I just bought a house that was owned by John Haldane (born in 1805), he purchased 843 acres in 1852 (I think), he paid 82 pounds and 1 shilling for it. There was a coach house on it, or he built it shortly after I guess.
In about 1870 a house was built on the property.
In the 1950's the house and coachhouse were joined together, and that is what we have now bought. we move in in August 2015.
We started to do a bit of research on the Haldanes, and discovered an interesting case of Haldane v McEwen, where Haldane was suing McEwen for 100 pounds for the loss of services that were provided by Haldanes daughter (a widow by then), Elizabeth Potts. Mr McEwen was accused of getting Elizabeth pregnant (from our research, we don't know if it was a consensual sexual relationship... possibly for money... or if it was non-consenual). Apparently she was ill throughout the pregnancy and for some time after (the baby boy only lived 8 days). Her father was eventually awarded 30 pounds compensation. Apparently the hearing went for several hours in the Gawler local court and was of great interest to the local community, and at times the crowd was difficult to control!
The house is on Potts Road, in what would have been Gawler Plains.
John Haldane and his wife also owned a farm at Nuriootpa. They had other children as well I think.
Elizabeth Potts passed away at the age of 72 she was "found dead in her bed", having milked 2 cows in the morning, had her dinner and retired for her usual afternoon nap, at that time she was living with her son, John.