TAIT John

Name	John TAIT
Country Of Origin	Scotland
Born	1813
Died	1888
Birth/ Baptism	Born 5 November 1813, Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scotland
Parents	Robert (jeweller and engraver) and Margaret Tait (formerly Maitland)
Apprenticeship	Most likely with his father
Skills	Watchmaker, Jeweller
Work Locations	Hobart
Street Address	42 Elizabeth Street, Hobart 42 Liverpool Street, Hobart
Marriage/Spouse	16 December 1832, Edinburgh, Scotland, to Janet Buchanan. 18 August 1880, London, England, to widow Christian Ann Swannell (formerly Garie).
Arrival	2 November 1837, Hobart, on the ship Hindoo, with his wife Janet and daughter Robina.
Other	Hobart: James Rait, convict watchmaker, was assigned to John Tait. Advertised repairs of watches, music boxes, chronometers, and jewellery. August 1838: Advised the public he was leaving the colony for Sydney due to circumstances beyond his control. Watch and jewellery repairs were left with Mr Muir, Bootmaker, Macquarie Street, where Mr Tait’s workman was employed to complete unfinished work. John Tait intended to return to Hobart as soon as possible to resume his business. The Austral-Asiatic Review, Tasmanian & Australian Advertiser 14 May 1839: ‘Brunswick Wine Vaults, 29 Liverpool Street, (Late A. Menzies) Mr John Tait, late watchmaker and jeweller, begs respectfully to acquaint his friends and the public that he has this day succeeded to the above old, commodious, and well frequented house, which has lately undergone a thorough repair, the rooms newly painted and furnished, and the whole internal economy of the Establishment improved; with good beds and stabling. A new and select stock of wines and spirits, porter and ale, which has been carefully selected from the best importers.’ By June 1843: Licensee in New South Wales. Successful racehorse breeder, owner, and trainer.
Death	21 May 1888, Newtown, New South Wales.
References
TAHO: CON27/1/27 [James Rait], CSO92/1/2 1837. Web: Ancestry: Scotland Select Marriages 1832; England & Wales Civil Registration Marriage Index 1880; Australia Death Index 1888; Australian Dictionary of Biography https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/tait-john-4685. The Tasmanian 3 November 1837, 30 November 1838; The Advertiser 14 August 1838, 23 November 1838; The Examiner (Launceston) 19 May 1880; Sydney Morning Herald 29 May 1888.