Edward emigrated to South Australia around 1840 with his cousin Charles Stirling. He came to South Australia after receiving £1000 from his father, Archibald, who had been a slaveholder on four estates in Jamaica. Edward Stirling was the illegitimate son of Archibald and a Creole woman possibly named Jeanne. He married Harriett Taylor in 1847; they settled at Strathalbyn, South Australia, and at their home "The Lodge", their eldest son Edward Charles Stirling was born. He and Grote tried sheep farming in the South-East, with little success, and brought the remaining flock to Lake Alexandrina. He was, with Thomas Elder, a partner in Elder Stirling and Company before that firm became Elder Smithand Company, which proved profitable. He speculated, with some success, in the Moonta and Wallaroo mines. He was Director of the South Australian Banking Company from April 1859 to the end of 1864. In 1860 he took over land near Whyalla now known as Point Lowly from James Chambers and "while he was in occupation he liberated a few pairs of rabbits to breed for sporting purposes. They increased very rapidly, and when he transferred the run to A. D. Tassie in 1864 there were great numbers of them there." Like Thomas Austin's release at Barwon Park at about the same time, this comprises a significant early successful rabbit release in Australia. In 1865 he and Harriett, with their two sons John and Archibald and three daughters, returned to England where Edward joined the London Court of Directors, of which he was Chairman at the time of his death.
Politics
In September 1855 he contested the seat of Hindmarsh, without success, but was almost immediately appointed as nominated member to the 1855 Legislative Council, and was an elected member of the 1857 Legislative Council. While parliament was in session the family lived at Urrbrae, which he rented from Alexander MacGeorge.
Other interests
He was a patron of the Strathalbyn Presbyterian Church, and around 1860, before leaving the Colony for England presented that church with a bell-tower. He and his brother-in-law John Taylor were friends of Catherine Helen Spence.
Family
He married Harriett Taylor on 4 August 1847. Among their children were:
Sir Edward Charles Stirling noted Australian scientist.
