On Saturday 3rd April 1852 Thomas married Anne MILLARD in the South Brent Parish Church. The ceremony was performed by J.H.STEPHENSON, rector of the nearby parish of Lympsham and witnessed by Thomas's sister Anne and his wife's brother Thomas. The daughter of Thomas MILLARD and the former Mary ROUSEWELL of South Brent, Anne MILLARD had been born on Friday 14th July 1826. Her father was an ex agricultural labourer who had managed to establish himself as a common carrier and his wife as a grocer. In these fields they obviously prospered as they were able to provide for their childrens education. Anne MILLARD bears witness to this, she being able to sign her full name in the marriage registers. Her husband could only sign as a "Marksman". Thomas EDWARDS never forgot his early life's disadvantages and in later years stated his thorough support for compulsory education.

Thomas and Annes first child was a boy born at East Brent on Tuesday 5th April 1853 and baptised Henry EDWARDS on Sunday 1st May 1853 in the local church. Although no records have yet been found, this child is assumed to have died in infancy, Thomas and Anne's fourth child born in 1860 being named Henry in remembrance.

They purchased passage on the "T.E.BOYD", a Clipper Barque of 277 tons. They boarded this ship on 10th October 1863, however, they didn't sail until the 13th. Although keen to be underway, these few days in port would have been useful to Thomas and his family while they became accustomed to shipboard life. The "T.E.BOYD" was only a small ship and the family would quickly have become acquainted with everyone on board. Besides the Master and crew there were only 4 other passengers, Misses Clemantine FREANE and Miss M FULLER in the cabin and two single men in the steerage.The "T.E.BOYD" arrived in Hobson's Bay, off Melbourne in the evening of 17th January 1864, 97 days out from Bristol. No doubt eager to be ashore, Thomas's family had to wait until the following day when they could be lightered to the wharf. The "T.E.BOYD", with Melbourne as its base would sail on further voyages to ports such as Adelaide, Java, Valparaiso and San Francisco in search of cargoes. In 1866 bound for Melbourne with a cargo of tea, the ship struck a rock and sank off the chinese coast. The Master and crew saved themselves but suffered the indignity of being stripped of most of their clothes and possessions by the local inhabitants.

Thomas and Anne EDWARDS with their four children were settled in South Australia within a few months of their landing at Melbourne, presumably having made their way overland. For several years Thomas found employment on various farms. At one stage he was working as a teamster at Long Gully near Auburn.

By the birth of his 7th child, Annie Jane in 1867, Thomas was working as a labourer at Port Wakefield. No doubt he had ample opportunity to consider the farming possibilities of the land around the nearby Hummocks. With the birth of his final child, Isaac in 1869, Thomas had commenced farming in the Hummocks area.

In August 1871 Thomas purchased 157 acres (sections 66 & 67) in the Hundred of Kulpara at Government auction for 212 pounds. To enable the purchase, a mortgage of 120 pounds was taken out with Josiah HUNT, farmer of Salisbury. This mortgage was repaid on 3rd march 1876. Early in March 1874 section 183 of 80 acres in the Hundred of Kulpara was purchased from Robert STUCKEY, gentleman of Adelaide for 180 pounds. It was on this section that Thomas built his homestead. In August 1877 Thomas purchased the adjoining sections 64 & 65 from Charles JOHNSTONE for 973 pounds. To enable this purchase he took out a mortgage of this amount with Robert STUCKEY which was subsequently repaid by 1882. Further sections of land were purchased until his holding was approximately 1000 acres. On this property wheat was grown and later sheep were grazed, Thomas having about 300 at the time of his death. The homestead had a house cow & heifer.

In 1875 Thomas, along with some of his neighbours, had been granted 1 acre of land at Kulpara. On this block the education department erected a government school (with teachers residence attached) which was opened in January 1877. Thomas's family never attended this school, however, they could all read and write quite well, obviously having received at least some education at home. At this time farm labourers were scarce in the district and Thomas's growing family would have been invaluable to him in establishing the farm.

In 1878 Thomas and his son Joseph signed a Memorial to the government for the formation of the council of the district of Kulpara.

