John Robertson (abt. 1642)

Born about 1642 in King and Queen County, Virginia

Descendants

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Biography

This biography is a rough draft. It was auto-generated by a GEDCOM import and needs to be edited.

Birth

Birth:

User ID: 3E6D38A8-4640-4712-8FE9-3475B2E905EF

Record ID Number: MH:IF315

Death

Death:

User ID: EE67595C-FB85-446C-A646-8C3FCA30CFA5

Record ID Number: MH:IF316

Record ID Number

Record ID Number: MH:I77

User ID

User ID: D5139281-B3E1-405C-B911-67F5039F5983

UPD

UPD 05 AUG 2011 12:00:48 GMT-6

Research Notes

(KA- These notes were shared with me through email dated 7 Aug 2015.)

ROBINSON: research notes of Beverly R. Conolly, 13522 Accord Ct., Gainesville, VA 20155

A few of the early records for Robinson in the Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex Co., Va. 1653 1812:

Ann, dau of Rich'd and Anne Robinson bapt Nov 20 1670

Rich'd, son of Rich'd and Ann Robinson b. 12 Mar 1674

Mrs. Agatha Robinson wife of Mr Christop'r Robinson departed this life 25th Jan 1685/6 and was buried 27th Jan.

George Haslewood & Ann Robinson m. 28 Feb. 1684/5

Bridget Robinson and William Willis married 23 June 1685

Mr. Chirstopher Robinson and Madam Katherine Beverly were mar'd 17th of Sept. (9'br) 1687.

Mrs. Ann Robinson wife of Mr Rich'd Robinson d. 23 Nov. 1688

Theophilus son of Christo'r and Catherine bapt. 1 Jan 1690/1

Christopher Robinson son of Mr. John Robinson and Maddam Catherine Robinson b. 1 July 1703.

Christopher Robinson & Judith Beverley m. Oct. 12 1703

John Robinson son of John and Catherine, b. Feb. 3, 1704

Mary Robinson dau. of John and Catherine b. Jan 3rd 1706/7

Catherine, dau. of Thomas and Ann Robinson bapt. 29th Feb 1707/8

William son of John & Catherine b. 25 March 1709

Robert son of John & Catherine Robinson b. Oct 20, bapt Nov. 5 1711

Frances dau of Christopher and Judith b. 8 Oct 1714

Catherine dau of John & Catherine b. Feb. 23, and bapt. March 18, 1715

William son of Christopher & Judith b. March 5, 1716

Peter son of Christopher & Judith b. March 1, 1718

Beverley son of John & Catherine b. 11 Jan, bapt. 1 Feb 1722

Catherine Robinson dyed July 21 and was buried July 22, 1726

Christopher Robinson dyed Feb 20 & bur. Feb 23 1726

Thomas, son of Wm & Anne Robinson b. Oct 7, bapt. 3 Nov 1728

Hannah dau. of Wm. & Ann Robinson b. 7 May bapt. 20 June 1731

Ann, dau. of Wm. & Ann b. 13 Feb, bapt. 3 Mar 1733

Judith dau of Christopher & Mary Robinson b. 2 June bapt Jule 10th 1736

Benjamin son of Wm & Ann Robinson b. May 21 1736

Judith dau of John & Ann Robinson b. 8 Sept 1736

Christopher son of John and Anne Robinson b. April and bapt. Apr 10, 1738

Sarah dau of Wm & Anne Robinson b. Oct 27, 1738

Christopher, son of Wm & Ann Robinson b. Nov 9 1741

Forgotten Companions, The First Settlers of Spotsylvania County, Va., by Paula S. Felder, Pub. by the Historic Publications of Fredericksburg, Va., including maps and land plats. Pg. 221:

John Robinson, of Middlesex Co., was a prominent member of the colony's government for many decades. He was first elected to the House of Burgesses in 1711. He was a staunch ally of Alexander Spotswood, and his brother Christopher was one of the “Knights of the Golden Houseshoe” in the 1716 safari to the mountains. In 1721, John was appointed by Spotswood to the Governor's Council...Robinson's first patent was in 1718 for 2,200 acres on the south side of the great branches of the Mattapony River. Again in 1720, he patented 2,000 acres on the south side of the middle river, adjoining his own land and Larkin Chew. Later, in 1723, he patented 5,059 acres further to the west on both sides of the north fork of River Po on Col. Corbin's line..."Robertson Run" is a misnomer for the original landowner, John Robinson...

