The Robinson Family
Levi Robinson was born circa 1833 in Somerset County, Maryland. He became a slave of William Catlin in September of 1849 at the age of 16. Robinson received a deed of manumission and release of service from Catlin when he enlisted in the Volunteer Army of United States Colored Troops of the Civil War. He enlisted in the Ninth Regiment Company K on October 22, 1863 serving under Colonel William Birney who was the Superintendent of recruiting colored troops in the state of Maryland at White Haven. The military’s description of Levi Robinson stated that he had gray eyes, black hair, and a dark complexion. His height was five feet and six inches; occupation was an oysterman. He was discharge November 26, 1866, serving three years, one month and four days. His wife was Margaret Ann Jones Robinson.
She was born February 23, 1838 in Wetipquin, Maryland. Margaret and members of her family were slaves on the Mitchell farm known as “Wesson” located on the south side of the Nanticoke River in Wetipquin. Her parents were Phillip Jones and Mary Bounds Jones of Wetipquin. Levi Robinson and his wife, Margaret Robinson’s home was in White Haven, Maryland. The children of Levi and Margaret were J Edward Robinson, Sarah L Robinson, Charles H Robinson, James A Robinson, Mary G Robinson, John Hayes Robinson and Cora Lee Robinson. By 1880 Margaret Robinson was a widow. In the 1990 census records of the pensions for the USC Troops, Margaret Robinson was receiving a pension on the behalf of her husband- Levi Robinson. Her pension records can be found at the National Archives located in Washington, DC. She died from the results of a bush fire before 1900.
J. Edward Robinson, the oldest child, was born August 20, 1859 at “Wesson” in Wetipquin, Maryland. His family called him “Ed”. He was a carpenter by trade, owned a grocery store and was a sailor. His wife was Mary Lucinda Hull Robinson. She was born February 1863 in Quantico, Maryland. Her parents were Sidney Hull and Mary J Horsey Hull of Wetipquin. Her father was a Civil War veteran also. The 1900 census records show that she was the mother of seven children and only three daughters survived. Lucinda died in childbirth November 2, 1916 and was buried in Friendship Methodist Episcopal Church (Now United Methodist) Cemetery. After the death of his wife Lucinda, Ed Robinson married Anna Maria Dashiell of Mardela Springs, Maryland. They lived in Mardela. Edward Robinson died November 21, 1932.
Sarah Jane Robinson was the oldest daughter of Edward and Lucinda Robinson. She was born August 1881 in Wetipquin. Her husband was Perry Thomas Wright. He was Born August 1874 in Wetipquin. His parents were Michael Wright and Eleanor Peters Wright. Sarah Jane was said to be the mother of eighteen children. The following of them reached adulthood: Levi, Willis, Edward, Ira, Theodore, Samuel, Naomi, Dorene, Perry Jr., Sylvia, Vellous, Bernard and Oliver.
Leola Desalon Robinson, the second daughter of Ed and Lucinda Robinson, was born July 3, 1883 in Wetipquin. Her husband was James Arthur Mitchell of Washington DC. He was born December 11, 1880 in Washington and died July 1941 in Wetipquin. From this union were ten children: Minnie, Robert, Marceline B, Amos, Mable, Launia, James, Agnes, Leroy and Lillie Mae. Leola Robinson Mitchell died December 29, 1965. The youngest daughter of Ed and Lucinda Robinson was Lillian Ann Robinson. She was born August 1885 in Wetipquin. Her first marriage was to Noah Wright of Wetipquin. His mother was Sally Wright of Wetipquin. Their children were Lucinda, Emily Mae and Bernice. After the death of Noah, she married Saul Smiley of Sharptown, Maryland. Being a widow once again she married Charles Ennis of Hebron. All of Lillian Ann’s descendants live in New Jersey. She died July 8, 1971 in Summit, New Jersey.
Second Child of Levi and Margaret Robinson. Sarah L Robinson was born January 1862 at “Wesson” in Wetipquin. Third Child of Levi and Margaret Robinson. Charles H Robinson was born March 1866 in White Haven, Maryland. The family called him Hillary. Hillary Robinson was joined in holy matrimony to Carrie J Polk. The Robinson family name continued through the oldest grandson of Edward Robinson, Levi Edward Robinson was the first-born of Sarah Jane Robinson. Levi Edward Robinson was born May 2, 1891 in Wetipquin. His father was James Talbot Wright. The family decided that he would carry the family name (Robinson) instead of (Wright) because he was the only boy in the family at that time. Their grandparents reared Levi and his first cousin Minnie Ray Robinson, oldest Daughter of Leola Robinson. They grew up as brother and sister. Levi’s wife was Aurelia Stewart Robinson. She was born in Wetipquin. Her parents were William Stewart and Carrie Morris Stewart of Wetipquin. Their children are the following: William, Charles, Mckindley, Corinda, Thelma, Louise, Novella, Roberta and Carrie.
The Robinson family name continues through Charles Emerson Robinson, the second son of Levi and Aurelia Robinson. He was born July 26, 1920 in Wetipquin. He attended the public school of Wicomico County. He was very active in the church and community until his health begins to decline. Charles loves music and once owned a guitar, his youngest brother Mckindley would take his guitar and play it. Mckindley became a professional musician playing for quartets and choirs in the church. His oldest brother, William was gifted with his hands and could make lots of crafts from wood. William, Mckindley and his youngest sister, Roberta is deceased. Charles is very dedicated to his family. Whenever they come to Wetipquin for a visit, they stay at his house. Charles loves to talk about his life experiences and the love of God. His wife is Izenia Maddox Robinson, formerly of Westover, Maryland. The children of this union are Alphonso, Estella, Harold and Audrey. Charles loves to come worship services to praise the lord. He continues to carry the legacy of the Robinson family name.