Other Events:

• Land Record: 10 Oct 1642, Virginia; 650 acre land patent on the north side of the Charles River in the vicinity of Peanpetanke Creek, near the land of Mr. Vaus and others, and east into the great creek from the Oystershell Bank. Received for transporting 13 persons to the colony including himself, twice, his wife Sarah, Francis Pepper, Francis Negro, Tho. Austin, his wife & two children, John Tredescant, Jon. Eyres, Edward Goldborne, Tho. Bawcocke.
• Land Record: 2 0ct 1649, Virginia; 200 acres on the South side of Rappahannock aboute 14 miles up the river: bounded N:E: by N: upon Sunderland Creeke.
• Land Record: 16 Nov 1650, Virginia; 550 acre land patent for transporting 11 people to the colony: Eliza Bennett, Wm. Wildon, Jno. Clarford, John Roberts, Richd. Watchshott, Tho. Leechman, Thomas Wells, Ed. Gresham, Thomas Hearne, John Thorpe, Stephen Danbury.
• Land Record: 29 Nov 1652, Virginia; Richard Lewis receives a 300 acre land patent, some of which borders land patented to Bertram Obert.
• Land Record: 18 Nov 1653, Lancaster County, Virginia; Capt. Wm. Brocas, Esqr., receives a patent for 190 acres in Lancaster County, part of which borders land patented to Bertram Obert.
• Land Record: 20 Aug 1655, Lancaster County, Virginia; Thomas Willess receives a 450 acre land patent, some of which borders land patented to Bertram Obert.
• Land Record: 26 Mar 1656, Lancaster County, Virginia
• Will: 30 Nov 1658, Lancaster County, Virginia; Writing of Will (The year 1658 is an estimate - some references note only the day and month - the original document, or a copy, needs to be consulted).
• Will: 25 Jan 1659, Lancaster County, Virginia; Recording of Will
• Will: 25 Jun 1659, Lancaster County, Virginia; Proving of the Will

Notes:

The land records refer often to Nimcock Creek in various spellings. Nimcock would later be known as Wormeley's Creek and today it is known as Urbanna Creek. A Virginia Historical Marker exists in Urbanna, VA which explains the name changes over time.

Land Record:
2 Dec 1663 - Same 200 acres originally patented to Bertram Obert is assigned to Edw. Boswell.

Bertram Miss Anne 1650Virginia. Anne 1633 Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Agatha Christopher Robinson Virginia. Christopher (son of John Robinson, of Cleasby and Elizabeth Potter) 1645 Cleasby, Yorkshire, England; Apr 16935123 Old Virginia Street Urbanna, Middlesex County, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth James Curtis Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Immigration: 1654, Virginia; Bertram Obert [Jr.] appears in the record of a 500 acre land patent to William Lea for the transport of 10 people to the colony of which, Bertram Obert was one.

Notes:

Name:
Died Young

Other Events:

• Deed: 02 Apr 1707, Middlesex County, Virginia

Family/Spouse: John Hay. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
Died Young

Clara John Walker Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Public Service: Between 1724 and 1725, Essex County, Virginia; Sheriff
• Public Service: Between 1726 and 1763, Caroline County, Virginia; Clerk

Benjamin Sarah King Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Education: Virginia; William and Mary College
• Military Service: Virginia; Naval Officer of the Rappahannock River
• Public Service: 1710, Virginia; Member of the House of Burgesses
• Public Service: 1714, Virginia; Member of the House of Burgesses

Christopher Judith Wormeley 12 Oct 1703Middlesex County, Virginia. Judith (daughter of Colonel Christopher Wormeley and Frances) 25 May 1683 Middlesex County, Virginia; 18 Nov 1720Middlesex County, Virginia; 22 Nov 1720Middlesex County, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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]

John Mary Welsh 05 Jan 1730/31Virginia. Mary 29 Jul 1738Essex County, Virginia; 1738. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 12 Apr 1687, Middlesex County, Virginia; Baptised at his home

Notes:

Died:
The Virginia Gazette article erroneously printed the 8th instead of the 18th. By the calendar, the 18th would have fallen upon a Monday whereas the 8th would not.

On Monday the [1]8th inst. died Christopher Robinson, Esq; of Middlesex, a Gentleman possessed of all those good qualities that perfect humanity: In the character of father, husband, and friend, he was excellent; for affection, tenderness, and benevolence, were the ruling passions of his breast. Few excelled him in virtue, fewer in piety. His time was spent in the uniform practice of doing good: The sick he administered to, the needy he assisted, and the poor he fed. Thus living he was by all esteemed, and is now by all lamented. [followed by a poem or verse].

