Typed notes mentioning the early pioneers of Bendigo Gold Mining. Some of them are: Messrs Ballerstedt, Wittschiebe, Luffsman, Roeder Lazarus, Kock, Hildebrandt, Bruhn,Miller, Annear, Wells, Rae,Jackson, Woodward, Sterry, Burrowes, Thorp, Heine, Holmes, Gould, Allen, Brooks, Watson and Geo Lansell. In 1911 a quartz crusher was unearthed in McCrae Street during excavations at the site of the new St.Kilian's Girls Club Rooms. It was used by the late Mr. James Irons. It was found at a depth of ten feet. Mr. Angus Kennedy, who believed that he manufactured the plant for Mr. Irons, said Mr. Irons used to crush very rich quartz from the Sheepshead Reef, south of the Big Blue Battery. Some years ago, a solid granite stone-crusher was seen at Diamond Hill. It was at the site of the old Diamond Hill Hotel. The Comet Reef was found by Mr. Driesslau, who found gold in an outcrop when he was shooting parrots. Also mentioned is the tunnel that goes right through Diamond Hill.document, gold, mining in bendigo, mining in bendigo, unearthed quartz crusher, messrs ballerstedt, wittschiebe, luffsman, roeder lazarus, kock, hildebrandt, bruhn, miller, annear, wells, rae, jackson, woodward, sterry, burrowes, thorp, heine, holmes, gould, allen, brooks, watson, geo lansell, bendigo advertiser april 28th 1911, st kilian's girls' club rooms, mr james irons, mr angus kennedy, sheepshead reef, big blue battery, diamond hill hotel, victoria proprietary ltd., comet reef, mr driesslau, diamond hill tunnel

BHS CollectionBlack and white photo of the squared oregon poppet legs , braces, wooden cage framework, guides for the skids and safety clamps of the cages of the Hercules Mine. Beside the photo is a printed description of the photo. In the bottom right corner is a printed description titled Interior of a Mine Battery. Written above it is Kocks Pioneer. Inside View of Kock's Battery. There is no photo. Descriptions and photo are mounted on pale blue paper which is then mounted on brown card and laminated.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - hercules mine & inside view of kock's battery, sheepshead line of reef, kock's pioneer, lincoln mine, lansell's big blue battery, quartz hill, whiffly tables, the chinese

Albert Richardson was a mining historian who wrote widely on the mines of the Bendigo Goldfield. The park opposite the Goldmines Hotel in Marong Road, is named in his honour. Five page document, hand written by Albert Richardson on lined foolscap and edited with cross-outs and insertions, . The mines along the Hustlers line of reef and the Sheepshead line of reef are described. Mines listed on Hustlers line of reef: Fortuna Hustlers (1888 - 1913), shaft 2,240 feet at rear of Buckell and Jeffrey's offices; Royal Hustlers Reserve No. 2 - two shafts 'City" 860 feet, now covered by R.S.L. building Pall Mall, steel poppet legs 60 ft high and 'Park Shaft" at rear of Camp Hill School, 1,775 feet, steel poppet legs 60 feet high; Hustlers Hill Group first worked by Jonathan Harris in 1853 and bounded by Valentine, Anderson and Ironbark Creek to the north and Milroy Street to the east, one of first areas worked for quartz reefing. It with Garden Gully line west and Victoria Hill Ironbark, formed by far the richest cross section of the Bendigo Goldfield. Great Extended Hustlers (1865-1921) close to intersection of Anderson Street and Hustlers Road, mullock heap against road and shored up around shaft, steel poppet legs now at Wattle Gully mine, Chewton, large winding machine, air compressor south of shaft and 36 head crushing battery. Hustlers Reef (Old Hustlers) and Hustlers Reef No. 1, two shafts, main 2,210 feet, about 220 yards east of Moran Street and against Fenton Street. , No. 1 shaft 1,140 feet and about 155 yards east