My mother, Catherine Roebuck, was the daughter of Jarvis Roebuck, a merchant Doing business in the city of New York. Mother died soon after I was born, Of course, I can have no recollection of her, and her father took care of me until I was four years of age, when he sent me to Nazareth, Northampton County, Pa., Where I remained at college until I was seventeen, when I returned to New York. My grandfather at his death left me a handsome Patrimony. He had one brother Peter Roebuck, after whom I was named, who also lived in New York. They were Both simon pure Englishmen, which to me is a source of genuine pride.
I now come to a part of my history which you have probably never heard. My grandfather, who unfortunately had a misunderstanding with my father after the death of my mother sent me to Nazareth under his own name, and I know of No other and was recognized by no other than P. Roebuck. When about twelve Years old I was one day requested to call at the hotel as someone wished to see me. Having obtained permission I went and met a very handsome gentleman, About forty or forty-five years of age. He asked me several questions about my family to which I replied as had been taught me that I was the grandson of Jarvis Roebuck, that my father and mother had both died when I was an infant, that I had no recollection of them. You may judge my surprise when he burst into tears and for a time was quite overcome. He then stated that there was a mistake---that he was my father. Boy as I was, the news overjoyed me. I requested him to with me To the college where I introduced him to the President, who was a warm friend of mine (a lover of music). The President knew my grandfather and at once said That he had no doubt of the correctness of the statements but advised me not to be too receptive in the matter. He wrote to New York receiving in answer a full confirmation of all that my father had stated. From that time it was Peter Roebuck Pearsall, and has remained so ever since. (Seventy-three years and more).
The following is his own account of his trip to Nazareth, Pa.:---Indianapolis, February 11, 1874. Dear Daughter:===Your truly interesting letter date 2nd Inst. Was duly received. As your requests with me are equivalent to commands, I proceed with pleasure to give you an account of my visit last Fall to Bethlehem And Nazareth, as the oldest Hall Boy to attend a reunion of the alumni of Nazareth Hall in which I received my scholastic education.
Before we give the incidents of the journey allow me to begin at the beginning As I do not remember that this was ever given. My earthly career began May 1, 1790. Of my mother Catherine Roebuck, daughter of Jarvis Roebuck, I Can have no recollection as she gave her life when she gave me. {Notwithstanding This statement we have followed the church record which fixes her death and Burial as occurring in 1791.} With the consent of my father my maternal grandfather took me under his care, and at the age of four years he sent me in charge of Arbaham Bininger (the founder of the great Bininger house, New York City) to Nazareth and Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. Until Eight years of age Mammy Moehring, a childless widow residing at Nazareth, Took care of me with all the kindness a mother could bestow upon her own child. At this time they installed me as a student in the college. As the turmoil�s and up And downs of a college life would consume too much time, I beg leave to omit them. My love for music, the Divine Art, began to display itself very early. At the age of twelve years I was permitted to play a large organ during Divine service; they also placed me at the grand piano in the weekly concerts with an orchestra of some thirty instruments. This circumstance caused me to be remembered by many who were fellow students. At this institution I remained until the year 1807, when I returned to New York City:---Here endeth the introduction.
On Saturday evening September 20th I returned from a short visit at Madison, Indiana and found a letter from my friend Chitty, now residing at Bethlehem, a Moravian town ten miles from Nazareth, requesting me to attend a reunion of students at Nazareth on Thursday September 25th, kindly proposing to defray All incidental expenses. Such a generous offer could not be refused, and Monday morning about 7 o'clock found me moving out of Union Depot in compliance with the invitation. At six o'clock Tuesday evening I arrived at Bethlehem where Mr. Chitty met me and accompanied me to the house of Doctor Jones, who with his family, Mrs. Jones and daughter, entertained me with the most refined hospitality until Friday evening when I felt compelled to decline a pressing invitation to prolong my visit, ad libitum, as I felt quite overcome with the tremendous excitement thru which I had just passed. On Wednesday Doctor Jones introduced me to a number of prominent citizens of the place, some of them stating that I was not an entire stranger as they had heard my name mentioned before. On Thursday the 25th, We proceeded to Nazareth, arriving there about 9 o'clock A.M., from the hotel we were escorted by a Company of Cadets.
Here my troubles began. When I saw that venerable and well remembered Building, recollections of childhood days came rushing upon my memory with the force of a tornado. And when the president of the college accompanied me thru The different departments, frequently asking, do you remember this, and when He took me to that idolized old organ requesting me to play a particular tune Which is always used in passing out of the old year into the new year, I, of course, Complied, but my feelings overpowered me when I remembered that I had played the same tune on the same instrument upwards of seventy years before. I gave Way saying once a mean --twice a child. The president replied not in this case for in his view there was exhibited the reverse. A vivid recollection of events long since passed. We also visited the cemetery, garden, and all points of interest. Dinner being announced the visitors, the faculty, and about three hundred students partaking. A side table was occupied by some the dignitaries, among whom they placed the Lion of the day in the condition of a lamb. Presently a request came that I should address the students. This I dreaded as my nerves were entirely unstrung--but rather than write myself a mouse I made an effort to be a man. My speech was short for I could not trust myself. However, the compliment was paid me that every world was to the point and would be long remembered by the pupils as well as others.
This is the link for Nazareth Hall:
Nazareth Hall
8a. Peter P. Roebuck, May 12th, 1804, I Class�.
May 12th, 1804,
student listing: 1798, New York.
Drawing: Column - Tuscan Order.
8c. Peter P. Roebuck, May 12th, 1804, I Class�.
May 12th, 1804,
student listing: 1798, New York.
Drawing: Toes and heel.
14a. Peter R. Pearsall May 10th, 1806. Cypripedium acuale�.
May 10th, 1806.
no student listing.
Drawing: Flower.