Windham

ROBERTSON, William

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 338-339 
(portrait p 339)

William ROBERTSON, of Putney [Windham County, Vermont], was born 15 June 1822 
in Hartford [Hartford County], Connecticut, son of George and Margaret 
(BENSON) ROBERTSON. His parents moved to Putney in 1823, where he received 
his early education. After locating in Putney his father [George ROBERTSON] 
formed a partnership with his brother for the manufacture of writing paper, 
which continued until 1828, when he put up a mill in the village for the 
manufacture of the same by hand. No sooner was this completed than a freshet 
carried it away but he soon erected a new mill and operated it until 1837, 
when he [George ROBERTSON] commenced the manufacture of straw paper, young 
[William] ROBERTSON working with him until 1840, when on account of serious 
reverses his father and he failed. Young [William] ROBERTSON without a 
dollar bought the mill and followed the business until 1865, when he began 
the manufacture of tissue paper with fresh machinery and a new mill and is 
now carrying on the business.

At the time of the St. Albans [Franklin County, Vermont] raid, the state 
militia was organized and Mr. [William] ROBERTSON was made captain of Company 
B. This force was maintained for several years, but was never called on for 
service. Captain [William] ROBERTSON is a Republican, and has represented 
his town in the Legislature, doing creditable service in that body. He is a 
prominent Mason, belonging to Golden Rule Lodge, of Putney, and the 
Brattleboro Commandery and Chapter. On 02 October 1834 in Montpelier 
[Washington County, Vermont] Captain [William] ROBERTSON married Abbie A., 
daughter of Dr. Amore and Abigail (DROWN) BENSON, of Landgrove [Bennington 
County, Vermont]. Of this union [of William and Abbie A. ROBERTSON] are 
three children: Frederick E., Frank M., and Helen.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly