Robert Telfer (1803–1878)

Role: Son of the Scottish patriarch — stayed in Castleton, Roxburghshire his entire life
Born: 25 April 1803 — Castleton, Roxburghshire, Scotland
Died: 1878 (aged 74) — Castleton, Scottish Borders, Scotland
Buried: Likely Old Castleton Cemetery, Newcastleton, Scottish Borders, Scotland
Occupation: Farm servant / agricultural labourer

Family

| Relation | Name |
|----------|------|
| Father | James Telfer (1761–1845) |
| Mother | Elizabeth Hutton Telfer (1774–1853) |
| Spouse | Elizabeth "Betty" Oliver (m. ~1828) |
| Daughter | Elizabeth Telfer (~1834–) |
| Son | James Telfer (~1836–) |
| Daughter | Jean Telfer (~1838–) |
| Son | John Telfer (~1839–) |

Life Summary

Robert Telfer was born in 1803 in Castleton, Roxburghshire, the fifth child and third son of James Telfer and Betty Hutton. He was baptised on 25 April 1803 in the Church of Scotland at Castleton parish, the same Liddesdale valley where the Telfer family had lived for generations.

Unlike his younger brother Francis, who emigrated to South Australia in 1838, Robert remained in the Scottish Borders his entire life. He married Elizabeth "Betty" Oliver around 1828. The 1841 census shows the couple living in Castleton with their young family, alongside Robert's older brother John Telfer (64), Violet Telfer (25), and William Telfer (22) — likely extended family sharing a household.

By 1851, Robert (now aged 46) was living in Castleton with only his daughters Elizabeth (17) and John (11) still at home. His wife Betty is absent from the 1851 census household — she may have died between 1841 and 1851, though her death has not been traced.

Robert's death at age 74 was registered in 1878 in the Castleton district. The statutory death registration records his mother's maiden surname as Hutton, confirming his parentage.

Timeline

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| 25 Apr 1803 | Born — Castleton, Roxburghshire, Scotland |
| 25 Apr 1803 | Baptised — Castleton parish, Church of Scotland |
| ~1828 | Married Elizabeth "Betty" Oliver |
| ~1834 | Daughter Elizabeth born — Castleton |
| ~1836 | Son James born — Castleton |
| ~1838 | Daughter Jean born — Castleton |
| ~1839 | Son John born — Castleton |
| 1841 | Census: Living in Castleton with wife Betty, children Elizabeth, James, Jean, John — also in household: John Telfer (64), Violet Telfer (25), William Telfer (22) |
| 1851 | Census: Living in Castleton with daughters Elizabeth (17) and John (11) — wife absent |
| 1878 | Died (aged 74) — Castleton, Scottish Borders |
| | Buried — likely Old Castleton Cemetery, Newcastleton |

Notes

• Spouse name — convergent evidence: The genealogy book (Telfer Family Genealogy, ca 1986) records Robert's wife as Elizabeth Oliver. WikiTree profile Oliver-13562 (Betty Oliver, born 16 Mar 1807, Cavers, Roxburghshire) — born in adjacent parish, same era, managed by the same WikiTree manager (Raymond Ashcroft) who manages Telfer-750. The 1841 census shows "Betty Telfer" (age 34, born ~1807) living with Robert — consistent with Elizabeth/"Betty" Oliver. Marriage record from ScotlandsPeople would confirm definitively.


• Children's fates unknown: Elizabeth (~1834), James (~1836), Jean (~1838), and John (~1839) all appear in the 1841 census. By 1851, only Elizabeth and John remain in the household. James and Jean may have left home, married, or died. Further research needed.


• Household in 1841 census: The presence of John Telfer (64, born ~1777), Violet Telfer (25), and William Telfer (22) in the same household suggests extended family living arrangements. John Telfer (born ~1777) may be an older brother of James Telfer (1761-1845) — an uncle to Robert.


• Comparison with brother Francis: Unlike Francis (1809–1895) who emigrated to SA and has extensive Australian records, Robert lived and died in Castleton. His records are limited to Scottish parish registers and census returns.


• No FindAGrave memorial found for Robert specifically, though he is listed on his father James's FindAGrave memorial (170769918) as child #5.

Sources

• Birth/Baptism: Church of Scotland Old Parish Registers, Castleton parish, ref 784/10/82, Frame 87 — Robert Telfer baptised 25 Apr 1803, son of James Telfer & Betty Hutton. Accessed via ScotlandsPeople (WikiTree citation, accessed 25 March 2025).


• 1841 Census: Scotland Census, 1841 — Castleton, Roxburghshire. NRS ref 784/13/1. Robert Telfer (36) with household. Accessed via ScotlandsPeople (WikiTree citation).


• 1851 Census: Scotland Census, 1851 — Castleton, Roxburghshire. NRS ref 784/10/10. Robert Telfer (46) with daughters. Accessed via ScotlandsPeople (WikiTree citation).


• Death Registration: Statutory Register of Deaths, 1878, Castleton district. NRS ref 784/6. Robert Telfer death (age 74, mother's maiden name Hutton). Accessed via ScotlandsPeople (WikiTree citation).


• WikiTree: Robert Telfer (1803–1878) — Telfer-750, profile managed by Raymond Ashcroft. Accessed 28 May 2026.


• WikiTree: Betty Oliver (1807–) — Oliver-13562, born Cavers, Roxburghshire, daughter of Ebenezer Oliver & Betty Scott. Same manager as Telfer-750. Accessed 28 May 2026.


• FindAGrave: James Telfer (1761–1845) — lists Robert Telfer as child #5. Old Castleton Cemetery. Accessed 28 May 2026.


• Telfer Family Genealogy Book (ca 1986) — records spouse as Elizabeth Oliver. Lead from vault reference.

Links

• James Telfer (1761–1845) — father


• Elizabeth Hutton Telfer (1774–1853) — mother


• Francis Telfer (1809–1895) — younger brother, emigrated to SA


• James Telfer (1796–1863) — older brother, stayed in Scotland


• Leads — pending research items