Betty Robinson (abt. 1753)

Born about 1753 in Lancaster, Virginia Colony

Ancestors

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Biography

Betty Robinson, daughter and apparently the youngest of the children of James Robinson and a mother named Elizabeth, was born in Lancaster County, Virginia Colony,^[1] definitely after 19 Oct 1749^[2] and perhaps around 1753.

Betty's elder sister Winny married Eleazer Robinson.^[3] Thereafter, Betty's father, "being sick and weak of body," executed his will in Lancaster County's Christ Church Parish, 12 Jan 1761.^[4] Her father died, it appears, in 1764, at about age 40.^[5] By his will, Betty's father left her brother Jesse one slave, her brother James two slaves, and, for use during her life, one slave to her sister Winny.^[5] The balance of her father's estate was left to Betty's mother, Elizabeth, for her widowhood, and, on her death or remarriage, was to be divided equally among Betty and her siblings, Jesse, James, Ann and Sarah (but not Winny).^[5]

Betty's mother, Elizabeth, died in 1770. This triggered the division of Betty's father's estate equally among Betty and her siblings, Jesse, Ann and Sarah, 19 Oct 1770.^[6] Betty and Sarah being minors, Betty's share was delivered to her guardian (Betty's brother, James), and Sarah's share was left with Jesse, as executor, as Sarah lacked a guardian.^[7] The division was submitted by Richard Mitchell, Joseph Norris, John Norris and James Newby and approved by the court.^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ Father's 1761 Will (citation): identifying Sarah as the daughter of James Robinson and his wife "Elizabeth."
2. ↑ Father's 1770 Estate Division (citation): “Betty Robinson’s part [of her father's estate, distributed 19 Oct 1770] was delivered to James Robinson her guardian..."
3. ↑ Father's 1761 Will (citation): "my daughter Winny wife of Elizer Robinson..."
4. ↑ Father's 1761 Will (citation).
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} Father'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."
6. ↑ Father's 1770 Estate Division (citation).
7. ↑ Father'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.”
8. ↑ Father's 1770 Estate Division (citation).

• General Citations
• Father'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.