of Moran Street. Lansell's Comet, Lightining Hill line, 2.100 feet, on Comet Hill approx 70 yards west of Holmes Road, near Comet Creek, steel poppet legs. United Hustlers and Redan (1876-1918), main Redan, 1,830 feet about 155 yards west of Sandhurst Roead, in line with Comet Hill State School, this hill known as Redan Hill. North, or New Hustlers, once known as Agnew Hustlers, wooden poppet legs, south side, Kneebone Street, Eaglehawk. Derby line, Johnson's No. 3, South Johnson's (east shaft of Collman and Tacchi) 439 feet on west wide of Woods Street, south of Wetherall Street. Paddy's Gully Line, south to north, some shafts - Lansell's 'Sandhurst" ('Needle") Eaglehawk Road shaft 2,425 feet, about 50 yards east of Needle Loops, a brick square sided chimney with Cleopatra Needle top. British American, 789 feet, just south of Holdsworth Road. Collman and Tacchi, main shaft 2,588 feet, 60 yards west of Eaglehawk Road, California Gully. Deborah Line of Reef, The Deborah (1932-1954) shaft 2.017 feet, west of Adams Road and south of Abel Street, Quarry Hill. North Deborah (1937 - 1954) shaft 1,151 feet, Breen Street, Quarry Hill, steel poppet legs. Central Deborah (1939-1954) shaft 1,347 feet Sheepshead line of reef, Lansell's South Red, White and Blue, shaft 2,124 feet, north east of Bellevue Road and 220 yards east of Adams Road. The New Red, White and Blue Consolidated (Big Blue) main shaft 2,416 feet. Lansell's Bendigo Battery 105 head, north of 'Big Blue" on his freehold lease, commenced crushing on 24th February 1895. After closing was erected as the Showground's Industrial Hall, July 1926. North Red, White and Blue, burnt down February 1926, new company 1934, closed 1938. Document is part of the Albert Richardson Collection of Bendigo mining history. bendigo, gold mining, deborah line of reef, sheepshead line of reef, hustlers line of reef, royal hustlers reserve mine, hustlers hill group of mines, great extended hustlers, hustlers reef no. 1, lightning hill line, old comet, collman and tacchi, lansell's comet, north deborah, central deborah, dhrrpdhrsf linr og trrg, new red, white and blue consolidated mine, big blue, lansell's bendigo battery, north red, white and blue mine, albert richardson collection

The Bendigo Goldfield ...Introduction to Field. Compiled by A. Richardson. Mentioned are the Deborah Line of Reef, The Sheepshead Line, The Nell Gwynne Line and The Carshalton Line of Reef. Mines mentioned are: The Deborah, The North Deborah, Central Deborah, The New Red White and Blue Consolidated (Big Blue), North Red White and Blue, Central Red white and Blue, Little 180, South Ironbark, Ironbark, Hercules, Central Nell Gwynne and The New Chum Syncline. Lansell's Bendigo Battery is also mentioned. There is a short description of each mine, depth. location, machinery, Gold yield, Dividends and Calls. Closing date of some (some closed as a result of fire). Also mentioned is the postal service and the establishment of cemeteries at Bendigo, White Hills, Eaglehawk and Kangaroo Flat.Albert Richardsonbendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - the bendigo goldfield...introduction to field, a richardson, new chum railway mine, the dascombe nugget, the victoria nugget, r r haverfield, ballerstadt, rae, wittscheibe, lazarus, cave and amos, geo lansell, the old chum, victoria, specimen, hustlers, bendigo amalgamated goldfields, bendigo mines limited, nell gwynne, napoleon, carshalton, the deborah, roberts & sons, the north deborah, williams' united, central deborah, lansell's south red white & blue, the new red white and blue consolidated (big blue), union, h harkness & co, thompson & co, lansell's bendigo battery, showgrounds industrial hall, north red white and blue, central red white and blue, little 