Richard CHAPMAN (1849-1923)

RICHARD CHAPMAN, agriculturist and grazier, Point Marsden, Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, is the only son of the late Mr. William Chapman, of the same place, this gentleman having embarked for South Australia in 1836 by the sailing vessel "Rajasthan." Being under engagement with the late Major Allen, he proceeded direct to Tapley Hill, and it was not until 1855 that he settled at Antechamber Bay, on Kangaroo Island. Here he combined the industries of farming and fishing, and subsequently removed to Cape Borda to undertake the duties of lighthouse-keeper, in which connection he continued for about eighteen months. He afterwards accepted the contract for landing the English mails at Glenelg, which he retained for a similar period, and in 1863 came again to the island, taking up some sections of land on the Cygnet River from the South Australian Company, which he farmed for about two years. He then acquired some fourteen square miles under lease from the Government, at Point Marsden, and later on purchased an additional fifty-six acres, and on the combined properties carried on agricultural and grazing operations until the time of his decease in the year 1880. The subject of this memoir was born at Port Adelaide in 1849, and was associated with his father in his various enterprises until the death of the latter gentleman.

About this period the territory known as the Hundred of Menzies was under survey by the Government, and Mr. Richard Chapman took up 950 acres with right of purchase, acquiring it as his freehold some eighteen years later. He was very successful in the cultivation of this property during the earlier part of his occupation, but latterly has confined his attention to sheep-farming pursuits, and has met with excellent results. His continued prosperity has enabled him to extend his boundaries by 1,500 acres, and at the present time his landed possessions comprise about 2,500 acres of some of the best grazing land in the island. The estate carries in all about 4,000 sheep, averaging three or four to the acre over the major portion of the land.

Mr. Chapman's homestead is most picturesquely situated, overlooking on the south the pretty "Bay of Shoals," while on the north the full sweep of the Southern Ocean is seen to great advantage. He has interested himself in public affairs generally, and served as a member of the Kingscote District Council for six years; has acted on various occasions as Treasurer for different social and other functions, and is an enthusiast in matters of sport, having held a similar office for twenty years in connection with the Racing Club. He owns and races a few horses, and has won the distinction of carrying off every trophy open to competitors at the Kingscote Races.

In 1878 Mr. Chapman married Eliza Jane, daughter of the late Mr. W. Thompson, of Point Marsden, and two sons and one daughter survive of a family of four children.

-Cyclopedia of South Australia 1909, pp. 1090-1010