacturers of everything from agricultural implements and door locks to surgical implements and stoves. Only two in the collection relate to conservatories – one from Henry Hope of Birmingham, who manufactured horticultural buildings for Queen Victoria among others, and Messenger & Company of Loughborough. On the front page of each is inscribed the date of receipt by A. Simpson & Son: August 1891. It seems conceivable that Henry Dutton either viewed these catalogues directly to inform the design of his conservatory, or they were ordered by A. Simpson & Son to understand up-to-date conservatory design and the components required to fabricate a conservatory before proceeding further. Between August and October 1891, A. Simpson & Son manufactured the components for the conservatory – everything from iron muntins and brackets to pipes and ridge cresting – at their manufactory on the corner of Grenfell Street and Gawler Place

Both Messenger & Company of Loughborough and Henry Hope of Birmingham constructed lean-to, three-quarter span, and full span conservatories. Henry Dutton’s conservatory was full span, in other words, it was independent from any other structure, and the walls were of the same height on all sides. Conservatories of this type are ideal for vineries, especially since they allow maximum sunlight, though they require more pipe to heat, and the cooling surface is greater. Several conservatory designs advertised by the two firms are strikingly similar to Henry’s conservatory, likewise, the ridge cresting, pipework layout, and vent systems are close to the finished building constructed by A. Simpson & Son. Observe some details below:

Before any work on the conservatory commenced, Henry ordered tiles for the interior floors in August 1891. The tiles were made by the internationally renowned firm, Maw & Company, based in Shropshire, England. A receipt from the Adelaide-based importing firm, T. Pritchard, reveals the exact order: 800 grey octagons, 800 fawn octagons, 1546 chocolate squares, 30 chocolate half dots, and 132 chocolate half 70s. Miraculously, the tiles from this order survive inside the conservatory today.

Work on building the conservatory commenced in October 1891, and was finished by mid-December. Adam Munro was hired to erect the stone walls, as well as the glass, iron, and wood structure on top. He was paid on 12 December 1891; the work being described as ‘To erecting conservatory.’ The cost came to £805, which equates to $150,000 in 2022. The sum Henry paid for the conservatory was between five and fifteen times the annual income of workers at Anlaby.

Despite Munro’s work, the conservatory was not yet in full operation. In March 1892, Henry received an iron tank, 5hp engine, and steam pump from H.B. Hawke and Co. in Kapunda, to heat the conservatory. In April 1892, Adam Munro was contracted to build an engine house on the western side of the conservatory to house the pump and engine. At the same time, he lay a concrete slab before the front door and erected decorative urns. In addition, he installed two tanks inside the conservatory and blinds on the roof of the structure to shield the sun.

The finished conservatory was divided into thirds, with varying climactic conditions in each third. On the western end the conditions were dry and temperate: there was no open water to raise the humidity. The boiler house was located just outside, and the pipes entered the building in the western third. In the central third, a large pool was dug into the earth, lined with concrete, and filled with water. As the water warmed, it vaporised, creating a warm and humid environment ideal for growing orchids and more. A strong rack system was constructed above the pool, supported by metal supports stretching from one side of the pool to the other, to accommodate a variety of plants.

In the eastern third, a grotto was established: internal rockwork was planted with ferns, palms, and creepers. These mingled between small ponds and waterways, creating a lush, moist environment. In this section, however, the walls and ceiling were constructed of slatted hardwood, not glass and iron. The appearance was not dissimilar to gratings in a shearing shed. The design was intentional: the slatted hardwoods allowed sufficient shade and sunlight, and provided good rainfall, temperature, and humidity control.

Photographs of the central section of the conservatory reveal a diverse variety of plants were once grown there. Multiple varieties of ferns, African violets, bromeliads, pepper vine, dendrobium orchids, geraniums, bamboo and much more. An even greater variety of plants is visible in photographs of the grotto: aspidistra, parlour palm, aucuba, flax lily, monstera, philodendron, stag horn, tillandsia or air plants, Spanish moss, morning glory, cast-iron plant, and varieties of ferns, including asparagus fern, New Zealand fern, tree fern, and ostrich fern. This list barely scratches the surface.

The approach to the conservatory was amended several times over the course of its existence. In its first iteration, a wooden latticework walkway, with a steep roof, was installed. In the left picture below, Henry Dutton can be seen sitting on the ground, with his son, Harry, standing at the entrance of the conservatory accessway. This was later changed: a series of solid metal posts linked with hefty chain, were erected. The final iteration, erected around 1910, consisted of four archways constructed of galvanised irrigation pipe. Pillar roses were trained up and over these archways, creating tight bands of scent and colour.

