Robert Cabeen b. January 17, 1775 married Ann Boyd, widow of John in 1805. Robert died in Bristol, Bucks Co., PA April 7, 1855.
Robert Cabeen Will Abstract -- File # 9710, Bk 13 / pg. 773, written Nov. 26, 1845.
Robert Cabeen, Bristol Borough. Children Catharine (wife of Robert C. Beatty), Robert B, Samuel. Exec: sons Robert B. and Samuel and son-in-law Robert C. Beatty.
Wit: H.N. Bostwick, John Boyd. Probated May 16, 1855.
Ann Cabeen, wife of Robert of Bristol, died on January 10, 1832.
(Source: Bucks County Intelligencer, Jan. 16, 1832.)
Robert Cabeen died April 7, 1855, 81 yrs, in Bristol. (Source Bucks Co. Intelligencer Apr. 17, 1855.)
"Robert Cabeen having cast his lot with the rebels after the defeat of Shane Castle, June 17, 1798, was obliged to flee to America. He landed in Philadelphia, November 1798. Just before sailing his uncle (probably the one mentioned in the family letters as "Old Robert Cabeen of Larne"), gave him a silver watch, telling him never to part with it, except for bread. He never parted with it, and it is still in the possession of the family. He then proceeded to Bristol, Pennsylvania, to the house of his cousin Eleanor, daughter of William and Mary Cabeen, and wife of William Crawford. Eleanor Cabeen some years before had emigrated from Broughshane, County Antrim. He settled in Bristol and married in 1805 Ann Bessonet, widow of John Boyd, a sea captain, and daughter of Daniel Bessonet of Halifax, Nova Scotia, captain of the 4th Battalion, New Jersey Cavalry, British. Her mother was Sarah Johnson Bessonet. He was naturalized at Newton, then the county town of Bucks County, December 1, 1808, thus becoming a citizen of the United States.
He bought the property known as the "King of Prussia" at the corner of Mill and Pond Streets, October, 1809, for $2,200. He converted the tavern into a store, and carried on a business there until 1823, when he retired from business and bought the property on Radcliff Street, where he passed the remainder of his life. He died of pneumonia after a short illness, on April 7, 1855, aged 80 years."
"Their children were:
Catharine Ann, b. March 12, 1808
Robert, b. October 30, 1809 and d. September 25, 1810
Robert Bessonet, b. November 7, 1811, d. 1876
Samuel, b. February 8, 1814, d. June 3, 1870
Catharine Ann Cabeen married Robert C. Beatty, May 6, 1830, in the parlor fronting the river of the house on Radcliff Street."
Taken from The Cabeen Family, The Bessonet Family and Ann Bessonet Cabeen by Mrs. Thomas McKeen Chidsey
From "Lights Along the Delaware" by MW Rivinus and Katharine H. Biddle "The oldest house still standing on Radcliffe Street is 910. The original part of the building was in existence in 1765 and has been remodeled several times; the last time was in 1811. It is naturally colonial in architecture, and not Victorian, but since it is the oldest inhabitant, so to speak, it is included in these sketches . .. In 1812 John Reed, a wealthy ship builder, was the possessor and is credited with adding many improvements.
Robert Cabeen purchased the property in 1828, and when he died, his daughter, Catharine C. Beatty, inherited it. For a period of ninety years it remained in the possession of the Beatty family. John Bostwick married a Beatty. In the Victorian era when daguerreotypes were popular, he became a leading photographer in Bristol. The Bostwicks daughter, Katharine, was a noted French scholar who lived and died in the old homestead."
Robert Cabeen & sons Robert Bessonet and Samuel Cabeen
Robert Cabeen
January 17, 1775 April 7, 1855
Departed this life in Bristol Borough, on the 7th of April, 1855, ROBERT CABEEN, in the eighty-first year of his age.
