afth 
 
 EBENEf 
 
 —A SOLDIER OF t 
 
Glass^ CSlI 
 Book__L'K<^ 
 
 G 
 
 PRESENTED BV 
 
 \%3 
 
Ebenezer Robinson 
 
 [All old wood cut used in the "History 
 of Reading. \t , and loaned by 
 Gilbert A. Davis, of Windsor, Vl.] 
 
A HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Robinson Family 
 
 OF THE LINE OF 
 
 EBENEZER ROBINSON 
 
 A Soldier of the Re'voluiion. 
 
 Born at Lexington, Mass., Feb., 14th, 1765. 
 Died at South Reading, Vt., Oct. 31, 1857. 
 
 BY 
 
 JANE BANCROFT ROBINSON, Ph. D. 
 
 Member oj A fneric'a// Historical Society. 
 
 •) ■% t -i ) 
 
 1 J ) 
 
 O 4 9 > 
 
 > > J 
 
 
 
 1903 
 
 Detroit, Michigan 
 
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 Speai(_er Printing 
 Company 
 Detroit, Michigan 
 
 ^^B 
 
 -71 
 
 
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 ct etc (etc 
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PAGES 
 
 Sketch of the life of Ebenezer Robinson — Witnessed the British 
 retreat from Lexington — Entered the Naval Privateer Ser- 
 vice — Taken prisoner — Long imprisonment in "Old Prison 
 Ship Jersey" — Exchange — Enlistment in the Continental 
 Army — His service — His discharge after two years' service — 
 Settlement in Vermont — His long, nseful life and citizen- 
 ship — His death — His children 5-16 
 
 CHAPTER n. 
 
 William Robinson, of Newton, or of Watertown — Earliest 
 known Robinson ancestor — Organizations of towns of Water- 
 town, Cambridge and Newton — His probable emigration 
 from the north of England — Married, abont 1665-68, Eliza- 
 beth Cutter, daughter of Robert Williams, the ancestor of 
 the founder of Williams College — His death and will 17--3 
 
 CHAPTER HL 
 
 The children of William Robinson — William Robinson, Jr., who 
 owned a large farm where Auburndale is now located — Map 
 of part of Newton of 1700 — Samuel Robinson, AncestcT of 
 Bennington, Vt., branch of Robinsons 24-30 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Jonathan Robinson, ancestor of the Reading, Yt.. branch of 
 Robinsons — Purchased the Robinson farm in Lexington, 
 Oct. II, 1706, still held in the family of his descendants — 
 Reminiscences of the old farm house — View of the site of its 
 ruins — Descendants of Jonathan Robinson — Sketch of the late 
 Governor Geo. D. Robinson, a descendant — Children of 
 James and Margaret Robinson — Eour sons in the Revdlu- 
 tionary War, Joseph, Asa, James and Ebenezer — Family of 
 James Robinson, Jr 31-41 
 
vi TABLE OF CONTENTS— Continued. 
 
 CHAPTKR V. 
 
 PAGES 
 Sketcli of life of Lewis RDliiiiMHi, eldest son of Ehi-nozer — An 
 extensive pnlilislier of copper ])lale maps — Successfnl hnsiness 
 career — Picture of his Vermont home — Sketcli of lives of 
 children — Caroline and Alden Speare — Of Calvin L., of Eliza 
 Ann, of George O., and other children 4-^-53 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 Sketch of life of .\iar\in Ruhinson — Man of great energy and 
 strength — His career — Of his children, hVanklin M., W'a lace 
 F., 'and Elmer D. — Successful, capahle business men and good 
 citizens — Other children 54-5S 
 
 CHAPTER VIL 
 
 Sketch of Ehenezcr Rohinsnn, Jr. — Of his sons, Stillman \V., a 
 professor and inventor, Ehia .A. and Albert A., who built, 
 as chief engineer, nearlv- the whc'e Santa Fe Railroad Sys- 
 tem, President of Mexican Central Railway — Also sketch nf 
 Eliza, the youngest daughter of Ehenezer Robinson, who 
 married Washington Keyes — Sketch of their descendants.... 59-63 
 
 CHAPTER Vin. 
 
 Origin of the Robinson name — Study of genealogy — Surnames — 
 
 Derivaticns from name — Robinson mottoes — Conclusion.... 64-68 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 It is with some degree of pleasure and satisfaction that 
 the undersigned present this "Historical Sketch of the Rob- 
 inson Famdy" to the descendants of Ebenezer Robinson, 
 whose life is herein descri])ed. 
 
 While on a \'isit to Boston last August, we had the 
 pleasure of attending the biennial meeting of the "Ivobinson 
 Family Association" at (lloncester, Mass.. of \isitino- the 
 birthplace of Ebenezer Robinson at historic Lexington, and 
 of viewing the lane where young Robinson, hearing the 
 noise of the battle, ran down and witnessed the retreat of 
 the British troops along the turn-pike to Boston. 
 
 It was an eventful summer day to us when with our 
 kodaks, we inspected the patriotic scenes about Lexington, 
 and the interest awakened there and at the "Robinson Fam- 
 ily" gathering at Gloucester is the responsible cause of thib 
 sketch. 
 
 If the descendants of Ebenezer Robinson take anything 
 like the pleasure in reading- and tracing this family history 
 that has been enjoyed in its pre])aration. we shall l)e amply 
 repaid for the time and effort expended. 
 
 In preparing this sketch there were many facts as to per- 
 sons and families much to be desired, which we were unable 
 or found difficult to obtain. This will account for any lack 
 of uniformity in the facts given of the several families. We 
 regret that we were not able to obtain pictures of the home 
 of Ebenezer Robinson in South Reading and of other home- 
 steads of Robinson families. 
 
viii INTRODUCTION. 
 
 We are indeljted to Mr. Charles E. Robinson, of Yon- 
 kers, X. ^'., the Historiographer of the "Robinson Family 
 Association" for the "Rtibinson l'\'iniily Crest." as gi\en 
 herein, and for many facts and snggestions relati\e t 
 this history ; also to Rev. S. L. B. Speare, of Newton 
 Mass.; to Mr. Georoe A. Gordon, of Boston. Recordin"' 
 
 o 
 
 Secretary of the New England Historic Geneal-ogical Soci- 
 ety; to yiv. Arthnr H. Keyes, of Rntland, Yt.. and several 
 other nieml)ers of the Robinson Eamily for \alnal)le infor- 
 mation contained herein. 
 
 With the l)est wishes of the nndersigned, this historical 
 sketch is respectfnlh' submitted to the numerous descend- 
 ants of our Revolutionary Hero. 
 
 George O. Robinson, 
 Jane B. Robinson. 
 
 425 Cass Avenue. 
 
 Detroit, Mich., June i, 1903. 
 
 Note. — Any person dfsiring one or more copies of this Historical Sketch of tlie 
 Robinson Family, can obtain snch by addressing Miss Hertha M. Gates, 21 Adams Ave. 
 East. Detroit. Mich., and remitting 50 cents for each copy in paper cover and $1.00 
 for each copy in cloth board cover. 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 EBENEZER ROBINSON. 
 
 The State of Massachusetts has furnished many "good 
 men and true" to the upbuilding of the great Repubhc of the 
 New World. Among these are statesmen and leaders far out 
 of proportion to her population. The subject of this sketch, 
 however, is one of the rank and file, one of the many up- 
 right, substantial men, who have made New England what 
 it is in influence and in history. 
 
 New England has developed through its religion. Love 
 of church privileges led the people to settle near one another, 
 so that they could build meeting houses. They desired to 
 educate their children to become not only good citizens but 
 intelligent, exemplary citizens, and so they built school- 
 houses. These conveniences gave rise to their town organ- 
 izations, and to the town-meeting which did more to improve 
 and elevate the people than any other political institution. 
 
 The town-meeting assembled all the freemen on a level, 
 public questions were openly discussed, and every freeman 
 understood his civil and political rights, and to maintain 
 them was ready to fight. Hence the citizens of New England 
 kept up a military organization, selecting their wisest and 
 most reliable men as officers, and often the same man held 
 the office of both captain and deacon. The religious idea 
 was the foundation stone of their civilization. 
 
 We may call the Puritans of New England stern and 
 austere, but their conceptions of life tended to elevate and 
 ennoble. Their climate was cold and rigorous ; their land 
 infertile ; their privations many. They were trained in the 
 school of adversity. Yet it remains true as has been said : 
 'Tn wealth, in learning, in social order, in everything which 
 make a people truly great, the Colonies settled by the Puri- 
 tans are decidedly in advance of any others." 
 
6 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 It was to such an envirnnment that Ebenezer Robinson 
 was born b\'b. 14. 1765. His father, j^randfather and great- 
 ofrandfather had all lived their hves in similar surroundings. 
 
 fc> 
 
 His mother died when he was a little boy of nearly three 
 years, and his father when he was nine years of age. He con- 
 tinued to live (ju in the old homestead, with his step-mother 
 and four younger children to ])lay with, and to care for. 
 Meanwhile the clouds on the political sky were gathering, 
 and the young men of the fanuly shared in the indignant, 
 resentful feeling of the colonists. Three of his older broth- 
 ers were Reyolutionary soldiers, and his oldest brother, Jo- 
 seph, took part in the battle of Lexington, the first outbreak 
 of the war of the Reyolution. 
 
 In yiew of these facts it is not strange that as a boy of 
 sixteen, Ebenezer entered the service, becoming one of the 
 defenders of his country. We ha\-e the story of his life 
 from his own lips, as told to his grandson, George O. Robin- 
 son, wdio had completed his college course at the Uniyersity 
 of Vermont and was over twenty-five years of age wdien his 
 grandfather died.* 
 
 "One of the most remarkable of the early settlers of 
 Reading-, Vt., was Ebenezer Robinson, a soldier of the Rev- 
 olutionary war. who was born on the 14th day of Eebruary, 
 1765, in Lexington, Mass.. near the i)lace where afterwards 
 occurred the battle of Lexington. He was the sixth son 
 of James and Margaret Robinson ; who lived at this time 
 on the old homestead farm, which Jonathan Robinson, the 
 father of James, purchased of Lsaac Powers in 1706, and 
 on which James was born August 30th, 1715. 
 
 Ebenezer Robinson settled in vSouth Reading, Yt., in the 
 Spring of 1788, with his elder brother, James Robinson, 
 who was then married. They located on the farm near South 
 Reading recently owned and for a long time held by Wash- 
 ington Keyes, which was then a wilderness. They built here 
 a log cabin, and, immediately after, was born a son of James 
 Robinson, Ebenezer Robinson, 2d (named after the subject 
 
 *This narrative was prepared for and mainly taken from the "Hist, of Read- 
 ing, Vt., G. A. Davis, Bellows Falls, Vt., 1874." 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 
 
 of this sketch ) , who subsequently was a resident of Felch- 
 ville, a village which sprung- u]) in the southeast part of 
 Reading. He was familiarly kncnvn as Capt. Eb. In this 
 log house the two brothers lived for several years, Ebenezer 
 clearing and settling his farm adjoining, afterward so long 
 owned and occupied by himself, till the summer of 1792, 
 when he built a frame house, which is still standing as the 
 wing or kitchen part of the present house, and to which in 
 November, 1792. ha\-ing married Aliss Hannah Ackley, he 
 took his bride and established his own happ_\- home. Pre- 
 vious to this, the Ackley faniily had migrated from the vi- 
 cinity of Haddam, Connecticut, and settled above South 
 Reading-. In this frame house this devoted couple reared 
 a large, intelligent, prosperous family and spent a happy 
 life of sixty-six years together. In 1824 he Ijuilt on a large 
 two-story frame mansion as an addition in front, which in 
 those times was considered an unusually hue residence, and 
 still stands as a respectable edifice. 
 
 The hardships of clearing this hardwood wilderness farm 
 were great, but he was always undaunted, and nothing baf- 
 fled him. During this early period he successfully dealt in 
 the real estate of this vicinity and secured many permanent 
 settlers for the town. 
 
 In his ninety-first year, while he was in the full vigor of 
 intellect, he gave his grandson, Frank M. Robinson, of 
 Dubucjue, Iowa, the following account of his early life, 
 which was taken down in his own words : 
 
 T was born in Lexington, Mass., on the 14th day of Feb- 
 ruary, 1765. I was, therefore, only a lad of about ten years 
 when the great struggle which ga\e freedom to the Ameri- 
 can people began, when injtu'ed rights were to be \indi- 
 cated, when I heard the report of musketry, in the (jpening 
 scene of this conflict for freedom of conscience and freedom 
 of country, in the streets and upon the Green of my own 
 native town. 
 
 Well do I remember the roll of the musketry and the noise 
 of this battle of Lexington, and the excitement consequent 
 upon the retreat of the British soldiers down the valley 
 
S HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 past ni\- honie to Boston, and of the subsequent severer con- 
 flict at Bunker's Hill, but a few miles distant. 
 
 Thus earlv in life did I begin to cherish a warm love of 
 country, amounting even to patriotism, and to be moved 
 by a true sense of the dangers that seemed to threaten, not 
 only the peace and c^uietude of the family and town, but 
 the ruin of the whole colonial fabric. 
 
 The engagements at Lexington, at Concord and upon 
 Bunker's Height warmed my lx)som with more than a child- 
 ish ardor to join the contest against British insolence and 
 what savored of perpetual thralldom. Early in the spring 
 of 1 78 1 I entered the service, accompanied by my brothers, 
 Asa and James Robinson, on board the ship Belisarius, 
 carrying 20 guns. The number on board, including officers, 
 sailors, and soldiers, was 125. We set sail from Boston 
 under the command of Capt. James Munroe. 
 
 We cruised off south, along the coast of Pennsylvania, 
 and about the mouth of the Susquehanna River, thence still 
 southerly till we were in the region of the Equator, where 
 one day we discovered at early dawn what appeared in the 
 dim distance to be a ship. We gave chase, and after the 
 lapse of many hours so neared the stranger that we were 
 within cannon range of her. 
 
 It was a much larger ship than our own and carried 
 many more guns. We supposed her a heavy man-of-war of 
 the British line, aufl began to prepare our noble vessel for 
 an engagement. As is the custom in such instances, or in 
 naval contests, all the sails were furled, except the top-sails 
 and some of the stay-sails, which were just sufficient to 
 govern the ship and change her position when necessary. 
 Our cannon were charged and our torches burning, and wc 
 waited for a change of position before we should salute her 
 with a broadside. 
 
 Meanwhile our enemy had eased her flight, furled sail, 
 cleared deck, prepared for fight, and was the first to dis- 
 charge her cannon. This assault was unexpected by us, as 
 it was not attended by the usual formalities of naval warfare 
 on the part of the stranger. In view of this cowardly act 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 9 
 
 our coniniaiuler at once ordered us to draw alongside the 
 unknown sliip, to grapple and hoard her as (piickly as pos- 
 sible, but no sooner was this movement commenced than, to 
 our surprise, not to say our chagrin, the vessel, which we 
 had regarded all along as an English man-of-war, hcjisted 
 Spanish colors, and thereby took away all pretext of war- 
 fare, except the ill-treatment we had received. Capt. Mun- 
 roe was at first inclined to resent this indignity, this violation 
 of the usages of allied nations in their intercourse on the 
 high seas in time of war. He however, gave vent to his 
 irritation and anger by adressing the Spanish ccnumander in 
 the most pre-emptory and decisive manner and terms, in 
 relation to his cowardly, dastardly conduct. 
 
 The Spanish Captain very coolly submitted, and offered 
 to accompanv us and do us service when he could. The 
 reply of Capt. Munroe was in these laconic words: "Go 
 your wav. 1 prefer rather to be alone than attended by 
 
 such a d d coward as you have shown yourself," and 
 
 so we separated. 
 
 From the equatorial regions, after capturing one or tw^o 
 smaller prizes, we cruised northward off the West India 
 Islands. We shifted about here for several days, until early 
 one morning we discovered a fleet composed of several ships, 
 vet at the distance thev were from us, we could not discern 
 their number. They were steering directly toward us and 
 bore every evidence, as they afterwards proved to be, of 
 beino- a fleet of the British line. We endeavored to make 
 our escape by flight. They gave us chase and followed in hot 
 pursuit until past midday. During their pursuit, when 
 they had gained upon us so much as to be within cannon 
 range, they gave us occasional shots from the bow or gun- 
 wale of the ship, though without nmch injur)- to our ship 
 or crew. One of these shots, however, took off both legs, 
 close to the body, of a man who stood next to me, on my 
 left hand, and at the same instant a splinter from the side 
 of the vessel struck my foot and benumbed my whole leg, 
 from which I suft'ered much. The fleet neared us, and it 
 being satisfactorily determined that it was a British fleet of 
 
10 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 fourteen sliips. fwe of which \vere lars^'er tlian our own, and 
 all hope of escape being abandoned, we concluded to sur- 
 render. A\'e were di\ided camong the ships of the enemy, 
 being about twent}' [persons to each. We were well treated 
 \vhile in this situation. 1 he fleet directed its course to New 
 York City, where we were all put on board the 'Old Jersey,' 
 the notorious I>ritish prison ship, then lying up East River, 
 abo\'e the City, and entirel}' without rigging. 
 
