Abel Thorpe, who had learned something about the drapery trade in Yorkshire, England, arrived in Port Phillip in 1840, and at once set out in business as tailor and draper in Melbourne.

His first premises were in Collins Street, opposite the Club House. With Thomas Atkinson he opened a shop in Geelong in 1841, and in 1842 he depastured some sheep at the 'Native Creek Bottom,' near Inverleigh. James Howell was associated with Thorpe in the squatting venture. They had repeated trouble with the blacks, and there were occasions when official intervention was necessary.

Thorpe entered into many public activities. He was the first senior circuit steward of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in the colony. He was appointed to the committee of the Melbourne Hospital. He was one of the leaders of the Port Phillip Temperance Society, and he was an industrious worker for the Port Phillip Missionary Society.

In 1843 Thorpe occupied and stocked 'Ferinhirst' on Egan's Plains, on the Loddon. Egan had moved over to the Major's line on the Campaspe. The name Egan's Plains was changed somehow later to Edgar's Plains. Subsequently Thorpe acquired 'Salisbury Plains' from John Seller, who had taken it over from the original occupier, Hector Simson, of Charlotte Plains.

Thorpe returned to Melbourne and lived in Richmond for a time. Then he bought land on the Merri Creek, Coburg, or Pentridge as the locality was better known at the time, and there he built a house which he named 'Gresford,' after his wife's birthplace in Denbighshire, Wales.

Egan's Plains was sold to Kerr and Neil. 'Salisbury Plains' he sold to William Morton, of shearing machine and sheep drafting gate fame.

Abel Thorpe was an excellent judge of stock. Although he suffered from ill health he was a venturesome pioneer. He died at 'Gresford' in 1853.