Individual Details

Elijah Hubbard Roberts

(4 Apr 1795 - 16 Sep 1871)

He received a good education in his native town, and his early business training was under the direction of his uncle, Nehemiah Hubbard, in whose employ he remained for some time. It is said he closely resembled his uncle in character and appearance as he advanced in years. He went to New York city early in the twenties, where he established a large and successful business. Later he went to Mobile, Ala., and engaged in the cotton commission business.
He was connected with Tucker, Cooper & Co., the earliest house engaged in this branch of business, which was organized in 1855 as the New York Hemp & Flax Manufacturing Co., Mr. Roberts being one of the ten incorporators and a director in the company from 1868 to 1874. He was recognized as one of the leading merchants of his day in New York city. With his progressive ideas he became interested in Chicago in its early days, and was a partner in what appears on the city map as Johnson's, Roberts' and Stoors' addition to Chicago.



Events

Birth4 Apr 1795Middletown
Event1831New York
Event1839St. Petersburg, Russia
Event1856Middletown, Conn
Death16 Sep 1871Middletown, Conn

Families

SpouseEmily Matilda Pratt (1797 - 1870)
ChildRichard Hubbard Roberts (1839 - )
FatherElijah Roberts (1761 - 1843)
MotherPhebe Hubbard (1761 - )

Notes

Birth

Elijah Hubbard Roberts, fifth child and second son of Elijah and Phebe (Hubbard) Roberts, was born in that part of Middletown known as Long Hill, April 4, 1795.

Event

While a resident in New York he united with the Bowery Presbyterian Church in 1831, of which Dr. John Woodbrige was pastor, and was active in religious work and liberal in his gifts to advance the cause of Christianity. On his return to Middletown, after the close of his active business career, he continued his efforts in the cause of Christianity and humanity. His giving was without ostentation and he always followed the command, " Let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth."

Event

In 1839 he made a trip to St. Petersburg, Russia, to arrange for the importation of Russian hemp into this country. Such a trip was considered a great undertaking in those days, but he accomplished his object.

Event

After acquiring a competence Mr. Roberts returned to Middletown, Conn, and in 1856 he purchased the old Commodore McDonnough home and spent the remainder of his days amid the quiet scenes of his country home. He was a man of studious habits and employed his leisure time in the cultivation of his mind. He was greatly beloved by the people of his native town. He was the invaluable referee in business matters and the ever welcome addition to the social circle. He made great sacrifices to accommodate his neighbors, and in his frequent trips to New York during his early business career his trunk or valise was filled with letters and packages of his neighbors for which he willingly made himself the bearer, express companies not being in existence then and letter postage was high. As one of the directors of the Middlesex County Bank he also became the voluntary messenger and frequently carried for that institution large sums of money, which, owing to his plain, unassuming manners, was never suspected by his fellowtravelers.