Robert Magrane Reily, senior
Robert Reily > Robert Reily > Annie Reily > Frank Murphy
Robert Magrane Reily was my great-great-great-grandfather. Other spellings for his surname are Ryley, Riley, Reiley, Rielly and Rylie. Another spelling for Magrane is McGrane.
Birth
According to convict records, Robert Reily was born in 1806 in Dublin, Ireland [1]. Other records give his birth year as 1805, 1807 and 1808.
I have been unable to find a birth or baptism record for Robert so have been unable to establish who his parents were. According to his convict record, his 'native place' was Dublin however the only Dublin baptism record I've been able to find is for an R Reily who was baptised in 1802 at St Paul's, Dublin City. The parents for this baptism are listed as John and Rose Reily.
I checked all 1807 and 1808 baptism records for Dublin, some of which are illegible. If the 1802 baptism is my Robert Reily's, he would have been 22, not 17, when he was charged and transported so I doubt this is he.
I have been unable to find a birth or baptism record for Robert so have been unable to establish who his parents were. According to his convict record, his 'native place' was Dublin however the only Dublin baptism record I've been able to find is for an R Reily who was baptised in 1802 at St Paul's, Dublin City. The parents for this baptism are listed as John and Rose Reily.
I checked all 1807 and 1808 baptism records for Dublin, some of which are illegible. If the 1802 baptism is my Robert Reily's, he would have been 22, not 17, when he was charged and transported so I doubt this is he.
Conviction and Transportation
Robert was a 17-year-old calico printer in Dublin when he was charged with robbery on 26 April 1823 [1]. His trial took place on 13 May 1823 in Dublin City and he was sentenced to 7 years transportation [2].
After his conviction, Robert was probably held in Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin before being held on the Surprize, a prison hulk which was moored in Cork Harbour from May 1823 [3]. This was the first prison hulk to be brought into service in Ireland and conditions onboard were extremely harsh.
Robert was probably held on the prison hulk Surprize for two or three months before setting sail for New South Wales aboard the Medina in September 1823.
After his conviction, Robert was probably held in Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin before being held on the Surprize, a prison hulk which was moored in Cork Harbour from May 1823 [3]. This was the first prison hulk to be brought into service in Ireland and conditions onboard were extremely harsh.
Robert was probably held on the prison hulk Surprize for two or three months before setting sail for New South Wales aboard the Medina in September 1823.
Robert Reily or Robert Magrane Reily?
Robert's name is recorded as Robert Reily until he arrives in the Tumut area in the 1850s. There was another man named Robert Reily in the area who held the licence for at least one pub in Gundagai from 1853 until 1858. This man, who was often known as Bob Reily, had arrived in the area in the 1830s and initially worked on a cattle property before becoming a publican [4]. In the liquor licensing records, his name is recorded as Robert Riley.
From 1854 until 1857, my Robert Reily's name is recorded simply as Robert Reily. When his publican's licence was renewed in 1858, his name was recorded as Robert M Reily so it seems likely that he adopted the name Robert Magrane Reily around that time to distinguish himself from Bob Reily.
I have so far discovered no clue as to where the name Magrane may have come from. It is an Irish name and it seems there were families with this surname in Dublin so it could be his mother's maiden name.
Alternatively, there was a Bernard McGrane living in the area in the late 1830s and 1840s. He was at one time the licensee of a public house called The Rising Sun at Wollombi. The pub was a resting place for those travelling between Sydney and Newcastle, Maitland and Patrick's Plains so it's very likely that Robert Riley knew him [5].
From 1854 until 1857, my Robert Reily's name is recorded simply as Robert Reily. When his publican's licence was renewed in 1858, his name was recorded as Robert M Reily so it seems likely that he adopted the name Robert Magrane Reily around that time to distinguish himself from Bob Reily.
I have so far discovered no clue as to where the name Magrane may have come from. It is an Irish name and it seems there were families with this surname in Dublin so it could be his mother's maiden name.
Alternatively, there was a Bernard McGrane living in the area in the late 1830s and 1840s. He was at one time the licensee of a public house called The Rising Sun at Wollombi. The pub was a resting place for those travelling between Sydney and Newcastle, Maitland and Patrick's Plains so it's very likely that Robert Riley knew him [5].
