Source
Source for: Robert John Turnbull, 1772 - 03 JUN 1842
Index
Name source: S260 Megan Tilley and others, WebSearches - LDS, RootsWeb, etc, Web/Internet, Date of Import: 27 Nov 2005.
Name source: S137Page: Database online.
Name source: S98Page: Turnbull, Robert John (Captain)
Text: Person Page - 408
Captain Robert John Turnbull
M, #44514, b. circa 1770, d. 23 March 1847
Last Edited: 10 Jun 2011
Captain Robert John Turnbull was born circa 1770 in England.1
He married Elizabeth Wearing on 11 September 1804 in England.2,3,4
He died on 23 March 1847 in General Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, a "Pauper."1
As far as I've been able to discover, Robert Turnbull first came to Australia as the Master (Captain) of the Ship 'Britannia' (3) in 1798. In another compendium this voyage is listed as Britannia (2). Further research showed that there were several ships named 'Britannia.'
There is a ship of the 3rd Fleet named 'Britannia' which arrived in 1791 with 121 male convicts under the command of Thomas Melville. The ship was built in 1774 in India as a Whaler. It was the first whaler to operate off the NSW coast and the Tasman Sea and continued that work for a number of years.
The 2nd 'Britannia' was to earn it the reputation of lithe worst voyage in the history of transportation" It was captained by Dennott, a sadistic bully who kept his Irish convicts in heavy chains and regularly flogged them with the slightest excuse. Because the poor fellows seemed to survive his initial brutal treatment, Dennott increased the punishment and denied them food and drink, determined to break them. The female convicts did not escape his notice either. Their punishment might be 3 to 4 dozen cuts of the cane while lashed to the mast, having their heads shaved and being put in a neck yoke and chained to the deck in all weathers.
On arrival in NSW, the convicts landed were in an emaciated and wretched state. Of the 144 male and 44 female convicts embarked, 1 in 17 men and I woman died. Although the English authorities held an enquiry into the voyage, to their shame, Dennott and the ship's surgeon were never goaled.
The 3rd 'Britannia' was captained by our Robert Turnbull in 1798. He was given the responsibility of carrying 94 Female convicts to Australia and was also to assess the profitability of a sustained whaling operation here.
For the next 2 yrs., Robert would bring general merchandise to Australia and carry whale oil on his return voyages.
Research shows that in 1803 and 1804, Robert is Captain on the 'Adonis', fishing and whaling between Australia and New Zealand. He must also have returned home to England because he married Elizabeth Waring in 1804 and began a family. Elizabeth remained in England with the children until 1819 when she joined Robert in New South Wales.
I couldn't find any further reference to Robert in Australian waters until 1807 and I wondered if he too had become involved in the sea battle of Trafalgar as had Laurence Halloran. There seems no way of confirming this, as the common seamen were not named. The ship Britannia in which Robert came first to Australia was NOT the same vessel that was at Trafalgar.
In 1807, Robert is on the 'Indispensible' fishing and whaling off the Derwent River of Tasmania and delivering oil to Sydney.
In 1813, his son Robert Giles Turnbull is born. Rachael Sofia is born in 1816 on the 22nd October. Later in 1816, Robert left Liverpool England as a passenger on the ship 'Almora', bound for New South Wales. He is listed as a landowner, and indeed, in 1817 he is given a grant of 100 acres of land at Cabramatta in NSW.
Searching the various NSW Musters (type of census) I found that in 1819 Robert is the Constable at South Creek, Cabramatta. His wife Elizabeth and daughters Elizabeth Forrester Turnbull and Rachael Sofia, had arrived in Sydney on the Convict Ship 'Baring'. Also on board this vessel, among the convicts, is Laurence Hynes Halloran whom Elizabeth Forrester Turnbull will later marry.
The 1823 Land and Stock Muster contains information that Robert was a Constable at Liverpool and that he resided on his farm of 100 acres. The land has 11 acres sown with wheat, 30 acres of cultivated land on which graze 13 cattle, one horse and 3 hogs. Robert also has 10 bushells of wheat in store. Elizabeth has 1 acre of land in her own name where she is raising pigs. She also runs a small school and takes in girls referred
Later in 1823, Robert resigned his position as Constable. He and Elizabeth live at Parramatta. He received an assigned convict from 'The Princess Royal' and then returned to the sea as crew on the ship 'Woodlark' which carried convicts and 22 passengers.
