Rev Colin Robertson (1856 - 1949)

Acknowledgement: Some of the information and photographs provided on this page has been provided by Sally Wilson and her mother, the daughter of William Gray Dixon Robertson, and is used with permission. Other sources are listed in the text.

The Dixon and Gray families of Scotland

Colin Robertson would marry Margaret 'Maggie' Gray Dixon in 1888 - see below.

Maggie Dixon was the youngest child of James Main Dixon (abt 1820 - 1865, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland) (Scotland BDM Ref 573/1/225) and Jane Gray (born 10 June 1829, Ayr (Scotland BDM Ref 578/100/168/also 1881 census that shows her birthplace as Ayr in 1830 see below) - 17 June 1897, Warrnambool, Victoria (Vic BDM Ref 7285) who married on 14 October 1850 in the Paisley High Church in Renfrewshire (Scotland BDM Ref 573/1 40/257).

In 1851, James Main Dixon was recorded as the minister at the Free Martyr's Church at Paisley (Source: 1851 census). No details are yet known of James Main Dixon's parents.

Jane Gray's parents were William Gray and Mary McNeillie (bap 11 March 1808, Kirkmaiden, Wigtownshire, Scotland - ). Her maternal grandparents were Alexander McNeillie and Elizabeth Turner (based on details recorded with Mary McNeillie's birth).

James Main and Jane Dixon (nee Gray) had the following children, all baptised in the Paisley High Church:

1856 - Birth of Colin Robertson

Colin Robertson (21 September 1856, Geelong - 1949) was the second child of John Robertson, a Scottish migrant living in Geelong, Australia and Isobel Croll. Note that Colin had a cousin with the same name born in Geelong in 1862, the son of his uncle Robert Robertson who arrived in Geelong in 1860.

1871 - Death of James Main Dixon, William Gray Dixon completed school

The Reverend James Main Dixon died in Paisley in 1871, the same year that William Gray Dixon graduated as dux and gold medallist (it is not clear if 'the famous Academy of that town refers to Paisley or Ayr). He then attended the University of Glasgow.

After the death of James Main Dixon, the family moved to Ayr.

From 1876 - William Gray Dixon graduates

In 1876, William Gray Dixon graduated from the University of Glasgow with a Master of Arts. The same year he was appointed to be Professor of the English Language and Literature in the Imperial College of Engineering, Tokyo, Japan.

In 1880, William Gray Dixon returned to Scotland to study for the ministry and wrote and published a book titled 'The Land of the Morning', an account of Japan and the Japanese. (Source: 'The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District] - The Reverend William Gray Dixon', accessed 23 January 2021)

From 1880 - James Main Dixon in Japan

William Gray Dixon returned to Scotland in 1880. He was succeeded in Japan by his brother James Main Dixon (1856 - 1933). (Source: The Herald 6 September 1928).

James Main Dixon was in Japan from 1880 to 1892, succeeding his older brother William as the professor of English literature at the University of Tokyo from 1886. He was decorated by the Emperor.

James married Clara Belle Richards in the United States in 1885, suggesting he travelled to the United States for the marriage and returned. It is not believed that they had any children. See below from 1892.

1881 census - Dixons in Scotland

The 1881 census records the following at 14 Scotland Street, St Mary, St Andrew, Midlothian, Scotland.

It appears that William Gray Dixon decided to travel to London to travel to Australia with his mother and sisters.

From 1884 - The Dixons migrate to Victoria

William Gray Dixon graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1884. He was licenced by the Free Presbytery of Edinburgh and travelled to Australia. He embarked at Hobsons Bay from London, via Naples and Adelaide, on 29 June 1884 as an unassisted passenger on board the Lusitania along with his mother Mr J Dixon (aged 54) and his sisters: Miss H C Dixon (Hannah Coulson Dixon) aged 20, and Miss M G Dixon (Margaret Gray Dixon) aged 19. A Henry Dixon aged 26 and James Dixon aged 21 were also on board. It is not yet know if they were related to William - perhaps cousins.

