Robert ROBERTS
| Town/City | PICTON NSW |
|---|---|
| First name | Robert |
| Last name | ROBERTS |
| Country of Origin | England |
| Date of Birth | 1790 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1835 |
| Submitted by | Julie Hodges |
Story
Robert Roberts and his brother John, sailed from London aboard the ship ‘Margaret’, on July 3 1834, via the Cape and Hobart Town and arrived at Port Jackson [Sydney Harbour] on January 10 1835, after a voyage of six months. With the two brothers were Robert’s wife, Mary, and John’s wife, Anna Maria, with their nine children. John Roberts was the first free settler in New South Wales to purchase land from the Government, the prior policy being ‘Land Grants\’. John had various occupations ranging from veterinarian, farrier, farmer and grazier, and inn keeper at his inn the ‘Star and Garter\’.
After arriving in Sydney Robert and Mary set out for Goulburn with all their belongings, furniture and goods on a bullock dray, for their journey south. After a few days travelling they made camp near the Georges River [near where Liverpool now stands ]. While Mary prepared their evening meal and set up camp for the night, Robert was attending to his bullocks, putting them out to water and grass some distance away. Some aborigines seeing the camp fire, came around and became quite threatening. Mary, being frightened and not knowing what else to do, gave them Robert\’s gold watch and chain. They were obviously pleased with the gift, as they went off without further trouble. On his return to the camp, Robert found Mary unharmed but quite shaken by this turn of events and said he was relieved to find her safe, even at the cost of his only watch! After three weeks of travelling they reached their destination in the Goulburn district. Robert and Mary\’s 12 children were all born in the district.
Robert eventually bought more than 2000 acres in the Parishes of Qualigo and Nadgigomar, and this property became ‘Bronti\’. During their time together at ‘Bronti\’ an area of land was consecrated for the building of a church. The church was eventually built further down the road, but this ground became the Roberts Family Cemetery.
Robert died in 1871 and his wife Mary lived for ten years after her husbands death, with her grazing properties being managed by her sons. On part of her land, a marble quarry was established in 1874, this quarry provided the material for the tiled floor of the Great Hall of the University of Sydney, and was regarded as the best black marble found in New South Wales.
His youngest son Alexander married Mary Jane Cartwright, the grand daughter of Rev. Robert Cartwright, the Forth Minister to come to Australia,and whose grandfather was ‘Clive of India\’.