William Robinson (Rhode Island)
Encyclopedia
William Robinson was a deputy governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
. The son of Rowland and Mary (Allen) Robinson of South Kingstown in the Rhode Island colony, his father was a relatively late immigrant to Rhode Island, arriving in Newport from Cumberland
, England in 1675.
Robinson first served in a civil capacity in 1724, becoming Deputy from South Kingstown, and subsequently served an additional eight terms. In 1735 and again in 1741 he was the Speaker of the House of Deputies. In 1742 he was appointed by the Assembly with four others to determine if the "woods" part of Newport, consisting mostly of farmers, should be set apart from the "compact" part of Newport, consisting mostly of merchants and tradesmen. The following year the "woods" part became the new town of Middletown
. In 1745 Robinson was selected as Deputy Governor of the colony for a one year term, and then selected again in 1747 for another term, serving under Governor Gideon Wanton
both times.
Robinson married twice, first to Martha, the daughter of John and Sarah (Wilson) Potter with whom he had five children. Following Martha's death he married Abigail, the widow of Caleb Hazard, and daughter of William and Abigail (Remington) Gardiner. This marriage resulted in eight more children. Robinson died on 19 September 1751 in South Kingstown, leaving a very large estate to his heirs, valued at over 21,000 pounds. He is buried in a Robinson family cemetery near Narragansett Pier.
Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was one of the original English Thirteen Colonies established on the east coast of North America that, after the American Revolution, became the modern U.S...
. The son of Rowland and Mary (Allen) Robinson of South Kingstown in the Rhode Island colony, his father was a relatively late immigrant to Rhode Island, arriving in Newport from Cumberland
Cumberland
Cumberland is a historic county of North West England, on the border with Scotland, from the 12th century until 1974. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 and now forms part of Cumbria....
, England in 1675.
Robinson first served in a civil capacity in 1724, becoming Deputy from South Kingstown, and subsequently served an additional eight terms. In 1735 and again in 1741 he was the Speaker of the House of Deputies. In 1742 he was appointed by the Assembly with four others to determine if the "woods" part of Newport, consisting mostly of farmers, should be set apart from the "compact" part of Newport, consisting mostly of merchants and tradesmen. The following year the "woods" part became the new town of Middletown
Middletown, Rhode Island
Middletown is a town in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 16,150 at the 2010 census. It lies to the south of Portsmouth and to the north of Newport on Aquidneck Island, hence the name "Middletown."-Geography:...
. In 1745 Robinson was selected as Deputy Governor of the colony for a one year term, and then selected again in 1747 for another term, serving under Governor Gideon Wanton
Gideon Wanton
Gideon Wanton was a governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations who served for two separate one-year terms. His father was Joseph Wanton, a shipbuilder in Tiverton, and his mother was Sarah Freeborn, the daughter of Gideon and Sarah Freeborn...
both times.
Robinson married twice, first to Martha, the daughter of John and Sarah (Wilson) Potter with whom he had five children. Following Martha's death he married Abigail, the widow of Caleb Hazard, and daughter of William and Abigail (Remington) Gardiner. This marriage resulted in eight more children. Robinson died on 19 September 1751 in South Kingstown, leaving a very large estate to his heirs, valued at over 21,000 pounds. He is buried in a Robinson family cemetery near Narragansett Pier.
See also
- List of lieutenant governors of Rhode Island
- List of colonial governors of Rhode Island
- Colony of Rhode Island and Providence PlantationsColony of Rhode Island and Providence PlantationsThe Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was one of the original English Thirteen Colonies established on the east coast of North America that, after the American Revolution, became the modern U.S...