The Ovens and Murray Advertiser of 3 July 1884 noted that the Melbourne Presbytery has sat on 1 July that year 'but did hardly anything, the business being nearly all postponed till next day' (because it was the Queen's Birthday). It was noted that two new pastors were required at Toorak and East St Kilda; the article noted that 'amongst the names under consideration (including three others, was) the Rev W Dixon, whose recent arrival by the Lusitania was recorded on Tuesday'.

The Argus of 6 August 1884 noted that the Rev William Dixon 'who had recently arrived from Japan' had not been successful in nominating for the position at the East St Kilda Congregation. The Herald of 4 May 1886 reported that Rev William Gray Dixon had been chosen for the Coburg Congregation.

Mid 1880s - Colin Robertson

Colin Robertson (1856 - 1949), the eldest son of John Robertson and Isabella Croll, attended the Geelong College and then attended Ormond College. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Melbourne (Presbyterian Church of Victoria) on 19 December 1883.

It seems very likely that Colin met Margaret 'Maggie' Dixon after her arrival in Melbourne from mid 1884, likely through her brother William and the church. Colin Robertson was ordained on 28 July 1885 in the Ceres/Winchelsea - Barrabool - Birregurra (Geelong Presbytery, Victoria) where he remained until 19 November 1895. Birregurra disjoined the Presbytery on 28 December 1886.

From 1886 - William Gray Dixon in Melbourne

William Gray Dixon was noted from 1886 at the Scots Church, Fitzroy, then in Warrnambool from 1889 (see below).

The Rev William Gray Dixon, possibly in the late 1800s

1888 - Colin Robertson marries Maggie Gray

Colin Robertson married Margaret Gray Dixon on 15 November 1888 in Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria, married 'by the brother of the bride', the Rev William Gray Dixon (Source - The Geelong Advertiser 4 December 1888). Colin Robertson was inducted at Cranbourne on the south eastern side of Melbourne on 3 December 1895 and remained there until around 1903.

1889 - William Gray Dixon appointed to Warrnambool

The Age of 3 July 1889 noted that 'It was announced that the Warrnambool congregation [St John's] had called the Rev W Gray Dixon of Fitzroy and that he was desirous of accepting it. The presbytery agreed to the proposed acceptance and congratulated Mr Dixon on his transfer'.

From 1891 - Children of Colin and Maggie Robertson (nee Dixon)

Colin and Maggie Robertson had the following children who, as can be seen, were born in Ceres and Cranbourne (where Colin was located for his work) before the family moved to New Zealand:

From 1892 - James Main Dixon in the United States

James Main Dixon was professor of English literature at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri from 1892 to 1901. For more details see his wikipage entry.

1894 - William Gray Dixon visits new Zealand

William Gray Dixon visited New Zealand in 1894 but was back in Warrnambool by 1899 when his sister Hannah married.

Jane Gray Dixon in the late 1800s/early 1890s in Australia

1897 - Jane Gray dies in Warrnambool

Jane Gray (born 1829, Ayr) died in 1897 in Warrnambool, Victoria (Vic BDM Ref 7285).

1900 - William Gray Dixon marries in Sydney

At the age of 46, William Gray Dixon married Elizabeth Aitken Glen ( - 1950, New Zealand (NZ BDM Ref 23393) in Manly, Sydney, NSW on 21 August 1900 (NSW BDM Ref 6525). Elizabeth was the fourth daughter of John Glen of Crosshill, Glasgow. It is not believed that they had children as the notice of his death in the newspapers in September 1928 refers only to a widow.

1902 - Colin and Margaret Robertson at his parent's 50th wedding arriversary

See this page for photographs of the children in 1902.

Colin and Margaret Robertson with baby Colin, on Colin Senior's parent's 50th anniversary in 1902

James Main Dixon in 1902.

1904 - Rev Colin Robertson travels to New Zealand

In early 1904, the Reverend Colin Robertson was invited to New Zealand from Victoria to occupy the pulpit in Whangarei for 6 months. On 8 April 1904, the family sailed from Melbourne to New Zealand on the SS Moeraki, arriving on 22 April 1904. Colin was received by the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand on 15 November 1904.

