File:Robert Sanford (1831-1908) obituary in the Poughkeepsie Eagle-News of Poughkeepsie, New York on 14 January 1908.png

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Robert Sanford Died On Monday. Another Well Known Citizen Passes Away. Was A Familiar Figure On Streets Of The City. Robert Sanford died early Monday evening at his home on North Hamilton Street. Mr. Sanford had been breaking down in health for some time, and his familiar figure had recently been missed from our streets. He was 76 years old on the lit 1 of December, but th news of his serious, Illness a few day ago "was rather a surprise to mostof those who knew him. Mr. San ford came of distinguished ancestry and wiis a man of pronounced charac ter and of considerable ability, but Inherited sufficient wealth for his support, and was not of an ambitious temperament In early Ufe he studied .and Practiced law and took aom part In active affairs, but for - the past twenty years had - lived a retired life. In manner, habit and dress he waa generally thought to resemble the old - time Eng lish squires. He waa a great believer In fresh air and exercise and would often have moat of the windows of his house wide open In raid - winter. A good deal could be written about hi various eccentricities, the subjects he waa fond1 of talking about, and his hobble. He always had a warm spot in his heart for children and Used to distribute candy by Ihe wholesale to the youngster who paraded on Thanksgiving Day. HI wife died a few month ago, and the marriage, of hit eldest daughter took: place In Philadelphia only a few day ago. The following1 biographical article waa written for th Eagle' History of Poughkeepsie, by Mr. Sanford himself; Robert Sanford, retired lawyer of Poughkeepsie. was born In Alhanr. De cember 10, 1831. the son of Nathan and Mary (Buchanan) Sanford. of Albany; the grandson of Dr. Thomas Sanford. who settled at Bridgehampton, Long Island, and th great - grandson of Thomas ItcKeon. Chief Justice and Governor of Pennsylvania three terms and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Miss Mary Buchanan, the grunddaurhter of Justice alcKean, and mother of Itobert Sanford, waa married to Nathan Sanford In the Whit House at Washington. President John QoJncy Adam being her nearest living relative, giving away the bride. Nathan Sanford was a prominent lawyer. United; States District Attorney, Bute Assemblyman, State Senator, twice United Sates Senator, commissioner for framing the new Constitution and csndldate for Vice - President with Henry Clay. He was appointed Chancellor to succeed James Kent, and he waa the last speaker of the Assembly who wore a cocked hat He died at Flushing. Long Island, l 1X3S. When nine years old, Robert Sunfprd commenced attending school In Hartford. Cona and remained five years. He then spent four years under th tutorship of Dr. Muhlenberg, the celebrated Instructor at College Point. Long Island, and two years under Dr, George H. Houghton, ths rector nf the famous Tdttle Church Around the Corner,' an astute Greek tutor, who one day said to his pupil, "Hub. you are the most stupid Jsksss I' ever saw." Itobert respected him very much, and In years afterward, when he thought he was somewhat proficient In the an - ilent language - he wrote the doctor a letter In UreelObut the worthy tutor characterised It aa still possessing as slnlne ciualltlea.1 Mr. Sanford. however, pursued his education, becoming a student St Klngsley Military Institute at West Point, and spending two year at I'nlon College, rKbenectady, N, Y. He then traveled extensively with his mother throughout' Eumoe. and located In poughkeepsie In lt - 7. Graduating from the New York Stat and National Law School In tail, ha spent two years In the law office of Joseph II. Jackson. then started on another extended European trip, during which tie attended a course of lecture at th Sarbonne In Paris, and was formally presented tu Napoleon 111. He practiced law In Poughkeepsie from 1W2 to US, and then made his third trio to Eurooe.1nd waa presented to the Queen of Kngtuid by hi cousin, Charles Prancl Adams, then U, H. Minister tu the Court of St, James, II returned to Poughkeepsl la 1M7. and retired in 1" after an active l - aul career 0 twnty - eveo years. Though seventy - two year of age he possesses a stalwart frame. I of medium height and much resemble John Quinry Adam. II I an active athlete, food of fresh air, walker and rider. . Sanitary matters and pur. air are hi hobble. Ill resldenr In th heart of Poughkeepsl, No. 2 North . li.m - iini puwi, M.WMMMW hi nearly air. acre of Uwu ana beautiful shads trees, with winding walk and the bubbling water of th FaOiktU now. Ins through th ground. Ha abandon - , ed court practice mainly because he regarded the court room In the c4d( building a unhealthy. A school commissioner, 1st: to 1st, he t - nde a record for sanitary Improvementa which waa most serviceable and Important, lis,. waa lt ai - .au. .arl. K ft a. w tl ... la. "the work of prevention of eroelt - r to animals and was one vk - a - presklent of the society. He baa been a delegate to, the convention of the Diocese of New York for thirty years; da a member of tb Sigma Pin Fraternity ;. th Asteo Society (a Mexican war sssodstlon)'.' the Amr - lta Club, of Poughkespst;. the Dutchess Hunt Club; Union Leagas' Club, of New York; - Amsrtcan Go - graphlcal Society; Church Club of New - York; trustee of the Church - of th Holy Comforter of Pournksepsl. and, Is, connected aith several social asm. clatlons. In politics he Is a lUt - ubUcan. but alway declined elective offics. Mr. Sanford waa married May 2J, 1K7. to Miss 'Mary Helen Hooker, Bturvesant. daughter of John It., BUiyvesaat, of Hyde Park, and great - grsjiddaughtsr of Peter Etuyvesant. Colonial Ooveraor of New York. They have had five chil dren, four of whom are now living: Mary "Buchanan. Henry Oanse - roort Helen Stuyvesant and Desire. Their son, Stuyvesant, died in 1890 [sic], at the age of seventeen years.

Notes[edit]

His son, Stuyvesant Sanford (1876-1899), appears to have died on 13 August 1889 in Amherst, Massachusetts while a student. If he was born in 1876, he would have been 23 years old.

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