Arthur Edward ROUT [10592]

  General Notes:

Albert's grandfather was William Rout.

information sent to me via private message from JonathanMathys292 via Ancestry.com.au on May 26 2016 as follows:-

William Rout was born in Deptford, 1790 and migrated to Hobart with his first wife Lucy in 1835. He became quite well off in Tassie and was a founding member (one of 12) of the Anti Transportation League that in 1853 achieved what its name suggests.

The League had a banner which is the same as today's Australian flag but without the large 6 pointed star (which represents the states); The League also changed the name for Van Diemen's Land to Tasmania and secured self government for Tasmania from England. All three events (i.e. self government, name change and cessation of Transportation) occurred on 10th August 1853 which became "Tasmania Day".

That day in 1853 was celebrated across the colony with many town parades and nearly every town lit a large fire that night. The celebration never lasted however because the newly formed Tasmanian government did not want to give the impression they were celebrating freedom from England who was still very much their master, and so Tasmania Day was suppressed and has become lost in history. Nothing has ever been written about William Rout and so he too became lost in history. My interest started because Rout built himself a country residence in Newtown (an old suburb walking distance from Hobart City). The residence contains an ancient tower at one end which Rout built as a monument of love to his second wife (26 years his junior) in 1852. "The Towers" as the property is known was purchased by a friend of mine and so I researched the history. For me, Routs main legacy is Tasmania Day and the events behind it, including our Australian flag.

Arthur married Winifred Voce FORSTER [10573] [MRIN: 3485], daughter of Charles Cameron FORSTER [10540] and Mary Annie GRAFTON [10541], in 1901 in Perth, WA, Australia. (Winifred Voce FORSTER [10573] was born in 1871 in Ararat, Vic, Australia and died in 1953 in Coolgardie, WA, Australia.)