AustLit

'Not a lot is known about James Chisholm, possibly just enough to fill a small entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, though he has not entered those portals. He became a self-made wealthy merchant and landowner in early Sydney. Born in Mid Calder in lowland Scotland in 1772 in modest circumstances, with some local patronage he joined the 29th Regiment of Foot aged sixteen, and in 1790 transferred to the New South Wales Corps, sailing with the Third Fleet to Sydney Cove in 1791. He then led a quiet career in the regiment for two decades, but garnered his income until he was able to start private trading, in liquor and property. He left the regiment and stayed on in the colony, accumulating assets steadily, got married and expanded his commercial interests. There was not much drama in his life, but he built up a nice position in commercial circles, buying land and property. He was connected with the formation of the Savings Bank of New South Wales, and involved in education and linked with J.D. Lang and W.C. Wentworth. He sustained a certain nostalgia for his Scottish roots; he died wealthy, providing a platform upon which his family was able to expand the fortune spectacularly in the following generations.' (Introduction)