Rymill brothers


Henry Rymill and Frank Rymill were brothers prominent in business and public service in the 19th century South Australia.
Henry "Harry" Rymill and Francis "Frank" Rymill were born in England, sons of Robert Rymill and Louisa Rymill of Shepperton, and migrated to South Australia, arriving at Port Adelaide in the Caucasian on 1 October 1855. Their company H & F Rymill was a prominent financial institution well into the 20th century. Their families included a number of prominent Adelaide citizens.
Robert, Herbert and Sidney also traded as "Rymill Brothers
"Rymill Brothers" could also refer to the speedboat racing team of Arthur Graham Rymill and Ernest Seymour Rymill – see their notes below.
It could also refer to the partnership of cricketer Jack Westall Rymill and golfer William Seaton Rymill, actually cousins, who ran several sheep and cattle stations.

Henry Rymill

Henry was working as a lawyer's clerk in London when persuaded by brother-in-law J. B. Graham of Prospect to emigrate to the new colony. Despite numerous letters of introduction, he was unable to find congenial employment and finally at the home of Arthur John Baker, he was introduced to Captain Hughes who offered him employment as a gardener at Watervale.
He soon attracted the attention of Henry Ayers, who was looking for a bookkeeper and cashier for the South Australian Mining Association in the Waterhouse Chambers. In 1862 he decided to go into business for himself and was so successful that around 1865 he took his brother Frank into partnership. Aside from this business he became
Henry married Lucy Lockett Baker at Holy Trinity Church, North Terrace on 10 July 1861. Their children included:
The family home was "The Firs", East Terrace, Adelaide, now known as Rymill House, with its frontage on Hutt Street. Henry lived there until his death, and his descendants occupied the house until 1950.
Also on East Terrace was "East View", home of Lucy Rymill's father A. J. Baker.

Frank Rymill

Frank travelled to Adelaide with his brother Henry. His first job in South Australia was as a shepherd at Wallaroo.
Frank later held various Government positions:
  • Clerk of the Police Court
  • Secretary to the Crown Lands Department
  • Chief Corresponding Clerk in the G.P.O.
Other positions he held were:
Around 1865 he went into partnership with brother Henry.

Family of Frank Rymill

Frank married Anna Gall "Annie" Sanders, daughter of William Sanders and Harriet Sanders, at the Unitarian Church, Wakefield Street on 1 October 1868. Their children were:
  • Robert Rymill married Mary Edith Riddoch of Yallum on 13 March 1902. He was owner of Penola Station, and died near Hamilton, Victoria as result of a car crash.
  • Mary Carstairs Rymill married lawyer John Richard Baker, of Glenelg on 14 October 1905
  • Sidney Rymill, of Somerton. He was on the SAJC committee, was associated with Elder, Smith & Co. and a pastoralist on Wirryilka station.
  • Adelaide Louisa Rymill of Mitcham.
  • Hettie Elsie Rymill of Mitcham.
Their home for many years was "Springfield", Mitcham

H. & F. Rymill

Henry and Frank formed a partnership H. & F. Rymill as land agents and financiers around 1863, with offices at Pirie Chambers in Pirie Street.
Much of their fortune was made in 1878 when they purchased from William King for £11,000 the lease on part of the land bounded by Pirie Street, Gawler Place, McHenry Street, part of town acres 169 and 170 purchased by George McHenry in 1837.
In 1879 they helped found a new Stock Exchange with G. Dutton Green as its head, on land known as "King's timber yard" in Pirie Street; they hired Edmund W. Wright to design the new building.
The company prospered, becoming major investors and landholders in their own right. Their properties included Canowie Station and Marra Station.