Jane Robertson (1812 - 1876)

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Marriage & family 1.2 Emigration to NSW 1.3 Death 1.4 Estate and will 2 Research Notes 3 Sources

Biography

The place and dates of Jane Robertson's birth and baptism have not been definitively ascertained from primary sources. Some genealogical sites (eg FindAGrave) record her birthdate as 2 Nov 1812. It is conjectured that she was born in Selkirk parish, Scotland to parents Richard Robertson and Jullian (aka Julian) Sandilands. She had five older brothers: John (born 22 Oct 1801), Alexander (6 Feb 1804), Richard (23 Mar 1806), William (21 Apr 1808), and Thomas (born 7 Sep, baptized 16 Sep 1810). All these siblings were baptized in Selkirk parish. The Robertsons may have adhered to the Burgher congregation (Associated Synod)^[1]. Their youngest son, Thomas was baptized before the Burgher Congregation in Selkirk. His father Richard, was an innkeeper in Selkirk^[2] Jane's brothers, Richard and William were baptized on the same (undated) day, conjectured to be some time in mid 1809, by Rev. Geo. Lawson, the same minister as Thomas a year later. The hand in the Register is the same, so it is conjectured that they too were attached to the Burgher congregation. On Richard and William's baptismal register entries their father is recorded as a merchant.

At some point Jane migrated to London. It is unknown in which occupation she was engaged (if any), or her residence. She probably mixed in reasonably affluent (arguably middle-class) circles.

Marriage & family

Jane Robertson married William Robertson on 16 May 1837 in St George, Hanover Square^[3] They were both living in the parish. The witnesses were R. Robertson (possibly Richard, Jane's brother), Elizabeth Knox, Eleanor Knox and Isabella Robertson.

Jane and William started a family shortly thereafter. The following are the known children of William and Jane:

1. George, born 22 Mar 1838 at Half Moon Street, baptized 30 Oct 1838^[4] Died 20 Aug 1857 on board the ship Dunbar at South Head entering Sydney Harbor^[5]
2. Juliana Sandilands, born 25 Nov 1840 at Half Moon St Hanover Square, baptized 10 Feb 1841^[6]
3. Richard, born 21 Sep 1842, baptized 24 May 1843^[7] Died Oct 1910, in Grange, Brisbane, Queensland^[8]
4. William, born 25 Oct 1843, baptized 12 Jun 1844^[9]
5. John Knox, born 3 Jan 1845, baptized 23 May 1845^[10]
6. Margaret Goodall, born 22 Oct 1846, Islingron, baptized 28 May 1847^[11]
7. Jane, born 13 Mar 1850, baptized 13 Sep 1850^[12]
8. Mary Isabella, born 15 Apr 1852, Islington, baptized 30 Jul 1852^[13]
9. Appolicia Inglis, born 14 Sep 1852, baptized 18 Mar 1853^[14]

In the early years of their marriage (1838-42) the family lived at Half Moon Street Mayfair, just off Piccadilly, William was a tailor, and the children were baptized in the Church of England parish of St George, Hanover Square. Around 1842 the family moved to 5 Caroline Place, Islington (just off City Road), William's occupation was recorded as victualler, and the children were baptized in St Luke Finsbury.

Jane and her family were living at 5 Caroline Place in the parish of St Luke Old Street, in the Borough of Finsbury, London in 1851 at the time of the Census. William was a licensed victualler, aged 44 years. In the household were Jane (38), their four children: George (13), Richard (8), Margaret (4) and Jane (1), and four servants: Ana (sic) Coe (unmarried, 31, General servant), Mary Ann Coe (unmarried, 26, General Servant), Henry Forder (unmarried, 24, barman) and Christopher Hook (unmarried, 22, barman). All four servants were born in Norfolk (respectively in Bingham (both women), Ludham and Lynn)^[15].

