Roberts was the eldest son of Charles Warman Roberts,[2] a publican of Sydney, New South Wales, and his wife Annie, née Marsden and educated at St James's Grammar School and Sydney Grammar School under William Stephens. Roberts went into business, becoming a licensed victualler. Roberts married in 1867 Lucretia, daughter of Abraham Abraham, of Sydney.[2] Also in 1867 Roberts purchased the Crown and Anchor Hotel from his father, located on the corner of George and Market streets. In 1888 Roberts demolished this hotel and built a five-story hotel on the site, naming it the Robert's Hotel.[3]