180, john brown knitwear factory, south ironbark, victoria consols east shaft, ironbark, manchester arms hotel, unity mine, wattle gully mine chewton, hercules, hercules and energetic, bendigo amalgamated goldfields coy, long gully post office, the old wheal owl, central nell gwynne, gold mines hotel, bendigo city council, mr jack barker, bendigo and district tourist association, the new chum syncline, courier of the mines newspaper, camp hill school, sandhurst east post office, bendigo cemetery, white hills cemetery, eaglehawk cemetery, kangaroo flat cemetery

Brochure with an invitation to visit Historical and Mining Museum in Mechanic's Institute, Eaglehawk. Drawing of poppet legs on the front with The Royal Historical Society of Victoria Bendigo Branch. Historical Guide to Bendigo including Self Tours of Bendigo's Famous Goldfields. Forward by John Hattam. Contributors are: H Biggs, Miss L J Parry, A Richardson, L C Bennetts and Edith Checcucci. Credits - The Bendigo Advertiser, Cambridge Press, Mines Department (Bendigo) and J R W Purves. Items include Bendigo Tramways Compiled by H Biggs, Early Bendigo Hotels Compiled by L C Bennetts, Eaglehawk Compiled by H Biggs, Noted Events Compiled by June Parry, The Bendigo Post Office Compiled by LC Bennetts, The Bendigo Goldfield. Introduction to Field and Guide to Some Famous Mines Compiled by A Richardson. Photos include: Pall Mall Bendigo, Ravenswood Homestead, An Early Battery at Kangaroo Flat, Historic High Street Golden Square, The Lonely Grave, Battery Tram c1888, Steam Tram c1892, Electric Tram c1903, The New Chum Railway Golden Square, United Hustlers and Redan Mine Sandhurst Road, Central Deborah Violet Street, Deborah Mine Quarry Hill, Deborah Mine 1000 ft level, First Motion Winding Engine at Central Deborah, Victoria Hill Area, and Looking south from New Chum Hill in 1890's. Also 11010.254, 255, 268, 288a, 288b, and 289.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - historical guide to bendigo, the royal historical society of victoria bendigo branch, historical and mining museum, mechanic's institute eaglehawk, librarian mechanic's institute, miss j parry, john hattam, h biggs, a richardson, l c bennetts, edith checcucci, bendigo advertiser, cambridge press, mines department (bendigo), j r w purves, mr a o'keefe, shire of marong, the sandhurst and eaglehawk tramway company, mr j taylor, mr j hanson, the bendigo tramway company, electric supply company, coliban water suply, juvenile industrial exhibition, geo lansell, cr a harkness, salvation army, vine and fruitgrowers association, decentralisation league, constable thomas ryan, miners association, art gallery, post office, miss broadfoot, bendigo hospital, opera company, bendigo development league, victorian women's franchise league, ana hall, the bendigonian, law courts, temperance hall, trades hall (old wardens court), roman catholic cathedral, shamrock hotel, bendigo philosophical society, old bendigonian society, bendigo fire brigade, bendigo volunteers to south african war, hawkins, porcupine inn, criterion hotel, royal hotel, bendigo hotel, black swan hotel, gillies bakery, hibernian hotel, sandhurst hotel, freemasons hotel, courthouse hotel, shamrock hotel, governor hotham, heffernan & crowley, new chum railway, victoria quartz, shenandoah, shamrock mine, hercules no 1 (originally pearl east), hercules new chum (late pearl), carlisle mine, mr arblaster, meurer, sandhurst bee, benevolent asylum, bendigo gas company, a lloyd, coliban water supply scheme, cr w v simons, eaglehawk council, j mouat, sir henry barkly, agricultural and horticultural exhibition, sandhurst and eaglehawk boroughs, cr john mcintyre, latham and watson's mine, galatea (model ship), st paul's church of england, rev