Kudnarto, first South Australian Aboriginal woman to wed colonist in 1848, granted land reserve; later reversed

Section 364 of 81 acres on Skylligolee (Skillogalee) Creek near Auburn in the Clare Valley was granted to Kudnarto, the first Aboriginal women to marry a European colonist in South Australia, in 1848. The land was denied as an ineritance to her two sons. Kudnarto's ancestors included educator and author Lewis O'Brian adn Australian rules footballer Michael O'Loughlin (bottom right).
Images courtesy Mark Smith/Flicker; Wakefield Press, AAP.

Kudnarto, a Kaurna and Ngadjuri Aboriginal woman, was the first to legally marry a European colonist in South Australia and became the first Aboriginal woman granted Aboriginal reserve land.  But, when she died in her early twenties, her husband and two sons lost the right to occupy the reserve land at Section 346 in the Clare Valley.

Kudnarto was born in the early 1830s near Crystal Brook in South Australia’s mid north. She may have received some education in English on colonists’ properties where her family lived and worked.  At about 14, Kudnarto met Thomas Adams and began living with him. Twenty years her senior, he worked as a shepherd on Peter Fergusson’s property near Crystal Brook.

In 1847, Adams gave notice of intending to marry Kudnarto and gained permission from Aborigines protector Matthew Moorhouse. Before their marriage, Adams had arranged for Kudnarto to attend the Native School Establishment in Adelaide “for the purpose of … initiation into the arts of domestic life”. She learned to read and write English within three months, making her more educated than her husband.

Kudnarto and Adams were married in 1848 at the registry office, Adelaide, with Moorhouse giving the bride away Widespread newspaper reports on the “extraordinary” wedding focussed on Kudnarto”s appearance and demeanour: ‘Her dress during the ceremony was a neat gown and low boots. She wore no bonnet, but her hair was carefully dressed; her whole appearance denoted cleanliness and comfort” (The South Australian).  After her marriage, Kudnarto became known as Mary Ann Adams.

In February 1848, Kudnarto’s husband requested a Section 364 of 81 acres on Skylligolee (Skillogalee) Creek near Auburn in the Clare Valley. Moorhouse gave support and on the condition that Kudnarto occupy and use the land. In 1849, Kudnarto gave birth to a son, Thomas (junior), and Adams to enquired whether their child would inherit the land when Kudnarto died. The crown lands commissioner said “there might be a renewal in favour of her children in case of her death”

Kudnarto was witness, giving clear evidence like  a “‘white woman of her class”, in the 1850 trial of shepherd James Yates who was convicted and executed for the murdering military pensioner and hut keeper John Mansforth.

Kudnarto’s second child, Timothy, was born in 1852. Adams unlawfully leased Kudnarto’s land while he sought work on other properties. When Kudnarto died suddenly in 1855, her husband and children lost the right to occupy Section 346.. Unable to look after Thomas (junior) and Timothy, Adams took them to Poonindie Mission, near Port Lincoln. Both became excellent shearers and ploughers and played in the Poonindie cricket team.

Kudnarto’s sons lodged many claims between the 1860s and 1880s for their land at Skillogalee Creek, with help their father who remained in the Port Lincoln district. They also applied, unsuccessfully, for sections of farm land at Poonindie. After many disputes over land with Poonindie supeintendent J. D. Bruce, the brothers moved their families to Point Pearce Mission Station, Yorke Peninsula, in 1888.

Kudnarto’s eldest grandchild, William Adams, gave evidence at the 1913 Aboriginal royal commission in South Australia. Another grandson, Charlie Adams, continued g claims to Section 346 until he died in 1949. Many prominent Kaurna community members were descended from Kudnarto, including community leaders Gladys Elphick, Doris May Graham, soldier Timothy Hughes; educator and author Lewis O’Brien, health worker Josie Agius; historian Ali Abdullah-Highfold and Australian rules footballers Cecil Graham, Michael O’Loughlin and Chad Wingard.