Col. Robert Means (1742-1823)

J.P., Merchant & State Senator, of Amherst, New Hampshire

He was born at Stewartstown, Co. Tyrone, in Northern Ireland. In 1766, he sailed to America and settled in New Hampshire where he worked as an indentured weaver to pay for his journey. He quickly prospered in business and by 1797 was the wealthiest man in the county. He became a Member of the Committee of Safety at Amherst (1776, 1780); Treasurer of the County of Hillsborough (1784-1802); Moderator of Amherst (1800, 1808 & 1809); Member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives (1783-1786, & 1789); Member of the New Hampshire State Senate; Member of the Executive Council for the State of New Hampshire; and the owner of the Hillsborough Bank Corporation (1806). He was a Justice of the Peace and Colonel of the militia. In 1785, he built his mansion that still stands in Amherst and had 8-children who survived infancy.

Spouse (1)

Mary (McGregor) Means

Mrs Mary (McGregor) Means

1752-1838

Children (8)

Mary (Means) Mason

Mrs Mary (Means) Mason

1777-1858

Elizabeth (Means) Appleton

Mrs Elizabeth (Means) Appleton

1779-1844

Col. David McGregor Means

of Amherst, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire

1781-1835

James Means

Cotton Manufacturer, of Boston, Masssachusetts

1782-1850

Nancy (Means) Lawrence

Mrs Nancy (Means) Ellis, Lawrence

1783-1866

Col. Robert Means

of Lowell, Massachusetts

1786-1842

Jane Means

Died in childhood

1789-1805

Mary Ann Means

Died in early adulthood, unmarried

1789-1812