Emigrated to Van Diemen’s Land in 1822

The Mather Family – General Notes

Beginnings – Robert Mather (1782-1855)

Robert Mather was the firstborn son of Andrew Mather and Agnes (Hamilton) of Lauder  Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Later Andrew and his family moved to Berwick and chose the trade of blacksmith and farrier.

At age 14½, Robert made the journey to London, as he was not content with his prospects on the Scottish border. Like many poor boys of the time, he made the journey on foot and the occasional lifts on wagons. In London, he became apprenticed to a Scot named Romanes, a hosier. After serving an apprenticeship of 7 years, where he showed ability and being worthy of trust, he set up business in 1806 as a men’s mercer. Having become a member of the Weaver’s Company, the business prospered in a modest way and Robert was careful and thrifty. He steadily improved his position, even during the hard times of the French war, moving finally to a larger shop at 21 Sun Street, Bishopsgate.

Marriage

Robert married Ann Benson on 16 October 1811 at St. Luke’s Church, Old Street, London. Ann was the daughter of Rev. Joseph Benson and his wife Sarah (nee Thompson). They had seven children of whom one daughter and four sons survived infancy.

Emigration to Van Diemen’s Land

On 8 October 1821 Robert paid £250 for passage and freight to the Master of the barque “Hope” which besides his family, included a fare for a companion and servant for his wife.

The family arrived in Hobart on 10 September 1822 after a five-month voyage leaving England on 20 April 1822, travelling aboard the 400 ton “Heroine”, Captain Ostler. They were amongst the pioneers of the Colony with settlement occurring just 19 years earlier.

Initially, they had started out at the end of October 1821 aboard the “Hope” but had been caught up in a violent storm and due to damage to the ship, the Captain returned to England. The ship became subject to an inspection and was found to be unseaworthy and had been overloaded when it sailed, with as many as 50 too many passengers. The boat was seized and the captain had charges and penalties laid against him.

In between departures Robert was injured, suffering a broken hip when falling through a hatch aboard the ship.

After a delay of four months, the Government stepped in and arranged for the passengers to be put aboard the barque “Heroine” and be taken to Hobart. They set sail on 20 April 1822 and had a 6 day stopover at Rio de Janeiro taking onboard fresh water and supplies.

The decision made to emigrate was threefold, firstly to find a better climate by the sea for Robert’s wife Ann, who while living in London had poor health, but when holidaying by the sea each year her health greatly improved.

Secondly, around this time the Rev. William Horton, one of the earliest Wesleyan ministers in Hobart, sent urgent representations to his co-religionists in England to induce an emigration of industrious and God-fearing men as settlers whose influence and example might help to raise the tone of the community and to neutralize some of the evils rampant in the penal colony.

And thirdly, it was about this time that the attraction of Van Diemen’s Land became known in London. It was reported the Colony had a temperate and healthy climate with fertile soil. After reading books, conversing with Captains and seamen and receiving favourable reports, Robert decided to emigrate with his family, both from the points of view of the business opportunities and the restoration of his wife’s health.

After selling up their possessions (the drapery business was sold to Robert’s brother, Adam), and travelling to say goodbye to their families and friends, they boarded the barque “Hope” and set sail towards the end of October 1821, only to be driven back to port by storms, delaying departure for five months.

The Mathers emigrating were Robert Mather (1782-1855), his wife Ann (nee Benson) (1786-1831), daughter Sarah Benson (1812-1893), and sons Joseph Benson (1814-1890), Robert Andrew (1815-1885) and John (1818-1865). Another son was added to the family after arrival, Samuel Benson (1823-1897). Two daughters Ann (1820-1821) and a second Ann (1822-1822) both died before arrival, the latter dying aboard the “Heroine” soon after departure and committed to the deep.

Prior to departure Robert had purchased goods to stock his planned shop operation and had consigned these separately and which, due to the families forced delay, had reached Hobart several months beforehand. On arrival they found some of these goods in poor condition, resulting in low financial returns at sale. His assets as at the time of applying for a Land Grant was stated as £2,200.

Business Operations

Robert Snr. had got his business operations underway as soon as three days after arrival. In that time he had located a residence with a suitable shop front, got his goods together, moved his family and lodged an advertisement in the newspaper advising the populace that he with his partner, Henry Hopkins were open for business

The property known as Pullen’s House was located in Brisbane Street on Potter’s Hill on the outskirts of the Hobart settlement, too far out for convenient shopping. His partner, a Mr. Hopkins, had arrived on the same voyage as the Mathers. This partnership, however, was of short duration with it being dissolved on December 23 following.

