2001 Research Update 4: Alexander of Maryland

This is where we left last time:

1. Thomas, dates of birth or death unknown

Wife unknown, dates of birth or death unknown
Children (born in the 1770-1795 range):
2. Thomas (Grandfather Thomas per Uncle Tom) in Franklin Co, PA, b. 1775-1780
3. Children: 10 male, 1 female, most left Franklin Co. by 1845
2. Walter unknown, but may be in Frederick Co., MD
2. Hezakiah in Franklin Co., PA, b. 1770, ma. Hannah Toms
3. Solomon, Alexander, Catherine, John, William
2. James unknown, but may be in Frederick Co., MD
2. Alexander unknown, but supposed to be in Washington or Frederick Co., MD
2. Polly m. Alex Ready
2. ? daughter m. ? Freeman
2. ? daughter m. ? Provard

We have covered what we know of Thomas (Grandfather) and Hezakiah. I have not yet
encountered anyone researching the remainder of the siblings. I had been gathering information
on Uncle Tom’s family group in Washington Co. MD when I started to see some names from
Alexander’s descendants in the same region, Cavetown, just up the road from Smithsburg, where
Uncle Tom indicated Alexander lived. Cavetown and Smithsburg lie on a road that is very near
and parallels the dividing line between Washington and Frederick Cos.

From Uncle Tom’s letter Alexander had several children: John, Hezakiah, Alexander, James,
Walter, Amelia, Catherine, and Rebecca. He even listed addresses for a few of John’s children in
Hagerstown Milliard F., Annie Aslip, Mrs. William Small, and H.R. He also indicates that one of
Alexander’s (the son) sons lives in Hagerstown. What we now understand:

Alexander (Robison, Robinson, Robeson, Robertson) b. abt. 1775 in Maryland, m. Elizabeth

(unknown). The Robeson spelling originates from a marriage note about his son Hezakiah (see
below). We checked censuses for an Alexander Rob*son in the area with five sons and three
daughters. We found one in Frederick Co. In 1830 and 1840, there is only one Alexander, and
he is listed as Robison (although one search engine interpreted the writing as Robeson) and the
children count lines up. When we moved backward to 1820, in the same election district, there is
one that closely matches, but the last name is Robertson, with a “Jr.” attached. There is also one
extra male child. There is an older Alexander Robertson, but he is not listed as “Sr.” so he may
be an uncle. All the known children were born in Maryland.

One thing to note: if you go through the census of 1860 in Washington Co. MD, there is a stretch
that includes Cavetown District that was double counted. Two of the families (Uncle Tom’s
father and John’s here) were counted twice, then one set of records was marked through with a
scribbled line. Interesting to point out that at least in one case, one person aged five years
between the two visits conducted within the same year. Moving to the children:

3. John (Robison then Robinson) b. 1821, d. 1899. He was a stone mason. There is a newspaper
obituary and limited other information available. He married Elmira (Ellen) bef. 1855. She had
three children named Shoop prior to her marriage to John. Children:
4. Millard Fillmore b. 1855, m. Minnie
 4. Elizabeth H. b. 1856, m. William Small
4. Anna S. b. 1859, m. ? Aslip
4. George Earl b. 1964
4. Charles E. b. 1865
4. John V. b. 1868
4. Henry R. b. 1869, also shows up as Harry R.
4. Edith S. b. 1872

3. Hezakiah Robinson b. 1814, d. 1873. He was a shoemaker. He married twice.

The first marriage was to Mary Ann Williar. She was a member of the Moravian Community of
Graceham, Frederick Co. The marriage record of the community references his parents as
Alexander and Eliazabeth Robinson (Robeson). It also lists Mary Ann’s parents and the records
there probably indicate more about her family. It indicates that Mary Ann became a Methodist
after her marriage. Their children:
4. Sevilla C. b. 1837, m. Gottlieb Bower(s)
4. Twins George Augustus and Joseph Franklin b. 28 August 1839.
Mary Ann (Williar) died 3 September 1839.

Hezekiah’s second marriage was to Mary Ann Gruver (Gruber), b. 21 Oct 1821. Her parents
were of Swiss origin, and Mary Ann was born in Maryland. Their children:
4. Mary E. b. 1847
4. Anna b. 1849
4. Margaret b. 1851
4. Emma b. 1854
4. Laura E. b. 1863, d. 1896, m. R.B.M. Reno

3. Alexander’s other children:

I have just started searching for the others. Some early promise as there is an Alexander
Robinson and a James Robinson in 1840 in Cavetown. There is also a Walter Robinson that year
in Franklin Co. PA. All three are of the age (20-40) that would be within the range to be
Alexander’s children. They all also have children of their own. Uncle Tom didn’t list those
names, so it will take a little more time to validate. Since we don’t know the names, we don’t
know if any descendants are searching those branches.

Regarding Amelia, Catherine, and Rebecca: I have started looking through marriage records, and
all three names appear on available lists. Now to obtain the records…

This branch of the family stayed in the Frederick and Washington Cos. region throughout the
1800s, unlike the high mobility of the Thomas and Hezakiah branches. Uncle Tom’s indication
that his sister believed the family first arrived in Montgomery Co. may or may not be true, but
there is a strong Maryland contingent. More on that next time.

Next: 2. Walter, James, Polly, etc.

Roby J. Robinson
rsquared@vt.edu