The Adelphi - site

Statement of Significance

The Adelphi (site and memorial) is of significance: • As one of the earliest settlement sites in the south-west of Western Australia. • For its associations with the Bussell Brothers, pioneer settlers in Augusta, Margaret River and the Vasse. • As a community memorial to a site associated with the original colonial settlement of the Augusta region.

Physical Description

A random stone memorial cairn, accessed via a walking track off Clarke Drive, is the only visible feature of this site.A brass plaque on the cairn records the following information: It was on this site in 1831 that the Bussell Brothers, John, Charles, Vernon and Alfred, built their second home – a group of six separate rooms or dwellings which they named “The Adelphi’ signifying the brothers.The destruction of the main building by fire on the night of 5 November 1833, with much loss, brought about the return of the family to Augusta and hastened their subsequent departure to the Vasse. It is possible that some archaeological evidence of features such as theoriginal well may remain.

History

John, Charles, Vernon and Alfred Bussell arrived in Western Australia in 1830, and built their first house, ‘Dachet’, in the newly formed settlement of Augusta.‘The Adelphi’, a name that means ‘brothers’, was the second home built by the Bussells on the banks of the Blackwood River, approximately 19km upstream from Augusta. The Bussell Brothers had rowed up river from Augusta in 1831 and claimed 40 acres [approx. 16ha], which was later extended to 2000 acres. Without wasting any time the brothers erected their first hut in three weeks, raised a post and rail fence of jarrah across the half-kilometre wide neck of their peninsula, dug a well, made paths through the bush, and then extended their cottage into a four bedroom house with a drawing room and kitchen. John Bussell built a separate cottage for himself and his library.In April 1833, their siblings Fanny, Bessie and Lennox Bussell arrived at Augusta. Fanny stayed at ‘Dachet’ in Augusta with Charles, and Bessie and Lennox settled in the ‘Adelphi’ to help Alfred, John and Vernon, along with two servants Emma and Phoebe.On Guy Fawkes Day, 5th November 1833, a fire began in the kitchen chimney of this house and it burnt down and was abandoned. William Lines in ‘An All Consuming Passion’, gives a good account of the fire and what was saved from the flames:Bessie rushed in to save the encyclopaedias, while Lennox and Alfred pulled out the piano, tables and chairs and medicine chest. All the bibles and editors of Byron were saved. Emma Mould cleared everything out of the kitchen….As flames tore across the rush roofs, Emma, Bessie and Lennox tossed out bedding and clothes, and Alfred ripped out the window – with their precious glass – but could not save the doors. Lennox through the gunpowder into the bush and saved the silver mirror and sheet music. They salvaged much but lost shoes, clothes, books, sewing material, tools, building materials and their commitment to homesteading on Blackwood.The Bussells then returned to Augusta before relocating to the Vasse in 1834.A memorial plaque on a stone cairn was erected on the site by the Augusta Branch of the Royal WA Historical Society in 1971.

Integrity/Authenticity

Historic site – N/A Memorial- High: The original use has been maintained. Historic site – N/A Memorial - High: The original/significant fabric is largely intact.

Condition

Plaque

Uses

Creation Date

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