Andrew Telfer
Biography
Role: NSW-line brother of William Telfer (1802–1850), the Australian Agricultural Company Warrah manager
Born: 28 April 1798 — Oxnam Parish, Roxburghshire, Scotland
Died: 11 March 1858 (aged 59) — buried Tamworth General Cemetery, New South Wales
Father: William Telfer (shepherd)
Mother: Janet Nichol
Brother: William Telfer (1802–1850)
Spouse: Mary Hayes (m. 10 May 1846, St Augustine's RC Church, Singleton NSW)
Life Summary
Andrew Telfer was born 28 April 1798 in the Parish of Oxnam, Roxburghshire, Scotland, son of William Telfer, a shepherd, and Janet Nichol — four years older than his brother William (1802–1850). He signed on as an Indented Servant with the Australian Agricultural Company on 16 February 1825 and sailed to New South Wales on the "Brothers", arriving in Sydney Harbour two days after his brother William landed on the "York", both in November 1825.
Andrew married Mary Hayes on 10 May 1846 at St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church, Singleton, New South Wales. They had four children: William (b. 1847), Mary (b. 1849, married A.L. Bowden), Andrew (b. 1850) and Elizabeth "Betsy" (b. 1854, married A. Bolton). In 1851 he purchased Goonoo Goonoo Section J, Lots 3 and 12 (22 August 1851). He died on 11 March 1858 and was buried at Tamworth General Cemetery, where his headstone reads "Sacred to the Memory of ANDREW TELFER who departed this life March 11, 1858 ... Native of Roxburghshire, Scotland."
Family
| Relation | Name |
|---|---|
| Self | Andrew Telfer |
| Father | William Telfer (shepherd) |
| Mother | Janet Nichol |
| Brother | William Telfer (1802–1850) |
| Sisters | Helen Nichol (Telfer) Lillico; Mary Nichol (Telfer) Gibson |
| Spouse | Mary Hayes (m. 10 May 1846, Singleton NSW) |
| Children | William (b. 1847); Mary (m. A.L. Bowden, 1848–1933); Andrew (b. 1850); Elizabeth / Betsy (m. A. Bolton, 1854–1874) |
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 28 Apr 1798 | Born — Oxnam, Roxburghshire, Scotland |
| 16 Feb 1825 | Signed AACo indenture |
| Nov 1825 | Arrived Sydney Harbour on the "Brothers" |
| 10 May 1846 | Married Mary Hayes — St Augustine's RC Church, Singleton NSW |
| 1847–1854 | Children William, Mary, Andrew, Elizabeth born |
| 22 Aug 1851 | Purchased Goonoo Goonoo Sec J Lots 3 & 12 |
| 11 Mar 1858 | Died (aged 59) — buried Tamworth General Cemetery |
Sources
- Find A Grave: Andrew Nichol Telfer (1798–1858) — memorial 48579836 — accessed 6 Sep 2026 (born 28 Apr 1798; died 11 Mar 1858; buried Tamworth General Cem; m. Mary Hayes 1846 Singleton; children William, Mary Bowden, Andrew, Elizabeth Bolton; headstone transcription)
- Book: From the Borders to the Bush by Donald Telfer (1986), p.370 & pp.364–371 — AACo indentured-servant journey, brother of William, land purchase, adult fates
- ANU / Australian Agricultural Company records — AACo indentured-servant record (brother of Warrah manager William)
- Geni profile (Andrew-Nichol-Telfer) — compiled tree corroborating dates/children (secondary group)
Tags
Parents
- Janet Nichol (? – ?)
- William Telfer (shepherd) (? – ?)
Siblings
- William Telfer (1802 – 1850)