Robert Smith (9 Jan 1820 - 2 Apr 1895)

Bradfield, Berkshire in 2013

Robert Smith was christened on the 9 January 1820 at the St. Andrew's Church, Bradfield, Berkshire, England to parents Lucy Smith and father unknown.

Bradfield church door

Robert Smith, when older than 20, married Lucy Dore, aged 19, on 11 January 1840 in St. Mary's Church, Burghfield, Berkshire, England.

They had seven children.

1. George Smith (1840-1923)
2. Henry Smith (1842-1924)
3. Martha Smith (1845-1931) married John Cox
4. Jane Smith (1847-1851) INFANT DEATH
5. Charles Henry Smith (1851-1873)
6. Joseph Smith (1854-1934), and
7. William Smith (1859-1950)

English census' at Burghfield Common, Berkshire, England shows the following:

1841 - Aged 22 - living with his wife Lucy (aged 21) and child George (7 months). Robert is listed as an Agricultural Labourer.  Landowners in Burghfield in 1841 are:

• David Love owning Burghfield Hill
• Joseph Lovegrove
• William and Fanny Scribbans, Burghfield Scrubs
• Arnold Lainson, Amners Farm
• Thomas Cane

English Census 1851 - Aged 32 - Living with his wife Lucy (aged 31) and children George (aged 10), Henry (aged 8) and Martha (aged 5). They are living next door to the Dore's. The biggest land owners in Burghfield in 1851 are: 

• William Frift, a farmer of 250 acres
• Charles Lovegrove, a farmer of 192 acres
• William Hedges, a farmer of 100 acres - owned Bridge? House Farm
• William and Fanny Scribbans, a farmer of 40 acres
• Horatio Bland owning Culverlands House

Saturday 30 July 1859 in Berkshire Chronicle Newspaper - Robert Smith appeared a summons for an assault on Jas. Dore, jun., on the 12th July, at Burghfield. The complaintant stated that he was at play with the defendant's children, when one of them threw dust in his brother's (complaintant's) eyes. Complaintant then threw some seed grass at him. The child went away, and soon afterwards the defendant came and struck him several times across the back and shoulders with a belt, cutting and bruising him severely. The complaintant's evidence was corroborated by George White, but contradicted by George Lisley, a witness for the defendant, and the magistrates dismissed the case.

Saturday 19 May 1860 in Berkshire Chronicle Newspaper - County Bench - Robert Smith, fined 3s. and 13s. 6d. costs, for being drunk in Burghfield, on the 4th instant.

English Census 1861 - Aged 42 - Living with his wife Lucy and children Henry (aged 18 and an Agricultural Labourer), Charles (aged 8 and a Scholar), Joseph (aged 7 and a Scholar) and William (aged 1).  Robert is listed as an Agricultural Labourer.  George has left and is living with is wife Caroline (George is listed as a labourer). The three biggest land owners in Burghfield in 1861 are:

• James L Steel, a farmer of 150 acres
• Loves Farm, owned by David Love, a farmer of 135 acres, and
• Culverlands Farm, owned by Charles Bishop, a farmer of 100 acres.

English Census 1871 - Aged 52 - Living with his wife Lucy and children Charles (aged 19 and a Labourer) and William (aged 11 ). Robert's mother Lucy Smith (aged 80) is also living with them. They are living next door to the Dore's.  Robert is listed as a labourer. 

Saturday 2 September 1871 - Reading Mercury Newspaper regarding Burghfield, Sulhampstead and Ufton Horticultural Society Annual Show - Robert Smith won 1st prize for his White Kidney Potatoes and Apples in the Cottagers section. His wife Lucy won 3rd prize for her cooked potatoes in the Allotments section.

Saturday 28 September 1872 - Reading Mercury Newspaper regarding Burghfield, Sulhampstead and Ufton Horticultural Society Annual Show - Robert Smith won 1st prize for his long carrots in the Cottagers section.

1875 - Robert's mother Lucy Smith dies.

English Census 1881 - Aged 62 - Living with his wife Lucy. Robert is listed as a farmer. They have 64 acres. Living next door to the Dore's.

English Census 1891 - Aged 72 - Living with his wife Lucy. Robert is listed as a farmer. Also living with them is a William Sweitzer, a 13 year old Farmer's labourer and Domestic servant. They are living next to the Dore's.

Robert Smith died on the 2nd April 1895 at Burghfield Common, Berkshire, England of Influenza, Bronchitis (1 mth 7 days), Carbuncle and Asthenia.

He is buried at the St. Mary's Church, Burghfield, Berkshire, England,.  There is however no remaining memorial or indication as to which plot he occupies.

The Adelaide "Advertiser" dated Thursday 16 May 1895 states: "SMITH - On the 2nd April, at Burghfield, Berks, England, Robert Smith, aged 75, beloved father of H. Smith, Sellick's Hill, and J. Smith, Leicester Street, Parkside".

When Robert died, his only remaining children:

George - still alive
Henry - still alive and in Australia
Martha - married to John Cox
Jane - died
Charles Henry - died in 1873. No descendants.
Joseph - still alive and in Australia
William - still alive and living in Reading, Berkshire, England