Helen Blasdell Avery1

#621, (1855 - 1943)
FatherBenjamin F Avery2
MotherSusan Look2 (c 1817 - )
Charts5 Generations of Descendants of Charles Bonnycastle (1796-1840)
Helen Avery Robinson
passport photo, 1924

Family

Charles Bonnycastle Robinson (1853 - 1928)
Children

Life Events

BirthHelen Blasdell Avery was born on 29 Mar 1855 in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky.3 
EducationShe was educated at Vassar.1 
MarriageShe married Charles Bonnycastle Robinson on 29 Mar 1877.3
 
Note.Helen's father, Benjamin Avery, came to Louisville in 1847 and founded the B.F. Avery firm which was the largest plow factory in the world, producing up to 600 iron plows a day and employing 250 men.4 
1880 CensusChas B and Helen Robinson appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of 309 Broadway South Side, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, enumerated 11 Jun 1880. They lived with Helen's parents in a large household with five servants. Charles was 27, a Wholesale Manufacturer (his father-in-law Benjamin Avery was in the same business), was born in Kentucky, with parents born in Virginia. Helen was 25, born in Kentucky, father born in New York and mother in Massachusetts. Their children George Avery and Charles Bonnycastle were living with them.5 
1900 CensusCharles B and Helen A Robinson appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, at 315 West Broadway Street, enumerated 14 Jun 1900. Charles was 47, born in March 1853 in Kentucky, father born in Connecticut and mother in New York. He was a Cotton Agent. Helen was 45, born in March 1855 in Kentucky, parents born in Virginia, and was the mother of 5 children, 4 still living. They had been married 23 years. Their children George Avery, Charles Bonnycastle, Goldsborough Cowan and Helen Avery were living with them.6 
1910 CensusC.B. and Helen Avery Robinson appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Anchorage, Jefferson County, Kentucky, at Middletown Road, enumerated 19 Apr 1910. Charles was 57, born in Kentucky, and was a wholesale cotton merchant who owned his home and farm free. Helen was 55 and born in Kentucky. They had been married 33 years and Helen was the mother of 5 children, 4 still living. Their children Charles Bonnycastle, Goldsborough Cowan and Helen Avery were with them, as well as Helen's mother and brother.7 
1920 CensusC.B. and Helen Robinson appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Manhattan, New York County, New York, at 200 West 58th Street, enumerated 13 Jan 1920. Charles was 65, born in Kentucky, and had no occupation recorded. Helen was 64 and born in Kentucky. Their children Helen Avery and Charles Bonnycastle were living with them His children Ann Mason were living with him, as well as a 34 year old married black butler.8 
Note.In April 1924, the Robinsons applied for passports. In the application Helen stated that she had resided in England for 7 months in 1912 and her permanent residence was in Anchorage Kentucky. They intended to go abroad in May 1924 sailing from New York, traveling to England, France, Italy and Spain, and returning within 2 years. Physical description: age 69, 5' 5" tall, high forehead, hazel eyes, medium mouth, round chin, gray-white hair, round face.9 
Residence In 1925, she lived in 200 W.58th St., New York, New York, (said to be temporary address.)1 
(Widowed) DeathHer husband Charles died on 8 Oct 1928.10 
(Mentioned) ObituaryShe was mentioned in Charles Bonnycastle Robinson's 1928 obituary as wife Helen Avery.10 
1930 CensusHelen Robinson and her daughter Helen appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Manhattan, New York County, New York, at 1148 Fifth Avenue, enumerated 4 Apr 1930. Helen was 73, widowed, first married at 25, born in Kentucky, parents born in Kentucky. Her daughter was 38, single, born in Kentucky, parents born in Kentucky. Their monthly rent was $450, they did not own a radio, and neither had an occupation recorded. They had a housekeeper and two maids, from Norway, Ireland, and Sweden.11 
DeathHelen died on 5 Dec 1943.12
 
BurialHelen Blasdell Avery was buried on 22 Dec 1943 in Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky.12 
Last Edited17 Apr 2014

Citations

  1. Frederick A. Virkus, The Abridged Compendium of American Genealogy (n.p.: n.pub., 1925; reprint 1987), p.802, Robinson family genealogy.
  2. George Norbury Mackenzie, Colonial Families of the United States of America (New York: n.pub., 1907), vol. 5.
  3. Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889 - 1970. Images viewed at Ancestry.com. Charles Bonycastle Robinson Jr, 1912.
  4. Hambleton Tapp and James C Klotter, Kentucky: Decades of Discord, 1865-1900 (Kentucky Historical Society, 1977), digital preview viewed on Google Books.
  5. United States 1880 Federal Census image. Kentucky, Jefferson County, Louisville, Roll T9_423, ED 128, Page 487C.
  6. 1900 Federal Census for United States, Kentucky, Jefferson County, Louisville Ward 7, Roll T623_530, ED 66, Page 18A. Image viewed at Ancestry.com.
  7. 1910 Federal Census for United States, Kentucky, Jefferson County, Anchorage, Roll T624_483, ED 1, Page 2A. Image viewed at Ancestry.com.
  8. United States 1920 Federal Census, New York, New York, Manhattan Assembly District 15, Roll T625_1212, ED 1057, Page 6B.
  9. Passport application for Helen Avery Robinson at New York, New York, 10 April 1924. (Digitized copy viewed at Ancestry.com).
  10. Ancestry.com databases, Historical Newspaper Database. Image from New York Times, 9 Oct 1928.
  11. 1930 Federal Census for United States, New York, New York County, Manhattan, Roll 1566, ED 535, Page 4A. Image viewed at Ancestry.com.
  12. Burial Database for Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky, online http://www.cavehillcemetery.com, Helen A Robinson was buried in Section G, Lot 151, grave 1.
  13. Records of St Paul's Episcopal Church, Louisville, Kentucky, 1834-1978. Extracted information viewed at FamilySearch. George Avery Robinson, birth & christening, 1878.
  14. Records of St Paul's Episcopal Church, Louisville, Kentucky, 1834-1978. Extracted information viewed at FamilySearch. Bonnycastle Robinson, birth & christening, 1880.
  15. Newspaper Abstracts, online at http://www.newspaperabstracts.com, Dudley Avery Robinson death, Louisville Weekly Courier Journal, 8 April 1889.