Note: Robert and Maria were from Norwich, England. Robert had obtained free passage to Australia. He gave his occupation as wig maker, and was also a lay preacher.
They sailed to Port Adelaide on the "Agincourt" arriving in Port Adelaide on 1st February 1850. Maria was probably pregnant on the journey because her youngest son William was not listed on the passenger list but is recorded as having died in 1850. Their first year in South Australia was also marked by the death of their son Thomas, aged 12.
In South Australia they lived at Payneham and then at Truro.
Later, the Rev. Robert Coward, erstwhile wig maker, was minister of a little church on the Collingrove Estate and would travel there from Truro each Sunday. At one wedding at a private house he had to use his top hat as a table. His most famous offspring was a grand-daughter Mrs. Barton who died at 102 in Victoria.