James Robinson1

b. 27 February 1815, d. 22 February 1897
FatherAlexander Robinson1 d. bef 24 Jun 1844
MotherMary (?)2 b. abt 1781, d. bef Dec 1865
Birth27 Feb 1815 James Robinson was born on 27 Feb 1815 in Virginia.3 
Marriage He married Mary Ann McKee, daughter of James McKee and Sally Roe. 
Devisee14 May 1844  James' father died in 1844. His will, written that May, left the land on which the family lived to James and his brothers William and Samuel. The men's mother was to have a life estate in the property.4 
Land-Buy19 Nov 1845  The following year, in November 1845, William sold his share of the tract to James and Samuel. The deed described the land as 178 acres known as the Todd Place. It sat on the south side of the Middle Fork of the Holston River.5 
Cens-18606 Aug 1860  James and Mary appear to have lived on the land at the time of the 1860 census enumeration as their immediate neighbors included both James's brother Samuel Robinson and the men's mother Mary (as well as other families known to live in the area such as John Kelly, Claiborne Kelly and Jesse Mountain). James's household included Mary (40), Andrew (13), Sarah (16), Alexander (11), Thomas (9)[sic] and Elizabeth (3).6 
  A daughter Charity had died in 1857 and was laid to rest with Mary Ann's parents in the old McKee Cemetery. Another daughter, Virginia Rebecca, was born in the spring of 1861.

James's brother Samuel, who had joined the Confederate Army, died in Jan 1862. James may have also fought in the war as his headstone refers to him as Captain James Robinson. 
Moth-Death  James's mother died in late 1865. Her will named James as her executor.7 
Court RecordAug 1866  The following summer James filed a suit in Chancery Court to facilitate the division of his father's land between himself and the heirs of his brother Samuel. Since Samuel left minor children the court process was necessary to protect the children's inheritance. The 178 acres was divided by Commissioners appointed for that purpose, with James receiving 88 acres from the west side of the tract.8 
Cens-187023 Sep 1870  James and Mary's land was noted to be worth $800 in 1870. The census also noted that he was 66 and a farmer. Mary was 62. Five of their children were recorded with them.9 
Death22 Feb 1897 James died on 22 Feb 1897 at age 81.3 
Burial He was buried at Friendship Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.3 

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The 1850 Washington Co., Virginia census listed James as the head of household number 1031. Follow the link to see who lived nearby.

Family

Mary Ann McKee b. 18 Jan 1820, d. 9 Feb 1897
Children
  • Sarah M Robinson10 (circa 1844 - )
  • Andrew J. Robinson10 (circa 1846 - )
  • Alexander L. Robinson11 (22 Mar 1848 - 30 Oct 1931)
  • Charity M. Robinson12 (circa 23 Dec 1851 - 2 Jun 1857)
  • William Thomas J. Robinson11 (4 Dec 1854 - )
  • Elizabeth Robinson6 (circa 1857 - )
  • Virginia Rebecca Robinson+13 (31 Mar 1861 - 26 Sep 1916)
Last Edited5 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S2557] Alexander Robinson will (1844), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 9: 317. Alexander's will, dated 14 May 1844, was recorded 24 June 1844. It named wife Polly, daughters Leah Snodgrass, Margaret Dungans, Rachel Snodgrass and Eliza Tomlinson, and sons James, Samuel and William Robinson.
  2. [S852] Mary Robinson will (recorded 1865), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 16: 350. Mary's will, dated 25 May 1854, was recorded 25 Dec. 1865. It named daughters Leah Snodgrass, Margaret Dungan, Rachel Snodgrass and deceased daughter Eliza Tomlinson. Mary named her son James Robinson as her executor.
  3. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 202. Stone reported to read: Capt James Robinson, 27 Feb. 1815-22 Feb. 1897, age 81y, 11m, 25d.
  4. [S3056] "Alexander Robinson will", James Robinson vs heirs of Samuel Robinson, Washington Co., Virginia Ended Chancery Causes 1869-15, reel 117, Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond, Virginia. A copy of Alexander Robinson's will was included in the court documents as Exhibit "A". The will was dated 14 May 1844 and proved 24 June 1844.
  5. [S3056] "Deed dated 18 Nov. 1845 between William and S. Elizabeth Robinson and James Robinson and Samuel Robinson of the other part", James Robinson vs heirs of Samuel Robinson, Washington Co., Virginia Ended Chancery Causes 1869-15, reel 117, Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond, Virginia. William sold his 1/3 interest in the land devised to he and his brothers James and Samuel in the will of their father, Alexander Robinson. The land was described as 178 acres known as the Todd Place on the south side of the Middle Fork of the Holston River. The deed also noticed that Alexander Robinson had purchased the land from Maj. John Jameson.
  6. [S234] James Robertson [sic] household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western District, p. 164 (original script), dwelling 1220, family 1170, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Mar 2012. Household includes: James Robertson [sic], 44, farmer, owns pers. prop. of $500; Mary, 40; Andrew, 13; Sarah, 16; Alexander, 11; Thomas, 9; Elizabeth, 3; all b. VA.
  7. [S2743] Jack Hockett, Washington Co. VA Will Book 16 1863-1866, abstracting Will Bk 16: 350. The will of Mary Robinson was dated 25 May 1854 and exhibited at court 25 Dec. 1865. It named daughters Leah Snodgrass, Margaret Dungan, Rachel Snodgrass and deceased daughter Eliza Tomleson. [Tomlinson]
  8. [S3056] "Decree dated 6 Sept. 1867", James Robinson vs heirs of Samuel Robinson, Washington Co., Virginia Ended Chancery Causes 1869-15, reel 117, Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond, Virginia.
  9. [S635] James Robinson household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring township, p. 16 (original script), dwelling 145, family 151, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Mar 2012. Household includes: James Robinson, 66, farmer, owns land worth $800; Mary A., 62, owns pers. prop. worth $500; Sarah M., 24; Alex, 21; Thomas W., 15; Ele E.J., 12; Rebecca, 10; all b. VA.
  10. [S367] Jas Robertson [sic] household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., District 67, p. 139 (stamped), dwelling 1031, family 1031, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Mar 2012. Household includes: Jas Robertson [sic], 31, farmer; Mary A., 32; Sarah, 6; Andrew J., 4; Alexander, 1; all b. VA.
  11. [S163] James Robinson household, 1880 U.S. Cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Holston District, ED 100, p. 14B, dwelling 110, family 110. Mar 2012. Household includes: James Robinson, 64, farmer, Mary A., wife, 62; Alex, 30, son; Thomas 25, son; Virginia, 19, dau; all b. VA.
  12. [S3] Moore and Stephens, Washington Co., VA Birth and Death Records, p. 215. Charity Robinson, d 20 May 1857 of scarlet fever at age 4y 2m, reported by father, James A. Robinson.
  13. [S8] Hockett and Hunt, 1891-1902 Marriages of Washington Co. VA, p. 56. Henry Edmondson Horne, 42, s/o John E. & Mary B. Horne, furniture dealer AND Rebecca Virginia Robinson, 30, d/o James & Mary Robinson; 28 Dec. 1892.