Robert MURRAY
| Town/City | Marayong 2148 |
|---|---|
| First name | Robert |
| Last name | MURRAY |
| Country of Origin | England |
| Date of Birth | c1785 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | c1807 |
| Submitted by | Leslie de Belin |
Story
It is probable that he was born in England around 1785, and it is possible he may be identical with the seaman who arrived in Sydney on the ship, “Brothers” on 4/4/1807. He must have had some knowledge of the sea, as he was later to sail in the Colonial merchant service, and was to become a Port Jackson harbour pilot. His character being “irreproachable for assiduity and integrity”. This seafaring background is probably how he met his wife to be, Rebecca WATSON, as her father, Robert WATSON (First Fleet seaman), was also a Colonial merchant seaman and a harbour pilot. Robert MURRAY married Rebecca on 26 April, 1811.
The Colonial Secretary Index indicates a son of Robert Murray, and it is thought that he grew up with Rebecca being his step mother. It is possible that Robert Snr fathered a child with Mary GOUGH about 1808. Robert Jnr was b.1808 as Robert GOUGH, but was later to become known by his father’s name of MURRAY, and d.1881.
Robert MURRAY Snr was to die a tragic death on 30/1/1822. He was in the company of two other men on a small boat returning from a local wharf to South Head. It appears that at least two of three were very drunk, and this was witnessed by the Captain of the “Midas” who was sailing by. The trio never reached their destination. Only two oars, hats, and part of the boat were discovered the next day (as reported Sydney Gazette dated, 1/2/1822).
It appears that their bodies were never found, as there is no trace of any Burial Records for any of the three that drowned that evening.
At the time of his drowning, Robert’s wife Rebecca was pregnant with Sarah Rebecca who was b.14/3/1822. Rebecca herself died shortly thereafter on 28/9/1826, leaving orphan daughter Sarah Rebecca to brought up by the HENDERSON family of Brisbane Waters.