Robert Maitland (1768-1845)

He was the fifth son of David Maitland of Barcaple, Kirkcudbrightshire. He went to America and was first a merchant in Petersburg, Virginia, before establishing himself in New York City where he made his fortune. He was a member of the group known as the "House of Lords" which met at Baker's Tavern every week-day night and included men such as Gulian Verplanck, Robert Lenox, Bernard Hart, Preserved Fish, William Bayard, Samuel Gouverneur and John Wesley Jarvis. He married his first wife in Petersburg: Susannah was the daughter of Nathaniel Harrison, younger brother of Benjamin Harrison, Governor of Virginia. In New York he married his second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of his friend Robert Lenox. He had 3-children who reached adulthood.