Sometimes his name will be written as - Robert Montgomery; Robert "Yobin" Montgomery; Robert Prettyman Montgomery, and Robert "Robin" Montgomery. I do not know if the middle names or nicknames are correct. However, one clue is that "Robin" was commonly used by the Scottish as a nickname for Robert. A second clue is that Patiance had a lisp. Therefore, she could not say "Robin". The best she could do was "Yobin" [MPKM96].
1780 Believed that Robert was born in Greene Co., GA. The only proof to substantiate this is the 1880 Indiana Census where his children say their father was born in Georgia. To date Robert's parents have not been identified. There were many Indian massacres at the time and it is possible that his parents died in one of the massacres [MPKM96].
There is also the possibility that Robert was not born in Georgia according to this Indiana Pioneer entry, "Montgomery, Robert b. Delaware ca. 1780, settled Gibson Co. ca. 1811, previous residence Georgia." In 1958 Robert Wayne Montgomery applied for membership in the Society of Indiana Pioneers by submitting the above data [SIPP169].
1794 It is thought that he possibly served in the Georgia Militia even though he was only a young boy of 14. Not much is known about Robert's life in Georgia. He was a school teacher, attended the Presbyterian Church, and was acquainted with the Knowles, Wilson, and Marvel families in Georgia [MPKM96].
1796 Robert's wife Patiance Marvel was born in Delaware, the daughter of Prettyman Marvel and Lavinia Rogers Marvel. She married Robert when she was 16 years of age [MPKM96].
Robert and Patiance had 11 children [NCPC].
1809 This is about the time that Robert made his trip to Indiana from Georgia. Tradition claims that Robert was an orphan, leaving behind a sister and a brother in Greene County, Georgia. He lived near Patoka, Indiana with a Mr. Moore when he first arrive.
1810 After Robert, who was called "Robin" by his family and friends, moved to Gibson County, Indiana the Knowles, Marvel and Wilson families prepared to make the change, too [MPKM96].
Hearing that the Marvel family had arrived in Indiana, Robert came down and lived with them on the Black River in Gibson County and went to work for Prettyman Marvel, Sr. [PCHV2P202].
1811 Nov. 11 Robert served in Captain Joseph Montgomery's company of Indiana Volunteers and was present at the Battle of Tippecanoe near present day Battle Ground, Indiana [MPKM96], [RAC].
Robert enlisted twice as a soldier in the Indian wars of the Northwest. He served at the Battle of Tippecanoe, in 1811 [HGC1884].
A Robert Montgomery, from the south-west part of the state, shot an Indian White Loon the morning after the battle. The Indian rode off and was never seen again [RCTip], [ISBTip].
According to family tradition and Hounds, "John Tipton's Memoriers", Robert Montgomery was the last man to shoot at the Indian Chief called, "The Prophet." (Great grandson, Robert Wayne Montgomery of Cambridge City, Indiana had the powder horn that Robert carried as well as some papers with signatures on them. These could now be in the possession of his daughter Gloria Cox of Poseyville, Indiana.) His widow Patience, did receive a pension for his service at Tippecanoe [NA].
A granddaughter told how Patience scared away the wolves from the cabin door of an aunt by burning the end of a broom, while Robert was away [HGC1914].
1812 April 30 In Indiana, it seems, someone of the Methodist faith had been traveling and preaching for records show that Robert became a Methodist shortly after moving down on the Black River. He often visited the Marvel family and they were ardent Methodists, having a group of worshipers in their home and conducting services there. As Robert often visited the Marvel family he had ample opportunity to observe the Marvel's oldest daughter, Patience, as she busied herself about the home heling her mother with the women's work. He decided that Patience was not only pretty, but a capable girl, and she had many pleasant ways about her. The story of "Robin's" proposal is treasured and handed down in the Marvel family, and Levin Wilson included it in his history of the Knowles family. One morning "Robin" followed Patience and Comfort to the milking gap where, seated upon a stump, he made himslef useful by holding a calf by the ears while Patience milked. As he sat there he concluded to have this important matter settled, for he suddenly said, "Patia, will you milk my cows?" Now Patience, like all girls would have liked to have more romance in a proposal, and she replied rather curtly, "No, Yobin, I will not milk your cows." (Supposedly Patience had a lisp, therefore, Robin came out "Yobin"). There was silence for a time while Patience thought the matter over. She considered Robin's good qualities and her heart softened. She said, "Say that again, Yobin." He said, "Say what?" "What you said before," Patience replied. So Robin repeated his questions, and this time Patience answered, "Yes, Yobin, I will milk your cows." Preparations were made for their marriage. Patience was the first of the children of Prettyman and Lavina Rogers Marvel to leave the family home. She and Robert Montgomery were married on 30 April 1813, by the Methodist Circuit Riding Minister, Rev. Benjamin Edge. This was said to be the first marriage in the Black River Basin in the Indiana Territory. Robert and Patience made their home in Smith Township, Posey County, Indiana [DARMag1970].
