Ferguson was a farmer born in Hawick, Scotland, and emigrated in 1836 on what has been termed the "First Fleet of South Australia" on Governor Hindmarsh's flagshipBuffalo. His wife, who was pregnant when they embarked, gave birth to their first child on board the Buffalo in South Australian waters. Ferguson was present at the Proclamation ceremony by the Old Gum Tree on 28 December 1836, and helped thatch the roof of the original Government House. Ferguson purchased two "city acres" in a block stretching between Hindley and Currie Streets, the eastern boundary of which later became a thoroughfare, named Rosina Street after Mrs. Ferguson. He also purchased an acre on Rundle Street where Adelaide Arcade now stands, and another, on which the Primrose Brewery later stood. He also owned property at Magill. It was there he grew one of the colony's first wheat crops, before selling it to Dr. C. R. Penfold. He also purchased a part of section 251, Hundred of Adelaide, which he named "Roseville", again for his wife, and they lived there for around ten years. "Roseville" became the suburb Highgate. Ferguson later purchased Section 267 at Glen Osmond. This property was first owned by Capt. Berkeley, who sold it to William Sanders, who built a house and named it "Myrtle Bank", then sold to Capt. William Elder, brother of Sir Thomas Elder. Ferguson purchased the property from Elder in 1848 and lived there until he died. That property is now the suburb Myrtle Bank. Apart from his farming and land speculation activities, Ferguson was a partner with Robert Cock, for whom Cox Creek was named, as auctioneers. Ferguson was a founder of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society, and an active supporter, both as an exhibitor and judge, later accorded life membership of the Society. He was a strong adherent of Chalmers Church.
Family
William Ferguson married Rosina Forsyth on 22 December 1835. Their children included:
Isabella Ferguson married James Ferguson on 27 March 1862. Isabella, who may have had a second name Maisie or Mayzie, was born aboard the Buffalo shortly after arrival in South Australia. James was son of William Ferguson of Glasgow, and not closely related. Other reports have him a son of Daniel Ferguson of Glenunga.
William Andrew "Willie" Ferguson married his cousin Rachel Rosina Bell on 20 April 1892. He was manager of Moolooloo station, then Mooloolooo North.
Elizabeth Helen Ferguson married Alexander Scott Murray in 1874. Alex was the eldest son of A. B. Murray and his first wife Charlotte Murthwaite Murray, née Scott. A monument to his memory was erected in Wirrabara.
John Thomas Ferguson married Catherine Agnes Barrington "Kate" Williams, née McNamara in 1895. He died at Willippa station where he was manager for 45 years.
