Pictures of Roberts
“Roberts” is a surname particularly common in the north of Wales. deriving from the Saxon/Norman given name Robert, meaning “bright fame” – from the Germanic elements “hrod” meaning fame and “beraht” meaning bright. Although the name was known in England before the Norman Conquest in 1066, it was mainly introduced into England by the Normans.
The first of our line to come to the US is believed to be James Roberts, who was born in Deal, Kent, England in 1724 and married Elizabeth Mumbray there on December 27, 1748. James was the son of Sir Richard Roberts II, 1692-1747.(Richard’s info is at http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=bogeyman&id=I18982) Richard married Catherine Beech on Oct. 10, 1721, in Deal, Kent, England.
James and his family came to Virginia sometime before 1767, when their son Cornelius married Mary Helen Benton in Orange County, Virginia. Some records show Cornelius being born in Halifax, VA, in 1749. James was one of the founders of Pittsylvania County, VA, and was my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather. In addition to Cornelius, they had 1 daughter, Mary Polly Roberts, and 3 other sons, Abner, Isaac, and William. William was my great, great, great, great, great grandfather and one of the founders of Lee County, Virginia.
My family, Sorrento, FL, Christmas 2008. L-R: Adam, Tracy, Nathan, me, Lily, Ashley.
My parents, Foyster & Evelyn (Baker) Roberts, in Tampa, FL, 2002.
The family at our wedding, Tampa, FL, 06/30/2002, (Front, l-r) Billie (Moneyhan) Patton, Angie (Patton) Arruda, Ashley Griffin, Tracy (Patton) Roberts, Jeff Roberts, Foyster Roberts, Evelyn Roberts, Gwen Roberts, (Back, l-r) Brad Arruda, Adam Bryan, Bill Patton, Lynette (Morris) Brosch, Amy Brosch, Glenn Brosch.
Mom & Dad’s 50th anniversary. They renewed their vows at Duck Creek Baptist Church in Sneedville, TN. l-r are my stepdaughter Ashley, my wife Tracy, my sister Gwen, Mom, Dad, my stepson Adam, and myself. Lily was present, but was not born till a couple of months later.
My dad, Foyster W. Roberts. He was a Private-First Class in the 7th Corps, U.S. Army during the Korean War.
My uncle, Claude Roberts. He served as my dad’s best man.
My uncle, Lawrence Roberts. He was my Dad’s oldest brother and they were close. When grandpa Roberts passed away, he basically became the father in the family. He served as a tail gunner during World War II.
My aunt, Thelma Roberts
Some of the Roberts women, 1959. (Back, l-r) Lawrence’s wife Nell, Thelma Roberts, (Front, l-r) Willard’s wife Madge, Bauer (Roberts) Johnson, Rita Roberts, Foyster’s wife Evelyn, Gwen Roberts, Claude’s wife Lois.
Some of the Roberts children in 1959. (l-r) Foyster’s daughter, Gwen, Lawrence’s son & daughter, David & Sharon, Bauer’s daughters, Beatrice & Rita.
Sharon (Roberts) Tankersley, Tom Roberts, David Roberts.
Grandma Esta (Wallen) Roberts & aunt Thelma Roberts.
Aunt Bauer (Roberts) Johnson, cousin Beatrice, aunt Thelma Roberts.
Aunt Bauer (Roberts) Johnson with her younger daughter Rita.
My grandma, Esta Mae (Wallen) Roberts. She was a Godly woman who practically raised 7 boys and 2 girls by herself, since grandpa died at a young age.
My uncle Ed Roberts at the age of 19.
Uncle Ed sitting in front of Fisher Exxon, the store/gas station that he and his wife Nola ran for many years. It was on Route 70 in Blackwater about 1/2 mile from the Post Office. It’s location made it a popular hangout and allowed Ed & Nola to meet many interesting people, including distant Roberts relatives from Oklahoma, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It also allowed him to meet the father of Bluegrass music, Bill Monroe. The 2 became friends as a result.
Dad & uncle Ed. Dad is holding an old fashioned cross-cut saw.
My dad, Foyster Roberts, looking at one of grandpa Roberts’ old doubletrees with uncle Ed Roberts & his daughter, Suzie.
The Roberts brothers @1978. (l-r) Lawrence, Foyster, Willard, Paul, Ed, and a family friend.
Lawrence & Nell (Miller) Roberts
(l-r) Grandpa Claude Baker, uncle Ed Roberts, my mother Evelyn (Baker) Roberts, my cousin Suzie Roberts, aunt Nola (Hurley) Roberts.
