This next Robert was born on 10 June 1831 as the 4th of 8 children born to John HOOKINS and his wife Ann (nee SOUTHEY). He was baptised at Holy Trinity in Exeter on 18 July 1833.
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Holy Trinity Church Exeter
In the first appearance in a Census in 1841 the family consisting of Robert, his parents and 5 siblings were living at a grand home called Elm House in Brockley with 2 further siblings away at school in Yatton.
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Elm House Brockley
Sadly Robert's father died in 1848 aged 45 years and consequently mother Ann moved to Westbury on Trym at Aberdeen Terrace where Robert lived along with his mother, 4 siblings, a visitor and a Servant. His mother is described as an Annuitant whilst Robert himself is described as a General Clerk in probably his first employment.
In 1852 Robert took the big step of emigrating to Australia, arriving in October at that year on board the ship "Cossipore" together with his brother John.
Three years later Robert married Elizabeth Frances SHEPPARD who was born in Cork in Ireland and who had emigrated to Australia the year after Robert and his brother. They were married at the Roman Catholic Church in Emerate Hill, Victoria on 8 September. I have been unable to trace that location so it could be Emeralds Hill in Victoria. At the time of their marriage Robert was living in Williamstown as a Clerk whilst Elizabeth was a Housekeeper. No children appear to have been born as a result of their union.
There is a report in the Australian newspaper called Tocsin in October 1899 which indicates that Robert and his brother were involved in money lending. They are described as being an amiable pair resembling the Cherryblo Brothers immortalised by Charles Dickens. They lend cheerfully at relatively low rates and are as pleasant with the defaulter as they are with the "newly fledged" and the well-credentialled client. Robert himself is described as the grey bearded and usually sleeping partner who invites his clients to stay for a chat while he eats his midday Bath Bun and drinks his glass of milk!
Nothing further is heard of Robert and Elizabeth until the notification that Elizabeth died in1904 in South Yarra. Robert's own death was to follow in 1907 and he was buried with his wife in St Kilda Cemetery. He carried the description of being a Gentleman at his death.
