Robert Melville

5

Gregory Girling on 2nd August 2024

Robert and Elizabeth's eldest son, Robert, also became a constable and married Ann Farran (1809-1870), who was also a convict, transported for stealing ribbon, along with 2 other girls, (who were all transported on board the Grenada, arriving in Sydney Cove, Jan 1827). Robert Jr and Ann were married by the larger-than-life Scottish Presbyterian minister, John Dunmore Lang, who spent much of his career campaigning against convict transportation.

5

Gregory Girling on 2nd August 2024

A scan of the pages of the Court records were purchased from Scotland for Robert's trial. The (legible) details are as follows. Note - Pannel - refers to the accused Advocate Depute - Advocate appointed by the Lord Advocate to prosecute under his/her directions, and paid by salary. Assize - refers to the jury The following record was entered into the Porteous Roll by “John Burnett AD” Abridged for flow - removed numbers at top of roll page, the clerk’s name (“John Burnett AD”) at bottom of each page), and page follow on markers (i.e. the last word of previous page, re-written as first word on subsequent page) Porteous Roll JC26_1801_48 - 24 April 1801 Commencing on page reference 21 --START-- Robert Melville present prisoner, in the Tollbooth of Perth —— You are indicted and accused at the Instances of Robert Dundas Esquire of Arniston, His Majesty’s Advocate, for His Majesty’s Interest, That albeit by the Laws of this and every other well governed Realm, Robbery, as also Theft, especially when committed by a person who is habit and repute a Thief, and Crimes of a heinous nature, and severely punishable, Yet true it is and of Verily(?), That you the said Robert Melville are guilty actor or art and part of both and or other of the aforesaid Crimes In so far as you the said Robert Melville did on the twenty fifth day of July one thousand seven hundred and ninety eight or upon one or other of the days of that month, or of the June immediately preceding, or of August immediately following on the road leading between Perth and Kinclaven near to “Balboughty” parish of Scone and County of Perth, wickedly and feloniously assault John
MacIntosh there servant to Thomas Kilgour tenant at Nether-Aird of Delvine and did take from him by force a Trunk which he was then carrying to Perth con- taining body Clothes, and other articles belonging in property to Miss Isobel Aberdour residing in Edin- burgh, which Trunk you did immediately carry off. Further, you the said, Robert Melville did sometime in the month of October one thousand eight hundred, or on one or other of the days of that month or of September immediately preceding, or of November im- mediately following, Steal and feloniously carry away from a Drawer in the House of John Orkney Shipmaster in Arbroath parish of Arbroath and County Forfar, a large (sp?) dividing and two(sp?) table Silver spoons, the property of the said John Orkney - And you the said Robert Melville (sp?) and a person of bad ??? and ??? a Common Thief _ And having at Glasgow on the Fifth day of December one thousand and eight hundred and thereafter on the fourteenth day of January one thousand and eight hundred and one been brought before John Orr Esq. one of his Majesty’s Jus- tices of the peace of the County of Lanark, you did in his presence emit and sign two declarations of the respective dates aforesaid, which Decla rations together with a Box containing the spoons stolen as aforesaid, having a seal and the label affixed thereto will all be used in evidence against you the said Robert Melville, And will for that purpose be lodged in due time, in the hands of the Clerk of the Circuit Court Of Justiciary before which you are to be tried that you may have an oppor- unity of the same - At least times and place libelled the aforesaid Robbery and Theft were committed and you the said Robert Melville are