ROBSON | Jewelian Family

ROBSON FAMILY

Friend Lamb Robson and Isabella Carney were married at the United Methodist Free Church , Dock St., Monkwearmouth on 31/1/1858.

Friend Lamb 24 years old, bachelor, joiner. Living at 2 Victor St. Monkwearmouth Shore. Father Thomas Robson . Waterman.

Isabella Carney 18 years, spinster, Zetland St., Monkwearmouth Shore. Father William Carney, Sawyer.. Witness William Carney, Thomas Carney, Jane Bamborough.

Friend Lamb and Isabella Robson nee Carney

Children of Friend Lamb and Isabella Robson were:

Thomas Turnbull b 4/11/1858 married Evangelina Steel in25/4/1885. Christchurch died 14/8/1940 Ch.ch

children; William Friend 5/3/1886.Annie Elizabeth 6/8/1887. Francis Henry 21/12/1889.Ivy

Sarah Jane b 27/6/1861 married Obed Caygill 23.2.1886. Chch. Died 9/9/1931. Chch

children; Ernest Robson 13/2/1886. Florence Barbara 18/8/1889, Llewellyn Allot 18/4/1892 Steel 9/12/1891.

William b 13/1/1864 Chch married Sarah Ann Elizabeth Dixon in ChCh. Died 14/11/1918 Chch

Inez Ruby 5/4/1891. Herbert Cecil 12/5/1894. Lillian Victoria 21/9/1897,Cyril William 25/12/1903, Eric Carney 27/7/1905

Barbara Ann b 10/11/1866. Married Harry Gosden 25/3/1896. Chch Died 7/8/1930 Otahuhu.

children; Nellie 1897, Arthur Friend 22/11/1898, Florence 27/9/1908

Friend Lamb and Isabella Robson came to New Zealand on the "Indiana" departed London 2/8/1858 and arrived Lyttelton 23/11/1858. When they arrived in Lyttelton they stayed in a Maori whare at Lyttelton and then walked over the Bridle Path.

The ship was 852 tons, and captained by Captain McKirdy. There was 304 passengers of which 27% came from Sunderland. Many were carpenters and wheelwrights or farm labourers.

Among the passengers were the following all from Sunderland. (From National Archives (file IM-Ch-4-15))

Name Age Cash promissory note occupation provided by Govt. total

Friend Lamb Robson 24 15 4 carpenter 15 34

Isabella Robson 18

Matthew Robson 23 11 12 carpenter 11 34

Catherine Robson

George Robson 35 15 21 carpenter 15 51

Margaret Robson 30

Thomas (son) 4

Elizabeth Seaton (niece)10

Matthew Robson 33 29.15 shipbuilder 29.15 59.10

Barbara Robson 26

Matthew Lamb Robson 14

John Seaton (nephew) 8

In the 1893 women’s register the following are listed S A E Robson 25 Colombo St ,Margaret Robson Montreal St , and Isabella Robson 273 South Belt all occupations household duties. Then Indiana 9 Harper St, Evangeline 273 South Belt dressmaker’s and Annie Montreal St Mother’s help.

Two babies to the above families were born on board. Thomas Turnbull Robson ( Turnbull after the ship"s doctor) and Indiana McKirdy Robson (after ship and Captain). She was witness at a Seaton baptism.

The Seaton connection is through a Thompson connection.

Barbara and Catherine Robson's maiden names were both Thompson

. 1/6/1880 at Sydenham, Christchurch

Elizabeth Dunford female 32 phthisis 10 years. Fathers name John Seaton master mariner . Mother ------ Thompson

born Sunderland. Married Charles Dunford at 21. Issues male 1. Females 2

Matthew Robson died 14/7/1893 at Sydenham, Christchurch. Carpenter male 68 years. Bronchitis, asthma 2 months.

Father Thomas Robson, mariner. Mother Ann Lamb Born Durham married at 28 Barbara Thompson. Informant F.L. Robson brother. No living issue.