 We had been cruising aljout three months when we were 
 captured. Our sufferings while confined in this old hull of a 
 ship were unaccountably severe, and many of our number 
 perished on account of the stench, the damp, deathly atmos- 
 phere in which we were confined and the miserable food 
 which was furnished us to support life. 
 
 It may not be uninteresting to know of what our fare 
 consisted and what humanity is capable of enduring, when 
 controlled b}' the force of necessity. The account is brief, 
 but heart-sickening. Bread was a constant part of our ration 
 and the chief source of our nutriment. It came to our 
 hands in an}- but a palatable condition. The loaves were 
 badly eaten by insects and then abandoned b}' them, or 
 well inhabited by vermin on their reception bv us. W hat 
 was not in this condition was very full, I had almost said 
 literally ali\e, with insects, insomuch that it was inij^ossible 
 for us to get them all out, and we were obliged to dexour 
 these animated communities, these bee-hives of activity, 
 or to lie reduced to the utmost wretchedness and starvation. 
 Besides our bread, we had pease twice a week. Wdien the 
 day came in which we were to ha\e boiled pease, the stew- 
 ard would put about two bushels into a large kettle with a 
 f|u<antity of water and boil them. I ha\'e stood bv the side 
 of this kettle while its cmtents were becoming heated, and 
 have seen yellow worms rise to the siu'face in large (|uanti- 
 ties, and as the water became heated, they would gather in 
 large clusters, affording the only seasoning or condiment 
 to our repast. 
 
 During the latter ])<'n"t of the time of m\- imprisonment, 
 I had the smallijox, but began to recover before arrange- 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. U 
 
 nients were made for mir exchange. 1 was a prisoner 
 aboard the 'Old jerse)' about six months. A\'e w^ere ex- 
 changed, crmve^ed, and set off. some time in Decem1)er. 
 on the coast of Rhode Island. I remember this fact in rela- 
 tion to time from this circumstance, that it was Thanks- 
 giving time, and the lirst of sleighing. I was not well when 
 1 was set off, not having entirel)' reco\'ered from the small- 
 pox. I could n(3t w'alk more than five or six miles per 
 diem. Occasionally T had an opportunity to ride a few 
 miles. 
 
 When coming through the streets of Providence on a 
 cold, stormy day, with nothing to protect my feet from the 
 snow, ice and water which then filled them, but some old 
 scuffs, that were not worthy the name of shoes, a gentleiuan, 
 observing my condition, hailed me and inquired the cause 
 of ni)- destitution, whence I came and whither 1 was going. 
 I told him briefi}- what circuiustances had l)rought me to 
 this condition. He assured me that my shoes were good for 
 nothing, and directed me to go into a small grocery or 
 huckster shop near b}-, and remain there until he should 
 return with somt^ shoes for me. I entered as he directed, 
 and there found six or eight young men lounging or appa- 
 rently w'ithout any Ijusiness. They gazed upon me some- 
 what intientl}', noticed my ragged and tattered garments, 
 and soon 1)egan to manifest no little interest to know what 
 had subjected me to so forlorn and destitute a condition. 
 
 To them also I narrated some of the leading incidents of 
 luy life. Excited by pity at seeing me so ragged, shoeless 
 and shivering with cold, they gaAC me a 'bitter,' a little 
 luncheon and contributed about a dollar in money to pro- 
 cure me food when I could not beg, or might be turned 
 away wdthout alms. At this point of my interview with the 
 young men, the ()ld gentleman before mentioned returned 
 with a pair of shoes, a pair of socks and some Ijread and 
 cheese, all which he presented to me, accompanied by the 
 most cheering language, and expressing a strong hope that 
 I might be sustained and prospered in the remainder of my 
 
12 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 jduniev, we i)arte(l. I felt encouraged and renewed my 
 j()iirne\- with a more elastic step and a lighter heart. 
 
 1 commonly stopped at houses such as ^ave evidence of 
 thrift and wealth, being" less likely to be turned away from 
 such places than from the beggarly, pof)r appearing homes. 
 I was obliged to beg my food and shelter nearly the whole of 
 the way. I recollect calling at one house, a kind of tavern 
 or 'way house.' at night, for the purpose of getting shelter 
 for the night. 1 went into the kitchen and made knowm my 
 poverty to the landlady, and asked that she would permit me 
 to lodge upon the floor by the fire. She told me she thought 
 I might be thus accommodated, though her husband was 
 then absent and might on his return be unwilling I should 
 remain. He came late in the evening", had apparently been 
 drinking and was very cross. He asked me what I was 
 there for, and told me he would not have me in his house. 
 Said he: 'You have the smallpox, you must leave, you can- 
 not remain here.' I entreated him not to drive me from his 
 house, leaving me at that hour of the night to the mercy of 
 the cold, bleak Avinds of December. But my appeal was in 
 vain. Finally, however, at my earnest solicitation, he gave 
 me permission to lie in his horse-barn, and thus I passed the 
 night. His allusion to my having the smallpox was because 
 it was plain to be perceived, on account of want and much 
 exposure to cold, that I recently had had that disease, though 
 at that time tliere was no danger to be apprehended from it. 
 However, it served as a pretext for driving me from his 
 house. One man carried me several miles on my j(^urney, 
 and generally I was treated very well. 
 
 I remained at home, being in poor health, through the 
 three winter ukmUIis. and then entered the military service in 
 the Revolution. earl\- in the spring of 1782. I enlisted for 
 the town of AL'dden for three years, under Capt. Wait. 
 Before entering the ranks in the field, I went to Boston and 
 served as waiter to Lieut. Thomas Robinson, who was clerk 
 to the muster-master. I remained here three or four weeks, 
 when I went with twenty-fiA'e or thirtv others to near West 
 Point, on the Hudson River, and joined the loth Massachu- 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 13 
 
 setts Regiment. Tlie loth wore British coats and was com- 
 manded by Col. Tnpper. I was in Capt. Dix's company. 
 We went to Verplank Point, lay there some time, then went 
 to Morrison, or a ])lace of some snch name, and remained 
 about a nKMith. Soon after the 9th and loth regiments 
 broke up, and I entered the 5th regiment, commanded by 
 Col. Michael Jackson, under Capt. Cogswell. A Grenadier 
 company was formed of the tallest and stoutest men. I 
 had the ofl'er to join, Init did not, and was obliged to join 
 another company. The ( irenadier com[)any was formed at 
 Newburgh Huts and remained there until after the news of 
 peace. 
 
 When the news of peace came, our huts or camp were 
 knee deep in snow, but we celebrated the event with raising 
 of tiags and with g-uns and music. Then all regiments broke 
 up, and one was formed called the American Regiment of 
 young men, consisting of six or seven hundred, under Col. 
 Henry Jackson. I was assigned to Capt. Williams' com- 
 pany, my term of enlistment not ha\'ing expired, and we 
 remained at Newburgh Huts till winter, and was then 
 ordered to Old Springfield, Mass. Capt. Williams" com- 
 pany numbered about sixty. I remained at Springfield 
 till I got my discharge, which was the last of June or first of 
 July, 1784. The \vhole company were discharged at the 
 same time. My discharge was made out in New^ York, and 
 was signed by Col. Henry Jackson.' 
 
 After thus serving over two vears in the Revolutionarv 
 army, young Robinson returned, with his brothers, to his 
 native home in Lexington. Here he remained in honest 
 toil, till the spring of 1788, when he removed and settled at 
 South Reading, as above stated. 
 
 The hardships of his service during' the Revolutionary 
 war, and the fact that he was early in life left an orphan 
 and had to labor hard for his own li\-elihood, schooled him 
 well for the hardships of his early settlement in this town. 
 W'hat to most men would seem insurmountable obstacles, 
 were often easil}' encountered by him and regarded as trivial. 
 It was a favorite remark of his that, if vou wished to ac- 
 
14 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 complish anything- difficult or laborious, you should always 
 say. 'Come, boys.' and not '(io. boys.' He believed that 
 success in anv calline' of life consisted mainl\- in a "ood, 
 vigorous, personal leadership of the persons to be l)enefited. 
 
 Here on his productive, well-tilled farm he spent a long^ 
 life of usefulness and acti\it}" and reared a large famih- of 
 children, and like man}' of those old re\'olutionar\- pension- 
 ers, he was in his old age healtln- and heartv, re- 
 markably vigorous both in mind and l)od\-, e\"en to his last 
 brief sickness. Long will his grandchildren remember those 
 grand old Thanksgiving days, and the good cheer and the 
 jolly times enjoyed around his festive taljle and cheerful 
 fireside on these anniversary days. A few years before his 
 death, after a residence in this town of nearly seventy years, 
 he again re-\'isited the scenes of his childhood in Lexington. 
 It was a \isit of sad and lonely interest to him. Of all hi.s 
 former large circle of early relatives, friends and actpiaint- 
 ances, he found onl)' two sur\-ivors and the\' were much 
 broken down with age. \'et his \'isit to those places of 
 historical and local interest, he seemed to enjoy with peculiar 
 zest. 
 
 His death occurred on the 31st day of Octol)er, 1857, at 
 the age of nearly ninety-three years. Less than two weeks 
 before his death, he related in detail the above history to the 
 Avriter of this sketch and recounted, with wonderful memory 
 and great animation and zeal, the various \icissitudes and 
 hardships of his long life. 
 
 His veneration for Washington, the father of our coun- 
 try was \'ery great, and it was ever his ])ri(le that he was 
 once a member <)f a compan}- that temporarily acted as a 
 body guard to their noble commander. 
 
 It was one of his latest remarks, that during the sixty- 
 six \-ears he had li\-cd with the wife of his choice, in that 
 house and upon that farm, he had li\ed in contentment and 
 happiness, and had ncx'er wished to cliange his lot for that 
 of any other, nor his home for that which an_\- other country 
 or clime could afford. He seemed happ_\- in the society of 
 his numerous posterity and had the satisfaction of seeing 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 15 
 
 them generallv prosijcrous. He had Httle or no education 
 in early hfe except that acquired in the army and In' his 
 later experience, yet in his old age he could cast up the 
 amount due on promissory notes given at annual interest, 
 with difficult partial payments endorsed thereon, and make a 
 written statement of the same, with an accuracy and dis- 
 patch that might well ])ut to shame many of the liherally edu- 
 cated young men of the present day. He learned to write 
 while in the Continental army, hy copying the hallads and 
 camp-songs of the soldiers in copy hooks, one of which is 
 now in the possession of. and highly prized hy the writer of 
 this sketch. 
 
 As a citizen, he was always upright and exact in all hi? 
 dealings, and dignified, though generous and cordial in his 
 intercourse. He was never an office-seeking politician, hut 
 held manv positions of honor and trust, hoth civil and mili- 
 tary, and always proved himself worthy of the confidence 
 reposed in him, and was honored by his townsmen in ])osi- 
 tions of trust in many ways. He w^as public spirited and a 
 patron of noble enterprise. The bell in the steeple of the 
 church at South Reading was his gift to the people of that 
 village. He was ever a stern lover of justice. He remarked 
 to the writer, at his last interview with him, that he had 
 made it a principle during his life, 'ever to do right' and to 
 cause right to be done. He was a devoted patriot and had 
 personallv attended the polls of cz'cry Presidential election 
 up to the time of his death, casting his last ballot for Fre- 
 mont in 1856. 
 
 Thus have passed away these Revolutionary ixitriots. 
 None remain to testify of their early hardships and strug- 
 gles for Freedom. Through their labors and sufferings we 
 inherit this, our fair land, and these, our free institutions. 
 
 Trulv do their memory and their courage deserve our 
 highest veneration and respect, and if thus their memories 
 are revered by their posterity, they will not, of necessity, 
 need anv loftv monuments or deeply wrought inscription to 
 tell us of their noble deeds, their devoted patriotism and true 
 greatness. However lowly may be their resting-place, let 
 
16 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 these tri1)utes ever l^e ascril:)ed to their memories witli urate- 
 fill hearts. Ahay it tnil_\- 1)e said of them, that: — 
 
 'the joy 
 Willi wliicli tlicir children ircad the hallowed ground 
 That holds their venerated bones, the peace 
 That smiles on all they fought for. and the Avealth 
 That clothes the land they received. — these, though mute 
 As feeling ever is, when deepest — these 
 Are monuments more lasting than the tombs 
 Reared to the kings and denii-gods of old.' '" 
 
 The wife uf Ebenezer Robinson was Hannah Ackley, (jf 
 whom not so many facts are known to her descendants. She 
 was born Dec. 22, 1771, at East Haddam, Ct.. and when a 
 girl of twenty-one, in her father's new home, near Sontli 
 Reading-, on Nov. 18, 1792, she married her young hus- 
 band, a httle over four years okler than herself, and went 
 with him to his hillside farm. 
 
 She is remembered jjy her grand-children as a quiet, 
 serene, cheery old lady who made an ideal grandmother at 
 their Thanksgiving, and other festive occasions. Her hus- 
 band left :\ hue tribute to her memorw when he said that he 
 had lived sixty-six years in contentment and happiness with 
 the wife of his choice and had never wished to change his 
 lot for that of any other. She died Feb. lOth, 1858, sur- 
 viving her husband not quite four months. 
 
 *Cliildrrii: Lewis Robinson, b. Aug. loth, 1793; d. Nov. i6th. 1871. 
 
 C.'^LViN Robinson, I). Jan. 10, 1798; d. March 28, 
 1819. 
 
 Jonas Robinson, b. Dec. 15th, 1794: d. Dec. .31st, 1794. 
 
 Marvin Robinson, b. March 24th. 1800; d. Dec. 22nd, 
 1866. 
 
 Ebenezer Robinson, b. Sept. .loth, 1809; d. July 5, 1848. 
 
 Rhoda Robinson, b. Feb. 8tli, 1796 (never married); 
 d. Oct. 21 St, 1873. 
 
 Sali.y Towin Robinson, b. Sept. 19th. 1802; d. Oct. 6, 
 1816. 
 
 Hannah Robinsox. b. Jan. 20th 1805 (never married) ; 
 d. April 19th. 1873. 
 
 Eliza Robinson, b. May 20th, 1807: d. Dec. 13th, i860; 
 m. Washington Keyes, Sept. 29, 1831. 
 
 *The dates concerning the immediate family of Ebenezer Robinson are taken 
 from the old family I'.ible. inherited by the oldest son of the oldest son, and now 
 in the possession of Mrs. C'al%in L. Robinson. Tacksonville, Florida. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 WILLIAM ROBINSON, OF NEWTON. 
 
 Tlie Earliest Knoivn Direct Ancestor of Ehene::er 
 
 Robinson. 
 
 Shrouded in the mists of the far past, it has been diffi- 
 cult to obtain any certain knowledge of the personality of 
 "William of Newton," sometimes called "William of Water- 
 town." The few facts here cited have been obtained with 
 more difficulty than all contained in the remainder of this 
 little book. There is no record of the birth of William Rob- 
 inson in Massachusetts Colony. There is one tradition that 
 he came from Bristol, England, which could easily arise if 
 he sailed from that port, but the tradition of the family of 
 Ebenezer Robinson is that he came from the north of Eng- 
 land. It is probable that he was born about 1640, and mar- 
 ried in this country about 1667, Elizabeth Cutter (b. 
 July 15, 1643), ^ daughter of Richard Cutter, a well 
 known freeman of Cambridge. In the records William 
 Robinson is styled sometimes "of Watertown," sometimes 
 "of Cambridge" and sometimes "of Newton." This con- 
 fusion is not difficult to understand when the uncertain 
 boundaries of the early towns are kept in mind. 
 
 Watertown is the oldest of these towns. As early as 
 Sept. 7, 1630. less than ten years after the landing of the 
 Pilgrims, "The Court ordered that the town upon the Charles 
 River be called Watertown." It was the fourth town 
 formed in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and next to Dor- 
 chester was the earliest to keep formal records. f When 
 Cambridge was formed, part of Watertown was given to it, 
 and William Robinson lived in that part of Cambridge called 
 
 f 'Watertown Records, prepared for publication by the Historical Society, 
 Watertown, 1894." 
 
 17 
 
18 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 Cambridge \"illag"e. which afterward became Newton. His 
 farm lay along- the south bank of the Charles River, separ- 
 ated by it from the A\'atertown of his time. 
 