Arrival in New South Wales
Robert arrived in New South Wales aboard the Medina which departed Cork on 5 September 1823 and arrived in Port Jackson on 29 December 1823. At the time of his transportation to New South Wales, he was described as being 18 years old, Catholic, 5ft 8 inches tall, with a pale, pock-pitted completion, light brown hair and light blue eyes [6]. Whether he could read and write was not recorded but his later business activities in New South Wales seem to indicate that he could.
The convicts from the Medina were landed on 6 January 1824 and Robert was sent to Windsor "for distribution", along with several other convicts [7]. He was initially assigned as a convict servant to Pat Boylan in Wilberforce [8] and then possibly to households in Windsor and Bathurst [references needed]. By the time of the 1828 convict muster he had been assigned to Peter McIntyre at Bulwarra [9,10], Patersons Plains, near Maitland, NSW. His age was given as 20 at the time but it's likely he was actually 21 or 22.
The convicts from the Medina were landed on 6 January 1824 and Robert was sent to Windsor "for distribution", along with several other convicts [7]. He was initially assigned as a convict servant to Pat Boylan in Wilberforce [8] and then possibly to households in Windsor and Bathurst [references needed]. By the time of the 1828 convict muster he had been assigned to Peter McIntyre at Bulwarra [9,10], Patersons Plains, near Maitland, NSW. His age was given as 20 at the time but it's likely he was actually 21 or 22.
Life in the Hunter Valley: Bolwarra, Patersons Plains
The first white people to visit the area around what is now Newcastle and Maitland were convict timber getters and coal miners sent from Sydney by Governor Macquarie and accompanied by soldiers. The men travelled by boat from Sydney and set up timber camps in several locations, including at Patersons Plains where cedar and rosewood grew. From 1812 there were also small farms along the Paterson and Hunter Rivers.
The first farms were experimental, given to four well-behaved convicts by Governor Macquarie and established along the Paterson River at Paterson Plains. In 1818, more farms were established at Wallis Plains (now known as Maitland) on the Hunter River and a track was cleared from Wallis Plains to Windsor.
By 1821 about 1000 people lived in and around the town that would become Newcastle. Of these, 51 were female convicts and another twenty or so were the wives and children of soldiers, administrators and some convicts.
In 1822 the area was formally opened up to settlement with free settlers from England being encouraged to set up farms. One of these settlers was a man called John Brown who by May 1822 had taken up a 2030-acre estate at Patersons Plains which he named Bolwarra.
By the end of 1822, seventeen large estates of over 24500 acres had been granted between Newcastle and Patricks Plains (present-day Singleton) and a further 19 estates had been granted before the end of 1823. The population grew steadily and by 1825 there were 1673 white people living in the area [11].
By 1828, Robert Reily was assigned to work for Peter McIntyre, an overseer at Bolwarra, Patersons Plains [12]. Patersons Plains (now Hinton) was about 10kms north of Wallis Plains where we know Martha Sharpe and her first husband, Christopher Harper, were living in 1825. Robert and Martha met some time during this period.
On 26 December 1828, Robert was granted a Ticket of Leave allowing him to remain in the district of Paterson's Plains [13].
The first farms were experimental, given to four well-behaved convicts by Governor Macquarie and established along the Paterson River at Paterson Plains. In 1818, more farms were established at Wallis Plains (now known as Maitland) on the Hunter River and a track was cleared from Wallis Plains to Windsor.
By 1821 about 1000 people lived in and around the town that would become Newcastle. Of these, 51 were female convicts and another twenty or so were the wives and children of soldiers, administrators and some convicts.
In 1822 the area was formally opened up to settlement with free settlers from England being encouraged to set up farms. One of these settlers was a man called John Brown who by May 1822 had taken up a 2030-acre estate at Patersons Plains which he named Bolwarra.
By the end of 1822, seventeen large estates of over 24500 acres had been granted between Newcastle and Patricks Plains (present-day Singleton) and a further 19 estates had been granted before the end of 1823. The population grew steadily and by 1825 there were 1673 white people living in the area [11].
By 1828, Robert Reily was assigned to work for Peter McIntyre, an overseer at Bolwarra, Patersons Plains [12]. Patersons Plains (now Hinton) was about 10kms north of Wallis Plains where we know Martha Sharpe and her first husband, Christopher Harper, were living in 1825. Robert and Martha met some time during this period.
On 26 December 1828, Robert was granted a Ticket of Leave allowing him to remain in the district of Paterson's Plains [13].
