Robert was only 16 years old (born abt 1832) when he arrived in New York with his sister Margaret, on the Sea King on 29 August 1848. His occupation is given as “Cultivator/Farmer” on shipping records.
Robert was the son of Walter and Eliza Oakman who settled in Troy, Rensselaer, NY in the 1850s.
Robert found work as a Cooper in little town called Saugerties (about half-way between New York City and Rensselaer where his parents and sibings were living). Robert was one of nine Coopers who were living in the home of Sarah Du Bois in the town of Saugerties. This included Robert’s brother – Walter Oakman (25 yrs).
Robert was killed in the Civil War on 10 October 1865. He was a Corporal with the 7th Independent Battery, New York Light Artillery (Union). He is buried in St Joseph’s Cemetery, Troy, Rensselaer. I believe this is a Catholic cemetery.