 All three towns. W'atertown, Cambridge, and Xewton, 
 have records more or less complete of William Robinson 
 and his family. Evidently he was a freeman of Cambridge 
 Village, which later became Xe^^•ton, so we prefer to call 
 him "William of Newton.'':!: 
 
 The inhabitants of Cambridge Village on the south side 
 of the river, as early as 1654, began a movement to separate 
 from Cambridge, and for thirty-five years the struggle did 
 not cease until they obtained what they wanted. Finally 
 fifty-two freemen of Cambridge Village petitioned the Gen- 
 eral Court (commencing ]>klay 8, 1678) "to grant us our 
 freedom from Caml:)ridge and that we may be a township 
 of ourselves without any more dependence upon Cambridge 
 — and that you would please give the place a name.'"" 
 
 This petition ccjmmonly called "The Petition of Seces- 
 sion," was granted, Cambridge Village was set off from 
 Cambridge, and later was christened Newtown, taking the 
 former name of Cambridge. William Ixobinson was the 
 eleventh name of the fift}'-two sturdy signers of the Peti- 
 tion. At that time there were sixty-five freemen in Cam- 
 bridge Village. 
 
 To become a freeman in those earl}- days was deemed by 
 the fathers a boon greatly to be desired. If their descend- 
 ants had guarded the sacred rights of citizenship as carefully 
 through the years as did they, the present days of the Re- 
 ])ublic would not ])resent so man\' ])rol)lems. To [jrocure 
 this pri\'ilege, a man had first to be or to become a member 
 of the church ; then he must obtain permissic^n to liecome a 
 fieeman from the General or Quarterly Court, after which 
 the freeman's oath was taken bef(!re a magistrate. A note of 
 the cercniiin\- was then carcfull}- entered in the town record. 
 
 "The Records of the Town of Cambridge, (formerly 
 
 iSmith's Hist, of Newton, p. 41, gives the names of the settlers of the town, 
 previous to 1700, and William Robinson is marked "1(579." 
 *Jackson's History of Newton, p. CO. 
 *History of Cambridge, by L. R. Paige, Cambridge, 1877, p. 89. 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 19 
 
 Newtowne) 1630- 1703, printed by order of the City Coun- 
 cil, 1901," does not once mention William Robinson who, 
 as we have learned, lived at Cambridge Village away from 
 the central ])art of Cambridge. He seems to have been a 
 C|uiet. peaceal)le, law-abiding citizen, and the signing of the 
 ''Petition of Secession" is the only publicly assertive act of 
 W'illiam Rdbinson, so far as history can prove. 
 
 His father-in-law. Richard Cutter, was of quite another 
 stamp. He was admitted freeman June 2, 1641, and was 
 made a member of the "Ancient and Honorable Artillery 
 Co." of Boston in 1643. ^^ l''^ "Town Records of Cambridge" 
 mention Richard Cutter thirty-eight times for various rea- 
 sons. He seems to have been a wheel-wright by trade, as 
 one of the entries state that the town grants timber to Rich- 
 ard Cutter for a "payre of wheeles." Again he is granted 
 permission to fell "foure trees for his trade on the South 
 side the river." Again a grant of land was divided among 
 the freemen and Richard Cutter receives eighty acres. 
 
 Richard Cutter was also a signer of the petition pre- 
 ■sented October 19. i6f)4. to the honored General Court of 
 Massachusetts, which while assuming loyalty, manifested the 
 same unwillingness to submit to arbitrary government that 
 was exhibited a hundred years later. Evidently he was an 
 active man of affairs. The first wife of Richard Cutter was 
 Elizabeth Williams, some facts about whom are worthy of 
 preservation for her descendants. She was the daughter 
 of Robert A\'illiams and Elizabeth (Stalham) Williams and 
 was born in England about 1626. Robert Williams was 
 born about 1607. The record of William Williams of Hat- 
 field, England, says that the emljarkation records reads : 
 "April 8, 1637, Robert Williams, Cordwyner ( Cordwainer 
 — i. e., shoemaker) of Norwich Co.. Norfolk. England, in 
 the 'John and Dorothv' of Ipswich, William Andrews, Mas- 
 ter. For New England to Inhabit." 
 
 Robert Williams settled in Roxbury, was admitted free- 
 man in 1638, and died Sept. i, 1693, at 86 years of age. He 
 was the common ancestor of many distinguished men who 
 liave honored the countrv. He had a son named Isaac (born 
 
20 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 Sept. I, 1638), who owned a farm of 500 acres in the west 
 part of Newton (now Aubnrnclale), near the farm of Will- 
 iam Robinson. He also had a son named Stephen, born Nov. 
 28, 1640. 
 
 Elizabeth Williams was daughter of Robert Williams, 
 and great grandmother of Ebenezer Robinson. 
 
 She was admitted to the church in Roxbury in 1644 and 
 married about the same time to Richard Cutter, of Cam- 
 bridge, and died June 15, 1693. In his will Richard Cutter 
 asked to be buried by the side of his wife Elizabeth. Their 
 gravestones are still standing in the graveyard, near Harvard 
 Square. Cambridge. ]\Iass. Of such good ancestry came 
 their eldest daughter. Elizabeth Cutter, born July 13, 1645, 
 who became the wife of \\'illiam Robinson as early as 1667.* 
 
 The Middlesex (Mass.) Probate records give us the only 
 glimpses we have into the life and character of Wm. Robin- 
 son. He made a will dated March 22. 1693. the will being 
 made and witnessed on his death-bed, in which he bequeathes 
 all his "estate lands, goods and Chatties here in Watertown 
 to my dafter Elizabeth," and states that "my two children 
 David and Jonathan shall have their maintenance and be 
 carefully brought up by my dafter." In this will Wm. Rob- 
 inson, twenty-one years of age, Mary Robinson, about 
 twenty years of age, and Samuel Robinson, about fifteen 
 years old, w^ere left w'ithout mention. David, then seven- 
 teen years old, was lame and helpless, and Johnathan was 
 thirteen years of age. This will was presented for probate 
 June 26, 1693, ^^'^^t was disallowed on account of informality. 
 The probate records state that it was probated later, Nov. 
 21, 1698. 
 
 Evidently Wm. Robinson, Jr., the oldest son was not 
 
 *XoTE — The identity of the wife of William Robinson has occasioned con- 
 siderable search to verify the fact that she was Elizabeth Cutter. Richard 
 Cutter was married twice; first as we have seen to Elizabeth Williams. He mar- 
 ried as his second wife, Frances Perriman, widow of Isaac Amsden, Feb. 14, 
 IfiO.'i, who survived him. Each wife was the mother of seven children. We 
 find by the records in those early days that in case of a second marriage it was not 
 unusual to have two children by the same name, one by each wife. So Richard 
 Cutter was the father of Elizabeth Cutter, b. July 15, 1045, who became the 
 w'ife of William Robinson, of Newton, and the eleventh child, Elizabeth Cutter, 
 b. March 1, 1GG9, who became the wife of Nathaniel Hall, of Medford. 
 
 The Middlesex (Mass.) Probate Records make these facts plain. 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 21 
 
 satisfied with the will, and had himself appointed adminis- 
 trator Oct. 21. 1695. and he swears to the inventory of the 
 estate as here given. 
 
 "This is an inventory oi the whole esteat of william Robeson of 
 watertwin in the county of midlesex taken this 14 of August 1695 
 and apprised by us the subscribers 
 
 huse and Lands and orchid 30. o. o. 
 
 for worcking touiles of Iron i. 12. 6. 
 
 for beden and all things argrabell to it 2. 01. 6. 
 
 and for ould lumber o. 6. o. 
 and for Jron and brass poute and 
 
 citelles 2. o. 6. 
 
 and tabels chistes and weeles i. 8. 0. 
 
 and for tobes and braller o. 7. o. 
 
 and for puter and wooden dishses i. 2. 6. 
 
 and for gunn and arnies I. o. o. 
 
 and for books o. 10. o. 
 
 and for one hoge i. o. 0. 
 
 and for money 2. 0. o. 
 
 43. 17. 0. 
 
 Apprised the day and yer abouesayed By us 
 
 Mickell fflagge and 
 Samuel Bigelo." 
 
 That Wm. Robinson wanted to shield himself from 
 unjust judgment on the part of his older children and his 
 friends is shown by the following entry : 
 
 "Charlestowne, Nouembr 21: 1698. 
 Thomas, Woolson and Frances Fullam, the two witnesses, 
 swear, 'which was ommitted by ye scribe being in haste and for- 
 getting to enter ye same according to his Deced's Direction in 
 ye will and that then ye said Wm. Robinson when he so did was 
 of good understanding and of disposing minde, then declaring it 
 his omission of his other children in sd will was not for want of 
 afifection to ym, but only out of his undue Care for ye providing 
 for his lame childe and also ye youngest that was not Capable of 
 help it Selfe and yt Goodwife Sanders, Elizabeth Stimpson & other 
 women were in and about ye house till said will was makeing and 
 read to ye deacese and to his full Conteent and Satisfaction 
 
 Jurator Cora 
 
 JAS RUSSELL" 
 
22 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 The division of the estate : 
 
 "9 May 1698. Isaac Williams Phillip Shattuck and Abraham Brown 
 Com^ appointed hy the court return division of the Robinson estate, viz.: 
 
 "The housing and fences being now out of repaior and Sum 
 of ye land worne out and the moueables being worne and sum of 
 them loste in consideration of the Land being A Small parcel and 
 not capable of being deuided witlmut ye damnif^'ing: and Spoileing 
 of 3'e whole, whereupon the eldest son of the abousesd william 
 Robeson, deceast, claiming his birth-right which the law of this 
 province alowes, he haueing alredy taken administration on said 
 Estate, we order william Robeson eldest son of William Robeson 
 decease to take the at one mentioned twelue acres of land and 
 houseing and all that properly beiongeth thereto and also all 
 ye moueables, and after all just debts are paid and necessary 
 charges alowed the remainder to be divided into seven ecjual parts, 
 and that the eldest son pays to each (if his brethren and sisters 
 their propertion. reseruing to himself his duble portion, according 
 to the direction of the law. 22:8:98 considered of. allowed and 
 entered." 
 
 As is seen, at the time of \\'il]iam Robinson's death he 
 possessed only twelve acres of land, but his thrifty son Will- 
 iam must have added to it, as on the map of Newton for 
 1700 (see map) the Robinson farm is given as 200 acres. 
 
 The above are the sole records that touch directly upon 
 the life and character of "\\'illiam of Newton." There are, 
 however, in the Middlesex (Mass.) Deeds, many identifying 
 references. Abstracts Vol. XXXIII: MUX (Mass.) Deeds, 
 p. T13, 'AA'ilham Robinson of Newton, and Jonathan Rob- 
 inson f)f Lexington acknowledge all rights, etc., in the estate 
 of their honored grandfather. Richard Cutter, sometime of 
 Cambridge, deceased." "William Robinson engages to dis- 
 charge the claim of his sister, Elizabeth Gregory, a grand- 
 daughter and heir to the same." 8 Jan.. 1726. 
 
 P. Ti(S, "Samuel Robinson of Marlboro, as heir to his 
 father, William Robinson, dec'd, and his mother, Elizabeth 
 Robinson, alias Cutter, quitclaims all interest, etc., in the 
 estate of his grandfather, Richard Cutter, formerly of Cam- 
 bridge, deceased. 20 Jul. 1728." 
 
 Are we not justified in inferring from the above facts 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 23 
 
 certain qualities of Wm. Robinson? He evidently nuist have 
 had enterprise and courage, as a young man, to seek his for- 
 tunes in the New \A'orld. He must also have had substan- 
 tial good qualities of character to secure as a wife Elizabeth 
 Cutter, the granddaughter of Robert Williams, the daughter 
 of Richard Cutter, and niece of Isaac Williams, all well 
 known and respected citizens. He was a good and loving 
 father, taking especial pains to have his older children under- 
 stand why he made exclusive provision for the vounger 
 helpless ones. 
 
 Those early days of the Colony were filled with hard 
 work and privation. The settlers had to endure the rigors 
 of a severe climate, work hard to subdue the land and strug- 
 gle to maintain their local and general political rights. 
 
 William Robinson must have died about sixtv ^•ears of 
 age, after a life of toil and struggle. leaving a small estate, 
 but he reared a family of children, who were sensible, able 
 men and women, and, with the exception of the lame son 
 David, they \\ere able to take their part in the world's work. 
 William, who remained in Newton, Samuel, who removed 
 to Cambridge, and Jonathan, who settled in Lexington, 
 were all founders of families who have provided good citi- 
 zens and practical men of affairs, and quite often dis- 
 tinguished leaders for the communitv. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 WILLIAM ROBINSON'S CHILDREN. 
 
 The children of William and Elizabeth Cutter Robinson 
 were as follows : * 
 
 1. Elizabeth^ b. 1669; m. Dec. 20, 1693, Daniel IMaggrigge of 
 
 Watertown. 
 
 2. Haxnah Ann, b. July 13, 1671 ; d. Oct. 5, 1672. 
 
 3. William, b. July 10, 1673. 
 
 4. AIekcv. b. Aug. 7, 1676. 
 
 5. David, b. May 2^,. 1678. "Lame and helpless." 
 
 6. Samuel, b. April 20, 1680. 
 
 7. Jonathan, b. April 20, 1682. 
 
 All the children except Hannah were living at the 
 time of William Robinson's death, but evidently his wife 
 had pre\i()nsly died, as we see from his will, that his sole 
 reliance for the care of the two helpless children was "my 
 dafter Elizabeth," the oldest child, then a young woman of 
 twenty-six years. Her father died in March, and the records 
 show that the following December she married "Daniel 
 Maggrigge of Watertown." The name Maggrigge was 
 evidently a corruption of McGregor, and later generations 
 have adopted Gregory. 
 
 David, "lame and helpless," a boy of fifteen, continued 
 to live with his sister for four years, until April 9, 1697, 
 when from the "Watertown Records," Vol. H, pp. 114 and 
 121, we learn that he lived for a time with Samuel Begelo, 
 and then Joseph Eovewels. He remained single. There are 
 no further records concerning him, and as his brothers be- 
 came more prosperous, it is probable that they assumed his 
 entire care. 
 
 *The record of the children of William and Elizabeth Robinson is best 
 preserved in Hist, of Cambridge, L. R. Paige, p. 644. 
 
 24 
 
SECTION OF PLAN 
 
 OF THE 
 
 TOWN OF NEWTON 
 
 i?^ 1700 
 
 Showing Farm of William Robinson, now a part of Auburndale. 
 
 Taken from a map in the History of 
 the Early Settlement of Newton, Mass., 
 by Francis Jackson, 1854. 
 
 Scale, ijo Rods to an Inch. 
 
26 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 William Robinson. Jr.. third child and oldest son of 
 "William of Xewton." evidently remained (in his father's 
 farm, and added to it. We have seen that he applied to have 
 his father's will set aside and insisted on his right as the 
 oldest son to have a "dnble portion." which was granted him. 
 
 The estate was divided Alay 9, 1698. and the land is men- 
 tioned as twelve acres. But the Robinson Farm marked on 
 the plan of the town of Newton in 1700 ( see map) gives 200 
 acres to the Robinson farm. Smith's His. of Xewton has 
 some paragraphs relating to this farm, which we will here 
 quote. 
 
 "A survey of the map of 1700 furnishes a good view of the 
 division of the territory of Newton among the early proprietors. 
 and of the relative location of their estates." Page 115. 
 
 "Southwest of the Fuller farm was Captain Isaac Williams 
 (1659), five hundred acres. All the names in this trace of land, 
 in the map of 1700, were on the easterly side. Isaac Williams, 
 Jr. 1686); John Knapp (1688); Captain Isaac Williams (1861),— suc- 
 cessors, Colonel Ephraim Williams (1714), (founder of Williams Col- 
 lege). Page 118. 
 
 "Southwest of Captain Isaac Williams was the Robinson farm 
 about two hundred acres, covering the territory since called Au- 
 burndale, and extending to Charles River. On this territory stood 
 Nathaniel Whittemore's tavern (1724), the Bourne House, at the 
 southeast ])art; then Jnhn Pigeon, Henry Pigeon, Joel Houghton, 
 north of the tavern; near the middle. William Upham (1740), 
 Elisha Seaverns. Elisha Ware; near the northeast part. William 
 
 Robinson (1678) . successors. William Robinson. Jr. (1705), 
 
 John Robinson (1753), Jonathan Williams (1767), Elisha Hall, M. 
 Collier." Page 118. 
 
 Evidently William Robinson. Jr., had the gift of ac- 
 quisition, and became a man of substance, judged l)y the 
 standards of his age. 
 
 "Robin.son, William ( d. 1754) hy will, dated Dec. 25th. 1742. 
 proved March 11. 1754, bequeathed house, barn, and seventy- 
 nine acres of land in Newton to his son Jeremiah; fifty-eight and 
 a half acres to his son John; to son Ichabod £660. He had a 
 large farm at what is now .^uburndale, and land in .Mendon. One 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 27 
 
 of his sons lived on the site of the Seaverns house; one in the 
 Bourne house, once a tavern, and one in the house enlarged for 
 the former Newton Poor House. His real estate was appraised 
 at £~22\-^sh. Personal, £ioi4-i7sh.-6d." f 
 
 W illiam Robinson, Jr., was a selectman of Newton for 
 the year 1735. and that he was a man of consideration in 
 the community is manifest. His wife (hed in 1747, and he 
 (hed in 1754, at 81 years of age. 
 
