The Shepherds of Marybank
The Beginning of a South Australian Legacy
Long before Marybank became the garden-filled estate, vineyard and gathering place it is today, it began with one pioneering couple — Thomas and Mary Shepherd.
Their story is one of ambition, adventure, family, and the dreams of early South Australian settlers who helped shape the colony in its formative years.
The Arrival of Thomas Shepherd
The original owner and builder of Marybank Estate was South Australian pioneer Mr Thomas Shepherd Esq.
Thomas Shepherd arrived in South Australia from Scotland aboard the ship Lady Emma on 17 August 1838. He was a gentleman, a wealthy merchant and a successful businessman who arrived in the young colony during a time of great opportunity and growth.
Like many early settlers, Thomas saw potential in South Australia’s future. He quickly became involved in the development of the colony, including becoming a founding member of the Princess Royal Mining Company, and established himself amongst Adelaide’s early business community.
The Story of Mary Murray
The woman who would give Marybank its name was Mary Murray.
Mary was born in Hobart Town in 1820 and was the daughter of Captain Alexander Murray, a Lieutenant and town surveyor of Hobart. Following her father’s death, Mary and her family relocated from Tasmania to Adelaide, arriving aboard the ship Samuel Baker on 27 July 1839.
Just weeks after arriving in Adelaide, Mary married Thomas Shepherd on 6 August 1839 at Holy Trinity Church.
The ceremony was performed by Reverend Charles Beaumont Howard, the first Anglican minister appointed in South Australia.
Their marriage united two families who would become part of the early history of the colony.
A Return to Britain and the Beginning of Marybank
Only a year after their marriage, Thomas and Mary travelled back to Britain aboard the ship Fairlie, travelling via Calcutta, before returning to South Australia with Thomas’s sister Jane aboard the Orissa, arriving on 20 November 1841.
Upon their return, the Shepherds purchased approximately 560 acres of land near Black Hill, land that had previously belonged to Charles William Stuart, a prominent Campbelltown merchant.
It was here, amongst the Adelaide foothills, that the Shepherds created their home and established what would become known as Marybank.
The estate was named in honour of Mary — a lasting reminder of the woman at the heart of this family story.
Building Marybank in 1842
The Marybank homestead was built in 1842, just a few years after Thomas and Mary arrived in South Australia.
The Georgian-style residence reflected the aspirations and lifestyle of a prosperous early colonial family. It was not simply a home; it was a working estate designed to support family life, hospitality and agriculture.
The original house consisted of:
A dining room
Drawing room
Breakfast room
Bathroom
Four bedrooms
Nursery
Cellar
Servant’s offices
The home was surrounded by a veranda and terrace, creating a place designed for both private family life and entertaining guests.
Beyond the house was a collection of working buildings and facilities including:
A four-stall stable
Coach house
Harness room
Poultry yard
Piggery
Dairy
These details give us a glimpse into daily life at Marybank in the 1840s — a self-sufficient estate where family, farming and hospitality were deeply connected.
Family Life at Marybank
Thomas and Mary raised their growing family at Marybank, welcoming five children during their time on the estate.
Marybank was not only their family home but also a place where important family milestones were celebrated. In 1846, Mary’s sister Frances was married at Marybank to Henry Metcalfe, adding another chapter to the property’s early history.
Imagine the gardens, the rooms filled with conversation, and the veranda overlooking the young estate as family and friends gathered to celebrate.
Farewell to Marybank
After years spent establishing their home, raising their family and building their place within the young colony, the Shepherd family decided to leave South Australia.
In December 1852, Marybank was placed on the market, although the sale was unsuccessful.
The property listing provides one of the most fascinating glimpses into the estate’s earliest years, describing not only the grand residence but also the many features that made it a complete country property.
The Shepherds eventually departed for London aboard the ship Brooksby on 16 February 1853, leaving behind the home they had created.
A Legacy That Lives On
Nearly two centuries later, the story of Marybank continues.
The house built by Thomas and Mary Shepherd in 1842 remains at the heart of the estate, carrying the memories of the families who have lived, celebrated and cared for this special place.
Today, Marybank is still a place where gardens are grown, families gather, celebrations are held and new memories are created.
Every wedding, every stay in the old Barn Loft, every walk through the gardens and every bottle of wine produced from the vineyard adds another layer to a story that began with a Scottish merchant, a Tasmanian-born bride, and a dream they created together in the Adelaide foothills.
Marybank is not just a historic property.
It is a living legacy.
