Robert Arthur Molesworth (1843 - 1920)

Born 15 Apr 1843 in County Dublin Ireland

Ancestors

Husband of Flora MacDonald (Matheson) Molesworth — married about 1878 in Victoria, Australia

Descendants

Died 1 Nov 1920 at age 77 in Mittagong, Grey Street, St.Kilda, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

Robert Molesworth was born in Ireland.

Robert Arthur Molesworth, was born at Mount Joyce Square, Dublin, Ireland, 15th April 1843. He arrived in Australia with his parents in 1852, and was educated first at a school conducted by Mr Goslet, at St Kilda, and afterwards at the Diocesan School established by Dr Bromby, which afterwards became the Melbourne Church of England Grammar School. He later commenced a course of civil engineering at Melbourne University, but decided to abandon this profession and take up pastoral pursuits. During his three years at the University he rowed in the University Boat Crew.

He received his pastoral training on Sir Samuel Wilson's property, Yanco, and later purchased Wyadra Station, near Hillston, New South Wales, and was later in partnership as managing partner with Webb, Ware and Charles McKinnon, in Cowl Cowl Station, New South Wales. He sold his interest in Cowl Cowl Station to Mr McKinnon in 1884 and with Mr Ware purchased Eurugabar, a property at Booligal, Hay, which he retained until a few years prior to his death. Other properties owned by Mr Molesworth were Mount Napier, near Hamilton, and Springbank. He was also a trustee and executor of his father-in-law, John Matheson's, estate.

Mr Molesworth, like most of his family, was keenly interested in sport, and was president of the Melbourne Hunt Club for several years; also president of the Pastoralists' Association, the Employers' Federation during the shipping strike of 1890, and a Territorial Magistrate for New South Wales. A prominent Anglican, he was a vestryman of Christ Church, St Kilda, for many years. He was a member of the Melbourne Club, VRC, a Life Member of the University Rowing Club and a member of the St Kilda City Council for ten years. On his retirement from active pastoral work he purchased a city residence, "Mittagong", St Kilda, which was owned by the family until 1939.

He married 10th June 1874, Flora MacDonald, daughter of John Matheson, who arrived in Victoria in 1840, and became the first manager of the Geelong branch of the Union Bank of Australia and was later appointed manager in Melbourne, and subsequently became first General Manager of the Bank of Victoria, which was later amalgamated with the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney. John Matheson was also interested in a large number of pastoral properties, both in Victoria and New South Wales. Flora MacDonald Molesworth (nee Matheson) died at St Kilda, 13th February 1911.

Robert Arthur Molesworth died at "Mittagong", St Kilda, 1st November 1920, having had issue :-

• John Matheson Molesworth, born St Kilda, Melbourne, 16th February 1878. Educated Melbourne CEGS, "Elstree" Hereford, England and "Cumloden", St Kilda, Melbourne. Member of the school cricket and football teams and held the school championship for swimming. Began his pastoral career on Mount Napier Station, where he remained for thirteen years, and during most of that time occupied the position of manager. On sale of this property in 1916, he purchased Ballark Estate, Morrisons, Victoria, and there established a Dorset Stud from stock bred by Ivan Hay, of Springbank. Member of Ballan Shire Council for twenty years; twice president; JP; Lay Canon of the Ballarat Diocese and member of the Diocesan Council. Clubs: Melbourne, Geelong and Savage. He married at Christ Church, St Kilda, 6th December 1906, Elizabeth Flora Frances Hill, elder daughter of Dr Edwin Matthews James, FRCSE of Alcaston House, Melbourne, who came out to Victoria about the time of the gold rush. Dr James had then only done two years of medicine, but owing to the exodus of even doctors to the goldfields, he joined the staff of the then Melbourne Hospital, and was practically in charge of it, being assisted by two or three nurses. When conditions became normal, he returned to St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, and was allowed to sit for two final years of medicine in one year. This concession was made in recognition of his services to the Melbourne Hospital. The James family was an old Shropshire and Gloucestershire family, resident for centuries at Alcaston Manor, Acton Scott, Shropshire, inherited from the Hill family. A kinsman, Lord Hill, of Hawkston, was second in command to the Duke of Wellington at the battle of Waterloo. Issue :-

