Robert Land

As a continuation of last week's post, this is the family plot of Colonel Robert Land whose father (also a Robert) was helped by Ralph Morden. Land was shot and his pursuers followed a trail of blood until they finally gave up thinking he was probably dead.  But Robert I, now 43 years of age in 1778, had survived and received a grant of land in Niagara Falls where he lived for three years in a miserable state without his family before moving farther west (apparently to get away from the sound of the Falls). Meanwhile, his wife Phoebe and about 6 of his 7 children (one stayed in the Delaware Valley where they were living when the Revolutionary War broke out), thinking him to be dead had moved on to safety in New Brunswick but made their way to to Niagara for better prospects. After a few years they heard about a lone white settler named Land. Barely believing it could be true but hoping, Phoebe and her son Robert made the 50 mile trek and found him at this cabin. By now the family had been separated for 11 years. The reunited family stayed and settled and in 1794 Robert I and four of his sons were granted a total of 1112 adjoining acres. The younger Robert became a Freemason and would join the militia in the War of 1812 where he attained the title of Lt Col for his duties as well as receiving a land grant of a further 220 acres. He was also involved in the 1837 Rebellion. Though he retired soon after from poor health, he would live another 30 years and die at age 95. There is an interesting and informative story of the Land family history you can read here. The Lands are considered the founders of what is now Hamilton.

This family vault is unusual in that it is an underground vault and has no windows. He is buried with 20 members of his family within including his father, the first Robert Land (1736-1818). 

Col Robert Land 1772-1867 along with his wife Hannah Horning 1777-1870. They had eight children.

for a Taphophile Tragics