Robert Davidson

  General Notes:

Name:Robert Davidson
Age:4
Estimated birth year:abt 1857
Relationship:Son
Father's name:John Davidson
Mother's name:Mary Davidson
Gender:Male
Where born:Mauchline, Ayrshire
Registration Number:604
Registration district:Mauchline
Civil Parish:Mauchline
County:Ayrshire
Address:George Bridge
Occupation:Scholar
ED:7
Household schedule number:107
LINE:6
Roll:CSSCT1861_88
Household Members:
NameAge
John Davidson45 Snuff Box Manufacturer
Mary Davidson42 Wife
William Davidson20 Clerk in Box Manufactory
George Davidson17 Box maker
Jane Davidson15
David Davidson12 Scholar
Alexander B Davidson11 Scholar
Agnes Davidson8 Scholar
John Davidson6 Scholar
Robert Davidson4 Scholar
Ancestry.com. 1861 Scotland Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.

175 Hill St
Barony, Lanark, Scotland
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
Walter LIVINGSTON M 35 M England
Rel: Head
Occ: Vicar Of St Philips Church
Kathleen C. LIVINGSTON M 26 F England
Rel: Wife
Walter J. O. LIVINGSTON 6 M England
Rel: Son
Alfred H. BUTT U 19 M England
Rel: Lodger
Occ: Teacher Music
Robt. DAVIDSON U 24 M Mauchline, Ayr, Scotland
Rel: Lodger
Occ: Student Of Theo F C Coll Glasgow
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=107209.0

Name:Robt Davidson
Age:24
Estimated birth year:abt 1867
Relationship:Lodger
Gender:Male
Where born:Mauchline, Ayrshire
Registration Number:644/9
Registration district:Kelvin
Civil Parish:Glasgow Barony
County:Lanarkshire
Address:175 Hill St.
Occupation:Student Of Theo. F.C. Coll. Glasgow
Ancestry.com. 1881 Scotland Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.

Sorata of London, G. J Dixon, Master, burthen 2573 tons, from the Port of London to Sydney New South Wales, 4th November 1883.
Davidson, R. Rev
Davidson, Mrs.
http://marinersandships.com.au/1883/11/009sor.htm

Ship : Sorata
Source Information
Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Unassisted Immigrant Passenger Lists, 1826-1922 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007.
Original data: New South Wales Government. Inward passenger lists. Series 13278, Reels 399-560, 2001-2122, 2751. State Records Authority of New South Wales. Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia.New South Wales

Immigrated 1884 S.S. Sorretta from Scotland, landed in Sydney.
Robert Davidson: Man with a Mission
"Perhaps never before in the history of this town was there a function to equal that which took place in green's Hall, Port Macquarie, on Wednesday afternoon last, when a pleasant function mingled with sadness took place."
"It was saying farewell to a couple- Mr. and Mrs. Robert Davidson, who had stood shoulder to shoulder in this town and district for 46 years, with one object in view- to do good, and they achieved it."
"Forty six years is a long time in one place and it is also a test- a test of time, as to whether a life has been lived with credit or otherwise."
"Albeit, the couple arrived in practically the bloom of youth- pure and unsullied, and departed this town last Thursday."
"The same Mr. Davidson's friends of yore were not all present at the function."
"Many- unfortunately, have passed to that undiscovered country who's borne no traveler returns."
"But, though they were not present their descendents attended."
"The spirit of gratitude, friendship and love was still embedded in their hearts for Robert Davidson."
That account of a farewell function, which, appeared in the 'Port Macquarie News', October 2, 1929, was an accurate expression of the feelings of the people of the Hastings for a man who devoted his life in the service of the community as a Man of God, journalist, Member of Parliament and a farmer.

Presbyterian Minister
Robert Davidson and his young wife arrived in Port Macquarie in 1884 to fulfill his appointment as Presbyterian Minister for the Port Macquarie circuit- an area embracing the Hastings, Camden Haven and Wilson River districts.

