Samuel Scott
b. 1830 – D. 1903
Mortlock Station Manager
Author: Denise Noack
Samuel Scott was born on 31 March 1830 in Yetholm, Roxburghshire, Scotland. He is reported to have arrived in South Australia on a ship from New South Wales around 1855. His portrait, c. 1880, features in the Early Settlers of Port Lincoln and Western Districts series at the State Library of South Australia, where he is shown to be from Koppio, Eyre Peninsula. Scott worked for W. R. Mortlock on Yalluna Station on Eyre Peninsula from the late 1860s, and then for his son, W. T. Mortlock. It is reported that Samuel Scott’s son (also named Samuel Scott) was sent from the Eyre Peninsula to the model school (an early public school) in Tynte Street by Mrs Mortlock, but ‘he did not care for the city, and borrowing money from the butler, secretly took passage home’.1
When W. T. Mortlock bought Martindale in 1891, Samuel Scott Sr was moved there as the station manager, a position he held until his death on the 15 June 1903.
Scott’s obituary in Adelaide’s Quiz newspaper read: ‘I am very sorry to have to record the death of Mr Samuel Scott, of Martindale, which occurred last week. The deceased gentleman was held in the highest esteem on account of his many sterling qualities. For a number of years he managed Mr W. T. Mortlock’s stations, and at the time of his death was managing the Martindale Estate. He was a sporting enthusiast, and for many years was identified with the Martindale Racing Club, holding the position of Vice-President, and notwithstanding the fact that he was seventy-three years of age he was one of the most energetic of the Club’s officers, being at all times anxious to see the “Sport of Kings” carried out in sportsmanlike manner. The genial Sam Scott was respected by everybody, and the funeral cortege testified to his numerous friends, who came from all parts of the district to pay their last respects to the deceased.’2
Jack Mortlock is reported to have been made aware of the high esteem in which Samuel was held and insisted that his picture be hung on the walls of Martindale Hall in perpetuity. It is reported that Samuel is the only Martindale worker to have received this honour. Scott’s photograph (Object 630) was in the Billiard Room in 1986, but in 2024 it is displayed in the back corridor on the ground floor at Martindale Hall.
“The genial Sam Scott was respected by everybody, and the funeral cortege testified to his numerous friends, who came from all parts of the district to pay their last respects to the deceased.”
