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Hilltop

Hilltop was the home of the Downer family of Campbelltown. It was built on section 2056; the original grantee of section 2056 was John Alexander Jackson1. This section was later sold to John Haggar, who built a 6 roomed house.  John Haggar’s daughter Maria Haggar married Henry Edward Downer2.

Henry Edward Downer was the brother of Sir John Downer and George Downer. He was a respected lawyer and businessman in South Australia.

H E Downer, Adelaide Hunt Club Master 1872-3, 1879. State Library of South Australia Collection [B 68275/2]

Henry Edward Downer arrived in South Australia in June 1838, with his parents aboard the Eden.  His father Henry Snr. opened a grocery store in Hindley Street, where they lived.  After two years trading the grocery store was purchased by a partner, Thomas Graves3. Edward Snr then became landlord of the Blenheim Hotel, also in Hindley Street.  From Hindley Street the family moved to South Terrace, and then to Magill.

Henry was educated at Francis Haire’s Academy in Victoria Square. On leaving school he became a law clerk in the firm of Richman and Wigley, in Hindley Street.  He was called to the Bar in 18594. From 1865 to 1881 he was the Commissioner of Insolvency.  He left that position to contest the seat of Encounter Bay in the South Australian House of Assembly. He won the seat and held it until 1896.  He was appointed Attorney General for South Australia, in the Cockburn Government, in May 18905.   Whilst in Government his achievements included, converting the Strathalbyn to Victor Harbor horse tramway to steam locomotive power. He was responsible for amendments to the insolvency laws, and the protection of tenant changes to the Rent Laws.

Henry was an avid supporter of the Adelaide Hunt.  Many times the hunt would begin or end at Hilltop. He encouraged his sons to ride with the hounds.

He married Maria Martin Haggar daughter of John Haggar, on the 13th August 18596. They had five children, one of whom, Amelia Lottie, died at four years of age7.

In 1903 Henry perhaps was looking to down size, or maybe the garden was beginning to become more than he could handle.  Hilltop was placed on the market. It was described as a bargain, a large house and stables, beautiful grounds, 11 acres, on the tramline8. The property however did not sell.  On August 4th 1905 Henry Edward Downer died and Hilltop had still not yet sold. The family decided to rent out the property.  Mr. E. W. Clarke rented Hilltop from Mrs. Downer.  Around 1.15 a.m. on the 24th of June 1906, the house caught fire.  Only four of the sixteen rooms could be saved9. It was decided to clean up after the fire and sell the property as it remained.  There were no interested buyers before the fire, let alone after it, so it was decided to repair the fire damage and try to sell it or rent it out again. The property was offered in two lots, one of 7 ¾ acres and one of 3 ¼ acres10.

Photo of Hilltop. Campbelltown Library Local History Room Archive.

Mrs. Downer died on January 11th 1912, leaving two daughters and two sons.

The eldest daughter was Mrs. Otto Schomburgk, who was married to the son of the curator and founder of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. The younger daughter was Mrs. C. H. Warren.  One son Frank Haggar Downer married the sister of Sir George Murray of Murray Park. An expert horseman, polo player, and like his father Master of the Adelaide Hunt for a number of years11. Harold Charles Downer was educated at St. Peters and excelled at sport.  He managed Melton Station, owned by his uncle Alexander George Downer.  He married Bertha Law-Smith, daughter of an Adelaide Merchant12.

Hilltop was eventually pulled down, in the seventies, and the land further sub divided.

Researched and compiled by Jim Nelson, a volunteer with the Campbelltown Library “Digital Diggers” group.

If you have any comments or questions regarding the information in this local history article, please contact the Local History officer on 8366 9357 or hthiselton@campbelltown.sa.gov.au

References

  1. Leaney, John Taggart & Campbelltown (S. Aust.). Corporation 1968, Campbelltown 1868-1968, The Corporation of the City of Campbelltown, Campbelltown, S.A,  Page 32.
  2. Warburton, Elizabeth & Campbelltown (S.A.). Corporation 1986, From the river to the hills : Campbelltown, 150 years, Corporation of the City of Campbelltown, [Campbelltown, S. Aust.], page 154.
  3. 1900 'THE LATE MR. T. GRAVES.', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), 13 August, p. 6. , viewed 03 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article54449242
  4. 1905 'DEATH OF MR. H. E. DOWNER.', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), 5 August, p. 8. , viewed 03 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4948549
  5. 1905 'DEATH OF MR. H. E. DOWNER.', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), 5 August, p. 8. , viewed 03 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4948549
  6. 1859 'Family Notices', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), 16 August, p. 2. , viewed 03 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49826537
  7. 1873 'Family Notices', The Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 - 1922), 20 November, p. 2. (SECOND EDITION.), viewed 03 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article208169513
  8. 1903 'Advertising', The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929), 15 May, p. 2. , viewed 03 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55428895
  9. 1906 'LARGE FIRE AT CAMPBELLTOWN.', Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), 30 June, p. 35. , viewed 03 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article163072585
  10. 1906 'Advertising', The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929), 21 August, p. 10. , viewed 03 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57020848
  11. 1912 Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), 20 January, p. 49. , viewed 03 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88692943
  12. 1938 'Obituary.', Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA : 1861 - 1954), 22 March, p. 3. , viewed 03 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article77922955
  13. Downer, Alexander, Sir & Downer, Alexander 2012, The Downers of South Australia, Wakefield Press, Kent Town, S. Aust, page 22