Person:Thomas Hart (48)

The bible given to Thomas Rusher by his uncle, James Rusher in Ranton, Stafford, England, is held by his Great Grandson, descendant of Sophia Emma, which states that Thomas Rusher was born in Weeds Basin, State of New York, United States of America.

1839 - Thomas sailed on the Sir CHARLES FORBES of 363 tons (a 3 mast ship of 104' in length , 28' 5" in breadth and 6' 'tween decks) leaving Liverpool on 23rd January 1839 and arrived in South Australia on 7th June 1839 at the age of 18 years and 3 months. (See the diary of the voyage in the S.A. Archives.) His family, i.e. his parents and six siblings, arrived on the LADY LILFORD on 27th September 1839 - three months later.

1846-1858 - On 27 May 1846, Thomas made his first land purchase when he was aged 25 years) at sect 697 survey B 82 acres and cost £82 ($164). His occupation was shopman and his address was ADELAIDE. There followed another five land transactions till 1851. In these his occupation was stated as townsman, GAWLER; shopman, KAPUNDA; Storekeeper, KAPUNDA. After 11 more transactions he built the first store in HAMILTON on an acre leased from a John Saunders in November 1858 (when he was aged 37 years).

1851 - Letter from Thomas Rusher HART to SA Government, File 24-6 3172: Kapunda 20th October 1851, The Magistrate of the Local Court, Kapunda. Gentlemen, Perceiving by the "Gazette" that his Excellency has been pleased to accept the resignation of the clerk of your court. I therefore beg to offer my services to you in that capacity. I am sirs, Your Most Obedient Servant, Thos Rusher Hart.

1851 - Letter from Thomas Rusher HART to SA Government File 24-6 3313: Kapunda 31st October 1851. Sir, Your communication of the 28th inst No 2379 I duly received. You state therein I shall be required for the due fulfilment of my duties as clerk of the local court at Kapunda and wishing me to submit the names of my intended sureties for the approval of the Lieutn Governor. I therefore beg to submit the names of the following gentlemen as my sureties: Mr William Bright Lucas, Storekeeper, Kapunda; Rev Mr William Aldham, [ditto]. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, Thos Rusher Hart, To the Hon the Colonial Secretary, Adelaide.

1861 - In September 1861 (aged 40 years) he sold the store to GEORGE MUGG for £100 and moved to Kadina. He built the first store in WALLAROO MINES about 1 mile from KADINA. He donated the land on which the WALLAROO MINES CHURCH (METHODIST) stood (it is now (Jan 1996) a car park for the Primary School but the Manse still stands).

1872-1873 - On 27th of March 1872 (aged 51 years) he was declared bankrupt but his assets must have covered his liabilities as he was later appointed Clerk of Courts in WALLAROO & KADINA and is listed in the State Directory in 1873 & '74.

1874 - Thomas was buried in the Kadina cemetery old section in the same grave as his married daughter, Lucy Ellen SULLIVAN and his baby grandson Edgar in the Kadina cemetery, row 28 plot 82. His grave has no marker to indicate it. Plot 83 is unoccupied, left for his widow Cecelia, but she remarried to Christopher Lucas SHARPLES, died in Adelaide in 1908 and is buried in a pauper's grave in the Dudley Park cemetery.

The Yorke Peninsula Advertiser & Miner's news Friday 27th of November, 1874: "Death. HART - At Kadina, on Tuesday, November 24, Thomas Rusher Hart, eldest son of John Hart, Clarendon; aged 53 years. A colonist of 35 years. Adelaide and Melbourne papers please copy."

Obituary of Thomas Rusher HART in the 'Wallaroo Times' newspaper of 2 December 1874: "We regret to have to announce the death in Kadina at half past 2 o'clock on the 24th of Mr T. R. HART, formerly carrying on business in that place & for twelve months past occupying the position of Clerk of Courts for Wallaroo & Kadina. Mr Hart was an old & respected resident of the Peninsula & his quiet unobtrusive manner as well as assiduity in every thing he undertook made him many friends. It is believed that business anxieties while resident in KADINA must have had a serious & lasting effect upon Mr Hart's health, for some months back he appeared to have difficulty in collecting his thoughts or seemed preoccupied when spoke to. This peculiarity became more noticeable some weeks ago when it became evident that brain disease had set in and he was induced to relinquish his court duties. Paralysis of one side speedily followed his retirement. After slight but temporary improvements, Mr Hart's condition became hopeless. Delirium set in and death occurred as described. Mr Hart was a married man with a family."