Tall Tales & True Stories 

Henry W Robertson family plantation in Shelby Ct., AL remained in the hands of the Robertson family until the 1980's. Several items from the original plantation are now on display at the Shelby County Museum and Archives in Columbiana, Alabama. Henry W. Robertson, according to his tombstone at Fourmile Cemetery, Shelby Ct., AL, was born 27 Feb 1782. The 1850 census of Alabama states that he ws born in South Carolina.

NOTABLE MEN IN ALABAMA, by DuBose, in an article about the grandson of Henry W. Robertson, John Henry Robertson, states that Henry W. enlisted in the war of 1812 in Georgetown, VA. Afterward he went to South Carolina, married Rebecca Roberts [born 1784] , and moved to Alabama about 1818.

However, census records indicate that Henry W. could have married prior to 1812 since his daughter Permelia Robertson Farr was born abt 1802-05 in South Carolina.

See additional data prepared by Jane L. Newberry, The Robertson Family.

Shelby County, Al - Will Book L
Henry W. Robertson Estate.

Know all men by these presents that we, Hudson W. Nelson, David N. McClannahan, and Napoleon B. Mardis are held and firmly bound unto F. M. McClannahan, Judge of Probate of Shelby County, State of Alabama and his successors in Office in the sum of Twenty-Thousand Dollard for the payment of which ___ and truly to be made. We are each of us as____ ______ our heirs and firmly by these present ____ with our seals and dated 10 day of August 1855. Now if said Nelson shall well and truly perform all the dutues of which are or may be by law required of him as Administrator aforesaid Then the above obligation to be void else to remain in full force and virtue.
Witness our hands and seals - The date above written:
Hudson W. Nelson
David N. MCClannahan
N. B. Mardis
Aapaproved 10 Aug 1855
J. M. McClannahan

------------ - - - - - - - - - - - - That the heirs of same Estate are James S. Robertson, Teresa Martin, wife of Robert Martin, Peter Robertson, Jane White, wife of Pleasant D. White , M. M. Robertson, R. M. Robertson, Wm. G. Robertson, Permelia Farr, wife of George Farr, H. B. Robertson, decd - his children, Widow Rebecca Robertson, [ endowed with the real estate of said intestate situation in Shelby Ct., as a dower.]

It is possible that Henry W. Robertson came from the Fairfield or Chester Ct. area of South Carolina. The 1790 census of Chester Ct. listed the following Robertsons: John, Robert, Alexander, Alexander Jr., Henry, William, Henry, William, Johm, Alexander, Jane, John - also listed were Thomas Robinson, Wm. Robinson, Mary Robinson, and John Robinson.

The 1820 Fairfield Ct. SC census lists: Henry Robertson 20010-10100
#156

#146 Henry Robertson 000010-10200

Could this have been Henry and his father?

Note: Will of Henry Robertson of Fairfield Ct., SC 30 Aug 1791 - heirs - Wife Elizabeth, five children: William, Hannah, Elizabeth, Mary, James - Brother James Robertson, executor.

Land Certificate #176 - to Henry Robertson, Shelby Ct. - made patent by his full payment for 80.4 acres to land office at Tuskaloosa - by James Monroe, President of the U. S. at Washington, 1 May 1823. Recd - vol 1, pg 170, John McLeur Commissioner of General Land Office
E 1/2-SE1/4-S5-T22-R-lE

1830: List of Overseers of roads in Shelby Ct., AL 1830

Henry W. Robertson - Bulley's Creek to Yellow Leaf

THE FAMILY OF HENRY W. ROBERTSON
27 FEBRUARY 1782 - 18 SEPTEMBER 1853
by
Jane Leslie Newberry


Even before Alabama became a state on 14 December 1819, settlers had been pouring into the Alabama territory. These pioneers had begun their land search into the area as soon as the land was opened for American settlement. Shelby County was part of this section of land in which population began to increase after the Creek Treaty in 1814.

In 1818, families which were later to become closely related settled in the newly opened former Indian Lands in Shelby County, Alabama. Henry W. Robertson was one of these settlers who was to become the ancestor of this particular Robertson line. Henry W. Robertson was one of three Robertson families which appear on the first state census of 1820: Henry W. Robertson, Henry B. Robertson, and William Robertson.

The Henry W. Robertson family plantation in Shelby County, Alabama, remained in the hands of the Robertson family until the 1980s. Several items from the original plantation are now on display at the Shelby County Museum and Archives in Columbiana, Alabama. Henry W. Robertson, assorting to his tombstone at Four Mile Cemetery, Shelby Ct., AL, was born 27 Feb 1782. The 1850 census of Alabama states that he was born in South Carolina. Research has not yet revealed his parents.

