John Michael Skipper

John Michael Skipper (1815–1883) was an English and South Australian artist and solicitor. He was the eldest son of solicitor John Skipper and Jane (née Stark), whose brother was artist James Stark.[1]

John Michael Skipper
Skipper in 1963
Born(1815-07-12)12 July 1815
Norwich, Norfolk, England
Died7 December 1883(1883-12-07) (aged 68)
Kent Town, South Australia
OccupationSolicitor and artist
Spouse(s)
    Frances Amelia Thomas
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1839; died 1855)​
      Mary Thomas
      ​
      ​
      (m. 1856; died 1883)​
      Children7

      Early life

      Skipper studied at Norwich Grammar School and was intended to follow his father into law, but his interest in art was encouraged by his uncle. In 1833, he left his study to become a midshipman on the Sherbourne for the East India Company. When he returned, he arranged to be articled to Charles Mann (appointed as the first Advocate-General of South Australia) and emigrate to the new Colony of South Australia on the Africaine arriving at Holdfast Bay on 6 November 1836.[1] He travelled in intermediate class, but was reported to have taken his meals in the 1st cabin.[2]

      Career

      In South Australia, Skipper was associated with his mentor Charles Mann and lawyer Edward Castres Gwynne. He was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of South Australia in 1840.[3]

      In 1851, Skipper joined many others in the Victorian gold rush. A year later he returned to South Australia with many sketches, but not gold. He moved to Port Adelaide as Clerk of the Court and remained there until his retirement in 1872.[3]

      As an artist, Skipper depicted nature, social events, and everyday life. His work has become a valuable record of life in the early stages of the colony.[3]

      Personal life

      Skipper married Frances Amelia Thomas in Adelaide on 28 December 1839. He had met her on the journey from England. Her parents were Robert and Mary Thomas who had also been on the same ship. Frances died on 27 February 1855 (aged 36)[4] leaving five children. Skipper married Frances' younger sister Mary on 28 April 1856 and had two more children with her. Mary died on 28 April 1883 aged 59.[5] Skipper died on 7 December 1883, aged 66, without a will despite having worked in law most of his life.[3]

      References
      1. Campbell, Jean (1976). "Skipper, John Michael (1815–1883)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. 6 (MUP ed.). Melbourne University Press. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 10 April 2020 – via National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
      2. "John Michael Skipper". Bound for South Australia. History Trust of South Australia. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
      3. "Provenance". John Michael Skipper. South Australian Museum. AA291. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
      4. Genealogy SA death index Book/Page: 3/118
      5. Genealogy SA death index Book/Page: 127/435
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