Other Events:

• Will: 17 Oct 1872, Scott County, Kentucky; Writing of Will
• Will: 22 Sep 1875, Scott County, Kentucky; Proving of Will

Family/Spouse: Catherine Armstrong. Catherine about 1796. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Richard A Robinson about 1817 Virginia.

Other Events:

• Possessions: 12 Jun 1770, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; Name: Benjamin Robinson Date: 12 Jun 1770 Location: Spotsylvania Co., VA Property: 100 a. in upper end of Spts. Co. Notes: This land record was originally published in "Virginia County Records - Spotsylvania County, 1721-1800, Volume I" edited by William Armstrong Crozier. Remarks: Joseph Hawkins of Spts. Co. and Margaret, his wife, to Benjamin Robinson, son of Wm. and Agness Robinson of same Co. 50. 100 a. in upper end of Spts. Co. 21 Mar 1771. Description: Grantee Book date: G
• Possessions: 13 Jan 1792, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; Name: Benjamin Robinson Date: 13 Jan 1792 Location: Spotsylvania Co., VA Property: 6 acres in Par. and Co. afsd. Notes: This land record was originally published in "Virginia County Records - Spotsylvania County, 1721-1800, Volume I" edited by William Armstrong Crozier. Remarks: Benjamin Robinson and Catherine, his wife, of Berkeley Par., Spots. Co., to Beverley Winslow of Par. and Co. afsd. 9 15s. curr. 6 acres in Par. and Co. afsd. 6 Mar 1792 Description: Grantor Book date: N
• Deed: 9 Dec 1795, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; The sale of the portion of the estate of William Robinson upon which he was living at the time of his death. The sale was conducted for Agnes by her son, Benjamin Robinson and his wife Catherine Parker-Robinson. The transaction consisted of 62 acres and was sold to Roger Tandy, a resident of the same county, for $288.

Benjamin Catherine Parker 18 Feb 1783St James Northam Parish, Goochland County, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• NSDAR Ancestor Number: A097787
• Military Service (Specific): Virginia Colonial Militia Major in the Militiamen. American Revolutionary War Patriotic Service: William supplied beef and furnished Blacksmith work
• Religion: 1738, Virginia; Vestryman of Christ Church Parish
• Possessions: 7 Jul 1741, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; William purchases 500 acres of land from his father, John Robinson, for 150 pounds sterling and described as being within St George's Parish, Spotsylvania County, in the fork of the river and being part of a patent granted to John Robinson April 23, 1718 and known by the name of Clesby [sic]. Deed Book C, 1734-1742.
• Miscellaneous: 5 Jul 1743, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; On this date the Last Will and Testament of Joseph Brock was proven; William and Agatha Robinson were among the witnesses listed on the Will which is on page 360 of Will Book A in Spotsylvania County, VA.
• Military Service: 7 Sep 1743, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; On this date, William Robinson took an oath and was commissioned Major of Militia in Spotsylvania County.
• Miscellaneous: 25 Dec 1750, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; On this day William Robinson was at the home of John Taliaferro, Gentl., of Spotsylvania County who was very ill with White Sickness [Probably Hypochromic anemia] and died that same day. Before John died, William witnessed a Nuncupative Will given to John's brother, Francis. Included in John's wishes were that Francis would recover 200 pounds owed to him by Christopher Robinson at Urbanna and to give that money to his sister, Brooke. Will Book B, Page 80.
• Miscellaneous: 2 Jun 1752, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; On this date, the Last Will and Testament of George Stubblefield, Gentl., was proven; among the witnesses on this Will were William and Agatha Robinson. Will Book B, Page 109.
• Possessions: 4 Feb 1754, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; William transfers a negro child by deed as a gift to his son, John Robinson. Witnessed or recorded July 2, 1754. Deed Book E, 1751-1761.
• Deed: 1 Jun 1761, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; Deed of Gift. To his son, Harry Robinson, 4 Negro Slaves.
• Deed: 3 Nov 1763, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; Deed of Gift. Rights granted in a 1190 acre tract of land to his son, John Robinson. William was the tenant of the land, "by courtesie of England". The land was devised to Agatha, the deceased wife of William Robinson (John's Father) by Harry Beverley, Gent., Deceased.
• Miscellaneous: 1769, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; On March 30, 1769 Joseph Hawkins of Spotsylvania County, Virginia died. Among the witnesses to Joseph's Last Will and Testament was William Robinson. Will Book D, Page 525.
• Personal Property Taxation: 1782, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; 2 free males over 21 years of age, 7 slaves, 8 head of cattle, 2 horses, mares or colts. Tax Levied, 4,16,0
• Personal Property Taxation: 1783, Spotsylvania County, Virginia
• Personal Property Taxation: 1784, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; 8 to pay Specie, 6 to pay Certs., 2 horses or mules, 4 head of cattle. Tax Levied; amount in Specie: 4,5,0 - amount in Certs.: 3,5,0.
• Personal Property Taxation: 1785, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; 7 Specie, 6 Certificates, 2 horses, 6 head of cattle. Tax Levied; Specie: 1,17,9 - Certificates: 3,5,6.
• Personal Property Taxation: 1786, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; 1 free male above 21, 11 slaves to pay specie, 5 slaves to pay certs, 3 horses, &c, 14 head of cattle. Tax Levied; Specie: 6,9,6 - Certs. 3,9,6.
• Personal Property Taxation: 24 Apr 1787, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; 5 slaves over 16, 1 horse, mare, colt or mule, 5 head of cattle.
• Personal Property Taxation: 15 May 1788, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; 2 White Tithes, 5 slaves over 16, 2 horses. Tax levied, 2,14,0.
• Personal Property Taxation: 7 Apr 1789, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; 2 White Tithes, 5 slaves over 16, 2 horses &c. Tax Levied, 1,16,0.
• Personal Property Taxation: 1 Jun 1790, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; 2 White Tithes, 4 slaves over 16, 2 slaves over 12, 3 horses &c. Tax Levied, 1,3,0.
• Personal Property Taxation: 5 Apr 1791, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; 2 White Tithes, 4 Slaves over 16, 3 horses . Tax Levied, 0,11,6.
• Personal Property Taxation: 3 Apr 1792, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; 2 White Tithes, 3 slaves over 16, 3 horses. Tax Levied, 0,9,0.
• Will: 8 May 1792, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; Extracts and images of William Robinson's Will

Notes:

Has private research notes.

William Robinson is recognized by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution for his contributions beef to feed the soldiers and material support in the form of blacksmith work during the Revolution.

NSDAR Ancestor Number:
William Robinson is recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution as a patriot for his support during the war by furnishing beef and blacksmith work.

Some researchers have stated that William Robinson was a colonel in the American Revolution but I have found no evidence to support this. What is clear is that William was commissioned a Major for the Colonial Militia, not a Revolutionary War Militiaman but a Colonial Militiaman. These Militia were the basis of local security for protection against the sometimes hostile Native Americans and the French. Hening's Statues at Large are full of examples of laws passed with regard to the raising of militia, requirements, public issuance of weapons to those men who could not afford a musket, powder and shot. The D.A.R. recognizes William for providing beef and blacksmith work during the American Revolution, not service as a soldier. Numerous personal property tax records have recorded William as Major William Robinson; none of the records that I have seen refer to him as colonel. It is likely that a different William Robinson was the Colonel of the Revolution.

Possessions:
The name "Clesby," or correctly spelled, Cleasby, is an obvious reference to the ancestral home in England. Cleasby was the name given to describe the 2200 acre land patent of 1718 belonging to his father and from which William purchased 500 acres.

The Fry-Jefferson Map of 1751 includes the location along the Rappahannock River of a Robinson Estate, a little below the town of Fredericksburg, Va. The map includes the locations of many estates, generally marked on the map with the family name. Across the river from Fredericksburg was the Ferry Farm, boyhood home to George Washington. The Washington family were members of St. George's Parish and attended church in Fredericksburg where William Robinson was a vestryman.

The actual owner of the Robinson estate shown below Fredericksburg is currently unknown to me. It appears that William's brother, John Robinson, Speaker of the House of Burgesses was a onetime resident or landholder in the area as was their father, John Robinson, President of the Governor's Council of Virginia. The Robinson estate shown on the map was probably that of one of William's close relatives but could have been an additional home of his own.

William's estate was purchased out of a 2200 acre land patent belonging to his father which was located between two of the four branches that rise in Spotsylvania County, Virginia which ultimately become the Mattaponi River. The four streams are named the Ma, the Ta, the Po and the Ni. The Ma and the Ta come together and form the Matta River while the Po and the Ni rivers form the Poni river. Finally, the Matta and the Poni Rivers merge to become the Mattaponi. If William lived on the acreage that he purchased from his father's Cleasby Patent then his home would be about southeast of Fredericksburg.

Deed:
There is a related document which indicates acreage from the same tract of land that was originally granted to Harry Beverley and passed to his daughter Agatha upon his decease. That property was then being occupied by John Robinson, brother of William Robinson (as indicated by the name of John's wife in the record, Lucy).

Personal Property Taxation:
Instead of William's name being followed by Major, as in previous years, there appears to be what I think may be the letters L M; perhaps Lieutenant Major?

