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

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