Edward Burton Gleeson
Edward Burton Gleeson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1803 |
| Died | 1870-02-02 |
| Occupation(s) | Pioneer, agriculturalist |
| Known for | Originator of the town of Clare, South Australia |
| Spouse | Harriet Gleeson (née Llewelyn) |
| Children | 6 |
Edward Burton Gleeson (1803 – 2 February 1870), often referred to as "Paddy" Gleeson, was an early South Australian pioneer, agriculturalist, and the originator of the town of Clare, which he named after his native Irish county.
History
On 27 July 1838, Gleeson arrived in South Australia alongside his wife Harriet Gleeson (née Llewelyn) from India. He pursued pastoral enterprises in the vicinity of Adelaide, establishing a residence eastward in the area now known as Beaumont. There, he developed the estate Gleeville near the intersection of Dashwood and Sunnyside Roads and managed pastoral leases to the north of Adelaide close to the Wakefield River. In 1840, he initiated the Inchiquin run within the Clare Valley and by 1842 had designed a town layout. The settlement was officially designated Clare in 1846, reflecting Gleeson's Irish roots.
Following his insolvency declaration on 30 July 1846, Gleeson sold Gleeville to Samuel Davenport and shifted his focus entirely to agricultural pursuits in the Clare Valley, with Inchiquin serving as his main holding. He earned notable esteem within the community and was colloquially dubbed the King of Clare.
Gleeson assumed multiple leadership positions including Clare’s inaugural mayor and special magistrate. He passed away at Inchiquin in 1870, leaving behind six children.
His nephew was Hampton Carroll Gleeson, who served as MHA for Flinders.
Family
Edward Burton Gleeson wed Harriet Llewellyn (who died in 1896). Their offspring comprised:
- Fanny Eliza Gleeson (– 19 September 1913), their eldest daughter, married Jonathan Filgate (c. 1821 – 6 April 1866), owner of Clare Brewery, on 6 December 1854.
- John William Gleeson (1834 – 13 November 1895) married Christina Alston (c. 1832 – 18 April 1900) on 4 July 1859. He was a prominent horse breeder and auctioneer until sustaining injuries from a firearm accident; he later died by drowning on his property.
- Edward Gleeson (– 1853) died due to a riding mishap.
- Sarah Ann "Annie" Gleeson (1840 – 20 November 1928) married George Hamilton Ayliffe (25 May 1840 – 2 November 1906) on 26 February 1864.
His brother John Hampton Gleeson and his wife née Carroll (deceased 1896) also emigrated aboard the Emerald Isle, accompanied by their son Hampton Carroll Gleeson and daughter Harriet Gleeson (died 1882). Another individual named Robert Gleeson was among the passengers.