By December 14, 1822, Robert Mather had secured a cottage at the corner of Liverpool and Elizabeth streets. In the place of the cottage, Robert had a building designed and constructed with large front display windows. It was the only store in town that looked like a shop and was called “London House”. It was ready for opening by mid-March, 1823 with Robert notifying the public to this effect.

He sold everything that could be sold, groceries, ironmongery, twine, books, paper, clothing, household articles, furniture, paint, builder’s hardware and tools, gardening and farming tools, copper stills and newly invented hair brushes. As well as cash he took wheat at 7s. per bushel and wool as payment.

The store was closed in 1831 with the family moving to his 2,000 acre Land Grant at Ralph’s Bay Lauderdale. This land was poor and in 1836 with the venture failing, was declared insolvent. The family then returned to Hobart and assisted by friends set up a drapery business and taking two of his sons, Joseph Benson Mather and Robert Andrew Mather into partnership. This business was located at 60 Liverpool Street and was registered as R. Mather & Sons. In the newspaper advertisement at the opening on 19 January 1837, their business was advertised as being hosiers, glovers and dealers in mens’ and boys’ clothing.

The Partnership was dissolved on 18 December 1841, with the removal of Robert Andrew Mather, and the business renamed  “Robert Mather & Son”. The newspaper advertisement in the Colonial Times on 21/12/1841 advised that Robert Andrew Mather was now resident in Sydney.

Robert Andrew Mather travelled to Sydney aboard the 91 ton schooner “Shair” in November 1837. Little is known of his time in Sydney but is known he was married to Ann Pollard in the Friend’s Meeting House on 22 August 1839 and served in several church posts, including that of a Quaker missionary. Their son, Samuel  Robert Mather was born and died there in 1843. In October of that year Robert advertised for a “wet nurse” stating the child was five months old, therefore indicating a May birth date for Samuel.

In July 1843 he started out in business in Sydney as a draper. An advertisement in the Sydney Morning Herald on 21 July 1843 advised readers he was setting up business in Lower George Street, Sydney in premises known as South Sea Warehouse, located opposite the Old Goal. It further advised he had a large and well-selected stock of drapery, hosiery, haberdashery, and ready-made clothing.

After six years in Sydney Robert Andrew Mather and his wife, Ann, returned to Van Diemen’s Land arriving around 1844. He found work with his brother-in-law, George Washington Walker, who was also a draper, his shop at 65 Liverpool Street, Hobart, remaining with him until 1849 when he again set up business as a draper on his own behalf. Samuel Mather, Robert’s brother, also worked for George.

When George Walker decided to specialize only in woollen drapery and men’s mercenary, Robert decided to fill the gap. He opened his drapery business in one of the shops in the new Brock’s building, at 95 Liverpool Street in 1849 under the name of R. Andrew Mather and later as Andrew Mather & Co. The business continued under the management of his children and grandchildren until sold in 1972.

Samuel Mather later transferred to another of George Walkers’ businesses, “The Bible Depot” and in 1850 became Superintendent of the High Street, Hobart Wesleyan Sabbath School, a position he held until 1884.

Business – Tokens

With a shortage of small coinage in the Colony for change, Robert Andrew Mather around 1855/1856 imported a consignment of copper tokens to help with his trading operations. This was followed by another three consignments with the tokens becoming widely circulated.

The coins were minted by Heaton & Sons, Birmingham, England with the front recording R. Andrew Mather, Hobart Town, Family Draper, and on the reverse a blindfolded figure of Justice with a spilling cornucopia. Other Hobart merchants issuing tokens were, R.S. Waterhouse, Alfred Nicholas and O.H. Hedberg.

Farming

Robert Snr., although not having a previous farming background, had held a long desire of becoming a farmer. While in Scotland prior to emigrating he purchased agriculture implements for his own use and engaged a young Scotsman from Kelso, James Turnbull, as a farm hand to travel with them.

With land being made available under the Grant system, he submitted an application for a grant. His assets entitled him to 1,200 acres and was  allocated land at Ralph’s Neck Bay in November 1824.

This was added too with further adjoining land making a holding of 2,000 acres, although some records say 3,000 acres. The family named the property “Lauderdale Park”, Lauder being the name of the town in Scotland where Robert was born. In the 1960s the Tasmanian Nomenclature Board chose the name of Lauderdale for the region that now bears that name.

In compliance with grant conditions Robert began developing the property, and although continuing to live in Hobart, commenced to build a dwelling on the property and by March 1825 began clearing the land. By May 1826 he reported he had sown 15 acres of wheat, 10 acres of turnips, 3 acres of potatoes, 1 acre of peas, had 4 acres in garden and 8 acres sown to grass. Other improvements included clearing, draining, fencing, a farm house with three rooms, a dairy, a shed for 12 cows, a stable and a workshop for a carpenter. There was also a 40 feet deep well in the garden.

