A Brief Biography of Robert Walton

by Frederick E. Walton
Copyright (C) 2014, 2015

Robert Walton was born on May 26, 1895, in Madison, New Jersey.^{1, 2}  His father, George, was 30 and his mother, Wilhelmina Constance (Long), was 25, They had been married seven and a half years.³

Robert was born into a household who may have still been mourning the loss of their three year old son, Albert Ernest,  who died barely a year earlier.^{4, 5}

A first, unnamed son died in childbirth, probably about 1888.

Their second child, George Arthur, was born in 1889 ⁶ and was only eighteen months old when he died in 1890.⁷

 Older brother, William Edward, born in 1892⁸ was the Walton's third child and only surviving son when Robert was born.

Robert was their 4th child, and second eldest surviving son.

Little is known of his childhood with the exception that new siblings arrived about every two years and the family moved from New Jersey to Tarrytown,  New York, probably about the same time Robert was born.

The first census Robert appears in is the 1900 U. S. Federal Census⁹, enumerated on June 1, 1900. He is listed as the five year old son of George Walton, Coachman.  This census specifically confirms his birth date: May 1895 (spaces provided for only month and year) and birthplace: New Jersey, although later documents and censuses don't always get this right. Joining his older brother William, now age 8, are new additions Harry, born in August 1986, and infant Charlie, born Sept 1899.  They have moved across the Hudson river and at the time of the census live at 166 East 38th St., Manhattan, New York, New York. At this time George is most likely employed by John D. Archbold who had an estate in Tarrytown, but was often in New York City for business as Vice President of Standard Oil.¹⁰

In the 1905 NY state census¹¹ the family has grown to seven children with the addition of two daughters and another son: Constance (4), Frank (3) and Lillian (7/12).

Robert, age 11, is listed "at school (6)".  I think this indicates he is presently in the sixth grade since the census was enumerated on June 1, 1905. They live at 195 South Broadway near the estate of John Archbold, George's employer.(see Map)According to the census records, many of their neighbors are also servants, probably for the numerous estates lining the Hudson at this time.

Map of Tarrytown N.Y. showing Walton home in relationship to employer John Archbold.

In the 1910 Federal Census¹², enumerated on Aptil 25, 1910 the Walton family has reached its zenith with the addition of the final two boys, Jack and Freddie.  Robert, age 15 is still listed as a student, but I imagine that will change shortly because this is the year his father George died at the young age of 46.¹¹ I have been unable to locate any school photos or records relating to Robert the student.

It is interesting to note in this census record that widower William Long, the father of Constance Wilhelmina, has also joined the household.  (His age is listed as 87, but it should  probably be 78 since other records indicate his birth year is 1832) Another interesting fact is that older brother William, age 18, lists his occupation as working in a tinsmith shop, a profession later taken up by Robert.

There are not many details of the family at the time of Georges death, however my grandfather, youngest child Fred, recalled that everyone in the family had to pitch in.

We next find Robert in the "Tarrytown Directory 1914-15". Robert is listed as a "Tinner" at 10 White Street in Tarrytown, down near the Hudson river, just off Main and Bird. Listed at the same address are his mother, lder brother William, a "Chauffeur" and his grandfather William Long.¹³

The 1915 N. Y. State Census, enumerated June 1, 1915 shows the Walton's have moved, again, to135 Main street in Tarrytown, a multi-family or apartment house (since another family is listed at this address). W. C. Walton (Wilhelmina Constance) is listed as head of household for the Walton family. She is a 45 year old widow who listed her occupation as "housework" I am guessing that Wilhelmina Constance is a typical, widowed housewife rather than employed as a "cleaning lady" since other married neighbors in this census also list their wive's occupation as "housework".  She has somehow managed to keep her large family together under one roof. Eldest son William, 23, lists his occupation as a chauffeur, carrying on the family "trade". Robert, 20 is working as a tinsmith helper. Harry, 17, and Charles, 15, are also working. Harry is an Electricians helper and Charles is a laborer.  The five youngest children, age 6 to 13 are still in school.¹⁴ William Long is not listed because he died on March 9, 1914.¹⁵

