Cornelia (Yancey) Robinson (abt. 1862 - 1938)

Born about 1862 in Lafayette, Chambers, Alabama, United States

Wife of Henry Clay Robinson — married 16 Apr 1896 in Lee, Alabama, United States

Died 1938 at about age 76 in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, USA

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Biography

Cornelia (Yancey) Robinson is a part of US Black heritage.

Cornelia Robinson was born before 1865 to George and Harriet Yancey, who belonged first to a Mrs. Baugh and who were later sold to a Dr. Trammell, near Lafayette. She married Robert Benson, and had 4 children and several grand children.

In the 1880 Census, Cornelia is 18, living with an uncle, Ben Whetstone and a cousin?, Phoebe Robinson, 16.

In the 1930 Census, Cornelia is 68 and widowed and living with son John H. Robinson.^[1]

Freedmen Narrative

Cornelia gave an Interview to Preston Klein, in Opelika, Alabama. The following is an excerpt.

DE YANKEES WUZ A HARRICANE

"One time I 'members a storm us had. I calls it a harricane; but it was really de Yankees comin' through."

Cornelia Robinson was only about four years old during the latter days of that period, and must depend a great deal on what has been told her.

"Chile, dem Yankees come through an' cleaned out de smokehouse; even lef' de lard bucket as clean as yo' hand. Ol' Marster tuk his bes' horses an' mules to de big swamp, an' de Yankees couldn't fin' 'em. But dey tore up everything dey couldn't take wid dem. Dey poured all de syrup out an' it run down de road lak water.

"I 'members dat Ol' Mistus saved all her jewels an' sech frum de Yankees. She brung 'em out to de nigger cabins an' hid 'em amongst us."

Cornelia says her father and mother were George and Harriett Yancey, who belonged first to a Mrs. Baugh and who were later sold to a Dr. Trammell, of near Lafayette. Her brothers and sisters were Charlie, Willie, Albert and Ann.

Sources

1. ↑ 1930 Census:"United States Census, 1930"
   Citing enumeration district (ED) ED 4, sheet , line , family , NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll ; FHL microfilm .
   FamilySearch (accessed 13 October 2021)
   FamilySearch Image Image number 00413
   Cornelia Robinson, Opelika, Lee, Alabama, United States

• "Georgia, County Marriages, 1785-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KXV8-T9W : 7 February 2020), Robert Benson and Cornelia Yancy, 21 Jul 1878; citing Marriage, Muscogee, Georgia, United States, Georgia Department of Archives and History, Morrow, FHL microfilm 401,847.

• "Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG1Q-GQMS : 19 February 2021), Henry Robertson and Cornelia Binson, 16 Apr 1896; citing Lee, Alabama, United States, County Probate Courts, Alabama; FHL microfilm .

• "Alabama Deaths, 1908-1974", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JK33-2S6 : 11 January 2021), Carnelia Yancey Robinson, 1938.

• https://www.gutenberg.org/files/36020/36020-h/36020-h.html#cornelia-robinson