Robert John Underdown
Robert John Underdown was born on the 29th June 1867 on Portland Estate in South Australia. Portland Estate was a new development in the Port Adelaide area at the time. His father, Thomas Underdown, was a stevedore and a labourer, having recently returned from being a gold miner on the Victorian Goldfield in the Gold Rush. His mother was Rachel Underdown (nee Harpur), who had originated from Glencormick in Wickow, Ireland.
Robert was their first child to be born in South Australia. His siblings Thomas, Rebecca and Anne had all been born on the goldfields (where four other siblings had died in infancy). Younger sister Mary was also born in South Australia.
Death of Father[]
Robert was only 9 years old when his father died. He spent his childhood living with his family at the College Place address in Portland Estate.
Hospitalisation[]
Robert was hospitalised on 20th February 1879 for reasons currently unknown. He was recorded as a school boy from Portland Estate who had been born in South Australia.
Marriage[]
Robert married Elizabeth May Copeland on the 13th December 1888 at Adelaide in South Australia. They married at the residence of Reverand E.G. Day. Elizabeth was the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Copeland (nee Longridge) and had been born in Donaghadee in Down, Ireland.
The couple initially set up home in Portland Estate (where their first child was born), but by 1891 they were living in nearby Birkenhead.
Underdown's Corner[]
Underdown's Corner at Swigg Street, Birkenhead
In 1891, Robert began a grocer’s shop at Lot 11 Swigg Street, Birkenhead, South Australia. The grocer's shop was called Underdown's Corner.
According to South Australian directories, the shop was originally in Roberts name, but for the years 1893 to 1901, it was recorded under his wife's name, and Elizabeth was recorded as storekeeper. During this period, the Directories list Robert as living at Swigg Street, but his employment is as a driver. It may be that he was in charge of stocking and supplying the shop and local customers, while Elizabeth supervised the shop itself while he was out on rounds. The Directories begin to list the shop under Robert's name in 1903.
The shop also does not appear in local assessment books until 1901. Robert paid 23 pounds a year for the rates. There was also a house on this property and in 1901 it was occupied by William McArthur. Robert also had two other lots, number 9 and number 10. In 1901, Number 10 was occupied by William Peacock. The store was located on a small corner on the road following straight on from across from the Birkenhead Bridge. The store no longer stands.
Death[]
Robert died at only 40 years old of the effects of chronic nephritis in March 1917. According to his death certificate, he had suffered the condition for many years. His wife Elizabeth outlived him by 26 years. They are both buried in the Cheltenham Cemetery, South Australia.
The running of the shop at Underdown's corner passed to Robert's eldest son William (known as Bill) upon Robert's death.
Gravestone of Robert Underdown in the Cheltenham Cemetery
Children[]
| Name | Birth | Death |
| Children of Robert & Elizabeth Underdown
| ||
| William George | 13/11/1889 Portland Ward, South Australia |
22/4/1948 Birkenhead, South Australia
|
| Robert John | 6/5/1891 Birkenhead, South Australia |
1/6/1976 Largs Bay, South Australia
|
| Rachel Harpur | 5/2/1893 Birkenhead, South Australia |
4/11/1956 North Adelaide, South Australia
|
| Thomas | 1/11/1895 Birkenhead, South Australia |
15/5/1962 Golflands, South Australia
|
| Walter James | 21/3/1898 Birkenhead, South Australia |
10/7/1987 Hillcrest, South Australia
|
| Elizabeth May | 5/5/1900 Birkenhead, South Australia |
3/8/1965 Semaphore, South Australia
|
| Harry Arthur | 26/5/1904 Birkenhead, South Australia |
27/12/1958 Birkenhead, South Australia |
References[]
- Information from Peter Underdown
- Births, deaths and marriage records
- Port Adelaide Library
- South Australian Post Office Directories, 1891-1905