Preston Thomas BELL (1842-1921)

PRESTON THOMAS BELL, agriculturist and grazier, "Bell Manor" and "Stokes Bay Station,"- Kangaroo Island, is the youngest son of the late Mr. George Bell, of London, and was born at Stepney in 1842. He obtained his early education in his native place, and at the age of nine years embarked with his mother and two sisters for South Australia, voyaging by the sailing ship "Sophia Morphett," under command of Captain Woodward (who afterwards became the first lighthouse-keeper at Cape Borda). Upon arrival the youthful colonist found employment in minding cattle at Brighton, and two years later joined his brother-in-law, the late Mr. Henry Hamilton, who owned the Ewell Vineyard at Glenelg. He continued in this connection for about fifteen years, and in 1869 came to Stokes Bay, Kangaroo Island, where, in partnership with Mr. Hamilton, he took up about ninety miles of country, and proceeded to stock a portion of this with sheep. During the first season the two hundred sheep with which he commenced operations were reduced to forty, through the change of climate and country, and at the end of the second year, as the Government would not grant a lease unless the land was stocked with forty sheep to the acre, the holding was reduced to twelve miles. Subsequently, a further sixteen miles of country was obtained, and this, together with the land already held, now forms the "Stokes Bay Station."

On one occasion provisions ran out, and for six weeks Mr. Bell had to live on wallaby and boiled wheat, as the vessel carrying the year's supply of stores could not come inshore. Determined, however, not to relinquish the enterprise, Mr. Bell purchased his brother-in-law's interest, and with considerable grit and courage faced the problem of "holding on" until prospects should improve. He augmented his finances by wallaby catching, etc., and in time had the satisfaction of finding his flock of sheep increased to the number of a thousand, and a measure of prosperity in view. At the period of the Government survey, half of his run was resumed, but subsequently he again acquired it on perpetual lease, and at the present time remains in possession of the whole of the original property, which he has been enabled to turn to excellent advantage.

About the time of the survey above-mentioned the gentleman under review came to "Bell Manor," taking up 1,000 acres of land with right of purchase, which, being thickly covered with scrub, required steady labour before it could be used for farming purposes. This accomplished, it proved well-suited both for grazing and agriculture, and Mr. Bell has here experienced a very successful career.

He has been identified with the public life of the island in various ways, having been one of the first members of the Council, in which he served for eight years, filling the post of Chairman for a couple of terms. About 1882 he was sworn in as a special constable, to act in that capacity at the north end of the island, and in this connection experienced various adventures, on several occasions having to perform the mournful task of burying dead bodies cast up on the island from wrecks on the northern coast.

In 1867 Mr. Bell married Mary, eldest daughter of Mr. J. T. Rigby, of Lancashire, England, and has five sons and one daughter.

Mr. George Bell manages the Stokes Bay property on his father's behalf.

- Cyclopedia of South Australia 1909, pp.1008-1009