The family then travelled to Whangarei where Colin was inducted on 14 or 20 December 1904. The family was recorded in Whangarei on 3 May 1905. Their daughter, Bessie Glen Robertson, was born in that location. He resigned from that position on 15 March 1907 and returned to Australia, departing 2 September 1907 for Sydney.

On their return from New Zealand, the family arrived in Corryong on 4 January 1910. Colin was inducted at Corryong on 8 February 1910. The family left Corryong on 30 April 1913 and travelled to Moe, arriving on 23 May 1913. Colin was inducted at Trafalgar on 31 May 1913.

Colin Robertson and family around 1915. Back, L to R: Isabelle Croll Robertson, John Noel Robertson, Margaret Colina Robertson, William Gray Dixon Robertson, Jeannie Gray Robertson. Front, L to R: Colin James Dixon Robertson, Margaret Robertson (mother), George Colin Robertson (father), Bessie Glen Robertson

1916 - Billy, Noel and Jeannie go to World War 1

William ('Billy') Gray Dixon Robertson, his brother (John) Noel Robertson, and their sister Jeannie signed up for World War 1, along with their cousin John Charles Robertson. Go to this page for information about Billy's World War 1 experience. Billy and John appear in many photographs together (including in France) and Billy was John's best man at his wedding.

Billy Robertson and his cousin John Charles Robertson

Noel Robertson in France

Billy's brother Noel, who had been a clerk with the Victorian Railways at Spencer Street in Melbourne, and who was photographed at least twice in France, was killed in action in France on 14 April 1917.

Photographs of Billy at his brother Noel's grave in France in 1917

1920 - Colin's Ministry after World War 1

On 21 May 1920, Colin was inducted at Streatham. He left that location for Melbourne on 1 May 1926.

1924 - William Grey Dixon Robertson marries Henrietta (Rita) Templeton McErvale

On his return to Ceres from the war, William ('Billy' and 'Robbie') Robertson was a soldier settler and established a dairy farm.

William Grey Dixon Robertson married Henrietta (Rita) Templeton McErvale on 9 June 1924. The Camperdown Chronicle of 24 June 1924 ran the following article:

ORANGE BLOSSOM. ROBERTSON - McERVALE. A pretty rainbow wedding, which created much interest, took place in the Camperdown Presbyterian Church on June 9, when Mr. William G. D. Robertson, eldest son of the Rev. Colin and Mrs. Robertson, the Manse, Streatham, was married to Miss Henrietta (Rita) Templeton McErvale, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. I. McErvale, "Cummock," Chocolyn, Camperdown. The ceremony was performed by the father of the groom, assisted by the Rev. J. Gray Robertson of Camperdown, in the presence of a large gathering of relatives and friends. The church was tastefully decorated by friends of the bride with palms and white chrysanthe- nums and greenery. The bride, was given away by her father, wore an ivory brocaded charmant beauti elaborately trimmed with pearls and showing panels of accordeon pleated georgette, finished with pearl and brilliant girdle. The soft tulle veil was secured with two bands of orange blossom buds, with a cluster of flowers at each side, and she carried a shower bouquet of white carnations, pansies and heath, intermingled with maiden hair fern and asparagus fern. The bridesmaids were Miss Katherine McErvale (sister of the bride), who wore a delicate shade of blue brocaded moracain draped with cabuchous of flowers and silver lace, and carried a shower bouquet to match. Miss Margaret McErvale (sister of the bride) presented a pleasing contract in a coral brocaded marocain, and the twin sisters, Misses Edith and Jean, wore pale helio-trope crepe de chene frocks with tulle head dress to match. All the bouquets were supplied by Miss Sybil Nichols, St. Kilda, and the frocks designed and made by Misses Kitchen, Sydney road, Brunswick. Mr. Colin J. D. Robertson (brother of the groom) was best man, and Mr. Harry Simpson, of Surrey Hills, groomsman. Miss Burrell presided at the organ and rendered the "Wedding March." During the singing of the register, Mrs. J. Gray Robertson gave a splendid rendering of "Because." After the ceremony, Mr. and Mrs. McErvale entertained about 120 guests at "Cumnock." The guests were received by Mrs. McErvale, who wore a navy crepe de chene frock trimmed with jade oriental moracain and hat en suite. She carried a dainty boquet of flowers to match. Mrs. Colin Robertson looked becoming in a blue frock with a smart black hat, and carried a posy of seasonable flowers and autumn tinted leaves. The breakfast gathering was a very happy one, during which the usual toasts were honored. The Rev. J. Gray Robertson presided and proposed the toast of "The Bride and Bride-groom." Before the groom responded Mr. Murray Fleming, on behalf of the soldiers of Chocolyn, supported Mr. Robertson's remarks, and referred in Eulogistic terms of the service of the groom at the war and since his residence in Chocolyn. The bridegroom was warmly cheered and responded in a capable manner. Mr. Colin J. Robertson responded on behalf of the Bridesmaids, which toast was honored at the instance of the groom. Mr. W. Baird, Sparrowvale Farm, Geelong, proposed "The Bridegroom's Parents, " which was ably responded to by the Rev. Colin Robertson; and Mr. Wilson of Chocolyn, left nothing to be desired in the capable way in which he proposed the toast of "The Bride's Parents," Mr. McErvale briefly responded. Mr. W. C. Robertson, Geelong, called for honors to the ministers which was unanimously received and acknowledged by the Rev. J, Gray Robertson and the Rev. Colin Robertson. Subsequently Mr. and Mrs. Robertson left for Lorne on their honeymoon, prior to taking up residence at "Bariad" Camperdown. They were recipients of numerous handsome gifts, and the bridegroom's present to the bride was a gold wristlet watch. A social evening was held at "Cunnock" in the evening and was well attended by guests and numerous friends of the bride and bridegroom from the settlement. During the evening musical items were contributed by Mrs. J. Gray Robertson( solos) Rev. J. Gray Robertson(solos and duets with Mrs. Robertson), Miss Colina Robertson (solos) and Mr. Norman Royce (instrumental items).

