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Robertson brothers (pastoralists)

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For John Robertson (c. 1808–1880), Scottish-born pastoralist of Naracoorte, South Australia, see John Robertson (pastoralist).

The Robertson Brothers, John Holland Robertson (1843–1909), William Robertson (c. 1845–1914) and Robert Robertson (1846–1928) were pioneer cattle, sheep and horse breeders of South Australia.

History

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Robert Robertson (died 9 February 1847)[1] a sea captain, and his wife Margaret Robertson, née Harper (c. 1816 – 21 December 1898) arrived in South Australia on the Buckinghamshire in March 1839. They lived at Salisbury for a few months, then Pewsey Vale, then settled in Gawler, where they built, and for a time ran, the Old Bushman Inn. They tried farming at Angas Park then the Lyndoch Valley.[2] They had three sons.

In 1852 the widow Margaret Robertson married Richard Holland (c. 1805 – 25 November 1881), a well-known farmer and horse breeder of "Turretfield", near Rosenthal (now Rosedale), between Gawler and Angaston.[3] He adopted her three sons: John, William, and Robert, aged around nine, seven and five years respectively. They were subsequently educated at John L. Young's Adelaide Educational Institution, all three becoming prize-winning students. Holland was living in the vicinity of Gawler much of this time,[4] but it is likely Mrs Holland and the boys were renting a house in the city.

The properties

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Bookpurnong and Piapco

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In 1863 Holland purchased the contiguous Bookpurnong and Piapco[a] pastoral leases of 489 square miles (1,270 km2)[5] from (William) Chambers & (Frederick) Blades.[b] James Trussel was manager of Piapco in 1864.[6] Holland appointed William Robertson as manager.

In 1873[7] he sold the lease, with its 22,000 sheep, to A. B. Murray for £25,000.

Archibald Henderson[8] was manager of Bookpurnong from 1873 to around 1885.[c][10]

Murray was forced to relinquish the lease due to the rabbit pest.[11][d]

Chowilla and Bookmark (or Calperum)

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Upper Murray in 1887. The approximate location of Renmark has been added.

In 1862, James Chambers died, shortly followed by his partner William Finke (c. 1815 – 17 January 1864). Their Chowilla and Bookmark leases were taken over by John Chambers, then in 1870 or 1871 transferred to Richard Holland, who appointed William Robertson overseer and John and Robert joint managers. William left for Queensland around 1873 or 1874, and in 1876 John and Robert sold their cattle holdings, having determined to concentrate on sheep.[13] In 1887 agreement was reached by the South Australian government and Chaffey Brothers to excise 30,000 acres (12,000 ha) of Bookmark station with 6 miles (9.7 km) of River Murray frontage for their irrigation settlement[14] and creation of a new town: Renmark, the name by which the nearby river flats had been known since 1883 or earlier.[15]

In 1888 the partnership between John and Robert was dissolved.[16] In 1896 the Robertson brothers ceased joint management of their two properties, Robert Robertson taking over Chowilla, and John H. Robertson taking over Bookmark, at the same time changing its name to Calperum.[17]

Robert Robertson carried on at Chowilla until 1919, when be formed Chowilla into a company.

Turretfield, Kalamurina, Nickavilla, Chester Hall

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In 1880 they, with W. R. Cave, purchased Kalamurina Station near Lake Eyre.

In 1883 they purchased Nickavilla Station on the Bulloo River in Queensland from J. & D. McIvers.[18] William was sole owner from 1890 to 1900, when he was forced to abandon it.

In 1886 they purchased Chester Hall Farm from their uncle, George Harper,[e] for an annuity of £200 per annum for life. This was taken over by William in 1890.[16]

William took over Turretfield, Nickavilla and Chester Hall properties with their attendant encumbrances.

In 1908 Turretfield was sold to the South Australian Government for agriculture research, and is now part of the SARDI. The original house still stands at Holland Road, Rosedale, South Australia 5350

Richard Holland

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Richard "Dick" Holland (c. 1805 – 25 November 1881) was born in New South Wales, and was the founder of "Turretfield" racehorse stud.

One of his horses, "Australian Buck", won the 1872 Adelaide Cup,[19] and "The Assyrian" (formerly "Rothschild") won the 1882 Melbourne Cup.[20]

The brothers

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John Holland Robertson

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John Robertson (15 January 1843 – 20 January 1909[21]) was born in Lyndoch and was educated first at Mr Burton's school, Gawler,[f] and later at John L. Young's Adelaide Educational Institution,[22] winning prizes in June 1859, December 1859, and June 1860.

