Mr. Robert Bentley, a native of Staffordshire England, born around 1818, met and married Martha Redfern in 1841 in Staffordshire England.
Robert and Martha, both about 23 years of age and seeking a better life for themselves sailed onboard the vessel named the ‘England’ bound for the exciting new colony called Port Phillip and arrived here 3 months later in July 1841 as assisted immigrants.
Martha, a native of Derbyshire England, gave birth to 11 children here in Melbourne, Martha was 43 years of age when she had her final child.
The Bentley family lived in Dudley Street West Melbourne in 1859, according to a ‘Notice of intent to build’ document lodged with Melbourne Council for a house Robert built at 86 Abbotsford Street West Melbourne.
Robert Bentley, a Master Carpenter by trade became a successful home builder during his life in Melbourne.
Significant building craft-work carried out by Robert Bentley are listed below.
The table below can be scrolled left to right if viewed on a mobile device.
| Building ID | Location | Owner | Suburb | Building State | Building Type | Builder | Build Date (YYYY MM DD) | Melbourne Council Notice of Intention to Build number |
| 72588 | Abbotsford St | Bentley, Robert – Dudley St | West Melbourne | VIC | Houses | Bentley, Robert | 1859 08 19 | 556 |
| 71682 | Spencer St near near cnr Spencer & Abbotsford | Bentley, Robert | West Melbourne | VIC | Houses | Bentley, Robert | 1865 08 30 | 1068 |
| 77256 | Hamilton St near Railway Hotel | Bentley, Robert | West Melbourne | VIC | Houses | Bentley, Robert | 1871 05 26 | 4422 |
| 77257 | Hamilton – near North Melbourne Railway Station. | Bentley, R | West Melbourne | VIC | Houses | Bentley, R | 1880 10 26 | 8562 |
Table source: https://www.mileslewis.net/australian-architectural/
Main source: Public Records Office of Victoria, BDM Victoria and the Melbourne edition of the Sands & McDougall directoy.