Thomas Lipson

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Thomas Lipson was born in 1784 at Dartmouth, Devon.^2,1 He was baptised at St. Petrox on Sunday, 3 October 1784 at Dartmouth, Devon.^3,1 At the early age of 10 years he entered the Navy as first-class volunteer on board the "Windsor Castle" of 98 guns, captained by Sir T. Byard, with whom he served at the reduction of Corsica. 1797 he served in the Bedford, a ship of 74 guns at the action off Camperdown; in 1798, in the "Foudroyant" with 80 guns at the captures of the French squadron destined for the invasion of Ireland.

24 January 1808 he was nominated acting Lieutenant of the "Sabrina". He was officially promoted June 2, 1809, and in 1810 was made Senior Lieutenant of the "Bonne Citoyenne", a corvette, on the South American station. Lipson was awarded a medal and two clasps for general actions during the war.

Thomas Lipson married Elizabeth Emma Fooks, daughter of William Fooks and Ann Williams MacKenzie, on Thursday, 30 July 1812 at Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset.^1,4 Thomas Lipson was promoted to Commander on 4 March 1819.⁵ As of circa 1830, his rank was Captain.¹

Thomas and his wife Elizabeth emigrated with their six children from England on 20 March 1836 on the Cygnet. The Cygnet stoped in Rio de Janeiro for cuddy stores.^1,6 Thomas and his wife Elizabeth arrived at South Australia on 11 September 1836. The family spent 4 months on Kangaroo Island before moving to Port Adelaide on 6th January 1837.^1,6
Upon arrival in the new colony Captain Thomas Lipson was appointed by Govenor Hindmarsh as South Australia’s first naval officer, its first collector of customs, and harbour master of Port Adelaide. He exercised virtually single-handed control over shipping and harbour improvements. He was known as an extremely conscientious official.^1,7 Thomas lived in 1838 at Currie Street, in Adelaide. The Lipson's first house overlooked the wharf. Later, in 1838, a house was erected.⁷ The South Australian Gazette and Colonial Register, August 18 1838, p 2 reports on the Bachelors' Ball at which Captain Lipson, Mrs Elizabeth Lipson and daughters are listed as attending. It is also mentioned that one of the ball stewards was a Mr Allen. Could this possibly have been John Allan, Eliza's future husband? The ball was held to celebrate the anniversary of the passing of the Act of Parliament constituting the province.⁷ The latter office he resigned in 1840 when he retired on a life pension. Several valuable surveys of the South Australian coast were made by him, and duly acknowledge by the Home Government. 1856 Commander Lipson was promoted to a Post-Captaincy on the Retired List. In his official as well as his private life, he was universally respected and beloved, and it had been remarked that he never made an enemy.

On his retirement from office, a handsome silver tea service, which was subscribed for by persons resident or connected with the Port, was presented to him as a token of the esteem in which he was held, and also as a recognition of the arduous duties which he had to perform connected with the shipping interests in the early days of the colony.

Thomas died on 25 October 1863.¹

Thomas was lauded in his obituary on 27 October 1863:

His body was interred at West Terrace Cemetery at Adelaide.⁹

His will was probated 4 March 1864, with his estate being awarded to Elizabeth Emma Fooks through Frederick Pike of Charing Cross, Navy Agent, her lawful attorney. His effects were valued as less than £600.⁹