Robinson
The Robinson surname crops up a lot over the decades, however as yet we can’t reliably link the family relationships. If you can help please get in touch.
14th June 1761 – Acknowledgement of settlement. “To churchwardens & overseers of Stowupland, from the same of Combs, acknowledging John Robinson, Eliz his wife, Wm, John, Martha & Eliz, their children to be our inhabitants {Note made by P. Northeast and found in Ena Carter’s Archives}
In 1791 John Robinson is named as an occupier on Crown Farm.
In 1791 John Robinson is named in Church Farm deeds as living in a property near Crown Farm. In 1806 Esther Dove and John Robinson are associated with the property. In 1818 when Mrs (widow) Carter put Crown Farm up for auction John Robinson was named as living in an adjoining cottage that was offered for sale in a separate lot. Was this Scoltons?
1792 Elizabeth Robinson age 32 was buried in Earl Stonham.
In 1793 Edmund, John, Eliz, and samuel of William Robinson were received into the church of Earl Stonham.
In 1804 properties occupied by William Robinson, William Wells and William Kaley were put up for auction. As well as including an orchard there was a Pot-Ash.
From the 1813 Baptism record for the parish of Stonham – 11th April, John son of John and Sarah Robinson, Sarah had a note late Quinton.
John and Sarah married in Earl Stonham church on 10th February 1812.
In 1818, when Mrs (widow) Carter put Crown Farm up for auction John Robinson was living in an adjoining cottage that was offered for sale in a separate lot, (could this be Scoltons?)A
In a conveyance of the 1820s a John Robinson surrendered property to William Harbour. (Mentioned in a will of James Moyes (executors George Chittock and Jonathan Thurlow).
02/05/ 1840. William Robinson (b 1817)) occupation was given as a carpenter, at the age of 23 he hanged himself – ‘being a lunatic’. (Stowmarket LHG archive, data collated by Steve Williams)
In the 1841 census Edward Robinson was an Ag lab, living and working at Stowupland Hall for Charles Freeman. Also there is 30 year old Samuel Robinson (b 1811)
July 20th 1844: Sale of Property of John Stedman (Deceased) Freehold double cottage in the occupation of Edmund Robinson & George Alexander, & 3 pieces of arable land (9acres) in occupation of executors
From the 1841, in the Earl Stonham census we have William (b.1806, in Hemingstone- an ag lab) with Amy Robinson (b 1811 in Earl Stonham). They have 7 children: Mary (b. 1831, in Earl Stonham), William (b. 1832), Sarah (b. 1834), John (b 1836), Elizabeth b, 1837), Edmund (1839) and Samuel 6 mths.
Then 10 years later, the 1851 census for William (age 47) and Amy ( age 42) with 8 children still at home: Mary ( age 20), Elizabeth (age 14), Edmund (age 12), Samuel ( age 10), Rosanna (age 8), Emily (age 6), Frederick ( age 3 ) and i year old Ann. But William (age 19), Sarah (age 17) and John (age 15) are no longer home. So Amy had 11 children! 14 year old Elizabeth is named as a scholar whilst Edmund, Samuel, Roasanna and Emily are all named as Sunday Scholars. This is before the Stowupland school opened and it was unusual for children to stay at school till 14.
Photo of Amy and William Robinson taken towards the end of the 19th century (supplied by a neighbour from her family history archive.)
William Robinson was born in the early 1800s, he married Amy in 1830.
In 1859 a letter was published in the Bury Free Press from Mrs Robinson, Old Meeting House, Stowupland. She was giving her endorsement for Madame Cavania’s ‘Female Friend Pills and Turkey Liver and Nervine Pills’.
William Robinson (father of Edmund), worked as a horseman for Charles Rayner Freeman of Stowupland Hall. By the age of 67 William is recorded in the census as being disabled but still an ag lab.
Amy lived to be 83.
One of her daughters became Mrs Rose Lockwood who lived in Saxon (Saxham) Street.
These reminiscences were published in a 1917 newspaper.
Searching through the census forms the Robinson family appear to have moved several times, but this is because over the decades what is now the A1120 between Thorney Green and Saxham Street corner has been known by several different names.