In 1915, newspapers were reporting on the war in Europe and the 1915 sinking of the Lusitania threatens to drag America into the war. By 1917 America has caught war fever. Robert is exactly the right age and on June 5, 1917 filled out his draft registration card.¹⁶


















This card is filled our in Robert's own hand and signed by the 22 year old.  He lists his home address as 135 Main Street and confirms his birthdate as May 36, 1895 in Madison, N. J. He lists his occupation as a "driver" for Rose Bacigalupi¹⁷, a 46 year old Italian widow who lives down the block on Main street and owns a retail fruit business. Since he calls himself a "driver" and not a "chauffer" I will make the assumption that Robert was a delivery driver, however there is nothing to document this with.

Here, on his draft card, we have our first physical description of young Robert: medium height, "stout", Brown Eyes and Brown Hair. We also have a sample of his handwriting and signature:

Robert had three bothers that also filled out draft registration cards. Oldest brother William filled his out on the same date, June 5, 1917¹⁸, but submitted it in "J. C" (Jersey City), N. J. where he resided and worked as a railroad brakeman.    

Robert's younger brothers waited until 1918. Harry, 21, living in Dalton, Mass.  submitted his in August of 1918¹⁹ and Charles, 19, living in Tarrytown, completed his in September 1918²⁰.

Robert Walton and Sister Lillian circa 1918.
photo courtesy of  great-granddaughter Marnie Caleen

Robert enlisted in the U. S. Army on May 16, 1918 and served until April 19, 1919. Sadly, WWI era personnel files in the custody of the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) were destroyed in a devastating fire there in 1973.  I was unable to locate Robert's service records so can not tell you what he did or where he served, but a family oral tradition, recently related to me by his grand-daughter, is that he was run over by a truck while in the Army and had a broken back when he was discharged. While more evidence needs to be gathered to document his injury, it is well known by family members that knew him, that Robert was hunched over. His granddaughter told me he loved the swimming pool because it was the one place he regained most of his mobility. 

It is not long after his discharge that 23 year old Robert wed 19 year old Helen Papp (handwritten name looks like Popp on Marriage License).  I found a copy of their Marriage License when visiting the Westchester, N. Y. Archives²¹. They where married on the 24th of September 1919 in Tarrytown, N.Y. He lists his occupation as "Chief Metal worker". Helens lists hers as "nurse". Helen lists her father as Steve Popp of Austria and her mother as "unknown". The Popps resided at 132 Wildey street, Tarrytown, N.Y. but I was unable to find this address in the 1915 census. (adresses skipped from 131 to 135, 136, etc)

Granddaughter Sharon Cherny told me that Helen was raised by her grandparents in Budapest, Hungary. (My father remembers his aunt Helen as reminding him of a gypsy). When Helen was 11 she was sent to the USA to live with her mother Sophie DuBois (DuBoif?). Papp was her step-fathers name. I have been unable to find any record of her arrival in the USA, although the 1920 Census lists her arrival in 1910 and the 1930 census lists her arrival in 1908. Family oral history connects Helen to the "Carpathian", of Titanic fame, owned by Hungarian-American Line CUNARD. More research needs to be done to identify where Helen came from or how they met. If she arrived after 1910 she would not be found in that Census and she was married by the 1920 Census. At this time I have not found her or her parents in the 1915 NY Census. 

By 1920 Newlyweds Robert and Helen had  rented an apartment in a three family house at 30 Hudson street²², not far from his mother and younger siblings at 211 Main street about 3/10 of a mile away. They share the house with two other families. Interestingly enough, one is a young couple named Papp! Peter (38) and Mary (35) Papp are both of Hungarian descent. They have 4 sons and two daughters. Could this be Helens brother (or step-brother)? Laborers Peter and Steven Papp are listed at this address in the 1914 and 1916 city directory.  More investigation is needed before I can make this claim, but what are the chances.... 

Robert lists his occupation as "tinsmith" for an auto company. My Dad recalled his Uncle Robert worked at the Tarrytown GM plant. My grandparents would sometimes go to Irvington to visit, but I have not found any evidence of a close relationship. Dad told me that when I was a baby (in the 50's) he would take me to the park near the GM plant because I loved watching the big trucks full of shiny new cars chug up the hill as they left to make their deliveries.

