Robert Walter (Rutherford) Rutherfurd (abt. 1788 - abt. 1852)

Born about 1788 in Morrisania, Westchester County, New York

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about 1852 at about age 64 in Tranquility, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA

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Biography

Robert (Rutherford) Rutherfurd is a member of Clan Rutherford.

Robert Walter Rutherfurd, the son of John Rutherfurd and Helena Morris was born in Essex County, New Jersey in1788.

He served on the New Jersey Assembly 1810-1815. He served on the State Council in 1819-1820.

Robert Walter Rutherfurd married his cousin, Sabina Morris In 1809, she was a daughter of Colonel Lewis Morris and Ann Elliot Morris.

Their home was Tranquility Farms in Sussex County, New Jersey.

children of Robert Walter and Sabina Morris Rutherfurd - John, Walter, Anna Elliott, Lewis Morris Rutherfurd and Robert Walter.

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Robert Walter Rutherfurd born at Morrisania Westchester County New York. He was educated at the Troy Polytechnic Institute and did his first surveying on the line of the Erie Railroad.

He married October 1 1848 Anna Lawrence Buckley daughter of Phineas H Buckley born March 1 1800 son of Thomas Buckley born January 29 1 771 died April 28 1846 married September 11 1793. Anna Lawrence born May 22 1772 died July 11 1846 married May 12 1824 Phoebe daughter of Townsend McCoun and Sarah Vail. They settled at Edgerston the family place on the Passaic where they lived till 1870 when they moved to New York.

Robert Walter Rutherford graduated from the College of New Jersey (Princeton University) in 1806 and soon left to tour Scotland and England, the home of his grandfather.  After his return, he served on the New Jersey Assembly in 1810, 1812, 1813, and 1815 and on the State Council in 1819 and 1820.

In 1809, Robert Walter Rutherfurd married his first cousin Sabina Morris (1789-1857), the daughter of Colonel Lewis Morris and Ann Elliott Morris.  The newlyweds made their home in Sussex County, New Jersey at the family house, Tranquillity, given to them by John Rutherfurd.  They had five children together: John (1810-1871), Walter (1812-1868), Anna Elliott (1814-1830), Lewis Morris (1816-1892), and Robert Walter.

In 1821, trouble seems to have developed in Robert and Sabina’s marriage.  Robert Rutherfurd, and possibly others, raised questions about Sabina’s mental state and she was confined to an insane asylum for at least some period of time.  Sabina and Robert separated and Robert retained custody of their children, who appear to have lived with their grandfather, John Rutherfurd.

Robert W. Rutherfurd died at Tranquillity in New Jersey on April 14, 1852 and Sabina Morris Rutherfurd died in New York City on March 7, 1857.

Sources

• http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=21640976

• Documents, Manuscripts, Maps, & Photographs - Manuscript Group 398, Rutherfurd Family - Papers, 1760-1845 (Bulk dates: 1780-1825), 0.25 linear feet / 1 small manuscript box - Call Number: MG 398 - http://www.jerseyhistory.org/findingaid.php?aid=0398