Marriage
Sometime around 1828, when he was living at Bolwarra, Robert met Martha Ann Sharpe who was living with her husband, Christopher Harper, and their children about 10 kilometres away at Wallis Plains.
Martha had been born on 8 February 1801 in Parramatta and was the daughter of a convict and a soldier. She had married another Irish convict named Christopher Harper in 1818 [14] and the couple had six children together between 1821 and 1827.
Despite still being married to Christopher, Martha began a relationship with Robert Reily and in 1831 their first child was born. They went on to have a number of children together, although they didn't marry until nearly twenty years later.
Robert and Martha were finally married on 24 February 1848 in Hinton (formerly known as Patersons Plains), according to the rights of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland [15]. It's not clear how they managed to get married when Christopher Harper was still alive and presumably still living in Maitland. However, the fact that Christopher was a violent man is well-documented [16] and it is likely that he was violent towards Martha. In any event, Christopher Harper outlived Martha, dying in 1862 in Broulee, on the south coast of New South Wales.
Martha had been born on 8 February 1801 in Parramatta and was the daughter of a convict and a soldier. She had married another Irish convict named Christopher Harper in 1818 [14] and the couple had six children together between 1821 and 1827.
Despite still being married to Christopher, Martha began a relationship with Robert Reily and in 1831 their first child was born. They went on to have a number of children together, although they didn't marry until nearly twenty years later.
Robert and Martha were finally married on 24 February 1848 in Hinton (formerly known as Patersons Plains), according to the rights of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland [15]. It's not clear how they managed to get married when Christopher Harper was still alive and presumably still living in Maitland. However, the fact that Christopher was a violent man is well-documented [16] and it is likely that he was violent towards Martha. In any event, Christopher Harper outlived Martha, dying in 1862 in Broulee, on the south coast of New South Wales.
Children
Robert and Martha had five children together:
Unsurprisingly, all the children married into local families.
Robert Freebody owned a pub in Tumbarumba and Martha Reily and John Reily married two of his children.
Catherine married the son of xxx Dickinson.
James married the daughter of her father's friend, Thomas Boyd, a former convict and pioneer of the Tumut area.
Robert married the daughter of George Green, a former convict who arrived in the Tumut area in the 1830s.
- James Magrane Reily, born 1831 or 1832 in Maitland, NSW. (NSW BDM 2094/1832 V18322094 127; NSW BDM 2091/1832 V18322091 128). Married Elizabeth Boyd in 1854 in Yass. Died 26 January 1857 in Adelong. Buried in the Pioneer Cemetery in Tumut (death cert on file);
- Martha Cecily Magrane Reily, born 10 November 1833 in Maitland, NSW. Christened 10 November 1834 in Squatters Creek, Wambrook, NSW. Married Robert Freebody in Yass in 1855. Died in 1911 in Sydney;
- John Magrane Reily, born 1835 in Maitland, NSW. (NSW BDM403/1835 V1835403 121A).
Married Matilda Freebody in Cooma in 1874. Several possible deaths but none able tbc; - Catherine Magrane Reily, born 2 March 1838 in Maitland, NSW. (NSW BDM 627/1838 V1838627 121A).
Christened 12 November 1838 in West Maitland, NSW. Known at Kate. Married William Mosely Dickinson and had a son, James in 1857. Died in Sydney in 1935; - Robert Magrane Reily, born 2 October 1844 in Maitland, NSW. Married Ann Green in Tumut in Christened 26 January 1845 in the Catholic church at Maitland, NSW;
Unsurprisingly, all the children married into local families.
Robert Freebody owned a pub in Tumbarumba and Martha Reily and John Reily married two of his children.
Catherine married the son of xxx Dickinson.
James married the daughter of her father's friend, Thomas Boyd, a former convict and pioneer of the Tumut area.
Robert married the daughter of George Green, a former convict who arrived in the Tumut area in the 1830s.
Life at Patersons Plains: 1831 - 1848
On 19 April 1833, Robert was granted his Certificate of Freedom and the notice of this was published on 23 May 1833 in the The NSW Government Gazette [17].
In the 1830s and 1840s in the Hunter region, emancipists and Ticket of Leave holders were known to be very good workers and were sought-after employees. Many were valued and trusted by their employers and it was common for former convicts to stay on to work for wages for the men to whom they had been assigned as convict servants after they had been granted their freedom [18]. I think it's likely that Robert Reily was one of these trusted employees and that he stayed on to work for Peter McIntyre after receiving his Certificate of Freedom in 1833 until at least 1848 when he and Martha were married at Hinton.
