R. C. Burton

[AndrewCrouch]

I'm looking for the definitive first name for this gentleman, preferably from a referenced source.

Andrew Peake's list says Robert Charles Burton, but I notice a labourer Robert Charles Burton listed in the 1869 Goyder surveys, so wonder whether perhaps the wires have been crossed there - the likelihood of two men with both forenames identical is not great.

[stephen.g-s]

Andrew, RC Burton appears in the December 1877 list of Bonuses which is obviously where Andrew Peake found his name.
This does not answer your question about his first name. He was an overseer so presumably experienced. I'll see if he appears elsewhere. Family notices in trove are where one might find first names quoted! Todd only sometimes quoted first names but worth searching

Stephen

[stephen.g-s]

There is mention of one Richard F Burton in a court case of 5 April 1873. It's about the failed contracts at the top end

Trove article 159468819.

This Burton was an OT worker. I haven't worked out his position

Stephen

[AndrewCrouch]

Hi Stephen,

There are many references to R.C. Burton as he was involved as an overseer through both phases of the northern project, but of course that doesn't help.

I did search Trove without success. I asked Stuart Traynor last week as I saw that he had used 'Richard' in his book. He told me that an NT researcher by the name of Chris Torlach had identified that name years ago, and that their papers were now in the NT archives.

Your court reference also supports 'Richard', since R.C. Burton was the second in charge to William McMinn, and would likely have been involved in the case between Darwent & Dalwood and the SA Government over the cancelled contract. Curious though that the second initial there was 'F'.

So I will go with Richard and not worry too much about the second initial.

Thanks,

Andrew