Abraham Hopkins Davis


Anthony Hopkins Davis was a businessman and horticulturist in the early days of the Colony of South Australia.

History

He was elected an alderman on the first Adelaide City Council, which was disbanded in 1843 as unaffordable.
In 1849, he supported representative government, and denounced attempts to establish a peerage, whether life or hereditary. He stood for West Torrens at the first elections for the unicameral South Australian Legislative Council in 1851, but was defeated by Charles Simeon Hare, by a majority of two. He never again stood for public office, but was for some years Chairman of the District Council of West Torrens. His political views then changed remarkably – in 1853 he supported, in letters under the signature of "Vigil", the conservative view of an upper house appointed for life. He expounded these views in the journal Thursday Review he edited in 1859. He frequently aired his views in "Letters to the Editor". His obituary noted that "... though in his writings he displayed some want of respect for the opinions of others, and although many complained of a bitterness of manner in dealing with political questions and political men, all acknowledged his sincerity, and respected his never-failing moral courage... and who, in his various public positions, displayed the qualities of an able man and a good citizen."

Family

Abraham Hopkins Davis was married to Mary Davis. Their children who emigrated were:
He married a second time, to Harriet Williams on 8 May 1848. Her mother died at Moore Farm on 21 May 1849.