Charles James Fox Campbell
Charles James Fox Campbell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1811 Isle of Skye, Scotland |
| Died | 1859-03-05 |
| Occupation(s) | Grazier, early settler |
| Known for | Early settler in Adelaide, South Australia; namesake of Campbelltown, South Australia |
Charles James Fox Campbell (1811–1859) was a pioneering grazier and one of the early settlers in Adelaide, South Australia. His legacy is honored through the naming of the suburb and local government area of Campbelltown, South Australia.
Early life
Campbell was born at Kingsborough House on the Isle of Skye and descended from the notable Campbell baronets of Glenorchy (1625) lineage. In 1821, his family relocated to New South Wales aboard the ship Lusitania. His father, Colonel John Campbell, J.P. (1770–1827), who was connected by marriage to Governor Lachlan Macquarie, founded the Bungarribee estate near Sydney. This estate specialized in breeding horses for the British Army and the East India Company. After losing his parents at 16, Charles turned his focus to farming and livestock management. Around 1836, together with his brother Dalmahoy Campbell—who later played a significant role in Melbourne’s Australian rules football—they established Dundullimal Homestead close to Dubbo.
Overlanding
In 1838, Campbell took part in the inaugural overland cattle drive to South Australia led by Joseph Hawdon. The next year, he collaborated with Evelyn Sturt, James Stein, and William Hardy to drive 5,000 sheep from Bathurst to Adelaide. Between 1839 and 1840, Campbell and Stein undertook two successful livestock overland journeys. In 1842, along with Henry Strong Price, he set up the first sheep and cattle station on the Hill River near Clare, which was overseen by William Roach. This property later developed into what became known as Hill River Station. Roach, who had prior experience managing pastoral properties, was involved in violent encounters with Aboriginal groups and died in 1845 following an accident at Campbell’s residence in Adelaide.
Lochend at Campbelltown, Adelaide
In 1842, Campbell acquired Sections 309 and 310 adjacent to the River Torrens near Adelaide and constructed a residence named "Lochend," inspired by his Scottish family home. Built using stones sourced from the riverbank, Lochend featured a stuccoed porch along with a hall and living room adorned with an intricately moulded ceiling. Later enhancements included three bedrooms and a cellar.
The property encompassed extensive gardens alongside predominantly grazing land. In 1849, Campbell subdivided part of this land into 40 garden allotments, establishing what became known as "Campbelltown."
Campbell maintained a close friendship with fellow landowner Evelyn Sturt, whom he also supported financially. It is probable that around 1838 he purchased land originally owned by Sturt’s brother, Charles Sturt, in New South Wales. Following Charles Sturt’s expedition into Australia’s interior between 1844 and 1846, Campbell and neighbor Arthur Hardy helped transport him back to Adelaide in 1846. As a tribute, Sturt named Campbell’s Creek in the eastern Flinders Ranges after him.
In 1850, Campbell wed Martha Levi, sister of pastoralist Philip Levi. They had four sons: Philip (born 1851), Fredrick (1852), Edmund (1855), and William (1857).
Through his social connections and community involvement in South Australia, Campbell rose to prominence. He served as a Justice of the Peace and was a candidate for the East Torrens Electorate in the Legislative Council election of 1851. Renowned for his eloquence and sporting interests, he earned considerable respect within society.
North-West Bend Station
In 1858, Campbell sold his Lochend property for £2,600 and obtained the pastoral lease for North-West Bend Station, a 55-square-mile sheep grazing area located near Morgan along a bend of the River Murray. By 1866, this station supported a flock of 5,500 sheep and was situated on the principal travel route connecting Adelaide and Wentworth. The homestead was positioned overlooking fertile river valleys surrounded by semi-arid plains covered with bluebush and mallee vegetation.
Campbell passed away at this location on 5 March 1859 due to septicemia resulting from a seemingly minor hand wound. He was interred at West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide.
His widow, Martha, remarried in 1873 to businessman John Beck, who was the director and largest shareholder of the Commercial Bank of South Australia, which ultimately failed in 1886. Martha accompanied Beck to England in 1882 and is believed to have died around 1897.
Legacy
Campbell's influence on Campbelltown has been both profound and lasting. When the community, then part of the District Council of Payneham, pursued the establishment of its own council in 1868, local residents decisively chose to name it "Campbelltown" as a tribute to him. The inaugural council meeting convened on 2 March 1868 at the Paradise Bridge Hotel.
In 1992, Campbelltown High School located in Newton merged with Thorndon High School in Paradise to create Charles Campbell Secondary School, commemorating his name. This school later amalgamated with Campbelltown Primary School to form Charles Campbell College, which officially opened its doors in 2012.
Lochend, his former home, experienced deterioration but was subsequently restored through efforts by the City of Campbelltown and the Campbelltown Historical Society, reopening on 29 February 2004.
His great nephew, Sir Walter Campbell, held the position of Governor of Queensland.