Arthur Fydell Lindsay
Arthur Fydell Lindsay | |
|---|---|
| Born | c.1816 Boston, Lincolnshire, England |
| Died | 1895-05-10 |
| Occupation(s) | Surveyor, Politician |
| Years active | 1836–1878 |
| Known for | Member of the South Australian House of Assembly for Encounter Bay; early proponent of narrow gauge light railways |
Arthur Fydell Lindsay (circa 1816 – 10 May 1895) was an influential political figure in the formative years of the South Australia colony.
History
Originating from Boston, Lincolnshire, Lindsay emigrated to South Australia aboard a ship that arrived in December 1836. Among the notable passengers were prominent leaders such as Governor Hindmarsh, James Hurtle Fisher, and Osmond Gilles. He was present at the official proclamation of the province at Glenelg.
Professionally trained as a surveyor, Lindsay played a key role in designing the township of Hindmarsh alongside John Hindmarsh, son of the Governor, through their partnership "Lindsay & Hindmarsh." In July 1839, the land title was transferred to Lindsay and George Milner Stephen, after which he established an agricultural property in the Encounter Bay region.
Lindsay represented the single-member constituency of Encounter Bay in the South Australian House of Assembly initially from March 1857 to April 1860, working with contemporaries like Benjamin Herschel Babbage and Henry Strangways. He resumed this role from April 1870 to December 1871 and again from September 1873 until April 1878, collaborating with politicians including Emil Wentzel, William Rogers, and James Boucaut. He was an early proponent of narrow gauge light railway systems—a concept that faced initial resistance but was ultimately proven effective.
Beyond politics, Lindsay donated land for the construction of St. Augustine's church in Victor Harbor and also provided sites for Methodist and Presbyterian congregations. He dedicated over two decades serving as their third lay reader.
Family
On 20 July 1852, Lindsay married Charlotte Henrietta Leworthy (circa 1823 – 1915), with whom he owned the "Edyell" farm located in Victor Harbor. Their offspring included:
- Beatrice Mary Charlotte Lindsay (1853–1949), who wed William Hope Ross in 1874
- Helen Georgina Fydell Lindsay (died 1925), married Aubrey Percival Gwynne in 1896; Gwynne participated in the 1891 Royal Geographical Society's "Elder Expedition" to Central Australia led by David Lindsay (explorer) and later lived as a recluse
- Betana Caroline Lindsay (1861–1943), spouse of Edgar J Salom and operator of a North Adelaide rest home
- Arthur Reginald Fydell Lindsay (1863–1913), involved with SAJC and ARC
- Gertrude Theodora Fydell Lindsay (died 1946), married Dr. Robert Walter Stewart; their daughter Eleanor Charlotte "Nora" Stewart (1879–1966) became a ballet instructor
- Clarice M. Amelia Fydell Lindsay (died 1941), married Horace James Page in 1915
His brother, Richard Fydell Lindsay (circa 1819 – 1861), a solicitor who married Isabella Leworthy, was convicted in 1860 for assaulting John Hindmarsh, son of Governor Hindmarsh.
It is important to note that Arthur Fydell Lindsay had no familial connection with John Lindsay (South Australian politician), who succeeded him as Encounter Bay’s representative.