The gardens at Anlaby were regularly opened to the public for fairs. Food, drink, and amusements were available for entertainment, as well as the opportunity to wander through the gardens Henry established. Visitors often marvelled at the conservatory, as well as the other structures in the garden, and heaped praise on the gardens, proclaiming them to be the best in South Australia.

The conservatory stood until the early 1960s, at which point Emily Dutton, the wife of Harry Dutton (a third-generation Dutton), lived in the house and managed the estate. Local stories maintain that in the early 1960s, local children were encouraged to smash the glass in the conservatory, supposedly being paid for each broken pane. Insurance issues seem to have played a role in its demise, and the schoolkids were used as easy scapegoats to hasten the structure’s end. After the glass was broken, the iron skeleton would have been torn down and presumably sold for scrap. No section of the ironwork survives today – even the pipework was dismantled.

Charlotte Calder, a granddaughter of Emily Dutton, recently visited Anlaby along with other members of the Dutton family. When asked of her memories of the conservatory, she vividly remembered the central third of the conservatory full of lush, green, growth. Likewise, the grotto section of the conservatory was in good condition. The western third of the conservatory was closed off, however the building was seemingly in good shape. The cost of maintenance may have been simply too much, especially since the estate was no longer as profitable as it once was.

Thankfully, the conservatory’s stone walls were left in situ, taking on a new existence as fanciful ruins in the garden. In 1964, the pool in the central section was heightened to be used as a swimming pool. Geoffrey Dutton, the last generation of the Dutton family to own the house, was a noted author, historian, and lecturer. Among his social circle of artists, poets, authors, and musicians was Belgian-born naïve painter, Henri Bastin. One day in the mid-1960s, he arrived unannounced at Anlaby to paint the floor of the swimming pool in the former conservatory. Unfortunately, no photos have come to light capturing his work and his work no longer survives, as he used paints unsuited for use in a swimming pool.

Since 1978, when Anlaby was sold by the Dutton family, the conservatory has lain overgrown and dormant in the upper garden. This, however, is about to change. Recently, Anlaby received a grant to assist with several improvements on site, one of them being the gradual restoration of the conservatory’s stone walls. (More on this grant soon). In the coming months, stone masons will commence work to restore the walls, protecting them for the future. The eventual plan is to restore Henry’s monumental conservatory, resurrecting his grand gardening vision, though this will take time. Until that day when Henry’s vision is once again restored, we can only peer at black and white photographs in awe.

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Live Like a Gardener: A Unique look at Anlaby Station’s Gardener’s Cottage

Katharine Crane — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 01:24:13 +0000

Introducing Henry

Henry Dutton inherited Anlaby Station in 1890 from Frederick Dutton, his uncle, becoming only the second owner of the estate in fifty years. Upon inheritance, Henry’s circumstances changed dramatically: he went from working a day job as a bank manager at Mount Pleasant to becoming one of the most extensive landowners in the country, with a vast fortune to match. Henry, a second-generation Dutton family member in Australia, was a famously keen gardener. His passion had sparked before his arrival at Anlaby: Henry received prizes for pelargoniums, begonias, bulbous dahlias, ferns, and more, at some of the annual shows held by the Mount Pleasant Agricultural, Horticultural, and Floricultural Society in the 1880s. He read up-to-date literature on garden practice and design and constantly sought to improve and expand his private collection.

Inheriting Anlaby gave Henry the finance to invest heavily in gardening. One of his first projects was the construction of an enormous conservatory designed and built by A. Simpson & Son, based in Adelaide. The conservatory was the first of a number of buildings – from a pelargonium house, to a cucumber house – to be built to the north of the Anlaby homestead. To the south, he constructed ferneries, shade houses, an Apple House –used for storing apples and other fruit and vegetables – and established extensive roseries.

In all, Henry expanded the private gardens at Anlaby to ten acres – the size of the gardens today – and even planted two arboretums for exotic species of trees imported from nearly every corner of the globe. Many of the trees he planted – oaks, maples, pines, cedars, and more – now form part of a nationally important collection of listed trees.

A garden of this scope and variety could not be maintained and managed alone; it required expertise and many willing hands. To this end, in March 1900, Henry hired a man called Thomas Leslie to work as the Head Gardener.

Born in Scotland in 1860, Leslie worked at Kilkerran Station, Ayrshire, until his mid-twenties. He arrived in Australia per the RMS Orizaba in January 1888 when it docked at Melbourne. It is not entirely clear what he did for the next decade, though just after the turn of the twentieth century he worked at Anlaby.

