Robert Cock
Robert Cock | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Dysart, Fife, Scotland |
| Died | March 23, 1871 (aged 69) Mount Gambier, South Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Explorer, auctioneer, land agent, farmer, brewer |
| Known for | Early exploration of Adelaide area and South Australia; first government auctioneer of South Australia; pioneering settler |
Robert Cock (25 May 1801 – 23 March 1871) was a pioneering European explorer of the Adelaide area in South Australia shortly after the colony's inception in December 1836.
History
Originating from Dysart, Fife, Scotland, Robert arrived in South Australia with his family aboard in December 1836, becoming part of the colony’s earliest settlers. He rapidly initiated commercial ventures, initially residing in a simple thatched shelter while constructing a combined residence and commercial space serving as both a store and auction room. In early 1837, he was appointed as South Australia's inaugural government auctioneer, a position he maintained until November 1838. Alongside fellow Buffalo passenger William Ferguson, he formed a partnership as auctioneers and joint proprietors of the Magill estate, which they later divided for development purposes.
Cock undertook exploration missions across Adelaide and the Yorke and Eyre peninsulas. In December 1837, he led a party including William Finlayson, A. Wyatt, and G. Barton to survey the territory between Adelaide and Lake Alexandrina. This group was among the earliest Europeans to ascend Mount Barker, crossed and named both the Hindmarsh (subsequently Bremer) and Angas rivers, eventually reaching Lake Alexandrina on 31 December. Cock recognized the area's suitability for grape cultivation, playing a role in the early acknowledgment of the Adelaide Hills as an ideal wine-producing region. A commemorative cairn near Bridgewater, South Australia, honors this expedition. The watercourse now known as Cox's Creek originally bore his name.
In June 1838, Cock identified a carriage route traversing the Adelaide Hills, improving connectivity between Adelaide and Mount Barker. Two months later, he accompanied explorers Edward Eyre and Bewes Strangways to rendezvous with Charles Sturt, who had driven livestock from New South Wales to Adelaide.
Towards the end of 1838, Cock joined surgeon R. G. Jameson in surveying Yorke Peninsula’s eastern coastline, noting its potential for grazing despite limited surface freshwater sources. In May 1839, he explored Port Vincent with James Hughes. The following month, commanding the schooner Victoria, he led an expedition along Spencer Gulf’s western shores encompassing Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas up to Port Lincoln, identifying favorable farming conditions supported by accessible groundwater.
Demonstrating concern for Indigenous communities, Cock committed to allocating interest from one-fifth of his land purchase price toward their welfare—a pledge that local authorities failed to fulfill—and actively intervened to prevent conflicts between settlers and Aboriginal people by advocating for their legal rights.
After transitioning from land agency work to agriculture, Cock established farming operations at Balhannah in the Adelaide Hills before moving by 1853 to Mount Gambier as one of its earliest residents. There he later founded a brewery. He passed away in Mount Gambier in 1871 and was interred at the Pioneers cemetery. His son, James Cock (1833–1901), represented the Electoral district of Victoria as a Member of the House of Assembly from 1890 until 1899.
Family
Robert Cock united in marriage with Elizabeth 'Betty' Wishart (1805–1830) on 15 January 1823 in Kilmany, Fife, Scotland. Following her passing, he wed Catherine Christie (1807–1870) on 28 May 1832 in Abdie, Fife, Scotland.
In 1836, Robert and Catherine relocated to South Australia aboard a ship, accompanied by children from both of his marriages:
- Betty Cock (1824–1852) entered into marriage with Reverend James Benny of Balhannah in 1846.
- Christian Cock (1825–1867) married Dr. Henry Chambers of Nairne in 1847; notably, Chambers was a nephew of Captain Matthew Flinders.
- Their daughter, Elizabeth Christian Chambers (circa 1850–1911), married Arthur Greenway Pollitt in 1878.
- Agnes (Nancy) Cock (1828–1848) became the wife of John Kelly from Mount Barker in 1847.
- Their daughter Agnes Cock (1848–1932) married Alexander Cumming Falconer.
- Robert Cock (circa 1828–1884) worked as a brewer initially in Balhannah and later in Kyneton, Victoria.
- James Cock (1833–1901) wedded Magdalene Williams in 1861; their offspring included Anne, Mary, Catherine, Jane Rosetta "Jean," Magdalene, Andrew Owen, and David Gambier Cock.
- Catherine Cock (circa 1835–1881) married William Warren in 1855.
- Jane Cock (1838–1862) was married to Edward Squire.
- John Cock (circa 1840–1913) married Sarah Jones in 1863.
- Ann Cock (circa 1847–1861).
Robert Cock's father, also named Robert Cock (circa 1776–1839), arrived in South Australia aboard the Catherine Jamieson in December 1838.
In November 1838, two brothers and a sister arrived on the Rajasthan, a vessel chartered by Robert Cock:
- Alexander Cock (circa 1809–1872) and his spouse Mary Thomson (1807–1885).
- James Cock and his wife Christina Cock (possibly Elizabeth Cock, circa 1802–1846).
- Christina Owen, née Cock, along with her husband William Owen.
Another brother, William Cock, came to South Australia aboard the Waterloo in June 1840; records indicate that two individuals named William Cock traveled on this ship, both accompanied by their families.