Richard William Edwin Molesworth, born St Kilda, Melbourne, 6th December 1908. Educated Geelong CEGS and Trinity College, Melbourne University. Prefect and member of cricket, football and swimming teams. Joined 8th Light Horse. Pastoralist; owner of Killeneen pastoral estate, Corowa, NSW. He married 17th December 1936 Dirleen, daughter of Leslie Sprague, of Charlemont, Geelong, Victoria.

John Robert Nassau Molesworth, born St Kilda, 30th April 1910. Educated Geelong CEGS. House Prefect and member of cricket XI and House football team. Pastoralist; owner of Kiandra, Brit-Brit, Victoria. Joined RAAF 1940. He married 27th July 1940 Sheila Morrell, elder daughter of Charles Morrell Armytage, of The Wilderness Estate, near Coleraine.

John Bysse Molesworth, born St Kilda 15th September 1912. Educated Geelong CEGS. Pastoralist.

Edwin Noel Waulter Molesworth, born St Kilda, 6th January 1916. Educated Geelong CEGS. Member school cricket XI. Pastoralist; manager Ballark Estate, Morrisons. Elected unopposed member of Ballan Shire Council 1940, when his father retired through ill health. He married Alison, daughter of Alexander Dalrymple, of Glen Luce Estate, Gisborne, Victoria and granddaughter of William Dalrymple.

Flora Roma Maroa Molesworth, born St Kilda. Educated St Catherine's School, Melbourne. Prefect and school Captain. Won School Swimming Championship. She married, May 1939, Frank Hobill-Cole, son of the late Dr Hobill-Cole of Alcaston Lodge, South Yarra, Melbourne. Issue: a son, Robert Molesworth Hobill, born East Melbourne 9th February 1940.

Mary Margaret Hill Molesworth, born St Kilda. Educated at St Catherine's School, Melbourne.

• Robert Hickman Molesworth, born St Kilda, 24th November 1879. Educated at Cumloden, St Kilda, Melbourne and "Elstree", Hereford, England. Unmarried.

• William Edwin Molesworth, born St Kilda, 19th September 1884. Educated at Cumloden, St Kilda, Melbourne and Trinity College, Melbourne University. Member of the College rowing, cricket and football teams. Pastoralist, North Queensland. He died, unmarried, 7th August 1907.

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Sources

• http://www.thepeerage.com/p51482.htm#i514816
• Victoria BDM, Death 16473 in 1920, (F)Molesworth Robert, (M)Hetta (Johnson).
• Victoria BDM, Marriage 885 in 1878, Robert Arthur Molesworth married Flora Mcdonald Matheson.
• Pedigree of the Molesworth Family, page 12. Robert Arthur, b.1843, d.1920, married Flora Mathieson, d.1911.
• (children) Pedigree of the Molesworth Family. John Matheson, b.1878, married Elizabeth Flora Frances Hill, 5 listed children; Robert Hickman, b.1879; William Edwin, b.1884, d.s.p.1907.
• NSW BDM, Birth 10492/1881, Unnamed Molesworth, (F) Robert A, (M) Flora, in Hillston.
• https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/242241451?searchTerm=%22Robert%20a%20molesworth%22 &searchLimits=l-state=Victoria
• Burial Record, Robert Arthur Molesworth BIRTH 1843 DEATH 3 Nov 1920 (aged 76–77) BURIAL St. Kilda Cemetery St Kilda, Port Phillip City, Victoria, Australia PLOT Presbyterian, Compartment B, Grave 089 MEMORIAL ID 212645824 FindAGrave · Gravesite Details Death date listed is the interment date