Robert Robertson (abt. 1766 - bef. 1806)

Born about Mar 1766 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Died before 21 Aug 1806 before about age 40 in Cape May, Cape May County, New Jersey, United States

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Biography

Robert was born in 1766. He is the son of John Robertson and Ann Unknown.

Will of John Robertson, signed 27 Feb 1786 and proved 1 Nov 1786, lists wife Ann, children Alexander, John, Robert, James, Ann, and Jane; occupation is listed as mariner. Executors: Wife Ann and sons Alexander and John. Witnesses: George Duffield Sr., George Duffield Jr., James Kidd.^[1]

Will of Ann Robertson, signed 27 Jan 1809 and probated 11 April 1810, leaves her estate to her living children James Robertson, Ann (Robertson) Dawson, wife of George B. Dawson, and Jane (Robertson) Edwards, wife of David Edwards, as well as granddaughter Margaretta Jane Robertson, daughter of Robert Robertson (deceased). There is no mention of her older two sons Alexander and John.^[2]

He died on 21 Aug 1806. His gravestone (and newer replacement gravestone) at Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery, Cape May reads "In memory of Capt. Robert Robertson Son of John & Ann Robertson of Philadelphia Who departed this life at Cape May August 8, 1806 Aged 40 years 4 months & 7 days". ^[3]

His will, signed 31 July 1806 and probated 13 March 1811, leaves his entire estate, as well as his share of his father's estate to be received after the death of his mother, to his daughter Margaretta Jane Robertson, who at the time of signing was under age 18. His sister Jane (Robertson) Edwards is named guardian of Margaretta and manager of the estate until Margaretta turns 18.^[4][5]

• Fact: Burial Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery , Cape May, Cape May County, New Jersey, USA

Research Notes

Possible military service? ("Capt" on gravestone) Is this him? https://books.google.com/books?id=LldIAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA219&lpg=PA219&dq=capt.+%22robert+robertson%22++philadelphia&source=bl&ots=Rx958zifoy&sig=ACfU3U20mFdRgu_nSI8GLfVS80cLIvKK2Q&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjg0eHP8-vpAhXWl3IEHZuEDnYQ6AEwBnoECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q=capt.%20%22robert%20robertson%22%20%20philadelphia&f=false

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9B2-PQJR-H?i=230&cat=353446
2. ↑ Philadelphia Wills 1682-1916 and Indexes to Wills 1682-1924. Wills Vol. 3 (1810), p. 128. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9B2-LTX7?i=460&cat=353446
3. ↑ Capt Robert Robertson (1766-1806) on Find A Grave: Memorial #12445226 retrieved 05 June 2020
4. ↑ New Jersey Abstracts of Wills, Cape May County https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8796/images/004541213_00286 and https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8796/images/004541213_00287
5. ↑ "New Jersey Probate Records, 1678-1980," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8933-CXW1?cc=2018330&wc=MQTM-W38%3A338012301%2C338109301 : 21 May 2014), Cape May > Wills 1804-1881 vol A-B > image 36 of 478; county courthouses, New Jersey.