 Their children are as follow^s : 
 
 William. 
 
 Daniel, m. Mercy Seger, 1726. 
 
 Jeremiah, h. Oct. 22, 1705; d. 1754. 
 
 Elizabeth, b. Sept. 11, 1707, m. Wm. Uphani from Maiden, March, 
 
 1741- 
 Hannah, b. Sept. 16, 1709. 
 Josiah, b. Sept. 17, 1711. 
 Ichabod, b. Sept. 2, 1713, m. Sarah Mirick, Feb., 1744, went to 
 Mendon and died 1756. 
 Thankful, b. Sept. 3, 171 5. 
 John, b. 1722. 
 
 Samuel, the sixth child of William Robinson, had a note- 
 worthy line of descendants. He, himself, must have been a 
 capable, energetic man, for in 1707, when he was 27 vears 
 of age, he bought a house and three-quarters of an acre at 
 the S, \\\ corner of Battle Square and Brattle Street, in 
 Cambridge, where he kept a tavern until June 13, 1721, 
 when he sold his estate and moved to Westborough, where 
 he died. Administration was granted to his wife Elizabeth, 
 April 24, 1724, and her In-other, Jedekiah Brigham, was 
 appointed guardian to the only son, Samuel, then in his 19th 
 year, Feb. 2^. 1725. The name of Samuel Robinson is 
 enrolled among the inn-keepers of Cambridge, as having 
 received a license from 17 14- 1720,* 
 
 His son Samuel, the only one who survived him, was 
 brought up in the bus}-, Inistling life of his father's tavern. 
 Noting- how prominent, and aggressive, and public-spir- 
 
 tHist. of Newton Mass. S. F. Smith, D. D., Boston, 1880, 
 *Hist. of Newton, p. 4(11. Jackson 
 
28 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 ited was Samuel Rol)ins()n, J''-, we recognize the broaden- 
 ing, stimulating etTect of his environment, which must have 
 early made him familiar with the prominent men of his 
 time and the events that were hapj^ening. 
 
 Samuel Robinson, son of William Roljinson, was twice 
 married; first m. Mar. 2t,, 1704. to Sarah Manning (b. 
 Aug. 26, 1681, d. July 19, 1709), whose father was a man 
 of means and a Representative.* 
 
 Second, m. (^ct. 16, 171 1, to Elizabeth Brigham, daugh- 
 ter of Capt. Samuel Brigham. of Marlborough. 
 
 Children: Sarah, bap. July 22, 1705; died young. 
 Samuel, b. April 4. 1707. 
 Dorothy, b. April 19, 1709. 
 Persis b. Sept. 7, 1712. 
 
 Edmund, b. June 7, 1714, d. Nov. 25, 1716. 
 Sarah, ]). Oct. 3, 1717. 
 
 At his death in 1724 his only surviving son Samuel was 
 then in his 19th year. Samuel Robinson, Jr., 1). .\pril 4, 
 1707. m. May, 1732, Mercy Leonard, His children are 
 recorded in Hardwick, Mass., and their names are as 
 follows : 
 
 Elizabeth, b. Dec. 24, 1733. 
 
 Leonard, b. July 16, 1736. 
 
 Samuel, b. Aug. 9, 1738. 
 
 Moses, b. March 15, 1741, settled in Bennington, and vva.s the 
 fir.st Colonel of Militia in Vermont, was first Chief Justice of the 
 Supreme Court, Senator in Congress, and second Governor of the 
 State. Received the honorary degree of A. M. at Yale College, 1789, 
 and at Dartmouth College in 1790; died May 19, 1813. 
 
 Paul, b. Dec. 17, 1743; d. 1754. 
 
 Silas, h. March 17, 1746; Revolutionary soldier; d. at an advanced 
 age at St. Albans, Vt. 
 
 IMercv, b. Oct. 8, 1748; m. Colonel J. Safford. 
 
 Sarah, b. Nov. 13, 1751: m. first Benj. Fay; 2d., Gen. H. Swift. 
 
 David, b. Nov. 4, 1754; ni. three times, was in the Bennington 
 Battle, afterward .\Iajor-Gencral of .Militia and U. S. Marshal for 
 eight years, and sheriff for 22 years ; d. November, 1843. 
 
 Jonathan, b. Aug. 24, 1756; was Chief Justice of the Supreme 
 
 ♦Note. — See the History of the Manning Family, by Wm. H. Manning^, Salem 
 Press, 1902, Page 142. 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 29 
 
 Court, 1801-1807, and United States Senator. Received honorary degree 
 of A. M. at Dartmouth College, and d. Nov. 3, 1819. 
 
 Anna, b. Oct. 4, 1759: m. Isaac Webster. 
 
 Samuel Robinson, the father of this large family, was a 
 man of marked individuality and left his impress upon the 
 men and events of his times. He removed to Hardwick in 
 1735 and remained there until 1761. \\d'iile there he was 
 selectman, assessor, town clerk and deacon. He was Captain 
 of a military company in the old French war, and in 1748 
 was stationed at Fort George. On his return to Massachu- 
 setts by the Hoosac River route, he was attracted by the fer- 
 tility of the countr}-, sd that later he induced a company of 
 his associates to join him in purchasing a former grant of 
 this territory, made by Governor Benning Wentworth of 
 New Hampshire in honor of whoiu Bennington was named. 
 In October, 1761, he, his family and friends removed to 
 Bennington, where he became prominent politically and was 
 appointed first Justice of the Peace. 
 
 Mr. Robinson cast in his fortunes with the original set- 
 tlers of the New Hampshire grants in the famous land grant 
 controversy between New York and New Hampshire, in 
 which New York claimed jurisdiction over the territory of 
 Vermont. He was chosen as a bearer of a petition to King- 
 George, signed by over a thousand settlers asking for relief 
 against the New York patents. Sailing on Christmas Day, 
 1766, after a six weeks' passage, he reached London, and 
 succeeded in obtaining an order from the King, dated July 
 24, 1767. prohibiting the Governor of New York, "upon 
 pain of his Majesty's highest displeasure from making any 
 further grants whatever of the lands in question until his 
 Majesty's further pleasure should be known, concerning the 
 same." Later, in October, he was seized with smallpox and 
 died Oct. 2^, 1767, and was buried in London. 
 
 Tlie family of Samuel Robinson has been prominent in 
 the annals of Vermont* and has been described as 
 follows : "The most remarkable among a number of 
 Vermont families prolific of public usefulness — a family 
 
 *Men of \'ermoiU, Transcriiit Pub. Co., 1894, p. 54. 
 
30 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 that has in the past century furnished two governors, two 
 United States senators, six judges of one degree and an- 
 other, the acknowledged leader of the Democratic party in 
 the state in three different generations, and United States 
 marshals, generals, colonels, state's attorneys, town clerks,, 
 etc.. almost without number." 
 
 Moses Robinson, second Governor of A'ermont. left six 
 sons, the fourth of whom was Nathan, a lawyer who died at 
 the age of forty. His son, John S. Robinson, the only Demo- 
 cratic Governor of Vermont for more than half a centurv, 
 was born at Bennington, Nov. lo, 1804. He graduated at 
 \\'illiams College, became a lawyer and identified himself 
 with the Democratic party, and was Governor for 1853- 1854. 
 In i860 was Chairman of the Vermont delegation to the 
 National Democratic Conventi(^n at Charleston, S. C, was 
 stricken with apoplexy and died there the 24th of the month. 
 He was a man of a hio"h order of talents. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 JONATHAN ROBINSON. 
 
 Jonathan Ivobinsim, the 3'uungest child of "Wilhani R<i1)i- 
 son of Newton," was born April 20. 1682. His father's will, 
 made npon his death bed, dated March 22, 1693, becjueathed 
 all his estate to "my dafter, Elizabeth Robinson," with the 
 provision that my two children, David, "fifteen years old, 
 lame and helpless," and Jonathan, shall have their mainte- 
 nance and be carefully brought up by my dafter. The father's 
 heart went out tenderly to his helpless child, and to his dear- 
 ly-loved youngest boy, left in the world without a parent's 
 care. Jonathan must have continued to live with his sister 
 until May 16, 1698, when, according to the record made in 
 the Middlesex (Mass.) Probate records, "Jonathan Robin- 
 son, a minor of 16 years, made choice of Nath'll Sparrow- 
 hawk to be his guardian and he accepted." We find from 
 the records that Jonathan Robinson was a weaver. We 
 know also that Lsaac Williams, his mother's uncle and a man 
 of means and influence, lived on the farm adjoining that of 
 his father and he, by trade, was a weaver. We can infer 
 that Jonathan learned his trade from his uncle. He must 
 ha\-e been industrious, energetic and saving, for he both 
 married and purchased his farm in Lexington at the early 
 age of twenty-four. 
 
 The wife of Jonathan Robinson was Ruth Morse, a few 
 words regarding whom must be of interest to her descend- 
 ants. She was born April 15. 1684, and was the daughter 
 of Jonathan Morse, born Nov. 16. 1643, who married Oct. 
 17, 1678, Abigail Shattuck.* Jonathan Morse was the 
 fourth son of Joseph Morse, who, when he was twent}'-four 
 years of age, embarked at Ipswich, England, April, 1634, in 
 the ship "EUzabctli," William Andrews master. Joseph 
 
 *History of Watertown, Henry Bond, p. 371 (Genealogies). 
 
 31 
 
32 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 Morse was one of the original proprietors of W'atertown. 
 His name is on the earhest Hst of proprietors, and he was ad- 
 mitted freeman May 6, 1635. His father and mother, Joseph 
 and Dchorah Ah)rse. came to America prol^ably a year or two 
 later than their son and settled at W'atertown. Joseph Morse 
 died March 4. 1691, and his estate was administered hy his 
 son John. It was from this substantial and respected family 
 that Jonathan Robinson married his wife of twent\--two 
 years, June 19, 1706. 
 
 Jonathan at once proceeded to make a suital)le home f(jr 
 his young wife and ])urchased a farm in Cambridge Farms 
 (now Lexington), which is still in the possession of his de- 
 scendants. "^'The deed is dated Oct. 11. 1706. Hudson in his 
 History of Lexington, p. 203, says : "It appears by a deed in 
 possession of the family, that Lsaac Powers, of Cambridge, 
 sold to Jonathan Robinson, of Cambridge, wea\'er, in 1706, 
 a lot of land at Cambridge Farms, bounded northerly by 
 Concord road, easterly by land of Joanna Winship, south- 
 erly by land of John Dickson, and westerly ])X land of Jona- 
 than Rc^jinson, bounded by the W'inships. Whitmores and 
 Bowmans, leaves n(j doubt but that he resided on or near 
 the place now occupied by Mr. Jonas Cammell, at the ter- 
 mination of Oak Street." 
 
 Cambridge Farms was a ])ortion of Camliridge. Lex- 
 ington was then included in it, and this part of the town 
 appears to have been regarded as the wood-lots and hay fields 
 of Cambridge. Lexington was set aside and was organized 
 into a town March 31. 1713, a few years after Jonathan Rob- 
 inson settled there. 
 
 From the reference in Hudson to "other deerls" it is pro1> 
 able that Jonathan Robinson accunnilate<l some property and 
 it is also probable that the house that Jonathan originally 
 built had been replaced by the ample, well-built structure that 
 stood on the hill seventy years later at the time of the Revo- 
 lution. 
 
 The jiresent possessor of the old farm homestead at Lex- 
 ington, Mass., is iMr. Joseph Franklin (iammell, the only 
 
 *History of Town of Lexington. Charles Umlson, Hoston, 188G. 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 
 
 33 
 
 child of Franklin Ganimell, and the grandson of Rhoda Rob- 
 inson, so that this farm has been in the possession of Jona- 
 than Robinson's descendants nearly two hundred years. In 
 
 Thk Site of the Rohinson Homestead on Top of the Hile 
 
 AT Lexington, Mass. 
 
 As viewed by two of the grandchildren of Ebenezer Robinson August 2, 1902. George 
 O. Robinson of Detroit, Mich., and Mrs. Alden Speare of Newton, Mass. 
 
 August, 1902. the writer, in company with two grandchildren 
 of Ebenezer Robinson (viz., Mrs. Alden Speare, of Newton 
 Centre. Mass., and Mr. George O. Robinson, of Detroit, 
 Mich.), visited the site of the old house. Mrs. Speare said: 
 "I visited here often in my girlhood days and I well remem- 
 ber the old place. It must have been a fine house at the time 
 it was built, and was kept in good repair until it was burned. 
 The walls of some of the rooms were originally pannelled, so 
 that one not familiar with the house could not tell where 
 were the cupboards. 
 
34 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 At the time the P)ritish soldiers came to Lexington this 
 house was raided, antl a mark or dent was made on one of 
 these panels where a soldier had struck it w ith his gun to see 
 if there was a cuphoard behind it. In modernizing the hnish 
 of this room that panel was preserved as a relic." 
 
 Mr. (leorge (). Robinson said : "I well remember talking 
 wi*h nn- grandfather, Ebenezer Robinson, al)out the earlv 
 
 The L.A.NE Down Which Young Ebene/.er Robinson R.\n to 
 
 Watch the British Soldiers Retreat from 
 
 Lexington Batteeeield. 
 
 days of the I\e\dlutionary war, and his telling me that as a 
 bo\- he heard the guns of the I'attle of Lexington, and he 
 used to describe how he ran down the lane leading from the 
 f.arm house to Alain street, to see the British soldiers retreat- 
 ing on the turnpike road to Boston." 
 
 The Robinson hotise was located on a hill, reached b\- a 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 35 
 
 lane ( the lower part of which is now known as Oak street in 
 East Lexington), cHmbing upw-ard from Main street. The 
 site commands a pleasant view of the snrronnding country. 
 The house and all the adjoining buildings were burned in 
 Alarch. 1886, and the cellar, only partially filled in, marks 
 its site. Dou1)tless many records that w^ould have added 
 much to this sketch perished with the place, as Mr. J. Frank- 
 lin Gammell, the t^wner, states that the only valuable paper 
 he possesses is the old deed of the farm dated Oct. 1 1, 1706. 
 Hudson states that Jonathan Robinson filled the honor- 
 able oftice of Tythingman in 1735. and in 1744 was on a 
 committee "to dignify and seat the meeting house." He died 
 in 1753 and his wife Ruth followed him April 25, 1759. His 
 will, dated Feb. 2, 1748, was proved Feb. 18, 1758. 
 The children of Jonathan and Ruth were as follows: 
 
 Jonathan, I). July 25, 1707. (See beluw.) 
 Ruth, b. June 29, 1709; d. Oct. 23, 1722. 
 
 Abigah., 1). Fell. 4, 1711; baptized June 24, 1711; m. Nathaniel 
 Bacon, of Lexington. 
 
 James, b. Aug. 30, 1715; bap. Sept. 4. (See below.) 
 Lydia, b. Aug. 29, 1718; bap. Sept. 7; m. Caleb Sinionds 
 Hannah, b. Jan. 8, 1721 ; bap. Jan. 14: d. Oct. 24, 1721. 
 
 SONS OF JONATHAN ROBINSON. 
 
 In all the histories and books on geneology that I have 
 consulted, it seems to 1)e the practice to follow the history 
 of the sons who bear the family name. The history of the 
 daughters is merged into that of their husbands, so that there 
 is little to be learned concerning them. Following this pro- 
 cedure let us learn what we can concerning the two sons of 
 Jonathan Robinson, Jonathan, Jr., and James. Jonathan, the 
 elder son, will chiefly be remembered as l)eing the great 
 grandfather of Gov. George D. Robinson of ?^lassachusetts. 
 The line of descent is as follows : 
 
 JoN.\THAN Robinson, b. July 25, 1707: d. 174S; m. Elizabeth. 
 Children: Elizabeth, m. June. 20. 1732. 
 
 Jacob, b. Feb. 3, 1739. 
 
 Jonathan, b. Sept. 29. 1733. 
 
 Submit, bap. July 17, 1743. 
 
36 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 Of these we will follow the line onl}- of Jacoh. the oldest 
 son. who niaiTied Elizabeth Draper. They were added to 
 the church March 21, 1775. 
 
 Children- Jacob, b. Oct. 28. 1762; d. Sept. 12, 1S48. 
 
 Elizabeth, b. ),Iarch 6. 1765: d. Dec. 29, 1767. 
 Jesse, h. July 14. 1767: m. Rebecca Tidd. 
 Jonathan, b. June 20, 1769. was twice married. 
 Betty, b. Feb. 26, 1772: m. White, of Watertown. 
 Anna, b. June 28, 1774; ni. Gardner, of Cambridge. 
 Nathan, 1). Dec. i, 1776; d. Sept. 22, 1776. 
 