By 1872 he had adopted "Holland" as his middle name. In the 1870s John was manager of Turretfield's cattle raising venture, and with his two brothers carried on the Turretfield Stud in succession to Mr Holland, and bred many successful racehorses.

Nickavilla was the name of John's house in Childers Street in 1886.[23] He took a keen interest in sport, and was recognised as a crack rifle and pigeon shot, winning many trophies with his guns. He was well known all along the Murray, and particularly at Renmark and was much esteemed for his hospitality and kindly nature. As a hobby he made violins, at which he was an adept.

He was a prominent member of the Royal Agricultural Society.[24]

John Holland Robertson held the Calperum lease from 1896 until his death in 1909, the property remaining in the family until the death of the last daughter in 1953.[25]

Family

John Holland Robertson of Bookmark/Calperum station, married Ellen "Nellie" Rees George (c. 1853 – 3 June 1948[26]) on 22 January 1878.[27] They had four daughters:

  • Ellen Margaret Robertson (18 December 1878 – ) married Frederick William Harris ( – ) of Sydney, New South Wales, on 25 January 1916.
  • Madeline "Madge" Robertson (30 January 1881 – 14 March 1848) married Charles Ansell Lushington "Charlie" Morant ( –1966), of Walteela Station, near Renmark, on 28 April 1908. Charles was the eldest son of Colonel C.M.A. Morant (c. 1845–1911).
  • Marian Rosina Robertson (29 November 1882 – 11 March 1952) married Charles Edgar Turner (c. August 1887 – 1957) on 30 June 1914. They divorced in 1921; she married again, to (John) Webb Warren (1878–1937), manager of Calperum Station.
  • Juliet Hope Robertson (3 June 1886 – 1958) married Douglas Lockhart Smith ( – 1962) on 25 November 1913

William Robertson

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William Robertson ( – 24 September 1914)[28] and his brothers moved to Turretfield when their mother married Richard Holland. Like his brothers, he was educated at [[Adelaide Educational Institution, winning prizes at ceremonies in June 1860, December 1860, June 1861, Decmber 1861, June 1862, December 1862.

William was involved in his stepfather's highly successful racehorse breeding business.[29] He was a partner with his brothers in Chowilla and Bookmark stations, and was regarded as one of the leading sportsmen of the Wentworth district, where apart from his racetrack successes he was known as an excellent shot.

He had a business partnership with W. R. Cave. Cave's son Tom was drowned in 1886 while holidaying at Chowilla.[30]

He persuaded his brothers to invested in Kalamurina Station, near Lake Eyre, with W. R. Cave, and took it over when the partnership dissolved. He bought out Cave's interest in 1897.

He bought out his brothers' interest in Chester Hall Farm in 1890. In 1897, as his financial position deteriorated, he transferred it to his wife, a subject of Supreme Court action by the Union Bank of Australia after he was declared insolvent.[16]

In 1890 he took over Nickavilla Station, Queensland, managed by J. Gordon Fraser, but a series of poor seasons left him financially stretched and was resumed by the bank in 1899 and Turretfield was resumed by its mortgagees and he moved to Netherby. He was declared insolvent in 1902.[31][32]

He and W. R. Cave were part of the committee charged with selecting horses for the Boer War.[33]

He was member of the Adelaide Racing Club, where he was known as "Willie Robertson", and chairman from December 1892 to 1902.[34]

When Turretfield was broken up he retired to "The Gunyah", Wilmington, where he ran a small stud based on his mare Tinmine and her daughters Tinfoil, Stannine and Stannary Hills,[35] from which he bred The Tinman, Tinbrook, Humberette and Dardurr. He was an active promoter of the racing clubs of the north, and was an early advocate of paid stewards on race courses. His last years were marred by the after-effects of breaking his leg in a trap accident.

Family

He married Blanch Scott ( – 14 March 1934) of Wilmington on 23 April 1886. They had two daughters:

  • Margaret Robertson (1887–1968) married Frank Compson Daw (1881–1963) on 6 October 1910
  • Nell Hope Robertson (1892 – 10 September 1913) died of pneumonia.

Robert Robertson

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Robert "Bob" Robertson (5 November 1846[36] – 16 December 1928[37]) was born in Lyndoch and educated at Adelaide Educational Institution, winning prizes in December 1860, June 1861, June 1863, December 1863, June 1864.