In 1824, Elizabeth and Robert are approached by Laurence Halloran who is looking for someone to take proper care of his numerous children. In his 'Memorium' to the Governor seeking permission to marry, Laurence (to paraphrase) states he doesn't want to advertise for a career for the children as he would not find anyone who was likely to satisfy his standards for his family. He therefore has "elected a young person." He describes Elizabeth Forrester Turnbull as a girl well versed in the running of an economical home having been instructed by her Mother, a respectable and prudent woman. He stated that he knew the Turnbull family in England.
Robert and Elizabeth gave their consent to the marriage in a certified letter to the Governor dated 26th of June 1824. We .. "do sincerely give our full and free consent for the marriage of our daughter Elizabeth Forester, with Dr. Lawrence (sic) Halloran of Sydney, in compliance with his solicitations to us, and of him, and our said daughter's desire and voluntary acceptance of him." The letter is signed by both parents, the address being given as Burwood.
Robert returned to the sea, first as crew on 'Samuel' and later on the 'Nereus' which was a whaling Brig and vessel of exploration.
The 1828 Muster lists Robert and Elizabeth as living in Phillips Street, Sydney with their children.
Rachael ( born 1816) came free to the Colony on the 'Baring' 1819
Charlotte, born in the colony 1820
James, born in the colony 1821
John, born in the colony 1823.3
Family: Elizabeth Wearing b. c 1774, d. 1854
Elizabeth Forrester Turnbull+5,6 b. 14 Aug 1808, d. 17 Jan 1854
Catherine Janetta Hodson Turnbull7,6 b. 14 Aug 1808, d. 1809
Robert Giles Turnbull6 b. 3 Aug 1813
Rachel Sophia Turnbull8,9 b. 17 Sep 1816
Charlotte Turnbull b. 1820
James Turnbull+5,10 b. 1821, d. 1 May 1871
John Turnbull11 b. 1823, d. 1829
Citations
[S2] TURNBULL, S.J. (deceased) , NB7-448.
[S2] TURNBULL, S.J. (deceased) , Turnbull Files.
[S599] "Research: Adeline Mary Burman", 2011, Morna Kenworthy (Australia), to Brian Turnbull (Quebec, Canada); unknown repository, unknown repository address. Hereinafter cited as "Research: Adeline Mary Burman."
[S600] Letter from Morna Kenworthy, published by Turnbull Clan Association, 2011, e-mail address.
[S2] TURNBULL, S.J. (deceased) , File T-0005.
[S415] Geraldine James, "E-Mail from Geraldine James," e-mail message from e-mail address (unknown address) to Brian Turnbull, 2009, Information from the Parish registers of St Dunstan's Stepney. Hereinafter cited as "E-Mail - Geraldine James."
[S415] Geraldine James, "E-Mail - Geraldine James," e-mail to Brian Turnbull, 2009, Elizabeth Forrester Turnbull and Catherine Janetta Hodson Turnbull were both born on 14 August 1808 and baptised 22 January 1809.
[S3] BMD New South Wales, Australia, online http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/familyHistory/…, M1835-2788-74. Hereinafter cited as BMD NSW Australia.
[S3] BMD NSW Australia, online http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/familyHistory/…, M1835-74-75.
[S2] TURNBULL, S.J. (deceased) , NB7-502.
[S3] BMD NSW Australia, online http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/familyHistory/…, B1823-6284-1B.
Page: Captain Robert John Turnbull
Text: Captain Robert John Turnbull
M, #44514, b. circa 1770, d. 23 March 1847
Last Edited: 10 Jun 2011
Captain Robert John Turnbull was born circa 1770 in England.1
He married Elizabeth Wearing on 11 September 1804 in England.2,3,4
He died on 23 March 1847 in General Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, a "Pauper."1
As far as I've been able to discover, Robert Turnbull first came to Australia as the Master (Captain) of the Ship 'Britannia' (3) in 1798. In another compendium this voyage is listed as Britannia (2). Further research showed that there were several ships named 'Britannia.'
