horses other livestock along with plants, fruit-tree cuttings and seeds. In his time in Australia, he pioneered farming methods suitable to that difficult terrain and climate. Spencer died at his residence on 24 July 1839. His two oldest living sons died in tragic accidents shortly after their father's death. Family Sir Richard Spencer (9 December 1779 – 24 July 1839) married Ann Warden Liddon (1795 – 19 July 1855). Their family included: Hugh Seymour Spencer (13 May 1815 – 5 March 1840) drowned along with Princess Royal harbourmaster John Lawrence Morley as the result of a boating accident. Mary Ann (Marianne?) Spencer (c. 1816 – 24 August 1886) married Arthur Trimmer on 18 April 1836 Edward May Spencer (c. 1819 – 4 September 1869) committed suicide by gunshot Augusta Spencer (10 May 1821 – 14 November 1871) married George Edward Egerton-Warburton (25 March 1819 – 20 March 1889) on 23 November 1842 in Albany. George was a brother of Peter Egerton-Warburton. Elizabeth Lucy "Eliza" Spencer (1823 – 4 September 1898) married Sir George Grey on 2 November 1839 Horatio William Spencer (1824 – November 1839) killed, along with servant William McKath, when falling tree crushed their house. Joseph Spencer (1829 – 1 January 1891) Richard Augustus Spencer (1831 – 31 October 1890) Post script Spencer's home, built in 1831, was called The Old Farm and was located at Strawberry Hill in the current Albany suburb of Mira Mar. He and his family took ownership in 1833. It is now preserved by the National Trust of Australia. The Old Farm at Strawberry Hill has exceptional national and state cultural significance as it was the first farm in the state of Western Australia, about being developed by the officers of the military settlement of King George's Sound. Vegetables were grown there for the survival of the soldiers and then the early settlers. A cottage was constructed by Dr Alexander Collie, the first Government Resident, for a visit by Governor Stirling in 1831. It was extended in 1836 by Richard Spencer. Footnotes Notes Citations References Chessell, Gwen S. J. (2005) Richard Spencer: Napoleonic war naval hero and Australian pioneer. (Charles and Joy Staples South West Region Publications Fund; UWA Publishing). History of ships of the Royal Navy Naval history National Trusts of Australia - history of The Old Farm, Strawberry Hill Exploration of Spencer Gulf 1779 births 1839 deaths Royal Navy officers Settlers