Lot 2874

Description

Van Diemen's Land, Hobart Town, Bill of Exchange on printed form, No 6289 for £100 exchange at one & a half pt.ct. prem in British silver Commissariat Office, Hobart Town 10 Feby 18(36), the third of exchange to S. Adey, signed by A.Moodie to the Right Honourable the Lords Commisioners of His Majesty's Treasury, Whitehall, London endorsed by H.L. Darling D.W. Accts 11/2/36 to bottom left; imprint S. Clayton Sculpt, J Whatman 1832 watermarked paper; endorsed on back S. Adey. Top right margin piece torn away otherwise nearly very fine and very rare, similar to but not identical with the Butler Bill (sale 75, lot 2956, figure 2, premium note has been added to the printing plate).

Ex W.J.D. Mira Collection. Stephen Adey (1781-1860). Disembarked from the 'Cape Packet' in March 1826. He had been engaged by the Van Diemen's Land Company as a superintendent of its land and livestock interests. In 1827 he received a grant of 2,000 acres which he proceeded to develop. In 1828 Adey obtained the position of Cashier of the Derwent Bank and became a significant share holder. Adey prospered. In 1837 he sold up his landed and entrepreneurial interests, returning to England the same year. His successor in the Derwent Bank was Charles Swanston. In England Adey became Agent for the Bank. Adey died in 1860 leaving an estate of 25,000 pounds which was divided amongst his eight children.