H. Kent Hughes

Henry Kent Hughes (c. 1814 – 30 August 1880), usually referred to as "H. Kent Hughes", was a pastoralist and politician who sat in the South Australian House of Assembly from 1868 to 1875 representing the seats of Victoria and later, Port Adelaide.

Hughes was born in England, possibly the son of Thomas Hughes, dyer, of Bunhill Row. He married Jane Hilditch (died 4 June 1890). They travelled to South Australia on the barque Raleigh, arriving at Port Adelaide on 15 January 1851.

Hughes was, for a considerable period (at least 1838 – 1844) in the colony of Victoria; he was one of a party, with Peter Snodgrass MLC, a Mr. Murdoch, a Dr. Dixon and one James Murdoch, who pioneered settlement in the Goulburn Valley in Victoria. With two brothers he founded the property, later the town, of Avenel, often cited as named for a Gloucestershire village with which had a connection (though information on its whereabouts is lacking), his previous property in England, or Sir Walter Scott's fictional castle and family, of which the White Lady of Avenel is the best known. There is also a reference to his property "Dropmore" which may or may not have been a separate holding.

Around 1854 he formed a business association with the future premier of South Australia, John Hart, in the company Hart & Hughes with offices in Waymouth Street, Adelaide. They built Port Adelaide's first flour mill, run by Hart and Company, of which he was a silent partner.

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