William Robinson
Ancestor Story Submitted by Dorothy Lindquist
First Families of Huron County Member #30
Ancestor Story Submitted by Dorothy Lindquist
First Families of Huron County Member #30
WILLIAM ROBINSON was born in 1780 in Mill Creek Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware. (1) William left Delaware in 1801 for Washington County, Pennsylvania, at the age of 21. About 1802/06 he married LETITIA COLEMAN, who was born in 1788 in New Jersey. Two sons, James and Thomas, were born there. Between 1805 and 1810, they moved to Linton Township, Coshocton County, Ohio. In 1813, he purchased the 160 acres in Linton Township. (2) Nine more children were born in Linton Township: Christina, Ema1iza, Sarah Ann, Huriah, Martha, John, William Jerden, WESLEY, and Aaron.
In 1828, William sold his property in Linton Township, Coshocton County, Ohio, to John Williams (3) and moved to Marion County, Ohio. He purchased land in Marion County and lived there until 1832 when the children contracted milk fever. William set off on horseback to find a healthier climate for his family. He exchanged his horse for fifty acres of land with Jonas Gilson. Without delay, he brought his family to Norwich Township, Huron County, arriving in May 1832. (4) The land was wooded except for fifteen acres. All kinds of wild animals, such as deer and turkeys, were abundant in the area. William and his sons cleared the land and a tract of 150 acres was added to the homestead. The family lived in a log house. Meanwhile, he sold his estate in Marion County for $1,600 and invested the proceeds in land in Wood County, Ohio. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1834 and held the office until 1849.
His oldest daughter, Christina, married John Bowen in Marion Co. and they, too, moved to Norwich Township. John, a brick mason and manufacturer of bricks, built the first brick chimney erected in Norwich Township on William's log house.
William was a farmer and large landowner as were his sons (5). He bought and sold land for several years in Norwich Township. (6) In 1855 William, his wife and son Aaron moved to Fitchville Township onto a farm purchased from Dr. E. Smith, located one-and-a-half miles west of the village of Fitchville. Here they remained until Williams's death on 10 August 1864 at 11:50 p.m. of consumption. His wife survived him but a few months, dying on 25 Jananuary 1865 at 4:50 a.m. They are buried in Fitchville Cemetery. (7)
Many of William and Letitia’s descendants still live in Huron County, Ohio. Since 1908, a family reunion has been held each year in August.
Sources:
(1) Obituary, The Firelands Pioneer, June 1865
(2) Tract Book - Entries - Congress Lands - 22 Ranges & US Military Lands - Vol. 2 - Auditor of State page 212. "William Robinson - R 5, T 4, Section 20, Part of Section: NW 1/4 of Section 160.00 acres, Date of Entry: 25 Mar 1813. Land Office where sold: Zanesville. Residence at time of Entry: Coshocton County, Ohio."
(3) Coshocton County, Ohio Deed Records, Vol. 5, page 16.
(4) Arthur William Robinson (great-grandson) Family Journal
(5) US Agricultural Census - NARC Film 11159: 1850-Roll5; 1860-Roll21; 1870-Roll38; 1880-Roll68.
(6) Huron County , Ohio, Deed Records.
(7) Huron County , Ohio, Cemetery Records, Norwalk Public Library
In 1828, William sold his property in Linton Township, Coshocton County, Ohio, to John Williams (3) and moved to Marion County, Ohio. He purchased land in Marion County and lived there until 1832 when the children contracted milk fever. William set off on horseback to find a healthier climate for his family. He exchanged his horse for fifty acres of land with Jonas Gilson. Without delay, he brought his family to Norwich Township, Huron County, arriving in May 1832. (4) The land was wooded except for fifteen acres. All kinds of wild animals, such as deer and turkeys, were abundant in the area. William and his sons cleared the land and a tract of 150 acres was added to the homestead. The family lived in a log house. Meanwhile, he sold his estate in Marion County for $1,600 and invested the proceeds in land in Wood County, Ohio. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1834 and held the office until 1849.
His oldest daughter, Christina, married John Bowen in Marion Co. and they, too, moved to Norwich Township. John, a brick mason and manufacturer of bricks, built the first brick chimney erected in Norwich Township on William's log house.
