• General Notes

  Robert was the fourth child and third son of Thomas and Penelope Cartwright. Robert was only eight years old when his father died; his older brothers, Thomas and Richard, were less than twelve and far too young to be of help to their mother. Her brother, the Reverend Edward Powys of Westwood House, Shrewsbury, was the patron of all three sons with their schooling and in their chosen careers.
  
  The Land (Sydney, NSW) - Friday 21 December 1923 - Newspaper article
  “A Pioneer Parson - Rev. Robert Cartwright
  (By Flora A. Timms, member Royal Australian Historical Society)
  Robert Cartwright was—to use a Vietorlanlsm—a man of parts. Born in Shropshire, England, in 1771, of a highly respected family, his mother being a Powys, of Powys Castle, and connected with the leading families of that exclusive county, he, on reaching maturity, at first turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, and visited Constantinople with his brother, who was British Consul at Algiers. After his return to England he dedicated his heart and life to religion, and became a student at St. Edmund's Hall, Oxford. After finishing his course he was ordained Curate of Bradford, in Yorkshire, where he was eminently popular and beloved.
  Mainly, through the influence of Rev. Samuel Marsden, the zealous young curate's thoughts turned to the wonderful new land of the Southern Cross, and when he left Bradford in 1809 it was with the benediction of such men as Wilberforce and Thornton, and the congregation presented him with the following hymn, composed for the occasion and sung at his last service there:
  With all thy power O Lord defend
  Him, whom we now to Thee commend,
  Our Minister faithful and secure,
  And make him to the end endure.
  Gird him with all sufficient grace,
  Give to his footsteps paths of peace,
  Thy truth and faithfulness fulfil,
  Preserve him Lord from every ill.
  Before his face protection send,
  0, love him, save him to the end;
  Nor let him as Thy pilgrim rove
  Without the convoy of Thy love.
  Enlarge, inflame, and fill his heart,
  In him Thy mighty power exert,
  That thousands, yet unborn may praise,
  The wonder of redeeming grace.
  In 1810 the young, clergyman was appointed assistant to Rev. Samuel Marsden, and almost immediately was stationed at Windsor (N.S.W.) as chaplain.
  The only incident that can be traced in connection with his sojourn there, is taken from Colwell's "History of Methodism."
  It appears that one John Lees, who had been a soldier in the New South Wales Corps, and had not been quite as good as he might have been, went outside one night for a piece of wood for the fire, and instead of the wood he grasped a snake, which bit him on the wrist. Seized with violent alarm, he walked into Windsor, 14 miles distant, and entering the house of the Rev. Robert Cartwright, fell fainting to the ground. Medical aid saved John from death, and from that time he stood for all that was good, becoming a shining light in Methodist circles of his day.
  At that time the Hawkesbury district formed the boundary of the Colony, and Governor Macquarie, recognising the ability and sound judgment of the young clergyman, persuaded him to become a Justice of the Peace, and the duties of this office — no easy task in those days — were performed, it is recorded, with diligence and fidelity.
  After some years' residence at Windsor, Mr. Cartwright was, largely through the influence of the Governor, removed to Liverpool, where about seventeen happy, useful years were spent. Besides his pastoral work he was appointed Superintendent of the Orphan School, as well as an establishment for the instruction of children of the aborigines.
  An extract from old records says:
  "November 22, 1836.—The Rev. Robert Cartwright has been appointed a Commissary of the Bishop of Australia, within the Colony of New South Wales and its dependencies."
  In 1836, there being a vacancy in St. James' Church, Sydney, the popular clergyman was removed to that historic church. In the following year his wife died, and, feeling the blow keenly, he decided to return to England, but having occasion to visit the counties of Murray, King and Georgiana, he was so impressed by the lamentable want of religious observances in those districts that he determined to become an itinerant minister. In 1838 he was stationed at Yass temporarily, and to quote from the "Colonist," June 1G, 1838:—"On Sunday, June 3rd, Divine Service was performed at Mr. John Kennedy's residence (Keswyche) at Gunning, before a small, but respectable congregation. After worship the Rev. Robert Cartwright preached an excellent sermon, his text being Acts 26, chap. 180, "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."
  Being the first sermon that had been delivered in this remote part since the beginning of the world, I think the text was very apposite.
  Very differently was the night preceding the historic occasion of holding the first religious service in the outposts of civilisation spent, and again, we quote from the "Colonist" of June 6th:—"We have had" (wrote the local correspondent) "a visit from the Rev. Robert Cartwright. As there is no settled residence in the district for a clergyman, he tours through the counties of Murray and King. He put up at the only inn in Cunning. Two Sydney gents arrived at the same time, one of whom was Mr. Edwards (Edwards and Hunter). They asked for tea, but were refused until mine host had had his. The travellers entreated, in vain. The wife apologised, assuring them that her husband had only had three bottles of brandy that day (one of his abstemious days!), and was a little tipsy; if she disobeyed him, she would get a thrashing. The Rev. Mr. Cartwright thought that his sacred office might appeal to the man, but neither that nor his grey hairs protected him from infamous abuse and threats. All slept in their clothes that night. One of them was armed with a poker. The inn keeper assured them he had his bull-dogs ready, and they had only a few minutes to live. Next morning Mr. Cartwright went to the residence of Mr. Kennedy at Keswyche, where he was hospitably entertained."
  On the arrival of Rev. P. Brigstock in Yass, Mr. Cartwright went to Arkstone Forest, near Burrowa, but soon removed to Gunning, where he built a fine residence, "The Willows," still in a perfect state of preservation, and held services there. Collector was included in his parish, and being more central he decided to make that his headquarters, but all through his ministry, owing to the scattered population, his work was chiefly pastoral. It is recorded that he travelled upwards of 25,000 miles, and it was only when age began to tell on him, that he confined his labors to Gunning and Collector.
  There are still living some old folks who remember this remarkable man, scholarly, simple and kindly, with an outlook on life so broad that Roman Catholic was welcomed to his home as warmly as Protestant, and the means which he possessed were spent lavishly among the poor.
  Somewhat late in life he married Miss Waddell, of Collector, a member of a family well known in Methodist and political circles.
  An attack of bronchitis in his 86th year was the cause of death in 1856. He had removed to Goulburn, and
  
  February 27: Rev. Robert Cartwright reached Sydney, 1810, aboard the ship 'Anne'.
  
  

Details of Robert's family with Mary Broardman

Details of Robert's family with Isabella Waddell