Robson
1 May 2013
VIRGIN ISLANDS FAMILIES
Robson
Origin: England
Related Families: Forbes, Franklin, James, Moorhead, van Beverhoudt
V.I. Location: St. Croix
Contributor: Svend E. Holsoe, David Lynch
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. Joseph Robson was born about 1798 in England and was baptized in the
Anglican Church.1
On 16 September 1824, he received his first Burgher Certificate, as a planter,
from England.2
Joseph Robson had a relationship by about 1826 until his death with Hester
Franklin [Ester Franky3], who was born on St. Croix in about 17964/17975/18046 and
was baptized in the Anglican Church.7
In August 1832, they were living at estate Hermitage.8
In 13 November 1839, he had acquired a house at 16 Queen St. in Christiansted,
from M. Anthony.9
By October 1841, he was resident at estate Fountain in Northside A Quarter,
unmarried and Manager of the estate and a Private in the Prince’s Life Squadron,10
and Hester was living at 16 Queen St, Christiansted with their four children, listed as
“supported by Mr. Robson”.11
By October 1846, Hester returned to Estate Fountain with their two oldest
children, and lived there as a “housekeeper”, and he continued as Manager and a Private
in the Prince’s Life Guard.12
1
RA, St. Croix Census, 1841, Free, Northside A Quarter , estate Fountain.
RA, VILA, VR, 3.81.587
3
RA, St. Croix Census, 1841, Free, Christiansted, 16 Queen’s Street.
4
RA, St. Croix Census, 1846, Free, Northside A Quarter, estate Fountain.
5
RA, St. Croix Census, 1841, Free, Christiansted, 16 Queen’s Street.
6
NARA, RG55, Box 583, Christiansted Commission for the Registering of the Free Colored, Register for
Free Colored Women, 1831-32, f. 79, no. 1251.
7
RA, St. Croix Census, 1846, Free, Northside A Quarter, estate Fountain.
8
RA, St. Croix Census, 1841, Free, Christiansted, 16 Queen’s Street.
9
RA, RR, St. Croix Matricle, 1839, f. 12, Christiansted, 16 Queen's Street.
10
RA, St. Croix Census, 1841, Free, Northside B Quarter , estate Fountain.
11
RA, St. Croix Census, 1841, Free, Christiansted, 16 Queen’s Street.
12
RA, St. Croix Census, 1846, Free, Northside B Quarter, estate Fountain.
2
1
In May 1850, they, along with their daughters Maria and Adelaide, were living at
estate Fountain, Northside A Quarter, where he continued as Manager and she as House
Keeper. 13
He continued working as Manager of estate Fountain until his death in 1859,
living with his family on the Estate.14
Joseph Robson died of fever on 6 October 1859 and was buried at St Paul’s
Anglican Church in Frederiksted.15
By October 1860, she had returned to live out her life at 16 Queen’s Street,
Christiansted with their daughter Marie Mathilda and her family. 16
Hester Franklin died of “old age” on 17 Nov 1872, was buried at the cemetery in
Christiansted.17 Her death records her age as 78.18
Children of Joseph Robson and Hester Franklin
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
Bridget Elizabeth Robson, b. c1827, d. 6 Feb 1849
Maria Mathilda Robson, b. c1830, d. 7 July 1900
Adelaide Robson, b. c1832
Joseph F. Robson, b. c1835
Victoria Robson, b. 11 September 1838, d. 22 January 1839
1. Bridget Elizabeth Robson was born on St. Croix in about 1827 and baptized
in the Anglican Church.19
In October1841, she was living with her mother and siblings at 16 Queen Street in
Christiansted20
In October1846 she was living with her parents and sibling at Estate Fountain,
Northside A Quarter.21
Bridget died at about the age of 22 about 6 February1849 and was buried in St
Paul’s Anglican Church Graveyard in Frederiksted, St Croix.22
2. Maria Mathilda Robson was born on St. Croix in about 1830 in St Croix and
was baptized in the Anglican Church.23
In October 1841 she was living at 16 Queen Street, Christiansted, with her mother
and siblings.23
13
RA, St. Croix Census, 1850, Northside A Quarter, estate Fountain.
RA, St. Croix Census, 1855 & 1857, Northside A Quarter, estate Fountain.
15
St. Paul's Episcopal Anglican Church, Frederiksted, 1843-1870, f. 279
16
RA, St. Croix Census, 1860, Christiansted, 16 Queen’s Street.
17
St. John's Anglican Episcopal Church, Christiansted, Burials 1867-1874, f.139; RA, VILA, Vestindisk
Regering/Guvernementet paa St. Croix, Udskrifter af Christiansted Graverjournal, 1826-1909, 17
November 1872.
18
St. John's Anglican Episcopal Church, Christiansted, Burials 1867-1874, f.139; RA, VILA, Vestindisk
Regering/Guvernementet paa St. Croix, Udskrifter af Christiansted Graverjournal, 1826-1909, 17
November 1872.
