Adam Oliver

Adam was brought up on the Tweed, near Kelso, by an uncle, who wished to adopt him. He preferred instead to try his fortune in New Zealand and emigrated from London in October, 1850, on the Cresswell along with his brother, Thomas Oliver.

Prior to marrying, in 1824, Adam worked for various settlers at Halfway Bush, Taieri and Tokomairiro.

In 1857, Adam entered into a partnership with James Allan and his younger brothers in a sheep run, Glenkenich Station, on the west side of the Pomahaka River in the Blue Mountains. Oliver was the resident partner.

In 1859, were forced to leave Glenkenich and moved to Rankleburn Station, on the east side of the Blue Mountains. In April 1863, they sold the lease of Rankleburn to the New Zealand Company, who had bought so much other land nearby that they felt the run was no longer tenable. This marked the end of the business partnership between the Allans and Olivers.

Adam purchased the freehold of land near Palmerston, known as Smiler's Peak.