Robinson Family; Wm. and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 19, No. 1; 1910 Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** William and Mary Quarterly Page 58. ROBINSON FAMILY Some corrections should be made in the article on the Robinson family, published in Vol. XVIII. On page 181 it is said that the death of Christopher Robinson occurred in 1690. This is the date in the Bishop John Robinson's pedigree (as copied), but it was really 1693, as his will was proved in 1693. On page 185 it is stated that Robert Robinson was a student at William and Mary in 1780, and went away with his cousin Christopher to join the British Army in New York, where he had another cousin, Col. Beverley Robinson. This statement is not correct. The catalogue of the College does not claim Robert Robinson, and he did not go with his cousin Christopher, who left the College in 1780, but with Francis Hargraves, in 1778, as is shown by the following letter copied from the 2d volume of Hargraves' correspondence book, who was a tutor first in the Churchill and then in the Robinson family(1). (His first volume has not been preserved as far as known.) HALIFAX, 21st Jany 1779. Dear Sir, I wrote to you soon after my arrival here which was on the 5th of May last but by a letter from Lord Howe, sometime ago, it appears that the packet, which sailed from hence for New York in that month was unfortunately taken by an American Privateer and carried into New London. You may conceive how much I was vext by this accident but I must make myself as easy as I can and keep in mind the old story ________________________________________________________ (1) In a letter from 41 Crown St., Halifax, Feb. 26, 1779, Hargreaves states that Col. Churchill's family was very sorry when he left them, which he did by a strategem. He was succeeded by one Jackson, an Englishman, who had been an exciseman in the north of England and was transported for smuggling. He says that one of the neighbors Page 59. of Pandora. (Here he tells the story at length.) I shall recapitulate what I said in the former letter. I told you that about a week I had set sail for your city I was turned out of the Cabbin into the steerage on the supposition that I should bilk the Captain when I got to Liverpool which however I did not but paid him honourably or at least honestly but I blame him not for this notion was instilled into him by one of the Passengers (Ashbourne by name, whose brother was formerly Captain of a ship which went to James River). As for Captain Shannon his behaviour to me at Liverpool convinced me that he was innocent, for upon paying him my Passage which was seven Guineas, he generously gave one back, and expressed his sorrow for my bad Treatment. Ashbourne was in the same employ and had an eye on the Captain's conduct, who therefore could not act otherwise than as he did. And now I am upon my legs (as Sr. Wm Howe said lately in the House when he bagan to abuse Lord Germain) I shall first mention the Parson whom I found to be an ignorant self sufficient Puppy. He spent most of his time in making or rather stealing sermons from old Magazines, which he said he intended to publish when he got to London, but truly they have not yet transpired * * * I hope you'll write by the first Packett after receiving this and let me know what success you have met with, and whether you have heard from Virginia or not. If you have any opportunity of sending them, I beg to be remembered to your father, his family and all my worthy friends and acquaintances, and let Mr. Ross know that Mr. Gregory and myself have interchanged a few letters concerning his plantation in Virginia. I long to hear from you, therefore I again conjure you not to fail writing by the first Packet. When there is no Packett you might write by Private hands when a convoy sails. Which I cannot do here being inland. I am afraid you will not direct right, for if you don't say Halifax Yorkshire, the letter will go to Halifax in Nova Scotia which would be a sad blunder. If your letter does not miscarry you shall hear from me as soon as I receive it if it is unfortunate I will write again about July. I shall now conclude wishing you all prosperity. I am yours F. HARGREAVES. To Robert Robinson Esq. to the care of Mr. A. Wilson, Merchant, Queen's St., New York. The following letter was omitted in the first volume and should have come after the journal. The above gentleman is the Person mentioned in this letter. _________________________________________________________________ of the Robinsons was Col. Jasper Clayton, who had two sons, Jasper and Thomas Whiting Clayton. Page 60. LIVERPOOL, May 5th, 1778. Hond Far, I this morning, after a series of various Fortune had the great pleasure of setting my feel upon loyall ground being just arrived on the Jenny Capt Shannon from New York, to which place I was conveyed at the expense of his Majesty. I was happily situated in Virginia in a genteel family as tutor to two children, had 25 L p year, here I intended to have spent my time till some alteration took place, it it was my fortune or misfortune to be draughted into the Regular Service. I therefore determined to make my Escape, which, with a son of the gentleman with whom I lived, I did, tho' at the Risque of my Life. We got on borad the St. Albans of 64 guns the Honble Richard Onslow Commander which, with a number of other ships, was stationed in Chesapeake Bay, and was sent to New York in the La Fortune, a French Prize ship. I left my friend in New York, he going into the Royal army, having a near relative a Colonel in De Lanceys Brigade. I took passage a few days after my arrival there in the above ship being an Irishman, but had some Tobacco on board for this place. I just now waited on Mr Wilson on whom I depended as your friend to pay my Passage &c. for you know Continental will not pass in these kingdoms. He has behaved extremely kind & I am going to dine with him to-morrow; he congratulates you on my arrival. I shall take the coach here on Thursday morning, therefore I presume I shall be with you on Friday morning. I was overjoyed to hear from Mr Wilson that you were well when he was last at Halifax. My love and duty to my dear Mother, tell he she sees how punctual I am and that neither " * * * * The war of Elements, The wrecks of matter nor the crush of worlds" could make me alter my purpose of returning in five years time. Excuse this incoherent stuff, tho' Mr Wilson says I write very well, considering I am but just come from the sea. You must remember me to all enquirers. This almost night, therefore till I have the Happiness to see you, I must remain your long lost but new found son, F. HARGREAVES. To Mr Jno Hargreaves, Crown St. Halifax. Miss Lucy Lilly Temple, of Richmond, writes that Mr. T. W. Robinson is in error in supposing that the Yankees burnt down the "Locust Grove" house. It is still standing. "We have oil portraits of Mrs. Potter and Mrs. Burwell taken as young girls, together with a bill from a London firm for shoes of Miss Potter and Miss Grymes."