g p despard, fine arts exhibition and exposition, bendigo rifle association, strathfieldsaye shire hall, corporate high school, bendigonian society, richard andrews, easter fair, g aspinall, j burnsides, sir h manners sutton, beehive stores, mining exchanges, bendigo water works, city family hotel, bendigo united friendly society medical institute and dispensary, benevolent asylum, jewish synagogue, masonic hall, school of mines, mr j h abbott, australian natives association, royal princess theatre, albion hall, central state school, high school, gravel hill state school, electricity commission, james mouat, warring natives, the rocks, joseph crook, gold discovery, marong district roads board, camp hotel, mr charles sherratt, city of bendigo, mt alexander north run, grice and heape, ravenswood, gibson and fenton, mrs john kennedy, mrs patrick farrel, mr j a paton, mr lachlan mclachlan, theatre royal, sir charles and lady hotham, harney's bridge, e j ennor, sandhurst fire brigade, the health of towns act, mr townsend, cornish & co, bendigo pottery, bendigo agricultural society, pike or pyke, baby health centre, sandhurst post office, government survey office, sandhurst trustees company, mr h b briston, savings bank, telegraph office, sir henry brougham lock, hon sir john nimmo, sandhurst public offices, the new prince of wales mine, new prince of wales no 2, the whip and jersey, lansell's big 180, new chum and victoria mine and battery, new chum railway, koch's pioneer, south new moon, catherine reef united, new moon, virginia mine, south belle vue, new chum railway, central nell gwynne, north nell gwynne, ironbark mine, new chum syncline, hercules, herculesl energetic, roberts & sons, harkness & co, horwoods, great southern, ulster, carlisle, cornish, new st mungo, duchess tribute, south devonshire, hopewell mine, saxby mine, mcnair & co, mr king, bourke and wills, sandhurst hotel, the dascombe nugget, victoria nugget, r r haverfield, ballerstedt, rae, wittscheibe, lazarus, cave and amos, bendigo amalgamated goldfields, bendigo mines limited, the deborah, north deborah, central deborah, the new red white and blue consolidated (big blue), union, lansell's new red white and blue 9later no 3 shaft), h harkness & co, thompson & co, central deborah, lansell's bendigo battery, north red white and blue, central red white and blue, roberts and sons, little 180 (originally lansell's 180 no 2 shaft), john brown knitwear factory, south ironbark originally victoria consols east shaft, ironbark (originally ironbark east shaft), manchester arms hotel, wattle gully mine chewton, hercules, old wheal-owl, central nell gwynne, gold mines hotel, bendigo city council, jack barker, the new chum syncline, the courier of the mines, telegraph office, bendigo cemetery, white hills cemetery, eaglehawk cemetery, kangaroo flat cemetery, new moon, suffolk united, north new moon, fortuna hustlers, buckell & jeffrey's, royal hustlers reserve no 2 (city and park shafts), jonathan harris, latham and watson, great hustlers, great extended hustlers, j hustler, latham, watson, tribute or pups shaft, bendigo's worst mining disaster, hustlers reef (old hustlers), hustlers reef no 1, lansell's comet, the old comet (cooper's claim), united hustlers and redan, comet hill state school, k k shaft, north or new hustlers (agnew hustler), johnson's no 3, south johnson's, lansell's sandhurst needle, cleopatra needle top, british american, collman and tacchi, south virginia, saddle reefs and spurs, pall mall bendigo, ravenswood homestead, an early battery at kangaroo flat, historic high street golden square, the lonely grave, battery tram c1888, steam tram c1892, electric tram c1903, teh new chum railway golden square, united hustlers and redan mine sandhurst road, central deborah violet street, deborah mine quarry hill, deborah mine 1000 ft level, first motion winding engine at central deborah, victoria hill area, looking south from new chum hill in 1890's