NOTABLE MEN IN ALABAMA, by DuBose, in an article about the grandson of Henry W. Robertson, John Henry Robertson, states that Henry W. enlisted in the war of 1812 in Georgetown, VA. Then he went to South Carolina, married Rebecca Roberts 1784], and moved to Alabama in 1818.

However, census records of his children indicate that Henry W. must have married prior to 1812 as his daughter, Permelia Robertson Farr [ wife of George Farr] was born c 1802-05 in South Carolina. Therefore, it is not possible to correctly determine the date of his marriage to Rebecca Roberts, but that they were most likely married in South Carolina.

The 1810 census of South Carolina, Greenville District, page 118, shows H. Robertson: 1 male under 10, 1 male 26-45; 2 females under 10, 1 female 16-24. Also listed on that census in the same area are J. Sammons, J. Robertson, and J. Robertson. The Sammons family was also later in Shelby Ct., AL. Noting the ages of the children, this could very possibly have been Henry W. Robertson.

Henry W. Robertson first appears on the 1820 Shelby Ct., AL census with 1 male to 16; 2 males 16 and up; 1 female 10-15; 3 females 16-25, and 1 female 16-45. This researcher has concluded that those children were Permelia, James B., Peter, Henry B., Teresa, and Jane. Three other known children were born after this census.

During this period, Henry made registration of a patent, Certificate #176 for 80.4 acres of land in Shelby Ct., to the land office in Tuscaloosa, 1 May 1823. This was recorded in Volume 1, page 170, in the General Land Office. Family tradition states that Henry W. Robertson homesteaded 1000 acres in the Shelby County area. The Tuscaloosa Land Office also notes a land transaction for a Henry Robinson, 6 July 1821 - 35-15-2E.

On 20 Dec 1824, Henry sold 80.40 acres in Shelby Ct. to Lewis Miller for $65.00 His wife, Rebecca, relinquished her dower right. [Abstracts of Early Deeds, Shelby Ct., - pages 151, 152, 153 - located at the Alabama Archives in Montgomery, Alabama.]

Another transaction, dated 20 December 1825, was a deed executed by Henry W. Robertson and his wife, Rebecca [ Deed Book A, pg 111, Shelby Ct., AL]. In 1830, Henry W. Robertson was listed as an overseer in Shelby Ct., from Bulley’s Creek to Yellow Leaf. At the time of his death in 1853, Henry W. owned considerable land in St. Clair and Shelby Counties. [ Estate records - Shelby Ct., AL]

The 1830 census of Shelby Ct., AL, indicates Henry W. Robertson with 2 male children under 5; 1 male 6-10; 3 males 15-20; one adult 40-50; 2 females 1-=15; 1 adult female 30-40.

There are several confusing elements in the study of Henry W. Robertson. In the 1820 and 1830 censuses, there was ANOTHER Henry Robertson, Henry B. Robertson. Both men seem to be approximately the same age according to the census records. Research has not determined the relationship between the two men, but it seems doubtful that the other Henry could have been Henry W. Robertson’s father. Henry B. Robertson does not appear after 1830. Another Henry Robertson is on the 1840 census. It is noted the designation was always made with the “W” to distinguish the two Robertsons. This Robertson could not be Henry Brown Robertson, son of Henry W., since he was not married until 1841 - and no previous marriage is noted. Henry Brown Robertson could have been named for the elusive Henry B. Robertson. Consequently, it is impossible to determine which Henry Robertson was appointed constable in St. Clair Ct., AL on 20 Nov 1818.

The 1850 Shelby Ct. census shows Henry W., age 67, Farmer, $2500 property, living with his wife, Rebecca, age 66, and their son, Marion, age 20. Also living in the same household was Berry M. Robertson, age 26, and his wife, Sarah[Sally], age 25 plus their young son, John, age 7/12. William Green Robertson, another son, lived in the household, also.

Henry W. Robertson died 18 September 1853. The final administration of his estate was not completed until 1857. Fortunately for the researcher, his children were all named in the administration papers. The following children were listed in the administration records: Permelia, James B., Peter, Henry B., Teresa, Berry Mann, William Green, Marion.

Rebecca Roberts Robertson died 18 September 1864 and is also buried at Four Mile Cemetery, located near Columbiana, Shelby Ct., AL. Unfortunately, a storm destroyed many of the old grave markers in the 1920s or 30s. Henry’s stone was the only one left standing the area. However, it is known that many other family members were buried in the same cemetery.