Sometime before April 1861 Jane and William acquired properties in the Colony of NSW (and possibly elsewhere). In 1853, Jane's brother, Thomas, was granted the transfer of Bonalbo (or Bunalbo) station in the Clarence River catchment, in northern NSW, from John Donald [Jock] McLean (1821-66) to himself on 11 Sep 1853: "the interest of the previous occupants in the undermentioned Runs of Crown Lands has been transferred, with the sanction of the Government, to the persons hereinafter particularised, in accordance with the Regulations of the 1st January, 1848"^[16]. McLean had settled Bunalbo in 1841. Adjoining Bunalbo to the south was Sandilands station also occupied by Jane's brother Thomas Robertson earlier in 1848 (presumably Sandilands was named after Jane's mother). William and Jane purchased both Bunalbo and Sandilands from Jane's brothers (Thomas and Richard). The family made plans to emigrate to their new properties, presumably after a homestead had been built to accommodate them:

"By 1862 Bunalbo homestead was completed; it was built of cedar, pit-sawn on site, shingled roof, shady verandahs, terraced garden laid out by Frederick Eversham who had trained at Royal Gardens Kew. He later planted trees around Una Coe’s grave on the property in 1864 (actually 1868) and Jane Robertson’s in 1876"^[17]

Jane and William were living at 2 Millbrook Place in St Pancras' parish London in April 1861 when the 1861 Census was conducted. Jane was recorded as aged 48 years. William was recorded as aged 54 years, a Colonial proprietor, born in St George Hanover Square London. The household included their daughters: Juliana (20 years), Margaret G (14), Jane (11), Mary (9), Appolicia (8), and two servants: Una Coe (42 years, born Binhand, Norfolk), housemaid, and Clara Farrer (20 years, born Cambridge), cook^[18].

Emigration to NSW

Very shortly after the household (excluding the cook) embarked on the ship Waterloo^[19] for Sydney, Colony of New South Wales. She left the Downs under Captain Malcolm Green on 2 May 1861, arriving in Sydney on 14 Aug 1861 after a passage of 104 days. She arrived at a late hour and anchored at the Light Ship^[20] the passengers presumably disembarked on 15 Aug.

William died unexpectedly on 24 Aug 1861^[21] while the family was still in Sydney. He was buried in Camperdown Cemetery^[22].

This must have been a heavy blow to Jane, newly arrived in a foreign land in the antipodean colony. She obviously decided to join her brothers in the then very remote frontier country in the northern Clarence catchment. She and her five daughters proceeded to their property by ship to Lawrence on the Clarence and thence overland to Bonalbo.

The the next fifteen years Jane lived on Bonalbo and occupied a respected position in the burgeoning rural community of the upper Clarence including Casino.

Death

Jane died on 24 Jun 1876 on Bonalbo station^[23]. She was buried in Old Bonalbo Cemetery, her stated age was 63 years^[24] alongside her long-time female servant Una Coe who was buried there in 1868.

Estate and will

Jane's will (with codicil) was proved in the Supreme Court of NSW on 1 Sep 1876, probate was granted to Richard Robertson, William Robertson and Juliana Sandilands Robertson, her executors, her estate was valued at £46,000^[23]. Janet's will was that her properties, Bunalbo and Sandilands should be sold and the funds realized managed by her sons William and Thomas, who were required to pay to trustees acting for Jane's five daughters 5/8 of the valued realized funds in three installments over fives years after her death. Her daughters are listed as Juliana Sandilands Robertson, Margaret Goodall Robertson, Jane Robertson, Mary Isabella Robertson and Appolina Inglis Robertson. They were to receive their shares "as and when they attain the age of twenty one years". A codicil was executed on 13 April 1876 to provide for her daughter Jane who had then recently married William Lee Kirby, and any of her grandchildren from that marriage.

