Background
He was born in Virginia in 1763, the son of Oxford-educated Peter Robinson (ca 1719–1768), and nephew of John Robinson, Speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses, and loyalist leader Beverly Robinson (ca 1722–1792).
He was born in Virginia in 1763, the son of Oxford-educated Peter Robinson (ca 1719–1768), and nephew of John Robinson, Speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses, and loyalist leader Beverly Robinson (ca 1722–1792).
Born in Virginia to one of the British colony"s most influential families, it has been contended that he was educated at the College of William and Mary, although no evidence exists to support that fact.
He was also a close relation of John Robinson (bishop of London) (1650–1723), a senior Anglican cleric and influential diplomat. In fact, his early life remains shrouded in mystery and genealogical legerdemain. On June 26, 1781, he was commission an Ensign in the Queen"s Rangers under John Graves Simcoe and served through the surrender of the British army at Yorktown, until 1783.
He retired at half pay in New Brunswick, but moved to Quebec in search of employment.
In 1792, Simcoe, now Lieutenant Governor of Upper, offered him a post as a minor surveyor general and he moved to Kingston. In 1794, he received his license to practice law and, in 1796, he was elected to the 2nd Parliament of Upper representing Ontario & Addington.
In 1797, he played a role in establishing the Law Society of Upper He died suddenly at York (Toronto) in 1798. William Fairfield took his place in the legislative assembly in June 1799.
Robinson in 1784 in New Brunswick married Esther Sayre, daughter of Review
John Sayre, who came to the Colonies on behalf of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. She died in 1827. John Beverley, a lawyer, judge and political figure in Upper
Peter, political figure in who played an important role in promoting immigration from Ireland to Upper
William Benjamin, a political figure in Upper and West.