Permelia Robertson Farr was born c 1802-05 in South Carolina, according to the 1850 Shelby Ct., AL census. She died after 1870 and before 1880 according to census records. Permelia married George Farr, also from South Carolina. Research has not determined where they married or the names of their older children. Permelia Robertson and George Farr had the following known children: Mary Ann, b 27 Oct 1829- married Francis M. Pitts; Sarah, b c 1830; Rebecca, b c 1834 - married Pleasant Wilder 19 Feb 1852; Frelora, b c 1836 - married William J. Kennedy 8 Sept 1861; Hugh, b c 1838; John Riley, b May 1840 - married [1] Melvina Farr [2] Merial Cordelia Robertson, daughter of William Green Robertson, c 1873; Penny, b c 1842.

James B. Robertson, born ?, married, according to Early Marriages of Shelby Ct., AL, Mahulday Skelton, 16 Oct 1834. The administration papers of Henry W. Robertson stated that he lived in Perry Ct., AL in 1855.

Peter Robertson, born ?, married ? - according to the administration papers, Peter was living in Texas in 1855, location unknown.

Teresa Robertson Martin was born in 1816 or 1818. She married Robert Martin and evidently lived in Shelby Ct., AL at the time of her father’s death. Teresa Robertson and Robert Martin had the following known children: James, b c 1833; Calvin, b c 1835; John, b c 1836; Louiza, b c 1838, Martha, b c 1839; Thompson, b c 1842; Charles M., b c 1847 [1850 Shelby Ct., AL census records.]

Henry Brown Robertson, was born c 1817 in Alabama according to the 1850 census. Henry married Priscilla Bullock McGowan, 28 Jan 1841. Priscilla Bullock was married first to Edward McGowan who died c 1836. Two son, James McGowan, born 19 May 1832 and George W. McGowan, born 8 Oct 1834, lived and died in Shelby Ct. Between the time of his father’s death and the completion of the administration papers, Henry Brown Robertson died, probably after 10 Aug 1855. His widow and children are listed in the final administration report, dated 14 Jan 1857. Henry Brown Robertson is most probably buried at the Four Mile Cemetery. Henry and Priscilla had the following known children: Martha J., b 2 Oct 1842, married David Pennington, 23 Aug 1859. She died 29 Oct 1914 and is buried at Wilsonville Cemetery, Shelby Ct.; Rebecca Ann, b 1844 - married Augustus M. Ballard, 12 Nov 1863 [ Shelby Ct. Marriage Records.] Both Priscilla Robertson and Martha J. Pennington are listed as widows living in the same household on the 1880 census. Martha J. Robertson Pennington had one child, John, also living in the household.

Jane Robertson White was born c 1820, place unknown. She married Pleasant D. White, 18 Oct 1842. In 1857 she was living in Benton Ct., AL.   (Frena's note:  Jane & Pleasant were our three times great-grandmother & grandfather)

Berry Mann Robertson was born 24 May 1822 on the original plantation in Shelby Ct., AL, according to the article in NOTABLE MEN OF ALABAMA. During the Civil War, he served two years with Co. K, 31st Alabama under General Pettus. A description of Berry Mann included in his Confederate papers depicts him with light hair, blue eyes, six feet tall, fair complexion, and age forty-one at enlistment 14 Sept 1863 in Wilsonville, AL. He married Sallie Ray [b c 1823] in South Carolina, the daughter of John and Cynthia Robertson Ray. The article further states that John Ray came to Shelby CT. from South Carolina in 1818. [This is the property that remained in the hands of the Robertson’s until after the death of the 6th generation Robertson. The farm was sold in 1983 to settle the estate.] Berry Mann died 26 Feb. 1876 and is probably buried in the Four Mile Cemetery. Berry Mann and Sally Ann Ray had only one child who lived to adulthood. John Henry Robertson, born 30 Mar 1850, married Cynthia Elizabeth Morgan, daughter of James M. and Eugene More Morgan. Children of James H. and Cynthia Robertson [1880 census] were: Berry Franklin., 2 [1 Feb 1878 - 20 May 1949]; James H., 1/12 [born in May] Sally A. Robertson is listed as a widow in the 1880 census. John Henry Robertson died 11 Sept 1926 and is buried at Wilsonville Cemetery.

