Emery Robarts was born in Biggleswade and was baptised in the Baptist church on 28 Feb 1819. In the 1847 Post Office Directory he is in Potton Market Square as a boot and shoe maker along with brother James as a coal, iron and timber merchant. On 22nd September 1849 Emery, with his family(wife Martha and children William, 2 and Emma, 6 months) set sail for Natal (Emma died on the journey, an infant brother died shortly after arrival and Martha died in 1855 ). William became a surveyor, architect and community leader and designed several buildings of note including the much noted Durban Marine Hotel. .What became of Emery and what of the other Biggleswade members of the family?