William was a farmer and large landowner as were his sons (5). He bought and sold land for several years in Norwich Township. (6) In 1855 William, his wife and son Aaron moved to Fitchville Township onto a farm purchased from Dr. E. Smith, located one-and-a-half miles west of the village of Fitchville. Here they remained until Williams's death on 10 August 1864 at 11:50 p.m. of consumption. His wife survived him but a few months, dying on 25 Jananuary 1865 at 4:50 a.m. They are buried in Fitchville Cemetery. (7)
Many of William and Letitia’s descendants still live in Huron County, Ohio. Since 1908, a family reunion has been held each year in August.
Sources:
(1) Obituary, The Firelands Pioneer, June 1865
(2) Tract Book - Entries - Congress Lands - 22 Ranges & US Military Lands - Vol. 2 - Auditor of State page 212. "William Robinson - R 5, T 4, Section 20, Part of Section: NW 1/4 of Section 160.00 acres, Date of Entry: 25 Mar 1813. Land Office where sold: Zanesville. Residence at time of Entry: Coshocton County, Ohio."
(3) Coshocton County, Ohio Deed Records, Vol. 5, page 16.
(4) Arthur William Robinson (great-grandson) Family Journal
(5) US Agricultural Census - NARC Film 11159: 1850-Roll5; 1860-Roll21; 1870-Roll38; 1880-Roll68.
(6) Huron County , Ohio, Deed Records.
(7) Huron County , Ohio, Cemetery Records, Norwalk Public Library
Wesley Robinson
WESLEY ROBINSON, the tenth child of WILLIAM and LETITIA (COLEMAN) ROBINSON, was born 22 October 1822 in Linton Township, Coshocton County, Ohio. The family moved to Marion County, Ohio, in 1828, and thence to Huron County in 1832. They lived in a log house surrounded by woods with all kinds of wild animals including deer and turkeys. Wesley and his brothers helped their father clear the land. He went to school for short periods of time in the winter months. After exposure and hard work, he was stricken with rheumatism and was crippled for about five years. He taught winter school two terms, and then returned to farming, remaining on the old homestead. (1)
On April 5, 1846, Wesley married MARY BENNETT, daughter of Isaac H. and Sarah (Cassady) Bennett, of Reed Township, Seneca County, Ohio. They continued to live with his parents until the parents moved to Fitchville. They remained on the old homestead where they raised their four sons: WILLIAM M., Isaac Hedges, George Atkins, and Daniel Bennett. (2)
Wesley bought and sold land, accumulating as much as 437 acres. (3) He farmed his land and raised Merino sheep having as many as 200 head at a time. (4)
Being public minded he held several public offices including constable (1846); township assessor several times; 1857-1863 and 1874. (?) he was Justice of the Peace. (1)
During his lifetime he was a member of the United Brethren Church; F. & A.M. Richland Lodge, No. 201, Plymouth, Ohio; I.O.O.F. Centerton Lodge, No.607. He also was a charter member of Live Oak Grange No.747, Norwich Township, and a member of Pomona Grange of Huron County were he served as Master several times in both Grange Organizations. (1)
He was considered by many to be a wealthy man, but he lost thousands of dollars cosigning notes for others. He erected on the family homestead at a cost of $5,000 a beautiful brick home, having two layers of brick with air space between. It still stands today.
Wesley passed away 12 December 1898 in Norwich Township and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Norwalk, Ohio. His wife, Mary, passed away 10 December 1894 in Norwich Township. She is buried beside her husband in Woodlawn Cemetery. (5)
Sources:
(1) The Heritage Collection Biography & History of the Counties of Huron & Lorain , Ohio, Vol. 1, Beers.
(2) Federal Census, Huron County, Ohio- 1850, 1860.
(3) Huron County Ohio Deed Records
(4) U.S. Agricultural Census: NARC Film 11159: 18S0-Roll5; 1860-Roll21; 1870-Roll38; 1880-Roll68.
