John Robinson Sr. (abt. 1690 - bef. 1768)

Born about 1690 in Henrico County, Colony of Virginia

Husband of Tabitha (Jones) Robinson — married 1714 in Henrico County, Virginia

Descendants

Died before 25 Apr 1768 before about age 78 in Cumberland County, Colony of Virginia

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Biography

Space Page for John Robinson

John was born about 1690 in Virginia. His parents were Thomas Robinson and Elizabeth whose maiden name is yet unknown. ^[1]

By the year 1715 John had married Tabitha Jones, daughter of Edward Jones and Mary Field. On 20 Dec 1718, John Robertson was one of the witnesses to the will of Charles Scruggs in Henrico County. ^[2] In 1720 John and his brothers-in-law, William Bradshaw and William Bradley divided the lands that had belonged to their mother-in-law, Mary Field. ^[3]

John and Tabitha eventually became the parents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters.^[4]

On 25 March 1726, John and Tabitha Robinson forgo a part of their land along the James River to Joseph Mayo for 30 pounds land on the north side of the James River, 2 miles below the Falls, 50 acres next to William Bradley, said Mayo and the river. ^[5]

In June of 1733, John Robinson, William Bradshaw, and William Hudson presented the inventory of Joseph Wood’s estate at court ^[6]

On 20 July 1738 John patented 400 acres in Goochland County near the head of the Muddy Creek. This land was contiguous with the land of William Bradshaw, Samuel Nichols and William Tabor. ^[7] On that same date, John also patented 580 acres on Deep Creek in Goochland County. ^[8] William Bradshaw gave John Robinson 200 acres on the north fork of Deep Creek 14 May 1741.^[9]

In the mid 1740's John began to give land to his sons to give them a start on their own. Son Thomas received 200 acres on Deep Creek 14 May 1741.^[10] On 18 Jul 1743 son Field was given 200 acres ^[11] and son Christopher received 125 acres. ^[12] On 28 August 1749, John Robertson of Cumberland County and Thomas Robertson now of Chesterfield County sell 200 acres on the upper side of Deep Creek in Cumberland County, Virginia to Henry Hatcher of Chesterfield County.^[13] It appears that when the land was originally conveyed to Thomas, Tabitha did not relinquish her dower rights. Now that the land is being sold both Tabitha and the wife of Thomas were required to sign, generating the need for the new deed. The new deed was recorded 25 September 1749. This is the last record found for Tabitha Robertson.

John continues to give land and property to his sons. On 6 February 1763 he deeds a negro woman Hannah and her increase to his son Hezekiah. Deed recorded 28 March 1763 in Cumberland County. ^[14] On 17 February 1763, John deeds 200 acres on Deep Creek to his son Edward. Deed recorded 27 June 1763.^[15] On that same day, 17 February 1763, John deed 200 acres on the North Branch of Deep Creek to his son Joseph. Deed recorded 27 June 1763.^[16]

John's will was written on 7 December 1767 in Cumberland County Virginia. ^[17] The inventory and appraisal recorded 23 May 1768.^[18]

John's will names four grandchildren, John Roberson Susannah Roberson Elizabeth Roberson and Joseph Roberson, to whom he leaves a negro man Jack. He places this gift under the care and direction of his son Joseph Roberson until the grandchild John arrives at the age of 21. Unfortunately there is nothing in the will to indicate the parents of these grandchildren.

John leaves to his seven sons, named as " John Roberson Thomas Roberson Field Roberson Christopher Roberson Edward Roberson Joseph Roberson and Hezekiah Roberson one shilling sterling out of my estate they having before received their equal parts of my estate to that sum. "

The remainder of the estate was to be equally divided between "my three daughters Susanah Bradshew Judith Bradshew and Elizabeth Hogan" and "only reserving seven pounds which has already benn paid to William Bradshew my will is that he allows two thirds of that money out of my estate to the other two namely Judith Bradshew & Elizabeth Hogan after paying my just debts and funeral expences." Sons in law Field Bradshew and William Bradshew were appointed executors.

The location of John's burial place is unknown.

About the Map

The attached plat map shows three land patents of John Robinson in Cumberland Co. - all three in light green shading. The larger tract to the right is the 580 acres patented in 1738. The tract near the top is the 400 acres patented in 1738. The tract on the left is 290 acres patented in 1761, and almost immediately sold to Joseph Fuqua. Most of the neighboring tracts are other patents. Plotting subsequent deeds may be possible but are not shown here to reduce complexity. The red lines are Highway 45 and State Route 60 - landmarks to enable location on a current map of Cumberland Co.

