Among the records of William Voules Brown (of Brighton) and his descendants is this piece of cow hide said to be from the first cow brought to South Australia.

William Voules Brown (1809-1893) married Harriet Perkins (1812-1897) in England and emigrated to South Australia in 1836. They resided at Glenelg, Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Clarendon and Brighton, where William was a farmer, publican and major landowner.

According to family tradition, Governor Hindmarsh's cow, which came to the colony on the Buffalo, helped to feed the infant children of William and his wife Harriet. Later the cow hide came into the family's possession, and a portion was kept as a souvenir.

The cow is also thought to have grazed on the land where the State Library now stands.

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