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Robert Fulton (1801 – 1867)

Robert Fulton was born in Ayreshire Scotland in 1801, and arrived in Fredericton as a young man in 1821. The following year he entered into government service as a clerk in the office of the Provincial Secretary, and continued to serve in that capacity for another 44 years—first as Clerk, then Chief Clerk, and eventually, in 1861, as Assistant Secretary to another Society member—John Gregory. At the age of 24, he was a founding member of the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew. He was also one of the founding members of St Paul’s Church as well as the Fredericton Curling Club.

Robert Fulton’s esteem within the Government of New Brunswick is attested to by the quality of the marble stone that stands in the Old Burial Ground on Brunswick Street. The inscription reads: 

In memory of
Robert Fulton Esq.,
born in Ayre, 
Scotland, in 1801, 
died in Fredericton 
February 26th 1867. 
He came to this Province in 1821 
and entered the Office of the Provincial 
Secretary in 1823, 
in which service he continued until 
the time of his decease, discharging his duties as Clerk, 
Chief Clerk, and Assistant Secretary with marked diligence and punctuality. 

This monument is erected by the 
Government of New Brunswick 
as a testimonial of the faith- 
fulness of the deceased 
during an uninterrupted 
public service of 44 years. 

       Collection of the Fredericton Region Museum      
                               P1985.4.1    

Robert was also a highly dedicated member of the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew. He served as Second Vice-President (1839-1841), First Vice-President (1842-1844), President (1844-1846); then again as Second Vice-President (1852-1855) and Treasurer from 1855 until his death in 1867. 

The minutes of the Society’s meeting of May 13th 1867 contain the following tribute to his character: 

In zeal for the interest and prosperity of the Society, and diligence in performing the duties entrusted to him, he was surpassed b y none, and b y his genial disposition and kindness of heart he secured the highest respect and warmest love of all his associates… Mr Fulton had the most generous of hearts; he was liberal, in the estimation of some even to a fault. The poor never appealed to him in vain. His hand was always open as day to melting charity.

Robert Fulton was a bachelor all of his life, and rented apartments in the homes of various individuals in the City. In both 1851 and 1861 he was a border in the home of William Alexander McLean, High Sheriff of York County (present-day 177 University Avenue). Throughout his life he developed a very deep friendship with fellow Society member John F Taylor. As Judge O S Crocket later recalled: “…there was never a week that the two did not spend two or three evenings together in the apartments of one or the other.” 

Such was their bond that upon John Taylor’s passing in 1858, Robert anonymously commissioned the Taylor family stone that can still be found in the Old Burial Ground. This inscription speaks clearly of his love and admiration for the Taylor family:

John F
Merchant
my particular friend
died Oct 19 1858
aged 61 years. 

This monument
is erected by a Scotsman
from his first acquaintance
with the family in 1822
never ceased to admire and appreciate
their probity of character
their friendliness and
general goodness of heart

Benefactors to the
Community in which
they lived

 

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