Edward Arthur Thomas

Edward Arthur Thomas was born on the 11 December 1866 at Sandy Creek, South Australia. The original settler was his grandfather Samuel Thomas who was born on the 3 Jan 1805 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He had two children:-

              Elizabeth was born in 1831 at Birmingham, Warwickshire.
              Frederick Kenneth was born on the 1 Dec 1834 at Birmingham, Warwickshire.

On the 22 Aug 1835 he married their mother Diana Booth at St Bartholomew’s Church, Edgebaston, Birmingham. When he was 34 years old Edward and his family emigrated on the Buckinghamshire arriving at Port Adelaide on the 22 March 1839. His occupation was farmer and they resided at Lyndoch.

Samuel’s wife Diana died on the 7 Jan 1853 at Gawler and is buried in Gawler Old Cemetery (now Pioneer Park).  On the 3 Dec 1853 Samuel married Mary Williams in Adelaide.  Samuel died on the 30 April 1892 at Lyndoch aged 87 years old and is buried in Lyndoch Cemetery. There is a portrait of Samuel c1880.

Samuel’s son was Frederick Kenneth Thomas. He was born on the 1 Dec 1834 and Christened at Zion Chapel, New Hall Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.  He arrived in South Australia with his parents in 1839. His occupation was farmer and grazier. His mother died when he was 18 years old.

When Frederick was 22 years old he married Eliza Finch aged 24 years old. They married on the 3 Dec 1856 at the Congregational Chapel, Gawler by the Rev. James Leonard BA.  Eliza was born on the 16 Dec 1831 at St. Sepulchres, London, England.  They lived at Sandy Creek. Frederick and Eliza had the following children:-

 Joseph was born on the 10 Sept 1857 at Gawler. He died on the 15 Sept 1857 at Sandy Creek.

              Eliza Hannah was born on the 30 Sept 1858 at Sandy Creek, Gawler.

              Marian Jane was born on the 17 Oct 1860 at Sandy Creek.

              Frederick Booth was born on the 11 Nov 1862 at Sandy Creek.

              Alice Caroline was born on the 31 Dec 1864 at Sandy Creek.

              Edward Arthur was born on the 11 Dec 1866 at Sandy Creek.

              Emma Louisa was born on the 17 Dec 1868 at Sandy Creek.

              Albert Finch was born on the 19 May 1872 at Sandy Creek.

              Annie Elizabeth was born on the 22 June 1874 at Sandy Creek.

              Henry Norman was born on the 27 Dec 1878 at Sandy Creek.

Frederick Kenneth Thomas died on the 4 Nov 1888 at Sandy Creek aged 53 years old and his wife Eliza died on the 15 March 1922 aged 90 years old. They are both buried in Willaston Cemetery.).

Edward Arthur Thomas was a grazier like his father and grandfather. He purchased Blair in 1906 when he was 39 years old.  It was 614 acres of good agricultural and pastoral land, two miles east of Smithfield.  There were a further 145 acres 5 miles away.   

When Edward was 40 years old he married Sarah Edith Bowman aged 37 years old. They married on the 29 August 1907 at the residence of Charles Cartwright Crace of Gawler West. The members of the Burra Show Committee and Sheep Exhibitors gave him a fine sterling silver dining set.

He became a famous breeder of stud Merino rams and won many cups and prizes.  His Special Stud Ram “Mascot” Champion at the Adelaide Show in 1921.  His wins of 1924 were the best as he won 5 prizes.  With a total of 50 first prizes, 50 seconds, 24 thirds and 11 champions the “lair” stud holds a record very hard to equal.  For many years Edward was a member of the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia and was the official judge for many country shows over a considerable period.

Edward was a district councillor for Munno Para East for many years until he retired in 1933.

Edward died on the 31 March 1944 at Ru Rua Hospital, North Adelaide aged 78 years old.  His funeral left No 2 Tod Street, Gawler for Uley Cemetery.

Sarah died on the 10 Dec 1954 at Resthaven, Malvern formerly of Blair, Smithfield aged 84 years old.