Robert William Hardy was Ann Goodwin's second son, and Ann's sixth son. Robert married in Sydney, had eight children, and worked with his brother Thomas in their furniture business, Hardy, Brothers. between 1863 and 1877 when they parted ways.

This page is undergoing a complete rewrite to accommodate a great deal of new information that's come to light relating to Robert. For the same reason, a new page has been created to tell Thomas Hardy's life-story.

Robert William Hardy and his older brother Thomas were two of five boys taken on board H. M. North Star as apprentices on 1 February 1845.1

Robert, apprenticed for a minimum of three years, was to travel the world, and witness some fascinating events during his apprenticeship. "The North Star sailed from Port Arthur on Sunday evening, the 24th [February] instant, for Sydney, where she will remain for about a month to complete her painting and take in stores. She will then sail for China, and probably take the last of the ransom home. She takes mail for Sydney and Hong Kong."2 However, when "H.M.S. North Star arrived at Sydney on the 3rd [March] instant. She was to sail immediately for New Zealand with 150 troops, in consequence of another fearful outrage committed there.3" After numerous adventures, including the death of an un-named seaman in the "Maori war" in New Zealand, the North Star returned to England.

THE "NORTH STAR" - It is reported by the Carysfort, that Her Majesty's ship North Star had called at the Cape, and had there disembarked her Marines, who had been sent to the frontier to re-inforce the military there assembled to defend the outposts of the colony against the incursions of the Kafirs.- Sydney Herald. 4

"North Star."- Portsmouth, August 23.- Her Majesty's ship North Star, 26, Captain Sir E. Home, Bart., C.B., anchored at Spithead, at eight o'clock, on Friday night. She has brought despatches from Sydney, New Zealand, Singapore, the Cape of Good Hope, St. Helena, Ascension, and Fayal. The North Star, although one of the old class of frigates, has been most actively employed for upwards of four years. Sir E. Home commissioned her at this port, in August, 1841, and soon after, she was sent to China with a large supply of rockets, shells, and other ordnance stores, for service of the squadron under the orders of Vice Admiral Sir W. Parker. The officers and crew had the good fortune to be with Sir W. Parker's ships in all the engagements in China, and at the termination of hostilities, on the conclusion of the war, Sir E. Home was nominated a Companion of the Bath. The North Star was then sent to Calcutta, and afterwards to New South Wales, and when at Sydney, the disturbances at New Zealand occurred, and the North Star carried up about two hundred troops, and continued there until matters were quiet, and a senior officer arrived to relieve her. The North Star was then ordered to Singapore and England, and, after calling at the Cape and landing some of her marines for the defence of that colony, she came home, touching at St. Helena, Ascension, and Fayal. The North Star has some naval invalids on board, among them is Mr. J. K. Pope, purser of the Acteon, who has left her from ill health. It was intended that the North Star should be sent to Chatham to be paid off, but the orders have been counter-manded, and she is to remain here until after the court-martial is over. She will be surveyed, and reported on, and will probably be found useful as a surveying or troop ship, if her hull is sound. - Times.

Apparently Robert trained as an upholsterer in Maitland once he'd been discharged from his ship in South Africa - this enigmatic notice, which appeared in a Sydney newspaper in 1859, gives some insight into Oliver Maxwell, the man who was Robert's last employer there before he moved to Sydney and married:

TO ROBERT HARDY. - Should this meet the eye of ROBERT HARDY, Upholsterer, who left Maitland some time back, he is requested to communicate with the undersigned, when he will hear of something to his advantage. OLIVER MAXWELL, cabinetmaker, West Maitland.5

Oliver Maxwell was first recorded in the Maitland newspaper, The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser, in 1846, when he received a Hawkers' License.6 By 1850, Oliver Maxwell had become a Bookseller and Stationer, [on] High-street, near the "Cross Keys Inn.]7 In 1852, he was now prepared to retail superior COLONIAL NEGROHEAD TOBACCO, from 1lb. to a keg, every fig of which will be warranted to smoke both mild and pleasant, or the money shall be returned, and his store was situated Next door to Mr. Earle, Chemist, West Maitland.....8 Two years later, in August 1854, Oliver Maxwell was in the upholstery business in the same premises next to the same chemist shop, now in the hands of a Mr. Partridge:

WANTED, by the undersigned immediately a CABINET MAKER, to make plain Cabinet Work. To a steady workman the highest wages will be given (and above), if piece work.
OLIVER MAXWELL,
Next door to Mr. Partridge, Chemist.
August 4th, 1854.9

By the year before Robert Hardy was married in Sydney, Oliver Maxwell's furniture business was thriving, and apparently Robert learnt a great deal from his time employed there, which he later put to great use in his own furniture business in partnership with his older brother Thomas:

OLIVER MAXWELL, CABINET MAKER, UPHOLSTERER, and GENERAL HOUSE FURNISHER, feels bound to express his grateful thanks to those kind patrons who have favored him with their orders since he commenced business, and to intimate to his friends in the surrounding district that he has made arrangements for a constant supply of English, American, and German FURNITURE of the very best description; and also that he has secured the services of two more first-rate Cabinet Makers, and an extra Upholsterer; so that he will be able to supply the many increasing orders for his colonial furniture with greater despatch than he has hitherto done.
N.B. - Each article on leaving his establishment will have pasted underneath a printed guarantee of its soundness and durability.
Please observe
OLIVER MAXWELL,
Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer,
Next door to Mr. A. Partridge, Chemist and Druggist.
West Maitland, April 10, 1855.10

A year after this advertisement was published, Robert had moved to Sydney, and was back in close proximnity to his brother Thomas. At the stated age of 22, (when he was actually five or so years older,) Robert married Jane Share, and his brother Thomas was a witness to the wedding.11 Unfortunately, until 1857 only the church records existed, as no formal registration was carried out, meaning that there are no parents nor place of birth for Robert named.12

The parents of Robert's wife Jane, Thomas Share and Jane Berry, were married in Sydney in 1830.13 Jane Berry's father and her husband had both been soldiers in the 3rd. East Kent Regiment of Foot or "Buffs". Jane and a number of her siblings arrived with her parents, Zachariah Berry and Mary Berry nee Smith, in the third detachment in 1823, and her future husband Thomas Share arrived in the fourth detachment in 1824.

The 3rd Regiment came into existence as the Holland Regiment of Foot in 1665 serving in Protestant Netherlands against Spanish Catholics. Following a British declaration of war against Holland in 1689, the Regiment was recalled to England and was renamed the Prince George of Denmark's Regiment . During this time the Regiment was known as "The Buffs" and was eventually called the 3rd East Kent Regiment of Foot from 1782 till 1881. Following 1881 the Regiment became known as "The Buffs East Kent Regiment"
Divided into four detachments the Buffs were separated. First detachment left Deptford for Sydney in 1821. Second detachment left Deptford for Hobart 1822. The third detachment (The Buffs Head Quarters) left Deptford for Sydney 1823, arriving the same year. The fourth detachment arrived in Sydney in 1824 and were stationed at Port Dalrymple, Parramatta, Liverpool, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Botany Bay and Bathurst . The Regiment reunited and was transferred to Calcutta in 1827 [but a number of soldiers chose to remain behind and settle.]14

The only known Berry children who came out to Australia with their parents were Jane and Robert, who had both been born around 1812 - 1813. Perhaps Zachariah had been away from home on military service during the intervening decade. The family sailed to Australia on the convict transport Commodore Hayes, and an infant son, Zachariah Commodore Berry, became the youngest family member when he was born at sea 13 May 1823.15 The ship arrived in Hobart Town three months after the baby's birth, 16 August 1823, in order to disembark the 216 convicts she was transporting to Van Diemen's Land, before travelling on to New South Wales:

ARRIVED this Morning from England, which she left the 26th of April; the ship Commodore Hayes, Captain L. W. Moncrief, with 216 male convicts for this Settlement. - Surgeon Superintendent, Dr. Rutherford, R. N. - She has on board the Headquarters and Staff of the 3d Infantry, Buffs, and the following Officers:- Captain Cotton, Lady and family, Ensign Christie, Surgeon Anderson, and Paymaster Boyd.16

A week later, the convicts had been landed and the Commodore Hayes sailed for Sydney:

The convicts from the ship Commodore Hayes were landed on Thursday; and, after the usual inspection by the LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, were assigned to their several services. - These convicts landed in a very healthy and orderly state…
Sailed this morning for Port Jackson, the transport-ship Commodore Hayes, Captain Moncrief; having on board the Headquarters and Staff of the 3d Infantry, Buffs,… - Also, Dr. Rutherford, R. N.17

Six days later the ship arrived in Sydney, carrying the Berry family to their final destination:

SHIP NEWS. - On Friday afternoon [August 29] last arrived from England and Hobart Town, the ship Commodore Hayes, with the Head-quarters and Staff of the 3d Infantry (Buffs), and the following Officers; viz. Captain Cotton, accompanied by his Lady and family; Ensign Christie; Surgeon Anderson; and Paymaster Boyd. She brings hither also 46 rank and file of the Buffs; 1 private of the 30th; 3 privates of the 41st; and 2 privates of the 44th.18

Once the Berrys were settled in their new home their youngest son, Zachariah Commodore Berry, was christened in St. Phillip's Church, Sydney on October 5, 1823. Sadly, the infant died not long after, sometime in 1824.19 Another son was born in 1825, and was simply named Zachariah, after his father and older brother,20 and in 1827 a third son, named John, was born to the Berrys21 A year later, 1828, a sister for Jane, named Mary after her mother, was born.22 who sadly died the following year.23 1829 was also the year where the last member of the Berry family was born, a fourth son, Edward.24 Both Zachariah and Mary were quite old to be having children - Zachariah was pensioned out of the army by 1831, when he received a land grant in the Cumberland district: Though the Berry family remained in Sydney, they retained this grant in the country, and Robert Berry took it over and employed farm workers there after his father's death:

Colonial Secretary's Office,
Sydney 18th, May 1839.
GRANTS OF LAND.
THE following description of Grants of Land, with the names of the Persons to whom they were originally promised, or by whom they are now claimed, are published for general information in order that all parties concerned may have an opportunity of correcting any errors or omissions that may have been made inadvertently. …
CUMBERLAND.
258. Zachariah Berry, Forty acres, parish of South Colah.
Authorised by Sir Ralph Darling on the 27th August, 1831 as a small grant, in lieu of the like quantity, of which he received possession on 10th June, 1831.
Quit-rent 6s. 8d sterling per annum, commencing on the 1st January, 1839.25

V1839116 23A/1839 BERRY ZACHARIAH AGE 52
SUICIDE. - Late yesterday evening, a man named Zachariah Bury, formerly a soldier, residing in Prince's-street, put an end to his existence while in a state of temporary derangement, by cutting his throat. He died shortly after inflicting the wound.
Australasian Chronicle (Sydney) 15 October 1839

SUICIDE. - An old pensioner, named Berry, a tailor by trade, residing in Princes-street, put a period to his existence yesterday afternoon, in a fit of temporary insanity, produced by habitual intemperance. The unhappy old man has left a large family of grown up sons and daughters. The Australian (Sydney) 15 October 1839

INQUEST. - On Tuesday last, an inquest was held at the Bee-Hive, Prince-street, on the body of an old pensioner named Berry, who cut his throat with a razor, in a fit of temporary insanity, induced by habits of intemperance, the previous evening. The Jury returned their verdict accordingly. The Australian (Sydney) 17 October 1839

CORONER'S INQUEST. On Friday last, an Inquest was held at Mr. Cole's, the Beehive, Public-house, in Princes-street, on the body of the unfortunate man, Berry, who put a period to his existence on the previous evening. Verdict - That the deceased destroyed hinmself in a fit of temporary insanity, brought on by excessive drinking.
Australasian Chronicle (Sydney) 18 October 1839

V1847874 32B/1847 BERRY MARY AGE 71

Meanwhile, the much younger soldier, Thomas Share had arrived in New South Wales a year after the Berrys, in 1824. Apparently he was sent to Port Macquarie upon his arrival, as he was assaulted in the area by some prisoners he was escorting during July of the following year, 1825, who faced the court in early October:

William Enney, William Lovell, Samuel Phipps, and Edward Mahone, were severally tried for a highway robbery and assault on Thomas Share, on the 1st of July last. The prosecutor, a soldier in the Buffs; and a constable, it appeared were proceeding on the day laid in the indictment, from Rawlins' Plains to the settlement of Port Macquarie, when they were robbed by the prisoners, who are absentees from their respective employments, of a musket and several rounds of cartridge. The prisoner Enney held a long pointed knife, with which he attempted to stab the constable, but was prevented by his comrades. Two of the gang kept watch over the prosecutors during the night, but they were liberated next morning. A verdict of Guilty was recorded against all the prisoners.26

Fortunately, Ennesy, Mahone and Phipps were reprieved a mere two hours before they were due to face the gallows, three or so weeks after they were sentenced:

Wm. Ennesy, Samuel Phipps, Wm. Lovell, and Patrick Mahone, capital respites of Port Macquarie, were ordered for execution on Monday morning last; but have since been respited during the Governor's pleasure. This circumstance was made known to the criminals about two hours previous to the time appointed for their execution. Sentence of death had been passed upon them for a highway robbery and assault on the person of Thos. Share, a soldier belonging to the 3rd regiment or buffs.27

Presumably Thomas Share decided to become a settler when his regiment departed for Calcutta in 1827 - he next appeared in the historical records when he married Jane Berry in 1831, and thus became Robert Hardy's future father-in-law. Jane and Robert's first child, and Robert's namesake, was born during the year following their marriage.28 He was to die sometime before 1837, as another son Robert was born that year.29 Their next child, another son William, was born a year later in 1832,30 but also died soon after, while still an an infant.31 He too had a brother named after him: the Shares' second William was born in 1836.32

A year after Jane and Thomas married, Thomas was assigned the convict William Suttor, a baker, to work in the bakery Thomas ran for over a decade. Evidently a bakery was operated by Thomas and James Share on the corner of Cumberland and Cribbs Lane from the 1830s, and later by Robert Berry, Jane Share's brother. Berry's ovens were utilised by the local residents to cook their Sunday dinners in, as ovens in private homes were a rare thing.33

RETURN OF ALL CONVICTS ASSIGNED BETWEEN THE 1st DAY OF JANUARY AND THE 31st DAY OF MARCH, 1832.
1057. Suttor William, Norfolk, baker, to Thomas Share, Sydney.34

Meanwhile the Share children continued to arrive - Jane, named after her mother, and Robert Hardy's future wife, was born in 1834.35 Jane was to have two more younger brothers besides the second William and Robert: Richard, born in 1841,36 and Henry, born in 1848. 37 Jane also had three younger sisters, Mary, born in 1843,38 Charlotte, born in 1845,39 and Jemima, born in 1847,40 making a total of eight living children in the Share family when Jane married.

In 1834, Thomas Share purchased three lots in the Cumberland Street area of The Rocks, where he set up his bakery shop, and a hotel:

An account of a Land Sale, conducted by Mr. Bodenham, on Saturday, the 25th ult., in Cambridge and Cumberland-streets, which were disposed of as follows
Lot. Purchasers. Description of Property. £ s. d.
3. J. Byrne, 13 feet by 30 feet Back Lane... 30 0 0
7. Thomas Share, ditto, ditto,. 33 0 0
8.- ditto, ditto. 36 0 0
12. - Kempton, Cottage, two rooms Cumberland-street. 150 0 0
16. Mr. Thomas Share, ditto, ditto ... 135 0 041

Thomas was granted a further 33 perches in Cumberland Street at the end of the year:

In the Court of Commissioners for Claims to Grants of Land.
MR. MANSFIELD has the pleasure of announcing, that since the publication of his former Advertisement, (the last of which was dated the 7th ultimo) he has succeeded in establishing the following CLAIMS, in this Court, to DEEDS OF GRANT UNDER THE GREAT SEAL OF THE TERRITORY, the decisions of the Commissioners having been given in favour of the Claimants:
No. 463. Mr. Thomas Share, of George-street, Sydney, to 33 perches in Cumberland-street, Sydney.42

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. - The Chief Constable has met with good success in the prosecution of the informations preferred by him against individuals for deficiencies in weights and measures. In addition to the list we have already published, the following persons have since been fined:- .... Thomas Share, baker, Cumberland-street, 10s; Barney Chanery, butcher, Cumberland-street;…
43