There is a ship of the 3rd Fleet named 'Britannia' which arrived in 1791 with 121 male convicts under the command of Thomas Melville. The ship was built in 1774 in India as a Whaler. It was the first whaler to operate off the NSW coast and the Tasman Sea and continued that work for a number of years.
The 2nd 'Britannia' was to earn it the reputation of lithe worst voyage in the history of transportation" It was captained by Dennott, a sadistic bully who kept his Irish convicts in heavy chains and regularly flogged them with the slightest excuse. Because the poor fellows seemed to survive his initial brutal treatment, Dennott increased the punishment and denied them food and drink, determined to break them. The female convicts did not escape his notice either. Their punishment might be 3 to 4 dozen cuts of the cane while lashed to the mast, having their heads shaved and being put in a neck yoke and chained to the deck in all weathers.
On arrival in NSW, the convicts landed were in an emaciated and wretched state. Of the 144 male and 44 female convicts embarked, 1 in 17 men and I woman died. Although the English authorities held an enquiry into the voyage, to their shame, Dennott and the ship's surgeon were never goaled.
The 3rd 'Britannia' was captained by our Robert Turnbull in 1798. He was given the responsibility of carrying 94 Female convicts to Australia and was also to assess the profitability of a sustained whaling operation here.
For the next 2 yrs., Robert would bring general merchandise to Australia and carry whale oil on his return voyages.
Research shows that in 1803 and 1804, Robert is Captain on the 'Adonis', fishing and whaling between Australia and New Zealand. He must also have returned home to England because he married Elizabeth Waring in 1804 and began a family. Elizabeth remained in England with the children until 1819 when she joined Robert in New South Wales.
I couldn't find any further reference to Robert in Australian waters until 1807 and I wondered if he too had become involved in the sea battle of Trafalgar as had Laurence Halloran. There seems no way of confirming this, as the common seamen were not named. The ship Britannia in which Robert came first to Australia was NOT the same vessel that was at Trafalgar.
In 1807, Robert is on the 'Indispensible' fishing and whaling off the Derwent River of Tasmania and delivering oil to Sydney.
In 1813, his son Robert Giles Turnbull is born. Rachael Sofia is born in 1816 on the 22nd October. Later in 1816, Robert left Liverpool England as a passenger on the ship 'Almora', bound for New South Wales. He is listed as a landowner, and indeed, in 1817 he is given a grant of 100 acres of land at Cabramatta in NSW.
Searching the various NSW Musters (type of census) I found that in 1819 Robert is the Constable at South Creek, Cabramatta. His wife Elizabeth and daughters Elizabeth Forrester Turnbull and Rachael Sofia, had arrived in Sydney on the Convict Ship 'Baring'. Also on board this vessel, among the convicts, is Laurence Hynes Halloran whom Elizabeth Forrester Turnbull will later marry.
The 1823 Land and Stock Muster contains information that Robert was a Constable at Liverpool and that he resided on his farm of 100 acres. The land has 11 acres sown with wheat, 30 acres of cultivated land on which graze 13 cattle, one horse and 3 hogs. Robert also has 10 bushells of wheat in store. Elizabeth has 1 acre of land in her own name where she is raising pigs. She also runs a small school and takes in girls referred
Later in 1823, Robert resigned his position as Constable. He and Elizabeth live at Parramatta. He received an assigned convict from 'The Princess Royal' and then returned to the sea as crew on the ship 'Woodlark' which carried convicts and 22 passengers.
In 1824, Elizabeth and Robert are approached by Laurence Halloran who is looking for someone to take proper care of his numerous children. In his 'Memorium' to the Governor seeking permission to marry, Laurence (to paraphrase) states he doesn't want to advertise for a career for the children as he would not find anyone who was likely to satisfy his standards for his family. He therefore has "elected a young person." He describes Elizabeth Forrester Turnbull as a girl well versed in the running of an economical home having been instructed by her Mother, a respectable and prudent woman. He stated that he knew the Turnbull family in England.
