Hi there,
Some thoughts ...
Do you have copy of (or official transcription of) the birth cert for your Bruce? If so, what info is given on that document for his mum for her maiden name and any other former names …. Was she the informant – if not, who was? What occupation was given on that document for Bruce’s Dad?
Re the 1881 marriage,
did Mary sign or make her mark? If she signed, how did she sign:
Mary SMITH
Mary T SMITH
Mary Taylor SMITH
Mary TAYLOR
Mary B TAYLOR
Or some other way?
Re TAYLOR
From the 1878 NSW electoral roll for THE HAWKESBURY, within the Windsor Police District.
Edward TAYLOR, freehold, Summer Hill, Kurrajong
Benjamin TAYLOR, residence Clarendon
Re Samuel David COBCROFT
He is one of several by that surname on the NSW ER 1878 for THE HAWKESBURY
Samuel David COBCROFT, residence, Wilberforce.
Likely he would be connected to the following of that surname:
George Alexander, freehold, Wilberforce
James, residence, Wilberforce
James William, freehold, Wilberforce
John, (of) Bulga, freehold, Wilberforce
John Benjamin, residence, Wilberforce
David, (of) Richmond, freehold, Wilberforce
Richard William, residence, Wilberforce
Richard William (of) Sydney, freehold, Wilberforce
George, residence, Wilberforce
Henry, freehold, Wilberforce
From Greville’s Post Office Directory 1875 WILBERFORCE
NONE with surname TAYLOR
For surname SMITH: (more Cobcroft than Smith ! )
Alexander, farmer
Robert, farmer
Sarah, storekeeper
Thomas, farmer
For surname COBCROFT:
George, a farmer
G.A., an innkeeper
James, a farmer
James, no occupation given
John, no occupation given
For surname BUSHELL:
David, farmer
Paul, farmer
Grevilles PO Directory 1875 EBERNEZER
Jane SMITH, farmer, Lower Wilberforce
NONE surnamed TAYLOR, COBCROFT or BUSHELL
Is this your Bruce's NSW birth registration INDEX ref:
SMITH, Robert B, parents as David and Mary, registered Newtown District #26351/1892?
Have you considered contacting the Presbyterians re seeking access to their register for the details missing from NSW BDM summary registration?
https://preskey.org.au/committees/item/church-archives-nsw.html (please consider offering copy of your official transcription, as it may be helpful in locating the original register, which is church property).
https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/170883205?versionId=186362895 JM