SYDNEY ASSOCIATION. LIST of SUBSCRIPTIONS towards the Sydney Association for the temporary relief of the Poor. £ s. d.
Thomas Share 5 0 044

A match of pigeon-shooting came off at Mr. Fowler's estate Burwood, on Monday last, five shots each for twenty sovereigns, and was decided as follows: Thomas Share...... 0 0 0 0 0-045

Publican's Licenses.
GRANTED AND REFUSED.
Below we insert a list, as correct as we have been able for the present to obtain, of those per persons who have had Licenses granted them for the ensuing year; but as there are some yet remaining for the further consideration of the Magistrates, it will doubtless be some days before the whole are disposed of.
…. Cumberland-street; Thomas Share, Plymouth Inn, ditto;..46

PUBLICANS' NIGHT LICENSES, Yesterday an adjourned Petty Sessions was held at the Sydney Police Office, when licenses were granted to the following publicans as under:-
TILL TEN O’CLOCK
Thomas Share, Plytmouth Inn, Cumberland-street.47

BREACHES OF TlHE LICENSING ACT.
Yesterday Mr. Thomas Share and Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson, publicans in Cumberland-street, were each sentenced to pay a fine of five shillings, and five shillings costs, for neglecting to have their lamps burning over their doors during the previous night.48

COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Examination. - On the 18th instant, the Examination of this School was held in the Hall, Castlereagh- street, when the following boys received prizes according to the number of tickets, which each had gained during the year in their several classes, and for voluntary exercises at home in Arithmetic, Mathematics, Grammar, History, &c; … 3rd [Year] Spelling - 1st, W. Friend ; 2nd. W. Share, .. Greek- 1st, H. Aarons; 2nd, W. Kellick….General good scholarship, Thomas Share.49

INQUESTS. - …. Another inquisition was held at six P.M. on the body of Balbara Lochgore, aged twenty-three years, in Thomas Share's public-house, the Plymouth Arms, Cumberland--street, when it was given in evidence that deceased had been complaining for some weeks past - had been sensible about eleven o'clock on Thursday evening, and died within an hour after without giving any alarm but a groan or two. Dr. Tierney, who had examined the body, having certified that death was the result of natural causes, a verdict to that effect was recorded….50

CORONER'S INQUEST. - An inquest was held yesterday at the Rock of Cashel, public-house, Cumberland-street, on view of the body of Thomas Share. It will be in the remembrance of the renders of the Herald, that on Tuesday last Mr. Share was severely injured by the discharge of a gun which he was in the act of cleaning. Of the injuries thus received he lingered until Sunday night, when he expired. It appears, from a statement made by the deceased to Dr. Mitchell, who was sent for on the occurrence taking place, thal he was in the act of taking the barrel out of the stock, not knowing that it was charged, when it went off. The ball entered a little above the right groin, and passed through, coining out at the back. No one was present at the time of the accident, except some children who were playing about. Dr. Mitchell having given evidence that the wound so received caused death, the finding of the Jury was in accordance therewith - " Died from the effects of a gun-shot wound accidentally received."
Also:
DIED. At his residence, in Cumberland-street, on Sunday last, the 22nd July instant, Mr. Thomas Share, aged 50 years, deeply regretted by a large circle of friends, leaving a wife and eight children to deplore his loss.51

FUNERAL. - The Friends of the late Mr. Thomas Share are respectfully invited to attend his Funeral, to move from his late residence, Cumberland-street, This Afternoon, at a quarter past Two o'clock.
JAMES CURTIS.
July 26. Undertaker. N.B. - There will be no circulars issued.52

RIFLE.
A MATCH was shot amongst several members of the Sydney Rifle Club on Saturday, for a very handsome pair of pistols. The locality chosen was the old ground at the back of the Victoria Barracks….. In connection with the Rifles, we regret to say that we have to announce the death of Mr. Thomas Share, at his house in Cumberland- street, on Sunday last, at the age of fifty years. He was a crack rifle shot, and met his death from the discharge of his gun while he was engaged in cleaning it, he having unfortunately forgotten to withdraw the charge. Mr. Share was universally respected, and died deeply regretted by a large circle of friends, and by his widow and family of eight children. The remains of the unfortunate gentleman were deposited in the Camperdown Cemetery on Thursday. Independently of his family and immediate connexions, almost the whole of the Sydney Rifle Club (of which he was a member) attended the funeral.53

