Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Holbrook line: Robert Amos 1771-1826

Robert Amos was born in 1771 and died in 1826.  He was born in Baltimore County, Maryland and died in Harford County, Md., but these were probably the same, or very close to the same, locations.  Harford County was formed from part of Baltimore County in 1774.  There are indications that at one time the family estate was very large, and based on the early land records I've found, that is probably the case.  My deduction is that the family probably raised tobacco, as that is the main crop cash of Maryland during this time period.  My question about this would involve slaves: Did this family own them?  If not, how was the land planted, tended, and harvested?  I know that at least some of the Amos family were Quakers, which would make it difficult to reconcile slavery with the family holdings.

As usual, I don't know much about this man.  He was born May 6, 1771 in Baltimore County to Robert Amos and Martha McComas, the second of 10 children.  He married Elizabeth Amos on January 2, 1792, in Harford County.  As the daughter of Benjamin Amos and Sarah Bussey, she was his first cousin.  Their common grandparents were James Amos and Hannah Clarke. 

He must have been a highly respected man, because beginning in 1796 he was sheriff of the county,  and held that position for 20 years.  I've not yet found any record of him in military records, so I don't know whether he served in the military during the war of 1812, or not. 

He and Elizabeth had at least 8 children:  Martha, Sarah, Benjamin, Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Ellen, Corbin, and Robert.  Martha was born in 1792. I believe Robert was the last child.  The birth date I have for him is a bit hazy, "about 1818" but if that is so, his birth may have contributed to Elizabeth's death in 1818.

Robert and Elizabeth are both buried in the Amos Family Cemetery on the old Corbin Amos farm, on Baldwin Mill road in Harford County.  This is a small family cemetery, that also includes the burial site of Robert's parents and  Robert Jr.'s brother, Daniel, and his wife, Sarah.  Also buried there is Robert Jr.'s sister, Martha Amos McComas, and her husband, Aquila McComas.  It is possible that other family members are buried there, also, but this is the only record we have. 

Of course, there is more that I would love to know, much of which I've already mentioned. Was he in the War of 1812? Were there slaves? Is my assumption that the main crop was tobacco correct? What religion was he?  Is there a will? What was the cause of death? He died at age 55, which is somewhat young.  I'd love to go to Harford County and do more research on this family!

Our line of descent is:

Robert Amos-Elizabeth Amos
Martha Amos-Peter Black
Elizabeth Black-Isaac Hetrick
Mary Alice Hetrick-Louis Stanard
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Lois/Gladys/Ray/Howard
children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of Lois and of Gladys.









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