 He immigrated to Van Diemens Land following his brothers success, where he built the Greek-revival Panshanger Estate in Longford.He was highly successful until the bankruptcy of the family bank, Archer, Gilles and Co which in 1884 left him with debts of 70,000 pound, which he paid off before his death.He became a member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council in 1847, and held the post till his sudden death in 1853.