For health reasons, Ann with her young son, Samuel, moved to their Launderdale property around 1824/1825 while the rest of the family remained in Hobart. It is likely her domestic help moved with her who is believed to have been Mary Ely, a widow with a daughter, Jane Ellen Ely, born 1822. Mary in 1826 married Hugh Germain a nearby farmer and batchelor.

By June 1831, the buildings comprised a weatherboard house with 8 rooms, a 60ft. by 22ft. barn, a stable with 4 stalls, 3 log huts, (one each for the overseer, the gardener and the workers), a cow shed for 14 cows, a piggery, a hen-house and a goose-house.

Old Mather Home at Lauderdale

By April 1831 Robert and family had decided to move from their Hobart home to the farm, with Joseph  their 16 year old son staying behind and with help, to run the business. By moving to the farm Robert could devote more time to the farm operation and at the same time care for his ailing wife.

One of the reasons for not moving earlier was Robert’s concern to provide an education for his children, Sarah and their two eldest sons, Joseph and Andrew. Finally they were educated by Mr. James Thomson, a fellow Scot from Edinburgh who taught them Greek, Latin, French, English and English Grammar, Mathematics, History and Geography.

Ann, his wife, was to pass away soon after moving to live at Lauderdale, dying there on the 27 August 1831 aged 45 years. Eleven years after her death Robert married again in August 1842, his second wife Esther Dixon and was a happy marriage. Esther died on the 1^st. September 1872 aged 77 years.

Robert Mather became involved with a novel form of transport at Ralph’s Bay Neck, Lauderdale. Many people wanted to cross the Neck to avoid the often rough seas and contrary winds of Storm Bay and to the entrance to the Derwent. Mather, with a public spirit nature, assisted them by dragging boats over the neck on a cart pulled by a bullock team. He also provided provisions and accommodation. He performed this service free; after he sold the property, others charged a fee. Family tradition has it that Robert later built a wooden railway to help with the efficient transfer of boats.

By November 1831, with an unprofitable farm, a business in town to claim his attention and a heavy responsibility of bringing up his young family, he decided to retire from business in Hobart and sell his stock in trade. For the next few years, he lived at Lauderdale, with his daughter Sarah in charge of the household.

By 1835, Robert was in severe financial difficulties, and Lauderdale could not justify the expenditure lavished on it. Then in February 1836, his affairs had come to a climax and on his own petition declared himself insolvent. In May of that year the property, stock, farm implements and all household furniture and goods were auctioned.

The farm sold for a poor price and monies received did not cover his debts. With his farming dream shattered, he never returned to farming.

The family moved back to Hobart with Robert recommencing trade as a draper at 60 Liverpool Street. Friends put up money to help him get restarted, and at the clearing sale his friends also purchased his furniture and then donated the items back to him. With the business becoming profitable he was able to pay off his insolvency shortfall to all of his creditors and repay the financial assistance provided by friends for the business start up and purchase of furniture.

The business of 1836 was a new departure and quite separate and distinct from that previously carried on by Robert Snr. and his family. The former business was simply one for the sale of manufactured articles but the latter rapidly developed into a manufacturing business. In the early years Robert saw the opportunity to sell woven cloth. He was the first to purchase  Van Diemen’s Land wool, send  it back to Yorkshire, have it scoured, spun and woven, then returned for sale.

The business of Robert Mather and Son (Joseph Benson Mather) continued to operate under  that name until Robert’s death in 1855 and sometime later the partnership was change to J. Mather & Son. Their business address also changed, initially at 60 Liverpool Strret, but in an advertisement in 1847 is recorded at 69 Liverpool Street, and in 1858 at 93 Liverpool Street and the same again in 1876 The Joseph Mather and Robert Mather shops at a later time stood side by side only divided by a lane way, known as Mather’s Lane (See photo included).

An advertisement on 6 March 1847 for Robert Mather & Son besides listing garments recently received, also included the following advice – “And having engaged a number of Tailors, superior workmen, whom they employ on the premises, R.M. & Son can furnish their customers with garments of any description, to order, at short notice, in a style inferior to none, and at prices which they doubt not will give general satisfaction”.

Church Associations

 

The Tasmanian Mather family have had strong church connections particularly with the Wesleyan Methodists and Quakers (Society of Friends), but Robert was not singularly sectarian and made donations to the Presbyterian and Church of England denominations.                   

