Robert John Palmer (born January 18, 1849 – May 12, 1928) (there are multiple reported birth and death dates all within the same month)[1] was a tailor and politician born into slavery in South Carolina.

[2] Palmer was a state representative from 1876 to 1878 and had a tailor shop opposite the post office on Main Street in Columbia, South Carolina.

[3][4] He had a daughter, Rosina C. Palmer, with Julia Simons in Columbia in the 1870s.

[3] After Adelaide died he married Leila P. Bruce January 12, 1913.

[6] He is buried in Randolph Cemetery along with eight other Reconstruction Era legislators.