My Genealogy Hound

JOHN C. ROBERTS, son of John and Ann (Watson) Roberts, was born on the old homestead, located on the Middle Road, now the Fox Chase and Huntingdon Valley Turnpike, 7th mo. 4, 1842. A brother, Franklin, born 2d mo. 22, 1841, died 1st mo. 29, 1869.

John Roberts, father, was a son of Lewis and Ruth (Hughes) Roberts, and was also born on the homestead, which has been in the possession of the family ever since. He was born 10th mo. 6, 1804, and spent his entire life in Abington township, where he was engaged in farming until the advancing years incapacitated him for active life. He died 7th mo. 8, 1889.

Lewis Roberts, grandfather, was a son of John Roberts, also born in Abington township. He married Mary Paul.

John C. Roberts was educated at Abington Friends’ School. In early life he was employed on the homestead farm, remaining there until 1875. The next nine years were spent in the ice business in Philadelphia. In 8 mo. 1884, he returned to Abington. He purchased a coal yard at Fox Chase, which he conducted until the year 1890. From that time until 1900 he resided on the homestead. He married 4 mo. 8, 1884, Margaret Roth, daughter of John and Theresa Roth, of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Their children: John R., born March 16, 1885; Anna T., born January 6, 1887. Mr. Roberts served as tax collector of Abington township from 1892 to 1896, He was also assessor for the year 1897, and has been registry assessor continuously since 1892.

The children of Lewis and Ruth Roberts, grandparents, were: William H., born 8 mo., 11, 1802, died 8 mo., 8, 1881; John, father, born 10 mo., 6, 1804, died 7 mo., 8, 1889; Thomas, born 7 mo., 16, 1807, died 3 mo., 2, 1890; Lewis, born 10 mo., 16, 1810, died 3 mo., 16, 1896; Job, born 2 mo., 5, 1813, died 12 mo., 2, 1889.

John C. Roberts has in his possession a grandfather’s clock which, according to tradition, has been in the family since 1760, and also old deeds dating back to 1690, as well as many other relics. He is a member and past master of Friendship Lodge, No. 400, Free and Accepted Masons. Another organization to which he belongs is Sylvania Castle, No. 177, Knights of the Golden Eagle of Fox Chase.