Robert Copeland was born in approximately 1845 in County Down, Ireland. Later records from his life indicated that he had been born in the town of Holywood and his father James was a carpenter from Belfast. Further evidence supporting this information is yet to be located.
Marriage[]
Robert married a woman by the name of Elizabeth Longridge or Loughridge. The exact nature of his wife's surname has not been determined as it is recorded differently on various records. It is recorded as Longridge on the marriage record.
Robert and Elizabeth married at Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland on 19th October 1866 in the 1st Presbytarian Church. On later documentation, wife Elizabeth records Holywood as her place of birth. The marriage record also states that Robert's father's name and occupation.
Children in Ireland[]
We next find Robert through the births of his three eldest children. Daughter Elizabeth May was born in Donaghadee, County Down on 2/10/1867. When daughter Mary was born on 7/7/1869, this occurred at Knockbreda in County Down and the birth was registered at Castlereagh. Third daughter Ellen, born on 13/7/1871, was born in Antrim. The family's address at the time was recorded as 6 Matlock Street, Belfast.
1871 census[]
The family are located in the 1871 census and Back Land, 9 Lyon Street, St George Glasgow, Milton, Lankashire, Scotland. Robert is recorded as aged 27 (b. 1844) and a plasterer born in Down, Ireland. Wife Elizabeth is aged 26 (b. 1845) and also recorded as born in Down, Ireland. With them are their two daughters Elizabeth (aged 3) and Mary (aged 1). Interestingly, the census records the children as being born in Glasgow instead of their real birthplace of Ireland. Youngest daughter Ellen is not recorded.
Other children in England and Scotland[]
The family may have moved to England for a short time around 1872 and then back to Scotland again in approximately 1874/1875. Daughter Ellen died in the June Quarter of 1873 while they were in the Prescot district of Lancashire. Son Samuel was born in the same location in the following quarter (Sep Q) of 1873. Son Robert's birth occurred on the 4th April 1876 in the Calton District of the Burgh of Glasgow. The family resided at 41 Marlborough Street, Glasgow at the time.
Journey to South Australia[]
In 1877, the family decided to leave Scotland and travel even further, this time to South Australia. The ship they chose to travel on was the SS "British Enterprise". The ship British Enterprise was built at Stockholm in 1876, being a three masted iron barque of 1694 tons with dimensions of 246 feet by 40.1 ft. wide by 23.9 ft. draft. British Enterprise was a very fast ship on the England to Australia run and in the last few years of her service she had the reputation for taking a life on almost every voyage.
The Certificate of Arrival for the British Enterprise gives the date of embarkation of emigrants from Plymouth, England as the 12th January 1877. There were more than 500 immigrants on board and a case of smallpox developed on board shortly after leaving England. The man died; his clothes were burned and the ship fumigated.
Quarantine[]
The date of arrival at Port Adelaide, South Australia was 4th April 1877, a voyage of 82 days. The ship had been riddled with disease during it's journey, including small-pox, measles, typhus and scarlatina. The assistant health officer, Richard Jagoe, refused to label her a 'clean ship' and placed it in quarantine; this action was confirmed by his superior, Dr Duncan. Yet because a quarantine station had yet to be established in the colony at the time, the health officer had some trouble enforcing the law of infected persons staying on the ship. The passengers, naturally, were much disappointed in being held in this manner in sight of their destination after a long voyage on a crowded ship and showed their displeasure with Mr Jagoe by pelting him with loaves of bread.
This forced the government of the day to charter several small vessels, and the infected passengers were divided up amongst all the boats. The children were transported to the "Fitzjames" accompanied by their mothers and, two months later, passengers began to comment 'strongly and adversely' on the situation. The health officers conversed with Captain Marshall Smith, a marine surveyor, whose ship, the "J.L. Hall", was in the Port River having partly discharged a cargo of coal.
He agreed to clean the vessel and proceed to the anchorage and take the married couples and their children on board. Two barques in port, the "Ashburton" and "Fleur de Maurice", were also chartered; they accommodated the single men and single women, respectively. After the immigrants had remained another month they were allowed to go ashore, that is, six months from the time they left London. This quarantine exercise was an expensive affair and cost about £8,000.
