Family background
Robert Broad was born about 1830. His marriage and offspring have not been determined. The death of a Robert Broad is recorded at Sydney in 1888, aged 58. A Robert Broad who died at Newtown in 1881, father Robert, mother Fanny, may have been his son.
Occupation & interests
On 21 February 1831, Mr and Mrs Broad and their four children arrived in Sydney as assisted immigrants on the Sovereign from Plymouth. In December 1833, Robert Broad advertised drapery and millinery for sale. By April 1834, he was selling dress materials and drapery at Macdonald’s Buildings in George Street. By 1840, Broad had acquired land at Burwood. He was a victim of the 1840s depression and in April 1842, he offered for sale the whole of his stock of drapery at reduced prices. He was unable to pay his debts and on 21 May 1844, his estate was placed in the hands of the Trustee. Broad appears to have survived this setback as he was advertising as a draper at Haymarket House, George and Sussex streets in 1851 and at 649 George Street, Brickfield Hill, in 1859. He bought into the Kingston subdivision of Newtown in 1863, his address from 1867 to at least 1877 being Albermarle Street, North Kingston, Newtown. Robert Broad was a Freemason and was a steward of Lodge Australia No 548 in June 1837.
Local government service
Broad was a Councillor of the City of Sydney from 1 November 1852 until 21 December 1853 when the Council was replaced by a Commission.
References
City of Sydney Archives: Aldermen’s Files
State Records of NSW: Bounty Index; Insolvency Files