The journey up for Sydney in a diminutive steamer was an arduous trip for Robert to endure coming so close to the long trip from Scotland.
His wife Jeannie suffered little discomfort, but from the time their ship S. S. Soretta pulled out from the wharf at Glasgow, Robert was ill all the way out. He was that weak on arrival in Sydney that he had to be carried ashore.
In actual fact it was the condition of Jeannie's health which precipitated the couple's decision to come to Australia, after Robert was ordained a minister of the United Free Church of Scotland, on completion of his studies at the Glasgow University.
Shortly after he entered the university, he became engaged to Jeannie, but they had to wait for his ordination seven years later, before they could marry.
By this time Jeannie had developed noticeable bronchial trouble, so Robert vowed to take her to a warmer climate where there would be ample sunshine to restore her to good health.
So keen was he to get Jeannie to Australia, Robert booked passage within weeks of their marriage and before he had time to complete his final examination for his degree of Master of Arts.
Edinborough House
After two weeks in Sydney, during which time the couple stayed at Balmain, Robert received a call to go to Port Macquarie.
No sooner had they stepped ashore, they were to learn that the manse they were to occupy was being lived in by the Wilson family, so they had to find alternative accommodation.
They found it at Edinborough House, a two storey dwelling near the waterfront at the end of Clarence Street.
The Davidson's spent the next two years at Edinborough House during which time two children were born- Mary and Jean.
At the end of two years the Wilson's and the Davidson's changed homes, so once again the convict built manse was occupied by a minister of the church.
By this time, Robert Davidson's reputation as a preacher of great eloquence and understanding had been echoed throughout the hills and valleys of the district.

Rugged trips
Traveling by horseback, he spent nine years riding from farmhouse to farmhouse and from one tiny church to the next tiny church building, in the upper reaches of the Hastings, Wilson and Camden Haven Rivers, preaching earnestly and vigorously, as the spiritual and material adviser to all and sundry.

Bertie
To reach his flock, he would often be away from home days at a time staying overnight at various farmhouses en route to his next service.
Every Sunday he would preach three different sermons, each in a different location. His appeal was that strong that some of his flock would follow him from place to place so as not to miss his three preaching's.
Often time, he would strip off, place his clothes in his valise and swim his old stock horse 'Bertie' across creek or river to get to the next appointed place of worship.
Recounting those days at the farewell function to the Davidson's, one of Robert's close friends all those years, Andrew McQuade of Wauchope, recalled the first time he sighted him at the time he was pioneering in the Camden Haven district.
"I saw a tall man on a tall horse coming along out of the scrub. I saw he was a clergyman and that he was either a fool or some new chum, to cross the river as he had done."
After conducting the service in Camden Haven district he would stay on a few days with the McQuades, performing marriages, burials and christenings as well as giving spiritual comfort to those who needed his services.
Then he and 'Bertie' would plunge into the Camden Haven River and head for home.
While Robert labored in the spiritual vineyard, his gentle wife became mother of seven children, on whom she bestowed loving care and devotion as she bustled about the manse as housewife and helpmate to her beloved husband.

Damper, beef
Eventually, the rugged life of riding on horseback for miles on end, day after day, year after year in all weather conditioned caused a serious deterioration of his health.
Cold damper and salted beef- the modest fare of most settlers of the day which he had to partake of during his trips, also did little for his constitution.
At the end of nine years service he resigned from the ministry and became editor of the 'Port Macquarie News'.
Editor
As editor of this newspaper he preached through its columns the gospel of better production from the soil a cooperative effort in manufacturing and marketing.
As a friend of everyone with an extraordinary knowledge of agriculture, it was only fitting, that after nine years in the editorial chair of the 'News', the settlers of the district chose him to represent them in the New South Wales Parliament to articulate their wants.
It was not surprising that his opponents made capital out of his clergyman days, during his campaigning for Parliament.
As a scribe of the day reported in the meeting- "In a resonant voice and a parsonical manner, his appearance was greeted at some length by laughter and satirical 'amen's', but he went straight on and pointed a long lean finger impressively at his interrupters. In less than ten minutes he had a meeting as quiet as though they were in church, save for occasional outbursts of applause".

