John Murray (c. 1812 – 13 September 1886) was a noted breeder of merino sheep of Murray Vale Estate, Mount Crawford, who with his wife Ellen (née Hope) arrived in South Australia from Scotland on the City of Adelaide on 6 September 1841.
[1][2] His breeding philosophy was to perfect a line of big-framed merino rams with absolutely no wrinkles and strong constitutions, and to achieve this without introducing other strains.
A gratifying example of the regard in which this type was held in difficult climates was the purchase of 1000 ewes by D. M. Aitkin, a Queenslander who had been brought in as a judge for the 1912 Royal Show, with an option for a further 2000.
[3] Other major South Australian merino breeders J. H. Angas, E. Bowman, F. H. Dutton, C. B. Fisher, G. C. Hawker, A. McFarlane, George Melrose, A.
Their children included: The four brothers were involved in sheep breeding both independently and cooperatively at studs of their own, following their father's methods.
[6] John Murray (1841 – 4 July 1908) was born on board the ship City of Adelaide when his parents were emigrating from Scotland to South Australia, and was brought up at Mount Crawford.