During these years, Martha and Robert welcomed their four younger children and probably lived a fairly uneventful life at Bolwarra [19] until they moved to Adelong, some 560 kilometres away.
In the 1830s and 1840s in the Hunter region, emancipists and Ticket of Leave holders were known to be very good workers and were sought-after employees. Many were valued and trusted by their employers and it was common for former convicts to stay on to work for wages for the men to whom they had been assigned as convict servants after they had been granted their freedom [18]. I think it's likely that Robert Reily was one of these trusted employees and that he stayed on to work for Peter McIntyre after receiving his Certificate of Freedom in 1833 until at least 1848 when he and Martha were married at Hinton.
During these years, Martha and Robert welcomed their four younger children and probably lived a fairly uneventful life at Bolwarra [19] until they moved to Adelong, some 560 kilometres away.
Gold at Adelong
Some time between 1848 and 1854, Robert and Martha and their family moved from Bolwarra to Adelong.
On 16 July 1851, it was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald that several specimens of gold had been found in Adelong Creek, near Tumut [20]. This followed Hargraves' discovery in February 1851 and similar discoveries in Victoria which sparked the first goldrushes in New South Wales and Victoria.
News of these discoveries was widely published and it seems that Robert may have been one of the many men who travelled from their homes to try their luck on the goldfields. I don't know when Robert and Martha left Bolwarra or when they arrived in Adelong but by 1854 Robert held the licence for a pub called The Diggers Arms at Adelong Creek and in 1855 a goldfield was declared at Adelong.
On 16 July 1851, it was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald that several specimens of gold had been found in Adelong Creek, near Tumut [20]. This followed Hargraves' discovery in February 1851 and similar discoveries in Victoria which sparked the first goldrushes in New South Wales and Victoria.
News of these discoveries was widely published and it seems that Robert may have been one of the many men who travelled from their homes to try their luck on the goldfields. I don't know when Robert and Martha left Bolwarra or when they arrived in Adelong but by 1854 Robert held the licence for a pub called The Diggers Arms at Adelong Creek and in 1855 a goldfield was declared at Adelong.
In 1852, the goldfields of Adelong were a collection of tents which flanked the banks of the creek and the gully opposite. During the 1850s about 20,000 prospectors passed through Adelong, and the area yielded over 20,000 tonnes of gold. At one stage Adelong had a tent city of over 10,000 people [21].
We don't know when Robert and his family arrived in Tumut or Adelong but it's likely to have been in 1852 or 1853. Reports of gold having been found in the area would have reached Robert at Patersons Plains in late 1851 and he was granted his first publican's licence on 18 April 1854 so he must have arrived some time between those two dates.
I suspect Robert began in Adelong as a goldminer, discovering enough gold to set up his pub, perhaps in 1853, the original version of which was most likely a tent on the goldfields. As was the case in many gold-rush towns, we know that some of the successful prospectors set up businesses in the town and remained in Adelong after the rush and this is what Robert did.
Note that George Green and his wife, Ann, came to live at a property called Bumbowly (Bombowlee), near present-day Tumut, sometime in 1839. It is likely that the two men met in the 1850s and two of their children would later go on to marry.
We don't know when Robert and his family arrived in Tumut or Adelong but it's likely to have been in 1852 or 1853. Reports of gold having been found in the area would have reached Robert at Patersons Plains in late 1851 and he was granted his first publican's licence on 18 April 1854 so he must have arrived some time between those two dates.
I suspect Robert began in Adelong as a goldminer, discovering enough gold to set up his pub, perhaps in 1853, the original version of which was most likely a tent on the goldfields. As was the case in many gold-rush towns, we know that some of the successful prospectors set up businesses in the town and remained in Adelong after the rush and this is what Robert did.
Note that George Green and his wife, Ann, came to live at a property called Bumbowly (Bombowlee), near present-day Tumut, sometime in 1839. It is likely that the two men met in the 1850s and two of their children would later go on to marry.
Robert Reily, Publican: 1854 - 1860
On 6 January 1854, Robert was living with his family on the upper Adelong goldfields when he was granted a licence to operate a public house called The Digger's Arms. On 18 April, the name of the public house was changed to The Golddiggers Arms. The pub was also known as the Adelong Creek Goldfield Hotel. Robert Wilson of Tumut and Thomas Boyd of Gilmore - one of the first settlers in the area - acted as sureties for Robert.