Politician
Carrying the political banner of Free Traders, he spent the next nine years- from 1901, as State Member for the electorate of Hastings Macleay.
During those years he applied himself to the task of representation with the same sincerity and vigor as in his preaching and journalistic days, in his endeavor to improve the lot of the residents of the district, in particular the men of the soil.
Hi burning ambition, to make living conditions better for countrymen included a campaign to improve transportation.
For years he advocated for a North Coast railway line.
The matter had been brought up in Parliament some years previous to his election, but had been shelved.
Robert Davidson induced a part of city based parliamentarians to come north to view the proposed route and see for themselves the necessity for the line.
They came north as far as Kempsey and were taken on tour. Later they were well banqueted and sent back to Sydney with full tummies and a better appreciation of the needs of the people.
Shortly after, the Bill was passed, after lying dormant for close on 25 years.
Although the coming of the North Coast railway line was his most noticeable achievement during his political life, he was also instrumental in having several bridges erected in the district including the Telegraph Pint Bridge which he was given the honor to declare open.
Ultimately machine politics began crushing those of independent minds, so there was little place in Parliament for Robert Davidson, although he made an unsuccessful bid for the Federal seat of Cowper.

Farmer
At the time the Davidson's arrived in Port Macquarie, the main primary industries were maize growing and timber getting.
However, in common with other coastal districts, corn growing in the Hastings district showed a marked decline towards the end of the century.
Transport difficulties, the incidence of floods and the low price of two shillings a bushel for corn, forced farmers to look for an alternative means of making a livelihood from the land.
The growing of sugar cane had earlier been suggested as replacement for maize growing. Indeed, it is on record that the first sugar cane to be grown in the Colony was in Port Macquarie. This was in 1822 shortly after the establishment of the settlement.
However frosts killed this source of income, so farmers cast around for another avenue.
In the meantime they returned to maise growing as a stop-gap.
Encouraged by Robert Davidson many of the farmers turned to dairying and before long this industry flourished thought the Hastings and Wilson Rivers.
Before long, a butter factory was constructed at Port Macquarie and another at Wauchope.
Robert Davidson's interest in agricultural pursuits continued though his long years as resident at Port Macquarie, so it was inevitable that when he stepped down from the political platform he should try his hand at farming.
He acquired land at Pipers Creek and introduced the first Ayshire cattle to the district and was recipient of many awards at the Port Macquarie Show as testimony of good husbandry.
However, although he advocated many improvements he received little benefit from his endeavors on land.

Long March
The Davidson family lived for many years in modest circumstances at Gilmorehill, Port Macquarie- so named after the University College at Glasgow, Gilmorehill.
South of his home, he also acquired ten acres of rich land which he used to grow small crops, with the help of his sons.
When the Great War began, three of his sons and one daughter enlisted and went overseas- the boys to Gallipoli.
Robert Davidson's patriotic fervor was that strong, that in 1915, he helped to organize a recruiting drive for young men, which was to take the form of a route march starting in Grafton and ending in Port Macquarie.
He led the march out of Grafton and at just about every whistle stop on the way down the coast, he spoke at meetings encouraging enlistment. As the Pied Piper he added more and more recruits.
When they arrived at Port Macquarie the march was 200 strong.
On arrival, the recruits were quartered out at the Port Macquarie showground and were supplied with meals and entertained by town residents and welcomed by the then Member of Parliament for the district Mr. Morton.
What with all the speeches that flowed like champagne off the lips of civic fathers and the Parliamentary representative, Robert Davidson- the Pied Piper, was instantly forgotten. This oversight really cut him to the quick.

