Robert Kearns was a resident of Marlborough on January 20, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. G of the 13th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; he was accidentally wounded, date not shown and transferred to Co. H, 3rd Regt. Veterans Reserve Corps on February 5, 1864. He was discharged for disability November 1, 1864.

He was born about 1828 in Belfast, Ireland. In the 1860 U.S. census in Marlborough, Connecticut, he was a 32 year old weaver and head of household. Robert Kearns married Margaret ______, born in Ireland. Children include: Sarah J. Kearns, born about 1849; James A. Kearns, born about 1851; Ann E. Kearns, born about 1853; Ellen Kearns, born about 1856; Robert Kearns, born July 1, 1857; Edward Kearns, born June 10, 1859 and a Male Kearns, born January 1861. Margaret (_____) Kearns died on October 2, 1863 in Marlborough. Robert Kearns married second, Eliza J. (____) Hasverson, born County Tyrone, Ireland on November 14, 1864 in Marlborough. Probable children include: Leslie Kearns, born about 1865 and Annie Kearns, born about 1869.

Robert Kearns moved to Mansfield between 1864 and 1870 and was working in a cotton mill in the 1870 U.S. census.

On August 28, 1871, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 118,400 that was granted under certificate No. 164,985. His widow applied for a pension on May 26, 1874.

Robert Kearns died on April 15, 1873 in Mansfield and is buried in the Gurley cemetery in Mansfield.