 AA'e will again follow the line only of Jacob, the oldest 
 son. who married Aug. 26. 1790, Hannah (Tufts) Simonds. 
 
 Children: Jacob, b. April 24, 1791. 
 
 Charles, b. ]\Iay 5, 1793; d. Sept. 24, 1801. 
 
 Hannah, b. April 25, 1795; m. April 8, 1821, Charles 
 
 Tufts, founder of Tufts College. 
 John, b. April 30, 1797; d. Sept. 22, 1S91. 
 George, b. Dec. 2, 1799; d. Sept. 22, 1801. 
 Charles, b. Isiay 5, 1802: d. May 22, 1886. 
 John, b. Aug. 19, 1804. 
 Harriet, b. Nov. 6, 1806. 
 AIary Ann. b. Feb. 2, 1812. 
 
 Of these we will note only the descendants of the seventh 
 child. Charles, whose second son became the governor of his 
 state. 
 
 Charles married Oct. 16. 1827. Mary Davis [daughter 
 of Abel and Lavinia (Hosmer) Davis]. 
 
 Cliildren: Charles, b. Nov. 6, 1829. 
 
 George Dexter, b. in Lexington, Jan. 20, 1834; d. Feb. 
 22, 1896. 
 
 The early education of George Dexter Robinson was in 
 Lexington, afterwards in the Hopkins Classical School at 
 Cam1)ridge. He entered Harvard College in 1852, graduat- 
 ing in the class of '56 with high rank. He became principal 
 of the High School at Chicopee, Mass., remaining until 1865, 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 37 
 
 when he entered the law office of his brother, Hon. Charles 
 Robinson. Jr., in Charlestown. He was admitted to the bar 
 at Cambridge in March. 1866, and returned to Chicopee. en- 
 gaging- in the practice of law. 
 
 Tn 1874 he was Representative in the Massachusetts Leg- 
 islature, in "76 served in the State Senate. In '76 as Repub- 
 lican candidate he was elected Representative from the 
 Eleventh Congressional District to serve in the Forty-fifth 
 Congress, and afterwards to the Forty-sixth and Forty- 
 seventh. Here he became one of the ablest members as a 
 presiding officer, and easily came to the front as debater on 
 the rules and points of order. 
 
 At the Republican State Convention, Sept. 19. 1883, Mr. 
 Robinson was unanimously nominated for Governor, and 
 entered upon the memorable campaign against Gen. Butler, 
 which resulted in his election ; was re-elected in '84 and '85, 
 serving three years. At the close of his services as Governor, 
 and after ten years of public life, he resumed the practice of 
 his profession in Springfield, with his son, who was after- 
 wards his partner. 
 
 November 24, 1859, he was married to Hannah E., 
 daughter of William Stevens, of Lexington ; she died Sept. 
 5. 1864. 
 
 July II, 1867, he married Susan E., daughter of Joseph 
 F. Simonds, of Lexington. 
 
 His son, Walter Stevens Robinson, was born March 22, 
 1861, graduated at Amherst in '84; married Miss Sarah 
 Homans, and resides in Springfield. His daughter, Annie 
 Florence, born October 41, 1869, graduated at Smith College 
 in '91, and is the wife of Herbert \\'. Wright, of Springfield. 
 Mass. 
 
 Mr. Robinson recei\ed the degrees — A. B. (Harvard, 
 '56) ; A. M. (Harvard. '59) ; L. L. D. (Amherst, '84) ; L. L. 
 D. (Harvard, '86). 
 
 He was an eminent Governor, one of the leaders at the 
 Bar. and was universally esteemed and trusted. He led a 
 very active and busy life, and in the midst of honorable 
 work and duties was suddenly stricken with apoplexy, dying 
 
38 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 at his home in Chicopee after a short ilhiess, Feb. 22, 1896, 
 at the age of sixty-two.* 
 
 JAMES ROBINSON. 
 
 James Rol>inson (son of Jonathan), as the father of 
 El)enezer Robinson, merits a larger notice than we shah be 
 able to give to his life, for the recorded facts are few, and 
 there is no other kn(jwledge of him extant which we have 
 been able to obtain. The farm evidentl}- descended to him 
 and he must ha\'e there li\-ed a (|uiet life of contentment in 
 daily duties. He married three times, and had eleven chil- 
 dren. He was admitted to the Church, INIarch 10, 1765. 
 
 James Robinson married ]\Iay 23, 1751, Anna Trask. 
 
 She died, and he married JMargaret , by whom he 
 
 had eight children. She died Nov. 5, 1767, and he married 
 
 third. Elizabeth , by whom he had three children. f 
 
 He died Aug. 12. 1774. 
 
 CHILDREN OF JAMES AND MARGARET. 
 
 Ri-TH KoiiiNsoN, b. Jan. 28, 1753. 
 
 Joseph Robinson, 1). ]March 1755; Soldier of Revolution; d. 
 
 July 5, 1784. 
 Silas, b. Feb. 20, 1757; m. Lydia. 
 Asa. b. Jan. 19, 1759; Soldier of Revolution in the campaign to 
 
 New York, 1776. 
 James, b. Nov. 26, 1760; m. ]\Iay 25, 1787, Judith Reed, of Wo' 
 
 burn ; Soldier of the Revolution. 
 Rhoda, b. May 10, 1763; d. young. 
 Ebenezer, b. Feb. 14, 1765; d. 1857. 
 Persis, 1). Jan. 2-,, 1767; baptized Feb. i, 1767. 
 
 CHILDREN OF JAMES AND ELIZABETH. 
 
 Jonas, b. May 18, 1770: baptized L")cc. 5, 1773. 
 
 RiionA. baptized Oct. 20. 1771 : m. Simeon Snow, May 24, 1781. 
 
 Lydia, b. Jan. 2, 1773. 
 
 *For the above facts of Governor Robinson's career, acknowledgment is due 
 to his widow, Mrs. Susan E. Robinson of Chicopee, Mass. 
 
 tThe records of early colonial days were generally carefully kept, but as 
 time passed on, less care was exercised, and the difficulty of obtaining exact names 
 and dates increases. W'e have not been able to ubtain the family names of the 
 second and third wives of James Robinson. 
 
 Note — The facts concerning the last three children are incorrectly given in 
 Hudson's Lexington. Cambridge records are here followed. 
 

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 rt 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 a 
 
 
 
 
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 aj 
 
 
 N 
 
 
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 V 
 
 
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 W 
 
 
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 z 
 
 
 
 w 
 
 
 w 
 
 J3 
 
 « 
 
 O 
 
 
 
 
 z 
 
 In 
 
 o 
 
 
 H 
 
 
 -J 
 
 "o 
 
 z 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 o 
 
 >^ 
 
 t/: 
 
 w 
 
 ^C 
 
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 [5 
 
 
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40 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 It will thus he seen that James Robinson had four sons 
 who served as patriots in the Revolutionary war — Joseph, 
 Asa, James and Ebenezer. His oldest son, Joseph, was a 
 member of Capt. Parker's company and participated in the 
 battle of Lexington, the first act' of the Revolutionary 
 drama.* He married ]\Irs. Betty Hadley, the widow of his 
 comrade, Samuel Hadley. who was killed in battle on the 
 immortal April 19. 1775, at the battle of Lexington. Joseph 
 Robinson enlisted with the eight months' men in 1775. and 
 ser\e(l with the twehe months' men the year following, and 
 subsequently entered the C\)ntinental Army. 
 
 Hudson says : "He lived to enjoy the bounty of his coun- 
 try and to see her prosperous and happy, and died April 14, 
 1830. His wife died Feb. 9, 1831." 
 
 Children: Rhoda, b. ]\Iay 17, 1781 ; m. May 17, 1810, John Gam- 
 mell, of Charlestown, and d. Sept. 11, 1861. 
 
 Margaret, b. Feb. 20, 1783. 
 
 Nancy, b. Jan. 30. 1785; ni. July 20, i8og, Thomas 
 Cutter, of West Cambridge. 
 
 Joseph, b. July 14. 1787; m. Lydia Gair, of Boston; d. 
 May 18, 1822. 
 
 John Gammell, the husband of Rhoda Robinson, born 
 Nov. 12, 1785, died Oct. i, 1866, was the son of William 
 Gammell, a soldier of the Revolution, (b. 1750). They 
 were married Alay 17, 18 10. 
 
 Their children were : 
 
 JoKN^ b. Jan. 13, 1812. 
 
 Eliza, b. Aug. 21, 1813 ; d. July 14, 1848. 
 
 Franklin, b. May 29, 1815; d. Feb. 22, 1842. 
 
 Eben. b. March 7, 1817; d. ^lay, 1890. 
 
 Margaret Ann, b. Nov. i, 1818; d. Nov. 12, 1850. 
 
 Jonas, b. Oct. 10, 1820 ; d. (1878?). 
 
 Lucy, b. Jan. i, 1822; d. Dec. 22, 1889. 
 
 James Robinson, Jr., who was the brother and comrade 
 of Ebenezer, and settled with him in South Reading, Vt., in 
 
 *NoTE — His name is found on the Roll of the Company in Hudson's History 
 of Lexington, p. 383. 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 41 
 
 1/88. had a large family of children whose history does not 
 properly come within the scope of this sketch. He married 
 Judith Read and their children were as follows : 
 
 James Robinson. 1). Nov. 26th, 1761, Lexington, Mass.; m. May 25, 
 1787; d. Nov. 29th 1836. 
 
 Judith Reed Robinson, his wife, b. March 6th, 1768, Woburn, 
 Mass. ; d. Jan. 27th, 1857. 
 
 Children : 
 
 James, Jr., b. March 20th, 1788: d. April 19th, 1847. 
 
 Lucy F., b. Dec. 8th, 1879; d. Sept. 4th, 1869. 
 
 Ebenezer, b. April 8th, 1791 ; d. ALirch ist, 1883:'^ 
 
 Mary Reed, b. Dec. 17th. 1792; d. May i6th, 1842. 
 
 Betsy, b. Oct. 3rd, 1794; d. Dec. 12th, 1842. 
 
 Sally, b. May 19th, 1797; d. Sept. nth, 1814. 
 
 Nancy, b. Nov. 27th, 1798; d. Jnly 25th, 1893. 
 
 LvDiA. b. Nov. 23rd, iSoo; d. Aug. 31st, 1886. 
 
 Ezra and Lois, b. Dec. 8th, 1802; Ezra died June 26th, 1875; 
 
 Lois died June 14th, 1888. 
 Eleanor, b. Jan. 22nd, 1806; d. June 25th, 1900. 
 Rosilla, b. July 29th, 1809; d. Dec. 17th, 1891. 
 Allen Reed, b. April 28th, iSii ; d. Oct. 6th, 1840. 
 Noah B., b. July 2nd, 1813; d. Oct. ist, 1839. 
 
 James Robinson and his wife lived and died in Reading 
 and their large family mostly lived and died in that vicinity. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 CHILDREN OF EBENEZER ROBINSON. 
 
 TJic Oldest Soil, Lczcis Robinson, and Descendants. 
 
 Of the children of Ebenezer Robinson we note that 
 Jonas (hed in infancy, Sally Town when a girl of fourteen, 
 and Cahin when a ])romising- young- man of twentv-one 
 years. Two unmarried daughters. Hannah and Rhoda, 
 continued to live in the old homestead, and both died, ad- 
 vanced in years, in 1873. The nephews of Rhoda Robinson 
 speak of her as an ideal maiden aunf. kind, affectionate and 
 sprightly. Although quite deaf, she was active and indus- 
 trious and helpful to her many relatives. 
 
 Lewis Robinson, the oldest son. became a man of prom- 
 inence in his native town. The following sketch of his life 
 was written by his oldest son, Calvin L. Robinson, for "The 
 History of Reading." 
 
 "Lewis Robinson ( b. Aug. 19, 1793: d. Nov. 16, 1871). 
 was the eldest child of Ebenezer and Hannah Acklev Robin- 
 son. He was raised on the farm cleared bv his father, being 
 employed nine months in the year in tilling the land, and 
 attending school for three months in the winter. To these 
 advantages for an education were added one term at the old 
 Academv at Duttonsville. and another at a High School in 
 Granville. N. Y. 
 
 The sons rmd daughters of the early settlers of Ver- 
 mont were content to build their homes around their ances- 
 tral hearth stones, and the subject of our sketch with his 
 five brothers and sisters, all settled in or near the village of 
 South Reading, Vt., lived and died there, and were buried 
 in the <>ld \illage grave}-ard on the hill. Lewds Robinson 
 prove<l himself a man of marked ability and energy. Soon 
 after he came of age he engaged in the business of book 
 ])ul)lishing, establishing a printing othce at Greenbush. He 
 
 42 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 43 
 
 published a number of works there, and soon after went 
 into the copper plate printing and the publication of maps 
 and Scripture paintings at South Reading. In the map 
 manufacture he found a large field. He was one of the most 
 extensive C()i)per plate map publishers. In 1836 with two of 
 his brothers-in-law, he established a large mai) publishing 
 house in Akron, Ohio. In 1839, he opened a store, and 
 soon after built a starch mill and carried on starch manu- 
 facturing. 
 
 In 1844, he established a branch of his mai) business at 
 Stanstead, Lower Canada, and published there Canadian 
 maps. In truth Lewis Robinson showed a business capacity 
 of an uncommon order. 
 
 In politics he was a staunch \\diig until the organization 
 of the Republican party, when he found himself in sympathy 
 with this new movement and voted with the part}-. For 
 himself he would never seek nor accept any political office. 
 He was not a man of many words, but took a serious view 
 of life, and went aliout everything' with the air of one who 
 feels he has a mission to perform on earth, and an account 
 to render for his stewardship here. For many years he 
 was a faithful member of the Methodist Enisconal Church. 
 He lived to the age of seventy-eight years and died at his 
 residence in South Reading, Nov. i6th, 1871. 
 
 Among the sons of Reading who remained in their native 
 hills none showed greater ability and perseverance than 
 Lewis Robinson. The former prosperity of South Reading 
 was mainly due to his efforts, and even yet the marks of 
 the enterprise of Lewis Robinson stand in his native village 
 to attest to hiis vigorous character, rugged and strong, like 
 the hills of his native state." 
 
 Sarah Manning, wife of Lewis Robinson, was born 
 Aug. 6th, 1803, and was the daughter of Levi Manning, of 
 Cavendish, Vt. He was born in Townsenfl, Mass., July 
 29th, 1766, and was the seventh generation from William 
 Manning, wlio came to America about the year 1634 and 
 settled in Cambridge, Mass., and whose grandson. Samuel, 
 settled in Billerica. Mass., on the old Manning homestead 
 
a 
 
 •a 
 
 CO 
 
 y c 
 
 ^1 ^ 
 
 H4 O 
 
 w ^ 
 
 •X 
 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 45 
 
 which is preserved and remains in the Manning family to 
 this day. This history of this family, numbering 6,014 
 persons, is fully given by William H. Manning, of Ayer, 
 Mass., in a volume entitled, 'TJic Manning Fauiily,' pub- 
 lished at Salem, Mass., 1902," page 292. Sarah Manning 
 married Lewis Robinson, Oct. 25, 1825. 
 
 Mrs. Robinson was a woman of unusual character and 
 energy, and an excellent wife and mother. She was gifted 
 in mind and unselfish in disposition, sacrificing her own com- 
 forts in order that her children should be well educated. She 
 had the pleasure of seeing them all comfortably situated in 
 life. She ^^'as a great lover of music, and was an able and 
 influential woman in her ^'illage — was an active member 
 of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and always full of good 
 works. She survived her husband oxer twenty-one years, 
 and during much of this time she li\'ed during the wdnter 
 with some one of her children and in summer at her old 
 homestead in South Reading, where she died peacefully 
 while making preparations for the celebration of her nine- 
 tieth birthday." 
 
 Lewis and Sarah Roljinson had seven children. Their 
 v^escendants are recorded as follows : 
 
 I. Caroline Malvina. b. April 25th, 1827. She was 
 educated in the public schools, afterward at the Chester 
 Academy and at Newbury Seminary, finishing with a 
 musical course in the Boston Conservatory of Music. Sub- 
 sequently she was teacher of music at the Springfield ( \t. ) 
 Wesleyan Seminar}' and taught two or three terms of select 
 school. She was married iMarch ist, 1849, to Alden Speare, 
 of Boston, Mass., and b\- him was the m()ther of seven chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Alden Speare (b. Oct. 26, 1825, d. Mar. 22, 1902), was 
 born at Chelsea, Vermont, and was of sterling New England 
 stock. His father, a physician, was a man of great energy, 
 business capacity and of staunch Christian character, who 
 died at the early age of fifty-one, when Alden, the older son. 
 then attending Newbury Seminary, felt compelled to leave 
 school to settle his father's estate. 
 