William’s son Edmund Robinson (b. 1839) attended ‘secular school’ for one week only though he may have attended the Congregational Sunday School. In the 1851 census, at age 12, he is shown as being a Sunday Scholar. The article says that as soon as he was old enough he was sent to Stowupland Hall where he ‘assisted Mr Charles Rayner Freeman, who was deaf and blind for whom he acted as interpreter about the Hall, and also made his business journeys’ in his horse and gig (Presumably between 1840s and 186os).
Edmund Robinson (b.1834) married Esther (b . 1843 in Mendlesham). In the 1861 census, at the age of 22 his occupation is given as horseman, whether he is still helping as an interpreter for Mr C.R. Freeman we don’t know.
By 1871 Edmund and Esther are living next door to his parents and they have a 1 year old son, called William.
Stowupland Hall has a new bailiff, Alfred Skingley and William Robinson dispite being described in the census as disabled is still working at the Stowupland Hall.
Further details of Edmund Robinson taken from his 1917 Reminiscences of Stowupland. Edmund Robinson worked for Mr. C. R. Freeman about twenty years then he worked for Mr. Pyman, of Park Farm: from there he went to Creeting Hall for about a year the only time he went to work outside – his native village. For about 15 years he was with Mr. Robert Boby, of Columbine Hall, and for 23 years he was employed by Mr. John Stearn of Crown Farm. He took in first harvest when he was 19 years of age, and his last when he was over sixty. He continued at work until he was 65, and only gave up about twelve years since because of an attack of rheumatism in his leg. Even at the age of 77 years he looks after two plots of garden land, one of 14 rods, and another of 13 rods, his son, Councillor Nathan Robinson, giving him help occasionally. Wet or fine, his son, Councillor George Robinson, pays him a visit on Sundays. There were as many as ten harvestmen taken on. The pay was £5 for the harvest and 2 and half bushels of malt, boys were allowed two 2 pecks of malt.
Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Robinson celebrated their 51st year of their married life on Nov. 15th last.
Suffolk Mercury 23 April 1870
PETTY SESSIONS.—Monday. Before R. J. Pettiward (Chairman), C. Tyrell, and E: A. Oakes, Esqs. Edmund Robinson, labourer, of Stowupland, was charged with having, on the 31st of March, stolen two bushels of oats, value 4s. 6d., the property of his master, Mr. Robert Boby, of Stowupland, farmer.—The prisoner was defended by Mr, Walpole—lt appeared the prisoner took the oats for his master’s horses, and he had borne a good character for several years.—Case dismissed. {Read more about Robert Boby}.
One of Edmund’s younger brothers, Robert (b. 1854), was working at the Gun Cotton Munitions factory in 1871.
March 9th 1850: Sale of part of stock-in- trade of Mr John Robinson, who declines the wheelwright business
1852 At present it is not known where the property refered to was located. {Ipswich Journal: 10 July 1852}
In 1852 William Freeman in his diaries mentions a Robinson carpenter ‘putting in windows and doors, reapairing granary and putting up new dresser.
The census of 1851 has John Robinson (age 38) living next door to George Cutting (b 1779, described as a Pauper, ag lab) and Sarah Cutting (aged 72). John is described as a carpenter employing 3 men. His wife is not named but he has 7 children: Robert (age 15), Sarah (age 11, John (age 10), Smuel (age 8), Elizabeth (age 5), Jane (age 3) and 7 month old Mary,
The census of 1861 has John Robinson (b.1813, a carpenter) and wife Patience (b.1804) Robinson living in Saxham Street with 4 children: Robert (b 1837), Samuel (b. 1843 , a carpenter), Edward (b.1843, a carpenter) and Jane (b. 1848). John had been born in Stonham but his wife and children were from Stowupland. As can be seen 21 year old Sarah and 20year old John are no longer in the family home, neither are 15 year old Elizabeth and more woryingly 10 year old mary is not named.