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES.
ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION.
In the Will of Thomas Share late of Cumberland-street in the City of Sydney in the colony of New South Wales Gentleman deceased.
NOTICE is hereby given that Jane Share Robert Berry and Thomas Barker all of the City of Sydney in the colony of New South Wales intend to apply to this Honorable Court at the expiration of fourteen days from the publication hereof that probate of the Will of the above-named Thomas Share may be granted to her and them as the executrix and executors named therein.
Dated the sixth day of August in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.
LITTLE AND YEOMANS,
Proctors for the Executrix and Executors, 126, King-street, Sydney.54

Marriage V18417 25C/1841 BERRY ROBERT FRY HARRIET CA
V1846117 31A/1846 BERRY ZACHARIAH ROBERT HARRIET
V184210 26A/1842 BERRY KEZIAH J ROBERT HARRIET
V184469 28/1844 BERRY MARY C ROBERT HARRIET

Births.
941/1856 HARDY FREDERICK ROBERT JANE SYDNEY LIVING 1910

Robert Berry, Bakers' Arms, Cumberland-street 29 April 1857

SPRING VANS for Hire at 5s. per hour, or by contract if required, at any hour of the day. Address to ROBERT HARDY, 253, Castlereagh-street, one door south from Park-street.55

B113/1858 HARDY ANNE J ROBERT JANE SYDNEY LIVING 1910

FUNERAL, - The Friends of Mr. ROBERT BERRY are invited to attend the Funeral of of his deceased SON, ROBERT WILLIAM, to move from his residence, the
Baker's Arms, No 114 Cumberland-street, THIS (Wednesday) AFTERNOON, at a quarter to 3 o'clock. JAMES CURTIS, Undertaker, 59 Hunter-street.
The Sydney Morning Herald 12 October 1859
FUNERAL. - The Friends of Mr. JOHN WETTENTIN, master of the schooner Mary, are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of his deceased Wife, KEZIA JANE; to move from the residence of her father, Mr. ROBERT BERRY, Baker's Arms, Cumberland-street, THIS (Monday) AFTERNOON, at 3 o'clock. JAMES CURTIS, undertaker, 59, Hunter-street. FUNERAL.—The Friends of Mr. ROBERT BERRY,
Baker's Arms, Cumberland-street, are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of his late departed daughter, KEZIA JANE; to move from his residence, THIS (Monday) AFTERNOON, at 3 o'clock.
The Sydney Morning Herald 11 May 1863

THE FRIENDS of Mr. THOMAS NORTON, Commission Agent, are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of his deceased WIFE, Jane Georgiana; to move from her late residence, 151, Sussex-street, on SUNDAY, the 5th instant, at 2 o'clock, and proceed by train to Haslem's Creek Cemetery. ROBERT STEWART, Undertaker, Bathurst-street.
THE FRIENDS of Mr. ROBERT BERRY, Royal Oak, Sussex and Erskine streets, are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of his deceased SISTER-IN- LAW, Jane Georgiana, wife of Thomas Norton; to move from her late residence, 151, Sussex-street, on SUNDAY AFTERNOON, the 5th instant, at 2 o'clock, and proceed by train to Haslem's Creek Cemetery.
The Sydney Morning Herald 4 October 1869

SHARE. - September 15, at her residence, 20, Collins-street, Surry Hills, Jane, relict of the late Thomas Share, aged 63 years. 56 [Born. Circa 1813]

THE FRIENDS of Mrs. JANE SHARE, relict of the late Thomas Share are respectfully invited to attend her Funeral; to move from her late residence 20, Collins-street, Surry Hills, THIS (Saturday) AFTERNOON, at 3 o'clock then to cemetery, Camperdown. R. STEWART, Undertaker.

THE FRIENDS of Mr. RICHARD SHARE are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of his deceased beloved MOTHER, Jane Share; to move from her late residence, 20, Collins-street, Surry Hills, THIS (Saturday) AFTERNOON, at 3 o'clock.

