Robert married Lydia Elizabeth Green, March 28, 1833, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
Born in Ayshire, Scotland, he was a resident of Trenton for nearly 60 years coming to US from Scotland in 1827. A carpenter by trade, he helped build the Mercer County Courthouse.
He was Freeholder, elected to council by Republicans and served six years. He was also a member of Legislature for one session and held position of Water Commissioner and a number of city offices.
The Trenton Evening Times published a biographical sketch of him in July 1891, excerpts: "President of Board of Water Commissioners, Mr. Aitken is one of Trenton's oldest and best-known citizens and has lived at 196 South Broad Street. He is a jolly old gentleman, 80 years of age, still strong and active.
The only son of James Aitken, his mother died when he was only two years of age. He lived with his grandparents for a number of years, during which time he went to the parish school.
In 1827 he came to America with his father and settled in Trenton. Two of his father's brothers had previously come to this city and were bosses in Gideon Wells' old mill. His first work was to operate the loom for $3 per week.
He went to Philadelphia where he learned the carpenters trade. When he was fully master of the square and compass, he returned to Trenton and worked his trade while boarded with his uncle.
He worked as a journeyman until 1840.
He ran for the Legislature in 1856 and was defeated. He ran again in 1858 and defeated Jonathan Fish.
He was twice appointed appraiser of property and was elected Freehold in 1878. During his term the debt of Mercer County was almost entirely paid off. He is both an Odd Fellow and a Mason, the oldest member of Lodge No. 3 Odd Fellows.
OF the Presbyterian Faith, he helped build St. Pauls Presbyterian Episcopal Church and was vestryman for 25 years.
In his prime, he erected some of Trenton's largest buildings including the Rolling Mill of NJ Steel and Iron Co., the Gas Works, The Trenton Iron Co's factory, Fisher and Norris Anvil Works and the Pennsylvania Depot.
He has seven children, seventeen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren."
Robert and his wife Lydia Elizabeth GREEN celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 28, 1883. He received from his children a gold-headed cane and from his wife a handsome sum of gold.
Funeral from residence of his daughter Emma H. (Mrs. P. H.) Wentz where he died. Other surviving children Mrs. Joseph Sterling, Mrs. John Golding, Mrs. (Isabelle Hooper) Edward Baker Sterling, Mrs. (Lydia E) Albanus L. Worthington and Thomas Aitken.
Born in Ayshire, Scotland, he was a resident of Trenton for nearly 60 years coming to US from Scotland in 1827. A carpenter by trade, he helped build the Mercer County Courthouse.
He was Freeholder, elected to council by Republicans and served six years. He was also a member of Legislature for one session and held position of Water Commissioner and a number of city offices.
The Trenton Evening Times published a biographical sketch of him in July 1891, excerpts: "President of Board of Water Commissioners, Mr. Aitken is one of Trenton's oldest and best-known citizens and has lived at 196 South Broad Street. He is a jolly old gentleman, 80 years of age, still strong and active.
The only son of James Aitken, his mother died when he was only two years of age. He lived with his grandparents for a number of years, during which time he went to the parish school.
In 1827 he came to America with his father and settled in Trenton. Two of his father's brothers had previously come to this city and were bosses in Gideon Wells' old mill. His first work was to operate the loom for $3 per week.
He went to Philadelphia where he learned the carpenters trade. When he was fully master of the square and compass, he returned to Trenton and worked his trade while boarded with his uncle.
He worked as a journeyman until 1840.
He ran for the Legislature in 1856 and was defeated. He ran again in 1858 and defeated Jonathan Fish.
He was twice appointed appraiser of property and was elected Freehold in 1878. During his term the debt of Mercer County was almost entirely paid off. He is both an Odd Fellow and a Mason, the oldest member of Lodge No. 3 Odd Fellows.
OF the Presbyterian Faith, he helped build St. Pauls Presbyterian Episcopal Church and was vestryman for 25 years.
In his prime, he erected some of Trenton's largest buildings including the Rolling Mill of NJ Steel and Iron Co., the Gas Works, The Trenton Iron Co's factory, Fisher and Norris Anvil Works and the Pennsylvania Depot.
He has seven children, seventeen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren."
Robert and his wife Lydia Elizabeth GREEN celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 28, 1883. He received from his children a gold-headed cane and from his wife a handsome sum of gold.
Funeral from residence of his daughter Emma H. (Mrs. P. H.) Wentz where he died. Other surviving children Mrs. Joseph Sterling, Mrs. John Golding, Mrs. (Isabelle Hooper) Edward Baker Sterling, Mrs. (Lydia E) Albanus L. Worthington and Thomas Aitken.
Robert married Lydia Elizabeth Green, March 28, 1833, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
Born in Ayshire, Scotland, he was a resident of Trenton for nearly 60 years coming to US from Scotland in 1827. A carpenter by trade, he helped build the Mercer County Courthouse.
He was Freeholder, elected to council by Republicans and served six years. He was also a member of Legislature for one session and held position of Water Commissioner and a number of city offices.
The Trenton Evening Times published a biographical sketch of him in July 1891, excerpts: "President of Board of Water Commissioners, Mr. Aitken is one of Trenton's oldest and best-known citizens and has lived at 196 South Broad Street. He is a jolly old gentleman, 80 years of age, still strong and active.
The only son of James Aitken, his mother died when he was only two years of age. He lived with his grandparents for a number of years, during which time he went to the parish school.
In 1827 he came to America with his father and settled in Trenton. Two of his father's brothers had previously come to this city and were bosses in Gideon Wells' old mill. His first work was to operate the loom for $3 per week.
He went to Philadelphia where he learned the carpenters trade. When he was fully master of the square and compass, he returned to Trenton and worked his trade while boarded with his uncle.
He worked as a journeyman until 1840.
He ran for the Legislature in 1856 and was defeated. He ran again in 1858 and defeated Jonathan Fish.
He was twice appointed appraiser of property and was elected Freehold in 1878. During his term the debt of Mercer County was almost entirely paid off. He is both an Odd Fellow and a Mason, the oldest member of Lodge No. 3 Odd Fellows.
OF the Presbyterian Faith, he helped build St. Pauls Presbyterian Episcopal Church and was vestryman for 25 years.
In his prime, he erected some of Trenton's largest buildings including the Rolling Mill of NJ Steel and Iron Co., the Gas Works, The Trenton Iron Co's factory, Fisher and Norris Anvil Works and the Pennsylvania Depot.
He has seven children, seventeen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren."
Robert and his wife Lydia Elizabeth GREEN celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 28, 1883. He received from his children a gold-headed cane and from his wife a handsome sum of gold.
Funeral from residence of his daughter Emma H. (Mrs. P. H.) Wentz where he died. Other surviving children Mrs. Joseph Sterling, Mrs. John Golding, Mrs. (Isabelle Hooper) Edward Baker Sterling, Mrs. (Lydia E) Albanus L. Worthington and Thomas Aitken.
Born in Ayshire, Scotland, he was a resident of Trenton for nearly 60 years coming to US from Scotland in 1827. A carpenter by trade, he helped build the Mercer County Courthouse.
He was Freeholder, elected to council by Republicans and served six years. He was also a member of Legislature for one session and held position of Water Commissioner and a number of city offices.
The Trenton Evening Times published a biographical sketch of him in July 1891, excerpts: "President of Board of Water Commissioners, Mr. Aitken is one of Trenton's oldest and best-known citizens and has lived at 196 South Broad Street. He is a jolly old gentleman, 80 years of age, still strong and active.
The only son of James Aitken, his mother died when he was only two years of age. He lived with his grandparents for a number of years, during which time he went to the parish school.
In 1827 he came to America with his father and settled in Trenton. Two of his father's brothers had previously come to this city and were bosses in Gideon Wells' old mill. His first work was to operate the loom for $3 per week.
He went to Philadelphia where he learned the carpenters trade. When he was fully master of the square and compass, he returned to Trenton and worked his trade while boarded with his uncle.
He worked as a journeyman until 1840.
He ran for the Legislature in 1856 and was defeated. He ran again in 1858 and defeated Jonathan Fish.
He was twice appointed appraiser of property and was elected Freehold in 1878. During his term the debt of Mercer County was almost entirely paid off. He is both an Odd Fellow and a Mason, the oldest member of Lodge No. 3 Odd Fellows.
OF the Presbyterian Faith, he helped build St. Pauls Presbyterian Episcopal Church and was vestryman for 25 years.
In his prime, he erected some of Trenton's largest buildings including the Rolling Mill of NJ Steel and Iron Co., the Gas Works, The Trenton Iron Co's factory, Fisher and Norris Anvil Works and the Pennsylvania Depot.
He has seven children, seventeen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren."
Robert and his wife Lydia Elizabeth GREEN celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 28, 1883. He received from his children a gold-headed cane and from his wife a handsome sum of gold.
Funeral from residence of his daughter Emma H. (Mrs. P. H.) Wentz where he died. Other surviving children Mrs. Joseph Sterling, Mrs. John Golding, Mrs. (Isabelle Hooper) Edward Baker Sterling, Mrs. (Lydia E) Albanus L. Worthington and Thomas Aitken.
Gravesite Details
Trenton Historical Society list of burials spells name Aikin, though all other records including newspaper articles and obituary spell Aitken.
Family Members
Parents
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