Both of her properties, Sandilands and Bunalbo were put up for private sale within three months after her will was proved (as required in the will)^[25]. The advertisement appeared from November 1876 through January 1877 over 17 times in major capital city and regional papers. The properties were sold, and in the 1889 edition of Hanson's Pastoral possessions of New South Wales Bunalbo is listed as being owned by Henry Barnes as part of Dryaaba Pastoral holdings (p. 58), and Sandilands by Charles Augustus Bruxner (p. 128)^[26]

Research Notes

Bunalbo and Sandilands runs were subject of claims for lease of the Crown Land on which they stood on 3 Jun 1848. On that day The Governor notified that 54 runs in the Clarence River District were subject to claims for lease. The notice reads:

Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, 3rd June, 1848. CLAIMS TO LEASES OF CROWN LAND BEYOND THE SETTLED DISTRICTS. CLARENCE RIVER DISTRICT. HIS Excellency the Governor directs it to be notified for the information of all persons interested, that in pursuance of Her Majesty's Order in Council, of 9th March, 1847, the undermentioned persons have demanded Leases of the several Runs of Crown Land, particularised in connexion with their respective names.^[27]

Bunalbo was claimed by John Donald McLean: No. 30. Bunalbo or Duck Creek. Estimated Area 32,000 Acres. Estimated Grazing Capabilities—1,000 Cattle 3,000 Sheep. Sandilands was claimed by Thomas Robertson: No. 41. Robertson and Mitchell, now Thomas Robertson. Sandilands (Deep Creek) Estimated Area—16,000 acres. Estimated Grazing Capabilities—500 cattle or 4,000 Sheep. As noted above, in Sep 1853 Bunalbo was transferred from McLean to Thomas Robertson.

Much later, both stations were divided up into smaller properties. In Mar 1921 Sandilands was subdivided and 44 allotments between 100 and 400 acres were made available from the freehold selection^[28].

Mrs Ann Maloney née McLean, an early settler recalled in 1929, early memories of Bonalbo:

John Donald McLean (afterwards Colonial Treasurer of Queensland) was the first man to take up Bonalbo station, he being then a very young man. He came to Australia when a lad of 16 with his sister and brother-in-law, John McLean, in the year 1837. He stayed with his relatives at Capertee for 12 months to gain colonial experience, then struck out for himself. Two stations having passed through his hands, he then took up Bonalbo station about the year 1842, running both cattle and sheep on it, but the sheep did not thrive, so he removed them to Acacia Creek, another property of his. Somewhere in the fifties he sold Bonalbo to the Robertson brothers, who bought it for their sister, Mrs. Jane Robertson, then in London. The Robertson brothers were the first to take up Sandiland station. After McLean had sold Bonalbo, he settled on Westbrook, another of his properties, and when barely past middle age he was killed by a fall from his horse. Mrs. Jane Robertson and her family came out to Australia about 1859 [actually 1861]. Her husband died on arrival in Sydney. The family came to Lawrence on their way up to Bonalbo, and my brother, Donald McLean, was entrusted, to bring the family to Sandiland where they stayed with Mrs. Robertson's brothers for a time. They travelled by the old bullock dray, it being the only means of travelling in those days. The houses being few and far between, the party had to camp out several nights, and the young, ladies made merry around the camp fires, and also enjoyed the beautiful bush scenery, but I did, not hear how they enjoyed the teamster damper. Willie Robertson managed Bonalbo with his mother until his death, after which the property was sold. Her son, Dick, bought Sandiland from his uncles, but sold it shortly after and went to Queensland. Mrs. Robertson was buried in the little cemetery at Bonalbo and beside her, her faithful servant, Una Coe. I have read where Mrs. Robertson was the first woman on Bonalbo, but the writer is mistaken, for my mother, Mrs. Donald McLean, was the first and only woman there for a few years, coming there with her husband and family, her husband being in the, employ of J. D. McLean. Mrs. Naughton was the first woman on Peacock Creek [site of the later Bonalbo township], coming there with Mr. Naughton in the forties. Naughton's Gap, near Casino, is called after them. Mrs. Ryan was the third woman in Bonalbo area, Mr. Ryan was a shepherd on Duck Creek.^[29]