The surprising thing about John Robinson is that in 1728 he elected to move to the frontier county for a period of several years. The reasons for his presence remain to be discovered, but he was in short order named trustee of the town and elected to the vestry. (note: reasons for his move is stated in the land records of the ;;Octonia Grants. B.C.)

In 1732, Col. Robinson quietly departed to rejoin the world of politics and he went on to become for a brief time the President of the Council and Acting Governor, during the interim between governors when Gooch departed in 1749. He died in that year.

John Robinson's land was re-patented in 1728 by his son, John, Jr., of King & Queen Co.. John, Jr. became more prominent than his father, serving as Speaker of the House of Burgesses and Treasurer of the colony, his Majesties' Council...In the post as treasurer there was a major scandal by lending out to his impoverished friends the colony's notes which he was supposed to be recalling for destruction. Debt were eventually made good. He died in 1766, still owning several thousand acres in Spotsylvania County.

His brother, William, married Agatha Beverley, and became a life long resident....

The Octonia Grant, by J. Randolph Grymes, Jr...Grymes, a well known historian of Virginia, wrote a manuscript on the Octonia grant for the “National Register of Historic Places” which was published in limited number in 1977. A copy of the manuscript, written 16 Dec., 1960, can be obtained from the National Register.

The name "Octonia" was derived from the Latin for eight, pertaining to the eight grantees, who comprised the "Octonia Company", and received 24,000 acres of land in what is now Orange County Virginia, formerly Spotsylvania. The original survey plat is now owned by the Virginia Historical Society, and was surveyed by James Taylor..

In 1716, an expedition comprising Mr. Todd, Capt. Jeremiah Clowder, and "Dr." Robinson explored all of this land. There is some question as to whether "Dr." Robinson was John or his brother, Christopher, however both John and Christopher Robinson along with Capt. Clowder were three of the eight members of the Octonia Company who received grants. Other members were:

Harry Beverley,

Bartholomew Yates,

Lewis Lataine,

Edwin Thacker

William Stanard

- eight members in all. (Mr. Todd was not a member of the eight members).

To show the interrelationship of the eight grantees, and to show they were not strangers to one another, six of the eight were active in Christ Church Parish in Middlesex Co..In 1721 Yates was the minister, and John Robinson, Harry Beverley and Christopher Robinson were members of the Vestry. John Robinson had married Harry Beverley's half sister, Catherine...Christopher and John Robinson's father, also named Christopher, after their mother's death, had married Catherine Beverley, step mother of Capt. Harry Beverley. Christopher, the son, married Judith Wormeley Beverley, widow of William Beverley, Capt. Harry Beverley's brother. In April of 1724, Edwin Thacker was made a vestryman in the room of Mr. Harry Beverley. William Stanard's second wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Harry Beverley. All eight were either intermarried, or friends and knew each other very well indeed.

Of the eight grants:

John and Christopher Robinson were each granted 3,000 acres of land, near the mountains, on the frontier of Spotsylvania Co.

Yates, Lataine, Henry Beverley and William Stanard, 3,000 acres each

Jeremiah Clowder and Edwin Thacker 4,000 acres each joining John and Christopher Robinson and Harry Beverley.

According to the map of the grant, John Robinson's land included the Po River.

The Octonia land was not taken up in accordance with law and on June 24, 1726, the petition of Harry (Henry) Beverley he asked that the seal of the colony be affixed to the patents. Robert Beverley, son of Harry, (not to be confused with Robert the Historian), petitioned the general court for the whole 24,000 acres of lapsed land and on Sept. 27, 1729, Gov. Gooch re granted the Octonia land to Robert Beverley. Robert Beverley died in 1733. The Robinsons retained their part of the grant through Beverley.