guilty actor or art and part of one or other or both of the aforesaid Crimes, and you are besides a person of bad fame and habit and repute a Thief, all which are part thereof being found proven by the ver- dict of an Assize before the Lord Justice General, Lord Justice Clerk and Lords Commissioners of the Justiciary in a Circuit Court of Justiciary to the holden (sp?) by these, or any one or more of their numbers, within the Burgh of Perth in the month of April in this present year eighteen hundred and one, you the said Robert Melville ought to be punished with the pains of the Law to deter all others from committing the like Crimes in the coming 
 List of Winesses John Mcintosh son to Robert Macintosh at Ballin ?annear Logierate John McFald at Easter Caputh James Strachan at Loanhead at Cargile James Robertson Constable at East Hal??? Cargie Jean Grant spouse of John Orkney Ship master in Arbroath Isabel Napier servant or late servant to the said John Orkney John Clyde residented in Perth John Menzies Inn-Keeper there David Ogilvie Porter there James Donaldson Carrier between Glasgow and Perth William Ross Writer(?) in Perth Alexander Bennet(?) writer there Robert Key Jeweller there John Bennet prosr [Prosecutor] fiscal of the Burgh Court of Glasgow Nathan Jones Clerk to John Orr Esq Justice of the Peace of the County of Lanark John Thomson } John Stevenson } Town officers of Glasgow George McFarlane Sheriff Officer(sp?) there William Tod Town officer there Colin McNaught Town Constable there Peter MacMillan Town officer there North Circuit Minute Book Intran Robert Melville present Prisoner in the Tollbooth of Perth. Pannels. Indicted and Accused at the instance of His Majesty’s Advocate For His Majesty’s Interest for the Crimes of Robbery and Theft as particularly specified in the Libel raised ??? ag. [against] him there ??? (here reach the Libel) The Libel being read over to the Pannel in open Court and he being inter- rogated thereupon He answered that he was Guilty. The Prosr [Prosecutor] for the Pannel. Prosr [Prosecutor] for the Pannel The Advocate Depute - Mr. Jno. [Johnathan] Hagart Advocate The Advocate Depute made the following Restriction I Advocate Depute restrict the Libel agr. [against] the Pannel [prisoner] to an arbitrary punishment -John Burnett And there being no objection offered to the relevancy of the Indictment The Lords Dunsinnan & Methven having considered the Libel against the Pannel as restricted by the Advocate Depute Find the same relevant to infer an arbitrary Pu nishment But allow the Pannel to prove all facts and circumstances that may tend to exculpate him or alleviate his guilt and remit the Pannel with the Libel as found relevant to the knowledge o???? Assize [Signature]Wm Nairne [i.e. Lord Dunsinnan] The following persons were then named to pass upon the Pannels ???? Alexandere Stewart Yo of Balnaheilly James Stewart of Pearcy Alexander Farqusson of Balyouhan Gilbert Hay of Ballendoch Edward Harden Writer Cupar Angus Alexander Scott (sp?) Tenant in Brunty William Yeaman of Balbenchly Alexander Thomas of Wester (sp?) Clepington Thomas Kerr of Grange Patrick Stirling of Pottendreich
 Robert Bruce Henderson of Earlshale Alexander Colvill Y?? of Hillside William Rolland of Burnside James Alexander Manufacturer in Dunfermline William Anderson Brewer there Who being all lawfully ??? and no Ob: jection offered. The Pannel being again Interrogated in presence of the Jury whether or not he was guilty of the Crimes charged against him, He acknowledges his Guilt and adheres to his former confession. [Signature] Robert Melville [Signature] Wm Nairne [Lord Dunsinnan] The Lord ordain the Assize instantly to ??close in a Room adjoining And to return their verdict in this place as soon as the same is made up the whole fifteen their to attend each the pains of Law and ordain the Pannel in the meantime to remain in Court. --ENDS--