Robert and Elizabeth gave their consent to the marriage in a certified letter to the Governor dated 26th of June 1824. We .. "do sincerely give our full and free consent for the marriage of our daughter Elizabeth Forester, with Dr. Lawrence (sic) Halloran of Sydney, in compliance with his solicitations to us, and of him, and our said daughter's desire and voluntary acceptance of him." The letter is signed by both parents, the address being given as Burwood.
Robert returned to the sea, first as crew on 'Samuel' and later on the 'Nereus' which was a whaling Brig and vessel of exploration.
The 1828 Muster lists Robert and Elizabeth as living in Phillips Street, Sydney with their children.
Rachael ( born 1816) came free to the Colony on the 'Baring' 1819
Charlotte, born in the colony 1820
James, born in the colony 1821
John, born in the colony 1823.3
Family: Elizabeth Wearing b. c 1774, d. 1854
Elizabeth Forrester Turnbull+5,6 b. 14 Aug 1808, d. 17 Jan 1854
Catherine Janetta Hodson Turnbull7,6 b. 14 Aug 1808, d. 1809
Robert Giles Turnbull6 b. 3 Aug 1813
Rachel Sophia Turnbull8,9 b. 17 Sep 1816
Charlotte Turnbull b. 1820
James Turnbull+5,10 b. 1821, d. 1 May 1871
John Turnbull11 b. 1823, d. 1829
Citations
[S2] TURNBULL, S.J. (deceased) , NB7-448.
[S2] TURNBULL, S.J. (deceased) , Turnbull Files.
[S599] "Research: Adeline Mary Burman", 2011, Morna Kenworthy (Australia), to Brian Turnbull (Quebec, Canada); unknown repository, unknown repository address. Hereinafter cited as "Research: Adeline Mary Burman."
[S600] Letter from Morna Kenworthy, published by Turnbull Clan Association, 2011, e-mail address.
[S2] TURNBULL, S.J. (deceased) , File T-0005.
[S415] Geraldine James, "E-Mail from Geraldine James," e-mail message from e-mail address (unknown address) to Brian Turnbull, 2009, Information from the Parish registers of St Dunstan's Stepney. Hereinafter cited as "E-Mail - Geraldine James."
[S415] Geraldine James, "E-Mail - Geraldine James," e-mail to Brian Turnbull, 2009, Elizabeth Forrester Turnbull and Catherine Janetta Hodson Turnbull were both born on 14 August 1808 and baptised 22 January 1809.
[S3] BMD New South Wales, Australia, online http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/bdm_fh.html, M1835-2788-74. Hereinafter cited as BMD NSW Australia.
[S3] BMD NSW Australia, online http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/bdm_fh.html, M1835-74-75.
[S2] TURNBULL, S.J. (deceased) , NB7-502.
[S3] BMD NSW Australia, online http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/bdm_fh.html, B1823-6284-1B. http://www.turnbullclan.com/tca_genealogy/tca_all2-o/g0/p418.htm#i44514
Emigration source: S73 Pioneer Register, Pioneer Registry XII - Robert Turnbull b c1772 arrived 29/8/1817Almorah - Settler with wife Elizabeth, 7 children 4 Stepney London 3 B/Col Robert Giles born c1813 Stepney London - Pioneer Registry XII.
Occupation source: S119Page: Relations of Turnbull, Robert Giles and siblings, 2009-05-23
Residence source: S119Page: Relations of Turnbull, Robert Giles and siblings, 2009-05-23
Event source: S119Page: Relations of Turnbull, Robert Giles and siblings, 2009-05-23
Event source: S121Page: Colonial Secretary's Index, 1788-1825, TURNBULL, Robert (b1772) Date
of search: 2009-05-24
Religion source: S119Page: Relations of Turnbull, Robert Giles and siblings, 2009-05-23
Immigration source: S137Page: Database online.
Birth source: S137Page: Database online.
Birth source: S260 Megan Tilley and others, WebSearches - LDS, RootsWeb, etc, Web/Internet, Date of Import: 27 Nov 2005.
Death source: S137Page: Database online.
Death source: S262Page: Death - 719/1842 V1842719 26BTURNBULLROBERTAGE 51
Death source: S137Page: Database online.