Robert, born in Scotland in c.1782, undertook an apprenticeship with a hosier in London. After completing his apprenticeship he soon became a member of the Waevers Compnay, setting up his own business. Joining the Wesleyan church he met Anne Benson (c.1785-1831), a teacher and the daughter of Methodist minister Rev Joseph Benson, who he married in 1811. Their daughter Sarah Benson was born in 1812 (d.1893), followed by three sons - Joseph Benson in 1814 (d.1890), Robert Andrew in 1815 (d.1884), and John Benson in 1817 (d.1865), and a son Samuel in 1823 (d.1897).;;Robert and Ann emigrated with their children to Van Diemen's Land in 1822 per the Heroine. They established a home and business on Brisbane Street, however soon moved the business, a store selling a range of goods, to the cornier of Elizabeth and Liverpool Streets. In 1824 the family was granted 1200 acres at Ralph's Bay Neck (Lauderdale). After a long illness Ann died in 1831 aged just 45. Following her death, Robert sold his business and moved full time to Lauderdale. During this time he became influenced by the Quaker missionaries James Backhouse and George Washington Walker. The family converted to Quakerism in the late 1830s, and his daughter Sarah married George Washington Walker in 1840.;;After considerable difficulty with his rural property, Robert was declared insolvent in 1836. With his two sons, Joseph Benson and Robert Andrew he resumed business in Hobart. Joseph Benson married Anna Maria Cotton, daughter of Francis Cotton. After moving to Sydney, in 1841 Robert Andrew withdrew from the family business partnership. Joseph Benson's son Joseph Francis joined the family business. He was also involved in a number of community and business affairs including the Hobart Chamber of Commerce and Hobart Savings Bank, and was secretary of the committee that founded The Friends' School. The Mather business continued as Robert Mather and Son and later J B Mather and son until 1922 when it was sold to Wilson Bailey. ;;John Benson married Isabella Biggs, and Robert and Ann's youngest son Samuel married Tryphena Barnett. Samuel moved to the mainland, with his descendants settling in South Australia and Queensland.;;Robert Andrew Mather married Ann Pollard, and on his return from Sydney worked in his brother in laws drapery business with his brother Samuel Benson. He established his own business 'R Andrew Mather', later 'Andrew Mather & Co' in Brock's Buildings, Liverpool Street. The business continued until 1972 when it was sold to J T Soundy Pty Ltd.;;Robert Mather remarried in 1842 to Esther Dixon. The couple lived in a stone cottage in Upper Liverpool Street. Robert passed away 25/3/1855.