Robert Edward Blake was born in Bothwell on 20 October 1847, the son of Robert Blake and Mary Bowden, and baptised there early the following year. He spent his life in the district, working variously as a labourer. His name appears frequently in local reports, often connected with municipal matters, inquests, and occasional misfortunes, including a shooting accident in 1868 in which he was accidentally wounded by his brother while kangarooing. Robert married twice. His first marriage took place on 1 September 1879 at St Paul’s Church, Glenorchy, to Sarah Ann Triffett, born in Bothwell in 1851 to Edward Triffett and Mary Taylor. Robert and Sarah had three children - Robert Oswald (1880), Sydney Claude (1881), and Elodie Mary (1883) - before Sarah’s untimely death in March 1889 at only 37 years of age. After several years widowed, Robert married again on 25 February 1897 in Hobart. His second wife was Mary Ann Elizabeth Arnett, born in 1858 to Simon Arnett and Mary Ann Whiteway and previously the widow of George Frederick Hallett. The couple settled in Bothwell, where Robert owned small properties in High Street. Together, they had two children: Phyllis May (1898) and Darrell Wilfred (1900). Robert remained a familiar figure in Bothwell throughout his long life. He served on inquest juries, appeared in civic petitions, and endured continuing hardships, including the loss of a horse when his cart overturned in 1896. He died at his home in Bothwell on 29 May 1928, aged 80, and was buried in the Bothwell Public Cemetery beside Sarah. Mary Ann survived him by several years, passing away in Hobart on 28 August 1935, and was buried in the public cemetery.

Robert Edward Blake, son of Robert Blake and Mary Bowden.