My sis, Gwen Roberts, during her senior year of high school, 1973.
(l-r) Fred Tankersley, Tom Carpenter, David Roberts, Dwaine Roberts, Sharon (Roberts) Tankersley at Paul & Betty Roberts’ house in Bean Station, TN, in 1984.
My cousin Dwaine Roberts and me. (I’m on the left) Dwaine is uncle Lawrence’s youngest child. This photo was taken in 1984.
David Roberts and his brother-in-law, Fred Tankersley in 1984. David is the oldest child of uncle Lawrence Roberts.
Sis, Kettering, Ohio, @1983.
Although they aren’t of the Roberts’ bloodline, dad referred to Clay & Lilly Jones as his “adopted parents”. So I had to include them on this page. They put our family up many times during visits and Lilly could put out quite a spread of home-cooked food. Here they are being silly, acting like they are entering an outhouse together.
Paul & Betty Roberts in front of their home in Bean Station, Tennessee.
The Roberts brothers, taken @1984. (l-r) Willard, Foyster, Claude, Ed, Paul.
My wonderful father, Foyster W. Roberts, 07/17/1928-09/05/2010. You couldn’t have met a better example of a Christian man or father. He worked 50 years at GM, many of those years while working a second job at a service station, to provide for his family. He took care of an invalid son for 20 years, not complaining once. He was a Korean War veteran. He was a Sunday school teacher, Elder, Deacon, and song leader at churches in Dayton, Ohio, and Sneedville, Tennessee. He also was a Master Mason, although he was not active in his later years.
The Roberts family in the early 1960s. (l-r) Greggy, Foyster, Evelyn, Gwen. Greggy had Cerebral Palsy as a result of a birth injury and had to be cared for like a small child for his 20 year lifetime. He loved church and southern gospel music.
3 generations of Roberts men, taken @2 months before dad’s death. (l-r) Me, Nathan, dad. Notice that even though sick, dad is smiling and having a happy cellphone conversation with his pastor, Kestor Bunch. You rarely heard dad complain.
My cousin, Suzie Roberts, the daughter of Ed & Nola (Hurley) Roberts.
My grandfather, Fredrick Holmes Roberts. He passed away from an illness when my father was only 11. He was known for his strength and his temper. He was also known for his fruit trees. Although he didn’t typically attend church, I’m told that local preachers used his pruning practices as an example in their sermons.
My grandfather’s siblings: I’m not sure of my great aunts in the back, but I’m assuming that Hettie Roberts Nickel is in the middle. The boys in front are Edd, Bascum and Elbert (“Sug”) Roberts
My grandmother, Esta (Wsllen) Roberts
My great uncles, Edd and Elbert (“Sug”) Roberts
My great, grandfather, Elbert S. Roberts. He taught at the old Blackwater schoolhouse located on the ridge behind Sarepta Church on Route 70 in Blackwater. He also was a school teacher and principal at the old Blackwater school house on Route 604 in Blackwater. His contemporaries such as Amos Robinette told my uncle Paul Roberts that Elbert was, “one of the finest educators in the country”. Elbert was a member of the Dunkard (German Baptist) Brethren’s Church in Blackwater. He was a serious man that tolerated no foolishness from his family or students. When he began teaching, he had to deal with older boys that had run off the previous teachers. At that time, all ages were taught in the same room. Elbert showed up with a bat, and the boys learned to behave. By the end of that year, he had taught the students to each bow to him as they left school at the end of the day.
The Zion Quartet at the Virginia State Singing Convention: (l-r) Jim Osborne(Tenor), Olonie Helton(Bass), Jackie Brown Osborne(Alto), Foyster Roberts(Lead)
by Jeff Roberts with 28 comments.
IN my mothers ancestry the line goes back to Ruben Roberts (1744-1841) and Mary (Asher) Roberts.
I, too, am a descendant of Revolutionary soldier Reuben Roberts and Mary “Polly” Asher as well as “Long Hunter” Elisha Wallen/Walling & wife Mary Blevens. Your family story of Roberts is interesting.
