Robberts Family Journal: Introduction

Robberts Family Journal

Note of Explanation

When Edna Hoffman Bowman died in 2003, I was given several boxes of photographs and family memorabilia. I generally serve as the family historian. Edna Bowman was my husband’s great-aunt. Most of the boxes were related to the Hoffman, Bowman and Garrett families with which I was familiar, but one box contained materials on the Robberts family and I set about to determine their identity. I quickly discovered that Edna Bowman’s sister, Ethel Hoffman had married Max Robberts and somehow Edna Bowman had become the keeper of the Robberts family records.

Max Robberts was the son of James Cornelius Robberts (born 1850) and the grandson of James Fletcher Robberts and Roxanne Deming. Among the family records was a very old Journal, which belonged to James Fletcher Robberts. I studied the Journal gingerly, as it was fragile. On the first look through it appeared to be a record of his farming activities in Poweshiek County, Iowa beginning in 1848. It was very detailed and I felt that it would be of value to the historical record of Iowa, so I wrote to the State Archives of Iowa to see if they would be interested in having it for their collection. They responded with a few questions which caused me to review the Journal again. For this, I was very thankful. On more careful inspection I found a number of family records and even some diary style entries.

Even though the Robberts family is rather distant from my own family history pursuits, I feel it is important to make a careful copy of these records for others. I hope this transcription will serve that purpose. When this project is completed the original journal will be donated to the State Historical Society of Iowa and they will determine the best way to make its full content available to researchers and family historians.

Pamela Hutchison Garrett
February 2005

More About the Journal

The Journal is about 6 ½ inches wide,15 inches tall and contains about 50 leaves. It is in very fragile condition, but most of it is clearly readable. There is no writing on the cover. Half of the inside first page is missing, but at the top of the page it says: “The Way to Earn a Farm” by G B Zieber and Co, Philadelphia” James Fletcher Robberts signed his name about a half dozen times, in a variety of styles, as though he was trying to decide what style he would use for his signature.

On the reverse side of the opening page (half of the page is missing) it states, “James F Robberts This Book Baut of James Thompson and Co $.60 Don’t steel this Book for Fear of the Judgement of the Judge of the State Indiania . . the Judgement Jas F Robberts”

Following the opening page is an alphabetical index of names. These appear to be names of people James F Robberts contracted with for labor. When he began entries in the journal he made this statement, “Be it known that on this Nov the 12th 1848 All accounts was . . and Drawn off on a small book for handings all Debts and all that coming to me the writing of this Book is of none affect only to Show the amt of Goods and Chattles and Contracts of this and the preseeding years trade of 1846/7 Given under my hand and . . this the above day and Date Jas F Robberts”

The farming records continue through about the first 30 leaves of the Journal and end in about the year 1858. The closing 20 or so leaves of the Journal contain a jumble of records that were entered at various times up until the 1950’s. Some further farming records are mixed into these closing leaves. Following is a Contents List with a brief description of the records. In the transcription section I give a few examples from the farming records. More complete transcriptions appear for the family records.

Most of the handwriting in the Journal belongs to James Fletcher Robberts. It is generally legible, though I have been challenged in transcribing some words and phrases. He used a variety of inks, some of which have faded significantly. I have tried to follow the original spelling and punctuation (or lack of punctuation). I have no doubt that I have made errors in this transcription, but I hope that it is true to the original intent of leaving a clear record of the Robberts Family.

Home ¦ Previous ¦ Next ¦ Robberts Family Report ¦ Journal Contents List

Last Update: 3 September 2005 This site best viewed by Internet Explorer - resolution 800 x 600

Citation: Garrett, Pamela Hutchison 2005 Looking Back: Family Stories and Genealogy http://pamgarrett.com/ [date accessed].