Samuel Davenport

Sir Samuel Davenport (5 March 1818 – 3 September 1906) was an early settler of South Australia, a landowner and member of parliament.

Life Davenport was the fourth son of George Davenport, a wealthy English banker, and his wife Jane Devereux, née Davies, and was educated at Mill Hill School in North London. His father became an agent of the South Australia Company in England and together with partners Frederick Luck (quarter share) and Roger Cunliffe (one-eighth share) contracted to paid £4416 for a special survey of in South Australia, and sent his eldest son (George) Francis Davenport to select the land. Francis and his second wife Sarah Davenport (née Fincher) arrived in Adelaide in February 1840 aboard Rajasthan. After initially considering land near Port Lincoln, he selected land later referred to as "Three Brothers", on the upper reaches of the River Angas, including what is now the town of Macclesfield. Francis returned to England in 1841, leaving Henry Giles to manage his affairs.

Davenport married Margaret Fraser Cleland (1821 – 6 February 1902) on 1 June 1842. She became known for her charitable work, closely associated with Emily Clark, Lady Colton and Catherine Helen Spence. Samuel, his wife and brother Robert (1816–1896) arrived in Adelaide from Hobart aboard Adelaide in February 1843. Francis and Sarah returned to Adelaide aboard Rajusthan in February 1843. He died at the Rundle Street home of William Giles on 8 April 1843. The remaining brothers lived at Macclesfield and managed the survey. Samuel continued to receive an annual allowance from his father.

Davenport's first ventures in Australia were in mixed farming, almonds and vines, which had sparked his interest when he was in the south of France as a youth. He then tried sheep-farming with approximately 6000 sheep, but disease killed half of them. In 1860 he bought land near Port Augusta, and turned to ranching horses and cattle. He realised from his success that large-stock holdings made healthy profits in South Australia.

From 1849 he lived mostly at his home in Beaumont, in his residence of Beaumont House, which he owned from 1851 onwards. He continued to manage the Macclesfield property, providing attractive rental terms for his tenants.

Between 5 May 1846 and 1 July 1848, Davenport was a non-official nominated member of the South Australian Legislative Council.

Between 1849 and 1852 he served as a city commissioner. He contested the Legislative Council seat of Hindmarsh without success in a by-election during 1854, but on 25 October 1855 He was also a successful banker like his English father.

Davenport was knighted during 1884 and in 1886 appointed KCMG and given an honorary doctorate by the University of Cambridge. After his death in 1906, obituarists praised his 'honourable record both in public and private life' and both Houses of Parliament were adjourned for his funeral.

The South Australian Assembly seat of Davenport was later named after him.