Samuel Davenport

Who was Samuel Davenport?

Sir Samuel Davenport KCMG was one of the early settlers of Australia and became a landowner and parliamentarian in South Australia.

He was fourth son of George Davenport, a wealthy English banker, and his wife Jane Devereux, née Davies, and was educated at Mill Hill School in North London. His father, had become an agent of the South Australia Company in England and together with partners Frederick Luck and Roger Cunliffe paid £4416 for a special survey of 4,416 acres in South Australia. George Davenport sent his eldest son Francis to select the land, and Francis arrived in Adelaide in February 1840. After initially considering land near Port Lincoln, he selected land on the upper reaches of the River Angas, including what is now the town of Macclesfield. Francis returned to England in 1841, leaving Henry Giles to manage his affairs.

Samuel married Margaret Fraser Cleland on 1 June 1842. She was to become a noted philanthropist, closely associated with Emily Clark, Lady Colton and Catherine Helen Spence.

Samuel, his wife and another brother Robert went to Australia in February 1843 accompanying Francis and his wife Sarah on their return. Francis died on 8 April 1843, and the remaining brothers lived at Macclesfield and managed the survey. Samuel continued to receive an annual allowance from his father.