Another early settler at Kulpara was Anne's nephew, John MILLARD, who had arrived in South Australia in 1866. He purchased land at the South Hummocks in 1869 and established a successful farm "Hillside". Both John MILLARD and his wife, Charlotte COOMBS were from South Brent and no doubt many happy hours were spent with Thomas EDWARDS and his family reminiscing over old times. Other Millards to come to S.A. from Somerset were Jesse MILLARD 1831-1913 of Georgetown, Joseph MILLARD 1846-1900 of Yongala, Thomas MILLARD 1853-1914 of Napperby, and Simon MILLARD 1858-1904 of Salisbury.

Thomas EDWARDS and his wife were to die within 12 months of each other in 1897 and 1898 respectively.

Newspaper Extract - Chronicle 14 August 1897 page 16

BURNING FATALITY KULPARA 12-8-1897

One of the oldest residents of Kulpara, Mr T Edwards, fell into a fire at the Kulpara hotel, on August 5, and was so severely burned on the lower part of the back and thighs that he died yesterday morning in spite of all that medical aid could do to save him. The deceased was left in a room by himself, and is supposed to have stumbled and fallen into the fire. His injuries were of a dreadful nature. The landlord and another neighbour were outside the hotel when the deceased walked out with his garments on fire. Those present at once took in the situation and freed the unfortunate man from his terrible position. The funeral took place today, when a large cortage followed the remains to the Kulpara cemetery. The deceased who was much respected, leaves a widow and five sons and two daughters, all grown up. That an inquest was not held is the subject of much comment.

Newspaper Extract - Kadina & Wallaroo Times 30 July 1898

MELTON July 28th

Mrs Edwards, wife of the late T.Edwards, Kulpara, died on Wednesday last and was interred in the Kulpara cemetery on Thursday in the presence of a large circle of Friends and Acquaintances, which would have been larger were it not for the forced detention of many through influenza, which has been much in evidence in this locality for some time past. The deceased lady had reached the age of 73, and was highly respected. She was a great sufferer for some years although bronchitis was the direct cause of death. Mrs Edwards left a numerous family of grown up sons and daughters.

Parents: Isaac EDWARDS and Elizabeth MARTIN.

Spouse: Anne MILLARD. Anne MILLARD and Thomas EDWARDS were married on 3 April 1852 in South Brent, Somerset (C). Children were: Henry EDWARDS, Joseph Millard EDWARDS, William EDWARDS, Henry EDWARDS, Mary Elizabeth EDWARDS, Thomas EDWARDS, Annie Jane EDWARDS, Isaac EDWARDS.

On 21st October 1891 Thomas married Florence Jane FRICKER in the Port Wakefield Wesleyan Church. The ceremony was performed by Rev J.H. GOSS and witnessed by Albert Edward James HOPGOOD and Florence's sister Alice. The eldest daughter of the late Albert and Mrs Jane FRICKER nee WAKE (refer Spouse Notes), Florence was born at Port Wakefield on 6th September 1869.

Thomas first started his farming career at Kulpara but later bought land in the hundred of Wokurna until his farm totalled 2587 acres.

Thomas was a lover of horses and bred several prize winners. He had about 50 working horses and his son Hurtle recounted that "they were the best".

Thomas was a man of strict integrity and was held in high esteem.

He was a very good farmer and worked the paddocks on a rotation system, one year fallow, next year crop and the third year lay ground. In the year of the big 1914 drought he still cut hay and even sold wheat although the property was outside Goyders Line.

In 1917 Thomas's barn was used as a dining room for over 100 guests for the marriage of his daughter Olive.

In the early 1920's the farm was obviously doing well as a type of carnival/fair was held at Thomas's homestead, the main attraction being the 5 cars owned by Thomas and his sons.

In 1924 Thomas allowed a fancy dress ball to be held in his barn as a fundraiser for the Lincolnfields Football Club. Later that year Thomas retired from active farming and divided the farm property between his sons.