THE FRIENDS of Mr. ROBERT BERRY, Commission Agent, Sussex-street, are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of his deceased beloved SISTER, Jane Share; to move from her late residence, 20, Collins-street, Surry Hills, THIS (Saturday) AFTERNOON, at 3 o'clock, thence to the Cemetery, Camperdown.57

THE FRIENDS of Mr. THOMAS NORTON are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of his late beloved SISTER. Mrs. Robert Berry; to move from her late residence, Bondi Villas, Stanmore Road, to the Balmain Cemetery, at 3 o'clock, on THURSDAY, the 29th. W. STEWART, Undertaker. THE FRIENDS of Mr. ROBERT BERRY are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of his late beloved WIFE, Anne; to move from his residence, Bondi Villas, Stanmore Road, to the Balmain Cemetery, at 3 o'clock, THURSDAY, the 29th. W. STEWART, Undertaker.58

THE FRIENDS of the late Mr. ROBERT BERRY, Commission Agent, are respectfully requested to attend his Funeral; to move from his late residence, Bondi Villa, Stanmore Road THIS (Thursday) AFTERNOON, at 3 o'clock, to Balmain Cemetery.
The FRIENDS of the late Mr. ROBERT BERRY. Commission Agent, are invited to attend his Funeral, THIS AFTERNOON to move from Bondi Villa, Stanmore Road, at 3 for Balmain Cemetery. WAL TER STEWART, Undertaker. - The FRIENDS of Mr THOMAS NORTON, Commission Agent are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of his late BROTHER IN LAW, Mr. Robert Berry; to move from his late residence, Bondi Villa, Stanmore Road, at 3 o'clock, THIS (Thursday) AFTERNOON, for Balmain Cemetery.

THE FRIENDS OF Captain J WETTENTEN are respectfully requested to attend the Funeral of his late FATHER IN LAW, Mr. Robert Berry: to move from his late residence, Bondi Villa, Stanmore-Road, THIS DAY, at 3 o'clock, for Balmain Cemetery. 30 August 1883

BERRY. - August 29, at his residence, Bondi Villa, Stanmore-road, Robert Berry, aged 68 years and 6 months.
Australian Town and Country Journal 1 September 1883 [Born. Circa 1812]

Jane and Robert's first child, Frederick, was born in Sydney the year they married, as were all of his siblings.59 Their next child, Anne Jane was born in 1858.60 As can be seen, none of Jane's brothers were named Frederick, so it seems that this child was named after Robert and Thomas' brother closest in age and experience to them: he was older, and he was sent to the orphanage with them.

A second son, Robert, his father's, and brother-in-law's namesake, was born in 1859.61 In 1860, a second daughter was born, named Jessie.62 Next, in 1863, came a third daughter, Lydia63, followed two years later, 1865, by Robert and Jane's third son, Thomas64 Arthur, their next child, was born in 186765, Sydney in 186966, and John, was born in 187167. Robert and Jane's last son Frank, was born in 187368, and their last daughter Alice, in 187669.

I wrote earlier that Robert and Jane appeared to have had eleven children, rather than the eight given above from Ancestry.com. It turns out that they actually had twelve children, according to Robert's death certificate. Though the names this couple gave to the eleven children I found were relatively common in those days, Frederick, Thomas, and John were all names given to Ann Goodwin's children, the names Anne and Robert are self-explanatory, and Lydia was his Goodwin grandmother's name.

Finally, this Robert Hardy died at the age of 76, in 1910. 70 This gives a birth year circa 1833, when Robert William Hardy was christened in Hobart Town - he was born in 1831. This man then is a fairly close match to Ann and William's son.

The Coast hospital, where this Robert Hardy died, has an interesting history, according to this excerpt from Wilpedia:

The Prince Henry Hospital, was a famous landmark once located at Little Bay,...a suburb in south-eastern Sydney. Originally known as the Coast Hospital, Prince Henry had its origins managing patients with infectious diseases such as smallpox (outbreak in 1881), diphtheria, tuberculosis and scarlet fever. In 1900 there was an outbreak of the bubonic plague, with 303 cases reported and 103 deaths, and a further outbreak in 1921. In 1919 the 1918 flu pandemic reached Sydney, requiring the full resources of the hospital. Within its grounds was a lazar house for the treatment/quarantining of those with leprosy. During both world wars soldiers with venereal disease were admitted to the hospital.