(5) Huron County Cemetery Records, Norwalk Public Library, Norwalk, Ohio
On April 5, 1846, Wesley married MARY BENNETT, daughter of Isaac H. and Sarah (Cassady) Bennett, of Reed Township, Seneca County, Ohio. They continued to live with his parents until the parents moved to Fitchville. They remained on the old homestead where they raised their four sons: WILLIAM M., Isaac Hedges, George Atkins, and Daniel Bennett. (2)
Wesley bought and sold land, accumulating as much as 437 acres. (3) He farmed his land and raised Merino sheep having as many as 200 head at a time. (4)
Being public minded he held several public offices including constable (1846); township assessor several times; 1857-1863 and 1874. (?) he was Justice of the Peace. (1)
During his lifetime he was a member of the United Brethren Church; F. & A.M. Richland Lodge, No. 201, Plymouth, Ohio; I.O.O.F. Centerton Lodge, No.607. He also was a charter member of Live Oak Grange No.747, Norwich Township, and a member of Pomona Grange of Huron County were he served as Master several times in both Grange Organizations. (1)
He was considered by many to be a wealthy man, but he lost thousands of dollars cosigning notes for others. He erected on the family homestead at a cost of $5,000 a beautiful brick home, having two layers of brick with air space between. It still stands today.
Wesley passed away 12 December 1898 in Norwich Township and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Norwalk, Ohio. His wife, Mary, passed away 10 December 1894 in Norwich Township. She is buried beside her husband in Woodlawn Cemetery. (5)
Sources:
(1) The Heritage Collection Biography & History of the Counties of Huron & Lorain , Ohio, Vol. 1, Beers.
(2) Federal Census, Huron County, Ohio- 1850, 1860.
(3) Huron County Ohio Deed Records
(4) U.S. Agricultural Census: NARC Film 11159: 18S0-Roll5; 1860-Roll21; 1870-Roll38; 1880-Roll68.
(5) Huron County Cemetery Records, Norwalk Public Library, Norwalk, Ohio
William M. Robinson
WILLIAM M. ROBINSON was born 30 March 1847 in Norwich Township, Huron County, Ohio. He was the eldest of four sons of WESLEY and MARY (BENNETT) ROBINSON. William M. grew up on his parents' farm, going to school during the winter and working on the farm in the summer months.
He married Susan Ellen Bennington on 4 November 1868 in Richmond Township, Huron County, Ohio. Susan Ellen was born 9 September 1850 in Greene County, Pennsylvania, the daughter of George S. and Amanda (Spragg) Bennington. (1)
William M. operated a general store in Havana, Ohio, for a number of years. Four children were born to the couple: Orie Belle, born 14 August 1869; Jessie Mae, born 22 December 1876; Arthur William, born 19 August 1880; and Bertha Ellen, born 16 November 1885. (2)
He moved the family to Michigan in 1893.(3) There he bought a farm near Grass Lake and farmed the land until 1906 when he moved to his daughter Jessie Mae (Helma's) home in Adrian, Michigan. He passed away 23 March 1923 in Adrian. (4) His wife Susan Ellen spent her remaining days in Grass Lake and passed away 3 November 1926. They are both interred in a Grass Lake Cemetery beside their daughter, Bertha Ellen Burtch. (5)
William M. And Susan Ellen were grandparents to ten and great-grand parents to sixteen.
Sources:
(1) Family records
(2) Huron County Ohio birth records
(3) 1900 U.S. Census, Jackson County, MI
(4) Death certificate, Lenawee County , MI
(5) Death certificate, Jackson County, MI
He married Susan Ellen Bennington on 4 November 1868 in Richmond Township, Huron County, Ohio. Susan Ellen was born 9 September 1850 in Greene County, Pennsylvania, the daughter of George S. and Amanda (Spragg) Bennington. (1)
William M. operated a general store in Havana, Ohio, for a number of years. Four children were born to the couple: Orie Belle, born 14 August 1869; Jessie Mae, born 22 December 1876; Arthur William, born 19 August 1880; and Bertha Ellen, born 16 November 1885. (2)
He moved the family to Michigan in 1893.(3) There he bought a farm near Grass Lake and farmed the land until 1906 when he moved to his daughter Jessie Mae (Helma's) home in Adrian, Michigan. He passed away 23 March 1923 in Adrian. (4) His wife Susan Ellen spent her remaining days in Grass Lake and passed away 3 November 1926. They are both interred in a Grass Lake Cemetery beside their daughter, Bertha Ellen Burtch. (5)
William M. And Susan Ellen were grandparents to ten and great-grand parents to sixteen.
Sources:
(1) Family records
(2) Huron County Ohio birth records
(3) 1900 U.S. Census, Jackson County, MI
(4) Death certificate, Lenawee County , MI
(5) Death certificate, Jackson County, MI