On 15 April 1856, 20 April 1858 and 24 April 1860 the licence for Robert's inn was renewed under the name The Diggers Arms [22].
On 15 April 1856, 20 April 1858 and 24 April 1860 the licence for Robert's inn was renewed under the name The Diggers Arms [22].
The Reily's hotel was well-situated on Adelong Creek (formerly Black Creek), at the crossroads where the roads to Tumut, Tumbarumba, Reedy Flat, Main and Upper Adelong and Adelong met. It was also on the route from Sydney to the goldfields. The crossroads was for some time known as Reily's Crossing [23].
In addition to the hotel, Robert and his family also operated a store and a butchery which are frequently mentioned in newspaper articles of the time as being landmarks in the area.
Robert's businesses seem to have prospered and he regularly bought gold from prospectors in the area. Note that the Mr Mandelson mentioned in the article here was a friend of Robert's and would later act as one of the executors of his will.
The following stories show that the Reily family seem to have played an important role in the life of Middle Adelong.
In addition to the hotel, Robert and his family also operated a store and a butchery which are frequently mentioned in newspaper articles of the time as being landmarks in the area.
Robert's businesses seem to have prospered and he regularly bought gold from prospectors in the area. Note that the Mr Mandelson mentioned in the article here was a friend of Robert's and would later act as one of the executors of his will.
The following stories show that the Reily family seem to have played an important role in the life of Middle Adelong.
From the Tumut and Adelong Times:
"Reily & Sons of Spring Creek have contributed to the Roman Catholic Church building fund very liberally. They have now donated a large stain glass window for the Chapel. The window has not arrived yet."
"Christmas sports at Adelong Creek a great deal of sports occurred at this diggings during the holidays organised principally by mine host, Mr Riely, who presented 20 pounds to be contested for by several races of 5 pounds each. The races went well and created a considerable amusement. Several footraces also took place, and the day passed in great good humour and the sports gave general satisfaction."
Today, the Reily name lives on in Middle Adelong which was renamed Wondalga in about 1908. On the road to Wondalga from Tumut a very steep hill bears the name 'Riley’s Gap', marking the fact that Robert drove the first bullock team down or up the gap. The hill was always dreaded by the bullockies who regularly hauled goods from Tumut to Tumbarumba, a good 40 miles of hilly country. Robert bought gold from the miners up and down Adelong Creek and seems to have conducted a profitable business [23].
After a long and successful run of business, Robert Downing bought the hotel from Robert Reily at auction, probably in about 1860. The Reily family then moved to Cowra [23].
"Reily & Sons of Spring Creek have contributed to the Roman Catholic Church building fund very liberally. They have now donated a large stain glass window for the Chapel. The window has not arrived yet."
"Christmas sports at Adelong Creek a great deal of sports occurred at this diggings during the holidays organised principally by mine host, Mr Riely, who presented 20 pounds to be contested for by several races of 5 pounds each. The races went well and created a considerable amusement. Several footraces also took place, and the day passed in great good humour and the sports gave general satisfaction."
Today, the Reily name lives on in Middle Adelong which was renamed Wondalga in about 1908. On the road to Wondalga from Tumut a very steep hill bears the name 'Riley’s Gap', marking the fact that Robert drove the first bullock team down or up the gap. The hill was always dreaded by the bullockies who regularly hauled goods from Tumut to Tumbarumba, a good 40 miles of hilly country. Robert bought gold from the miners up and down Adelong Creek and seems to have conducted a profitable business [23].
After a long and successful run of business, Robert Downing bought the hotel from Robert Reily at auction, probably in about 1860. The Reily family then moved to Cowra [23].
Death and Burial
Martha Magarne Reily died on 26 November 1861 in Adelong and is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery in Tumut [24].
Robert died on 31 January 1864 at his home in Middle Adelong at the age of 55. The cause of death is noted as 'epilepsy' however I wonder if this was actually a stroke. His will was made on 7 January and shows a very shaky signature. On his death certificate, Robert's occupation is given as 'inn keeper'.
Robert was buried on 31 January 1864 in The Pioneer Cemetery at Tumut, NSW [25].
You can read his will here.
