Robbins, Chandler, 1819-1880

Chandler Robbins, 1819-1880, was a wheelwright, gold miner, Civil War soldier, furniture merchant, and undertaker from Westborough, Massachusetts. He was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and moved to Westborough in 1819. In 1842, he married Frances Mellen. They had five children, though only two survived to adulthood. He left for the California gold fields in 1849, participating in the Fremont surveying party led by John C. Fremont and guided by Kit Carson, but was robbed on his return trip through Panama. He enlisted in the 13th Massachusetts Volunteers, Company K, at the outset of the Civil War, in 1861. He was detailed as company cook and as a hospital nurse, including as personal nurse to John C. Robinson when he was wounded at the Spindle Farm. He was taken prisoner three times, and spent a short time in Libby Prison. After the war, he returned to Westborough, where he worked as a furniture merchant and repairman, as well as the town's undertaker.