More about William ROBERTS m 1832 Sarah NEWPORT

It was at Spring Hill, Creswick, that their only child George William ROBERTS lived from March 1862 and was married on 17 Nov 1865. At this time his occupation was 'carter' and the occupation of his father was given as 'farmer'. So perhaps William was farming at Little River.

We have a photo of 'Great Great Grandmother Roberts' taken by a London photographer so we know Sarah returned to England. Because of the family resemblance we are sure of her identity and judging by her age (born 1804) and the fashion of her costume the photo was probably taken in the 1870s.

The elderly gentleman is thought to be her husband William ROBERTS (born abt 1795) and as he was about ten years older than Sarah he probably pre-deceased her.

       

       

The top photographs of Sarah and William ROBERTS came from the family of John Gordon HUTCHINS, their great great grandson, via Graeme Martin.
Below them on the left is shown the back of the photo of Sarah ROBERTS taken by Hellis & Sons Photographers, London. On the right is an identical back in original condition showing the advertisement for the photographer with 12 branches in London. This was obtained from Roger Vaughan's website www.cartes.freeuk.com/dec/dated.htm
Here there are examples of carte de vistes and cabinet cards to roughly date a Victorian lady. I have noted details such as the V-shaped, narrow-waisted peplum, pin-tucked panel in the fitted bodice and across the shoulders, fitted sleeves which are narrow at the wrist, many small covered buttons down the front, fitted skirt and a high frilled collar with a delicately crafted gold brooch which is similar to other Ballarat gold brooches I have seen. She is also wearing a long gold chain with a pendant which may be a locket or the equivalent of a man's fob watch. Also noted are the dangling jet earrings.