Since Robert was a soldier in the War of 1812, his widow applied for a pension, but she failed because no record of their marriage could be found. Nathan Knowles, the only living witness, went forward and testified to their marriage. In those days it was not necessry for the woman to appear before the License Issuing Office, just the man. Likely as not, Robert handed the license to Rev. Edge and then forgot about it. Rev. Edge did file it properly at the Knox County Courthouse in Vincennes, Indiana [MPKM96], [DARMag1970].
Robert and Patience were the parents of 11 children.
1814 Son William was born.
1815 Son Prettyman was born.
1818 Son John was born.
1820 Dau. Elizabeth was born.
1822 Dau. Nancy was born.
1824 Son Samuel was born.
1827 Son James was born.
1829 Dau. Lavinia was born.
1831 Son Robert Jr. was born.
1834 Son George was born.
1838 Son Thomas was born.
1846 April 15 Robert Montgomery died April 15, 1846 and was buried in the family cemetery on the farm of his son James, near Cynthiana, Indiana. Patience moved in with son Samuel. She was living with son Samuel and Phoebe Elizabeth Pruitt when they decided to move to Illinois. She did not share the enthusiam of the young people to move to Illinois, so she moved in with her youngest son, Thomas, in Gibson County, Indiana [DARMag1970].
1882 Dec. Patiance Marvel Montgomery died at the advanced age of 92 years and was buried at Antioch Cemetery in Gibson County, Indiana [AC]. [S12768]
THEORIES --
1. Have never been able to pinpoint where Robert was born. In 1921, Basil E. Montgomery did research on Robert and said that he was born in DE however the records were burned so there was no proof.
2. If Robert was born in Sussex Co., DE this might explain why some of the family list his middle name as Prettyman. The other related families of Marvel, Knowles, and Prettyman all lived in the Sussex Co., DE area of Lewes. There was a lot of intermarrying. Prettyman is a very unusual name that only seems to show up in the Knowles, Montgomery, Marvel, Prettyman lines.
3. The Knowles, and Marvels left DE for Greene Co., GA around 1795. Going on the assumption that Robert was born in DE I theorized that he probably went to DE about the same time as the Knowles, and Marvels since there was a migration to GA about that time. There is a Robert Montgomery listed in the 1805 GA Land Lottery as over 21 and single and in Hancock Co. which is next door to Greene Co. A Knowles source said that Robert and James Knowles attended the same church in GA. James lived in Greene Co., GA. But, who knows where the church was?
4. Family tradition says that Robert left a brother and sister in Georgia. According to research done by Basil E. Montgomery the brother was named James and the sister named Martha.[S13388]
Montgomery References
AC = Antioch Cemetery, stone photographed 1995 by Ruth Montgomery.
DARMag1970 = DAR Magazine. "Louisiana -- The Miscellaneous Records 1970. The Montgomery Family 1780-1968. Presented by the General William Montgomery Chapter, Bastrop, Louisiana. May 1972.
HGC1884P227 = History of Gibson Co., IN, 1884, p227, by Tartt.
HGC1914P205 = History of Gibson Co., IN, 1914, p205, 207, by Stormont.
IME1825 = Indiana Marriages Early to 1825, Liahona Research, 1991, p. 217.
ISBTipV3P11,13 = Indiana Source Book, Battle of Tippecanoe, Vol 3, p11, 13, 1982.
NA = National Archives Military Pension Papers.
NCPC = We The People of North Central Posey County, 1993, by Gloria Cox, Route 1, Poseyville, IN 47633.
PCHV2P202 = Posey County History 1815-1900, Vol 2, P202, by Gloria Cox. RAC = Roll of the Army Commanded by William Henry Harrison from Sept 6 to Nov 24, 1811.
RCTipP146-51 = Report of the Commission, Tippecanoe Battlefield Monument, Judge Isaac Naylor's Description of the Battle of Tippecanoe, p146-51.
