Robert Hosie Hepburn, Free Settler "Greenock" 1828

OBITUARY. MR ROBERT HEPBURN. - Launceston Examiner - Saturday 29 August 1891

Yesterday the funeral of another old colonist, the ranks of whom are becoming fearfully thinned by the "fell arrest of death," took place at Launceston, Mr Robert Hepburn, well known in the Swan- port district as owner of the estate of Bellbrook, having passed over to the ma- jority on August 26, in his 69th year. His father, the late Captain Hepburn, R.N., saw considerable active service in the navy, and having retired from the service in 1828, arrived in Tasmania, where he was widely respected. He received the usual officer's grant of 2560 acres at Roy's Hill, St. Paul's, from Colonel Arthur, the lately deceased gentleman being then about five years old. Mr Hepburn was engaged in pastoral pur- suits first with his now only surviving brother, Mr James Hepburn, at Swanwick, and afterwards until recently at Bellbrook, and though always taking an intelligent interest in public matters was never pro- minent in them. For his kindliness and unestentatious hospitality he was well known, and he will be much regretted on the East Coast for his many good qualities. As he was in early manhood when the most exciting incidents of the native war and the bushranging period occurred, Mr. Hepburn could relate many an interesting passage of the troubles of that time. The deceased was twice married, first to the youngest daughter of Dr. Cameron, of Fordon, and secondly to a daughter of Mr. J. P. Mitchell, of Swansea (who survives him), and leaves a family of 13 children.