Were the Roberts Unionists?

 Politics of Relatives

Mobile in 1860 contained a majority of foreign born residents. According to the secession vote of 1860, Mobile was primarily unionist and conservative. Being conservative meant preservation of the status quo and residents viewed secession as dangerous and radical. Palmer Hamilton, referring to the period preceding the 1860 succession vote, states, “If you read Harriett Amos’ book, Cotton City, and study what people like the Roberts were doing: they were generally unionist and conservative.” Dr. Willis and wife Asenath could have been unionist so the assumption can be made that Joel Ninde’s grandfather Joel Roberts (1813-1863) and father Willis Roberts (1843-1917) were initially Unionists, insofar as secession was concerned.