Robert Boorman (1790 - 1861)

Born 15 Jun 1790 in Hollingbourne, Kent, England

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah Ann (Hodges) Boorman — married 28 Jun 1828 in Southwark, Surrey, England, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 2 Oct 1861 at age 71 in New York County, New York, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Sandi Strong [send private message]

Biography

Robert Boorman was born in Kent, England.

Robert Boorman was born on15 Jun 1790 in Hollingbourne, Kent, England to John and Mary (Colgate) Boorman.^[1][2]

He arrived in the United States in 1795 with his parents and siblings. His father would die in Ossining, New York, in 1796, and his mother would die in 1831, in New York City. Hollingbourne, their Sing Sing estate, was named for the Boormans' home parish in England.

He married Sarah Ann Hodges in Southwark, Surrey, England on 28 Jun 1828. ^[3]

In the 1850 census,^[4] Robert, 60, was living in the 17th ward of New York City with his wife, Sarah, 40, and seven children:

1. John Marcus Boorman (1833-1909)
2. James Albert Boorman (1835-1861)
3. Robert Henry Boorman (1837-1918)
4. Mary Boorman (1839-1891)
5. Emily Boorman (1841-1930)
6. Esther Boorman (1846-1935)
7. Anna Boorman (1850-1923)

There had been at least two others: John James Boorman (1831-1832), and Sarah Ann Boorman (1843-1848). All of the children were born in New York. The household also included five servants, all from Ireland.

In 1859, he lived at 136 Second Ave in New York City.^[5] This is also described in his will, written on 29 Apr 1856, as being located on the easterly side of Second Ave between 8th and 9th Streets. His business address in 1859 was 119 Greenwich in NYC. This directory page also indicates that his sons Marcus J. (John Marcus) (lawyer) and James A. Boorman (railway agent) also lived at 136 Second Ave., and that his brother James, merchant, lived at 18 Washington Square. James' office was located at 90 Broadway.

By the 1860 census,^[6] it appears that son James is living on his own, and the family has increased by one, namely Laura Boorman (1853-1931). They continue to live in the 17th ward of New York City, No live-in servants are in evidence. Another change is seen in the name of the daughter born between Emily and Anna , i.e. Esther is now listed as Ella. Her age is consistent with the Esther seen previously.

Robert passed away on 2 Oct 1861 in New York. He is buried in the New York City Marble cemetery in the borough of Manhattan (New York County), New York.^[7]

His will was probated in New York on 18 Nov 1861.^[8] In his will, he left everything to his wife and mentioned several properties in New York City, stipulating that the income from them should be used to care for his family, particularly the minor children, but I couldn't see that there were any individual bequests or mentions of having taken care of the older children as they had reach their majority as is often the case. What I found interesting is that he credited his brother James with all his successes, and directed his executors to consult with his brother regarding any major decisions.

Sources

1. ↑ "England & Wales, Non-Conformist and Non-Parochial Registers, 1567-1936" for Robert Boorman; RG4: Registers of Births, Marriages and Deaths > Kent > Independent >Piece 0933: Herne Bay, Union Chapel in Mortimer Street (Independent), 1826-1836. Left hand page, first entry. Subscription may be required
2. ↑ "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," database, FamilySearch, Robert Boorman, 15 Jun 1790, Birth; citing p. 18, Headcorn, Kent, record group RG4, Public Record Office, London.
3. ↑ "England Marriages, 1538–1973 ", database, FamilySearch, Sarah Ann Hodges in entry for Robert Boorman, 1828.
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch, Robert Boorman, New York City, New York County, New York, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
5. ↑ "United States City and Business Directories, ca. 1749 - ca. 1990", Image 54 database, FamilySearch, Boorman, 1859.
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch, Robert Boorman, 1860.
7. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #78204658
8. ↑ New York, Wills and Probate Records, 1659-1999 Ancestry.co.uk Subscription may be required