Robert Ro(e)buck III, the emigrant.

 

Robert Ro(e)buck III, the emigrant, was born in Darton Parish, Staincross, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, in 1653, and came to America in 1674. (See Immigration Record) His Father was Robert Ro(e)buck, Jr., Church Warden of Darton Parish Church, Staincross, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, and his Mother was Catherine Haigh. (See Family Tree)

At the time that Robert Ro(e)buck III, the emigrant, came to America in 1674, the Calvert Family, Lords Proprietor of Maryland, still granted 50 acres of land to anyone who brought himself or another person into Maryland to live. Robert Ro(e)buck III was one of five persons transported by Mathias Dicosta of St. Mary's, Maryland as servants. The other four were Richard Walker, Dorothy Madok, Richard Beavar and Ann Temple. Matthias Dicosta, originally from Portugal, was granted 250 acres of land as can be seen on the Grant dated 1674 by clicking on it's thumb nail. At the time of the 1672 Hearth Taxes in England, the name Beever had a very tight distribution within the Graveship of Holme, only 8 miles from Darton. (From the Borthwick research paper 102; 'Yorkshire Surnames and the Hearth Tax returns of 1672-73' written by David Hey and George Redmonds). The name Walker, on the other hand, was quite well distributed throughout the West Riding of Yorkshire, but included some households actually in Darton.
This Grant, would also seem to disprove that Robert was transported along with a brother. There is also no evidence that Robert Roebuck had a previous marriage in England.

The length of Robert Roebuck's stay and his activities in Maryland are unknown. It is believed that he moved directly South, across the broad area of the Potomac River into Northumberland County, Virginia.

Robert Ro(e)buck III is first mentioned in the Northumberland County records in 1699, when on June 23rd. of that year he brought a law suit against William Jones, Executor of Samuel Jones Estate. Later, in 1704, he was a witness to a legal transaction.

His wife was Elizabeth Jones.

Robert Ro(e)buck III, the emigrant, died on June 15, 1709, in Northumberland County, Virginia. The will of Robert Ro(e)buck III, the emigrant, was ordered to be probated on July 20, 1709. The Court Order is as follows:

Probate of the Last Will and Testament of Robert Roebuck is granted to Robert Roebuck therein named the said will being proved by the oaths of John Gaylore-Margth Browne two of the witnesses therein named. Ref. 2 (Northumberland County Order Book, 1699-1713, Part 2, P. 577, Virginia State Library)

Robert Ro(e)buck III, the emigrant, had only one child recorded, Robert Roebuck IV.

The Robert Ro(e)buck to whom probate was granted was no doubt Robert Ro(e)buck IV who was born circa 1680/1688, in Virginia. In May of 1710, a John Forest, an orphan, chose this Robert Ro(e)buck as his guardian, who, in June, 1711, is shown on the Northumberland Records as owing Thomas Crowder 515 pounds of tobacco.

Robert Ro(e)buck IV married Elizabeth Flowers circa 1713 in Northumberland County, Virginia. Elizabeth Flowers was born circa 1693 Northumberland County, Virginia, and later remarried after Robert's death.

In 1727, Robert Ro(e)buck IV was appointed a "processioner" for the Parish of Wiccocomoco of the Anglican Church. Processioners were usually appointed to establish boundary lines and assist in settling disputes between land owners. He was to serve with Messrs. Copedge, Mahane, and Jones "for the 4th Precinct beginning at John Taylor's line." This is now the Parish of Wicomico. (The History of Wicomico Parish, including 1703-1795 Vestry Minutes, page 26)

Click on the thumbnail to visit the Wicomico Parish Church web site. Wicomico Parish Church (formerly Wiccocomoco) is in the Northern Neck of Virginia; this is the peninsula of land bounded by the Potomac River on the north and the Rappahannock River on the south. For the avoidance of any possible misunderstanding, this is not in the UK.

Robert Ro(e)buck IV lived out his lifetime in Northumberland County, Virginia, dying there in 1751. Robert wrote his will September 7, 1750. It was recorded in August 1751, and the inventory was recorded August 12, 1751 having been made by George Oldham, Charles Coppage, and Swan Lunsford. It was signed by William Robuck, Exectr and William Barrett Exectr. (R.10)

In his will Robert mentioned only three of his sons and a wife named Elizabeth.

The will of Robert Ro(e)buck IV of Wicoccomoco Parish, Northumberland County, Virginia, which was probated in August, 1751, is as follows: -

To my son William my dwelling plantation where I have lived. Two negroes James and Sauny, my still.

To wife Elizabeth two negroes Jane and Frank to maintain her as long as she doth live and a bed.

To son John plantation where he now lives for his lifetime.

To son Rawleigh plantation I bought of Edwin (Edward) Saunders. One negro Peter, bed and furniture which I now lie on.

My cattle, hogs, and household goods may be divided between my wife and children.

William Robuck and William Barrett, Executors.

Witnessed by Rawleigh Robuck and Mary Richeson (Richardson).

His inventory included "one case of pistols and holsters and sword, one suite Linnen Cloaths, one Blew Duffle Great Coat, one Cannoe, 33 best Pewter, 6 flat plates, 1 Large Iron Bound Chest, one Square Table, and Cloath with Napkin, One Looking Glass, Three old Bibbles."

Records show that in 1740 he gave William, 2 negro boys named Peter and Joe and one Negro girl named Frank; and he gave Robert, 2 negro women (Jenny and Nan) and 2 negro boys (Jimmy and Pole).

After his death, Elizabeth married William Harcum.


 The copyright of this website 2002 to 2008 belongs to the web owner. No part of this website may be sold, used for commercial purposes or republished in any form, either in print, electronically or otherwise, without the express permission of the web owner. Any person, company or organisation found to be in breach of the foregoing will be liable to prosecution.