Free Settler or Felon
James Robertson
Plashett - Map 6
James Robertson was born in 1781 in Renfrewshire, Scotland.
Arrival in Australia
He arrived in Australia with his wife Anna Maria nee Ripley and children on the Providence in 1822.Hunter Valley settler John Laurio Platt and his family also arrived as free settlers on the Providence.
Superintendent of Government Clocks
James Robertson was a watchmaker and on arrival was employed as Superintendent of Government Clocks in Sydney.Land Grants
He received a land grant on the north shore of Sydney Harbour, known today as Robertson's Point, (Cremorne). He was granted 1000 acres by Governor Brisbane in 1824 and another 1000 acres was reserved for purchase. He took up this land at Jerry's Plains.
Plashett and Strowan
The land to the north of the Hunter River came to be known as 'Plashett and the land on the south as 'Strowan'. Plashett may have been first been known as Whitfield, however was re-named Plashett after the property of his wife's father, Plashett Park in Essex, England. Strowan was part of a primary grant to John HoskinsFamily
The children of James Robertson and Anna Maria Ripley included:1. James Brand Ritchie Robertson born 1810
2. Catherine Maria Robertson b. 1812.
3. Brisbane Robertson born 1814 married Caroline, the eldest daughter of Sampson Marshall in November 1844 at Plashett. Died at Louisa Creek in August 1853
4. John Robertson born 1816 and married Margaret Davies. John managed Plashett in the 1840s. He later became an eminent politician in New South Wales being elected Premier several times.
5. Lavalette Robertson was born in 1818 and married Dr. Henry Graham
6. Sarah Janet Robertson married Brent Clement Rodd on 18 May 1839 at Plashett
7. Agnes Barr Robertson was born in 1823 and died in 1909
8. Glen Ripley Robertson was born in 1825.
Employees and assigned convicts
| Name | Ship |
|---|---|
| Andrews, William | Manlius 1827. |
| Baxter, Charles | Parmelia 1832 |
| Bloomfield, Alexander | Manlius 1827 |
| Connolly, Richard | City of Edinburgh 1832 |
| Elliott, Elija | Andromeda 1833 |
| George, Thomas | Andromeda 1833 |
| Groves, Joseph | Planter 1832 |
| Hawkins, Henry | York 1831 |
| Hayward, Thomas | Planter 1832 |
| How, Simon | Isabella 1832 |
| Jones, John | Surry |
| Jones, Thomas | Royal Admiral 1833 |
| Jones, William | Georgiana 1831 |
| Kelly, James | Prince Regent 1824 |
| Keys, John | Captain Cook 1832 |
| Lahiff, Eliza | Forth 1830 (II) |
| McAlister, Andrew | Regalia 1826 |
| McBride, Phillip | Regalia 1826 |
| Murray, Edward | Came free. Employed as Overseer |
| Park, Robert | Planter 1832 |
| Pearson, George | John 1827 |
| Pickering, James | Clyde 1832 |
| Povey, John | Came free per Dick. Employed as labourer |
| Pritchard, John | Marquis of Hastings 1826 |
| Smith, William | Katherine Stewart Forbes 1830 |
| Watkins, Francis | Marquis of Huntley 1835 |