George Robson's wife , Margaret, was also a Thompson, as seen in their daughter Indiana's marriage certificate.

Indiana Mc Kirdy Robson aged 40 Dressmaker, spinster born Indian Ocean, father George Robson carpenter, Mother Margaret Thompson. Married William de Blaquire Compton.

On 4 May 1852 at Monkwearmouth Friend Lamb’s sister Margaret was married to Thomas King. Her age was given as 21 and father’s name Thomas. Thomas King was 27 and father’s name John. They also came to New Zealand on the Indiana . Thomas was a blacksmith in Tuam St in 1860 and they had 7 children.

Sarah Ann Elizabeth Dixon married William Robson on 22 May 1890. The intent to marry stated:

William Robson bachelor coach builder aged 26 Christchurch for 26 years

Sarah Ann Elizabeth Dixon spinster aged 23 Christchurch (9 years there)

At the house of Mrs Dixon, East Belt. Rev Mc Farlane, Methodist

Children :

Inez Ruby b 5/4/1891 married Jack Heseltine 6/12/1922 no children

Herbert Cecil b 12/5/1894 married Edna Gabb 11/8/1920 no children

Lillian Victoria b 21/9/1897 married Robert Kerr 8/3/1922 1 child Ngaire Elvie Kerr

Cyril William b 25/12/1903 married Jean Currie 1 adopted child Brian Currie-Robson

Eric Carney b 27/7/1905 married Isobella Graham 25/5/1938 3 children John , Carol , William

Will Robson bought then number 52 ( now 424) Selwyn Street in 1904. Will took out 2 mortgages from the “sons and daughter of Theperance”, one in 1904 and another in 1908. These were released in 1921 After wills death the title was transferred to Sarah with a mortgage from Ernest Caygill..After Sarah died the title was transferred to Hebert and Cyril. Before this the house had been a soap and candle making factory.

Robson family at Selwyn St Christchurch

William Robson death certificate dated 14/11/1918 states

heart. Medical attendant J.P. Whetter. Last seen 13/11/1918.

Father: Friend Lamb Robson. Occupation Coal merchant Mother Isabella Robson nee Carney.

buried 16/11/1918 Addington by Rev T.w.Neale Methodist.

Born Chch married at 26 to Sarah Dixon now 52. Issue M 24, 14,13 F 27, 21

In my possession I have a Boatyard plan. On it is written. "Messrs M & M Robson's proposed boat building yards and shops adjoining Bonar's field. Back St. Monkwearmouth." April 28th, 1854. Architect William Ferrier, 3 Fawcett St. Sunderland.

It appears that the boat yard was never built. About this time iron construction of ships was beginning, and possibly the days of small shipyards were numbered. It is apparent that a whole extended family, all involved in related trades, migrated to New Zealand. Several Thompson families from Monkswearmouth are also on the passenger list.

In the 1851 census of Monkwearmouth we obtained the following information

6 Waterloo St., Monkwearmouth Shore

Thomas Robson H. M 61 ship owner born Monkwearmouth Ann Robson W.M 59 Burnopfield, Durham

Margaret Robson D.U 20 Monkwearmouth Friend L. Robson S.U 17 Joiner apprentice

288 Dock St.

George Robson H.M 28 born Monkwearmouth Margaret Robson W.M. 23 Monkwearmouth

Catherine Robson D. 5 months " " Margaret Douglas G/M W 78 Scotland

67 Dundas St.

John Robson H.W 48 sailmaker foreman MWM

Jane Robson W.M 41 Coxhoe

John Robson S.U 18 sailmaker apprentice born Monkwearmouth

Matthew " S.U 16 joiner App. " " *

William " S.U 13 scholar " " Elizabeth " D.U 10 MWM

Joseph " S.U 4 " " " Jane A " D.U " "

John Robson F 82 Former mariner Mary Barclay .U 22 servant

* Death Certificate of Matthew Robson

16/8/1913 at Christchurch hospital from 22 Cecil St. Sydenham

Matthew Robson, carpenter, male 78 Died from general debility 1 month, heart failure

