Way back in 2005, (gosh! that was 18 yrs ago), I was in correspondence by email with the relatives of John Errington ROBSON, a lady by the name of Alison Dixon (Grandaughter), Jim Robson (Son), and Steve Potts. John Errington Robson was born on 24th Sep 1865 in Hetton le Hole, Durham, Northumberland England (this is not far from where I was born). he was the son of James ROBSON (Master Cabinet Maker) and Maria nee ERRINGTON and was one of eight children. I recently came across the following photographs that they sent to me in the post but our original emails are not to be found, unfortunately. However these photos are too good not to share with you and they did give me permission though long before this web site was here.
At the age of 36yrs in 1901, James decided to head to Australia to seek his fortune/adventure like so many before him. He arrived first in Western Australia and set up in partnership with Charles Bullivant in Boulder WA. He later spent some years traveling around Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania.
James Errington ROBSON (front) and Charlie Bullivant in Boulder WA c1901 – Photo Alison Dixon -Photo taken by Roy Millar
Charlie Bullivant and John Robson were both ‘racing men’ and this may have initially drawn them together. The two men, along with four others whose names are not known made up the party.
James Errington ROBSON (front of camel) and Charlie Bullivant and the other members of the prospecting party in Boulder WA c1901 – Photo Alison Dixon – Photo taken by Roy Millar
James returned to England from his travells on the Orient Line ‘The Orsova’ on the 1 Nov 1911. he returned to his home town and in 1917 he married Elizabeth Jane SUTHERLAND, who was 22yrs his junior. They had one son, another James Errington Robson, born on 3 May 1928 who is one of my correspondents. He took up the occupation of hotelier and at the time of his death in 1932 he was running Loves Hotel, Crook, Co Durham and had just left the Prince of Wales Hotel, in Willington, Co Durham England. In his obituary in his local paper it states:
Adventurous Career
Funeral at Willington
of James Robson
The remains of James Robson were interred at the Willington Cemetery yesterday afternoon. He leaves a widow and a young son to mourn his loss, and the sympathy of all is extended. As a young man, Mr Robson emigrated from Willington to Australia and spent many years in various Goldfields. In Western Australia he was acquainted with a number of gold discoveries including Messrs Bailey and Ford who obtained over 500ozs of gold in one afternoon with the aid only of a pick.
From a desert where water is cost by the bucketful and cabbages are 2/6d, Mr Robson saw the city of Coolgardie rise followed by the building of Kalgoorlie, the town of ‘The Golden Mile’ fame. He also travelled extensively in South Africa with Johannesburg as his headquarters. Mr Robson was proud of the fact that he knew Mr T G (Smiler) Hales, the noted mining assayer, author, and war correspondent being introduced to him in Sydney. Mr. Robsons interest in sport was towards the turf, and he saw both the Melbourne and Sydney cups on several occasions.
Taken at Chatswood NSW in 1909 – John E Robson back row far left .
Its not know of the success or lack of, of the Robson Bullivant Prospecting Team, Robson and Bullivant may not even have gone on the expedition but only funded the miners as far as equipment ect. I have not been able to find out anything about this but hopefully, he made enough to have his ‘adventure’.
S S Orsova – Photo Wikipedia
Moya Sharp
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I found the surname Robson interesting – during my research of Hedleys in Northumberland, a female Hedley married a Robson. My Hedleys in Australia were heavily involved in alluvial gold mining in Victoria – and much has been written about them. The Thomas Hedley sailed from Canada in the 1850’s to the gold fields in Victoria, and his ancestors came from Birtley, Northumberland. My grandfather John Hedley, was in charge of the State Battery in Widgiemooltha form 1900 – 1907 – my Grandfather was an assayer and was a member of the Institute of Engineers from Victoria, as he went to the school of mines. My Mother was born in Widgie…. in 1904. My Mother’s youngest brother, Bruce Hedley, was the Managing Director of Leightons and Chairman of the Board – the Hedleys were involved in mining in Mt Magnet and the Murchison. We have visited Widgie… discovered the remains (tank) of the State Battery – took photos and sent copies to the Research centre in Boulder.
Hi Jenny Is that Widgimooltha where your mother was born? I was very interested in the Robson in this story as I also have Robson relatives in Northumberland (its where Im from). It is also the surname of my son-in-law, and at one time we thought we might be related as his ancestors came from the same village as mine, Earsdon. We haven’t found any connection so far and his half-cousin has written an extensive history on the Robson family and he hasnt found a connection so far either. I think that the name of ‘Robson’ is one of the most common in Northumberland. Your family certainly seem to have done well in the mining field. Thanks for getting in touch.