Robert Fairbairn (1787 - 1856)

Born 14 Aug 1787 in Channabank, Abbey St Bathans, Berwickshire, Scotland

Husband of Helen (Walker) Fairbairn — married 4 May 1822 in Newcastle, Upper Canada

Descendants

Died 29 Jun 1856 at age 68 in Bowmanville, Darlington, Durham, Canada West

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Susan Crosfield [send private message]

Biography

Robert Fairbairn was born in Scotland.

Robert Fairbairn lived in Ontario, Canada.

Robert Fairbairn ^[1]

Born 14 Aug 1787 Channabank, Abbey St Bathans, Berwickshire, Scotland ^[2]

Baptized 22 Aug 1787 Abbey St Bathans, Berwickshire, Scotland

entry reads: Robert Fairbairn Son to John Fairbairn in Channabank was Born 14th and Baptized 22nd Augt 1787 Witnesses James Trotter & Robt Fairbairn ^[2]

Occupation 1828 to 1857 Darlington, Ontario, Canada Postmaster

The following extract is taken from the Bowmanville Statesman:

THE POST OFFICE

"the first post office in Darlington, the township in which Bowmanville is situated, was at Black's Hill, five miles west of the present town, on the Kingston road, Colonel Black being the postmaster. The office was, however, removed to the town on July 1st, 1827. Darlington being then the name of the place. Robert Fairbairn, J. P. was appointed first postmaster July 5, 1828 the ninth year of the reign of George IV. Mr. Fairbairn's son, the present postmaster, came into the office as assistant in August, 1845 and was appointed to succeed his father, January 28, 1857. Hon. Robert Spence being Postmaster General. Mr. Fairbairn was born in 1831, so he has practically been in charge of the office from the age of thirteen, and thus becomes, no doubt, by length of service, though not by age, the oldest postmaster in Ontario, if not in the Dominion. A unique feature of the management is the fact that during the long period of seventy-seven years covered by the services of father and son, only one registered letter has been lost, and that was stolen when the post office was destroyed by fire in 1845. ^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ Unsourced family tree handed down to Susan Crosfield.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} ScotlandsPeople OPR - BDM entries prior to 1855: Birth 14 Aug Bap. 22 Aug 1787 Abbey St Bathans, Robert s/o John FAIRBAIRN in Channabank, ref. 726/0010 0030
3. ↑ Pt 18, History of Bowmanville, written by J B FAIRBAIRN, Postmaster, found at http://www.ontariogenealogy.com/Durham/history/bowmanville17.html