74

iain Frazier on 7th December 2023

Family connections for Robert (Melville) are: Some amendments added Sep 2025. MELVILLE Robert (Melville) was born about 1771. He married Elizabeth (Craig) in 1790 in Scotland. He was tried for robbery at Perth Court of Judiciary Scotland on 24 4 1801, sentenced to Life & arrived in NSW as a convict with his family on 11 3 1803 after a voyage of 6months on HMS GLATTON; he was Presbyterian. He was issued his Ticket of Leave no66 on 3 8 1810. & his Absolute Pardon on 29 1 1812; a Pardon no145 was apparantly also issued about November 1822. He is recorded in 1822 as a householder with his wife & 3children; in 1823-5 as a landholder with his wife & 2children; & in 1828 as a landholder at Pitt Water with his wife & 2children. He died on 16 5 1853 age82 at his sons home in Union Place Sydney & was buried at old Devonshire cemetery-reinterred at Rookwood Necropolis general cemetery Haslems Creek Sydney CofE section in 1901. [Some details taken from this Website] Elizabeth (Craig) was born about 1770. She arrived in NSW with her family on 11 3 1803 after a voyage of 6months on HMS GLATTON; she was Presbyterian. She is recorded in 1822 with her family at Pittwater & 1823-5 with her family & in 1828 at Pitt Water with her family. When she passed away she was also buried at old Devonshire cemetery Sydney-reinterred at Rookwood Necropolis general cemetery Haslems Creek Sydney CofE section in 1901. Robert (Melville) & Elizabeth (Craig) produced at least 7children: 1.Isabella (Melville) was born in 1801 in Scotland. She arrived in NSW with her parents on 11 3 1803 after a voyage of 6months on HMS GLATTON. She married firstly (1of3) John (Miller) a military man.>>> ..John (Miller) was a military man-there are 4John (Miller)s in NSW Corps records: .[A=John (Miller who was born at Stafford & became a brass founder & enlisted in NSW Corp pn 17 7 1789 in England as private. He arrived in Australia on 26 6 1790 (therefore on Fleet Ship NEPTUNE SCARBOROUGH OR SURPRIZE); he was 5'6". In 1794 he was granted 19acres at Petersham Hill & in 1795 another 75acres at South Thomas Bishop (w/2others). In 1798 he was detached to (Paterson)s company, where he stayed until 1804 when he was detached to (McArthur)s company. In 1805 he was detached to (Savory)s company. In 1808 he was detached to Georges HD (meaning?) & back to (Savory)s company. In 1809 he was detached to (Brabyn)s company then 4Company. He was granted 90acres at St George in 1809. He was discharged on 24 4 1810.] .[B=John (Miller) junior who was born at Stafford. He enlisted in NSW Corps in England on 3 8 1789 as private. He arrived in NSW on 21 9 1791 after a voyage of 8months on HMS GORGON. In 1798 he was detached to (Johnston)s company & in 1800 to (Prentice)s company. He was discharged as unfit on 24 8 1801.] .[C=John (Miller) who became a labourer. He enlisted in NSW Corps in England on 26 10 1789 as private. He arrived in NSW on 28 6 1790 after a voyage of 7months on Fleet ship NEPTUNE. In 1798 he was detached to (Townson)s company, with whom he was with at Parramatta from 1801. In 1805 he was detached to (Grosser)s company at Parramatta. In 1808 he was detached to (Lewis)s company & in 1809 to 8company. He returned to UK in May 1810.] .[D=John (Miller) arrived in NSW with the Second Fleet (therefore in 1790 on NEPTUNE SCARBOROUGH OR SURPRIZE). He enlisted in NSW Corps on 23 2 1801 at Parramatta & was detached to (McArthur)s company. He was discharged on 24 5 1805.] .[Noted a John (Miller) arrived in NSW as a convict on 26 6 1790 after a voyage of 6months on NEPTUNE SCARBOROUGH OR SURPRIZE] .[Some details taken from this Website] .[Noted a John (Miller) from BRITANNIA died on 14 9 1826 at Sydney General Hospital after shooting himself in the head in a temporary fit of derangement & was buried at St James CofE Sydney] .[Some details taken from this Website] .[& there are others] .[Noted an Elizabeth (Miller) is recorded as born at Parramatta to John (Miller) & Elizabeth (Taylor) on 29 5 1830 & baptised on 13 6 1830 at St Marys RC Sydney] .. ..Isabella (Melville) & John (Miller) produced perhaps 2children: ..1.??? (Melville/Miller) ..2.??? (Melville/Miller) ..[Noted a Joseph (Miller) is recorded as born in 1800s-no parents given] ..