Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 09.djvu/138

 ROBESON

ROBIE

states if they were attacktil. He was married to Mary F. T. Smith. He is the author of : Podia- hontas iilias Matonkit, ami her Descendants thnmgh her Marriage with John liolfe (1887), and a Vindication of the Course of Virginia throughout the Shive Controversy (MS.). He died-* in Wiisliingtou county. Va.. Feb. 11, 1888.

ROBESON, George Maxwell, cabinet oflficer, was born at Oxford Fiinuni', in Belvidere, N.J., in 18-39 ; son of William P. and Anna (Maxwell) Rol>eson, and a descendant of Andrew Robeson, surveyor-general of New Jersey in IGGS. The family is of Scotcii descent. Andrew Robeson was a graduate of Oxford university, and his son Jonathan named the spot where in 1741 he planted tiie first irou furnace in Morris county, N.J., for that reason. He was graduated at the College of Now Jersey, A.B.. 1847. A.M.. 1850; studied law under Chief-Justice Hornblower in Newark, and was admitted to the bar in 1850. He settled in practice in Newark, but shortly removed to Cam- den. N.J., where he was prosecutor of the pleas for Camden county, 1858 ; was active in organiz- ing the state troops for service in the civil war, and was commissioned brigadier-general by Gov- ernor Parker. He was attorney-general of New Jersey, 18(>7-69, resigning. June 22, 18G9, to accept the portfolio of the navy in President Grant's cabinet, and held the office from June 25, 1869, to March 3, 1877, also serving as secretary of war for a time in 1876 on the resignation of William W. Belknap. His official conduct as secretary of the navy was the subject of congressional inves- tigation in 1876 and 1878, but in both cases the judiciary committee of tlie house found that the charges against him were not sustained. He was married, Jan. 2.3, 1872, to Mary Isabella (Ogston) Aulick. a widow, with a son, Richmond Aulick (Princeton, 1889). They had one daughter, Ethel Maxwell. He was a Republican representative from the first New Jersey district in the 46th and 47th congresses, 1879-83 ; was defeated in 1882 for the 48th congre.ss, and in 1883 resumed the practice of law in Trenton, N.J., where he died, Sept. 27. X^r,.

ROBESO.N, Henry Bellows, naval officer, was born in New Haven, Conn., Aug. 5, 1842 ; son of Dr. Abel Bellows and Susan (Taylor) Robeson ; grandson of Maj. Jonas and Susan (Bellows) Robeson and of the Rev. Dr. Natiianiel "William and Rebecca (Hine) Taylor, and a descendant of William Robinson r)f Watertown and Lexington, Mass., who died in March, 1698 ; of John Whit- ney, who settled in Watertown in 1635, and of the Rev. Nathaniel Taylor (1722-1800) of New Milford, Conn., and through him of Daniel Tay- lor, one of the first settlers of New Milford. about 16.38. He was appointed acting midsliipman in the U.S. navy, Sept 25, 18.56 ; midshipman, June

15, 1860. and master, Sept. 19, 1861. He served on blockade duty during the civil war ; was en- gaged in the attack on Fort McRae, Nov, 23, 1861, and in the defence of Charleston, April 7, 1863 : commanded the landing party from the New Ironsides in the assault and capture of the Confederate works on the lower part of Morris Island, July 10, 1863, and took part in the bom- bardments of Forts Wagner, Sumter and Moul- trie. He was promoted lieutenant, July 16, 1862, and was attached to the Colorado of the North Atlantic blockading squadron, commanding the landing party in the assault of Fort Fisher, Jan.

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15, 1865. He was commissioned lieutenant-com- mander, July 25, 1866, and commander. Feb. 12, 1874, and was flag-lieutenant of the Asiatic squadron, 1867-70. He was married, June 11, 1872, to Katherine, daughter of the Rev. John Nelson and Mary (Nichols) Bellows of Walpole, N.H. He commanded the U.S.S. Vandalia, 1876- 79 ; was stationed at the Naval academy, 1879-83, and commanded the U.S.S. Constitution in 1883. He was promoted captain, Aug, 25, 1887 ; com- modore. Feb. 1, 1898, and was placed on the re- tired list with the rank of rear-admiral, March 28, 1899. He was captain of the navy yard at Portsmouth, N.H., 1895-98 ; was a member of the advisory board for the construction of new cruisers, 1888-89 ; commanded the U.S.S. Chicago, 1889-91, and was supei'visor of the harbor of New York. 1891-93.

ROBIE, Frederick, governor of Elaine, was born in Gorham, Maine, Aug. 12, 1822 ; son of the Hon. Toppan and Sarah Tliaxter (Lincoln) Robie ; grandson of Edward and Sarah (Webster) Robie of Chester, N.H., and of John and Bethiah (Thaxter) Lincoln. His first direct American ancestor was Henry Robie of Dunbarton, Eng- land, who first settled in Exeter, N.H., in 1639, and soon afterward in Hampton, N.H. His first direct American ancestor on his mother's side was Samuel Lincoln, who came from Old Hing- ham, England, and settled in New Hingiiam, Mass., in the year 1637. It is generally supposed that lie was the first American ancestor of Pres- ident Abraham Lincoln. Frederick Robie was graduated from Bowdoin college in 1841 ; taught school in Georgia and Florida, and was graduated