Robert Benjamin Gullatt was born in Harris County, Georgia. His parents were George Washington Gullatt and Jane Glaze. Robert grew up in Harris County and at the age of 18, he and four of his brothers served in the Civil War. Robert served in Co. K 35th Georgia Regiment Brigade, Thomas-Northern Virginia July 7, 1861. After the war, Robert moved with his parents to Russell county, Alabama, near Crawford.
Robert Benjamin and his brother, George, rented some land and planted crops together for a while. Probably because of the war and the family moving to Russell County, several of Roberts brothers and Robert waited longer to get married than most others at that time. It was stated by some family members that “Pa” thought they never would get a wife and move away from home!
Robert had a large family and was a very good farmer. Family members recalled telling how big and strong he was. They told of how he would grab a 200 pound sack of fertilizer and go across the field with it when other farmers carried smaller amounts in buckets.
Rob died by drowning in the Chattahoochee River (see "Neath Sullen Waters"). Family members that remembered the accident believed that Robert jumped into the river to scare his wife. The weather was so cold and he had on shoes and an overcoat that kept him from swimming. Witnesses said he was only 3 or 4 feet from the bank when he went under the last time.