Printed notes titled Batteries. Mentions crushing batteries and stampers, how the gold was extracted and how gold was recovered. Disposal of the sand is also mentioned and the great areas of sand dumps around the mines. Some sand areas mentioned are the Bih Blue area, Carlisle area and the Moon, Virginia and Catherine areas.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - batteries, crushing battery, windmill, whiffly tables, big blue area, carlisle area, moon area, virginia area, catherine area, bendigo goldfield

The New Red White and Blue Mine, Sheepshead line of reef, was located in Thistle Street, Golden Square. It was also known as the 'Big Blue'. The mine was formed in 1888, by the amalgamation of the Union and New Red White and Blue. The area of the claim was 32 acres; 781 yards along the line of reef. The main shaft was one of the largest on the field. It had a tall set of steel poppet legs, with a big slope at the front. High landing brace connected to crushing battery close to engine house. The main shaft was the original 'Union" (Albert Richardson notes) and the No. 3 shaft the old New Red White and Blue. Two-page document plus map showing location of the New Red, White and Blue Consolidated mine on the Sheepshead Line of Reef. Information on the mine is given in the following areas: location plant, early history, its role as a leading mine, its prominence, its closure, gold production. References are provided. Document forms part of research referred to in Albert Richardson's paper 2264.70.bendigo, mining, new red white and blue mine

BHS CollectionYellow and white patterned, spring back Spirax Students No. 594 Note Book containing extracts from mining Catalogues loaned by Mr. Dyett (J. H. Curnow's). Mines mentioned include Ramrod Gold Mine, Hercules No. 1, Central Blue, South Virginia Extended, Alfords Battery, South New Moon,The Gold Mine Clunes, Guildford Plateau, Big Blue, Spring Gully Mine at Chewton, Eureka Central at Chewton, Bdgo Amalg. Goldfields Limited, Koch's Air Station, Cornish Mine, Carlisle Battery, Victory & Pandora Mine, Garden Gully, Londonderry Mine, Princess Dagmar, Golden Age, Suffolk United, Virginia South Extended, South Red White & Blue, Pitfield Plains Glenfine South Shaft, Adelong Dredge & Leases, Bright Valley Dredge, North Chewton (Chewton), Talbot Alluvials Norbury's No. 2 Shaft, Gordon Gold Mine Inglewood, Post Office Hill Mine Chewton, Carlisle & Whittaker Plant Maldon, Bunninyong, Yandoit Mine, North Chewton, Golden Transverse Bdgo, Yandoit Co., Chapman's Gold Mine Chewton, Ross Creek Extended G. M. Coy (Ballarat).book, bendigo, mining auction sales, auction sales mining catalogue auction sales, j h curnow, mr dyett, a richardson, ramrod gold mine, hercules no. 1, central blue, south virginia extended, alfords battery, south new moon, the gold mine clunes, guildford plateau, big blue, spring gully mine at chewton, eureka central at chewton, bdgo amalg. goldfields limited, koch's air station, cornish mine, carlisle battery, victory & pandora mine, garden gully, londonderry mine, princess dagmar, golden age, suffolk united, virginia south extended, south red white & blue, pitfield plains glenfine south shaft, adelong dredge & leases, bright valley dredge, north chewton (chewton), talbot alluvials norbury's no. 2 shaft, gordon gold mine inglewood, post office hill mine chewton, carlisle & whittaker plant maldon, bunninyong, yandoit mine, north chewton, golden transverse bdgo, yandoit co., chapman's gold mine chewton, ross creek extended g. m. coy (ballarat).

