James Robinson (abt. 1724 - 1764)

Born about 1724 in Lancaster, Virginia Colony

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Unknown) Robinson — married about 1743 in Lancaster, Virginia Colony

Descendants

Died 1764 at about age 40 in Lancaster, Virginia Colony

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Biography

James Robinson, son of Giles Robinson and his wife Agnes, was born in St. Mary's White Chapel Parish, Lancaster County, Virginia Colony, perhaps about 1724.^[1]

James's father died in about 1735.^[2] He left his land to be divided between his minor sons, Jesse and Giles, at adulthood.^[3] The balance of his estate went to his wife, i.e., James's mother, during her widowhood, and, once she passed or remarried, that property was to be divided up in equal shares to James and his siblings, Margaret, Agnes, Geminia and Mary Ann.^[4]

James married a woman named Elizabeth.^[5] They had these known children:

1. Winny
2. Jesse
3. James
4. Ann
5. Sarah
6. Betty

Their daughter, Winny, married, by 1761, a second cousin, Eleazer Robinson.

"Sick and weak of body," James executed his will in Lancaster County's Christ Church Parish, 12 Jan 1761, before witnesses Martin Shearman, Lazarus Webb and Judith Moneham.^[6] James died, it appears, in 1764, likely about age 40.^[7] By his will, James left two slaves to his son, James, one slave to his son, Jesse, and, for her use during her life, one slave to his married daughter, Winny. The balance of his estate was left to James's wife, Elizabeth, for her widowhood, and which, on her death or remarriage, was to be divided equally among his children, Jesse, James, Ann, Sarah and Betty. His wife Elizabeth, his son Jesse and someone whose name is obscured were named as executors of James's will.

James's wife, Elizabeth, died in 1770, resulting in James's estate being divided equally among their children, Jesse, Anne, Betty and Sarah, 19 Oct 1770.^[8] Betty and Sarah being minors, Betty's share was delivered to her brother, James, who was her guardian, and Sarah's share was left with Jesse, the executor, as she lacked a guardian.^[9] The division was submitted by Richard Mitchell, Joseph Norris, John Norris and James Newby and approved by the court.^[10]

Sources

1. ↑ 1734 Will of Father Giles Robinson (citation) identifies James Robinson (abt.1726-) as a daughter of Giles Robinson and his wife, Agnes.
2. ↑ See Profile of Father Giles Robinson (-abt.1735).
3. ↑ 1734 Will of Father Giles Robinson (citation): "I give to my son Jesse Robinson and my son Giles Robinson all my land to be Equally divided between them, to them and their heirs and it's my will that if either of my said sons aforesaid should die before they come of twenty one years of age not having issue of their body the other shall have all my land..."
4. ↑ 1734 Will of Father Giles Robinson (citation).
5. ↑ James's 1761 Will (citation): "my loving wife Elizabeth Robinson."
6. ↑ James's 1761 Will (citation).
7. ↑ James's 1761 Will (citation): "At court held for Lancaster County on the 20th of August 1764 This Will was proved in open court by the oath of Martin Shearman ... one of the witnesses and ordered to be recorded."
8. ↑ James's 1770 Estate Division (citation).
9. ↑ James's 1770 Estate Division (citation): “Betty Robinson’s part was delivered to James Robinson her guardian… Sarah Robinson’s part was left in the hands of Jesse Robinson, executor of the above estate as the said Sarah was under age and without a guardian.”
10. ↑ James's 1770 Estate Division (citation).

• General Citations
• Father's 1734 Will. Will of Giles Robinson dated 17 Oct 1734, proved 8 Oct 1735, as recorded in Lancaster County, Virginia Colony in Deed and Will Book 12 Pages 351-352. Available online courtesy of FamilySearch here.
• James's 1761 Will. Will of James Robinson dated 12 Jan 1761, proved 20 Aug 1764, as recorded in Lancaster County, Virginia Colony in Book 18 Page 19. Available online courtesy of FamilySearch here.
• James's 1770 Estate Division. Division of the Estate of James Robinson dated 19 Oct 1770 and recorded in Lancaster County, Virginia Colony in Book 20 Pages 5-6. Available online courtesy of FamilySearch here.