The Holden Family Studies
The studies below are the work of Neil Pogson who put the Covid-19 lockdown to good use.
In 1979, (Dame) Nancy Buttfield wrote her book ”So Great a Change”, a history of the Holden family. As she was the daughter of E. W. Holden, the book is regarded by many as a “bible” of the Holden family story. However, documented research shows that much of it cannot be verified, or is incorrect.
All the following precise dates and associated text are based on and supported by documentary evidence from contemporary newspaper reports, articles and advertising (much of it by James himself) and referenced in the endnotes. Related family data is derived from online genealogy databases, particularly familysearch.org. Some incidental information is drawn from the Buttfield book.
Because of their length, the studies are presented as pdf downloads.
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The set of studies comprises the following:
- “James Alexander Holden – A corrected history” is a detailed look at the commercial life of J. A. Holden outside his religious, private and political life. It changes some long-held beliefs, including the date of his arrival in Australia, and when he started in business, both of which have been incorrectly published many times over the years.
- “About Mary Elizabeth Holden...” is a look at the life of James’ wife Mary, mainly after she was widowed at the age of 47. She was left without funds and resources so had to find suitable employment to be able to attract a reasonable income.
- “About Henry James Holden…” is mostly about the various premises that Henry James and his wife Mary Ann Dixon Holden owned and lived in around Adelaide.
- “About Edward Wheewell Holden…” is also focussed on the various properties in which Edward and wife Hilda lived in Adelaide.
- “About James Robert Holden…” again mainly covers the living arrangements of James Robert Holden, but also touches on some personal facts including the early death of his first wife, his second marriage, and his long love of life on Kangaroo Island, where he retired in 1968 and remained until his death in 1977.