Andrew Robertson (1836 - 1923)

Born 30 Jun 1836 in Shetland, Scotland, United Kingdom

Husband of Ann (Miller) Robertson — married 1864 in Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia

Died 1923 at about age 86 in Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia

Biography

Obituary. (1923, July 16). Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954), p. 11. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155630601 OBITUARY. ANDREW ROBERTSON. Andrew Robertson, whose death took place on Friday, was born on the 30th June, 1836, at "Bressay," a small town on the coast of the Shetland Islands, in the North of Scotland, which is in close proximity to the city of "Lerwick." At an early age he took up sea-faring life, and after visiting many countries, including Canada, America, and New Zealand, he decided to come to Australia. He landed in Sydney when 19 years of age. Hearing of the goldfields in the country and the possible fortunes to be made, he and a mate decided to "run away from the ship to try their luck, and he has often amused his friends with stories of the hardships he had to endure before he reached the goldfields. He never omitted to relate his first experiences with mosquitoes whilst wading through the Hexham swamps in the endeavor to keep clear of the authorities for fear of being brought back to the ship. It took him several weeks to reach Muswellbrook, getting an odd job here and there in order to obtain sufficient food to carry him along, as he had but 2/- in his pocket when he left the ship. When he and his mate arrived at Muswellbrook they hesitated whether to go north or west. They tossed a penny to determine this, and the penny decided for the western track, so the late Mr. Robertson landed in Mudgee in 1855, 68 years ago. On arrival at Mudgee he first went to the Broombee diggings, and then got the gold fever properly, subsequently pegging out claims at Hargaves, Hill End, Sofala, Maitland Bar, Gulgong, and other fields. A couple of years later he settled down on a farm on the bank of the Cudgegong River at Putta Bucca, and he had been engaged in farming up till the time of his death. For many years he also carried on a produce business at the West End of the town.The late Mr. Robertson was twice married. There were twenty children in all, sixteen being alive now and four deceased : one, Frank, is buried in France. Those living are: Tom (Queensland), Jessie (Mrs.G. Collyer, Mudgee), Andrew (Sydney), Annie (Sydney), John (Young),Barbara (Mrs. R. Skinner, New Zealand), Archie (Sydney), Marion (Mudgee), Sophie (Mrs. W. Lawson, Sydney), William (Gundagai), Allan (Sydney), Charlie (Sydney), Lucy (Sydney), Arthur (Mudgee), Evelyn (Mudgee), Bessie (Sydney). The late Mr. Robertson was a man who always stood to his guns, and was never afraid to express his opinion. Although a hard fighter, and one given to the expression of strong opinions, the next day he would be prepared to shake hands with his adversaries. He was a great protectionist, and fought with some of the giants of the movement in the State............

Sources

• BIRTH from Obituary
• MARRIAGE Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950, Name:Ann Miller,Spouse Name:Andrew Robertson,Marriage Date: 1864,Marriage Place:New South Wales,Reg. Place: Mudgee, New South Wales,Reg.ear: 1864,Reg. Number: 2514
• DEATH N.S.W. Births ,Deaths and Marriages. ROBERTSON ANDREW 14026/1923 (F=THOMAS M=JANET) district MUDGEE