Alexander Borthwick Murray
Alexander Borthwick Murray | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Langshall Burn, Eskdalemuir, Dumfriesshire, Scotland |
| Died | March 17, 1903 (aged 87) |
| Occupation(s) | Sheep breeder, politician |
| Known for | Prominent Australian sheep breeder and politician during the formative years of South Australia |
Alexander Borthwick Murray (14 February 1816 – 17 March 1903) was a prominent Australian sheep breeder and politician during the formative years of South Australia. After launching a prosperous sheep breeding business, he married his partner Margaret Tinline.
History
Originating from Langshall Burn in Eskdalemuir, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, Murray dedicated six years to adapting Cheviot sheep to the Highland environment before emigrating to South Australia aboard the Lady Lillford, arriving at Holdfast Bay on 27 September 1839.
Engaged by Sir James Malcolm, he collaborated with William Oliver Malcolm to oversee sheep on a Barossa Valley estate, where they produced prize-winning flocks showcased at South Australia’s inaugural pastoral exhibition. In 1842, Murray wed Charlotte Murthwaite Scott in Sydney and subsequently returned to South Australia to cultivate wheat and raise livestock at "Murray Vale," Mount Crawford. Faced with high transportation expenses, crop diseases, and depressed market prices during an economic downturn, he transitioned from wheat farming to concentrating on sheep and cattle breeding, achieving recognition at regional agricultural shows.
Together with his sister-in-law (later Mrs. P. M. Murray), he procured merino ewes and a ram from Duncan McFarlane of Mount Barker, establishing the foundation stock for the distinguished Murray flocks. His brother John Murray acquired a portion of Alexander’s Barossa land and livestock interests.
Murray played a role in supplying livestock for a "special survey" led by Robert Cock alongside Cock and John Warren, which met with considerable success. He established cattle stations near Warrina (to the west of Lake Eyre) and Bookpurnong on the River Murray—land purchased from Richard Holland—but operations were eventually abandoned due to rabbit infestations.
He managed sheep at Myrtle Springs Station and co-owned a property at Leigh's Creek with Leonard G. Browne; however, after failed attempts to locate water sources, he withdrew from further northern investments—a prudent decision later supported by the delineation of the Goyder Line.
In partnership with John Howard Angas under the name A. B. Goyder and Co., Murray invested in land including the Reedy Creek survey area and developed sections of Mount Crawford's Tungkillo region. This partnership was dissolved on 1 November 1859, with all livestock and properties such as Tungkillo and Purnong holdings sold off. Following this, Murray focused on consolidating his holdings by acquiring newly released parcels within Tungkillo.
He was actively involved in the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia, serving as its president from 1866 to 1867. At the 1867 Grand General Show coinciding with Prince Alfred’s visit, his merino sheep secured top honors.
From approximately 1883 until March 1898, Murray held a directorship at Elder's Wool and Produce Company, which later became Elder Smith & Co Ltd.
Public life
In 1850, Murray publicly supported South Australian Register editor John Stephens during a period when Stephens faced criticism for his forthright opinions.
The following year, he was appointed to the District Road Commission for the Hundred of Para Wirra,[1] advocating for mandatory implementation of the Real Property Act (Torrens Title) as a means to reduce legal expenses that benefited from obsolete procedures.
In April 1862, he was elected to represent the District of Gumeracha in the South Australian House of Assembly, securing re-election in both 1862 and 1865.[2] He was appointed to the South Australian Legislative Council in March 1869, serving until 1877, and then again from 1880 through 1888.[2] After retiring from politics, he returned to 'Murray Park' at Magill and was designated a Justice of the Peace.
Family
He had three brothers who were active in Australia: John Murray, recognized for his contributions to improving merino sheep breeding; Pulteney Malcolm Murray (circa 1818 – 1879); and William Murray (circa 1820 – 1901), who operated a jam production business in Glen Osmond and whose daughter married the entrepreneur George Swan Fowler.
In 1842, he wed Charlotte Murthwaite Scott (circa 1817 – 1853), with whom he had two sons and one daughter:
- Alexander Scott Murray (circa 1846 – 1880), who married Elizabeth Helen Ferguson, daughter of early settler William Ferguson
- Esther "Ettie" Murray (1847–1930), who became the wife of railway engineer Peter Galt
- John Murray (1849–1885), who married Elizabeth Thomson Melrose, daughter of pastoralist George Melrose
- Their son Sir John Stanley Murray (1884–1971) emerged as a distinguished individual.
He remarried in 1857 to Margaret Tinline, sister of banker and parliamentarian George Tinline, who was also his business associate. Together they had eight children, among them:
- Margaret Tinline Murray (1858–1936)
- (Pulteney) Malcolm Borthwick Murray (circa 1860 – 1900) of Wirrabara
- Sir George John Robert Murray KCMG (1863–1942), a solicitor who served as Chief Justice, Lieutenant Governor, and Chancellor of the University of Adelaide
- Charlotte Mary Murray (1867–1920), who married Frank Hagger Downer
These familial ties significantly enhanced his reach within South Australia's commercial, legal, and political spheres.