A handsome country farmhouse stood on the road between St Leonards and Killafaddy, on the left side overlooking the North Esk when the area was known as Paterson’s Plains. Named Sidbury, it was the residence of Mr Robert Manley who came to the colony from England on the Magnet in 1828. He married Miss Anne Hodgkinson possibly from Shropshire, in 1836 at St John’s Church, Launceston, Van Diemen’s Land. It is a curious thing that in Shropshire, England there is a village named Sidbury. There is also a village named Sidbury near Launceston in Cornwall, England. Robert and Anne had four children: Anne Maria who died from croup at six months; Robert, Annie and Charles Edward. Robert Manley senior’s fortunes declined, he was declared insol…
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