It appeared from the above history of the Coast Hospital, that Robert Hardy was suffering from some form of infectious disease when was admitted. This was not so - he died from chronic Bright's Disease and heart failure.

• 1. AOT Register of Children Admitted and Discharged from the Male and Female Orphan School dSWD28/1/1
• 2. The Courier 4 March 1845
• 3. The Courier 20 March 1845
• 4. Colonial Times, 25 August 1846.
• 5. The Sydney Morning Herald 11 March 1859
• 6. The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser 17 October 1846
• 7. The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser 30 November 1850
• 8. The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser 3 April 1852
• 9. The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser 9 August 1854
• 10. The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser 14 April 1855
• 11. Gault, Robert (citing NSW BDM Marriage Registration RGD 1856/V185611-86)
• 12. Leonie Oliver Rootsweb AUS Tas list email, 30 Oct 2001
• 13. V1830210 14/1830
• 14. Freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~garter1/3rdfoot.htm
• 15. I.G.I Batch Number: C13543-4, System Origin: Australia-EASy, GS Film number: 993949
• 16. Hobart Town Gazette and Van Diemen’s Land Advertiser 16 August 1823
• 17. Hobart Town Gazette and Van Diemen’s Land Advertiser 23 August 1823
• 18. The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser 4 September 1823
• 19. N.S.W. Death Reg.V18246090 2B/1824
• 20. N.S.W. Birth Reg. V18256916 1B/1825
• 21. N.S.W. Birth reg. V1827142 11/1827, & N.S.W. Baptism Reg. V18277949 1C/1827
• 22. N.S.W. Birth reg.V182875 141/1828
• 23. N.S.W. Death Reg.V1829230 13/1829
• 24. N.S.W. Birth reg. V18299394 1C/1829
• 25. The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser 28 May 1839
• 26. The Australian (Sydney, NSW) 6 October 1825
• 27. The Australian (Sydney) 3 November 1825
• 28. N.S.W. Birth Reg.V1831242 15/1831
• 29. N.S.W. V1837249 21/1837
• 30. N.S.W.Birth Reg.V1832246 16/1832
• 31. N.S.W. Death Reg. V18321474 16/1832
• 32. N.S.W. Birth Reg. V183627 20/1836
• 33. http://www.thebigdig.com.au/history/
• 34. The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser 5 July 1832
• 35. N.S.W. Birth Reg. V1834297 18/1834
• 36. N.S.W. Birth Reg. V184125 25A/1841
• 37. N.S.W. Birth Reg. V18482893 33A/1848
• 38. N.S.W. Birth Reg. V18435 28/1843
• 39. N.S.W. Birth Reg. V184561 31A/1845
• 40. N.S.W. Birth Reg. V1847147 32A/1847
• 41. The Sydney Herald 3 February 1834
• 42. The Sydney Herald 4 December 1834
• 43. The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser 30 March 1839
• 44. The Australian (Sydney) 27 August 1839
• 45. The Sydney Monitor and Commercial Advertiser 5 February 1840
• 46. The Sydney Monitor and Commercial Advertiser 13 May 1840
• 47. The Sydney Monitor and Commercial Advertiser 2 July 1841
• 48. Australasian Chronicle 25 June 1842
• 49. The Australian 21 December 1843
• 50. The Sydney Morning Herald 6 May 1844
• 51. The Sydney Morning Herald 24 July 1849
• 52. The Sydney Morning Herald 26 July 1849
• 53. Bell’s Life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer 28 July 1849
• 54. The Sydney Morning Herald 6 August 1849
• 55. The Sydney Morning Herald 24 July 1858
• 56. Australian Town and Country Journal 25 September 1876
• 57. The Sydney Morning Herald 16 September 1876
• 58. The Sydney Morning Herald 28 August 1878
• 59. 941/1856
• 60. 113/1858
• 61. 472/1859
• 62. 1738/1860
• 63. 898/1865
• 64. 92/1865
• 65. 162/1867
• 66. 1557/1869
• 67. 1A1342/1871
• 68. 3008/1873
• 69. 343/1876
• 70. Death 11586/1910 - HARDY, ROBERT - 76 YRS COAST HOSPITAL, WATERLOO