William Roberts (1827 - 1904)

Born 25 Dec 1827 in Perranarworthal, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (Smith) Roberts — married 22 Jan 1851 in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Descendants

Died 2 Apr 1904 at age 76 in Wandearah, South Australia, Australia

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Biography

William Roberts was born in Cornwall, England.

William Roberts came free to the Colony of South Australia (1836-1900)

William Roberts was born 1827, the son of Thomas Roberts and Hannah Webb.^[1]

On 7th June 1839, when he was about 12 years old, William arrived at Port Adelaide, South Australia, by the Sir Charles Forbes, the ship having left Liverpool, England, in charge of Captian Laing. Among the other 182 passengers were William's family: parents Thomas Roberts and Hannah Webb; sisters Elizabeth Ann and Hannah; and his brothers John and James, and his uncle Jonathan and aunt Ann. ^[2]

On 22nd January 1851, aged 22, William married 19-year-old Sarah Smith at the Holy Trinity Church, Adelaide. The marriage was registered in the Adelaide district, their fathers unrecorded. ^{[3] [4]}

William Roberts passed away in 1904.

The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929) Monday 4 April 1904 p 3

THE COUNTRY.

SAD FATAL ACCIDENT.

PORT PIRIE. April 3.

Mr. William Roberts, sen., farmer, of Wandearah, was killed, and his wife was badly injured by an accident on Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, who had been in the port, left for their home between 3 and 4 p.m., and when approaching Cockey's Crossing one of the traces of the horses became loose, and frightened the two animals, which were rather spirited. Mr. Roberts held pluckily to them, but the pole broke and the buggy was capsized. Mr. Robert's neck was broken, and Mrs. Roberts had one wrist badly broken, the bones protruding through the flesh. One of the small bones in the other arm was broken, and her face and body were considerably bruised. Mrs. Roberts had to stay some time beside her dead husband before assistance came. Messrs. McNally and Stanley, farmers in the vicinity, on arriving at the scene of the accident rendered all possible assistance, and the services of Dr. Bennett, of Crystal Brook, were secured. The late Mr. Roberts had been long and favourably known here, having resided at Wandearah for about 30 years. He and his wife were over 70 years of age, and it is doubtful if the latter will survive the shock. There is a large family connection, both here and in other parts of the state. ^[5]

Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA) Thursday 14 April 1904 p 1

DEATHS

ROBERTS.—On the 2nd April, accidentally killed, William, the beloved husband of Sarah Roberts, aged 76 years. Arrived in the ship Charles Forbes, 1839. ^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism: "England Births & Baptisms 1538-1975"
   FindMyPast Transcription (subscription required, accessed 19 May 2023)
   First name(s): William; Last name: Roberts; Sex: Male; Baptism date: 25 Dec 1827; Residence: Perranarworthal, Cornwall, England; Place: Perranarworthal; County: Cornwall; Country: England; Father's first name(s): Thomas; Father's last name: Roberts; Mother's first name(s): Anna.
2. ↑ South Australia Bound SIR CHARLES FORBES (originally Charles Forbes) 1839 ROBERTS family group
3. ↑ Genealogy SA, Online Database Search: 1851 MARRIAGE, William ROBERTS & Sarah SMITH, Adelaide 4/227
4. ↑ MARRIAGE DATE, PLACE, AGES & FATHERS from South Australian Marriages, Registrations 1842-1916 (cdrom) : 1851 MARRIAGE, William ROBERTS & Sarah SMITH, Ade 4/227
5. ↑ 1904 'THE COUNTRY.', The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929), 4 April, p. 3. , viewed 04 Jan 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56493126
6. ↑ 1904 'Family Notices', Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912), 14 April, p. 1. , viewed 04 Jan 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article200812757

• Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950

Name: William Roberts Spouse Name: Sarah Smith Marriage Date: 22 Jan 1851 Marriage Place: Adelaide Registration Place: Adelaide, South Australia Page Number: 227 Volume Number: 4

Australia, Death Index, 1787-1985 Name: William Roberts Birth Year: abt 1828 Age: 76 Death Date: 02 Apr 1904 Death Place: Wandearah Residence Place: Wandearah Registration Place: Clare, South Australia Page Number: 457 Volume Number: 301