I have not found many historical references to Robert Walton and his family so the census must be relied upon to fill in the blanks. The 1925 New York State census gives us the next snapshot view. The Walton's moved to 34 Franklin Street, Tarrytown. (Peter and Mary Papp are still at 30 Hudson Street in 1925).  30 year old Robert lists his occupation as a "tinsmith". They have three children, Dorothy (age 4) , Constance (age 2) And Robert (no age given).  34 Franklin street is now part of the site of the Washington Irving Middle School in Tarrytown, so the house no longer exists.²³

The Robert Walton Family circa 1926
photo courtesy of  great-granddaughter Marnie Caleen

By 1930, one more child has joined the family, Virginia F [Francis] (age 04/12). Since the census was enumerated in April 12, 1930²⁴, we can guess Virginia was born in January of 1930 (although I found a SS Death index, that I believe is hers, that lists her birth date as 17 Nov 1929 in Tarrytown, New York and her death as 10 Jun 2007 - Port Saint Lucie, Saint Lucie, Florida.)²⁵  Robert has moved his family to nearby Irvington village. Their new address is a rental home at 116 East Sunnyside lane. (In an odd coincidence, Roberts father, George, lived in a house named "Sunny Side" in Cheddleton England! I visited it while doing research in England in 2011.) 

"Sunny Side", Cheddleton, England. Home of George Walton
Photo by Frederick Walton, Copyright (C) 2011

Here we find a minor confirmation of the oral family history about Roberts back injury. The 35 year old lists his occupation as a "disabled soldier" Helen (written as Helena) lists her occupation as nurse. (She had previously listed her occupation as none in 1920 and housework in 1925).

Undated photo of Nurse Helen Papp Walton
photo courtesy of  great-granddaughter Marnie Caleen

Roberts mother died on December 12, 1931. Her death certificate²⁶ lists 116 Sunnyside Lane as her address and Robert is listed as providing the details. In the April 1, 1930 U. S. Federal Census she is listed as living with daughter Lillian Halpin and family. Constance Wilhelmina Walton spent the last 4 days before her death in the hospital in Valhalla, but this record suggests she may have lived with Robert's family in the days and months previously. 

Wilhelmina Constance Long Walton
photo courtesy of  great-granddaughter Marnie Caleen

Connie Walton circa 1926
photo courtesy of  great-granddaughter Marnie Caleen 

Constance Wilhelmina lived in nearby Tarrytown or White Plains in the years before her death and it would have been easy to visit Robert's Family in Irvington.  Lumber piled in the background of the undated photo of Robert's mother can also be seen in the circa 1926 photo of Robert's daughter Connie, suggesting both were taken at Robert's house. 

 There was no New York State census for 1935, in fact none after 1925, so we skip from 1930 to 1940, The last census available for researchers until the 1950 census is released in April of 2022.

39 year old Robert Walton in 1934
photo courtesy of  great-granddaughter Marnie Calee

The 1940 census²⁷ Shows a  move for the Walton family to Hudson Ave in Irvington. The map shows this to be a residential area off Sunnyside Lane. The enumerator failed to record any house numbers but does note that the Walton's own their home. It is worth $6,000 and is probably close to the end of Hudson Ave, considering the enumerator generally goes in order from door to door. This Census indicates they had lived at this address on April 1, 1935  so they moved here sometime after December 1931 and before April 1935. 

I have a copy of Roberts 11/28/1936 Social Security application²⁸ which also lists a Hudson Ave residence. His employer is "Chevrolet of Tarrytown, Division of General Motors". It also lists yet another confirmation of his 1895 birthdate as May 26, 1895 in Madison, N. J.

The 1940 census lists Robert still working at the Auto Factory, but his occupation is now listed as a "Watchman". Helen lists no occupation and is engaged in "housework", but 19 year old eldest daughter Dorothy lists her occupation as a model at an art school. The other 3 children are attending school. This census asked detailed questions about education and Robert lists the highest grade completed as 8th Grade.