[ & a Sarah (Miller) is recorded as born in 1804 & dying on 14 6 1823 age about18-no parents given] ..[ & a John Harris (Miller) is recorded as born on 21 10 1809 to Isabella (Meloin) & John (Miller) & baptised on 2 5 1813 at St Phillips CofE Sydney] .. >>>Isabella (Melville) had a second (2of3) relationship with James (Grice)-she was recorded with him in Sydney in 1822.>>> ..[Noted a James (Grice), born about 1773, was tried at Essex Assizes, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 2 6 1797 after a voyage of 9months on GANGES. He was recorded with Isabella (Melville) in Sydney in 1822. He married, perhaps secondly, as an emancipist Elizabeth (Shaw). He produced 1known child in his lifetime.] ..[Some details taken from this Website] .. >>>Isabella (Melville) had a third relationship with William (Thomas) whom she married on 28 9 1826 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She produced at least 5children in her lifetime. ..William (Thomas) was born about 1774. He was tried at probably Old Bailey, sentenced to Life, held at London Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW as a convict on 5 5 1818 after a voyage of 4months on NEPTUNE. .[Some details taken from this Website] ..Isabella (Melville) & William (Thomas) produced at least 3children: girls ..1.Ann (Thomas) was born on 26 12 1825 & baptised on 29 1 1826 w/Isabella at St Phillips CofE Sydney. ..2.Isabella (Thomas) was born on 26 12 1825 also & baptised on 29 1 1826 w/Ann at St Phillips CofE Sydney. ..3.Rebecca (Thomas) was born on 5 6 1828 & baptised on 6 7 1828 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. .. 2.Charlotte (Melville) was born on 21 8 1803 at Kissing Point. She married William (Small) shoemaker of Ryde on 8 5 1820 at St Phillips CofE Sydney & produced at least 4children. She died on 23 9 1885 age82. ..William (Small) was born on 14 12 1796 & baptised on 27 12 1796 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He was a shoemaker in 1820. He was a constable in 1827 & 1828. He died on 9 11 1891 age86. ..Details of William (Small)s family are given in entry for John (Small CHARLOTTE 1788) on this Website. .. 3.Robert (Melville) was born on 16 8 1805 & baptised on 7 9 1828 age23 at Scots Kirk Sydney. He is recorded in 1822 with his parents & in 1823-5 separatly from his parents. He is recorded in 1828 as a constable at George St Sydney. He married Anne (Farran) on 19 9 1828 at Scots Kirk Sydney. He died on 30 4 1876 age70. ..Ann/e (Farran) was born on 1 1 1808 & became a house servant. She was tried w/2others for stealing ribbon of her employer at Liverpool Borough Quarter Sessions Lancaster, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 23 1 1827 after a voyage 5months on GRENADA; she was Protestant illiterate 51 sallow complexion light brown hair hazel eyes small mark of cut on upper part left thumb. She was assigned to Agnes (Anderson). She died on 30 11 1870 age62 at Sydney. .[Some details taken from this Website] ..Robert (Melville) & Anne (Farran) produced 10children: ..1.Andrew (Melville) was born on 8 9 1829 in Sydney & baptised on 11 10 1829 at Scots Kirk Sydney. He died on 18 1 1830 age4m & was buried at Scots Kirk Sydney-mother=(Fallan). ..2.Anne Elizabeth (Melville) was born on 27 12 1830 & baptised on 6 2 1831 at Scots Kirk Sydney. ..3.-10.??? (Melville) .. 4.Elizabeth (Melville) was born in 1808 & baptised on 31 8 1808 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She died on 24 11 1808 age<11m & was buried at St Phillips CofE Sydney. 5.Andrew (Melville) was born on 21 1 1810. He is recorded in 1822 with his parents & 1823-5 with his parents & in 1828 at Pitt Water with his parents. He was baptised on 28 3 1831 age20 at Scots Kirk Sydney. He died on 20 11 1867 age57. 6.Henry (Melville) was born in 1812. 7.George (Melville) was born on 21 11 1815. He is recorded in 1822 with his parents & 1823/5 with his parents & in 1828 at Pitt Water with his parents. He was baptised on 29 11 1826 age11 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. References: Craig James Smee 'Births and Baptisms Marriages and Defacto Relationships Deaths and Burials New South Wales 1788-1830' ..a complete listing from church & other records in the early colony. Pamela Statham 'A Colonial Regiment-New Sources Relating to the New South Wales Corps-1789-1810'