When Robert first came to London he worshipped with the Presbyterians, but later was introduced to the Wesleyan Methodists. He attended all meetings and work was found for him in the Sunday School, of which he was later to become Superintendent. It was at this Sunday School that he met his future wife, Ann, one of the daughters of the Rev. Joseph Benson – she was a teacher there.

Very soon after arrival he connected with the Hobart Wesleyan church and was appointed as a foundation Trustee.

At Lauderdale Robert did all he could to encourage his neighbours and servants in religious observance. He held services in his home and with his family’s help established a Sunday School as well as endeavouring to teach the local children to read. At Robert’s invitation the Rev Robert Knopwood, the Hobart Church of England Chaplain, would periodically visit the Mather home and conduct worship.

Around 1832 Quaker missionaries visited Van Diemen’s Land, James Backhouse and George Washington Walker and in August of that year, Robert Mather invited James Backhouse to pay him a visit at Lauderdale. In April 1833 Backhouse also visited Francis Cotton at Kelvedon on the East Coast near Swansea and subsequently Mather and Cotton teamed up and became the chief supports of the Hobart Friends Monthly Meeting.

A romance developed between Sarah Mather and George Washington Walker and they were married on 15 December 1840. They settled in Hobart where George conducted a drapery business and founded the Hobart Savings Bank. Two of his brother-in-laws, Robert Andrew Mather and Samuel Benson Mather worked for him in the drapery business for a time with Samuel also working in George’s  Bible Depot business.

Sarah and Robert Andrew Mather joined the Quakers in 1834, followed soon after by Joseph Benson Mather and then in October 1837 Robert Snr. Two other Mather brothers, John and Samuel Benson refused to join and remained Wesleyan Methodists out of respect to their mother and their grand-father, Rev. Joseph Benson.

Further  Information

Ann (Benson) Mather – A Biography

Ann’s Christian name is variously recorded – she was Christened with the name Mary, Married under the name Ann, and Buried under the name of Mary Ann.

Ann Benson was born on 29 June 1786 and raised in London. She was described as a “delicate and refined woman, and of attainments in those days most unusual for a woman”, because she was educated with her brothers by her father, Rev. Joseph Benson, until they attended Cambridge University. Ann met her future husband, Robert Mather (1782-1855) while assisting her father with his scholarly and literary endeavours, including editor of the Wesley magazine. Ann also became a teacher in the school of which Robert Mather was superintendent. Ann and Robert were married on 16 October 1811 at St. Lukes’ Church, Old Street, London. They had seven children, of whom one daughter and four sons survived infancy.

Ann became chronically ill after the birth of her first child and for health reasons left London as often as possible. In 1821 Ann’s father died. At this time, Robert Mather became interested in emigrating to  Van Diemen’s Land because of his desire to restore his wife’s health and find a favourable opening as a settler. With her steady faith in God, Ann “prepared herself to face the terrors and privations of the voyage.”

They put to sea and now their troubles began! The ship was caught in a violent storm in the Downs. They saw ships perish with all their crews within a cables length of them. The “Hope” lost her anchors and was so much disabled that she had to run into Ramsgate Harhour, where the ship was overhauled by Customs for being overloaded. They also discovered that the provisions were bad and insufficient for the journey and that the ship was scarcely seaworthy. There was an inquiry into the matter and the Government was induced to provide another ship to take the passengers to their destination.

On the 20 April 1822, only ten days after Ann gave birth to their second (sic) daughter (actually third), their outward voyage commenced once more on the barque “Heroine”. It was a rough trip and both Robert and Ann were ill. On 23 May, shortly after passing Ferro, the new baby was buried at sea.

On 20 June the “Heroine” arrived at Rio de Janeiro where she was berthed for six days for provisioning. It would seem that the Captain was involved in a smuggling transaction and when Robert and other passengers, whom had been given leave to go ashore for a few hours, and had hardley reached the shore, the Captain put out to sea. The dismay and distress of the wives can only be imagined when their entreaties to return to port were unheaded. During this time Ann encouraged the excited women  to remain calm and assured them that God would bring them out of danger and restore their husbands  to them.

The passengers who had been left behind went to the British Consul, who applied to the Commander for a British man-of-war that lay in the harbour. The Commander manned his cutter and sent her after the “Heroine”. The storm prevented the cutter reaching her, but it drove the ship back to the harbour for shelter and by 0900 the next morning the deserted passengers could be put back on board.

However the miseries of the voyage were not over, soon after leaving Rio the Captain ordered the hatches to be battened down and they remained so for the majority of the remaining 10-12 week voyage. Unhappy passengers were kept below, deprived of air and even of daylight in a foul and stifling atmosphere, with at best the light of a dim oil lamp which did not allow of their reading and  frequently they were in absolute darkness. At last on the 10 September 1822 after a voyage of 20 weeks the “Heroine” anchored in the River Derwent. At the time there were no wharves at Sullivan’s Cove and passengers and cargo were put ashore in boats.