Since no other census information has been released at this time, we lose this method of peaking into Roberts life between 1940 and his death in 1973. I am hopeful that his direct descendants can help me fill in the blanks. 

53 year old Robert and wife Helen appears in a family photo with his siblings in 1948, previously discussed in this blog. In fact they caused a bit of confusion when we tried labeling the photos since they are posing with someone other than each other. Helen is next to younger brother Charles and Robert is next the Charle's wife, Beatrice, Although from the grin on Charles face, and Helen's hands throttling his neck, he may be the instigator of this mix-up.

Robert retired and moved to Florida with Helen. I do not know exactly when, but in the 1950's and 1960's it was common to work until age 65, which would have been around 1960 for Robert. I have found no evidence of either date. 

I know he died in Florida on January 23, 1973²⁹. His Florida address was 3492 53rd Street North, Saint Petersburg FL.  He is buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Petersburg. I know little else about this period in his life. I don't recall ever meeting Robert or Helen in the 1960's or 1970's , although my father recalls him from his childhood. My grandfather rarely spoke of his siblings and I don't recall them visiting. While Robert's four children are now deceased, he still has a large number of Grandchildren, Great grandchildren and more than a dozen Great Great Grandchildren living.  I hope this article will help them learn about their ancestor and perhaps they can help me learn about the final decades of Robert Walton's Life.

Grave marker at Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Petersburg
photo courtesy of  great-granddaughter Marnie Caleen

Suggestions for additional research by direct descendants

1. Obtain the official state of N.J. birth certificate for Robert Walton to confirm his Birthdate. 
1. Note: I have searched for Robert's birth certificate and find it listed through Ancestry.Com as shown following. There seems to be a decrepancy with the year. Every other reference including U. S. Federal Census records and a draft card filled out by Robert himself indicate his birth year is 1895. I has ordered the FHL microfilm (1/2/2015) to see exactly how and where the date is recorded and will update this when the information becomes available. 

NAME:	Walton
GENDER:	Male
BIRTH DATE:	26 May 1894
BIRTH PLACE:	Morris, New Jersey
FATHER'S NAME:	George Walton
MOTHER'S NAME:	Constance Long
FHL FILM NUMBER:	494230

1. Search for Robert's school records
2. obtain his WWI service record and confirm his back injury
3. Track down family oral history about how Robert and Helen Met.
4. Obtain genealogical details about his spouse Helen
5. Obtain valid genealogical details about each child
6. determine when Robert and Helen moved to Florida.
7. Obtain additional details and family stories about his life, particularly after moving to Florida.

---

NOTES: 

1. Walton, Robert, xxx-xx-8724, N. Y., Social Security Death Index, Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011.
Original data: Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.

2. Walton Robert, Registration Card No. 60, Registration State: New York; Registration County: Westchester; Roll: 1819127; Draft Board: 2,Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.
Original data: United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm.

3. Walton-Long Marriage, 3 November 1887, Grace [Episcopal] Church Madison [Madison, N. J.], Diocese of Newark, Photocopy of certificate in procession of author. Supplied Sept 2000 by Molly Lewis, granddaughter of George and Constance Walton who inherited papers, including this document, from her grandmother Constance Walton. 

4. Shaw, Viola E. and Barbara S. Parker, "Madison, NJ Presbyterian Church Vital Records, 1747-1900", "Walton, George; son Albert E., d. Apr 7, 1894 age 3 yr; grandch of Mr. Long",  buried in Hillside Cemetery in Madison, N. J.

5. Birth, Baptism, Marriage and Burial Records of Grace Episcopal Church, Madison, N. J. transcribed by author on 4 April 2002. "Burials,Albert Ernest Walton, 3yrs 49 days, April 6, 1894, residence- New York, Place of Burial- Madison, N.J." 

6.  Birth, Baptism, Marriage and Burial Records of Grace Episcopal Church, Madison, N. J. transcribed by author on 4 April 2002, Baptism for George Arthur Walton: Born 20 June 1889, Madison, N. J., Baptised 14 July 1889, Witness: Chas A. Long

7. Madison, N. J. Health Dept records book, listing for George [no middle name] Walton, Died 2/16/1890. Record discovered by Maria Fenton, Madison, N. J. working on behalf of the author.