Although he never learned a trade, was remarkably handy with tools and carpentry work. He did all the joinery, roofing, and other woodwork at both Chowilla and Bookmark, and like his brother, was famous for instrument-making, having made three cellos and a violin. The cabin of his son W. A. Robertson's motorboat Lotus was also his handiwork.

Robert was an excellent pigeon shooter and won many trophies in Melbourne and elsewhere with his well-known Purdey gun. He was also an excellent rifle shot, and won a match at Smithfield, despite using the left shoulder, as his right was blackened while practising.

Family

Robert Robertson, later of Chowilla station, married Adelaide Mary Harvey (1859–1950) of Blanchetown, on 14 November 1878. Among their children were:

  • William Arthur Robertson (1879–1954) married Marjory Mary Compson Daw ( – ) on 18 April 1914, lived at Chowilla
  • Robert "Robbie" Robertson (1881–1944?) married Isidore Claire Dale (1888–1975) on 9 December 1912, moved to Condoblin
  • J(ohn) Harper Robertson (1883–1968), electrical engineer and winemaker, married Elizabeth Florence "Betty" Waters (1883 – 30 November 1962) in London on 16 June 1905, lived at "Glenloth", O'Halloran Hill
  • (Colin) Scott Robertson (1912– )
  • (Adelaide) Mary "Della" Robertson (1884–1957) married F(rederick) Cyril Lang (1892–1965), of "Wiela", Murthoo via Renmark on 29 April 1922
  • Douglas Robertson (1887 – 1953? 1966?) married Alice Ada Cowell (1887–1975) on 29 August 1918, lived at "Oakley", Nuriootpa
  • Kathleen Robertson (1891–1983) married Desmond Theodore DuRieu ( –1969) on 4 March 1924, lived at "Lagonda", Renmark.[38]
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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ It is likely that Piapco, elsewhere mentioned as being near Moorunde, is the same area as that later known as Pyap. There is no evidence that the "co" in the closely associated leases Piapco, Qualco and Ramco is an abbreviation of "Company".
  2. ^ Charles Chambers (1843–1877) and William Chambers (1849–1930) were sons of John Chambers; Frederick James Blades (c. 1830–1895) was a son-in-law. They owned the Dragon Brewery, Green Dragon and Queen's Head hotels in the city, and the Tanner's Arms in Unley.
  3. ^ Elsewhere James Mclnnes Mackay is credited as Bookpurnong manager 1874–1875.[9]
  4. ^ This seems to conflict with the report that A. B. Murray offered 6s. 5d. and 10s. 6d. for Bookpurnong lots 270 and 271 respectively in 1889.[12] His bids were under the reserve price however, so the lot was passed in. This may have been an accepted strategy for unloading a lease; more information is required.
  5. ^ George Harper (c. 1814 – 10 February 1901), Margaret Robertson's brother, arrived in South Australia in May 1848 aboard the Orbona
  6. ^ St George's School run by Leonard Samuel Burton (c. 1823 – 23 February 1895). Burton, who was mayor of Gawler 1884, 1885 and 1888, was killed in a railway accident.

