Theophilus Robin

Theophilus Robin (pronounced ROE-bin) (c. 1830 – 19 September 1874) was a pioneer timber merchant in the early days of colonial South Australia. He was a brother of prominent businessman James Robin (1817–1894) and Adelaide land agent Charles Robin (c. 1826 – 27 November 1872).

History

Robin was born in Guernsey, a son of Nicholas Robin (c. 1788 – 5 January 1873), and his wife Esther Robin, née De Quetteville (c. 1819 – 20 August 1855). She was a daughter of Rev. Jean de Quetteville "The Apostle of French Methodism".

In 1854 he took over the Lipson Street, Port Adelaide warehouse of S. R. Clarke & Co.

He was a partner in Padman & Co to 1864, then as timber merchant, built up premises on corner of Lipson Street and Port Road as Sarnia Timber Yard and Sarnia Steam Mills.[1] In 1859 Theophilus Robin and shipping agent Peter Le Messurier formed a partnership as Robin & Le Messurier. The partnership was dissolved on 31 August 1872.[2] leaving Theophilus to concentrate on the Sarnia Timber business.

He was a member of the Adelaide Philosophical Society and the Wesleyan Methodist church and for many years superintendent of the Archer Street Wesleyan Sunday School.[3]

Theophilus Robin married Stella Ann Ansell (c. 1837 – 19 July 1916) on 1 March 1855. Their children included:

  • Theophilus Hedley Robin (1859 – 12 June 1940) was a partner with Simon Harvey, Malcolm P. Reid (1882–1876) (son of Malcolm D. Reid) and William Haslam in Globe Timber Mills around 1920.
  • Percy Ansell Robin MA (Lond), D.Litt. (1861 – 28 May 1937), was educated at Prince Alfred College.[4]
    He was a fine cricketer, playing for Queensland,[5] and had a distinguished career as a teacher in private schools, including Ipswich Grammar,[6] where he was appointed Classical Master in 1886[7] and acting head two years later, and headmaster of the Church of England Grammar School, Ballarat in 1910,[8] He was the author of Animal Lore in English Literature John Murray London 1932

Theophilus died of erysipelas following an infected boil on his leg, leaving a widow and nine children. His widow took on Theodore Hack as business partner, styling the business Robin & Hack.[9] It was known simply as "Hack's Timber Yard" on 11 November 1884 when fire broke out, destroying not only the timber but woodworking machinery worth £5,000.

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References
  1. Native Industries South Australian Register 5 June 1868 p.2 accessed 21 August 2011
  2. Public Notices South Australian Register 7 September 1872 p.2 accessed 20 August 2011
  3. The Late Mr. Theo. Robin South Australian Register 10 October 1874 supplement p.6 accessed 26 September 2011
  4. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13547634
  5. http://trove.nla.gov.au/dp/del/article/46830038
  6. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3480734
  7. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28360245
  8. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5232498
  9. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39820316
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