Ann died suddenly at the farm, Lauderdale of a “breaking blood vessel” on 27 August 1831.

Her death notice advised-

          DIED

On Saturday, the 27^th ult., at Lauderdale, Van Diemen’s Land, after a long and lingering illness, Mrs. MATHER, the wife of Mr. ROBERT MATHER, of Elizabeth-street, Hobart Town, much regretted by all who knew her. Mrs MATHER was the oldest daughter of the late Rev. JOSEPH BENSON, a learned and eminent Minister in the Wesleyan Connexion, for many years Editor of the Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine, and author of a Commentary on the Scriptures in 5 volumes

Ann was buried in St. David’s Church of England cemetery, Hobart.

Some further information on Ann as found in her daughter Sarah’s recollections.

Upon arrival in Hobart in 1822, “My father rented a house in Brisbane Street, opposite Saliers, from old Pullen. We went there straight from the ship.

About 1824 or1825, my father took up land at Muddy Plains on the sea beach on account of my mother’s health. About 1825, before I left school my mother went to live at the house.

About 1824 or 1825 my mother went down to the farm at Lauderdale. She took Samuel with her, but none of the others. We all remained in town, and I kept house for my father. I went down to the farm when I left school, about 1827 or 1828, when I was 15 or 16 years old. As my mother was not able to do much herself, not even to walk to the top  of the garden, I kept house at Lauderdale, and served out the rations.

After my mother died (1831) my father and I lived at the farm. We lived at the farm at Lauderdale until about 1835, when the property was sold.

When the property was sold we came to town. My father took the place where Uncle Joseph is. A shop in Liverpool Street.

Until I was married  I used to live at the shop.

After the honeymoon (1840) we lived in a new shop in Liverpool Street from old William Lindsay.

About the end of the year 1852 my husband leased the house “Narryna”, at Hampton Road, in which Hyman Moses lived.”

Rev. Joseph Benson

The Tasmanian Mather family record would be incomplete without mention of Rev. Joseph Benson, Ann’s father. Besides the frequent use of the name “Benson” as a Christian name in the Mather family, his influence and teachings reached to not only his descendants but to many others world wide. He was closely associated with John Wesley in the founding of the Methodist Church and twice was appointed President of the Methodist Conference centred in London, which was the controlling body of Methodist Churches throughout the world.

At  the 1810 Conference he was requested to undertake a Commentary on the Bible which he undertook, taking him eight years to complete the five volumes, and which became highly regarded.

Ann assisted with editing and also putting together the church magazine and other tracts.

Joseph is also credited with starting the Sunday School system within all churches generally, the aim being to teach the young and old to read and write, and to learn the stories and teachings for life as found in the Bible

Improvement to the lives of people was always at the forefront and focus of his work, justice for the poor and outcast, assistance to those in need and actions to reduce the effects of excessive alcohol drinking which was having major detrimental effects on individuals and families. To bring about change the Temperance Society was formed with people being encouraged to sign the “pledge” to abstain totally from drinking alcohol.

Ann (Mather) his daughter and son John were present at his death on 16 February 1821 and he was buried in the City Road Chapel, London burying ground.

The Children of Robert and Ann (nee Benson) Mather

Child 1 – Sarah Benson Mather (1812-1893) and George Washington Walker (1800-1859)

               

Children –

• James Backhouse Walker 1841 – 1899
• Elizabeth Anne Walker 1843 – 1923
• George Benson Walker 1844 – 1882
• Robert Walker 1846 – 1894
• John Ridley Walker 1847 – 1915
• Sarah Thompson Walker 1849 – 1905
• Joseph Benson Walker 1851 – 1877
• Margaret Bragg Walker 1853 – 1870
• Mary Augusta Walker 1856 – 1952
• Isabella Frances Walker 1858 – 1949

After a seven year engagement, Sarah and George were married at Hobart on 15 December 1840 following George’s return from South Africa where he had been working with James Backhouse as a Quaker missionary. Immediately after marriage, they moved to a shop at 65 Liverpool Street, Hobart where George with the financial backing of English Society of Friends, commenced business, one section of the shop devoted to drapery products and the other section made available for the distribution of Bibles, religious tracts and temperance literature, with the “pledge” always readily available for signature.