46 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 For nearly fifty-eight years he identified himself with 
 the commercial, educational and religions interests of Bos- 
 ton. Mr. Speare's success in husiness is manifested hv his 
 prciminent connection with the great enter])rises of railroad 
 i>uilding', heing directtjr for many years of the Santa Fe & 
 Mexican Central R. R. Systems. His judgment, energy, 
 and foresight were potent factors in the estal)lishment of 
 several important railwa}- lines. He was also the second 
 mayor of the City of Newton. 
 
 Alden Speare was an active member of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, was lay delegate to the (General Confer- 
 ence of 1888, and became one of the Board of Managers of 
 the Missionary Society of that denomination. He also did 
 much work in connection with the Young Men's Christian 
 Association, being I'resident of this Association in Boston in 
 1857, and also of the Boston Wesleyan Association for 
 many years. Since 1872 Alden Speare has been a Trustee 
 of Boston University, to which he contributed noble gifts. 
 His benefactions were large to many other educational and 
 charitable institutions. 
 
 Alden Speare was a man noted for his business and per- 
 sonal integrity. But greater than his business capacity and 
 his tireless service for every good cause, is the unsullied char- 
 acter he bore through life. He died suddenly at Pasadena, 
 Cab, Mar. 22d. 1902. The following were the children born 
 to Air. and Mrs.. Speare: 
 
 1. Sarah Jane. ]jorn August 22ii(l, 1S51, and died Sept. 14th, 1851. 
 
 2. Herbert Aldex. born Aug. 27th, 1852. He was marrieii June 14U1, 
 1875, to Rhoda H. Brickett, of Newton Centre, Mass., and became a 
 business man of much prominence, entering tlie firm of Alden Speare's 
 Sons & Co., of Boston. He died Oct. 14th, 1887. 
 
 Their chihlren are: 
 
 Florence, li. June 6, 1876. 
 
 Emma, b. Sept. 28, 1879; m. Feb. 19, 1901, to Frederick Gould 
 
 and to them a daughter Lois was born April 5, 1903. 
 Alden Hebrert, b. May 18. iS'S^. 
 
 3. liMMA Caroline, b. Dec. 8ih, 1855; m . Oct. 3rd. 1876, to Rev. 
 William Edwards Huntington, and died .Marcli 3rd, 1877. 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 47 
 
 4- Ella :\Iaria, 1). March 28th, 1858; m. May loth. 1881, Rev. Will- 
 iam Edwards Huntington. 
 
 William Edwards Huntington was born in Hillsborough, Illinois, 
 July 30th, 1844. He served in two campaigns in the war ; in 1864, as 
 private in the 40th Wisconsin and as First Lieutenant in 1865 in the 
 49th Wisconsin Regiment. 
 
 He was graduated at the L'niversity of Wisconsin in 1870, obtain- 
 ing there his degrees of A. B. and A. AL From the Boston L^niversity 
 he received the degrees of S. T. B. and Ph. D. He preached in 
 Nahant. Jamaica Plains, Rosindale, Newton, Harvard St. Church, 
 Cambridge, and in 'Fremont St. Church, Boston. 
 
 He studied in Germany in 1880 for one year. In 1882 he was 
 made Dean of the College of Liberal Arts of Boston University. 
 On the resignation of Dr. Warren, he was elected Acting President 
 of Boston University. 
 
 Dr. and Airs. Huntington have four children as follows: 
 
 Raymond Edwards, b. June 28th, 1882, 
 
 Emma Caroline, b. Jan. i6th, 1884; died September, 1884, 
 
 Genevieve, b. July 29th, 1892. 
 
 Miriam, b. Nov. 21st, 1897. 
 
 5. Lewis Robinson, b. June 6th, 1861 : m. Nov. 20th, 1883, to Edith 
 Burgess Holway, daughter of Rev. Dr. W. O. Holway, a retired chap- 
 lain in the U. S. Navv. They have one child. Caroline Alalvina, b. April 
 20th, 1885. 
 
 Mr. Lewis Robinson Speare received his education in the Public 
 and High Schools of Newton. In 1880 he entered the employ of 
 Speare, Gregory & Co., and in 1882 was admitted as a partner. In 
 1886 a special partnership of Alden Speare's Sons & Co. was formed, 
 Mr. Speare was soon made senior partner of the same. The business 
 has grown to large proportions, being now an incorporated company with 
 houses in Boston. New York and Chicago. He is at present the 
 President of this Company. He is also President and Treasurer of 
 the Ashland Emery & Corundum Co., and President of the Crystal 
 Springs Manufacturing Co., and Wheat Starch Co. Air. Speare is a 
 man of large business interests, and his success is accounted for by the 
 devotion and ability that he has given to his interests. 
 
 6. AIinnie Gertrude, b. Oct. 22nd, 1862; m. April 25tli. 1894, to 
 William Ingraham Haven. Thev have one child, Gladvs, b. Julv 26th, 
 
 1895. 
 
 William Ingraham Haven, D. D., son of Bishop Gilbert Haven 
 of the Alethodist Episcopal Church, b. in Westfield, Alass., Jan. 30, 1856; 
 graduated from Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, Mass., in 1873 ; 
 from Wesleyan L'niversity, Aliddletown, Ct.. in 1877, and from 
 Boston University School of Theology in 1881. Entered the New 
 England M. E. Conference in 1881, was pastor of Eggleston Square 
 Church, Saratoga St. Church, Boston, and of the Church in Newton 
 Centre and Brookline. In 1898 he was elected Secretary of the Ameri- 
 can Bible Society, which position he still holds. 
 
48 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 7. EinvAKi) Ray, b. Sept. 21st. 1872; m. Oct. 30>h, 1894, to Dorothy 
 Simmons. 1). Fel). u, 1874. She was graduated from Boston University 
 with the degree of Pli. 1!.. June, 1894. 
 
 Mr. Edward Ray Sjjcare is ^i graduate of the College of Liberal 
 Arts, of Boston University. .After graduating he became connected 
 with the business founded by his father in 1851. He is the \'ice- 
 Presiclent and General Manager of the Alden Speare's Sons & Company, 
 Secretary and Treasurer of the Water Paint Company of America. 
 He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Boston University ; 
 is Treasurer of the Blair and Le Larm Veneer Company; secretary of 
 the Ashland Emery and Corundum Company, and director in various 
 other industrial concerns. His children are: 
 
 Albert Robinson, b. April 1.2th. iSg6. 
 Dorothy, b. Dec. 13th, 1897. 
 Virginia, b. Aug. 7th, 1899. 
 
 II. Calvin Lewis, eldest son of Lewis Robinson, was 
 born June 3rd. 1828. He was educated in the ])til)lic schools 
 and at the Newbury and Springfield Seminaries and at the 
 Norwich University, finishing with a two years' course in 
 the L^niversity of Vermont. He was married March ist, 
 1855, to Elizabeth Seymour, b(M-n Jan. 28th, 1834, in 
 Broome, P. O. \\ ith failing health, he entered commercial 
 business in December. 1857, settling in Jacksonville. Florida. 
 Here he carried on a large commercial trade, and in the 
 early part of the War of the Rebellion was. with his family. 
 (lri\en from home, and his store and dock were burned, to- 
 gether with much ^•aluable property, by the rebels. He was 
 succored by the gunboats of the L^nited States navy, which 
 reinstated the Federal authority in that locality. He was a 
 member of the National Republican Convention held in Bal- 
 timore in 1864. that nominated Abraham Lincoln the second 
 time, and was a delegate to General Conference of the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church, held in Baltimore in 1876. He con- 
 tinued his residence, as a staunch. lc\val citizen of the Gov- 
 ernment, in that city until the time of his death, which oc- 
 curred July 4th. 1887. He had the following children: 
 
 I. Arthur Seymour, b. Dec. 2nd, 1857; m. Dec. 25th, 1880, to Mag- 
 gie Alosser. b. Oct. 19th, 1859. Their children are: 
 
 Arthur Mosser, b. Oct. 12th, 1881 ; d. Aug. 21st, 1901. 
 Joseph Ai.hert, b. Feb. i8th, 1890. 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 49 
 
 2 Edward Tkvinc. b. Nov. i2tli, 1859: m. Dec. i6th, 1884, to Alice 
 Barber. Tbeir children are : 
 
 Ralph Howard, b. July 2n(l, 18S6. 
 Carl Lewis, b. Jan. 30th, 1889. 
 Reginald Barker, b. July 20th, 1891. 
 
 Edw.vkd Irving, m. October, 1894, to Lillian Martin. Their children 
 are : 
 
 Solon. Dec. 5th, 1895. 
 
 Lewis ALxrtin, ]\Iay 9th, 1897. 
 
 3. George Lewis, b. Nov. 2nd, 1861 ; d. Nov. 7th, 1861. 
 
 4. William Calvin, b. May 7th. 1864; d. Dec. 17th, 1865. 
 
 5. Annie, b. Sept. ist, 1869; m. June 13th. 1889, to Roland Wood- 
 ward, a civil engineer; b. Oct. 4th, 1868 at Irvington, 111. Their children 
 are : 
 
 Roland Woodward, Jr., b. March 20th, 1890. 
 
 Rose Elizabeth, b. Sept. 3rd, 1892. 
 
 Harold Robinson, b. Dec. nth, 1893. 
 
 Dorothy Russell, b. July 7th, 1895. 
 
 6. Alice Manning, b. July 12th, 1872; m. July i8th, 1896, to David 
 A. Disbrow, b. Feb. loth, 1866. 
 
 7. Ruby Elizabeth b. June 15th, 1875; d. Sept. 9th, 1877. 
 
 III. Eliza Ann, second daug-hter of Lewis Robinson, 
 born Marcli 29th. 1830. She was educated as were 
 the other members of the family, and was mar- 
 ried Sept. 19th, 1849, ^^ Jo^in S. Clark, of Lunenburg, 
 Vt.. who was born Sept. 4th, 1822. They settled on the 
 well-known Judge Clark meadow farm in the oxbow of the 
 Connecticut River in Lunenburg-, Vt. At the breaking- out 
 of the War of the Rebellion, Mr. Clark entered the military 
 service of the Vermont Volunteers and was appointed cap- 
 tain of Company K, Eight Vermont Volunteers, Col. 
 Stephen Thomas, which regiment was ordered to New Or- 
 leans in the fall of 1862. He performed military service 
 until the following spring' in the expedition of Major Gen- 
 eral Butler, when he was stricken with dysentery and died 
 
50 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 in the hospital ]\Iarch 20th. 1863. The following children 
 were born t<» them : 
 
 1. Lewis S. Clark, b. Dec. 17th. 1850. He now resides in Seattle, 
 Wash. 
 
 2. John C. Clark, b. June 3rd. 1852. He was educated in Detroit, 
 Mich., while Hving with his uncle. George O. Robinson, and afterwards 
 returned to Vermont. For several years he was cashier of the Chelsea 
 ( Vt. ) National Bank, and subsequently was cashier of the First National 
 Bank of St. Johnsbury, \'t.. and represented the town of St. Johnsbury 
 in the State Legislature in 1894-5. He is now secretary and treasurer 
 of Messrs. E. and T. Fairbanks & Co. Scale Works, of St. Johnsbury. 
 He was married April 14th, 1881, to Lida Puffer, of Grand Isle, \'t., 
 who was born March 4th, 1863. Their children are: 
 
 Robert Puffer, b. INIarch 20th, 1882. He was educated in St. 
 Johnsbury Academy and is now connected with the Fair- 
 banks" Scale Co. 
 
 Margaret Robinsox, b. May 15th, 1884. 
 
 Arthur Daxa, b. March 26th. 1889. 
 
 Dorothea, b. Nov. 5th, 1898. 
 
 3. Flora Ella. b. Dec. 12th. 1853. She was married Nov. i8th, 1875, 
 to A. D. Rowell, who was born February, 1839, and died June 17th, 
 1893, in St. Johnsbury. V^t. Mr. Rowell carried on the business of 
 jewelry, silverware and watchmaking in St. Johnsbury, to which busi- 
 ness his wife succeeded. 
 
 4. George Robinson Clark, b. Sept. 9th, 1859. He was educated at 
 the St. Johnsbury Academy, and entered the profession of dentistry. 
 He married Mona Maynard, of Northfield, Vt., and settled in his 
 profession in Boston, Mass. He has been a member of the celebrated 
 Ruggle Street Baptist Church choir for twenty years. 
 
 Mrs. Eliza Ann Clark re-married Nov. 12th. 187 1, 
 her second hnsband being Edward E. Brown, a merchant 
 of St. T''>hnsbnry. Vt.. who was born in Berlin. \'t.. in 1819. 
 Both ]\Ir. and Mrs. Brown are still residing in St. Johns- 
 bury. 
 
 JV. George O., second son of Lewis Robinson, was 
 born at South Reading. Yi.. June 14th. 1832. enjoyed the 
 usual advantages of a public school education, as- 
 sisted his father in various de])artments of busi- 
 ness and at the age of seventeen commenced 
 teaching school and studied to fit himself for college at 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 51 
 
 Newbury (Vt.) Seminary. He g-raduated from the Uni- 
 versity of Vermont in 1857 as salntatorian of his class. He 
 stndied law and was atlmitted to the l^ar in 1858. For two 
 years he practised law in Wisconsin, and in the spring" of 
 1 86 1 remo\'ed to Detroit, Michigan, forming a law partner- 
 shij) with Da\id A\'. Brooks in 1862. The tirm made a 
 specialty of the collection of claims npon the Government 
 arising ont of the Civil War. The partnership was dis- 
 solved in 1872, when the new firm of Robinson & Flinn was 
 formed, giving special attention to the title, care and sale 
 of pine lands and pine land estates. He has con- 
 ducted large and important business interests, lieing at the 
 present time especially interested in iron mines. He has 
 taken an active interest in the affairs of the city where he 
 has lived, and for some years was an active member of the 
 Board of Education. 
 
 In charital)le and religious work he has always been 
 acti^•e. He was one of the original members of 
 the Young- Men's Christian Association, and has been an 
 active and influential member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, ha\ing l)een a lay delegate to the General Confer- 
 ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1896, and was 
 for a time a member of the important Book Committee of 
 the Church. He was the organizer and principal founder 
 of the Michigan Christian Advocate, and has been for a 
 number of years the president of the company which pub- 
 lishes it. He has traveled extensively both in his own coun- 
 try and in foreign lands, and has written of his tra\'els as 
 well as of other sul)jec"s. 
 
 (leorge O. Robinson married, Sept. 2/, 1859, Helen 
 Mather, who was a daughter of Atla E. Mather, 
 the first crockery merchant of Detroit. He was a direct de- 
 scendant of the Mather familw well known in the eai^ly his- 
 tory of Massachusetts. ( See hist(;ry of the Mather familv.) 
 Helen Alather was educated in the schools of Detroit, and 
 also at the well-known Female Seminarv at Burlington, Vt. 
 Her mother, Lois Yale, was a daughter of Lyman Yale, of 
 Charlotte, Yt., a descendant of the brother of the f(»under of 
 
52 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 Yale Colleg'e. She was a woman of fine tastes and manners 
 and was liighly gifted in mnsic. She died Jan. loth, 1890, 
 leaving" four children, wdio still snrvive. 
 
 For his second wife. George O. Robinson married. May 
 7. i8yi, jane M. Bancroft, the daughter of Rev. George 
 C. Bancroft and Caroline Orton Bancroft. She is a gradu- 
 ate of the celebrated school of Mrs. Emma Willard at Troy, 
 N. Y., the State Normal School at Albanx', and in 1877 of 
 Syracuse l^nixersity. Later she obtained in course, upon 
 examination, the degree of Master and Doctor of Philoso- 
 phy. Miss Bancroft was the Dean of the Woman's College 
 of the Northwestern University, at Evanston, Illinois, from 
 1877 until 1886. She spent the years 1886 to 1888 at the 
 Universities of Zurich and Paris, making history a special 
 study. \\'hile in Europe she became greatly interested in 
 Christian philanthrophy, and later wrote a work entitled, 
 "Deaconness in Europe and Their Lessons for America." 
 She is at the present time the First Vice-President and Trus- 
 tee of the Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church and Secretary of its Deaconess Bu- 
 reau. Both Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are greately interested 
 in philanthropic work, in the charities of Detroit as also in 
 many other causes. 
 
 The children of George O. and Helen (Mather) Robin- 
 son are : 
 
 I. Frederick Austin. 1). July 27, 1S60, was educated in the 
 schools of Detroit and at the Academy in St. Johnsbury, Vt. He 
 graduated from the Literary Department of tlie LIniversity of Michi- 
 gan in 1882. degree A. B., and from the Law Department of the Univer- 
 sity of Michigan in 1883, degree LL. B. He was married May 3, 
 1888, to Clara Louise Hayes, of Detroit, wdio was Iwrn ALarch 17, 1861, 
 daughter of Josiah D. Hayes, a prominent railroad official, originator of 
 the system of through bills of lading to foreign countries and an 
 authority on inter-state commerce. They have two children. 
 