19
RA, St. Croix Census, 1846, Free, Christiansted, 16 Queen’s Street.
20
RA, St. Croix Census, 1841, Free, Christiansted, 16 Queen’s Street.
21
RA, St. Croix Census, 1846, Free, Northside A Quarter, estate Fountain.
22
St Paul's Episcopal Anglican Church, Frederiksted, Baptisms, Marriages, Burials 1832-1850, 1849-No.
256.
23
RA, St. Croix Census, 1841, Free, Christiansted, 16 Queen’s Street
14
2
In October 1846, she was living with her parents and sister at Estate Fountain,
Northside A Quarter. 24
In May 1850, she was living with her parents and her sister at estate Fountain,
Northside A Quarter, where she was employed as a Seamstress. 25
On 9 Feb 1856 she was married to Thomas Moorhead, who was born on St.
Croix in about 1829, a recent [by 1860] convert to the new St Croix Swedenborgian, or
New Jerusalem (or simply “New”) Church.26
Following her marriage, Marie and Thomas took ownership of 16 Queen Street,
Christiansted27 and lived there with their family. In 1857,28 1860, 29 1870,30 1880,31 and
1890,32 she was listed along with Thomas and their children, without an occupation.
Marie died on 7 July 1900 of edema and was buried in the Old Churchyard in
Christiansted.33
The Moorhead family continued on St Croix, with at least one member reported in
the 1930 US Census.
3. Adelaide34/Adelheid35 Robson was born on St. Croix in about 183236 and was
baptized on 26 August 1832 in the Friedensfeld Moravian Church37 But in about 1841,
she received a certificate from the Moravian Church to the "D. Church".38 By October
1846, she was stated to be a member of the Anglican Church.39
In October 1841, she was living at 16 Queen St with her mother and siblings.40
In October1846, she was still living at 16 Queen’s Street with her younger
brother, employed as a Seamstress,41 but her parents and older sisters had relocated to
estate Fountain.
In May 1850, she was living with her parents and her sister at estate Fountain,
Northside A Quarter, where she was employed as a Seamstress. 42
On 29 January 1855, Adelaide was married in the Christiansted Anglican Church,
to Claudius van Beverhoudt, a shop keeper, in Christiansted.43
24
RA, St. Croix Census, 1846, Free, Northside A Quarter, estate Fountain.
RA, St. Croix Census, 1850, Northside A Quarter, estate Fountain.
26
St. John's Anglican Episcopal Church, Christiansted, Marriages 1841-1867, p 41, No.1; RA, St. Croix
Census, 1860, Christiansted, 16 Queen’s Street.
27
NARA, M-1884, St Croix Matricul, Rolls 62-100 (1839-1924), Queen St 16.
28
St. Croix Census, 1857, Christiansted, 16 Queens St.
29
RA, St. Croix Census, 1860, Christiansted, 16 Queen’s Street.
30
St. Croix Census, 1870, Christiansted, 16 Queens St.
31
St. Croix Census, 1880, Christiansted, 16 Queens St.
32
St. Croix Census, 1890, Christiansted, 16 Queens St.
33
St. John's Anglican Episcopal Church, Christiansted, Burials 1899-1924, p 15, No. 116
34
RA, St. Croix Census, 1841, Free, Christiansted, 16 Queen’s Street.
35
Friedensfeld Moravian Church, Church Book, 1819-1891, f. 329, Girls Baptisms, 26 August 1832, no.
368.
36
RA, St. Croix Census, 1841, Free, Christiansted, 16 Queen’s Street.
37
RA, St. Croix Census, 1841, Free, Christiansted, 16 Queen’s Street.
38
Friedensfeld Moravian Church, Church Book, 1819-1891, f. 329, Girls Baptisms, 26 August 1832, no.
368.
39
RA, St. Croix Census, 1846, Free, Christiansted, 16 Queen’s Street.
40
RA, St. Croix Census, 1841, Free, Christiansted, 16 Queen’s Street.
41
RA, St. Croix Census, 1846, Free, Christiansted, 16 Queen’s Street.
42
RA, St. Croix Census, 1850, Northside A Quarter, estate Fountain.