Robert died on 31 January 1864 at his home in Middle Adelong at the age of 55. The cause of death is noted as 'epilepsy' however I wonder if this was actually a stroke. His will was made on 7 January and shows a very shaky signature. On his death certificate, Robert's occupation is given as 'inn keeper'.
Robert was buried on 31 January 1864 in The Pioneer Cemetery at Tumut, NSW [25].
You can read his will here.
References:
[1] Peter Mayberry's database: https://members.pcug.org.au/~ppmay/cgi-bin/irish/irish.cgi?requestType=Search2&id=26404
[2] Certificate of Freedom No. 33/352; Convict Indents, 1788-1842 (on file);
[3] McMahon, A. (25 June 2021). RAHS Special Event - Floating Prisons: Irish Convict Hulks and Voyages to NSW [online zoom presentation];
[4] https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/129672017 - about Bob Reily
[5] https://www.convicttrail.com.au/uploads/8/7/1/9/87196654/pick_vol_1-2_patrick_doolan_innkeeper_2018.pdf
[6] Certificate of Freedom No. 33/352; Convict Indents, 1788-1842 (copies on file);
[7] Colonial Secretary's Papers: http://colsec.records.nsw.gov.au/r/F48c_ri-roc-07.htm#P3277_101994
[8] Convict Musters, 1806-1849;
[9] The original grant of 2030 acres known as Bulwarra Estate was to John Brown on 30 June 1823. The area is now known as Bolwarra;
[10] Convict Muster, 1828: https://www.jenwilletts.com/
[11] Dunn, M. (2020). The Convict Valley.
[12] Convict Muster, 1828: https://www.jenwilletts.com/
[13] Ticket of Leave No. 28/610 (copy on file);
[14] Marriage Certificate (copy on file): NSWBDM 2200/1818 V18182200 3A & 316/1818 V1818316;
[15] Marriage Certificate (copy on file);
[16] Christopher Harper violent
[17] Certificate of Freedom No. 33/352;
[18] Dunn, M. (2020). The Convict Valley.
[19] Peter McIntyre died in 1842. I can't be sure Robert and Martha stayed at Bolwarra after this but, given that they married in the area in 1848, I think it's likely they did;
[20] https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/12928653/
[21] https://blowering.com/adelgold.html
[22] Certificate by Justices to Authorise the Granting of a License, 1854, 1856, 1858, 1860 (copies on file);
[23] Pat Freebody: https://www.monaropioneers.com/reily-rm.htm
[24] Death certificate (copy on file);
[25] Death certificate (copy on file);
[2] Certificate of Freedom No. 33/352; Convict Indents, 1788-1842 (on file);
[3] McMahon, A. (25 June 2021). RAHS Special Event - Floating Prisons: Irish Convict Hulks and Voyages to NSW [online zoom presentation];
[4] https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/129672017 - about Bob Reily
[5] https://www.convicttrail.com.au/uploads/8/7/1/9/87196654/pick_vol_1-2_patrick_doolan_innkeeper_2018.pdf
[6] Certificate of Freedom No. 33/352; Convict Indents, 1788-1842 (copies on file);
[7] Colonial Secretary's Papers: http://colsec.records.nsw.gov.au/r/F48c_ri-roc-07.htm#P3277_101994
[8] Convict Musters, 1806-1849;
[9] The original grant of 2030 acres known as Bulwarra Estate was to John Brown on 30 June 1823. The area is now known as Bolwarra;
[10] Convict Muster, 1828: https://www.jenwilletts.com/
[11] Dunn, M. (2020). The Convict Valley.
[12] Convict Muster, 1828: https://www.jenwilletts.com/
[13] Ticket of Leave No. 28/610 (copy on file);
[14] Marriage Certificate (copy on file): NSWBDM 2200/1818 V18182200 3A & 316/1818 V1818316;
[15] Marriage Certificate (copy on file);
[16] Christopher Harper violent
[17] Certificate of Freedom No. 33/352;
[18] Dunn, M. (2020). The Convict Valley.
[19] Peter McIntyre died in 1842. I can't be sure Robert and Martha stayed at Bolwarra after this but, given that they married in the area in 1848, I think it's likely they did;
[20] https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/12928653/
[21] https://blowering.com/adelgold.html
[22] Certificate by Justices to Authorise the Granting of a License, 1854, 1856, 1858, 1860 (copies on file);
[23] Pat Freebody: https://www.monaropioneers.com/reily-rm.htm
[24] Death certificate (copy on file);
[25] Death certificate (copy on file);