 Frederick H.-wes, b. Aug. 24, 1898. 
 AL\RioN Louise, b. Aug. 16, 1901. 
 
 Mr. Robinson is a citizen of public spirit, devoted to the interests 
 of his city. He has served ten years as a member of the Board of Esti- 
 mates of Detroit, and one term as the President of the Board. He is 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 53 
 
 Managing Director of the Farrand Organ Company, and has been for 
 a number of years connected in business with the firm of Robinson & 
 Flinn, Attorneys, interested in pine and iron lands. 
 
 2. Caroline Manning, b. Aug. loih, 1863, was educated at Profes- 
 sor Sill's Detroit Female Seminary and at the Painesville, O., Young 
 Ladies' Institute. She was married to George L. Chesebrongh, Dec. 
 22nd, 1886, and has resided for the last ten years in the city of Duluth, 
 Minn. 
 
 George L. Chesebrough was born Feb. 26th, 1862, in Sandusky, 
 O., is the son of Alfred Chesebrough, at one time Controller and 
 Library Commissioner of the City of Detroit, and largely interested in 
 vessel transportation. George L. Chesebrough is engaged in the devel- 
 opment of mining lands. 
 
 3. George Alta, b. Jan. nth, 1868, was educated in the Detroit Pub- 
 lic Schools and graduated from the St. Johnsbury, Vt., Academy. 
 He afterwards spent three years in civil engineering on the Santa 
 Fe R. R,, under the direction of his cousin, Albert A. Robin- 
 son, chief engineer of the road. Later he took the engineering 
 course at the L'niversity of ^lichigan, and has since been chiefly 
 employed as a civil engineer in the office of the Detroit City Engineer. 
 He was married Jan. 5th, 1899, to Antoinette Bloom (b. April 6, 1872), 
 of Detroit, a daughter of Mr. Nelson Bloom. They have one child, 
 George Mather Robinson, born Nov. 24th, 1901. 
 
 4. William Henry, b. Sept. 9th, 1874, and died Dec. loth, 1878. A 
 most promising boy. 
 
 5. Emma Mabel, b. Nov. 13th. 1876, was educated and graduated 
 from the Detroit Home and Day School, and was later at Mt. Vernon 
 Seminary, Washington, D. C. 
 
 The following are younger children of Lewis and Sarah 
 Robinson : 
 
 V. Sarah Jane, third daughter of Lewis Robinson, 
 born May 11, 1834, was educated in select schools and at 
 Springfield Seminary. She developed a fine talent for paint- 
 ing water colors and for music, but was prematurely 
 stricken with disease and died Alarch 7, 1855. 
 
 VL Cornelia Eglantine, born Nov., 1840, died Dec. 
 1841. 
 
 VIL Flora Ella, born March, 1845, ^Hed Sept., 1845. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 MARVIN ROBINSON, 
 
 Fourth Son of Ebc7iezcr Robinson. 
 
 Compiled from a Sketch Written by his Son, Frank M Robinson, Esq. 
 of Dubuqiie, Iowa, for the History of Reading. 
 
 "Marvin Robinson, the fourth son and fifth child of 
 Ebenezer Robinson, was born March 24, 1800, on what is 
 known as the 'Old Esquire Robinson Farm' at South Read- 
 ing. Until he was twenty-one years of age he assisted his 
 father in clearing away the forests and carrying on the 
 farm. Soon after reaching his majority he commenced the 
 business of tanning in South Reading, and continued it 
 with such success as to acquire not only what was considered 
 a competence, but an amount sufficient to numl^er him 
 among the wealthier men of Reading. Later he abandoned 
 the tanner and currier's trade altogether and farming was 
 his principal occupation up to the time of his death. 
 
 He filled several offices of trust in his native town, having 
 been seven times elected one of the selectmen, which position 
 he was fillino- at the time of his death. He was chosen lister 
 one or more years and served his townsmen in other posi- 
 tions of trust and responsibility. In politics he was a Whig, 
 but when the issues upon which that party was founded no 
 longer existed, he gave his vote and his support to the 
 newly formed Repul)lican party. He was not a politician or 
 partisan farther than the principles of his party, in his judg- 
 ment, conduced to the general public welfare. 
 
 He was a man of great physical strength and endur- 
 ance. Whatever he aimed to accomplish he labored for with 
 a perseverance and energy that distanced many a man of 
 weaker will and less physical power. A man of good judg- 
 ment and sound practical sense himself in regard to all the 
 
 54 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 55 
 
 business and duties that came within the range of his obser- 
 vation, and measuring everything by a matter of fact test. 
 he entertained but poor opinion of all theories and schemes 
 in which he could see no tangible value or practical utility. 
 
 His early education was limited to that afforded by the 
 common schools, and a wider range of scholastic training he 
 deemed quite unnecessary for the successful business man. 
 His sons he taught the hard lessons of self-reliance and 
 economy by making them, from early boyhood, dependent 
 upon their own resources for all beyond necessary food and 
 clothing, and when they reached manhood, the same austere 
 discipline compelled them, unaided, to make their own place 
 in the world and be the founders as well as architects of 
 their own fortunes. 
 
 His opinions he held firmly and the fear or favor of nc 
 man ever checked their free expression, while his unswerv- 
 ing integrity of purpose and character were never called in 
 question by friend, neighbor or townsman. By nature, 
 stern and strong himself, his discipline and judgment of 
 others may have sometimes seemed to be severe, but severity 
 was never allowed to overbalance what he believed to be the 
 even scale of justice. 
 
 New England, almost from the rocks, has been made the 
 Eden she is, through the energy, economy, perseverance and 
 practical intelligence of men of his type." 
 
 Marvin Robinson (b. March 24. 1800; d. Dec. 22, 1866) 
 was twice married, ist. On Oct. 11. 1826. to Lucinda Ful- 
 1am (b. Sept. 13. 1797; d. Nov. 25. 1839). They had seven 
 children. 2nd. On Sept. 22. 1840. to Charlotte Wood (b 
 May 2, 1816. in Hartland, Vermont; d. April 14. 1899. in 
 Felchville). They had three children. 
 
 CHILDREN OF MARVIN AND LUCINDA. 
 
 I. Eranklin Marvin (b. August 2. 1828; d. March 
 25, 1885). who married Eeb. 3. 1857, Laura Goddard 
 Spaulding (b. May 6, 1832; d. June 21, 1889). Mr. Robin- 
 son graduated at Dartmouth College class of 1855. In 1856 
 be removed to Dubuque, Iowa, and practiced law. In 1862 
 
56 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 he formed a partnershii) with Austin Adams, another Dart- 
 mouth man. the hrm 1:)ecomino- later "Adams, Robinson & 
 Lacey." Mr. Robinsun was a sound lawyer, an excellent 
 business man, and actively interested in the citw where he 
 lived for n\-er thirty years. 
 
 1. May Goddaki), h. April 21. i860; m. Oct. 6, 1879, to Judge Ben- 
 jamin W. Lacey; b. March 12, 1849. in Cayuga County, New York; 
 son of Dr. Samuel Lacey and Mary Woodbury Lacey. He graduated 
 from the law department of Columbian College in 1871 ; began the prac- 
 tice of the law in 1872 in Dubuque; was made a judge of the District 
 Court in 1878 and held this position for five years. At present is a 
 member of the law firm of Lacey & Brown, President of the Iowa 
 Trust and Savings Bank, and a Director of the Gas Company, Street 
 Railway and other companies. He has been interested in public insti- 
 tutions, having been President of the Hospital and Library Boards. Of 
 six children born to them, four are living, as follows : 
 
 Frank Robinson, b. Feb. 22. 1881, graduate of Harvard, class 
 
 of 1902, Harvard Law School. 
 BuRRiTT Samuel, b. ^March 4, 1882, graduate of Harvard, class 
 
 of 1903. 
 Clive Woodbury, b. Feb. 4, 1893. 
 Margaret, b. April 16, 1899. 
 
 2. Belle Fullam, b. Aug. 11, 1862; d. April 5, 1887. 
 
 3. Grace, b. March 14, 1S71 ; ni. June 27, 1893, to Westel Woodbury 
 Willoughby, Ph. D., b. July 20, 1867; Professor at Johns Hopkins 
 L^niversity. Children : 
 
 Westel Robinson, b. Nov. i, 1895. 
 Laura Robinson, b. [March i, 1897. 
 
 II. Edwin Auretus, second son of Marvin Robinson, 
 was born Oct. 18th, 1829, was educated in the public schools 
 and after arriving- of age he settled in Boston and became 
 a partner in the wdtolesale provision house of W. F. Robin- 
 son & Co., with his two brothers, and died unmarried Nov. 
 8th, 1892. 
 
 III. Charles Henry, the third son, was born July 
 i8th, 183 T, was educated in Reading-, settled in Boston and 
 entered the firm of \\'. F. Robinson & Co. with his brothers. 
 He was successful in business, married in Boston, and died 
 April 8th, 1902, leaving no children. 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 57 
 
 IV. Wallace Fullam Robinson^ the fourth son of 
 Mar\in, was born Dec. 22, 1832, and educated in Reading, 
 and when a young- man he entered business in the pro- 
 vision market in Boston. His business grew rapidly when 
 he added to it the wholesale and packing business and soon 
 took in partnership his two older brothers under the firm 
 name of \V. F. Robinson & Co. They were all good busi- 
 ness men and were \Qvy successful. Wallace F. Robinson 
 has accumulated a handsome fortune; has lieen President of 
 the Boston Chamber of Commerce and of the Board of 
 Trade, and has been honored in many ways. He has now 
 retired from business with the respect and esteem of his 
 large circle of acquaintances. He married Aug. 19th, 185S, 
 Mary Jane Robinson (born Aug. 20th, 1838), who was a 
 daughter of Ezra Robinson, son of James Robinson, men- 
 tioned as brother of Ebenezer in this sketch. Their children 
 are as follows : 
 
 Fred Walter, b. Sept. 10, 1859; d. June 7, 1893. 
 Harry Ezra, 1). Oct. 17, 187.2. 
 
 V. Forrest Alonzo, b. May 29, i8^s; d. March 19, 
 1836. 
 
 VI. Maria France.s, b. Jan. 2, 1837; m. March 2"/, 
 1857. James Orville Whitten. 
 
 VII. Elmer Dl^ane, b. July 15, 1838; d. Dec. 4. 1893; 
 m. Sept. 14, 1862, Lorette C. Hawkins ( b. March 11, 1838), 
 Children : 
 
 Erwin Elmer, 1). Aug. 6, 1865; m. April 30, 1900, to Serena 
 
 Sheldon, b. Oct. 24, 1868. 
 Arthur Hawkins, b. May i, 1874. 
 
 Elmer Duane, when about two years of age, his mother 
 ha^'ing died, was adopted by his aunt, Eliza Robinson Keyes, 
 wife of Washington Keyes, whose surname. "Keyes," was 
 henceforth his name. 
 
 He entered the Ci\il \\\ar as lieutenant, was promoted to 
 
58 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 the rank of captain, and his company, with its regiment, took 
 a prominent part in the l)attle of Gettysburg. JMr. Keyes 
 went to Rutland. Vermont, in 1870, and entered in the retail 
 grocery business, which gradually assumed large proportions, 
 a wholesale branch being also established. He became the 
 head of the largest firm in the wholesale grocery business in 
 the State of Vermont. In June, 1865, Mr. Erwin E. Keyes 
 was taken into partnership. Mr. Keyes was a man of the 
 most thorough and painstaking instincts; was prominent in 
 business affairs, was a director in banks and other financial 
 institutions, and commanded to an unusual extent the respect 
 and confidence of all who were in any way associated with 
 him. 
 
 CPIILDREN OF MARVIN AND CHARLOTTE. 
 
 VIII. Elroy Clement, b. Jan. 30, 1844; d. Oct. 28, 
 1885. He was a merchant of Weathersfield, Vt., and a 
 member of the Vermont Legislature. 
 
 IX. Delia Ada, b. Jan. 24, 1847; d. Oct. 29, 1851. 
 
 X. Addie Lestina, b. Nov. 7, 1852; d. Aug. 9, 1873, 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 EBENEZER ROBINSON, Jr. 
 
 Ebenezer Robinson, Jr., the youngest son of Ebenezer 
 Robinson, was born in South Reading, Sept. 30, 1809. He 
 received his education in the pubHc schools, and while a 
 young man was an active agent in the selling of copper-plate 
 maps of the States of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont 
 for his brother, Lewis Robinson, who was then in the map 
 publishing business. He developed excellent business quali- 
 ties and good judgment, and married Jan. 4, 1837, Adeline 
 Williams (b. Dec. 19, 1814; d. July 18, 1894), the daughter 
 of Samuel Williams and Polly Manning, his wife.* After 
 marriage he settled on his father's farm, which he carried 
 on in connection with his father. He became a citizen much 
 esteemed in his community. He e\'inced those thorough 
 sterling c|ualities of integrity and mechanical and mathemat- 
 ical accuracy which characterized his father, and which have 
 since made themselves manifest in his boys, and was holding 
 office of public trust in the town of Reading when he was 
 suddenly stricken with congestion of the lungs and died 
 Julv 5, 1849, leaving his widow and four childen. 
 
 In 1853 Mrs. Adeline Williams Robinson was married 
 to Mr. Alba Childs, and settled in Wisconsin. 
 
 I. Stillman W., b. March 6. 1838, has been twice 
 married. On Dec. 29, 1863, to Mary Elizabeth Holden 
 (b. Jan. 30, 1839; d. July 29, 1885). Chilidren : 
 
 1. EcKK.v Mazala, I). Oct. 15, 1S69; m. June 23, 1892, Rev. 
 
 Geo. E. Rowe. Four children. 
 
 2. Erdis Geroska, b. Dec. 20, 1872. 
 
 3. Zella, b. Dec. 2, 1877; m. June 4. 1902, to Otto F. Hakes. 
 
 * Note.— See History of the Manning Family. Page 292. 
 
 59 
 
60 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 Mr. Robinson was married April 12, 1888, to Alary 
 Haines. 
 
 "From T/ to 2T years, Stillman \\\ Robinson served an 
 apprenticeship as machinist; at 25 he gradnated from the 
 University of ^Michigan witli the degree of civil engineer; 
 from 25 to 28 years, he was assistant on the United States 
 Lake Survey ; from 28 to 7,2 he was assistant in engineering, 
 University of Michigan; from 32 to 40. professor of Me- 
 chanical Engineering and Physics, University of Illinois; 
 from 40 to 57, professor of Mechanical Engineering, Ohio 
 State University, resigning in 1895 ^'^^^^ §'i^'i"§" attention tc 
 mechanical and scientific su1)jects. In 1896 he was given the 
 degree of D. Sc. ; and in 1899 was made Professor Emeritus 
 in Mechanical Engineering, Ohio State University. 
 
 In 1880-84 be was inspector of railways and bridges for 
 Ohio ; 1887-90, consulting engineer A. T. & S. Fe R. R. ; and 
 in 1887 consulting engineer for the Lick telescope and 
 mountings. 
 
 From 1862 to the present time he has been an inventor, 
 having secured S(jme 40 patents, a goodly number of which 
 have proved of value, especially the eight or ten concerned 
 in shoe manufacture." 
 
 Mr. Robinson is a member of the Am. Soc. Mech. Eng. ; 
 Am. Soc. Civ. Eng. ; of Naval and Alarine Engs. ; a Fellow 
 of the A. A. A. S. ; is author of important articles in soci- 
 eties and periodicals ; of four of Van Nostrand's Science 
 Series; and of a college text book on "Principles and Mech- 
 anism." 
 
 At the Centennial, three awards were granted on appli- 
 ances of his invention, and at the Columbian Exposition, two. 
 
 II. Elna Ali'jioxse, b. Dec. 15, 1839, was twice mar- 
 ried. First, April 27, 1861, at Gardner, Alass., to Melora M. 
 Smith (1). Oct. 15, 1839: d. Aug. 16. 1885). Children: 
 
 1. Sarah Ann, b. March 4, 1862 ; d. ?*[arcli 4, 1S62. 
 
 2. Addie Eva, 1). (3ct. 17, \^()^^: d. Aug-. 27, 1865. 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 61 
 
 3. Gertrude Minnie, b. July 5, 1868; m. Dec. 25, 1887, to 
 W. L. Troyer, b. ; d. April 8, 1893. Children: 
 
 Fannie F., b. Sept. 2-/, 1888. 
 
 M.XBEL, b. Oct. 26, 1891. 
 
