Martin (Robert Branch)

DESCRIPTION

NameMartin (Robert Branch)DescriptionJames and Catherine Martin (nee Armstrong) left for Australia aboard ‘Manlius’ in 1842, with children;

James 14 years (married Elizabeth Couch, died 1913 Fairy Meadow)
Robert 14 Years (married Lilly Ann Cochrane, died 1902 Avondale)
Christopher 10 years (married Mary Ann Long, died 1908, Victoria)
Morris (Irvine) 8 Years (married Sarah McGettigan, died 1913, Dunmore)

It is believed a daughter Isabella b.1825, died prior to the voyage. Father, James Martin died after embarkation, at sea.

The Martins settled at Shellharbour.

Son of James and Catherine, James Martin, married Elizabeth Couch (daughter of James Couch and Mary Wheatley). He died in 1913 after ingesting Phenol, taken in mistake for rum.

Son of James and Catherine, Robert Martin, married Lilly Ann Cochrane in 1853, and they had 13 children;

Isabella b.1854 (died 1868)
James b.1856 (died 1857)
Mary b.1857 (married Frederick Flower, died 1912, Byron Bay)
Catherine Ann b.1859 (married Frederick Longley, died 1940, Manly)
Lily Anne b.1860 (died 1860)
Robert b.1861 (died 1861)
Eliza b.1862 (died 1864
William b.1862
Eliza b.1864
Elizabeth Annie b.1865 (married Pattison Bryen, died 1918, Dapto)
Margaret b.1867 (married Thomas Jarrett, died 1939 Willoughby)
Emily Jane b.1868 (married Edward William Cochrane, died 1908, Nana Glen)

Robert Martin built the Settlers Arms Hotel at Shellharbour in 1856.

The inn was a meeting place for many events, most significantly for the signing of the petition to form a Municipality of Shellharbour. In 1864, Mr. Henry Parkes on a campaign visit to the area, addressed the children of the National School from the verandah of the Settlers Arms.

The Martin’s faced several tragedies during the mid-19th Century. Robert Martin’s eldest daughter Isabella aged 14 years was drowned in 1868, when she attempted to get water from the well for washing.

Mrs. Lily Martin noticed her daughter was missing about 9am. Mrs. Martin and Mr. Coughrane used a grappling hook to check the well, and discovered her body. Local school teacher Richard Hall also came to assist, after being told by a student that Isabella had drowned.

Once her body was secured, the party which by this time included Mr. Martin, drew her to the top. Isabella was carried to the house. Her mouth was cleansed and her head raised. Friction was applied to various parts of her body and she was wrapped in blankets. Attempts to resuscitate Isabella for over 30 minutes failed.

Lilly Martin died the following year in 1869, leaving six surviving children of their family of eleven.

Three years later in 1872 Robert married Rebecca Clinton. Robert and Rebecca had two children;

Alexander Gray b.1874 (married Ethel Blanche May Lindsay, died 1952, Avondale)
Elizabeth Isabel b.1874 (died 1852 Petersham)

The Martin’s Settlers Arms Inn was destroyed by fire at around three o’clock in the morning of 8 April 1872. The townsfolk evacuated all the family and an enquiry into the fire was held at the Steam Packet Inn four days later. The district Coroner, Mr. H Connell could find no evidence how the fire started.

Son of James and Catherine, Irvine ‘Morris’ Martin, married Sarah McGettigan in 1867. The family farmed ‘Resthaven’ at Dunmore, which they leased from George Laurence Fuller.

Irvine and Sarah’s daughter Catherine Bridget b.1885, married Leo Felix O’Dwyer in 1910, and they continued to farm ‘Resthaven’ for many years. Leo was a local sports journalist.

Another of their daughter’s, Sarah Ellen Martin b.1874, married Thomas Francis O’Dwyer.

External LinkKiama Police Court Martin VS Deane 1860Sale Settler's Arms Hotel 1861Kiama Police Court 1864Death Isabella Martin 1868Death Lillian Martin 1870Destruction of Mr Martin Public House by Fire 1872Inquest on the Fire at Shellharbour 1872Obituary MR Robert Martin 1902The Late MR Robert Martin 1902Inquest James Martin 1913Death James Martin 1913Death Sarah O'Dwyer 1931Obituary John Martin 78 Years 1947Obituary Joseph Martin 77 Years 1949Obituary Mr Irvine Martin 1943Obituary Thomas Francis O'Dwyer 83 years 1951

Photograph

Alexander Gray Martin

Robert Martin

Person

Martin, Isabella

Family

Cochrane (William Branch)

Place

Settlers Arm Hotel

Event

Formation of the Municipality of Shellharbour

Robert Martin c.1890. Photo courtesy - Robert Martin, descendant.

CONNECTIONS

CollectionFamiliesFamilyO'DwyerCochrane (William Branch)LocalityShellharbour VillagePersonMartin, IsabellaPlaceSettlers Arm HotelSteam Packet HotelResthavenRelated ItemSettler's Arms Hotel, ShellharbourSettlers Arm Hotel

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Martin (Robert Branch)