2

Susan Kriss on 19th April 2022

Robert and Charlotte were buried in the old Devonshire St Cemetery which was later closed in 1888 and then demolished to make way for Central Station. They were re interred in 1901 in Rookwood Cemetery, Church of England Section, in a Melville grave by a descendant. Sue Kriss

174

Iris Dunne on 3rd April 2018

NSW, Settler and Convict Lists, 1817:- Life Pardoned, Labourer Pardon Date: 29 Feb 1812, Vessel Name: HMS Glatton, Record Type: Absolute

174

Iris Dunne on 2nd April 2018

Tried: 20 April 1801 Ticket of Leave No.66, dated 3rd August 1810 Pardon No.145 (possibly in or before November 1822) Trove: The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 17 May 1853, Page 2, Family Notices, Died - "On the 16th May, at his son's residence, Union-place, Mr. Robert Melville, at the advanced age of 83 years. The deceased was an old and respected colonist, having been in the colony upwards of 50 years, and was a native of Scotland." Funeral - "The friends of the late Mr. Robert Melville are respectfully requested to attend his funeral on Wednesday afternoon, at 2 o'clock. The procession will move from his son's residence, Union-place, at the above hour precisely. CHARLES KINSELA, Undertaker, Goulburn-street. 6922" https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/12945872?searchTerm=robert melvill&searchLimits=l-decade=185|||l-state=New+South+Wales|||l-title=35|||l-year=1853

11

Rosalie Bock on 2nd April 2018

Robert Melville and wife Elizabeth Craig had another daughter born in colony. Charlotte Melville, born 1803 at Kissing Point NSW married at 17 in 1820 to (hence not on muster with her parents) to William Small (farming family in Ryde) Isabella was married 1. to military man John Miller (2 issue) 2. cohabitated with convict James Grice (no issue) 3. to convict William Thomas (4 issue)

105

Denis Pember on 7th January 2016

Sainty & Johnson; 1828 Census of New South Wales: Ref [M2241] Melville, 57, absolute pardon, Glatton, 1803, landholder, Pitt Water. [M2242] Melville, Elizabeth, 58, came free, Glatton, 1803 [M2243] Melville, Andrew, 18, born in the colony. [M2244] Melville, George, 14, born in the colony. [M2245] Melville, Robert, 23, born in the colony, constable, George Street Sydney.

105

Denis Pember on 7th January 2016

In the 1822 Census, it is apparent that the eldest daughter, Isabella also came aboard the Glatton with her mother and Father. Melville, Isabella, came free, Glatton, wife of J. Grice, Sydney. Melville, Robert, absolute pardon, Glatton, householder, Sydney. Melville, Elizabeth, came free, Glatton, wife of above. Melville, Robert, 18, born in the colony, child of above. Melville, Andrew, 13, born in the colony, child of above. Melville, George, 8, born in the colony, child of above. In the 1825 census; Melville, Isabella, Glatton, 1803, employed by Capt. Wm Thomas Piper. Melvilles, Robert, absolute pardon, Glatton, 1803, life, landholder, Sydney. Melvilles, Robert, born in the colony, son of above. Melville, Elizabeth, came free, Glatton, 1803, wife of above. Melville, Andrew, 16, born in the colony, child of above. Melville, George, 10, born in the colony, child or above.

105

Denis Pember on 7th January 2016

Robert was already married to Elizabeth Craig in Scotland. Elizabeth also came aboard the Glatton when Robert was transported. In the colony, they had 5 children.