Would you happen to know of a Robert Roberts that went by the name bob, He was born in johnson County, TN Abt. 1905 or 1906. and He married a Pearl Neely, From Johnson County, TN. I am tracing my family history and the roberts side I’ve had the most hardest time with. all I know of is that My grandmother was a roberts, Her name was Gloria Dean Roberts(married Junior Turnmire) Her Father was Hal Or Howard Eugene Roberts(Born Johnson County and went by “Gene”), He was born 1930 or 1933, and married Mary Madeline Hamm(From Konnarock/Damascus, VA) and His dad was Bob Roberts, but his name was actually Robert Roberts. He married Pearl Neely, She was daughter to Clinton William Neely and Frances Elizabeth Waters. Clinton and Frances lived and Died in Johnson County, TN. But what I am having problems with is finding Robert”Bob” Roberts Parents. So any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, and this is a very wonderful site you’ve put together. I hope to do the same when my research is complete
I can go back to Wm Roberts born in Va 1765 married to Catherine Rogers
believe Wm Sr born 1730 married Elizabeth Wallen
wow that was very interesting . brought back alot of memories .
This was great to see. I did not know this existed. Thanks
Thank You Jeff, for doing all this. I certainly have enjoyed it. I have had a lot of reminising over the past years. I love you and an so very prowd and thankful, you are my son.
I have a large Roberts book, which begins with William Roberts and wife
Catherine Rogers Roberts. I am always glad to hear from anyone interested
in that family. I would like to know for sure about generations prior to
William and Catherine. I love the old pictures.
My greatgreat grandfather was William Roberts b.1800 .He married Margaret Ann Wilhiet b. 1807 around 1820 in Campbell,Tennessee. They moved to Miss and are on the 1845 tax roll there then they moved to Ala. then back to Ms where William died before 1860 bc Margaret is on the census roll with the three younger children. I am having no luck finding his parents or where he was born. Some children say Tn other say Ky. If you can help I would appreciate it.
Still searching for my William Roberts b. 1800 Campbell Co. Tenn.
This is my family line
Robert Shannon Roberts sr
Stanley Odell Roberts
George Washington Roberts
Daniel Webster Roberts
Alexander “buck” Roberts
Daniel Roberts
Cornelius Roberts
James Roberts
Richard Roberts jr
Richard Roberts sr
John Roberts
Thomas Roberts jr
Thomas Roberts sr
Sir Walter Roberts
John Roberts” baron”
Stephen Roberts
Lord Stephen rookehurst Roberts
William Roberts of Ireland
This is all I have but I do believe that we are cousins far down the tree line.
Hi Amanda, I’m Nicola and my family have been looking for info about the Roberts family from deal. My grandmothers father / grandfather was Richard Roberts lifeboat coxswain of north downs in deal kent. His father had the rose and crown pub on middle street as did, I think, his father too.
Richard Roberts also had a brother, john. I am very intersed to know whether Richard Roberts sr. 1660-1693 is part of the same Roberts family. I’d love and very much appreciate any info you have.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Hi, I am also descended from Richard Roberts 1839-1933, the celebrated lifeboatman, His daughter Frances Mary Roberts was my 2x great grandmother. Unfortunately due to the death of my grandmother’s mother in childbirth, she (my grandmother) never got a chance to know anyone from this part of our family, so i have been hunting for her, it would be great to hear back from you, as i was sure that my family were the only living descendants of Richard. By the way I have done quite a lot of research into Richard, and from census’s and obituaries that go into quite a bit of detail, i can’t find any actual link to the Rose and Crown pub, apart from a brief paragraph on the dover archives, from the census, there seems to be no evidence of this what so ever…
Hello very distant relatives!
My name is Aimee and Cornelius is my 5x great grandfather through his son James. I love the site and wanted to add a bit of information on Cornelius that I have found. Hope ya’ll enjoy!
Cornelius “Neal” Roberts who was born between 1746 and 1749 probably in what is now Henry County, Virginia and died in 1788 at Black Mountain, Lee Co., Virginia. Cornelius married Mary (Benton?) and had a total of 12 children, including James Roberts Sr, 6 boys and 6 girls. Documents show that he held up to 768 acres in Pittsylvania Co., VA (now Henry) during the late 1760’s. In 1769 or 1770 he moved westward to present day Grayson Co., VA where eight of his children were born. He obtained 400 acres “by settlement” in 1772.
Problems with the Indians were relatively few in this part of the frontier until around 1773 when several brutal Indian attacks took place with retaliation by the whites which resulted in what became known as “Lord Dunmore’s War”. In 1774 Governor Dunmore ordered a thousand men from the south and an equal number from the north to march on the Shawnee Indians at Point Pleasant at the confluence of the Kanawha and the Ohio Rivers. On October 10, 1774 the “Long Knives” dealt a complete defeat to Chief Cornstalk and his Shawnee warriors with heavy losses on both sides.
Cornelius Roberts along with other Roberts were members of Captain Looney’s Company along with the legendary Daniel Boone and his son Israel Boone. They marched north over 160 miles across the the rugged mountains in nineteen days to confront the Indians. Cornelius was paid 2 pounds, 3 shillings, 6 pence for twenty-nine days.