Sources

1. ↑ Henrico County Virginia W/D Book Volume 4, p 1099-1101, Deed from Thomas Robinson, the elder, of the Parish of Henrico in the County of Henrico to his sons Thomas Robinson, the younger, and George Robinson. 29 January 1739/40, 200 acres on Gilley's Creek where Thomas the elder now dwells. Thomas is to have the plantation were his brother John Robinson formerly dwelt. George is to have the plantation whereon said Thomas the elder now dwells.
2. ↑ Weisiger, Benjamin B, "Colonial Wills of Henrico County, Virginia, Pt I, 1677-1737", Richmond, 1976, page 163, Will of Charles Scruggs , planter: "I give and bequeath to my Grandaughter Mary Pirront a heifer with calf orn calf [with her own calf] by her side. An item I give Mary Pirront one yoe the choice of my flock. Item I give and bequeath to my son William Bratcher and to my Dauter Juda all my worldly goods and possessions that now is called mine to them and their heirs for ever." Thomas Cardwell, John Robertson, Thomas Robertson, and William Eslee witnessed, written 20 Dec 1718. Charles Scruggs was the second husband of Mary (Field) Jones.
3. ↑ Henrico County Virginia Miscellaneous Records, (1650-1807), Book 2, page 481, ( William Bradley, William Bradshaw and John Robertson consent to division of two tracts on north side of James River, each 220 acres, formerly in tenure of Charles Scruggs, bounded by the James River, Tract 1: "John Robertson's part beginneth at Mary Pyrant's corner stake on the river bank and runneth along the said Mary Pyrant's line to the back line and along the back line to Wm. Bradly's corner stake and along the said Bradly's line to the river and down the river to the place where it first began." Tract 2: "John Robertson's part beginneth at William Bradshaw's white oak corner in the back line of the river tract and runneth along the said line thirteen chains to a corner hickory in the said line then by a line east four degrees north to part the said John Robertson and William Bradly." , Witnesses Thomas Bayley, Joseph Pleasants, signed William (W) Bradley, William (W) Bradshaw, John (JR) Robertson, Recorded 4 April 1720
4. ↑ Will of John Roberson, Cumberland County, Virginia Will Book 1, page 343, Family History Library film 30738, written 11 December 1767, Names seven sons John Roberson Thomas Roberson Field Roberson Christopher Roberson Edward Roberson Joseph Roberson and Hezekiah Roberson and three daughters Susanah Bradshew, Judith Bradshew and Elizabeth Hogan .
5. ↑ County Court Records, deeds, wills, settlements of estates, etc., (Henrico County, Virginia), 1677-1787, pg. 188 https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89P6-SL25?i=187&cat=397197
6. ↑ Henrico County Virginia Wills 1725-1737, page 396
7. ↑ Library of Virginia Patents No.18 1738-1739
8. ↑ The full text is available at the Library of Virginia's website for Virginia Land Office Patents and Grants, Patent "here"
9. ↑ Goochland County Virginia Deed Book 3, page 540, FHL film 31653, image is here https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99P6-9QG3?i=730&cat=406600
10. ↑ Goochland County Virginia Deed Book 3, p 500, FHL film 31653, image is here https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99P6-9QG1?i=710&cat=406600
11. ↑ Goochland County Virginia Deed Book 4, page 268, FHL film 31654, image is here https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9P6-9SP2?i=152&cat=406600, Deed of 18 July 1743 from John Robertson of St James Parish to Field Robinson for 50L, land adjoining brother Christopher Robertson
12. ↑ Goochland County, Virginia Order Book (1741-1744), page 273, deed from John Robinson to Field Robinson and deed from John Robinson to Christopher Robinson
13. ↑ Cumberland County Virginia Deed Book 1, pages 64-66, Family History Library film 30745, "200 acres on the upper side of Deep Creek where Thomas Robertson did live and now in the tenure of Edward Robertson. Land was originally granted to John Robertson by Patent, and by him tenderly conveyed to Thomas Robertson as may and doth more fully appear by the record of Goochland County court office."
14. ↑ Cumberland County Virginia Deed Book 3, page 354-355, Family History Library film 30746, "for diverse good causes and especially for the good will and affection I bear for my son Hezekiah Robinson, a negro woman Hannah and her increase reserving to myself peaceable and quite use and possession during my natural life and after my death to said Hezekiah"
15. ↑ Cumberland County Virginia Deed Book 3, page 380-381, Family History Library film 30746, "for good cause and considerations and that I am moving but more importantly for the good will and affection I bear my son Edward Robinson"
16. ↑ Cumberland County Virginia Deed Book 3, page 382-383, Family History Library film 30746, "for diverse good causes and consideration me thereunto moving, but more especially for the good will and affection I bear for my aforesaid son Joseph Robinson a tract and division of land herein he and I now lives (only hoping and reserving to myself an uninterrupted property in the same during my natural life) "
17. ↑ Will of John Roberson, Cumberland County Virginia Will Book 1, page 343, Family History Library film 30738, proven in court on 25 April 1768, images are here https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9TH-G3NF-D?i=190&cat=367904
18. ↑ Cumberland County Virginia Will Book 1, page 347, Family History Library film 30738, images are here https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9TH-G3NV-5?i=192&cat=367904

See also:

• usgwarchives.net 1783 Cumberland, Virginia Census
• Riley, Betty Robertson, “Robertson Robinson Roberson Robison: Descendants of Thomas and Elizabeth: Henrico County, Virginia, 1690-1999”, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1999, FHL fiche 6003425
• Goochland County Virginia Chancery Court records case (1733-001), John Griffin Estate versus John Robinson, Published by the Library of Virginia online at http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=075-1733-001
• Historical Southern Families. Volume XXII page 92
• John Robinson of Cumberland County, Virginia and some of his descendants by Katherine Reynolds