ROBERT ROBERTS
(c.1780-1860)
Author
Robert Roberts published his celebrated guide to
household management, The House Servant's
Directory, in 1827. Its second edition appeared
in 1828 and its third in 1837. The book begins with
a section of advice for servants and employers, followed
by a section of recipes for cleansers and drinks,
guides to food shopping and storage, and advice to
cooks and heads of families. The book “became
the standard for household management for decades
afterward.”
Roberts' life is partially veiled in mystery.
He was born in Charleston, South Carolina about 1780,
leaving the city for the North about 1802. Whether
he was born enslaved or free is unknown. How he was
educated is also unknown, but he was literate when
he left Charleston. In Massachusetts, he served as
butler to Kirk Boott, Nathan Appleton, and Christopher
Gore. Roberts may have traveled to Europe as a manservant
in the early 19th century. After leaving Gore Place,
Roberts is listed in census records as a stevedore.
His Liberator obituary states, “He
was probably the oldest stevedore in this city, and
always commanded the respect and confidence of his
various employers. By untiring industry and frugality
he acquired a handsome property.”
Roberts participated in the black Boston community
as a member of the African Meeting House church and
as an abolitionist. His first wife, Dorothy Hall (1785-1813),
was related to Rev. Thomas Paul of the African Meeting
House church. Over the years Roberts served as a deacon
and represented the church at Baptist Association
meetings. His second wife, Sarah Easton (c.1789-1837),
was the daughter of abolitionist James Easton. Roberts
married twice more. In 1812, Roberts was one of three
Bostonians to whom Captain Paul Cuffe wrote about
his civilizing mission to Africa. In 1831, Roberts
chaired a community meeting opposing the American
Colonization Society and attended the First Convention
of Colored People. He does not appear to have played
a prominent leadership role after the early 1830s.
At his death, Roberts left an estate of $7,542. His
real estate holdings were valued at $4,500. Through
rather complicated trust arrangements for his two
Napier Street houses, his will provided for the welfare
of his two living daughters, his son Timothy, and
his granddaughter Sarah C. Roberts, but left only
$1 each to his sons, Benjamin and John. |
