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- [S34] Vital Records of Cambridge, MA., (New-England Historical Genealogical Society).
“Fuller, Robert O., Sept. 12, 1829, G.R.3.”
p276.
- [S73] Grace Fuller Dudley Dunlap and Robert Dunlap., Research Notes of the Oliver Fuller family., (The Descendants of Oliver Fuller c. 1768-1806.).
Quote from The Ancestry of Robert Oliver Fuller and Sarah Jane Parker and their Descendants, 2007 by Robert Oliver Fuller Bixby, p. 7-8:
Robert's first residence was a one-story house on Auburn Street, Cambridge, the house in which he was born. The family later moved to a brick house at the corner of Main and Brookline Streets. According to an account of his early life which he wrote at the urging of his children and which was transcribed and distributed to some of his descendants by my cousin, Beverly Dudley Dunlap Rodrigues, his first business transaction was picking up some old iron nails after a roof had been shingled and taking them to an iron store kept by Robert Fuller, a non-relative for whom he was named, and receiving two cents. Robert attended grammar school at a school on the corner of Winsor and School Streets. His father, Oliver, separated from his mother in the early 1830's leaving her to raise her four children. When Robert was six years old an arrangement was made with Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Whipple whereby, he would live with the Whipple's at their home in New Boston, NH and assist Mr. Whipple at his store and on his farm. One of his chores was to drive the cow to pasture at five o'clock in the morning. He attended the village school 10 or 12 weeks in the summer and the same in the winter. In the account of his early life, referred to above, Robert believed that when he went to the Whipple's there was an understanding that he would stay until he was 21 years old and then would be given a suit of clothes and $100. With the birth of a son to the Whipple's, this plan was changed and Robert returned to Cambridge when he was 14 and took up residence in his mother's five room house on Cottage Place. To help his mother with expenses, he took a job with Noyes & Adams hardware at $50 a year. In the second year his pay was doubled to $100. At the beginning of the third year, at age 17, he was given a raise to $12.50 a month, but at the end of the first month he was let go because business was very slow and the company soon failed. After looking for a job for several weeks, Robert was hired by Samuel May & Co. on a trial basis at $12.50 a month. After four months Mr. May was satisfied with his work and his salary was increased to $200 a year. The May Company was in the tin plate and sheet iron and metals business, the business in which Robert eventually made his fortune. In his second year his salary was raised to $300, but at the beginning of the third year, 1850, Mr. May said he could not afford another raise. About this time, Robert Fuller, the man for whom Robert was named, came into the store. He offered Robert a salary of $600 plus expenses and said that at the end of a year he would either sell out to him or set him up in his own business. Unfortunately, Mr. Fuller took sick and died before the end of the year and Robert's prospect for a business of his own was gone, at least for the time being. He next took a job with George A. Whiting at 25 Union Street in Boston for $750 a year plus 10% of the profits. In 1859, at the age of 30, Robert began a business for himself. He soon took in a partner, Charles S. Dana. Eustace C. Fitz became a member of the firm in 1866 and they conducted the business in iron, steel and tin under the name Fuller, Dana and Fitz. In 1892, at age 63, Robert sold his interest in the business to Dana and Fitz and retired.
Robert was a member of the Common Council of Cambridge in 1861, and the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1871-72; of the Massachusetts Senate in 1872-73; of the Governor's Council in 1889-91and of the Electoral College of 1896. He also served on the School Committee of Cambridge from 1891 to 1901. He joined the First Baptist Church of Cambridge in 1850 and was an active member until his death. He served as president of the National Baptist Missionary organizations, both Home and Foreign. He made a tour of the world, visiting missions in India, China and Japan. On one of his tours he met former President U. S. Grant and at a reception handed Grant an envelope containing a check for $500. Grant put the envelope in his pocket without opening it and sometime later, when he had returned home, he finally opened it and found the check, which he returned to Robert with a letter of appreciation. Robert was also a member of the Executive Committee of Newton Theological Institution. At the time of his death Robert and Sarah owned an estate with a mansion and stable on several acres at 125 Prospect Street in Cambridge and a large house and barn in Harvard, Massachusetts, USA. In the 1930's the house at Prospect Street was torn down and the vacant land was sold to Standard Oil, which built a gas station at the corner of Prospect Street and Harvard Ave.
- [S34] Vital Records of Cambridge, MA., (New-England Historical Genealogical Society).
”1903, March 9, Robert Oliver Fuller, male, white, age 73 yrs, 5 mos, 25 days, mitral insufficiency Arterial sclerosis, 125 Prospect, bur. Auburn, Merchant, born Cambridge, parents: Oliver and Sally Richardson born Cambridge.”
1841-1915.
- [S34] Vital Records of Cambridge, MA., (New-England Historical Genealogical Society).
”1903, March 9, Robert Oliver Fuller, male, white, age 73 yrs, 5 mos, 25 days, mitral insufficiency Arterial sclerosis, 125 Prospect, bur. Auburn, Merchant, born Cambridge, parents: Oliver and Sally Richardson born Cambridge.”
1841-1915; Find a Grave Memorial 44373386.
- [S34] Vital Records of Cambridge, MA., (New-England Historical Genealogical Society).
“Fuller, Oliver and Sally Richardson, May__, 1820 (int. May 2, 1820).”
Page= p155, Cambridge Marriages.
- [S73] Grace Fuller Dudley Dunlap and Robert Dunlap., Research Notes of the Oliver Fuller family., (The Descendants of Oliver Fuller c. 1768-1806.).
Notes from Robert Oliver Fuller Bixby, Fuller Genealogy, p. 3:
Oliver and Sarah separated in the 1830’s and Sarah raised their children in Cambridge. Oliver befriended Robert Fuller, a non-relative, who may have helped him in business. In any event, Oliver thought enough of Robert Fuller to name his youngest son, Robert Oliver Fuller, for him. However, Oliver apparently failed in business and, according to some reports, died in a poor house.
- [S73] Grace Fuller Dudley Dunlap and Robert Dunlap., Research Notes of the Oliver Fuller family., (The Descendants of Oliver Fuller c. 1768-1806.).
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Our FULLER Ancestors
1829 - 1903 (73 years)
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