In the mid 1930's, three of Colin and Henrietta's five children contracted polio in the epidemic which swept Victoria. William is remembered by his descendants as a colorful character who loved life, even though there were many difficult times. He milked well into his 70's and then lived amongst the families.

1930s - Colin and Margaret's Robertson's 50th Wedding Anniversary

The picture below shows Colin and Margaret on their 50th wedding anniversary in the 1930s.

Colin Robertson and family on their 50th wedding anniversary in the 1930s. Back Row L-R Edith Robertson, Ruth Conley, Hazel Spicer Roberton, Colin James Dixon Roberton, Henrietta McErvale Robertson, William Gray Dixon Robertson, Margaret Conley, Margaret Gray Dixon Robertson, Colina Conley, Fred Fairbank 2nd Row L-R Margaret (Colina) Robertson Brown, Stuart Conley, Jeanie Gray Robertson, Colin Robertson, Noel (John) Robertson, Margaret Robertson, Isabel Robertson Conley, Glen (Bessie Robertson Fairbank) holding Ken 3rd Row L-R Nina Brown (Elizabeth Colina Brown), Ron Fairbank, Norma Robertson, John Robertson, Gwenyth Robertson, Ian Fairbank, Bobbie Conley(Jessie Conley), Alex Fairbank Front Row L-R Wilma Robertson, Barbara Robertson, Catherine Robertson, Lloyd Fairbank, Dorothy Conley.

1949 - Death of Colin Robertson

Colin died on 15 August 1949. His death was noted on page 4 of the 16 August 1949 edition of the Advocate (Burnie, Tasmania) as follows:

MELBOURNE, Monday. - A week after his wife, Rev. Colin Robertson (93), thc oldest ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, died at his home in Jordan St., Malvern, today. Mr. Robertson was an old Geelong Collegian and Ormond College student. He was ordained in 1885, and held the parishes of Barrabool-Winchelsea and Cranbourne. He retired from the ministry, 20 years ago.

Page created 5 May 2014, updated 11 January 2021 (mostly information on the Dixon family). Copyright © 2021 Andrew Warland. (andrewwarland(at)gmail.com)