SIPP169 = Society of IN Pioneers, 1983, p169, compiled by Ruth Dorrel, Family History Section, IN Historical Society.[S13389]
The following notes reflect the course of investigation on Robert Montgomery: Sometimes his name will be written as - Robert Montgomery; Robert "Yobin" Montgomery; Robert Prettyman Montgomery. I do not know if the middle names or nicknames are correct. Montgomery, Robert b. Delaware ca. 1780, settled Gibson Co. ca. 1811, previous residence Georgia. (1) Roll of the Army Commanded by William Henry Harrison from September 6 to November 24, 1811 - William Hargrove's Company of Infantry (Knox County area) - Private Robert Montgomery, discharged September 19th. (2) The Montgomery family are among the oldest residents and settlers of Gibson Co., Indiana. Robert came to the county while he was yet a young man. In 1812 he married Patience Marvel, who was the daughter of Prettyman and Lavina Rogers Marvel. She was born in Delaware, and came with her parents to Gibson County, in 1811. She died in December, 1883, at the advanced age of 92 years. Robert enlisted twice as a soldier in the Indian wars of the Northwest. He served at the Battle of Tippecanoe, in 1811. Robert Montgomery Bible Records - copy. (4) Robert Montgomery in the Battle of Tippecanoe - copy (5) A Robert Montgomery, from the south-west part of the state, shot an Indian White Loon the morning after the battle. The Indian rode off and was never seen again. (6) Marriage record. (7) Children names of Robert and Patience. (10) Robert Montgomery died April 15, 1846 and was buried in the family cemetery on the farm of his son James, near Cynthiana, Indiana. (11) FAMILY TRADITIONS --& According to family tradition and Hounds, "John Tipton's Memoriers", Robert Montgomery was the last man to shoot at the Indian Chief called, "The Prophet." (Great grandson, Robert Montgomery of Cambridge City, Indiana had the powder horn that Robert carried as well as some papers with signatures on them.) His widow Patience, did receive a pension for his service at Tippecanoe. A granddaughter told how Patience scared away the wolves from the cabin door of an aunt by burning the end of a broom, while Robert was away. Finally, tradition claims that Robert was an orphan, leaving behind a sister and a brother in Greene County, Georgia. Upon hearing that the Marvel family had arrived in Indiana, Robert came down and lived with them; working for Prettyman Marvel, Sr. Patience Marvel spoke with a lisp. Around April 3, 1812, Robert followed Patience to where she was milking cows and held them while she milked. He suddenly asked, "Patia, will you milk my cows?" A quick answer was "No, Yobin, I won't milk your cows." After realizing what he said, she said, "Say that again, Yobin." He said, "say what?". She said, "what you said." He asked again and this time she said, "yes, Yobin, I'll milk your cows." They were married April 30, 1812, and first lived in Gibson County and later moved to Posey County, Indiana. SOURCES: 1. Pioneer Ancestors of the Members of the Society of Indiana Pioneers, compiled by Ruth Dorrel, Family History Section, Indiana Historical Society, 1983, pg. 169. 2. Indiana Source Book, v.3, Battle of Tippecanoe, 1982, pp. 11, 13. 3. History of Gibson Co., Indiana, Tartt, p. 227, 1884. 4. Cox, Posey Co. History 1815-1900, v.2, p. 202 5. Stormont, History of Gibson Co., IN, 1914, p. 205, 207 6. Report of the Commission, Tippecanoe Battlefield Monument, "Judge Isaac Naylor's Description of the Battle of Tippecanoe", p. 146-151. 7. Indiana Marriages Early to 1825, Liahona Research, 1991, p. 217. 8. The Montgomery Family Magazine, edited by William Montgomery Clemens, vol. 1, July 1915, no.1; p. 8; Will of Thomas Montgomery, but otherwise no help. 9. Tri-State: Southwestern Indiana, Southern Illinois, and Western Kentucky Connections, Evansville, Indiana by Tri-State Genealogy Society, Nov. 1984; no help. 10. Cox, Carroll and Gloria, "We the People of North Central Posey County," printed by C&E Enterprises, a division of Hope's Hopechest, Route 1 Poseyville, IN 47633, 1993. 