Robert Martin Senior (1768 - 1846)

Born 1768 in Calvo, Cumberland England

Husband of Mary (Cooper) Martin — married about 1788 in England

Descendants

Died 13 Jun 1846 at about age 78 in Richmond, New South Wales, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Michelle Baarsoe [send private message] and Helen Gardner [send private message]

Biography

Robert and wife Mary arrived free in colony 24 Jun 1804 on the convict ship 'EXPERIMENT' with son Robert Jnr.

On 6th July 1804 Robert Martin received a grant of land No 1186 in the District of Musgrave Place. A note in a paper in 1821 mentioned Martin land adjacent to Richmond Hill. In the early 1820s Robert Martin's interest moved to Cobbora area where he received a grant that was officially proclaimed 30.9.1839. By 1828 Robert Martin owned 120 acres of cleared land, 9 horses and 200 cattle. Robert Martin like most free settlers used convict labour. The name of one is referred to in a notice in The Sydney Morning Herald dated 27th November 1808 -

From the Australian 27th May 1841. Martin's store being opened at his cottage March Street Richmond. Subscriber to the Hibernian Fund 2nd August 1832. Robert Sn was appointed to the Protestant Committee, Windsor Richmond Gazette 19th July 1836. He was also a subscriber to Bourke's statue and memorial - 1838.

