Robert was born a slave at Culpepper Court House Va. August 1 1833. He lived on the Tutt's plantation, and when Albert Tutt joined the Confederate Army in 1861, Robert went with him as an ambulance driver.
When the 117th. New York Infantry went South in early 1863, apparently Robert attached himself to the regiment as a personal servant or "contraband".
He served as servant to Captain William J Hunt and later to Colonel Rufus Daggett.
Whilst he was not a soldier of the regiment, he was still in harms way. The pension papers of Captain Hunt contain a letter from Robert explaining that he was lying in the rifle pits at Petersburg Va. next to Captain Hunt when he received his fatal wound.
When the 117th. Regiment was discharged in 1865, Robert lived in Rome, New York. He worked as coachman for Renaldo Bingham, and Arthur Wylie for many years, being regarded as a fine judge of horse-flesh.
Robert became a popular figure on the streets of Rome, setting up a fife and drum band, playing at parades. He was known as "Uncle Bob", and was universally respected and admired.
In 1868, Robert married Christine Van Deusen.
Robert was made an honorary member of the 117th. New York Infantry Veterans Association, attended all meeting and accompanied the Regiment back to Fort Fisher N.C in 1907.
He died in 1937 at the remarkable age of 103 years, apparently the oldest person in Rome at the time of his death.
A marker is being arranged for his plot.
When the 117th. New York Infantry went South in early 1863, apparently Robert attached himself to the regiment as a personal servant or "contraband".
He served as servant to Captain William J Hunt and later to Colonel Rufus Daggett.
Whilst he was not a soldier of the regiment, he was still in harms way. The pension papers of Captain Hunt contain a letter from Robert explaining that he was lying in the rifle pits at Petersburg Va. next to Captain Hunt when he received his fatal wound.
When the 117th. Regiment was discharged in 1865, Robert lived in Rome, New York. He worked as coachman for Renaldo Bingham, and Arthur Wylie for many years, being regarded as a fine judge of horse-flesh.
Robert became a popular figure on the streets of Rome, setting up a fife and drum band, playing at parades. He was known as "Uncle Bob", and was universally respected and admired.
In 1868, Robert married Christine Van Deusen.
Robert was made an honorary member of the 117th. New York Infantry Veterans Association, attended all meeting and accompanied the Regiment back to Fort Fisher N.C in 1907.
He died in 1937 at the remarkable age of 103 years, apparently the oldest person in Rome at the time of his death.
A marker is being arranged for his plot.
Robert was born a slave at Culpepper Court House Va. August 1 1833. He lived on the Tutt's plantation, and when Albert Tutt joined the Confederate Army in 1861, Robert went with him as an ambulance driver.
When the 117th. New York Infantry went South in early 1863, apparently Robert attached himself to the regiment as a personal servant or "contraband".
He served as servant to Captain William J Hunt and later to Colonel Rufus Daggett.
Whilst he was not a soldier of the regiment, he was still in harms way. The pension papers of Captain Hunt contain a letter from Robert explaining that he was lying in the rifle pits at Petersburg Va. next to Captain Hunt when he received his fatal wound.
When the 117th. Regiment was discharged in 1865, Robert lived in Rome, New York. He worked as coachman for Renaldo Bingham, and Arthur Wylie for many years, being regarded as a fine judge of horse-flesh.
Robert became a popular figure on the streets of Rome, setting up a fife and drum band, playing at parades. He was known as "Uncle Bob", and was universally respected and admired.
In 1868, Robert married Christine Van Deusen.
Robert was made an honorary member of the 117th. New York Infantry Veterans Association, attended all meeting and accompanied the Regiment back to Fort Fisher N.C in 1907.
He died in 1937 at the remarkable age of 103 years, apparently the oldest person in Rome at the time of his death.
A marker is being arranged for his plot.
When the 117th. New York Infantry went South in early 1863, apparently Robert attached himself to the regiment as a personal servant or "contraband".
He served as servant to Captain William J Hunt and later to Colonel Rufus Daggett.
Whilst he was not a soldier of the regiment, he was still in harms way. The pension papers of Captain Hunt contain a letter from Robert explaining that he was lying in the rifle pits at Petersburg Va. next to Captain Hunt when he received his fatal wound.
When the 117th. Regiment was discharged in 1865, Robert lived in Rome, New York. He worked as coachman for Renaldo Bingham, and Arthur Wylie for many years, being regarded as a fine judge of horse-flesh.
Robert became a popular figure on the streets of Rome, setting up a fife and drum band, playing at parades. He was known as "Uncle Bob", and was universally respected and admired.
In 1868, Robert married Christine Van Deusen.
Robert was made an honorary member of the 117th. New York Infantry Veterans Association, attended all meeting and accompanied the Regiment back to Fort Fisher N.C in 1907.
He died in 1937 at the remarkable age of 103 years, apparently the oldest person in Rome at the time of his death.
A marker is being arranged for his plot.
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