8. Birth, Baptism, Marriage and Burial Records of Grace Episcopal Church, Madison, N. J. transcribed by author on 4 April 2002, Baptism forWilliam Edward Walton: Born 27 June 1892, Madison, N. J., Baptised 14 August 1892, Witness: Janus Long 

9. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.; Census Place: Manhattan, New York, New York; Roll: 1105; Page: 19A; Enumeration District: 0510; FHL microfilm: 1241105, Walton- Line 29-34

10. 1896-97 Tarrytown directory lists  George Walton's home at the same location as John D. Archbold 

11. "New York, State Census, 1905,"New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1905; Ancestry.com. New York, State Census, 1905 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA;  District: A.D. 02 E.D. 03; City: Greenburgh; County: Westchester; Robert Walton; Page 19, Line 25

11. Walton, George, 16 June 1910,  record of Deaths in the Village of Tarrytown, Register No. 1722, Copy in possession of author. 

12.  Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.; Census Place: Greenburgh, Westchester, New York; Roll: T624_1090; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 0036; FHL microfilm: 1375103, page 09, Walton Family found on line 61-72.

13. Tarrytown, New York, City Directory, 1914-15, Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA; Long: page 69; Walton: page 105.

14. "New York, State Census, 1915," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K958-YG8 : accessed 13 January 2015), Robt Walton, Greenburgh, Westchester, New York, United States; from "New York, State Census, 1915," index and images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 2012); citing state population census schedules, 1915, p. 03, line 10, New York State Archives, Albany.

15. Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Tarrytown, New York The interment records at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery read as follows for William Long: William Long – page 184 – entry # 13827 81 years 11 months 10 days, date of death: 3/9/1914, interred: 3/11/1914, Cause Cerebral Apoplexy, lot 1859, Place of death: Tarrytown.  

16. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA; Registration State: New York; Registration County: Westchester; Roll: 1819127; Draft Board: 2; W; Robert Walton; scan 27.

17. Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. Year: 1920; Census Place: Greenburgh, Westchester, New York; Roll: T625_1276; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 31; Image: 26.;Line 59- Rose Bacigalupi.

18. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA;Registration State: New Jersey; Registration County: Hudson; Roll: 1712208; Draft Board: 04;W;William E. Walton; scan 99. 

19. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA;Registration State: Massachusetts; Registration County: Berkshire; Roll: 1684877; Draft Board: 2; W; Harry Walton; scan 44.

20. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA; Registration State: New York; Registration County: Westchester; Roll: 1819127; Draft Board: 2; W; Charles Walton; scan 25.

21. Westchester County Archives; Marriage License; Walton,Robert; certificate: 29174;1919

22. Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. Year: 1920;  Census Place: North Tarrytown, Westchester, New York; Roll: T625_1276; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 67; Image: 554;Waltons on line 65 & 66.

23. "New York, State Census, 1925," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KSCZ-W1R : accessed 13 January 2015), Robert Walton, Greenburgh, A.D. 04, E.D. 01, Westchester, New York, United States; from "New York, State Census, 1925," index and images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 2012); citing state population census schedules, 1925, p. 19, line 47, New York State Archives, Albany.

24.  Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls. Census Place: Irvington, Westchester, New York; Roll: 1660; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 0145; Image: 328.0; FHL microfilm: 2341394; Family Number: 429

25. Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration. Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011.

26. Death Certificate for Constance Wilhelmina Walton, Grasslands Hospital; Registered No. 558; issued 13 Dec 1931, filed with town clerk, town of Mount Pleasant, NY, Stamped copy in possession of author. 

27. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls. Census Place: Greenburgh, Westchester, New York; Roll: T627_2804; Page: 13B; Enumeration District: 60-64; Walton- Line 49-54

28.  U. S. Social Security Act application for account number for Robert Walton submitted 11/28/1936. Copy in possession of Author.

29. Robert Walton Death Certificate. Registrar of Vital Statistics, Pinellas County Health Dept, St. Petersburg, Fla., issued 13 Feb 1973. Copy in possession of author.