Christopher Sarah Wormeley 06 May 1752Middlesex County, Virginia. Sarah (daughter of Honorable John Wormeley and Elizabeth) 1772. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Miss Barclay. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Yates. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Churchill. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 17 Oct 1714, Middlesex County, Virginia

Other Events:

• Baptism: 17 Mar 1715/16, Middlesex County, Virginia
• Education: Abt 1726, England
• Education: Between 02 Apr 1737 and 1740, Oxford, England; Oriel College
• Religion: Jun 1743, England; Ordained a priest
• Residence: 1744, King and Queen County, Virginia; Returned from England
• Religion: Between Oct 1754 and 1768, King and Queen County, Virginia; Rector of Stratton Major Parish
• Religion: 1761, Virginia; Appointed Commissary of the Bishop of London

Family/Spouse: Alice Needler. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 11 Mar 1717/18, Middlesex County, Virginia

Peter Sarah Lister 09 Aug 1750Middlesex County, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Education: Virginia; William and Mary College
• Residence: King and Queen County, Virginia; Mt. Pleasant
• Public Service: Between 1736 and 1765, Virginia; Member of the House of Burgesses, Representative of King and Queen County.
• Public Service: Between 1738 and 1766, Virginia Colony; Speaker of the House of Burgesses
• Public Service: Between 1738 and 1766, King and Queen County, Virginia; Treasurer
• Miscellaneous: 15 Sep 1754, Virginia Colony; Letter to George Washington
• Deed: 7 Nov 1763, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; John Robinson and his wife Lucy sell 581 acres in St. George's Parish, Spotsylvania County. The land, on which John Robinson was then living, was originally part of a grant to Harry Beverley and later passed to his daughter, Agatha (Wife of William Robinson who was John Robinson's brother).

Notes:

Public Service:
During the debate over the Virginia Resolves, it was Speaker of the House, John Robinson who exclaimed, "Treason! Treason!" in response to the speech given by Patrick Henry on May 29, 1765.

Correspondence exists between Speaker Robinson and George Washington in the period leading up to and during the French and Indian War.

Miscellaneous:
From the Hon. Mr. Speaker Robinson
Sept. 15th 1754

Sir
I have the pleasure to acquaint you that the House of Burgesses have taken particular notice of the Bravery of Yourself, and the rest of the Officers and Soldiers under your command, in the gallant Defence of your Country, and have ordered meo return you their Thanks for it, which I cant do better than by transcribing the Order. "Ordered that the Thanks of this House be given to Col. George Washington, Capt. Mackay of His Majesty's independent Company, and the Officers under his Command; Major Adam Stephen, Capt. Robert Stobo, Peter Hog, Andrew Lewis, George Mercer, Lieutenants Thomas Waggener, William Polson, John Savage, James Towers, Ensigns William Bronough, John Mercer, William Peyronie, and James Craig, for their late gallant and brave Behaviour in the Defence of their County; and that the Speaker be desired to acquaint him of the same to desire him to inform the other Gentlemen of it, and to communicate to the Soldiers the just Sense this House have of their Bravery also." I heartily with you Success in all your undertakings and am
Sir
Your Most Obedient Servant
John Robinson.


* * * This letter was in response to the events involving George Washington at the Battle of Jumonville Glen (28 May 1754) and the Battle of Fort Necessity, or the Battle of the Great Meadows (3 July 1754). These two events were the beginnings of the French and Indian War (1754-1763) and what would become, globally, The Seven Years' War (1756-1763).

Family/Spouse: Miss M. Story. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Lucy Moore. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John Susannah Chiswell 21 Dec 1759Williamsburg, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [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 Agatha Beverley 17 Feb 1737Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Agatha (daughter of Harry Beverley and Elizabeth) 22 Sep 1716 Middlesex County, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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:

• Baptism: 05 Nov 1711, Middlesex County, Virginia

Other Events:

• Baptism: 07 Mar 1714/15, Middlesex County, Virginia

Katherine Peter Wagener 5 Jul 1739Essex County, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 14 Apr 1718, Middlesex County, Virginia

Henry Mary Waring Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Military Service: Colonel of the King's Loyal Americans
• Baptism: 01 Feb 1721/22, Middlesex County, Virginia
• Military Service: 17 Sep 1780; Colonel Beverley Robinson to Major General Benedict Arnold, September 17, 1780
• Military Service: 18 Sep 1780; Major General Benedict Arnold to Colonel Beverley Robinson, September 18, 1780
• Military Service: 25 Sep 1780; Colonel Beverley Robinson aboard the Vulture to General George Washington
• Death: 09 Apr 1792, Thornbury, England

Notes:

Colonel Beverley Robinson was closely involved in the treason of Benedict Arnold and was the recipient of a letter sent by Arnold.

Military Service:
Beverley Robinson was on board the Vulture and writing to Benedict Arnold who was then making his headquarters in Beverley Robinson's home.

Military Service:
Major General Benedict Arnold at Colonel Beverley Robinson's house, occupied by Arnold as his headquarters to Robinson who had just written to Arnold a day earlier from aboard the Vulture.

Military Service:
Colonel Beverley Robinson requests that Washington release Major John Andre who was captured as a spy on September 23, 1780 wearing plain clothes supplied by General Benedict Arnold to aid in Andre's return to the British through the American Lines.

Beverley Susanna Phillippes Yes, date unknown. Susanna (daughter of Frederick Phillippes) 1822Thornbury, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]