Daniel Robertson
Georgene Bramlage would like to know whether the Daniel Roberston described by Olda FitzGerald in Irish Gardens as a ‘landscape gardener’ who ‘fully restored the Killruddery garden in 1846, during the eleventh Earl’s occupation’, is the same person as the ‘architect’ who ‘introduced the Italianate style’ to Ireland at Johnston Castle, Castelboro, Powerscourt and Killruddery (a balustrade) mentioned in A History of Gardening in Ireland by Kenneth Lamb & Patrick Bowe. Is he also the Daniel Robertson described as an “architect who worked with Robert Adam in Oxford” in a Wikipedia article?
Georgina would also like to know if the ‘commission to design stone balustrading for a terrace at Killruddery…’ stated in A History of Gardening in Ireland by Kenneth Lamb & Patrick Bowe (footnote refers to Killruddery manuscripts) was ever completed?
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9 Comments » 
It is the same Daniel Robertson working at Killruddery and Powerscourt, but he is not the ‘architect who worked with Robert Adam …’ – he is probably that architect’s son [Colvin perhaps confuses the two as one man] and died in 1849
January 2010:
I can add that this Daniel Robertson at Killruddery and Powerscourt is also the same man who undertook work at the Royal Chapel at Kew in 1822 and around Kew in 1822-25 before moving on to projects at Oxford – and the bankruptcy courts
Hi
I am an Australian great great great grandson of Daniel Robertson and would be interested in any information on Daniel. Daniel had a an architect son, Henry Robertson, who migrated to New South Wales in 1833. Daniel certainly seems to have had links with the Adams family.
Geoff Robertson
I should appreciate hearing from Geoff Robertson who identifies himself as an Australian great great great grandson of Daniel Robertson whose son Henry Robertson emigrated to New South Wales in 1833:
the Daniel Robertson who married Amelia Helen Clarke in 1808 and died in 1849 did not have a son Henry
In response to Stephen Massil. I do not have direct evidence that I am related to Daniel Robertson and any further information that you have would be appreciated. My information is as follows: My great great grandfather, Henry Robertson, according to his death certificate, had a father called Daniel. Henry was born in England 1802. He married Harriet Hillary on 15 May 1826, in Battersea Surrey. He, his wife and three children (more added later) came to Australia in 1833. Henry who was an architect was said to have been taught his trade by his father.
Did you ever find out the answer to this?
- Will
Stephen Massil and I have had many communications now and through him I have learn a lot about Daniel Robertson Esq. He had a flourishing practice in England but then things turned sour and he appears never to have worked in England after about 1830 or so. Then he had his well known career in Ireland. However, he seems to have kept a base in England. He married in 1807 to an Amelia Clarke, herself from a well know family. There has been some discussion about whether this Daniel Robertson was the same Daniel Robertson who was brother to Alexander. Daniel and Alexander seem to be first mentioned as working on the English wharves in 1800. It is clear that Daniel Robertson Esq. was closely related to Alexander who is at his wedding etc. Daniel Robertson Esq. could have been my GGGrandfather but his first partner/spouce/wife would have to be Harriet Hilary.
My great great grandfather was Henry Robertson, born in 1802 (or thereabouts) whose parents were Daniel Robertson, architect, and Harriet Hilary. Strangely, Henry married a Harriet Hillary – this suggests that his wife was related to him. They had three children in England before migrating to Australia in 1833. He seems to have many personal characteristics in common with Daniel.
According to evidence before a NSW Legislative Council Committee given by Henry, he says that he was taught by his father and uncle and by Phillip Wyatt, artcitect. The father and uncle combination is supporting evidence for Daniel and Alexander. I have learnt from other sources that Phillip and Alexander were connected in some of their business dealings.
There remains some question as to whether there are one or two Daniels. Hopefully Stephen may unearth further evidence on this. if there were separate people, they were closely related.
Just to say that no-one worked with Robert Adam in Oxford – Adam did not work in Oxford and Wikipedia and a host of other hangers-on are in deep repetitive error about this
Hello Stephen,
I am hoping that you will be able to help us, we now own Wells House, Wells Gorey and it was built by Daniel Robertson, we wish to restore the gardens and open them to the public and in time we also wish to restore the house.
We are looking for plans for the gardens and any other information you may have.
We would also like to invite you down to Wells.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Regards
Sabine