Sarah besides having a family to care for and probably assisting George in the shop below their residence was very active in the Friend’s activities and a regular attendee at the Monthly Meetings. At the request of Lady Jane Franklin, the Governor’s wife, she became part of the visiting committee to the Cascades Female Factory.

George, even though having some health issues, maintained a busy program, giving attention to –

• in 1843 he was appointed to a Board of Enquiry into conditions at the Female Factory.

• in 1845 establishing the Hobart Savings Bank, with aim of encouraging thrift among the poor, particularly reformed drunkards. It grew quickly and soon required his full time attention. He would remain its manager until his death in 1859.

• he induced other shop keepers to adopt 7 o’clock closing.

• he supported penal reforms and continued to help individual convicts.

• with a growing concern over the growing number of prostitutes, he formed a committee to “supress vice” by finding employment for destitute women.

• he kept close contact with the Aboriginal mission stations

• in 1850 he was appointed to a committee working to build the non-denominational high school on the Domain.

• a particular actively was the promotion of the work of the Temperance Society which he with Backhouse had set up in Hobart in the 1830s. By the 1850s the Temperance committee had formed vigilante bands to enforce the law of Sunday closing of public houses. As a result he was publically threatened with tar and feathering.

• He associated with the Council of the Royal Society of Tasmania.

                                                         

George and Sarah’s eldest son James Backhouse Walker F.R.G.S. (1841-1899) became well known as a solicitor, historian and community activist.

He was initially educated at the Hobart Domain Government High School before going onto the Friends’ School at York, England.

On return, he found employment as a junior clerk in the office of T.D. Chapman and later in his father’s Hobart Savings Bank.

In 1872 he took articles and on 7 July 1876 he was admitted as a barrister, solicitor and proctor of the Supreme Court of Tasmania. He was the senior partner in the firm J.B. Walker & Wolfhagen. In the practice of his profession, he took a high stand, and won the confidence and esteem of his brethren for his sound judgment, integrity, and honour and in appreciation of his work his colleagues contributed to the foundation of a scholarship in his memory in the University of Tasmania.

In 1890 he was appointed member of the first council of the University and in 1898 Vice-chancellor at the Tasmania University.

Although a member of the Society of Friends, for many years, was a Sunday School teacher in the Davey Street, Hobart Congregational Church.

His community involvements were wide-ranging, and was an active supporter and sometime secretary of the Hobart Men’s Working Club and there sought to improve conditions for workers and better attitudes to work. He was a trustee of the Tasmanian Public Library and did much to establish its collection of manuscripts and books.

But today he is best remembered for his contributions to Tasmanian history. In 1888 he was elected to the council of The Royal Society and was a regular contributor to its proceedings. Most of these papers were collected and published posthumously in 1902 under the heading, Early Tasmania: Papers Read Before the Royal Society of Tasmania Between 1888 and 1899. The book is still an authority on Tasmanian early history.

Child 2 – Joseph Benson Mather (1814-1890) and Anna Maria Cotton

Joseph and Anna were married on 15 December 1842 at the Hobart Friends Meeting House

Children-

• Joseph Francis Mather 1844 – 1925
• Anna Maria Mather 1846  – 1900
• Esther Ann Mather 1849 – 1934
• Mary Louisa Mather 1851  – 1857
• Emma Elizabeth Mather 1853 – 1939
• Frances Josephine Mather 1855 – 1856

Obituary of Joseph Benson Mather

Joseph died at  Hobart on 17 May 1890 at the age of 76. A summary of his life appeared in the Mercury, Hobart newspaper on 19 May 1890 and provides a comprehensive record of his life. Extracts are- “Mr. Mather was one of our oldest surviving colonists, having arrived in Tasmania in the year 1822. He was born in London in May, 1814, the eldest son of Robert and Ann Mather.

Joseph was eight years old when the family reached Hobart, receiving his first lessons at a school kept by a Mr. Stone in premises afterwards well known as the office of the late Mr. Thomas Young on the spot where Heathorn’s Hotel now stands. On the arrival from Scotland of Mr. James Thomson, a noted schoolmaster of those days, from whom many of our oldest colonists received their education, and who was a competent and able man, the boy Joseph was transferred to his care.

From the year 1836, with the exception of a short interval which he spent in a business house in Sydney, down to a few years of his death Mr. J.B. Mather’s energies were almost wholly absorbed in his business. He was naturally of a retiring disposition, and never took any part in public affairs. But he had a large fund of quiet energy, and the steady persistence derived from his Scottish ancestry, and in spite of frequent ill health, he found the opportunity to do a large amount of religious and benevolent work in an unobtrusive way, and to pay occasional visits to the other colonies in connection with the religious work of the Society he loved so well. In the year 1874, he took his son, Mr. J. Francis Mather into partnership in his business, which has since been carried on under the firm of “J.B. Mather and Son.”

