CLIFTON, William Pearce — Streets of Bunbury

(1816-1885)

William Pearce Clifton was born on 2 February 1816 in England (reference). Going by his middle name, Pearce, he was known as a farmer, magistrate and skilled photographer (reference). His 1860s photography of Fremantle is considered some of the best for that town and time (reference).

Pearce was the fourth child of Marshall Waller Clifton and his wife Elinor Bell Clifton (reference). Pearce arrived in Western Australia aboard the Trusty on 18 March 1841 when he was 25 years old with his parents and siblings (reference). His father, Marshall Waller Clifton, was the Chief Commissioner of the Western Australian Company that headed the failed Australind venture. Pearce married Annette Josephine Gaudin (1816-1871) on 3 January 1844, the widow of surveyor John Gaudin (reference; reference). Annette’s father was Reverend G W huet of England. The couple established the Ringwood farm in Australind (reference). After the failure of the Australind settlement, Pearce was appointed as the Western Australian Company's agent to sell the remaining land as the Company was in liquidation on 25 November 1843 (reference).

Government House 1863 - likely Pearce is W Clifton
Photo courtesy of the State Library of Western Australia BA1392

Pearce met the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Alfred, on 25 September 1867 in Fremantle (reference). Over a year later, the prince and Pearce were corresponding by letters (reference).

Annette sadly passed away on 8 November 1871. The couple had no children (reference). While alive, Annette was also involved in the Bunbury community by helping out St Paul's Church (reference). Pearce married for the second time to Amy Symmons on 10 November 1874. Together they had three children, Edith Ellen Clifton (1878-1963), Robert Symmons Clifton (1879-1942) and Brenda Clifton Johnston (1883-1963) (reference; reference; reference). On 27 November 1881 Pearce and Amy visited the eastern colonies on the ship, Otway.

In 1885 Pearce became unwell but continued to work for the community until his death on 1 May 1885 in Bunbury (reference; reference).

Croquet in the Perth Public Gardens July 1864
Pearce is one of the gentlemen pictured.
Photo courtesy of the State Library of Western Australia slwa_b3384253_1

Pearce's first business venture in Australia was unsuccessful. The company Clifton & Plowes of Australind, run by Pearce and George Plowes, was dissolved on 16 May 1842 (reference). Despite the early failure, Pearce also began one of Australia's first businesses with Scott Andrew Stirling, establishing an Australind and Bunbury branch of a General Merchants, Land and Commission Agents under the firm of Clifton, Stirling and Co in June 1842 (reference). Unlike his first venture, this one was a success and featured many times in the local papers (reference; reference; reference).

Pearce also became involved in the early timber business (reference). In 1847 Pearce was part of a party in charge of clearing tracks for sandalwooders from Williams. In 1854 he supplied one thousand loads of wood to Adelaide city and port (reference).

Over the years, he had his hand in many of the ongoing events around Bunbury, such as attending public meetings and becoming Justice of the Peace in September 1846 (reference; reference; reference; reference). His house, Leschenault Homestead, was built in 1846 from weatherboards and wattle and daub (reference). His house was a social hub for those living in Bunbury and used for entertainment and as a base for the local hunting club (reference). He also employed thirty two ticket of leave men between 1863 and 1875. In 1870 he became the Resident Magistrate of Bunbury. He was also a member of the Church of England.