His youngest daughter Nancy*- now 90 years of age, well remembers the arrival and the departure of those soldiers-to-be in 1915.
"They arrived on the Saturday and there was quite a fuss made of them. My sister Jean and I went up to the showground and helped with the washing up the dishes in time to see them march out of town. We went up in the tower of St Thomas' Church to get a good view of the band leading the men. I remember them marching along Horton Street, around the corner and up Gordon Street and out of sight as the band played 'It's a Long Way to Tipperary.' It was a most impressive sight."
After the Great War ended and his three sons and daughter returned safely, Robert Davidson went into semi-retirement and then full retirement until 1929, when he and Jeannie decided to go to Kiama to live with their daughter and son-in-law, in view of their failing health.
Twelve week after arrival at Kiama, Jeannie died.
Twelve months later Robert died when he was taken to his last resting place beside his beloved Jeannie.
*The story of Nancy and her boarding house was published in the Port Macquarie News 5 September 1979.
Port Macquarie News, Monday, September 24, 1979. Written by Bernard Harte.

Historic Sketches of Parishes
Port Macquarie
This is a very old parish, and dates back as far as the year 1840. In 1841 the church and manse were erected substantially of brick. The church was built in the old-fashioned style, with box pews and a high pulpit with canopy. In 1890 it was found that certain repairs were necessary, and, instead of having these effected, the congregation had the church pulled down and a new one erected out of the material of the old. The vestry and the manse remain as originally built. In the parish there were three other Presbyterian churches (at Huntingdon, Wauchope and Kendall), in addition to several Union churches. The Rev. Wm. Purves was the first minister and came to the district in 1840. He carried on work for about eight years, and was succeeded by the Revs. Wm. McKee and Edward Holland. The Rev. John Ayling was the first to be inducted, in 1871, and demitted the charge in 1873. Afterwards Mr. Hugh Hossack, catechist, took up the work and remained until shortly before the arrival of the Rev. Robert Davidson from Scotland. The latter was inducted on 23rd March 1884, and remained until 30th of June, 1893, when, on account of ill health, he demitted. He was succeeded by the Rev. H. S. Buntine, who was inducted on 22nd November, 1893, and remained until August 1901, when he was translated to St. Mary's. The present minister, the Rev G. M. Torbett, M.A., was inducted on 2nd of September, 1903. The preaching stations are:- Port Macquarie, Upper Plains, Lower Plains, Telegraph Point, Wauchope, Beechwood, Huntingdon, Bulli, Ellenborough, Yarras, Comboyne, Lorne, Kendall, and Laurieton.
No organs are used or hymns sung at Huntingdon and Beechwood, a precentor raising the tunes. The singing is most heart and good. These congregations sit to sing and stand to pray as in the old times in Scotland. In this parish are several loyal and earnest old Presbyterian families who stand by old usages and love dearly and serve faithfully the venerable Church of their fathers. Steps are being taken now to provide an assistant minister, so that the number of services may be increased.
ELDERS:- We have not been able to get the names of the elders during the early years, but the present Kirk Session consists of Messrs. Robert Davidson, M.L.A., Wm. Lindsay, and Adam Johnston.
Centenary history of the Presbyterian Church in New South Wales
https://archive.org/stream/centenaryhistory00came/centenaryhistory00came_djvu.txt

LATE REV. R. DAVIDSON.
The funeral took place at Kiama of the Rev. Robert Davidson, formerly of Port Macquarie, who for the past two years had resided at Kiama, with his son-in-law, the Rev. G. M. Torbett. Born at Mauchline, Ayrshire, Scotland, in 185O, Mr. Davidson was educated at G!asgow University and the Free Church Theological
College. He settled at Port Macquarie, where he was minister for 10 years, and also sessions clerk. Retiring from the active Presbyterian ministry on account of ill-health, he became the editor of the local newspaper. Mr. Davidson was Chairman of the Port Macquarie Dairy Society, and was the first man to import Ayrshire
cattle into that district. For nine years he represented Hastings and Macleay in the Legislative Assembly.
1931 'LATE REV. R. DAVIDSON.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954) , 11 August, p. 7. , viewed 27 Aug 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139638172