Father John Robson sailmaker. Born England married at 22 to Catherine Thompson. Age of Widow 76. Living Issue males 53,46,41,32 females 54,48. Buried 18/6/1913 at Linwood

1861 Census of Monkwearmouth Shore 2 Victor Street

Thomas Robson head married aged 71 born Monkwearmouth

Ann Robson aged 69 wife born Burnopfield Durham

Living with 2 other couples younger couple George & Jane Nicholson a shipping wright and an elderly couple, Thomas and Frances Dunning a retired innkeeper

We also have Thomas and Ann’s oldest son Michael ,45 boat builder employing 9 men 16 boys., living at 36 North Bridge Street with his wife Ann H aged 42 and 8 children- Thomas 20 boat builder, Annie 13, Jane L (Lamb) 11, George 9, Rebecca 6, Margaret 3, Fredrick 1 and a servant. Their other son Matthew Lamb came to New Zealand with his aunt and uncles.

From the Testamentary Register

F.L. Robson Death 24/7/1898 Probate 5/8/1898 Sydenham coal dealer

Exec T.T Robson fell monger and Obed Caygill, Spreydon Accountant

from subject list Canterbury Museum

Robson , Friend Lamb (1834-1934???)

He and his brother George bought land in Upper Heathcote- See L.T 15/8/1889 George died 6/12/1887 aged 65. Wife Margaret died 24/8/1911 aged 84, 7 children ( Letter D Aldred 21/7/96)

Thomas Robson and Ann Lamb were married at Sunderland 11/6/1815.

The records for St Peters Church Monkwearmouth are not complete on the IGI but through the Bishop Transcripts we find the following Thomas & Ann Robson keelman Monkwearmouth shore

1816 Feb 21 Michael

1818 Sep 5 1817 bap 3 Jan Matthew 1820 Jun 27 bap Aug 27 Thomas

1822 Oct 20 bap Nov 17 George 1825 Jan 14 bap Feb 6 Matthew

1829 Jun 14 Ann died 1830? 1830 b Oct 14 bap Nov 20 Margaret

1832 b Aug 10 b Sep 16 Friend Lamb 1834 Feb 9 bap Mar 7 Friend Lamb

Thomas was born 12 Jan 1790 baptised in 1792 in Monkwearmouth . However, Thomas and Ann seem to have used family names even as far as using the surnames of Ann’s grandparents as in Friend Lamb. George would be named after Ann’s brother. Michael born in 1816 had several children including a Matthew Lamb Robson and a Jane Lamb Robson.

Thomas’s parents were Michael and Margaret Robson. Michael is a keelman and in 1801 the bishop transcripts are very detailed and list, James son of Michael and Margaret Robson being the 4th son. It also gives Margaret as Margaret Gills father Roger of Sunderland.

Children of Michael and Margaret I have found is an Andrew born 1785 Elizabeth 1787, Abigail 1794 Michael born 1796 bapt 1798, Thomas born 12 Jan 1790 bapt 1792 and James 1801 .

There is also a gap when we expect their marriage. Michael died in 1804 at the aged of 47.

Which ties in with this birth entry Michael Robson Christening Date:21 Oct 1757 at Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland, his parents being Andrew Robson . There is an Andrew Robson marrying Elizabeth Nesbit 10 May 1753 at Embleton, Northumberland

Children James 1755 William, 1754 and Michael 1757.

Elizabeth Nesbit Christening 21 Sep 1729 at Berwick upon Tweed father :James Nesbit , and Andrew was Christened 24 Jan 1726 at Berwick upon Tweed only giving mother’s name Isable Robson..

In 1881 census of Monkwearmouth at 4 Dock St there is Thomas Robson as 60 (boat builder), Jane 58, Ann 31 Thomas 27 (plumber and gas fitter) Michael 24 (ship draft man) and Mary M (pupil teacher ) This fits our Thomas born in 1820 . In 1851 they were living at 30 Whitburn Street.

