Robert Tooth

Robert Tooth
Born	Cranbrook, Kent, England
Died	September 19, 1893(1893-09-19) (aged 72) Bedford, England
Occupation(s)	Businessman, politician
Years active	1843–1872
Known for	Member of New South Wales Legislative Assembly and Council; founder of R. and E. Tooth brewery; president of the Bank of New South Wales

Robert Tooth (born 28 May 1821 in Cranbrook, Kent, England – died 19 September 1893 in Bedford, England) was a prominent member of Sydney's Tooth brewing dynasty. He was responsible for constructing two of Sydney’s most distinguished residences, Cranbrook House and The Swifts.

Early life

As the eldest son of Robert Tooth (b.1799) and Mary Ann (née Reader), a hops merchant from Swifts Park, Cranbrook, Kent, England, Robert grew up in a family deeply connected to the brewing industry. His siblings included Edwin (1822–1858), Frederick (1827–1893), Rev Charles Tooth (1831–1894), and Rev Arthur Tooth (1839–1931). Their uncle John Tooth (b.1803) emigrated to Sydney in 1828, establishing himself as a merchant and founding the Kent Brewery on Parramatta Road. Robert and Edwin arrived in Sydney in August 1843, and shortly after, on 1 September 1843, they launched the enduring enterprise R. and E. Tooth by leasing the brewery from John.

Business and public life

Around 1853, Frederick joined the partnership, transforming the firm into R., E. and F. Tooth, which later became R. and F. Tooth & Co. on 2 January 1860 with J. S. Mitchell as a partner. In 1852, Robert played a foundational role in the Twofold Bay Pastoral Association, which acquired approximately 400,000 acres across the south coast and Monaro areas; their central station was located at Kameruka. Due to challenges posed by (Sir) John Robertson's land legislation, members purchased land individually and dissolved the association by 1860.

Robert briefly served on the New South Wales Legislative Council in 1856 and secured election to the Legislative Assembly representing Sydney City in 1858 after an unsuccessful attempt at Sydney Hamlets. He championed policies such as free land selection priced at £1 per acre, favored tramways over railways, and supported an elected Upper House; however, he was defeated in later contests for West Sydney in 1860.

Turning his attention to commercial ventures, their London office located at 155 Fenchurch Street acted as agents for Smyth's Sydney Marine Assurance Office and Peak Downs Copper Mining Co. Robert was actively involved with agricultural societies and initiatives against cattle theft. Collaborating with Robert Cran, F. F. Nixon, and others under the partnership Tooth and Cran until 1872, they operated near Maryborough, Queensland, experimenting with meat preservation techniques—earning an award at the 1870 Intercolonial Exhibition.

By the mid-1860s, Robert held significant pastoral leases including Jondaryan Homestead and Irvingdale on the Darling Downs as well as twenty-eight runs covering roughly 700 square miles within Queensland's Maranoa District. His directorships included terms at the Bank of New South Wales during the 1850s-60s—serving as president in 1862-63—and at the Colonial Sugar Refining Co. from 1855 until 1863.

A committed Anglican layperson, he contributed to charitable bodies such as the Society for the Relief of Destitute Children and supported St Paul's College at the University of Sydney. He commenced construction of Cranbrook residence at Rose Bay in 1859 but sold it to Robert Towns in 1864.

Robert retired from R. and F. Tooth & Co. in April 1872; thereafter Frederick and R. L. Tooth continued operations under F. Tooth & Co., which was dissolved in March 1873 following Frederick’s retirement. Subsequently, Mitchell and R. L. Tooth managed business affairs as Tooth & Co., with profits largely generated through importing wines, spirits, and beer—colonial beer consumption notably expanded only after the 1880s.

He married Maria Lisle in 1849; following her passing, he wed Elizabeth Mansfield in 1871.

In 1880, Robert was appointed founding President of the New South Wales Gun Club based at Mascot; this club remains active today at Duffy Forest after relocating due to airport expansion.