Alexander Robb D.D. (bef. 1824 - 1901)

Born before 13 Nov 1824 in Fintray, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Husband of Catherine Dempster (Jameson) Robb — married 8 Aug 1853 in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 19 Jan 1901 after age 76 in Cowes, Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Doug Laidlaw [send private message]

Biography

Baptised in Fintray on the date above, eldest child of William Robb and Jean Bruce^[1].

In the 1841 Census, aged about 16, he might have been an Ag Lab in Inverurie, an apprentice shoemaker in Auchterless, or an apprentice haberdasher in Aberdeen, but he was not at home.

In the 1851 Census, living in the school of Alexander Anderson, Schoolmaster, at 6 Channonry St, Old Machar,

ROBB Alexander Tutor U M 26 Theolog. Student/teacher A.M ABD born Fintry^[2]

Alexander married Catherine Jamieson in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire on 8 August 1853^[3].

Alexander arrived in Victoria between 1888, when he resigned in England, and 1895, when he was celebrating marriages in Cowes, but no voyage found to date. Quoting Janet Reakes, "He must have swum."

From the birth places of their children we can trace their travels. Catherine and Alexander were married in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire in 1853. They were in Nigeria (Old Calabar) when Jane was born in 1860, back in Dumfries, Scotland when daughter Margaret was born about 1863, back to Nigeria where son Alexander was born about 1865, and then back to Edinburgh where John was born about 1868, then to Perth, Scotland 2 years later where Catherine was born, and back to Edinburgh where David was born around 1877. In 1888 Alexander left Jamaica and followed his family to Australia.

In the 1881 Census, living in Edinburgh at 3 South Gray St

Catherine ROBB Head M 42 F (British Subject), Jamaica

Jane ROBB Daughter U 21 F Governess (British Subject), Africa

Margaret ROBB Daughter U 18 F No Occupation Annan, Dumfries, Scotland

Alexander ROBB Son U 16 M Scholar British Subject, Africa

John ROBB Son U 13 M Scholar Eskbank, Edinburgh, Scotland

Catherine ROBB Daughter U 11 F Scholar Perth, Perth, Scotland

David ROBB Son U 4 M Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland

Helen SIMPSON Boarder U 47 F No Occupation Annan, Dumfries, Scotland

Jessie GLEN Servant U 17 F General Servant Domestic Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland^[4].

Notes from Missions of the United Presbyterian Church in Jamaica and Old Calabar (Nigeria).

1853, March. Settlement of Rev. Alexander Robb, M.A., at Goshen, (Jamaica).

And in 1857 that distinguished scholar, the Rev. Alexander Robb, after two years’ labour at Goshen, left Jamaica for work in Old Calabar (Nigeria).

At length, in 1876, the Rev. Dr. Alexander Robb, who had returned to Scotland from Old Calabar, was sent out as theological professor, the hall being located in premises in Kingston, purchased and adapted for the purpose; and the Rev. John Simpson, who had now retired from the charge of Port Maria, being associated with Professor Robb in the work. The supply of students, however, did not prove equal to the hopes which prompted these arrangements, nor to the cost involved in them; and at length, in 1888, at a point when the hall became literally empty, Dr. Robb resigned his office, and went to join his family in Australia.^[5].

"ERSKINE Church, Carlton.— Sabbath School Anniversary. — Rev. Alexander Robb, D.D., Missionary, Jamaica, Preaches morning and evening." (The Age, Melbourne, Saturday 23 November 1889.)[Implies that he arrived in 1888 0r 1889.]

Grave site information of Rev Alexander Robb (1925 - 19 Jan 1901) at Cowes in Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia from BillionGraves^[6]

In memory of

Rev. Alexander Robb D.D.

of Aberdeen, Scotland

who died 19 January 1901

aged 76 years.

Also of his sons

John W. Robb

Who died at LangLang

8th February 1898

Alexander M. Robb

1864-1828

Also his daughter

Jane J. Robb

1859-1923

And his wife

Catherine D. Robb

1859-1918

Also their daughter

Margaret

died 15th September 1938

aged 76 years

The death is recorded at Cowes, Phillip Island, on Saturday last, of the Rev. Alexander Robb, D.D., late of the United Presbyterian Church, Jamaica and Old Calabar.^[7].

"The Rev. Alexander Robb, D.D., of Cowes, died suddenly on Saturday afternoon. His health has been gradually failing of late, but he was in his usual health at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, and his death was due to heat apoplexy." The Ballarat Star, 24 January 1901.

NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen days from the publication hereof application will be made to the Supreme Court of Victoria in its Probate jurisdiction, that PRO BATE of the WILL of ALEXANDER ROBB, late of Cowes, Phillip Island In the state of Victoria doctor of divinity deceased may be granted to Alexander Moncrieff Robb and David Henry Robb, two of the executors named therein, John Wilson Robb, the third executor named therein having predeceased the testator Dated this 29th day of January, 1901 DAVIES and CAMPBELL, 267 Collins-street, Melbourne, proctors for the executors. (The Argus, Melbourne, 30 January, 1901.)

Profile created by Doug Laidlaw through the import of Robb.ged on Dec 15, 2020.

Research Note

Many of the details on Ancestry.com are examples of "The name's the same." (cf. "Cinna the Poet" in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar: the incident really took place.) The Alexander on the "Tasman." was an agricultural laborer and his wife's name was Elspeth.

"Carntyne, White Star ship, 940 tons, Amos Robertson, from Liverpool 9th February. Passengers - cabin : Rev. Alexander Robb and Mrs. Robb ; and 13 in the steerage. Swire Brothers and Co., agents." The Argus, Melbourne, Monday 11 June 1860. There was another Rev Alex Robb (from Aberdalgie, Perthshire, Scotland), who lived in Geelong. He died in 1896 aged 69.

Name: Alexander Robb. ^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ Fintray Parish Baptisms
2. ↑ https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/record-results/212577398863d9fc5ef0382?sort=asc&order=Year 1851 Census
3. ↑ Peterhead Parish Marriages
4. ↑ 1881 Scottish Census
5. ↑ Missions of the United Presbyterian Church in Jamaica and Old Calabar
6. ↑ BillionGraves Website
7. ↑ The Leader (Melbourne) Saturday 2 February 1901
8. ↑ Source: S401

• Victoria, Probate Index.

• Public record Office Victoria (PROV) Unassisted passenger lists (1852-1923) Record Series Number (VPRS): 947 and
• Public record Office Victoria (PROV) Unassisted passenger lists (1852-1923) Record Series Number (VPRS): 947
• Source: S401 Ancestry.com Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950 Publication: Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Lehi, UT, USA; Date: 2014; NOTEScotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.