RELATED TO THE DOBSON FAMILY?

26/5/2020

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.

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.

50 Comments

robyn mayes

10/7/2022 15:43:40

i am a gr gr grand daughter of john and betsy and would like to bring attention to an incorrect date. my gr gr grandfather john arrived in van d land in 1832, not 1815. being a convict on the surrey.

regards robyn mayes

Gayle Kerr link

6/10/2022 16:40:31

Hi Robyn, I'm a distant relative of yours via Betsy's brother, Joseph Stokes. I know very little of this family's history, although have recently looked into Ann Stokes' beginnings, Norfolk Island etc... Someone had said that our Joseph's father was possibly of indigenous origin. Do you know anything about this and what evidence is there that this may be true. I'm happy to share with you anything that I know.
Regards, Gayle

David

17/10/2022 22:02:16

Elizabeth Betsy Stokes 1825-1911 parents
Was Ann Stokes 1797- 1893 and a unknown Aboriginal. James Stokes 1828 and Joseph Richard Stokes 1831-1911 had the same parents from Ann’s first relationship in Tasmania before she had six more children with William Smedley

Robyn Mayes

12/3/2023 12:27:45

Hi Gayle, sorry for delay.
No i know nothing of the aboriginal connection apart from john and Betsy daughter rosetta (my great grandmother) had another daughter who did marry into the mob on cape barren island.
Reading further on with other comments it gets very complicated but absolutely fascination.
Would you like my email address to correspond?

Charles Lawson

14/9/2023 22:05:45

Hi Robin I think we have spoken before .John and Betsy was my Great,Great Grand Parents.my G Grandfather was George Dobson Betsy' eldest son he came to Melbourne late 1890s with 10 kids and helped populate Melb.I am glad you brought the convict side as I think he would have been embarrassed about his oast

Lesley Thow

29/8/2024 08:02:09

The photo above of John & Elizabeth I have the original that is used in many places now. I put it in the Advocate and Circular Head chronicle with the accompanied story from archives Hobart I understand.

2/10/2024 10:58:37

Good morning Leslie

Fascinating you have actual original photo, are you relative or historian?

Regards

11/4/2025 14:12:54

Family

11/4/2025 13:49:30

Lesley Thow mother Dobson Grandad Frederick GG grandfather John . I have photo of Uncle Albert as I brought him together to my mum Rebecca 40 or so years ago in Tasmania .I am so interested to speak or write with family.

11/4/2025 13:51:56

How do I get to communicate to blend our family information and details.
I am the remaining sibling in my family.
Please guide me or help. Lesley Mother Rebecca Dobson.

Dimmock jones

22/5/2025 09:38:21

Hi Lesley, I have a Thow descendant of Eleanor Pearl Dobson. Happy to exchange any information.

Lesley Thow link

25/5/2025 15:27:34

Aunty Pearl my Mum Rebecca . Email me please is best

Dimmock Jones

31/5/2025 16:19:54

Hi Lesley, I can be contacted at [email protected]

31/5/2025 16:24:15

Hi Lesley, i have sent a message to your Facebook Messenger.

2/6/2025 13:47:43

Hi Lesley looking at my Dobson descendents tree, I can see your mum Rebecca and father Harold Abraham Thow had 5 children, I only have one name Melvena Mary born King Island.

You are descended from James Dobson, 2nd son of John and Betsy

2/6/2025 13:55:39

Hi Leslie
I can see your aunty Eleanor Pearl married William Thow and had 2 sons Colin and Wayne.
I have Colin passing away
In 1998 and Wayne passing in 1952

Gayle

22/10/2022 07:20:56

Dear David, thanks for your help.
But how do you know with such certainty that all of Ann’s first three children were from the same father? Are there any records out there to support this, or maybe the info was passed down by family stories??
G.

Danni Stokes

1/11/2022 10:18:12

Lovely to see this up, she was my great great Aunty.

She did not come from the Anne Stokes of Norfolk island though.

