Robert McIntosh Davidson & Elizabeth Williams ...
Robert McIntosh Davidson, born in 1861at Deep Creek near Eganstown, was the second child of Robert and Margaret Davidson. Along with his older brother, Edward, Robert attended school in Eganstown before the family made the move to the Mt Egerton district where their schooling continued. Upon leaving school, Robert followed in his father’s footsteps learning the building trade and working as a carpenter around Mt. Egerton, whilst also trying his hand at mining.
In 1884, Robert married a girl from Sebastopol, Elizabeth Williams. The couple settled in Mt. Egerton for a time and had 7 children whilst living there – Robert Edward, William Garfield, Claude Stanley, Ida May Elsie, Hilda Ann Robena, Clarence George, and Olive Dorine Doris.
Robert McIntosh Davidson
Records and family lore tell us that Robert had numerous jobs all over the country during his lifetime. In Wise’s Post Office Directory of 1897-1898, he is listed as ‘Carpenter in Egerton’. He travelled to Pretoria, South Africa on the P&O line with his brother William in 1904, where he worked as a Government supervisor, assisting with rebuilding after the Boer War. On his return from Africa, Robert assisted William with the building of Melbourne’s iconic Flinders Street Railway Station around 1908.
The next few years saw Robert moving around with his work throughout Victoria and New South Wales. In 1910, he was in the Cobar region in New South Wales, undertaking fencing and building works in the area. In 1913, he worked at Bailes, near Kooweerup in Victoria, and by 1920 he was farming in Whitton, New South Wales with his brother, Goodsir. Over the years, Robert continued with his carpentry and two of his projects are believed to have been the hall at Bena, and a bank in Northcote.
Robert and his family lived in two-roomed house and tents while moving around Gippsland, before settling in Newstead, near Castlemaine. Unfortunately, the house at Newstead was destroyed by fire, and the family lost everything. It is not known when this occurred, but fortunately no-one was in the house at the time. After WW1, Robert and Elizabeth moved to Kooweerup North in Gippsland, and eventually retired there.
Flinders Street Station under construction around 1908, before the dome was built over the main entrance.
The old station entrance is still visible in the foreground. Picture: HWT Library.
Listings for Robert McIntosh Davidson, his wife Elizabeth, and other family members
Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, Division of Flinders, Sub-Division of Korumburra 1919
According to family stories, Robert was a fiery, formidable man with red hair. He was known far and wide as a bad-tempered joker, but regardless of this, was treated with great respect. Robert was also very musical, and was a talented violinist often playing at local dances. Elizabeth was well-known for her beautiful singing voice, and, in later life, was often seen walking the 10 miles into Kooweerup to do her shopping.
Robert passed away at his home in Kooweerup in 1932, aged 69 years. Elizabeth lived until she was 86 when she died at Warragul in 1946. Upon their deaths, both Robert and Elizabeth were taken back to Mt. Egerton Cemetery where they now rest, along with so many other members of the Davidson family.
Grave of Robert McIntosh Davidson & Elizabeth Williams
Mt. Egerton Cemetery
Please note: More detailed information on the children and their families of Robert and Elizabeth will be added at a later date.
To view the full Descendant Chart for Robert McIntosh Davidson and Elizabeth Williams, please click here.
Sources:
The Egertonian: Kith and Kin of our Clan Davidson - written by Gail Chambers and Lydia Davidson 1995 (edited by Gail Erwood 2021)
Photograph of Flinders Street Station, 1909 - Herald & Weekly Times Library
Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, Division of Flinders, Sub-Division of Korumburra 1919