He arrived in Sydney in 1838 on board the Argyle and went to work on Combelong Station at Monaro for Messrs Hughes and Hosking.
His merchant father refinanced Hargrave and he was able to purchase 21,000 acres (85 km2) at Armidale which he named "Hillgrove Station".
[1] Was a member for New England and Macleay from 17 April 1856 to 19 December 1857 in the first New South Wales Legislative Assembly.
His brother went on to become Solicitor-General, Attorney General and a judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
[5] Hargrave's great, grandson Rick Colless was a member of the Legislative Council.