She didn't come from the English William Smedley either, apparently she & my great great grandfather Joseph came from a man who was Aboriginal, he apparently wasn't allowed to marry Ann Stokes, without picking a name. He chose William M Smedley. Family r still researching this, using the pioneer index among other things.

The correct Anne Stokes, mother of Elizabeth, is actually adopted into the English Stokes's, family r still researching this line. But I have been advised that she was also of Aboriginal descent, her ppl r unknown ATM.

So far DNA matches us too Tasmanian indigenous Smith's, Bird's, Lovell's, Bones, Thomas's, Everett's, Ryan's, Dillon's, Briggs, Cox & Lee's to name a few.

Note: I'm not the researcher for these links though.

Thanks Danni

12/3/2023 20:29:51

Evening Danni
How do you go about checking your DNA?

Dannielle Townsend

15/12/2024 07:12:38

I used ancestry, but my heritage is good, probably better.
Matches well to family, evident by close family matches. not so with ethnicities. Evidenced by uploading DNA to many companies & having A multitude of different ethnicities & percentages of ethnicities, none the same. When researching DNA further, discovery of gettimg DNA from spit (30%) vs blood (70%)

Lynda Morris (Horton)

5/8/2023 22:25:37

Hi Danni,
I have Anne Stokes mother of Elizabeth in My family tree, DNA matches me to Smiths, Lovells, Thomas, Everetts, Cox, Briggs and Dillons
Similiar to you. My Brother Terry Horton is following his Aboriginal Ancestry as i am too.
I was hoping you might be able to assist me my family come from circular head and i would like to find out more if possable.
Cheers and thank you for any support you can give

30/8/2024 06:34:58

My family are Horton connection

15/12/2024 07:15:40

Hi Lynda (cuz),

I think I have seen you in amongst my matches, I can try. There's so many inconsistencies in the trees & lies of who's child was who's. I will find u on Facebook.

Gayle Kerr

14/3/2023 18:36:26

Hi Guys. I would like to know too about the DNA testing for an indigenous connection. My Ann Stokes was certainly a second fleeter who came from England to Sydney and then very quickly to Norfolk Island. She met and married Humphrey Lynch there (a first fleeter) and then most of the islanders were relocated to Hobart. Ann had a daughter (Elizabeth) who was also a convict and later followed them to Hobart with her non convict 5 year old, Ann. I'm pretty sure that this is all true. If anyone knows otherwise for sure, I would be pleased to hear their version. Cheers, Gayle K.

14/3/2023 21:32:05

Hi Gayle
Our Ann stokes came over 1803 on the glatton. She was transported for stealing calico.
Wasnt aware she had 5 yr old daughter.
So your connection to john and Betsy Dobson is via betsys brother Joseph, is that right.
The picture at top of group of people are they all Dobson related?

15/3/2023 07:01:10

Hi Robyn, my email is [email protected]
I have only recently put some energy into this part of my family, I’m not a good researcher. The only reason i looked at Betsy Dobson was because of the claim that she looked aboriginal!? I know the bare bones re Joseph, my link. Just know that he moved to the north west, had a farm there and married twice producing heaps of children. As for the photo i haven’t a clue. Someone did say that Betsy’s husband was an ex convict but it appears that he hid that. Pleased to meet you, Gayle

15/3/2023 12:17:12

Hi Gayle
Betsys husband john came out on Surrey in 1832, from Warwickshire, 7 yrs transportation for burglary, landed Hobart town.
Sort permission to marry Betsy, they were married in 1840, they had lot of children, one being Rosetta, my gr grandmother, she had 3 marriages, last marriage with Williams produced my grandmother Laura Kate, those times family were up north by then.
Looking at Betsy she doesnt seem to appear of aboriginal descent even if only on fathers side.
I can give you more details of family but will have to pull out paperwork

I am sure i have a copy of john and Betsy marriage cert in 1840.

Will have to see what I can find about joseph

11/4/2025 14:18:59

Yes John Dobson was an ex convict. He did well at Circular Head with Betsy. Many children farmed respected highly by reports of their Diamond wedding .