Mr. Cabeen had been for a long time a prominent citizen of this borough, and was for many years one of our principal merchants and business men. He was widely known in this community, and universally esteemed by all classes; as was shown by the unusually large concourse of people from the town and surrounding country who followed his remains to their final resting place. He had at different times held various public and private trusts, which he performed with scrupulous fidelity, and in an efficient manner; and by his character and services contributed a good share in advancing the growth and prosperity of the borough, to whose cause as well as that of his country at large, he was ever a firm and devoted friend. Endowed by nature with sound practical sense, kindness of heart, and energy of spirit, he united to these, good principles and correct habits - which are the elements of success and usefulness in life. To Mr. Cabeen may be applied with remarkable propriety the words of a distinguished writer, when delineating the character of "the Man of Integrity": "The upright man is guided by a fixed principle within which nothing can shake. Hence we find him ever the same; at all times the trusty friend, the affectionate relation, the conscientious man of business, the pious worshipper, the public spirited citizen." Hereafter, although "the places which have known him shall know him no longer;" and his familiar form, elastic step, and pleasant countenance will be missed from the streets and social circles in which he moved; yet the memory of him and his virtues will often be present to the minds of the people. His long and active life was terminated by a comfortable and tranquil dissolution, -- "that peace in which a Christian can die." Like a shock of corn, fully ripe, he was gathered to his fathers. Full of years and of usefulness he has descended to the tomb, leaving behind him a spotless name and an exemplary character, to be cherished by the old and followed by the young, wherever he was known.
A friend and neighbor of the deceased, who had known him long and well, though far from his junior in years, offers this spontaneous tribute to his memory and takes this opportunity to hold up his life and character as an example to those who are coming after him; and especially to those in the younger walks of life, of the town in which he dwelt.
S.
Letter from Robert & Ann Cabeen to Samual Cabeen 1829
Samuel Cabeen, Esqr.Union Township
Muskingum County
Near McDonald's Post Office, Ohio
Bristol (Pa) Jany 29th 1829 -
Respected Brother and Sister:
I received yours of the 15th Sept last and much pleased to hear you and your family were all in good health likewise Mother, Brothers & Sister with their families were all well. I have to inform you of the death of your brother James Wright. He departed this life the 5th of December last. He was confined to his bed for the span of 8 or 10 days, but had been on the decline from the time you left him. The settlement of the Estate affected him very much he had the referee call'd sometime after you left us for an investigation of the accts which he had not brought forward. Sam'l Headley said there was a deduction on each share of between 3o and 40 dollars so by this last settlement Sam'l Garland and yourself got overpaid each the above sum. I have now to inform you that we have moved since you left us in the month of Febr'y last we purchased the house and lot opposite of Wm Crawfords'. It is the property H Walton purchased of John Reed in 1816 for which he paid $6000.00. It had gone into Second hands and we purchased for $2250.00 which is a considered a good bargain. In the Spring we made considerable improvements to the amount of $800.00 made the folding doors between the parlors, a double piazza to the river and several extras which has made it a very desirable situation. We moved here in May last when we rented the old establishment to Mary Ann and her husband for 250 $ p Annum. Her husband does a very handsome business and are both well at present. John Boyd has been doing business where he purchased of Sarah McKindsay and has got married and doing well. Son Robert has been in Phila'da with Sam'l V Anderson & Son wholesale grocers he is well and much pleased with his situation & the Team well satisfied with him.
Son Samuel is at a boarding school in Doylistown which is considered one of the best schools in the country. Board and tuition is 50$ p. qr. We had a letter from him a few days ago. He was well and much pleased with the school. Sister Rachel & family is well at present. They have been visited with chills and fever for sometime in the Summer and fall and Rachel was afflicted a disease the Doctor call'd the liver complaint. She now enjoys a tolerable share of health. I was to see her a few weeks ago. She wishes to be remembered to Mother and all of your familys. Our family is all well at present. Thanks to the kind providence from whom all is rec'd.
Our canal is going on the bridges are contracted for and in the course of the ensuing Summer is expected to be completed. we were concerned for the crossing of the Street. It was expected it would cross Mill Street between our house and Abraham Warner's which we did not like. It is now ascertained that it will cross Mill Street between the factory and Sam'l Allens. We wish you to give our kind love to Mother
Brothers & Sisters and write soon and let us know how Brother Richard is coming on with his saw mill and all of your improvements and Family affairs which are not secret. Give our Respects to Sam'l Garland and wife the family all join in love to you all
From your affectionate
Brother & Sister
Robert & Ann Cabeen
To Sam'l & Elisabeth Cabeen