From this time Mr Mather began gradually to withdraw from the active management of the business, leaving the care of it to his son and gave more time to the benevolent work which was always near his heart, and for which he, as well his younger brother, the late Mr Robert Andrew Mather, were so generally esteemed. In the Bible Society, he had for many years taken a deep and active interest, and a few years since accepted the position of secretary, an office to which he gave much time and attention. In the management of the Ragged School, he has also taken a prominent part, but his labours of late years have been chiefly occupied in the establishment and management of a training school for young criminals at the Cascades. The founding of this institution was largely due to the efforts of the father of the late Judge Giblin, but the carrying out of the work, which claimed much tact and thoughtful care, has fallen to a Board of Managers appointed by the Government. To this Board Mr Mather has acted as secretary, grudging no time or trouble for the welfare of the boys committed to the care of the institution. Of the lads, who have left this Reformatory, many are now in many parts of the country apprenticed to farmers, and apparently giving evidence of the good effect of the training which they have received.

His interest in education was not confined to charitable and elementary schools. He entered warmly into the project of establishing a school having for its special object the superior education of the children belonging to his own religious community on the wide and liberal lines for which the higher schools of the Society of Friends in the Home Country are so distinguished. He lived to see his exertions crowned with success far above his expectations in the establishment of the Friends’High School in premises of its own, not merely supplying the want for which it was founded, but attracting to it a large number of pupils from the general public. He was an active member of its committee and his face was familiar to the pupils, for scarcely passed without him visiting the schoolroom.

Within the last few years advancing age was plainly telling on Mr Mather. Several attacks of illness especially of defective action of the heart warned him that his days were drawing to a close. On Monday last he was attacked by influenza and in his enfeebled condition gradually sinking under the depressing effects of that malady, till after only three days’ illness he quietly expired at noon on Saturday.

Mr Mather married in 1842 a daughter of the late Francis Cotton, of Swanport. Four children survive him, one son Mr J.F. Mather, who carries on the business, and three daughters, one of whom is married to Mr C.H. Robey, and another to Mr Wm. Benson, of Waratah, New Town.

Of Mr Mather it may be emphatically said that he was a good man. He never came before the public, but his life was occupied in the daily round of homely duties and unobtrusive effort for the welfare of his fellow men, especially of those who were poor and needy. Such a life has little to show in the ways of incident which can be recorded in the columns of a newspaper. But it is to such men, more perhaps than to those who hold a prominent place in the public eye, that a community owes its advancement in those things which go to build it up in the more important elements of national well-being.

Mr Mather has been gathered to his fathers at a ripe old age, universally respected as a good citizen, and sincerely regretted by a large number of friends. His slight figure, clad in the quaint old Quaker garb, to which through all the changes of fashion, he steadfastly adhered during 50 years, will be missed by many from the streets of Hobart, and by none more than the poor and friendless, amongst whom he went about doing good.

Child 3 – Robert Andrew Mather (1815-1884) and Ann Pollard

Robert and Ann married on 28 August 1839 at the Sydney Friends Meeting House.

Children-

• Samuel Robert Mather 1843 – 1843
• Ann Benson Mather 1845 – 1920
• Sarah Benson Mather 1846 – 1875
• Robert Benson Mather 1847 – 1913
• Theophilus Henry Mather 1849 – 1849
• Thomas Bourne Mather 1851 – 1925
• Joseph Benson Mather 1852 – 1903
• Anna Maria Mather 1852 – 1852
• Jane Dixon Mather 1853 – 1922
• George Lidbetter Mather 1859 – 1864

Child 4 – John Mather (1818-1865) and Isabella Biggs (1832-1863)

John and Isabella married on 18 March 1850 at the private dwelling house of Mr Abraham Biggs, Cnr. of Melville and Murray Streets, Hobart, by Wesleyan Methodist Rites.

John’s occupation during his life is variously recorded as a draper or clothier and it is likely he worked in his father’s business.

Children-

• John Benson Mather 1852 – 1856
• Robert Arthur Mather 1854 – 1890
• Alfred John Benson Mather 1857 – 1893
• Harriett Eliza Ann Mather 1859 – 1890
• Ebeneezer Coleman Mather 1862 – 1862

Both John and Isabella died relatively young, John at 48 and Isabella at 31. Of their five children and eight grandchildren, seven died before the age of 5 years, with only one having descendants, that of Alfred Frederick Mather the son of Alfred John Benson Mather, with he and his wife Nellie Boland having three children –

• Alfred William Benson Mather, born 1906
• Hubert John Raymond Mather, born 1907
• Dulcie May Ellen Mather, born 1909

The above family lived mostly in Melbourne with the address for some years being 33 Edsall Street, Malvern, with Alfred Frederick Mather working as a milk carter.

