Robert F. Astrop was born around 1813 in Lunenburg, Virginia, to Henry and Martha Astrop. He served as a 2^nd lieutenant in Company M of the 1^st Virginia Infantry during the Mexican American War. A Virginia writer later noted that he “did good service for his country.” He worked as a farmer and miller in Brunswick County, Virginia, and by 1860, he owned $7,366 of real estate and $5,640 of personal property. In June 1861, he proposed raising a “Guerilla Force, for the protection of our vicinity in case of need.” He explained that “Protection of our homes is our main object and to annoy an invading army in the manner of Rangers.” He committed suicide in Brunswick County on September 8, 1868.

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