Born: 20 Oct 1847, Bothwell (ANG: Robert Edward Blake, NS1854/1/1, no 75/1848)
Census: 1 Jan 1848, [30] Patrick St, Bothwell, male, aged under 2, born in the colony, Wesleyan Methodist (CEN1: Robert Blake, p169/1848, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CEN1-1-74-169)
Baptised: 2 Jan 1848, Bothwell (ANG: Robert Edward Blake, NS1854/1/1, no 75/1848)
Article: 5 Dec 1866, named under "Bothwell" Inquest of William Whittaker (MERC: "Bothwell," 5 Dec 1866, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8843112)
Married (1): 1 Sep 1879, Sarah Ann Triffett, St Paul's Church, Glenorchy (RGD37: Blake-Triffitt, no 492/1879, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD37-1-38p251j2k)
Article: 13 Apr 1868, named under "A Sad Accident" (MERC: "A Sad Accident," 13 Apr 1868, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8851566)
Article: 23 Jun 1883, named under "Bothwell" Municipal Council (MERC: "Bothwell," 23 Jun 1883, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9013388)
Juror: 9 Jan 1885, Police Office, Bothwell, inquest of Andrew O'Hearns (INQ: Andrew O'Harris, no 8912/1885, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/SC195-1-64-8912)
Residence: 16 Feb 1886, [15] Elizabeth St, Bothwell, Mrs Rebecca Blake (owner), house, annual rateable value £15 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1886, p429, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-898F-29B)
Residence: 14 Jan 1890, [15] Elizabeth St, Bothwell, Mrs Rebecca Blake (owner), house, annual rateable value £15 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1890, p173, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-898F-VDGQ)
Conveyed: 1 Jan 1891, [I8.1] High St, Bothwell, 1r 5½p from John Hale (LIST: John Hale, title historic, vol 52, fol 120)
Conveyed: 21 Jul 1894, [K8] High St, Bothwell, 2r 14½p from Claude Wade Midwood for £15 (LIST: Claude Wade Midwood, historic deed, no 09/2126)
Article: 5 Sep 1896, named under "Bothwell" Cart capsized (MERC: "Bothwell," 5 Sep 1896, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9381064)
Married (2): 25 Feb 1897, Mary Ann Elizabeth Arnett, Hobart (RGD37: Blake-Hallett, no 201/1897, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD37-1-57p210j2k)
Residence: 28 Mar 1899, [I8.1] High St, Bothwell, owner, cottage, capital value £250, annual rateable value £13 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1899, p324-325, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G98F-V8FR)
Land: 28 Mar 1899, [K8] High St, Bothwell, owner, allotment, capital value £15, annual rateable value £1 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1899, p324-325, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G98F-V8FR)
Conveyed: 27 Apr 1912, [J1] High St, Bothwell, 1r 33p from Charles William Craig for £15 (LIST: Charles Craig, historic deed, no 12/7283)
Conveyed: 15 May 1912, [J2] High St, Bothwell, 1r 33p from Charles William Craig (LIST: Charles William Craig, title historic, vol 52, fol 64)
Electoral Roll: 1914, [I8.1] High St, Bothwell, carter (ELEC: p2-3/1914, https:/www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/1207/images/RDAUS1901_100678__0007-00853)
Residence: 3 Nov 1914, [I8.1] High St, Bothwell, owner, cottage, annual rateable value £13 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1914, p2008-2009, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98N-977Y)
Land: 3 Nov 1914, [H3] High St, Bothwell, Frederick Synnot's Estate (owners), paddock, annual rateable value £1 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1914, p2008-2009, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98N-977Y)
Land: 3 Nov 1914, [I9.1] High St, Bothwell, Mrs Sarah Jane Triffett (owner), annual rateable value £2 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1914, p2008-2009, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98N-977Y)
Land: 3 Nov 1914, [J1] High St, Bothwell, owner, annual rateable value £2; includes [J2] (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1914, p2008-2009, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98N-977Y)
Land: 3 Nov 1914, [J2] High St, Bothwell, owner, annual rateable value £2; includes [J1] (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1914, p2008-2009, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98N-977Y)
Land: 3 Nov 1914, [K8] High St, Bothwell, owner, allotment, annual rateable value £1 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1914, p2008-2009, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98N-977Y)
Electoral Roll: 1919, [I8.1] High St, Bothwell, carter (ELEC: p2-3/1919, https:/www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/1207/images/RDAUS1901_100682__0007-00929)
Residence: 4 Mar 1919, [I8.1] High St, Bothwell, owner, cottage, annual rateable value £13 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1919, p492-493, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-898N-SQ1F)
Land: 4 Mar 1919, [I9.1] High St, Bothwell, Mrs Sarah Jane Triffett (owner), annual rateable value £2 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1919, p492-493, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-898N-SQ1F)
Land: 4 Mar 1919, [J1] High St, Bothwell, owner, annual rateable value £2; includes [J2] (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1919, p492-493, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-898N-SQ1F)
Land: 4 Mar 1919, [J2] High St, Bothwell, owner, annual rateable value £2; includes [J1] (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1919, p492-493, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-898N-SQ1F)
Land: 4 Mar 1919, [K8] High St, Bothwell, owner, allotment, annual rateable value £1(TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1919, p492-493, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-898N-SQ1F)
Died: 29 May 1928, Bothwell, aged 80 (MERC: "Deaths," Blake, 30 May 1928, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/29772800)
Death Notice: 30 May 1928 (MERC: "Deaths," Blake, 30 May 1928, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/29772800)
Buried: 31 May 1928, Public Cemetery, Bothwell (BC: Robert Edward Blake, section A18, site 6)

Spouse (1) - Sarah Ann Triffett, daughter of Edward Triffett and Mary Taylor.

Born: 3 Oct 1851, Bothwell (RGD33: Sarah Ann Triffitt, no 20/1851, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD33-1-29-p719j2k)
Baptised: 16 Nov 1851, Bothwell (PRES: Sarah Ann Triffett, baptism, NS592/1/1, no 117/1851)
Married: 1 Sep 1879, Robert Edward Blake, St Paul's Church, Glenorchy (RGD37: Blake-Triffitt, no 492/1879, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD37-1-38p251j2k)
Died: 22 Mar 1889, Bothwell, aged 37, liver abscess and consumption (RGD35: Sarah Ann Blake, no 546/1889, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD35-1-58p56j2k)
Buried: 24 Mar 1889, Public Cemetery, Bothwell (BC: Sarah Ann Blake, section A18, site 6)