Blue, black & white Woolstar exercise book with black & white check pattern to the left and a world globe over the top. Name on the front: A Richardson. Written on the front: Mining Catalogue Auction Sales. Book contains Lot numbers and description for auction sales at various mines. Mines mentioned are: Central Blue Gold Mine 19/2/42, Big Blue 23/11/1938, South Blue, Hercules Consols 19/2/1942, South Virginia 19/2/42, New Prince of Wales 5/2/48, Golden Carshalton G M 19/12/1957, North Virginia 3/5/57, North Nell Gwynne 25/2/53, South Shaft Diamond Hill, New Don 21/10/48, Sheepshead Battery Site 21/10/48, Forbes Carshalton 9/7/47, South Virginia 9/7/47, East Clarence 31/8/49?, Deborah Surplus Equipment 31/8/49, Deborah No 2 Shaft, North Deborah 31/8/49, Hercules Main Shaft 19/6/1950, Stanfield Shaft 20/6/1950, United Crushing Coy Battery (Unity Carlisle) 20/6/1950, Toolleen Gold Mine 23/2/1950, Ironbark Gold Mine 6/10/49, Ironbark South 1/12/49, Hercules New Chum 1/12/49, Great Southern Gold Mine 10/4/47, New Chum Syncline 2/3/1950, Deborah Associated 19/4/195? And the Deborah Consolidated 19/4/1950. Further information of Bendigo Mines from The Gold Mining Registry Guide to Bendigo Mines by H Kirkwood, Eaglehawk. Published by W. Welch. Mines include Lazarus New Chum Reg'd & Lazarus New Chum No 1, Princess Alexandra, Ellenborough, Trio-Hauling Coy, South Catherine Reef G. M. C., Princess Alice, Central Catherine Co,Cravens New Chum Co N. L., Garibaldi Mining and Crushing Co, Williams United, Catherine Reef Claimholders G. M. N. L., New Chum & Victoria Reef, Johnsons (Garden Gully) Line, United Ulster, Garden Gully Rly Reserve, South Ulster, Ulster and Cosmopolitan Coys, Golden Gate and Lansell'sBig 180. Some information on the Moon Mines 24/6/67 South New Moon, New Moon, Nth New Moon and New Moon Consolidated.In the reverseof the book is some information on the Lazarus New Chum Mine, Lazarus No 1 and Lazarus Mines. Also mentioned are New Chum Rly and Victoria Quartz. In 1895 a large gold bearing reef in Lazarus at 3000 feet. Also Some extracts from E. C. Dunn's Report 13/8/92 on the Lazarus Mine Old Shaft and Lazarus Main Shaft at various depths. Book not located on 6.3.25. Typed notes from book are in folder.book, bendigo, mining auction sales, auction sales, mining catalogue auction sales, a richardson, central blue g m, big blue, south blue, hercules consols, south virginia, new prince of wales, golden carshalton g m, north virginia, north nell gwynne, south shaft diamond hill, new don, sheepshead battery site, forbes carshalton, south virginia, east clarence, deborah, deborah no 2 shaft, north deborah, hercules main shaft, stanfield shaft, united crushing coy battery (unity carlisle), toolleen gold mine - toolleen, ironbark gold mine, ironbark south, hercules new chum, great southern gold mine, new chum syncline, deborah associated, deborah consolidated, j h curnow, miss kirkwood, the gold mining registry guide to bendigo mines, h kirkwood, w welch, lazarus new chum no 1, mr g armstrong, princess alexandra, h hectmann, ellenborough, amos arblaster, trio hauling coy, catherine reef g m c, w burnside, st mungo reef, princess alice, central catherine co, big catherine, belmont, cravens new chum co n l, wm w barker, c edwards, ellesmere, garibaldi mining and crushing co, henry von der heyde, w martin, williams united, wm cook, john chynowth, catherine reef claimholders g m n l, churchill davidson, edgar l rosman, new chum and victoria reef, johnsons (garden gully) line, united ulster, james mccoll, james quick, garden gully reserve, south ulster, ulster and cosmopolitan coys, golden gate, geo lansell's big 180, signal of a mine, mr langridge, e clarke, j hattam, a llewelly, n murray, a richardson, new moon, nth new moon, new moon consolidated, lazarus new chum, lazarus no 1, new chum rly, victoria quartz, lazarus, e c dunn

Handwritten extracts and typed copies of same, from the New Chum Railway Mine Manager's Report 17/2/03. Mine Manager W Hicks. Extracts: Machinery. New Boiler is giving every satisfaction. While bailing water after the Xmas holidays, one of the ropes broke with a full tank of water. The tank being fitted with safety appliances, acted. Therefore no damage was done to the shaft. The old ropes were taken off and replaced by two new ones of 2,500 feet each, with a breaking strain of 34 tons. Mine 7 machinery are all in good working order. 1925 - Portion of Cath. Reef battery sold to Big Blue. Albert Richardson Collectiondocument, gold, new red white & blue mine, new red white & blue mine, new red white & blue mine manager's report 17/2/03, w hicks, cath reef battery

