On Wednesday, February 12, the King of Prussia Historical Society presented an original portrait of Jonathan Roberts to the Roberts Elementary school for faculty, students and visitors alike to view and recall the man for whom the school is named.
Jonathan Roberts was born in Upper Merion on August 16, 1771. He developed an unusual literary taste and was educated by a private tutor. Upon the completion of his education at age seventeen, he was apprenticed to a wheelwright. On attaining his majority, he returned home and assisted his father in the work on the farm, devoting his leisure time to study.
He served as PA House Representative from 1799 to 1800 and again from 1823 to 1826, PA Senator from 1807 to 1811, US Representative from 1811 to 1814 and US Senator from 1814 to 1821.
Senator Roberts dedicated his life to public service and to helping the poor of Upper Merion. He built the first Roberts School in 1848 so that the children of the Croton Mill workers did not have to walk to King of Prussia to go to school. He opposed the spread of slavery in the western territories and gave an impassioned speech against it on the Senate floor.
The Hon. Jonathan Roberts died on July 24, 1854 at the advanced age of eighty-two. At his request, he was buried in Roberts Cemetery. The cemetery was on a part of his property called “Red Hill,” where he had appropriated two acres of land for the poor of the neighborhood to bury their dead free of charge. The cemetery is visible from Rt 202, on the hill above 260 W DeKalb Pike.
Valley Forge Memorial Gardens currently occupies what was his estate, also referred to as “Robertsville.” The original home, called Buttonwood, has been restored and beautifully maintained.
The presentation was filmed for airing on the Viking Television channel.
The portrait of Senator Jonathan Roberts commissioned by the Society and painted by local area artist John Amoroso.
Dr. Anthony J. Grazel, Roberts Elementary School Principal; David Montalvo, Upper Merion Teacher and President of the King of Prussia Historical Society; and local artist John Amoroso at the February 12, 2020 portrait presentation.