Children of Robert Edward Blake and Sarah Ann Triffett:

1. Robert Oswald Blake.

   Born: 4 Mar 1880, Bothwell (RGD33: Robert Oswald Blake, no 499/1880, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD33-1-58p330j2k)
   Baptised: 25 Apr 1880, Bothwell (ANG: Robert Oswald Blake, NS1854/1/1, no 595/1880)
   Married: 16 Jun 1914, Cornelia Geraldine Campbell, Queenstown (TFI: Blake-Campbell, marriage, no 1226/1914, Queenstown)
   Died: 25 Jun 1943, Canterbury, Victoria, aged 63 (FAG: Robert Oswald Blake, 1943, Memorial ID 123864695, citing Box Hill Cemetery, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia; maintained by III, contributor 47426837, https:/www.findagrave.com/memorial/123864695/robert-oswald-blake)
   Buried: aft 25 Jun 1943, General Cemetery, Box Hill, Victoria (FAG: Robert Oswald Blake, 1943, Memorial ID 123864695, citing Box Hill Cemetery, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia; maintained by III, contributor 47426837, https:/www.findagrave.com/memorial/123864695/robert-oswald-blake)

   Spouse - Cornelia Geraldine Campbell, daughter of William Campbell and Caroline Woodford.

   Born: 3 Jan 1891, Brighton (RGD33: Geraldine Campbell, no 906/1891, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/rgd33-1-71p590j2k)
   Married: 16 Jun 1914, Robert Oswald Blake, Queenstown (TFI: Blake-Campbell, marriage, no 1226/1914, Queenstown)
   Died: 2 Oct 1926, Melbourne, Victoria, aged 35 (FAG: Cornelia Geraldine Blake, 1926, Memorial ID 123864607, citing Box Hill Cemetery, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia; maintained by III, contributor 47426837, https:/www.findagrave.com/memorial/123864607/cornelia-geraldine-blake)
   Buried: aft 2 Oct 1926, General Cemetery, Box Hill, Victoria (FAG: Cornelia Geraldine Blake, 1926, Memorial ID 123864607, citing Box Hill Cemetery, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia; maintained by III, contributor 47426837, https:/www.findagrave.com/memorial/123864607/cornelia-geraldine-blake)

2. Sydney Claude Blake.

   Born: 3 Oct 1881, Bothwell (RGD33: Sydney Claude Blake, no 105/1881, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD33-1-59p680j2k)
   Baptised: 2 Nov 1881, Bothwell (ANG: Sidney Claude Blake, NS1854/1/1, no 633/1881)
   Conveyed: 5 Sep 1910, [H1.1, H15] High St, Bothwell, 2r 20p from the Estate of George Goddard (LIST: George Goddard, title historic, vol 97, fol 178)
   Certificate of Title: 13 Sep 1910, [H1.1, H15] High St, Bothwell, registered, builder (LIST: Sydney Claude Blake, title historic, vol 187, fol 193)
   Married: 28 Oct 1911, Catherine Ellenor Griffiths, St John's Church, New Town (TFI: Blake-Griffiths, marriage, no 383/1911, New Town)
   Conveyed: 13 Nov 1913, [J6-J9 part] Franklin St, Bothwell, 1a 2r 14¼p from Charles William Craig for £40 (LIST: Charles William Craig, title historic, vol 78, fol 74)
   Electoral Roll: 1914, [H1.1, H15] High St, Bothwell, builder (ELEC: p2-3/1914, https:/www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/1207/images/RDAUS1901_100678__0007-00853)
   Residence: 3 Nov 1914, [H1.1, H15] High St, Bothwell, owner, cottage, carpenter's shop, annual rateable value £12 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1914, p2008-2009, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98N-977Y)
   Land: 3 Nov 1914, [J6-J9 part] Franklin St, Bothwell, owner, annual rateable value £2 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1914, p2008-2009, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98N-977Y)
   Electoral Roll: 1919, [H1.1, H15] High St, Bothwell, builder (ELEC: p2-3/1919, https:/www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/1207/images/RDAUS1901_100682__0007-00929)
   Residence: 4 Mar 1919, [H1.1, H15] High St, Bothwell, owner, cottage, carpenter's shop, annual rateable value £16 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1919, p492-493, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-898N-SQ1F)
   Land: 4 Mar 1919, [J6-J9 part] Franklin St, Bothwell, owner, annual rateable value £2 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1919, p492-493, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-898N-SQ1F)
   Died: 15 Nov 1951, Tasmania, aged 70 (MERC: "Deaths," Blake, 16 Nov 1951, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/27046921)
   Buried: 17 Nov 1951, Public Cemetery, Bothwell (BC: Sydney Claude Blake, site unknown)

