RELATED TO THE DOBSON FAMILY?

The following is an excerpt from a news item that appeared in the Tasmanian Mail dated 21 July 1900:

A DIAMOND WEDDING
The diamond wedding of Mr and Mrs John George Dobson was celebrated on Friday evening, the 6th instance, at Rocky Cape, by a social held in Mrs James Boys's barn, which was specially prepared and decorated for the purpose by many willing hands.

​Mr Dobson arrived in Hobart in 1815, being then quite a child, which makes him over 85 years of age.  Mrs Dobson is a native of Hobart, her maiden name was Elizabeth Stokes, and she was born in 1824, being now 76 years old.  They were married at Clarence Plains by the Reverend Mr Fry on 18 May 1840.  The photograph was taken a few days ago by Mr Alfred Bock, the well-known artist.
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The attendance at the social was very numerous.  Three relays of the supper table had to be made with accommodation for 50 guests at each relay.  The proceedings were presided over by the Reverend R Penty, who, in presenting a purse of 14 sovereigns to the happy couple, took the opportunity to explain the meaning of a silver, golden and a diamond wedding, and alluded to the rarity of the latter; he congratulated the bride and bridegroom upon their having attained such a green [great] old age together, and wishing them many future celebrations of the day.  The bridegroom suitably and feelingly replied.

Mr and Mrs Dobson were amongst the earliest settlers in the Circular Head and Rocky Cape districts, where they have resided for the past 58 years; besides themselves only Mr C O'Connor remains of the earliest pioneers.

A lengthy programme of songs and dances wound up one of the most pleasant reunions ever held at Rocky Cape, the bride signalising the occasion by dancing the Alberts from beginning to end.

The committee, Miss Dallas, Messrs J Bauchop, A Boys and H Rockwell, worked most energetically to make the gathering a success.  While the thanks of the guests are due to them, as also to Mrs E Boys and Mr H Boys, for their attention to the visitors, and generally in securing so successful a meeting.
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