George (Achason) Acheson was born in County TyroneIreland on July 11, 1805. When he was twenty-four years old he had saved enough money to go in search of his dreams. He bought passage on a ship, in steerage class and ailed for the United States of America, arriving in the port of New York during 1831 according to his naturalization papers. Soon after his arrival he met Sarah Campbell, also born in Ireland, who quickly took his heart. They were married and their first child Catherine, was born in 1832, there in New York. (She later became a Catholic nun). George was an engineer and wanted more for his family then he had in New York so they soon moved to Rhode Island, where people looked more kindly on their Catholic Irish heritage. They lived here mostly, but also lived in other parts of New England, (when his job demanded it) always returning back to the comfort of their beloved Rhode Island.
Their next three children George Jr., William and James were all born in R.I between 1836 and 1840. Colon T.K. was born in Mass in 1846 and their last son Robert, (my great grandfather) was born back in R.I. in 1848. A year later, in March of 1849 George became a naturalized citizen of the US in Providence, R.I. He and his family were still living in North Providence in 1850 but after that we know little about he and Sarah. Research is continuing even now and we will add any information we get in the future.
Robert was too young for the Civil War but all four of his older brothers served with Union Troups during that period. I have copies of their war records and pensions afterwards. All the Acheson sons were employd in the Fabric Mills sometime during there lives there in new England.
Robert met Helen "Nellie" Donnelly,
who was born in Scotland and they were
married. They had three children. George Joseph (my grandfather)was born July 5. 1877 in Lincoln, R.I. Robert Jr and Margaret
were also born in Rhode Island. In Aug. of 1884 Margaret at only two months
of age, died and Nellie soon followed the 17th of Sept. Robert then took
his two sons and moved to Lewiston, Maine and worked in the Fabric Mills.
This is Robert with his son George Joseph as a young boy.
Once in Lewiston he met another woman who captured his heart and became his second wife. Her name was Etta Eliza Hodgdon and with her he sired at least five more children. Their names were Sadie, William, Catherine, Edward and Mary Teresa. They continue to live in the Lewiston/Auburn area until Robert's death in June of 1914.
His oldest son, George Joseph worked in the Fabric mills like his father before him. His true love
was Isabelle Stewart, a lassie of Scotish descent. She was also born in Lewiston on July 6,
1879, their birthdays bring only one year and one day apart. They eloped
to get married in Jan. 19, 1903 to Berlin, New Hampshire and were so in
love they could hardly stand being seperated. He served during the Spanish
American War but came home every chance he got until he was discharged.
Their first child George Robert (my Father) was born Jan. 21st 1904 in
Lewiston where they made their home. Other children of George Joseph and
Isabelle were another son, born dead and two daughters Lillian Josephine
and Isabelle May who are still living in Maine at the time of this writing.
Isabelle, their Mother, died in Feb of 1912 and George Joseph soon followed
in August of the same year, leaving the three living children orphaned.
The children went to live with their Grandfather Robert and Step-GrandMother
Etta, but Grandpa was not well and by June of 1914 he too was gone. The
two oldest children of George R and Lillian were sent to an the Army Navy
orphanage in Bath, Maine. Their step-mother Etta was not able to cope with
so many children so she only kept the youngest child Isabel and raised
her with her own children.
George Robert grew up working part time at the high school as a janitor in order to help pay for his high school education. He also attended the University of Maine for a while but unfortunately was not good at academics, although he excelled in Sports and was also a member of the Thesbian Club. In 1927, he decide he wanted to become a flyer as he was fasinated by the aeroplanes of that time. So, he signed up to go into the Army expecting to go to flying school and caught a ship out of Portland heading for his new adventure. Unfortunately, he had a surprise waiting for him. He was sent to Panama instead of Texas to flying school where he thought he was going. Here as a Private, he learned to work on the air ships he dreamed of flying and it took him another two years before he was able to get to the flying schools of Texas he dreamed of. This was only accomplished because a Capt took pity on him and submitted his name as a cadet. He was accepted and thrilled at the prospect of finally being able to chase his dream. In 1927 "Big Bob" as he was soon to be known, headed for San Antonio to fulfill his dream of becoming a pilot.