11. DAR Magazine. "Louisiana -- The Miscellaneous Records 1970. The Montgomery Family 1780-1968. Presented by the General William Montgomery Chapter, Bastrop, Louisiana. May 1972. UNSUBSTANTIATED INFORMATION THAT NEEDS TO BE RESEARCHED -- Will of Thomas Montgomery (Yeoman), Mill Creek, Hundred, 17 May 1794. Wife Mary; sons Benjamin, William Alexander, Thomas, James, Robert, Daniel, Samuel, David and Moses. Son John's 3 children: Minta, Mele and James. Daughter Margaret married to William Faron. Daughter Mary, Executor, son Moses. (Eleven sons). (8) Robert Prettyman Montgomery b. 1780 in Greene County, Georgia. Robert's father was Samuel Montgomery and his mother was Polly McFarland. HISTORY -- In 1811, during Indian troubles a fort stockade was built on Thomas Montgomery's place south of Owensville. The able bodied men joined General William Henry Harrison's army at Vincennes. The battle was fought 7 Nov 1811. The men returned and took up peaceful pursuits. (3) How many know that 162 years ago, after a long cheerless night followed by the first light of morning of November 7, 1811, a small force of militia supported by a contingent of the Fourth U.S. Regiment, repelled a savage attack of the Indians of the Northwest? The latter were under the leadership of Tecumseh and his brother, the Prophet, although only the latter took part in the engagement. This battle was not great in numbers but mighty in its consequence. It was the most significant engagement ever fought on the soil of Indiana. Participants in this event numbered scarcely more than nine hundred under the command of General William Henry Harrison, then Governor of Indiana Territory. Encamped on a narrow ridge of dry land, in the midst of swamps into which it extended, were two hundred and fifty regulars, sixty Kentuckians, and six hundred Indiana pioneers - with the last named composing nearly two-thirds of the total force pitted against the enemy which had gathered at Prophetstown, a short distance to the east. The incidents and adventures experienced on this occasion furnished the substance of fireside chats for many years thereafter. The descendants of these brave men are numerous throughout Indiana and elsewhere. Probably not more than a fourth of them know they had an ancestor in the Battle of Tippecanoe. To perpetuate the memory of those persons who fought at Tippecanoe during this second and last struggle for independence, there is membership in the General Society of the War of 1812 open to male descendants. For women, as well as children up to twenty-one years of age, there is the National Society, United States Daughters of 1812, organized in 1892. There are four chapters in Indiana - Tippecanoe in Greencastle, Wabash Valley in Lafayette. Eligibility to membership depends upon lineal descent from ancestors who rendered military, naval, or civil service to our country during the years 1784 through 1815 inclusive. Of particular interest to those with a Hoosier heritage, however, is the specific event of national significance which is claimed by many to have been "the first shot" in the War of 1812. Its decisive outcome insured the western frontiers with the opportunity for peaceful settlement. THEORIES -- 1. Have never been able to pinpoint where Robert was born. In 1921, Basil E. Montgomery did research on Robert and said that he was born in DE however the records were burned so there was no proof. 2. If Robert was born in Sussex Co., DE this might explain why some of the family list his middle name as Prettyman. The other related families of Marvel, Knowles, and Prettyman all lived in the Sussex Co., DE area of Lewes. There was a lot of intermarrying. Prettyman is a very unusual name that only seems to show up in the Knowles, Montgomery, Marvel, Prettyman lines. 3. The Knowles, and Marvels left DE for Greene Co., GA around 1795. Going on the assumption that Robert was born in DE I theorized that he probably went to DE about the same time as the Knowles, and Marvels since there was a migration to GA about that time. There is a Robert Montgomery listed in the 1805 GA Land Lottery as over 21 and single and in Hancock Co. which is next door to Greene Co. A Knowles source said that Robert and James Knowles attended the same church in GA. James lived in Greene Co., GA. But, who knows where the church was? 4. Family tradition says that Robert left a brother and sister in Georgia.According to research done by Basil E. Montgomery the brother was named James and the sister named Martha. 5. The source that states Robert's father as Samuel and mother as Polly McFarland is new data. I have a Knowles "cousin" who got this information from her cousin. I have no sources or facts to back this up. More About ROBERT ROBIN/YOBIN" MONTGOMERY, Burial: Buried in a family cemetery which is now gone. Military: November 07, 1811, War of 1812. Served in the Battle of Tippecanoe. Occupation: Farmer [S13393]
MPKM96 = Research notes of Marianne and Paul K. Montgomery, Tacoma, Washington, January 1996. [S13528]