 4. Inez AIakv. b. Nov. 28, 1872; ni. Archiliald Boyd, Aug. 
 
 30, 1881. Children; 
 Bert Blaine, b. Jan. 29, 1891. 
 Geo. Archibald, b. Aug. 26, 1892. 
 Wilbur Alphonso, b. Feb. 4, 1895. 
 Neil Dow, b. Dec. zj, 1897. 
 John Robinson, b. July 14, 1900. 
 
 5. Fannie Nettie, b. Aug. 30, 1881. 
 
 Elna A. Rribinsnn m. Nov. 30, 1886, Semphrona E. 
 Stage, (b. ^lar. 4. 1844.) 
 
 From 17 to 21 ^Ir. Robinson served an apprenticeship 
 as a machinist. In 1870-74 he attended the University of 
 IlHnois, graduating- with the degree of M. E., when he be- 
 came assistant in Mechanical Engineering at the same insti- 
 tution. In 1878 he l)ecame partner with Mr. E. M. Burr at 
 Champaign, 111., for general machine construction, as well 
 as improving and manufacturing specialties, and still con- 
 tinues in business in the same city. 
 
 III. Albert Alonzo Robinson, third son of Ebenezer 
 Jr.; b. Oct. 21, 1844; twice married; first, Dec. 6, 1869, 
 Julia Caroline Burdick ; d. Aug. 3. 1880. Second, married 
 September, 1885. Mrs. Eliza Frances Williams, and now 
 resides in Topeka, Kan. 
 
 Albert Alonzo and Julia Caroline had one chikl : 
 
 Metta Burdick Robinson, b. July 17, 1876. 
 
 He was born at South Reading, Vt., and was educated 
 in the public schools, and graduated from the University of 
 Alichigan in 1869, taking the degree of C. E. and B. S., and 
 in 1871, M. S. In June, 1900, the honorary degree of LL. 
 D. was conferred on him by his Ahna Ma\cr. 
 
 His work on railroads i^egan in 1869, when he entered 
 the service of the St. Joseph & Denver City Railroad as axe- 
 man in the engineering corps, and thereafter served succes- 
 
62 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 sivelv as chainman, levelman, transitnirm, office enpfineer. lo- 
 eating' ent^ineer, and as assistant ens^ineer until April i, 187 1 
 Then he became assistant engineer of the A. T. & S. Fe R. R.^ 
 in charge of location and construction, and two rears later, 
 April. 1873. was made Chief Engineer, which position he 
 held until August. 1890. during which period he had charge 
 of the entire construction of the Santa Fe Railway System, 
 including the route through the Grand Canon of the Ark- 
 ansas. 
 
 From June. 1883. to September i. 1883. he was Assistant 
 General Superintendent of the same railroad ; from Septem- 
 ber I. 1883. to March i, 1884. he was General Superintend- 
 ent; from March i. 1884. to February i. 1886. he was Gen- 
 eral Manager; from February i. 1886, to May, 1888, Second 
 Vice-President ; and Second Vice-President and General 
 Manager from May, 1888, until May i, 1893, when he left 
 this system and accepted the Presidency of the Mexican Cen- 
 tral Ry. Co., which position he still holds. 
 
 During his engineering experience, he has had direct 
 charge of the construction of over four thousand five hun- 
 dred miles of railroad in all kinds of countr}-, cm plains and 
 deserts and in mountains and mountain canons. In 1887, 
 the railroad from Pueblo to Denver was constructed and 
 opened for traffic. 116 miles in 216 days, and also 360 miles 
 of the line from Kansas City to Chicago in 276 days. 
 
 Mr. Robinson is a member of the American Society of 
 Civil Engineers. The history of his connection with the 
 Santa Fe Ry. is of deep interest frdm the fact of his unusual 
 success in overcoming obstacles inxohing difficult railway 
 problems. His record will now probably show the highest 
 in railway construction mileage. 
 
 IV. Mary Ella, only daughter of Ebenezer Jr. ; b. 
 Sept. 4, 1847; m. April 24, 1870. Asa N. Phelps, of Spring- 
 field, Wisconsin, where they settled and have since resided, 
 Mr. Phelps carrying on a grocery and grain business at 
 that place. Their children are: 
 
 Gyrus Alba Phelps, b. Fel). 2, i.'^;!. 
 Adeline Williams Phelps, 1). .'\ugust 4, 1X79. 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 63 
 
 ELIZA ROBINSON. 
 
 Eliza Robinson, youngest daughter and ninth chi'M of 
 Ebenezer Robinson, was born May 20. 1807, and married 
 Washington Keyes. of a well known family in Reading, 
 September 29, 183 1, and died Decemlier 13. i860. They 
 settled on the adjoining farm, next northerly of the Eben- 
 ezer Robinson farm, where formerly James, the brother of 
 Ebenezer Robinson, had lived, and which he had cleared, 
 which farm Mr. Keyes greatly improved and enjoyed until 
 some time after the death of his wife. 
 
 They had one child, Laura Malvina Keyes, who was born 
 Sept. 7, 1832, and afterwards they adopted into their family 
 Elmer Duane, the sixth son of Marvin and Lucinda Robin- 
 son, whose mother died in his infancy and who grew up as 
 their child. Having used the name of Keyes in his child- 
 hood, he was ever afterward known by that name. Refer- 
 ence is made to him under the head of Chapter VL in giving 
 the children of Alarvin Robinson. 
 
 Washington Keyes was an intelligent and prosperous 
 farmer and was the representative of his town in the Ver- 
 mont Legislature at the time of the death of his wife. 
 
 Laura M. Keyes married A\'illiam ALanning Williams 
 Sept. 7, 1853. Thev had four children. Lizzie. Arthur, 
 Frank and Flora Ella, the first three of whom died in child- 
 hood. Flora Ella was born Oct. 31. 1865, and was married 
 to William Wallace White Sept. 2, 1879, who died in New 
 York Dec. 11, 1887. 
 
 William M. Williams Avas born April 6, 1824, and was 
 the son of Samuel and Polly (Manning) Williams. (See 
 Chapter VIL as to his sister, Adeline WiHiiams, who mar- 
 ried Ebenezer Robinson Jr.) After carrying on a wooden- 
 ware manufactory in South Reading, he settled in New 
 York citv as cabinetmaker, and died in that city May 19, 
 1897, survived by his wife, Laura (Keyes) Williams, and 
 his daughter. Flora Ella White. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 THE ROBINSON NAME.* 
 
 The person who studies genealogy for the sake of tracing 
 
 descent from some distinguished ancestor is to be pitied. 
 
 Disilhision is his invariable experience. Such persons should 
 
 stud\' Gibbon's sketch of thcvnoble French house of Courte- 
 
 • . . . 
 
 na}', and take the lesson home. Rising from a plebian root. 
 
 active, vigorous individuals pushed forward the fortunes of 
 the Courtenay family until it was C(onnected witli the royal 
 line of France. It remained prominent for a century or two 
 and then it gradually, pitilessly sank until again it was lost 
 to recognition among the masses of the people. The honors 
 had passed away, but the family remained, though its rami- 
 fications were lost among the many. So every family is in- 
 extricably intermingled with all classes and ranks of social 
 life. 
 
 The studv of genealogiv in itself, however, is in manv 
 ways interesting. To trace the characteristics of a family 
 from generation to generation is a psychological investiga- 
 tion. To note the effect of inter-marriage; to study the 
 immediate, marked result of a capable, energetic individual 
 upon all related to him ; to note how environment affects de- 
 velopment of character ; all of these are questions that must 
 concern those who are interested in the life about them. 
 
 The (|uestion of en\'ironment is well illustrated in the 
 descendants of Sanmel Rol)inson. He kept a tavern at 
 Cambridge, a town of schools, close to Boston, which even 
 then was one of the most active intellectual and political 
 centers of the New World. Flis son Samuel grew up in 
 this atmosphere of intellectual ferment, and is it surprising 
 
 Homes of English Names, H. B. Guppy, 1890. English Surnames, Lower, 
 1875. English Surnames, Bardsley, London, 1875. 
 
 6; 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 65 
 
 that his branch of the descendants of WiHiani Robinson has 
 prodnced more statesmen and men of pubhc hfe than any 
 other ? 
 
 Then the study of names, especially of surnames, has a 
 fascination to a thinker. How did they arise? A little re- 
 search shows us that surnames are a mark of advanced civi- 
 lization. Camden, the great antiquary, says that they were 
 not known in England until the time of the English Con- 
 quest. Before that time, every existing deed is signed with 
 a cross and a single name. About the middle of the twelfth 
 century persons of rank l)egan to have some distinctive 
 name in addition to the baptismal name, but such names were 
 hardly known among the middle and lower classes before 
 the fifteenth century. Then all kinds of designations arose 
 and in various ways. One person would be named by his 
 occupation ; a mason, a carpenter, a miner ; another from 
 local names, as field, grove, lake ; another from the place 
 where he resided, as Norman, Poland, Scott; others from 
 the baptismal name of the father. 
 
 The English surname of Robinson was derived from the 
 baptismal name of Robert, itself a Teutonic name. A few 
 of the derivations are as follows : 
 
 Robarts, Robins, Robinson, Roberts, Robertson, Robison, 
 Robson and Roby. Then we have the nickname of Dob 
 for Robert, from which has come Dobbs, Dobson, Dobbins. 
 Dobinson, and Dobynette, and from Hob, another nickname 
 for Robert, has come Hobbs, Hobson, Hobbins, Hopkins, 
 and Hopkinson. From the \\'elsh we have Ap-robert, Ap- 
 robin, and the contractions, Probert and Probyn. 
 
 Robert was a frequent name among the people, and the 
 following fact may be one of the reasons for its so being : 
 Salverte says that when the European states were converted 
 to the Christian faith, pagan names were laid aside and new 
 names were imposed at the baptism of the converts. Nobles 
 and men of position were given separate baptism, but the 
 plebeian candidates were divided into companies, and as the 
 priest conferred baptism upon a company, he would give the 
 same name to all the members of the company. Now. 
 
66 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 imagine that a whole company were baptised "Robert!" It 
 certainly would be an impossible task for their descendants 
 to trace their ancestry to one common beginning. 
 
 Then consider the variety of names derived from Robert, 
 mentioned in the paragraph above, and a little reflection will 
 conxince the most enthusiastic genealogist tliat the attempt 
 to trace back all Robinsons to a common ancestor is a pre- 
 determined failure. 
 
 Neither should we envy the heroic task of writing a 
 history f^f the Robinson Family, as undertaken bv its de- 
 voted historiographer, Mr. Chas. E. Robinson. 
 
 Lower (page 177) gives a curious study of statistics 
 concerning sixty of the most common surnames of England, 
 showing the births, deaths and marriages registered for one 
 year, ending July ist, 1838. "In this time, in England 
 alone, 1,445 Rol^insons were Ixirn. 1,223 *^'^'^^ ^'i*' 8/7 ^vere 
 married." 
 
 Truly a historiographer of such a famil\- has no light 
 task ! 
 
 The name has figured largely in early English history. 
 There was "Robin of Redesdale," the leader of fifteen thou- 
 sand farmers and peasants who. in 1345, at the time of the 
 peasants' revolt, marched to Bambury and captured the F.arl 
 of Pembroke. The name is also preserved to us in the 
 legendery exploits of Robin Hood, the bold Archer of 
 Sherwood h'orest, the hero of the common people. His 
 name is still used every day in proverbial expressions wher- 
 ever the English language is known. "All around Robin 
 Hood's barn," indicates an unnecessaril\- circuitous way. 
 "Robin Mood's wind," is a name gi\'cn in Lancaster to a 
 wind that blows during the thawing of the snow, so named, 
 it is said, because Robin Hood once stated that he could 
 stand any wind except a thawing wind. 
 
 The great home of the Robinson clan is in the north of 
 England, its members becoming less as you travel south. 
 There were located its mr)st influential families. 
 
 Mr. Charles E. Kobinson, Historiographer of the "Rob- 
 inson Family Association." in his book, entitled. "The Rob- 
 
 LofC. 
 
ROBINSON FAMILY. 67 
 
 insons and their Kinfolk," has an interesting" chapter on 
 "Heraldry." drawing his facts largely from J. Bernard 
 Burke in his "General Armory." He tells of the mottoes, 
 crests, colors, coats-of-arms of different families of Robin- 
 sons, mostly from the North of England. 
 
 Some of these mottos are as follows : 
 
 "Robinson of Yorkshire and Robinson of Lancastershire 
 have the same motto, Jlrfiitc, iioii Z'crbis. (By bravery, not 
 by words.)" 
 
 "Robinson of Tottenham, 'rirfiis pretiosior aitro.' 
 (Virtue is more precious than gold.)" 
 
 "Robinson of Buckinghamshire, Fiiicain Malum bono. 
 (I will conquer evil by good.)" Granted in 1731. 
 
 "Robinson of Beverly House, Toronto. Canada. Propcre 
 et provide. (Quickly and cautiously.)" 
 
 "Robinson of Scotland, Intcincrata fides. (Uncorrupted 
 faith.)" 
 
 "Robinson, Earl of Ripon, Onalis ab inccpto. (The 
 same as from the beginning.)" 
 
 "Robinson of Rokeby Hall, County of Louth, Sola in 
 Deo Sahis. ( Salvation in God alone. ) " 
 
 "Robinson, Lord Rokeby. Non nobis solum scd toti 
 -niundo iiati. ( Not born for ourselves alone, but for the 
 whole W'Orld. )" 
 
 "Robinson of Silksworth Hall, County of Durham, de- 
 scended from William Robinson of Durham, living in 1502, 
 Post nubila PJiocbus. (Sunshine after clouds.)" 
 
 By the kindness of Mr. Charles E. Robinson we here 
 reproduce the coat-of-arms of "William Robinson of ye 
 North," confirmed by the Herald of Arms in the visita- 
 tion of Leicestershire in 16 19, and of London in 1633. 
 {Harlcian. publications, pp. 182, 204.)" 
 
 This coat-of-arms is simply given as one among the 
 nineteen that are noted by Mr. Charles E. Robinson as 
 belonging to different Robinson families, and as a matter of 
 interest to any one bearing the Robinson name. 
 
 We have no proof to adduce that "\A'illiam of Newton 
 or Watertown," the most remote direct ancestor of Eben- 
 
68 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 ezer Robinson, known to us. had any connection with 
 these Enghsli famlHes entitled to possess coats-of-arms, 
 other than the tracHtion of the family that he came from the 
 north of England. W'e know that some of the Robinson 
 families in America brought over from England parchment 
 copies of arms, which appear on early deeds of their prop- 
 ert}-. ^^•hile in the list of indi\iduals for whom crests were 
 made in early colonial times, in this country, there is no one 
 by the name of Robinson. 
 
 So far as we can learn, the ancestors of Ebenezer Robin- 
 son were hard-working. God-fearing men and women, who 
 deserved well of their generation by their straightforward, 
 useful lives. The descendants of Ebenezer Robinson are 
 content that he possessed the same characteristics of a good 
 husband, a devoted father, a faithful Christian, and that his 
 best claim to be remembered by those coming after him, is 
 that he was a brave patriot, "A Soldier of the Revolution." 
 
OFFICERS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Robinson Family Association 
 
 IPrcslDcnt 
 
 Hon. DAVID I. ROBINSON, Gloucester, Mass. 
 
 l)tcc=lprc6lDcnt6 
 
 Judge Gifford S. Robinson, 
 Increase Robinson, 
 James H. Dean, Esq., 
 George O. Robinson, 
 Prof. William H. Brewer, 
 Mr. Rosweel R. Robinson, - 
 Capt. Charles T. Robinson, 
 Rev. William A. Robinson, 
 Mr. John H. Robin.son, 
 Mr. Charles F. Robinson, - 
 Mr George W. Robin.son, 
 Henry P. Robinson, - 
 
 Sioux City, la. 
 Waterville, Me. 
 Taunton, Mass. 
 Detroit, Mich. 
 New Haven, Conn. 
 Maiden, Mass. 
 Taunton, Mass. 
 Middletown, N. Y. 
 Boston, Mass. 
 North Raynham, Mass. 
 Elburn, 111. 
 Guilford, Conn. 
 
 Sccrctar\2 
 
 Adelaide A. Robinson, North Raynham, Mass. 
 
 treasurer 
 
 N. Bradford Dean, Taunton, Mass. 
 
 ?Hi5torto(?rapber 
 
 Charles E. Robinson, Yonkers, N. Y. 
 
 JEyccutivc Committee 
 
 Fred W. Robinson, - - . - 
 
 Charles K. Robinson, 
 
 George R. Wright, . . - . 
 
 Orlando G. Robinson, 
 
 Bethuel Penniman, - - - - 
 
 Boston, Mass. 
 New York. 
 Wilkesbarre, Pa. 
 Raynham, Mass. 
 New Bedford, Mass. 
 
 The next Biennial Meeting of this Association will be held at 
 Plymouth, Massachusetts, in August, 1904. 
 
lbU3 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESb 
 
 021 392 096 C