Robert Stroud was born ca 1817/18 (per 1850 census) in Burke (now McDowell) Co, NC. I'm sure the 1850 census entry is incorrect, for he was probably born ca 1813/14 or thereabouts (1810/15 for sure), for he had to be 21 to vote in 1835, so at least born 1814 or before.

I feel quite sure that Robert is a son of Peter Stroud and Margaret Curtis. He sold land in 1836 that formerly belonged to Peter Stroud, deceased (he died in 1834), and this deed might prove that Robert was his son.

Robert was mentioned in the 1837 and 1838 letters (see Peter Stroud's page for a transcript), and it was said that the was buying out all the other heirs and I've found a few deeds proving that. He sold some land in 1836 formerly belonging to Peter Stroud, deceased, but I don't think it said specifically that he was an heir, it could have been land he purchased from the other heirs.

Robert seems to have been home with his parents in 1820 (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20), and still home in 1830 (age 15-19, born ca 1810/15.

He was one of the purchasers at the 1834 Estate sale of his father Peter Stroud.

"R. Stroude" was listed as a voter in the 1835 Congressional Elections. He voted in Neals Precinct of Burke County. "Neals" is where most of the other Strouds voted as well.

On 22 Apr 1836, Robert Stroud sold land to Gardner Stearns. The land was described as formerly belonging to Peter Stroud, deceased. Witnesses were his brothers William Stroud and James Stroud. Now if Robert inherited this land, that proves he was a son of Peter Stroud, which I'm sure he is, but it was later mentioned in one of the old letters that Robert was buying out the Stroud heirs. This could mean the land he was selling in 1836 was purchased from one of the heirs, or that it was his own share of the inheritance. Unfortunately the Burke County deeds are lost. This particular deed was not filed until after McDowell County was formed, so it was preserved. (McDowell Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 137).

In the letter dated 3 Sep 1837 (transcribed earlier) it was stated that Robert Stroud had married "Miss An Elder". There was no recorded marriage bond found for them, but this letter proves they married sometime before 3 Sep 1837. Ann Elder was born ca 1819/20 (per 1850 census), presumably in Burke (now McDowell) County. I don't know who her parents were.

The same letter (3 Sep 1837) stated that Robert Stroud and George Mashburn had bought out all the Strouds where he lives. Unfortunately these deeds were lost with most of the other early Burke County records.

On 5 Dec 1838, Robert Stroud and family, and the Elder family all left for Indiana. This was stated in the Stroud letter dated 11 Dec 1838. I don't know how long it took them to get there, but they soon settled in Knox County, Indiana.

They were listed on the 1840 census in Knox Co, IN. Several Elders were on the following page.

1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1840 Knox Co, IN pg 65 Robert Stroud 2010010000000-0000100000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 30-39        (1800-1810)	Robert STROUD (1810/15) s/o Peter & Margaret
1 Male(s) 10-14        (1825-1830)	Nephew?
2 Male(s) 0-4          (1835-1840)	Craton STROUD (1836/37) son
					William STROUD (1838/39) son
1 Female(s) 20-29      (1810-1820)	Ann ELDER Stroud (1819/20) wife

Robert Stroud and family were listed on the 1850 census in Knox County still.

1850 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1850 KNOX CO, IN Page 201   House/Family #  691/ 691  -  Twp

STRAUD ROBERT         32 M W FARMER                     NC                   1817/1818
STRAUD ANN            30 F W                            NC                   1819/1820
STRAUD CRATON         13 M W                            NC                   1836/1837
STRAUD WILLIAM        11 M W                            NC                   1838/1839
STRAUD MARGARET        9 F W                            NC                   1840/1841
STRAUD MARY            5 F W                            NC                   1844/1845
STRAUD JASPER          3 M W                            NC                   1846/1847
STRAUD ALICE           1 F W                            NC                   1848/1849

I did not find them there in 1860, nor have I attempted to followed up on them beyond 1850.