South Australian Company: Mapping 1852-1883

South Australian Company: History / biography  |  South Australian Company: Series description

Maps relate to the properties held by the South Australian Company, during the Foundation era 1852-1883.

Many of the maps refer to 'Hundreds'. A Hundred signifies an area of approximately 259 square kilometres. Once land was surveyed into a Hundred it was declared by the Governor and ready for sale. The survey was restrictive and did not always include prime land. However, pastoralists who had previously leased their tract of land were now able to purchase it or move on to squat, or lease, another tract, which became a popular choice (see S.A. Northern Pioneers: Hon. G Hawker).

The South Australian Company maps (BRG 42/119) are part of the business records of the South Australian Company, comprising minutes, correspondence, the original 1836 Deed of Settlement and other copies, deeds, share documentation, reports and other papers of the London Office of the company, together with those of the South Australian office including minutes, correspondence, reports, registers of land sales, papers re whaling and fishing, pastoral activities, imports and exports, farming, construction, financial records, administrative matters, legal documents, maps, plans, photographs and newspaper cuttings.

Also in the group is a collection of eight passenger lists, with the names of the Company emigrants, who arrived in the colony between 1837 and 1839. The maps are of particular interest as they give an insight into and a detailed description of South Australian land in the pre-settlement era. It is also very interesting to see how the names of places have changed over time and in some instances, stayed the same. There are many references to bodies of water, including rivers and coastlines which may now appear differently on modern maps.

Further resources: Mapping sources for South Australian history; South Australian Company

South Australiana: Sources a comprehensive list of websites, published and non-published sources for South Australiana materials.

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