Nathaniel Hailes
Nathaniel Hailes | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1802 London, England |
| Died | 1879-07-24 |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, land agent, public official |
| Known for | Contributions to South Australian newspapers under pseudonyms "Rifleman" and "Timothy Short"; Adelaide City Council member; Clerk of the Peace at Port Lincoln |
Nathaniel Hailes (1802 – 24 July 1879) was an English-born journalist who established a prominent professional life in South Australia as both a land agent and public official. He contributed articles to various newspapers under the pseudonyms "Rifleman" and "Timothy Short".
History
Originally from London, Hailes was part of distinguished literary circles, associating with notable figures such as Lady Byron, William Hazlitt, Allan Cunningham, Thomas De Quincey, Edward Irving, Dr Chalmers, and Sir Walter Scott.
In 1838, he was designated superintendent for the Buckinghamshire group of emigrants heading to South Australia, arriving at Holdfast Bay in March 1839. He established his family residence in North Adelaide.
In 1839, Hailes launched an auction business located on Hindley Street. By 1840, he had formed a partnership with William Patey Peek under the firm name Hailes & Peek, later moving their operations to King William Street. His last auction event featured the sale of his own estate "Woodside," near Auldana. Starting in 1851, his son Nathaniel S. Hailes represented him professionally.
He initiated the Adelaide Free Press newspaper in 1841; however, it ceased publication within a month due to an oversaturated market rather than any deficiencies in content quality.
Hailes was elected to the Adelaide City Council in 1840, serving alongside prominent individuals including J. H. Fisher and A. H. Davis, with Fisher occupying the mayoral office.
In 1842, he assumed the role of Clerk of the Peace at Port Lincoln and added Deputy Registrar responsibilities for births, marriages, and deaths the following year. His administrative duties involved interaction with Indigenous communities, about whom he recorded language and cultural practices.
He fulfilled executor duties for Port Lincoln’s postmaster J. B. Harvey and defended Harvey’s character against anonymous accusations.
Although there are reports suggesting brief employment in Mount Gambier and contributions to the Border Watch under the column "Random Shots at Flying Game" signed as "Rifleman," documentation supporting this is limited.
Between 1856 and 1859, Hailes acted as secretary to the South Australian Institute. Later, he held a position at the Labour Prison located at Dry Creek, though further details on this role remain sparse.
Hailes passed away at the home of his eldest daughter Mrs. H. Taylor in Adelaide on 24 July 1879 at the age of 76.
Family
Hailes was married to Eliza Hailes (circa 1815 – 17 January 1893). Their offspring included:
- a daughter who married into the Taylor family
- Alice Hailes, wedded to Benjamin Holroyd of Port Lincoln on 31 January 1861
- Nathaniel Simpson Hailes, who married Janet Low (circa 1830 – 15 April 1852)
- Elizabeth Sarah Hailes (16 November 1839 – 30 December 1926), who became the wife of Walter Rutt (1842 – 18 May 1924) on 30 August 1873
- Frederick Hailes (13 February 1841 – 7 September 1856)
- Edith Hailes (27 November 1846 – 24 February 1847)
Publications
Personal Recollections of a Septuagenarian was a collection of forty-six weekly installments published in the South Australian Register spanning from 15 December 1876 until 17 July 1878.