As Head Gardener, Leslie managed and instructed up to thirteen gardeners who assisted him with maintaining Henry’s grand vision, though his own responsibilities were still vast. He carted water, watered shrubs and trees, potted pelargonium bulbs, picked apples, grapes and figs, sowed pansy seeds, collected sphagnum moss for potting orchids, mixed soil, clipped hedges, mowed lawns, and much, much more. Leslie’s annual wage was £175 ($29,500 adjusted for inflation), which was three to five times as much as the assistants under his instruction.

He wrote on 22 February 1912, “Carting water for and watering trees, shrubs etc., potting up some new Amaryllis bulbs just received from Wm. Bull & Sons London. Cleaning and tying up plants in Stove.”

The following day his duties changed again: “Carting water for and watering Shade Houses, Trees Shrubs etc. Cracking pods, cleaning plants etc. Sent away Grapes and Eggs for the Squire to Kingscote.”

Leslie habitually recorded the weather at the end of each day’s entry, including the minimum and maximum temperature and wind direction. His diary vividly illustrates the daily routine of maintaining the extensive gardens at Anlaby. He recorded when Henry Dutton – known as ‘Squire Dutton’ – visited Anlaby, as well as when he travelled to one of his holiday houses or fully-staffed yacht, Adele.

Thomas Leslie worked at Anlaby Station until Henry Dutton died in 1914. With Henry’s finance and passion, and Thomas’ physical work, they created one of the greatest gardens in Australia. Leslie later found work at the Botanic Gardens in Adelaide, where, in 1928, he worked as Chief Plant Propagator.

By many accounts, Henry Dutton was an admired employer. Following his death on 25 August 1914, Adelaide-based paper, The Journal, wrote, “No one spoke more highly of him than his employees, and when he was stricken on Sunday evening, August 16, the little community at Anlaby was deeply concerned. Mr Dutton had been ailing for some time, and the fact he was too unwell to attend service [on] Sunday afternoon – the first time in their knowledge he had missed while he was at home – somewhat prepared them for bad news.”

Examples of his generosity to his employees can be found in the built heritage at Anlaby.

Seeing the dire need for staff accommodation in 1904, Henry made it his job to provide more accommodation for staff on site. He set about constructing quarters for grooms, whose job it was to groom and care for the dozens of horses on site, as well as accommodation for the manager, overseer, and kennel master. Henry also imported flat-pack galvanised-iron cottages to be erected on the hillside.

The two cottages provided accommodation for the Head Gardener, Thomas Leslie in this case, and the Head Coachman, who was called William McAinsh (more on him at a later date). These cottages were not solely constructed of galvanised iron; interior insulation was added, stone walls supported brick chimneys, and in-built wooden furniture and decor provided functional living space. Leslie’s cottage was a comfortable five rooms.

Thomas Leslie’s former home, known today as the Gardener’s Cottage in his honour, is a Bed and Breakfast. The galvanised-iron cottage has been elegantly renovated to accommodate up to six guests.

The Gardener’s Cottage boasts three Queen bedrooms with beautiful garden views that would make Leslie proud. Guests can make themselves at home in one of two comfortable lounge rooms. There are also three exquisite modern bathrooms – one of which is ensuite – and a fully-equipped kitchen. There is a private garden to entertain and relax, and, of course, guests can wander through the main garden established by Henry and Thomas, and marvel at the extraordinary vision both men created.

When visiting Anlaby decades later, Australian author Miles Franklin noted the lack of Australian natives and described the exotic trees close to the house as a ring designed to keep Australia out. This same feeling can be felt today, more than a century after Henry and Thomas established an exotic garden of wide renown. That said, adventure beckons beyond Anlaby – guests staying at the Gardener’s Cottage can explore Kapunda, the site of the first commercial copper mine in the country, or the Barossa and Clare Valley wine regions.

Book your stay in the Gardener’s Cottage Today.

Figure 1: Henry Dutton, c. 1880. Source: SLSA PRG 396/227/5. With permission from the Dutton family.

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Anlaby Open Garden for 16th-17th Oct 2021

admin — Sun, 13 Jun 2021 09:41:26 +0000

Anlaby celebrated 182 years, visitors experienced the grandeur and glamour of times gone by in the extensive gardens and historic buildings that make Anlaby one of the jewels of Australian heritage.

Roaming 10 acres of the historically listed gardens and grounds at your leisure and a wide variety of exhibits and activities were available to enjoy.

Discover all of Anlaby’s upcoming events below.

Upcoming Events

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