It was a custom in the Parish Churches for the widows to sit in one pew. In 1767, Widow Catherine Collins was in pew #5, along with George Bray's and Richard Bray's wives. In pew #6 was George Stanard's wife. Across in pew #6 were John Robinson and wife. There were also other Collins members. (note: Stratton Major Parish was bordered on the northeast by the Dragon Run, which separated King & Queen from Middlesex Co., and Gloucester Co., both Counties bordering.)

Spotslvania County Records, Virginia County Records, Vol. I, by Wm. Armstrong Crozier: pg. 2: Will of Harry BEVERLEY. Ex. son Robert. Leg. dau. Elizabeth STANARD, land below the branch that is next to Col. John ROBINSON's bridge. Daus. Mary, Margaret, Susanna, Catherine, Judith, Agatha.

pg. 17: Will of John Spotswood, 6 May 1756. John ROBINSON, Esq. named as one of executors.

pg. 42: Will of John ROBINSON d. Feb. 5, 1786. Leg. daughter Betty, son William, dau. Fanny, son Lewis, wife Margaret.

pg. 102: 6 March 1727, Jeremiah CLOWDER (one of the eight Octonia grantees along with John and Christopher Robinson) to his children, Joyce Clowder, and Martha Elizabeth Thacker, and Hannah Clowder (all separate deeds) all deeds witnessed by Zach LEWIS, and Jno. WALLER and Jno. WALLER, Jr.

pg. 107: 8 April 1729. John ROBINSON, Esq. and John WALLER, Gent. Directors and Trustees of Fredksburg, to John ROBINSON, Jr., Gent., of King & Queen, for 5 pounds lot #13 in Fredksburg. Wits: Jno. WALLER, Jr., Thos. Waller, Thomas Davis. W. Waller.

pg. 155: April 14, 1741. John ROBINSON Esq. of Stratton Maj. Parish, King & Queen Co., to JOSEPH COLLINS. for 20 pounds, 400 acres in Forks of River Po. (NOTE: This sale was extremely low in price compared to other sales in the same area).

Ibid: July 7, 1741. John ROBINSON, Esq., of Essex, to William ROBINSON of Spts. Co., 150 pounds 500 acres part of pat granted sd. Robinson April 23, 1718, known by the name of Clesby. pg. 170: May 14, 1745. John ROBINSON of Stratton Major Par., King & Queen, to THOMAS COLLINS, 36 pounds, 300 acres being part of pat. granted to JOHN ROBINSON. Wit: JOSEPH COLLINS, WILLIAM COLLINS.

Ibid: May 14, 1745. JOHN ROBINSON of Stratton Major, King & Queen, to JOSEPH COLLINS, 15 pounds 254 acres, fork of the Po River, part of a pat. granted to JOHN ROBINSON. Wits: THOMAS COLLINS, WILLIAM COLLINS.

Ibid: John ROBINSON of Stratton Major, King & Queen to WILLIAM COLLINS, for 24 pounds, 200 acres etc. etc. Wits: JOSEPH COLLINS, THOMAS COLLINS.

Ibid pg. 210: Jan. 8, 1759. JAMES COLLINS of North Carolina, eldest son and heir at law of JOSEPH COLLINS, late of Spts. Co., dec'd. to THOMAS COLLINS for 20 pounds, interest in landed estate of the said Joseph Collins, dec'd. Wits: Wm. COLLINS, John COLLINS, Ann COLLINS.

pg. 211: June 16, 1759. Edward COLLINS, William ROBINSON, and John ROBINSON were witnesses on deed of John Clayton, Jr. to Wm. Gholston. (Joseph Collin's dau. married Wm.Gholston.)

pg. 352: 17 Feb. 1780. SUSANNAH COLLINS, Bartlett Collins and Elizabeth his wife, sold to JOHN ROBINSON (prob. son of Wm.) for 1200 pounds, 157 acres given and granted to the said Susanna Collins by Wm. Bartlett, as by deed from Bartlett to said Collins dated June 4, 1754. (note: this Susannah Collins was the wife of Thomas, son of Joseph and Susannah Lewis. Before her marriage to Thomas Collins, she was Susannah Wyatt Davis Bartlett.)

pg. 514: Order Book 1724 1730: COL. JOHN ROBINSON took oath as Lieutenant of Spots. Co. Aug. 5, 1729.

pg. 515: JOSEPH COLLINS, Gent. commissioned Lieutenant of a troop of Horse. William ROBINSON, Gent., commissioned to be Major of Militia. Sept. 7, 1743. Nov. 6, 1750. JOSEPH COLLINS commissioned Capt.