They had, in essence, created the first quarantine station on the fleet of boats. This appeared to have an effect at keeping the diseases off shore, with only a few isolated cases of small-pox in the vicinity of the dock reported. The concern was so great about the potential threat of infection that the incident was even reported in the Hawaiian Gazette newspaper. Whether or not the Copeland family was infected by disease is unknown, but it should be noted that a death record for third daughter Ellen (who died before 1879 when another daughter baring her name was born) has not been located.
South Australia[]
Robert was a plasterer and may have travelled frequently around South Australia to obtain work. It appears that when he did so, he left his family in Adelaide, while he stated at his location for the length of his contract. On the 19th March 1878, he and another worker by the name of William Doherty were taken to court by a Thomas White jr for absenting themselves from his service before the term of their contract was completed. Robert was assisting in the plastering of a new institute, but the newspaper article describing the incident does not say exactly where. The court session was held at Gladstone and the newspaper was based in Booyoolee. He and his collogue pleaded guilty and were discharged with payment of costs.
Son in trouble[]
Robert and Elizabeth (known as Eliza) would have two more children in South Australia after the birth of Ellen – two sons named John and James. Son John’s birth was registered but there is no record for James. His birth details have been presumed from his service record.
Son Robert appears to have been a difficult child and on the 28th January 1888 (at age 11) he was admitted to the Magill Industrial School. Remarks on his admission state that he was an ‘uncontrollable boy’ and was sentenced to a term of 12 months. Mother Elizabeth was living at Poole Street, North Adelaide at the time, and his father Robert was in Melbourne. The reason for Robert being in Melbourne is unknown.
Son Robert did not stay at the Industrial School long. By 6th February 1888, the Industrial School committee had placed him with a Sarah Ann Gamlin, a protestant Methodist living at Littlehampton, near Macclesfield. His referree was Thomas Weatherall, Protestant Methodist minister at Mt Barker. Robert was adopted by Sarah Gamlin and she was given a subsidy for taking him in.
It appears Robert lived with Sarah Gamlin for sometime, but by 1891, when he was 16, he was back in Adelaide and appears to have been looking for his family. His ‘uncontrollable’ behaviour appears not to have disappeared. This is determined by an article in the South Australian Police Gazette, June 8th 1891, which states:-
“Robert Copeland, alias Longridge, age about 16 years, medium height and build, very fair complexion and hair, full face, wore grey coat and vest, dirty white moleskin trousers, and white soft felt hat with narrow rim, for assaulting Wah Sing, at Glanville, on the 15th ultimo. Offender’s mother resides at Glanville; he was seen there on the 18th ultimo, and stated his intention of going up the country. He was formerly employed at a farmer’s, Littlehampton.”
Son in Hospital[]
Son Samuel was admitted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital on at least two occasions; the first on the 6th August 1888 at age 15, and exactly a year later on 6th August 1889. The reasons for his admission are unknown, however he identifies the British Enterprise being the ship he arrived on and his time in the colony. Interestingly, he states his place of birth as Lancashire, England, which means the family were there before they were in Scotland where Robert was born. His occupation in 1888 was labourer and in 1889 it was tram driver. In 1888, he was living at North Adelaide and in 1889 he was residing in Hindley Street.
Charge[]
Robert himself was in trouble around the very same period. Wife Eliza charged him of threatening her and this was reported in the South Australian Register newspaper on the 30th June 1891. In her claim, Elizabeth stated that she had not lived with Robert for 7 months and was frightened to do so. Robert was drunk during the incident and could not recall what he had done. The charge was dismissed with payment of costs.
He was charged again with drunkenness on 3rd January 1893 and had to pay 2 pounds 6 shillings. Wife Elizabeth was also required to pay a fine when it is said she hindered a policemen in his handling of Robert. Their charge sheet says both could read and write and their religion was recorded as Church of England.