   Spouse - Catherine Ellenor Griffiths, daughter of Thomas Griffiths and Sarah Jones.

   Born: 1884, Talbot, Victoria (VBDM: Catherine Ellenor Griffiths, birth, no 20993/1884, Talbot)
   Married: 28 Oct 1911, Sydney Claude Blake, St John's Church, New Town (TFI: Blake-Griffiths, marriage, no 383/1911, New Town)
   Electoral Roll: 1914, Alexander St, domestic duties (ELEC: p2-3/1914, https:/www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/1207/images/RDAUS1901_100678__0007-00853)
   Electoral Roll: 1919, [H1.1, H15] High St, Bothwell, domestic duties (ELEC: p2-3/1919, https:/www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/1207/images/RDAUS1901_100682__0007-00929)
   Died: Apr 1962, Tasmania, aged 78 (MILL: Catherine Elleanor Blake, 1962, https:/server2.admin.millingtons.com.au:81/ASP/search_details.asp?RecordID=74396)
   Cremated: 21 Apr 1962, Cornelian Bay Cemetery (MILL: Catherine Elleanor Blake, 1962, https:/server2.admin.millingtons.com.au:81/ASP/search_details.asp?RecordID=74396)

   Children of Sydney Claude Blake and Catherine Ellenor Griffiths:

   1. Thomas Griffiths Blake.

      Born: 26 Aug 1912, Bothwell (TFI: Thomas Griffiths Blake, birth, no 2558/1912)
      No further research has been carried out at this time

   2. Mollie Claudia Blake

      Born: 15 Mar 1920, Bothwell (RGD33: Mollie Claudia Blake, no 80/1920, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD33-2-1/RGD33-2-1-180)
      No further research has been carried out at this time

3. Elodie Mary Blake.

   Born: 17 Sep 1883, Bothwell (RGD33: Elodie Mary Blake, no 154/1883, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD33-1-62p513j2k)
   Baptised: 3 Feb 1884, Bothwell (ANG: Eladie Mary Blake, NS1854/1/1, no 705/1884)
   Married: 10 Jul 1909, John Richard Clark, Hobart (TFI: Clark-Blake, marriage, no 486/1909, Hobart)
   Died: Aug 1965, Tasmania, aged 81 (MILL: Elodie Mary Clark, 1965, https:/server2.admin.millingtons.com.au:81/ASP/search_details.asp?RecordID=76182)
   Cremated: 9 Aug 1965, Cornelian Bay Cemetery (MILL: Elodie Mary Clark, 1965, https:/server2.admin.millingtons.com.au:81/ASP/search_details.asp?RecordID=76182)

   Spouse - John Richard Clark, son of John Clark and Mary Skinner.

   Born: 23 Aug 1884, Port Cygnet (RGD33: John Richard Clark, no 2482/1884, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD33-1-63p346j2k)
   Married: 10 Jul 1909, Elodie Mary Blake, Hobart (TFI: Clark-Blake, marriage, no 486/1909, Hobart)
   Died: Mar 1970, Tasmania, aged 85 (MILL: John Richard Clark, 1970, https:/server2.admin.millingtons.com.au:81/ASP/search_details.asp?RecordID=79148)
   Cremated: 1 Apr 1970, Cornelian Bay Cemetery (MILL: John Richard Clark, 1970, https:/server2.admin.millingtons.com.au:81/ASP/search_details.asp?RecordID=79148)

Spouse (2) - Mary Ann Elizabeth Arnett, daughter of Simon Arnett and Mary Ann Whiteway.

