Shep's Place Family Tree

He had returned from his adventurous life at sea a wealthy man and had no interest in the family farm at Lydd. This he sold as both his parents had died, though one story is that he gave it to the farm manager as a gift, in any case, he parted with the Lydd property, set up his youngest brother Charles in business at Bristol, and after consulting with his special friend Captain John Ellis newly retired from the Royal Navy, looked about for something to interest them both. Captain Ellis' wife had recently died and although their 8 children had to be safely settled he felt free to join in any enterprise suggested by Capt. Allen. Opportunity beckoned from the other end of the world at the newly founded colony of South Australia and in 1838 the two captains decided to investigate prospects there.

In due course the two captains arrived on March 21, 1839, in what was then considered luxury, aboard the "Buckinghamshire" of 1468 tons, commanded by Capt. Thomson. Having agreed to become partners in whatever venture was decided upon, they had purchased their first land by the following October. This was 2000 acres at Port Gawler. The sale was registered on 25 Oct 1839. The previous owner was George Milner Stephen, a son-in-law of Governor Hindmarsh, and in his absence, Acting Governor. This land was known as the Milner Estate. Stephen was intent on making a fortune and speculating in land. He advertised in May 1839 that a 4 ton schooner rigged deck sailing vessel plied from Pt. Adelaide every Wednesday and Saturday by George Prince, to the Gawler River ‎(it was also referred to as the Para)‎, to visit the Milner Estate which was for sale. This would have been the mode of conveyances for William Allen, his nephew Allen Wilson and Captain Ellis. Stephen had paid 400 pounds for 4000 acres. He charged the captains 10,000 pounds for their 2000 acres When they discovered that they should not have paid more than one pound per acre they were naturally infuriated.

Presently a court case ensued. Published accounts stated that the captains purchased two thirds of the Milner Estate. However it was their misfortune in thus being cheated and there was no reparation. The partners added considerably to their holding in this area until they owned in excess of 17,000 acres and 2 miles of water frontage ‎(of the river)‎. There were to be eventually 6 houses on this land and the first, and no doubt a very simple one, was on an eminence overlooking the river. It was built of English bricks used as ballast in the two ships owned by Captain Ellis and used to bring out stock, household furnishing etc. Captain Ellis remarried Susannah, the eldest daughter of Governor Sir John Hindmarsh ‎(and had further family)‎.

William was living in a house on East Terrace, leased from H. Dutton. It adjoined the grounds of the newly built and splendid Ayres House that faced ‎(and still does)‎ North Terrace where lived his friend, lawyer, and managing executor of his estate. This was Henry ‎(later Sir Henry)‎ Ayres Premier of South Australia and after whom Ayres Rock ‎(Uluru)‎ was named. William had a housekeeper, Mary Moore and one maid servant. He died suddenly at his residence on the evening of 16 Oct 1856. He was aged 68 years.