Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-01-05

Died, Tuesday morning, Dec, 9Th, at his
residence in SoIon, CuyAhoga CO Mr.. ARcHr.
BALD RoBBINs, one Of the Oldest and most re.
spccted citizens. as well as one Of the mos,
active men Of that town. Mr.. Robbins was
born in Weathershed, Hartford CO., Conn, on
the l0.h Of Nov. 1872, being at bis death 81
years of age. His father being sea captain
and living near the ocean, the son early acquired
q love for the same pursuit and turned his at
tention to the hazard US employment of sea-
man.
Young Robbins made many voyages TO diff
fsrent parts ofthe world, the first four Of which
were attended with nothing uncommon to the
pursuits Of seafaring life. But in the fifth,
which was made during the war of 1912, he
was captured by British man Of war and car.
ried to Halifax, where be remained until the
Treaty Of Ghent, when he was set at liberty
after suffering an imprisonment of eighteen
months.
The sixth and most eventful voyage of Mr..
Robbins was made in the brig Commerce, com
mauded by Capt. James Riley, which sailed on
the 9Th of May, 1915, from SaybrOok, Conn, for
the Cape de Verd Islands, via Gibralter. The
brig was wrecked on the coast OF Africa, near
Cape BagadOr, between the 26th and eth de
grees of North latitude. Capt. Riley and Mr..
Robbins have given thrilling narratives of the
shipwreck, dangers, and almost indes:ribable
suferings and privations they endured while
wandering over the burning sands of Sahara, as
slaves Of wild and barbarous Arabs. In this
condition Mr.. Robbins passed nineteen months,
suffering almost incredible degradation, slavery,
misery and want so much so that the coIored
slaves at one place where he lived refused to
eat with him, they considered him so much be
meath themselves.
Mr.. Robbins was finally redeemed and set at
liberty by William Wiltshire, the English Con.
sui at MOgadOre, whence he immediately sailed
,Or the Uoited States, arriving at Boston the
30th Of May, 1917 His History informs us
that when he landed in Boston be entirely for
got the destitute condition he was in from the
reflection that he was again in the American
Republic. His health being restored, he took
passage on the sch. Pearl TO SaybroOk, from
thence to Weatherslield where he was received
by his relatives and friends with a cordially
which convinced him that he was still esteemed,
and that the scenes Of degradation, slavery and
misery through which he had passed, instead
of diminishing, had augmented their attach~
ment.
Mr.. Robbins afterwards made voyage to the
West Indies, where he was taken by pirates
aud hung up by the neck until life was nearly
extinct, to compel him to give up his money
His vessel was plundered, and then permitted
to proceed.
Having now seen enough of the troubles as
well as the pleasures Of seafaring life, at the
age of thirtyiMr. r. married Miss Almira Viii
hams. aud entered actively in the pursuits OF
merchandise in his native village of Weathers-
field, being also Postmaster while there
After about fourteen years, his wife having
died, he married Elizabeth 7. Williams. sis
ter Of his former wife, aud his faith
ers family, which was large, being settled in
Solon, Archibald Robbins and family removed
to the same township in 1886, where he eontinu-
ed the mercantile business and also engaged
quite largely in agriculture He was the first
and only Postmaster of SOlOn up to his death,
and for several years held the office of Justice
of the Peace, for which his exemplary homes
ty, energy and truthtulness eminently qualified
him.
Mr.. Robbins left widow and large and
interesting family to mourn his loss. His fu-
neral, on Wednesday, was attended by large
concourse of people, the neighbIrs and friends
who respected and loved tie deceased. HIS
early life was singularly eventful, but kind
Providence permitted him, after suferings and
hardships such as few pass through, to return
to his beloved home, and to spend many years
in the enjoyment of good health and All sbun-
dance of this words goods. Bot the last ten
months of his life were attended with much
pain and suffering, but 80 one could bear such
aflicton with more resignation than Mr.. Rob-
bins Some ten months ago a cancer appeared
on the side Of his face, and although all was
done that could be 10 arrest its progress, medi
cal skill failed to stay its fatal course. A good
man has departed-peace be with him. B.
SoLoN Dec %, 1889