Robert (Schofield) Scofield (abt. 1837 - 1916)

Born about 8 Jul 1837 in near Maitland, Colony of New South Wales, Australia [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Anne (Llewellyn) Scofield — married 16 May 1865 in Grafton, New South Wales, Australia

Died 8 Jul 1916 at about age 79 in Casino, New South Wales, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Susan Scarcella [send private message]

Biography

Bio researched and written by Susan Stopford. First publ. 2 June 2020 (last updated 20 May 2021)

Robert was born near Maitland either on 8 July 1837,^[1][2][3] possibly at Gungal,^[4] or alternately, in Mudgee, in 1835.^[5] His father was James Schofield. His mother is uncertain - either Louisa (wife of James Schofield of Hall's Creek),^[1][2] or Janet Stewart,^[5] or Jenet Schofield (nee Angus).^[6] Many researchers believe Robert used the spelling "Scofield" rather than "Schofield" throughout his life, and possibly also changed his birth place and parents' names, to conceal his convict ancestry.

In 1862 he went to Grafton^[3] and on 16 May 1865 married Anne Llewellyn in the Church of England in Grafton.^[5][7] Ann was the daughter of Robert Llewellyn, a labourer, and Anne Stevenson. Witnesses were Elizabeth Llewellyn and George Gatt (or Batt?). Robert and Ann signed the Register in the own hand. The Parish Register shows Robert was aged 27 years and a farmer at "Morora, Clarence" at the time of his marriage. Ann was aged 19 years and living at "Coral, Clarence".^[8]

The couple later moved to Woodbury, on the Richmond River, where they were farming for eight years. From there they went to Ballina and continued farming for two years. They spent three years in Casino and about 14 years in Tatham before their final move to Mummulgum, where Robert selected a block of land at Teresa Creek.

Robert was living at Mummulgum when his final illness overtook him on 8 July 1916.^[3][9][10] He left a widow and eleven children — eight sons and three daughters. The daughters were Mesdames Fred. Farden, C. Rankin, and J. Nowland, and the sons Messrs. Robert, James, Arthur, Percy, Luke, Frederick, Matthew, and Emanuel, all of whom (except Robert, who was at Woolgoolga) were living in the district when Robert died. There were also 33 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.^[3]

The funeral took place on Sunday 9 July 1916, the remains being interred in the Church of England cemetery at Casino. Rev. Canon Ware read the burial service, and Mr. Hircock conducted the funeral arrangements.^[3]

Obituary
DEATH OF AN OLD RESIDENT.
The death of Mr. Robert Schofield occurred at the Casino District Hospital on Saturday last, after a lingering illness, the cause of death being an internal tumour. The deceased gentleman was born near Maitland in 1837, thus being 79 years old when he died. In 1862 he went to Grafton and married Miss Llewellyn,and then shifted to Woodburn, on the Richmond River, where he was farming for eight years. From there he went to Ballina and continued farming for two years. He shifted from there to Casino, and lived in town for three years. Then he removed to Tatham and resided there about 14 years, and subsequently left for Mummulgum, where he selected a block of land at Teresa Creek, where he was living when his final illness overtook him. He leaves a widow and eleven children — eight sons and three daughters. The daughters are Mesdames Fred. Farden, C. Rankin, and J. Nowland, and the sons Messrs. Robert, James, Arthur, Percy, Luke, Frederick, Matthew, and Emanuel, all of whom (except Robert, who is at Woolgoolga) are living in this district. There are also 33 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The funeral took place on Sunday, the remains being interred in the Church of England cemetery. Rev. Canon Ware read the burial service, and Mr. Hircock conducted the funeral arrangements.^[3]

Memoriam
SCOFIELD.—In loving memory of our dear husband and father, Robert Scofield, who died at Casino on the 8th July, 1916; aged 79 years. Four years have passed and still we miss him, Words would fail our love to tell, But in Heaven we hope to meet him Jesus doth all things well, Inserted by his sorrowing wife. Ann Scofield and family, Yorklea.^[11]

Research Notes

(a) Jenet Schofield (nee Angus) was the wife of James Schofield. Many researchers believe Robert was the son of this couple. However, the parish baptism records for St. Luke's Church of England, Scone, show Robert Schofield, son of James Schofield of Hall's Creek and wife Louisa, born 8 July 1837 & baptised 12 October 1841. It is possible this was an error made in the Register, or maybe Jenet's middle name was Louisa, or perhaps she assumed the name Louisa later in life? The truth may never be known. To complicate matters, the Grafton Church of England marriage register shows Robert Scofield born in Mudgee, the son of "James Scofield" and "Janet Stewart". Again, this may be an error. However, it is possible that the Robert Schofield, born in Mudgee and son of "Jane Stewart" who married Ann Llewellyn in 1862 aged 27 years (YOB inferred = 1835) is not the Robert Schofield born in 1837 and baptised in 1841 in Scone.

(b) Robert and wife Ann were witnesses at the wedding of his sister Charlotte when she married John Frost on 29 January 1870 in the Free Church Manse, Rocky Mouth, Clarence River.^[12]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} NSW Government. Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Birth Index. Name: SCOFIELD, ROBERT|Registration No.: 1980/1837 V18371980 25A|Father's given name(s): JAMES|Mother's given name(s): LOUISA. Accessed 2 June 2020. Births search page
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} "Australia Births and Baptisms, 1792-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XT8Q-LLN : 28 January 2020), Robert Schofield, 1841. Refer to Film #007717274, image 620 of 2771
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5} 1916 'DEATH OF AN OLD RESIDENT.', The Richmond River Express and Casino Kyogle Advertiser (NSW : 1904 - 1929), 11 July, p. 2. , viewed 02 Jun 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128595974
4. ↑ Unsourced entry made by Susan (Cox) Scarcella O.A.M. against this profile on 11 April 2016.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} "Australia Marriages, 1810-1980", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XTCL-N2N : 28 January 2020), Robert Scofield, 1865. See Film #007720251. Image 359 of 454.
6. ↑ See Research Note (a)
7. ↑ New South Wales Government. Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Marriage Index. Marriage Registration: 2209/1865 Groom: SCOFIELD ROBERT. Bride:LLEWELLYN ANNE District: GRAFTON. Accessed: 2 June 2020. Marriages search page
8. ↑ See Research Note (b)
9. ↑ Australia Electoral Rolls, 1893-1949; MyHeritage.com [online database]. Robert Scofield. Residence: 1913 - Mummulgum, Clarence, New South Wales, Australia. Possible relatives: Ada Scofield, Annie Scofield, Frederick Ernest Scofield. MyHeritage Ltd.; https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-10744-499480/robert-scofield-in-australia-electoral-rolls.
10. ↑ New South Wales Government. Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Death Index. Death Registration: 12400/1916 SCOFIELD ROBERT. Father: JAMES. Mother: Janet. District: Casino. Accessed:2 June 2020. Deaths search page.
11. ↑ 1920 'Family Notices', The Richmond River Express and Casino Kyogle Advertiser (NSW : 1904 - 1929), 9 July, p. 4. , viewed 02 Jun 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120230315
12. ↑ 'John Frost & Charlotte Scofield’. (1870). Certified copy of Marriage Certificate, 29 January 1870. Reg: Maclean District, Reg. No. 600. NSWBDM #1163/1874, issued 17 July 2019 to Susan Stopford.