Sources

1. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Burgher (Church history)," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org Wikidata: Item Q16849162 (accessed November 23, 2023)
2. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 23 November 2023), Thomas Robertson baptised 16 Sep 1810, son of Richard Robertson & Julian, Selkirk, Selkirkshire, Scotland; citing Parish Number 778, Ref 30/355.
3. ↑ Westminster, London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1935, database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 61867 #881764 : accessed 13 November 2023), William Robertson marriage to Jane Robertson on 16 May 1837 in St George, Hanover Square, London, Westminster, England; citing City of Westminster Archives Centre, London, England, Westminster Church of England Parish Registers, Reference STG/PR/7/17.
4. ↑ Westminster, London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1919, database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 61866 #891365 : accessed 18 November 2023), George Robertson baptism 30 Oct 1838 (born 22 Mar 1838), child of William Robertson & Jane Robertson, St George, Hanover Square, London, Westminster, England; citing City of Westminster Archives Centre, London, England, Westminster Church of England Parish Registers, Reference STG/PR/2/8.
5. ↑ "Wreck of the Dunbar: Inquest on the recovered bodies" Empire (Sydney, NSW) 25 Aug 1857 Page 4 online in Trove NLS (accessed 18Nov 2023)
6. ↑ Westminster, London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1919, database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 61866 #894011 : accessed 18 November 2023), Juliana Sandilands Robertson baptism 10 Feb 1841 (born 25 Nov 1840), child of William Robertson & Jane Robertson, St George, Hanover Square, London, Westminster, England; citing City of Westminster Archives Centre, London, England, Westminster Church of England Parish Registers, Reference STG/PR/2/8.
7. ↑ London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1923, database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1558 #1805121 : accessed 18 November 2023), Richard Robertson baptism 24 May 1843, son of William Robertson & Jane Robertson, St Luke, Finsbury, Islington, England; citing London Metropolitan Archives, London, England, UK , London Church of England Parish Registers, Reference Number P76/Luk/018.
8. ↑ Casino and Kyogle Courier and North Coast Advertiser 15 Oct 1910 Page 8 Death of a District Pioneer online in Trove NLA (accessed 26 Nov 2023)
9. ↑ London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1923, database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1558 #1835954 : accessed 18 November 2023), William Robertson baptism 12 Jun 1844, son of William Robertson & Jane Robertson, St Luke, Finsbury, Islington, England; citing London Metropolitan Archives, "London, England, UK" , London Church of England Parish Registers, Reference Number P76/Luk/018.
10. ↑ London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1923, database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1558 #1859561 : accessed 18 November 2023), John Knox Robertson baptism 23 May 1845, son of William Robertson & Jane Robertson, St Luke, Finsbury, Islington, England; citing London Metropolitan Archives, "London, England, UK" , London Church of England Parish Registers, Reference Number P76/Luk/018.
11. ↑ London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1923, database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1558 #1909627 : accessed 18 November 2023), Margaret Goodall Robertson baptism 28 May 1847, daughter of William Robertson & Jane Robertson, St Luke, Finsbury, Islington, England; citing London Metropolitan Archives, "London, England, UK" , London Church of England Parish Registers, Reference Number P76/Luk/018.
12. ↑ London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1923, database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1558 #1972611 : accessed 18 November 2023), Jane Robertson baptism 13 Sep 1850, daughter of William Robertson & Jane Robertson, St Luke, Finsbury, Islington, England; citing London Metropolitan Archives, "London, England, UK" , London Church of England Parish Registers, Reference Number P76/Luk/018.