Will of Robert Martin, the Elder The will is handwritten and some parts are difficult to read. There are no paragraph breaks and often no full stops. For clarity I have put in some paragraphs and full stops. The will follow: This is the last will and testament of me, ROBERT MARTIN, the elder, of Richmond in the Colony of New South Wales. I give my freehold estates, messuages, tenemented lands and hereditaments situate in the Colony of New South Wales aforesaid consisting of: in the County of … in the colony aforesaid, containing by estimation one hundred acres more or less and which adjoins land now formally belonging to Pierce Collett with the rights members and appurtenances to the said parcel of land belonging. Also all that parcel of land containing be estimation one thousand two hundred and eighty acres more or less situate in the County of Bligh in the occupation of my son Robert Martin with the rights members and appurtenances thereto belonging. [Cobbora] Also that parcel of land commonly known as Martin Farm, containing by estimation one hundred acres more or less situated at Richmond aforesaid and now in the occupation of Thomas Simons and Thomas Eather and William Magic respectively with the rights, members and appurtenances thereto belonging. Also all that parcel of land containing by estimation fifty acres more or less and situate at Richmond aforesaid adjoining the said parcel of land called Martin Farm and now in the occupation of James White with the rights members and appurtenances thereto belong. Also all that parcel of land containing by estimation one acre more or less situate in March Street Richmond, the aforesaid purchased by me of Joseph Rendall with all the rights and appurtenances thereto belonging. Also all that parcel of land containing by estimation one acre and three roods more or less situate in Lennox and March Streets Richmond aforesaid purchased by me from Thomas Weham with the rights and appurtenances as thereto belonging unto my wife Margaret for her life. And from and after her decease as to for and concerning that portion of my freehold messuages lands, tenements and hereditaments which consist of all that parcel of land situate at Mount York by the river Lett in the county of… and colony aforesaid containing by estimation one hundred acres more or less and which adjoins land now or formerly belonging to Pierce Collett with the rights members and appurtenances as thereto belonging. I devise the same to my son Robert Martin in the fee simple and from and after the decease of my said wife as to for and concerning all that parcel of land containing one thousand two hundred [acres] the colony aforesaid originally granted to me by the Crown and now in the occupation of my said son. Also all that parcel of land commonly known as Martin Farm containing by estimation one hundred acres more or less situate at Richmond aforesaid and now in the occupation of Thomas Simons and Thomas Eather and William Magic with the rights members and appurtenances to the lastly described parcels of land respectively belonging. I devise the same to my son the said Robert Martin and his assigns for his life and after his decease to my Grandsons John Harden and William Martin the sons of my said son Robert Martin in equal shares for their respective lives. And as to the share of each of my said grandsons on his decease to such children of the same grandson living at his death and such issue then living of his children the male or males attain the age of twenty one years or being a female or females attain that age of marry in fee simple to take if more than one as tenants in common according to the stocks and not to the number of individuals. And if there be no such child or issue then to such persons, for such last will appoint and in default of such appointment to the other said of my said grandsons for the same states and with the same subsequent limitations as are thereinbefore expressed concerning the original share of either of my said grandsons dying leaving children of issue aforesaid. And to the entirety of hereinbefore expressed to my grandson Robert Cooper Martin and his assigns for his life and on his decease to his children as tenants in common in fee simple with cross executory devises between them so that in the event of any of them dying under the age of twenty one years without leaving issue the same parcels of land lastly described to the others as tenants in common or the other of them in fee simple. And from and after the decease of my said wife. As to and fro concerning that other portion of freehold estates messuages lands tenements and hereditaments which consist of all land called Martin Farm and now in the occupation of James White with the rights members and appurtenances thereunto belonging. I devise the same to my grandson the said Robert Cooper Martin and his assigns for his life. And on his decease to his children as tenants in common in fee simple with cross executory devises so that between them so that in the event of them all dying under the age of twenty-one years without leaving issue the same parcel of land may go to the others as tenants in common in fee simple. But in the event of them all dying unto my said grandson John Harden Martin and William Martin as tenants in common in the fee simple with cross executory devices between them of in the event of either of them dying under the age of twenty-one years without leaving issue the same parcel of land may go to the other of them in fee simple. And from the decease of my said wife, as to for and concerning the same and other portion of may said freehold parcel of land containing one acre more or less situate in March Street Richmond, with the aforesaid purchased by me off Joseph Kendall with the rights members and appurtances thereto belonging. I devise the same to my grand daughter, Caroline Martin, the daughter of the said Robert Martin and her assigns for life and on her decease to her children as tenants in common in fee simple with cross executory devises between them so that in the event of any of them dying under the age of twenty-one years without leaving issue the same parcel of land may go to the others as tenants in common in fee simple. But in the event of all of them dying to my grand daughter Martha Martin the daughter of my said son Robert Martin for her life. And in her decease to her children for the same estates and in the same order as the said parcel of land lastly described as limited to the children of the said Caroline Martin. And from and after the decease of my said wife to for and concerning that other portion of my freehold estates messuages lands tenements and hereditaments which consist of all that parcel of land containing by estimation one acre and three roods more or less situated in Lennox Street and March Streets Richmond aforesaid purchased by me of Thomas Weyham with the rights members and appurtances thereto belonging. I devise the same to my grand daughter the said Martha Martin for her life. And after her decease to her children as tenants in common in fee simple with cross executory devises between them so that in the event of any of them dying under the age of twenty one years without leaving children the same parcel of land may go to the others as tenants in common or the other of them in fee simple. But in the event of them all dying to my said daughter Caroline Price for her life. And after her decease to her children for the same estates and in the same order as the said parcel of land lastly described as limited to the children of the said Martha Martin. I devise all that parcel of land containing by estimation two roods and thirty four perches more or less in Richmond Street aforesaid purchased by me from William Harrington in the occupation of… Also all that parcel of land situate in Lennox Street Richmond aforesaid lately purchased by me from …Kennedy and now in the occupation of John Long with the respective members and appurtenances to the said two lastly described parcels of land belonging respectively unto my wife Margaret in fee simple. And I declare that every estate for life herein before limited to be unimpeachable waste. And I interpose after every such estate for life or the remainder immediately expectant thereon to my trustees hereinafter named for the life of the tenant of that estate upon trust to preserve the contingent… to the issue of such children but to permit such tenant to acquire the [word may be Land?] I empower and direct my said Trustees during the minorities of minority of each or any infant devisee under this my will to let from year to year or for any term not exceeding three years in possession at the best rent and to manage the lands and hereditaments devised to them respectively or adequate parts thereof respectively in and towards the maintenance and education of such infant devised and to invest the unapplied surplus if any in the purchase of stock or shares in any of the banking companies carried on in New South Wales aforesaid and improve the same as an accumulating fund varying the investment from time to time for any other of the kinds aforesaid as often as may be thought proper but with liberty to apply the income and if deemed necessary the capital also for the same fund for the maintenance of advancement in life of such devisee and on such devisee attaining the age of twenty-one years the same fund or so much thereof as shall remain unapplied to the purpose aforesaid shall be payable to and be the absolute property of the said devisee. I devise unto and to the use of my said trustees all the real estate of which I am or may be at the time of my decease be trustee to be disposed of according to the real trusts upon which I hold the same. And also all the real estate of which I am or may be Mortagee to be disposed of (but subject to the equities of redemption subsisting therein) according to the disposition hereinafter made of my personal estate in favour of my said wife. I bequeath all the personal estate which shall belong to me at my decease (after payment of all my debts, funeral and testamentary expenses and the expense and expenses proving my will or any codicil thereto) unto my said wife Margaret Martin for her absolute benefit. I declare that if my said trustees or any of them or any trustee to be appointed under this provision shall die or become unwilling or unable to act as trustees or trustee of my will it shall be lawful for the declining to act or if not use for the executors or administrators of any deceased trustee to appoint any fit person to be trustees dying or becoming unwilling or unable to act. And I declare that the trustees or trustee for the time being for my will shall be competent to exercise all the powers and discretions hereby confided to the trustees herein named. And I exempt every trustee of my will from liability for losing occurring without his own willful default and authorize him to retain and allow to his co-trusteeship all expenses incidental to the trusteeship. I appoint my friends, William Bowman of Richmond aforesaid Esquire and the Rev Matthew Adam of Windsor Presbyterian Minister to be Trustees of my will. And I appoint my said wife Margaret, she continuing to be my widow and the said trustees to be executrix and executors of my will with power to compound debts and settle claims against or in favor of my estate. Lastly I revoke all former wills. In witness whereof I have hereunder set my hand, and I have set my hand to each of the four preceding pages of this my will this thirteenth day of June one thousand eight hundred and forty three. Signed the mark of Robert Martin the Elder. Signed by the said Robert Martin the Elder the said Testator as his last will and testament in the presence of us present at the same time who at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names at witnesses. BEDDEK Solicitor Windsor D LAWSON His Clerk. THOMAS ASHTON, Richmond

Robert was born in 1768. He passed away in 1846.

Sources

• NSW.GOV BDM

• Robert Martin 1768–1846 from the Australian Royalty website at: https://australianroyalty.net.au/individual.php?pid=I62794&ged=purnellmccord.ged

• Convict Ship Experiment 1804 from the Free Settler or Felon? website at: https://www.jenwilletts.com/convict_ship_experiment_1804.htm