James Lethbridge Templer (1811-1845)

James was born in Dorset, England in 1811 and entered the East India Company in 1828. A decade later he left the company and sailed to Australia – a country he was destined to never leave.¹ James became a farmer in Sydney, but spent most of his leisure time at Tahlee House, the original headquarters of the Australian Agricultural Company (AACo). His uncle was Admiral Phillip Parker King, Commissioner of the AACo and his Aunt Harriett was his mother’s younger sister.²

James was a prolific poet and talented artist. Inspired by his meeting with artist Conrad Martens, James painted the AACo’s thoroughbred horses stabled at Alderley House. He also kept a diary 1839-1842 of his time at Tahlee. His writings give a special insight into early colonial life of NSW’s MidCoast. Both his diary and paintings are held at the State Library of NSW.³

While at Tahlee, James formed a special bond with his little cousin Elizabeth King. She recalled her childhood fear of the dark and how James would comfort her with delightful stories and poems. “I would almost sooner have suffocated myself under the bed clothes than disappoint him by crying again. I think of him now as one of the dearest friends of my childhood.”⁴

On 14 August 1845, James was returning from a party with two friends when his horse took off in fright. He was found dead the following afternoon – his horse having dashed him against a tree. He was buried in the King Family Vault at St Mary Magdalene Anglican churchyard, Penrith, aged 33 years.⁵

In tribute to his brother, John Charles Templer edited and published a book of James’ poetry. A copy of which is held in the National Library of Australia.⁶

Author: Janine Roberts