1845 - ‎Gazettes

There is a birth in Bishopwearmouth of Margaret Gill daughter of Roger Gill and Elizabeth born 20 Jul 1760

Christened 13 Jun 1762 which is very likely our Margaret as Michael and Margaret’s older daughter was Elizabeth.

Other siblings – an early Margaret born 1747,Ralph 1749, Thomas 1754, Elizabeth Ann 1758. There is a death of an Elizabeth Gill in Bishopwearmouth in 1765 .

I(n Newburn Northumberland near Newcastle on Tyne Roger Gills married Elizabeth Ayston 13 July 1743.Children all born Bishopwearmouth Margaret 24 Mar 1747 died 27 Mar 1747, Ralph 27 Mar 1749, Elizabeth 7/7/1751, John died 28 Jun 1756, Ann 11/6/1758 died 1761,, Margaret 20 Jul 1760, Roger died 1764.. Elizabeth Gill spouse of Roger died 13 Jul 1765 at Bishopwearmouth

Ann Lamb Robson died 1863 and Thomas 1871 at 2 Victor St.

Because of their experience in handling boats keelmen were considered useful in times of war and one in 10 keelmen were involved. . When keelmen went out they would wear a costume to distinguish tem this was a blue jacket, yellow waistcoat, bell bottom trousers and a blue bonnet. The Robson’s seem to have been keelmen early on in Monkwearmouth as we have in 1770 the death of Robert son of Will Robson shore – keelman. The keelman’s job was traditionally passed from father to son.

We have traced Ann Lamb's ancestors back through Tanfield, Wickham and Ryton Parish records. Ann Lamb parents Matthew Lamb and Jane Lee were married at Tanfield 12/6/1791 and Ann Lamb was born 12/2/1792, George 12 Oct 1794, and Matthew 19 Nov 1797. Birthplaces for Ann and George are given as Bryan’s Leap just out of Burnopfield in Tanfield parish. Bryan’s Leap was on a major wagonway from the Tyne to the Tanfield coalfields. Were Matthew and his father involved in the actual colliery or in the movement of wagons?

Matthew Lamb’s parents were Cuthbert Lamb and Ann Friend married 2/12/1752 at Ryton. Cuthbert Lamb died on 11 March 1794 at Burnopfield. Hence our direct descendant called Friend Lamb Robson. Matthew was born 8/8/1755 at Ryton (other siblings Thomas 1753, Ann 1762, Friend 1764). The only birth of Cuthbert Lamb that fits is the son of Thomas Lamb born 13/1/1727 at Simonburn Northumberland, but Ann Friend born Ryton 30/11/1726 (sibling Matthew 1731) was the daughter of Matthew Friend and Elizabeth Hodgson married 22/6/1724 at Gateshead. I have two Thomas’s born to this couple : first one born 27/6/1725 and the second 19 /1/1729. Elizabeth Hodgson was the daughter of Thomas Hodson born 15/ 9/1700 at Greenside, Ryton Matthew Friend was born 29/1/1687 Ryton son of Thomas Friend and Ann Dunn married Gateshead 24/5/1675 (other child Thomas 1683. Thomas Friend was born at Ryton 24/6/1652 son of Rob Frende and An Moffett.(married 28/7/1646 Whickham.

Jane Lee was born 27/3/1753 at Whickham, daughter of Matthew Lee and Ann Lamb, who were married at Whickham 31/7/1741. Matthew Lee was born 12/2/1717 at Whickham son of William Lee born 1696, who also was a son of a William Lee born 1655 , son of Christopher Lee and An Dixon married 20/6/1646 at Whickham.

Ann Lamb was born 3 /8/ 1719 at Whickham, daughter of Daniel Lamb, born c 1693 of Salwell, Durham and Sarah Lamb, c 1697 of Whickham Durham who were married 16/6/1718 only other sibling found was Daniel 1739.