BIOGRAPHY: Robert LAMBERTON, Cumberland County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson OCRed by Judy Banja Copyright 2004. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/cumberland/ _____________________________________________________________ >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, p. 30-32 _____________________________________________________________ MAJOR ROBERT LAMBERTON, whose active career in the formative period of the great commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as a brave soldier, as a successful merchant, as a public official, or as an honorable gentleman of true worth, is a part of the history of Cumberland county, comes from a long line of useful men, who have braved dangers, endured hardships, and, in the end, accomplished much for the good of their country. The name of Lamberton is of Scotch origin, found in the Lowlands in ancient days. The estates of the De Lambertons lay in Berwickshire and Ayrshire, and there the name is found frequently on the records. In the reign of Edgar (1097-1107), in a charter granted by him to the monks at St. Cuthbert, and in other grants at that early day, the name also appears. William de Lamberton. Bishop of St. Andrews, was the friend of both Sir William Wallace and Robert Bruce. The history of the family from that time until the latter part of the seventeenth century is purely traditional; but with the anti-prelacy agitation it again becomes distinct. Religious persecution CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 31 drove some members of the family to the North of Ireland. Robert Lamberton lived at Oughill, four miles from Londonderry, Province of Ulster, Ireland, where he was a prosperous cloth merchant. He was about eighty years of age when he died. His wife's name was Finley. It is known that Robert Lamberton had two brothers, James and another, whose name is not known. Of Robert Lamberton's children, James is mentioned below; Christopher, who was educated for the ministry in Scotland, emigrated to America, read law, and then moved to Ohio; John settled in Venango county, Pa., and died there; Huston and William remained in the old country. Gen. James Lamberton, son of Robert, was born near Londonderry in either 1751 or 1755. At this time the persecution which drove the Scots from their own land to the North of Ireland followed them to their supposed haven of refuge, and they were obliged to look to the New World for the freedom their independent spirits craved. Toward the close of the war of the Revolution, and before the final treaty of peace was signed, Gen. James Lamberton came to Pennsylvania, and settled among so many of his countrymen in the Cumberland Valley. Tradition says he crossed in the same vessel with the father of the late President Buchanan. At any rate he arrived at Carlisle in 1783, after a short stay in Philadelphia. For two years he was in business with Major William Alexander, and then began business on his own account, being one of the most extensive, as well as successful, merchants in the Valley. His large packers' trains crossed the Alleghenies carrying merchandise to the South and Southwest. Gen. Lamberton was by nature a leader of men. His character was too strong to rest in minor affairs, and he became a prominent worker in public affairs. He became an advocate of the Democratic-Republican party led by Mr. Jefferson, which sympathized with the French in their war with England. With the reorganization of the State militia, in 1793, James Lamberton was elected major of the 1st Battalion of Cumberland County militia, to rank as such from July 28, 1792. In 1795 he was elected to the VIth House of Representatives, and was re-elected the following year. In all the legislation of that time, so important in establishing the government upon a substantial basis. Gen. Lamberton took a conspicuous part - a part that showed the lofty principles of the man, and his unswerving advocacy of all measures for the progress of the republic regardless of party politics. In January, 1804, he was commissioned brigade inspector, and was mustered into United States service, accompanying the soldiers to the northern frontier. On July 4, 1814, he was commissioned brigade inspector of the 1st Brigade, 11th Division, for seven years; in July, 1821, he was elected major-general of the division, for a term of seven years. For many years before his death he lived retired. Well-educated and intelligent, brave and determined, he inherited the dauntless upright spirit of his ancestors, the Covenanters of Scotland. He died at his home. No. 117 High street, Carlisle, July 28, 1846, at the patriarchal age of more than ninety years. On Jan. 4, 1785, Gen. James Lamberton was married by John George Butler, of Carlisle, to Jane McKeehen, daughter of Alexander McKeehen, also a North of Ireland emigrant. She died Sept. 1, 1812, aged fifty-six years. Their children were: Robert, mentioned below; Alexander, James and 32 CUMBERLAND COUNTY. Esther, who all died at Carlisle unmarried; Christopher, who died near Baltimore; and Jane, who married John Noble, and died at Carlisle. Major Robert Lamberton, son of Gen. James, was born at Carlisle, March 17, 1787. He was educated at Dickinson College. at that time under the charge of Rev. Dr. Davidson, where he formed a friendship with a fellow student, James Buchanan, which proved strong and true during the remainder of their lives. Upon leaving college he began reading law, when war was declared between Great Britain and the United States. He was appointed paymaster in the service of the United States for the Pennsylvania forces, and accompanied them on their march to the frontier and into Canada. The exposure he endured on this service resulted in chronic rheumatism, which afflicted him all his life. When the war was over he returned to Carlisle, and engaged in mercantile pursuits. He held the office of postmaster for many years. On April 20, 1815, Major Robert Lamberton was married, by Rev. H. R. Wilson, to Miss Mary Harkness, who was born in April, 1791, daughter of William and Priscilla (Lytle) Harkness, worthy pioneers of Scotch-Irish stock, the former of whom, born Oct. 1, 1739, died May 4. 1822, and the latter, born in 1751, died Oct. 31, 1831. Of the children born to Major and Mrs. Lamberton four sons and two daughters survived their parents: Robert Alexander, a member of the Dauphin county Bar, and later president of Lehigh University; Alfred John, a prominent merchant in Western Minnesota; Charles Lytle, a member of the Clarion county Bar, whose political career brought him to high official position and made him a leader of Pennsylvania Democrats; Henry Wilson, a prominent merchant-banker and former mayor at Winona, Minn.; and Mrs. Mary L. Paulding and Miss Annie Graham Lamberton, who both reside at the old home in Carlisle. Those dying before the parents were James Finley, former prothonotary of Cumberland county and father of Rear Admiral B. P. Lamberton, of the United States navy, who occupied the bridge with Admiral Dewey on the battleship "Olympia" at the battle of Manila, and after the death of Capt. Gridley became captain of the vessel; Col. William Harkness, of the Venango County Bar, who died leaving a son, W. R., also deceased, a member of the New York City Bar; and Priscilla, Jane and Robert C., who all three died young. Major Lamberton died at Carlisle August 9, 1852, aged sixty-five years. His widow survived many years, and died at Carlisle Dec. 28, 1880, in the ninetieth year of her age. For sixty-three years she had been a consistent member of the First Presbyterian Church. Her devotion to her home, her family, and her church, made her life an example of Christian duty.