Thomas Gilbert (pioneer)

Their "experiments for the improvements of glasses were so extensive that the Government assisted them by a suspension of the Excise supervision, so that their large outlay should not be increased by the payment of duty".

[6] Many early South Australian settlers were those who had relinquished good positions in Britain to help establish "a model state which would not reproduce the inequalities of older countries".

[7] In London Gilbert had been appointed the task of operating the Colonial Storehouse by the South Australian Association formed by Robert Gouger.

[12] All manner of pioneering equipment, rations, hardware, and clothing[8] were issued from this store to government parties such as builders, surveyors, police, and the Protector of Aborigines (William Wyatt).

It was always expected that the Colonial Storekeeper position would eventually become redundant when settlement became so well developed as to support commercial suppliers to government, selected by a Supply and Tender Board answerable to a Commissioner of Public Works.

[13] He managed the post office for approximately fifteen months, at which point he lodged a grievance with the South Australian Government as he had not been paid for this role.

The Government published an official censure on Gilbert and, as a result, he resigned the position of Postmaster effective 13 December 1838, but continued in his capacity as Colonial Storekeeper.

On his gravestone is written "Erected by a few colonialists in token of their sincere admiration of his honorable and generous qualities as a public officer and faithful friend".

The mathematical and optical instruments Thomas Gilbert was involved in making, along with those made by his brother, father and earlier ancestors, are highly collectable.

William Barlow Gilbert was a partner in the Adelaide Times and Weekly Despatch newspapers, and held various Government positions.