Who was Mr Alexander Robins?

Mr Alexander Robins was a 50-year-old (fifty) English stonemason and third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on July 1, 1861, in St Austell, Cornwall, Robins tragically lost his life in the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. His story is one of transatlantic migration, family life, and an unfortunate return journey that ended in disaster.

Early Life and Family

Alexander Robins was born into a working-class family in Cornwall, England. His parents were:

Father: Samuel Robins (1835-1897), a copper miner
Mother: Grace Robins (1836-1895)

Growing up, Alexander was one of five siblings:

Charles (born 1868)
Samuel (born 1870)
William (born 1872)
Ellen Jane (born 1876)

The family’s early years were spent in St Austell, but they moved around Devon for a time before returning to their hometown.

Marriage and Children

In late 1880, at the age of 19, Alexander married Charity Lawry, who was born in 1865 and also hailed from St Austell. The couple’s family life was marked by both joy and tragedy:

They had nine children in total
Only two of their children survived infancy
Their firstborn, Alice Ann, was born in early 1881 but died in 1883
Their surviving children were:
1. Beatrice Annie (born 1886)
2. Alexander (born 1890)

Life in America

Around 1886, the Robins family made a significant life change:

They emigrated from England to the United States
Settled in Yonkers, New York
Appeared on US census records from 1900 to 1910
Alexander continued his trade as a stonemason in Yonkers

Despite their new life in America, the family maintained ties with their homeland, making several trips back to England over the years.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

In early 1912, Alexander and Charity returned to Cornwall for a family visit. Their return trip to the USA would prove to be their last:

They booked passage on the Titanic, traveling third-class
Their ticket number was 3337, costing £14 10s
They were accompanied by Charity’s cousin, William Henry Nancarrow
Interestingly, it was reported that Alexander had reservations about traveling on a maiden voyage

Did Alexander have premonitions about the Titanic?

According to reports, when Mr. Robins learned he would be traveling back to America aboard the Titanic, he became troubled. This unease stemmed from his objection to going aboard a ship on its maiden voyage. Whether this was a premonition or simply a general caution, it adds a poignant layer to the tragedy that would unfold.

The Sinking and Recovery

Tragically, both Alexander and Charity Robins perished when the Titanic sank on April 15, 1912. In the aftermath:

Their bodies were recovered by the Mackay Bennett
Alexander’s body was numbered 119
His body was identified with the following description:

NO. 119. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE, 50. - HAIR AND MOUSTACHE, DARK.
CLOTHING- Black overcoat; grey trousers and vest; blue vest; black boots.
EFFECTS- One gold watch, chain and seal; one gold watch, chain and locket; one silver watch; works of one Waltham watch; three knives; two pipes; one cigarette holder; cigar ditto; keys; gold ring marked “R”; hair comb; two pocket diaries; papers; Intl. Mercantile Marine Co. cheques $2500; £41 in gold; 37s. 6d. in purse.
THIRD CLASS. NAME - A. ROBINS. (Mrs Robins, No. 7)

Legacy and Family Aftermath

The loss of Alexander and Charity Robins deeply affected their surviving family:

Their remains were taken to their daughter in Yonkers
They were interred at Oakland Cemetery, Yonkers
Their daughter Beatrice (Annie):
- Married Patrick Curtin of Pennsylvania
- Remained in Yonkers and raised a family
- Passed away in Yonkers in 1965
Their son Alexander:
- Married Julia Lee on January 7, 1912, just months before the tragedy
- Worked as a steam fitter in Yonkers
- Raised a family in Yonkers
- Died in 1966

Alexander Robins’ story is a poignant reminder of the many lives cut short by the Titanic disaster. His journey from Cornwall to New York, and his final tragic voyage, encapsulate the dreams and risks taken by many immigrants of his era. Today, the Robins grave in Yonkers stands as a silent testament to a family’s loss and the enduring impact of one of history’s most famous maritime disasters.