Robert P. Alexander

  General Notes:

1840 census: Robert P. is the only Robert Alexander on this census in Henry Co. The oldest sons, 15-19 on the census in 1840, would still beunder age in 1841 and, therefore, be one of the five children named by the court. The two males 15-19 must be Elbert M. and Bayles D; the male 5-9 is J. Dickson. In order for him to be of age in 1850, J. Smith must be the one who was 10-14 in 1840. See below for Dickson and Martha. There were two unaccounted-for people under 5 in 1840, one male and one female. The unaccounted-for female 20-29 could be a second wife, a daughter, or a female relative helping with the children. Because of Robert's age, a possible daughter could not be much over 20 even if he had been married before 1820. Jefferson's having the children in 1850 suggests that there was no widow to look after them, but she could have died after Robert. The youngest daughter and the youngest son are a puzzle because the youngest children with Jefferson must have both been 5 or over in 1840 (Dickson 7 or 8 and Martha 5 or 6). Perhaps Robert, his wife, and youngest children were victims of an epidemic. There is some possibility that the widow, if one, could have kept the younger children but could not care for all of them (however, see below). None of Robert's 1840-census children could be John Priestly.

On 9/7/1840, Robert P was appointed guardian to his own children.  Children were named as: Bayless D., Elbert, Smith, Joseph D., and Martha D. Apparently the childrens' mother had died.

  Research Notes:

Per Christian County KY Marriage Book, Robert P. Alexander married Nancy Black April 29, 1820. Christian County would have been part of old Logan County, and Matthew's Robert P. would have been about the right age, 21 or 22, to marry. Christian County the place where John M Alexander (not Robert's brother John) married Peggy Burns March 25, 1813. Robert and Nancy lived next door to Matthew in 1820 (see Matthew).

Henry County Will Book, Vol. E, 1/1838-12/1841, or Vol F reports that E. M. Alexander bought the family bible of Robert Alexander in 1841 as part of settling an estate. (Volume F is apparently 1/1842 -11/1844 or 12/1844.) It is likely that E. M. Alexander was Elbert M. See Vol E, p. 179 (R.P.) and p. 210 (Robert) for inventory and Vol F, p. 65 (Robert P. inventory) and p. 66 (Robert P. will).

HN Co. 1836-1849 Records, p. 120, Proceedings, 9/7/1840)Posted $400 guardian bond with Julian Frazier and J. H B. Wilson as security. Children were named as: Bayless D., Elbert, Smith, Joseph D., and Martha D.

1840 census: 1-- <5, 2-- 5-9, 3-- 10-14, 4-- 15-19, 5-- 20-29, 6-- 30-39, 7-- 40-49. males 1 1 1 2 0 0 1; females 1 1 0 0 1

Robert married Nancy Black on 29 Apr 1820 in , , Christian County, KY. (Nancy Black died by 1840.)

  Marriage Notes:

Bondsman Joseph Black.