Robert Cock
Encyclopedia
Robert Cock was one of the first European explorers of the Adelaide region of South Australia
following the establishment of the new colony in December 1836.
Robert was born in Dysart, Fife, Scotland
in 1801, and arrived in South Australia
with his family aboard the HMS Buffalo
in December 1836, thus being in the first group of settlers in the new colony. Robert actively set about setting up his business affairs in the new colony. "He set up a sort of thatched roof in which he and his wife and 6 children lived while he built a house. The house, when built, was used as a store and saleroom, and the family remained in the primitive shelter whilst he pursued his explorations". He was appointed SA's first government auctioneer in early 1837, a position he held until November 1838.
In addition to his auction rooms, Robert became a land agent, and conducted explorations of the areas around Adelaide
, and the Yorke
and Eyre
peninsulas.
In December 1837, Robert led a party of William Finlayson
, A. Wyatt and G. Barton to explore the country between Adelaide
and Lake Alexandrina
. Leaving Adelaide on 25 December, they became the first Europeans to climb Mount Barker (although there was a plausible counter-claim by Sir John Morphett
). They crossed and named the Hindmarsh and the Angas
rivers, arriving at Lake Alexandrina on 31 December. (The Hindmarsh was subsequently renamed the Bremer). In his journal, Robert noted the suitability of the region for wine growing. (He is occasionally cited as being the first to identify the Adelaide Hills
as suitable for wine growing e.g. Pike). There is a memorial cairn to the explorers in Bridgewater, near the Bridgewater Mill site. Coxs creek (originally Cock's creek) was named after Robert Cock.
In June 1838, Robert discovered a carriage route through the Adelaide Hills
, which opened up communication between Adelaide
and the Mt Barker
region.
In August 1838, Robert Cock along with Edward Eyre
and Bewes Strangways
travelled back to Mount Barker to meet the celebrated explorer Charles Sturt
, who had driven stock from New South Wales
to Adelaide
In December 1838, Robert and the surgeon, R. G. Jameson, conducted a survey of the east coast of Yorke Peninsula
. They concluded “if we could have found a fresh water river, we would have found it a good country for the maintenance of flocks and herds. From the numerous native population it is obvious that there is no scarcity of fresh water, although we could not find it.”
In May 1839, Robert explored the Port Vincent
area in conjunction with James Hughes.
In June 1839, Robert led a party on the schooner “Victoria”, captained by Captain Hutchinson. They explored Spencer Gulf
, following the western shores of the Yorke Peninsula
and the coast of the Eyre Peninsula
as far as Port Lincoln. “Water can be had at from ten to twenty feet from the surface. In all probability the peninsula will in time be a great agricultural district.”
Robert also demonstrated concern for the welfare of the aboriginal population: "... Robert Cock was deeply disturbed to find that local authorities still had no intention of honouring a commitment made while still in Britain to set aside one fifth of all land to provide a fund for aboriginal welfare. Having bought land in Adelaide he felt morally obliged to pay interest on one-fifth of the purchase price. 'I felt it my duty', he informed the local Protector of Aboriginies in 1838, 'to pay to the proper authorities for the use of the natives this yearly rent'. He denied that the money was a donation but 'a just claim that the natives of this district have on me as an occupier of those lands'."
On another occasion he intervened in a dispute between the aborigines and the settlers to prevent violence, reminding the settlers that the law was for protection of all.
After several years as a land agent, Robert took up farming, first at Balhannah
in the Adelaide hills and later in Mount Gambier
, where he was one of the original residents. Later on, he opened up a brewery in Mount Gambier.
Robert died in Mount Gambier in 1871, where he is buried in the Pioneers cemetery.
