Our Heritage
Robert Sutherland Murray, a cabinet maker, was born in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, on 15 February 1809. He married Margaret Harvie, also born in Glasgow on 27 February 1810, on 26 October 1832. Their family came to Australia during the Highland famine as part of Rev. Dr. John Dunmore Lang's Scottish emigration scheme.
The Murrays were the earliest of the three families to arrive in Australia. They left Greenock aboard the Portland with young Marion and Daniel, travelling in steerage on a harrowing 133-day passage. A measles epidemic claimed 25 children, and an outbreak of scurvy forced the ship to make an emergency stop at Albany, Western Australia, before it reached Sydney on 3 December 1837.
After moving to Port Phillip in 1840, the family sought gold at Forest Creek, Castlemaine in 1854, then returned to Melbourne. Robert Murray was a person of some standing in the colony. In the early 1870s, Melbourne photographer Thomas Foster Chuck prepared a photo mosaic of 'The Explorers and Early Colonists of Victoria' — Robert Murray appears as No. 203 out of just over 700 people depicted, all of whom arrived in the colony by 1842.
Robert died on 29 July 1875 at his house at 138 Johnston St, Fitzroy, aged 66, after a lingering illness of 2½ years. His wife Margaret survived him by 21 years, dying suddenly on 9 August 1896 aged 86. Both are buried in the Unitarian section of the Melbourne General Cemetery.
Marion Murray
The eldest of Robert and Margaret's nine children, Marion worked for a Collins St dressmaker whose clients included Sophie, wife of Governor Latrobe. She married Nicholas Webber on 7 March 1857 at Fitzroy.
Robert Murray — Early Colonist
Robert Murray was included as No. 203 in Thomas Foster Chuck's 1870s photo mosaic of 'The Explorers and Early Colonists of Victoria' — one of just over 700 people who arrived in the colony by 1842. The original mosaic (approximately 1800mm square) is held at the State Library of Victoria.
In Memoriam
Robert Murray died on 29 July 1875 at 138 Johnston St, Fitzroy, aged 66. Margaret survived him by 21 years, dying suddenly on 9 August 1896 aged 86. Both are buried in the Unitarian section of the Melbourne General Cemetery.
Family Timeline
Tracing the Murray lineage through the generations
Origins
Robert Murray born in Glasgow, Scotland
Robert Sutherland Murray was born on 15 February 1809. Margaret Harvie was born 27 February 1810.
Marriage
Robert Murray marries Margaret Harvie in Glasgow
They married on 26 October 1832.
Journey
Depart Greenock — arrive Sydney aboard the Portland
The family departed 24 July and arrived 3 December after a 133-day voyage. A measles epidemic and scurvy outbreak marked the passage.
Victoria
The family moves to Port Phillip, then Forest Creek
They moved to Melbourne in 1840 and sought gold at Forest Creek, Castlemaine in 1854.
Fitzroy
Marion marries Nicholas Webber
Marion married Nicholas Webber on 7 March 1857 at Fitzroy, uniting the Murray and Webber families.
Later years
Robert and Margaret's passing
Robert died at 138 Johnston St, Fitzroy in 1875. Margaret died suddenly in 1896 aged 86. Both buried at Melbourne General Cemetery, Unitarian section A, plots 5 and 6.
Notable Family Members
Robert Sutherland Murray
1809–1875
Cabinet maker and early Victorian colonist
Included as No. 203 in Thomas Foster Chuck's 1872 photo mosaic, The Explorers & Early Colonists of Victoria. He died of paralysis at 138 Johnston St, Fitzroy, leaving an estate of £850.
Margaret Harvie Murray
1810–1896
Murray family matriarch
Margaret died suddenly aged 86. She owned four properties in Fitzroy and left an estate of £632. She and Robert are buried in Unitarian section A, plots 5 and 6, Melbourne General Cemetery.
Marion Murray (Webber)
1834–1913
Dressmaker and mother of eleven
The eldest of nine children, Marion worked for a Collins St dressmaker whose clients included Sophie, wife of Governor Latrobe. She married Nicholas Webber on 7 March 1857 and died in South Yarra.
Robert Alex Harvey Murray
1851–1925
Youngest son
Born in Fitzroy in 1851, Robert Alex Harvey Murray was the youngest of Robert and Margaret's nine children. He died on 27 July 1925, aged 73.