After the death of Isabella on 14 June 1863 and John 20 months later, their three surviving children, aged 11, 8 and 6 were now orphans and it would appear were taken in by Mather family relatives. The youngest, Harriet, recorded in her Will that she had been reared and educated by her uncle, Joseph Benson Mather, from the age of 4 years, i.e from the time of her mother’s death.

John died on 7 February 1865 at the residence of his brother, Robert Andrew Mather, Liverpool Street, Hobart with the funeral taking place from the Wesleyan Chapel, Melville Street.

The Death Notice also advised-

I.O.R.

The members of the Victoria Tent of  Rechabites, S.U. are requested to assemble at the Wesleyan Chapel, Melville-street, on Friday afternoon, the 10^th instant, at 2 o’clock to accompany the funeral of our deceased Brother, J. Mather. The Brethren of the United Brothers Tent are respectfully invited to attend.

Child 5 – Ann Mather (1820-1821)

    Born and died in London, England

Child 6 – Ann Mather (1822-1822)

    Born in England

    Died  20 May 1822 aboard ship “Heroine” when emigrating, and committed to the deep

Child 7 – Samuel Benson Mather (1823-1897) and Tryphena Barnett (1825-1871)

Samuel firstly married Tryphena at the residence of Mr Barnett, Church Street, Hobart Town on 27 November 1845. Tryphena was the eldest of seven children born to Rev. William Henry and Martha Barnett. The family had emigrated from London to Van Diemen’s Land arriving at Hobart on 2 March 1833.

Children-

• William Benson Mather 1846 – 1909
• Tryphena Caroline Mather 1848 – 1852
• Elizabeth Benson Mather 1850 – 1911
• George Andrew Mather 1851 – 1924
• Samuel Augustus Mather 1853 – 1903
• Alfred Cope Mather 1855 – 1929

Tryphena died at the age of 46 on 19 July 1871 and was buried in the Hill Street, Wesleyan-Methodist cemetery. This cemetery no longer exists but there is a Memorial Inscription for her at the Cornelian Bay, Hobart cemetery.

Samuel secondly married Mary Travis (1827-1881) on 28 June 1872 at the home of Mrs Travis, Argyle Street, Hobart Town, Wesleyan Methodist Rites. Their marriage certificate recorded that Samuel was a Widower, aged 48 and occupation, draper, and for Mary, a Widow, aged 45 occupation, schoolmistress.

Mary had previously been married to Thomas Travis (1821-1860), a draper, of Fitzroy, Victoria who died from injuries to the head sustained by a fall while in a fit. Three children have been located to the marriage – Edmund George Travis, born 1852, died 6  December 1853 – aged 12 months and 6 days – a second Edmund George Travis (1855-1903) and a third son, Charles Howard Travis (1857-1863) who died at home, 139 Argyle Street, Hobart on 19 December 1863, aged 5 years and 10 months, from croup.

DEATH OF MR. MATHER – Mr S.B. Mather, a well-known citizen of Hobart, died at his residence yesterday morning. Mr Mather was born at  Hobart in 1823 and was 74 years of age at the time of his death. Deceased carried on business for 15 years as a bookseller and stationer in premises situated in Liverpool Street. About eight years ago his health began to fail, and in 1895 he was compelled to retire from business and has since been living privately. For many years he was superintendent of the Wesleyan High Street, Sunday School, and his eldest son is a Wesleyan minister in South Australia. Two of Mr Mather’s sons are residing in Queensland, and another, Mr Frank Mather, is carrying on business in Hobart. The funeral will take place on Sunday morning

OBITUARY

Another old colonist passed away this morning in the 73^rd year of his age. No one was better known in the community during the last half-century than Samuel Mather, who was one of the pioneer band of commercial men who assisted to build up a leading drapery business of this city. For very many years he had charge of the British and Foreign Bible Society’s Depot, but owing to failing health he was compelled to relinquish business a few years since. A more upright, conscientious, benevolent man did not exist in the community, and the many good deeds his hands wrought are perhaps only known to a few who knew his worth.

An advertisement detailing a stock reduction sale appeared in the Mercury newspaper on 20 July 1894. See insert. It was also noted that his son George A. Mather will continue in management of the business.

Samuel was buried in the Quaker Cemetery, but when this was closed down was transferred to the Cornelian Bay cemetery.

A work in progress by Ivan Badcock – 22 July 2016 – updated 20/8/2016