In his latter years Thomas suffered from Sugar Diabetes. On 8th October 1926 after suffering from Broncho Pneumonia, Thomas passed away in the Port Broughton Hospital at the age of 61. His remains were laid to rest in the Port Broughton Cemetery.

In 1929 Florence moved to a house at 57 Forster Street Kadina which had been purchased for her by her sons. Here she lived for many years with her daughter Hilda.

For a farmer's wife Florence kept very unusual hours. It would be 11 am before she would rise in the morning. The boys would have a small tea at 5-30 pm when they came in from the paddocks and then at 10-30 pm dinner was served. Whilst the family waited for their dinner, horses were fed and the boys had a sleep. These hours were still kept when Florence and Hilda moved into Kadina. In later years at family gatherings the daughters-in-law cooked the meals which were sat down at an earlier hour.

Florence felt she spoiled her grandchildren when they visited her at Kadina by giving them homemade boiled sweets and homemade raspberry drinks, the water coled in a bag safe with water being fed down the sides.

Florence died on 2nd October 1947 at the age of 78 and her remains were laid to rest in the Port Broughton Cemetery.

Parents: Thomas EDWARDS and Anne MILLARD.

Spouse: Florence Jane FRICKER. Florence Jane FRICKER and Thomas EDWARDS were married on 21 October 1891 in Port Wakefield S Australia. Children were: Earl Thomas EDWARDS, Hilda Alice Ann EDWARDS, Olive Jane EDWARDS, Ruby Ethel EDWARDS, Hurtle EDWARDS, Ern EDWARDS, Roy EDWARDS.

Parents: Isaac EDWARDS and Elizabeth MARTIN.

Parents: Thomas EDWARDS and Anne MILLARD.

Spouse: Jessie May HUETT. Jessie May HUETT and William Alfred EDWARDS were married on 5 October 1903 in Carterton New Zealand. Children were: ?? EDWARDS.

Spouse: Emma PAYNES. Emma PAYNES and William Martin EDWARDS lived in Mark Som. about 1865. They were married on 17 October 1865 in Mark Som.. Children were: Fanny Georgiana EDWARDS, David EDWARDS, Lucy Martin EDWARDS, Jonathan Thomas EDWARDS.

Spouse: Ralph EGERTON. Elizabeth EGERTON and Ralph EGERTON were married.

Spouse: Elizabeth EGERTON. Elizabeth EGERTON and Ralph EGERTON were married.

Spouse: Dorcas F Hagen DAY. Dorcas F Hagen DAY and George Walter EGLINTON were married in 1888.²⁶⁹ Children were: Dorcas EGLINTON, John Henry Cecil EGLINTON, George Hagen EGLINTON.

Spouse: Isiack SAVAGE.

Children were: Rev. William Towry LAW.

Spouse: Marlene Alma HUETT. Children were: Duane Royce ELLERY, Jason Craig ELLERY, Rosemary ELLERY.

Spouse: Ann . Children were: Anne ELLOT "of Morley", James ELLIOT, joseph ELLIOT, Mary ELLIOT.

Spouse: Alice SANDALL.

Spouse: John BULGIN. Agnes ELLIS and John BULGIN were married in August 1569 in East Brent, Somerset, England.

Spouse: Joyce SANDERS. Joyce SANDERS and Peter ELLIS were married. Children were: Stephen John ELLIS.

Spouse: Kelly-ann FOWLER. Kelly-ann FOWLER and Stephen John ELLIS were married on 4 March 1995 in New Plymouth.³⁰⁹ Children were: Benjamin Scott ELLIS, Brianna Elizabeth ELLIS.

Spouse: Bruce Robert CALKIN. Julie ELLISON and Bruce Robert CALKIN were married on 6 February 1995 in Whakatane. Children were: Joshua David CALKIN.

Spouse: Samuel WOOD. Anne ELLOT "of Morley" and Samuel WOOD were married on 13 January 1812 in Swarkestone, Derbys.¹ Children were: Jane WOOD, Mary WOOD, John WOOD, Thomas WOOD, Samuel WOOD, William WOOD, Joseph WOOD.

Children were: Reginald ELMES, Gertrude ELMES, Harold ELMES, Arthur ELMES.