Robert Telfer

Born: 1835 (Roxburghshire, Scotland) | Died: 14 Jan 1907 (Mount Gambier, SA) | Mother: Elizabeth Beattie (1802–1891) | Father: James Telfer (1796–1863) | Spouse: Susan Burton Telfer (1844–1924) | Occupation: ?

Family

| Relation | Name |
|---|---|
| Self | Robert Telfer (1835–1907) |
| Father | James Telfer (1796–1863) |
| Mother | Elizabeth Beattie (1802–1891) |
| Spouse | Susan Burton Telfer (1844–1924) |
| Brother | James Telfer (1829–1913) |
| Sister | Elizabeth Beattie Telfer (1832–1896) |
| Brother | John Telfer (1840–1913) |
| Brother | Adam Francis Telfer (1842–1925) |

Children

| Name | Born | Died | Married |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Telfer | — | — | — |
| William Telfer | — | — | — |
| William A.P. Telfer | — | — | Mildred E.C. Wilson (1926) |
| Bessie Telfer | — | — | Mr. Rowbotham |
| Helen Telfer | — | — | G.B. Renfrey |

Life Summary

Robert Telfer was one of the children of James Telfer (1796–1863) and Elizabeth Beattie of Roxburghshire, Scotland. The family emigrated to South Australia. Robert settled in the Mount Gambier / Yahl district of the South East of South Australia.

He married Susan Burton (born 1844). Susan survived him by 17 years, dying in 1924.

Timeline

| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1835 | Born in Roxburghshire, Scotland |
| 1837 | Listed as ~3 years old in 1841 census (consistent with 1835 birth) |
| ~1850s | Emigrated to South Australia with family |
| ~1860s–1870s | Married Susan Burton |
| 14 Jan 1907 | Died at Mount Gambier, South Australia |
| Jan 1907 | Buried at Lake Terrace Cemetery, Mount Gambier |

Notes

• Death age approximately 71–72


• Burial location: Lake Terrace Cemetery, Mount Gambier, City of Mount Gambier, SA


• Wife Susan predeceased him by 17 years (d. 1924)


• Susan Telfer obituary: Mentioned in Border Watch (Mount Gambier), 7 Oct 1924 — describes her as "another old and highly respected resident of this district in the person of Mrs. Susan Telfer, of Yahl" — borderwatch.com.au was discontinued in 2020 and archive may not be accessible

Newspaper References

• Children of Robert Telfer: Per the approved Tantanoola Telfer report, Robert and Susan raised a family including sons James, William, and William A.P. Telfer (who married Mildred E.C. Wilson in 1926), and daughters Bessie (Mrs. Rowbotham) and Helen (Mrs. G.B. Renfrey).

- Source: Approved Tantanoola Telfer Report (processed report, May 2026) — cites Trove articles and newspaper obituaries for the Telfer family of Mount Gambier
- Access Date: 28 May 2026

Sources

• FindAGrave – Robert Telfer (1835–1907) — accessed 26 May 2026


• FindAGrave – Susan Burton Telfer (1844–1924) — accessed 26 May 2026

Links

• James Telfer (1796–1863)


• Elizabeth Beattie (1802–1891)


• James Telfer (1829–1913)


• Elizabeth Beattie Telfer (1832–1896)


• Adam Francis Telfer (1842–1925)


• John Telfer (1840–1913)