25
3
In October 1857 they lived at 52c Company Street, Christiansted, with their
children and 2 servants.44
In October 1860 they lived at 19ab Prince’s Street, Christiansted,45 and in 1870 at
11 Queen Street, Christiansted.46
Adelaide appeared to have died between 1874 and 1879 in Christiansted, although
no death record has been found.47
In October 1880, he was living with his family at 16ab Church Street,
Christiansted, a member of the New Church, a widower, and in Trade. 48
Descendants of Adelaide Robson continued to live on St Croix until 1972.49
4. Joseph F. Robson was born on St. Croix in about 1835 and baptized in the
Anglican Church.50
In October 1841, he was living with his mother and siblings at 16 Queen Street,
Christiansted. 51
In October 1846, he was living at 16 Queen Street with his sister Adelaide and
was employed as a Wheelwright.52
In May 1850, he was living in his father’s house at 16 Queen Street and working
as an Apprentice.53
In October 1860, he still lived at 16 Queen St. with his sister Marie’s family and
was employed as a Carriage Maker.54
About 1879 he appears to have had a relationship with Margaret James of
Christiansted. 55
While no death record has been found, both he and Margaret appear to have died
by 1890.56
43
St. John's Anglican Episcopal Church, Christiansted, Marriages 1841-1867, p 41, No.1
RA, St. Croix Census, 1857, Christiansted, 52c Company Street.
45
RA, St. Croix Census, 1860, Christiansted, 19ab Prince Street.
46
RA, St. Croix Census, 1870, Christiansted, 11 Queen’s Street, Christiansted.
47
The RA, 1880 St Croix Census lists Claudius van Beverhoudt as a Widower. She does not appear in the
Christiansted Grave Diggers journal from 1870 to 1880, nor in St. John’s Anglican Church burial records.
48
RA, St. Croix Census, 1880, Christiansted, 16ab Church Street
49
Information from David Lynch.
50
RA, St. Croix Census, 1841, Free, Christiansted, 16 Queen’s Street.
51
RA, St. Croix Census, 1841 Free, Christiansted, 16 Queens Street
52
RA, St. Croix Census, 1846, Free, Christiansted, 16 Queens Street
53
RA, St. Croix Census, 1850, Christiansted, 16 Queen’s Street.
54
St. Croix Census, 1860, Christiansted, 16 Queens St.
55
Joseph F. Robson disappears from the record after 1860. However, in the 1880 and 1890 censuses, the
household of Thomas Moorhead contains a Julia A. Robson, born about 1881 and baptized in the Anglican
Church. Her appearance in consecutive censuses in the Moorhead household suggests that she was related
and the only possible Robson who could have been her father was Joseph F. Robson. (A second Robson
family, Moravian, was living at Estate Hermitage at that time, but there appears to be no connection to the
Christiansted family.) A search of the Anglican baptismal record for 1879-1882 shows only two Julias
baptized in this time, neither with a father’s name listed. Only one of the two has the correct middle initial,
Julia Alexandrina Robson, and the mother was listed as living in Christiansted.
56
The assumption of death is based on the fact that neither Joseph F. nor Margaret James appear in the
1890 or later censuses, and that Julia was living with her aunt by the age of ten. This is typical in cases
where a child is orphaned, and unusual otherwise.
44
4
Child of Joseph F. Robson and Margaret James
6. i.
Julia Alexandrina Robson, b. 14 Nov 1880
5. Victoria Robson was born on 11 September 1838 and was baptized on 23
December 1838 in the Christiansted Anglican Church.57 The witnesses to the baptism
were: George Vallade, M. E. Ashton & C. Stubbs. 58
She was buried on 22 January 1839 at estate Mount Pleasant. 59
6. Julia Alexandrina Robson was born 14 Nov 1880 and was baptized on 15 Jan
1881 in St John's Episcopal Anglican Church in Christiansted.60
In October 1890 she was living at 16 Queen St., Christiansted, with her aunt, as a
student.61
In February 1901, she was living at 16 Queen St and employed as a Seamstress.62
Before 1911, Julia may have married Fritz Forbes, a joiner from Christiansted.63
Julia and Fritz had no children.36
The censuses show that Joseph’s minor children lived in town, presumably for school,
and at about the age of 16 each moved out to Estate Fountain. Joseph maintained
ownership of the Queen St., Christiansted, property until his death, at which time the
home passed to his heirs. Descendants of Joseph Robson continued to hold the home at
least until 1924.64
57
St. John's Anglican Church, Christiansted, Church Book, 1815-1841 (Free Colored), Baptism, 25
November 1838.
58
St. John's Anglican Church, Christiansted, Church Book, 1815-1841 (Free Colored), Baptism, 25
November 1838.
59
St. John's Anglican Church, Christiansted, Church Book, 1815-1841 (Free Colored), Burials, 22
January1839.
60
St. John's Anglican Episcopal Church, Christiansted, Baptisms 1875-1883, p.154
61
RA, St. Croix Census, 1890, Christiansted, 16 Queens St
62
RA, St. Croix Census, 1901, Christiansted, 16 Queens St.
63
A search of the 1911 and 1917 census records show the appearance of a Julia Forbes, born around 1881,
as a wife to Fritz Forbes. The 1890 census also shows a Julia Forbes married to Fritz, but older by 20
years. It appears that Fritz Forbes had two wives, both named Julia.
64
NARA, M-1884, St Croix Matricul, Rolls 62-100 (1839-1924), Christiansted, Queen’s Street 16.
5