13. ↑ London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1923, database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1558 #1987882 : accessed 18 November 2023), Mary Isabella Robertson baptism 30 Jul 1851, daughter of William Robertson & Jane Robertson, St Luke, Finsbury, Islington, England; citing London Metropolitan Archives, "London, England, UK" , London Church of England Parish Registers, Reference Number P76/Luk/018.
14. ↑ London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1923, database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1558 #1543438 : accessed 18 November 2023), Appalina Inglis Robertson baptism 18 Mar 1853, son of William Robertson & Jane Robertson, St Luke, Finsbury, Islington, England; citing London Metropolitan Archives, "London, England, UK" , London Church of England Parish Registers, Reference Number P76/Luk/019.
15. ↑ 1851 England Census, database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 8860 #2823311 : accessed 13 November 2023), William Robertson (44) head of household on St Luke Old Street in St Luke registration district in Middlesex, England. Born in Weston, Middlesex, England; citing Class HO107, Piece 1521, Folio 4, Page 1, GSU roll 87855, ED, institution, or vessel 01, Household schedule number 1.
16. ↑ New South Wales Government Gazette 23 Sep 1854 [Issue No.122 (SUPPLEMENT)] Page 2082 online in Trove NLA (accessed 18 Nov 2023
17. ↑ Lennon, Jane L. [Paper] "14: The Planted Landscape: forest transformation in the Upper Clarence catchment, northern NSW" in Australia’s Ever-changing Forests VII Proceedings of the Ninth National Conference of the Australian Forest History Society / edited by Sue Feary and Rob Robinson. [Kingston, ACT] : Australian Forest History Society, 2016 online [p. 2-3] (accessed 13 Nov 2023) citing Ralston, M.A., 1987. Bunaw:lbu Bonalbo, a pictorial history of Bonalbo Bonalbo : West of the Range Historical Society, 1987 p. 6-7
18. ↑ 1861 England Census, database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 8767 #8651799 : accessed 13 November 2023), William Robertson (54) head of household in t Pancras in Pancras registration district in Middlesex, England. Born in St George Hanths, Middlesex, England; citing Class Rg 9, Piece 109, Folio 15, Page 30, GSU roll 542575, ED, institution, or vessel 2, Household schedule number 124.
19. ↑ State Records Authority of New South Wales: Shipping Master's Office; Passengers Arriving 1855-1922; NRS13278, [X104-106] reel 409 citing Mr , Mrs Robertson, 5 Misses Robertson, Waterloo, arrived Sydney 15 Aug 1861 online at marinersandships.com.au (accessed 13 Nov 2023)
20. ↑ Empire (Sydney) 15 Aug 1861 Page 4 Col. 5 online in Trove NLA (accessed 13 Nov 2023)
21. ↑ Empire (Sydney) 26 Aug 1861, Page 1 Family Notices online in Trove NLA (accessed 13 Nov 2023)
22. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 Nov 2023),
    memorial page for William Robertson (1806-24 Aug 1861 aged 54–55), Find A Grave: Memorial #188013884,
    citing Camperdown Cemetery, Newtown, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Burial number BN09637; Maintained by Find A Grave
23. ↑ ^{23.0 23.1} FindMyPast New South Wales Will Books 1800-1952" database with index and images FindMyPast citing Jane Robertson, year of death 1876, Will 1876, Bunalbo, Clarence River, NSW (accessed 16 Nov 2023)
24. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 16 Nov 2023),
    memorial page for Jane Robertson Robertson (2 Nov 1812-24 Jun 1876, aged 63), Find A Grave: Memorial #230397843,
    citing Old Bonalbo Cemetery, Old Bonalbo, Kyogle Council, New South Wales, Australia; Maintained by Find A Grave
25. ↑ "First-class cattle property" Sydney Morning Herald 4 Nov 1876, Page 15 col. 5 online in Trove NLA (accessed 16 Nov 2023)
26. ↑ Hanson, William The pastoral possessions of New South Wales : alphabetically arranged in the Eastern, Central, and Western Divisions ... Sydney : Gibbs, Shallard, 1889 online in Internet Archive (accessed 23 Nov 2023)
27. ↑ CLAIMS TO LEASES OF CROWN LAND New South Wales Government Gazette 3 Jun 1848 [Issue No.59 (SUPPLEMENT)], Page 711 online in Tove NLA (accessed 9 Nov 2023)
28. ↑ "Sandilands First Used As Sheep Run" Northern Star (Lismore, NSW) 27 Jul 1939, Page 6, Col. 7 online in Trove NLA (accessed 24 Nov 2023)
29. ↑ Northern Star (Lismore) 8 Jan 1929, Page 8 online in Trove NLA (accessed 18 Nov 2023)