From 1861, to be sold by Auction by Mr Henry Crosse on Nov 21st, ‘Capital assortment of Superior beech, Ash and fancy – grained Oak Plank, excellent Old English and Black Poplar Boards and Plank of various thickness, superior Elm But, Four Ash timbers, 14 pairs of naves of large dimensions, quantity of oak sills. Posts and Scantling, sundry window frames, Sash Lights, shutters, troughs, mangers, &c; several lots of Wheelwrights and carpenter’s articles; Four new ladders, strong Timber Jin, useful machines, pair of vices &c; set of nearly new Pony harness; 2 clocks, tables, chairs, linen horse, and sundry other useful furniture; the surplus stock of John Robinson, carpenter and builder, at Stowupland.’
And in the Essex Standard, 29th Jan 1868, an auction by Newmarket auctioner against John Robinson of Stowupland, carpenter – to recover £10 3s 2d having bought some lots he was unable to pay for.
John Robinson is important to our history of Saxham Street. In 1869 he was the owner and occupier of a house & shops in Saxon (Saxham) Street, with a rateable value of £6 5s 0d. This is most likely Saxham Cottage – though we don’t know if it had a name. He also owns a house and garden in Saxon (sic) Street occupied by Widow Hammond and a cottage occupied by John Stockings. This John Robinson was most likely born 1812.
And from the Ipswich Chronicle 26th March 1868, ‘Mr Robinson has a contract to supply coffins to Sto Union WorkHouse.’
At present it is conjectured that the carpenters shop etc is the area now known as Viesities and Saxham Cottage in Saxham Street. Previously owned by John Quinton. Was it bought by the Goldsbury father and son?
In 1870 an Edmund Robinson was accused of stealing 2 bushels of oats from Robert Boby. It is unknown where Edmund fits in the Robinson families.
1881 census: Thomas Robinson (b1850) and his wife Susannah with children, Thomas, Arthur, and Mary are living in Saxham Street.
In 1901 living along Main Road at 2, Myrtle Cottage: Sarah Wilden widow (64), Charles Robinson, (son, aged 42) Gunner 88 R. F.A. (88th Regiment Field Artillery?) and Ellen C. Robertson granddaughter (9).
In 1901 Aubrey Alfred Robinson at the age of 15 was living in Saxham Street and working as a telegraph messenger. He enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment but he was was killed on 11 April 1917, aged 21 . He has no know grave but is commemorated on the Arras Memorial and on the Stowupland War Memorial.
Also named on the 1917 Stowupland Roll of Honour were Albert and Prvt George of the A.S.C.
Nathan Robinson can be seen on this photo of a 1930s presentation of the Soames trophy for a quoits competition.Mr Robinson orgarnised the competition and was quite active in many local organisations. He was Chairman of Parish Council, school manager, Oddfellow and active in Builders trade union etc. He died in 1958. (Neil Langridge).
Ruth Robinson was born in Earl Stonhma but moved to Stowupland following her marriage to Thomas William Brame in the early 20th century
Alfred Robinson – brother of Ruth, known as Uncle Happy and lived in Church Walk. He and his wife Emily had 2 daughters Edith and Dorrie. Edith married Arthur Dent. Dorrie was unmarried but looked after her father for many years. She had been a lady’s maid. It is thought she committed suicide due to poor health.
In May 1934 the marriage took place between Miss G.R. Robinson and Mr W.T. Reason, both of Stowupland.
Also rom the 20th century, Sid Robinson.before joining th Air Ministry Works dept as a stoker at RAF Wattishem in 1939, he had worked in the fitting shop of the Suffolk Iron Foundry at Stowmarket.
In 1944 he joined the RAF as a nursing orderly becoming an NCO in charge of sick quarters.https://www.stowuplandlocalhistorygroup.org/tv-and-radio/
In 1948 he returned to RAF Wattisham.
In 1948 he built a television receiving set ‘which it was believed to be the first seen in Stowupland.’
And according to his son once more people had their own TV set, he became the ‘unofficial’ go to person for anyone where needed the set repairing.
According to this press cutting – in 1964 Miss Elaine Robinson of Eastward, The Green married Lt Peter Lee R.N. They were given a guard of honour by officers from HMS Ganges, Shotley.
1983, occupiers of Fir Tree Farm, Saxham Street were Peter Andrews & wife (this is possibly from Dec 1983) . From the voters list Nicolas C.Robinson (wife Alison)