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
following the establishment of the new colony in December 1836.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in 1801, and arrived in South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
with his family aboard the HMS Buffalo
HMS Buffalo (1813)
HMS Buffalo was a storeship of the Royal Navy, originally built in India as the merchant vessel Hindostan. She later served as a convict ship and as transport for immigrants to Australia before being wrecked in 1840.-Launch and purchase:...
in December 1836, thus being in the first group of settlers in the new colony. Robert actively set about setting up his business affairs in the new colony. "He set up a sort of thatched roof in which he and his wife and 6 children lived while he built a house. The house, when built, was used as a store and saleroom, and the family remained in the primitive shelter whilst he pursued his explorations". He was appointed SA's first government auctioneer in early 1837, a position he held until November 1838.
In addition to his auction rooms, Robert became a land agent, and conducted explorations of the areas around Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, and the Yorke
Yorke Peninsula
The Yorke Peninsula is a peninsula located north-west and west of Adelaide in South Australia, Australia, between Spencer Gulf on the west and Gulf St Vincent on the east. It has geographic coordinates of...
and Eyre
Eyre Peninsula
Eyre Peninsula is a triangular peninsula in South Australia. It is bounded on the east by Spencer Gulf, the west by the Great Australian Bight, and the north by the Gawler Ranges. It is named after explorer Edward John Eyre who explored some of it in 1839-1841. The coastline was first explored by...
peninsulas.
In December 1837, Robert led a party of William Finlayson
William Finlayson (churchman)
William Finlayson was a churchman and farmer in the early days of South Australia, and father of nine children including two sons prominent in the early days of that colony.-William Finlayson:...
, A. Wyatt and G. Barton to explore the country between Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
and Lake Alexandrina
Lake Alexandrina (South Australia)
Lake Alexandrina is a lake in South Australia adjacent to the coast of the Southern Ocean, about 100 kilometres south-east of Adelaide.-Name:The lake was named after Princess Alexandrina, niece and successor of King William IV of Great Britain and Ireland...
. Leaving Adelaide on 25 December, they became the first Europeans to climb Mount Barker (although there was a plausible counter-claim by Sir John Morphett
John Morphett
Sir John Morphett was a South Australian pioneer, landowner and politician.-Early life:Morphett was born in London, the second son of Nathaniel Morphett, a solicitor, and his wife Mary, née Gliddon, of Cummins, Ide, Devon, and was educated at Plymouth and Highgate Grammar Schools...
). They crossed and named the Hindmarsh and the Angas
River Angas
The River Angas is a small river rising on the eastern side of the Mount Lofty Ranges in South Australia. Its headwaters are near Macclesfield and it flows generally southward through Strathalbyn, emptying into Lake Alexandrina near the town of Milang....
rivers, arriving at Lake Alexandrina on 31 December. (The Hindmarsh was subsequently renamed the Bremer). In his journal, Robert noted the suitability of the region for wine growing. (He is occasionally cited as being the first to identify the Adelaide Hills
Adelaide Hills
The Adelaide Hills are part of the Mount Lofty Ranges, east of the city of Adelaide in the state of South Australia. It is unofficially centred on the largest town in the area, Mount Barker, which has a population of around 29,000 and is also one of Australia's fastest growing towns.- History :The...
as suitable for wine growing e.g. Pike). There is a memorial cairn to the explorers in Bridgewater, near the Bridgewater Mill site. Coxs creek (originally Cock's creek) was named after Robert Cock.
In June 1838, Robert discovered a carriage route through the Adelaide Hills
Adelaide Hills
The Adelaide Hills are part of the Mount Lofty Ranges, east of the city of Adelaide in the state of South Australia. It is unofficially centred on the largest town in the area, Mount Barker, which has a population of around 29,000 and is also one of Australia's fastest growing towns.- History :The...
, which opened up communication between Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
and the Mt Barker
Mount Barker, South Australia
Mount Barker is an expanding city, home to 10 258 residents that is 33 kilometres up the South Eastern Freeway, east of Adelaide, in South Australia. It is the seat of the District Council of Mount Barker, is the largest town in the Adelaide Hills, and is one of the fastest growing areas in the...
region.