Records show that Cornelius and James Roberts fought against the British in the American Revolution in the Elk Creek militia in 1780 where he served under Lieutenant Isham Wright and Captain Charles Morgan. However, he was also accused of being a British sympathizer and taking part in Loyalist activities, although from the following it is assumed that there was no evidence; The Montgomery Co., VA Court Order Book, Nov. 8, 1780, “Ordered that William Roberts (brother of Cornelius?), Neal Roberts…..(et al)……be restored their property again, it being lately taken from them by the Militia of Montgomery and Washington Counties, as nothing appears against them with Regard of their being Enemies to the State.” also “On hearing the Petition of James Roberts….et al ….. it is the opinion of the Court that the said Petitioners be received as members of the Community so long as they behave as good Citizens, but the Court does not believe itself properly authorized to grant pardon for offenses against Individuals”. From this it is assumed that James Roberts (Cornelius brother? or father?) was proved to be a British sympathizer and taking part in Loyalist activities but that his land was to be returned and no further penaltys incurred so long as they “behaved as good citizens”.
The 1782 and 1787 Montgomery County, VA Land Tax List shows Cornelius with 150 acres, however in 1783 he likely moved to Washington County (now Russell County) where 352 acres were surveyed on his behalf on Cedar Creek which flows south from the Clinch River. The actual grant for the land was not made to Cornelius Roberts until May of 1787. An additional 260 acres was surveyed in 1785 and he received it June of 1787 as a Right of Settlement Land Grant.
Cornelius Roberts was killed and scalped by Indians in June of 1788 on Black Mountain, in the extreme western corner of Virginia near the border with Kentucky, when he and a small party were digging for Ginseng roots. Following is an extract from a letter written to the Governor of Virginia in 1788; “…..savages have lately killed 16 persons on the French Broad, and that the news had reached them (authors of the letter) of 80 Indians being on their way against the Holston and Clinch. ….. the Cherokees had joined the Creeks, which combination no force the people could raise to resist. Three men had been killed on the Black Mountain ……. That men who had gone to the Black Mountain to dig ginseng had found a camp when one of the Elimes (Elams) and three of the Breedings of New Garden, and Neal Roberts, had been about the same employment, several of whom lay killed and scalped. The Cherokees evidently bent on war, and unless means are taken at once to protect that county, great suffering and disaster must follow soon.”
And from the Annals of Southwest Virginia 1746-1786 — Washington County by Lewis Preston Summers pg. 422 “……….and in the month of June 1788 four men were killed in Russell county and three men were killed and scalped on the Black Mountain. One of the Elmires, three of the Breedings and Neal Roberts, from the New Garden settlements in Russell County were found on Black mountain, killed and scalped.”
There is a Roberts family tradition that the Cherokee Chief Robert Benje was the leader of the band that killed Cornelius Roberts and his party. Further tradition states that Cornelius’ son hunted down and killed Chief Benje in 1794. It is not known if Robert Benje was in fact involved in the deaths on Black Mountain but Robert Benje was killed by Vincent Hobbs.
However, records from the Cherokee agency in Tennessee state: “Names of persons who were present and acting in the killing of two Cherokees on or about the 24th January 1813 in the Cherokee nation. The names of the Cherokees who were killed were Dick Benge a half Blood Cherokee and a Cherokee named Jacket………..Daniel Roberts……” This record shows that Cornelius’ son was involved in the killing of the son of Chief Robert Benje.
I have been trying to find the ancestor of my, John T. Roberts. B. 1779 in S.C. and lived with an family member, William Roberts after his father died, in Grayson Co., My DNAis showing matches to Amelia Roberts and Corneilus Roberts. Does anyone one know about the sons of James a or have any idea where my John T. is connected?
Hi Bonnie: I am a descendant from William Roberts ( 1770-1838) of Grayson county Virginia. I do have Williams’s father listed as John Roberts ( B1730 Cork Ireland – D1808 Surry County NC)
Here is a great article that chronicles some of the Roberts history in Grayson County Virginia. Let me know how else I may be of assistance. Thanks !
http://flatridgechronicles.com/index.php?page=irishconnections
Hi Stephen,
I have found that the line for my John T. (Turner) is not through the Irish line as is shown on a lot of lines that have mistakenly not done any research to prove that line. Through my and 4 other DNA Roberts cousins we have been getting hint that take us to Shadrach Roberts and Catherine Turner being our John T.’s family.