Born: 17 Jun 1858, Bothwell (RGD33: Mary Ann Elizabeth Arnett, no 22/1858, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD33-1-36p137j2k)
Baptised: 22 Aug 1858, Bothwell (ANG: Marianne Arnett, NS1854/1/1, no 208/1858)
Married (1): 26 Jul 1883, George Frederick Hallett, Glen Quion, Hollow Tree (RGD37: Hallett-Arnett, no 25/1883, https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD37-1-42p15j2k)
Married (2): 25 Feb 1897, Robert Edward Blake, Hobart (RGD37: Blake-Hallett, no 201/1897, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD37-1-57p210j2k)
Electoral Roll: 1914, [I8.1] High St, Bothwell, domestic duties (ELEC: p2-3/1914, https:/www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/1207/images/RDAUS1901_100678__0007-00853)
Electoral Roll: 1919, [I8.1] High St, Bothwell, domestic duties (ELEC: p2-3/1919, https:/www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/1207/images/RDAUS1901_100682__0007-00929)
Died: 28 Aug 1935, Hobart, aged 77 (MERC: "Deaths," Blake, 29 Aug 1935, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/30103041)
Buried: 29 Aug 1935, Public Cemetery, Bothwell (MERC: "Deaths," Blake, 29 Aug 1935, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/30103041)

Children of Robert Edward Blake and Mary Ann Elizabeth Arnett:

1. Phyllis May Blake.

   Born: 2 Mar 1898, Bothwell (RGD33: Phyllis May Blake, no 123/1898, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD33-1-85p98j2k)
   Baptised: 19 Mar 1898, Bothwell (ANG: Phyllis May Blake, NS1854/1/1, no 1197/1898)
   Married: 1944, Arthur John Wells, Victoria (VBDM: Wells-Blake, marriage, no 2022/1944)
   Died: 16 Jan 1974, Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, aged 75 (VBDM: Phyllis May Wells, death, no 2136/1974, Bacchus Marsh)
   Buried: aft 16 Jan 1974, General Cemetery, Maddingley, Victoria (FAG: Phyllis May Wells, 1974, Memorial ID 189297588, citing Maddingley General Cemetery, Maddingley, Australia; maintained by Tanya V, contributor 49442830, https:/www.findagrave.com/memorial/189297588/phyllis-may-wells)

   Spouse - Arthur John Wells, son of John Gray Wells and Annie McIntosh.

   Born: 1891, Bacchus Marsh, Victoria (VBDM: Arthur John Wells, birth, no 18960/1891, Bacchus Marsh)
   Married: 1944, Phyllis May Blake, Victoria (VBDM: Wells-Blake, marriage, no 2022/1944)
   Died: 15 Oct 1956, Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, aged 65 (VBDM: Arthur John Wells, death, no 22407/1956, Bacchus Marsh)
   Buried: aft 15 Oct 1956, General Cemetery, Maddingley, Victoria (FAG: Arthur John Wells, 1956, Memorial ID 189297587, citing Maddingley General Cemetery, Maddingley, Victoria, Australia; maintained by Tanya V, contributor 49442830, https:/www.findagrave.com/memorial/189297587/arthur-john-wells)

2. Darrell Wilfred Blake.

   Born: 28 May 1900, Bothwell (RGD33: Darrell Wilfred Blake, no 136/1900, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD33-4-1/RGD33-4-1-110)
   Conveyed: 14 May 1920, [I9.1] High St, Bothwell, 1r 18p from Sarah Jane (Whiteway) Triffett (LIST: Sarah Jane Triffett, title historic, vol 155, fol 55)
   Died: 30 Dec 1982, Bothwell, aged 82 (PROB: Darrell Wilfred Blake, no 71789/1983, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/AD960-1-184-71789)
   Buried: aft 30 Dec 1982, Public Cemetery, Bothwell (BC: Darrell Wilfred Blake, section C2, site 25)