Immediately following William's name in the list is that of "Robinson Benj @ LM" . . . this is almost assuredly William's son, Benjamin Robinson who, it would appear, resided on his father's land. Benjamin was recorded in this year with more taxable personal property than his father.

William Agnes Smith 27 Jan 1757St. Thomas Parish, Orange County, Virginia. Agnes (daughter of Stephen Smith, (Speculation but appears to be accurate) and Phoebe Hawkins, (Speculation)) 22 Sep 1716 Spotsylvania County, Virginia; after 9 Dec 1795Spotsylvania County, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Personal Property Taxation: Apr 1793, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; 1 Tithable, 3 slaves over 16, 2 horses. Tax Levied, 0, 5, 8.
• Deed: 9 Dec 1795, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; The sale of the portion of the estate of William Robinson upon which he was living at the time of his death. The sale was conducted for Agnes by her son, Benjamin Robinson and his wife Catherine Parker-Robinson. The transaction consisted of 62 acres and was sold to Roger Tandy, a resident of the same county, for $288.

Notes:

Birth:
Alternate Birth Date: 1725 from multiple unsubstantiated sources.

Died:
The following land record establishes the death date of Agnes to some time after 9 Dec 1795:

Virginia Land, Marriage, and Probate Records, 1639-1850 about Agnes, Widow Robinson
Name: Agnes, Widow Robinson
Date: 9 Dec 1795
Location: Spotsylvania Co., VA
Property: 62 acres in Spots. Co.
Notes: This land record was originally published in "Virginia County Records - Spotsylvania County, 1721-1800, Volume I" edited by William Armstrong Crozier.
Remarks: Decr. 9, 1795. Agnes Robinson, widow and relict of Wm. Robinson, Esq., Decd.; Benjamin Robinson and Catherine, his wife, of Spots. Co. to Roger Tandy fo same co. $288.00. 62 a., the tract whereon the said Wm. Robinson, Esq., Decd., lived at the time of
Description: Grantor
Book: O

Notes:

Married:
27 January 1757. William Robinson and Agnes Smith.
This license was found in an old fee book by J. W. Browning. Both of St. Thomas' Parish. P1.

Other Events:

• Public Service: 1711, Virginia; Member of the House of Burgesses
• Possessions: 23 Apr 1718, King William County, Virginia; 2200 acres on the south side of one of the Great Branches of Mattaponi River. This 2200 acre patent was named Cleasby and appears as such in the records. Cleasby is an obvious reference to the ancestral home of the Robinson family in England. The Mattaponi River begins as four streams in what is Spotsylvania County, Virginia today. Each of the four streams is named Mat, Ta, Po and Ni. On July 7, 1741 John's son, William Robinson, purchased 500 acres of land from the Cleasby patent which was described as being in the fork of the river in St. George's Parish, Spotsylvania County, Virginia - this later purchase references the Cleasby Patent by name and date.
• Public Service: 1720, Virginia; Member of the Governor's Council of Virginia
• Possessions: 2 Nov 1720, King William County, Virginia; 2000 acre land patent on the south side of the middle river and adjoining his own land (the Cleasby patent of 1718). The "middle river" must be a reference to one of the forks of the Mattaponi. This land was possibly on the other side of the river (south) of the earlier tract from 1718. This land was bounded by or touched the land of Capt. Thomas P_ and Larkin Chew.
• Public Service: 20 Jun 1749, Virginia; President of the Council then acting Governor of Virginia

Notes:

John Robinson in print:

The Phantom Governorship of John Robinson, Sr., 1749
David Alan Williams, The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 68, No. 1, Part One (Jan., 1960), pp. 104-106.

Name:
John Robinson of Piscataway, Essex County, Virginia.

Died:
John Robinson died at the home of the Honorable William Nelson who would later serve as Governor of the Virginia Colony in 1770 and 1771. William Nelson was a staunch supporter of the colonial cause leading up to the American Revolution and his son, Major General Thomas Nelson, Jr., was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

John Catherine Beverley Yes, date unknown. Catherine (daughter of Major Robert Beverley and Katherine Hone) 21 Jul 1726Middlesex County, Virginia; 22 Jul 1726Middlesex County, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
Catherine is named in her father's Will

Other Events:

• NSDAR Ancestor Number: A105959

Notes:

NSDAR Ancestor Number:
Service: VIRGINIA
Rank: Patriotic Service
Birth: Aft Sep 1722, Virginia
Death: 1799, Orange County, Virginia
Service Description: 1) FURNISHED BEEF & CORN

Stephen Phoebe Hawkins, (Speculation) about 1739Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]