15/3/2023 07:13:20

By the way Robyn, it wasn’t my Ann that had the little girl in tow. It’s my understanding that the Ann Stokeswho went on to Hobart came out on the Lady Julian from Warwickshire after stealing two shawls (she was in her 40’s). Her adult daughter Elizabeth committed a crime later and was also sent to Australia with her little girl Ann. This is what I believe to be true. Feel free to email me. G.

16/3/2023 06:45:28

Thanks Robyn but if your paperwork is anything like mine good luck!!! Went to Norfolk Island in December which confirmed a bit of what i thought. After the original Ann died in Hobart her husband Humphrey Lynch hung himself later that year, so sad. G.

21/3/2023 15:57:15

Can anyone fill me in with any info on Rosetta dobson at all, one of john and Betsy children.
She is my gr grandmother
She had 3 marriages, at one stage went to live in cape barron isl. With her daughter florence who married into mob.
I can find no record of her death.
Nor a photograph.
Any other direct relative of Rosetta out there?

Charles A Lawson

21/12/2023 19:36:22

I am a Great Great Grandson of John Dobson & Eliz Betsy Stokes. My Great Grand Father was George Dobson eldest son 1840-1922 with his wife Julia Lapham and 10 Kids came to Melbourne in 1870s and helped Populate Port Melbourne

Lynda Morris (Horton) link

1/8/2023 12:04:40

I have Ann Stokes in my family tree she is from Norfolk Island 1797-1893. ,Her Daughter is Elizabeth Betsy Stokes.
Elizabeths parents Ann Stokes and William Smedley i believe he is an Aboriginal who changed his name to William Smedley, does anyone know who he was or any information on William Smedley. there is also Joseph stokes/gender and james stokes. So I am confused at the momnet any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you all for any support
Cheers lynda

Bronwyn Billing

7/9/2023 10:36:11

Hi to the Dobson Clan, The John Dobson (farmer), was the first civillian to purchase land 1851 from the VDL.co @ 160 pound for 80acres. My ggg grand parents William and Sarah Blake later purchased their acres. Rosetta the 3rd child was born at (Black River), Forest. 12th July 1844.Rossetta married James Forth at Black River Church of England Witness' Thomas Smedley and Ellen Dobson. They have 7 children from 1864-1874 (2 deaths). James died 8th May 1874 aged 50years -(stroke) Paralysis.
The 3 marriages are James Forth, 18th August 1863 at Black River conducted by H E Drew. Thomas Fry no details and Thomas Williams also no details.
Elizabeth Dobson died at Mrs George Davis' home, her daughter of Deep Creek and later buried next to her husband John in the Church of England burial ground Black River 10th may 1911. Service conducted by Rev Ratten. There had been a working bee to clean up the area.
For all the children and bon ami, the Rev Ratten had sort charity for Elizabeth twice prior to her passing. (see local newspapers.) The church which saw 5 Dobson marriages has been moved and can be seen on a road trip to Dip Falls. Black River as a town was all ploughed under by 1950's.
For those looking into Anne and Elizabeth Stokes also see Jenders, Jedders, Ginders, Jonders. John Dobson arrived on the 3rd voyage of the "Surrey" April 1840 he applied to marry Elizabeth "Betsy" almost immediately. For good resources see Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Just spotted a slip of paper tucked away stating Rosetta and Thomas Williams nee Dobson had a daughter Florence Isabel on the 22 of March 1877.
Louisa H Blizzard married George Davis at Mrs Dobsons 22nd of Jan 1911 by Rev GW Ratten. just a few months before Mrs Dobson died.

28/8/2024 15:31:23

Incorrect arrival of john dobson.

