His next venture was into real estate, with housing in Woodville; successful enough to donate land for the Anglican Church.

[1] He was heavily involved around 1849 in the foundation of St. Peter's College, a cause that was close to his heart the rest of his life - the "Letters" page of the South Australian Register frequently bore his missives complaining of mis-management or lack of vision.

[2] He stood successfully in 1855 for the seat of East Torrens[3][4] in the original Legislative Council (when one-third of members was nominated by the South Australian Company) and he took part in the framing the Constitution, then in 1857 South Australian colonial election stood successfully for the House of Assembly seat of Port Adelaide.

[2] He spent the years 1860 to 1878 in Victoria farming, but lost his money when pleuro-pneumonia wiped out most of his herd and returned to Adelaide.

His last few weeks were spent holidaying at Point Lonsdale, a popular resort in Hobson's Bay, in the hope of some respite.