William Green Robertson was born 24 June 1828 in Shelby Ct., AL. He married 14 Dec 1852 [Shelby Ct., Marriages, 1850-1854, pg 74] Eugenia Victoria Morgan who was probably the daughter of Albin and Elizabeth Hicks Morgan, also of Shelby Ct. William Green served during the Civil War in Co. I, 18th Regiment, Alabama Infantry and was captured during the Battle of Atlanta, August 30, 1864. He was eventually transferred to Camp Douglas near Chicago, Illinois where he died of pneumonia, 27 Feb 1865, only days before he was to be exchanged. William Green is buried in the Chicago City Cemetery, Chicago, IL. His widow, Eugenia, remained in Shelby Ct. after the war and attempted to farm. In the 1870s, she went to Texas where she settled in Denson Springs, near Palestine, with other family members. She died 30 July 1903 and is buried in the Denson Springs Cemetery. William Green and Eugenia Morgan Robertson had the following known children: Merial Cordelia, born 5 Nov 1853 - married her first cousin, John Riley Farr, son of Permelia Robertson and George Farr; Henrietta, b 17 Mar 1855 - married David E. Brasher 5 Feb 1878 [ Shelby Ct. Marriages; Annie, b 26 Sept 1856 - possibly married Hampton Watts, Anderson Ct., TX; Martha Jane, b 29 Oct 1858 - married 20 April 1879 to Pleasant Mitchell Watkins; Laura, b 1 Sept 1860; Marion B., b 11 Aug 1861.

Marion M. Robertson was born c 1830 in Shelby Ct. He married Tenna [Peninah] Miller 28 Jan 1858. According to the 1860 census, he and his wife were living with Rebecca Robertson, widow of Henry W. Robertson. Marion and Tenna had the following known children in 1870: Rowe Ramey [ killed in an accident Aug 1895 - Shelby Ct. Advocate 15 Aug 1895]., b c 1859; Sarah, b c 1861; James, b c 1863; Beulah, b c 1865; John, b c 1869. The 1880 census added the following children: W. M., male, age 9; Anne E., age 6, and E. B., male, age 2. Marion and Tenna Miller Robertson later moved to Meade, Indian Territory where he died in 1906; she died 31 Jan 1913 [Shelby Advocate 20 Feb 1913.

According to PIONEER FAMILIES OF ANDERSON COUNTY, TEXAS PRIOR TO 1900, compiled by the Anderson County Historical Association, Jennie M. Auld wrote that Eugenia Victoria Robertson and her daughter, Martha Jane, came to Anderson County, Texas from Shelby County, Alabama in 1878. They left Wilsonville, Alabama by train and traveled to Memphis, TN. They crossed the Mississippi River and traveled south to Palestine, TX. When they arrived in Palestine, friends and relatives met them in wagons and transported them to Denson Springs, a community about twenty miles from Palestine. Later information, provided in conversation with Martha Jane’s daughter, Effie Mae Watkins Austin, relates that Eugenia Victoria’s daughter, Annie and son, Marion, also came with her.

It has also been determined that Eugenia’s mother and brother, Eliza Hicks Morgan and William H. Morgan were also in Anderson County.[1880 Anderson Ct., TX census]

Eugenia Victoria Morgan Robertson married again 30 Oct 1879 to R. M. Watts in Anderson Ct., TX [ Anderson Ct. Marriage Records, pg 332]. However, Eugenia’s tombstone at Denson Springs Cemetery lists her as Eugenia Victoria Robertson, wife of W. G. Robertson.

It is also interesting to note that members of the Farr families of Shelby Ct., AL also moved to the Anderson Ct. community of Denson Springs. These included Sarah Ann Farr Gardner, daughter of Abraham Farr and her son, John Simpson Gardner; John Riley Farr and his wife, Merial Cordelia, daughter of Eugenia Victoria Morgan Robertson and William Green Robertson.

Sources of Information
Shelby Ct., AL Historical Society and Museum, Columbiana, Shelby Ct., AL
Alabama Census Records, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870
South Carolina Census Records, 1810
NOTABLE MEN OF ALABAMA, Vol I, by Joel C. DuBose - reprint 1976
Early Marriages of Shelby Ct., AL
Bible records of Martha Jane Robertson Watkins
Jennie Mae Auld
Estate Papers of Henry W. Robertson, Shelby Ct. AL
Estate Papers of William Green Robertson, Shelby Ct., AL
Tombstone of Henry W. Robertson and Eugenia Victoria Morgan Robertson
USA Prisoner of War Files, William Green Robertson
Confederate Military Records, William Green Robertson
Shelby Ct., Historical Journals
Alabama Records - Gandrud
Cynthia Robertson Sims

Aunt Bea's sources: 

JoAnne Thomas and Willie Alexander; Rootsweb.com cemetery transcription by Bobby Joe Seales; Ancestry.Com family tree, unknown contributor