School Records[]
Several of Robert's children are recorded as attending school in the city of Adelaide. Sons John and James were admitted to Currie Street School on the 27th July 1891, when Robert was recording as living at Elizabeth Street. Both were said to have previously attended Miss Clausen's School at Birkenhead. They are recorded as leaving the Currie Street School in September of 1892.
Daughter Ellen was admitted a month later to Currie Street Public School on the 10th August 1891 at age 11. It stated that Robert's current address was Elizabeth Street and that Ellen had previously attended the same school at Birkinhead as her brothers. She was enrolled again in the same school on 18th January 1892, and this time Robert's address was recorded as Currie Street.
Poverty[]
Poverty appears to have been an issue for the family as was Robert being addicted to alcohol. As a result, the family moved frequently and often lived separately. Robert was back in Adelaide in December 1898, when a warrant was issued for his arrest. The South Australian Police Gazette describes the incident:-
“Robert Copeland, a plasterer, age 45 years, height 5ft. 7in., dark complexion, dark hair turning grey, dark moustache and believed small sideboards turning grey, wore a grey tweed check suit, a grey or white soft felt hat, and is addicted to drink, for larceny, as a bailee, of a basket of carpenter’s tools, and a swag consisting of a dark-blue rug with red stripes, a white blanket, a blue and white cotton counterpane, a coloured cotton shirt, a flannel under shirt, a light grey tweed sac coat, a dark-blue vest, and a pair of dark-brown tweed trousers, the property of Mathew Thompson, at Adelaide, about the 13th instant. The basket of tools has since been recovered, having been pledged by offender at Goodwin’s pawn office, Freeman-street, Adelaide, on the 13th instant.”
The South Australian Police Gazette of January 17, 1899, reported that the warrant had been withdrawn. Family lore states that Robert was involved in plastering the walls of the Adelaide Gaol, but this could have also just been a facetious comment referring to Robert's criminal history.
Son Robert dealt with the poverty by joining the military. His WWI record states on his attestation papers that he served 2 years 9 months with the Colonial forces in Africa. A search of records in the National Archives and Australian War Memorial has found no evidence of his service as an Australian at this stage, but a newspaper article states that "Trooper Robert Copeland, a member of the South African irregular corps" arrived back in Adelaide with other Boer War troops in February 1902 (The Chronicle, 8th February 1902). It appears that Robert joined the conflict by joining a South African regiment - as a trooper in the 1st Imperial Light Horse. His brother Samuel did the same.
According to medical information in son James’ service record, in 1903 he suffered a cough and difficulty breathing at night. He was treated for asthma.
Son Samuel, who had married and had children by 1913, was also found to be living in poverty during 1913. A story was published in the Daily Herald newspaper after the rooms his wife and children were living in were visited by police and the local parson, and found to be squalid. Samuel had been away in the country looking for work at the time and a fund was set up by concerned people to assist the family. It was called the "Samuel Copeland Distress Fund" and provided the family with some essentials. Interestingly, the rooms that Samuel and his family were living in belonged to the De Laine family.
World War I[]
Son James enlisted for WWI on 19/8/1914 at Broadmeadows in Victoria. He gave his birth place as Adelaide, South Australia, and his age as 30 years 8 months (placing his birth in approximately 1883). He gave his trade as labourer and listed his mother as next of kin. He recorded her address at the time as 28 Bendigo Street, North Melbourne, Victoria. He stated that he had spent one month with the school cadets, placed with the 17th Light Horse. At his medical examination, he was found to be 5ft 9inches in height, weight 10 stone, 2 pounds, chest 35/38 inches, with fair complexion, yellowish eyes and brown hair. The yellowish colour of James’ eyes may be indicative of future medical problems he was to face. He was placed with the 4th Light Horse Regiment with the rank of Private.
One week later, Son Robert enlisted for WWI on 27/8/1914 at Morphettville in South Australia. Have gave his birth place as ‘Ballergate’, Glasgow, Scotland, age 36 years, and stated his trade was a butcher, having been apprenticed by a B. Watts for 3 years. He stated he was married, gave his wife’s name as next of kin and said she was living at Kapunda. He did not give any information on his previous criminal history on his attestation form. At his medical examination, he was found to be 5ft 6inches in height, 140 pounds, a 56 inch chest measurement, with dark complexion, brown eyes and dark hair. He was given the rank of Private and placed with ‘B’ Company, 10th Infantry, A.I.F.
