Theophilus Robin (pronounced ROE-bin) (c. 1830 – 19 September 1874) was a pioneer timber merchant in the early days of colonial South Australia. He was a brother of prominent businessman James Robin (1817–1894) and Adelaide land agent Charles Robin (c. 1826 – 27 November 1872).
Robin was born in Guernsey, a son of Nicholas Robin (c. 1788 – 5 January 1873), and his wife Esther Robin, née De Quetteville (c. 1819 – 20 August 1855). She was a daughter of Rev. Jean de Quetteville "The Apostle of French Methodism".
In 1854 he took over the Lipson Street, Port Adelaide warehouse of S. R. Clarke & Co.
He was a partner in Padman & Co to 1864, then as timber merchant, built up premises on corner of Lipson Street and Port Road as Sarnia Timber Yard and Sarnia Steam Mills.[1] In 1859 Theophilus Robin and shipping agent Peter Le Messurier formed a partnership as Robin & Le Messurier.The partnership was dissolved on 31 August 1872.[2] leaving Theophilus to concentrate on the Sarnia Timber business.
He was a member of the Adelaide Philosophical Society and the Wesleyan Methodist church and for many years superintendent of the Archer Street Wesleyan Sunday School.[3]
Theophilus Robin married Stella Ann Ansell (c. 1837 – 19 July 1916) on 1 March 1855. Their children included:
Theophilus died of erysipelas following an infected boil on his leg, leaving a widow and nine children. His widow took on Theodore Hack as business partner, styling the business Robin & Hack.[9] It was known simply as "Hack's Timber Yard" on 11 November 1884 when fire broke out, destroying not only the timber but woodworking machinery worth £5,000.