Charles Ebden

Charles Hotson Ebden
Born	1811 Cape of Good Hope, Cape Colony
Died	1867-10-28
Occupation(s)	Pastoralist, politician
Years active	1832–1861
Known for	Member of New South Wales Legislative Council, Victorian Legislative Council, Victorian Legislative Assembly; Treasurer of Victoria; pioneering pastoralist in Australia

Charles Hotson Ebden (1811 – 28 October 1867) was a prominent Australian pastoralist and politician who held seats in the New South Wales Legislative Council, the Victorian Legislative Council, and the Victorian Legislative Assembly during his career.

Early life

Born in 1811 at the Cape of Good Hope within the Cape Colony, Ebden was the son of the merchant and political figure John Bardwell Ebden and his wife Antoinetta. His education took place in England and Karlsruhe, part of the German Confederation at the time.

Early career in Australia

Arriving in Sydney in 1832, Ebden initially engaged in commerce before transitioning to pastoral pursuits. By 1835, he was among the pioneers introducing cattle to southern New South Wales. He established a grazing property at Tarcutta Creek and, with the assistance of his stockman William Wyse, initiated two additional runs along the Murray River: Mungabareena near Albury and Bonegilla. This made him the first pastoralist to drive cattle across the Murray River.

In 1836, Ebden employed Charles Bonney to manage these properties and to explore an overland route for moving cattle to Melbourne and other settled parts of the Port Phillip District. Bonney’s second expedition, which commenced in December 1836, successfully arrived in Melbourne by January 1837, shortly after other early drovers.

On 1 March 1837, Ebden and Bonney drove a flock of 10,000 sheep from Mungabareena to establish Victoria’s earliest inland European settlement—a sheep station situated near Sugarloaf Creek on the Goulburn River. By May 1837, Ebden had relocated 9,000 sheep to a second station at Carlsruhe. Bonney went on to establish a third station at Kilmore in June 1837, which quickly developed into Victoria’s first inland township.

The size of Ebden’s sheep flock suggested he had capital backing approximately £20,000. He took part in Melbourne’s inaugural land auction on 1 June 1837, acquiring three parcels on Collins Street between Queen and William Streets. Around 1840, he sold both Mungabareena (in 1837) and Carlsruhe (in 1840) stations. Additionally, he disposed of his Collins Street lots in 1839 for £10,244—a substantial gain from his initial £136 investment—and noted his increasing wealth at the Melbourne Club. Subsequently, Ebden took up residence in a grand home located at the upper end of Collins Street in Melbourne.

Political career

Following the New South Wales Constitution Act 1842, six representatives were elected from the Port Phillip District to serve on the Legislative Council of New South Wales (five representing Port Phillip and one for the Town of Melbourne). At the first election held on 1 June 1843, Ebden secured a seat with a commanding lead among Port Phillip candidates. He resigned on 31 March 1844 but was re-elected on 1 March 1848 before resigning once more on 20 June due to dissatisfaction with council proceedings. Ebden was elected for a third term on 1 June 1850 and served until Port Phillip separated to form Victoria in 1851.

Around 1847 or 1848, Ebden married Tamar Harding; together they had two daughters and one son.

In July 1851, Ebden assumed the role of auditor-general within Victoria’s newly established government and gained membership in the Legislative Council of Victoria. He managed public finances amid the complexities introduced by the Victorian gold rush, overseeing increasing state revenues alongside rising public infrastructure expenditures. Although he earned respect comparable to Attorney-General William Stawell, Ebden experienced conflicts with Lieutenant-Governor Charles La Trobe and was excluded from participation in the Executive Council. Frustrated by holding responsibility without corresponding authority, he resigned in October 1852.

Ebden traveled to England in 1854 but returned two years later in 1856. That same year, he commissioned Black Rock House near Brighton, Victoria, which was completed by 1858; it later served briefly as residence for Governor Sir Henry Barkly.

Also in 1856, Ebden unsuccessfully contested a seat representing Melbourne in the newly formed Legislative Assembly of Victoria, aligning himself with John O'Shanassy’s faction opposing Premier William Haines. In March 1857 he was elected to represent Brighton and subsequently served as Treasurer of Victoria under Haines’ second administration.

Alongside his political endeavors, Ebden maintained extensive pastoral holdings. By the late 1850s, he owned nearly near Kerang. In 1858, together with his son-in-law, he subdivided the Reedy Lake run near Swan Hill, selling a portion to Thomas Browne for £24,000—a transaction that contributed to Browne’s financial difficulties and eventual literary career under the pseudonym Rolf Boldrewood.

Ebden also held the position of chairman for the St Kilda & Brighton Railway Company.

Following the election of 1859, Ebden aligned himself with Premier William Nicholson but declined any ministerial appointment due to concerns that his stance on land reform would impede passage of Nicholson’s legislation (the Land Act 1860). In 1860 he reconciled with O'Shanassy and supported a more progressive ministry led by Richard Heales after Nicholson’s government fell. However, this coalition lacked sufficient support; consequently, Ebden resigned from the Legislative Assembly in May 1861 and returned to England.

Late years and enduring impact

Ebden resided in England for five years, during which his asthma worsened. After returning to Victoria, his health saw some recovery; however, he passed away at the Melbourne Club on 28 October 1867. His estate, valued at around £100,000, was bequeathed to his wife and children.