The attestation papers of both James and Robert were signed on the same day, 27/8/1914. James embarked on 19/10/1914 from Melbourne on the HMAT Wiltshire, and Robert embarked from Adelaide the day after (20/10/1914) on HMAT Ascanius.
Son John also enlisted in WWI on 30/1/1915 at Keswick, South Australia. He gave his birth place as Bowden, South Australia, age as 28 and his occupation as farmer. He listed his mother as next of kin and gave her address as Brougham Place off Gouger Street in Adelaide. This was later crossed out and changed by the army authorities on several occasions. His medical examination recorded him as 5ft 5 and a half inches in height, weight 144 pounds, chest measurement as 33 and a half to 35 and half inches, with fair complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. It was also reported that he had many moles on his chest. He was given the rank of private and was initially placed with the 27th Battalion AIF. He embarked from Adelaide on the HMAT Geelong on 31/5/1915.
The service records of Robert's 3 sons are extensive and provide great detail on their service during the war. Son John was killed in action at Flers, France on November 23rd 1916. He is buried at AIF Burial Ground at Grass Lane W of Guidecourt.
Destitute Asylum[]
Robert was admitted 3 times to the Adelaide Destitute Asylum in 1917. The first time was in June 1917, the second in September, and the third time in December. Each time he would stay for 1-2 months, then leave, and then return again later. Each time he was admitted the reason was given as follows - "Old Age Pensioner No 197644. Pensions department will pay maintenance at the prescribed rate as from the date of admission. Is a member of St Clair Masonic Lodge, Glasgow. Funeral expenses allowed. Man is unable to care for himself."
Robert's admission records also state that he was born in Holywood, County Down in Ireland, but incorrectly gave his arrival in Australia as 1873 (when it was 1877). He also stated that he was a widower (when he was not but it was likely that he and Elizabeth were separated at the time). When he was first admitted Robert described where he believed his living children were located. His descriptions were reasonably accurate and he knew that John had died, which indicates he must have had some contact with the family.
Death[]
Robert died, aged 77 years, on April 7th 1923. He was a resident of the Magill Home at the time of his death, which occurred in the Adelaide Hospital. The Magill Old Folks’ Home was the government’s institution for aged residential care at the time and elderly residents of the Destitute Asylum were moved there from 1917.
Robert died of Senile Gangene, Chronic Bronchitis and Heart Failure.
Children[]
| Name | Birth | Death |
| Children of Robert & Elizabeth Copeland
| ||
| Elizabeth May | 2/10/1867 Donaghadee, Down |
4/5/1943 Parkside, South Australia
|
| Mary | 7/7/1869 Knockbreda, Down |
|
| Ellen | 13/7/1871 Antrim |
June Q 1873 Prescot District, Lancashire
|
| Samuel | September Q 1873 Prescot District, Lancashire |
27/5/1937 Adelaide, South Australia
|
| Robert | c1877 Glasgow |
22/1/1939 Port Adelaide, South Australia
|
| Ellen Elizabeth Ann | 22/4/1879 Adelaide, South Australia |
8/12/1971 Woodville West, South Australia
|
| John | 19/9/1881 Brompton Park, South Australia |
23/11/1916 Flers, France
|
| James | c1883 Adelaide, South Australia |
13/7/1953 |
References[]
- Information from Peter Underdown
- Births, deaths and marriage records
- http://members.kern.com.au/users/hsweeney/ships.html
- The British Medical Journal, March 15 1884
- Hawaiian Gazette, July 4 1877
- http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/manning/sa/health/quarant.htm
- South Australian Police Gazettes, 1891 & 1894
- Records of Magill Industrial School
- Service records of Robert, John and James Copeland, National Archives of Australia
- The West Australian newspaper, 24/4/1920
- The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, 26/4/1920
- The Brisbane Courier newspaper, 12/6/1920
- The Argus newspaper, 12/6/1920