JOSEPH COLLINS, JR. married SUSANNAH LEWIS, . dau. of Zachary Lewis, Sr.

There is a strong association, also intermarriages, between the families of Robinson, Collins, and Lewis, which continued through several generations. The relationship, if any, to John Robinson has not been proven.

(See Collins Genealogy) End of Notes from Bev

Of interest is the Wikipedia entry for Christopher Robinson [1]. Accessed 17 Oct 2021

Reading the Wikipedia biography adds context for the naming of the property in this land record shown above in Bev's notes:

Ibid: July 7, 1741. John ROBINSON, Esq., of Essex, to William ROBINSON of Spts. Co., 150 pounds 500 acres part of pat granted sd. Robinson April 23, 1718, known by the name of Clesby. pg. 170: May 14, 1745. John ROBINSON of Stratton Major Par., King & Queen, to THOMAS COLLINS, 36 pounds, 300 acres being part of pat. granted to JOHN ROBINSON. Wit: JOSEPH COLLINS, WILLIAM COLLINS.

Here is the Wikipedia entry for Christopher Robinson, father of John Robinson/Robertson, father of Catherine Robertson who married Joseph Collins.

Christopher Robinson (1645 – April 1693) was a planter and a politician in the British colony of Virginia. Robinson held several public offices in Colonial Virginia and is the patriarch in America for one of the First Families of Virginia.

Early Life

Robinson was born in Cleasby, Yorkshire, England in 1645. His parents were John Robinson (d. 1651) and Elizabeth Potter (d. 1688). Christopher was one of eight siblings. His younger brother was John Robinson, Bishop of London and a sister, Clara Robinson, who married Sir Edward Wood, Gentleman Usher to Queen Catherine. A pedigree was created by Christopher's brother, John Robinson, which traced the family back several generations where it becomes, "obscure".[1] This pedigree was later expanded and published in the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, a publication of the Virginia Historical Society.

Immigration

Robinson emigrated to Virginia about 1666 and settled at Urbanna, Middlesex County, Virginia, on land where the historic Hewick home stands today. The existing home was built and expanded by several generations of Robinsons.

Marriage and Legacy

Robinson married first, Agatha Obert, daughter of Bertram Obert, and through this union increased his land holdings in Virginia. Agatha bore about seven children for Chistopher, including John Robinson, who was president of the Governor's Council, then acting governor when Governor Gooch returned to England, and Christopher Robinson, who inherited his father's estate and that of his uncle, John Robinson, Bishop of London. Agatha died January 25, 1686, by today's calendar, and her passing was recorded in the Register of Christ Church Parish in Middlesex County. Next, Christopher married Katherine Hone, the widow of Major Robert Beverley, on September 17, 1687, in Middlesex County. There seems to be some disagreement over whether Katherine was the daughter or the widow of Theophilus Hone. One of Robinson's grandsons was John Robinson, Speaker of the House of Burgesses. Another was Colonel Beverley Robinson, who commanded the Loyal American Regiment during the American War of Independence and was involved in the treason of Benedict Arnold. A great-granddaughter, Judith Robinson, married Carter Braxton, a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence. The Robinson family was split over the question of independence. Some fought for independence and others remained loyal to the King of England. After the Revolution, the Loyalist family members returned to England or migrated to Canada, where some of the family, among them Sir John Robinson, 1st Baronet, of Toronto, enjoyed some considerable success.

(see complete profile at wikipedia)

Sources

• WikiTree profile Robertson-2165 created through the import of KyleSell.ged on May 1, 2012 by Kyle Sell. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Kyle and others.

Footnotes

Acknowledgments