People Australia

George William Robinson had been a sealer on the American brig "General Gates" in 1818. The vessel was engaged in an extended sealing voyage to the southern oceans but by August 1822 when it arrived in Hobart for repairs it was clear that the Captain had no intention of returning to the United States. Robinson successfully applied to Lieutenant Govenor William Sorell for permission to stay in the colony. He gained a position with the Hobart merchant firm of Charlton, McCloud and company and on the 7 July 1823, in Hobart, he married Elizabeth Presnell. His father-in-law William Presnell was a successful carter and brewer and provided Robinson with an entree into those businesses and also to farming. Presnell gave him 50 acres of land at New Norfolk (Longford) and was granted 200 acres on which he intended to grow tobacco. Between 1825 and the end of 1826 he owned and operated the schooner "Hunter". He also had hotel licenses, including the "Eagle Tavern" at Argyle Street in Hobart and in 1832 the "Lovely Banks Inn" lying north of Hobart on the main road to Launceston where he was also the postmaster. He owned the "Black Snake Inn" at Granton north of Hobart from 1832 until 1837 and operated a coaching service from Hobart to New Norfolk.