Bio of Gordon Robinson, St. Louis, MO ***************************************************************** ****************************************************************** File contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Eric Jones USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non- commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. Unauthorized use for commercial ventures expressly prohibited. All information submitted to this project remains - to the extent the law allows - the property of the submitter who, by submitting it, agrees that it may be freely copied but NEVER sold or used in a commercial venture without the knowledge & permission of its rightful owner. 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Gordon Robinson, born in Belfast, August 17, 1797. Brought to New York with his Parents as a young child. Deborah Annet, His wife, was born in Dublin, Ireland, 1796. They were married in New York City, May 14 1822. Their Chidden: Mary Ann, Jane, Benton William John Philip, Deborah Annet Elizabeth, and Margaret. Deborah Annet Robinson Died June 19, 1848 at Peru, Ill. While the family was en route to New York, and was interred in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn Gordon Robinson Died at St. Louis MO November 10, 1877. Interred in Bellefontaine Cemetery. Their Children: Name Birth date Death place Date death Mary Ann 1823 Clinton MO March 5 1851 Elizabeth 1832 St. Louis MO April 15 1852 Jane(Hardy) 1825 Clinton MO Jan 31 1875 John Philip 1827 Brownsville MO April 14 1880 Benton William 1827 Labadie MO January 6 1911 Deborah(Whiting) 1830 Los Angeles Calif. February 8 1913 Margaret(Rosebrough) 1835 St. louis MO July 4 1912 The family record states that Gordon Robinson Jr. was like his father a veteran of the war of 1812. I believe that my mother told me he was a Drummer boy with the American Forces which saw service on Lake Erie under Perry. He as afterward a deep-see sailor as is shown by an honorable discharge among his old papers, dated June 26, 1819, signed by the supercargo, commending his services during a thirteen month voyage to the East coast of Africa on the ship “Ariosto”. Another Recommendation signed by the Captain and assist captain of the City Watch dated New York 1937 shows him to have been at the employ for ten years. Whether the City watch corresponded to the present police or was a private watch service, I have not investigated. Rent receipts show the family to have lived at the following in New York 1828- 30 at 533 Water street 1831-33 at 592 Water street 1833-37 at 638 Water street Old directories for New York list Gordon Robinson and classify his vocations as follows: Vol. 1831 mariner address 592 Water Street Vol. 1832-33 mariner address 592 water street Vol. 1835-36 Carter address 638 water street Vol. 1837-38 Carter address 638 water street After his career as a sailor, it appears that he became a Carter. New York City was not very large at this time and a one-man business of hauling or draying was not unusual. While living in New York he began, I think, the making of a Temperance Drink or soft drink called Spruce Tea, However, it is not certain that he engaged in this business until after moving to St. Louis. There appears to be an overlapping of his work as a Watchman with his other vocations which leads me to think his duties as a watchman were at night or for part of the night. At nay rate he put in long hard hours. His photograph taken late in life shows a rugged man. He must have been reasonably successful in his enterprises and his family a frugal one, for enough money was saved for the next venture. In 1837 he bought or arranged to buy two-quarter sections of Illinois Military Bounty Land, located in Wyoming Township, Putnam County. The Family left New York some time after august 31, 1837 expecting to settle on the land referred to and become farmers. There is not a record of their route but it was probably via the Erie Canal, Ohio and Mississippi rivers. It appears that the final details of the purchase were to be arranged in St. Louis where the family arrived. Some details caused a change of planes; apparently some confusion or error relating to the location or title of the land judging from fragmentary correspondence. AS a result, the family settled in St. Louis where Gordon Robinson tried to develop his Temperance Drink business, and eventually make a reasonable success of it. Within a year or two he built a double house at 6th and Biddle streets. Many of the old bills for material and labor are still intact. During December 1844 and January 1845 Gordon Robinson was in New Orleans ere he tried to develop the temperance drink, but his results were not encouraging and he returned to St. Louis. No other member of the family was in New Orleans with him. The family lived in St. Louis until June 1848. Jane married Mr. hardy and they went to live in Clinton Mo. In 1848 the family moved back to New York. Gordon Robinson’s wife was in poor health, and either in hope of her recovery or to satisfy her wish, the more was decided on. Philip had work of some kind and he remained in St. Louis. The rental or management of the house was put in charge of an agent, but it was not kept fully tenanted. And Philip was not entirely successful in collecting money due. The mother died en route at Peru, Ill. The family completed the journey and the mother’s body was interred at green work cemetery, Brooklyn. During the shore period they remained in the east, the family resided in Williamsburg, which is now part of Brooklyn. William returned to St. Louis in February 1849 the remaining members of the family arrived back in St. Louis around April or may 1849 and it became their permanent home. According to the record Gordon Robinson fell while visiting his daughter Jane in the late 60’s This fall brought on a sort of senility which lasted until his death. The last several years of his life were spent in the home of my parents the Rosebrough family was he died November 19, 1877. The stone which marked his grave became broken, in time and it is now unmarked. According to the rules of the cemetery title to the lot (in size it is a half lot now rests with all his living descendants and improvements can only be made by mutual consent. Studying over the old papers, and trying to piece out his career I have developed a very considerable respect for Gordon Robinson. He displayed energy, industry, and enterprise. He found ways to get ahead without sacrificing his reputation for honesty and integrity. He provided for and raised a large family. The expense of moving from new York to St. louis back to new York and returning to St. louis must have been considerable yet the fragment of records including pew fees, doctors bills school bills and such show that the family was provided for. He left a small estate. I should rate him as a successful man whose life and record are worthy of respect. Record by James William Rosebrough, January 27, 1926 Copied and edited by Barbara Jones, August 1964 Put in word processing by Eric Jones March 7, 1999 Ejones@cccneb.edu