THE REV. R. DAVIDSON.
KIAMA, Saturday.
The funeral took place of the Rev. Robert Davidson, late of Port Macquarie, who for the past two years had resided at the Manse, Kiama, with his son-in-law, the Rev. G. M. Torbett. Born at Mauchline, Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1850, Mr. Davidson was educated at Glasgow University and the Free Church Theological College. He settled at Port Macquarie, where he was minister of the charge for 10 years, and also sessions clerk. Retiring from the active Presbyterian ministry on account of ill-health, he became the editor of the local newspaper. Mr. Davidson was chairman of the Port Macquarie Dairy Society, and was the first man to import Ayrshire cattle into that district. For nine years he represented Hastings and Macleay in the Legislative Assembly.
1931 'THE REV. R. DAVIDSON.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 10 August, p. 11. , viewed 27 Aug 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28037142

OBITUARY
REV. ROBERT DAVIDSON-74 YEARS
Widespread sympathy is extended to the Rev. G. M, and Mrs. Torbett in the death of Mrs. Torbett's father, the Rev. Robert Davidson which occurred on Wednesday.
The Rev. R. Davidson, who was born Fix this textat Mauchllne, Ayrshire, Scotland, came out to Australia in 1888, one of his fellow-passengers being tho Rev. David Smith, of Artarmon; who died a few weeks ago, He studied at Glasgow Universlty and the Free Church Theological Hall and on coming to New South Wales, settled in Port Macquarie, where he had a long and dlstlnguished career, attaining distinction in several
capacities.
As minlster of the charge for over ten years, he was very popular and carried out the duties of Sessions
Clerk as well as the minlsterial work of a very large dlstrict. The Rev. Davidson retired from the active Presbyterian minlstry, on account of ill-health and after a time turned his attention to journalism, and became editor of the local newspaper. He was always keenly interested In dairying matters, and in fact brought the first Ayrshiire cattle to that district, exhibiting at various shows and winning many prizes. For a number of years also, he w as the chairman of the Port Macquarie District Society. With his heart and soul in the interests of the distrlct he had made his home, Mr Davidson entered Parliament and in his nine years as M.L.A. for Hastings and Macleay, his energy and enthusiasm was largely responsible for the passage
of the North Coast Railway Bill.
ln 1929 his health failed again, and he and Mrs Davidson came to live at Kiama where they received the devoted care and attention of their daughter, Mrs Torbett at the Manse. The loss of Mrs. Davidson who passed way in December of that year, was a shock from which her husband never really recovered.
The funeral took place yesterday afternoon at the Presbyterian cemetery, Kiama where Mr Davidson was laid to rest with her who had been his devoted partner and helpmate for many years.
The service was conducted by a former minister at Port Macquarie the Rev. John Walker, of Dulwich Hill,
who gave a feeling and sympathetic address at the gaveside, referring in appreciative terms to the full and active life of Mr Davidson and the help he had always received from his wife and family.
The Rev. R. Davidson married Miss Jean Logan Muir of Stewarton, Scotland, and is survived by four sons and three daughters.
1931 'Obituary.', The Kiama Independent, and Shoalhaven Advertiser (NSW : 1863 - 1947), 8 August, p. 2. , viewed 27 Aug 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article106000535

Robert married Jane Logan Muir, daughter of James Muir and Mary Calderwood, on 31 Aug 1883 in 196 Bath Street, Glasgow, Scotland ⁶²⁶.^,627 (Jane Logan Muir was born on 12 Jul 1858 in Stewarton, Ayrshire, Scotland ^626,629 and died in 1929 in Kiama New South Wales, AUSTRALIA ⁶²⁶.)

  Marriage Notes:

1885 on the Thirty-first day of August at 196 Bath Street Glascow, after Banns and Publication according to the forms of the United Presbyterian Church- Robert Davidson- Rev Church Probationaer (Bachelor) Age: 26, of Loudown Street Mauchline John Davidson Fancy Box manufacturer, deceased and Mary Davidson maident surname Dalrymple (deceased) signed J. Ericson Scott 1885 September
Jeanie Logan Muir (Spinster) 25 of 84 North Hanover Street Glasgow. Father- James Muir- commercial traveller and Mary Muir maiden name Calderwood. Signed Mary N McIntyre witness and James Davidson Witness.
1883 DAVIDSON, ROBERT (Statutory registers Marriages 644/9 365) https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/view-image/nrs_stat_marriages/14215141 (Retrieved 27 Aug 2017)