The Patterson family is an old and honored one in England, where they are of frequent mention in history of church and state. The Albany branch is comparatively a recent one, dating from about 1850.
(II) Professor Robert Patterson was born in England, in 1828, died in Albany, New York, 1874. He was the son of well-to-do English parents possessed of fine home and lands, Robert being the only one of the family who came to the United States. He was college educated and was an instructor before coming to the United States. On deciding to emigrate he was given a purse of six hundred dollars and a gold watch, of which he was robbed during his first night in a New York hotel. Left penniless he at once started out to find employment. He secured a position in a wholesale tea house, and continued with them for several years, rising to the position of manager and securing an interest in the business. He accumulated some capital and purchased land in the neighborhood of New York. He moved his residence to Albany, but retained his interest in the tea house. Three years after his removal to Albany he died. He was a devoted member of the Episcopal church and a strict observer of the Sabbath. He was a Republican in politics. He married, in Connecticut, Honora Madden, born in 1840, of Irish parentage, died in Albany, April 2, 1894. She was a member of the Catholic church and died in that faith. Children:
- Clara P., born in New York City in 1862; she was educated in that city and removed to Albany with her parents about 1871. She was the former wife of W. Seymour Rogers, whom she married in 1890. She is a woman of great energy and has established a home through her own efforts.
- James F., born January 30, 1863, an hotel proprietor of Schenectady; married Sarah Sager, but has no issue.
- Catherine A., born July 23, 1864, married Frederick W. Paradise, of Utica, New York, educated there, an operator and has charge of the "stock" in Western Union Telegraph Company at Albany; of English and Scotch ancestry; children: Gardner, Charles H., and Kenneth S., all well educated in public schools.
- Charles H., died in California at the age of twenty-eight years.
- Frederick, died young.
- Joseph, of New York City, unmarried.