Towns, Robert

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NameTowns, RobertPlace of ResidenceSydney, TownsvilleBiographyRobert Towns was born 1794 Northumberland, England, to Edward and Ann Towns (nee Pyle).

He became a ships mate at 17, and was commanding trading vessels shortly after. In 1827 he brought a general cargo of goods to Sydney, and in 1832, brought out his own ship 'Brothers'. Robert continued making voyages to Sydney every year between 1832-1842.

In 1833, aged 39, he married 17 year old Sophia Wentworth, daughter of D’Arcy Wentworth, owner of the Peterborough Estate at Shellharbour.

Robert and Sophia had five children;

Robert D'Arcy b.1841 (married Mary Hearne, died 1878, Parramatta)
Sophia Ann Kate b.1846 (married George Osborne, died 1901, Sydney)
Sarah Mary b.1847 (married Charles Walker Lett, died 1912)
Sabina b.1849 (married Arthur Smyth, died 1898, England)
Edward b.1852 (married Mary Alexandra Marshall, died 1936, Manly)

On D'Arcy Wentworth's death in 1821, Sophia inherited 1/5 of Wentworth's Peterborough estate, at Shellharbour.

In the 1840's Caroline Chisholm, The Emigrant's friend, negotiated with Captain Robert Towns to settle immigrants to Australia on 4000 acres of land at Shellharbour.

In 1843, she brought 23 families of some 240 persons to Shellharbour. Each family was given a six year clearing lease to clear the land and set up small self-sufficient farms, growing wheat, potatoes, maize, and establishing dairy farms.

Robert Towns died at Rose Bay in 1873, and Sophia five years later in 1878.

External LinkTo Let for Three Years Peterborough Estate 1848To Let Peterborough Estate 1858The Hon Robert Towns 1873The late Captain Towns 1873Death Sophia Towns 1878Queensland Pioneers Robert Towns 1938The Towns Subdivision at Shellharbour 195050 Pound Reward 1858

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Robert Towns

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CollectionPeopleFamilyDorroughReddallDarley - BassettAddisonLocalityShell CovePersonWentworth, D'ArcyChisholm, CarolineAddison, Stephen CaptainPlacePeterborough Estate

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Towns, Robert