Robert came to Utah in either 1854 or 1855. He likely came in 1854, the year he sailed to America. The first documentation to place him in Utah are church ordinances performed in June 1856, which was prior to the arrival of that season's emigration. Further research is needed to narrow the year of his travel.

He later participated as one of the rescuers that were sent out in the winter of 1856 to assist the members of the Church stranded in Wyoming.