1832 on surrey
Then married betsy 1840

Charles Albert Lawson

2/12/2023 18:47:11

John Dobson was my Great Great Grandfather. My great Grand Father George Dobson Eldest Son 1840-1922 with 10 Children came to Melbourne Sometime between 1875 -1878 as we have one Childs birth Tasmania 1875 and another Melbourne 1878

11/1/2024 16:09:56

I find this very interesting as john Dobson was my Great Great Grand Father. My email [email protected] happy to hear from relations and discuss many thinfs

23/3/2024 18:12:39

George Dobson born 1840 eldest son of John & George Dobson was my Great Grandfather. He with wife and 10 children came to Port Melbourne aprox 1875. So I have many relations in Melbourne and 10 times more in Tassie. I would be happy for people to contact me [email protected]

2/4/2024 11:46:05

John & Elizabeth Dobson were my G G Grandparents. George Dobson born 1840-1922 eldest son he with wife Julia Lapham 1845-1901 and 10 kids came to Port Melbourne early 1880s

27/8/2024 21:21:05

Hi I would like to be included in this discussion/ information please.
My connection is John Dobson Elizabeth's husband. My Mother Rebecca Thow/ Horton nee Dobson .

2/10/2024 11:14:01

Hi Leslie, have just read this, previously enquired of you having original photo of J and E wedding anniversary.
It can all get very complicated.
So your mum Rebecca descendant from which child of john and betsy.
My connection comes from daughter Rosetta.

4/10/2024 06:47:31

My mother Rebecca came from John Dobson Betsy's husband.

Lesey Thow

4/10/2024 06:49:51

My grandfather Frederick Reuban James father James and his John .without looking at papers

Sean James Dobson

14/12/2024 23:55:05

It's very interesting that my 4th great grandfather and grandmother are here I have tracked my families last name back 7 generations of the Dobsons.

From my understanding yes Ann Stokes was of European descent but when settling in Australia she had multiple relationships one was Elizabeth's father who was an Aboriginal man. This can be evident by looking at the photo she has a lot of physical attributes of what Aboriginal people have and the skin tone was evident she was known in that time as a half caste a bit degrading to hear it in 2024. But my 4th great grandmother Elizabeth was of aboriginal descent

15/12/2024 15:55:10

Interesting reading your post Sean. I stem from Rosetta Dobson, which child of John and Betsy due you originate from.
I have never been able to track down a picture of Rosetta.

29/3/2025 04:55:50

🌟 **Exploring the Dobson Legacy** 🌟

Family stories are like treasure maps—they lead us to surprising discoveries and richer understandings of who we are. While tracing our Dobson lineage, I’ve uncovered an intriguing piece of history that reshapes the narrative.

Here’s a snapshot of our Dobson family tree:
- **Father**: Gregory James Dobson
- **Grandfather**: Ian James Dobson
- **Great-grandfather**: Albert Richard Dobson—who, after returning from the war, left his wife, Thelma, shrouding parts of our history in mystery.
- **Great-great-grandfather (Gx2)**: Frederick Dobson
- **Great-great-great-grandfather (Gx3)**: James Dobson
- **Great-great-great-great-grandfather (Gx4)**: John George Dobson

Through researching these connections, I stumbled across something unexpected. **Anne Stokes’ daughter** stands out for her darker complexion, suggesting a lineage that intertwines both **European ancestry** and **Aboriginal heritage**. This revelation challenges past assumptions and emphasizes how complex and diverse our family history truly is.

Our history is more than names and dates—it's a blend of journeys, cultures, and stories that shaped who we are today. If anyone has additional pieces of the Dobson puzzle or related stories to share, I’d love to hear them. Let’s keep exploring together!

29/3/2025 05:07:24

Feel free to reach out to my socials facebook or my linkedin accounts as long privacy is respected I'm always happy to help family learn more

25/5/2025 12:59:11

Enquiring again, any members out there have any info or picture of Rosetta dobsen.
I know of the marriages and fact she died at Cape barren Island. Does anyone know of cause of death
Thankyou

Sean Dobson

28/5/2025 01:40:23

hey nothing yet try reach out to the local Aboriginal Corporations specifically of the areas known to the family geographical locations.

28/5/2025 06:20:42

Thankyou Sean for suggestion, will get started
Regards Robyn

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