I also am connected through DNA Hints to a Henry Brooks/Rachel Frost line to Cornelius/Mary and their daughter Amilia. so this is getting us somewhere. Now I am trying to find the correct father To Rev. John Frost who married Mary Benton Roberts. Any help would be appreciated. I also have spoken to a Roberts DNA Project person who feels that Shadrach is also connected to William and Cornelius through DNA as Cornelius and William have shown to be. We are waiting to see if a Direct line Male Roberts will be will to test for verification to Shadrach’s line.
Thanks Again,
Bonnie
we are roberts from corbin ky
Thank you so much for putting this together. There are pics on here that I haven’t seen for some time. The years sure do pass by quickly.
Thanks, again.
I am part of the Owens and Morgan family of Elkhorn City, Ky., looking for information on John Farmer and Tabitha Kee married Grayson Co., Va., 1821. Many of these names such as the Roberts, Elam’s, Morgan’s are all related indirectly, but not ever run into anyone who can give information about this part of the line in the 1820’s. John Farmer ended up living and dying in Russell County, Va and his wife, son Burdine and another child lived there, having many other children after moving into that county. Word has it that these 2 early children may not have been Farmer children. If you have any information, I would much appreciate. I love the entire article because it clears up much of the inner dynamics missing when you just research people and dates. Cindy Owens at JCOwens4512@aol.com
Sir,
We have a common ancestor in Cornelius Roberts. I would appreciate it if you would send me an email at dan97526@msn.com. I have some pictures I would like to share with you that I expect you will find a bit uncanny. Despite the distance of our common ancestor, there is a remarkable family resemblance in some of our respective family members.
Thanks,
Dan
My family is from Marshall, NC (Madison County). I’ve only gone back to 1792, William Roberts buried in Crooked Ridge Cemetery beside his son Evan (also spelled Ivin in census records), and Evan’s son Amos J Roberts, my gg grandfather. My name is Kelly Roberts. kellyr843@gmail.com
Wow, just came across this page, very well done. Have just started researching the grandparents of my 2 sons. Grandparents Robbins/Quillen. Maternal side Quillen leads to Elbert Sidney Roberts, via Nancy Anna Roberts whose parents were Elbert S Roberts and Nancie Anna Willis. Would appreciated further discussion, photos or history.
Thanks
By any stroke of luck would you have a picture of Nancy Ann Willis/Roberts and Elbert S Roberts. I have seen the one of Elbert. You have done a lot of work on your family tree website
Hi my name is Clarence imam a descendent of Isaac the son of Cornelius I live close to Elk Creek Va if anyone like to see some pictures where Cornelius settled please e-mail me at mtnfiddler@hotmail.com I would like if anyone has information how Cornelius got to America when he left Kent England Thanks Clarence
I would appreciate anything about the parent of my Greatfather, Joel Roberts (b Oct-1863,d May 3,1941)who married Persada Louvenia Joiner, Feb 27, 1885.
I have found his death cerificate identifying his mother as Rebbeca, father unknown. He is buied at Warner Cemetery in Jonesville. I have been unable to find anything in the available censes.
Has anyone ran across this name in doing their search??
Hi everyone,
I was wondering if anyone might have the address for the Roberts family cemetery in Blackwater, VA. My grandmother, Bessie (Roberts) Wallen, is buried there, and I remember visiting as a child, but have no recollection of how to get there. I have been searching everywhere! I found a Find a Grave comment that said it was off SR-70, 10 miles south of Jonesville, VA at foot of Powell Mt, near a group of houses across the road from the Collingsworth Cemetery, but I am sure I will still get lost looking for it. My grandmother was married to Elmer Wallen, and I believe she had siblings named Pearl and Hagan who I also met when I was very young. Any help on finding the cemetery would be greatly appreciated. I have had her on my mind a lot lately.
Hi Lisa. The only Roberts cemetery that I know of is just past the intersection of 604 (AJ Osborne Highway) and 603. If you’re coming from Jonesville, you would continue around to the right on 603 rather than turning left on 604. It will be a dirt path on your right. I have not been up to it, but my understanding is that it’s a rough path up to the cemetery. So, you may want to take a truck or 4-wheel drive vehicle. Here are some directions that I found at http://blackwater-virginia.blogspot.com/2011/08/blackwater-cemetery-directory.html:
Roberts Family Cemetery
Directions: From Jonesville on SR-70, turn left on 604 (A. J. Osborne Highway), veer right at a Y intersection on to SR-603 (Carter Cave Road). Drive about 0.3 miles to the entrance on the right.
GPS Coordinates: N36?37.684’ W083?01.476’