William Robinson was born about 1605, most likely in England. William's parents are unknown, although his mother may have been named Anna.
William was admitted to the First of Church of Salem on the 16th day of the seventh month in 1638. On the 28th day of the tenth month in 1637, Anna Robinson, a widow, also joined the same church. She is possibly his mother.[1]
William's wife was Isabell. Records record her name as "Isabell" or "Esbell." Andersen suggests in the Great Migration Directory that his wife could have been Isabell Brett who was noted as "Gone to Salem, d." in the records of the First Church of Boston on July 30, 1630. ("d." not being defined could mean either dismissed or dead). Isabell Robinson joined the first church of Salem November 12, 1637.[3]
William had the following children, according to baptism records for Salem Twps and according to William's will in 1678.
Only Joseph, Sarah, Samuel, Timothy and John seem to have survived their father.
Will and Probate
The last Will and Testament dated 9 February 1676, proved 29 November 1678.
The last Will & testament of me William Robbinson of Salem in New England made the nineth day of February in the yeare of our Lord one thousand six hundred & seventy six, being then in good health & of sound & perfect memory, blessed be God, but knowing the uncertainty of mans life here upon the earth, doe now for the settlement & disposeall of what estate the Lord in mercy hath betrusted me with al, declare this to be my mind & will after my decease in manner as followith, viz.
Imprimis I give & bequeath unto my son Joseph Robinson, who is now in the Barbados & whom as I heare the Lord hath blessed a liberal competency for his outward subsistence & hath no child as his brothers here have each of them a great charge and want more help than he doth, upon which consideration, although he bee my eldest son, yet I give & bequeath unto him but twelve pounds in current pay of the country & that not to be paid him unless he comes in person to demand it of the executors to my estate.
Item I give & bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Newbury five pounds in current pay of the country to be paid to her own self & to noe other & for her own peculiar use & benefit & disposal.
Item I give to my grandchild Timothy Robinson the sum of forty shillings in currant pay of the country to be paid him at the one & twentieth year of his age, if it please God that he lives so long and for executors to my estate, which I may leave at my descease I doe now nominate & appoint my two sons Samuel & John Robinson willing them to see this my last Will performed & also to defray the charge of my funeral & pay all just debts which I may oew & then for all the remainder of my estate left both for howseing & lands in the township of Salem, goods, chattles, moveables & unmoveables & all dues unto me belonging upon any just account whatsoever.
I give & bequeath unto them my said two sons in equal shares to be devided between them & for there only & proper use forever & for their disposal as they may see good for the benefit of themselves & theire children after them.
In witness whereof I hereunto sett my hand & seale the day X year above said.
The marke of William R Robbinson
Signed and sealed
In the presence of us
Stephen Daniell
Richard Croad
29th 9th month 1678 Sworne by Richard Croad one of the witnesses before the Worshipful Major Generall Daniel Denison & Mr. John Woodbridge that the above written was signed, sealed & declared by the deceased William Robinson to be his last will & testament & seal.
Atested Hilliard Veren Col.
An inventory of the estate of William Robinson of Salem lately deceased as it was showed to us by his sons Samuel & John Robinson & taken this 22 of November 1678
Imprimis to an old dwellin house & barne with about six acres of land & orchating upon which the house stands. £40.
To another small dwelling house with a barne & one quarter of an acre of land upon which it stand & about 3 acres of land nere adjoining to it. £30.
More to one ten acer lott in the north field. £35.
More to about a quarter of an acar pf moing ground. £5.
Aprised by us
Samuel Gardner Sen.
John Massey
Sworn by Samuel and John Robinson sons of ye deceased [who] gave oath before the Worshipful Maj. Gen. Denison & Mr. John Woodbridge this 29th 9th month 1678, attests Hilliard Veren Col. View uploaded page.[9]
Research Notes
ROBINSON, William & Isabelle ____; by 1636, by 1637; Salem {Salem 2:3; Robinson (,3) 73; Essex Ant. 5:173; Woodbury (1904) 178; Salem VR}
Note: Birth order of first two children based on will.
↑ “Boston, MA: Church Records, 1630-1895” The Records of the Churches of Boston. CD_ROM. Boston, Mass.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2002. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008 .)View with NEHGS Subscription.
↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQD3-6QS : 15 January 2020), William Robbinson in entry for Anna Robbinson, 1637.
↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQD3-VLL : 15 January 2020), William Robinson in entry for Mary Robinson, 1643.
↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQD3-TQ9 : 15 January 2020), William Robinson in entry for Martha Robinson, 1645.
The Robinson Family Genealogical and Historical Association. Officers, Constitution and By-Laws, Historical Sketches of Early Robinson Emigrants to America, Illustrations, Armorial Bearings, Members of Association. New York: The Association, 1902. p. 73, William Robinson and wife Isabella. Also Widow Anna Robinson, The year 1637.
The Records of the First Church in Salem, Massachusetts, 1629-1736, Richard D. Pierce, ed. (Salem 1974). Page 7. Find in a library
Is William your ancestor? Please don't go away! Login to collaborate or comment, or contact
the profile manager, or ask our community of genealogists a question.
Since nothing has been found on the Parents of William Robinson of Salem. I think we should separate him from John and Agnes Robinson. He is more likely related to Anna Robinson, Widow, who joined the First Church of Salem in 1638.
There are definitely two people combined in this profile. As most of the profile has to do with William that married Isabella, I will be creating a new William for the one that married Margaret Beach. I will also move the children necessary.
William that married Isabel lived in Salem Massachusetts, William that married Margaret Beach lived in Dorchester, Massachusetts, these are two different men. I am trying to find sources to understand which one was the son of John and Agness
I am working to straighten out the two William Robinson families that have been put with the same set of parents. Please let me know if you have any concerns with the work as it proceeds.