Thomas Robinson (1843 - 1925)

Born 14 Apr 1843 in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland

Son of Thomas Robinson and Magdalene (Armstrong) Robinson

Husband of Barbara (McKay) Robinson — married 10 Dec 1867 in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Descendants

Died 25 Feb 1925 at age 81 in Halifax, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Greg Bishop [send private message]

Thomas Robinson was born in Ireland.

Biography

Thomas Robinson was born in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, Feb 1843, the son of Thomas Robinson and Magdalene Armstrong.

Thomas immigrated to Nova Scotia in 1864. He married, 10 Dec 1867, in the Church of Scotland, Halifax, N.S. by Rev. George M. Grant, Barbara McKay. She was the daughter of George and Elizabeth McKay of Loch Broom, Pictou County, N.S. and a sister of his brother Robert's future wife. She was born 12 Aug 1843 and died 5 Feb 1922. Thomas' occupation was listed a coachman on the marriage certificate. Both he and Barbara were living in Halifax at the time.

In 1871 Thomas, 30 and Nancy, 30 were living in West Halifax where Thomas was listed as a coachman, born in England [sic], religion Ch England, Nancy born in NS, religion L P Presb. Lovell's 1871 directory of Nova Scotia also lists Ths Robinson, coachman, 32 Grafton St., Halifax.

In 1881, Thomas, 37 and Margaret, 37 were living in West Halifax with sons William, 13, George, 10 , Kate, 7 and Thomas, 4; a servant and two livery stable keepers. Thomas was listed as a livery stable keeper, born in Ireland.

In 1891, Thomas, 48 and Barbara, 47 were living in West Halifax with sons William, 23, George, 20 , Kate, 17, Thomas, 14 and Arthur, 10 and Annie MacLean, 20, domestic. Thomas and William were listed as livery stable keepers and George was a blacksmith. The next family on the census list was Wm Jakeman, 46, vet surgeon and his son Wm Mack Jakeman, also a vet surgeon, b. in the USA.

In 1901 Thomas, keeper livery stables, 56, Kate, 57, William A., 32, George McKay, 29, Arthur, 19, Minnie, adopted daughter, 15 and Sousin Fillier, servant, 20 were living at 5 Doyle St. in Halifax. Thomas was listed as employing an average of 9 people. The 3 sons were listed as Livery Stable Keepers. The property was listed as brick construction with 10 rooms laid out on 5 city lots. There was a total of 5 dwelling houses, 1 store/warehouse and 1 barn/stable. Robinson's Stables was one of the largest livery stables in Canada at the time.

Shortly after the turn of the century, three of Thomas' sons, William, Thomas and Arthur, went to fight in the Boer War (1899-1902) while George stayed at home to help run the family business.

In 1911 Thomas, livery, 65 and Barbara, 65 were living at 5 Doyle St, with sons William, livery, 48, Thomas H., livery, 35 and Arthur, livery, 21.

In 1921, Thomas, 80, income, born Ireland, and Barbara, 78, born Scotland [sic], were living at 4562 Quinpool Road with their son Thomas H., 42, clerk, Customs House, and Jeanette, 40.

Thomas died in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 25 Feb 1925, age 83, and is buried there in the St. John's Cemetery.

His obituary appeared in the 25 Feb 1925 edition of the Halifax Herald newspaper: "Thomas Robinson, aged 82 years, died early this morning at his home on 456 Quinpool Road. Mr. Robinson's death was indirectly caused by shock which he sustained when he met with an accident several weeks ago.

Thomas Robinson was exceptionally well known in this city. For over 50 years he conducted a livery stable here on the site now occupied by the Nova Motors, retiring from the business about three years ago.

He was born in Enniskillen, Ireland, and came to Halifax in the early "60's".

He is survived by four sons, William of Robinson's Farm, George and Arthur at home and Thomas H. of H. M. Customs; also one daughter Mrs. W. N. Ferguson of Truro. William Robinson of the Halifax Riding School, is a brother."

Children (All born in Halifax, N.S.):

1. William A., b. 8 Oct 1868.
2. George McKay, b. Jul 1871.
3. Katherine (Katie), b. 5 Sep 1874.
4. Thomas Henry, b. 15 Sep 1877.
5. Arthur Ward, b. 6 Dec 1881.

Sources

• marriage certificate, Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics
• death certificate, Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics
• 1871 census of Halifax County, Nova Scotia
• 1881 census of Halifax County, Nova Scotia
• 1891 census of Halifax County, Nova Scotia
• 1901 census, Halifax County, Nova Scotia
• 1911 census, Halifax County, Nova Scotia
• 1921 census, Halifax County, Nova Scotia
• Find A Grave: Memorial #197926842 Thomas Robinson

DNA

• Paternal relationship is confirmed by an Ancestry DNA test match between Greg Bishop and his third cousin WG. Their most-recent common ancestors are their great great grandparents, Thomas Robinson and Magdalen Robinson. Predicted relationship from Ancestry: 4th-6th cousins, based on sharing 23 cM across 1 segment.

• Maternal relationship is confirmed by an Ancestry DNA test match between Greg Bishop and his third cousin WG. Their most-recent common ancestors are their great great grandparents, Thomas Robinson and Magdalen Robinson. Predicted relationship from Ancestry: 4th-6th cousins, based on sharing 23 cM across 1 segment.