In August 1838, Robert Cock along with Edward Eyre
Edward John Eyre
Edward John Eyre was an English land explorer of the Australian continent, colonial administrator, and a controversial Governor of Jamaica....
and Bewes Strangways
Thomas Bewes Strangways
Thomas Bewes Strangways was an explorer and early settler of South Australia.He arrived in the new colony on the HMS Buffalo and at the time, was engaged to one of Governor John Hindmarsh's daughters. However, they never married and he later married Lavinia Albina née Fowler...
travelled back to Mount Barker to meet the celebrated explorer Charles Sturt
Charles Sturt
Captain Charles Napier Sturt was an English explorer of Australia, and part of the European Exploration of Australia. He led several expeditions into the interior of the continent, starting from both Sydney and later from Adelaide. His expeditions traced several of the westward-flowing rivers,...
, who had driven stock from New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
to Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
In December 1838, Robert and the surgeon, R. G. Jameson, conducted a survey of the east coast of Yorke Peninsula
Yorke Peninsula
The Yorke Peninsula is a peninsula located north-west and west of Adelaide in South Australia, Australia, between Spencer Gulf on the west and Gulf St Vincent on the east. It has geographic coordinates of...
. They concluded “if we could have found a fresh water river, we would have found it a good country for the maintenance of flocks and herds. From the numerous native population it is obvious that there is no scarcity of fresh water, although we could not find it.”
In May 1839, Robert explored the Port Vincent
Port Vincent, South Australia
Port Vincent is a small town on the east coast of Yorke Peninsula in South Australia, 194 km from Adelaide by road. At the 2006 census, Port Vincent had a population of 472....
area in conjunction with James Hughes.
In June 1839, Robert led a party on the schooner “Victoria”, captained by Captain Hutchinson. They explored Spencer Gulf
Spencer Gulf
The Spencer Gulf is the westernmost of two large inlets on the southern coast of Australia, in the state of South Australia, facing the Great Australian Bight. The Gulf is 322 km long and 129 km wide at its mouth. The western shore of the Gulf is the Eyre Peninsula, while the eastern side is the...
, following the western shores of the Yorke Peninsula
Yorke Peninsula
The Yorke Peninsula is a peninsula located north-west and west of Adelaide in South Australia, Australia, between Spencer Gulf on the west and Gulf St Vincent on the east. It has geographic coordinates of...
and the coast of the Eyre Peninsula
Eyre Peninsula
Eyre Peninsula is a triangular peninsula in South Australia. It is bounded on the east by Spencer Gulf, the west by the Great Australian Bight, and the north by the Gawler Ranges. It is named after explorer Edward John Eyre who explored some of it in 1839-1841. The coastline was first explored by...
as far as Port Lincoln. “Water can be had at from ten to twenty feet from the surface. In all probability the peninsula will in time be a great agricultural district.”
Robert also demonstrated concern for the welfare of the aboriginal population: "... Robert Cock was deeply disturbed to find that local authorities still had no intention of honouring a commitment made while still in Britain to set aside one fifth of all land to provide a fund for aboriginal welfare. Having bought land in Adelaide he felt morally obliged to pay interest on one-fifth of the purchase price. 'I felt it my duty', he informed the local Protector of Aboriginies in 1838, 'to pay to the proper authorities for the use of the natives this yearly rent'. He denied that the money was a donation but 'a just claim that the natives of this district have on me as an occupier of those lands'."
On another occasion he intervened in a dispute between the aborigines and the settlers to prevent violence, reminding the settlers that the law was for protection of all.
After several years as a land agent, Robert took up farming, first at Balhannah
Balhannah, South Australia
Balhannah is a town in the Adelaide Hills about 30 km southeast of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. It was established in 1839 as a farming community. The fruit cold store built in 1914 was one of the first in Australia and is still in use. It is on the main interstate railway between...
in the Adelaide hills and later in Mount Gambier
Mount Gambier, South Australia
Mount Gambier is the largest regional city in South Australia located approximately 450 kilometres south of the capital Adelaide and just 17 kilometres from the Victorian border....
, where he was one of the original residents. Later on, he opened up a brewery in Mount Gambier.
Robert died in Mount Gambier in 1871, where he is buried in the Pioneers cemetery.