He arrived in Tasmania in 1822 and commanded ship along the trade routes between Sydney, Hobart and Launceston, eventually being granted 500 acres (200 ha) in the Tamar Valley where he ran cattle.
[1] Returning to England in 1836 to 1837, and marrying Ellen Boucher, he bought a 266-short-ton (241 t) brig named Dawson,[2] which he stocked with goods and sailed to King George Sound.
The business partner in the 'Adventure Syndicate' was his brother in law, Frederick Boucher,[3] who remained in England.
At the settlement of Albany he sold much of his merchandise then acquired a 20,000-acre (8,094 ha) property near Kendenup.
He then set sail for Tasmania, where he sold the remainder of his cargo, Dawson and his Tasmanian holdings.