BHS CollectionTyped copy and two handwritten copies of index to mining slides per Bob Aulsbrook, 30.12.69 and Ian Hendry.document, gold, mining in bendigo, mining in bendigo, names of mining slides, bob aulsbrook, ian hendry, new chum railway, healthy golden bendigo, lansells 222, lansell's fortuna, old chum mine, from new chum hill, to victoria hill, plan of leases on victoria hill 1859, lansell's big 180, bendigo & vicinity, victoria quartz, wm rae's crushing machine, hercules & energetic, mungo mines, united devonshire, mungo group & devonshire mines 1888, catherine reef united, garden gully united, knipe;s castle, old carlisle, nth garden & passby, koch's pioneer quartz crushing battery, great northern mine, virginia mine, specimen hill, new argus, south new moon, new moon, big blue mine, eadie's whim & central blue mine, fortuna hustlers, pictorial photos of victorian views, hustler's royal reserve mine - city, extended hustler's freehold - looking south, great extended hustlers, hustlers reef mine, central nell gwynne, cornish boiler, lancashire boiler, wannan's e'drivers guide, winding engine - new moon, 20 drill air compressor - new moon 1904, engine at virginia crushing battery, lansell's 105 head crushing battery, deeble's pyrites works, miner at central deborah, level at 1045 feet at new moon, boring on a reef at catherine reef, deborah mine 1000 ft level, mines dep't melb & bendigo, engine beds lansell's big 180, new hustlers, rae's open cut, ballerstedt's first open cut, 3 of early days of bendigo, geo lansell

Abraham Roberts (1819-1897), ironfounder, was born on 13 July 1819 in Cornwall, England, son of Abraham Roberts, blacksmith, and his wife Mary, née Pentreath. Nothing is known of his education and early training but it is likely that he served an engineering apprenticeship and worked in engineering workshops in Cornwall. Undoubtedly he observed much machinery among the tin mines of Cornwall and absorbed the principles of sound engineering design and high-grade workmanship, which bore fruit in his later years in Sandhurst (Bendigo). On 19 August 1841 he married Elizabeth Tonkin at the parish church at Paul, Cornwall. Roberts arrived on Bendigo in 1853 with his family and engaged in gold-prospecting, then about 1861 opened the United Iron Works, a small engineering shop in Williamson Street, making forge and hand tools. With expansion the business moved to Mitchell Street, until by 1880 it absorbed an entire block covering three acres (1.2 ha) in the heart of the town and employed nearly two hundred men. Three of his sons, William, Abraham and Arthur, helped to run A. Roberts & Sons. As well as being a skilful and enterprising engineer, Roberts was a shrewd businessman, who anticipated that the market for machinery on the local goldfields would diminish, and widened the sphere of his activities accordingly. Though the requirements of the mining industry maintained the firm, no class of foundry work was ignored. Roberts secured orders for machinery for the two major Broken Hill mines and built steam winding engines for several Western Australian mines, as well as undertaking orders for machinery in South Africa and New Zealand. He introduced poppet-heads constructed of steel to the Bendigo goldfield and the 105-head stamp battery for Lansell's Big Blue mine was the largest quartz-crushing battery in Australia at that time. The pair of steam winding engines built by his works for the Hustler's Royal Reserve Co. were the largest on the Bendigo field. The company also carried out steamship repairs, bridgework and many important railway contracts and in 1891 supplied the largest outlet valves in Victoria at Laanecoorie weir.Two photographs in black and white of the picnic for employees of Messrs A. Roberts and Sons in 1897. Photographs are mounted on piece of red cardboard. A. Roberts and Sons owned a foundry that was established in 1865. The event was noted in the Bendigo Advertiser on 18 March 1901.'1897' in ink top right hand corner.bendigo, foundry, roberts and sons, picnic, 1897