References

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  1. ^ "Family Notices". The South Australian. Vol. X, no. 810. South Australia. 12 February 1847. p. 5. Retrieved 4 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "Gawler". The Advertiser. Adelaide. 24 December 1898. p. 9. Retrieved 24 June 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "The Late Mrs Richard Holland". South Australian Register. Adelaide. 24 December 1898. p. 5. Retrieved 27 June 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Law and Criminal Courts". South Australian Weekly Chronicle. Vol. IV, no. 191. South Australia. 22 March 1862. p. 2. Retrieved 20 July 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Advertising". South Australian Register. Vol. XXXVIII, no. 8340. South Australia. 9 August 1873. p. 8. Retrieved 1 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Commercial". South Australian Weekly Chronicle. Vol. VI, no. 301. South Australia. 7 May 1864. p. 2. Retrieved 1 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "Death of Mr A. B. Murray". The Register. Adelaide. 18 March 1903. p. 8. Retrieved 24 June 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "Concerning People". The Register (Adelaide). Vol. LXXVI, no. 20, 226. South Australia. 8 September 1911. p. 6. Retrieved 27 July 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "Obituary". The Chronicle (Adelaide). Vol. LXIII, no. 3, 340. South Australia. 25 September 1920. p. 13. Retrieved 27 July 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "Land and Country". The Register News-pictorial. Vol. XCIV, no. 27, 468. South Australia. 28 August 1929. p. 12. Retrieved 27 July 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "Death of Mr A. B. Murray". The Express and Telegraph. Vol. XL, no. 11, 833. South Australia. 17 March 1903. p. 1. Retrieved 22 July 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "Land Sales". The Express and Telegraph. Vol. XXVI, no. 7, 729. South Australia. 12 September 1889. p. 2. Retrieved 27 July 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "Advertising". The Adelaide Observer. Vol. XXXIII, no. 1800. South Australia. 1 April 1876. p. 1. Retrieved 26 July 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ^ "The Proposed Irrigation Settlement". Evening Journal (Adelaide). Vol. XIX, no. 5513. South Australia. 15 February 1887. p. 3. Retrieved 27 July 2025 – via National Library of Australia. This article includes considerable detail of the agreement and analysis of its flaws.
  15. ^ "Improving the Navigability of the Lower Murray". South Australian Register. Vol. XLVIII, no. 11, 553. South Australia. 23 November 1883. p. 6. Retrieved 1 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. ^ a b c "Supreme Court Civil Sittings". The Register. Adelaide. 9 July 1902. p. 10. Retrieved 27 June 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. ^ "Renmark". The Chronicle (Adelaide). Vol. 39, no. 1, 994. South Australia. 7 November 1896. p. 27. Retrieved 1 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  18. ^ "Commercial Intelligence". The Argus. Melbourne. 20 October 1883. p. 8. Retrieved 26 June 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  19. ^ "Adelaide Cup". The Advertiser. Adelaide. 9 May 1933. p. 8. Retrieved 24 June 2012 – via National Library of Australia. A potted history of the Cup to 1933
  20. ^ "Sporting Notes". The Argus. Melbourne. 29 November 1895. p. 7. Retrieved 25 June 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  21. ^ "Obituary". Renmark Pioneer. Vol. 14, no. 6. South Australia. 5 February 1909. p. 9. Retrieved 17 July 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  22. ^ "Concerning People". The Register. Adelaide. 26 January 1909. p. 4. Retrieved 24 June 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  23. ^ "Family Notices". Evening Journal. Vol. XVIII, no. 5300. South Australia. 4 June 1886. p. 2. Retrieved 2 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  24. ^ "Correction". The Advertiser. Adelaide. 6 June 1893. p. 4. Retrieved 26 June 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  25. ^ "Caperuum Station 1838–2010". Australian Landscape Trust. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  26. ^ "Family Notices". Murray Pioneer. Vol. 56, no. 26. South Australia. 24 June 1948. p. 14. Retrieved 1 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  27. ^ "Family Notices". The South Australian Advertiser. South Australia. 24 January 1878. p. 4. Retrieved 1 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  28. ^ "Death of Mr W. Robertson". The Express and Telegraph. Vol. LI, no. 15, 332. South Australia. 24 September 1914. p. 4. Retrieved 17 July 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  29. ^ "The Turretfield Stud". The Advertiser. Adelaide. 2 February 1893. p. 7. Retrieved 24 June 2012 – via National Library of Australia. includes extensive details of Turretfield thoroughbred horses.
  30. ^ "Sad Cases of Drowning". South Australian Register. Adelaide. 25 January 1886. p. 2. Retrieved 27 June 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  31. ^ "An Insolvent Pastoralist". The Register. Adelaide. 28 May 1902. p. 4. Retrieved 26 June 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  32. ^ "Insolvency Court". The Register. Adelaide. 28 May 1902. p. 9. Retrieved 26 June 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  33. ^ "The Fifth Contingent". South Australian Register. Adelaide. 1 February 1901. p. 6. Retrieved 27 June 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  34. ^ "Death of Mr. W. Robertson". The Journal. Vol. XLIX, no. 13524. Adelaide. 24 September 1914. p. 2. Retrieved 5 July 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  35. ^ "Sporting Notes". Observer. Vol. LXVII, no. 5, 312. South Australia. 24 December 1910. p. 19. Retrieved 5 July 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  36. ^ "Family Notices". South Australian. Vol. IX, no. 7. South Australia. 20 November 1846. p. 5. Retrieved 17 July 2025 – via National Library of Australia. not 1847
  37. ^ "River Pioneer Passes". Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record. Vol. 37, no. 51. South Australia. 21 December 1928. p. 9. Retrieved 17 July 2025 – via National Library of Australia. much more in this article
  38. ^ "Chowilla Pioneer". The Register. Adelaide. 19 December 1928. p. 13. Retrieved 3 March 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
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